I love weekends!

As the day draws to an end, so does our 12 plus hour game of Civ III, played on the laptop due to computer "issues." Regardless, it's been a fun game, and a great weekend. We did other stuff as well, but I can't talk about it here!

In other news, we have a destination or two for our honeymoon. Florida and the Bahamas, and then perhaps Halifax. I am getting excited - but first, Christmas!

Gotta go, it's my turn!

Drunk is good...

Was taking out to dinner tonight and treated like a princess. am slightly drunk. Drunk is good. But maybe you shouldn't blog when drunk.

Keep em guessing!

My friend Quynn just sent me this quote via email. He thought I might enjoy it, and he was right! Thanks Quynn!

"The genius of you Americans is that you never make clear-cut stupid moves, only complicated stupid moves which make us wonder at the possibility that there may be something to them we are missing."

- Gamel Abdel Nasser

Give it a rest... Nov 28th is BUY NOTHING DAY.

Media Carta Manifesto

Know the media
Change the media
Be the media

Be citizens, not spectators. Pre-order some kick ass sneakers.

Your politics stink, Sir

Alliance Leader Stephen Harper has fired MP Larry Spencer (family issues critic). Spencer, a 61 year old U.S. born former Baptist minister, has "resigned" from caucus. Good riddance.

Spencer had said homosexuality is part of a "well orchestrated conspiracy that should be outlawed." He further said homosexuals can transform themselves into heterosexuals.

Well at least Mr Harper did the right thing by immediately getting rid of this terrible source of bigotry. Too bad we can't send him back to the U.S.

The Medium is the Message

Anyone who actually knows me likely understands that my interests in the media, flow of information, advertising, propaganda and marketing are really all rolled up into one big fascination that drives how I define, critique and understand the popular culture around me.

Like most Generation Xr’s, I grew up around TV, maybe even partially raised by it. Assailed daily with large amounts of information, I came to understand and appreciate the influence that media, and the message as delivered, could have – both personally and en masse. I came to believe that I would need to understand this phenomenon more if I was to escape, albeit only partly, a complete consumption of myself within it.

The first add I ever really totally remember was a Budweiser Beer commercial in the 70’s. At the time Budweiser had these beer commercials that featured a big rig with their slogan trademark on the side that would drive around and the air horn sounded like “BUD! BUD!” You may even remember this. Also at this time, Rainer Beer had some commercials where they had replaced the gearing up of a fast motorcycle with the sounds of “Raaaaaaiiii – nnnnneeeeerrrr – beeeeeerrrr”. This particular commercial I am referring too, started out like a typical Rainer Beer commercial, but as the motorbike rounded the corner, you heard “BUD! BUD!,” a crash, and then the big Bud Truck drove around the bend into view. It was brilliant! It made a huge impact on me. The commercial only aired a couple of times before complaints had it taken down, but I remember it even to this day. I appreciated the ingenuity, the cleverness, the risk and overall, the influence. I never ever drank Rainer Beer.

Today I was watching a commercial that Trite had posted on his site, and it made me remember how much I like the ideas and processes behind the marketing of a product or idea via commercials. If you regularily read my site, you have seen me post some of my more favourite commercials as I come across them. The Cat Herders, the dancing Bacardi Cat, the brilliant UnBrand America July 4th spot. I could write an entire thesis, or book on this topic… (thinking)… But, I digress…

So this media/TV/radio motivated era has endowed us with a plethora of references, little ditties and taglines stuck not only in our heads, but also firmly implanted within our pop-cultural consciousness – where they have stealthily infiltrated and exist, in some instances, even beyond the actual product or original message that accompanied them.

I thought it might be fun to take a little quiz, which I have prepared below for you to share with me. You will find the answers in my comments, in case you can’t remember what they are from. If you are like me, some of these trips down memory lane will make you smile, although for the life of me I don’t really know why.

AND I have the Purina Meox Mix song in my head and can’t get it out. Sigh.


1. “Everyone knows it’s slinky”

2. "Where’s the Beef?”

3. "I can't believe I ate the WHOLE thing."

4. “Kills bugs dead”

5. "Gotcha... four across"

6. "Im a pepper, you're a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too."

7. "My bologna has a first name it's O-S-C-A-R, my bologna has a second name it's M-A-Y-E-R, Ooh, I love to eat it everyday and if you ask me why I'll say, cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A."

8. “Take me away”

9. "I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys R' Us kid. A million toys to choose from, that I can play with. From bikes to trikes and video games, its the biggest toy stor there is. GEE WIZ! I don't wanna grow up, cuz baby if I did....I wouldn't be a toys r' us kid!"

10. "Milk. It Does A Body Good."

11. “It keeps going, and going, and going…”

12. “Catch the Wave”

13. “Pardon me, might you have some grey poupon?”

14. "I've fallen, and I can't get up!"

15. “Give it to Mikey. He eats anything”

16. "Pizza! Pizza!"

17. "Priceless."

18. "Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids!"

19. “'New York CITY?”

So what did I miss?

"When I think about you, I touch myself!"

Your Ultimate Purity Score Is...
Category	Your Score	Average
Self-Lovin'	46.7% When I think about you - or anyone - I touch myself	65%
Shamelessness	54.8% It takes a couple of drinks	79.3%
Sex Drive	63.2% A fool for love, but not always	77.7%
Straightness	3.6% Knows the other body type like a map	45%
Gayness	75% Repressed, are we?	83.3%
Fucking Sick	70.8% Dipped into depravity	89.9%
You are 51.41% pure Average Score: 72.6%
Take The Ultimate Purity Test and see how you match up!

How do you...

Smuggle daydream's into reality?

I try to take one day at a time, but today several days have attacked me all at once

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being, hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."

- Erma Bombeck

Go Pokemon!

:: how nintendo are you? ::

I loved my NES. Those were the days. Ofcourse, gaming has come a long way since then, a long, long way. I might laugh at the old graphics when I see them again, but boy do I remember the humble beginnings and memories that they produced!

Life is too short not to play. What are you doing right now?

I'm bored too...

I'm Bored

my father thinks I am: the next Prime Minister
My mother thinks I am: rich
my ex-boyfriend husband thinks I am: a good Mom
you get embarrassed when: Duncan teases me
makes you happy: Duncan, my children, eating sushi and chocolate, sex, music, Hockey
upsets you: George Bush
you keep a diary: Forever and always, all the good, bad and juicy bits as they happen
you like to cook: I love to cook, but I enjoy being cooked for as well!
you have a secret you have not shared with anyone: No secrets from Duncan. Its absolutely refreshing to trust someone so completely that you can tell them every last deep dark secret, and they still love you, even though
you're in love: Yes I am…
you set your watch a few minutes ahead: Watch? What Watch? Time is only relevant to the situation at hand
you bite your fingernails: Sadly, yes – I try very hard sometimes though not to
you believe in love: completely
the cutest female you know: I got a thing for my friend that looks like Drew Barrymore. I know, it’s shameful, but man is she cute!
the weirdest person you know: Joel
the Loudest Person you Know: My kids
the Sexiest Person you Know: Yummy Duncan
Your close friends: Duncan, Dawn, Cathy, Michele, Elizabeth, Kerry, Renee, Joel
Most Boring Teacher: Hard to say – after a few years of University there is too many. I only remember the good ones
your most overused phrase on IM: LOL or LMAO
the last image/thought you go to sleep with: Duncan
your best feature: my breasts, tongue, legs, maybe my hair
Inside joke: That *I* am the Evil One (laughs)
take a shower everyday: Baths preferably. I like to be clean, hairless and smelling delicious
have a(any) crush(es): yah... But they are all on girls and therefore relatively harmless
think you know you've been in love: You only know you have been in love when you actually discover that you are in love, for real – and then it is unquestionably obvious -and yes, I am in love!
want to get married: at least twice! (yet another inside joke?)
have any tattoos/where?: thought about it, a lot actually, no tattoo yet
piercing/where?: soon to have a pierced tongue
get motion sickness: no
think you're a health freak: sometimes
get along with your parents: as long as there is distance between us
thunderstorms: incredible – I love being in them, so much raw power

Hat Tip: Found this at Chimerical Dreams.

The Force fights with me!

:: how jedi are you? ::

Hmmmm. Jedi Master. I try, so hard to be good, but so often its sooooo tempting to be a bad Mo'fo. The dark side is tempting. Too tempting as my Knights of the Old Republic character will demonstrate. It's a dark path that Jedi walks, even when try to be good he does!

Is nothing sacred? What about manners?

Is there nothing that George Bush and his goons won't destroy?

"Palace staff said they had never seen the Queen so angry as when she saw how her perfectly-mantained lawns had been churned up after being turned into helipads with three giant H landing markings for the Bush visit. The rotors of the President's Marine Force One helicopter and two support Black Hawks damaged trees and shrubs that had survived since Queen Victoria's reign. And Bush's army of clod-hopping security service men trampled more precious and exotic plants... The Palace's head gardener, Mark Lane, was reported to be in tears when he saw the scale of the damage."

Reportedly, the Queen's Flamingos may be too traumatized to ever return.

WTF?

The things we do for those we love...

Since Duncan decided to sell his PS2 I thought it would be sweet of me to rent him the newest Final Fantasy game for him to play. It's been a super big hit. It's a great game, big, gorgeous graphics, and yay, I am the perfect fiance!

However, I neglected to maybe think of the potential consequences of being so sweet and perfect.

I now have to resort to playing pokemon on my game boy, until the TV is free once again!

Funniest wedding dress site ever

These dresses are U-G-L-Y.



I think those feathers might be a little too much...

I used to think that every bride was beautiful, no matter what. I used to think how could any one screw up looking beautiful on a day like their own wedding? Isn't it a gaureenteed day when everyone thinks the best of you?

Then I found this wedding dress site.

There are no words for how terribly misled some brides would have to be to wear some of these... ummmm... dresses. Don't they have friends to stop them? Oh well, maybe they can work it out in therapy.

Hockey Night in Canada

The first ever outdoor regular season NHL game was played today, in EDMONTON ALBERTA! And it was an awesome game! Well played, exciting, emotional. It was a hockey game right down to the last second.

In honor of the occasion tonight we drank Hot Chocolate out of our Heritage Classic Travel Mugs, a hold over from yesterdays practise. It seemed appropriate, and neither of us was willing to go out to get beer.



It was apparently -28°C (with the windchill) on the ice when the game started. I can only imagine that it got a little colder as the night progressed. We enjoyed the game from the comfort of +18°C, although, I would admit, that being offered tickets I would have gladly frozen my ass off to see those games rink side. I might even have offerred a digit or two for the appeasement of the hockey gods.



I couldn't help but wonder as I watched, if we had lost something in modern day Hockey, some tradition found in the frozen pond beginnings of the game. It was a different experience yesterday standing in the cold watching hockey heros skate on an outside rink. It felt right. It was inspiring. It was like standing in a cathedral of the truest religion in Canada - Hockey.

The winters in Canada are long. In a frozen world it makes sense to turn vast expanses of ice into a passionate game that warms you from inside. In the frenzy of the moment, between cheering the play and encouraging your team onwards, no one really has time to be cold.

"And these are the sounds of a village in the lonely heart of winter."

It's the Good Ol' Hockey Game!

The Heritage Classic... what can one say?

Hearing the commentators use names like Gretzky, McSorley, Coffey, Tikkanen, and LaFleur together, it was exciting. It was like listening to the old commentaries on my Hockey Music CD's. I had to remind myself that this was happening now, today, here.



At Wesley's hockey game this morning, I was thinking alot about Hockey. I can't imagine a world without hockey, and if I could, it would be an empty world. Hockey is everywhere!

Hockey has certainly dominated my life more than almost anything else, and so many good memories are focused around it. I was born in 1972, just in time for the Canada-Russia Summit Series, and have oft mused that Hockey is the reason god sent me to live in Canada. I watched hockey on TV for years until I attended my first NHL game when I moved to Calgary, eight years ago, and I was amazed by the way the game gripped me even more so in person. Four years or so ago, Duncan and I attended one of our first games together, and since then Hockey has been a big part of the life we have shared. The first and second times I saw and touched the Stanley Cup, Duncan was there. The first time I ever saw Dominik Hasek, he was there with me. Our first date was at a hockey game, and he has surprised me on our second anniversary with a Hockey game... He wasn't at the party where I watched the Mens Gold Medal win in 2002, but we certainly celebrated the win that afternoon and into the evening, and it was glorious (thats when he bought me my Game Boy Advance). We watched Hasek and the Wings win the Stanley Cup in 2002, right before he moved in with me. We have developed a habit of Hockey Night in Canada at our local Hooters, especially when the Oilers play the Flames. We watched Wayne Gretzky skate, in person, for the first time in public since he retired. We watched (at home in the warmth) the historic Heritage Classic game together and are about to watch the next game as well.

It is difficult to define sometimes how much hockey can penetrate a life. It may be harder still for someone to understand if they don't hold hockey as important. I thank gods that my best friend and partner shares my love of hockey with me, with us, as a family. We live hockey. Hockey is life. And yes, we are Canadian.

Now drop that puck!

Current Conditions in Edmonton, Alberta...

-26°C and CLEAR.

FEELS LIKE -35°C.

SEIZE THE DAY!!

It's friday today. Anything can happen, you just got to get up and out the door, right?

This morning when I got up it was a daunting -25 degrees outside. So I bundled up, took Duncans hand and we headed downtown. With over a foot of snow on the ground, some of which was blowing up and around our heads, and ice where there used to be water, we were mostly kept warm by our excitement... It was so cold, even the air was frozen, little tiny particles floating around waiting to be inhaled. We stopped briefly on our trip for hot chocolate, and then - when we finally did reach our destination, we proceeded to stand in -20 (it warmed up a bit) weather for the next three hours. And it was damn cold.

So, what on this earth could possibly made us happily expose ourselves to this kind of experience?


Wayne Gretzky.


Thats right. I said Wayne Gretzky. And we watched him skate, for the first time publically since his last NHL game, today at the outdoor ice at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the practise for tomorrow's Heritage Classic Hockey Game, so we saw others too, like Guy LaFleur, Larry Robinson, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Dave Semenko, Esa Tikkanen, Kevin Lowe, Lee Fogolin, Grant Fuhr, Marty McSorley and Mark Messier; but it was Wayne Gretzky that I was there for. It was exciting to watch him skate today. A man behind us said to his freezing kids (who were on the border of complaint) "This is history, right here, today."

He's right. Here, in the heartland of Hockey, Canada, history is being made. And it's our history to make.

In Canada, hockey is life/life is hockey. From roadways, to frozen ponds, to outdoor/indoor community arenas, kids all over Canada have played their hearts and dreams out on the ice, in this game that IS Canadian.

I AM Canadian!!!

My article is up.

Appearing in todays GATEWAY NEWSPAPER, my Bill 43 Protest Story, in all it's glory. Well, maybe no glory, but front page nonetheless.

News you won't find on CNN

Professor George A. Akerlof, co-winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in economic sciences, is interviewed in this article by Der Spiegel (Online). He speaks of the impact of the Bush Administration's policies. Here are some choice excerpts:

Akerlof: "The government is not really telling the truth to the American people... What we have here is a form of looting." "I think this is the worst government the US has ever had in its more than 200 years of history. It has engaged in extraordinarily irresponsible policies not only in foreign and economic but also in social and environmental policy. This is not normal government policy. Now is the time for people to engage in civil disobedience."

Spiegel Online: "Of what kind?"

Akerlof: "I don't know yet. But I think it's time to protest - as much as possible."

Amen to that. A citizenry who is not interested in defending it's own democracy will find itself removed of its civil liberties and freedoms, and eventually its so called democracy. A citizenry not allowed to question its own government (You're either with us or against us) is being denied its ability to defend it's own democratic process.

Far be it from me to suggest (out loud even) that americans should engage in civil disobedience to defend their own freedoms. But if I may make a suggestion, you DON'T HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE IDIOT again. Just let this unfortunate time pass into history and start picking up the pieces.

And another quote that comes to mind, that may or may not be related to the current situation (you decide):

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Hermann Goering

Yes. It apparently does.

Hat Tip for todays topic goes to TRITE REMARKS. Yes, I was inspired. Kudos to Trite.

Why do bad things happen?

Bridges shouldn't fall. Ships shouldn't sink. Planes shouldn't crash.

But they do.

I guess if nothing bad ever happened we would be unable to appreciate the goodness around us. I have a lot of good around me, I should remember to appreciate it more.

Strong and beautiful... yep thats me!

You are Trinity, from "The Matrix."
Strong, beautiful- you epitomize the ultimate
heroine.


What Matrix Persona Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Have you been naughty or nice?

What do you want for Christmas?

We have an Officiant for our Wedding!

Just found out that our family friend, Honourable Murray Smith, MLA and Alberta Minister of Energy, has said he would be delighted to marry us. Brilliant!

Everything seems to be falling into place nicely with regards to the wedding! Just, ummm, well... yah, everything else to go...

So call me crazy, but today I took 5 kids to Galaxyland, and we all had a blast! Duncan and our friend Quynn also came, as did one of the other kids parents, but she didn't want to ride any rides... MY NEW FAVOURITE RIDE IS THE SPACE SHOT. What a blast! Duncan and I went on it twice... we didn't even get out of our seats, I just yelled "We're going again!". I think that the Upside Down Ship was much more enjoyable the second time on it, and the Roller Coaster as always was most exciting! Yay Roller Coasters! The kids had smiles on their faces the whole time, which in my books was more then worth it.

We had a short turn over time from getting all the kids fed and home to when we had to be back at the mall for MASTER and COMMANDER. An amazing movie... of epic proportions. I liked it, not quite as much as Duncan, but I was more then happy with the experience. The movie itself was a treat from Quynn, who took all of us to see it (THANK YOU QUYNN!).

Santa Claus is Coming to town!

We have started an extremly busy weekend with a special crepe breakfast at the mall (I had a strawberry custard crepe... mmmmm). We ate just in time to see Santa Claus arrive at West Edmonton Mall. It was great, a big parade, amazing Christmas decor, and enough excitement to get any one caught up in the Christmas Spirit! I love Christmas, and I still believe in Santa Claus!

Duncan and I enjoyed Hockey Night in Canada from the comfort of (whats quickly becoming our favourite bar haunt) Hooters, the game made more enjoyable by the wanton consumption of Big Rock's Honey Brown Beer and Snow Crab legs. The night could only have been more perfect if the Fames had actually won!

Even better news is we brought our computer home yesterday. Finally out of the shop with all its brand spangled new parts. This means I can now get all my updates done to my web pages! Oh yeah, and I got a bunch of Christmas shopping done as well, which always makes me happy. Did I mention I love Christmas???

Copping an Atitude

What does 50,000 volts of electricity and Autism have in common? Nothing really, and it's likely the two should never go together. Police in Camrose, Alberta however seem to disagree. The officers felt it neccessary to subdue a young Autistic Boy with their Taser. The boy, apparently obviously Handicapped, had managed to wander away from his Group Home and found himself in the very wrong place at the worst possible time.

Police said the tasering occurred because the man made "abnormal movements."

I guess had the officer's not had possesion of this "stunning" new weapon it is possible they might have just shot the boy instead. What ever happened to talking to someone to find out what is going on for them or how you can help them? I guess it is Taser first, ask questions later.

Is this Reverse Psychology?

Those boys at PENNY ARCADE are some talented, alright, but I don't know about a career in marketing...

Go... see the rest of the Alaska adds....

Seattle does need to relax!

Like I have said before, sometimes I am a feminist, and sometimes feminists really piss me off. Here is a really good example of those times where "feminists" piss me off.

A Sushi resturant in Seattle has been offering naked Sushi, Japanese style. In a sensual preformance, a female model, wearing only a thong, lays still on a table while the chef serves sushi onto her midriff.

The model claims the experience to be relaxing, sensual and meditative. "It's ridiculous to comment on it without experiencing it", she says.

Women's groups opposing this preformance insist that the model has only "internalized her oppression."

Pardon me?

Maybe it is because I am a sexually confident, mature woman who is deliriously happy with her own sexuality. Maybe it is because I think that a womans body is a beautiful thing and people should be honored when it is shared with them. Maybe it is because I love the arts and their expression, and despise censorship - or perhaps because I love Sushi so much? Or maybe it is just because I believe in a womans right to express herself as she sees fit.

To all those so called feminists out there, I ask, where is the true oppression here? What gives you the right to tell a woman what she can or can't do? What gives you the right to assert that a woman's body is something to be ashamed of, or hidden? Why don't you get about the business of advocating for a woman's right to empower herself through expression, rather then trying to demolish it?

Powerful. Intimidating. Trivia Nazi. President Bartlet is all of these and more. A super-nerd who's into chess, National Parks, and rambling off things in Latin, POTUS is the 'real thing.' Not being completely upfront with the American people may cause him re-election headaches, though...

:: Which West Wing character are you? ::


Hmmm. President of the United States. Good at chess I might be, but POTUS? Hmmmm. It is my favourite character though, so go figure. Oh and about that election... since when did honesty win political campaigns? It's about the economy, Stupid...

The larks, still bravely singing, fly...

Today, as we all stood together as a family at the Remembrance Day Ceremonies, many different things were going through my mind, too many to blog about even.

But most of all I thought about my Poppy.

My Poppy was my Dad's Dad. He lied about his age to fight in World War I - he was 13.5 years old... Later, and some years older, he also fought in World War II. He did what he could, he did his best - and he survived.



Poppy died when I was quite young, around 4 years old, although I don't remember exactly. What I remember of him was magical, and the memories always bring a smile to my face. He is, perhaps, the grandparent I miss the most, yet knew the least. He is someone I regret not having the chance to introduce to Duncan, and my children.

Poppy died before I knew, or could understand, the sacrifices he made for his family, and country. He died before I could say thank you.

Thank you Poppy, for everything you did, for me.

Out of the Mouth's of Babes

Kid's say the darndest things sometimes. Wesley complained about having a substitute teacher today at school, so I asked him where his teacher had gone today. He said "Oh, she had time in the Loo".

Isn't she precious?

This morning, on my way out to work (and running a little bit behind), Raven asked me to wait. When I went into the kitchen to see what she needed she handed me Ziploc bags full of tea bags, sugar and a Tupperware thing of milk. "So you can have tea at work this morning", she said. What more could someone ask for?

I didn't want to go either...

This morning the alarm goes off. Duncan, half asleep, grabs me, holding me close. "I don't want you to go," he says, "Push the snooze button."

Lunar Eclipse! Now Showing!

An evening spent under the stars, and a couple of planets, a great lunar eclipse and sliding down the snowy hills admist laughter and mini science lectures with avid learners.

I am going to spend the rest of the night snuggled up warm with Duncan playing video games and perhaps even watching a movie... oh yeah, and daydreaming of a wedding!

Dear Santa...

Today, at our house, a big colourful Toys R Us Christmas Catalogue arrived. Hoping to spur some insight into Christmas hopes for potential gift giving ideas, I left it in the middle of the living room floor, right where it was bound to be noticed.

I just found the results, albeit not quite what I expected, but after Duncan and I had laughed our way through it, my thought was that I had to blog about it, for prosperity sakes. It might be worth noting that I don't know what half this stuff is... So, without further adieu, here is the letter I found with the book:

To Santa

This is all the things I would like Just pick one or two.

1. Game Boy Advance SP- Red *
2. Pokemon Pinball *
3. Finding Nemo *
4. gooey louie
5. K Nex
6. McFlurry Maker
7. the Real cotton candy machine *
8. Easy Bake Oven *
9. Polly Pocket set
10. Bratz boys and girls
11. My Scene
12. Barbie Swan Lake
13. ello
14. clikits
15. Pixter
16. 19" Dot
17. 38" Floppy bear
18. Tye Dye Unicorn
19. Puppies - assorted breeds
20. Snubbies dog den
21. Snubbies snuggable Plush
22. Big head first puppy
23. the dog
24. you and me
25. go go walking pup
26. Nail Polish
27. $75.99 *
28. flexible Barbie
29. ice cream
30. tickets for Galaxyland *
31.
32.
33.
34.

* I want these ones espeshly.

From Raven

Damn Revisionist History

Just did a school reading/comprehension project with Wesley. Today he read me a story about how great Christopher Columbus was, and how interesting he found the culture of the Arawak people, and basically, what a great time they all had together. When he was done I was a little shocked, and he said to me "Wow, did Christopher Columbus really do all that?" No, I said, he did much more. Then I shared with him the real story of Mr Columbus.

Christopher Columbus was a Bastard. He was a genocidal mass murderer who killed perhaps as many as 3 million Arawak people, or all of them, to be exact.

Etymologically, the politically charged word GENOCIDE means the killing of an entire gens, or of a whole people. At the hands of Christopher Columbus, the entire gens, the whole people of the native americans of the Arawak/Taino people were wiped out. Hunted for sport. Raped. Tortured. Murdered. Enslaved. Driven to suicide. Gone. By 1555, not a single Arawak person was left.

And that doesn't even touch the more then 12 million natives who were killed by the Europeans that followed.

I wrote a note to Wesley's teacher explaining my discomfort at the presentation of Christopher Columbus, but I am not sure what else to do. I can only imagine the uproar if this had been a feel good story of Hitler and the Jews of Europe.

The IMAX Revoultion

"Why do you persist?" "Because I choose to."

My Matrix experience was pretty in my face, and I liked it. Third row center IMAX made me feel like part of the movie. And I really liked it. I thought it was amazing. I am still reeling from the depth of the imagery and mythology utilized by the director. I will think about this film for a while. And to all it's detractors I thumb my nose at you, if you don't get it, well there is always "Bill and Ted", "BATS", or that "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

"Did you always know?" "No, but I believed."

Day after Addition: We were spotted! It is interesting to know that people can recognize us in real life where we previously only existed in the virtual life!

ALMOST 5000!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited. Let me know if you are the 5000th visitor to my blog! Look under my blogroll and thinking space to see!

You will recieve much recognition and maybe even a prize.

Lest we forget

Born long after the end of the two World Wars and Korea, I was nonetheless raised in a family culture that imparted a significant amount of importance onto Remembrance Day and the activities that surround it. The importance of passing this down through my own children, and thus for generations to come, was well ingrained - considered a duty, even.

And one I never really thought to question.

Personally, the day itself invokes many emotions for me: pride; sadness; honour; guilt; thankfulness; and a sense of historical unity, all messed up in one really undefined jumble, packed together over years of reinforcement.

Yesterday, my fiancé, one of the smartest people I know, a historian of the World War's and a man whose opinion I respect highly, dealt me a blow. I was surprised how angry it made me.

He simply said that he doesn't celebrate November 11th. That he never has attended a ceremony outside of school assembly, ever, and none since leaving high school. Further, he said that he thought it was a misdirected ritual that holds no true meaning and he didn't really want to ever have a part in it.

Ouch!

The problem is, aside from a bunch of irrational anger, and senseless rebuffs of "because it's important", I really didn't have an answer to his claim. It saddens me to admit this, but I have been struggling ever since to find a suitable response. Could he be right?

And what does Remembrance Day really mean, to Me?

Why do I wear a poppy on my shirt and religiously read Flanders Fields to my children? Why do I brave usually uncomfortable weather to stand in attendance at a memorial believing my presence honours all too few remaining veterans? Why do I tear up when the haunting sounds of Taps signal the end to the moment of silence? And most infuriatingly, why don't I instantly know the answer to these questions? Have I lapsed into dereliction and committed the immortal sin of "forgetting"? And if so, what is to become of us?

If I dare to sort through the layers of superficiality in order to deconstruct my own belief structure, I think I can find an answer.

For starters, people died in these wars, and a lot of them died wearing a Canadian uniform. The very same uniform I myself wore, with pride, years later in a more peaceful time. That uniform displayed honours presented to my unit for their conduct and success in these battles. That means something to me. True or not, I believe that those who fought in that uniform, did so knowing that they were likely to die, if necessary, for the cause and for Canada. I believe that maybe what helped them face that reality was the thought that their families would be kept safe against the greatest evils they had come to know, and that generations of their families to come would live in a freer world because of their sacrifice.

But, however valid, that is too easy an answer, and one most likely told to make ourselves feel better with minimal emotional investment.

I do believe that the horrors of war must be remembered, entrenched for future generations, or, as creatures of habit, we are destined to repeat them. I would be willing to admit that, as war can only ever really be known by someone who has experienced it, that Remembrance Day remains our best opportunity to attempt to comprehend it ourselves.

War is not easy, romantic, or safe. How easy we seem to forget, our false security shrouded within the complacency of many years of 'peace' and short wars fought far away from our homeland. How easily we seem to have become de-sensitized to... well, everything.

Einstein was trying to tell us something when he warned that world war four would be fought with sticks and stones.

I once saw a Veteran, with tears in his eyes, give his poppy to a small girl who had lost hers. He simply and gently said "Here, you can have mine."

So, in part, my answer is, 'because'.

Because of that look I saw in that same Veteran's eyes, because of what he wanted to hide from me, what he wanted me to never have to know, and because some people say it doesn't matter, anymore. Because it is bigger than me, and bigger then I can imagine, and because I don't want my children to be bombed, asked to pick up a rifle or be tracked through concentration camps... Because too many people already died to learn this lesson...

All of this together, is why I remember, and is why I want my children to remember.

In the end, I think really, what Remembrance Day is all about, is remembering why we remember.

"To you from failing hands we throw, the torch..."

Just my luck.

Sigh. Most everyone in the western world knows that I am a Dominik Hasek fan. Recently, in my own private musings I have wondered what Hasek has been getting up to while Detroit has been playing Joesph in net...

Well, today I found out.



Yes. That is a picture of Mr Hasek at West Edmonton Mall, yesterday.

The very same mall that I live less then two blocks away from; the very same mall that I was AT trick or treating last night with my kids...

You go, Girlfriends!

Rudy Susanto, a man described by authorities as a known sexual predator who would regularily expose himself to teenage girls, was chased through the streets by an angry crowd of Catholic high school girls on Thursday. I guess they had finally decided they had had enough!

"The girls came and started kicking him and punching him, so I wasn't going to stop them," said neighbor Robert Lemons.

I wouldn't have stopped them either.

Hat tip to Bweezy for finding this story.