Peel and Play Workshopping our way to our Inner Stripper!

Mary Taylor did a short "Peel and Play Workshop" at the Everything About Sex Show, and when she asked for male volunteers I gleefully volunteered Duncan as one (how could I not benefit in the long run from this???). She gave instruction on the art of Strip Tease, and the crowd cheered them on as they they did it!

This is Duncan trying out the techniques on his partner "Mandy." Everyone was a tad bit self concious, but it was all good fun!






Mandy's turn, and then, Ex Stripper "Mary Taylor" gets in on the act! She was definatley alot more experienced!

Stripper Mary shows us all how it's done! I think Duncan enjoyed this part the most!

As for me, I think I liked the girls cheering for Duncan as he did his little thing on the Catwalk. He's so sexy! They let me go up on the stage too so I could take pictures as Duncan discovered his inner stripper! I think we got the most of this show as possible!!!

WE DON'T HIT

Here's two children who will grow up not being threatened physically by their parents in any way. We have a zero tolerance on hitting in our home, and they deserve that to be extended to them as well. They have a right to grow up in a safe environment, and We love them enough to give it to them. It would probably be easier just to hit and send them to their rooms crying, but I am prepared to put in the efforts required to help them become disciplined productive citizens who can deal with their emotions appropriately.

You know whats funny? Our kids are wonderful, happy, caring, well adjusted children who do well in school and usually recieve commendations for helping other kids in need. It's always the kids who are misbehaving, talking back, yelling and bullying other kids that are being hit and demeaned at home. Wonder where they learnt that behaviour from?

It's spanking ridiculous

I can't say how disapointed I am in this ruling. Nevermind how disappointed I am in parents or caregivers that willfully hurt and demean children by hitting them. We're not even allowed to hit our dogs for crying out loud!

What I can say is this: ANY adult who uses "minor corrective force of a transitory and trifling nature" against my children should be expecting a response from myself using "reasonable" force. AND I will be the one determining at that moment what amount of force is reasonable in protecting the health and well being of my children.

"This case is about the right of children not to be hit, a right that in a modern, 21st-century democracy should be unquestioned," said lawyer Paul Schabas when he argued the case before the Supreme Court. But the federal government argued Section 43 should stay in place, saying the law strikes a balance between the needs of parents and the rights of children.

Regardless of the rules that the Supreme Court puts in place to draw the line between abuse and punishment, the real issue should be what type of parent could hurt their own children? What type of parent believes that teaches them anything at all? Except that hitting is an OK way to deal with your emotions? Legally, in Canada, this makes the parent/child relationship the only one where we are allowed to hit each other.

Well, except kids aren't allowed to hit back. Go democracy. Go human rights.

Fahrenheit 9-11

Michael Moore'snext film, Fahrenheit 9-11, is due for release late this summer. It's a showcase on terrorism, and attitudes towards americans gathered from around the world. I am looking forward to it!

"You know the question a lot of people were asking after Sept. 11 [was] `Why do they hate us?' The question I want to ask is, 'Why DON'T they hate us?' — and then take my camera around the world a bit and show what's done in our name," Moore says.

It's getting warmer!

Today it is only -24°C ( FEELS LIKE -33°C ). In the grand scheme of all things weather, it is actually warming up towards the predicted (and highly anticipated) highs of -3°C for next Thursday... That day I think I will wear a dress with my boots and show some skin. It will be nice to dress sexy again and not feel like the Michelin Tire Man!

I don't think I have worn so many layers in my life.

Comments from the Peanut Gallery

Comments left on my Post:


There are too many "what-ifs" surrounding this story. No proof he was THROWN. I certainly don't believe he'd jump or anything like that, but I'm leery or ruling out an accidental death - in that there was a scuffle, he lost balance etc. Too hard to tell at this point. It should also be noted that one of the guards - so they say - did try to grab Young to save him. Secondly, the Y.O. that heard the bangs, said the last bang shook his cell, not the first few.

I'm a journalist in Lloydminster with an extensive background covering crime. I'd really like to see the findings of the investigations before more speculation circulates. Findings - whatever they are - offer little comfort though in what is a horrifying way for a 16-year-old to die.

Ian (no webpage or email address left)

I love it when people leave comments on *MY* Blog stating "I'm a Journalist..." in order to illicit some form of authority over my opinions. Ha. Ok, ok, so it only happened this once, but I still got a kick out of it.

"What If's"??? I do think there is enough information to justify speculation occuring in my own personal blog (thanks anyway for the "admonition"). I am allowed to be angry here, that's the purpose of it, and it's a place that I don't need to maintain my journalistic integrity if I prefer to rant. I would write much differently if it were a news story of mine, but I would still highlight the statements of the elevator company explaining the extent of the damage done to the doors, and the witness who saw the boy being THROWN into the elevator doors repeatedly before they opened. Oh wait, I already did! Look at that.

Anyways, I don't think he was "thrown", as in I don't believe the guard's intentions were to throw him down the shaft. I don't think the guards even meant for him to die. But I do think they made some very poor choices in their behaviour and I don't want them getting off the hook. And I don't want to accept this as an "accident" - because it wasn't. It may have been a mistake, but that doesn't make it an accident.

They were doing something wrong.

This is Canada. There is a certain way we believe (as citizens) that people should be treated, and that extends to while in custody as well. I would even go so far as to predict the expectation of those standards might be a little higher when dealing with a youth in custody. We aren't supposed to throw people against anything (a 123 pound boy handcuffed AND shackled against two grown men with Security Training?), let alone doors that might freakishly open, causing someone to fall to their death. Something's are just not acceptable. There are something's I don't have to sit back and passively accept.

Misjudging the anticipated outcome of your intentional actions does not equal an accident, nor does it provide an excuse. The boy falling/slipping into the shaft is likely a direct result of him being thrown around in the first place (meaning it would not have occurred if he were being treated properly), something that is still very very wrong. Real world consequences occur from most endeavours, I guess that's why we don't walk around shoving people into walls on a regular basis.

As adults society expects us to take responsibility for our actions. I believe it is even expected that we consider the outcomes of our actions before we make a choice to do something. As a parent I expect adults that encounter my children to treat them with respect, dignity and to act within the law. As a parent, if my child were involved in the justice system I would expect that they were treated with respect in a safe environment that allowed the due process necessary for them to experience the real world consequences of their actions.

I don?t consider being thrown against the walls, let alone being permitted to slip into an empty elevator shaft, to be due process, or even an acceptable consequence for what Kyle Young was accused.

I am not in favour of the death penalty.

It's the Great White North, eh?

For the record, "FEELS LIKE -50°C" actually feels like my skull is going to crack open. It's a new experience, but not one I am fond of continuing for too much longer. The good news is, the Meteorologists predict the worst is yet to come...

Contradictions Haunt Kyles Mom

Differring stories from the EPS and the Elevator Company are reportedly tormenting Kyle's Mom, who buried her son yesterday after he was killed in an Edmonton Courthouse.

"Somebody is hiding something," said Lorena Young.

In the collective ass covering ensuing Kyles tragic death there is still no hint at the results of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of his demise.

Weapons of Mass Deception

(Via CBC News)

"I don't think they exist," said David Kay (outgoing chief U.S. weapons inspector) after nine months of searching Iraq for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

When asked whether President George W. Bush owes the U.S. an explanation following Kay's findings, Kay said: "I actually think the intelligence community owes the president, rather than the president owing the American people."

Ahem. What about the Iraqi people?

Current Conditions: Edmonton, Alberta

-32°C
Overcast. Light snow.
FEELS LIKE -46°C
Tonight: -37°C

Tuesdays High: -37°C
FEELS LIKE -50°C

(Via The Weather Network)

I don't know about you, but my definition of "high" doesn't include anything below zero, let alone temperatures like -32°C and -37°C. Tomorrow looks like a day for staying in bed...

UPDATE: Severe weather wreaks havoc in Canada

Gravity Sucks

But the Gravity of this situation sucks even more.

I can't get Kyle James Young (the 16 year old Edmontonian child who was killed, while in custody, in an Edmonton Courthouse this week) out of my mind.

I have quite a bit of experience working within security and policing agencies (including the military), so I have seen the good, the bad AND the UGLY. And this is ugly. Ugly enough to make me sick to my stomach - because I think I already know how the story ends.

Every Security Agency I have had the pleasure of working with have been professional organizations, with the exception of one. I only worked there for a few weeks, but the time I spent there was an education I didn't neccessarily need. I couldn't believe how much those people got away with. From my perspective, most of them were over zealous cowboys who continually escalated situations unfairly, often ending them in the worst way possible for the person involved, just because they could.

I have little or no tolerance for the Security "Guard" who relentlessly provokes somebody into a response and then turns around and squeals "Assualt, Assault". But there are lots of them in the industry. Freaks, cop-wannabes, all on a power trip. People who hide behind their uniforms and organizations. People who distort lines so much there eventually aren't any. People who spend copius amounts of creative energy to come up with stories to cover their asses, or the collective asses of thier buddies.

But what happens when something so big happens that no story, no matter how creative, can cover your ass?

How does a 16 year old boy, handcuffed, shackled and in custody, end up dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft?!?!

A witness statement alludes to a struggle - he said he heard repeated bangs so loud they shook his cell. The sound of guards pushing an unarmed child into the doors of an elevator to teach him a lesson?

"Then they brought him around the corner where we could see where the elevator was and they kept hitting him against the elevator."

The elevator company says an inordinate amount of damage was done to the elevator doors before they opened.

"When we went down there, the elevator door was significantly damaged, basically hanging off of one of the cables," said Ryan Wilson, vice-president of ThyssenKrupp Elevator. "It is basically impossible for those doors to come off or to open prematurely when there is no elevator there," he said. "Elevator doors just don't open. They just don't. Engineering-wise it is just impossible for that to happen."

And then a boy is thrown down an elevator shaft.

Regardless of lack of intent to murder this can not be called an accident.

Don't insult us. People take elevators, safely, every day. How does a 123 pound 16 year old child, handcuffed with feet shackled, escorted in complete custody by two guards, "fall" down an elevator shaft, plunging six stories to his death?

Who knows what happened? I'll admit everything is speculative at this point, and we might never know all the facts. And answers won't change the situation anyway, but perhaps closer scrutiny of the people we trust to handle these types of situations will bring some positive results when the industry purges itself of these bullies.

My heart goes out to his Mother.

There are certain things we trust in when we raise our children in Canada. And one of the most important things is that a person in uniform is a safe person.

Even bad kids deserve to grow up.

I had to laugh...

Joel has a way of just saying things like they are. And it makes me laugh. This was on his blog today:

Fuck you, Bush, and all of your pathetic, inbred type. I hope we all find out that the Egyptians were the only ones who had religion even close to right and that Anubis doesn't give a crap about how much lip service you paid to Jesus' puckered anus. Buy your way out of that, asshole.

To get the entire jyst of his comments you should read the entire post.

This is what got me moving this morning...

Badgers (Badger, badger, badger, badger. Mushroom, mushroom! Snake!)

Thanks to Joel!

Who decides what's farking newsworthy these days?

It's not news, it's FARK!

I love FARK. I often can't get enough FARK, which is good because FARK just keeps on coming. With a sense of webminded humour and from within a culture of "Farkisms" - the news is presented in the most enjoyable method I have ever come across. Lord knows, with the news these days, one needs some creative comic relief to get through it. A day without FARK is tantamount to a day without coffee.

Here is a selection of stories I found on FARK today (via FARK)

Elephant Makes Daring Escape from Zoo
Soviet Army fought UFOs
Pensioner run down by dog driving milk float
Chasing Elk Part of Airport Manager's Job

Go FARK yourself today!

Maestro! Applause card, please!

Being busy at work these past couple of days has prevented me from blogging about the SOTU, like I had originally intended to do on Tuesday. But to tell the truth, I found it boring and nothing, well maybe only a couple of things, even grabbed my attention. I was uninspired.

Be Afraid, blah, blah, ideal family, (Applause) blah blah, look out for the evildoers! I'm boy wonder, we did good,(Applause) blah, blah, blah. Reform, tax relief, (Applause) pariahs! Delivering justice, blah, blah, god, (Applause) good american girl, etc... (Applause.)

Bush's SOTU in this election year was pretty straight forward rhetoric that left much to be desired. Certainly nothing like the Axis of Evil comments that sparked my all time favourite Political Satire: The Axis of Just as Evil.

I agree with Boing Boing that the best part of the whole speech was this:

GW Bush: "Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year."

Audience: [Applause]

GW: [Frowny face]

And I loved veryveryhappy's critique (via Rooks Rant) which you can read HERE. It sums it all up much in the way I would have liked to.

May the Overly Christian God continue to bless america. (Applause)

State of Anticipation...

Soon to provide countless hours of fodder for blogsophere discussion... but until then, you can ask the White House Communications Director anything you want... well until 2:00 ET, so get cracking.

Dressing with style

Talking to Dawn, my Matron of Honor, on the phone right now. We are talking about dresses for the wedding. We have come to the conclusion that we need something nice, not too expensive, stupid and poofy. I am leaning towards Platinum as a color.

Although, I suddednly realize if I pick terrible dresses for them, I will look all that much better...

Cue maniacal laughter...

Just another Manic Monday...

In the paper we read on the bus this morning there were a few articles bemoaning the fact that the day was Monday and therefore another work week had begun. It got me thinking. I am usually a pretty happy person, so Mondays don't get me down. Don't get me wrong, I love Fridays and I adore the weekend... But I guess I realize that it could always be worse, lots of people in lots of places are having a worse day then I am.

Guest Blogging (across the Blogosphere)

This 'fictional' story written for me by Joel to cheer me up some. Thanks Joel. You're so talented I am jealous!

The Protest That Just Keeps On Not Giving.

"For the three hundred and sixtieth year running, protestors at the University of Alberta have hauled their sorry bones out in front of the administration building in order to ask that the people who they pay to help them out."

"'I just keep laughing when I look at these sorry bozos,' chuckles Ace Holdemall, President of the University, 'I mean, what are they going to do? Go work at McDonald's for the rest of their lives?'"

"'Oops, wait. Yes they are.'"

"Student Union President Simon Schmuck, who organized the "Dress Like A Tree" protest for this year's round of obligatory price gouging disagreed with the President's assessment of the lazy, disaffected student body.”

"'Not all of us are doomed to a life of inadequacy, failure and disappointment. Some of us have quite rich parents.'"

"School officials persist in claiming that tuition hikes are the result of inadequate support from the provincial government. Currently, approximately some percentage of tuition fees are subsidized by the poor and lower-middle class families who can't afford tax attorneys."

"'Why no,' responded a shocked Holdemall, 'my six digit income has little if anything to do with the state of tuition. Some of it comes in the form of kickbacks from parents who need personalized attention for their students yet who can't afford buildings.'"

"Despite the recent balancing of the provincial government's budget by the party in power, there has been uncontrollable growth in budget deficits being run up, not only by post-secondary institutions, but also local school boards, public libraries, and pretty much anyone else who depends on the provincial government for a handout."

"'Pardon me?' asked an only slightly drunk Premier Klein when asked about this state of affairs while hiding in a public toilet. 'I'm sure you have mistaken me for someone else. Besides which, it's all Kyoto's fault."

"School administrators have revealed several plans for the new money that the tuition increase will bring. Some of these include replacing the twist of duct tape that prevent students in the science building from inhaling natural gas while sitting in room 102A and hiring a team of lawyers to hamper faculty association demands for a living wage."

"'We also intend to purchase a decommissioned airliner in order to fly a team of skilled illegal immigrants in each day, to fill part-time jobs on campus' confided Holdemall after the hike announcement. 'Students may need the money, but the faculty is finding it more and more difficult to cope with the half-assed jobs that those drunks tend to do."

"Despite the autocratic nature of the tuition hike process, with no actual input into the process from anyone who doesn't stand to get a pay raise if it goes through, student representatives remain optimistic."

"'I got myself elected into this job by saying that I could do something about tuition hikes,' Schmuck indicated, 'and I intend to foster the illusion that student reps can do something about them so that my buddies on the council can get elected to the next position up next year after I am gone.'"

"'After all,' continued Schmuck, 'if it weren't for this job, I would be stuck working at the A&W and I hear that those guys are way tougher about drinking on the job than student council is.'"

"Splashy, ineffectual student protests are planned for the entire week of the 19th. The Dress Like a Tree protest will be the kickoff, with other events including Paint Yourself Orange Tuesday, Whine like a Bitch Wednesday, the traditional Running of the Nerds out at Engineering A on Thursday and, finally, Get Drunk and Forget About it Friday."

"Students interested in wasting their time by throwing their bodies into the mighty gears of governance in order to be crushed into paste are encouraged to visit the Student Council website at www.hotdrunkcollegesluts.com.

Read more Joel at Watch without a Watchman !!

Dying to tell the story

"There are some who feel like, that conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is: Bring them on. We got the force necessary to deal with the situation." - President George W. Bush

Today the american casualty numbers reached beyond the milestone of 500 dead, bringing the total to 501 dead american soldiers.

Since the american led invasion of Iraq started March 20 2003, there have also been 56 British soldiers, five Bulgarian soldiers, one Danish soldier, 17 Italian soldiers, two Polish soldiers, eight Spanish soldiers, two Thai soldiers and one Ukrainian soldier, killed in the war (current as of January 16, 2004).

And how do we even begin to count the Iraqi civilians killed in this invasion/occupation/conquest? 9000? 10,000? More? The world has questioned these actions in Iraq repeatedly, isn't it time for americans to say enough is enough? How many more years are the american people prepared to die and kill in Iraq? Another Presidential term? Until all the oil is gone? Until they aren't afraid anymore?

"The most successful war seldom pays for its losses."
- Thomas Jefferson

Bring them home now!

All I can say right now...

Bad GSA President. Bad. Bad. Bad.

Thats all I can say right now. I will say more later.

Update: For all the curious; today, like I mentioned previously, was the tuition decision at the U of Alberta. Yes, the tuition was raised again, but that was expected. It was also expected that the Graduate Students President might (even likely) vote for the increase (grad students get more funding indexed to potential tuition increases)... however it was not expected that SHE WOULD ACTUALLY MOVE THE MOTION. Bleck. Bad politics. She didn't have to go that far; and it's not like the vote was ever in danger by one vote. She sold herself out today - and I doubt whoever she was trying to impress respects her at all for it, especially now that they have exactly what they wanted. No, she didn't make any friends today. Oh well, what does she care?

In other news, my new job has been loads of fun. I have been busy, but the environment is entertaining, enjoyable and there is little to no stress. I missed working on campus so I am happy to be back; and I get to meet Duncan for lunch, as well as running at the University track (also something I miss). I am tired though, and I am glad the week is over. So far this year feels like it has been its own year all together.

We deserve a weekend!

generation debt...

Among other things happening in our lives this new year, something that has occupied our time considerably has been the issue of Tuition Hikes. Duncan has been working hard to help his organization formulate an argument against repeated tuition hikes. Every year the University puts tuition up yet again (since 1993 tuition in Alberta has tripled - next years students will have to pay over 5000.00 in tuition/fees). And it just seems to go on and on. Tomorrow morning is the decision at the U of A.

After work today, I put on my journalist's hat, and went on over to the Rally to report on the events taking place. I interviewed Raj Pannu, 1 raging granny, 2 students and the SU President, Mat Brechtel. While they all gave me great materials for my article, my all time favourite quote today came from the Students' Union Executive Comunications Officer:

"Help me go and get the Post Cards, and I will get you time with the President. There's a world where that would mean something, you know... Hey, what are you writing down?" - Duncan Wojtaszek

Gilgamesh, where art thou?

Just started reading Kubler-Ross' Death: The Final Stage of Growth. A few tidbits to share...

"Victor Frankl has written: 'Let us now consider what we can do if a patient asks what is the meaning of his life. I doubt whether a doctor can answer this question in general terms. For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day, from hour to hour. What matters therefore, is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.'" (xvii)

"The highest spiritual values of life can originate from the thought and study of death." (1)

First Day of Work Today

And I am tired. I know this is a cop out, but Wil Wheaton has a great post. That is all.

An election year, perhaps?

Getting a Man on Mars will Need More Than Just Rhetoric !

You can check out the adventures of Rover, Spirit and Opportunity on NASA's Mars pages. Interestingly enough, conspiracy insinuations have already begun to crop up across the web. I don't have anything to say about that. Yet.

It's Tuesday today

We soldier on through the daily rush of feelings and life goes on. We are rediscovering the world around us. I start working at my new job tomorrow, at 8:30am. Did I mention thats 830 in the morning? Laughs. It's a good thing.

I spent the afternoon updating the home pages, updating the DVD movie lists, fixing my photoalbum links and making another page. I am not all entirely finished, but getting there. Its really just housekeeping stuff.

Today I read that our Armed Forces are finally getting new jeeps to replace the Iltis. Being a previous soldier with a DND driving permit in an infantry regiment, I obviously have many "fond" memories of the Iltis. Well, "fond" might be an exageration, but I did learn to drive a standard transmission and cross country in that beast. However, my favourite memory was this one message that came in to the unit regarding the safety of this particular vehicle (probably in 1993). The purpose of the messsage was to inform us that the Iltis could not be driven over the speed of 80km an hour. The message further stated that if speeds were to exceed the maximum limit that it was possible that the front axle would snap, propelling the driver backwards into the rear seat of the vehicle. It finished with a warning to us that if this occurred, the driver may lose control of the vehicle.

My only thought at the time: "MAY lose control?"

Guess I will have to try harder...

50%

There's a 50% chance that I'll win a Bloggie™.
What's Your Chance to Win a Bloggie™?

This years Bloggies will soon be announced... anyone holding their breath? I know I nominated some of the people who visit here... cross your fingers!

The Price of Loyalty

"Going after Saddam Hussein was U.S. President George Bush's top foreign affairs priority when he took office in January 2001, says his former treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill."

This doesn't come as a surprise to anyone outside of america. Just add it to the pile of lies.

Dear Mr President...

In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful.

Mr. George Bush president of the United States of America,
Mr. Tony Blair prime minister of the United Kingdom,
Mr. Jacques Chirac president of the republic of France,
Dr. Adnan Pachachi president of the Interim Governing Council,
Mr. Paul Bremer American civil adminstrator of Iraq,
Mr. Kofi Anan general secretary of the United Nations,
The Director of the Red Cross Organaziation,
The Director of the Human Rights Organization,

Dear Sirs,

I write to you in a very distressed state of mind and that may burst my emotions and passions because of the weighty calamity that struck me and my husband after losing our oldest son who was at the tender age of nineteen years. He was looking forward with eyes full of hope and optimism to a bright and eventful future, especially after being engaged to marry a relative of his very recently. He moved forward with all his energy to build their future life with firm and confident steps. But Fate stood in his way and seized him unexpectedly leaving a bleeding wound in the hearts of his parents, his fiance, and his friends and family. Please allow me to tell you my story...

On Saturday the 3rd of January 2004, my son and his cousin were travelling back to our residence in Samarra, they were driving a small cargo truck belonging to a third party from which they earn their livelihood in a country torn by wars and sanctions. Yes, they were back from Baghdad yet misfortune followed them from the beginning, their car broke down on the road which caused a delay in their arrival to Samarra when the curfew hour was just about to start in the city...And this is where the first chapter of the tragedy takes place. An American army patrol stood in their way, and after they went through the whole procedure of searching my son and his cousin, and inspecting the cargo load, they tied them up both and led them to an area about three kilometres from the scene and...in front of one of the gates of the Tharthar dam where water flows at its strongest rate and to my son and his cousin's horror, they ordered them to jump into the water, it was midnight and the cold was unbearable, when they hesitated, they were pushed by the soldiers. Unfortunately my boy cannot swim, even though swimming at this time of the year wouldn't have helped. Yet my sons cousin survived miraculously after he got stuck in a tree branch to give us his account of this tragic event which could have went untold. He tried saving my son, but the water current was stronger than him...After days of search we found my sons jacket floating with the stream, it shall remain with me as a memory and a symbol of the injustice brought against him by soldiers of the United States of America's army, who came to our country under the banners of human rights and democracy only to send my son to his demise on his wedding days...

To document the incident, my son's name is Zaydun Ma'mun Fadhil Hassun Al-Samarrai, born in the 1st of June 1984...Yes, they killed him and they broke my heart, try to imagine that dear sirs and ask your wives how hard it is for a mother to see her fruit ripen only to be thrown by sinful hands and to be swept away without any mercy or humanity. Those soldiers have turned everything America has ever stood for into one big lie. I was a victim, and there are and will be many more.

And that is why I turn to you all and to your respected ladies. And especially to Mr. President George Bush to look into my case and order an investigation of the event. I know that anything you may do will not bring me back my boy, but I wish that the procedures may put an end to the suffering of Iraqi mothers, we are reaping misery every day from actions of American soldiers with no regard to our human life, our dignity, and our culture and values. Maybe the procedures will help me trust (again) the validity of those banners and mottos that fly high in American skies, those which we do not perceive in our country, but instead find their opposites. Maybe such an investigation will support the power of law and justice so that day may not come when the conscience of one of the murderers awakens and confesses to its deeds, which will make it then a responsibility on your great nation.

I am assured that you know terrorism and what is regarded as a terrorist act. Pray tell me have you ever seen or heard about a terrorist act that is considered any uglier than this crime, which was followed by crushing the car and levelling it to the ground by American military vehicles?

This is a question I put to you all and to the international community, and I await a peremptory answer.

Yours sincerely,

In grievance for her son,

The mother of Zaydun Ma'mun Fadhil Hassun Al-Samarrai.

Samarra, Iraq.

This letter was published by Healing Iraq, a new blog recently added to my blogroll. Our family also lost someone on January 3rd this year. Condolences can be sent to the family (zaydunsfamily@yahoo.com).

In Calgary...

Well, the weather is gorgeous here in Calgary. Glory to the Chinook Gods. It's warm and gorgeous and I am heading out of the door for the first few brief minutes of peace I have had since arriving (it has been understandably busy). Our social schedule has been, and remains, full. It has been tiring but enjoyable to see everyone.

For the record, Duncan's Mom's service was beautiful. Her Pastor was amazing and Duncan wrote the most touching tribute I have ever had the privilege of hearing. I am so proud of him.

Well, just over an hour left of this amazing afternoon before we meet Duncan's Dad for dinner... so I am off for my outing.

Sometimes the ironies just write themselves

“While we acknowledge Brazil’s sovereign right to determine the requirements for entry into Brazil, we regret the way in which new procedures have suddenly been put in place that single out U.S. citizens for exceptional treatment that has meant lengthy delays in processing, such as the case today with a more than nine hour delay for some U.S. citizens arriving at Rio’s international airport."

She is Gone
By Anonymous

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

I don't know how I missed this...

Dec 4th issue of The Gauntlet (my old newspaper) at the U of Calgary ran an add on their sports page that has recieved worldwide attention.

There are few times in my life that I experience penis-envy... this might be one of them.

Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth?

Yesterday Willie Nelson appeared at a concert in Austin Texas (benefitting Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich) and premiered his latest song, a song he wrote after watching the news on Christmas Day - and was horrified to watch the war in Iraq continue unabated.

"I hope there is some controversy. If you write something like this and nobody says anything, then you probably haven't struck a nerve," said Willie Nelson. Good for him.

I found the lyrics at CounterPunch.

There's so many things going on in the world
Babies dying, Mothers crying
How much oil is one human life worth
And what ever happened to peace on earth

We believe everything that they tell us
They're gonna' kill us, So we gotta' kill them first
But I remember a commandment
"Thou shall not kill"
How much is that soldier's life worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

So I guess it's just
Do unto others before they do it to you
Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out
Is this what God wants us to do

Now you probably won't hear this on your radio
Probably not on your local TV
But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined
You can always hear it from me
How much is one picker's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

But don't confuse caring for weakness
You can't put that label on me
The truth is my weapon of mass protection
And I believe truth sets you free

What ever happened to Christmas cease fire practises? Aren't we sopposed to get more civilized and not less? I guess there is no civilty in cases of recolonizations and aquirition of resources/control. I shake my head - I don't know whether to be sad or angry.

**********************

As many of you know, or have maybe guessed, we had a death in the family this year. It has been difficult, I apologize for not quite being myself lately.

On top of everything else that happens...

Someone tried to break into my house last night. This morning I noticed my door handle hanging in its slot that it is usually very tight, with ice everywhere around it. WTF?

I only slept two hours this morning. We get four papers delivered so people opening my gate after 430 am doesn't usually peak my interest. Bloody Hell. Guess they are lucky they couldn't get in. I have a history of taking kitchen knives to intruders.

It is complete.

Do you believe in life after death? What do you believe will happen to you when your transition time arrives?

Last Page...

"And in that line now was a whiskered old man ... who waited in a place called the Stardust Band Shell to share his part of the secret of heaven: that each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one."

- the five people you meet in heaven, page 196.

I can't sleep. I am waiting for the phone to ring.

The Journey

"It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginings. We just don't know it at the time."

- the five people you meet in heaven, page 1.

It is true that we are not usually ready for the story to end.

The Whirling Rainbow

I saw a very impressive Sun Dog today. I have seen them more regularily ever since the time of the White Buffalo began, always of verying degrees.

Today I could see every color of the rainbow vividly. They always fill me with a sense of awe, urgency and something else that is hard to put my finger on. Does anyone else notice them?

random Sun Dog picture

Mitakuye Oyasin, my friends.

The Noble Truths...

A River is a River
and
A Mountain is a Mountain

1. Life is suffering;
2. Suffering is due to attachment;
3. Attachment can be overcome;
4. There is a path for accomplishing this.

Sometimes the path is not easy to walk.

Auld Lang Syne!

This was the year I turned 31 years old. As with every year, it was packed full of excitement:

Space Shuttle Columbia
Invasion of Iraq
West Nile Virus
SARS and SARSstock
The War on Terror
Mad Cow Disease
Toronto Blackout
BC Forest Fires
Legalization of Same Sex Marriage
Saddam Hussein's capture
FBI suspects Almanacs Users are terrorists

NEW HANGOUT: Hooters, West Edmonton Mall.

BEST GIFTS: I was spoiled this year. I got great books for Christmas - Salam Pax's The Baghdad Blog, Lou Paget's 365 Days of Sensational Sex and Mitch Album's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I also had a great birthday as well!

FAVORITE SONG: Fallen, by Sarah McLachlan

BEST BOOK READ: Jennifer Lauck's Blackbird and Still Waters

NEW HOBBY: Blogging! And Digital Photography!

BEST MOVIE: Without a doubt, The Return of the King. Also, Master and Commander, Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, Finding Nemo, The Last Samurai, Kill Bill Vol 1, and X2.

BEST DVD:"The Adventures of Indiana Jones"

BEST VIDEO GAME: Knights of the Old Republic.

BIGGEST CHANGE: I became engaged!

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Moving to Edmonton

BEST JOKE: When George Bush said "Bring 'em on" daring Iraqi terrorists to attack American troops. Oh wait, that wasn't a joke...

BIGGEST BLESSING OF THE YEAR: My children's wonderful report cards (almost all A's) and their repeated excellent academic performance that earned them both awards of Distinction from their new school.

MOST STIRRING POLITICAL ISSUE: Same Sex Marriage/Equal Rights and The Invasion of Iraq.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Schindler's List on DVD, our wedding, and a honeymoon!!!

PREDICTIONS FOR 2004: Stupid Bush will likely get re-elected. Where's a good regime change when you need it?

Here's Wishing my Friends, Family and Reading Audience all the best for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Here's hoping that in 2004 we learn to be a more peaceful and less greedy species.

Let me be a channel of peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the
spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
for it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
by forgiving that one is forgiven.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!!!

It's all about taking it easy

This is what I see most on my TV lately. It's a game that I got Duncan for Christmas, Need for Speed Underground. Very good. He is enjoying it immensely, and I am enjoying watching it.

We enjoyed having Duncan's Dad visit after Christmas. We went to see The Last Samurai (which I really enjoyed) and he took us out for lunch! Never mind the not dressed up state, we are on holidays!

I have also been enjoying reading. Yes Kim, the 365 Days of Sensational Sex is very good. Lou Paget is one of my favourite authors (on the subject) and I highly recommend this one to anyone looking to expand a long term relationship sexually. I may write more about it later.

Oh, and Quynn - where are you????

A Christmas Gallery

Duncan commanding his Counter Terrorism Squad in Rainbow Six 3 RavenShield

Wesley trying out his new TV, Game Cube and various games

Raven's favourite gift was her Game Boy Advance SP, and Pokemon Pinball

Zoe was so excited about her gifts she even opened hers before everyone woke up

I was spoiled this Christmas! I am excited about getting to some reading (Notice I was given Salam's book - first blog in paperback) and enjoying my other gifts

I am going to take a mini blog hiatus for the holidays, just a couple of days, but I hope these pictures will tide you over. Take care everyone, I am happy that you visit; the pleasure is all mine!

Hope all is well with you, best wishes for the Season and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone

May peace and blessings be upon you!

Dear Santa

I have been a very good girl this year, and I thank you for the continued years of happiness and joy you have brought me.

For this Christmas I want to ask for something special. A small Christmas miracle by your standards. I want everyone to be at peace. I want everyone to feel safe, even if just for one day. To have every little kid in the world wake up and not worry about dying this day – and everyone to have enough food and water, and time to smile.

Oh yeah, and Santa? If its not too much trouble, my own island would make me very happy as well!

Allie

Santa's on his way!

Santa Claus began his annual trip around the world on Wednesday morning, taking off from the North Pole, and heading for the international date line, Norad reported. The North American Aerospace Defence Command's radar and satellites began tracking the sleigh and its nine reindeer as they flew over northern Canada and the United States.

Bloggers who want to track Santa's journey can find regular updates at NORAD.

My Favourite Christmas Memory

Christmas for me is all about that magic you feel in your heart before you get old enough to know better. I still feel it, but I rarely admit to it in order to avoid the skeptical stares from judgmental grown ups. But yeah, Christmas and me go a long way back. In the midst of a troubled childhood, my most treasured memories settle in around Christmas, Santa and that glimmer of Magic. Little miracles can go a long way.

I was a pretty smart kid, and the Christmas that I was four years old I thought I had it all figured out. Mom and Dad were actually Santa, and when I went to bed (early, under pain of Santa not coming) they put the presents under the tree, expecting me to believe they were placed there by Santa Claus. So I concocted a plan to reveal this vile adult plan for what it was: I was going to get up after my parents went to bed and check under the tree.

I barely ever slept, so I don't remember it being hard to wait up. My parents went to bed and I waited until they were finally snoring (I remember they both sounded like bears when they snored) and ventured slowly out into the darkness. Checked baby brother, still sleeping (I didn't want to get caught out of bed if he were to wake everyone up), and double checked parents room to ensure they were actually sleeping. I crept down the stairs, slowly. I remember debating with myself what I might do if I did run into this Santa, cause everything I had ever been told was that he wouldn't come if there were kids awake in the house. I decided to be quicker.

Into the living room I bolted, it was lit only by the lights from the tree. I immediatley noticed there were no presents under that tree. Not even one. I went to the fireplace, where the embers had almost all died out, and checked each stocking... empty. I looked out the window. It was dark. There were no cars on a normally busy road. It was very late. I looked behind the couch for presents, in the hall closet and in the kitchen. Where could they be, I wondered... I went back to bed, perplexed slightly, but intrigued.

I slept a while, and woke up when I heard my baby brother making some manner of complaint. He wasn't loud enough to wake anyone else and eventually he went back to sleep. I snuck into my parents room to carefully inspect each adult as sleeping in the bed. Yep, still snoring. I snuck out of the room and down into the livingroom once more. The sight that beheld my eyes I will remember for all times.

The tree was filled with presents. There were even little presents in the branches! I crept forward, holding my breath, and reached out to touch them, wondering at the packages that would be for me (despite my previous doubting of the Santa Claus). I spun around to make sure I wasn't being watched, and my attention was drawn to my stocking - which was also full. I ran over to it and grabbed it down from the fireplace and cradled it in my arms. I knew I was allowed to open my stocking gifts as soon as I got up no matter when, but I sat down first to survey the room.

Everything seemed perfect. Santa's milk was gone, the empty glass sat beside a plate that sported a few crumbs left behind from the cookies I had placed there earlier. I inspected closer - there was a ring of milk under the glass that was still fresh. I looked out of the window and wonder began to fill me. I looked into the skies and wondered if it was possible... but doubt nagged at the edge of my brain and I realized that "Santa" always left a gift at the end of the bed and I hadn't seen anything there when I had woken up. I ran up the stairs, still clutching my stocking, sure that I had caught them in the act - and turned on the light as I burst into my room.

There on my bed was one of the biggest wrapped boxes I had ever seen. Almost too big for me to stretch out fully on my bed - how could I possibly have missed that? Holding my breath, I backed out of my room slowly, into the hallway where I could listen to the measured breathing and snoring coming from my parents room. Yep, still asleep. My ears strained for the slightest noise anywhere in the house. Nothing.

It slowly dawned upon me... Santa MUST be real. While I was downstairs peeking under the tree with excitement, he left this present here on my bed, even knowing that I wasn't in it. He must have been in the house the same time I was awake! And I didn't hear a thing! Not only was Santa real, he was magic too!

As I sat on my bed that morning opening each gift I knew that in trying to prove that Mom and Dad were tricking me into believing in Santa that I had proven to myself that Santa was real. I was filled with a warmth that would last me many Christmas's, and even to this day I know that Santa and Christmas is more then what we banter around in the commercial, corporate sense. And I love seeing that mirrored in the eyes of my own children!

And Santa, I still believe in you!

This post is part of a Photojunkie Christmas!

My Holiday Favourites

Favorite Holiday Decoration:

My Stocking! I have had my stocking since I was a baby, when it was lovingly made by a family friend, just for me. It has always been very special to me, and perhaps began my prediliction with Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer. I always smile when I see it full of little surprises waiting for me on Christmas morning.

Favorite Holiday Song:

Old Toy Trains – sung by Nana Mouskori. The song itself speaks to me of that magic on Christmas Eve when a parent and a Child search the heavens for a sign, any sign, that Santa was drawing near. It's one of my favourite times of the season when my children stand with me and stare into the night, looking, searching, believing. I still believe in Santa Claus! When I was young (very very young) we had this on 8 track, but my parents old 8 track was completely broken so I could no longer listen. One Christmas, for some reason, I turned that old machine on, plunked in the Nana Mouskori 8 Track and to my surprise, it played that song. Nothing else, just that song. For an eight track that was some stroke of luck - and to this day that has been one of my Christmas Miracles.

Favorite Holiday Tradition:

In our home, each Christmas Eve Santa leaves gifts on the end of everyone’s bed. They are meant to be opened as soon as you wake up, and usually occupy everyone until we are all ready to gather around the tree and open the rest. Almost every year of my life I have awoken Christmas morning to a gift on the end of my bed. One year when I was a little kid I woke up and couldn't find a present anywhere. I was perplexed, knowing for sure I had been a pretty good girl, I thought maybe Santa had just forgotten, until I found out my brother had his gift at the end of his bed. I looked everywhere. I even cried. My parents followed me around in expectation, until finally my search brought me to the basement where a tiny little kitten was waiting for me.

Tomorrow I will write about my Favourite Christmas Memory! I hope all is well with all of you!

Thanks Quynn!

Lookey what I learnt to do with my new digital camera! It's using the "cross filter" option on the camera itself!



I've been spoiled already and it's not even Christmas yet!

Why I love Christmas Holidays

Imagination Play!

Raven has been reading the Black Stallion Series with a fervour on her days off. I loved the same series when I was a girl, so I was happy to introduce her to them.

LEGO!

Wesley has more time for his creations with Lego. I love the way he can spend hours building, playing and being quiet. That's almost the best part!

Zoe the cat. Hear her roar.

Wesley has just "prepared" his stocking for Christmas Eve, brushing it and primping it, only to have Zoe decide it be the softest place for her next nap.

Civ III

More time for Duncan and I to play Civ III PTW together. Games can get pretty long but we are always eager to see how the world will turn out. I have so much fun playing Civ III with Duncan, it's like a board game but better!

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897. Church’s editorial, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” became one of the most famous editorials ever written. From 1897 until 1949, when the New York Sun folded, the editorial was reprinted annually.

Dear Editor

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety-fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong.

They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and un-seeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

I always have a great Christmas!

You are 'Jingle Bells'! Full of enthusiasm and good cheer, you are excited by the first appearances of Christmas decorations in shops and have been heard singing along to the piped music. Your attitude to Christmas is one of childlike delight - with a slightly mercenary streak. You definitely believe in Santa (you get more presents that way) and will put up your Christmas tree as early as possible. You really like carolling, and presents, and mince pies, and pudding, and will insist on getting everyone up at dawn to open presents immediately. So long as the food and presents are good, you will have a great Christmas.

What Christmas Carol are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hey Duncan, notice it said insist on getting everyone up at DAWN... not 430 AM - like last year when you woke up and bounced up and down on our bed claiming "It's Christmas morning, It's Christmas morning!"

Today is a new day

My world is different today then it was yesterday.

Yet it seems strangely the same.

The story is complete!

Return of the King was amazing. I think the Lord of the Rings triology is the most beautiful story I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. I can't wait to see all three movies together.

Thanks to Quynn for taking us to RoTK as an early Christmas present. We were doubley blessed.

Burninating the countryside...

Disturbing dreams last night. They are getting harder to remember - as I become more awake the details slip from me. Essentially, we were nuked. (Twice - for good measure - of course, as any city over 100,000 should be. Especially one with a large military base and the seat of government). But it wasn't just Edmonton in the dreams, Canada was nuked, and then invaded, by Muslims. I only knew they were Muslims because of conversations I had with the men in my dreams. I was pregnant (twin girls) and made to justify the lives of my children, including the unborn ones (that religious study degree came in handy then!). I spent most of the time in the dreams making sure my family survived the blasts and then was able to find safety afterwards.

I suspect the actual details themselves may be meaningless, but I can't shake the feeling like my brain is trying to tell me something and I am just not getting the message.

I am a child of the Cold War Era. When I was a pre teen, I often had nightmares of Nuclear War. In those dreams I was always the only survivor. There were times in my childhood where I went to bed, or woke up, thinking "Will this be the day?" It seemed so inevitatable at times. The geo political scene appeared so unstable, even to me as a child. I spent hours in the library learning more about how to survive that which haunted my dreams. 'Know your enemy,' I thought, and you can be successful. My study did offer me confidence, but it also entrenched within my mind an external enemy, and an enemy that in a way wasn't really "my" enemy.

In the Army we trained against an enemy that was nuclear capable and ready, an enemy understood to be "Communism." Eventually, with the end of the Cold War, this was changed to the "Fantasia Army" as our "enemies" became our "allies," but in my mind Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare training was still a result of the realities of the Cold War, created by the two super powers.

When the Cold War ended, the americans lost their enemy. Years upon years of foriegn policy was based on harrassing and containing this enemy, but with this enemy suddenly no longer a threat, what were they to do? With no purpose and no focus what would a huge force like the US do with themselves? It only took them a little while to look around and find their new target.

Islam.

The transition was almost flawless in my mind. Exit communism, enter Islam. One enemy replaced with another.

My dreams last night reflect this new reality, but perhaps even something more. In a world culture based on fear, somehow it is being managed that I (and by I, I mean We) am to believe Islam is my enemy, and if I fear that I will fight that, or support that which fights that. It's how psycholgical propaganda works. We are being brainwashed.

Or maybe I am just playing too much Civ III.

International law? Well, let me call my Lawyer... oh wait.

"We demand a fair and legal trial, not one held by the governing council, which was appointed by the occupier," said Raghad Saddam Hussein, on arabic TV along with her sisters Rana and Hala. "The truth is that I am proud this person is my father... We all know the intention of the way he was displayed. Where is the democracy? Where is the immunity that state leaders are granted?" she also said.

The americans currently hold Saddam in a secret location, while he is being "interrogated," although I am not sure international conventions allow for this type of behaviour. His family says he should have a lawyer, and they are right. I for one would like to see a public trial, by an international tribune, so the whole story can come out.

Is anyone really that worried that this guy might be found not be guilty? We all know he is guilty, lets give him a fair trial and let justice be done.

Saddam returns to the arms of america

"Ladies and gentlemen, we got him." What a crass, yet typically american, way to announce the capture of Saddam Hussein.

I have to say it. It’s about bloody time. I will also add that I am fairly un-impressed, to be honest. What are they so proud of? The biggest armed forces in the world, the biggest security and intelligence agencies in the world, the most intense man hunt in history, the most money (ever) being thrown at this effort (and a 25 million USD reward), and the most (reputation, re-election, justification, etc) riding on it… and it takes them almost 10 months to find a 66 year old man who was only a few kilometers from his hometown? A man who was obviously waiting to be found? Where the heck were they looking in the first place? What took them so long?

What’s to be proud of in all these celebrations? Is it a “triumph?” Not likely. The manner with which the americans are carrying on about this capture is embarrassing.

“Got him?” He was pretty much right where you left him.

I am happy with the long overdue capture though, although it would be correct to say I am skeptical that justice will be served. It is a good thing that Mr. Hussein may now be made to answer the charges for crimes he has committed against humanity, if this is actually the case. Parts of me really don’t care if he is treated fairly, but then other parts just want it to be done right. Saddam should be tried in an international tribunal rather than an Iraqi Governing Council tribunal.

However, it is improbable that Saddam will stand trial in an internationally recognized court as undoubtedly the evidence presented in his defence would be embarrassing for the americans. I predict they leave him with Iraq and hope they kill him as soon as possible.

Bush said he had a message for the Iraqi people. He said they “will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again.” Nope. Now all they have to fear is Bush.

Final thoughts… finding Saddam does not lessen the need for regime change in the US.

Let he who is without sin throw the first stone…

We should not let the celebrations and successive propaganda-like-rhetoric blind us from the underlying reasons and conditions that brought Saddam Hussein to power, kept him there all these years, and further enabled him to commit these crimes we would now hold him accountable for. Where are we so eagerly pointing our fingers? Things are not always as they seem.

Iranian Government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh was right when he said an international court "should determine who equipped this dictator to disrupt our region." The reference, of course, is indicative of the support that Saddam enjoyed from the West, mainly the americans, and it is apparent that some in the world have not conveniently forgotten. Iran will emphasise the american role in backing Saddam during the (Iran/Iraq) war, establishing his power and strengthening his hold on Iraq as well, and rightfully so. If Saddam deserves to be on trial, some would suggest the americans should also be tried as accomplices in his war crimes.

Rumsfield and Saddam (1980's picture).

For what it’s worth, my advice to Saddam

“My name is Saddam Hussein, I am the president of Iraq, and I want to negotiate.”

From my military training in counter terrorism: Never negotiate with your captors.

I don't know what to say...

Life went on about as normal today as possible, even though Saddam Hussein was caught. I certainly didn't notice much difference. Civ III was still played, I still went shopping, I updated Yahoo Pictures, and we lounged around like any Sunday should be spent.

I will think more of what to say tomorrow.

Rock, Scissors, Blog

It's been a long week! It certainly is a busy season! I took Duncan out to Hooters for Beer and Wings, and he bonused a cute orange balloon from the Hooters girl... or was it an orange balloon from the cute Hooters girl...?

I am happy that we have found ourselves at the weekend. I am happy that we can stay up late to finish our Civ III game and sleep in tomorrow. I am happy that we are about to consume the bottle of Baja Rosa I just brought home...

I found this in my inbox a couple of minutes ago...

From : Duncan Wojtaszek
Sent : December 12, 2003 8:39:14 PM
To : Allie Smyth
Subject : Re: tonight

Listen baby.

I lvoe you . YOu are the best. My vewry favourite girl.

DUncan

PS: I am drunk. But I think I could type better if I tried. Maybe.

Happy Sigh. You can't always get what you want, but if you try real hard, you just might get what you need...

Bring on the weekend

I defy convention

You are a Galaxy-class Explorer, a top of the line luxury-liner with teeth. You prefer refinement and appreciate beauty. You're well-apt at diplomacy and are trusted to handle crises. Despite a changing world, you still have a reputation for unparalleled excellence.


Which Class of Federation Starship are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I won't miss him

"I will miss many things," said Jean Chrétien, who added "I will observe from home, and as I promised, with no comment. If they go too far to the left, I will say nothing. If they go too far to the right I'll say nothing. It's not my business."

We can only hope.

Nothing is harder to bring to light than that which is hidden in plain sight...

I didn't realize it at the time, but once upon a time, I fell in love with my best friend, who was at that time, a married man.

I do remember that it felt like my love for him had no beggining, almost as if he was there before I knew him, there before even I knew myself, it seemed. Trying to understand how I felt was like trying to understand a new meaning of forever. Until that moment I had no idea that love could be so beautiful, so rewarding, so simple, so unconditional and yet so very, very complex. Very complex!

He spent a summer by my side, we were inseparable, just doing the things that best friends did… listening to music, talking, riding bikes, sharing our thoughts, bonding. As I came to know how terribly unhappy he was with his decaying marriage I realized that I believed strongly that he deserved much better, that he deserved the world, and I felt sad that he didn't have that. I did not know that he felt the same way about me that I felt for him. I enjoyed being with him and just having him in my world and I didn't want to endanger that. Everything was brighter, more beautiful, more intense because of him. Nothing was wrong, and everything was right. I was smiling all the time.

It took me a long time to admit how I was feeling. My girl friends all teased me like I was some kind of blind and daft girl who couldn't see the obvious in front of her face. There it was in plain site, Allie was in love, and everyone saw it except me. Or maybe, looking back, it would be more fair to say I didn't think I was allowed see it and feel it, given the circumstances, so I tried to see it as something else instead.

Nothing is harder to bring to light than that which is hidden in plain sight...

It seemed to me then that I had lived so many lives, and yet had not really lived until that moment. I had been lost in a dark place for who knows how long, and when I stretched out my hand, he was there to take it, and he didn’t let go. I had been found.

Eventually I learned that he did love me in return. That long ago day was three years ago, today, Dec 9 2000. The day my world both fell apart and was reborn. The day I became who I was meant to be.

It’s funny that we use the term “falling” when we talk about "falling in love." The "falling" actually occurs once you realize that you are already in love. The falling is an intimate invitation, permission for another person to see your most extreme vulnerabilities in a state of pure trust. It’s a falling into another person, of two becoming one, a spiral into each other that is delirious and mysterious, passionate and consuming, scary and yet ultimately comforting. It’s like finding a safe place where only the two of you can be, a place that can only be with the two of you there together.

Duncan is the only person that, when I look into his eyes, I see myself. And I know I belong there.

So, today is our three year Anniversary. How does it differ from all the rest? Well, we are together now, we are engaged, we are looking towards our future with excitment and anticipation, and we are warm at night.

Duncan, Sweetheart, I love you with every fibre of myself. Thank you for being part of my world, for choosing to share your path with me, for holding my hand on our adventure together. You deserve to be loved unconditionally; you deserve to be cherished as the gift you are; you deserve to be worshipped like a god; and I thank you for letting me have the chance to show you that. You are amazing in every way, my best friend, my lover, my confidant , my support, my correlative.

I love you!

Lame Blogger Excuse #279

I meant to blog this weekend, really, I did.

We were VERY busy. We had TONNES of fun. We went to two parties, Duncan took me to breakfast AND we played CIV III. I will blog more later, but right now it is 2:12 am, and I wanna go bed.

You have to try this!

Go to GOOGLE, type in "miserable failure" into the search window, and then hit the "I'm Feeling Lucky" Button.

Words preserved between the quotation marks...

Quotes. Almost always memorable, whether they bear truth, wisdom or falsehood - and they have always fascinated me. Ever since I was old enough to write I have been scrawling down statements and sayings that have touched me in some way. All a quote has to do to get my attention is have an impact on me in some fashion and I am recording it for prosperity.

My online quote collection is only a partial attempt at putting together this collection (click BACK TO QUOTES to see the main menu). With 6 billion people on the planet, people are saying things everyday that strike me as important, shock me or make me angry. I almost can't keep up.

I have reams of quotes I keep meaning to add, and today I have determined that I should get around to it - but don't quote me on that.

What is your favourite quote(s)?

Sex is good for you!

Top 5 reasons sex is good for you! (Shamelessly procurred from Bweezy's blog)

1. It's a great workout! Sex three times a week for one year burns the same number of calories (about 7,500) that running 75 miles would. I get sex 3 - 6 times a week, on average... and for each half hour of sex, it burns about 150 calories! This is the best calorie counter activity I can think of!

2. People who have sex 1 -2 times a week enjoy higher levels of Immunoglobin A, the antibody that helps fend of illness. So, [safe] sex keeps you healthy as well!

3. Sex makes you happy (well, duh)! Women who regularly come into contact with semen are significantly less prone to depression than those who don't get a dose of those potent sex hormones and naturally occurring opiates. MmmMMmm, opiates!

4. It reduces Stress. Orgasms are relaxing, and help you sleep better at night, or if your a boy, whenever.

5. Regular Sex with your partner helps you live longer - and LOOK YOUNGER! Hmmm, maybe this is why I keep getting ID'd at bars. Anyways, a British study has shown that men who enjoy at least 2 orgasms a week had half the death rate of those who did not. I am helping Duncan work towards his goal of living forever!

So, if you needed any prompting for reasons to go out and have sex beyond the obvious, here you go. Enjoy!

"A study of plastic and Hallmark in conifer form."

As Jon pointed out in his comments, our tree is a "theme tree." Well, sort of. It is correct to say that it has a theme, as last year we bought all blue and silver decorations for it to match my angel. Shopping for decorations together was fun, and the tree itself came home with Duncan and Wesley one day last December as a welcome addition to the experience that was Allie and Duncan's first Christmas together.

But the tree is also an amalgamation of our respective Christmas's Past; my ornaments from when I was a child (even a 30 year old Snow White ball from when they were still made out of silk), my kids collections, ornaments they have made, Duncan's collection (there is a funny story there that maybe I will write about in another post) and stuff his Grandma gave us last Boxing Day from her tree. The tree is a history of ourselves that induces many memories. And there is lots. Eventually we will have to get a bigger tree!

All of these together means that there is a good representation of figures, from Rudolph and Santa, to Jedi Knights, Barbie, and Elvis. Heck, we even have Gordie Howe hanging on the tree (Jon, don't ask, just google). And ofcourse, the ornament that Duncan bought me last year to celebrate our first Christmas of actually living together.

Now I can't wait to fill that space under the tree!

The words we all want to hear...

Click here for some instant Flattery.

And know that I appreciate you to!

"Thou tree most fair and lovely"

A long time ago, people believed that evergreen trees were magical, as they always stayed green and healthy looking even in the dead of winter when everything else was brown. As such, the evergreen tree became a symbol of life. Candles were used to represnt the light of spring triumphing over the darkness of winter.

The modern tradition of indoor Christmas Trees was begun by Martin Luther in Germany, ages ago. The custom spread from there to the rest of the world, and tonight, into our living room. The rest, as they say, is history.





So, it's Officially Christmas in Edmonton, Alberta. Let it snow!

Take the red pill...

Where does your food come from?

For Christmas I want a new job

Preferably one that provides me with some personal satisfaction as well as the opportunity to affect change in a meaningful and helpful way.

I want a challenging job in a professional, yet fun and casual work environment, where the hours are flexible and realistic, the pay is good and my input is always appreciated, acknowledged, rewarded and encouraged.

I want to work with educated, intelligent and creative people, who are inspirational, happy, confident and part of a cheerfully productive team while also being able to do their own jobs free of dependance on others.

I want a supervisor who is understanding, encouraging, proficient in training/teaching new approaches for my work ethic/regime and is also capable of providing a safe learning opportunity to develop my current skill set while exploring myself and my potential to develop myself further for the benefit of an organization and my own future accomplishments.

I desire the possibilty to move upwards within an organization or into the respective field itself at some appropriate time, or even in a completely different direction.

I want to enjoy my work life. I want to grow, both personally and professionally, within my work environment, as equally as I want to contribute to said environment.

Oh yeah, and it has to be in Edmonton, Alberta.

Is that too much to ask?

Advances in the Pharmaceutical Treatment of Humour...

I thought I was done posting for the day, but then a friend sent me these jokes via email. I just had to pass them on... laughter being the best medicine ofcourse!

A woman walks into a pharmacy, strolls over to the counter, and catches the pharmacist's attention. "Can I please get some arsenic?" she asks. "Arsenic? What do you want arsenic for?" asks the pharmacist. "It's for my husband," she states. "Your husband!?!" exclaims the pharmacist. "I hope you don't mean what I think you mean!" She just nods. "Well, lady," he replies, "I'm an honest man. I can't sell you arsenic, and I wouldn't even if I could, and I don't know what made you think you could just stroll into a respectable store and expect me me to sell you arsenic!"

Not saying a word, she reaches into her purse, fishes out a photograph, and hands it across the counter.

It is a picture of her husband, in bed with the pharmacist's wife. Slowly the pharmacist looks up, over the counter, and then straight at her.

"Lady," he says, "why didn't you tell me you had a prescription?"



*****************************************************************


A girl asks her boyfriend to come over Friday night and have dinner with her parents. Since this is such a big event, the girl announces to her boyfriend that after dinner, she would like to go out and make love for the first time.
* * * * * * * * * *
Well, the boy is ecstatic, but he has never had sex before, so he takes a trip to the pharmacist to get some condoms. The pharmacist helps the boy for about an hour. He tells the boy everything there is to know about condoms and sex.
* * * * * * * * * *
At the register, the pharmacist asks the boy how many condoms he'd like to buy, a 3-pack, 10-pack, or family pack. The boy insists on the family pack because he thinks he will be rather busy, it being his first time and all.
* * * * * * * * * *
That night, the boy shows up at the girl's parents house and meets his girlfriend at the door. "Oh, I'm so excited for you to meet my parents, come on in!"
* * * * * * * * * *
The boy goes inside and is taken to the dinner table where the girl's parents are seated. The boy quickly offers to say grace and bows his head.
* * * * * * * * * *
A minute passes, and the boy is still deep in prayer, with his head down.
* * * * * * * * * *
10 minutes pass, and still no movement from the boy.
* * * * * * * * * *
Finally, after 20 minutes with his head down, the girlfriend leans over and whispers to the boyfriend, "I had no idea you were this religious."
* * * * * * * * * *
The boy turns, and whispers back, "I had no idea your father was a pharmacist."

Above all else, I believe in Love...

It's December 1st today. In just one short month, 2003 will end with the humble beginning's of 2004. Our December is packed full of partying, celebrations, food, gifts, anticipation, time spent together and happy memories. It really does have to be that way, in our darkest month at the coldest time of the year, we need love, hope and family/friends around us.

December is more than just the last month of 2003 for me. December this year is the month of our third year anniversary together. It's hard to believe that three short years ago we became a couple, and then on the other hand it seems like it has always been this way.

The year 2000 was the year my first marriage ended. It had, as all dying relationships have, been breaking down bit by bit for quite some time, but nearing the end of that year, I realized that I had fallen in love with another man, another married man even. A man I thought I couldn't even dream of having, a man I thought I would have to be content having as my best friend, a man I loved like I had never loved anyone else, albeit unrequited... or so I thought.

It was December 9th of that turmoilish and dynamic year, when I found out that he felt the same way about me. At that moment, I was reborn, my life completely changed, a new journey embarked upon, a new person to share the adventure with. The world was more beautiful then I had ever dared to imagine it could be. As they said in the movie When Harry Met Sally, "when you find that person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want that life to start right away."

Although it would be somewhat revisionist history to let it seem like it was all that easy (because it was actually pretty difficult at times), it was a time of my life bourne of hope, trust, faith (in love, myself, Duncan and in the truth of "us") and in patience I awaited this new beginning to occur, always knowing it would, because that was the only thing that made sense to me.

That is what December means to me. It's not dark or cold at all, and if it is an ending of any sorts, then it is most definatly the beginning of a new year in the life that I am to share with Duncan, a new opportunity to show him how much he is loved and appreciated. And even more, this next year in particular will be the year that we get married, after three and a half years together, and begin the lifetime we plan to share with each other, our family, and our friends.

As Great Big Sea sang:

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

I hope that everyone's December, holiday season and New Years is full of peace, promise, hope, and above all... Love!