The sickness I had (I think it was Norwalk) is over and I am alive. Every ounce of energy was sucked from my body and it took me longer than usual to get over it. Having my computer crash at the same time didn't help. I don't know what made me feel worse; knowing that I had "lost" so much on my computer and being disconnected from the world, or the physical sickness itself. I'm still not sure. But now I am typing from my home once again and the computer magician resuscitated most everything. All of my work is back and my photos, and the itunes, so that is all well and good. But my e-mail is all gone and the hundreds of contacts in my list. But I won't dwell on the negative. That's all over now and we are going away for an extended weekend break. So I will be around to see how you all have been doing soon. I have missed you!

I am sick with the flu, and my computer has caught it. Or rather I have caught it from my computer. Nasty germs trapped in-between the letters of the keyboard. Anyway, the computer is dead and I have no access to my e-mail or to you. It may be awhile before I am back again. But I wanted to say Happy Birthday, Chloe, and I do hope you are all well.
Peace.

I was recently told by a colleague that I am a classic Type A personality. I pretty much knew this already, but it is still amusing to be told by someone. Today I was elected to be the head of my "department", which sounds exactly like something somebody with my personality would aspire to, although unfortunately it is a rather thankless position. Think along the lines of a highly educated complaint department.

Tonight I gave a very important lecture to an important crowd of people. The talk coincided with the launch of a new publication that I had written the preface for. At the end of the talk, an elderly woman approached me, pen and book in hand, and asked me for my autograph. I was genuinely taken aback and told her that no one had ever asked me for my autograph before. She looked at me intensely and said "You will be famous one day, and that is why I want to have it.". So yes, this comment fed my Type A fire. But don't worry; I am holding on to my humility.

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

I went to see the premier of a documentary on sharks that is going to be opening in theatres in a couple of weeks. The Director was there to answer questions at the end of the show and it was amazing. I was surrounded by environmentally-conscious, aware and literate people. The humanity in the room filed me with hope.

Sharks are being killed for the consumption of shark fin soup. It needs to be banned. Eradicated. Read more about this specific issue in a great on-line article posted here. And more about shark conservation from a great organization and wonderful web site here.

There hasn't been a total lunar eclipse in over 2 and half years. And supposedly I live in one of the best places on Earth to see it. It had just barely begun when I took this photo and by the time it was a complete eclipse, it was total darkness outside. A quick scan through CNN and CBC on the internet news had this as one of their leading items. The U.S. is at war, drought, famine, poverty and disease are prolific throughout most of the developing and developed world and humanity is speeding towards an environmental apocalypse. And this makes the headline news.