At the Cross Roads

Duncan and I are at the PIA PSE conference in Edmonton, as I blog. Tonight we have listened to Keynote speakers Jeffrey Simpson (the Globe and Mail’s national affairs columnist) and Peter MacMenamin (the Deputy General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union in Ireland). The Conference promises to offer a "unique opportunity for all post-secondary education stakeholders, advocates, and members of the public to develop concrete initiatives and action plans, which will provide a framework to fashion a post-secondary education system that best serves our society."

Despite my life being currently "overfull" (is that a word?) of Politics and Policy issues, and despite the fact that I haven't stopped working for almost two weeks (no long weekend for me - and I work next weekend too!) I am very much looking forward to it! Now - the cash bar reception beckons.

Oh, and believe it or not, my arm hurts.

Hit by a Bus...

"Why Mr. Bus, What BIG Windows you have..."

Today I got hit by a bus. Obviously it wasn't going very fast and I appear to be ok. It's amazing the range of emotions you go through when you are hit by a bus: disbelief was quickly replaced by anger and then concern briefly before disbelief again took over... I mean really, what are those big windows for if you're not going to look out of them?

So, I seem to be fine. My arm (the part I instinctly rose up against the mighty bus to stop it) was sore for a while but I think now it's more my pride than anything that is bruised. Good thing I see the Mayor tonight, my story will be an interesting addition to the conversation!

Anyways, as my Dad would say, "live to fight another day."

I guess.

When is Fat Art?

When I was cleaning the kitchen after everyone went to bed last night and I found this waiting for me in the electric skillet. I believe my daughter to be the source of this obviously inspired artform...

2-0 Russian victory sends our boys home

When I think of all the fun Duncan and I had in 2002 this news makes me sad.

Its hard to think our men's hockey team is coming home with nothing, no medals at all. Not even Bronze.

Bikers take on anti-gay protests at military funerals

I thought this was a rather odd headline until I read the story. My husband often chides that he will one day ban me from reading the news as it tends to get me upset to some degree, and this story was no different. I'm furious.



Calling themselves "the Pariot Riders," these bikers voluntarily stand guard at military funerals in order to shield the families of fallen soldiers because these disgusting people (members of a Kansas based fundamentalist church called the Westboro Baptist Church) picket the funerals with signs that say things like "Thank God for IED's." Led by the Reverend Fred Phelps, these so called "Christains" claim that "god" killed the soldiers as a divine punishment to america for harbouring homosexuals.

Morons. I am sure there is a special place in hell waiting for thee.

I don't care what you think you believe in or object to - a funeral for a fallen soldier is not the place to protest homosexuality (or anything else for that matter). A funeral is not a public event, it's a place for spouses, children, parents, grandparents and friends to say their final goodbyes to a loved one. It is sacred space.

This kind of protest is vile and I am happy to learn that many states are busy making laws to prevent this kind of protest at funerals and memorials (this same "church" picketed the Sago Mine disaster memorial with signs that said "Thank God for Dead Miners"), but I must aplaud the efforts of the Patriot Riders - perhaps the best way to fight this so called freedom of speech is with more freedom of speech, only LOUDER.

If you live in america please take the time to find out how to support these riders and encourage your government to enact legislation that will keep protesters away from funerals.

Link: Bikers roll to military funerals to oppose anti-gay protests

Thought of the Day

"God may not always give us answers, but he always gives us grace"

Family Day in Alberta only comes once a year

Since 1990 Alberta is the only province in Canada to have a statutory holiday in February. It is a time for Albertans to celebrate their families.

According to Wikipedia, the holiday was proclaimed into law by Don Getty after an embarrasing scandal involving his own son forced him to publically admit that he had neglected his family and needed to spend more time with them. Interestingly, the newly proclaimed Family Day falls on the same day as Presidents' Day (USA) - leading to the speculation that the major reason for the proclamation of this holiday was to allow many Albertan Petroleum companies to be closed on the same day their american counterparts were.

Whatever... we get a free holiday out of it. Yay Family Day!

In the Line of Friendly Fire

The Cheney Shooting Incident narrative has expanded throughout the blogosphere at such a rate that I don’t have to tell you that Harry Whittington, a 78 year old Texan lawyer was "accidentally" shot (with almost 200 bird shot pellets) by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney while they were out hunting quail. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say. True, it seems wrong to let it pass without a mention in this blog.

I have been using firearms since I was 13 years old and was 15 years old when I got my hunting license. Even at a young age I learned something very important – ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING AT BEFORE YOU PULL THE TRIGGER.

This simple rule is the foundation of universal firearm safety and anyone who is in possesion of a firearm needs to adhere to this concept completely in order to act responsibly with it. Further to this you should always be mindful of proper weapons handling; meaning you always point the weapon in a safe direction, you always keep your finger off the trigger until you are prepared to fire, you always visually identify your target and what lies behind it (you never shoot in the direction of sound or movement without being certain of your target) and oh yeah, most importantly, don’t shoot the people you are hunting with (or people in general if you will). If you can’t handle these simple rules then don’t pick up a firearm.

I believe that if you do decide to use a firearm you are responsible completely for it and what you do with it. Hunting isn't a game, it is a serious hobby that has serious ramifications if certain expectations are not observed. I am not comfortable with the way the blame has somehow found itself squarely on Whittington - for sure if any blame is to be assessed against the victim (keep in mind the guy is still in intensive care) it can only be partial at best. Rather let us hold Cheney to be as responsible for his actions as any other private citizen would be held accountable in a similar situation.

For most people just pointing a gun (or even threatening too) at someone is considered a criminal threat, and shooting them is usually punished even if it is considered accidental (negligence, accidental discharging of a firearm, etc) so I don't know why Cheney, who violated every notion of common sense when he "whirled and fired" at the "sound of birds," should be completely absolved of any wrong doing. If he had paid some attention to what he was shooting at this "accident" wouldn't have been too hard to avoid. Observe:

This is a QUAIL



This is a LAWYER













For future reference anyone who might be brave enough to go hunting with Cheney should consider this:

For My Valentine

roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you

I love you Duncan!

There are Mountains in our Way...

I had sooooo much fun today - the mountains were gorgeous and the weather was spectacular. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much! Tired now, but more pictures to come!

Jasper pictures are now up on Flickr. And on the Travel Album.

I Did It ... but I am Blaming You!

She's so Raven. It's the new style.

You know you're in 2006 when...

I received this email this afternoon from a student at Harvard University:

Hi Allie,

My mom is standing outside your window but doesn’t know which one is your apartment (she doesn’t know your last name…)

Can you let her in?

Cheers,
Rowan

Indeed, my friend had been standing outside my house trying to remember which one was mine and she couldn't get in to knock on my door because my dog wouldn't let her the yard. So she took matters into her own hands - using her cell phone to call her son in another country to send me an email knowing that I would be on my computer to recieve it and let her in. Technology is pretty crazy these days. We are all plugged in.

It might be an early spring afterall

A week or so ago I remember I was smiling to myself as I walked in the warmth of the sunshine listening to the birds sing all around me. An excitement that threatened to burst out of me dared to hope that a early spring would soon be upon us.

Today I had the pleasure of watching a bird build it's nest while I waited for the bus. I could help but wonder with certain fascination at the sheer tenacity of it - afterall it is still mid February in Alberta Canada. Winter could still rage.



Truth be told, this year winter never really began. More days than not it has seemed like fall or spring; barely any snow fell at all and only a few days required the down jacket I purchased for the season. I've been waiting for winter with a distant expectation but a growing sense of oddity replaced it a while ago, with the sense that winter has passed us by. The birds might be right - it might be spring afterall.

The Lunch Box Chronicles

When I was a kid my parents (who weren't hurting for money) steadfastedly refused to buy me a lunch box. Ever. They mostly felt that buying licenced products was a huge waste of money and as such I spent my elementary career secretly coveting my friends lunch boxes and kits while I ate out of my paper bag or walked home for lunch. I never forgot how (when really I wanted for nothing) there was this stupid part of childhood I never got to participate in.

Well, the other day my very first lunch box arrived. I don't know what exactly got into me, but when I saw it on e-Bay I decided that I had to have it. It's an ultra cool (uber geeky) Return of the Jedi Lunch Box kit (with Ewok Thermos) from 1983.

I feel like a kid again!

Photoblogger Extraordinarie

My Flickr Badge
Originally uploaded by Allie Wojtaszek.

Raven’s Promise of Peace

In the beginning of time the world was covered with ice & snow. One day Raven the Creator came from heaven and made the world green, like it is today. But Raven wanted something to be a reminder and a teaching to the people of the beginning times and its whiteness. So Raven went among the black bear people in the new paradise and chose every tenth bear to be as white as snow to honour the world as it was during the past age of ice. Upon finishing this task Raven looked upon them all and declared: "Moksmg’ol (the white bears) will live here forever in peace."

This paradise has since become known as the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, and the rare Spirit Bear (also known as the Kermode Bear) is one of its great mysteries and delights. The bears are a genetically unique subspecies of the black bear and the remaining 400 of them are found only on Canada’s west coast. They are a global treasure.

The Spirit Bears require an intact ecosystem to sustain a stable gene pool that in turn creates the conditions that produce them (they are not albino but are born white as the result of a double recessive gene). This process is obviously threatened by development and as such environmentalists and other groups have been fighting for years to protect the habitat that the bears need. The British Columbian government yesterday announced the combined Central Coast and North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) that "protects" the area often referred to as the Great Bear Rainforest.

It should be noted though that it’s not actually or even entirely "protected."

4.4 million acres will be protected as parkland, while the remaining 11.6 million is "zoned" for administration under a "special management plan" aimed at lessening the impact certain commercial activities will have on the environment. For example "Protected Areas" and "Biodiversity Areas" will be safe from commercial logging yet mining will be allowed in the "Biodiversity Areas." And something called "Ecosystem-based management" will oversee "sustainable forestry" in the other areas (but what this means has not yet been defined). I hope they have found the perfect balance here, but I am skeptical.

Given the importance of this area (it is an old growth temperate rainforest that is home to many species other than the Spirit Bears including salmon, grizzlies, black bears, wolves, cougars, mountain goats, moose, and deer as well as huge ancient hemlock and cedar trees - a land so rich that biologists have compared it to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon jungles) I will continue to hope for the day that the entire area can truly be preserved as The Great Bear Rainforest. Until then, may the Spirit Bear forever be wild and free, and may there finally be peace in the forest. Mitakuye Oyasin.

More Spirit Bear pictures here

Can a cabinet swing both ways?

I was pleased to see that the three Albertan MP's I predicted would get cabinet positions were indeed the same three Albertan MP's sworn in this morning: Rona Ambrose, Jim Prentice and Monte Solberg. But besides a small amount of bragging rights (which I think I've already used up) it doesn't really get me much.

All in all, no real surprises in this Cabinet - NOT!
David Emerson - who could have seen that one coming? I doubt all the red signs in his constituency have even been all taken down... that must be the fastest defection ever!

Our Just Desserts at Death by Chocolate

The consuming passions of a Saturday morning.

The Month of Love

Duncan and I have a Valentines tradition where we take turns trading off Valentines Day each year. That way Valentines Day isn't just all about the girl and there isn't a whole lot of silly expectations, just good plain fun and the chance to spoil whosever's turn it is. This year it happens to be my turn to be spoiled, and I am very much looking forward to it!

Webpages are so demanding!

So I finally bit the bullet and updated allie.ca. I added some links and new pics, but I doubt anyone will notice compared to the amount of work I just put into it! But Quynn should note that his link now appears twice on my links page. And I know I haven't linked everyone that I need to, so if you think you are missing drop me a line and I will get around to it. Next on my list is the Bookclub Page. That is all.

Thought of the Day

"Give a chunk of your life to improve the human condition. Why are we here if not to improve the human condition?"
- Stephen Lewis

Scrapbooking Across the Universe

So I finally did it. Holed up in my home for the past while I have been piecing and pasting together the scrapbook pages for my wedding and honeymoon, only two years after the fact. Better late than never I say, and arts and crafts are always fun. Although, it takes surprisingly longer than you might imagine...

I still have to scrapbook our first wedding anniversary vacation to Toronto and Niagara Falls, and I found myself musing this weekend about going places just so that I could scrapbook about them - like Paris, Stonehenge, Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii and... well you get the idea. I've always had the travel bug but now that it's combined with the scrapbooking bug it should make life interesting!

So here is an example of first try at Scrapbooking. I will leave some more on my Flickr page if anyone is interested to see some more (and remember I am still learning)!

The Voices in My Head

I'm not talking about the kind of clothes she wears, Look at that stupid girl
I'm not talking about the way she combs her hair, Look at that stupid girl...

The way she talks about someone else
That she don't even know herself
She's the sickest thing in this world
Well, look at that stupid girl

Well, I'm sick and tired
And I really have my doubts
I've tried and tried
But it never really works out

Like a lady in waiting to a virgin queen, Look at that stupid girl
She bitches 'bout things that she's never seen, Look at that stupid girl...

Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up, shut-up
- M. Jagger/K. Richards

Ah, The Rolling Stones really do have have a song for every moment, every situation and every person we meet. Thank you Rolling Stones!

It's getting "Curiouser and Curiouser..."

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat, "We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." "How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."

It’s been a whole 574 days since I last voted in a federal election but I have not yet voted in today’s 39th General Canadian Election: my son has asked me to wait until he gets home so he can go with me when I cast my ballot, which gives me a little more time to consider my options, I guess (you’d think 56 long days was time enough...).

It seems to me, as voting Canadians, we are always a little weary of change, but this might be the first time in a long time that we are more afraid of the status quo. I think as a result we'll see a better voter turnout than 2004.

With the Conservatives on the brink of a potential Majority, the Liberals and the Bloc fighting tediously for Official Opposition, the NDP making gains they don’t deserve and the Greens remaining altruistically optimistic, the possibilities are endless. And who’d want to be left out of that?

So, whether you are Choosing Canada, standing up for Canada or just believing in Canada, voicing your opinion today will make tomorrow’s Canada YOUR Canada.

It's our day today!

My Own Mind is My Own Church

Kang: "Abortions for all!"
Canada: "BOO!"
Kang: "Very well...no abortions for anyone!"
Canada: "BOO!"
Kang "Alright...abortions for some, miniature American flags for Albertans!"
Canada: "YAY!"

Found on the FARK Forums (Canada Election thread)

Six Figure Blogging!

When I started this blog I didn't really have any idea of where it would go or what it would come to be for me. I didn't even know I was a blogger! Now, a month away from my third blogiversary and 1054 posts later, I will soon cross the magical 100,000 visitors mark! Will it be you? Leave me a note so I can see where you are visiting from... afterall it's really all about the visitors, and 100,000 visitors can't be wrong!

Thanks everyone!

EDIT: My 100,000th visitor came here from Munich Germany at 11:33:41 am!

The System is the Scandal

So did you think it was your democratic right to spoil your ballot?

"No person shall wilfully alter, deface
or destroy a ballot."
Section 167(2)(a) of the Canada Elections Act

Now, that's an interesting law. Even more interesting since there are strict procedures at polling stations that ensure the legally mandated secrecy of your vote (Section 163 of the Canada Elections Act). Behind the voting screen there is no one to know how you mark your ballot, even if you do chose to spoil it, so how would the Vote Police know?

Also Election's Canada does not give you the option to refuse your ballot, and you definatly can't eat your ballot, so it seems that if there is no one that you feel deserves your vote in tomorrow's election the only option that you have is to avoid the polling station altogether.

Home Stretch Rhetoric

"Vote for Me!" *
- Jack Layton

"Vote for Me!" **
- Gilles Duceppe

"Vote for Me!" ***
- Stephen Harper

"Vote for Me!" ****
- Paul Martin


* Actual Quote: "Lend us your vote."

** Actual Quote: "The best safeguard against a Conservative government is the Bloc."

*** Actual Quote: "We can win because it is time for a change, time to move forward, time to get beyond the scandals and investigations and corruption. Let the Liberals claim, for Canada, this is as good as it gets. I know for our Canada, the best is yet to come."

****Actual Quote: "The choice could not be clearer, the stakes with which we are dealing with are incredibly stark. There is only one party that can stop the conservative radical right, and that is the Liberal party."

Keeping Democracy Alive and Well Means Voting

I'm thinking carefully about my vote. Whichever Party I vote for on Monday will recieve $1.75 in public funding each year just for my vote. I realize that casting my vote with this in mind might actually be the most democratic move I could make in my riding.

Regardless, in Edmonton Spruce Grove, these are my candidates:

CONSERVATIVES: Rona Ambrose: She has her Master's degree in Political Science from the U of A, and as our Incumbent she served as the Critic for Intergovernmental Affairs and International Trade in the most recent government.




GREEN: John Lackey: Recieved his BA in history from the University of Alberta and his MSW (Community Development) from McGill University. Now operating a family business he has worked as a teacher, a social worker and in senior government management positions.



LIBERAL: Brad Enge: A self-employed lawyer and Ex-RCMP Officer (anti-terrorism department), he seems to care about native rights (but I wouldn't know well enough to confirm).





NDP: Jason Rockwell: "Social justice activist" and Student at the U of A. Ok, I've got to say it - Nice Tie. And Shirt.

No, not really.

Derision: Contemptuous or jeering laughter; ridicule; a state of being derided

Martin to Harper: I’d make a pretty good Finance Minister.

BURNABY, BC (CDM) – Prime Minister Paul Martin used a scheduled press conference today to suggest that Conservative Leader Stephen Harper might consider him for the Finance portfolio. "Well, I’ve had a lot of experience in that job, and people seemed to think I was pretty good at it," said Martin. "I got rid of a $43 billion deficit. Not too shabby I think. And I was picked for the World Economic Forum’s Dream Cabinet in 2001. They don't invite just anybody to that. Mr. Harper should re-think his position on this important issue, and pick me for Finance. Please."

HT: Derision 2006 and Kudos to Duncan

Dance Martin Dance!

With due respect to his office, I think my Prime Minister is losing it, and in more ways than one.

This campaign has had a few surprises, but I was offended by his out of the blue pledge to rescind the federal governments ability to use the not withstanding clause. I mean - HE MADE THAT UP. On the spot. He just made it up (I've got news for him - Canadians don’t want to open a constitutional debate).

Were his political instincts always so poor?

And then consider the incompetence. The arrogance. AdScam. Gomery. Scandal after scandal. A general lack of credibilty. The scare tactics and dire warnings of "Harper's hidden agenda." Poor campaign strategy, questionable motivations and desperate out of control spin.

He doesn't deserve my vote, his party doesn't deserve to be returned to govern us. If someone wants my vote they need to earn it.

Actually, the best thing that could happen (both for Canadian Politics and for Martin's Liberals) is for the Liberal Party to lose bad.

"People in this country are tired of being played by Paul Martin's Liberals."
- Jack Layton

"Canadians are tired of slurs, scandals and spin."
- Stephen Harper

"Let's just vote and get this over with, I say. Martin's self-immolation is getting hard to watch."
- Warren Kinsella

It Makes you Wonder Why the Youth Vote is so Hard to Get Out...

The U of T's Varsity is reporting that Elections Canada has cancelled the special polling stations that were to be set up on campus to enable student's who live in residence to vote in Monday's Federal Election, a first time for most of the students in question.

The story, Campus Voting Sites Axed (written by Sarah Barmak), draws some pretty interesting conclusions... It seems that both the liberal candidate and the conservative candidate merely voiced what they consider to be some "legality concerns" of the polling stations to Elections Canada (who had already confirmed the polling stations with the U of T SAC) which prompted the stations to be cancelled.

The real kicker here, if you can ignore the obvious issues with these young potential voters who are now left out in a cold political landscape, is that this riding in particular is Olivia Chow's riding (which in the last election she only lost by c. 800 votes and it is well known that the NDP has a large voter support base on this campus).

This kind of BS Politics is exactly why youth won't and don't vote. Students manage to vote without issue on campuses all across Canada - so when something like this happens it's hard not to see it as politcal interference typical of big parties that don't think the youth vote (or voice) should count. Or in this case, by parties that feel maybe the youth vote would count just a little too much.

Hat Tip: Toby

Clever

The winners of the Dose Attack Ads are online today. For as long as the link works, here is my favourite.

Dissent - The Highest Form of Patriotism

I just made my own attack add! You can too. But for a limited time only.

Here We Are Now, Entertain Us!

I’ll admit it, I like Attack Ads.



It’s true. Underneath my cool and polite Canadian exterior beats a heart that revels in the excitement of aggressive competition, especially when it comes to politics.

I appreciate the brilliance and creative thought that goes into the ads as rival factions attempt to illustrate, in the boldest of possible terms, the difference between competing values and messages.

Attack ads create interest, demand attention, generate discussion and fuel debate. They turn the often elusive game of politics into a sport that everyone can play.

This campaign has been so boring I’ve mused out loud about actually eating my ballot just to stimulate some excitement in the people around me. The threat of this election has been hanging over our heads for far too long and finally, after months of scandals, sponsorship allegations, judicial inquiries and police investigations, we find ourselves tired of the same old same old. Attack Ads encourage people to engage and we all can attest to the need for that! People vote when they are angry or otherwise motivated so lets raise the stakes. Hell, let the bloodbath begin.

Bring on the Attack Ads.

I Poke Badgers with Spoons

BADGER ANGRY.

Yep. It's that time... again. Man, I feel like a woman.

Earlier today I was excited to see that a U of A Gateway article was linked in FARK, but it's farked now (crashed from the sheer strain of too many visitor's) and who know's when it will be back up... but for the curious here are the most interesting parts:

Best of the Campus Crime Beat by Amanda Ash

Get A Room!
Around 4pm on 21 February, members of Campus 5-0 were shocked to stumble upon a female student giving a handjob to her male peer on the couches in the Central Academic Building. The couple, who were getting sexy near the Tim Hortons, were given stern warnings and told to seek a more suitable venue.

Topless Brigade
At 1am on 24 February, student auxiliary officers on patrol in HUB Mall observed a group of females running topless down the hall. Once stopped, the topless ladies were identified as students and told to return to their HUB suites immediately.

Ahhh, our moment of fame. I don't remember the Campus Crime Beat being so much fun when I used to write it...



Maybe I am just feeling catty today due to my "condition", but go see the new negative Liberal ads if you haven't already - Choose Your Canada: Washington Times - I must say that a potenitially cozy relationship with the Bush Administration is one of the things that bothers me the most about a potential Harper Majority Government. I want a strong Canadian Prime Minister, not a "Bush-Lite" version. If Mr Harper is to be our PM, let him be OUR PM.

Today's post ends with a quote from a famous man who turns 100 years old today:

"I had wonderful visions"
- Albert Hofmann

Can anyone guess what Dr. Hofmann invented?

This is a Public Service Announcement

There is new legislation in Alberta that requires all drivers to slow down to 60 km/h or less when passing ALL emergency vehicles and tow trucks that have their lights flashing while stopped on the same side of the roadway (a similiar law applies to passing construction workers as well). The fine for not complying with this law is $632.00.

Other provinces have similiar legislation, so consider yourself warned. Ignorance of the law is not a defence.

Last year, my brother was killed helping direct traffic around a stalled vehicle all because one person was in too much of a hurry to slow down while going around an accident scene. One selfish act, some might say a "mistake" on the part of a driver, and my brother's life was over at the age of 30.

Some Albertans seem to think that this is "just a cash cow" or that the law is "a stupid waste if time" (which IMHO is a pretty self centered view). But if drivers can't use common sense, slow down and change lanes in order to pass a situation safely (and possibly care enough to safeguard someone elses life) then they should be hit with high fines - because it is the only way to make them (and others) care enough to slow down, everytime. You can never know when someone is going to be suddenly in front of you, and when they are it doesn't matter anymore why or how they got there.

One of my best friends is a Calgary Police Officer who, yes (for many reasons), you might see on the side of the road or at the scene of an accident sometime. She, like other emergency professionals, are all people just like you who have as much right to live their lives and to go home to their families as you do.

Pay attention, slow down when it is needed and drive defensively. This isn't about cash cows or over zealous traffic cops - it's about protecting peoples lives and the harsh reality that some "mistakes" can't be taken back or fixed.

Via: Globe and Mail

The Bubble Creature Cometh

I just went to brush my teeth and when I turned on the light in the downstairs bathroom this creature was staring up at me from out of a sinkful of bubbles... it took me a second to recognize it as my dog's chew toy that obviously Duncan was trying to clean in an effort to extend it's life.

A Comic Spoil

As Regards Spoilification by the Penny Arcade.

Thunder in my Belly, and the Thunder rolls...

I am sitting here drinking my cup of tea (listening to the gases move through my digestive tract realizing that the sound oddly resembles the sound of rolling thunder) witnessing the delightfully erratic behaviour of our cat (who was fed an overly large amount of cat nip just a while ago, the effects of which seem to have now kicked in) and enjoying the clean crisp air from the open window (a rarity for an Albertan January, but the temperatures have been mild so far this winter) while I ponder those certain connections in life that appear happenstance (my pondering aided of course by having just finished watching Season One of LOST) but seem to illustrate our story much more richly if we notice them.

So, in other news, there's nothing like a good stomach Flu to start off a new year - and according to the trusty bathroom scale I've shed about 12 pounds over these past four days, good news coming so close after the binging of the holiday season but not exactly easy on ones body (I'm really not getting any younger here!). It is, however, a good complement to my new three month long Doctor imposed NO Cholesterol diet (ever tried to eat a no cholesterol diet?) that will endeavour to determine if my high cholesterol levels of the past year are self inflicted through diet, or self inflicted by the over generousity of my own liver. Right now I'm not sure which to hope for (if any).

As far as world news goes, I have been watching if only peripherally - we did watch Team Canada win gold at the World Juniors (YAY CANADA!) and I have been keeping a vigil of sorts for Mr. Sharon - but all I have to say about that right now is could Pat Robertson be anymore of a DICK? He's really on a role with his insanity these past few months - where is a good Yahweh style Smiting when you need one?

Auld Lang Syne!

This was the year I turned 33 years old, and it was a fun year (which was especially nice after last year!) This year we traveled lots of places, including: Banff in May (we stayed at the Banff Centre for the Arts); Devon in July (we visited the Kurimoto Japanese Gardens); Niagara Falls in July (it was 43 degrees Celsius!); Toronto in July (we celebrated our first wedding anniversary in the revolving restaurant in the CN Tower); Lake Louise and Bankhead in September (The Rocky Mountains - we also visited Banff, Cochrane and Calgary); Lethbridge in December (we enjoyed the coulees and the long train bridge); Elk Island National Park in December (Buffalo!); and now we end the New Year celebrating with friends at the "Estate" in Cochrane Alberta.

NEW HANGOUT: Second Cup or Jungle Jims (WEM)

BEST GIFTS: This year we were really happy to have Duncan’s Dad and my Mom with us to on Christmas morning for gift opening and breakfast. I think everyone was really happy with what Santa brought them but I must have been really good cause I think I got spoiled! Among my booty this year I got jewelry, a Kodak printer for my camera (and camera accessories), a Harry Potter replica/collectors wand, a HUGE suitcase for our upcoming trip to Las Vegas, The March of the Penguins (movie), books (including Michael Moore’s Will They Ever Trust us Again), a gorgeous Oak and Marble cheese serving display, and chocolates. Also, I am excited about reading the books I got for Duncan (The Dark Lord: Rise of Darth Vader, Rescuing Canada’s Right, Team of Rivals and the Secret Mulroney Tapes).

FAVORITE SONG: The Revenge of the Sith and Harry Potter Soundtracks (and anything my son plays on his flute).

BEST BOOK READ: I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and both the Labyrinth and Revenge of the Sith. It might be worth noting that I also started an online Book Club this year!

NEW HOBBY: Scrap booking and Photography

BEST MOVIE: Kingdom of Heaven, Revenge of the Sith (first 12:01am showing and several times thereafter), Dukes of Hazzard, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (twice), Walk the Line, Munich

BEST DVD: Revenge of the Sith (and it’s documentary)!

BEST VIDEO GAME: Sid Meier’s Civilization 4!

BIGGEST CHANGE: Wesley went to Junior High this year and I am going on a doctor mandated Cholesterol Free diet starting Jan 1st. Yikes, that’s tomorrow!

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: This year was pretty good and seemed to fly by so any challenges were minor and easily faced.

BIGGEST BLESSING OF THE YEAR: Duncan and I were asked to stand as members of Brett and Beatrice’s wedding party when they take their vows in 2006. We are excited and honoured to support them in their love and commitment to each other!

MOST STIRRING POLITICAL ISSUE: As I have been contracted to work on a Provincial Leadership Campaign I have been focusing on leadership politics (which are very interesting). I have been avoiding federal politics all together!

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Our trip to Las Vegas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year for all!

PREDICTIONS FOR 2006: Liberals will win again.

LOOKING BACK: 2004 and 2003

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I wish you all the best for a happy, safe and prosperous 2006!

Where the Deer and the Buffalo play...

Duncan and I spent yesterday exploring in Elk Island National Park. The Park is considered to be the best example of the boreal mixed wood (aspen, birch and conifer) forests of the Canadian plains, but is also dominated by lichen and sedge grass meadows. It is populated by Plains Bison, Woods Bison, Elk, Moose, Deer, Beavers, Coyotes, Fox, many birds and numerous smaller animals. We were lucky enough to see a Wood Bison (see pic above), Elk and White Tail Deer, and we enjoyed quite the treat while we were hiking the Beaver Pond Trail (as the sun was setting) as several coyotes began to sing through the park all around us - it was beautiful, haunting, moving. An excellent day trip less than an hour from Edmonton, we will have to go again in the warmer months!

Christmas Tree 2005

Christmas Tree 2005
Originally uploaded by Allie Wojtaszek.

Each year our Christmas Tree is built with ornaments and decorations that have a special significance to each person in our family, beginning with my first Snow White ornament from 1972 and encorporating ornaments from both mine and Duncan's extended families. Visitors often marvel at our tree as they search it's branches to see what they can find and as such this year I thought I would catalogue some of the more popular or meaningful items.

You can visit my Flickr page to see the rest of the ornaments. Don't forget to click on each image so that you will be able to read all of the notes attached to the pictures (my first attempt with notes in Flickr)!

Boxing Day

Christmas Morning has come and gone

Our family Christmas Breakfast

Duncan woke me up at 04 double early this morning and wasn't able to go back to sleep, so we snuggled in bed until 6:00am when I finally went to wake kids up (we were out late last night seeing Narnia). Santa was very good to all of us this morning but I think the best part was having Duncan's Dad and My Mom here to share it with us.

You can see our pictures of Christmas morning here.

All Things Christmas

Christmas is a very special time of year for me, a time that has always been about friends and family. It's a time that love runs through, like a river that binds us all together, and families find a certain peace in celebrating each and every member.

From our family to yours on this Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas. Our best wishes to you and yours for the happiest of the season and a healthy and prosperous new year!

Christmas Comes In...

1 Day, 0 hours, 16 minutes and 9 seconds... For those counting...

The Sad Thing is He Can't Even Blame it on the Champagne!

By far my favourite Christmas card this year...

Ready or not, Christmas is in full swing at the Wojtaszek residence this year. Wesley's Band Concert was on Thursday and we had our annual Hot Chocolate Party on Saturday which was fun and went well (except I have decided if we mean to continue this tradition I will need a larger living room!) and on Sunday we had dinner at a friends and helped decorate his tree while we all enjoyed egg nog and a lovely fire. Despite the warming weather it is managing to feel a bit like Christmas time.

Not that I am counting, but as of now, Christmas is 5 days, 10 hours, 35 minutes and 18 seconds away!

John Spencer has left the building

It makes me sad to be blogging tonight about the death of John Spencer from a heart attack at age 58. Spencer played one of my favourite characters on the NBC Show The West Wing, Leo McGarry. It is a role that won him both an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination, and one I thought he shone in. He will be sorely missed.

Die Patriot Act, Die!

While Bush (among others) has lobbied relentlessly to make the expiring USA Patriot Act a permanent statute, today the Senate stalled the attempt by not allowing it to pass.

No doubt there will be some political wrangling in the next couple of weeks and likely another vote, but if a deal isn't reached, the 16 Patriot Act provisions will expire on the 31st of December.

The death of the Patriot Act will allow for the development of a more rational and practical law, one not built, passed and enacted in fear. The american people would do well to consider that rights and liberties given up so easily are the hardest to reclaim - especially when they are lost to the increasing powers of government.

The Patriot Act should never be allowed to become permanent. Bring on Dec 31.

In the Right Place at the Right Time

"I prayed that someone would catch him
and save his life."
- Tracinda Foxe

I'll admit it, I really don't believe in coincidence; I believe that our paths go towards opportunities that we either choose to seize or pass by and that those opportunities shape our collective futures and provide reasons for us being here.

So begins the amazing story of Tracinda Foxe and her baby Eric, who were trapped in their burning third floor apartment by bars across their windows. Trying to stay away from the flames and smoke, Tracinda was holding Eric out of the window so that he could breathe - but as the fire raged their situation became more dire.

As Tracinda couldn't see if their was anyone on the ground waiting to catch her son she had held on to him until she could no longer chance it - and then with a prayer (and what I imagine was a whole lot of faith), she threw Eric from the burning apartment to the ground below.

Luckily, Felix Vazquez (a baseball catcher and former lifeguard) was there and was able to run and catch Eric as well as give him mouth to mouth to start him breathing again. Firefighters were soon able to break down the door to rescue Tracinda, and everyone is recovering nicely (and Tracinda has asked Felix to be Eric's godfather).

The right person in the right place at exactly the right time. If that's not destiny, I don't know what is, but I'm happy with believing it is. Eric's family says "the rescue is the only holiday gift they'll need, and they couldn't ask for more." Amen to that.

The Hits Keep on Rolling

Thanks to my blog readers today I surpassed 90,000 visitors! (cue fanfare)

I am going to have some sort of real time online blog party for turning over to 100,000... so stay tuned cause I'd love to see you all there!

Halo Two

So Mr. Harper wants to revive the Airborne. A "new" 650 member strong battalion which, in his words, would have "parachute training capability."

My first thought: There's a valid reason why the Airborne was disbanded. It's not like we just ran out of people or someone forgot to fund it. The Airborne was a national and international disgrace; being disbanded was a punishment and an apology to the rest of the world. There should be careful consideration into it's "revival" and the implications thereof.

Second thought: I hope Mr Harper knows that "Airborne" units are actually jump ready, and that his "new" unit would have more than just the capacity to train with a parachute!

Just a thought.

"Democracy is not the law of the majority but the protection of the minority."
- Albert Camus

The Northern Lights are Gorgeous

Duncan and I have just got in from watching the Northern Lights here in Edmonton. They have been really active recently, but tonight there was brilliant greens and vibrant pinks lighting up the sky, and they were moving so fast that they truly were dancing.

I have always loved the Northern Lights - as I grew up on Vancouver Island I only saw them as a faded shadow and infrequently at that. Now, being so much more north I have delighted in their magnificance over the past 10 years.

Sadly, the Earth's north magnetic pole is drifting away from North America (towards Siberia) at such a rate that scientists say North America might lose its spectacular Northern Lights sometime in the next 50 years (Good news for Europe though). If I manage to live another 50 years I will be sad to see them go.

My secret desire right now: The Northern Lights Festival 2006 in Tromsø, Norway in January.

Love is a burning thing

I understand moments of perfect happiness need to be taken in small doses in order for the balance of the universe to remain intact, but I had a lot of them today - possibly even more than my fair share! Days like this are the kind that warm you from the inside and cause you to walk around with a big smile on your face. The kind of day you never want to end but your content to fall asleep in it's bliss. I really had an awesome day today; my life is more wonderful than I could ever have imagined it would be and the world is a perfect place.

Among other things we did today, Duncan and I Walked The Line. The story touches us more than most would guess, and the film was amazing, the pefect film for a perfect night!

Today is a special kind of Anniversary

Five years!

They say time flies when you're having fun - and these past five years have certainly flown by. In many regards I feel like we are still just starting out, still discovering the world together side by side - and we are of course, with the whole world and a lifetime ahead of us. I love him more now then ever before, for every reason in the world, and for no reason in particular and with all of my heart and soul I love him. He is my bestest friend and I cherish him.

Happy Anniversary Duncan!

Love Never Dies

25 years ago I was just a little girl, 8 years old or so, and my life only moderatly touched by the Beatles phenomenon that would come to grip my formative years and subsequent adult life.

Like so many others I grew up sharing (and singing along to) the music of the Beatles together with my best friends - usually while we sat around in the sunshine wondering philosophically-outloud about both the complexities and simpleness of life. The lyrics never failed to touch us, to move us to tears or laughter - and no one was embarrassed to coon along with the Beatles.

I was too young to understand that day when I watched on the news about a man named John Lennon who had been gunned down and killed in cold blood how much this person would influence and impact my life, my relationships and my love of music. I will never know what he could have done if he had been allowed to live that day - but I do know that my world will never be devoid of John Lennon and he will continue to be shared and not forgotten.

To lead a better life
I need my love to be here...

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there

There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there

I want her everywhere and if she's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there
To be there and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere

Catching up...

We went to Lethbridge and it was very pretty - Duncan had some business to do but we also had a chance to see some of the sites and visit with our friends that moved down there last July. It was an enjoyable weekend, despite the very long drive from Edmonton to Lethbridge.

Things in Lethbridge are looooong. Here are some examples:

Coulees are long ravine like valleys like run along river beds.

The longest train bridge is in Lethbridge.

The university of Lethbridge has the longest hallway.

More Pictures HERE

We also decorated and put up the Christmas Tree!


With the christmas season already upon us we are trying to give the world our best impression of being ready! Ready or not, our first Christmas party is tonight.

It was just like any other day...

Flowers usually make a girl happy but the 14 white roses on my desk this morning had a sobering presence.

Just like our day this morning, as we all climbed out of bed and braced ourselves for the cold December day, that day 16 years ago began just like any other day.

But it didn’t end that way. It ended in hatred and gunfire and broken dreams.

Remembering the December 6, 1989 incident in which 14 young women were gunned down at Montreal's l'École Polytechnique isn’t enough. We have to change the attitudes that put people in danger and keep them at risk, we have to appreciate the fragility of life and strive to protect it, and we have to learn how to ask for, and give, help when it’s needed. For ourselves and everyone we love, every day.

Because every day starts the exact same way.

I was here...

I rushed home from work today (trying to make it home in time for a meeting via conference call) crammed into a bus full of people which in turn was crammed into a gridlocked highway full of yet more people, and somehow I felt oddly alone in amongst them all... lost even. I fought the urge to reach out and scrawl in big letters "I WAS HERE" in the condensation on the window pane.

Welcome to Lethbridge!

According to the city's webpage, Lethbridge Alberta is one of the warmest & sunniest cities in all of Canada. That's interesting to ponder as I sit here enjoying the -16 degree celsius weather!

But I must admit I have been taken with the landscape; with the coulees and the rolling hills, the fields of long golden grass with their slight dusting of snow, Lethbridge has a unique allure. I am excited about taking some pictures tomorrow... I really do live in an amazing and beautiful province!

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