Addictions Are, Well, Addicting. That's Why They're Called Addictions

Alright, after many months of resistance, I registered with Facebook.

For those of you who know it, you know how addictive it is.

For those of you who don't know about it, I'm hesitate to tell you about it for fear that it will take over your life as well.

Sigh, yet another way for technology to substitute (poorly) for human contact.

Check it:

Facebook me!

The Greatest Piece of Beef Ever

After the taping of the show we all met back at the hotel and decided to go out for dinner.

We walked a few blocks to The Keg next to the market.

We went in ordered drinks and got our table. To which we started screaming at each other. We didn't have an argument. We just couldn't hear each other. To some, this may not present a problem, for the Rodgers, we don't like it.

We left The Keg and started to walk back towards the hotel. And we decided to stop for dinner at Tom Jones' Steakhouse.

Very, very, very nice. Mom and Dad were there on one of their first dates. They had Chateaubriand back then, they had it again on Friday night.

However, we did encounter a noise of a different kind. At the next table over there was an older gentleman with a woman. They were lit. A bit noisy for our liking, and acting bizarrely with each other. They weren't together, but there was lots of talk of a "program" that she was in. This is a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing the program wasn't AA.

After about 25 minutes they got up to leave, finally. The woman bumped into the ice pitcher that held one of the bottles of wine they consumed. Then, the waiter brought their coats to their table. The woman put hers on and said immediately, "This is NOT my coat."

Then a quiet voice at my immediate left said, "That's my coat."

THE CRAZY DRUNK LADY WAS WEARING ANNIE'S COAT.

I just about died trying to keep the laughs in.

After that episode and Tweedledee and Tweedledum left we had a great dinner. Quite possibly one of the best EVER.

I only take off points for the lack of dessert. You'd think at a classy place like this they'd have creme brulee on the menu.

*********/**********

My Soul Mates are Literally Everywhere

So Dad and I got into a cab and headed towards the CBC building. When we got into the CBC there was a line up already for the taping. It seemed to me like there were a lot of people there, but 10 minutes later the number of people doubled.

We got our tickets, and moved to line number two, where we were shuffled off to a waiting elevator. We then waited again to board an elevator. Rode the elevator up to the 10th floor and waited again when we got off the elevator. We were then taken to Studio 42, and waited in line again to be seated.

I'm not implying anything, but this walking 10 yards, wait 10 minutes dance that we played was strikingly similar to when we were be admitted into Fort Benning.

We were seated and we had pretty good seats. We were in the middle left hand side, almost right in the middle of the crowd.

After about 20 minutes everyone was seated and the show got started. We were told when to clap, then Rick Mercer came on stage. A remarkable tiny man. I knew he was short, but I had no idea he was so teeny tiny.

So we got to see all the stuff they do every week, plus a few extras (because some of the jokes weren't too great...especially surrounding the Auditor General's findings about the ex-CFLer turned prison exec, snore).

And then in the midst, Rick and I made eye contact. First Justin, now Rick.

At the end, I was satisfied. Not bad for a free show.

Check out the episode and listen for my laugh Tuesday at 8pm on CBC.

Better Than the Motel 6?

The four of us arrived at the King Edward Hotel on King St. later than we expected.

Between picking up Annie from Guelph, getting out of London on time and Toronto rush hour traffic (it's not that bad) we arrived at our hotel at 5PM.

It was noticable to say the least that Annie was satisfied with our accomodations for the evening. She was practically buzzing when she saw the valet parking, smiling from ear to ear when she saw the door man and levitated when entered into the lobby of the hotel. For some reason she liked it better than the Motel 6 we stayed at in Georgia.

We went up to our room then started to get down to it- Dad and I got ready for our Rick Mercer Report taping at the CBC and Mom and Annie got ready to descend onto the Eatons Centre.

We were able to do this because our room was GI-NORMOUS.

A Whirlwind Weekend

Late last night the Rodgers got back from our weekend in Toronto, to say the least.

Lots O' Fun

We're back from TO

We had a blast, I'm exhausted

Stay tuned

STAND-ing Was Never So Much Fun

Yesterday The General Romeo Dallaire Genocide Institute went to the Armenian Community Centre in Willowdale.

We hosted 465 students from all over the GTA for a day about Darfur. Side Note: We had 385 students registered but one school decided to come without telling me, and bring 70 STUDENTS.

We screened the "Last Just Man", had Dr. Norman Epstein do a seminar on Darfur and had a panel on student activism.

They were all good high school students. Very interested in helping out in the cause.

Even though the day was incredibly long, it was successful.

However, there was an overarching thread that I saw that irked me. Some of the students came to me and expressed their frustration. They were already doing stuff in their school, so how come they hadn't seen results yet? How much longer? What else could they do? Why wasn't the government doing anything? Why weren't their troops on the ground yet? I felt incredibly frustrated. I wanted to tell them that six months of activism doesn't stop a freaking GENOCIDE, so maybe they could find it in themselves to keep plugging away at it? Could ya? That'd be great.

Newsflash ladies and gentlemen: activism is difficult, annoying, time consuming, and progress takes a long, long time. That's why there are so few activists. It's hard and doesn't pay well, and change is not guaranteed.

But we know one thing for sure, if we don't do anything Darfuris will still be killed, raped and mutilated. But if we do something? Who knows what we can do?

I'm So Dirty

Alright, so Monday was election day in London-North-Centre, and I got roped into being a scrutineer for the Liberals. This entails harrassing identified Liberals (old people in our district), being hated on, running around downtown, and getting the crappiest lunch and dinner ever.

Has anyone ever been an Elections Canada official? Could you tell me, do they stick a poll up your ass during training, or is it a requirement before they take you on? Seriously, these people couldn't be more horrible if they tried. Self-importance is their main M.O.

I got kicked out of a poll (I had a folder filled with elections material, contraband in Elections Canada polls). Ok, no problem. The douchebag followed me out of the room and told me to leave the building. Fuck you. I'ain't leaving.

Then at that same poll my boss was with me and he was questioned about his tie that he was wearing. It's a hideous tie that is the Canadian flag. You know, red, white with a maple leaf. Well, since we were scrutineers for the Liberals, was this a political statement? The old school marm asked, would you wear that tie normally? I replied for him, "Yes, he wears it on a regular basis, I can't get him to stop."

Then at another poll the Elections Canada official was on the phone with his headquarters asking if it was ok that he wear it. We wanted to point out that the Conservative scrutineer was wearing a blue t-shirt, did he want to check that out?

Apparently we weren't the only ones who had that problem. At the victory party (tons of food and more thunder stix) another guy told us that a woman requested he take off his red shirt (no emblems, logos on it whatsoever).

Please, people. The $200 dollars the government pays you doesn't mean you have to be a maverick. Just hand out the pencils and do your jobs.

Thankfully, Glen Pearson won his seat in the federal government.

I then went home and scrubbed my skin raw.

But even sweeter than the bakalava served at the victory party was...Dianne Haskett finishing third behind the Greens. Sweet, sweet justice.

It is true what they say, revenge is a dish best served cold.

Why Do You Have To Ruin The Dream?

Alright, I have a reliable source who tells me that they saw Justin Trudeau waiting outside the Starbucks on Central Ave. and Richmond St. waiting for his wife to order...and it was blatantly apparent that he was trying to be recognized.

On second thought, maybe he does have the makings of a future prime minister.

For Annick...

I agree...the other Trudeau is dreamy.

And not exactly what I'd call a pretty boy.

You know what they say, still waters run deep.

Or he could be a complete dick. I'm only going on this photo for a glimpse into his soul.

Where Are My Thunder Stix?

Alright, so now that you know I've momentarily crossed over to the Centre to support the Liberal in the Federal By-Election you should know what I'm getting out of it.

And it all happened last night.

Justin Trudeau showed up last night at Glen Pearson's campaign headquarters. You'd have thought there was a rock star in the house.

This was the first time I had seen Trudeau speak live, but I can remember the exact moment when I first saw him on television. When his father passed away our school let us watch the broadcast of the funeral live in the library. After that, I bought the latest copy of McLeans where Justin was profiled and his eulogy was published. So while my other friends had pictures of Prince William in their lockers, I had a royalty of a different sort.

Part of me is conflicted with my fascination with the Trudeaus. There was a lot of talk of have the "future prime minister" in the room.

Now it must be said that this should not have been my first live encounter with Justin Trudeau. I was supposed to go to his wedding (seriously), as a close friend of my dad and uncle had an invitation (with guest). Unfortunately, Prof. Matthews forgot to invite me. Probably had to do with the fact that I've met Jamie once or twice in my lifetime.

There were so many people who were clammering for a bit of Trudeau love, it was a bit ridiculous. We did manage to get his contact information, so there's reason to be hopeful.

But even in the crowded room I connected with Justin. The two of us made eye contact. It was an intense moment, to say the least. As if we were the only people in the room. And then Joe Fontana's cries startled, I think, the both of us.

But, the man is married (to a very gracious woman). And to be honest, I've been more intrigued by his younger brother, Sasha the documentary filmmaker for a few years now. Because let's face it, I may be ready to support a Liberal who is right for the job, but wife of a Prime Minister? Absolutely not.

I Bleed Orange, er, Red, No Orange? Dammit.

Yesterday I could be found canvassing for the Liberal candidate in the London-North-Centre by-election.

Don't start gasping with surprise. If you know me, I don't think you'd be that surprised to know that he's the one I'd choose to help in this election. My other choices compelled me to do so.

And personally I think the man is the best candidate...and if you want to know the truth, Glen Pearson is the most forward, globally aware candidate that is running. He is the director of the London Food Bank, he is the creator of a London based humanitarian organization to end slavery in Southern Sudan.

And he was described in Parliament as London's own Mother Theresa.

And I think it says a lot when a card carrying NDPer, like myself, decides that partisan affiliations are so unnecessary I am compelled to support a member of another party.

I Have Sinned

Oh Lord.

I've done something I swore I'd never do.

Bet you can't guess what. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have thought a day like this would happen.

Needless to say my parents are shocked, and a bit appalled. Must say that I am, too.

But in the midst of my betrayal, I found a soul mate, if only for a few fleeting moments across a crowded, noisy room.

BUY NOTHING DAY

Just a short reminder to everyone that tomorrow is BUY NOTHING DAY!

Check it out:

www.adbusters.org

Falon and the Nun

Falon saw these nuns and said, "I want a picture of with a nun!"

The next thing we knew she tossed Annie a camera and Annie took a reluctant photo.

Ah, sisters.

Puppatistas

One of the puppatistas on the Saturday!

AHHHHHH

A picture of Falon and Annie in our MOTEL room after a shower!

Nice......

For some reason Annie was reluctant to pose.

Sunday Morning

A picture of us with our banner before we headed down to the protest...

SOA Library

A picture of the library of the SOA...

Last year we got to go in, curiously there were empty shelves...

This year we were not allowed to go into the library, only look, another interesting change.

Cool As A Cucumber

Falon, on the other hand, was a pro at getting searched...

Another interesting notion...

Why Is She Smiling?

A picture of Annie getting searched (with a magnetic wand) at the gates of Ft. Benning...

Question...

What's with the smile Annie? Enjoying it? Or maybe you're used to it? Is that it? Do you have a double life we don't know about that you get frisked on a daily basis?

Trouble

Needless to say I was in trouble at the notion of taking a picture of Annie in her sleeping bag Friday night.

Hihi, you look sooo tired!

What Do You Think The Expression On Annie's Face Is Saying?

A picture taken before we were searched to go on Fort Benning for the tour of the Western Hemisphere Institute For Security Cooperation (aka School of Assassins).

Can you tell Annie was terrified?

She acted like police frisk her everyday!

Awww

Here's a picture that Annie took reluctantly (why? I have no clue).

We're at the Mennonite Church getting ready for bed on the floor again...it's a strange day when Annie and Jess are excited to sleep on carpet...

What you can't tell in this picture is that we are boiling! The heat was on a timer and we had to wait two hours to turn it down...GAH!

Breaking the Ice

Here's a picture of Falon and Annie participating in the ice breaker at St. Anne's Church.

In my opinion one of the dumbest ice breakers ever.

But they looked like they had fun.

SOA's Best New Artist?

A picture that Annie took in the gym at St. Anne's Church in Detroit, MI...

Falon picked up a guitar and tried (unsuccessfully) to serenade the hippies in the room....unfortunately people were so hungry they couldn't hear anything.

Soon after Falon could be seen eating plain basmati rice and bread until we rescued her with pizza pockets.

They Sooo Didn't Know What They Were In For...

A picture of Falon and Annie in the van on the way to Detroit.

Highlights of this leg?

Stopping people from eating all of Annie's food, and the seeing Annie's face when she was told she was staying in the Detroit ghetto.

Priceless.

A Short Political Break

Alrighty, just stumbled across this when I saw in the Freeps that Rick Mercer visited London yesterday.

Check out his blog and "endorsement" of Dianne Haskett for the Conservative Party in the London by-election.

Hilarious, and true.

Dad and I will be checking out a taping of The Mercer Report a week from Friday...yea!

http://rickmercer.blogspot.com/

The Three Amigas At The Fence

We got this picture taken at the end of Sunday at the fence.

Truly a moving experience to see the fence filled with memories and names.

One of those grannies took this picture. Sigh. Then I really missed my granny.

Peace-y Peace Peace

The welcome banner at the front stage...

So peaceful....

Lots of Grannies

One of the organizations that came was a group of one thousand grandmothers...

The marched through the crowd at a very slow pace, handed out peppermints.

I missed my granny.

Tons of Boy Scouts

One of the interesting things about this year was the sheer amount of cops and soldiers this year.

This year the military erected a third fence, confining us only to the street. This didn't let us see the 16 people jump over the fence and be arrested.

Another thing that was new was the amout of military personnel behind each fence. I counted 11 soldiers in full camo gear watching us.

I just waved the peace sign...using 2 fingers.

Die In

A picture of the annual die in at Fort Benning.

This year there were over 80 people who participated in the die in...the majority were Canadians from our group.

The die in is like a sit in, but instead of sitting and singing, they dressed in black, painted their faces white, and had red paint thrown on them.

They sat there for the duration of the vigil starting the funeral procession, it's a deeply spiritual event although the people in the die in are stepped on quite frequently.

Stories in Pictures

From the living room floor in London, Ontario to the Fort Benning fence in Columbus, Georgia.

La Toya, Krista and I painted this banner and snuck it over the border.

I folded it up, rolled it in my sleeping bag and prayed that the customs agent wouldn't question our "spiritual retreat" excuse....

Luckily we all pasted as good little Christians, probably in large part due to the big smiles plastered on Annie and Falon's face in the back of the van...

NEWSFLASH: ANNIE IS NOW A HIPPY

Hey All!

Good news, Annie, her friend Falon and I all made it to Georgia and back!

It's safe to say that it was an eye opening experience for my sister and her friend.

Stay tuned for pictures and stories!!! We have a lot of stories...

Exciting and Funny

Alrighty, Annie and I leave tomorrow for Georgia.

I can't contain my excitement!

We'll take lots of pictures!

AHHHH!

p.s. ok, this pic doesn't have anything to do Georgia, it just made me laugh

GAH!

I went to the store to buy one pair of jeans.

I left with one pair of jeans, two t-shirts and one zip up hoodie.

And I'm going back tomorrow to pick up a bag that I saw on sale for $10.

Is it possible for Maggie to rub off on me, three provinces over?

Christmas Attack

Help.

In my office there is a tacky, fiber optic Christmas tree.

NOOOOOO!

After cracking the secret code...

Ralphie: (Reading It) Be sure to drink your Ovaltine. Ovaltine? A crummy commercial? Son of a bitch!

Karma Anyone?

A Warning To Carollers In Airports

Consider this a warning.

I just saw a new Christmas commercial (yes, it's that time of year again) where a mother and two children are stuck at the airport, delayed for a flight.

In the midst of this dreary wait, the mother pulls out the crappy Hallmark "gift" and then turns it on. And plays Jingle Bells.

Let me make myself perfectly clear.

If anyone ever decides to actually do this when I'm waiting for a delayed flight in a high traffic time period I will take that sweat shop made Hallmark piece of crap and hit you with it. Repeatedly. Seriously, Frosty's carrot nose will be embedded in your ass like an American jounalist in Baghdad.

Just so you're all warned.

Question of the Day: What Is That Smell?

Alright, just got back from the city of Toronto where Dad, Annie, her friend Christy, and I went to the annual Canadian Royal Winter Fair!

Yes, late last night Dad and I decided that it was a perfect day to assault our noses with the sweet, sweet smell of agricultural victory.

We saw horses, and almost gave Annie an asthma attack when walking up to see the fancy horse stables. We saw the baby chicks, the alpacas, llamas, sheep, and goats. We even stopped around some of the booths to let Annie and Christy do some shopping. However, since the clothing being sold was reserved for country folk, there wasn't much to buy.

We did see one animal group which I will have to add to my list of animals that I hate: the cow.

I know, why is it that certain animals want to see me lying on the ground in pain?

When we were walking around the cow pavillion at the CNE I was almost run over by a very large cow, followed by another very large cow. Seriously, run over. It practically ran into me. Maybe this is some bovine retribution for the delicious sirloin steak I had last night...

So, for those of you keeping score the animals that I hate are:

- Chipmunks
- Squirrels
- Cows

"Scared cows make the best hamburgers."

~Mark Twain

I Hate This Man

I just heard about Kanye West (right) and his sore losing at the MTV Europe Music Video Awards.

Pathetic. And I'm even saying this despite the fact that Kanye wrote and performed a song about conflict diamonds.

Please note, as of today, I am removing him from my iPod.

Now you know I'm serious.

I Love This Woman

Alright, I just got off the phone with this woman, the amazing Eva Olsson, Holocaust Survivor.

She's like my very own Jewish grandmother.

She rocks and is truly inspirational...and the most exciting part? As of today (and if the planning, travel and cost all work out) I, along with 20 teachers, will be travelling to Auschwitz with Mrs. Olsson. She hasn't been back to the concentration camp since her release from Auschwitz during WWII.

An Update

Hello All,

Just thought I'd give you all an update on my crazy, busy life...

What's new, you might ask? Well, not a whole lot...still working away at the Gen. R. Dallaire Genocide Institute, and still having a good time.

Dad returned from his scotch filled tour of Scotland with Papa, Kevin and Bubbles, and from the pictures it looks like they had a merry old time in Scotland. In addition to drinking copious amounts of alcohol they did devote some time to finding our Scottish roots. It seems our ancestors, the MacIntosh-es, were a violent clan. Besides that it seems that the matriarch of our family was a general. Annie and I will have to keep this in mind when we travel to the SOA Protest in two weeks. However, it appears that the skills of the MacIntosh clan leave something to be desired. This meaning our clan was virtually (I say virtually because someone had to have survived to travel to Canada) were wiped out in, I kid you not, a massacre. That's right, my family in ancient times, were massacred. And even worse than that, their demise was the result of us following another clan into battle. A hard lesson to learn about being a follower.

Other than that the parents went off to Montreal, came back and then Mom went out to the East Coast for a conference and to see Mags.

Annie is spending longer chunks of time on the farm, oops, I mean University of Guelph.

And I'm getting ready to go off to Toronto next week to start preparations for the 75th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (2007), when we plan to hold a scholarly conference. Very exciting, if forced famine and Stalin float your boat.

Other than that there is the very exciting trip to SOA that is coming up. Annie will be joining our group this year as we travel to Columbus, Georgia for the big protest. I think the most amazing thing about this year's trip is that people are horrified to learn Annie's going, but there's virtually no concern pour moi. I'll chalk that up to my experience and ability to protest and not to the fact that people like Annie better. Right, Grandma?

p.s. The above picture is of a singer I'm feeling at the moment, K.T. Tunstall, from Scotland!

I Am Victorious

Alright, we've finished the MindYourMind.ca Anti-Stigma Campaign this weekend.

And I can honestly say, it rocks.

I'll let you all know when you can get our groovy buttons...(aka "The Voices Are Telling Me To Go To mindyourmind.ca").

Later.

She's Trying To Redeem Herself

Yes, Oprah "The Saint" Winfrey is speaking out on behalf of Holocaust Education.

Anyone speaking out about this topic is important...let's just hope that Holocaust Education doesn't become the next celebrity fad in "What To Endorse For My Own Purposes Weekly".

We all remember what happened after Live 8...African debt miraculously cleared! Right? I only expect that this happened because no more celebrity are touting debt relief. That must mean that they were successful.

Right?

Reasons Why I Dislike Oprah

1. The Interrupter: Has anyone noticed that when Oprah asks a question, she answers it? See her interview herself in the presence of movie stars...

2. Mama Oprah: Oprah as the Second Coming in Africa is another thing that ticks me off. I can appreciate her donating her millions (very responsible), however I somehow get a sleazy feeling when she uses her show as a platform to demonstrate her generosity. There is the argument that she is doing this to show off a cause, or model responsible billionaire behaviour, but I somehow feel as though her attempts are insulting to my intelligence. How is it that children in rural Angola know who Oprah is? Why is it they run towards her? And if they don't run towards her and cry in her arms, why do we feel as though they are being ungrateful? Something about her aid work leaves me feel as though she wants to be sainted...

3. The Homophobe: In an attempt to appeal to the demeanour of middle America and the ever important soccer mom contigent Oprah explains away homosexuality in a manner that makes everyone love her (except those with brains). So she can say it's nature for those who are know homosexuality is something you are born as, and that it's part CHOICE, for those who are homo-prejudice. Does she really subscribe to this? I have no idea, but the mere fact that she believes that homosexuality is a duality of nature and nuture leaves me to believe that her desire to be loved by all has completely consumed her.

4. Rachael Ray: Why? Why? Why does this woman now have her own show? Why couldn't Oprah leave well enough alone. Yes, she does have a few good ideas, but let's not go over board. Look for a future post about why I dislike her.

5. The Superior Friendship: I can appreciate that Oprah has a long last friendship with Gail King, that's great, fabulous, everyone needs a BFF. But I resent the implication that Oprah and Gail's friendship is superior to any other relationship. It's incredibly irritating when I have to hear about how no one can ever have as close a relationship as she and Gail...believe it or not there are other women who are close with their friends. I refuse to worship your ability to be a best friend.

6. The Hour Long Commercial: I know that a talk show is a medium for people to promote their projects to earn money. Sometimes these projects are themselves (which is the only reason there is to explain why the Hilton sisters were on her show). But I draw the line at the "Favourite Things" episodes she has. Not only does she have an entire show that is one big commerical for useless gadgets, the materialism is so palpable that every time she does one of these shows you can hear viewers at home salivate over chocolate covered cookies and cashmere slippers.

7. The Oprah Audience: I hate them. I blame her. I heard one audience member say that going to the Oprah show is a religious experience. I don't know how to react to that. As well, they seem to be on some sort of upper when they're in the audience. The jump, scream, turn around and act like complete morons. It's ridiculous, and whenever I see these audience members I have the distinct desire to slap them silly and tell them to calm down.

8. Dr. Phil: Thank you, Oprah for inflicting this bully on the rest of the world. It's nice to know that we can be humiliated by the good Doctor with only a small email to his show. I appreciate his mask of "therapy in your hometown" at the end of every segment. Those bills must be getting extreme, eh? I appreciate getting dieting advice from a man who doesn't exactly follow them himself, very motivating.

9. Nobel Prize Accessory: Has anyone else notice Oprah's constant appearance at the Nobel Prize Ceremony? WTF? Why is it that every winner is given the trophy, the money and a photo op with Oprah? That's crap. Her hanging-on is annoying, especially with those who do actual good work. Wangari Maathai looked like she wanted to club the woman.

10. Cover Girl: Guess whose on the cover of the O Magazine this month? Last month? Next month? Yeah, Oprah. We get it, you have a magazine. Fantastic, please let's move on.

11. Presidential Candidate: If Oprah ever actually runs for president and wins, I will go insane. What's with the belief that she is the freakin' next best thing to JFK? COME ON. She knows how to get people to like her. That's her major talent. That's all, no political science, no economics...she'd be taking Kim Jong Il to the day spa for treatments while negotiating Middle East peace by her latest book club selection ("Edward Said is a god!!"). Meanwhile she'd send every household in America brand new towels because they: "Make you feel like a brand new woman!".

12. Angel Street: A few months ago I caught the tail end of an episode of Oprah when she built a street in Houston for Katrina Hurricane survivors. Now I can appreciate that she's helping out folks who have lost everything because of a few dumbasses in their nations' capital, but again, I got a creepy feeling from watching the show. Again the subtext of: Oprah is a saint, rather than these people are resiliant and strong was the message I was getting. Sigh.

Alright, maybe some of my reasons to dislike this woman are ridiculous, but these are my reasons. But the bottom line is, Oprah has a ton of cash and she didn't make it being a beautiful soul. The reason we watched her in the eighties and early nineties was because she was the queen of daytime sleeze. Now, with her newfound inner peace at a very calculated time, I dry heave.

A Game That I Hate

So I just started working on the anti-stigma campaign at MindYourMind (see previous post).

I'm working with a team of 7 others, mostly teenagers with a few young twenty year olds, like myself.

Most of them are in high school and they're playing that game...you know, the one where you find out the other person goes to another high school and to prove your popularity you start naming off people you know who go to their high school.

Example:

Teen 1: Where do you go to school?
Teen2: So-and-So High School.
Teen 1: Do you know John Smith?
Teen 2: No.
Teen 1: Do you know Kate Baker?
Teen 2: No.
Teen 1: Do you know Emily Jones?
Teen 2: Yeah.

The conversation never really goes anywhere. It's just an attempt to prove the other person's popularity.

Sigh. Five more days of this...hopefully I'll survive.

It's Alive!

So last Spring when I was at WAYS we developed a killer youth brochure...but since the funding ran out, there's no more programming at WAYS for kids in the sex trade.

However, now that Heather (the coordinator for the RISE for Youth program) is at www.mindyourmind.ca as a the Street Team coordinator, our youth brochure has been transformed!

Check out the link below to see our ANIMATED brochure! And take the quiz!

Yea!!!

http://www.mindyourmind.ca/mind-games/scan-stuff/sfs.htm

http://www.mindyourmind.ca/mind-games/play-stuff/sfs-quiz.htm

Book De-Tour

Has anyone heard of this book, "The Alphabet of Manliness"?

Well, it's number one on the New York Times Bestseller's List.

Can anyone guess what it's about? If you guessed how to be a real man, your right on the money. And in this case how to be a real man includes bottling up your feelings, only playing "man" sports and being a big "man" and using words like chairman instead of chairperson.

Because really, where do women get off thinking they can be in charge?

This is friggin' fantastic.

One small step for closeted homophobes every, one giant step back for civilization.

"Do not fall prey to the belief that mastery and domination are synonymous with manliness."

~Kent Nerburn

Book Tour

Guess who we got to come to Canada for a book tour?

Yes, Janis Karpinski.

Former commander of Abu Ghraib and author of "One Woman's Army".

For those of you who don't remember, she's the one who got screwed by Rummy.

Woot!

Wolverine Is My Hero

Ever watch all three X-Men movie in one weekend?

It's intense.

I heart Patrick Stewart.

"Let it be so."

~Capt. Jean Luc Picard

Build A Freakin' Bear

Sigh.

Has anyone heard of "Build A Bear"? This bizarre store where people pick their bear (unstuffed), stuff it (see left), dress it, name it, etc., etc.

Annie, Krista and I did this for Ashley's birthday.

It took almost 1 1/4 of an hour.

It was ridiculous.

Besides that, it is located in the mall.

At least Ashley liked it. I'm never going back.

Brigden Fair

Yes, we got to the fair again this year!

Sunday the family made the trek to Bridgen for the fair! Very exciting!

We went with Ashley and she had a great time. We had fabulous weather, sunny and warm. Although I remember why I liked the crappy weather better for the Brigden fair, less people around. But it was fun to see all the people carrying around the useless four feet stuffed animals that collect dust.

We saw the giant pumpkins, prize winning muffins, had a pickle on a stick.

And we coaxed Ashley into the barns to see the minature horses, cows, rabbits, and baby pigs!

A successful trip, to say the least.

Lots of Pies

With the past celebration of Thanksgiving (Andrea's favourite holiday) I decided to roll up my sleeves and contribute to the dessert portion of our annual day of gluttony.

I decided to bake pies (part of my domesticating).

I really didn't give this enough thought, I was in the kitchen all day long. Literally all day, from 10am to 8pm.

And I only made three pies.

But they were delicious.

"Promises and pie crusts are made to be broken."

~Jonathan Swift

Crazy Little Animals

Yes, it might surprise you all, but last week I was attacked by a squirrel. Those rat like creatures are becoming more and more familiar with people, and I DON'T like it.

Last week I was taking garbage out to the garbage "hut" at the office (Gen. R. Dallaire Genocide Instiute). We opened the door and saw a squirrel getting out of the hut. I throw my bag of garbage in the hut and the squirrel FLIES out at my head. I narrowly escaped a nasty scrap with a squirrel. Dammit.

It sounds innocent, but I was terrified!! Imagine one of those things coming out, pardon me, FLYING out at your head. Not cool.

Then to top it off I find out that there's a group of crazy Londoners who are trying to make the black squirrel our OFFICIAL MASCOT.

Because of a traumatizing event when I was a toddler, I have had a grudge with the chipmunk (a chipmunk mistook my toddler toe for a peanut). But it seems now that it has to expand to include squirrels. I know that Helen, my squirrel loving pal will hate me for a short time, but you'll all have to live with this.

Because of this, I can never take the garbage out again.

"We call this a fine mess of squirrels."

~Kathy Ulher

It's Been A While...

Ok, it's been a while...so get ready for my updates!

More to come...