blog-ski

Leaving the Prairies

2011-08-15T19:50:00.000-06:00

What a drive! The sun is setting behind me as we head towards Winnipeg. It's been a slow ride from Edmonton with a few pit stops to cool the engine. We stopped next two a pond and a field of cattle. Both the cattle and the Dragon Flies were almost as big as the Marshmallow! Dragon flies Everywhere! Very cool. (except for the engine) We have nothing to do but drive about 75 clicks an hour until we get too tired to do it any longer. I have been doing Yoga in the back in the "hallway". It works quite well actually. We have eaten most of the granola homemade by Nora Lea and lots of carrots provided by John. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches to stick it all together and now we're ready for more coffee :) We'll hold off for a while longer though otherwise our road to break ratio is ridiculous.

We're flying along the highway like a chicken - which is to say: not flying.

We'll see you when we see you Ontario!

Summer day in Alberta

2011-08-14T16:56:00.000-06:00

A beautiful sky, clear blue with enormous white poofs of clouds drifting through, shades of yellow and green that blend across the contour of the land and us in our big white marshmallow home. The lengthy stop in Edmonton area got us schooled on packing a van as well as great visits with some of Joel's oldest friends. The Strathcona Wilderness Centre looks incredible. And we saw Bison today! Old shaggy faces stuck on the end of great hulking bodies. Amazing! They looked healthier then some of the molting specimen at zoo's that are my only previous Bison sightings.

Currently I'm sitting on the couch in the van as we wait for the engine to cool down and try to discover if a hose is leaking. We have had the slowest start possible getting out of Edmonton but our Aug. 15th deadline has been pushed forward so we have an extra day. We have a LOT of driving ahead of us. WIth the temperature today though we might just be staying put until the early evening. Thank goodness for truck stops - I guess I have time for a philly or something now which is better then a kick in the head.

more when we hit the road again.

Week four PR - Man Down!

2011-02-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Joel is sick with pneumonia! He is on the mend but feeling rough. Today he was given a wonderful gift that cheered him up amazingly. Theatre Gargantu-ians Jacquie and Michael sent him pho all the way from Toronto. They called up and coerced a local Vietnamese restaurant (I think this one) to bring him a bowl of soup, a pink carnation and a card! Amazing friends.

We continue at the language class over at Ahms Tah Ow school house and it's pretty great. Every Tuesday and Friday. Some of my current favourite words:
hawheganɩt: How ee gun it! You're silly!
mɛmawʔ: Mah-mow - cat.
(If you want to hear how they sound click on the link and it will take you to an amazing website where you can listen to the pronunciation by an Elder of the Sliammon Nation. )

And speaking of Mah-mows... The cats have appeared... and of course that very night that I wrote the last entry, is when the first one appeared! I also saw an eagle that day for the first time - a junior one, and soon after saw the deer. Tonight for the first time two of the black and white cats appeared and hung out. The first one - and creamy-orange and white, just walked into the garage and started walking around my ankles as though we had been friends for ages. Can't get enough head scratches. Sometimes when I look out the window or walk out the door now, I see them all watching me from the bushes. It's pretty funny. The other day I saw two of them bust out of the forest, leap into the air, throw themselves sharply to the right, land and then leap left into the forest again. Hysterical.

We climbed up Mount Valentine the other day (probably not good for the brooding pneumonia...) (but see lovely photo of Joel below!) and visited a graveyard at the base of the mountain across from the curling club. It had this incredibly funky tree in it that was made up of at least fifteen other trees. Big sweeping boughs that were perfect for sitting on... they grew like petals out from the centre so you could stand inside and look up at the sky. Photos to come. This weeks tree I mentioned last week and this photo can't do it justice. There is a little cave at the bottom left of the trunk. The mist hangs just so. A little river close by. Great fort making territory.

The script.
sigh.
meh.
groan.

My friend Meghan Swaby is in the Write from the Hip program at Nightwood Theatre and she sent me her script to read and answer some questions. It was a gripping story and I look forward to seeing what happens with the piece. I won't say too much about the piece because I haven't asked Meghan but if you see her name around Toronto in the theatre scene, check her out. I saw her in Wise Woman two years ago and was impressed.

oh the script? yesssss...
well I quite frankly don't have the nerve to send it to the people I need to send it to who can help me take it to where it needs to be. Isn't that pathetic?! Ok you have my word I'll send the dribs and drabs of files off tonight...

Had a training session at the Community Radio station to check out the board and software and am working on writing the training manual. I'm also recording a PSA for the upcoming film festival. I was asked to give a workshop on creating PSAs for a group at this place called Career Link which is super cool.

Lots of stuff going on and the sunshine ain't bad either! A delightful winter :D

Question: Is it seaweed? Is it lichen? It's on the forest floor and it feels like I'd want a rain suit made out of it. Is it weird? Yes!

Here's Joel getting pneumonia.

The tree where the Stephen's kids and my sister and I would have made a wicked fort!

PR week three

2011-01-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

The mist and fog are burning off the yard as the day heats up. The sky is far off white and I'm not sure the sun will peak through today but it is still very bright. The neon green moss reflects everything making things seem light. The deer, owl and cats are all very elusive and have not been back since I have arrived. I have seen only one deer in the woods in the first week and I feel as though I have scared them all away! I am however sure I keep hearing bears in the woods! I tried out sitting in the Chicken coop in the back yard while it rained yesterday which gave me a perfect little dry space with a seat and a big 'window' out on to the yard. I could see any owls, bears or deer that might wander by. But after sitting and thinking awhile, I realized that if I was any of those things I would be tucked up in my nest instead of wandering around in the rain, so I went back inside.

Script writing picked up for a few days and then fell off in an avalanche of self doubt about the worthiness of me to tell any story and a great internal debate about the point of the story and then a wallowing in The Great Debate of The Point of It All. Today is all about grant applications and searching for funding with a potential stab at the writing again in the late afternoon.

Other news: Joel and I begin language classes at the Sliammon First Nation centre on Friday afternoon. This language was one of many that Coast Salish People spoke. The Sliammon language was only recently written down to preserve it but originally was a purely oral language. I'm not sure how the class will run or what is involved but I"m looking forward to finding out.

Joel is sick at the moment with whatever nasty little flu type bug is going around so he is tucked up in bed with a book. I have been doing my best which is sadly not always very good! I made a frozen pizza last night but didn't remove the cardboard circle off the bottom... Dinner with Ludski. ick.

a photo to come of one of the places I'm going to build a fort. I just need to find that damn cable again...

(I know I know always put it in the same place... but this is only the second time I've used it so I can't remember where I decided the same place would be...)

PR week 2

2011-01-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Long walks through old forests along fallen trees and rivers winding towards the Malaspina Straight. I haven't seen the sea lions yet but word is they are out and barking like mad on the Hulks.

We took in the Jazz Dinner fundraiser which joined local professional jazz musicians and the junior and senior choirs from the school along with the culinary school students. The money went to a mental health organization in town but I can't recall the name off the top of my head.

We have been discussing theatre objectives with our housemate Imtiaz, and helping him organize his plans. I have set up the basement room with my script and have the latest addition in writing technology - cement walls and chalk! I love it! I'm sorting out an organization flow chart while reading investigative reports from those in command central.

I just got my first grant rejection email from the last batch of applications, so I'll be eagerly anticipating another 7 messages - hopefully at least one with a more positive message - in the next short while.

Joel's dad is heading into hospital in the morning for an operation and has some rounds with chemo coming up, so we are all bracing for that, but everyone is in good spirits and the sunshine on the mountains was a beautiful send off as they caught the ferry over to the island where the surgery will take place. Joel and I have the super tough job of camping out in their incredible home and looking after the Golden Retriever Toba!

Tonight - more writing and reading and perhaps a late night scrabble match...

The crew and a tree

2011-01-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Picked up by Im and Joel at the train station.

Imtiaz and Zoe Ride the Ferry

Joel and Zoe at the site of the Beachcombers!

A funky tree stump in the back forty of the Benson's

week one Powell River

2011-01-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

Already a busy week at the Taj Mahall. This beautiful property is incredible to explore. The neighbour cat ran by me as I sat at the sundial amongst the trees directly east of the house. Black and White. I've seen him/her a few times now but never in close proximity.

Last night my first basic djembe lesson!
Bass bass tone tone tone tone Bass bass tone tone tone tone /
Slap Bass Tone Tone Slap Bass Tone Tone!

tonight review of Luigi Technique. A crazy dance routine for stretching and warming up created by a man - Eugene Louis Faccuito - aka Luigi who worked with Fred Astair and all sorts of film big names in the late 40's and then transitioned in TV with variety shows in the 50's.

Stretching and mountain air are agreeing with me as are long walks in big forests. Still need to find the right cable to get the pictures off Joel's camera. I also filmed myself juggling so I could see what the heck I was doing with my left arm! All this and more will get online soon but I still need to put stuff away and get a bit more settled before it happens.

Snow coming in tonight!

Le Wiff? Le Crazy.

2010-03-21T10:31:00.002-06:00

This is... remarkable... (?)

lewhif.com

"Le Wiff is a new delicious approach to eating by breathing."

...by breathing...?

By Breathing?

You want me to snort coffee beans?

I mean not that I haven't tried it already in desperation some mornings, but I think I would rather stick to the cup. Little chunks of beans hanging from nose hairs is so unattractive. Typically people who Huff things don't like stylish cases that draw attention to their complete desperation for the instant rush. Although, I'm sure there are those who select a specific colour of permanent marker to huff for esthetic purposes. I guess I'm just not one of them. I will continue to get my fix from cup after cup - well to be honest: giant mug after giant mug of hot, delicious, Mana of the Gods, Life Giving, Life Nurturing, Sweet True and Constant Friend of every crisis and joyful moment - Coffee.

speaking of which - I'm out..

To the fucking neighbours

2010-01-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

What part of your brain told you it was smart to cut stone in the basement of our attached houses this morning at 8am?
With one of those fucking water drill things or jackhammer things or whatever it was that SHOOK me awake this morning.
Do you know what it's like to wake up because your brain is fucking rattling around in your head? and then really wake up and find you yourself are rattling around on your bed?
ARE YOU A COMPLETE MORON?
I went over in my bathrobe and told him so.
He stopped.
so not a complete moron apparently.
I am still trying to un-grit my teeth.

so angry I could spit

2009-12-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

a useful term. Never really understood it till now.

My website and email are both temporarily off line as my negotiations with IPOWER continue. If you have sent an email over the last few days or tried to check out any of my work online, you may be experiencing technical difficulties. I am. And so is IPOWER. Technically they have difficulties knowing what the right hand and the left are doing. I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow afternoon (EST) with a Customer Service Specialist.

Until further notice...

to mark the Copenhagen Summit

2009-12-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

H2oil animated sequences from Dale Hayward on Vimeo.

aruh?

2009-10-29T10:10:00.000-06:00

a question of publishing

2009-10-23T12:03:00.001-06:00

cross posted on Shmedium:

I was recently published in two places - well actually three places, and my reaction was strange enough to warrant a post. It's all VERY meta. (which is another conversation entirely)

OK. I wrote a comment on a NOW Magazine Blog post in their section called Web Jam. It was regarding Google Wave and my thoughts on Digital Immigrants who are being left behind. (No Digital Immigrant Left Behind!) Fair enough. I looked in the side bar and my comment was published. Done.

Two, three days later, my housemate says - Did you write a letter to NOW because it got published! I'm sure it's you! and he brings in the paper version of NOW in which my comment has been pulled out and highlighted in a little blue box. It's in the letters to the editor page, in a section for online comments.

I felt a strange thrill! Published!

But wait a minute... re-published! published in print! in an alternative rag... commenting on digital media...

hmmm...

Part 2.

I went to the Urban Dictionary to look up the definition of Transmedia. Nothing. No entry. But an invitation to create one that would be looked at by the editors and possibly published.

So feeling very strange, I created my dictionary definition and submitted. Two days later I received word that it had been published. How did the other Big Wigs in Tech not do this already? Aren't I freakin' cool? How many loser post definitions to the Urban Dictionary? Who moderates and decides? How do they even know what Transmedia is and why I should have a definition of it? And so on...

Needless to say I was chuffed. Published. Online. In a dictionary. Defining my field. How cool that I got to define my field! Not a huge deal to some, but I was still pleased. It reminded me of my time in the world of Academia where Professors would snub Journalists because their writing was not considered Real writing. Newspapers in particular - snort! Call yourself someone who knows something! But in my world now, Academic writing has it's place, and if you have time to read it then you are either a big geek or are avoiding doing something. haha.

In actual fact, I will be working on a piece for an academic project based on Arts and Social Justice Education. VERY geeky! very exciting! It was initially supposed to be a book but now they are considering a "project" because there was such interest generated from the CFP (call for papers, in case you aren't a professor [you low brow you]) .

Americans More Familiar with Latinos, Poll Says

2009-10-21T08:42:00.003-06:00

Wow.

Here's the opening line that came through on my aggregator this morning:

Latinos were once unfamiliar to more than half of all Americans, but a new poll indicates that two-thirds of those surveyed now say they have at least some contact with Latinos where they live, work or shop

This was conducted by telephone. And although 6 of 10 Latinos were born in the States, ""But nearly half of people we questioned said they assume that Latinos who they have never met areimmigrants, and one in five believe they are illegal immigrants," added Holland"

I want to know what neighbourhoods they phoned. Did they speak to any of "them"? Those. They. (whisper behind hand: latinos) From the way this article is written, I imagine a bunch of white doods in white lab coats standing behind 1950's style switchboard operators (Girls) and then split screen with Ward Cleaver on the other line of the phone, pipe in the corner of his mouth, June peeking around the kitchen door to call him to dinner.

Ward: Latinos?! Sure sure, I hired one last year. She's from the Philistines I think...

Art in Elora, ON

2009-10-12T10:03:00.004-06:00

Dinner was divine but for the sad fact that I didn't get enough second helpings! (or thirds) I already ate my leftovers and am thinking that perhaps next year I should host the family meal... How scary is that?

After dinner I walked with our friends to downtown Elora to see an exhibit by local artist Tim Murton called the Twilight Zoo. I had the opportunity to chat for awhile with him as he strung up spider webs in the entrance to the zoo. His work is wild and far ranging in terms of materials he uses. What an interesting and talented person!

I highly advice taking the drive to Elora to see this! The added bonus is the Gorge and the river and the fall leaves are all breathtaking. A great day trip.

View Larger Map

Sunshine and Lollipops

2009-10-05T20:40:00.003-06:00

The sun was out and all was well in the universe.

Not exactly true, but funny how it makes that much of a difference. I accomplished so many good things today I can hardly stand it! Also another odd thing: Thanksgiving dinner - I'm looking forward to it! I haven't looked forward to a group holiday activity in many years now! It's nice that it's up north - past the 401 even - where there are large areas that are not covered in sad humans, but in plants! I'm a die hard city person, but I like me some plants every now and then. I mean for the most part I think the Toronto City Parks and parkettes rock, but the quiet is what will be nice. Not that over dinner there will be much of that, but there will also be time for wandering in the fall gardens of an expert gardner and long delightful equally wandering conversations with intelligent people in said gardens. That will all be nice.

and delicious.

mmm... gravy...

untitled

2009-09-28T11:42:00.003-06:00

hurt. pain. sorrow. life.

surging - emotions - ahead - through - down -

hurt. I said that.

sorry. not that.

life. yes.

late night left overs and ruminations

2009-09-16T21:26:00.003-06:00

I was going to bed around 10:30 but my stomach decided it wanted a snack. Conveniently I celebrated my birthday lunch at Caplansky's with my folks. It was amazing. The left overs were also amazing. I was thinking about how I found the place and the whole experience while I ate. I was reading one of the many sites I check out when I'm working and someone somewhere made a one line remark about a fantastic deli that had relocated and was having a top secret opening. It was literally one line with a link to the website. I followed the link and discovered this great website. Very simple but with a blog that the owner was writing on about the opening which was 11 days ago. The blog detailed the fucking hectic restaurant life so well and I remembered the 2 or 3 places I opened as either a waitress, bartender or chef. Hell. Fucking Hell. so I read with empathy the notes about failing POS systems and short staffed shifts where everyone pitches in. I can only imagine the late night boozing the team must be doing too. All this to say that by the time I got there today I was excited and felt a bit 'in the know'. I was prepared for a lengthy wait and handwritten bills or whatever but everything went swimmingly.

I won't go on and on about the food, but I will say that it was so damn good I came home smelling like a camp fire. It was my kind 'a place! Smoked everything. I had the smoked meat sandwich which was the most delicous smoked meat sandwich I've ever had. And I've done the New York deli with a real live New York Jew. (Thanks Michael!) We also ordered the smoked meat hash, latkes and the Lox platter. Oy indeed. My parents are _always_ kind enough to offer me their left overs, but when my mom tried to insist, my dad had already unpacked my half sandwich and was clearly taking his hash home.

Zane, the owner, came by and chatted with us, and our waitress (Jen, I think, I might of made that up...) was fantastic. Order whatever she tells you and you'll be fine. They brought me a piece of cheesecake and were delightful enough not to sing. It brings back such painful memories of humiliation, having to sing or wear costumes at restaurants I have worked at. ugg. It was super kind and more then enough to give me a piece of cake.

So. Here I sit, officially a day into this new era. A stomach full of yum and a head full of thoughts on media and art and life. My script is in a good place, my web site is coming along as well as web sites can come along, and family and friends surround me. A little Douglas Adams as a night cap, and it's all G, double o, D.

CIAS = a very loud weekend.

2009-09-06T11:17:00.005-06:00

sitting on the roof waiting for the airshow. Not so much because I want to enjoy it, but because I know the noise will be so loud that it will impossible to think of anything else. It's fun to try and look for them when you hear the noise. They are usually flying in a completely different direction from the sound. I love the acoustics of a city! The strange ways that buildings reflect and distort noise. Of course these plans are some kind of big jet type thing that makes a ROARING noise. And there are several of them flying in formation so it's ROARING times 6. Currently, I just see huge big planes or jets slowly circling. The Snow Birds must be later.

sigh.

I really hope no one crashes today.

For other pics click here

annoyed

2009-08-11T16:22:00.003-06:00

slightly. attempting to reduce my smoking to meet my budgetary needs, ensures that I will likely be often slightly annoyed.

god damn smoking. it's like my severe annoyance with things like Alcohol and Gaming Commission rules: they are set up to prevent you from doing stupid things EVEN THOUGH the rest of the world is set up to ENTICE you to do stupid things. AND the world economy functions on people DOING these stupid things. WHAT THE FUCK. It's all a big game in which you don't have the rules and it wouldn't matter if you did because the last rule is - The rules may change at any time without notice.

so fuck it.

fuck.

FUUUCCCKKK.

perhaps it's just better for all involved if I do smoke. God damn money. you know what? just damn it ALL to fucking hell.

I did a sigh.

another great ikea instruction pamphlet

2009-08-09T15:43:00.003-06:00

Curtain Rods this time. I've had my eye on them for years. sadly the instructional diagram leaves you with slightly different pieces then the package. It turns out that the packaging works into a nice little circle if you take some of the pieces apart but don't indicate that on your instructions. All of a sudden I'm being asked to screw things where there are no screws. The left and right are clearly marked but for some reason the ol' lefty loosey, righty tightey, only thing I know about shopey, isn't working. But of course I think it's just me. I can't line the screw part things up. So patiently I twist and wind and re-thread and guide and grind my teeth talking out loud to quell the rising rage. "This little fucking thingey piece of shit won't twist into its pretty little metal teeth..." that sort of thing through clenched teeth in a sing song voice.

Then I realize there is a whirley light hearted loop of an arrow on the diagram around the unknown part that is - yes - I believe it is - the Swedish indicator of counter-clockwise! AHA!

IKEA. Swedish for common sense. Isn't that their catch phrase? Or was that some other product or place.

Enough. I have spent several years waiting to purchase these bizarre curtain rods, and now, finally, they are half built on my desk. I will place them gently in a drawer or a box or a bag, and tomorrow will look at them... and mutter about getting to those... But for now. I will celebrate my fabulous accomplishment of making it to IKEA and back with the desired product.

up north

2009-08-07T10:35:00.002-06:00

renting a car today from my all time favourite - Rent a Wreck. I have had more luck with this little shit hole company then any of the big names. Unless you have a corporate account. The COC never seemed to have car rental problems. The cars are always fine, but the administrative end is always a freakin' disaster. I can't even get through to R.A.W to make sure they are still in business. I guess I just have to risk it and show up.

It's been a while since I had a car to myself. I really am a car person deep down. I love the relationship you can develop with them. It's like a tortoise shell. And I need that. I'm once again heading into the world of children. approximately 5 this time. My niece will be there and then 4 boys. They are nice boys and they know me, and it's at a cottage where there is a ton of space unless it's raining. If it's raining we're all screwed. I'm starting to get cold feet...

new windows new outlook

2009-07-30T20:00:00.003-06:00

The house has been outfitted with new windows. These open and close and have screens and are fixed to the frames, which is nice. Perhaps this movement of furniture and lenses and stirring up of spaces will move my frame of mind forward. I feel as though I have been reflecting long enough and need to splice through... A Piercing Thought! The Muse! She has left me. cold and alone with my damp memories. I am trying to Do Other Things. It is succeeding in as much as I am getting other things done.

BORING.

must think. but not let on like i'm thinking. thinking quietly... about nothing... no thoughts - - about anything. sleep would be nice too... yes perhaps some 'thinking' while i rest my eyes a little while...

Only One Day

2009-07-27T13:11:00.005-06:00

I was in the states less the 70 hours, but I was found by religious fanatics.
I have absolutely no clue how this got into my bag, but some how a sneaky little jesus freak got this into my backpack.

Look how happy those people are! As the little girl, smiling and gripping her hat, walk serenely up the hill away from the gathering storm clouds that are the portent of Satin's Epic Earth Take Over.

I just love how they all look happy, and are dressed in their Sunday best. I wonder, what is at the top of the hill? Why are they walking up a hill? Does the Big Guy need a high place to meet everyone? How big a hill will it have to be able to hold all the happy christians? Will families be transported together? Will there be blood as the Mortal Bodies are stripped away and the wings grow out of your back? Is this a drinking and smoking flight? I see a few "Visible Minorities" in the picture (Also known as Non-Whites) Are you sure they are going to be there? Didn't people try at one stage to say that the bible says only white people are people? Or was it only men? or was it all gays were going to hell? I can't remember who was accepted anymore... Is this picture to scale? And Why am I warmly invited to the End of The World. Will it be hot?

So many questions. God bless america in all it's jesus-y wisdom.

Surprise trip

2009-07-25T06:46:00.002-06:00

decided to go to West Virginia for the day. I left yesterday around noon and pulled into town last night. My friend was buzzing through T.O and heading into town for a b-day party, so I caught a lift. I needed to see some old friends and also check out the town for inspiration in my writing. Currently I'm sitting in The Daily Grind which was a new coffee shop when I lived here and has now expanded. It's lovely and has free wifi. When Sago was going down, every journalist in town hung out there as it was the only place in town with a connection.

So I hung out with my philosopher and writer friends last night, and today I have no plans. I have an invite to the b-day, but also just wouldn't mind hanging around. I'm going to swing by my old house at some stage and visit the cats and maybe pick up my old sewing machine. We'll see. I walked by the house this morning to see if there were any cats in the window. Booker T was up in the upstairs office and I meowed at him and called his name. He looked down and saw me and I wasn't sure if recognized who I was. He stared intently at me, and when I walked around to the front windows he followed me. As I turned away he meowed at me, and I'm sure he knew who I was! (let me pretend please)

I thought it might be weird if I plunked myself down on the front porch to use the internet connection, so I moseyed on down to the coffee shop where I sit now. An old friend will be walking through the door in the next little bit. Her husband was in here as I walked in and was so excited. He went home to get her and the dogs for their walk and will be coming back this way to surprise her! I look forward to it!

Anyhoo -we leave tomorrow morning-ish and I have to make it back in time for the 'post-tuck-in' soiree with some old Canadian friends.

more to come...

BWA HAHAHAHAHA!

2009-07-23T11:39:00.005-06:00

Stumbled across this article on Wired about the sexiest Geeks of 2009. I was trying to see if I made the list (BWAHAHAHAHA SNORT!) and found this entry by some delightful person:

(I have a funny "Voted Geekiest Story" I'll share later, which had nothing to do with looks, but just an actual geeky thing you had done. Yes, I won.)

This Girl
by Anonymous
I don't know her name or what she does or even if her legs extend below her knees. But just look at her.

I haven't stopped laughing!

feeling much better now

2009-07-22T14:53:00.005-06:00

Re-read that last post. Whew! I was gruuum-PEE!

Feeling so much better having had two good days in a row. Very relaxing, thoughtful days. I went to the Zoo yesterday with my friend Lauren and my Dad. Riot! I hadn't been to the Zoo in eons. I have uncomfortable thoughts around zoos. But I recently read Life of Pi and was challenged to rethink my perspective. I still don't know how I feel, but I decided to go and see how the Toronto Zoo was doing after 25 years. I am still very confused, so don't expect some great revelation about zoos and how I now have a membership, but it was iinnteresting.

The animals were very awake and moving about except for the lions and the leopards. Although as we walked away, one of them Roared! (A lion not a leopard obviously)

Of course what really annoyed me about the zoo were the strollers. One of these days I will launch in to a stroller tirade and then anyone in a five mile radius had better look out. And speaking of rages I've flown into recently...

We had a work meeting brought to you by the Alcohol and Gaming Special Police. I won't list the details, but I flew into a massive rage after and ended up face to face with my bosses, boss as I left my seat, who got my complete opinion while I was still slightly shaking. He was so gracious, and listened to me and nodded and then gave me his card and suggested I send an email to the org. as they had just begun doing these training sessions and would be interested in the feedback. He was such a generous boss, that he didn't fire me and even told me that my opinions were valid and he enjoyed hearing them!! After the rage had seeped from me, I apologized profusely to him, and then again before I left sincerely told him I had been fired for insubordination several times in my 35 years and was again, terribly sorry. Again this delightful gentleman told me never to worry about speaking my mind at this organization! Wow! I will certainly be sending him an email and I have some thoughts on the training to share with the AGC ... after I structure them nicely in an email!

a serious problem

2009-07-15T06:27:00.002-06:00

So last night I dreamt about not being able to find a cup of coffee. I was woken suddenly (in my dream) and told to get moving and then I was at a function but it breakfast and there were shit loads of people everywhere and no body was getting anything done. I don't know if breakfast was even being made let alone served - it was mayhem and I could not for the fucking life of me get a cup of coffee. And I kept walking around saying to people if you don't get out of my fucking way the top of my head will come off - I'm looking for coffee.

I woke up a bit stressed and drank a day old cup: DAY OLD! I have fallen so low that I drink day old coffee. Honestly, have I no shame? I'm at the point where I would drink gas station coffee.

Worked the Neko Case show last night at Massey. A bunch of hipsters and very cool people who judge your intellect on if you know the engineer's name on her last album. OK that wasn't nice or fair, I didn't speak to anyone in the audience, but clearly I'm in a bad mood.

Perhaps a fresh cup a joe will help.

this just in on twitter:

2009-07-11T12:19:00.002-06:00

"I like my women how I like my coffee...Hot, wet, and no pubic hair. (via @KFUCKINGP) >>> and dark."

Wow.

Stimulating conversation topic. Thank God for the internet.

Although I have to admit I laughed. I can picture Andrew Dice Clay saying this. Very classy.

coffee please please PLEASE!

2009-07-10T09:33:00.003-06:00

11:30 am and no coffee. I might have to kill someone soon.

I have a doctors appointment today - the yearly. So much fun and anticipation. 'knees apart and I'm just going to squeeze here - here - and - there. And how are things? Are you going on vacation this summer? uh huh... uh huh... and relax... etcetcetc'

The worst one ever was when it turns out the lady was a big fan of my radio show and realized who I was while peering into my hoo-ha. It must have been my voice that made her realize it when she heard it without seeing my face. (insert any variety of jokes here)

So I have had to refrain from eating since midnight which isn't really a problem as I had Steak and Lobster at about 11pm last night to tide me over. The real issue is coffee. I stayed in bed until 9:30 this morning to avoid dealing with it, but now I have to actually get on a subway and integrate with humanity sans caffeine.

This is your warning World.

Day Off Fringe

2009-07-07T08:07:00.003-06:00

I took the day to not do anything Fringe related, which I think is fair enough. I went to my doctor and then came home to do some yoga and some work on Grants, and then pretty much crashed out. I think the break was good. I couldn't decide what to go to, and I was all confused and kept staring randomly at my program, and if I could have found the energy to get a pen I would likely have circled and noted about 10 plays.

Eye is rating things highly, but I heard Zdneka Now is actually really phenomenal, so I'll see that one tonight. Also the Red Machine which has been highly recommended but received 4 stars from Eye but 3 from Now.

I had an interesting conversation about reviews and three star reviews in particular with one of the Fringe performers, Jono Katz. He received a three and a four star review. I said that three star reviews were always the most interesting shows - because three is good rating in my mind, but the text that accompanies the rating is often cutting. I think this shows that show is in a great place but has some work to be done, or was perhaps just an off performance. Mind you I was at Jono's show that the reviewer was at, and I completely disagree with the assessment of his movement in particular. I thought it was fantastic while the reviewer thought it was unrefined or something. It's one persons opinion but in a case like the Fringe, where people go to a show based on a review, it matters. I don't know the journalists who review these things, but there are so many shows to see, I wonder if they hire random people to write them, or if the same poor folks have to go see every show. If so, they would likely be pretty crusty by the end of it. Like professors marking term papers.

I have also been thinking a lot about venues and festivals and where MINE fits into all this. I wonder if Fringe is the right avenue for me. I wonder about just hosting my own workshops, I wonder about the categories of Emerging versus Mid Career artists. I am certainly mid career, but my careers have been many and varied and all are congealing in this piece. How and where does it fit in?

I am putting together a schedule for grant writing, but I can't figure out which ones I am eligible for and where I might fit in. Media? Integrated? Audio? Theatre? can I apply for all of them? do I just say fuck it and start sending proposals to business folks? Can I apply for American grants now that I'm duel. (Duel is such an appropriate word for this whole citizenship nonsense.)

back to work.

review of the Fringe Beer Tent

2009-07-06T09:06:00.002-06:00

So the beer tent at Fringe is delightful in that there are lots of tables and it's in the sun and there always seems to be someone to chat to whether you know them or not. Sadly, the beer tent closes at 11:30, at which time everyone must move inside the Tranzac Club. Not such a big deal, except that it feels like a high school dance. As someone said to me last night, it's the biggest cruizin' place in town right now, and you feel as though you could start making out with anyone at any time.

yup.

good times.

So I'm not gonna lie, I'm checking out the market - there are some cute boys in town! - but I just can't hack it after the patio closes. I have enjoyed watching some of the Physical theatre artists get out on the floor and play. Some of these people can move!

Last night I had the extreme pleasure of meeting two kids from Richmond Hill who had wondered accidentally into the bar. They had no idea what was going on or why these people were so fucking weird. Unfortunaly for them, they approached me and tried to strike up a conversation. The pick up was so painful, that I almost just walked away. But I was too curious what these dumb fucks were doing here. Turns out they were just being dumb fucks. They asked me why I was standing alone and not dancing with the other freaks, and that they thought that I looked like I could use some company.

I said: Dood. I'm standing alone in a corner, you think I really want company?

They responded that well they thought I would prefer to talk to someone.

I said: Actually I'd prefer to be alone.

At which point they left.

I left shortly after that and wandered home. There is another room in which you can just hang out and chat and drink, however the scene was sort of the Emerging Artists and Up category and all of them were talking about how they didn't want to be there, but it was their requisite visit. It's apparently a place to be seen, the beer tent. Who knew? I liked the sun and the vodka, but maybe I'll be discovered sitting there... someone - a guy from richmond hill - might see me and decide I'm so fantastic that I should be in his movie! which he is making in his mom's basement...

nevermind...

more Fringe stuff on Shmedium

2009-07-05T08:07:00.000-06:00

Check here for your Fringe Updates

bbq report: no children were injured in the making of this report

2009-07-02T07:08:00.002-06:00

Other then the pouring rain every twenty minutes the bbq was a huge success. Everyone was on good behaviour and my darling friends are wonderful parents who took everyone home before Meltdown Hour.

I even held two babies. Callum and another one that I think might have been Kaylee... or Maggie... I don't know they all look the same really. They all have very pale skin and huge blue eyes. I asked if they would change like kitten's eyes but apparently at this stage of the game (they are all a few months old) they are stuck with them. :)

So I survived and even enjoyed. I don't know why I doubt that my friends will love and support me no matter what. They always just accept me and all my phobias and spawning hasn't affected that. Maybe I should try to be more nice and accepting in return? It's so hard to navigate that kids/no kids world. Perhaps I could stop using the term spawning? but really it's more for the humour... and spawning is such a fun word to say...

baby seats

2009-07-01T11:23:00.002-06:00

A small rant.

One of the things I find difficult about my friends with children is that as the token non-breeder, I often have to sit in the trunks of their cars to accommodate baby seats.

I always appreciate the rides of course. But it's one of those things where I feel ... demeaned. Today I am going to a BBQ and showing up with the other non-breeder on a motorcycle. :)

There will be 7 children under the age of 2.

Good Christians - pray for me.

Heathens - my brothers and sisters - I will try not to ash in their iddy biddy soft spots on their heads.

(that last line was said for humour and I would not really do it. )

ed. note: the editor does not condone the above statements)

My list of fringe picks

2009-06-30T08:49:00.002-06:00

I added this entry to my other blog, so you can link to it here. It lists what I intend on seeing as well as some recommendations from other people.

First days Last days

2009-06-30T07:27:00.003-06:00

If I had had to go to work today, I would have been late. BUT! I no longer have an office to go into for the month of July. Other than my own room, which is a new field to negotiate.

I wonder if I will feel the need to build walls around my desk? Let's see what would the requirements be... they have to allow no light, be a shummty colour, funnel sound perfectly, not hold when you tack something into them, and have three cool people on the other sides! sigh. I will miss the cubemates for sure - we were in a four pack, and you build a bit of camaraderie. Even if you can't see them, they're there... unless they have left to go to the bathroom or a meeting and you are literally talking to an empty four pack. It's happened...

But onward and upward! I have left today fairly blank so I can adjust to the idea of this new life. I do have to work Massey tonight - Sonic Youth, but I think I can hack it.

Good morning to a new stage in my life. The road goes ever on and on...

2009-06-13T09:12:00.002-06:00

So many cool things happening in the city right now - it's overwhelming! Once summer hits, this city just cracks open like a piniata!

I was exceptionally pleased when I ran into the Big Red Ball yesterday on my way to the Carol Burnett show. It was lodged in between levels of the Ryerson admin buildings. It's definately one of those Art pieces that brings up the question of What is Art? Which in turn inevitably leads to What gets Funding? An interesting blog post by the Toronto Guest Blogger after the day at Ryerson yesterday.

Of course, it wouldn’t be RedBall, or art for that matter, without some debate and dialogue. Although the response has been overwhelmingly positive, there are always those that question the value of art, and what art should be. Many today witnessed and participated in some intense discussion on the value of arts funding, although RedBall’s avid opponent didn’t find a lot of support in this RedBall supportive crowd. It is difficult to argue with something that reaches so many people, but at the end of the day, healthy dialogue is what art is all about.

Here's a quote off the website by a curator in Barcelona: “RedBall straddles the realms of formalist sculpture, street performance, ephemeral urban installation and hands-on art object… its presence in Barcelona was an unequivocal success.” - Jeffrey Swartz, Barcelona Curator

A post about Carol next!

VK report 5? 6? 4?

2009-05-24T07:08:00.005-06:00

So I'm at the end of the trip and sitting in the Grand Rapids airport. It's lovely and small with friendly staff and free WiFi. Perfect.

My final day was spent with C's friend and her family in their beautiful home. We toured through the town and went to the Sculpture garden. Very Cool. I bought a pair of sandals from the cutest of cute shoe boys. Honestly I should be careful about who I choose to help me - I would have bought almost anything he recommended. Until he told me his wife also had a pair of the sandals I was wearing. Ahh well.

The airport is getting busier, and I wish I could sit outside. It looks like a beautiful day. MI is quite beautiful in this area. This area hasn't been over developed and it is quite wealthy so everything is nice and manicured. It stays white out later here. (credit david cross)

One last VK report should do it, to fill in the middle bits. All in all - a great time.

Does this thing not look like a threstle from Harry Potter?

Grumper grumps.
Hitting on the dood who donated the garden. Check out the look on my face if you zoom in on this pic. creeeepy... I was whispering in his ear although it looks like I am about to bite it off.

Welcome to Oklahoma

2009-05-22T07:10:00.001-06:00

VK report 4 (from the mobile studio)

2009-05-21T17:43:00.003-06:00

Sitting in the car online. The wonders of broadband. That's Bella at my feet. (And those are my feet)

We got on the road yesterday afternoon about 12:30 and stayed in ABQ. The weather was very stormy once we got to New Mexico, but cleared up in the evening. Beautiful country side.

We stopped for lunch in Texas - Amarillo which should really be called Armadillo after the thousands lost in road side accidents... I had been sleeping and was unaware that we had crossed borders until I hit the Olive Garden bathroom and heard the accent and saw the make up and hair. Texas just makes me a little... eeekeey.

SO. back to the chronological reports... errr ... chronological in the sense of a swiss cheese style space time continuum...

I think I had made it to Monday. or was it Tuesday? I'll need to refresh my memory via previous blogposts. If it was Monday it was breakfast, beer, dune buggy, skinny dipping, lightening storm. If it was Tuesday it was hanging out with the smartest man I know, Larry. We went for coffee and chatted about fables and folklore. He is a Folklorist at ASU. (similar to a florist but without flowers) (that was a total joke) I have an upcoming study guide article to write on Fables and was picking his brains. Fascinating conversation and I only wish I had had a recording devise. He loaned me a copy of one of his latest publications. We met C for Honey Bears BBQ which was so marvelous that conversation had to stop for a time as we were chomping on ribs and covered in bbq sauce. The lovely dood whose family runs the place was there, and I asked if he remembered me and told him how much I missed them. He claimed to remember me but of course, the customer is always right even if they are wacky.

After the ribs, we all headed off for Star Trek. sigh. I was extremely impressed. I went in knowing nothing about it other then it was a new cast and film and whatever, but I didn't see a trailer or look it up on line or anything. The casting was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was completely wiped by the time we made it back to the house and thought it best to grab a few hours before we hit the road. I only have my computer bag with me with a few pairs of undies and shorts stuffed in it so packing up was simple. It always harder to track down all the cables I carry. I swear I just bring them in a panic. Who needs that many cables? It's not as though I can't buy a cable if I need it. Which is why I have so many cables of course... It doesn't help to bring them, lose them and then buy another only to find all of them tied together in a sick and twisted cable orgy when you get home.

Enough. I really must try to get some work done on this trip. Although I'm halfway through 'Lamb' by Christopher Moore and could read just a few more chapters... It's hysterical and I have to finish it before I leave seeing as I stole it from C.

report 5 - god only knows where or what...

VK report 3

2009-05-20T09:12:00.002-06:00

I'm falling behind rapidly in these reports, and this shitty keyboard doesn't help.

I haven't even made it to the party so I'll say only that it was fantastic. Seeing old friends is always great, and these are my old American friends that I realize after a year in Canada have a very special place in my heart. My floating Blue life rafts amongst a sea of Red. I still can't believe I lived my entire 8 years here under the bush admin.

As for Chihuly, if you are unfamiliar with his work, it is like Gaudi in glass in some ways. Chihuly's website includes phenomenal photos of the exhibit in AZ. done- it's a DIY report.

Monday I spent with a friend on a patio drinking adult beverages and driving around in a bright yellow dune buggy. need I say more? we had a blast and in the evening went north to visit another couple that I just love! we caught up on old times and most enjoyably I could speak about the type of work I'm doing as Karen and I developed many programs together and are both still working in the same weird fusion of tech and creative and development. Delightful. I remember when I began teaching her tech stuff, and now she is considered part of IT! Ha ha! - rock on girl!

The beginnings of a monsoon developed before our eyes, and we watched a lightening storm that beat out any pyrotechnics junk I have ever seen. it swept right over the house so the storm was in the backyard for a bit! we calmly watched while smoking a giant hookah and I felt like we were a gathering of caterpillars in Wonderland. Shnozzberry tobacco was my favourite although I developed a bit of headache after a while and switched back to ciggs.

Must help pack the car. Next report: Star Trek, Larry, fables and folklore!

VK: Report 2

2009-05-18T12:38:00.005-06:00

Met by C at the airport, and it was as though I had never left! Great to have friends like that! As we stepped outside the full 107 degrees hit me like a brick pizza oven. AZ is going for a record of 13 consecutive days of triple digit weather in May. Two years ago it didn't hit 100 till June. Places like AZ are sharp reminders of climate change. Extreme climates made surreal over time.

I was reading a scary article on Peak Oil in The Walrus on my way down, indicating that Climate Change was really the least of our worries at this stage of the game.

*****
Jumping ahead in my reports, but on this topic...
Last night there was a crazy lightening storm and rain! Never does this happen in May. The monsoons don't hit till much later usually. And a lightening storm in AZ is incredible to witness!!
I was at a friends who has the most incredible view - their house is higher up and has a view that stretches out to see mountains and towns in the valley. The lightening was just over the mountains initially and as the mad wind blew, the lightening seemed to be in the backyard. Giant forks crackled out in three directions as the sky flashed purple. It was stunning but threatening like most things in the desert.

Report three to come: will contain: the party, the chihuly exhibit, Driving the dune buggy and hot tubbing! I haven't even left for the Road trip part of the vacation and I'm already feeling so good about this vacation. Another chance to reconnect with old friends.

VK Report 1

2009-05-18T09:09:00.003-06:00

I pulled an all nighter on Friday and grabbed my bus at 4:30am to the airport. I unwisely decided to wait and get coffee once I arrived at the airport. WHAT WAS I THINKING?? I blame my friend Alex who recommended the idea to me.

By the time I arrived at the airport I was wild eyed and shaky. I didn't realize it until the self check in machine stopped working and I was told by Mr. Dweeb that I needed to join the line as the terminals were down. Instead of trying the machine again or forcing my way into the shorter exec line, I went over to a MASSIVE line filled with children and their strollers (let's talk about strollers in another entry because it is a rant unto itself) and buggies and 80 suitcases each and exhausted parents. Every breeder on the planet was in this line.

I realized the rage was evident when parents pulled children behind them as I approached.

I stood huffing with blazing eyes in this line, pacing with my one carry-on bag and my e-ticket. A 3 minute procedure was going to be a 2 hour wait. When I realized that meant standing in line with children for 2 hours WITHOUT COFFEE I started to lose it. At first I started to weep, and then realized that that would not bring me closer to coffee, so thinking murderous thoughts I strode out of line and went for the execs. At which point I realized that I should just try the damn terminals again and of course they worked.

Making it through the customs line was easy enough and I hit US ground in the shittiest terminal of Pearson. Why is the US terminal the worst? Do they still see Canada as an outpost? Or is it Canada that refuses to update it although they just finished major renos?

I hit duty free before coffee because it was right in front of me, and buying cigarettes and vodka immediately helped calm me. I thought about swigging from the vodka bottle in the aisles but refrained as it was 5:30am.

I left duty free and to my great relief saw a Tim Hortons on the other side of the hall. Unreachable due to a glass wall. I could see jolly airport staff lounging around drinking coffee and eating bagels, laughing and thumping each other on the backs, caffeinated and looking smug. (ok I couldn't see their faces as I wasn't wearing my glasses, but I could sense their smug coffee breath from over the glass wall.) I would be sitting amongst them soon, and set off at a brisk clip to find the break in the wall. I passed to shitty little coffee places that sold pre-wrapped bagels and snubbed them like a cat. I reached the end of the hall and saw no break. I almost caved and bought a coffee at the 2nd of the joints but decided to press the issue. "How do I get to the Tim Hortons? She said their was a door just half way back on the right. I found the door, spirits rising, and then saw it was locked. I headed all the way back to where duty free was and the customs people, and saw them going through another door, heading for Tim's. Desperately I tried to rush the door and was told that side of the terminal was closed. I almost begged him to go get me a coffee, but previous dealing with customs reminded me not to press my luck.

I grabbed a shitty coffee and sat with my nose pressed against the glass sighing deeply at the happy people. When finaly I got to my gate, I saw all the little children sans their 80 pieces of luggage but still with parents and realized they were all on my flight.

to be cont'd...

next: Cynthia, the party, the chihuly exhibit, Denny, Larry and more...

I have been inspired!

2009-05-14T07:37:00.002-06:00

For those of you who owe money to someone, you might consider this tactic suggested on the blog The Anti Pimp

http://theantipimp.com/?p=825

As I say in my comment - negotiating with people I owe money to has become a method of performance art for me. I love this post!

Banana Bread by Kate

2009-05-10T08:57:00.003-06:00

3-4 ripe bananas

1/3 cup melted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

pinch o' salt

1.5 cups flour

bake at 350 for an hour in a 4x8 loaf pan greased

less time for wider pan

my first foray into twitter today

2009-05-03T17:48:00.003-06:00

Similar to facebook, I waited and waited and really didn't want to join, but eventually I just needed to explore the possibilities. I really feel as though there are some mediums that are just not going to work for the way in which you communicate. (you being 'one') For example: I H8 TXTNG. I will read your txt and be annoyed, but will not likely respond.

My first day on twitter, I have discovered a great joy in writing Haikus! It limits me automatically to shrt txt and requires that I think carefully before posting anything. Built in filters are SO necessary for me.

In one way, it's all about language: how you use it and where you put it. Seeing as I can only really write a good paragraph at a time, 140 characters should be just about write. I will continue XPLRNG and TTYL.

grrrr.

Random thought this morning

2009-04-29T05:39:00.004-06:00

What ever happened to Condoleeza Rcce?

Seriously. Where has that helmet head gone?

What job do you get after secretary of state? now I"ll have to look up some of the past ones to see...

And why the fuck am I thinking of Condi at 7:45 in the morning while preparing for a meeting?

Random Neuron Firing.

this delightful image (source) is my new fav after the one in this past post relating to condi

At FITC: Digital Experience beyond the monitor

2009-04-26T10:20:00.003-06:00

First panel and I'm impressed.

It's nice to hear people speaking about things that I have considered and am developing and know that I'm not crazy for trying these ideas. Large scale projects using multiple mediums including live, recorded, digital, etc.

green

2009-04-19T07:09:00.002-06:00

Sitting at my kitchen window and as I look out, the tree in front has big green buds that are about to pop open. (You drug users keep you hats on, not that kind of green bud)

What a delight to see!

Yesterday we hit the 20's and yet people are still saying we will have snow on Monday. I'm just not going to look at the reports.

Last night Jerry Sienfeld was at Massey. He claimed that people who talk about the weather drive him crazy because it makes no sense - it is what it is. Well, he clearly hasn't lived through the entire Canadian winter. If I lived in MOntreal and had been under a deep freeze for 4 months, I would talk about the weather non-stop once it got warm. I understand that Canadians talk about the weather a lot, but it's also not a terribly original joke. In other news, he informed us that our lives suck. It was a whole riff on 'Sucks' and 'Great' that neither sucked nor was great. Overall - understanding that I quite loathed the TV shows - I would say it was meh.

Upcoming: Buddy Guy. Stoked!

Ada Loveless Day

2009-03-24T07:13:00.004-06:00

So this is a bit cheesy and my friend will probably kill me, but here's my Ada Loveless Day Post.

I signed a pledge to write a blog entry for Ada Loveless Day in which I said I would write about a woman who inspired me in Technology. This particular woman inspires me in far more then just technology, but the Girl Geek side of her is one of the things that made me want to work with her and then be her friend as well.

This woman has what I consider several important qualities when working in the tech world.

She is independent. Vital, as the people you work with in technology are likely male and either will want to do everything for you or do nothing for you. Either way, you're eating lunch alone.
She is an Artist and an Explorer. She sees the beauty of the unknown. Not as something to conquer but as something to learn from.
She is Whip Smart. She reflects on the past and moves forward with knowledge.
She is courageous. It isn't easy to be female and smart in this world, but she persisted and refused to be held back by a world that wasn't ready for her.

I first met Cynthia at a Web Design job in the year of the Bust. (What's for Free? PHX 2000. Apparently my work was what was for free) Her wit and skills impressed me. As time went on, she shared with me her experiences in working as a freelance artist of many mediums: silver, glass, tile, zeros and ones.

Cynthia is one of those fine people who has no fear of questions. They are only directions on the map that point her towards greater knowledge and then more questions. Her work as an artist typifies this - she changes mediums often to see what each has to offer. This fearless examination of her surroundings is reflected in artwork that changes with the tools she has at her disposal. Her comments on age are cast in cement, her exploration of colour: through glass. Social communities across time and space using the internet have long been part of her world. Although would she call it that? She doesn 't allow time and space to dictate where she needs to be and how she needs to work or move through the world. She sees - and has helped me recognize - that one can choose where and how they want to live and not have to stick to a Job in a Location from 9 to 5 For the Rest of My Life. A brave thing for a woman to do in a time when this is/was not encouraged.

I often write about what a great role model she has been for me, but on a day about technology and woman, she automatically jumps to mind. Using technology - especially as a means of working - she has helped me to realize how many options there are when it comes to life styles. In this - "my first freelance year ", I recognize that Cynthia has been an incredible role model in my career life.

You can find Cynthia at Entertainment Cartridg es among other places.

rough shape

2009-02-23T09:59:00.001-07:00

I was walking home from work the other day when a homeless man stopped me and pointed out a place where I could get a free meal.

"This is where far and cold is on the map"

2009-01-20T21:33:00.003-07:00

Designer, Andy Miller, took this photo and came up with this brilliant title.
Genius I tell ya! Everything about her!

Bubba

2009-01-19T07:01:00.003-07:00

a wicked web and some political commentary

2009-01-18T19:18:00.004-07:00

A web hosting site stole my domain name. Evil buggers. I went in and searched if a domain name was available and it was, but I put off making the decision till the next day. All of a sudden! My domain name is taken. By GoDaddy. So essentially they saw that I looked at it and then snapped it out from under me when I choked on the decision. Argh!

It doesn't matter. Obama arrives soon. (cue music and doves) He will save us from ... everything...

I also keep thinking that if I lived in California and was waiting for the Big One to happen, I would probably want Arnold to be my governor.

a galaxy far far away (AZ.)

2009-01-13T06:43:00.003-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthia85014/

These are phenomenal photos by my past house mate, dear friend and STELLAR multidisciplinary artist. (who sent me the link to HST motivational Posters)

Check out some of her other work here

March is approaching

2009-01-08T07:38:00.001-07:00

A collection of horoscopes

2009-01-01T08:59:00.004-07:00

Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22)

Despite your best intentions, you simply cannot stop yourself from going too far down the road of self-criticism. The stars wish you to know that this cycle of suffering is rapidly nearing an end.

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23): The most important thing today is that you don't let fear hold you back from taking the occasional risk. You can bet on certainties if you like but once you get into that kind of rut you will find it is very hard to get out of it again.

Virgo Aug 23 | Sep 22 In 2009, you’ll receive a lot of help, some unexpected, whenever you phase out your trivial desires so you can better pursue your truly important desires. The coming months will also be an excellent time to shed unrealistic fantasies so you can be freer to concentrate on the realistic kind. While these are not quite once-in-a lifetime opportunities, Virgo, they may be the once-in-a-decade variety. Why not draw up a plan for how you can take maximum advantage of the specific luck that will be flowing your way?

Thursday, Jan 1, 2009
Your thinking is rather gloomy and pessimistic at this time. You see the superficiality, the flaws, and the foolishness or impracticality in others' plans. Also, communicating with others is difficult now, and people resist what you are saying. You feel more inhibited and uncommunicative, and you sense that others are not receptive. Frustrating conversations and the feeling that you are coming across negatively are possible now, so you are inclined simply to keep your thoughts to yourself.

Daily Horoscope for January 1, 2009

You will be getting good news about a financial investment you have made recently. You followed your intuition to a pot of gold. Today you may be tempted to "cash in". Talk over the options with a trusted advisor, because you will probably be too emotional.

You got to know when to fold 'em

2008-12-28T08:41:00.003-07:00

Andrew Dice Clay played the Hall last night.

Oy.

You might remember some of his classic comedy routines: Hickory Dickory Dock, something about sucking cock... He did a whole string of very un-pc rhymes and got kicked off of every show for his racist, homophobic, misogynistic humour.

Now as someone who is a fan of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor and Mel Brooks, I have to say I draw the line at "The Dice Man".

Perhaps the difference is Bruce, Pryor and Brooks were using comedy to comment on their societies absurd rules while Clay is commenting on .... actually I have no idea what he is commenting on... and really I am all for dirty jokes. The audience contained a lot of Frat boys in their late 30's early 40's. Perhaps Cappa Cappa Cappa got a deal or something. You could almost make toast with the brain power in the Hall. A single slice. (now that wasn't nice of me) But honestly handing a ticket to an usher and receiving a hand stamp was a huge challenge. They kept just shoving in like oxen, with wide eyes and flared nostrils and then we would call out - hey where's you ticket! and they would stare around - hearing a noise but unsure where it came from or what it meant.

Enough. The sad part was, that the audience refused to listen to the first two comics and kept hollering for Clay who came on only to be heckled by the same crowd. He left the stage 45 mins early. Perhaps it's time to hang up the leather jacket and butt out his unlit cigarette.
(in case you have forgotten this charming mug:)

it's all about the labels

2008-12-27T07:50:00.003-07:00

WARNING: Spoiler

2008-12-22T14:03:00.002-07:00

I left the house this morning aware that there was a christmas function at work and determined to be in a good cheerful mood. I helped decorate and everything. but honestly. If I'm avoiding my own family christmas, it is highly unlikely that I want to participate in a work related one. And although everyone now celebrates "The Holidays" there is still a fuckin' santa chair at this event. I don't think I have gone off on my Santa rant in the last few years, so please endulge me now.

Santa is a fucking lie. Why do we keep telling kids this lie? Why is it necessary? There are plenty of other lies we tell them, but why is this one supported so wholeheartedly? Why set a small child up for the enevitable disappointment? The ridicule at school when they want to continue believing but some other kid has told them it's their parents? I still remember fighting with a little friend demanding it was true that a fat man in a red suit came down the chiminy (we didn't have) leaving his 8 reindeer on our roof, and eating the cookies I had so carefully placed out.

And don't tell me I'm a scrooge. I simply don't understand why I must be extra happy and lie to children at this time of year. I have no trouble believing there was a nice man named nick that gave presents to people once upon a time, but can we leave it at that?

time to go greet children.

2008-10-18T22:25:00.002-06:00

Shakin' it here boss

2008-09-28T08:53:00.002-06:00

How I will miss Paul Newman.
Not that we spoke regularly or anything, but he just seemed like a delightful person to have on the planet.
sigh.
I urge you to watch Cool Hand Luke again if you haven't seen it in a while - it is such a great movie. The music, the acting, the story - it's all fabulous.
As I recall my friend Roger was also a fan - roger what did you do on the radio when you heard the news? I'm sure it was witty and touching. That's something I miss about radio - highlighting a moment in life that many people are touched by. You speak for many and have the opportunity to be a touch stone for the group. None of that makes sense perhaps, I'll need to flesh that idea out a bit more...
RIP Paul - I'll enjoy your salad dressings and healthy food with a light sprinkling of tears.

what difference am I making

2008-09-21T17:21:00.006-06:00

With all the meetings and political talk it still feels like nothing is being accomplished. However after much thought and discussion, I feel like in fact I am making a difference. I am engaging people in discussion and regardless if our views differ, we have both become involved in politics even if momentarily. And if democracy requires participation - and it does - the first step is to shake the apathy.

Obviously I'm making a difference on a very small scale just by talking with people however I feel like I needed to find out what the issues were, do some research, and then figure out what my next step could be. And I realized that even taking that first small step was challenging. I hadn't really thought about how to speak to someone about politics. I don't want to spew an opinion or regurgitate sound bites, I want to have a discussion.

The waters are murky in Canada as there are so many parties. It's not as 'black and white' as it is in the States - har har. There are essentially four left leaning parties that are splitting the vote. And nobody trusts any of them nor do they feel any of the leaders are really qualified to lead the country. There is also a lot of regurgitated sound bites about the fact that country has been most successful under a minority government. There is also a lot of talk that this is the most boring election ever. Everyone wishes Obama were in Canada. This is my favourite:

I love how they put him in the snow jacket! But honestly, if he doesn't win in the states, he should move north. The people I spoke with who were conservative leaning or not even planning on voting, mentioned that they would participate in the election if he were running.

I have a feeling it's a 'grass is always greener' scenario. But it also isn't hard to see that our political leaders have about as much personality as a group of toads. in fact if you put up a you tube video of toads in a bucket and one of our politicians in a bucket, I would be more inclined to see what the toads did.

This post is just a gripe and not much substance, but that also seems to be the way of this campaign.

an open letter to the prime minister

2008-09-09T14:18:00.003-06:00

A Canadian writer, director, actor and currently the director of the National Arts Centre wrote this delightful letter to mr. harper.

The Department of Culture is planning and organizing.

please educate yourself and vote.

Stephen Harper quotes:

"Kyoto is essentially a socialist scheme to suck money out of wealth-producing nations."
The Star, January 30, 2007

"I don't know all the facts on Iraq, but I think we should work closely with the Americans. "
Report Newsmagazine, March 25 2002

Introducing the Department of Culture

2008-09-04T20:03:00.002-06:00

The Department of Culture was founded on the following objectives to:

ENCOURAGE A MULTIDIMENSIONAL VISION OF CULTURE that emphasizes living interactions between the artistic, cultural, social, political and economic aspects of society.
PROMOTE A VIEW OF CITIZENSHIP in which all Canadians are active participants in the creation of culture rather than simply as passive receivers of it.
ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENTS, AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS ARE ACCOUNTABLE for their social and cultural agendas.
SUPPORT THE CREATIVE AGENCY OF ARTISTS to make political change through all forms of artistic production.

One of the founding members outlined what the organization is planning on doing. The speech is found here.

Video clips of the evening available at The Department of Culture website.

The Town hall meeting that you refused to attend

2008-09-03T21:48:00.003-06:00

I went to the town hall meeting this evening put on by The Department of Culture and it was quite an experience. Several hundred people were in attendance, and it was inspiring to see that the group was well organized and knew how to run an event.

I was asked after (by someone who liked my aura) to give a response to the evening, and I spoke erratically and incoherently and god forbid that video clip ends up anywhere... but if it does, I want to ensure that what I was trying to get across is written down somewhere.

I recently lived in a republican state and in a staunch republican area, where there were many artists who didn't seem to have a collective voice. I participated in media - specifically radio and tv - and tried my best to bring alternative voices to the forefront. I worked as a news director and participated in a major news fiasco - the Sago Mine tragedy - I covered elections on a local, state and federal level. I was unable to vote or serve on any political bodies as I was not a citizen of the country. This experience of being disenfranchised while being completely involved on so many levels of politics was frustrating. It inspired me to work even harder to ensure that those who could vote became educated about their communities and the issues that effected them.

I lived in a small community where the same faces had served in offices for many many years. I reported on corruption that came about due to the apathy of government and voters. I witnessed how media has become the educator on these issues and how media had become the most ignorant of all.

I went to the town hall this evening to educate myself on the issues and players. I have a lot more research to do on both of those things, however I am inspired by the fact that there are others who seem to want to do the same thing. The meeting was not allowed to turn in to a bitch fest or a platform for artists seeking work or politicians seeking votes - it was a well structured event that featured 4 speakers - two who were excellent - and then short speeches by the organizers outlining some of the plans they were working on. The event was a flash point for what they are about to embark on. It was a call to action - a request for ideas - and a sharing of theirs. The point they made that impressed me the most was one that I feel artists sometimes don't consider - Using the talents we have as artists - we can put on a hell of a show! The show is ousting the Harper government. The skills we have be they in design or drama or film enable us to get our show across in clear and engaging ways. As artists we are collaborators - let's collaborate on this. The method is clear - use our art to create and disseminate a politcal message.

With my relocation back to Toronto, I intend to become active in this political community and use my voice and skills to help create the kind of place I want to live in. I met other artists this evening who want to do the same thing. We are forming a collective of engaged and educated people who are participating in making their visions a reality. I never want to be disenfranchised again, I never want to have only two news stations to choose from - both of whom are getting it wrong. I want to be an active participant in structuring my future. And I can be - check that - I am.

Love!

2008-08-24T09:20:00.001-06:00

I want to turn my house into this!
first I need a house though ...

RIP Tim Mclean

2008-08-03T18:33:00.004-06:00

This is a wretched and horrific item.
story

I've taken the greyhound on many occasions - including three days across Australia - and you definitely meet some wack-jobs but - seriously. This is stomach churning shit here. What the fuck is going on in your head to do this?

A discussion today about non-violent alternatives with a friend who said the cops should have gunned the fucker down and then gone - -oops.

Nobody would have disagreed with them... it would be no loss to society... this is not a dood who is going to be rehabilitated. This guy is bat shit mother fucking crazy. So what do you do with him?

It's incidents like this where I truly wonder about non-violence. Is there a time and a place? Does it not just get into playing 'god' if we suddenly say well this person is clearly fucking insane so we can kill him? Who gets to make the decisions? what are the parametres? what is too crazy?
I certainly wouldn't be sad if someone took this guy out (in a nasty and painful way even) but at the same time I wouldn't say it was right. I look at people like Gandhi and King and Mandela who constantly turned the other cheek - no matter what - and marvel at their perseverance.

टुमॉरो एंड तोम्मोर्रो एंड टुमॉरो

2008-07-22T06:06:00.002-06:00

वो वौल्ड यू लुक अत ठाट! आईटी'स ट्रांस्लातिंग - दमन नो इ कैन'टी रेमेम्बेर वहत इ जुस्त व्रोते! सो थिस इस ट्रांस्लातिंग अस इ राइट एंड इ बेलिएवे आईटी'स इन्तो हिन्दी... नोट अ हंड्रेड परसेंट सुर थौघ। इ वोंदर हाउ अचुराते आईटी इस?
ओके - ठाट'स आईटी फॉर टुडे :)

why fi

2008-07-20T12:50:00.002-06:00

the internet has been down at my house. (yes. for a year. that is why I haven't written to you. )
actually just for the weekend. but it is very disconcerting. I haven't gone this long without checking my email in a fuck of a long time.
the worst is that you expect there to be revelations made and important messages sent and when you reconnect - it's there chomping at the bit waiting for you to get to it... alas, not. the world has not missed me.
It is wonderful how important I think I am!

So I sit now in a hotel lobby across the street from my house, hoping my battery will last and trying to figure out what was so damn important about getting on line. I had all this STUFF I was going to research and do and stuff... and now I have the perfect excuse for not doing it. i COULDN'T. the internet was down. I can hear myself saying it on Monday.
"I got nothing done this weekend because the internet was down at my house." (Conviction ringing in my voice.)

So the reason for not writing. so many to choose from. lets go with this one. My thoughts haven't been congealing into sentences recently.

Clearly they really still aren't - but I felt the need to touch base with the cyber artist within. And perhaps that's all for today. perhaps it's nap time. perhaps, I'll touch base again tomorrow. or perhaps not. Always leave them wanting more...

from my show in March

2008-04-24T06:33:00.002-06:00

April Is Adopt a Cat Month

2008-04-21T06:46:00.004-06:00

[FAT] pictures from last Friday!

2008-04-16T08:24:00.001-06:00

Pics from the fashion show!

[FAT] and fabulous

2008-04-12T05:51:00.005-06:00

purse by karina bergmans

Spent a bizarre evening in the Fashion world last night. I was invited to participate in a designer's performance art piece at the Toronto Alternative Fashion Week event. It was nutty! We got to all sorts of crazy things while wearing Haz Mat suits and carrying some of her designs. She had a Colon Carrier, a SARS satchel and a really gross belt with a giant tumor on it!
It was a chance to be super freaky!
The runway models were wild and there were some incredible Performance/Modeling pieces that came down the red carpet. A wild one with these women doing crazy modern dance type stuff while holding red strings that were attached to the face mask of a man. Some stuff was over my head, but it was interesting to puzzle about. The theme of the evening was Conflict. And some designers clearly went for it and others clearly hadn't given a second thought.
I'll post some photos when I get them - there were tons of pictures taken - and I can't wait to see them!

Good article describing what [FAT] is about.

Karina's art work is fabulous and wacky and based on organisms. The SARS satchel design is based on what a molecule of SARS looks like. (I got to carry SARS last night - tee hee)

This piece is called Victus Vegetus (living fresh) and is part of the Creatures Collection.

Needless to say it was a fabulous evening :)

An open letter from David Suzuki

2008-02-27T09:00:00.002-07:00

(How I love this man!)

4:58pm Monday, Feb 25
Ouch, ouch. I thought there were rules against piling on, or was that just for sports? I've always thought it was unfair to beat up an old man, especially one wearing glasses!

I have been astonished at the response of columnists and letter writers to remarks I made in Montreal that were reported in the McGill student paper and then quoted and misquoted extensively, thereby fostering an impression of my remarks that bear little resemblance to what I remember saying.

Hey, I've been a journalist a long time and I know that controversy sells and that what I say is open fodder for those who disagree. We all see the world through the lenses of our own values, beliefs and biases, and I understand that. I happen to believe that the back-and-forth debate about ideas is what moves us along. I don't expect responses to me to be fair or unbiased, but at least let's start with what I actually said. For what it's worth, here's the context for my talk and ideas.

Human beings are animals, biological beings that are as dependent on clean air, clean water, clean soil, clean energy and biodiversity as any other living organism. In fact, all life on Earth inhabits that thin layer of air, water and soil that is called the biosphere. If the planet were reduced to the size of a basketball, the biosphere would be as thin as a layer of varnish. That's it, it's finite and fixed.

Ecology and economics are based on the same root, eco, from the Greek word oikos, meaning home. Ecology is the study of home while economics is its management. Ecologists try to define the conditions and principles that govern life's ability to flourish. It makes sense that to ensure long-term sustainability, we should not interfere with or degrade those conditions and principles.

When some of our governments inform us that action to combat climate change must not slow down or disrupt the economy, that reflects the elevation of economics above ecology, and that is dangerous. In a finite world, steady growth forever is not only impossible, it is suicidal. Such a goal blinds us from asking important questions like what is an economy for, are we happier with all of the consumptive goods generated by that economy and how much is enough? Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and Alberta is its wealthiest province. If we can't ask questions about growth and the purpose of the economy, how can we expect poorer developing nations to consider them as they strive to emulate us?

Humanity has undergone a sudden shift in our presence on the planet, and because it has happened so suddenly, we haven't been able to fully recognize the responsibility that comes with it. Human beings now outnumber all other mammals on the planet and just the basics of life for each of us - air, water, food, energy, clothing, shelter - lead to a heavy ecological footprint. But of course, we are not like other mammals; we have a huge amount of technology to generate the things we use in modern society, and that amplifies our footprint enormously. Add to that our rising consumptive demands and a global economy, and human beings have become a new kind of force on Earth. No other species has been able to alter the biological, chemical and physical features of the planet as we are doing now, and that makes our need to find a sustainable path even more urgent.

For 20 years, leading scientists have warned us that the climate is changing and that human beings are a major part of it. Around the world in 1988, the public ranked the environment as its top concern, and when George H.W. Bush ran for office, he promised to "be an environmental president." Once ensconced, he showed how little campaign promises meant, and his son appears to have inherited the trait. In 1988, participants at a major conference of atmosphere scientists in Toronto were so alarmed by the evidence that global warming was happening that they signed a news release calling global warming a threat to human survival second only to nuclear war and recommended a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1988 levels in 15 years. If we had followed their recommendations, we would be far beyond the Kyoto target and well on our way to the deep reductions called for now.

Brian Mulroney was re-elected prime minister in 1988, and to show his concern for the environment, he appointed his brightest star, Lucien Bouchard, as environment minister. I interviewed Bouchard two months after he was appointed and asked him what he felt was the most pressing environmental issue. He immediately responded, "Global warming." I asked him how serious it was. He said, "It threatens the survival of our species," and called for immediate action.

So scientists had issued an urgent call and politicians seemed to hear it, but nothing was done. Why? I don't know, but I can speculate on one problem. To achieve the reductions called for would have cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars, but studies done in several countries at that time indicated there would be net savings far beyond the dollars invested. Unfortunately, any politician making the commitment would take a tremendous beating for spending so heavily (as we are seeing in the Gordon Campbell government's green budget) while someone else would take the kudos for achieving it and saving the money 15 years later. In other words, it doesn't make political sense.

The Nature of Things did the first special on global warming in 1989. Back then, I said that we had to act now but that climate change represented a "slow-motion catastrophe," because I thought at the time that we wouldn't see any effects for decades. To our surprise, every year since then, the evidence has come in that even with a 0.7 C rise, nature is showing unmistakable signs of responding, while in the Arctic, Inuit have been telling us for years their environment is changing. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), set up to examine the scientific evidence on climate change, has been very cautious in examining tens of thousands of scientific reports and in concluding that human beings are the major cause of climate change and that it is an urgent challenge to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by large amounts.

The eminent economist Sir Nicholas Stern, former senior economist with the World Bank, was asked by then-finance minister (now U.K. Prime Minister) Gordon Brown to calculate the cost of acting on climate change. He told me when he began that he didn't know much about the subject and had no opinion on it. He sought information from the scientific community and concluded that every effort should be made to reduce emissions so that temperature does not rise by more than two degrees this century. To achieve this would require heroic effort at a cost of one per cent of annual GDPs for decades. But when he considered the cost of dealing with runaway climate change by not taking steps to reduce emissions, he found up to 20 per cent of the global economy could disappear -- more than the cost of World Wars I and II combined! Faced with a one per cent cost versus an unprecedented depression, it seems to me there is no choice: We have to make the effort and pay the price.

National organizations of leading scientists, from the National Academy of Sciences (U.S.) to the Royal Society of London (U.K.), Royal Society of Canada and the academies of France, Germany, Japan, China and India, have all called for urgent action to meet the challenge of climate change. The science is in, the leading scientists have issued a call to action and each day that goes by without acting ensures that the problems for our children and grandchildren will become ever greater.

In a democracy, we elect people to look out for our interests and to lead us into the future. Many of the decisions made in forestry, fisheries, agriculture and mining have repercussions that reverberate for years to come. Of course, the electorate can register its approval or disapproval of those politicians during an election. But what mechanism do we have to ensure accountability of those people for actions whose effects we will only see decades or generations away? Of course, they do the best they can with the information at hand, but when top scientists and their societies cite overwhelming scientific evidence and issue calls to action, only to find their advice ignored or even, in some cases, deliberately tampered with by politicians, what are we to do? What other authorities do we accept as guides for action or inaction: the Bible or the Koran, the Dow-Jones average or any economist who fails to acknowledge limits and nature's importance?

That's the background behind my suggestion that by ignoring the best scientific advice, politicians and governments are leaving huge problems for our children and grandchildren, and that could be seen as an intergenerational crime. My suggestion is that we explore this issue of intergenerational accountability where ignorance is not an excuse.

==
David Suzuki

there is a good reason chimps eat dirt... and it has to do with shit

2008-01-09T15:48:00.001-07:00

My sister and I used to love singing the song

"we're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo
to watch the monkeys eat poo, poo, poo"

Now they might have discovered that chimps eat dirt so they don't get malaria. Which still doesn't explain why they eat poo...
You can read this fascinating article here.

Or you can look at this delightful site: bush or chimp

I bet he ate dirt and poo.

tee hee

2008-01-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

A Stress Indicator

2007-12-28T12:08:00.001-07:00

I dug the yoga mat out of the car. It feels the same wa y I do apparently.

Cruel Letters from Santa

2007-12-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

Article from CBC link here:

summary:

someone has been sending kids letters from santa that contain profanity and unhappy tidings. The letters are from the Post Office who sends these out each year to kids who write to santa.

Alright, you know I can't resist this.

Some poor shulb who has been working at Canada Post for 35 years, is now responsible for writing letters to children from Santa during the busiest time of the year at the post office. We KNOW post officers are bitter - look at the weather they have to deal with, and the dogs and the long lines of stupid people trying to send crates to Moosonee using 2 cent stamps and needing string and tape and a pen - and oh by the way - a crate. So who in their right mind would have these people write letters to children from Santa. VOLUNTEER no less. Maybe if they were getting paid, they could moan about content, but these Bitter 'Postal' Workers are volunteering to do this. Of course someone is going to send out cruel letters!

Now clearly it's too bad for the kids. My sister used to write to Santa on my behalf so I would get the letter in the mail as a surprise when I was in my 20's. It was a riot, but it would have been even funnier to receive one that was from a twisted santa. I admit if my neice received one, it would be less funny though...

At any rate, as someone who has given up Christmas this year, I have to say I am having a fabulous time. I have not gone to a mall, I have not stressed about cards, I have not concerned myself with parties, I have heard very few xmas songs, and I have been getting alot of work done. No bah humbugs here. Very Happy!

Perhaps I'll write a letter to my neice - not from Santa, but from me, I think she would enjoy happy greetings from her aunt.

Tidings of joy this year to you and yours.

What I did this evening!

2007-12-16T16:59:00.001-07:00

Commercial Demo Zoe Ludski

2007-12-13T18:47:00.003-07:00

Radio Imaging Zoe Ludski

2007-12-13T18:47:00.001-07:00

coming down with a cold

2007-12-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

achy sore stuffy nowhere is warm or comfy
that's what you get when you are homeless and sick
I say homeless, but in actual fact I have several homes due to the kindness of my friends, however there is never anything quite like your own bed and home when you are sick.

As one of the members of the theatre project I am working on said,
"Home is where you can take your pants off"

And I'm not there. A place where you can feel as sick and miserable as you need to, and drink tea and lie on the couch with your cats and even mope a bit and feel sorry for yourself. sigh. I'm not that sick yet, and hopefully I won't be. My friend who lives organically has pumped me full of vitamins and herbs. She says you don't have to believe in it for it to work. Not that I don't believe in it... but I was thinking, why do I carry around vitamins and not take them. How hard is it to swallow a pill in the morning? So why don't I take them... And if yoga makes me feel so much better, why aren't I doing that either...?
sigh.

Air check

2007-12-07T12:40:00.001-07:00

lots on the go!

2007-12-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

A must go to web site - www.purrcast.com

It's recordings of cats purring. I am currently house sitting a maniac cat who after listening to 'Other" purring chilled WAY out and flooped down on the chair and purred to himself for an hour.
You get really chilled out listening to the purring so Don't be startled when at the end of the pod cast a voice comes in with a tag line about the production. It made me jump a bit as I had melted part way into my chair, and wasn't ready for the jolt. so any hoo. that's one thing I wanted to share.

the next thing is that Knut the Polar bear is now one year old, and in that awkward adolescent phase - the equivalent of your grade 8 school picture. see below.

And in further news still, the job aps continue to go out. I've had a few interviews, and we'll see what happens. I'm re-recording my voice demo today and hope to get that out to agencies next week. and lastly, I was asked to be a part of an interesting theatre project in T.O. Not a hundred percent sure of all the details yet, as it's only just going down now, so I'll have to update. generally it has something to do with puppets and physical theatre and collaborative theatre and a guys PhD work for UofT.
So, there's the very general update from the wilds of the Great White North. It's going to be -12 today. Thank god i found my mittens.

a short update

2007-12-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

So it snowed last night, and I am sans scraper. However the trend is always to use a cd case in desperate times, so I have a lyle lovette disc at the ready. Not that I don't like Lyle... I just need to get the windows clean.

Smoking in this city at this time of the year is hard core.
This is not a city for smokers. And I debate about this a lot. Of course I want to quit, but I get really adamant about my cigarettes in the face of opposition. I sit in my car and smoke to stay warm. I am damn well going to enjoy the ones I am smoking. So then you think, is that really enjoyable? No. so why not quit. The city is trying to help me to quit by making smoking unpleasant, expensive, socially unacceptable, and a pain in the fucking ass.

The other day I got together with a friend who eventually said to me - Have you quit smoking? to which I replied no with a sour look, as I was sure I was about to hear his great success story on quiting. He broke into a grin, and said thank god neither have I. It was such a relief to be around another smoker, even standing outside was fine as we chatted away.

smoking sucks. don't start.

2007-11-16T10:48:00.001-07:00

The Insightful Sister

2007-09-07T13:48:00.000-06:00

An addendum to the phone entry, sent in by my sister.

another good thing about old phones is that if you want to hang up on
somebody you can slam the receiver down really hard and get a lot of
satisfaction out of it and knowing that you hurt the person's ear on the
other end ...it's just not the same if you try to push a button really hard
to hang up on a new phone ...not that i'm speaking from experience or would
ever do that to someone ...

A side note - the new phones aren't as heavy either - I recall this distinctly because my sister threw one of the old phones at me when we were teens :)

Pause for thought (Random Neuron Firing)

2007-09-06T02:43:00.001-06:00

Our phone in the dining room died, and it was the only one that moved around ... I mean it was cordless, so I have had to revert back to the Rotary Phone in the kitchen. This picture is in fact, the exact model we have. Avocado Green, wall hanging etc. Although our green cord has been replaced by a beige one after the long years.
The phone came with the house, and when we arrived it had a 'do not resuscitate' order posted next to it. I've always quite liked the phone, but never used it unless I dialed on the cordless and then picked up the kitchen receiver to talk.
The last few days I have been using the thing to dial and it's been like a flash back each time I do. And it's a 5 minute flash back, because it takes that long to dial the fucker if you are calling long distance.
It really helps you to remember who you are calling and what you wanted to say - something I often forget. I think if we still had rotary phones, there would be less instances of drunk dialing or calling someone in the heat of anger. The anger would have fizzled by the time the '9' had whirled all the way back around. And a drunk certainly wouldn't be able to operate the little holes where your fingers are supposed to go.
I like the noise it makes as it whirrs around. Whirrr is the only way I can describe it. Although the first part of the dial is more of a Revv. There is a neat rhythm to the whole thing.
Of course the phone is entirely useless in dealing with things like voice mail, and they no longer have those quaint messages about 'If you are dialing from a rotary phone...' even still, I'm glad the ol' avacado is still hanging in the kitchen. And please do not resuscitate if I fall over while waiting for the '0' to swing back around.

Couching continues

2007-08-23T06:43:00.001-06:00

Update from the couch

I'm in house number 2 of my Couching It '07 World Tour. I am working out the scientific way of doing this. I believe - at least it is my early assessment - that when you get to the couch, make yourself comfortable. You are continuing to 'Live' just in different places, and a week seems to be long enough to allow yourself unpacking privileges. Instead of being uncomfortable on whose ever couch you are on, look at it as trying new mattresses and pillows in an attempt to find the perfect one. Who knows you might have an opportunity to purchase a bed one day. (reach for the stars - that's my motto)

In other news, I'm really enjoying Toronto. REALLY enjoying it. This is truly a great city, and I haven't even made it out in the evenings yet. Still doing the kid thing and the job hunt. I'm excited to go to the Ex with the S-E family - depending on the weather - Friday is the goal.

Big thunderstorm on the way today. Something I'm excited about. Toronto Thunderstorms Rock!

Pro Toronto: The Subway system. Although yesterday on my way to a job interview, the whole thing had shut down due to some power failure which caused minor panic amongst passengers. Including me who was wearing heels and makeup and dreading fighting for a place on the bus. In the end I grabbed 2 buses and got there with 3 minutes to spare.

coffee and assessment

2007-08-18T10:13:00.001-06:00

Sitting at Dori's table with coffee and enjoying a quiet moment.

So Dori turned thirty-three yesterday. Trip-trip, they call it. A third of a century. There has been plenty of talk over the last week of how old we have all become. I believe that this is because 'they' have all had kids. Kids clearly make you see time pass. Not even time pass, but great swaths of years whipping by at high speeds. There is plenty of 'Do you realize it was 8 years ago that we were in Dahab ...' or 'we found these pictures and look how we've aged...' (that happens alot). As a child-free individual I can avoid these un-pleasantries by not looking at how much time has passed. Not seeing that the child has grown from squishy blob, to face filled with wonder-and-puke, in two months means I don't see my own face go from face filled with hollow eyes, to face filled with crows feet and hollow-eyes-with-bags.
much easier to deal with trip-trip when you do this. Time passes, but cats remain generally the same. Some fatness perhaps, but that will happen...

I'm like a baby she's like a cat
when we are happy, we both get fat

A Comparitive Study on the Pros and Cons of Canada and the United States

2007-08-15T11:04:00.000-06:00

Just sent the following in an email to E. and realized this is actually the perfect forum for this discussion.

PRO USA, the mail: Canada needs to get with the deal and pick up out going mail at your house.

I just spent half a lunch break trying to locate a mail box, and realized I couldn't remember what they looked like anymore... disturbing...

PRO CANADA, the coffee: Dood. This place rocks for coffee.

Tim's (tim horton's) is fantastic, but there are several other thousand coffee locals to choose from and they are ALL on EVERY corner. Fine, fine cups o' joe.

D'OH!

2007-08-08T05:45:00.000-06:00

I often find pencils in my hair...

BERLIN (AP) - A woman who had a pencil lodged in her head for 55 years after a childhood accident has finally had most of it removed, which should end her chronic headaches and nosebleeds, her doctor said Tuesday.

See article here

Greatest wedding of all times

2007-08-06T09:57:00.001-06:00

So Rich and Chris are officially married. it was the calmest most fun wedding have ever been to!! Eric and I had a lovely time. The MC deal seemed to go over well, and I wasn;t even the first one to say poop on the mic. A good day for all.

Those darn fundies

2007-08-02T20:26:00.000-06:00

"Apes are just creatures twisted by Satan to mock Jesus by giving
EVILolition credibility. Further more they are naturally lust crazed for human
women. Since they are not natural creatures they should be exterminated
forthwith as the tools of evil they are.

APES people! APES! TOTALLY FUCKING EVIL!!
Didn't you know????

My friend Jamie tells me there is a movie you should see called "Congo" which involves White Apes that are SUPER intelligent AND vicious. CLEARLY Jesus haters and confirming the above theory. Who needs science with this kind of reliable information.

Another favourite found today,

""Newton's theory went down the toilet with Einstein. And einstein's theory is in the process of going down the toilet today. That's the thing with these scientists, their ideas are always exchanged down the road for something better and more accurate. Nothing they say right now is an accurate representation on the natural world.""

Take THAT Scientific Method! Changing your theories as new "evidence" is discovered. You FREAKS.

Ennui sets in

2007-08-01T10:04:00.002-06:00

Eric took these of Ella. I thought I would die. What a Diva! That's my little girl!

HAHAHAHAHA!

2007-07-30T07:27:00.001-06:00

These are going to be sold at Wal-Mart soon. Get them while you can. I'm sensing a Tickle-Me Elmo repeat.

Description
Peter was once a humble fisherman, until Jesus made him a fisher of men!

Peter was one of Jesus’ chosen apostles. He loved Jesus and became one of His closest friends. After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, Peter began traveling all across the land to tell everyone about His friend, Jesus.

God allowed Peter to do many amazing things! Peter walked on water with Jesus. * Is this why he's wearing the clam digger pants? Is this doll depicting the moment after walking across water? He had prophetic visions. He also had extraordinary power to heal people and do some other miracles as well. God used Peter in a mighty way to help spread the Gospel message.

Peter became one of the founders of the early church and one of the leading Gospel preachers of his time!

Peter does not come in a display box. Peter comes with a doll stand. *I don't know why it amuses me that he comes with a doll stand, but for some reason I think that's very funny.

So there are plenty of other action figures as well as my favourite line the "Tales of Glory". They're all there - all your favs - Daniel AND the Lion and Moses AND an evil Pharaoh AND a bush of Locusts!! I'm not even lying!

There's a Record for this??

2007-07-26T09:13:00.001-06:00

A Hong Kong child pours tea into a cup held by her twin brother. The siblings broke a Guinness world record for accurately serving tea whilst bending backwards.

I can't believe someone else has done this. Ostensibly it means that others have had this idea and practiced and perfected the art of pouring tea whilst bending over backwards.
Wow.
Do you think their parents supported them?
Did they have a soccer type mom who would ridicule them and shout from the tea pouring sidelines?
"EYES ON THE PRIZE, KIDS!"
And why are they wearing Karate type outfits for this tea pouring? Is this the uniform for such activities?
Fascinating.
And delightfully distracting from the Gonzales trials and tribulations or the new executive order.

Pop Culture Queen

2007-07-25T13:58:00.001-06:00

Those that scoffed at me in the past for being so out of it regarding pop culture, HA, I say to you.
I have spent the week in the height of Pop Culture! Harry Potter the movie, Harry Potter, the book. Hairspray - both versions and - well, ok that's it, but that's a lot for me. I am SO WITH IT.

Reviews:
Harry Potter the Movie: Not bad. the main plot points and nothing more from the book, and it still runs 2 and a half hours. I really enjoyed it. The next two books should be broken into 4 movies though. or at least served up with an intermission... or maybe they could edit it for film in a 140 min version and then on the dvd release the FULL 800 minute version with nothing from the book missing!

Harry Potter the Book: Loved it. And oddly enough there are parts that I'm really looking forward to seeing the actors perform on screen. Snape is truly a brilliant character and I admire the man who portrays him in the movie. The book borrows heavily from Lord of the Rings and even Narnia, but manages to not be a poor imitation. Rowling has just used the sort of Quest framework as many have done. And I think it comes off very very well.

Hairspray the New Movie: loads of fun. Was tapping my toes and giggling throughout. I realized that I had never seen the original all though. I completely enjoyed it. And not being able to compare it with anything was probably good. because after watching:
Hairspray The Original Movie; they are in fact two entirely different movies. There are delightful parts in both. I highly recommend them both.

So. There's my report from the 'cool' world. It's about all I can manage. I still have to complete the whole thing by seeing the Simpson's movie which I will do on Saturday. In between all this "hOte Ko-tour", I have been playing scrabble and rereading Canadian authors.