Here I go again...

I'm back here again!

2008-10-19T14:34:00.001-03:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I have moved!!!

2008-05-10T09:18:00.002-03:00

If you find yourself here, please take one step further and you'll find me over here now!

Drop by and say hi!

Happy Earth Hour 2008!

2008-03-30T11:27:00.001-03:00

Happy Easter Everyone!

2008-03-21T21:54:00.001-03:00

It's been awhile: my public service announcement having been here long enough. I lost my blogging mojo. I think it's back, but only time will tell...

What a great time to be American!

2008-02-03T12:31:00.000-04:00

I wish I could vote for him! I'll just keep my fingers crossed that he will become our newest "leader-next-door"!

For lack of anything better to blog...

2008-01-27T20:46:00.000-04:00

I could write about life in my house as of late, but I fear it would be dominated of tales of living with a "terrible two". I have several months of this left: when he blows out the candles on his third birthday cake, the tantrums and craziness better evaporate into the air with the wafts of smoke from his three little candles. Or else.

But rather than dwell on that, I thought I would quiz you: Both or neither of the following is completely true: what do you think?

1. A research project I completed as an undergraduate student was used by professional treasure hunters to search for buried treasure, and

2. I played University football in grad school (of the North American variety).

So are you willing to gamble: do you think these things are correct or am I just being silly (the low air pressure here right now might have something to do with it...)

Happy week ahead, friends.

His Holiness on Ethics

2008-01-20T17:37:00.000-04:00

I am immersed in books, in writing, in wrapping my head around multiple realities that run the gamut from Dr. Seuss to Freud. From Eric Carle to Jane Austen. From Robert Munsch to, well you get the idea. My pen goes mad and my brain refrains back to the Dalai Lama (as I read Ancient Wisdom, Modern World)...

...particular causes lead to particular effects, and...certain actions lead to suffering while 0thers lead to happiness. Thus it is in everybody's interest to do what leads to happiness and avoid that which leads to suffering. And because...out interests are inextricably linked, we are compelled to accept ethics as the indispensable interface between my desire and yours.

Have a week full of happiness and serenity, friends. I implore you.

Amazing!

2008-01-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

One of the best youtube videos I've seen in awhile! Enjoy.

Restless

2008-01-06T14:55:00.000-04:00

I have had a huge amount of free time the past few days; still off work, Christmas craziness is over, the kids are cleaning the house... These are days that I yearned for less than a month ago, but now the spare-time options overwhelm me..sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, iTunes, online Blokus, reading, organizing, adding a dozen more things on one of a dozen online wish lists, baking....but instead I have found myself nearly paralyzed with indecision.

Work begins in earnest again tomorrow. I think that's what I need; an overwhelming amount of work so that I can complain about having no time to do fun things. Those things that are so fun I can't be bothered to actually do when I have the free time.

Shoe what?

2008-01-03T18:46:00.000-04:00

When I was in University (well I still am technically, but I digress...) I worked part-time in a shoe store. Every now and then a gentleman would come in the store. We all knew this man; he dressed very well, in a dress coat and he always had on a tie. His hair was greying slightly and he gave the impression of a very clean-cut businessman. The only odd thing was his choice of footwear. He wore only women's shoes. Size 10. Preferably stilettos and hopefully something in patent leather. Red was always a favourite. And he came and purchased such shoes without a hint of embarrassment. Like this was a perfectly normal thing for him to do.

So I wonder if his mum was someone like me, who told her son that wearing fluffy and feminine footwear is perfectly acceptable. This was the babe's choice this past weekend. Today he wore black patent leather tap shoes....

Happy New Year!!

2007-12-31T15:07:00.000-04:00

I had a video to share with you but my computer is feeling greedy today.

So having been spared that, I will wish you all a most wonderful 2008 friends.

Here's to us all!

Title-less

2007-12-28T15:44:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I wonder why I keep a blog anymore. I have no theme, no major issue that I consistently rant about, like I did in the early days of the blog. I don't feel that I can completely openly write here because God knows who will stumble across this thing. And so I couch my posts in vagaries and idle photos and banter, hoping that by saving my daily or weekly thoughts I will someday look back and be glad that I'd done this for myself if for no one else.

No, I'm not seeking positive feedback or compliments. I am just wondering, that's all, because when it comes down to the things that are really REALLY on my mind, the things that I feel (for whatever reason) that I can't post here, then I start to wonder why I keep this blog at all.

So, now that I have that off my mind, what's everyone having for dinner tonight?!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T14:49:00.000-04:00

And a happy 2008. This will be our best year yet. I feel it (or am working hard on convincing myself, but let's go with the former).

xoxo

Cathy

Are you being served?

2007-12-08T22:26:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we went to dinner at a home of self-professed anarchists. What does this mean, exactly? Well, among other things, it meant that their six year old was allowed to scribble on the walls (aka "cute" to an anarchist) and letting the twin weasels (aka ferrets) shit all over the floor. My life has no room for anarchy, thank you very much. And no, we will not be coming for New Years'.
And now this weekend, we went to dinner to someone else's home. Two individuals. One of whom spoke not a word to me. Not one. How is this possible?
Should I let you in on a very personal secret at this time? Did you know that I genuinely dislike people? Because there is something wrong with almost each and every one of them, while I, on the other hand, am absolutely 100% perfect (tongue planted firmly in cheek).

What's amusing me today!

2007-12-06T11:52:00.001-04:00

Facebook vs Blogger

2007-12-04T18:03:00.000-04:00

Is it a one or the other sort of situation?

Peronally, I can't keep up with both. I went over to Facebook and got sucked in for awhile but I am now spit back out and avoiding it. It was amusing while it lasted, but now I just find it annoying. Kind of like a fling (not that I know first-hand, Mr. C, since you're reading...).

I am back to blogger. I don't know if I will ever venture back into Facebook again. On the other hand, I can't imagine ever completely leaving blogging behind.

What about you? Can you have a Face and Blog it too?

I'm Back.

2007-12-03T08:29:00.000-04:00

After Tropical Storm Noel. The large tree in the foreground is no more. This is the last photo of her standing(yes, she was a she). No less than 24 hours afterwards, the neighbour gleefully set the chainsaw to her trunk and up she went in a blaze of thick smoke. Farewell tree that blocked the better ocean view.

Yes, back from Africa, but you already know that. This time I mean that I am back to blogland because work is finally easing off and I am sliding into my prolonged Christmas break. Which means that I can finally focus on fun things like crafting and sewing and baking, creating artwork with the boys and shamelessly watching television with a bowl of chips and dip.

Before I slip into my stretchy pants, I still have some further work to sort out, so I won't delay too long. I will still be talking about my trip, although after several presentations and slideshows for colleagues and friends, I am sick of hearing myself talk about it, quite frankly.

So tell me, what is on your mind this fine morning? I haven't chatted with you in ages and I want to know what is going on. Or would you like me to tell you what is annoying me today?

Cape Coast

2007-11-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

Thank you, friends, for continuing to stop by when I have been so neglectful of you. I look forward to December, when life should slow down and I hope to have more time to just be at home. In the meantime, I will continue to be scarce, given some huge deadlines that I have in the coming weeks.

I have so many stories and tales to share from my trip to Ghana. When you come by here for some weeks to come, you will find me being indulgent in telling these tales. I learned so much in such a short period of time. I went there to work on a contract with the Canadian government. More than that I shouldn't really say here.

The photo that you see in this post was taken from Elmina Castle, ground zero for the slave trade. The heat and smells were oppressive, and the history emanating from this place was overwhelming. Ghanaians, and Africans in general, have a different history than our own. A different story to tell. A different context, and one where race has not held such a prominent role. Race is more irrelevant there. The lone white woman in a sea of dark black faces did not warrant a second glance in so many instances. It is only a skin colour, after all. How uncomfortable I could have felt. But how comforted they made me feel. Completely welcome. Obruni they called me: foreigner. But not really that foreign at all.

So good to be back...

2007-11-04T10:48:00.000-04:00

For a girl who wanted to be either Jane Goodall or Diane Fossey, this

was an absolute highlight of the trip to Ghana for sure.

I am dropping in to let you know that I am back from Africa (if you are still checking any more!). It was a most amazing experience and I will be posting more photos here and on my Flickr page in the days and weeks to come. Life will remain very busy for me through the end of this month and then I think I'll collapse and simply stay at home with the boys and make crafts and bake cookies for four weeks straight!

Going, going, going...

2007-09-30T20:17:00.000-03:00

To Ghana.

In less than a month.

To learn much.

And to teach a little.

About water,

and the environment.

The immensity overwhelms me,

And I have a huge deadline here at home.

So,bloggers, I shall be scarce, but look forward to

reading and sharing more with you later.

Peace,

Always,

Cathy

No Joking...

2007-09-25T22:09:00.000-03:00

The phone in my office rang this afternoon, and I hesitated in picking up the receiver. I had been avoiding calls all day, in a futile attempt to stay on top of the piles of work that kept (and continue to keep) accumulating. One last ring, and I reluctantly answered. Hi, said D...I'm glad you're there. If you didn't answer, I was going to have to call the next person on my list. But you are first, so I have a rather urgent matter and need a quick response.

Suddenly I find myself actually listening to the person on the other end of the line, as opposed to trying to send e-mails and read material on my desk while simultaneously writing "to-do" lists on my white board, while feigning my full attention. Oh.....

So, do you want to go to Africa?....

And so it begins...

The angry professor...

2007-09-24T21:21:00.001-03:00

I've been busy being an accidental activist this past week. I'll tell you all about it when the dust settles. I have a new nickname now, though...

Stolen sticky tack = evil

2007-09-17T17:30:00.000-03:00

The primary kids have been stealing sticky tack off the pictures on the walls, mum. I am informed at the end of the school day. Oh, and what are they doing that for? I make the mistake of asking. For no reason at all..they're just throwing it away. Good school supplies. In the garbage. He pauses...they're evil, mum.

Watch out for primary children stealing sticky tack. Consider yourself warned.

P.S. You may remember that this is the same stuff he stuck in his hair when he was a primary kid (ages ago.....last year).

YOB MEME

2007-09-09T13:29:00.001-03:00

While googling around for interesting "stuff" related to my previous post today (see below), I decided to type in 1971, the year of my birth. What fun! Here's a Meme for anyone up to the task: simply type in your birth year into a google image search and post any interesting photos you stumble across. I am looking forward to seeing what you find! Who knows, maybe I'll even come up with a prize for the most eclectic group of images...In the meantime, here's what I came across:

1971 Audio Equipment: High Tech!
Which you might want to use to listen to the formerly adorable Michael Jackson.

Lovely hairdos, ladies.

This babe was born (we might be friends!).

This poor dear died (now I feel ancient).

A 1971 cartoon in honour of Earth Day (even then we lamented).

F1 Car racing looked like this. I think I would prefer it to today's races...

Which I would rather not watch on a t.v. like one of these (we had one like the bottom row; third from the left).

And last but not least, I was sad to come across this photo, of the Twin Towers, being constructed, in the year of my birth. I remember caring for my oldest son, just a babe, as I watched them go down.

The greatest _____ the world has ever known!

2007-09-09T12:32:00.000-03:00

I could tell you all about the back-to-school-and-work week, but rather than bore you with those details, I thought I would tell you about the most fabulous book I've just read. I heard about this book from Rosie, who has great taste and always makes wonderful recommendations for music, web sites and books. The book is called "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it: the subject, the style, the flow, the intrigue...check it out! It has me obsessed with finding out more about the circus acts from the 1920s and 30s, and I now have two non-fictions on order on the subject. After doing a bit of googling, I have found a large number of fascinating web sites as well. So, I am off to further my new obsession and ponder what one might fill in the blank with for the title of my life.

Before you think I've lost my mind...

2007-08-30T22:30:00.000-03:00

My son has always had a special sense about him. I know that every mother says this about their children, though. But seriously, he has always thought deeply, reads things and understands on a level that always shocks me. I started to type some of the amazing things he did as early as two, but found myself hitting the backspace button even trying to describe it.

The other night we were eating dinner, and one of the side dishes was white rice. As he kept asking for more and more servings, I commented that he must have lived in Asia in a former life, since he loves rice so much. Yes, I did, and I always wore orange, mum. Mr. C and I both look at each other, simultaneously imagining this:

But then we just dismissed it and didn't think about it much further. I mean, we really don't believe in reincarnation. Anyway, even if we did, how would we really really know for sure about such things? But then yesterday, while shopping for school supplies, I mentioned that we should also buy a new mouse pad for the computer. I told my son that he could choose from the dozens on the shelf. He immediately selected one and said: I want the one of the yin and yang. OK, so now this is getting kind of creepy, right? I mean what 6 year old boy would choose this over the ones with outer space, myriad animals, cartoon characters, etc.?! What six year old even knows the term yin and yang! But then again, he couldn't be a more yin to a Buddhist monk's yang.

36

2007-08-28T07:26:00.000-03:00

Today.

Is it wrong to find humour in the obits, and other important questions...

2007-08-25T16:38:00.000-03:00

My son sometimes asks how he will know what he wants to be when he "grows up". To which I assure him that he need not worry about this now. But he informed me that he has good choices:

a. artist

b. substitute teacher (they don't have to work all the time, leaving free time for computer games and other such fun, he tells me)

c. DJ ("I want to spin records"...exact words)

d. Jedi Master

Hard call.

Now I have a question for you: Is it wrong to find humour in the Obituaries? I regularly read them out of my morbid sense of curiosity, and hey, it might be the first and only time they make it in the news, so the least I can do is read about them, right? (Feeling guilt for even admitting this). While reading them today I laughed out loud. Mr. C looked over at me and asked What's so funny?

The obituaries.

Silence.

And the look.

I find humour in bizarre and small things sometimes (OK often). This is what amused me about the particular choice of words that the dearly beloved had to say about their recently departed(among other things, of course):

"....She loved to play Crib and always enjoyed a hamburger and a Pepsi."

The thing is...this made me laugh in a good way, not a mocking way. It made me think about the kind of wonderful and fun person she likely was and how she probably enjoyed the simple things in life.

And I can forgive her for being a Pepsi fan. Coke (Diet) all the way...

Sorry Gail.

Happy Bunny

2007-08-21T21:28:00.000-03:00

It's nice having friends who say things like: "I needed a little dose of you today".

Seriously. That's what she said. So you might think I was wearing this shirt today, then? Spreading my sunshine as it were.

Never. This shirt is not to be worn farther than my front door.

But this...I would wear this on a shirt every day if I owned it :).

My Good Friend

2007-08-20T21:12:00.000-03:00

P.O.Box 3038
57 Victoria Street,
SW1H London.
My Good Friend,
I
am Mr Wilson Patel,Can i trust you? In order to transfer out £12.500.000.00 {Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds} from our Bank. I have the courage to look for a reliable and Honest Person who will be capable for this Important Business Transaction, believing that you will never let me down either now or in Future.
The owner of this account is Mr. David Hagen is a foreigner and the Manager Of petrol chemical service, a chemical engineer by Profession and he died since 1990. The account has no other beneficiary and my Investigation proved to me as well that his company does not know anything about this account.
I want to transfer this money into a
safe foreign account abroad but I Don't know any foreigner, I know that this message will come to you as a surprise as we don't know ourselves before, but be assured that it is real and A Genuine business.I believe in God that you will never let me down in this transaction, at the conclusion of this business, you will be giving 30% of the total amount, 70% will be for me. I look forward to your earliest reply by email for more details.
Warm Regards,
Mr.Wilson Patel

Dear Mr. Patel,
I am not to be trusted. I am neither courageous nor honest. Were you to transfer the funds of the dead (or still dying?) Mr. Hagen, I would swiftly take the full amount and send it immediately to Greenpeace for their oil spill contingency fund. Certainly you should know (as I am your Good Friend) that I would never accept money from a petrochemical "service".

I hope that my decision does not dissuade you from your belief in God, as I am most definitely letting you down in this transaction.
Warm Regards to you,
Cathy

And the Sun went down on Kingston town...

2007-08-19T14:48:00.000-03:00

Chicka Chicka Boom BOOM.

(Having ridden the wave of a Cat. 2, I can not begin to fathom riding out a Cat.4 hurricane. My mind is on Jamaica. It must be eerily silent, with the power having been completely shut off there. Let's hope for the best.)

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

2007-08-16T12:23:00.000-03:00

Yes, I really do think.

Just another random Elvis siting...

2007-08-12T10:08:00.000-03:00

Anything eventful going on in

your life?...

Free Tibet

2007-08-08T11:00:00.000-03:00

The woman you see in this video is being detained somewhere in China, along with two other Canadians. Their whereabouts are presently unknown. This is her blog, which is presently being updated by the Students for a Free Tibet organization.

Summer Vacation, 2007

2007-08-07T10:01:00.000-03:00

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

We've been back for a week now, and I took over 300 photos, so these are

just a few of the many from our trip through New England. I have been busy catching

up on life and spending time with the boys. Hopefully I will be posting more regularly

again and visiting your blogs! I hope you've all been well.

On Vacation...

2007-07-21T11:51:00.000-03:00

We're off on holidays. I'll tell you all about it when we return near the beginning of August. Before we head out, we'll be making a detour to the computer repair shop; great timing...

Stay well, friends!

What a load of croc...

2007-07-19T10:01:00.000-03:00

I am ashamed to admit that I must now add myself to the growing list of croc owners. I purchased these beauties while in Toronto. I had only brought one pair of (uncomfortable) shoes with me and was looking for something inexpensive and comfortable to wear for the remainder of my brief stay. So they fit the bill, even though they are, well, you know...at least I garden and they will be useful for that purpose.

I should be doing anything other than posting a blog about crocs, as I just have two days left before we head off to....

New Hampshire and New York...it's always fun to travel to America. I'll tell you more about the trip before we go.

Step inside...

2007-07-16T08:12:00.000-03:00

Toronto was...stinky, sweaty, and over-crowded. Like a bad bar that shares the same characteristics. So you push your way to the exit and then take a deep breath of fresh air as soon as you hit the sidewalk. That's how I felt when I returned to Nova Scotia. Fresh breath of air.

I am going to be working my proverbial a#@ off this week, so we can take off on a family vacation next week. We just decided where we are going yesterday. Wanna guess, or want me to tell you?

Eye Candy

2007-07-12T22:05:00.000-03:00

Nothing like some sweets after a long day of being touristy. We spent the day in Halifax, playing at the Discovery Centre and wandering along the boardwalk taking in this years' Tall Ships festival (photos on Flickr). I am off to Toronto for a bit of work now (Carbon Credits will cover my self-imposed "no fly year"). I hope to be around to see you soon!

Have fun friends!

Just Day Trippin'

2007-07-10T08:21:00.000-03:00

Mr. C and I are "off" this week and taking day trips rather than going away. We will do the latter in a few weeks, but in the meantime, here are a few photos from historic Ross Farm, in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. I'll be putting more on my Flickr site.

I hope your summers are going well, friends!

SOS

2007-07-06T21:11:00.000-03:00

Let's Avert the Climate Crisis. Watch. Take the Pledge.

Seven More

2007-07-02T21:28:00.000-03:00

Chloe tagged me to do this meme. I answered one in this post. But now I have seven more things to report that you do not know about me. These kinds of tags are getting more challenging. I've been doing this blog for almost two years now. Weekly at the very least. I mean, you people practically live in my head. But I'll do my best...

2. I hate to read or follow instructions. The minute someone begins a sentence with the words And this is how you do it....I hear Wa wa wa Waaa Wa WWaa (think the teacher in Charlie Brown) Seriously. I hate to listen to explanations. And I equally hate to read instructions. If I buy something that comes with instructions, the first thing I do is toss the instructions aside. This explains why I am not following the "official" instructions for this tag. I started to read them , but found my mind wandering. No rules.

3. I have never dyed my hair. I have virgin hair. Never been touched. And now that there are reports that some hair dyes are linked to carcinogens and other harmful products, I have a bit of an ego about it. Ah ha. See? There are reasons.

4. My sister-in-law has told my brother that if I (or my mother or sister) ever sets foot on their property, she will call the police. She will issue a restraining order. Long story on this one. Some of you know some of the context from last fall.

5. My second toe is longer than my big toe. Just by a bit. But enough to be annoying.

6. I was the youngest person to ever hold the position I hold at the place I am employed (at the time I was hired).

7. I get easily annoyed by people. People in general. I have been known to utter "I hate people" under my breath to Mr. C when we are in a particularly annoying public situation. This happens frequently. Today, it was the ice cream shop queue. The woman behind me was singing camp songs with her daughter. Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight, come out tonight...Loudly. I mean, who sings this? And now the stupid song is ingrained in my head and won't leave. My son was amused. I was not. My headache and PMS was getting in the way and I imagined myself turning around and screaming shut up !

8. I am not a perfectionist in general, but there are things that I am a little obsessive about. Folding laundry, for example. Clothing needs to be folded in a very precise way. I am very picky about it. Even towels. Long way folded first, then in half again, and smooth with the hand. Weird, huh?

So there you have it; more about me than anyone ever needed to know. Oh, and one more bonus thing: I feel badly when I don't have the chance to come and comment on your blogs. I will soon! But it's summer vacation now and I am officially holding down two full-time jobs!

Stay well, friends.

Happy Canada Day

2007-07-01T19:31:00.001-03:00

How we acquired so much Canada Day kitsch, I will never know. Although I prefer to think of myself as a citizen of Earth first and foremost, Canada really is a great country, and worthy of a birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Canada.
You're only just a toddler among many nations.

I am on the "Roll Call of Environmental Honour"! In 4 pt.!

2007-06-29T23:47:00.000-03:00

Dear Blog Friends...

You may not know this about me (I willl come up with 7 more soon, Chloe, I mean it), but I am a fan of Formula 1 car racing. When I heard that Honda was promoting the environment and sustainability with this seasons' race car, I was thrilled. And then they gave the public the opportunity to make a pledge and have their name put on the car for one race. This weekend is my race. France. Watch your screens closely, as my name will be there in 4 pt font for all to see. That's right, folks, you heard it right: 4 pt!!

Here's the e-mail I received as proof...

(oh, and my new name is myearthdreamer. No spaces. Say it quickly.)

YOUR NAME IS ON THE CAR!

Dear myearthdreamer;

We have exciting news! Your name will be on the Earth Cars at this weekend’s Grand Prix in France. Your name will be in 4pt so it’s clearly visible with the naked eye close up, but our clever designers have applied them in such a way that our beautiful artwork still looks the same from a distance.We have put all the names in columns and like to call it our ‘Roll Call of Environmental Honour’.

All of your generous donations will be distributed at the end of the season and we will update you with news of the environmental projects and organisations that benefit as soon as details are available. We’ll also be launching a brand new website later in the season that will have many more exciting interactive features and regularly updated news about myearthdream.
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiasm for the myearthdream project. We have been overwhelmed by the response and are grateful for all your letters and emails of support, but mostly we’re grateful for the collective difference we’re making to the planet.

That’s all for now. We hope that you’re as excited as we are to know that your names will be racing in the rest of the 2007 season Grands Prix with Jenson and Rubens

Officially summer.

2007-06-25T20:15:00.000-03:00

I have been outside a lot the past several days; working on the garden and the yard, and helping Mr. C build the kids a play set (along with their grandad and uncle). This is the last week of school and I feel exhausted going into it. I am also trying to madly squeeze in as much work as I possibly can before the days of popsicles, backyard inflatable swimming pools, libraries, the beach, museum trips begins...

Crazy Redux

2007-06-22T21:31:00.000-03:00

www.give2shitz.com

Look closely at this face.

2007-06-20T13:36:00.000-03:00

Source: CNN, June 20, 2007

The wise historian, John Keegan, has written extensively about warfare and aggression. The opinions I hold on the same topic come from reading his work, among others. I remain fascinated about the way societies and human beings can justify our actions towards others. And Keegan explains how it is that we can and have, over the centuries, done just this. The fact is, that it is easier to kill other people, to allow them to suffer, to watch the images (with mock horror) on tv, when their skin is darker, their clothing different, their cultures so far removed from our own. THEM vs. US. So this image comes across CNN, with a story no more remarkable in its devastation and sorrow than so many others. But it is different somehow. Look at this child, this beautiful little girl who looks like she might live in the house next door. She's holding her doll, perhaps her one cherished possession. This beautiful child. Her exterior so perfect, but what lies within? And then imagine, that 60,000 people, like her, having been killed by your neighbours. Your sons and daughters. In the name of retribution, and extraction. Terrorists. Who are they? This child is not a terrorist. She deserves what we all have and hope for. She deserves that every one of us should do what we can, in our power, to make the situation that was brought upon her by one of the most powerful countries in the world, to come to an end. Please. Don't ignore the eyes of this child. There is so much you can do. Maybe you might start here or here....

Happy Father's Day!

2007-06-18T08:48:00.000-03:00

I'm a day late in posting, but the weekend was a blur of activity. On Saturday, we took the babe to his first movie, which he enjoyed because there were prolific amounts of popcorn to be had. The movie itself was irrelevant, but our older son and Mr. C really enjoyed it. After the movie, we went to the worst restaurant in Halifax. We didn't know it was the worst, otherwise we wouldn't have gone there, but we both had good memories of this place from a few decades ago. Obviously the past few decades have not been kind to it. Mr. C and I both went to bed that night expecting to be awoken with food poisoning (which we didn't, thankfully). They have a "Feedback" form on their web site. Do you think I should fill it out? If so, my feedback would go something like this:

Dear Management,
The entrance to your establishment smells of urine, my babe's highchair was covered in the filth from former babes, beetles fell from the ceiling above our table (seriously), the waitress could not differentiate between apple juice and milk (which was sour), our bill was incorrectly totalled (not once, but twice, resulting in a 10% discount, so thank you for that...)and my shoes stuck to the floors of the bathroom (which I was afraid to look too closely at). Needless to say, you have some work to do before we return again. Please do not send any coupons as a favour. We will return after you have undergone substantial renovations.

On Father's Day, we took the Great Canadian Railway through the countryside to Truro. Travelling by train in Canada is a big deal; not like Europe, where it is a rather common thing to do. It was the Babe's first trip on a train, and I thought he would explode from the excitement. In the car, asleep on the drive back home again, he was muttering "train...train...TRAIN" in his dreams. Good things always have to come to an end. Why is that, anyway?

What good things did you do?

14

2007-06-13T09:16:00.000-03:00

A day full of nice surprises, a babysitter,

a bookshop, and dinner here.

Thanks, Mr. C :)

Happy Birthday, Babe

2007-06-10T21:07:00.000-03:00

Well, I am thoroughly and completely exhausted. Having both grandparents over for the Babe's 2nd Birthday party is a version of insanity. But we had fun. Even though my mother told me that my cake tasted like wallpaper paste (when was the last time she ate that, I wonder?) and then she proceeded to let a giant fart that Mr.C's parents were aghast to hear. The woman is in another dimension. One that extends far beyond the twilight zone.

Anyway...the Babe had a very lovely day and it was a nice family weekend. Now, back to some form of reality.

So,...how was your Freakend?

Flower Power

2007-06-07T09:23:00.000-03:00

Patent Pending

(Oldest Son's Design)

I can take no credit for this moment of ingenuity.
Let's hope our children will save the world, for I don't think we're going to.

I could write that I haven't been around much because I have been so busy working, but that wouldn't be the truth. I have been busy thinking about working, but not actually doing much of it. Every now and then (well, ok, often), I get into a creative mood and my mind rebels against mindless work. So this past week I have been spending a lot of time in book shops and organizing my photos and creating slide shows and going through crafty things and reading books. And drinking lots of coffee. And trying out new recipes. And the list goes on and on. I have also been working in between, but when I try to add up the sum of my accomplishments from the past week, there isn't much to show for it. I refuse to feel guilty, however. For why should there be guilt in pleasure. Right?

We need a watershed

2007-05-31T09:56:00.000-03:00

I spent yesterday doing water quality testing with two seniors who are concerned about their watershed and want to do something about it.

"I'm trying to say to you, be a part of the change...no one else is going to do it. The politicians are paralyzed. The people have to do it for themselves! Our democracy hasn't been working very well-that's my opinion. We've made a bunch of serious policy mistakes. But it's way too simple and way too partisan to blame the Bush-Cheney Administration. We've got checks and balances, an independent judiciary, a free press, a Congress-have they all failed us? Have we failed ourselves?"

-Al Gore, as quoted in Time (Canadian Edition), May 28, 2007, p.18

We must be a part of the change, for if not, we fail our children....

Hanging in the balance

2007-05-29T09:31:00.000-03:00

Taken from my side patio this morning in the fog and dew.

I oscillate back and forth between hope and despair when it comes to the urgent action required to tackle climate change. Yesterday was verging on despair as I listened to Canad's Environment Minister engage in his typical double-speak with the media. The G-8 summit is coming up and climate change is on the agenda. I might go so far as to say that coordinated decisions regarding the actions of the nations that are contributing to the greatest share of the problem rest in the hands of 13 people. But we speak for those people, and that's where my hope returns. Canada's "New" Conservative government is very much aware that the general public wants action on the environment and this issue rates as one of our main priorities as a nation. So today, as I read that Canada's government will side with EU nations in endorsing a call for greenhouse gas reductions, I was thrilled. It is a baby step, but at least the place I call home is coming on side. Let's face it; for political reasons, but I'll take it. For now.

But what remains to cause despair is the fact that the United States government will shun the targets. As the nation that emits more greenhouse gases per capita than any other, it's time to step up. Overdue, really....so let's do something about this!

From Russia, with Love

2007-05-28T08:58:00.000-03:00

From my Inbox today...

Greetings from Russia,
I hope this mail doesn't come to you as an embarrassment as I receive unsolicited mails sometimes.

I am KSENIA FOTIANOVA : My husband DMITRIY FOTIANOV was shoot dead
October,19 2006 by his enemies in Dalnegorsk-city , Russia. Both of us were attached and I am now getting better after spending about four (4) months in the hospital.

He has tree-extraction business in Far East of Russia. After his dead, the police and govenment authorities has restricted my movement and watching me, thinking I have a hand in his death.
Before he died, he left $usd 10.5 million with a bank which he indicated me as the beneficiary and next of kin and I am looking for an honest person who will help me secure this money in his account.

This fund being the basis of my future .Your friendship, assistance and advise will be immensely appreciated while your effort will be rewarded. We can talk about that later.
If you can be of help to me, please let me know and we discuss. I will then give you the documents.
KSENIA FOTIANOVA

My response:

Dearest Ksenia Fotianova;
I am so glad to hear that you are now out of hospital after being there for four long, dreadful months. I was wondering what it was that you were "attached" to that could cause such grievous harm?

I was also wondering how I might get involved in the tree extraction business in Russia, as it seems like it is most lucrative.

Most Sincerely,
Cathy in Canada

So late and all I have is a mememe!!

2007-05-25T22:33:00.000-03:00

I have been busy with work, and family and friends this past week. I had a good friend from Calgary come and stay with me this week and spent loads of time talking about everything deep and shallow. The spectrum was covered. And now I am behind in the writing again, but that is ok. I feel like I needed this week. I have no idea what you all have been up to, but I will be around again soon! In the meantime, I am answering Chloe's tag...

1. The phone rings; whom do you want it to be? Anyone inviting me to dinner.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? 90% of the tine. If the babe is in my arms and he’s having a tantrum, forget about it!

3. If you had to kiss again the last person you kissed, would you? Of course!

4. Do you take compliments well? Someone told me that I was one of two people in all of Canada that was an expert on something, and I completely diverted the conversation away from the statement. Compliments of any kind make me uncomfortable. Somwhere deep down, they make me feel great, though!

5. Do you play Sudoku? Never. Yawn.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? I would. I would hope for no large insects, though.

7. Do you like nipple rings? Disgusting.

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Once, and it was terrible.

9. If a sexy person were pursuing you, but you knew he/she were married what would you do? Think there was something wrong with them.

10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? This is irrelevant to me. I do not and will never understand the conflicts between religions. We are all just people, after all…

11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? Neither.

12. Use three words to describe yourself at the moment: Tired, ambitious, dedicated

13. Do any songs make you cry? Not really. (What’s wrong with me!?)

14. Are you continuing your education? I learn something every day. This is my life’s journey. What is life if we aren’t constantly expanding our knowledge base?

15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? No.

16. If your house were on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? Children, Mr. C and photos.

17. Who was the last person you shared a bed with? Mr. C.

18. Whom do you text the most? I don’t text.

19. Favorite children’s books? The Lorax, Goodnight Moon, Uno’s Garden

20. What do you buy at the movies? Popcorn and diet coke. Sometimes red licorice.

21. Do you know how to play poker? No.

22. Do you wear your seat belt? Always. My car would scream at me if I didn’t.

Making Sense from Nonsense...

2007-05-18T11:02:00.001-03:00

Of all the cuddly creatures the babe has in his crib, this is what he held on to dearly as I put him to bed last night. I mean, who wouldn't want to sleep with an ogre that belches, right?

The babe is very quirky, actually. For example, we have two cats and their names are Oopsie and Daisy. The babe has no issues with Oopsie but will NOT use the name Daisy. He insists on calling her Other Oopsie. This is my cat Oopsie and my Other Cat Oopsie. Reminds me of Newhart....

Happy "Freakend" Folks!

(Thanks to Christopher for the wonderful new word in my vocabulary)

This was my office yesterday...

2007-05-15T08:36:00.000-03:00

Unfortunately, I had to share it with these people....

Thanks, Guys!

2007-05-13T19:08:00.000-03:00

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. It began by sleeping in and then going to Halifax's version of Windows on the World for brunch. After stuffing ourselves completely, we headed to my favourite magazine shop. Back at home, I spent the afternoon gardening and then we had a bbq and played boardgames (yes, even the babe!) tonight. And after the kids are in bed, the Survivor Finale is on! What a wonderful day!

I hope yours was equally great!

Mother or not...what did you do?

Happy Mother's Day!

2007-05-13T09:16:00.000-03:00

I wanted to make sure that you had Happy Mother's Day wishes if you happened to wander over here today. I will post more about my day later. You are in the queue...

It's sad but true...

2007-05-11T16:55:00.000-03:00

So the encounter with the navy is true. And I had better not describe the entire situation here, for fear of being picked up and taken away in handcuffs by the RCMP. The episode makes me really angry and reminds me that our military has become more of an aggressor than a peacekeeper. It also makes me wish that we could follow Costa Rica's example...

Costa Rica is called the Switzerland of Central America. Costa Rica's high education levels - besides the absence of a military - are probably what make it the most politically stable country in Latin America. About 20% of the national budget goes toward education.

I wouldn't mind their climate, either....

What bothers y0u about where you live?...or should I say, your government?

True or False?

2007-05-09T21:31:00.000-03:00

While unintentionally coming into contact with the Commander of the Canadian East Coast Navel Fleet, I found myself uttering the words "J#*s$!, chill out!"

True or False!?

Stay tuned for more...

A relative struggle, but a struggle nevertheless

2007-05-08T09:18:00.000-03:00

We're taking off the training wheels this week.

We received mail from the Democratic Republic of the Congo yesterday, and promptly wrote a return letter last night. Our struggles likely pale in comparison to those they must have. I wonder...

Mr. C and I watched The Last King of Scotland last night and it was fabulous. Now I want to read more about Idi Amin. Everything about Africa intrigues me and always has. I used to read about Diane Fossey and Jane Goodall when I was a very young girl and wanted to be like them. Sometimes I still do. Today just feels like another day of rather irrelevant work.

What's on your mind today?

Does effort really count?

2007-05-07T08:48:00.000-03:00

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake: I found the recipe here.

I am trying really hard not to be annoyed, because really, what good is there in that? I could go on here, but it would likely sound lame and whiny. So I'll just simply leave it at the fact that it's Monday morning, I have PMS and I am annoyed. But I'm trying hard not to be: does that count for something?

I have to spend the day writing about something that is completely boring and uninteresting. A deadline looms and I fear I won't make it. Because when I am terribly bored by my own words and the research I must do, I tend to wander to the fridge, and then the TV, and then browse the wonderful world of the web. I might start here and then make my way over to here for a bit of real information, check out this to see what I'm missing...if I'm really bored I'll slip over here for awhile and then the real lethargy slips in and I'll end up here, here, here, probably here, and maybe even here!

Well, I've obviously got some important work to attend to.

What distracts you from otherwise meaningful employ?

Proof positive: I'm a Canadian!

2007-05-05T21:32:00.000-03:00

I was inspited by Connie and Pea to join this Saturday's Photo Hunt.
I contemplated joining, but am not sure that I will post every single Saturday. Maybe one day...
So yes, that's me: about 1973; northern Quebec. Looks like we're on our way to church: surely my mum wouldn't have sent me out in leotards to play in the snow!

Do you have a childhood photo to share?

That wasn't on the menu.

2007-05-04T16:10:00.000-03:00

Table set.
Meatless lasagna with bechamel sauce.

Recipe from Apples for Jam.

By the talented Tessa Kiros.

One son gags, the other screams no.

And Mr. C says the word.

And they are happily eating hot dogs.

Why bother?

Song for this post: Beyond the Sea -Bobby Darin

Push, Push,...come on you can do it...

2007-05-02T19:12:00.000-03:00

The trees are trying desperately to give birth to spring.

I know. I shouldn't lament the weather. I, the harbinger of the climate change warnings. The fact is that the warming is not uniform and climate change can actually cause certain places to get cooler. So while we are still freezing here on the edge of eastern Canada, much of Europe is sweating amidst record high temperatures. I know that I write far too much about the weather, but it is a part of what I do. And it has had so much to do with my temperament lately. Does the weather affect your mood?

Thank you for all your posts on the last one. I am happy to be blogging more frequently now.

My song for this post: Mushaboom by Feist. Listen to it. You'll love it.

Passing by?

2007-04-30T14:46:00.000-03:00

Yes, I really did take this photo while driving over a bridge in the fast lane. Just for you...

You're not getting as many comments on your blog, Mr. C randomly says to me this morning. So...., I respond. Well, there used to consistently be about 20 comments and now there are hardly more than 5 or 6. (You can tell what kind of job description Mr. C has, can't you?...). I don't have time to comment on other peoples' blogs, so they likely aren't commenting on mine, I say.

But it got me thinking...I used to enjoy seeing the numbers of comments rise. Who doesn't? But my blog has morphed into something more introspective and personal than it used to be. I find that more and more I am writing here for me as opposed to writing something for an audience. Perhaps that has made it less interesting. But I do know that I don't come around and visit you as often as I used to. This I do regret.

So tell me...do you pay attention to the number of comments you get?

Or does it really matter?

(Oh, and if you are just passing by, please leave a comment: it would likely make Mr.C feel better :)

These Days

2007-04-28T21:10:00.000-03:00

Youngest son, S...wandering.

When will there be leaves on the trees again, mum? my older son asked me while driving in the car today? Very soon, I reply, but wonder the same myself. The desolate cold and damp is making me cranky. I need warmth and spring flowers. But then when that comes I will curse it for making me want to avoid my work.

Where does water come from? He quickly asks before I could pity myself much longer about our terrible weather. As I start to explain clouds and rain droplets, he interrupts Oh, I know that, but I mean the water that we can drink; how does it get from the rivers and lakes to our taps and to bottles in the stores? I explain about water purification which quickly segues into an explanation of the fact that many people in other parts of the world don't have access to water, much less clean water.

The world is not fair, mum. He says after pausing. If everyone sent the people who didn't have food and water something, then it would be fair...

I'm working on it, J.

My Visual DNA

2007-04-26T23:22:00.000-03:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

What's Yours?

What obsesses you?...

2007-04-26T22:18:00.000-03:00

Mr. C has become obsessed with checking the live-mouse trap in the attic (we do not kill mice in this house, daddy, said our oldest). He caught one yesterday and drove it 2 km down the road to freedom (lest he return).

I, of course, am obsessed with checking my e-mail, and now Facebook is obsessing me. Have you gotten sucked into that? It is keeping me away from blogging (now getting to be an old obsession).

What about you?

Lesson #3: Freecycle!

2007-04-23T09:33:00.000-03:00

In my recent reading, I came across a concept that is a combination of the gift economy, sustainable thinking and a kind of reverse e-Bay. I have to admit that I have never gotten involved in the whole e-Bay thing. I never really knew why until I came across the "Freecycle" concept. I guess I don't like the idea of having to pay for someone's used stuff. If they don't want it anymore, why don't they just give it away?

The premise of freecycling suits me perfectly: if you don't want something, you join your local "freecycling" e-mail listserve . People post things that they don't want anymore that others can request. It's all free and you can get rid of things that have been accumulating. Don't take these things to the dump, or set them at the curb! This really is an environmentally and socially conscious thing to do. I don't waste my time on e-Bay and I can give someone something that they need and I don't.

So what (from the disastrous photo above) did I give away? When we moved into this house several years ago, there was a washing machine and dryer already installed that the woman didn't want, so they came with the house. We had a set that we owned and brought with us. We thought that we would store them in our garage in the event that the washer or dryer in the hosue broke down. The extra washer and dryer have now been operating as a space to accumulate clutter in the garage. Someone could be using these for something other than messy shelving! Rather than be bothered with advertising to sell them, I joined freecycle and now have a family that could really use them come and get them this week. I get rid of something I don't need, and they don't need to buy one! I love this!

Got anything you want to give away?

Happy Earth Day

2007-04-21T21:28:00.000-03:00

"We need in the next twenty-five years or so, to do something never before done. We need to consciously redesign the entire material basis of our civilization. The model we replace it with must be dramatically more ecologically sustainable, offer large increases in prosperity for everyone on the planet, and not only function in areas of chaos and corruption, but also transform them. That alone is a task of heroic magnitude, but there's an additional complication: we only get one shot."

"...If we face an unprecedented planetary crisis, we also find ourselves in a moment of innovation unlike any that has come before...we don't need a miracle to win this race; we need a movement. We need millions more people who are committed to doing their part to embrace good ideas, find new solutions in their own work, and live and share what they learn."

-From "WorldChanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century"

Lesson #2

2007-04-19T20:21:00.000-03:00

Even though I do it for a living, I am not intending to lecture you (really, I'm not). I am finding this to be an outlet to document the things that I am doing to try and address my passion (well, one of them, anyway). We need to be innovative and determined in our stewardship of the environment. After all, there is only one Earth, right? Assuming that you all agree, here is my second lesson;

Read about the issues, and the most pressing one right now is climate change; the photo above shows a few good ones. If you are going to have one book on your shelf that provides you with examples of things that you can do to protect the planet, this is a great one. But one of the best is George Monbiot's Heat, which I blogged about on my other site. Once you have a handle on the basics behind the carbon cycle and how climate change basically works, then move on to some reading on how to address it, such as How to Live a Low Carbon Life by Chris Goodall. Right...you say. No time to read full length books; life is busy as it is. You can skim the boring bits and get to the meat of the issues or find magazine articles that will sum up the issues for you. There are loads of great web sites as well.

Check this one regularly for a map of signs of global warming.

This is a good overview of climate change and has a lot of good content for Americans.

This one provides lots of great examples of things that individuals can do.

This one is full of great links and articles as well as examples of current impacts.

Well, and while I'm at it ; here's one more.

The point here is to get informed. Because then when the media or a politician or anyone for that matter, tells us something about the issues, we can see through the misinformation. If the people in Europe during WWII had books that would have told them how to end the war, but didn't read them, how absurd would that have been?

I would love for you to tell me what great books you have come across. Maybe I can make a contest out of this; the best recommendation gets one of the bracelets in the photo!

Lesson #1

2007-04-17T19:36:00.000-03:00

To be inspired to be the change you want the world to be, you need a strong source of inspiration. Here is mine. Let him inspire you too...and let us all be judged as those who acted, not those who watched and waited.
Blackcrag gave me some homework. He asked me to inform you all of some of the things you might do to address environmental problems and climate change. I know that you all know many of the things that can be done, but I thought that I would take his challenge and put it in the form of the things that I am personally doing. I make sure that I do something every day. Some days are more ambitious than others. Today I am making postcards to mail to Canada's Environment Minister and Prime Minister. This is part of an initiative of the Climate Action Network and "Voters Take Action on Climate Change". Feel free to make copies and send them in. If you are not Canadian, find out what is going on in your state or nation and make sure to let your politicians know how you feel about the environment.

I trust that you are about to complete Lesson #1, and Lesson #2 is soon to follow....

Green

2007-04-15T12:52:00.000-03:00

I mentioned in my last post that I was going to be more "green" in my posts, and this reflects what my life is like right now. I have challenged myself to make better choices, and to test myself and my lifestyle. I am reducing my carbon footprint by not flying this year and putting more thought into the products I purchase. I am reading a plethora of magazines related to environmental topics, and I feel the environmental movement gaining momentum as it starts to go "mainstream". There is a paradigm shift in the works, and I am excited to be a part of it.

I think most of my posts will have at least a little infusion of "green" from now on. It will still be about me and my family and my life, for all its monotony. But here's an example of how I can do a better job of integrating these enhanced green lifestyle choices into my posts:

Mr. C and I went out to dinner last night to this restaurant in downtown Halifax. The proprietor and head chef is a good friend of ours and we are proud of the fact that he emphasizes locally grown and produced quality ingredients in his recipes. While looking at the menu, I quickly realized that some of the seafood on the menu was on the "avoid" SeaChoice list. When you go to a restaurant and order fish, think about the methods that were used to catch that fish, and whether it might be a threatened species or not. There are good alternatives, and restaurants can be persuaded to make better menu choices if the public is informed. If you want to know the better choices of seafood, you can print out a .pdf guide from the SeaChoice web site. Or ask me any questions if you have any.

In the meantime, Happy Sunday, Friends!

Writing again

2007-04-13T09:39:00.000-03:00

I am finally back at the book and now I have a major research and writing stretch ahead. It will consume me for the next 5-6 months. In the meantime, I am struggling with brushing other work obligations aside so that I can clear my desk and focus on this one major task.

I won't stop blogging through it all; Blogging keeps my creativity flowing, and I have decided to make more "green" posts. You will see what I am talking about when you come back next time. Stay tuned.....

Anyway...

2007-04-09T21:37:00.000-03:00

So Easter has now come and gone, and I am so looking forward to things getting back to a normal routine and being less hectic. Too many birthday parties and events and work going on lately. But now things are wrapping up and I am looking forward to working from home more frequently.
A rare loving moment (but is he trying to kiss or bite the babe? kidding.) I am soon going to have to stop referring to him as the babe...
A good deal of Easter Sunday morning was spent playing out in the snow (!), which is mostly melted as of this afternoon already.
It wasn't easy getting that one into his snow gear, though. Let me tell you...well, I guess the picture says it all, eh?

It's beginning to feel a lot like...whoops, wrong season.

2007-04-07T20:09:00.000-03:00

O.K...so how is the bunny going to hop through all that snow (it is now several hours past the moment when that photo was taken, and also several centimeters deeper). My son had to write a note explaining where the bunny should dig to find his carrots!
I hope your Easter isn't white!

Basketballs, birthdays and bunnies

2007-04-06T21:18:00.000-03:00

This week has been crazy. And I know I sound like a broken record. The last lectures wrapped up (may the marking begin...), there was a retirement party in my department, and it was my sons' birthday. We took him out to dinner and then to see the Harlem Globetrotters. I admit to laughing at their predictable antics. Actually, it was a lot of fun. We are having a birthday party with his friends at our house tomorrow, and then it is Easter, of course. We are supposed to be getting a bad winter storm, with lots of snow. We have hardly had a bit all winter, and now this! I guess we'll be having the Easter egg hunt indoors this year.

Is there such a thing as too much fun?

2007-04-02T21:07:00.000-03:00

Most definitely! (as evidenced by my son and the babe on the drive home). I will post more photos from our weekend "vacation" on my flickr site soon. I am in the home stretch: last week of teaching and then I can return to writing again. Hip hip!....well, then there's the matter of marking exams and research papers and assignments before any real celebration can begin. Back at it...I will be visiting your blogs again before you know it, though.

The unintended hiatus is over

2007-03-28T20:27:00.000-03:00

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!

M.I.A.

2007-03-19T15:32:00.000-03:00

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.

Type A Humility

2007-03-13T22:51:00.000-03:00

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.

I am Strawberry Cake

2007-03-08T20:57:00.000-04:00

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!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

O.K., so it's been awhile since I did one of these things. I don't agree with the cake type, personally, but Mr. C might. Do you? Perhaps just the moody bit...

Last Night

2007-03-07T20:33:00.000-04:00

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.

Lunar[tic]

2007-03-03T20:51:00.000-04:00

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.

Path leads to Grrr

2007-02-25T14:14:00.000-04:00

Life takes so many differnt paths.
Sometimes you just have to pause on Grrrr....

Can life be taken too seriously?

Seriously, I'd like to know your thoughts on this.

Still Alive, Just Not Much Kicking...

2007-02-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

I am profoundly busy right now. I won't bore you with the details, for the very thought of putting it in writing bores me. I do know that I don't have time for the things that I want to do: no random blogging and checking up on friends, no internet surfing, no photography (save the photo taken out the window from my desk last week), no crafts or interesting recipes being tested, no scrapbooking or needless trips to the bookstore. I have been cranky, and quite content to sulk in my crankiness. It is the only thing I am able to indulge myself in lately, it seems.

So tell me....how are you?

Wind and words

2007-02-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

A storm ripped through this week, but the weather warmed enough for it to come as heavy rain rather than snow. The winds blew to 100 km/h, and we have shingles off the roof. In the heart of the storm, water was pouring into the house by the side door. "Don't worry about it and go to bed" I said, and did, sleeping soundly through the sound of shingles being torn from the roof and puddles forming in the dining room. Mr.C didn't sleep a wink. But that is why I could. All the Valentine I need, really. Although he did give me a pewter heart-shaped box for my earrings and a lovely book called The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. It isn't a history of love, though. It's a novel that had me sucked in with the first sentence "When they write my obituary. Tomorrow. Or the next day. It will say, LEO GURSKY IS SURVIVED BY AN APARTMENT FULL OF SHIT". That's my kind of writing.

Speaking of which, I just had comments sent to me from two reviewers of an article I wrote for an academic journal this past fall. The editor of the journal summarized their comments as this: "...it reads as equal parts newspaper article and forensic toxilogical report." I guess I have a bit more work ahead of me then....

Sense

2007-02-11T20:22:00.000-04:00

The squirrel senses the cold and the fibres of his being contract,

tricking him into thinking he is warmer than he really is.

Our minds hear the words,

but the inconvenience of it all tricks us into complacency.

Meaningful action takes away from our very good lives.

The train passes, and the child stops to watch

the blurr of faces and cries as the engine steams past,

later asking his parents who were they?

Nobody. Inconvenience.

Accepting the reality would mean changing their lives.

The train is passing,

more passengers than ever before.

And future history be told

we know what is happening; who these passengers are.

Accept or deny. Turn away or confront.

Demand action or return to the comfort of complacency.

‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’
— Mahatma Gandhi

Saving the planet can be fun

2007-02-07T18:53:00.000-04:00

Some of my students gave me this t-shirt yesterday. Before you find it completely inappropriate, they purchased it here.

And it says "Save our Climate" on the back.

I wore it today; but thank GOD I didn't wear it yesterday, as a film crew unexpectedly dropped by on my class. Now that would have required some serious explanation. Erm, like my mother...who watched the segment not once but twice!

And meanwhile, back on the home front, we have had some seriously cold weather and ice packs forming in the bay for the first time since we've lived here.

Life goes on. But now, I am off to see how you are doing...

Demand Action

2007-02-03T23:07:00.000-04:00

Demand Action. What more can I say? I have been under the torrent all week. Letters and e-mails, ideas for campaigns and pledges, lectures like I've never had before. It's on our watch, folks. Now do me a huge favour and go buy some of those curly lightbulbs (oh, and send an e-mail to someone in your municipal, provincial or state and federal government). But now I am lecturing you.

I'm tired of the nightmares I've been having. I am pleading with the universe for an astronomical response. I am loving what Jacques Chirac has had to say and that the UN is stepping in. But I am devastated by what my own Prime Minister is saying and by the cynics who spout out against the useless UN. If not them, then who?

The head of the IPCC compared the climate change science report that came out yesterday to 50 Pearl Harbours when asked how the world should respond. One day later, and the issue is off the front page of the news. Why is social, ethical, moral and environmental well-being so reprehensible to so many? Is it that the evil-doers might just turn out to be us? That we are the villians? When faced with information, we are no longer ignorant and can not remain in our formerly blissful state. The fact is that this information is inconvenient. But take inconvenient and run with it, because a decade from now, we might wish for inconvenient.

There was a small ray of hope for me today, however. When I went to the grocery store, I noticed that they were completely sold out of energy efficient lightbulbs. Let's go, people...

Mwa Ha Haaaa

2007-02-01T20:01:00.000-04:00

My life is dominated by work right now, so finding the time to blog about anything interesting has been a bit hard. And I really regret not having the time to see how you are all doing. But I will be by. You won't be rid of me...

Here are a few things that I've been up to this week, though:

My only "down-time" has been to stop and watch American Idol the past few nights. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I am getting from watching people make complete idiots of themselves. And I am finding Simon Cowell very attractive this season. Am I getting old? Am I getting bitchy?
I know a schizophrenic woman. No one else knows that she is (that I am aware of). She annoys me to no end, but I know how to push her buttons. So I do. How mean is that?...
I have been listening to Serena Ryder. While wearing my new Neko Case t-shirt.
Mr. C told me yesterday that he doesn't know how my students listen to a word I say because I looked so good. How awesome is he?...But then I quickly dropped back down to the realization that I could be their mother.
My son and I made a trip to the bookstore today and loaded up on new books. And journals. And pencils. Sigh.
Tomorrow will be the third Friday in a row that a storm is forecast. The other two turned into nothing. Third time lucky? I need a snow day.

We have ten years...

2007-01-28T09:13:00.000-04:00

Earth's climate is in crisis. There is no debate; no doubt. The actions that we take today and for the coming decade will determine the fate of our planet. There is no longer time to discuss impacts. We need to focus on actions and solutions, and we all have the ability to do this. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will be issuing their first report since 2001 this week. Read what thousands of the world's leading climate change scientists say when it comes out. The United States, Canada and Australia are dragging their feet. The UK is emerging as a leader. Read this to learn about the things our governments and business need and are talking about doing. But we all need to step up independently as well. I pledge, from this day forward, to minimize my impact in every decision and action that I take. I've cancelled a flight to San Fransicso. I was supposed to attend a conference there in April, but I will propose a teleconference instead. I will not be idle and wait for the outcomes, only to know that when my children are grown they will ask the question: "what were you doing about this, mom?"

What are you doing?

Ice, ice, baby

2007-01-26T09:57:00.000-04:00

It's cold. Freeze your digits off in seconds cold. -30 degrees C with wild chill kind of cold. I want to hibernate with my family for a few weeks. That's all I ask for; just a couple of weeks. I like the cold, though really. Much better than having abnormally weird warm weather, the harbinger of things we might expect to come. And will. So for now, I'll take the cold.

The Atlantic Ocean is warmer than the land and air, and so it is steaming...really.

I am hoping for a relaxing and uneventful weekend.

What are you hoping for?

I just can't help myself...

2007-01-22T20:31:00.000-04:00

Well, that is either the most hilarious bit of comedy or most depressing : I can't decide.

In my on-going arrogant efforts to save the world, my son and I joined World Vision and now await mail correspondence with a boy who shares his birthday from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the price of our daily coffee, his family will receive clean water, food and he will be able to go to school. Welcome to our family, Mechak!

Happy Birthday, Mr. C

2007-01-20T09:03:00.000-04:00

Yes...Happy Birthday, Mr. C!

We are going out tonight, after what will likely be another crazy-busy day...

Being back to work isn't horrible or terrible or even bad, really. It is a very fulfilling kind of work, and I know that it is really important, and that I can make a much greater impact by being back. But I am still struggling with the business; the feeling of being rushed from place to place and from one of scrap of work to the next. I resist this feeling with determination and vow that life is to be lived and enjoyed and one can't do this properly if they are never able to slow the pace down. So I will continue to try and find that place. In the meantime, there are children's parties, and grocery shopping and house cleaning, and cakes to bake...I miss all of you. I will come and see what you have been up to as soon as I get a free moment. It doesn't help that everyone gave Mr.C iTunes cards for his birthday; I can't pull him away from the computer now!

As Canadian as...well...bacon!

2007-01-15T20:35:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am geek enough to photograph bacon frying on a Sunday morning, for the sole purpose of a blog post.

I was listening to CBC Radio One recently and the topic of "what defines a Canadian" was being discussed. The people doing the talking were having a hard go of it, but what everyone seemed to agree on was more around the theme of "what we are not". As in...not American (no hard feelings, American friends).

Things have been feeling a lot more Republicanesque north of your border, however. And we don't even call our Conservatives by that name. Stephen Harper, our "new" Prime Minister, has started using Bush-like sayings, including my favourite..."make no mistake...". Love that one.

I rarely hear positive things about our new government. But that might be the circles I find myself in. I hope not. Polls are showing that Canadians place the environment as their leading concern, above health care and traditional issues that take the forefront. I am hoping that this isn't a fleeting concern as el Nino has caused our temperatures to be temporarily unusualy mild, and people watched DVDs of "An Inconvenient Truth" over Christmas. The truth is just that; inconvenient. Let's hope we don't push these issues aside.

What I really wanted to tell you about, however, is our "new" governments' insistence on being referred to as "Canada's NEW Goevernment". No longer are they just the "Government of Canada". A British Columbia man by the name of Andrew Okulitch worked for 35 years as a scientist at the Geological Suvey of Canada. In recent years he was working, without pay, as a retired scientist emeritus. Commanded to use "Canada's New Government" in all departmental correspondence, and to "note that the initial letters of all three words are capitalized", he fired off this snappy retort:

"Why do newly elected officials think everything begins with them taking office? They are merely stewards for as long as the public allows. They are the Government of Canada. Nothing more. I shall use Geological Survey of Canada on my departmental correspondence to avoid any connection with New Government. The GSC, steward to Canada's earth resources for 164 years, is an institution worthy of my loyalty, as opposed to idiotic buzzwords coined by political hacks."

You can read the full story here.

Andrew Okulitch is my Canada.

Let your mind wander

2007-01-13T15:16:00.000-04:00

For someone who makes a good part of their living speaking, I was actually quite nervous about my speech at the opening of the exhibit at the art gallery last night. I think I may have spent as much time trying to decide what to wear as I did writing the damn thing. Alas, all went well, which I really had optimistically believed that it would. When I arrived and starting wandering around the requisite mingling crowd, I counted a total of 4 people (out of hundreds) that I knew. One was a woman I had traveled to Cuba with. We were working on a research project and she ended up hiring a jinetero (male prostitute) for a good part of the trip. So as I spoke, my eyes kept drifting over to her as my mind wandered to images of her dancing the salsa with "Jorge". I think it helped my talk, rather than hindered it.

And, as I was just speaking of shifting gears yesterday, I am now perfectly shifted back into my normal world. Play-Doh Today!

Like a Storm, Just Passing Through...

2007-01-11T21:11:00.000-04:00

Life is amazing, isn't it? Taking us on twists and turns, and into unexpected places. I have been so busy these past two weeks that I have hardly stopped to catch my breath. Looking at my watch today and being amazed that it was 2:30 and I hadn't had a single thought of lunch. Screeching my brain to a halt as I pick up the babe and my son and we play and laugh until bedtime. And then my brain clicks on again. I don't know where this internal switch resides, but it's there, thank goodness.

I haven't been working on the book much these past few weeks. But I have been discussing the design of the cover with an amazing artist. And so...because of the theme and content of his show, I was asked to speak at the opening of the exhibit tomorrow night. After an afternoon of play-dates with Play Station and swimming at the pool, I will then turn on another switch and give my talk at the gallery. I'll let you know how it goes...