I don't shop much

... but tonight I did. Out of desperation (I think it's been a year since I went clothes shopping ... if only clothes were books ...)

Clothing retail is bizarre. Some of the clothes are so cheaply made that they're already starting to fall apart in the store. Colours, patterns, and silhouettes come in trends such that if they don't suit you this season, fuggetaboutit. For instance, apparently empire waists are still the thing. Me, I look pregnant when I wear shirts with empire waists, and I have a pretty flat stomach, friends.

Tonight I noticed that the 80s are "in" again. Jewel tones, little lacy bits to tease around one's cleavage (assuming one has any), CAP SLEEVES. Poufy cap sleeves. I had a hard time with all this 80s stuff, as I continually wondered whether wearing such clothes might be an invitation to be mocked or even beaten up.

You know something about people who run clothing stores? They never order enough of the right sizes. Usually, when I see something attractive and reasonable on display, the only sizes available are extra small, large, and extra large. However, mediums can be found if the cut of the item is extra roomy and not very flattering that way. Why don't these people just order more of the average-sized items? I think they could sell a lot more product that way; maybe it's just me, but I can't think that they're all that smart.

Along a similar vein, these stores try to resell crap. Tonight, in a lingerie store, I heard a sales clerk tell a customer, "The nice bras get sold right away." That reinforced what I could already see for myself, which was despite several hundred feet of displayed product, there wasn't much worth buying.

And since we're on the subject of bras, why is it so hard to find one that does what it's supposed to do without inserts or other bizarre contraptions? Tonight half the bras in the store were called "Extreme Lift". Does that not sound painful?

Thank goodness for T-shirts and jeans, that's all I can say ... :)

Great video

A few months old, perhaps, but still a rocking song and great message.



The band is called Freedom People (click on link to go to website). I also like their song, "The Earth is My Church".

Stunning tornado video

For a limited audience

But funny if you share my political interests and leanings. :)

Tragic love story

Read about it here and here.

Let this be a cautionary tale to all of you who have dependents - get life insurance, mortgage insurance, wills, etc.

I can't imagine what might have happened to me if at age 19 or 21 I was suddenly debt-ridden without my parents to help me through school.

Donate to the family here, if you feel so moved.

99 Too Many Things About Me

Every blogger does this at least once, right? :)

1. I do not bleach or dye my hair – the colour is 100% natural Dutch blonde. Sorry.
2. I truly envy people with olive or dark skin colour. Being fair-skinned is overrated.
3. The older I get, the more I see both sides of every argument.
4. This is annoying when I’m trying to win an argument.
5. Laughter and a sense of humour are things I’ve cultivated as an adult.
6. People who take themselves too seriously totally exasperate me. Probably because I see myself in them.
7. I frequently dream I am back on the farm where I grew up.
8. Interestingly, in those dreams I am always outside – never in the house.
9. Come to think of it, no one from my family is in those dreams either – it’s just me and the land.
10. Of my parents, my brother, and me, I was the one who spent the least time outside on the land.
11. I love irony.
12. I often dream of kittens too. Those are always happy dreams.
13. I was baptized twice.
14. These days, I only go to church for weddings, funerals, and musical recitals.
15. I believe in angels.
16. These days, I am no longer disdainful of other people’s need to go to church.
17. However, I still have very strong feelings about institutions that systemically covered up child abuse.
18. I experience God in nature and in solitude.
19. If my biology professor was right in our class about genetics, I am a carrier for colour-blindness.
20. I relax by reading other people’s blogs.
21. Given a choice of reading or buying more books, I will always buy more books. It is a sickness.
22. Given a choice of cooking or buying groceries, I will generally buy more groceries.
23. I’ve been a “just in case” kind of person as long as I can remember.
24. I have been my own best friend for at least 7 years.
25. It’s really great to be able to enjoy your own company.
26. I used to see myself like those withered merpeople who’d sold their souls in The Little Mermaid. I really used to abhor myself.
27. I’ve come a long way, baby.
28. I taught English in South Korea for almost two years.
29. I still kick myself that I never visited the DMZ while I lived in Korea.
30. Living in Korea was the hardest and the best thing I’ve ever done.
31. I love Korean food; I could eat it once a day if I could figure out how to cook like they do.
32. I’ve only seen the open ocean once, on a trip to Vancouver Island.
33. That afternoon by myself on a near-deserted beach was the happiest of my life.
34. That beach had signs warning of bears, cougars, and tsunamis.
35. I saw no bears, cougars, or tsunamis, thank goodness.
36. I believe that when you travel with a camera, you’re really not alone.
37. Since that trip about three years ago, I long to see the ocean again every spring.
38. I believe in magic.
39. My sense of wonder is one of the traits I cherish most about myself.
40. My right leg is almost one inch shorter than my left leg.
41. I didn’t learn this until I was in my thirties.
42. When in grade school, my classmates complained that I used too many big words that they couldn’t understand.
43. I dumbed down my vocabulary and regret it today.
44. I never fit in when I was growing up.
45. I have to wonder what kind of changeling my parents thought I was; I never met their expectations.
46. My parents are good, salt-of-the-earth people.
47. My brother is my hero.
48. The household chore I hate the most is dusting.
49. I had to dust a lot when I was growing up.
50. My mom had knickknacks and framed photographs our relatives all over the house.
51. I once tried to hide all the framed photographs because I thought they were too much work to dust.
52. My mother put most of them back.
53. I never anticipated I would love my niece and nephew as much as I do.
54. Other than their parents, I was the first relative to greet them, when they (or at least their tiny cell clusters) were still new in Lisa’s belly.
55. I will fondly remember Chicago for that reason.
56. They’d better remember I was there first.
57. I will never make them dust.
58. I like using song titles and lyrics for my Facebook updates.
59. If I know a song, I can usually identify it just by hearing the first few bars.
60. In almost every personality test, I score somewhere near the middle. I’m several people all rolled up in one.
61. My approach to situations often balances others; if someone is serious, I become light-hearted, if someone is reckless, I become cautious, etc.
62. Perhaps this means I am contrary?
63. I thank my lucky stars for my own build every time I see a large-breasted woman. Large breasts look like such a pain.
64. I find it easy to love certain people, as though we are reunited friends.
65. I find it difficult to resume normal relationships with those whom I feel have broken my trust.
66. I have never been to Europe.
67. I would love to travel around Europe. I think.
68. I am a homebody.
69. I love having my cats, my books, my kitchen, my bed. Everything where I need it. Just in case.
    
70. I love watching movies with strong female characters.
71. I was born a feminist.
72. My mother once told me that I would either have to marry a doormat or someone who beat me.
73. I think she was a bit frustrated with me when she said that. :)
74. I was a strong-willed child.
75. I’ve never gotten married. Heh.
76. In my teen years, I listened to Detroit radio.
77. As a result, I have a weakness for soul and R&B music.
78. My current boss is the best boss I’ve ever had.
79. I’ve had my driver’s license for 22 years.
80. I’m pretty content with things I can’t change.
81. I now love all the seasons.
82. I push myself because I believe in my own potential.
83. I wish I liked to read poetry, but generally I don’t. At least not for long periods of time.
84. I love organizing people.
85. I think my life word is “mother” because I like to take care of people.
86. I have never had so much to drink that I’ve become sick or lost control.
87. I’ve never tried illegal drugs.
88. I truly don’t think I’ve missed anything by either of the previous two points.
89. Yes, I am a total square.
90. I can’t remember the first time that I tasted beer because I was so young. My parents never made alcohol a mystery or a taboo. We were allowed to have a sip of their beers even when we were quite young. I think it was really smart of them.
91. Codeine and penicillin, when taken orally, make me violently ill.
92. I’ve watched Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley countless times. (starring Kiera, not sitting down on the couch watching it with her, although I think that would be cool)
    
93. I love Alanis Morissette.
94. If I could start all over again, I’d choose a career in naturopathy.
95. I long to live an extraordinary life.
96. I refuse to use aluminum-based anti-perspirants and deodorants.
97. I generally don’t use perfumes or colognes because this planet has enough chemical pollution as it is.
98. I value consistency.
99. Precious few things are more important to me than my integrity.
100. I am somewhat repelled by how much I’ve had to focus on myself to write this. :)
     

What can I say about this one?

... except that it made me laugh loud and hard:

This is all I've got tonight, folks

Baby on the train

Tonight, on my way home on the subway, I sat near a man with a baby who was about 4 months old. She looked very much like Andy Griffith:


From her perch on her father's lap, she openly surveyed everything around her with open-mouthed wonder. And pretty much without exception, I saw everyone in our half of the subway car (the couple sprawled together with legs entwined, the thirty-something southeast Asian man, the elderly woman with support stockings) was either watching or furtively glancing at her. Smiles flitted across every face. She was utterly irresistable.

Even a homely baby has her charms. :)

Defended

It may not be well-documented here, but those who spend much time with me know that I hate confrontation and conflict (In the immortal words of Michael Jackson, "I'm a lover, not a fighter."). I can deal with conflict, but I hate every bloody minute of it, particularly if it means defending myself. I am NOT one of those people who, when someone is about to step on me, immediately responds, "And what the hell do YOU think you're doing???" although I often wish I were.

Anyway, I'm here to say that it felt really good to stand up for myself today. Details will, I'm sorry to say, have to remain a mystery. Although I will give credit to the use of Rescue Remedy and exercises like holding my neurovascular points for helping me do it well, or at least better than I would have otherwise.

Another amazing feeling is the one where you know someone has also stood up for you. Everyone should have that feeling at least once in his or her lifetime.

Lastly, when someone's suckitude is obvious to everyone involved? Huge sigh of relief.

Exchanges

This past Christmas, I sent my dear, dear friend Wendy in New Zealand a book: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tantric Sex (2nd edition). Knowing the effervescent Wendy, whose sensibilities tend toward prudish, I was sure she'd find it both scandalous and hilarious.

Today I got a thank you card, which reads, in part:

... it [the book] has been brought out several times when people are over for dinner; you are famous among my friends as "the one" who sent the tantric sex book!

I'm "the one"!!!

Of course, now I'm terribly curious as to what kinds of dinner parties they have in New Zealand, with this book being in attendance for so many of them! Though perhaps my curiosity regarding the Kiwi lifestyle was reinforced by this line of her letter:

Fortunately I dash to Emma the hair dresser every 6 weeks for a colour, whingeing and snorting.

Pretty matter-of-fact approach to cocaine use, don't you think? ;->

Now THAT'S relaxed

Laugh out loud funny!!!

Would another one be okay?

Because this band is very cool:

These YouTube clips are making me wish I had British telly

Definitely something to watch

Sent to me by my university pal, Sue.

More acts of kindness

From the Toronto Star:

About a year ago, I was taking my elderly mother home at about 5 p.m. from the lawyer’s office after dealing with my father's will. Understandably, we were a bit sad and I didn't notice that when I had parked the car, I had run over a small roll of hard wire that promptly got entangled in the wheel well. The grinding sound it made while I was driving scared us both, so I tried to untangle it myself. The wire was so hard and tight around the wheel that I feared that the brakes would be compromised.

My mother remembered there was a small mechanic's shop nearby (on Dundas west of Dovercourt). Although I expected it to be closed for the night, we carefully drove over to see. Thankfully, there was still someone in the office, and when I explained my problem, he promptly jacked up the car to see. Realizing the danger we were in, he used his tools to safely remove the wire.

Perhaps he saw the anxiety we were feeling, or maybe he was just an angel in disguise, but he refused payment for his services! Just asking us to come back when we "really" needed him.

In my state of mind, I forgot to get his name, but if you're reading this, know that we were grateful beyond belief. May God bless you!
Fatima Steels, Toronto

Last weekend we parked the car on Charles St E. in Toronto to see a show. Upon our return, we saw a parking enforcement officer having a rather animated conversation with the driver of the car parked behind us.

To our dismay we noticed there was something on the windshield and resigned ourselves to the fact that we had also received a parking ticket. I removed the ticket and noticed that in fact it was a receipt from a restaurant in the Halifax airport. I presumed someone was playing a prank so I got into the car and gave the receipt to my beloved.

There was a note scribbled at the back which said “your wallet is under your front tire.” I got out and saw a small package neatly away under my front tire. I then surmised that my wallet must have fallen out of my pocket when I exited the car. This person not only returned my wallet, but took the time to wrap it in a plastic bag and ensure that it was well hidden. My sincere thanks to that thoughtful Good Samaritan.
Tony Seebalack, Toronto

As a young mother, I often have to juggle a million things at once. I was getting cash out of an ATM one evening, when my cell phone rang. I answered it and inadvertently walked away without retrieving my bank card or cash. When I realized the loss hours later, I returned to the ATM, but the items were gone.

However, someone had left a note to call them. I called, and a young woman answered saying she had my card and money.

Apparently, after I had left, a homeless man had entered the ATM booth to hide from the cold. Not knowing what to do with the money and card, he handed it to the young woman who was also an ATM user. I offered the Good Samaritan a reward but she turned it down.

And now whenever I see a homeless person, I contribute a coffee or snack. That evening, two people chose honesty. And now, I choose to see people as kind and good.
Mary Jane Loven, Toronto

My husband and I went to Niagara Falls one weekend to get away.

We went to an expensive restaurant and decided we would splurge. I noticed a man on the upper level by himself staring at us. I didn't think much of it. We ordered our meal along with some wine.

A few minutes later a different waiter came to our table and told us that the older gentleman had purchased our wine because we reminded him of himself and his wife. He told the waiter not to tell us until he had left his table.

This gentleman made our night and the rest of our trip.
Maria Ricitano, Toronto

We were traveling in beautiful Nova Scotia and were impressed not only by the scenery but the wonderful friendly people there.

One Sunday, the car was a bit low on gas but we didn't worry - we'd top up at the next station. But we soon discovered that open gas stations can be few and far between on coastal roads. Eventually we ran out of gas right next to a marina.

Hoping they might sell some gas my husband walked in. Twenty minutes later he was back with gas and a fisherman. There was no gas for sale but the kind gentleman took Bruce out to his boat in a dingy and siphoned enough gas out to get us to the next town where we finally found a open gas station.

This was one of many small kindnesses that came our way on that trip. Thanks so much to the kind folk of the east coast.
Sharon Quarrington, Campbellville

During my youth in Toronto, I worked as a takeout delivery driver. One particularly busy evening, I lost my money pouch. However, a note was left at a restaurant written with a little kid's handwriting indicating my pouch was found.

I went to retrieve it at a run down apartment. The girl who answered the door invited me in and returned the pouch, with all the money. I wanted to leave a reward but her parents refused. It was obvious they needed the money. When I asked them why they wouldn't accept a reward, they answered that if they ever lost money, they would hope someone would do the same.
David Stinmple, Arthur

Many years ago, I joined the workforce straight from university.

I started as a front line social worker with Toronto Childrens Aid Society. However, my first week was very taxing. My files were overwhelming, and I found the work to be draining.

After a few weeks, I typed up my resignation letter, but before handing it in, I wanted to make one last visit to a young boy who was placed with a new foster home. He was a broken soul, but always smiled.

Before leaving him, he gave me a paper frog he had made. Marvin said that frogs only moved forward. I thanked him for his gift, and scrunched up my resignation letter. He gave me the confidence to move forward as well. Recently, I retold that story at my retirement party, after 36 years as a social worker.
Jared Navid, Scarborough

Fascinating ...

Does acupuncture really work? In the summer of 2000, Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital opened an acupuncture clinic in its Wasser Pain Management Centre to treat patients suffering from chronic pain. Acupuncturist Adam Chen, who helped launch the clinic, recalls that many doctors were sceptical at first. "The treatments helped reduce the patients' use of medications, like morphine and codeine," he says. "The positive results changed quite a few doctors' minds."

Today, doctors at or affiliated with Mount Sinai routinely refer patients to the clinic for a wide variety of pain-related conditions: whiplash and other car-accident injuries, back problems, post-oper ative pain, migraine headaches, arthritic pain, sciatica, pelvic pain, neuralgia and fibromyalgia. The treatments are delivered by certified staff and senior students from the acupuncture program at Toronto's Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, a partner in the clinic. "We treat people for pain from head to toe. Patients come to us after other modalities don't work - drugs, physical therapy and occupational therapy. About 60 to 70 percent of our patients have an effective response to acupuncture," explains acupuncturist James Fu, who teaches at Michener.

More here.

Magic

Originally uploaded by Rob Millenaar.

Total randomness

Sunlight falling on freshly-leaved trees is delightful.

Why does a teenager in Ontario have to wait until age 19 to drink legally, but can wear cologne or aftershave without age restrictions? Because some of these kids seriously don't know how to apply the stuff in lower than noxious levels. It's seriously dangerous to innocent passers-by.

Just two or three days ago, for no apparent reason, I was thinking of friends from my university days, Doug and Loralie, now married and living in Alberta, and I was wishing that their Facebook accounts had better pictures of their three kids, just so I could see what they looked like and who they resembled. Just idle curiosity + love, ya know? And this morning, I saw that Loralie had just posted some lovely photos of her family. Coincidence or serendipity?

Will Hillary Clinton please just go away now? Just. Go. Away. I used to admire your resilience, but now you're like the incessant and charmless salesman who will not let go. John Cole (via Mahablog) says it better:

Hillary’s campaign now seems to boil down to her playing the role of Lucy, with little more than catcalls that Obama “can not close the deal.” “Sure,” she seems to say, “he has kicked my ass in every measurable metric this campaign, but why, oh why can he just not finish me off? Clearly that means you should make me the nominee.”

Regardless, Hillary’s vanity campaign will continue on, trailing in delegates, trailing in the popular vote, trailing in enthusiasm and money, but not lacking in the firm resolve that only Hillary can save us all from our selves. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to more Clintonian triangulation and McCain worship and plans to nuke Iran over the next two weeks as we wait for the super-delegates and the voters of North Carolina and Indiana to break out the wreath of garlic and wooden stakes so we can finally be rid of this menace.

Finally, tomorrow is Friday. Hurray for weekends!!!!!

Not Sayin' Much

Dear friends and Internet vagabonds,

I know I've been posting regularly but not actually writing a lot. Things are going well here, just busy with regular stuff (trying to get back to the gym regularly, etc.). By the time blogging time comes around each night lately, I just don't trust myself to put a coherent paragraph together. And that's not because I'm drinking Vitaly's beer, although I truly am enjoying the Heineken he left in my fridge after one of my parties. :)

I'm also studying for my next Touch for Health course the weekend after this one. I've been memorizing the pathways of the Chinese meridians, which actually isn't nearly as difficult as I'd expected it to be. I don't know if I'm just more open to it these days or something, but it seems that every day someone tells me about some form of natural medicine (naturopathy, acupuncture, special breathing techniques, homeopathy, Cowen technique, etc.) that has dramatically helped them in a way that conventional medicine failed to do. It's pretty cool ...

That's all for tonight, but if I owe you an e-mail (and goodness knows there are a multitude of you out there), please don't be offended ... you are in very good company. :)

I am so hopeful that this man will be the next President of the United States

Total class act.

Important (and inspiring) Avaaz e-mail re. Zimbabwe

Dear friends,

Trade unionists, church groups, and legal organisations across South Africa are joining to block arms shipments to Zimbabwe. Help show their leaders that the world stands with them--sign the petition now: CLICK TO ADD YOUR NAME! CAMPAIGN UPDATE In ten days, 155,000 people worldwide signed an Avaaz petition urging South Africa's Thabo Mbeki to press for democracy in Zimbabwe--and then flew a massive banner over the United Nations headquarters. The flight grabbed the attention of world media, from South African radio, newspapers, and TV to CNN and the BBC... and the next day, South Africa shifted its position. Click here to see coverage, and take the next step!

Even as the Zimbabwe crisis worsens, an extraordinary solidarity movement has taken hold across Southern Africa--sparked by a South African dock workers' union that refused to unload a Chinese shipment of Zimbabwe-bound weapons.[1]

Their refusal to facilitate Zimbabwe's crackdown has ignited a wildfire that is spreading across the continent. Now, as pressure builds, China is publicly wavering--and might decide to bring the arms home.[2] Click below to sign a petition to keep arms away from Zimbabwe. The petition will be launched at a press conference in Johannesburg before the end of this week, and used to lobby key leaders until the crisis ends. Join the call now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_arms_for_zimbabwe/5.php

Three weeks on, the results of the March 29 elections have still not been released, and Zimbabwe's crisis is getting worse. Mugabe's government has unleashed a brutal campaign to retain power. The opposition says that ten have died, and hundreds have been injured; now, a "human wave" of refugees is fleeing to South Africa and other neighbouring countries.[3]

But even as the political emergency deepens, an African-led upswell of resistance has begun to turn the tide. In the last ten days:

• More than 150,000 Avaaz members worldwide signed the petition for democracy in Zimbabwe, including citizens of 53 of Africa's 54 countries. The goal: prod South Africa's president Mbeki to pressure Mugabe. To make sure the message got through, Avaaz hired a small plane to fly a 280 square metre (3000 sq ft) banner over the United Nations.[4] The next day, amidst pressure from other governments and worldwide media coverage of the Avaaz stunt, South Africa finally shifted its position on Zimbabwe.[5]
• Last week, a Chinese ship carrying 77 tonnes of Zimbabwe-bound weapons and ammunition docked in Durban, South Africa--but, refusing to aid Mugabe's crackdown, the dockworkers refused to unload it. Unions, churches, and legal groups throughout Southern Africa quickly mobilized; the ship was forced to leave the harbour, and other ports in the region are vowing to block the weapons as well.[6]
• As the grassroots outcry has grown, political officials have begun to press their case. Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa urged other African leaders not to allow the weapons to reach Zimbabwe.[7] United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and former UNSG Kofi Annan have called for democracy. And more and more other leaders in Africa and worldwide are joining in.

The Chinese arms ship is now sailing up the Western coast of Africa. Union officials tell Avaaz that it could stop in Namibia to refuel, but is probably headed towards Angola.[8] Time is short. A strong international outcry now can help support the groups in both countries--dockworkers, NGOs, and church leaders--who are working to block the weapons and support Zimbabwean human rights.

There is more at stake here than the weapons in this ship. Together, we can build a consensus that Zimbabwe should not be sold ANY weapons in this time of crisis--and in the longer term, we can build momentum for a strong international Arms Trade Treaty[9]. Moreover, stopping the flow of weapons provides a concrete, immediate step that leaders in the region can take on Zimbabwe--paving the way for stronger actions in coming days and weeks.

Add your name to the petition, and then send this link to friends and family:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_arms_for_zimbabwe/5.php

The situation in Zimbabwe is dire. But because of people power--the courage of ordinary workers and community members, standing on principle--the political currents are shifting, and hope is emerging for change. And in the global media, a new strain can be heard amidst the grinding stories of brutality and chaos.

This crisis has many layers, and raises issues that range from the legacy of colonialism to the uncontrolled international arms trade. At the heart of it is the simple idea that every human life is equally precious, and that every person has rights. The people of Zimbabwe took their stand in the voting booth. The dockworkers of South Africa took their stand at the harbour. Now, even if we can only offer a click, it is time to do our part as well.

With hope,

Ben, Ricken, Graziela, Galit, Paul, Iain, Pascal, and Veronique--the Avaaz.org team

Sources:

1. Business Day: "South Africa: Unions Bid to Halt Zimbabwe Arms Ship." http://allafrica.com/stories/200804220109.html
2. New York Times: "China Says Shipment of Arms for Zimbabwe May Turn Back." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/world/africa/23zimbabwe.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
3. New York Times: "Human Wave Flees Violence in Zimbabwe." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/21/world/africa/21zimbabwe.html?ex=1366516800&en=0378560da461b30a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
4. SW Radio Africa: "Mbeki put under pressure at the UN over Zimbabwe" http://www.swradioafrica.com/news170408/mbekipressure170408.htm
5. Globe and Mail: "South African leader forced to speak up after long keeping quiet on Mugabe." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080418.ZIMBABWEANALYSIS18/TPStory/TPInternational/Africa
6. Associated Press: "Zimbabwe's neighbors unite to block arms shipment" http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4kT7pJlnuzY_vpKdTACcQYIPcvQD9077G780
7. Reuters: "Zambia asks African states to bar Chinese ship" http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnBAN223066.html
8. Ibid.
9. See http://controlarms.org.

________



ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.

Rule violation #1

Rule violation #1
Originally uploaded by Rob Millenaar.

Truly jaw-dropping video

I may never step into an elevator without my cell phone again. Here's the associated article in the New Yorker.

Japanese bicycle tower

This is pretty cool:



I've never been a big fan of the Matrix movies (I only saw the first one, years ago, and barely paid attention because I found it strangely boring for something that generated so much excitement in so many people), but there's something about this bicycle tower that makes me think of that movie.

Catching up

Friends and Internet vagabonds, it's been a really busy day doing totally mundane things, but my mental outlook is SOOOO much better for it! I really wish my mental health were not so tightly conjoined with the cleanliness of my apartment and the fullness of my freezer, but ...

Now I am utterly pooped. More tomorrow, I promise. Hopefully something less boring to anyone else but me. :)

You might find this interesting

If you follow American politics at all ... This Catholic priest sure did a great job dealing with this piss-ant reporter:

Discovery Channel: I Love the World

Awesome ...

Especially if you have a dry sense of humour like I do!

A mystery

First, friends and Internet vagabonds, let me thank you so much for your words of support, commiseration, and empathy in response to last night's post. SO much appreciated, very truly.

Tonight, a mystery of the universe to share with you:

The frizzy comb-over, held in place by one's glasses. Picture the nastiest, frizziest, most unkempt hair, gray, not quite shoulder length, combed from a spot not far above the left ear all the way over to the right side of the head. Then imagine this person putting on his glasses, with the arm of his glasses securing this frizz in its unnatural place. I kid you not, there is someone in my neighbourhood who goes out in public like this. If I ever get over my numb-struck horror when I see him, I will try to whip out my camera-phone for a photo. Until then, you must take my word for it, and explain to me ... how is showing a bald spot worse than THIS????

Ouch that hurts

Do you ever feel there have been some days/weeks/months when you are continuously off balance, not quite able to catch your breath, never quite (or even remotely) able to get on top of things? This week in particular feels like that for me. I realize it's only Tuesday, but I feel my a$$ has already been handed to me on a plate. I have a HUGE list of things to do, and it seems to be inevitable that I'll be disappointing someone, especially myself. I HATE this feeling.

Nothing to do but tough things out and prioritize. And #1 thing now is to get enough sleep.

Good night, friends and Internet vagabonds. I'm sure tomorrow (or the day after, or at least after the next task-oriented weekend) will seem much better. :)

Out of the mouths of babes

I laughed tonight when I read this story at Dooce.com. Too cute. (And her brother's name is Ranger??? And he was born before Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum was published???? Just thinking of that Ranger makes me feel warm and tingly ...)

Ahem. Back to the innocent story about children making mistakes with language. It reminds me of one of my favourite stories about my brother. We were really young (maybe 4 and 3 or something), and we all (my parents, my brother, and me) were riding in the family car somewhere. I was whining about wanting to see my cousins who lived in Wyoming. Joe, not to be outdone, began to whine, "When can we go to MY oming?"

Wistful for kittens

... that's what this video makes me feel. Soooooooo cute!!!

Mini-revelations

I got the results of some food allergy testing yesterday, and the results indicate that I'm highly allergic to flax seed (flax seed????) and cane sugar, which I suppose covers white sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and every other permutation of sugar cane.

This totally sucks, as flax is quite prevalent today in many healthy foods, and sugar is EVERYWHERE, but (in the instance of the cane sugar) could be totally good for me in many other ways to eliminate it from my diet. I'm not actually aware of any reaction, but then again I have no idea how good I could possibly feel without cane sugar ...

Possibly the most important thing I learned today ...

I was in another First Aid course today. And our instructor started talking about what to do if you're alone and you start to choke (e.g., full airway obstruction).

As society changes, it seems that more and more of us live alone. To be honest, I don't have the wherewithal tonight to get into THAT discussion, but Bridget Jones' fears of dying alone and being eaten by Alsatians seems to me to be both hilarious and archetypical.

Anyway, getting back to the class ... our instructor discussed how unlikely throwing yourself against a chair or a countertop - or even performing abdominal thrusts to yourself with your own hands - is to work, considering they all require you to override your body's innate mechanisms of protecting itself (which makes sense, right?). So what did she suggest instead?

First, you have to assume that you have no more than 30 seconds before you will pass out, so you have to act fast. So:

1) Call 911 from your phone. Cell phones and VOIP phones, alas, don't count, as they don't currently provide details about your location. And if your airway if fully obstructed, you will not be able to even make a choking sound. But if you have a land line, by all means dial 911, then leave the phone off the hook so they will dispatch someone to help you. (If you don't have a land line, don't waste your precious time, I guess.)

2) Make it your priority to get out of your house or apartment ASAP. You know you may go unconscious due to a lack of oxygen, so pick a place where you are likely to be seen. As my instructor said, hopefully your neighbours aren't used to seeing you passed out in front of your place. :) An awesome suggestion she had for condo- and apartment-dwellers was to PULL THE FIRE ALARM in the hallway. Genius.

3) On your way out, grab an object like a water bottle, TV remote, whatever that, once outside, you can try to thrust into your diaphragm to free whatever is lodged in your throat.

Straightforward and logical, right? And yet none of these occurred to me before. And I'd be very suprised if I were the only one.

You know, the last time I took a First Aid course was only a year ago (this time it's employer-sponsored), but I've learned so much today. I would encourage EVERYONE to take one of these courses - so much priceless, valuable information.

Okay, that's my PSA for today. Feel free to send along to all your family and friends - you never know if you might save a life!

Freebasing cheerios

What are you up to tonight?

Not bad for a 5-year-old!

Song descriptions

On the weekend I went to a type of choirfest. Several traditional folk songs were performed. I found these entries in the program rather amusing:

Blaue Fensterl, greani Gater (Blue windows and green fences)
That's where the pretty girl lives that the young hunter has an eye on. He is mighty proud of his gun and powder and of his hunting hat.

Ei du mei liabe Schwoagrin (My dear alpine maiden)
Another song about a hunter who is wooing an alpine dairy maid. He boasts he has shot a chamois but he is really a little scared of the trip up the mountain to see her. She in turn sings a carefree yodler.

And now for something completely different ...

This photo totally cracked me up!

Polar bears!!!

Soooooo cute! I want to cuddle with them too. Too bad mama'd probably not be so nice to me, no matter how hung over she was from hibernation ... :)

Spring thaw

This is the cutest. The round little belly, the stubby paws waving in the air, the constant faint purr throughout ... I've melted into a puddle here.



The only thing I don't like about this video is the person not only allows but encourages the kitten to bite. This might seem harmless when the kitten's the size of a flea, but as it gets older it's a bad habit and the bites effing hurt.

Shut up and sing

Tonight I collapsed in a heap and finally watched Shut Up and Sing, a documentary about the Dixie Chicks after they were boycotted for saying something anti-Bush at a concert in the U.K. It kind of flips around from one time period to another, but otherwise it's very good. It was inspiring to me to see these smart, independent women believing in themselves and each other and going their own way. They're not perfect, but they don't need to be. They are tough cookies. Two thumbs up.

Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh, ugh, ugh!!!! A sacrilege.

News bloopers

I especially like the last one ...

Confession #1

I have never seen Good Will Hunting. (Gasp! I know.) I don't know why I haven't. There are just lots of movies that I've never seen. But I've rented it this weekend, so I might even watch it tonight.

Your turn ...

Watch this one

Give it several seconds ...



Excess soju or a not-so-secret desire to star in a drag show? You decide.

This is totally for Zen

Political satire based on my favourite video EVER??? Genius. But not for you, Mom. I'm sorry, but it's true.

Recent Conversations

I was having an IM exchange that somehow morphed into him telling me all the weird ways you could die in Australia (spiders, snakes, etc.), then ...

Eclecta: Well, it was a penal colony ... [my point, not well made, was that it was never a picnic]
Him: heh heh
Eclecta: You seriously have the mind of a 12 year old.
Him: What? It's funny!

**********************************************************************************

Him: In [blahblahblah weeks/months because I really don't care] Grand Theft Auto [whatever version] will be released and we'll be able to beat up hookers in high definition!!!!

***********************************************************************************

Eclecta: Surreal moment of the day? When I was washing my hands just now, I realized that my sweater exactly matches the colour of the vein on the inside of my wrist!
Innocent co-worker: Wow. That's carrying colour coordination a little far.

In the morning

It was super-windy here last night, but this morning there was a robin outside my building singing his very own version of "I Will Survive". Hardy birds, robins. :)

Scenes from the forest

Scenes from the forest
Originally uploaded by Rob Millenaar.

Beautiful. I wish I'd been the one to make this photo.

Indigo Girls overload

You ever have one of those days when your MP3 player drives you a little crazy???

I should first explain something: I really don't like skipping a song - especially if it has a catchy tune - once it's started because it will just stick in my head anyway. (On the other hand, allowing a song to naturally finish on its own actually helps me move on and not have the song stuck on continuous play in my brain.)

Okay, so back to my narrative: today, of the hundreds of songs that I have, my iPod somehow seemed to choose every Indigo Girls song there was. Not that there's anything wrong with the Indigo Girls - I love their melodies and harmonies - but holy crap every song seems to have a melodramatic lyric along the lines of "I take things so much more seriously than you do" and I want to reach through my headphones and shake one of those singers really hard and tell her, "FOR GOD'S SAKE FIND A SENSE OF HUMOUR!!!!"

And yes, I am fully aware of the irony of this. :->

How was your day? :)

Girl & Cow

Girl & Cow
Originally uploaded by KCzarzasty.

Have I blogged this photo before? It's extraordinary. The photographer writes:

"While visiting the Goshen Agricultural Fair my wife brought this picture to my attention. So overwhelmed by everything going on I would have missed this picture of this young girl and her cow taking an afternoon nap."

Now I'm off to get some hard-earned ZZZs myself ...

Have you ever ...

... had a password you liked so much that you wished you could tell other people what it was???

I could tell you my password, but then I'd have to ... change it. :-(

A job I would not want

For a long time, I thought the worst things about being a police officer would be the danger of getting shot at or otherwise attacked by some criminal. But a few weeks ago, during a bad snowstorm, I saw two police cruisers blocking entrance to a particular road. I assumed that there had been some kind of an accident further down the street, and they were keeping other people away.

Which made me think about what the job of a police officer must be like at the times when s/he is not facing possible murder. And I think it must include hours of time sitting alone in one's squad car wishing you had a novel or even a crossword puzzle just to keep you from going stir crazy. And I realized that I never would have survived had I chosen law enforcement as a career ... that much boredom AND a firearm???

I don't know how they do it. :)

Ouch

Today someone said something so patently untrue that when I rolled my eyes, it was with enough force to make my head hurt.

Weirdly uplifting

Does anyone else get sentimental about the time when your kitchen was clean for more than 0.005 seconds? I'm cooking (or prepping lunches) a lot these days, which is awesome. I don't have a dishwasher (which I'm okay with not having), but I swear I do at least a sinkful of dishes every day.

This morning, when I walked into my kitchen and there wasn't a single dirty dish in sight and the counters had been wiped down, I swear I heard angels sing.

One of my favourites

Pink Martini - "Una Notte a Napoli"



I love the passion and drama in this song.

Sign the Petition to Protect the Boreal!

Canada’s Boreal Forest, a 1.4 billion acre green garland stretching from Yukon to Newfoundland, is one of the world’s most unique and important ecosystems. The billions of birds raised in North America's Bird Nursery leave their nests in the fall and migrate to winter locations throughout North, Central and South America. Many of our favorite backyard birds began their lives in the Boreal.

Unfortunately, the Boreal Forest is steadily being carved up by unchecked oil and gas, mining, logging, and hydro development. While less than 8% of the Boreal is permanently protected, already 30% has been allocated to industry.

In recent years, we have seen long-term declines in many Boreal bird species. Rusty Blackbirds have declined by 95%, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Boreal Chickadees, Bay-breasted and Canada Warblers, and Evening Grosbeaks by more than 70%, and scaup and scoters by over 50%.

In addition to birds, Canada’s Boreal Forest hosts some of the last remaining large populations of caribou, wolves, lynx and grizzly bears on earth. It is one of the planet’s largest terrestrial storehouses of carbon, shielding us from global warming. And it is home to hundreds of aboriginal communities that rely on the land for their traditional way of life.

Fortunately, there is still time to ensure that the Boreal remains North America’s Bird Nursery. Canadian governments must take responsibility for conserving this precious natural legacy before the birds we love face extinction.

Show your concern for the future of Canada’s Boreal Forest and the billions of birds that rely on it. Sign this letter urging government leaders to protect the Boreal today.

Help me decide

Okay, folks ... I'm gonna ask you to do some work for me here. I have $150 given to me as a gift to spend with the wonderful charity, Plan International Canada, a non-religious, non-political organization aimed at helping children and their communities in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Please click here for the catalog of things I could buy. Then click on the link just below (where it says "click HERE to comment") and tell me how you would invest this money and why. If you make a sufficiently strong argument, I'll follow your direction!*

*Exception: I won't buy livestock to be eaten.

So won't you help a gal who's faced with too many cool choices to decide?

Words I thought I'd never have to say in the company kitchenette

[pleasant conversation with co-worker, then ...]

Eclecta: Dude, did you seriously just scratch your ear and then suck on your finger???

[co-worker pauses and mentally reviews the last few moments]

Co-worker: Oh my God, I think I did!

Don't judge too quickly

Thanks, Kevin! :)

Here's another you might enjoy:

Random

Songs that have been in my head lately (for no apparent reason):

• "I've Been in Love Before" by Cutting Crew
• "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan
• "O Canada" (very weird ... for a few minutes I was wondering, "What is this song???" Definitely carrying patriotism too far.)
• "I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight," also by Cutting Crew (funny ... I didn't realize I was such a fan)
• "Runaway" by Bon Jovi
  

Questions I have asked myself lately:

• Does "dairy" include goat milk and cheese?
  
• Hey, whatever happened to sweater sets?
  
• Why does no one name their kid "Saffron" any more?
• Why have I never met anyone named "Saffron"?
• Did anyone ever really name their kid "Saffron"?
  
• Why do so many cemetery monuments look so phallic?
  
• Why does a possible building fire smell like burnt toast?
  
• Aside from my cats, what else would I like to have outside the building in case this is a real fire? (Answer: my cell phone [just for practical reasons], a hat, gloves. I already had my wallet tucked in my winter coat.)
• Will I ever forgive myself for leaving my cats in the apartment if this is a real fire? (In my defense, they don't really let me catch them while that god-awful siren is blaring.)
  
• Who cooks at 3:30 in the morning, and why did they burn their food so badly as to set off the fire alarms and send the rest of the building out into the cold night???
• If I were stranded on a remote island and could have only one herb or spice, which one would I want? (Answer: oregano, but with deep regret that I couldn't also have rosemary. And garlic. Ooh, and cayenne!)
• What spice can I add to this mulligatawny to enrich its flavour? (Answer: nutmeg. The result was something of which I felt I could be truly proud.)
  
• Do I post too many videos on this blog?
• Which Gifts of Hope should I buy with the $135 raised by my party this past weekend?
• Why are rubber boots considered fashionable these days? (I'm a farm kid; I associate them with mucking out a pig barn.)
• OMG, how excited is Zen going to be that George Michael will be touring North America again???
  

More questions, chocolate cake version:

• Would chocolate cake for breakfast really be so bad for me? (It is Easter, after all.)
• Would another piece of chocolate cake be so bad for me?
• Will I be able to zip up my pants in a few days if I have yet another piece of chocolate cake right now?
• Why does this chocolate cake taste better and moister each time I have a piece? Isn't it supposed to go stale?
• If I freeze the chocolate cake (in self-defense), will it get freezer burn? Is this a risk I’m willing to take? Do I really have a choice here???
• How long would it take to defrost a piece of chocolate cake?
• How many times have I thought of chocolate cake today?
• Am I going to need some methadone in order to stop eating chocolate cake?

Final random question for tonight:

• Am I the ultimate egocentric in finding these points amusing and/or interesting?

Acts of Kindness

I was sitting in the subway car on the train. I had just picked up a coffee cup that someone had left behind on the ledge behind a seat. The cup still had a bit of coffee in it. It had fallen over and spilled the coffee, which was in danger of getting on to the coat of the woman sitting in the seat. I was deprecating today's modern manners and the habit of leaving litter everywhere.

I heard a voice asking someone to pick up their feet. I looked around and a young man of about 12 to 15 years of age was reaching under a nearby seat. He pulled out the garbage and litter underneath it.

There were three or four other similar young men with him. They were wearing latex gloves, and one was carrying a garbage bag. They swept through the car between stations, picked up all the garbage, and accepted more from passengers. I gave them the coffee cup. One of them brought up the rear and wiped and polished the poles that passengers hold on to. At High Park they got out and vanished.

It is an understatement to say I was stunned. I've been riding the subway for 25 years and haven't seen anything like this before.

Too bad we can't encourage others to do the same, because it probably violates numerous regulations. But it was pretty amazing to see. Thanks to whoever you were, guys. We all thought you were great.

It had been snowing all day, when I hopped off the Bramalea GO Train.

All I wanted to do was get to the warmth and comfort of my home, but I knew I was going to have to spend at least ten minutes braving the elements to clear off my car before I could go anywhere.

I headed in the direction of my car and wondered how I was ever going to find it - all the cars were covered in snow.

As I approached the general vicinity, one car stood out because it was the only one that had already been cleared. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was my car.

I have no idea who cleared it off, or why. I can only assume it was a fellow passenger who came in on an earlier train, cleared off their car and then decided to clear off the car next to them too.

Whoever you are, I want to say thank you for your considerate gesture! I headed for home smiling all the way.

More here.

I'm confused ...

... is this video FOR John McCain? If so, could they not find a lead "singer" without vampire teeth, or people who can actually lip-synch? And what's with the backup "singer" on the left fading to transparency and back again?



There MUST be talented and likeable people who support John McCain; that's just statistically reasonable to assume. Why couldn't they find any of THOSE people to be in this video?

Can you imagine what it must be like for those running the McCain campaign to see this video? Embarrassment and sheer terror, I'd say.

Weird!

Do a Google search of "Avaaz + Tibet" and see what comes up first - even before the Avaaz website!

And to those who may be visiting as a result of this strange hiccup in Google: hello and I'm very sorry! :)

Who put vodka in this kid's cereal?

Greatest dealing with a telemarketer ever

The Circle Game

This song by the great Canadian songwriter Joni Mitchell came up on my iPod today. Particularly at this time of the year it resonates with me. It doesn't make me feel sad; it makes me so grateful for the rhythms of life and to know that I'm a part of it, and that there's nothing new or unusual about any of my experiences.

And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

A dilemma

This morning, on my way to work, I was faced with a dilemma. I'm not sure that I handled it very well, so your thoughts and input would be welcome so I can ensure that I do not behave like an ass again. Here goes:

I actually have a seat on the subway on the way to work. At a certain stop, a bunch of people board the train, and suddenly I realize that there is a very beautiful, very pregnant woman standing in front of me, as there are no seats left. I immediately offer her my seat, but she assures me that she doesn't need it, as she has only two stops before she gets off the train again. She is totally glowing and she is rock-solid on her feet in spite of the beach ball-like protrubence under her winter coat, so I stay where I am.

My gaze drifts over to the woman standing next to her, and ... oh shit, is she pregnant too? It's a LOT harder to tell with this second woman, as she definitely is carrying some extra weight over the stomach area, but it's not as obvious as with the first woman, and frankly it looks a little lumpy. I'm trying not to be obvious that I'm staring at her belly. In the end, I stick to my policy to not mention a woman's pregnancy (or assumed pregnancy) to her face unless it is:

a) confirmed beforehand by a third party;
b) the woman herself brings it up in conversation; or
c) the woman's water has broken and the baby is about to come out.

But in the end I'm not sure whether I did the right thing.

Thoughts?

Romance novel snickers

There's a grocery store where I go that has romance novels on display near the exit. I must confess that I am a former Harlequin novel junkie; but in my defense, it was during my youth when my brain was soft. These days, the titles just make me snicker.

Tonight's title: Hired for the Boss's Bed

Seriously. I would not make that up.

Isn't that funny? I think the subtitle could be: The Romantic Side of Prostitution, or maybe Sexual Harassment: A Case Study.

A Mighty Heart - the movie

I just finished watching A Mighty Heart, based on the book by Mariane Pearl.

Despite the tragic and senseless murder of her husband, her book is one of the most beautiful and life-affirming things I have ever read. The film succeeds in this way to some degree, although its greatest flaw is that Dan Futterman cannot convey the incredible light, spirit, and intelligence of Daniel Pearl.

But what shines in this movie is Angelina Jolie. I cannot think of another actress like her. She is amazing, astounding, heart-breaking.

Priceless

Can you believe my luck in working with a guy like this???

An important e-mail from Avaaz: Tibet

Dear friends,

Tibetans have exploded onto the streets in frustration--call on China to respect human rights and enter dialogue with the Dalai Lama now: Sign the Petition!

After decades of repression under Chinese rule, the Tibetan people's frustrations have burst onto the streets in protests and riots. With the spotlight of the upcoming Olympic Games now on China, Tibetans are crying out to the world for change.

After decades of repression under Chinese rule, the Tibetan people's frustrations have burst onto the streets in protests and riots. With the spotlight of the upcoming Olympic Games now on China, Tibetans are crying out to the world for change.

The Chinese government has said that the protesters who have not yet surrendered "will be punished". Its leaders are right now considering a crucial choice between escalating brutality or dialogue that could determine the future of Tibet, and China.

We can affect this historic choice--China does care about its international reputation. China's President Hu Jintao needs to hear that the 'Made in China' brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention--and we need it in the next 48 hours.

The Tibetan Nobel peace prize winner and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama has called for restraint and dialogue: he needs the world's people to support him. Click below now to sign the petition--and tell absolutely everyone you can right away--our goal is 1 million voices united for Tibet:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/6.php

China's economy is totally dependent on "Made in China" exports that we all buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China, respected as a leading world power. China is also a very diverse country with a brutal past and has reason to be concerned about its stability -- some of Tibet's rioters killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the greatest danger to Chinese stability and development comes from hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from Tibetans who seek dialogue and reform.

We will deliver our petition directly to Chinese officials in London, New York, and Beijing, but it must be a massive number before we deliver the petition. Please forward this email to your address book with a note explaining to your friends why this is important, or use our tell-a-friend tool to email your address book--it will come up after you sign the petition.

The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally their moment to speak--we must help them be heard.

With hope and respect,

Ricken, Iain, Graziela, Paul, Galit, Pascal, Milena, Ben and the whole Avaaz team

PS - It has been suggested that the Chinese government may block the Avaaz website as a result of this email, and thousands of Avaaz members in China will no longer be able to participate in our community. A poll of Avaaz members over the weekend showed that over 80% of us believed it was still important to act on Tibet despite this terrible potential loss to our community, if we thought we could make a difference. If we are blocked, Avaaz will help maintain the campaign for internet freedom for all Chinese people, so that our members in China can one day rejoin our community.

Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:

BBC News: UN Calls for Restraint in Tibet

Human Rights Watch: China Restrain from Violently Attacking Protesters

Associated Press: Tibet Unrest Sparks Global Reaction

New York Times: China Takes Steps to Thwart Reporting on Tibet Protests

Also on the CBC

This very interesting discussion with Chris Hedges, author of "I Don't Believe in Atheists", who suggests that some modern-day atheists have espoused a doctrine that is strikingly similar to those found in fundamentalist religious groups. What he says makes a great deal of sense to me (a reformed fundie from both sides of the spectrum).

We're all the same, and none of us know much for certain, especially about some of the most important questions in life.

This is why I appreciate so much another CBC program, Tapestry, which examines spirituality in such an open, respectful way that one can begin to see the commonality between Christianity, Buddhism, Islaam, Hinduism, Mother-Goddess worship, etc. I love listening to this program's podcasts (available via iTunes) while I cook or do housework.

It helps to laugh

I don't often watch The Hour now that there's a live studio audience. I don't know why, I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to do. However, I did flip it on tonight while I was eating the Biggest Bean Quesadilla in Human History (why, self, why??? Because it was so gooooood!!!!). And George said the funniest thing when discussing the other George's attempts to calm the turbulent financial markets. It went something like this:

Bush said his admistration was "on top of the situation" ... Are you sure that you're on top of the situation? Because it kind of looks like it's on top of you ... Not only that, but it's also lit some candles and put on some Barry White!

Bahahahahaha!

Busy, busy

Why oh why aren't weekends longer? I stayed busy most of the weekend and STILL only got through half - or maybe just a third - of my to-do list! :-S

However, not much exciting to report, other than I used my brand-new mortar and pestle today (breaking up rock-hard brown sugar [heh ... no double entendre intended]). It made me think that perhaps any future career decisions I make will have to include this consideration: Will this job require me to use a mortar and pestle regularly? Because that would be really cool!

I may be a smart blonde, but apparently I am easily amused.

Tell me about your weekend!

Matt Damon: Brilliant

Excellent follow-up on my most favourite video ever. (Mom, don't bother.)