in a nutshell

Flurry of Posts

2011-03-23T21:07:00.008-05:00

So of course, I have done what I always promise myself I won't do -- I haven't taken anything off my camera in ages and so now you're about to get hit with a flurry of photos, likely not in any particular order.

Eek. But everyone loves pictures, so I hope you'll forgive. Click on any of them to view them in a larger format.

First up, some oldies:

Anna and I at camp, early days. See -- there was a reason I dyed my hair blonde all those years.

It was a need to get back to my "roots". (groan)

Andrea, a double threat. Captain from an early age and a fashion maven.

Old skool camp styles.

Me, in the largest diaper known to man.
My parents were expecting big things?

My real reason for loving this photo -- my grandpa in the back, totally relaxing.

Granparents Rice.

Anna roasting marshmallows with ~~her younger sister~~ an alien-being.

Me, doing what I love: Gorging myself.

(Note: I hope my baby's head is significantly smaller than my melon in this picture)

In the running for the best photo of all time. A. Gail and U. Craig. Classic.

A pic with bad lighting. Cousin Daniel with....

Cousin Simon? Andrea?

My apologies to both of you for not bring overly sure.

And then on to Whistler:

Anna and I decided that January sucks and we should therefore go somewhere fun for a weekend. Whistler it was. Great snow and Erin being there made it a pretty easy choice.

The view from our room. Tried Priceline for days, came up empty handed;

ended up with a sweet deal from the Whistler website.

It's funny. I look like I had few glasses of wine in this picture.

Wishful thinking.

This kid better appreciate the sacrifices I'm already making.

Because Ty is cruel and basically kicks puppies,

we continued on with our dog-sitting, as opposed to dog owning.

This is Max.

He is not as innocent as he looks.

This is what I saw every morning when I opened my eyes.

He is, at this very moment, plotting where to pee next.

On family day weekend we went to Brock and Katie's wedding.

Now, I don't know Katie all that well, but I can say this: what a beautiful, gracious, and well-spoken bride. Love was really all around.

And THEN we headed to Hawaii for some relaxin'. We reunited with old friends the Peaks' and we made new friends: Kyla, Mike and wee Avery.

This is Ben. He is wondering who crashed his Hawaiian vacation and why she is pointing a camera lens at him.

And this is Avery. This is the child that they are referring to when they wrote "The Happiest Baby on the Block". She would look like she was going to start crying and then she'd be all like -- ha ha - gotcha! I'm just going to sit here and giggle.

Hawaii is this beautiful.

Ty spent a great majority of his time in this position.

Perfect child #1.

Perfect Child #2.

I know. It is seriously annoying how perfect Hawaii is.

This was the best "action shot" Ty could give me. On a better note for him, he did beat me at Tennis. Twice.*

*note: I'm pregnant.

Ben, concentrating on solving world hunger. Peaks, a few beers in.

New friends. Amazing peeps. Another reason why all people I like should move to Winnipeg.

We could hang out more.

Just practicing up for St. Patty's day.

So this is the thing about Maui: there are whales EVERYWHERE. You almost become a bit nonchalant about them. It's like deer at the lake but way cooler.

Yes, please.

Deliciousness.

4 months pregnant with Barry.

And yes, it's true. My torso is far longer than my legs.

I hope for more favourable proportions for Barry.

Good Advice

2011-03-23T20:10:00.001-05:00

Be a good listener, don't just wait your turn to talk.
Sing along, but only if you know the words.
Offer to carry her bag, every time.
Eat more vegetables.
Jump (or dive) in the lake. Often.

Signs from the Universe

2011-01-27T08:29:00.003-06:00

My hairdryer started on fire this morning. Mid-dry. I was a quarter of the way through.

I gathered my hair into a loose pony, effortlessly creating a wind-blown, just-stepped-off-a-motorcycle look. Or so I thought, until I caught a glance of my reflection in a window as I walked to the courthouse. Shockingly, I looked like I had blow-dried a quarter of my hair (the front quarter) and then simply thrown in the towel.

That's a super hot look, especially when you have court first thing in the morning.

This is clearly a sign from the universe that the weather needs to be warmer so we can all revert to our non-blow drying ways.

Hear that, universe???

I'm lucky...

2011-01-09T19:22:00.001-06:00

...that I have friends and family that made my holidays really, really special.

It all started in early December when the girls took a little trip to Ten Spa for some wine, chatting, pedicures and manicures. No question, this needs to be a tradition.

Then, after we got all prettied up, we headed to Es and Mark's for engagement toasts.

Cute face Rob.

Hot.

Skip to the week of December 15th -- Ty and I got our act together and put up our tree. This happened much later than I would have liked, but man, December is fun because it's so BUSY. And there's a lesson here for me: everything does not need to happen on a schedule.

Clare and Anna came home for the holidays and practiced their Christmas card pose for 2011.

Ty got in the swing of it.

After spending a Christmas eve full of love with Ty's mom's side of the family, we trekked to Kenora on Christmas morn. And what a morning. Beautiful blue skies.

Anna looks super happy with her new gift. She got me a watch (orange) and I got her a watch (red). Did I mention that having a sister like Andrea makes me lucky? And happy?

You have no idea how difficult it is to take a decent picture of my family.

My father actually thinks he's smiling here.

He still thinks he's smiling.

A few days after Christmas, An, Ty and I hiked across the foot bridge to Coney Island for a little exploring.

Always love winter pictures of the ice road (as opposed to summer pictures of the ice road, obviously).

An -- helping to make sure no building fell over on that particular day.

Ty in the background: "can we please go get an egg mcmuffin now?" (note: we didn't allow Ty to fulfill this bizarre craving. we made him a healthly alternative)

Bet you think this is the same picture as above, right? Nope. End of hike picture -- check out the sun.

January 2. Stopped in West Hawk, met Nat and Ry and headed to Falcon for a cross-country ski and some really great live music at Falcon Resort.

I'm so lucky to have friends that are friends AND family.

Oh K-city, I love you at all times of the year.

Long December

2010-12-06T09:41:00.001-06:00

I love December because I can be as sentimental as I want without fear of judgmental eyes. Watch Remember the Titans and cry all day Sunday as a result of watching it? Check. Hug every friend that comes within a 5 metre radius? Check. Bake shortbread cookies while listening to Christmas music and occasionally stopping every once a while because one of my all time favourite Christmas songs just came on and I need a moment to really listen and appreciate it? Check.

So, in keeping with that theme, here's a quote I love. Don't roll your eyes at it. Or where it's from.

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it." - Elizabeth Gilbert

Bean Town

2010-11-27T11:15:00.006-06:00

Ty headed to Boston in mid November for some learnin', and I joined him on the back end. He flew in on Wednesday; I hopped on a flight on Friday night. And we had a fantastic time. Remember how I gushed about Chicago not that long ago? Boston = Chicago on the awesome scale.

Ty's course continued on Saturday, so I had the whole day Saturday to myself. I slept in, then hauled myself out of bed and hit the gym, and then grabbed a tea and walked and walked and walked (could a day be any more perfect? It was also a perfectly quiet day -- I seriously think the only words I spoke to anyone occurred when I ordered tea. I highly recommend days like this every so often).

And then on Saturday night, we headed to a Bruins game (surprised?). We went early and headed to a sports pub that was named the number 1 sports bar in America by SI (that's a pretty serious billing, no?). Ty wouldn't let me take a picture (he thought I was going to make him look uncool. Yes, he thought I was going to make him look uncool). So -- no picture.

But, he acquiesced on my request for pictures inside the Garden.

After the game, we walked into the North End -- and found an incredible little Italian Restaurant. Pomodoro. I'm not exaggerating on the "little". The restaurant had 8 tables and a bathroom that was so mini that had Ty needed to go, he would have been out of luck (he truly wouldn't have fit). We sat at the counter facing out onto the street at the front window and we had a clear view of Mike's Pastry. The crazy part of this photo? It was taken at 11:30 pm. And there is a line-up out the door, down the street. Cannoli is apparently a very popular post-Bruins game snack.

On Sunday, Ty and I took in some history. We walked the Freedom Trail. We started at the Bunker Hill Monument (side note: the battle of Bunker Hill didn't actually take place on Bunker Hill, but rather on Breed's Hill, where the monument actually stands today). Breed's Hill is where the first major conflict occurred between British and Patriot forces (the battle occurred on June 17, 1775).

Ty's heart rate = through the top of the monument. He just hiked 294 very steep steps.

Views from the Bunker Hill Monument. See the USS Constitution? She's nicknamed Old Ironsides (apparently cannon balls bounced off of her in battle).

Where the lanterns were hung: One if by land, two if by sea.

A pew inside the church.

"For strangers and wardens". Ty and I sat in here. I'm strange, he's stranger. We were warden-less.

Paul, doing his thing. His lantern hanging place in the background.

Ty, strolling along the Freedom Trail. He's got one hand in his pocket, and the other is ~~giving a peace sign~~ carrying my mitts while I take pictures.

After our long and winding walk, we stopped at an Irish Pub for a Sam Adams winter ale

(of course, it had to be a Sam Adams after walking the Freedom Trail).

And on Monday, we hit the Museum of Fine Arts.

And then we dashed off to the Airport to fly home sweet home.

I am overjoyed to report that we are staying put for the next while (except for our Kcity Christmas).

We love houseguests. Please come and visit.

The Great Pumpkin Carve Off

2010-11-27T10:39:00.000-06:00

Any guesses as to which two are mine and which are Wirv's?

shiny new in-laws

2010-11-17T22:54:00.000-06:00

These people are going to be in my life forever. And I couldn't be any happier. They bring love, fun, great friends, new perspectives, good shopping knowledge...and did I mention fun?

Change

2010-11-11T15:50:00.003-06:00

I think I’ve become Winnipeg Ainsley. Formerly, Calgary Ainsley (I always liked Calgary Ainsley). Before that Ainsley, there was London Ainsley and Kenora Ainsley (I liked these Ainsleys less. But I’ve learned they have merit). There was also Pembina Highway Ainsley (she didn't quite deserve the full title of Winnipeg Ainsley at the time). And for a snapshot in time, there was Australia Ainsley, too.

How did I do it? How do we all do it?

Change.

"Life is hard and you have to change"

This is My Life

2010-11-01T08:34:00.002-05:00

Summer Lovin' - Flashback Styles

2010-10-23T12:52:00.027-05:00

Can you believe summer is gone and it's already the end of October? Me neither. Ty and I had a crazy busy summer -- we celebrated a lot (we've pretty much perfected the art of celebration). Lots of photos to share from the summer...

Andrea finished school and made the trek from AB to N.ONT.

See how happy she looks in her natural habitat?

These two are going to be parents! Yay! So excited to meet their little girl -- sometime in February Shereese and Dave will be a mom and a dad.

Ah -- the summer veggie BBQ. One of my all-time favourite foods - broccoli on the BBQ.

Huge thanks to M and D -- the "new" cottage looks spectacular. Tons of good memories were already made at new Trinity and I can't wait to keep piling more on top.

Eser and Mark - a June night at the cottage.

I bet you think this is LOW, right? It's not. In early July, Ty and I ventured out to Oakville and then on to the Muskokas to meet new little Esme and to participate in a sprint triathlon.

New little Esme.

Joe's Team Triathlon. I'm in there -- can you spot me?

Caitlin has been organizing this tri since it's inception and it is an incredible event. Such a huge deal to me that I could join her and Scott and be a part of it.

So - how'd I do? Not exactly awesome. The bike beat me down a bit, and can you believe I lost a contact in the first few minutes of being in the water? I couldn't either.

Hey look -- I'm still alive! But I can only see out of one eye!

After the tri, we had a swim and a rest at CK's family cottage and then headed back to the race site for a BBQ and a concert...with...JIM CUDDY. For reals.

I was so close, we could've made out.

It was a pretty cool thing to see Jim up close and personal. There was only about 500 people at the BBQ, so it was much more intimate than the last time I saw Jim.

Thanks CK!

From T.O. I flew straight across the country to Victoria

for a family law conference. Victoria's a gorgeous city

and it was fun to spend an entire week there.

Er flew over from Van on a float plane and spent a night with me

-- we had a great dinner and breakfast and also went...

whale watching! Good times.

Moon-walking or whale watching?

I was the only person on the tour who had not seen Free Willy. I haven't seen that horse racing movie either.

This thing went FAST.

And then I was back home, heading to LOW for gorgeous summer weekends. Andrea and I enjoyed that bottle of wine she's holding thanks to a great friend of Andrea's -- Wendy. Wendy brought that bottle back from Italy, from a vineyard that is all organic. Rather than use pesticides at the vineyard, they play opera music to the vines. Love it so much. Loved the bottle of wine so much as well.

Can a view get any better?

Ty checked an item off his life list - he bought himself a boat. This pic is Barry the Boat's first day on the lake. For a test drive, Ty and I and An headed for a cruise to Clearwater Bay.

Enjoyed many great sunsets at Trinity this summer.

And many great meals! (Is there anything more summery than corn on the cob?)

After dinner, I bullied Andrea and Ty into playing crib and then 3-man Cranium (oh, it's possible).

And then it was the August long weekend and time for the annual shenanigans that go along with it. Ty went off to have a few drinks with Ry and the boys at Malachi lake and the girls came to LOW to have some fun and a little white wine.

This is us - pre YCD at Jackson's.

Switched out a Rice sister -- took another photo.

Just as we were headed to the Yacht Club, the skies opened and the rain came pouring down (we weren't a half mile from the country fair, for the record). Luckily, there was a sauna on the dock -- we took refuge, had a few beers and waited out the rain. If we look a little shiny, it's because (shockingly enough) it was a tad warm in the sauna.

Photo session on the way to the dance.

Ellis!

Our trusty captain.

The most gorgeous smile, ever.

More August long fun. A little BBQ / drinking white wine action.

Family dinner.

Love camp styles. Very...natural.

And then my cute husband returned home to save his boat from naked backdiving.

And we did a little fishing.

Dad directed us down the lake to a "secret" spot...

But hey -- wait! It's the Fregeau's. Apparently the spot wasn't so secret. (And, to give credit where it's due -- the spot was actually a Neil recommendation.)

And then the whole family darted back out to the west coast for Mandy and Graeme's wedding. Ty and my Dad got in a little sailing with Uncle Don.

This is not a Martha Stewart Weddings picture -- this was the venue for the wedding. So gorgeous.

Ty, prefers the rugged look. Shaving is for chumps.

Ooooh -- here comes bridesmaid 1. Andrea looked amazing.

Ooooh - number 2 - Margo. Gorgeous.

And then, absolutely breathtaking bride, Mandy.

Wow.

Oh hi!

Lifelong friendship -- from matching ski suits on the slopes when we were kidlets to matching bridesmaid dresses. Love, love, love.

Life really is sweet.

Giggles.

Big Ty, smaller Ken.

And now the picture trail leads us to some cooler temperatures and we're into September.

This little fur-face is Archie. Ty and I looked after him and his bro Ronnie for a week, mid-September. Super cute little dudes, super fun to have around.

On September 18, under a beautiful blue sky, Pat and Alexis vowed to love each other forever. And I helped them do it! I got my officiating uniform on, and I performed my first marriage.

We clearly had the best table at the wedding. Love these girls. Have I mentioned the one in the middle is now officially my sis-in-law?

How'd I get so lucky? (Another question: how'd the Wirvin brothers get so lucky?)

Shiny bro-in-law.

More family! Check out those smiles.

Boys of summer.

Eser behind the lens...

The weekend after P and A's wedding, we kept taking advantage of the amazing weather and headed to West Hawk. Hiked the Hunt Lake trail with Nat and Linds and had a great girls dinner.

Gorgeous views of WHL.

We stopped for a water and apple break.

Nat, in her natural habitat.

Yay! We did it!

Ty and I enjoyed a blissful weekend in early October at LOW. We took Barry and cruised to Clearwater.

Yes, it was that cold. Gorgeous and sunny but definitely toque-worthy when in the boat.

Caught an amazing sunset on the way home.

Ty asked that I retake the picture with Barry's best feature.

Crisp fall day.

Hey look! Ty actually caught something.

Chicago!

2010-10-21T21:49:00.010-05:00

Chicago! So I hopped on a plane two weekends ago to meet the peeps in Chi-town to watch Andrea run the Chicago marathon on 10-10-10.

What can I say? Everyone...EVERYONE....must visit this city. Amazing, amazing. Beautiful everything - buildings, food, wine, music. Friendly, helpful people. Please -- if you haven't, you must.

We went on a boat tour, we ate great food (Gibson's, Frontera Grill -- Rick Bayless!!), we went to Second City and laughed (hard), we went to a champagne bar and listened to live jazz, we ate some more (deep dish! serious deep dish), we went to the Art Institute and we toured Millenium Park. Oh, and we managed to fit in a little shopping (14 pairs of shoes among us -- wow, it seems a tad excessive when I put it in writing).

Pre-Architectural Tour

We're on a boat! (wearing unis!)

Huge blue sky; gorgeous big buildings.

And then I made the girls get up early (yes! we saw the sunrise) to get in prime marathon-watching position.

She was moving so fast we almost missed her (that may or may not be true. it also may or may not be true that we almost missed her due to some ridiculous ultra-religious teens).

But get this...a 3:09!!!!!! (she's a superstar)

So of course it wouldn't be us if we didn't celebrate with some Veuve

(side note: used my club card at safeway and got $17 bucks off.
for reals).

We were looking cute, non? (at dinner: a man made fun of me and then bought us a bottle of Veuve. sometimes it's good to be TG)

Check it. We ate that. Can you believe that exists in real life?

We also let strangers take bad pictures of us at Second City.

We contemplated Art.

We enjoyed a perfect lunch in a perfect courtyard on a perfect sunny fall day.

We thought (deeply) about where we were headed to next in the Art Institute.

Hi Little Ains! Hi Little Haney! Hi Random Art Institute employee!

I love the Bean. I love this pic.

Not only can she run a 3:09, but she can also hold up the Bean with 1 finger.

An and I got up close and personal with the Bean. (Don't worry, the Bean's dignity is still intact.)

And then I hugged the girls good-bye (and said -- see you in three little weeks!) and went off to my own gate at the airport, while they went off to theirs (aside: the flight to wpg is shorter than the one to cowtown. could I love you even more, Chicago? My heart may burst).

S and J tie it! (and the rest of us tie one on)

2010-08-15T13:47:00.000-05:00

shoe love

2010-08-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

A wee bit out of the old price range, but still! love, love.

Lightening in Minaki (Laura Harvey's pic!)

2010-07-29T10:05:00.002-05:00

Team Awesome

2010-06-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

volleyball champs (chumps?)

W.I.P:

same, but different

Was this just last month?

2010-05-20T09:14:00.000-05:00

OK, maybe it was a month and a half...

I especially love the one where Ty is surfing and Mark is playing the guitar.

Mind over matter?

2010-05-20T08:36:00.002-05:00

Trooper

2010-05-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

I heard some Trooper on the radio on the way to work this morning. I flashed back to Stampede 2007 when we turned into "those girls" and made the Trooper bass player take our picture WHILE he was on stage trying to perform "we're here for a good time".

God, I love my friends.

Here's the pic.

A fairly well-centered pic, considering the man had a guitar in one hand.

remember this?

2010-05-13T08:34:00.002-05:00

Facebook Suicide

2010-05-12T11:05:00.004-05:00

I’m contemplating it. It strikes me that there far more bad things about facebook than good. The worst thing about facebook in my opinion? My feelings. It makes me jealous. I often look at other people’s pictures and think, man! why aren’t I climbing Machu Picchu / drinking champagne in the Alps / helping children in Africa / dancing on a table on a bar in my bikini / meeting celebrities in Vegas / playing professional rugby / running my own fashion consulting business / opening a spa in t.o. / looking fantastic in short shorts while drinking champagne in the alps while dancing on a table in a bikini while contemplating opening a spa in t.o. / you get the picture…

I look at the posted photos and then I look around my office and out of my office window at my view of the Delta swimming pool and think “I end marriages for a living” and, shockingly, sometimes that maybe doesn’t feel like it is enough.

And the other thing about facebook? I often feel that I know too much about people that I shouldn’t know all that much about. You hear what I’m saying? Do I really need to know what my mortal enemy (please note that this label of “mortal enemy” likely exists solely in my head) from high school wore to a wedding last week? Not really. Do I really need to see opposing counsel from a highly litigious file dressed as a clown, playing flippy cup? (actually, now that I think about it, maybe I do).

But then I think of the time I went for lunch with a girl that I used to work with; a girl I really, really like and think – that never would have happened without facebook. And what about if I want to email Nat29, who doesn't have an email address?

And then I think, maybe I am overthinking things (again)?

Or maybe there is an easier solution here: simply cull a few friends. Maybe it's really not so complicated at all.

Just finished the book “I am Hutterite”. I would highly recommend it. Completely enjoyable. And it occurs to me that the Hutterites never have to approach the facebook dilemma -- oh if only I could stomach the long skirts and the head apron (oh, and the fact that Hutterite women do a lot of waiting on men).

2 things worth mentioning here happened this weekend:

2010-05-10T17:18:00.002-05:00

1. My Starbucks mug collection grew. Lank and Jen brought a Seattle mug into my life and cupboard. Thank you for thinking about me when you were off having fun. I am truly touched.

2. My closet was cleaned. Man, does spring cleaning ever feel GOOD. I was ruthless! Our closet hasn’t looked this good since we moved in!

Ah, life is simple but really, really good.

iPhoneys

2010-05-05T18:38:00.006-05:00

Remember how I mentioned I am truly bad at decisions?

Consider this example: I had a moment of extreme stress a few months ago. My blackberry contract was coming to an end and I needed a new one. No biggie, right? Just look at what’s available and sign your life away for another three years.

Riiiiiight.

Instead of making a seemingly simple decision, I agonized. Specifically, I agonized over whether I should get an iPhone. I asked myself: Should I switch it up from the old berry? How incredibly cool would I look with an iPhone in my hand (I’d clearly be exactly like the dancing girl in the commercials)? How many times in the past could I have used the Shazam app? How will I be able to decide on a restaurant if I don’t have that chooser-app thingy?

Next step after agonizing and question-asking: I did a little field research. I asked around; I closely observed.

And I discovered that people that own iPhones are different from me – they are more connected, more “on”, more excited about their web-searching abilities than I ever saw myself being.

And…I’m sorry to say this (and I will offer a caveat to this next statement – this DOES NOT apply to all iPhone users)…they are….ahem….annoying? (again! it doesn't apply to all of you!)

Anyway – I feel like it’s often the iPhone users that are looking at their iPhones when they should be engaging in outside world stuff. Also – there is simply no need to have your iPhone earphones (sorry – ear buds) in at all times. I.E. it is OK to walk down the street without listening to that tune you just shazamed and then downloaded for $1.29. (I just re-read that sentence and must ask myself – exactly when did I become bitter?)

And yes, I know, I know, people can be the same with BB’s (remember – I live with a man who takes his BB to BED with him. Yes, you read that correctly). But, I have to put this out there: iPhone users are worse. They just are.

And this is the other thing that someone pointed out to me and it’s SO TRUE. iPhone users slip “iPhone” into a conversation way too easily and way too often. Listen carefully next time you’re around an iPhoner. You’ll pick up what I’m throwing down.

And while you’re listening, do this neat trick that someone taught me today: mentally substitute “vagina” for the word “iPhone”. I love this.

Her example:

Colleague sits down at meeting, pats pocket, stands up. "I'll be right back. I left my vagina on my desk!"

And that is going to make me laugh for the rest of the week.

This makes me sad...

2010-04-01T15:32:00.001-05:00

...because I didn't think of it first.

I'm feelin' summery today. How are you feelin'?

You know what else makes me think of summer?

This song:

I think it's because Caitlin made me a "Summer CD" a loooooong time ago with this very song on it. The summer before law school.

I distinctly remember driving around in Ginnie singing away, loving life.

And then, the week before I started school, Erin and I built my bed and sung this:

So -- that solves it, right?

I've ALWAYS had impeccable taste in music (tee).

At least I'm consistent?

Remember when?

2010-03-30T11:14:00.001-05:00

Way back in 2008, Ty and I moved into Number 400.

And then we had a lot of gatherings. Most of which ended with us wiping beverages off our newly painted walls.

Good old fashioned fun, really.

Where have those days gone? Has my taste in tunes finally driven everyone away?

A new, but old, favourite:

Doesn't everyone love Jay and the Americans?

If they don't, they really should.

Come a little bit closer, everyone. I miss you.

My day of birth makes me a lucky gal

2010-03-30T10:37:00.001-05:00

So it was during this month (the one that is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like that baby wooly animal) that I traveled through the birth canal and entered this wonderful world.

And while, as each year passes, I try harder and harder to downplay the event (isn’t it funny how birthdays truly do lose a little something each year?), I have to admit I am always moved when friends and family take the time out of their busy lives to make me feel special. This year was no exception.

I felt special from the moment that I woke up hearing Ty say happy birthday, to the moment I received the gorgeous flower delivery from E. and H., to the moment that I received the heartfelt birthday card in the mail from my parents (they remembered! Sometimes they forget.).

And then there were all the moments in between which continued all the way to Saturday night when we hung out at le Garage.

Thanks.

I am the luckiest girl.

Is there a better movie scene out there?

2010-03-30T08:22:00.003-05:00

I think not.

(Tyson: do NOT, under any circumstances, answer that question!)

Gearing up for some spring shopping...

I admit it...

2010-03-04T15:09:00.000-06:00

I play songs that I love on repeat. Many of you know this about me and don't necessarily appreciate or approve of this quality. I just can't help it -- when you love something, isn't it hard not to want to repeat it, over and over?

I knew this guy in university who once commented on a new shirt I wore to class. He asked when I had bought it -- I answered that I had bought it the day before (of course! it was new! how could I not wear it at the first chance I got!). He told me (slightly disdainfully, in my view) that when he bought something new, such as a new shirt, it went into a carefully thought out rotation and therefore it's wearings would be evenly dispersed among his other shirts. He also told me that he figured that I had bought the shirt the day before.

I purposefully wore the shirt to the next two classes.

What can I say? This is me. And I love to repeat.

Currently repeating this:

And this (Don't hate me for this one):

Promises, promises

2010-03-03T22:57:00.003-06:00

So I've been a bit of a big talker about blogging lately.

And so far I've really come up short on that big talk.

What can I say? I've just felt somewhat uninspired as of late. I know, I know, there were ten million inspirational things going on in the country all around me, how could I possible feel uninspired? I did. Trust.

But today...today! I do feel a little different. There is a different feel in the air. Spring? Is that you? I sure do hope so. So I'm going to embrace the postive chi I feel floating about. And I'm going to own this blog today.

So...a recap of the last little while:

I went on an amazing trip. We overnighted in CGY and had an amazing dinner with amazing gals (and Billy).

Billy! Open your eyes!

And then it was on to Kamloops and up into the mountains for some slope action with John and Leah, Ains and Mike and Susanna.

Hey Peaks, nice hoodie.

Sun Peaks was a truly great trip. Lots of fresh air, a little wine, a few serious plates of nachos and lots of laughs.

And then we were back at home -- we shot out to the lake for a trek out to camp and my first overnight at camp in the winter.

Again, we had another killer trip -- more fresh air, more wine and more great conversation with friends.

Not too shabby.

I finally coordinated a visit with the newest MacDonell. Meet Lila:

Isn't she cute? She is. I can attest to that. I met her.

Ok, I know this might seem lame because I have more pictures to post and more stories to share, but I'm done. I'm tired.

I didn't exactly blog the shit out of it, did I?

Tomorrow, I will. Balls out, baby.

An oldie but a goodie as a sign off:

Well Said, Johnny. Thanks.

2010-02-26T09:58:00.000-06:00

I know I've been absent from here for awhile. I have grand intentions for this weekend -- pictures and stories from recent travels will get posted!

But today, I feel compelled to post the video below.

Recently, someone I know indicated that they were offended by Johnny Weir. That they had to turn off their television when he was skating. This is a person that claims to be open-minded and further claims that they do not have any issues with anyone's sexual preference. Really?

I am saddened by such comments. Offended? Quite frankly, I'm offended that you are offended.

And there it is -- my Friday morning rant.

Come back this weekend, please, for the aforementioned pics and tales!

Defeated by Vince et al

2010-02-04T11:27:00.005-06:00

The aforementioned Motley Crue concert went down last Friday. It has taken me this long to fully allow my body to remove all of the alcohol.

This is my view on what went down: my body immediately thought that it was significantly younger once the tunes started rolling out of Vince’s mouth. It heard “Home Sweet Home” and thought – “is it 1995? Does this mean that I should starting pounding Durangos and spiced rum? Should I see if I can collect bottle caps from all of the beer I am pounding and put them around my neck as some sort of trophy? Where is my favourite mixed tape?”

Because my body assumed it was '95, it thought that it had a force field surrounding my liver such as the one that it used to have in '95, and it therefore thought, "of course she can drink one thousand beers. No problem. Two thousand? Done and done."

My body was confused, and therefore it significantly exceeded its safe amount of alcohol (by "safe", I mean I was no longer the cute person that left her house that night, nor was I talking in sentences). It even went so far as to carry me to the Karaoke bar.

No worries, Bod. I forgive. Let's just not repeat that scene any time soon, ok? Ok.

I heavily violated the “no photos after 12” rule and therefore am somewhat challenged as to what I can post here.

How about these:

You will correctly note that I am not present in any of these pictures. My pride hurt far too much after reviewing the ones with me in them.

ADHERE TO THE RULE!

Does she?

2010-02-03T09:36:00.002-06:00

Because I would have pegged her as more of a Metallica fan.

Just sayin'.

Polar Bear Run, take 2

2010-02-01T18:34:00.001-06:00

As an FYI: This year the run takes place on March 14th.

Polar Bear Run

2010-02-01T09:11:00.001-06:00

Pam and I ran a race last year called the Polar Bear Run. It's a run that starts in Gimli and continues straight across Lake Winnipeg to Grand Marais. It's approximately 18 or so miles, with a few ice cracks in between that must be jumped. I'm contemplating running it again this year, although I distinctly remember saying to myself that I would never ever run it again after last year. Oh, the ability of the human mind and body to forget (and forgive).

It's a bit of a funny run -- it's not "official" whatsoever. You just show up and run. No waivers, no numbers, no water tables (although you might get lucky, like we did, and run into a guy on a snow machine with gatorade).

What say you? Anybody interested? Hammy? Andrea? Clare? Zahara?

State of Mind

2010-01-29T08:45:00.005-06:00

So early this morning, I wasn’t exactly in the best frame of mind. My throat is hurting (really? Again? I just got better, finally) and I could find absolutely nothing to wear to work and it’s cold out and it’s dark out and it’s going to be a supremely busy day at the old office (and the wolves are scratching at my door).

Ty and I made the trek downtown (in the cold and in the dark) together in his truck and I think I maybe said ten words the entire ride. Which is brutal! We rarely drive in together and when we do, I usually take the opportunity to chat his ear off about important things like Lainey Gossip (oh how I love the captive audience which comes from being in a car together).

And then I got to my desk and I just felt angry and anxious – two feelings which I strongly dislike.

And then I got even more mad at myself for feeling angry and anxious – I mean, c'mon! It’s Friday! I love Fridays! I love the weekend! I’m going to Motley Crue tonight! I’m going out for what is going to be a fabulous dinner beforehand! I can go shopping for new work clothes this weekend!

And wouldn’t you know it, once I started to think about all of those good things, I started to feel better. Oh, the positives of being positive.

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

- Abraham Lincoln

Word, Abe.

A Quickie Post

2010-01-27T10:03:00.002-06:00

Have you read "Three Day Road"?

If you haven't, you should.

I know little about WWI, I'm ashamed to admit. This book was enlightening in that regard.
It also continually made me think about which character I would be if it were me in the trenches. That's an uncomfortable line of thought.

Further, "Three Day Road" teaches about residential schools. Another part of Canadian life that I know little about beyond what is reported on CBC news.

Please read. I want to talk to you about this book.

Laugh Out Loud Picture of the Day

2010-01-21T14:09:00.000-06:00

Full face assault -- an entire glass of red wine straight in the face. I had a breastplate of red wine covering my hoodie. Days later, I was still cleaning red wine from my ears.

Feelings in the Gut

2010-01-20T14:59:00.002-06:00

Do you get them? Do you follow them?

I am agonizingly bad at decision-making. (as an aside – I place the blame for this solely on les shoulders of les parentals. Healthy to place the blame there? Probably not. True? We’ll never know. And therefore it’s so damn easy for me to do).

I have heard so many times in my life – “go with your gut”. The problem is -- I often feel like my gut is being maddeningly silent. Hello? Gut? You there? Need help.

In some of the decisions of my life where I felt that all fibers of le bod were telling me what to do, including the stomach region, it has occasionally turned out I didn’t make the “right” decision. So, Gut, what’s up with that? Were we speaking a different language? Did I miss your body language? (Hee.)

BUT, this is the thing. How would I even know if those decisions were wrong if I didn’t at least try them out firstly?

And about those “mistakes”. They make me “me”, yes?

So Gut. I get it. I’m a learnin’.

Word.

Seriously - stress level rising quickly.... ah, family law.

2010-01-18T21:58:00.000-06:00

Arg. Zero time to post (many court documents left to draft tonight), so here's a few pictures from the weekend. Will return on....Wednesday? Hopefully on Wednesday.

Had dinner at Rob and Lindsay's on Friday and met their new addition -- Cooper.

Love his hairy ears.

Here I am, lovin' Coop.

Ventured to Toban territory on Saturday night -- West Hawk Lake for a group cross-country ski and dinner with the ladies all in the name of celebrating Nat 29 (as she will be known for the rest of the year).

Ventured out to Blue Rodeo on Sunday night with Tys as my date.

Jim was rockin' it, as per usual.

Gorgeous sunset as we followed the ice road home from skiing.

Taking the Long Way

2010-01-14T17:56:00.000-06:00

As I was driving to volleyball on Tuesday night, with Ty in the passenger seat beside me, I asked him -- should I take Wellington or Corydon?

His answer -- "Corydon. We always take Wellington".

I love this answer. We didn't take Corydon because it got us there faster or because there was less traffic. We took it because we always take the other route.

Getting outside your routines is never a bad thing.

Thanks for the reminder, Wirv.

A few oldies for a new year

2010-01-10T21:42:00.001-06:00

I will miss the group trips to the outhouse.

Ah, summer. You can't get here fast enough. Love you!

a photo journey, part 1

2010-01-10T21:23:00.005-06:00

After intensive research, Ty, Es, Mark and I decided on this restaurant in St. Petersburg.

Cafe Alma. Lovely food, wine and company.

Probably the coldest I've ever been at a football game. This includes the Grey Cup game I attended 3 or so years ago. Apparently the 2nd coldest Bucs game in history. Es and I amused ourselves by randomly yelling the word "punt" often and loud.

Dueling piano bar in Tampa. We had two dinners this night (one at 4 ish and one at 9 ish) and then many Bud lights (when in Rome...). Check out the classy sign in the corner.

Ty and I -- utterly defeated by Epcot. First we were defeated by the Magic Kingdom.

Did you know that Disneyworld has a maximum capacity?

Dad, Anna and Ty -- exhausted after a serious Pickle Ball game. Dad is a sniper.

After being defeated by the Magic Kingdom, we weren't going to be defeated by the Magic.

We had no choice but to opt for scalped tickets. Good seats. On a side note, when you enter "Orlando Magic" into a Garmin, it directs you to corporate headquarters.

Shockingly, this isn't where the games are actually played.

This picture just made me laugh out loud. Ty is in desperate need of sunglasses.

Anna and I in our rental helmets. Andrea tightened hers so much she got a headache.

Safety First.

Hee.

Oh, shit. Is it really January 10, 2010, already?

2010-01-10T20:22:00.001-06:00

Am I too late to discuss resolutions?

As always, my apologies for the blog-break. As always, work weighed me down, as did a number of pre-Florida parties. And then, of course, I was on a plane, and who wants to blog on their holidays?

Nonetheless, I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised to hear that blogging 3 x per week was on that ever-so-elusive list of resolutions.

So let's start off this year on that foot that isn't the left one, and throw out a "what makes me happy":

Good communication makes me happy.

A few notes on communication et moi. I hate talking on the phone because, invariably, I always end up saying something ridiculously inappropriate or out of place, or I accidentally talk over the other person and then there are weird gaps that I feel I have to fill. I am also deathly afraid of voice messages and often leave them until Rogers makes them magically disappear. I am also notoriously slow on email returns.

All of the above are problematic. Because whenever I start thinking about how bad I am at communicating, it upsets me (it is absolutely paining me to write this post) because I know my behaviour is terrible friend behaviour.

I don't mean for it to happen, but sometimes I seem to get stuck on this little old island of mine. And getting off seems really, really hard.

But good communication? Good communication makes me feel like a million bucks.

So -- in 2010, I resolve to get off the island more often.

Roll With It, Baby

2009-12-14T15:59:00.002-06:00

I want to be easy-going. I want to roll with it. I want to be someone who believes in the visions of others and helps make those visions happen. OK, so maybe the last “I want” isn’t exactly on the same level as the first two, but that does not make me want it any less. Or maybe they are more connected than I first thought?

With respect to the first two – sometimes I am easy-going and sometimes I do roll with it. But generally, I don’t do either of those behaviours enough (certainly, Ty would likely not describe me as easy-going and / or able to roll with it). When things are going sideways for me and I feel that incredibly frustrating feeling starting to spread through my chest (is that you Stress? Is that how you physically manifest yourself? I suspect that it is you lurking around in there, but I haven’t quite figured out how to trump you yet) I do know that the ensuing period of time is not necessarily going to be fun for me, or for Ty (oh Ty, it's always you who bears the brunt. You know I want it to be different!).

But I try. And I will continue to try to because I desperately want to be that woman who is effortlessly cruising through life (or maybe it’s just that she appears that way? Damn her and her perfect hair and outfit!).

I read something last week that made me reflect on whether I am that easy-going woman. Bear with my heavy paraphrasing: When a nearly 17 year old daughter said to her mother “I want to invite fifty of my closest friends for dinner the week before my seventeenth birthday,” her mother replied “Would spaghetti be okay?” When that same daughter, several years later, sent an email to her family that said, “When I graduate from law school in two years, will you all fly out to California to spend the weekend with me, so we can visit my favorite Palo Alto places and go surfing?” her mother said, “Are we going to have to wear wetsuits?”
And when the girl said, “As part of my goal to go to all fifty states by the time I’m thirty, I want to go to North Dakota to run my first half-marathon,” her mother said “I guess I should do it, too.” And this from a non-runner!

This is the woman I aspire to be. Although I am not a mother, I wish to model myself after this mother, who clearly is rollin’ with it every single day.

Word.

ps.
Lots of pictures and announcements coming your way! Will post tonight when I get home because that is where my camera is!

pps.
yes, I've been delinquent. Work has been dragging me down (hence the stress-related post). Will be back to my normal self as of Wednesday!

Will This Guest Post Make Me Famous?

2009-12-10T10:35:00.002-06:00

ARice Senior, here. Yep, that's right- Senior, not Junior. I was asked to guest blog, so guest blog I did. I'm pretty sure Oprah wants me after this little gem...or maybe Ellen. Probably both. People, let's not worry though...I always have time for the peeps...

So I’m almost finished my Christmas baking. Almost. Shortbread cookies, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, caramel shortbreads squares (new this year- and TASTY), ginger cookies and chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies. It was a labour of love…and a massive investment in butter and sugar!

Baking is one of the things I love most about the Christmas season. I try my very hardest not to scarf down loads of the stuff while I’m chefing away in the kitchen, but usually fail miserably in this task and wind up languishing on the couch cursing the very moment that my brain told my stomach that consuming mass amounts of unbaked goods was a logical and smart thing to do. This year, I was benefitted by the terrible cold settled in my sinuses and chest (cold=benefit? Strange!), but since I couldn’t taste anything, I really didn’t feel like eating anything, and that means more baking for the masses and less in my tummy!

I know you’re probably wondering what a single 30+ gal could possibly do with all that baking. Don’t worry, I certainly don’t consume it all myself…imagine the junk in the trunk if I did! I love to give my baking away as gifts. This is another thing I love about this whole Christmas season…the gift giving. Such a pleasure to give someone something homemade and from the heart and see their reaction! I work in a school and I can attest first hand that teachers are BUSY people at this time of year. While lots of the peeps are dashing from one Christmas party to the next, teachers are often staying late at school, putting on the Christmas concerts and arranging the millions of Christmas activities that accompany the last week or so of school…and lets not forget those senior and junior high teachers that are spending hours in the gyms supervising other peoples’ children on teams. After all that, who has time for baking? So bake I do…and each and every teacher at my school will get a little bit. Sugar, butter and chocolate make people smile. Especially at this time of year!

I should also mention, along with the baking and the gift-giving, that I find Christmas is the time of year where we spend the time, energy and effort to catch up with people we don’t get to see that often…and even those that we maybe do…and I love that about this time of year. Amidst the atrocious winter weather, icy roads and busy schedules, we just seem to make time to fit in time with those people we love and cherish. And that in itself is a wonderful thing. A fabulous thing in fact. There is nothing like catching up with old friends and the people you love with a lovely glass of red or a warm cup of tea in hand. I like it so much in fact, that this just may in come to be my goal for the New Year (noticed I called it a goal and not a resolution)…more time with the people that really matter. After all it really is about the simple things, isn’t it? Baking. Making someone smile with a gift. Visiting with friends. Just a few of my favourite things…

Cutest kid EVER. Period.

2009-12-02T16:11:00.000-06:00

This is Isaac. A joint effort of Caitlin and Scott.

oooooo -- have I mentioned they are currently cooking up Cutest Child Ever #2? Well, to be fair, Caitlin is doing the cooking. Scott has already made his contribution.

Days that begin with "fri" make me happy!

2009-11-27T09:20:00.000-06:00

It’s FRIDAY!

Anything fun going on with you this weekend? What about you? And you?

For me, it’s going to be a relaxing one. So excited. Plan is to hang Christmas lights. And that’s it.

Oh, and a run on Sunday morning with the Quick Runners. Which is good, because I need to get in shape! I’ve decided to join the Master’s cross country ski team (if they will have me) and so, it’s officially on. Must get this bod whipped into shape. So, having a little training sesh with Shaunie at 5:00 p.m. tonight. Look out muscles.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Pet Envy

2009-11-26T15:31:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow

2009-11-26T15:21:00.007-06:00

Oh it IS coming. The decade is winding down, y’all – didn’t you notice? Well, truthfully, I didn’t. Until today, when I was doing my usual morning thing, eating granola and reading on-line gossip, when suddenly I realized that Lainey was rambling on about end of the year lists and end of decade lists because...well... the end of the decade is almost upon us. And then, it suddenly occurred to me that it’s almost 2010 (gasp).

What? A new DECADE?

Well, bring it Universe, I’m ready.

Because looking back on my life, I can truly say that each year of my life has been better than the last. And I am going to do my best to keep that trend going. Certainly, I have experienced change. And has all that change been ideal for me? Well, no. Maybe not ideal. But have I grown? Yep, I have. And, big picture, things really are unfolding as they should.

So, thanks for looking out for me Uni. Love ya.

More Old School

2009-11-20T12:13:00.000-06:00

Old School

2009-11-19T08:56:00.001-06:00

What's better than great song lyrics?

Great song lyrics that tell a story.

Hey - you out there? Do tell songs you know that tell a story. (please)

Careful - this one will get you.

2009-11-16T21:40:00.009-06:00

Click: love

Less words, more photos

2009-11-15T12:59:00.002-06:00

Great friends unite.

I know you're surprised that the picture hog below is not Ellis.

I was too.

Trouble.

5 miler - check.

Breaking our own rule - this pic WAS taken after midnight.

Fresh eats.

Not innocent. At all. Trust.

It really was a marvelous night for a moondance.

Selfie. Why? Why not.

oh, hi.

2009-11-15T12:01:00.004-06:00

I haven't slipped back into blogger oblivion, I promise. Stay with me.

So -- strange happenings around old Boreham the last few days. We had work gloves go missing from our front step this week (2 right gloves went missing on Thursday and then 2 lefts went the following day). After accusing each other of randomly storing two right gloves and then two left gloves in secret hiding places, we finally realized that (clearly) a man with two right hands (one large Ty-size right hand, one small Ains-size right hand) had slipped onto the front step on Thursday to claim the gloves. And then obviously a man with two lefts had showed up on Friday to do the same.

Watch for these guys. And don't be nice to them -- they have our gloves.

The second (less-likely) scenario is that some small furry creature is now enjoying a warm bed of work gloves.

While on the subject of small, furry creatures, a question: Do you ever think squirrels check out each other's outfits and wonder who looks best (or give each other the "elevator" -- you know the elevator -- when a girl checks you out, up and down, in the least subtle way possible? You know it -- we've all been "elevatored" at one time or another...or elevatored someone else.)? Do you think they ever compete over things that really aren't worth competing over?

I don't either.

I'm pretty sure they just keep on keeping on, doing their thing, being the best squirrel that they can be at any given moment, being satisfied with all of their furry squirrel parts.

Word.

That's right, she won a half-marathon.

2009-11-10T12:43:00.002-06:00

Did I mention we're related?

p.s.

nice form.

tee!

Onwards

2009-11-05T13:34:00.004-06:00

So, I came across this little dude and something about him made me love him. Maybe it's his nonchalant demeanor, maybe it's because he actually stretched before he started or maybe it's because he just...keeps...running. No matter what.

And as an aside, I will pause here to give a little "h. yeah" to Nike (don't hate me Qually). No swooshes (well, strike that -- maybe they are of the subliminal variety), no "just do its", no obviousness.

And yet here I am, posting their video on my little blog.

Word, Nike.

Morning Cheese

2009-11-04T08:12:00.009-06:00

I know he's a chump, but I heart "Everything". Judge not, please.

Love the song, not the singer, yo.

Halloweenies

2009-11-03T22:22:00.002-06:00

Reenactment (of what, I wish I had been there for).

K-Fed, apres Jenny Craig.

Friendsies.

Best.

Holding my breath until Thursday night -- so damn excited for Winterstart. Promise to do my best to be one of "those girls"!

Ladies -- see you there, yo.

More love.

2009-10-30T08:51:00.003-05:00

For the tiny little amount of $640, these could be mine all mine.

Hey Universe -- why all the hate? Send some love over on my way (I'll help with a suggestion -- please let shopbop.com have a 95% off sale).

Or, alternatively, you could just have these show up on my doorstep tomorrow:

Yes, please.

2009-10-29T16:49:00.002-05:00

Loves. These.

Have I mentioned that I am in hate with my work clothes these days? But, I've hit upon this: just because I'm a lawyer doesn't mean I have to dress like one.

lazy nights = two thumbs up

2009-10-29T08:29:00.004-05:00

My last night consisted of the following:

Arrive home at 5, immediately hit the couch and nap until 6. Wake up, go to the bedroom where Ty was napping. Try wake Ty up, realize it's fruitless, so join him in napping until 6:40. Finally wake up and make macaroni and cheese (with horseradish cheddar). Eat a ridiculous amount of Mac n' Cheese. Feel full. Hit couch for a Law and Order. Flip to the National, fall asleep after 15 minutes (as a side note -- what is with the new National set up? The news doesn't really change whether Peter delivers it standing or sitting). Wake up, head to bed.

Bliss.

Every once in a while, a girl needs her Mac n' Cheese and a side of laze.

If you want something, go and get it.

Feelin' pretty glorious today.

Welcome Welcome Little Squawker!

2009-10-22T21:16:00.004-05:00

Had myself a little catch up over lunch today -- enjoyed a lovely hour with Sandra and gorgeous little chicken, Viena. Check out that lid!

Get Your Happy On

2009-10-20T19:47:00.012-05:00

I’ve mentioned happiness is a choice.

Well, I’m going to mention it again, just so I am sure that we all get it. We truly have one hundred percent control over how we live each day.

And, I’ll admit, I lost control a bit on Sunday night / morning, while I was at the Vegas airport, waiting for our flight that was hopelessly delayed. What, you say? Annoyed at a late flight, Ainsley? Doesn’t that go against this philosophy that you have been trying to live? YES! It does. However – it wasn’t the late flight that made me scream at the airport (yes, I actually screamed. And no, it was nothing witty – it was completely un-inspired screaming), it was those terribly obnoxious people who were also waiting on the same flight as we were. But, needless to say, that’s no excuse. So yesterday, when I woke up after a few hours sleep and noticed that it was a beautiful day out, I re-thought about the previous day and came to the conclusion that I could’ve handled the situation a bit better (ok, a lot better). I have control over how I act -- and so I’m going to use it next time.

Now -- on to the happy stuff!

Vegas was fantastic. A weekend away with Ty can certainly be filed under things that make me happy. Along with the blue skies that we had all weekend (plus 31!)....

...we also had a little bit of fun gambling...(this particular machine was my lucky one -- $1,000 bucks!!)...

...we walked around and enjoyed sights...

... and we had some...interesting...meals...

And we saw two great shows.

All in all it was a relaxing and re-energizing weekend. Thanks Vegas! A good way to commemorate one year!

First time "official" thanks were given at 400 Boreham

2009-10-14T21:37:00.012-05:00

Well, the weekend of giving thanks has come and gone and there was much to be full of thanks for:

Hung out with the greatest gals, starting on Thursday night and ending on Monday (with lots of hang out time in between);

Enjoyed great dins complete with wine and giggles (Dear Pizzeria Gusto: please remove the pizza with anchovies on it from your menu…anchovies taste exactly like what they are – little fishy tasting fish. Not even the craziest amounts of salt can cover that shit up);

Went for a gorgeous run with the best runner in the world (we hightailed it out to Fort Whyte) – why does running always seems so much easier when you have a great companion by your side?;

PW’d around the neighborhood with Haney and Andrea dressed in long johns and toques and lest we get TOO healthy while we were powerwalking, we brought down our level of health by stopping at Starbucks for a signature hot chocolate with plenty o’ whip;

Had a wind-up party at a brewery. Seriously. A brewery. Oh, and my team dominated at Flippy Cup (yes, flippy cup – at a BREWERY!!!);

Had Andrea model for my photo assignment;

And….wait for it… Andrea and I cooked a (non free-range) 16 pound turkey with all the necessary trimmings for dinner with Mom, Dad, Ty, A. Gail and U. Craig!

So….

At the end of all the craziness that was visiting and laughing and sipping wine and …suddenly…saying goodbye…I did what I always do at the end of these fabulous visiting weekends. I get upset. I miss everyone more than usual. I start noticing the things I dislike about Winnipeg as opposed to noticing the many wonderful things about my adopted home. This feeling hit me last night at about 7 or so, shortly after: (a) I dropped Andrea off at the airport; and (b) Ginnie began overheating and I was in a crap part of Winnipeg with no heat in my car. I trudged home, plopped myself on a chair and let that wave of feeling sorry wash on over me. And compounding that feeling sorry for myself was the fact that I had to go to my first volleyball game at 9 p.m. on a cold and dreary Tuesday night in a place that I'd never been to before with a bunch of people I didn't know. Urgh.

But, being that I committed to a team, and being of the philosophy that if one signs up for a team sport (or anything, for that matter), one should attend, I hauled my butt to volleyball. And…

I had the greatest time.

I laughed. I met new people. I served underhand (and [mostly] made it over the net). I had the most hilarious “hit” of the night (Ty does a deadly re-enactment).

There just might be something to the old "sweat once a day".

Bullying Ty

2009-10-07T22:16:00.005-05:00

Here's a pic from dinner with Lank and Jen on Sunday (remember how I said dinner with friends makes me happy?). Cilantro -- hmmmm. Love, love, love.

and now on to the bullying...

Ty falls asleep the moment his head hits the pillow. Usually, I’m really not far behind, but in those few minutes before sleep, I often do a few things that I’m pretty sure drive Ty crazy.

#1. I put my always-cold feet on Ty (how else am I going to warm them up?); and #2. I talk.

Last night, after my feet warmed up, we talked about blogging and then I bullied Ty into talking about what makes him happy (and not just leaving Costco on a Sunday). Practice makes perfect, right?

After a bit of prodding, Ty got into the swing of it. One of the things he mentioned was that playing ping pong with his wife (!) makes him happy. We did play ping pong last night! Glad I could help in the happiness, Wirv.

p.s. I emerged the victor. Mad skills, MAD skills.

2009-10-06T09:45:00.005-05:00

Simple.

Happiness is a choice, right? Isn’t it? Can’t you find the happiness in your life every single day if you just look around a bit? I think you can and I think I can.

So – that’s my new goal for my renewed blog. I want to write about what makes me want to get out of bed every morning. And I want to encourage you – the peeps – to think about it as well.

Guys! This is it! This is our life – let’s make it the best one we can, ok?

I have been driving Ty absolutely crazy by finishing many a sentence these past few days with “________________ makes me happy”. (Snippets from my conversations with Ty over the last few days: “New recipes make me happy”; “Having friends over for dinner makes me happy” and “Falling asleep next to Ty every night makes me happy”.)

Ty is trying to get it, but he’s not exactly at the same point as me (his version: “getting out of Costco on a Sunday makes me happy”).

Fall makes me happy! Blogging makes me happy! Friends + Thanksgiving makes me happy!

Sunny fall days at the camp make me happy.

Gorgeous Isaac makes me happy.

CK and Scott = Mom and Dad

2008-10-22T10:57:00.001-05:00

Welcome Isaac! I can't wait to meet you!

Because pictures are better than rambling posts, no?

2008-10-10T12:34:00.007-05:00

Looking for a snail in the ginger beer (or, alternatively, making a pirate face at the Red Stripe)

Dinner at 529, pre-wedding. Also, pre-meat sweats.

The beautiful Ms. Hamm-Tropak and her loyal book club members.

No need for caption.

No need for caption #2.

The funniest picture ever. Well on our way to becoming "TG".

Clarification

2008-10-02T16:05:00.002-05:00

And just so people don't start throwing things at me...

By "not understand" I didn't mean that I do not respect views / wishes / decisions of people that are not having ankle biters. I absolutely do. I just have a hard time comprehending the "why" behind the decision. Which is okay right? It's almost like calculus.

And thus the need to be more empathetic.

Does this help clarify?

To Create or Not to Create?

2008-10-02T14:09:00.004-05:00

An article caught my eye in the Globe and Mail today by one Ms. Angela Long wherein she discusses her choice not to have children (her reasons are based on an ecological point of view – she believes the world simply cannot accommodate any more children). The article was interesting, but what really kept my attention was the commentary in response to the article (I was reading the online version). The discussion centered less on what was IN the article, and more on how people who had made the choice not to have children constantly feel the need to justify their choice to those who have children.

I am a person who stated, for a loooong time, that I was never going to have children. “I will have dogs” or “I will be the best aunt ever” were sentences that I often spoke. But now? I want children. I don’t know when, or I certainly don’t know how many (to be honest, pregnancy is not something that I feel that I would want to go through twice….and also, I can’t imagine the energy it must take to look after more than one child at a time) but I do know that I would like to be a mother. And you know what is funny about that (and you can probably insert “ironic” or even “brutal” where “funny” is)? I can’t imagine making any other choice. In fact, I can’t really put myself in someone else’s shoes and understand why anyone would state they absolutely do not want children. I can understand why people wait, I get that maybe the timing isn’t always right, but I just cannot understand the absolute stance (and this is coming from someone who had the absolute stance!!!!). What makes this even more funny/ironic/brutal? One of my best friends does not want children.

So, where does this pondering leave me? I need to be more empathetic. And I need to start now. And likely this is in all areas of life. Watch for it, people!

p.s. as a total aside, apparently "Gerber" means "to throw up" in French.

Lainey

2008-09-11T09:30:00.003-05:00

I just emailed Lainey.... and she emailed me back!!! Within 5 minutes!

Remember that scene from the Sound of Music where Leisel kisses Rolf and then is deliriously happy, and spins around and around yelling SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....

That's somewhat how I feel.

And I may hate myself for it.

And now I REALLY have to get back to work.

Pearl Sitting

2008-09-11T08:15:00.006-05:00

The ultimate test of responsibility for myself and Ty -- we are looking after Pat and Alexis' "Mush Face" this weekend! I was given a flurry of instructions last night; with a "more detailed email to follow". Pat has repeatedly told me that Pearleen is "his special girl" and that I better treat her right. Apparently she may be a "bit pouty" at first and I'm going to have to "win her over". Yikes. Here are some of Pat's instructions:

The rules to baby sitting our pup:

Feed a cup and a half twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night.

Fresh water at hand always.

She craps three times a day.

Always on leash and no doors in house left open so she can escape.

Should she ever try and bolt you have to get mad at her and tell her to sit and stay! Dogs like a pack leader! You will be her pack leader!

She is very affraid of fireworks, thunder and loud sounds. When she hears them she tries to bolt.

She is not a fan of large crowds.

Keep the leash short unless she is trying to cut a loaf off. Then she needs a bit of room.

Do not leave her in a car too long.

She loves to play fight. Especially if you get on your hands and knees and fight her like another dog.

She will shake a paw, sit, lay down and gives kiss, kiss.

She will be very shy.

Pat and Alexis are off to Toronto to take in some TIFF and to enjoy the city...I am jealous! Please say hello to Lainey for me. Oh -- and Brad Pitt, too.

Did I mention I got hitched?

2008-09-10T15:14:00.002-05:00

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE........

I would like to please add a note that my husband and I seem to be better friends than ever. How is it the most boring, awful things are fun when you’re doing them with a great, great friend?

Take note: yesterday, we organized every single cupboard in our kitchen and made a very significant “relegated to camp” pile. How mundane, right? But I write about it here for a reason. As I watched him open a cupboard and put away one of our (many!) bowls – I had to catch my breath as I thought to myself, that man is going to be with me forever -- oh, be still my heart.

SB Mugs

2008-09-05T08:45:00.002-05:00

Currently pondering ways to bolster the collection.

Thoughts?

Also, love this "The Way I See It":

The Way I See It #277

I know a lot of morning people and I know a lot of night people but I have yet to meet a late afternoon person.

-- Douglas CouplandAuthor of Generation X, Microserfs and JPod.

2 posts in 1 morning

2008-09-03T09:15:00.003-05:00

Bryan and Kathy are parents!

Welcome to Olivia Lila Foskett.

eek. Fall is here.

2008-09-03T08:14:00.008-05:00

Shoes.

Married!

Women in boat.

Things are slowly starting to get back to normal – the wedding is over, the guests have gone home, the H moon is over, my husband and I are back at work, I spent my last weekend at the lake for the next little bit.

The weekend, by the way, was AMAZING. Beautiful weather – maybe the hottest weekend of the summer. Spent Friday night at the Hawk, visited with Ty’s Aunt Patty and Uncle Wayne, Aunt Irene and Uncle Rob, Robbie, Mike, and the crew of golfing boys. Had a bonfire, watched the moon. Saturday evening was spent fishing with Dave and Shereese and then Wizard after dinner. Sunday was a lovely lazy day, cruised around in the morn, relaxed and read into the evening. Monday we did chores around camp, went to CTire with M & D, then cruised out to Micrometer Bay for a swim.

And now the weather feels like fall………..AHHHHH.

My key word for fall: ORGANIZATION.

Organize:

My office
My car
My finances (!)
My bedroom
My pantry
My health and fitness
My closet
My wardrobe
My dance floor (where a dining room table should be)
My home office

I can do it. I know I have it in me.

It is going to be an amazingly busy fall, not only on the organization front, but on the fun front as well:

Alicia’s bachelorette party – this weekend! In Calgary.
September 20 – Ty has the Drink and Drive
September 27 – back in Calgary for Alicia and Nick’s wedding! (it will be our first wedding after our own – can’t wait!)
October 3 – Firm retreat in Hecla
CAITLIN AND SCOTT HAVE THEIR BABY!!!!
October 12 – Alicia and Nick’s Winnipeg wedding reception
October 31 – back in Calgary for Winterstart
Visit Caitlin and Scott and the baby!

WOW.

Kingfisher Days

2008-07-23T15:53:00.003-05:00

by Susan Coyne

Loved this book. Loved.

Set on Coney Island in Kenora. About a little girl and her friendship with the man next door (Mr. Moir). Oh, and she also writes letters to fairies.

There is one part in the book when she is writing to the fairies and she tells them that she is going to kindergarten at Brown School (in Toronto) in the fall. Contained in the response letter, the fairy writer indicates that there was a general council meeting of the fairies which nearly all the fairies attended. The letter continues, "all were especially interested in the Brown Kindergarten you will attend. Everybody was sure you would do well. They thought that when the class got to the subject of house painting, your views on the merits of rotary sanders and wire brushes would be received with respect".

Did you notice?

2008-07-17T10:38:00.002-05:00

I now have 5 SB mugs in the collection.

Who shall I have over for (very larges cups of) tea?

love.this.pic.

2008-07-17T10:36:00.002-05:00

love.it.

random, random.

2008-07-14T17:26:00.001-05:00

Dress - check. It's in my possession.
Going to play ultimate. Need to run around and work it OUT. Work it out, GF. Also, I am down an ultimate player. I miss her already.
One wedding meltdown today - check. Just one.
Hotel dilemma - solved.
AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

All Summer Long

2008-07-10T14:13:00.003-05:00

Where is the summer going? I mean, come now. July 10? Really? Really?

So – Clare and Andrea are at home! YAYAYAY! So pumped!

On a sad note – Ty would not let me adopt Willy. And I loved Willy. We had a bond. Please see the picture (taken at the Winnipeg Humane Society) to witness how adorable Willy was. Look at his cute little feet. Look at his cute little legs. Willy and I had the same body type – long body, short legs. It was meant to be. Damn Wirvin. Willy got adopted yesterday. Hopefully his new family loves him as much as I would have.

On another note, would it be wrong to have a Kid Rock song as a wedding song? Perhaps we should make the wedding into a Much Music Video dance party and have the Kid Rock video playing in the background. (Please note – I have always hated Kid Rock. Like - HATED. But strangely enough – this song makes me giggle. Perhaps it’s because the song actually has the word “Walleye” in it. Love, love, love.)

Remember When?

2008-07-03T13:18:00.002-05:00

Remember when...a way long time ago, when I was discussing my trip to Boston with all you lovelies, and I mentioned the guy having the nap (a.k.a. a Westhawk) in the middle of the bar? Well, this picture REALLY makes me giggle. So here it is. Please note the medal around his neck (I picture him saying -- "C'mon! Give me a break! I just ran the BOSTON marathon! Here's my finisher medal to prove it!").

Do you know I am getting married in 44 days?????

2008-07-03T11:23:00.007-05:00

Yep, that’s right. In 44 days, I will be a….MARRIED WOMAN. Really? Me…married? I mean, my MOM is married. To be completely honest, I’m not entirely sure that the idea has really sunk in yet. I’m not even really sure I’ve done this engagement thing right and now I have to move on to marriage? How can I do marriage right if I haven’t conquered engagement? AHHHHHHHH. So much to do, so little time. Certainly I have a lot to keep my mind occupied as we head into the home stretch. Lots of details to get on top of, and yes, you all know me….I am on top of none of them. BUT – I have great intentions (as always) and I plan to be a machine in July to power through. And, Clare and Andrea are going to be home next week (!!!) to be my personal slaves….oops, I mean best bridesmaids ever, so I can breathe a little sigh of relief and delegate. I just first have to figure out what exactly needs to be delegated. Oh Andrea and Clare – welcome home ladies!

By way of a housekeeping update (since my last post was LAST MONTH!!):

Went to a wedding last weekend. Had a really good time. Beautiful wedding – very love-filled. Which sounds cheesy but is true. Also, the bride was the most laid-back bride EVER. Like, ever. I told her how beautiful she looked and she laughed and said that I had to say that because she was the bride. Funny. But not at all true. Also, the ring bearer decided, mid ceremony, that he didn’t want to be the ring bearer anymore and proceeded to drop his little pillow and walk off. Unfortunately, the ring fell off and there was a bit of a mad scramble looking for the ring in the grass. And that reminds me – I guess I need to buy Ty a ring????

Andrea runs the MARATHON this weekend!!! This will be the first marathon that I won’t be there to see her dominate. Tear. Anna – get out there and do your best. I am so proud of you. Ellis, Haney, Alicia, Meara – make sure you cheer EXTRA loud for me, ok?

Caitlin heads up to Muskoka for Joe’s Team Triathlon this weekend. This is CK’s baby and it is a VERY successful event. And – Jim Cuddy is going to be playing at the end BBQ! Ah. CK – please give Jim a huge kiss from me. Jim and I – we share a very special bond. So, while CK will be there organizing, she won’t be participating because, as you all know – she has a wee babe on the way (which, according to her, doesn’t feel so wee anymore). And, as a total aside, this babe is going to be the most athletic child ever. Really. Move over Tiger and all the other sports heros – you ain’t got nothing on the genes of this child.

Mandy flew in last night and took Ginnie to Kenora. She is here for her mother’s 60th, but we are also doing a walk-through at the Yacht Club with our caterer and the YC manager. OMG. This is really happening! It’s truly happening. So, Lainie’s birthday is on Saturday night, therefore I am Mandy’s peon for the day on Saturday. I’m excited! Honestly, I love party-prep. Although, I’m not sure how much help I can truly be for Mandy, but I will do my very best.

On the subject of the Pearce’s – Margo is going to London (the London in the U.K….not the boring Canadian version) in the fall to do her second Master’s degree. On a scholarship. To a highly prestigious program. Don’t you love it? Margo – you are amazing. Very, very pumped for you. Go get ‘em, lady.

I am truly homesick for Calgary right now. Just so you know, all you Calgary peeps, I really, really miss you and I am thinking about you all at least every second.

Ok – that’s it!! I must go divorce people now!

J.K. Rowling - Harvard Address

2008-06-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, members of the faculty, proud parents, and, above all, graduates.
The first thing I would like to say is ‘thank you.’ Not only has Harvard given me an extraordinary honour, but the weeks of fear and nausea I’ve experienced at the thought of giving this commencement address have made me lose weight. A win-win situation! Now all I have to do is take deep breaths, squint at the red banners and fool myself into believing I am at the world’s best-educated Harry Potter convention.
Delivering a commencement address is a great responsibility; or so I thought until I cast my mind back to my own graduation. The commencement speaker that day was the distinguished British philosopher Baroness Mary Warnock. Reflecting on her speech has helped me enormously in writing this one, because it turns out that I can’t remember a single word she said. This liberating discovery enables me to proceed without any fear that I might inadvertently influence you to abandon promising careers in business, law or politics for the giddy delights of becoming a gay wizard.
You see? If all you remember in years to come is the ‘gay wizard’ joke, I’ve still come out ahead of Baroness Mary Warnock. Achievable goals: the first step towards personal improvement.
Actually, I have wracked my mind and heart for what I ought to say to you today. I have asked myself what I wish I had known at my own graduation, and what important lessons I have learned in the 21 years that has expired between that day and this.
I have come up with two answers. On this wonderful day when we are gathered together to celebrate your academic success, I have decided to talk to you about the benefits of failure. And as you stand on the threshold of what is sometimes called ‘real life’, I want to extol the crucial importance of imagination.
These might seem quixotic or paradoxical choices, but please bear with me.
Looking back at the 21-year-old that I was at graduation, is a slightly uncomfortable experience for the 42-year-old that she has become. Half my lifetime ago, I was striking an uneasy balance between the ambition I had for myself, and what those closest to me expected of me.
I was convinced that the only thing I wanted to do, ever, was to write novels. However, my parents, both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing personal quirk that could never pay a mortgage, or secure a pension.
They had hoped that I would take a vocational degree; I wanted to study English Literature. A compromise was reached that in retrospect satisfied nobody, and I went up to study Modern Languages. Hardly had my parents’ car rounded the corner at the end of the road than I ditched German and scuttled off down the Classics corridor.
I cannot remember telling my parents that I was studying Classics; they might well have found out for the first time on graduation day. Of all subjects on this planet, I think they would have been hard put to name one less useful than Greek mythology when it came to securing the keys to an executive bathroom.
I would like to make it clear, in parenthesis, that I do not blame my parents for their point of view. There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you. What is more, I cannot criticise my parents for hoping that I would never experience poverty. They had been poor themselves, and I have since been poor, and I quite agree with them that it is not an ennobling experience. Poverty entails fear, and stress, and sometimes depression; it means a thousand petty humiliations and hardships. Climbing out of poverty by your own efforts, that is indeed something on which to pride yourself, but poverty itself is romanticised only by fools.
What I feared most for myself at your age was not poverty, but failure.
At your age, in spite of a distinct lack of motivation at university, where I had spent far too long in the coffee bar writing stories, and far too little time at lectures, I had a knack for passing examinations, and that, for years, had been the measure of success in my life and that of my peers.
I am not dull enough to suppose that because you are young, gifted and well-educated, you have never known hardship or heartbreak. Talent and intelligence never yet inoculated anyone against the caprice of the Fates, and I do not for a moment suppose that everyone here has enjoyed an existence of unruffled privilege and contentment.
However, the fact that you are graduating from Harvard suggests that you are not very well-acquainted with failure. You might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire for success. Indeed, your conception of failure might not be too far from the average person’s idea of success, so high have you already flown academically.
Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it. So I think it fair to say that by any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.
Now, I am not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairy tale resolution. I had no idea how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality.
So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realised, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.
You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.
Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way. I discovered that I had a strong will, and more discipline than I had suspected; I also found out that I had friends whose value was truly above rubies.
The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned.
Given a time machine or a Time Turner, I would tell my 21-year-old self that personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a check-list of acquisition or achievement. Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes.
You might think that I chose my second theme, the importance of imagination, because of the part it played in rebuilding my life, but that is not wholly so. Though I will defend the value of bedtime stories to my last gasp, I have learned to value imagination in a much broader sense. Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that enables us to empathise with humans whose experiences we have never shared.
One of the greatest formative experiences of my life preceded Harry Potter, though it informed much of what I subsequently wrote in those books. This revelation came in the form of one of my earliest day jobs. Though I was sloping off to write stories during my lunch hours, I paid the rent in my early 20s by working in the research department at Amnesty International’s headquarters in London.
There in my little office I read hastily scribbled letters smuggled out of totalitarian regimes by men and women who were risking imprisonment to inform the outside world of what was happening to them. I saw photographs of those who had disappeared without trace, sent to Amnesty by their desperate families and friends. I read the testimony of torture victims and saw pictures of their injuries. I opened handwritten, eye-witness accounts of summary trials and executions, of kidnappings and rapes.
Many of my co-workers were ex-political prisoners, people who had been displaced from their homes, or fled into exile, because they had the temerity to think independently of their government. Visitors to our office included those who had come to give information, or to try and find out what had happened to those they had been forced to leave behind.
I shall never forget the African torture victim, a young man no older than I was at the time, who had become mentally ill after all he had endured in his homeland. He trembled uncontrollably as he spoke into a video camera about the brutality inflicted upon him. He was a foot taller than I was, and seemed as fragile as a child. I was given the job of escorting him to the Underground Station afterwards, and this man whose life had been shattered by cruelty took my hand with exquisite courtesy, and wished me future happiness.
And as long as I live I shall remember walking along an empty corridor and suddenly hearing, from behind a closed door, a scream of pain and horror such as I have never heard since. The door opened, and the researcher poked out her head and told me to run and make a hot drink for the young man sitting with her. She had just given him the news that in retaliation for his own outspokenness against his country’s regime, his mother had been seized and executed.
Every day of my working week in my early 20s I was reminded how incredibly fortunate I was, to live in a country with a democratically elected government, where legal representation and a public trial were the rights of everyone.
Every day, I saw more evidence about the evils humankind will inflict on their fellow humans, to gain or maintain power. I began to have nightmares, literal nightmares, about some of the things I saw, heard and read.
And yet I also learned more about human goodness at Amnesty International than I had ever known before.
Amnesty mobilises thousands of people who have never been tortured or imprisoned for their beliefs to act on behalf of those who have. The power of human empathy, leading to collective action, saves lives, and frees prisoners. Ordinary people, whose personal well-being and security are assured, join together in huge numbers to save people they do not know, and will never meet. My small participation in that process was one of the most humbling and inspiring experiences of my life.
Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s minds, imagine themselves into other people’s places.
Of course, this is a power, like my brand of fictional magic, that is morally neutral. One might use such an ability to manipulate, or control, just as much as to understand or sympathise.
And many prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all. They choose to remain comfortably within the bounds of their own experience, never troubling to wonder how it would feel to have been born other than they are. They can refuse to hear screams or to peer inside cages; they can close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they can refuse to know.
I might be tempted to envy people who can live that way, except that I do not think they have any fewer nightmares than I do. Choosing to live in narrow spaces can lead to a form of mental agoraphobia, and that brings its own terrors. I think the wilfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid.
What is more, those who choose not to empathise may enable real monsters. For without ever committing an act of outright evil ourselves, we collude with it, through our own apathy.
One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.
That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people’s lives simply by existing.
But how much more are you, Harvard graduates of 2008, likely to touch other people’s lives? Your intelligence, your capacity for hard work, the education you have earned and received, give you unique status, and unique responsibilities. Even your nationality sets you apart. The great majority of you belong to the world’s only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden.
If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped transform for the better. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.
I am nearly finished. I have one last hope for you, which is something that I already had at 21. The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children’s godparents, the people to whom I’ve been able to turn in times of trouble, friends who have been kind enough not to sue me when I’ve used their names for Death Eaters. At our graduation we were bound by enormous affection, by our shared experience of a time that could never come again, and, of course, by the knowledge that we held certain photographic evidence that would be exceptionally valuable if any of us ran for Prime Minister.
So today, I can wish you nothing better than similar friendships. And tomorrow, I hope that even if you remember not a single word of mine, you remember those of Seneca, another of those old Romans I met when I fled down the Classics corridor, in retreat from career ladders, in search of ancient wisdom:As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.I wish you all very good lives.Thank you very much.

I finally figured out my USB cord dilemma...so here are various pictures!

2008-06-07T09:28:00.018-05:00

Deep Breath...

2008-06-06T10:34:00.002-05:00

And now everybody please send positive thoughts Ty's way for tomorrow!

I spent last night (my first night "off" in what feels like forever!) reading and then hitting up yoga. Am about halfway through Wilderness Tips. Has anyone read it? Very, very odd. I was reading the book while eating sushi and when I got to the story "Hairball" I had to stop reading for fear of puking up my Tuna Goma-ae. Brief gist of "Hairball" -- a woman has an ovarian cyst removed which turns out to be a benign tumour the size of a grapefruit (or coconut, as she prefers to think about it). It has hair and teeth and nails (yuck). She keeps it in formaldehyde on her mantel. Subsequent to a breakup with a lover, she sends it to his wife. WTF? Margaret, oh Margaret. Brilliant but oh so strange.

Yoga was OK -- love the 9 - 10 p.m. class. It wasn't my favourite instructor last night, but I got over it. Felt strong during the class, love that feeling.

By now I am sure everyone has heard the Hockey Night in Canada song controversy. Thoughts? I think that everyone should stop thinking this is all the fault of the CBC and start heaping part of the blame where blame is due -- on the woman who is licensing the song. Just a thought.

Have a great weekend! And don't forget the positive thoughts!

Wow.

2008-06-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

That is all.

The Bane of My Existence

2008-06-05T08:56:00.003-05:00

Is Perth’s Drycleaning!

Seriously.

So, they lose a shirt of mine (and as an aside, it shouldn’t matter that I left the shirts there for as long as I did….why could they find all my other ones that I brought in at the same time and not the black one??). I am completely blameless in this matter. Completely. But, I digress… So, ANYWAY -- I call their “customer service” department to give a solid WTF (but very polite-like and stuff) and I talk to their “customer service” manager (and yes, those two words really do deserve the quotes) and she assures me that she will get back to me the next day with some answers to my questions. I think, sweet – the next day…this woman is really on top of it. But then….I wait.

A day goes by, then two, then five…

Then a week… then a week and a half...

So, I decide to call and deliver another WTF. No “human” this time (quotations needed again) but voicemail. I leave a very clear and detailed message (as the machine requests) and then I wait some more. NOTHING. No reply. So I begin a Call Perth’s Every Single Frickin’ Day campaign. Every day. Really? Has it really come to this? I leave a message every day that says, please call me back before close of business today. I leave a message EVERY DAY for 9 days. Seriously. 9 days in a row.

And then, finally a response. A voicemail stating that they have lost my black shirt and since it is approximately 6 months old they have to depreciate it by 50% (is there some sort of accounting method for drycleaners that I should get a handbook on?). So, they will pay me cash for 50% of the value OR give me the full amount in free drycleaning. People, please. PERTH’S, please. I feel it’s like admitting that their services are so crap that we should only pay 50% from here on in.

I have not yet decided which route to take.

And the other reason Perth’s is officially the bane of my existence: they charge me more because my shirts are not “normal-sized”. Really? You’re penalizing me because I have small boobs? I was paying for my shirts one day and noticed that they charged me more for my shirts that the posted price for “women’s blouses”. I ask the question and this is the response – well, your shirts are too small to fit on the normal-sized press so we can’t do them as fast as the other shirts and therefore have to charge you more.

That's all.

The End.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus?

2008-06-04T09:40:00.003-05:00

Yikes.

Radio Silence on the blog for the last little while.

But – here I go again:

So, Hil is out, Obama is in. I am deeply disappointed. I really thought that she could do it, and more importantly, Barack drives me CRA-ZY and I’m not sure if I can stand the more and more and more of him that is to come (does he not seem so incredibly arrogant to all of you?). It absolutely drives Ty insane that I freely admit that one of the main reasons that I wanted Hil to win was simply because she is a woman. He thinks that “that goes against everything I thought you stood for”. Ouch. But honestly, what an amazing thing that would have been to see – a woman running the good old U.S. of A. After spending the last few years of my life in the setting of a law firm, I can safely say that we are a LONG way from figuring out this man-woman balance thing.

Speaking of things that Ty thinks I stand for – we are still debating what we are going to do about the “name thing”. To change or not to change. Me, or Ty, or both or none? Ty’s friends seem to think it’s a given that I will become a W____ (I was introduced as Ty’s future wife, Ainsley W____-to-be, the other day). The name change does not bother me, but MAN does the assumption that I am obviously going to be changing over to a W_____ drive me up the wall. I am leaning towards a hyphen, to be honest. And yes, the kids (those way off in the future offspring) will have a hyphen as well. Go ahead, start your bashing now.

AND -- WEDDING COUNTDOWN IS ON! I am getting beyond excited!!

Mishandled?

2008-05-13T12:47:00.002-05:00

Peaks thinks we should have thrown eggs at the BMW (or rocks) instead of requesting an apology. Please see his take on things below:

Dear Mrs & Mr Rice,

I would like to sincerely apologize for throwing eggs at your windows last week. I heard that you came to my house and tattled on me. My parents have threatened to take away my BMW, which really sucks because then I would have to use my sisters Land Rover for the remainder of the year. Just remember I know that you know who I am, and I know that you know I know where you live.

Signed,

Poorly Handled

P.S. Next time if you really want to get me, call SJR, as a concerned citizen in the neighbourhood tell them you saw my BMW cruising the streets throwing eggs at houses and vandalizing property. Seeing as they are truly responsible for me and not my parents I may actually receive some disciplinary action.

Youth Gone Wild (Sebastien Bach Style)

2008-05-12T22:08:00.006-05:00

Yikes!

Has it really been THAT long since I've posted?

So much to update, so little time before bed.

So, I will stick with some highlights.

Last weekend, I had a wedding shower! Thrown by Ty's aunts, especially for me (2 of his mom's sisters -- Patty and Leslie, and her sister-in-law, Irene). It was really wonderful of them -- I can't tell you enough just how lovely Ty's family is. Now I know that everybody knows someone who is ultra-kind, ultra-lovely, ultra-all-around-GREAT, but let me tell you, these women would give that person you know a run for your money. I honestly cannot stress enough how welcoming and warm these women are.

Now -- as for the actual shower part -- I have to tell you, it is entirely weird to have all that attention well, “showered” on you. I was extremely nervous. Like, "wow, are people noticing the sweat beads on my forehead" nervous. I kept thinking, am I opening this too slow (is everyone totally bored) or I am ripping through these too fast (is everyone thinking how absolutely rude I am). ANYWAY -- to say the least, I am now more prepared for what exactly goes on at a shower. (I should point out that no one "cleansed" me so as to prepare me for marriage. Damn -- maybe that's a special request you must put in beforehand?)

Hmmmm. Ok, get ready for this. Our house got egged. Yep, you read that right. We move into East Charleswood and our house gets egged. Go figure. We did, however, manage to catch the little shits that did it. We got the license plate of their car (a black BMW) and we went to their house. And – that’s when things went a little sideways. First off, no one lives in their ridiculously huge house during the week because they live in Vancouver. Secondly, the BMW does not belong to either parent, but rather it belongs to the 16 YEAR OLD son. Are you kidding me? Really? Your 16 year old drives a beamer? How incredibly, incredibly annoying of you. Anyway, the kid doesn’t live there during the week, because he is a boarder at St. John’s Ravenscourt. He only goes home on the weekends.

So, good old mom reveals to us, immediately after we tell her that her son egged our house – twice – that her “son is a good kid, it was probably one of his friends that made him do it”. To this I say -- obviously. What kid who has such incredibly supportive parents (I mean, only the supportive kind buy BMWs for their 16 year olds) would throw eggs at the new peeps on the block?

I requested an in-person apology. I will most certainly be back on her doorstep if I do not get one by the end of this week.

Heading to Calgary this weekend...cannot wait! I am more than excited (overjoyed, even) to see everyone!

And as an administrative note – as soon as I find my camera cord, I will post pictures. I have SO many good ones to put up.

And one tiny little last comment. I LOVED Oryx & Crake. What a spectac read. And I can already tell I am going to love The Robber Bride. Should I invite Ms. Atwood to the event of the summer??

Bohdi! This is your wakeup call I AM AN F... B... I AGENT!

2008-04-29T22:05:00.009-05:00

Thanks for the suggestions! Much appreciated. A Bill Bryson book it will be.

So is it really only Tuesday today? Really? Then why oh why do I feel in desperate need of a weekend?

By way of a quick update -- Ty and I hosted an engagement party at our house on Friday. Very fun. I am getting to be terribly bad at taking pictures and thus have absolutely nothing to post from the party. Consider this my May 1 resolution -- more pictures, please. And on that note, I was looking through some pictures on my camera and came across some very, very entertaining pictures. How about the after-party in our hotel room in Banff after Winterstart? Yes ladies, I certainly am talking about THOSE pictures. Way too funny. I question why we ever felt the need to photo-document the night. And yet I can't erase them.

I read/heard (I truthfully can't remember if I read this or heard it and I don't have even the slightest clue where it came from -- if I am inadvertently quoting the Hills, which I may very well be doing, please shoot me. Fast.) something that made me give pause the other day. I am completely paraphrasing, so many apologies to the source, but it was something to the effect of how it's good to be good at what you do, but when you are good at something, you question it less and never feel the need to change. Now, no one could ever accuse me of being good at what I do, but I kinda like what they are saying. Or maybe it's just because it doesn't make me feel bad about desperately wishing I could re-choose my profession?

And one last one before I retire for the night. I am fairly annoyed at Hillary Clinton for challenging Barack to a debate without a moderator. I don't blame him for turning it down. The whole thing just seems so....contrived. Hillary is totally my girl, but man Hill, re-think those stunts you have been pulling lately. And I am not choosing the word stunt lightly.

Oh wait -- ONE last thought. Georges Laraque is my new favourite player after reading the article reproduced below (and scoring tonight, too). Ellis, I realize he's not a huge points guy, but I think we need him in our pool next year regardless. Just for the good guy factor.

Here's the article:

"My nephew [Jordon] was a victim of muscular dystrophy and was in the last stages of this mindnumbing disease. On Friday, after much deliberation, he decided to go off the ventilator and go along with whatever happened ... The doctors said it was just a matter of time."

NEW YORK -- The kid was 19, and he only had a few hours left. Maybe another night.
Georges Laraque had just checked into a hotel in Calgary. Hadn't even unzipped his bag when a secretary of a friend called his cellphone. Everybody gets Georges' cell number.
"She asked me if I could come to Edmonton," he said. "There was this kid who was going to die. He had a couple hours to live, they thought, and his last wish was to see me."
Laraque was playing for the Edmonton Oilers at the time. He checked out, got in his truck, and made the two-hour, forty-five minute drive back to Edmonton "in an hour and 45 minutes."
"I was driving sometimes on the shoulder. I knew I wasn't going to get a ticket, because of the reason I was going back for. Karma, you know?"
There isn't a story that better sums up Laraque, the best heavyweight in the National Hockey League who has been driven to distraction simply trying to make people happy. Other players show up late for that hospital visit, or need to be asked and reminded numerous times to commit to a school read-in? Laraque has done his best to fit the games in while answering every single request through his nine-year career.
Why?
"'Cause I love it," the 31-year-old Laraque says. "One of the purest things to do in life is to give back. I am Catholic, a Christian. The best thing to do to pay God back for giving me a chance to play in the NHL is to give back to the community.
"[An NHL heavyweight] is not what I am when I'm off the ice. I'm a nice person. I laugh all the time. When I retire, I don't want to be remembered as a fighter, as a goon. What's more important? Winning a Cup? Beating up guys? Or being there, trying to make a difference?"
"Now, Jordon has always been a great fan of hockey. To make a long story short, on Friday the Oilers found out about Jordon's plight. Somehow and with no notice, Georges Laraque came up from Calgary and visited Jordon at the University Hospital in the ICU ... He chatted with Jordon and even apologized that he had been so rushed to get to the hospital he didn't have time to pick up some hockey souvenirs for Jordon."
On April 17, the day after the Penguins had eliminated the Senators in Ottawa, Laraque told his cousin that he had an idea.
There was this school, an hour from Pittsburgh. A few weeks earlier they had sent him a Flat Stanley - a little character made by students that is mailed out along with a disposable camera and a journal. The hope is that the recipient will mail back the character, the cameras, and the journal, and the kids can see what adventures their little figure had experienced.
That afternoon, 21 fifth-graders in Ms. Marmol's class at Hatfield Elementary looked up to see Laraque standing in their classroom doorway. He had the camera, full of shots of Stanley with various Penguins. The journal was filled out.
"People say, ‘It's too much.' Well, what's too much?" Laraque asks. "People come from all over the place to watch our games. Why can't we go there?"
Laraque has kept his home in Edmonton, and every Halloween makes sure the house is decorated, and friends are there to hand out candy. He returned after his first season in Pittsburgh last summer armed with a handful of signed Sidney Crosby jerseys, then walked into the local sports station and said, "Let's give these away." Then he drove the jerseys out to the winners' homes, or at worst, met them at a Tim Hortons nearby.
"Now I run into people," says radio host Bob Stauffer, whose show Laraque frequents, "and they say, ‘Hey, you're the guy who's on Georges' show all the time.'"
As a player, Laraque has found the perfect home in Pittsburgh. He is only getting six-and-a-half minutes of ice time per playoff game, but he's playing. Last year coach Michel Therrien didn't like Laraque's fitness when he came from Phoenix at the trade deadline, and would not play him on the road in the post-season.
"I know Georges really well. I coached Georges when he was 19 years old. We won a Memorial Cup together," Therrien said yesterday. "Now, he's in great shape. He's an enforcer - he's there to make sure we earn some respect - but he can play. He's good at cycling the puck, and really tough to contain when he has the puck down low. He's a totally different player than he was last year."
Still, Laraque is like every other heavyweight: he would far rather be a skill player. In fact, he really doesn't like to fight at all.
"It's not my personality. It's my job," he says. "I don't get all revved up to fight. I'm calm. I wish the guy good luck, and I hope that he's OK after the fight. I know they have lives, they have kids and lives after hockey. I don't want to hurt anyone."
As the conversation turns to hockey, Laraque's interest wanes a bit. He'd rather talk about what a hockey player can do away from the rink.
"Look at the life we're living? Look at the world, what's going on?" he says. "If you make a lot of money, and you give a lot to charity, that's the easiest thing to do. You should go there, to the people. Spend time. Guys say, ‘Oh yeah, I give a lot to charity.' Who cares about that?"
"Georges might never know how much that visit meant to Jordon and his parents. Jordon, who was 19, died on Monday."
"When you give someone a moral boost like that, sometimes you give them the will to live. The boost he got made him so happy, they said he lived another few days because of that," Laraque said.
"The fact I have the power to do this? I do as much as I can."

Books suggestions, stat!

2008-04-28T10:46:00.002-05:00

Am running low on reading material -- anybody have any good suggestions for what I should dig into next? I am likely placing an order with Amazon later this week, so if you have anything in mind, please let me know sooner than later. Thanks in advance!

I heart Boston. Big Time.

2008-04-23T12:01:00.008-05:00

I am ridiculously in love with Boston. It is simply one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been in. I flew in on Friday night, home late last night. A quick trip to watch my sister rock the marathon, and then back to business. A few notes:

- Andrea ran a 3.26. (see below for a video of Andrea and my mother's hand)
- We stayed in Cambridge, at a hotel right next to M.I.T. It was embarrassing because the recruiting people from M.I.T. would NOT leave us alone. They just kept saying – “please, come and solve this math equation for us”. FYI M.I.T. nerds, I am so above where you are, we talk in different languages. I solve equations you don’t know exist.
- Lance ran the marathon with a posse. And when I say posse, I mean he ran with 4 people around him at all times. Come now. Necessary? I think not. Take a seat, Lance.
- Went to the marathon after-party (because I totally deserved to go…watching those runners was hard work). Note: if you ever need to feel “cool”; go to a marathon after-party. Although they have lots of fun, marathoners are not exactly super cool. There were a few people randomly having “Westhawks” around the bar; will post-pictures after. For those of you who don’t know the lingo: a Westhawk = a nap taken in the middle of a party.
- We toured Harvard; went on a tour of Fenway Park; hung out in Boston Common and in the Public Garden; watched the hockey game at Cheers. Loved it all. Will post some pics when I get home because I know most of you prefer pictures to words. And that’s OK.
AND – this is being put in writing so you can appreciate that it is big news that I am going to be forced to live up to.
I want to run the Boston Marathon. I. Want. To. Run!

The Earl, please

2008-04-11T23:35:00.008-05:00

I just want everyone to know that I realize how ridiculous it is that I love Starbucks. Apart from the philosophical and the moral stuff that I may be ruthlessly ignoring, the crux of the matter is this: I drink tea. Earl Grey tea. So, why is tea from Starbucks any different from tea at Second Cup, or TH's? It's not. And yet it just somehow is.

And I think it's OK to like something just because.

That's all.

2008-04-11T16:36:00.002-05:00

Ok, must vent.

Post was edited for niceness by a contrite Ainsley.

On a more pleasant subject, hockey playoffs and the Masters have both begun, events which I enjoy reading about and watching (highlights) of. Yes, I’m a band-wagon jumper, as I don’t really follow hockey through the year, or golf. But I say that without shame – I mean, really, where’s the harm? Myself and Ellis have entered into another hockey pool as Amainsley, and we are totally going to dominate this year, if I do say so myself. On a more philosophical note, why aren’t we called Ainsanda? Think about that one, friends, and get back to me. We have Anaheim facing off against Pittsburgh in the finals. Oh, and we have Iginla. Can you guess who made that call?

Also, I would like to note that I received a blog comment! Yesssss. Super pumped about my first comment. These are the moments we must savour. Everybody else, it’s very easy – you can even heckle me… you don’t even have to create an account, if you don’t want to.

And lastly, before I bid everyone a good weekend, I would like to note that I have added this to my email signature: Please think green before printing this email. I think you guys should as well. See how tricky I am? The font is green. Please note that I wrote that with much glee.

And with that floating in your brians, have a great one. I will think of you all frolicking in the sun as I spend 2 straight days in collaborative law training.

The Junos

2008-04-07T10:19:00.000-05:00

Junos last night.

Stage design included oil wells and what appeared to be oil barrels. A large mound of them in a heap (of garbage?).

Am totally unimpressed.

Thoughts?

Am I being overly preachy?

Passion anyone?

2008-04-03T20:45:00.000-05:00

Do you ever get the feeling that you don't have a passion in your life? I do. I get that feeling a lot, and it worries me and it scares me. I think, "why don't I love photography enough to take a class and carry a camera with me"? Or, why don't I paint, fish, ski, knit, do yoga, etc., etc because I love it so much I can't stay away?

I want a passion, it's just that I haven't figured out I am passionate about yet. Please note the "yet". A few years ago, I used to think it was because a passion hadn't found me yet. Just recently, I realized how ridiculous that notion was. Of course my passion isn't going to find me; I need to find it (please note that in writing that sentence I erased the word "should" and put in the word "need"). And I think this is something we should all do. I know that we are all very busy individuals...I am the certainly the first one to always discuss how "busy" I am (and I put that into quotations because I often, as you all know, create the busy, and thus the panic, that follows in my life). We just simply need to realize that life is here, it's here now, so let's get at it. I think I am making this a "we" thing so I feel better about this -- it seems more approachable that way.

And what would be even better would be to have a passion that would contribute somehow. Oh -- and a passion that I could please do with my friends. Particularly my girlfriends.

So, can we please figure this out? What we want to do and contribute and be passionate about?
Please?

Sometimes I worry that I am simply not creative enough to figure this out on my own.
(side note: is it a sign that I kept typing "wimp" when I was trying to type "simply" for that sentence?)
Sometime I worry that I don't have all that much imagination. And when I think that, I think about what I can do to ensure that my children get more imagination than I have. And then I worry that I may not be able to teach them to be imaginative because I don't have enough imagination. And you can all see that this is going nowhere in a huge hurry.

Please help. Stat. Need a passion.

The clip I have included with this post is long (18 minutes) but well worth watching (just maybe not when you are attempting to bill more than 5 hours, which is the number that I billed today. Really? 5 hours? Why was I at work for 8!! Damn it!). Andrea turned me on to the site where this clip came from -- TED.com (thank you, thank you, thank you to An). The one that I have included here is Isabel Allende -- very passionate, very, very inspiring.

Jessica Biel -- eat your heart out.

2008-03-31T15:46:00.000-05:00

Wow. That's all.

ps. I just checked out Lainey gossip and note that she ends her post relating to the above picture with "that's all" as well. Can someone please tell her to stop copying me?

Earth Hour - check

2008-03-31T14:43:00.000-05:00

Ty and I took part in Earth Hour on Saturday, and I have to tell you, I feel pretty good about it. It’s an important cause. At first, as 8 p.m. was approaching, we were both hesitant to stop what we were doing and shut it all down (in fact, we actually asked each other – what are we going to do? Should we go out for dinner? Does eating out constitute an earth-friendly activity? Should we play crib by candlelight instead?) but as we turned off the lights, the television, the computer, we realized just how nice it was to have an un-interrupted hour of just talking and lounging.
Go earth, go.
Listening to talk radio this morning, heard a looo-ser of a guy talking about how not only did he not participate in earth hour, but he actually intentionally turned on more lights. Excuse me? Really? I get not backing the cause; I understand not participating. But negative participation? Do not get even one bit.