Queer Books

20 minutes of movement + 20 minutes of journaling + 20 minutes of reading = All the Energy You Need to Enjoy a Great Day as You Create Your Best Self - One Morning at a Time. Let's try this morning routine: Schedule: 5:15 AM Wake Up 5:30 AM Join Zoom Call (sometimes I’m a few minutes late) Link to meeting: https://meet.google.com/jvr-hhvh-tyr 5:30 AM Exercise/Movement 5:50 AM Stop Exercise and take a 5 minute cool down 5:55 AM Journal 6:15 AM Read 6:35 AM Go have an amazing day Inspired by the book, "The 5 AM Club" by Robin Sharma, we will meet on a 5:25 AM zoom call less to interact but more to create accountability and a community to support a common goal of getting up early and starting our day with energy, reflection and great intentions. (and perhaps a Super Big Gulp of Strong Coffee) Below, are some links that will educate you on the book and give you ideas for exercises you can do in your apartment, prompts for journal writing, and books you may want to read. Email me with any questions (kvolandes@volandeslaw.com) and see you bright and early! 5 AM Club Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGAUDm4PyEo&feature=youtu.be Home exercises - https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/strength-training-plyometrics Journal Prompts - https://jour.com/blog/journaling/morning-journaling-prompts Reading - Read a memoir of someone you are interested in learning more about Call me with questions 917-699-4558. Kenny

Come test out your knowledge as we put you on teams and ask you questions and see how much you know! Every team gets a point for every right answer! *** Rules: ● 0 tolerance for bad , inappropriate and offensive language ● no cyber bullying , harassment and shaming ● No rudeness and bad moral, ethical practices online Please report if you notice this happening Breach of these rules automatic ban from the group. Please help keep HPG a safe and happy/positive place for everyone! *** Donate: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO HPG AND INVEST INTO THE FUTURE OF KEEPING THE GROUP GOING WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROSITY AND WORK HARD TO KEEP HAPPINESS AND POSITIVITY IN YOUR LIVES EVERYDAY! PayPal.me/happypositivegroup *** Disclaimer: HPG is not a counselling service and we do not offer advice, support or guidance. This Group is not intended as a substitute for therapy and anyone finding themselves needing care should seek the help of a qualified health care professional. Any text and/or links to external websites posted within comments in this group express the views of the author/respondent. They do not represent the views of the administrators, moderators or any other users. HPG disclaims all liability any responsibility from conversations made in this group.

Shut Up and Write is now alternating in person and Zoom meetings. Tonight's meeting is Zoom, next Monday's is at Namu, in the flesh. It's the same set-up either way: we meet at 5:30, introduce ourselves, get started writing at 5:45. Finish up 7:45-8. You can join late or leave early, no pressure. Whatever you want to write, it's good. The hope is that getting together for a focused writing time will stimulate our productivity, even though it's currently virtual.

**Release Your Inner Writer** **Release Your Inner Writer is for anyone who feels they are a writer, wants to be a writer, or those who want to explore writing in a comfortable and supportive setting. We’ll set the stage for you to write creatively with opportunities to share with the group, or not, whatever you’re comfortable with.** Have you ever thought: “I have an interesting story, but I don’t know how to start sharing it with people”? Have you ever thought of writing a book? Do you simply want to start journaling? Every person has a story to share, and all of them are transformational for us and sometimes for others. When we write our thoughts and ideas down, we move internal content to an external device like a notebook or a laptop. By doing this we’re able to clear our heads and uncover one layer after another. **Hosted by Kathy Nutt** **Kathy Nutt** is a creative who uses many media and styles to convey a glimpse into her mysterious, whimsical world. Although mainly focused on the visual arts, she dabbles in the written word and is endeavoring to cultivate a consistent practice of writing, whether it be poetry, essays, short stories, or journaling. Kathy believes a writing practice (along with any creative practice) is a beneficial way to break through the mundane and view our worlds through fresh new eyes. We may discover a breakthrough, change a pattern, or just experience catharsis. Or we may simply arrive in a place of joy. She believes the creative process is more important than the finished product and that creativity is for everyone, not just the gifted few. **CREATING CONNECTION CANADA** is a network of welcoming and inclusive communities committed to sharing authentic conversation, nurturing meaningful activities, promoting holistic wellness practices, and fostering compassionate action. We are LGBTQ+ affirming. People of every walk of life, culture, faith, or tradition, participate in a myriad of connection groups, forming meaningful community within this diversity. As a result, these communities are multi-faceted - expressing the inspirations, aspirations, wisdom, practices, and blessing of all. While we encourage you to share openly, we ask that you do so in a kind and considerate manner. **As a REGISTERED NON-PROFIT** charity working to bring community together through like-minded interests, we welcome and gratefully appreciate any financial support. Tax receipts are provided. CREDIT CARD: http://donations.creatingconnection.ca E-TRANSFER: donations[@creatingconnection](http://creatingconnection/).ca

We are meeting on ZOOM! Meetings are still formatted to allow 15 minutes of sharing, one hour of writing, and a 15-minute wrap-up chat at the end. We are currently offering writing sessions online Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 PM and Sundays from 1:30 to 3 PM. • What we'll do We'll be meeting for an hour and a half to write our own personal projects, starting and ending with 15-minute discussions. • What to have with you Pen, notebook, laptop, whatever suits your fancy!

When was the last time you read a good book and went on an adventure, learned something new, exercised your brain, and fed your curiosities? Have u given the best friend to your family in the form of BOOKS? Well, I'm super excited to share with you about our club ... THE BOOK CLUB... This is to connect people where we all can share our learning from the books we read every week. Topics will be of general importance like leadership, self development, Finance, mind power, relationships and much more. *The best part is that this is free of cost* Do you carry interest in self growth and life skills development? If yes, join this event on Sunday.

Book: **To be announced.**

Virtual hang out for bi+/pan/fluid people in any aspect of The Arts. We will introduce ourselves and talk about the kind of art we do whether writing, music, painting, photography, theater, fashion, graphic arts, crafting, etc. Bisexual Arts & Crafts: share what you've been working on lately. Does Hanukkah/Christmas provide inspiration? Is anyone making artistic presents for loved ones? For sale? Bring an example of your art to share. Writers may read, musicians play, songwriters sing, painters/ photographers/ comic artists read & show, etc. We have more tools against trolls now: I'll be able to mute them and get rid of them if they show up this time.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

This Month's Book: *On A Sunbeam* by Tillie Walden Join us for discussion at the Granville Public Library from 6 to 7pm. Follow us on Instagram: @granvillepridebookclub

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.