Monday, July 31, 2006
Muzzling one of the world's top climatologists
... because that's just what the governments of democratic countries do (when they've been bought and paid for by the petroleum industry). See the "60 Minutes" piece here.
Note: this is old news for a lot of us, but glad to see the mainstream media actually talking about it - finally.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Resolute
A poem I wrote a few months ago, in response to a situation in which I found myself, and in which I observed some other people. Fortunately not currently an issue for me ... but maybe someone else will appreciate it. :)
Resolute
You don’t know who you are, but this is fine –
This poem is not about you; it’s about me.
I. Will. Not. Allow. You. To. Define. Me.
Your arguments, your savagery
will not affect my integrity
will not erode my confidence
will not turn me from the path directed by my most sacred inner compass.
These are things you cannot touch.
I will be smart, but bold
I will be flexible, but resolute
I will be unmoved by all your tempests, demands, and impatience.
I will accept you as you are, and work around you when I need to.
Because happiness is my choice,
And reasonableness is my decision.
I will be fiercely, passionately kind, consistent, and good-humoured.
In this freedom, I will live my life
And you will respect me for it.
Jennifer Esperanza Photography
Marisa's Lotus Back
Originally uploaded by Jennifer Esperanza.
Lately I've been browsing through Flickr at other people's photographs. There's some amazing work on this site!!!! Here's one example: Jennifer Esperanza. Her work is beautiful, sensual, and deeply influenced by her spirituality (which seems to be Hindu-based). It's almost all portraiture.
She also has her own website with more photos ... check out her Tsunami Documentary (she happened to be in India on a pilgrimage when the Tsunami struck) or the Katrina/Rita Documentary.
Another Flickr-er
Daisy
Originally uploaded by eviepie.
Another cool photographer I've found on Flickr is Yvonne ("eviepie"). She does some cool macro work with flowers. This shot is one of my favourites. Yvonne and I have corresponded a bit and she seems like one of the loveliest people you could hope to meet. She also convinced me to try using Picasa to enhance my photos. (I've tried it, and I love it! Thanks, Yvonne!)
I'm learning a lot about photography just by looking at other people's work.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Something is rotten ...
... in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. It's either the potatoes or the onions. I'm afraid to look; the last couple of days, I've just been quickly closing the door and pretending I didn't notice the foul stench.
I know my inner Superwoman will brace me for this next challenge - it's just a question of when. LOL
Update: It was the onions, but the potatoes weren't faring much better ... whoops! (Like a former roommate once said [upon seeing me come home from the grocery store], "There she is with more produce to rot in our refrigerator!" [Ouch - truth hurts!]
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
You had a bad day
I'll be honest. There are days like today that are not good days. They don't usually make it into this blog because I really don't have much to complain about in the grander scheme of things.
Perfect example: Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire. Nothing that happened to me today - or ever - is in even the neighbourhood of what this man lived and witnessed. If nothing else, reading this book helps me keep a sense of perspective.
It's a captivating read, though sometimes hard to keep tabs on all the people and groups involved - but I just read to get the gist rather than keep tabs on who did what. It's a detailed account of the failures of political will on multiple fronts for groups, nations, and the UN to step beyond their own self-interest, resulting in the massacre of 800,000 innocents in Rwanda.
Dallaire is a true Canadian hero. I think he's something of a broken man now, suffering still from post-traumatic stress disorder, but I really hope he finds some peace and some good days.
Fortunately, I am still in a situation where I can trust that the good days will vastly outnumber the kinda-crappy-but-it-could-be-much-much-worse days.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Who Killed the Electric Car?
I went to see this movie tonight with some friends from work. It is fantastic (and don't just take my word for it!). It is funny and witty and enraging and empowering.
You may have heard, as I did, that the electric car was a failure of engineering; a nice idea that was impractical. In this film, however, you will hear from devoted owners of the electric car - and how their cars were destroyed by their own manufacturers. Intriguing and thoroughly worthwhile.
For folks in Toronto, this is playing at the Cumberland Theatre in Yorkville. There is no reason not to go!!!!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Great photography
My friend Mel sent me a link to this website - she says he's a co-worker. Very cool!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Rhythm - Paul Kane Park
Rhythm - Paul Kane Park
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
This morning, I got up early, made myself (relatively) presentable, and headed out with my camera and tripod, looking to take advantage of the early-morning light. This is my favourite shot of the morning.
By 9:00AM, the light was too harsh, and I went home. :)
Flag-o-rama
Flag-o-rama
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
On the second story of a sports bar ... a couple weeks after the World Cup was decided.
Hollyhocks II
Hollyhocks II
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Hollyhocks are now in bloom in Toronto. They're lovely flowers, but unfortunately not the most photogenic, as they are relatively small blooms on tall stalks. This one was about the best I could do. :)
Cool flower
Cool flower
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Very 3-D flower. No idea what the heck it is.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Most of the gang at Terra Cotta
Most of the gang at Terra Cotta
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Hiking at Terra Cotta Conservation Area today. Great group of people.
Jack, John, Melanie, Grace, Elliott, Susie, Ben, Jim, Wendy, China, and Robyn
Missing: Lori and Linda, as they had to leave early
It is a hike that I will remember always – or at least until all the mosquito bites go away! Seriously.
Once we got to Terra Cotta Conservation Area and got divided in two groups, mosquito spray applied, maps examined and trails selected, Ben headed out with one group, and my group – the dawdlers and the picture-takers – set out on the Terra Cotta Trail.
Almost immediately, we came upon
I have to say, I get to meet some very interesting and very cool people! There was so much interesting conversation – Melanie using her artist’s eye to point out to the rest of us the interesting colour of the snail shell, or the light in the leaves above our heads; Elliott telling us about his research into proteins at Sick Kid’s Hospital in such a way that you could easily understand the gist of his study; Robyn with her sarcastic wit. Patterns developed: Melanie mentioning colour, Robyn noticing food (berries, apples, mushrooms), and Elliott musing about what a good location this place would be for people in love. And sticks!?!? Susie, Grace, Jack, and John were pretty quiet, but seemed to really enjoy the hike and listening to the conversation. And Susie took more pictures than I did! :)
A short time after we stopped for lunch in a picnic area (with blissfully few mosquitoes), Ben’s group (Ben, Wendy, Jim, Lorie, Linda, and
After our lunch, we went to do some more exploring. This time, our group took the Spring Pond Trail, which seemed to be everybody’s favourite – nice, wide trail, pretty ponds, and – perhaps best of all - relatively few mosquitoes! I mortified Elliott’s English sensibilities by waving to some strangers on the other side of the pond, which prompted yet more interesting discussion about Canadian culture when in the city vs. in a more natural setting.
After the hikes,
Once home, I realized I should have sprayed myself with DEET far more extensively – who would have thought a mosquito could find the chinks in one’s armour (e.g., the back of one’s elbow?!?!) so easily?
All the complaints about bugs aside, it was a great day and an excellent chance to meet some great new people and to reconnect with some valued friends.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
So I thought my weekend could be considered at least "interesting" ...
DSC_5250
Originally uploaded by Donnay.
... until I saw photos of Kevin's!
Damn, why don't I ever get invitations to the really good parties???
;->
Update July 20th ... Kevin tells me that ever since I posted this pic, traffic to his Flickr site has gone through the roof! I think someone must have forwarded on the link? LOL
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Isabelle and Audrey and Mocha
Isabelle and Audrey and Mocha
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
My longtime buddy Ryan and his lovely wife Isabelle had a baby ten days ago! So my co-worker Max and I visited after work (we both work with Ryan). When we arrived, mom, baby, and cat were cuddling on the sofa. Very endearing.
Max and Audrey
Max and Audrey
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Max is one of the sweetest guys you'll ever meet. I love this photo.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Awesome T-shirts
My buddy Jim sent me this link - knowing that I could legitimately wear such apparel!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
The mouth of Lake Huron on day of Mackinac Boat Race
The mouth of Lake Huron on day of Mackinac Boat Race
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Folks lined up along the St. Clair River to see boats on their way to the start line for the Mackinac Boat Race. In the distance, you can see many boats that had already passed by. I was too late to see many of them, but in the end, very few boat pictures actually turned out - without colourful sails (or being docked in a marina, organized), they're actually not very interesting visually - or at least that's my opinion. :)
But I found the people-watching fairly rewarding - see in posts below.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
This past Saturday, my friend Melanie and I visited the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. There was definitely some not-so-appealing art (at least to me), but there was quite a bit that was beautiful. Eventually I got the nerve to ask some artists if I could photograph some of their works, and they were very gracious enough to let me. Some of the pics follow below.
In the meantime, allow me to list some of the artists (with links to their websites) who really caught my eye:
Victoria Pearce
Emma Hesse
Alexander Shevers
Melody Jewitt
Stephanie Ford Forrester
Anita Niemeyer
Rachel Taggart
Jamie Kapitain
Don Maclennan
Will someone please buy me this painting??? :)
Will someone please buy me this painting??? :)
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Some unfortunate light/shadow happening on the canvas when I took the picture ... but beggars can't be choosers!
Art Quilt
Art Quilt
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
This photo - and those following - are photos of some of the gorgeous art quilts made by the artist Stephanie Ford Forrester. They are hand-stitched and made of silk. Gorgeous!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Pita Deli - a little treasure of an eatery
Pita Deli
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Pita Deli is a wonderful place in Whitby, ON (on Thickson Road, just north of the 401). We used to call it "the big-assed pita place" because the pitas they serve you are enormous and very filling. We used to go into "meat comas" after eating them ... your body would slow your regular activities to a crawl just to focus on digesting all the food! But it is so yummy! After a while, I stopped ordering pitas with meat, and just asked for a pita filled with fatoosh (delicious herbed salad with crunchy pieces of sun-dried pita) and taziki. Marvellous!!!!
This place is family-owned, and the husband is a jovial kind of guy who throws in good-humoured insults and ribbing for free. People must not mind it, because this place is PACKED during lunch hour!!!
The family is originally from Lebanon; there are beautiful framed photos of Lebanon along the north wall of this restaurant.
Ring around the sky
Ring around the sky
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
I'm not sure if you can see it in this photo (especially at the size in which it will appear on my blog), but there was a faint brown line just above the horizon. Smog. Pollution. Yes, I've seen much worse in other places, but I hold Canada to another standard. It should be pristine. (I know a lot of the pollution actually comes up from the U.S., but it still doesn't make it better.)
It really reminded me of ring around the collar. I wanted to take some stain-remover and scrub the dirty ring away.
If only it were that easy ...
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Cheek full o' peanut
Cheek full o' peanut
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
... and checking for more!
A bit blurry, but funny
A bit blurry, but funny
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
These darn critters move too fast!!! LOL But you can clearly see the outline of the peanut this fella "pocketed".
Wild carrot flower
Wild carrot flower
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
If you look closely, you will see an ant in this photo.
Some people are in a different headspace ...
Some people are in a different headspace ...
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
There I was yesterday, on a quiet beach, its beauty almost moving me to tears, when I realized this word was scratched into the driftwood that I'd been sitting on. Hmmm ....
