Something I Would Expect To See In Detroit

A jail, downtown.

After the Rosemary Attack

I'm squinting, not smiling, from the pain.

Ok, it didn't really hurt, it was just a little prickly.

I Smell Like A Leg of Lamb

Right after I took this picture some vile woman hit me with a rosemary bush.

Pretty!

Too bad we couldn't take any across the border!

Mmmm

Mouth watering...If it weren't for the incredibly horrible karaoke next to it, this would be perfect. Luckily, a picture is worth a thousand words, not musical notes.

Detroit's Eastern Market!

Very cool market, I never knew was here...

Just walk through the chicken's...um...breasts...

The Best Travelling Companions!

They're great. I love 'em.

Lots 'o fun.

Our Teeny-Tiny Cabin

Here's how we travelled from Halifax to Montreal. Our cabin. Annie and I shared. Here's a transcript of Annie climbing the ladder to get to the top bunk.

Scene: Tiny train cabin, it's dark, lights are off, Jessie is in bottom bunk.

Jessie: 'Night Anne.

Anne: 'Night.

Annie grips ladder.

[Bang!]

Annie: Ow!

[Crashing, metal pinging]

Annie: Gah! Oh...Ugh...

[Bang!]

Annie: Argh...Ugh...Gugggg.....

[Bang! Crash!]

Jessie: Need some help?

Tee Hee.

I believe this is a good metaphor for our family dynamics.

Maggie loves to tease uncontrollably and hamming it up for a camera, Annie hates, well, a lot at the moment.

My Sisters.

Nice. This is how they walk downtown Halifax.

What's That Stain On Your Jacket, Annie?

It looks like bird poop.

Um...question...

Should someone let the people of Peggy's Cove in on the fact that it's May? I froze my ass off looking at their lighthouse.

White Knuckle Squeeze

Annie is freezing. We're waiting for Dad to stop taking pictures of the damn sunset.

Awaiting Her Gentlemen Callers

At the creepy B & B.

Are There Storm Waves? Wolverine Waves?

How can a wave be rogue? I know they can be dangerous, but it's the trajectory of a wave pretty self explanatory?

A wave, waves over, right?

Strange place.

It's Windy!

Nice. Taken at some lighthouse in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

She Sees A Seal...Maybe.

Taken in Digby, Nova Scotia where, apparently, there are absolutely no homosexuals.

Something Really Old Sitting On Something Really Old

Dad perched on one the first mill stones ever to be brought to the New World.

Ohh.

I wonder if they have a small pox infected blanket on display somewhere.

CHUG!

LOVE IT!

What The Hell Is That Smell?

Lobster caracasses? Seaweed? Rotting flesh?

Who the funk knows, but it was smelly in Halls Harbour.

Ahhh...

Ohhh

Seriously will never understand the Bay of Fundy. They should call it the Bay of Weird-y.

Very Rare.

Dad peeked out from behind his camera to pose awkwardly with his youngest.

Where The Hell Is The WATER?!

I sooo don't get the whole tide in, tide out thing. Tide is something I put in the washing machine.

Phew.

Water is back! Yippee!

POTATO!

Um. Yeah, potatoes.

Watch Out...She's Got A Camera And Kind Of Knows How To Use It

Grandma took this picture!

We kind of don't have tops to our heads, but we know they're there, so that's all that matters.

At least this was before the dancing.

I will never be able to listen to Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" without giggling.

What's that on my dad's face?

This was what Dad did for the majority of the trip.

He was the Rodger family papparazzi.

He's very stealth.

Wanna find him? Just listen for the click, click, click, click.

Getting Her Drink On

I had no idea that Annie liked Whiskey Sours.

It's very sour.

You go girl.

We were off to a great start...

This is me on my birthday.

Why the long face?

The mean airport security made me throw out my full bottle of Aveda Curly De-Frizz because, apparently, they have something against those of us who are hair sensitive.

Screw you Ministry of Aviation.

You owe me $40. I don't care what the rules are. It was my fricking birthday.

Arse-holes.

Maggie's Baggage (The Literal Kind)

Maggie is crazy.

She was over packed. By a lot. Luckily, the VIA Rail people were very nice and let her box up her excess baggage.

We thought we would find it in London. Little did we know, we had to pick it up in Montreal, then in Toronto.

Look, Anne! Ireland!

I love my sister. She's very smart, very sweet and incredibly funny.

She thought she could see Ireland from Nova Scotia.

I don't care who you are, that place was creep.

OK, here's the bed and breakfast we stayed at in Yarmouth (it's spelt Yar-mouth, not Yar-mit).

It was very nice. But incredibly creepy. It was like staying in someones house. Oh yeah, that's because it was someone's house.

The people were very nice, very good food, very beautiful house (minus the creepy dolls everywhere).

And I'm all for supporting local economies. But seriously. I did not like it.

Sigh.

Peace Train...

I'm so proud of my little sister...fight the revolution!

Watch out...he's armed and dangerous!

This is my Papa at Fort Anne. For those of you who don't know Fort Anne is built in a valley. The hills were no match for Papa.

It was my birthday!

Ok, it's official. I'm old. And I love it.

I turned 25 on the 11th and had, what can only be described as a unique birthday (no complaints...yet).

I got a nifty new digital camera.

That's me, and in the corner is the light house on Peggy's Cove. You can't tell, because I'm so tough, but I'm freezing my ass off.

SHE GRADUATED! W00T!

Yea! Maggie graduated last weekend and it was FANTASTIC! She got a medal and everything.

The Landlord

Alright, Will Ferrell has made, quite possibly the funniest short video I've seen in a while.

Yes, it is a tad inappropriate, I'm wondering if Child Protection Services has been called yet.

However, I guarantee that if you watch this video, you will be rolling on the floor.

Literally. It crazy funny.

And you should all bear in mind that Annie was the one that introduced this to me. She's the worst influence.

Trees Do Too Much Work With Breezes

Sorry, Annie.

Remember when we raked the backyard last week and gathered up every freaking pine cone from that stupid fricking tree that Dad should have cut down?

Well, it seems the tree was laughing at us, because when I came back from Sarnia it had crapped all over the backyard.

Pinecones everywhere.

I hate trees.

And that's not even because Oprah said she loved them.

This Is Why She Is A Goddess...

Ok, this is why I L-O-V-E Alanis Morissette.

Check out her rendition of the ridiculous Black Eyed Peas song, "My Humps".

She brings a certain sophistication.

But to truly understand the genius of this cover, you must see the original FIRST:

Lamp Shade Dad

BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Have A Happy Period? Screw You Always.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years,and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core orDri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach intight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings; kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi-pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse?" I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what some call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?

As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers'monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behaviour. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles in the George Foreman Grill because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy!

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that Canada is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period."

Are you kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness - is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walmart armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending BS.

And that's a promise I will keep. Always.

It's So Clear Now

The two people in this picture are Jack Black and Kyle Gass. They make up the rock/comedy band, Tenacious D...I highly recommend.

I recommend even more highly now that my uncle educated me this weekend about the hand movement that Kyle is doing in the photo above.

Apparently this move was trademarked by Ronnie James Dio, they teeny tiny man I saw on Saturday night (more on that to come).

But the most exciting thing about finding out who this "Dio" is (according to the random people driving in 1992 Chevys, he "fucking rocks") understanding the song I've been confused about by Tenacious D for months...called "Dio".

Now I understand...

DIO

By Tenacious D

Dio has rocked for a long, long time, Now it's time for him to pass the torch. He has songs of wildebeests and angels,

He has soared on the wings of a demon.

It's time to pass the torch, You're too old to rock, no more rockin' for you.

We're takin' you to a home, But we will sing a song about you.

And we will make sure that you're very well taken care of.

You'll tell us secrets that you've learned.

Raow! Your sauce will mix with ours, And we'll make a good goulash baby.

Dio, time to go! You must give your cape and scepter to me.

And a smaller one for KG.

Go! Go! Dio! Dio!

A Public Service

This Is Ronnie James Dio, for those of you who didn't know.

And he's ancient. And tiny.

And now that I know that he is the singer who replaced Ozzy Osborne for Black Sabbath so much makes sense...stay tuned.

I Love Her But...

Would you want this hurtling towards you and your brand new camera phone?

I barely had time to retreat.

This is Rachel Zoe. She's awesome, and probably the most adorable kid ever. Especially when she tells you that you're beautiful (unless you wear your hair in a ponytail, then unfortunately, you are no longer a girl - I believe 3 years old is when you start defining gender).

Rachel and I spent the weekend together and I learned a lot. Mainly what I learned was that I, indeed, do not want children.

She great, don't get me wrong. But she's very...busy.

I turned my back for 24.3 seconds and in that time she successful painted her entire arm in finger paint. A think coating. And cleaning her off was no walk in the park.

Speaking of which, she doesn't do that, walking in parks. After a solid 20 minutes of playing (consisting of me climbing around with her) she requests being carried home. And of course I oblige because I'm a sucker.

At the end of the weekend she pronounced to Annie (who left an hour after the parents did and returned 3 hours before they came back as to give the impression she was there the entire time) that she peed her pants over the weekend (2 times, both on me) and she "...wasn't sorry".

Nice.

Thanks Rachel. I had a great and exhausting time. Next time our parents go out for the weekend I'll need to get a B12 shot before coming over. Or I could just use your Epi-Pen junior.

Things Jessie Learned This Weekend With Rachel:

- She's adorable at 6AM

- She's not so adorable at 6:30AM when she tells you she's hungry

- Never believe her when she says "Trust me, Jessie"

- Her timidness about getting her hands dirty with finger paint is a ruse to lull you into complacency so she can lunge at you with tiny paint covered hands

- For the love of all that is holy, don't leave the house without Cheerios

- Watching the same movie over and over again is very soothing

- "The Land Before Time" movie has been ruined as it is on it's 15th sequel, somewhere Little Foot is weeping

- She's precious

- Dora is the devil

- Rachel's pretty

- When trying to feed Rachel, bacon always trumps fruit

- While bribes undermine the discipline her parents taught her...they work so well

- Any other small child is an instant new friend, even if the other child is afraid of the very forward Rachel

- Monkey bars are aptly named

- When travelling add on 60 minutes to accomodate for a child (they take very small steps)

- When travelling with a child you must realize they require you pack for an expedition-like excursion

- I love her

Jessie Rodger: News Media Savvy Pundit

Check it out! Shannon (the woman I'm towering over in the photo) and I were interviewed a couple of weeks ago by The Londoner newspaper...www.thelondoner.ca...

CITY LIVING: OUR CITY

Breaking the circle of youth exploitation
London program takes to the street to educate teens

By BEN BENEDICT, The Londoner

It's exploitation and it's happening in London. Whether by force, need or want there are young people in London trading their bodies for a variety of things like smokes, drugs or even food and shelter.
That's the message Western Area Youth Services (WAYS) wants you to hear because it may just be happening to your child.
Their information campaign is called RISE - Reduce Incidents of Sexual Exploitation for Youth - was initiated by Kim Hall, a youth worker with WAYS for 15 years, in response to what she was seeing on the streets of London. Funding comes from the provincial attorney-general's ministry and is aimed at young people in Grade 7 and up.
The program is entering a second phase, says WAYS project coordinator Jessie Rodger.
"This time the funding will run for 15 months not seven," Ms. Rodger says. "I was the student in the last phase. One of the things we found last time around was that as phase one ended, we were just beginning to make inroads. Time is something that is required to build trust and to allow people to open up. We're realistic in understanding that we need to go to them."
In her efforts to raise awareness this time out she will be assisted by Shannon Liddington, a youth outreach worker.
"My position was created so I can be in the community - in schools, at the Youth Action Centre and on the streets - so I'll be the face they'll see. I'm a child and youth worker and am sensitive to their needs," Ms. Liddington says. "Forming partnerships with leaders, caseworkers and in some cases parents will help build that bond. We're not pretending that we know what these youth are going through but we have the education and passion to help make a difference."
What's going on is a cultural shift that marginalizes and exploits more vulnerable youth where often, the youth themselves may become exploiters.
"When we introduced this idea of trading stuff for sex it wasn't seen as exploitive. There was a lot of minimalizing going on and an understanding that they were in control. But once we broke it down and talked about the legal aspects and consent it doesn't matter if they are under 18. Age of consent is 14 but if I give consent to an older adult (or another youth for that matter) in exchange for a pack of smokes it becomes illegal," Ms. Rodger says.
Liddington concurs. "By exploitation we mean any time anyone under the age of 18 was given anything like drugs, money, food or a place to stay in return for sexual favours. With the exchange of goods for sex it doesn't matter about age. It's also important to say that although we're dealing with street youth it is also happening in better class neighbourhoods because of children's free access to the internet. Our aim is to provide resources and provide our crisis number - 519-433-0334."
Their concern is back up by some very telling statistics.
"Only about 20 per cent of youth exploitation happens on the street. The other 80 per cent happens at home, school or clubs," Ms. Rodger says. "Another important element is that the statistics are about equal for what we found when we asked about the stats saying 75 per cent are girls and 25 per cent are boys. They are quick to respond that guys deny it more because of the social factors of being labelled gay. It's an added stigma for boys."
These numbers become even more telling in response to a survey conducted following phase one of the project.
"In London, following that last phase, we had talked to 300 youth from across London. We gave them all questionnaires and from that found that 20 per cent responded that they were being sexually exploited. We also asked if they knew others in their peer groups and 54 per cent said yes. In our experience, the numbers are under reported," Ms. Liddington adds.
It's something of which London youth are fully aware.
"We found in the first phase that by high school they were completely aware of the situation," Ms. Rodger says. "We found that prevention was easier than trying to get them to stop once they reached that point."
While youth on youth exploitation may seem like an easy way to get stuff, much of the exploitation is active in the form of grooming.
"With the grooming process it does take time. What will happen is the recruiter, who can be anyone, they will create a relationship whether romantic, platonic or economic - they'll start giving them things like drugs and a place to stay. They then get introduced to a new peer group and changing behaviours," Ms. Rodger says.
"At this point the individual becomes even more detached from the family unit," interjects Ms. Liddington.
"That's the point when parents, teachers and friends will start to notice that something is going on and will confront the young person and often not very effectively. The youth then returns to the recruiter and will be bated, meaning they'll either move out or run away and it is at this point when things begin to go down hill. It's the one thing about runaways that we found, kids who run away are at a higher risk of being exploited," Ms. Rodger says. "The youth often call it survival sex as a way of re-empowering themselves but it's important to remember that it is still abuse."
The largest barrier the two social workers have encountered is with those who need to hear the message most - parents.
"The only barrier we've had is with parents. Adults often want a warning sign. We have to tell them that there is no one sign and it's a number of things that put youth at risk. The number one sign is isolation and it can happen to anyone. If you are isolated you don't have any resources for help," Ms. Rodger says.
There are no single indicators for those exploiting others or those being exploited.
"What I think is important is that it's not a question that can be answered in a check box. It's a series of understanding and visual clues that indicate there may be at risk issues. It's that message that is important to bring to social workers and service providers," Ms. Liddington says.
Heather Miko-Kelly is the street-team leader for mindyourmind.ca and was the project coordinator for the first phase of the project. She offers this advice to parents.
"The best way not to engage in this is to build their self-esteem. It all comes back to having strong relationships in their life so they don't feel isolated and vulnerable," Ms. Miko-Kelly says.
Since the programs inception there has been a solid response from social workers within London.
"We've had an overwhelming response so far and are booked into April. The Children's Aid Society has been really open to having us come and speak. They're keen to hear about the program. WAYS and the city's group homes are also interested," Ms. Rodger says. "Front line workers are very open to talking about it and want to learn - it's not something that is taught in college. They definitely see and know that things are going on in London."

WANT MORE INFO?
For more information and resources about exploitation of young people, phone the WAYS crisis line 519-433-0334 or visit one of these London websites: Western Area Youth Services http://www.ways.on.ca/; Mind Your Mind http://www.mindyourmind.ca/; RISE (Reducing Incidents of Sexual Exploitation) www.myspace.com/riseforyouth

It's My Office!

Here it is!

I just got a new cell phone, and it has a camera so I took a photo-

Here's my office.

That's a huge map on the wall of the area that I cover. Next to it is my laptop, which I got after 5 weeks. And on the left is my filing cabinet that a bunch of UWO students from Saugeen (a.k.a. the Zoo) decorated.

It's nice!

RAFFI ROCKS

Ok, so we all know and L-O-V-E Raffi.

We grew up with him and sang all the classics.

And maybe Raffi's next career move doesn't seem so far off...he's just wanting to protect little ol' baby beluga in the deep blue sea. He swims so far and he swims so free...

Or does he?

Our beloved Baby Beluga is in trouble folks.

The culprit?

Global Warming.

And Raffi is striking back in his own way.

Nothing pisses me off more than when celebrities (and yes, Raffi definitely IS a celebrity) start talking politics...except when they do it through their art, which is what Raffi is doing.

Raffi just completed a song called "Cool It". And it rocks.

Check out the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSn9KrK0peM

You won't be disappointed!

Besides that, Raffi's website kicks it.

http://www.raffinews.com/

Hold on "Baby Beluga" we're using "The Wheels On The Bus" to get "Down On Grandpa's Farm" so we can avoid polluting by "Riding On An Airplane" so we can go "Ha Ha This-A-Way" and eat some organically grown "Apples and Bananas".

Ok. Now I have to go and "Shake My Sillies Out". "Day-O" everyone.

Uh Oh

This article was just published on CBC this morning about group homes in Ontario...

Apparently there's loads of room for improvement...Yeah, no shit.

However, as someone whose office is located in a group home, and who works in social services, I must say that blaming service providers is the easy way out.

It would be much harder to blame inexperienced parents, addictions, systemic violence/discrimination or *gasp* the government shitty funding for kids in group homes having a higher rate of involvement in the justice system.

When kids get to group homes, the seeds have been planted already. If there were a bit more funding and a bit less shitty parenting I think that group homes could function quite nicely. As it is, these kids are handed a tough plate to deal with.

That being said, I have noticed more police officers around...

Kids call group homes "gateways" to jail
CBC

Almost half of Ontario's young offenders in detention for minor crimes came through the child welfare system, a report from the Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy shows.
The trend is a concern for child advocates across the country and Ontario Child Advocate Judy Finlay said many of the province's young people are beginning to think of group homes as "gateways to jail."
"We're taking them out of very difficult family circumstances, bringing them into state care and then we're charging them for their behaviour. It's very concerning to me," Finlay said.
The report, which was obtained by CBC News, lays much of the blame on group homes that rely too heavily on police to resolve problems that could be handled by staff.
Kids have been charged for everything from refusing to read a book or hitting someone with a tea towel, Finlay said.
One group home in Ontario called police 400 times in a single year.
Ontario is not the only province that needs to fix the system, the report says. A sampling of facilities across Canada found that 57 per cent of young offenders had a connection to the child welfare system, the report said. In British Columbia, a recent study put that number at 73 per cent.
While some teens acknowledge the more serious charges may be warranted, they complain that too often, staff lack the training to deal with troubled kids and resort to calling police.
One teen, who can't be named under federal law, said workers would often provoke him. After he was charged, group home workers had an easy way to threaten him by suggesting a breach of his bail or probation conditions would mean a return to a young offenders facility.
"They threaten you and say you better read that book or you're going back to jail. Come on, what kind of system is this?" the teen said.
Finlay is calling on the province to collect data on police calls from group homes and the charges that result. She also wants to see a mental health worker attached to each group home and higher standards for an industry that costs taxpayers more than $200 million a year.

It's A Girl!

Ok, here she is...isn't she beautiful???

I L-O-V-E her!!!!!

If you're lucky you can get a ride...but not if you're Maggie because she mocked my colour choice.

I'm already having nightmares (literally) that I'm crashing cars...luckily the cars in my dreams that I'm crashing are my parents and not mine.

TA DA!!!!

I BOUGHT IT

Yes folks, I bought a car, well, leased it anyway.

It's a 2007 Pontiac G5...and it's orange.

I L-O-V-E it.

I pick it up tomorrow and I'm terrified someone will hurt it already.

I ran around (my office at least) today trying to get auto insurance figured out.

It's going to cost me almost as much for insurance as for the car...but it will be worth it. That's what I'm telling myself.

I may have to live at home for a few extra months...but I'm lucky my parents like me.

No more bumming rides off of people (namely my mom... thanks mom!).

Now I need a name for it...I won't know until tomorrow if it's a boy or girl (I have to look under its hood).

I was thinking "Money Pit" or "Gas-zilla".

Sigh.

:-)

Hate Car Shopping

Seriously, why is this so annoying?

I understand that I'm going to pay a lot of money for a car (trust me, I understand). But does this merit you harassing me?

I enjoy the Saturn people, they don't try and annoy me too much. Except when it comes to financing. Back off.

The Toyota people are more annoying. The most annoying.

Leave me alone. I kind of hate you. Even if you offered to install an iPod Interface for "free".

When your manager came out and actually said to me: "What's it going to take to get you in this car?" I vomitted a little in my mouth. Especially because I said not 2 seconds before that I WAS NOT GOING TO BUY A CAR THAT DAY.

Do car salespeople not listen?

I have to drive this car for many years. I'm not going to run into this without checking everything out.

And guilting me with the "I'm one sale away from my quota today..." is complete bullshit.

I'm not so annoyed with the salespeople even. But with people who buy cars who like this shit. Who are these people? What is the matter with them? Why do they have to ruin car buying for people who don't need their ego stroked?

I hate you.

I don't have a car yet, but I will soon....argh.

I hate car shopping.

Too much money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Her Fave

Let it be known.

Rachel really can't tell the difference between Annie and Maggie.

Case in point this evening.

She can't tell them apart in a picture (Annie's picture on the fridge is often pointed to as "Maggie"), or on the phone (she interchanged Annie and Maggie a half dozen times tonight).

Ah.

Sorry women, you just have to live with the knowledge that she loves (not even likes, screw that) me.

And I'm her best friend.

And she said I was beautiful.

Not only does she have good taste, she's extremely smart.

And spare me the "well you still live at home that's why she showers you with love" speech. That doesn't work anymore. Besides that you both just left a couple of days ago and she pretty smart now. I think it's selective memory.

P.S. Maggie, you gave her your cough. I hope you're happy with yourself you baby sickeninger.