Note from Colleen and Paula: Keri is a writer who adds a lot of humour to the paper. In each issue, she provides her own perspective on life, particularly the things that annoy her. When we told Keri we wanted to feature her in this issue, in true Keri fashion she decided to put her tongue firmly in her cheek and write her own profile.

Although Keri has only been writing for Boyle McCauley News since late summer of 2010, she’s lived in the Boyle Street neighbourhood for ten years. She and her husband Reinhardt initially moved to the area purely through random chance. They have grown to truly love the neighbourhood. She enjoys the diversity and the proximately to the river valley and downtown. She finds the area to have true character, from the multiple festivals and the artistic community, to the historic neighbourhoods and buildings. It is truly conducive to alternative living.

The origin of her volunteer writing began with ranting emails she would send to her sister, Stacey, about her typical workday. She printed off these emails to give her husband a laugh and through his giggling he suggested that she write a column. Her first thought was questioning the morality of inflicting her rambling and ranting on an unsuspecting public. Then she thought “Eh, why not?”

She typically draws her inspiration from ridiculous elements of her everyday life. When closely examined, she finds her everyday life to be fairly ridiculous. Her husband usually encourages her evil thoughts and suggests embellishments. That is likely one of the mainstays of their 15 year relationship. Other sources of comic relief include her stepson, Matthew; nephews Brett, Ryley, and Duncan; and sisters Jen and Stacey. Honourable mention to her mother, Mary, for listening through hour long phone conversations consisting of complaints, guffaws and sarcasm.

Keri has worked in the helping services for several years. She has worked in positions ranging from front-line at a women’s shelter to administrative in government funded employment programs. The work is satisfying and helps her keep life in a proper perspective. She enjoys being of service to people who need it.

Although Keri’s writing can make her seem like a big, grouchy bear, we are assured that she is mostly harmless.