| According to the tenth edition of Webster's dictionary, | | | | dine, and catch a live show. Toronto also happens to |
| a curmudgeon is a crusty, ill-tempered and miserly old | | | | be a distant neighbor to the north of us. Lake Ontario |
| man. In reality, curmudgeons are big-hearted, | | | | is the only thing separating Toronto, Canada from |
| non-gender specific folks who hide behind a crust of | | | | Rochester, New York, U.S.A. If the Breeze, our |
| cynicism. They are usually endowed with a sly wit and | | | | infamous fast ferry ever resumes travel, I thought, I |
| acute perception. Their standards can't be | | | | can scuttle across the lake in no time flat to do a little |
| compromised as they attack mediocrity and | | | | business in Toronto. After five minutes of reverie, I |
| dishonesty, whenever found, with satiric humor. Some | | | | thought, "I had better send my resume and writing |
| world-class curmudgeons are Truman Capote, Al | | | | samples out." |
| Capp, Woody Allen and Erica Jong, to name a few. | | | | However, before sending in my resume, which includes |
| People have referred to me as an iconoclast, so I | | | | all pertinent and personal information, except for the |
| suppose I can also be considered a curmudgeon. | | | | birthmark on my back, I like to research the magazine |
| With my mug of hot coffee and computer tuned in (is | | | | and/or company before I commit my life history to a |
| tuned in the correct term...no I'm thinking about the | | | | stranger. When I clicked on to the website, imagine my |
| radio) to job listings for writers, I found myself drawn | | | | surprise when I discovered the e-zine promotes an |
| into the various writers markets available. One job, in | | | | escort service. It may be a great writing opportunity |
| particular, interested me because it was the third time | | | | for someone, but being the old curmudgeon that I am, I |
| the position appeared in the want ads ( The e-zine is a | | | | want to leave some sort of legacy for my |
| one-woman publication looking for promo material, ad | | | | grandchildren that will allow them to remember their |
| copy, or whatever is necessary to promote the | | | | grandmother with pride and dignity. Or, I could apply for |
| magazine. Since I am a Jill of all trades and a master | | | | the freelance job and have my grandchildren |
| of only three, I became intrigued even further. | | | | remember me forever as a sexagesimal sexpot. |
| What also engaged my attention; the e-zine originates | | | | Copyright © 2005 by Pamela Beers. All rights |
| in Toronto, which is one of my favorite spots to shop, | | | | reserved. |