This year I will...

…train harder than ever before. Yep, for me, 2014 is going to be the year I achieve my personal best. I’m going to eat well, practice hard, and be my very best on the track team.

Of course that’s at the top of my New Year’s resolutions list. But I have some other goals as well.

I am going to write the best comic book I possibly can, and submit it ON TIME. (It’s almost done, guys, and I LOVE it. I hope the judges too, as well. Can you imagine if it was illustrated by MARVEL. Eeep!)

And if I don’t win, I resolve to not be upset about it. Because you know what? I gave it 100%.

I’m going to pay more attention in science class. Last year, I promised myself I would do better in Math and while it’s still not my best subject, I actually improved my grade. This year, I’m tackling science.

I resolve to read more books. I’m going to read 25 books this year. That seems like a lot, but it’s about two a month. I can handle that, right? PLUS, I’m going to blog about them – I might even start a new page on this blog just for books I think you might like. What do you think?

Gotta jet! I’m just putting the finishing touches on that comic story I’m writing. Then I’ll start my first book of the year – maybe a Jim Benton book: Franny K. Stein – Mad Scientist. I bet that could even help me with science!

Happy New Year!

- Chase Superman Duffy

A fun-filled week of tradition

This is one of my favourite weeks of the year – the week leading up to Christmas.

We have a whole bunch of family traditions over the holidays, starting this weekend with the annual Gingerbread House extravaganza. Mom and I will cook up some delicious gingerbread, while Dad and my sister, Amelia head to the candy store for the accessories. We’ll also use some of our left-over Halloween candy, like the suckers and lifesavers. Last year, we built a castle. I wonder what Dad has in mind this time.

On Sunday, Mom and Grandma will make Ginger Snaps (they’re called Bettys Gingersnaps on canolainfo.org) and Nanaimo Bars – two of my favourites. Plus, Mom does a cookie exchange with some of the ladies from her work. Baked goods aplenty! My tummy is already rumbling.

Monday night, we’ll all drive around the neighbourhood looking at Christmas lights. There’s one house around the corner that does such a great job they should be on the news. I love seeing all of that brilliance.

Of course, we’ll be delivering Santa’s Anonymous gifts on Christmas Eve, and then watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Sometimes we play Whovilleopoly or some other board game. And before bed, we take turns reading from a book, usually a great Christmas story.

Then it’s Christmas morning! Mom makes a delicious pancake breakfast. Afterwards, we go skating (if it’s not too cold), and then head over to my grandparents house for turkey dinner. This year, I’m learning how to make the stuffing. I can hardly wait.

Yep. It’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

PS – It’s a busy week, but I’m putting the finishing touches on my story for the comic contest. I can’t wait to submit it on December 31. Wish me luck!

Giving back over the holidays

I’m still too young to volunteer at the Santa’s Anonymous warehouse in the city, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some other ways I can spread the holiday spirit. 

Dad and I are already planning to join the Santa’s Anonymous delivery team, taking wrapped gifts to dozens of kids across the city. It’s a great way for the family to spend some time together on Christmas Eve – not to mention indulge in a yummy mug of hot chocolate while we navigate the roads.

But, Christmas isn’t all about the presents – it’s about SO much more. So I’ve brainstormed five cool ideas of ways I can “give back” this holiday season.

1. Donate some of the clothes I’ve outgrown, especially warm jackets, mittens, toques, and other warm essentials. There are drop boxes all around the province. You can find one near you. You don’t want all of that stuff cluttering up your closet anyway, do you?

2. Shovel snow for a neighbour! A great way to do a good deed AND work in some exercise. Don’t forget to bundle up, though. Brrr.

3. Help pick up trash at a local park or along your street. All that snowfall is beautiful, but it loses some of its sparkle when there’s garbage everywhere. Fill a bag or two and I bet you’ll see a HUGE difference. (Wear bright clothes and stay off the main streets – safety first!)

4. Create a Facebook or Twitter site for a local non-profit group to spread the word about ongoing needs, or retweet status updates. (Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter!)

5. Gather up gently used books, magazines and movies and donate them to a local children’s hospital. I’ve got a big box of my favourites ready to go.

Cool stuff, right? Go ahead and copy me – the more “giving back” the merrier! And please, share YOUR ideas. 

Gotta jet! I’m working on my comic some more this weekend. Things are starting to really come together. Which is good, because the deadline is just around the corner! Have a great week.

- Chase Superman Duffy

Crafting up a storm

Remember last year? My Mom decided to make all of our family Christmas cards – all billion of them. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but I remember that my right hand was very sore. Well, it turns out Mom isn’t making cards this year – though, we will have to sign all of those that she does buy. (One day, she’ll agree to go digital, right?!)

BUT, that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook for holiday crafts. 2013 will be year of the ornament - Mom has decided to one for each member of our family. Of course, that means we’re ALL making ornaments, even Dad. This should be interesting!

I was a bit nervous at first, but then Mom showed me some pictures of what we’ll be making. Her ideas were inspired by the tutorials and pictures on this blog. Mom bought some clear “ball” ornaments at the local craft store, glue, buttons, paint, glitter and ribbon. That’s it! And look at what we’re making!

Thread some different sized buttons through coloured string for these cute Christmas tree ornaments.

A little bit of old newsprint goes a long way in making these “word-inspired” Christmas ornaments. Top them off with some silver glitter and voila – perfect for the writer on your list. (hint hint)

My sister is a WAY better painter than me, but even I can draw a few white lines to look like trees. These are going to be beautiful!

I’m looking forward to some family time this weekend, getting ready for the holidays. But I’m also planning to do something very special. I’m writing a comic! It’s for a contest – and the winner COULD get their comic illustrated by Marvel. MARVEL! I’m so excited.

The ideas are just starting to come together, but the deadline is – gulp – the end of this month. So when I’m not crafting, I’ll be writing this weekend. Two great ways to ride out the next few days of cold and snow, don’t you think?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy