Hoogiwhatsits

One of the Many Reasons Why I Dearly Love My Dad

2011-02-13T12:49:00.008-05:00

My father, a truly feminist guy, sent me this as an email and I think that this bears broadcasting.

Subject: Fwd: Our 82nd Anniversary As Persons...great photos.

This is the story of women who were ground-breakers. These brave women from the early 1900's made all the difference in the lives we live today.
Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but when, in North America , women picketed in front of the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote, they were jailed.

And by the end of the first night in jail, those women were barely alive.
Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing
went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of
'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

(Lucy Burns)
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above
her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping
for air.

(Dora Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her
head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate,
Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.
Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,
beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917,
when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his
guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because
they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right
to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their
food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

(Alice Paul)
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a
chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited.
She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

All women who have ever voted, have ever owned property, have ever enjoyed equal rights need to remember that women's rights had to be fought for in Canada as well.

Do our daughters and our sisters know the price that was paid to earn rights for women here, in North America ?

2011 is the 82nd Anniversary of the Persons Case in Canada ,
which finally declared women in Canada to be Persons!

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know, so that we remember to celebrate the rights we enjoy.

"Knowledge is Freedom: hide it, and it withers; share it, and it blooms" (P. Hill)

My Sweet Cousin

2010-08-08T13:13:00.003-04:00

My little cousin Sarah ( not so little anymore) has this fantastic ability to get the most amazing jobs with ease. Largely because she is very intelligent and hugely capable.

Not long after graduating University with the ability to speak in 7 or 8 languages, she fell into a fashion job with Canadian Designers DSquared2 in Milan.

Her next position? A very interesting job for the International Courts in The Hague.

She has just left a coordinating position for a Cancer Charity (no, not the one you're thinking of).

Her new aspiration is journalism and to that end she has just established a Blog ( the link will be permanent on the side panel) based on her love of Fashion. Well, after all, she is a published Photographer and Stylist.

I guess what I'm saying is that she blows my mind with her talent and smarts ( She also happens to be drop dead gorgeous, don't you think? That's her at the top there).

Wanna be blown away too?

Check her out here:

Sense of Sarah

Bento Bliss

2009-09-22T19:20:00.005-04:00

I don't have the time and energy to do this myself but I sure as shootin' admire a person who does and can.

Check out this fabulous lady at lunchinabox.net.

The ideas are fabulous, they look marvellous and she even includes recipes and cool ideas. Using an ice cream sandwich maker to press hard boiled egss to get cool shapes for your kids? Awesome!

Just thought you should know.

Like the Wonderous P, I think this isn't quite right.

2008-10-21T19:25:00.002-04:00

I'm actually a very modern kinda chick and I like abstract and cubist art quite a bit. Just not the samples they chose for this quiz. Nice description, though, however inaccurate....

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Simple, Progressive, and Sensual

29 Ukiyo-e, 24 Islamic, 10 Impressionist, -28 Cubist, -38 Abstract and 20 Renaissance!

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵, Ukiyo-e), "pictures of the floating world", is a genre of Japaneseand paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries. it mostly featured landscapes, historic tales, theatre, and pleasure. Ukiyo is a rather impetuous urban culture that has bloomed in popularity. Although the Japanese were more strict and had many prohibitions it did not affect the rising merchant class and therefore became a floating art form that did not bind itself to the normal ideals of society.

People that chose Ukiyo-e art tend to be more simplistic yet elegant. They don't care much about new style but are comfortable in creating their own. They like the idea of living for the moment and enjoy giving and receiving pleasure. They may be more agreeable than other people and do not like to argue. They do not mind following traditions but are not afraid to move forward to experience other ideas in life. They tend to enjoy nature and the outdoors. They do not mind being more adventurous in their sexual experiences. They enjoy being popular and like being noticed. They have their own unique style of dress and of presenting themselves. They may also tend to be more business oriented or at the very least interested in money making adventures. They might make good entrepreneurs. They are progressive and adaptable.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Classy? Really?? Cool.

2008-09-28T09:15:00.001-04:00

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Carole Lombard

You scored 14% grit, 19% wit, 38% flair, and 43% class!

You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.

Meme from P

2008-07-01T19:14:00.004-04:00

1. Leave a comment saying you would like to be interviewed.
2. I will then respond with 5 questions that quite possibly could be personal—or not, whatever mood I'm in.
3. Then update your LJ (my page is here on blogger... sooo go with whatever site you like) with the questions I've asked
4. Put these same rules (or something that resembles these rules) with your questions
5. When people ask you to interview them, you will ask them five questions.

From P to me... here goes:

1. Who is your favorite 19th century novelist? And what's your favorite novel by that writer?

Mary Shelley... and solely because of Frankenstein. Love Austen and Gaskell, the Brontes (all three) and Ms. Eliot but Shelley rocked my world with Frankenstein. She takes after her Mom (Mary Wollstonecraft, author of that fabulous tome A Vindication of the Rights of Women) even though she never had the chance to meet her mom and Shelley's a fabulous feminist writer. Yes, Frankenstein is a feminist issue and those who don't get that, suck.

2. You have unlimited funds, time and a babysitter. What restaurant do you take J to, and what meal do you have there?

So there's this amazing little restaurant in Beaulieu-sur-Mer about 30 mins. outside Villefranche on the French Riviera right across from the Residences Eiffel. Ya, that guy who built the tower in Paris. It was his summer home and is now a series of rental suites. Gorgeous view and wonderful digs. Anyhoo, the restaurant is run by a small family, has a fantastic view and it's surprisingly very cheap. They make the best pizza and chocolate crepes I have ever had. Plus they are the friendliest folks. Sure, they yelled at me not to stuff myself with appetizers, but they yelled with love like good Jewish parents. We laughed! They made us feel very at home. Loved the meal we had when J and I were on our honeymoon and would love to go back.

3. If money and logistics were no object, where in the world would you most like to live?

Ooooooh... that's a toughie because there are a couple of places... but I think Villefranche-sur-Mer. It's just a nice pace of life, the French lifestyle. I've loved being there for a couple of weeks at a time and I never missed Canadian life when I was there. It's slower, sunnier (though not hot), full of fantastic art and lots of galleries, beautiful architecture, lots of history and all about the food and view. We rush around here too much. I might miss the snow in winter but I could always nip somewhere cold for the holidays, yes?
London comes in a close second, though. Faster pace of life, great theatre, beautiful architecture... that would be tempting too.

4. Within Toronto, where's your favorite place to go in the summer?

The Island... hands down. But not Centre Island... I love to walk around the streets of the community that lives there. The houses are so beautifully quirky and it's so quiet. Pack a picnic lunch, do a lot of walking and finish off the day with ice cream at the place right by the docks. Sigh.

5. You have a couple of hours to kill. Which Sharpe movie do you watch?

I'm all about eking Hagman time, me. John Tams ( I must have a thing for that name when you realize how close Sweetie's name is to that....) is a hunk (minus that disastrous moustache he is sporting these days.) Love the character and his voice. Jason Salkey as Harris ain't no slouch neither so I'd have to go with Sharpe's Gold even though in terms of the plot, it sucks. Let's face it, that whole story is unnaturally contrived but you do get that long-ish segment of Daniel Hagman shooting for Sharpe's honour in that bet with the twinkie Irish chick. Now the only problem for me is that I also have a thing for Nick Rowe ( See side panel) and he actually did a stint in the series too... so it's a tie with Sharpe's Enemy. Better plot for that one too. Plus it has that amazingly wonderful actor Pete Postlethwaite. Yup. That one's good too.

I knew there were reasons why P and I are friends....

2008-06-21T14:09:00.000-04:00

Your result for The Fashion Style Test...

Fashion Artist

52% Flamboyance, 62% Originality, 51% Deliberateness, 32% Sexiness

[Flamboyant Original Deliberate Prissy]

To you fashion is not what they think up in Paris or New York. You follow only your instincts and taste and, admit it, they are far from conventional. Clothes are one of the methods of expressing your personality and being interesting is even more important than being attractive. You pay attention to compose such outfits that would express you best. You tend to shock and though many appreciate your style and originality not many follow in your footsteps. Perhaps your flamboyant outfits are partly meant to hide some of your insecurity but be that as it may, few pass you on the street without looking back. Good job.

The opposite style from yours is Sporty Hottie [Tasteful Conventional Random Sexy].

All the categories: Librarian Sporty Hottie Office Master Uptown Girl/ Boy Brainy Student Movie Star Fashionista Glamorous Soul Fashion Enemy Bar Cruiser Kid Next Door Sex Bomb Hippie Kid Fashion Rebel Fashion Artist Catwalk God(ess)

Take The Fashion Style Test at HelloQuizzy

The Family

2008-06-08T11:35:00.001-04:00

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

My Kid: The Engineer

2008-04-11T10:23:00.008-04:00

TVO is a publicly and government funded television channel here in Toronto and they program some fantastic stuff. Meercat Manor narrated by the wondrous Bill Nighy comes to mind or Prehistoric Park (who needs the Crocodile Hunter when you can do this? And safely too!). Like PBS in the States, they are savvy, fun and very educational!

Recently, their afternoon kid's program called The Space, hosted by some wonderful hip adults (who don't really seem like adults... they seem like kids... which makes them so much more fun for the kids) held a contest for kids to design an Eco-mobile for 6 Superheros, The League of Super Citizens. My little guy got all jazzed because he's very environmentally aware AND he loves designing cars... So was this a match made in heaven!?!

Well...

TAAAA DAAAAA!!!!

He designed a vehicle powered by wind. He drew the blueprint you see before you all on his lonesome, and then, with just a wee help from Mommy (I made the podge for the Papier Mache), he put together, papier mache-ed and painted his very own Super Eco-vehicle (complete with seat belts for safety).

Today, I got the call. Wee Monster has won a second prize digital camera!

GO WEE MONSTER!!!!

We, back down here on the farm, sure are proud of our boy.

Can't wait to see what he designs next....

A Love Letter to Sarah Polley.

2008-03-02T11:16:00.005-05:00

Sarah, I've just watched your interview on Sunday Morning on CBC and I'm very impressed. Your work has always impressed me in the past. Your current work impresses the hell out of me.

Thank you for being as smart as you are and true to Canadian and Independent roots. Thank you for being open-minded and willing to say 'no' to fame American-style and finally, thank you for standing up against censorship.

Thank you.

You have just re-affirmed my hope in youth.

Haiku to you too.

2008-02-21T19:30:00.003-05:00

In honour of Valentine's Day, my Sweetie sent a few of his very own creations and they were so much fun that I have to share.

Alone, I'm frightened,
But I can take on the world
With you by my side.

Life with you is like
A great meal; long, leisurely
And so fulfilling.

Your presence completes
My soul is lacking without
You are my best friend.

Why do you love me,
When you know I'm such a mess
I'm confused, but glad.

Ok... and my all time favourite:

Your ears ignite me,
An ecstasy of nipples
I worship your knees

When you have a man this wonderful, who needs chocolates???

Let's talk bus.

2007-09-17T16:17:00.000-04:00

Sooooo... it's the middle of August, hot as Hades and I'm riding the 5pm bus across St. Clair with my 6 year old and all his camp gear (the streetcars have taken a little break... they're getting brand new tracks with no cars allowed on'em). The bus is old (read: no air conditioning) and packed to the gills (read: hotter than hotter than Hades because of the extra bodies) and then it happens. Someone vacates a window seat and the person in the corresponding aisle seat does NOT move over to make room for another person. So what happens now is that the seat by the window is empty and everyone on this bus is far too Canadian (read: polite) to ask the Schmuck in the aisle seat to move over.

Now Schmuck gets his own private Idaho of space.

Classic passive aggressive behaviour.

I've noticed that this is a trend and, as I'm sure is evident by now, it pisses me off. Wee Monster and I have had lots of talks about this... he doesn't understand why adults behave so selfishly and frankly, neither do I.

C'mon people. You know that the nice thing to do is take the window seat and make room for the next person. Don't give us The Hairy Eyeball and then make us step over your toes with all our crap and make US apologize!

Move on over, make room for the next person. Be NICE! We're all tired in that hot, stinky bus together!

People even try to bogart space this way on empty buses... like they need the extra space!

Be nice, be adult, suck it up and shift your butt!

'Kay.

I'm done.

HAPPY PRIDE WEEK!!!!

2007-06-22T20:28:00.000-04:00

It's that wonderful time of year again.

Time to celebrate love and open-mindedness with strong liquor, lots of dancing and a wild and fun parade! Best parade alongside Caribana, if you ask me!

With a full heart and a lot of support for those people just discovering their sexuality,

HAPPY PRIDE WEEK EVERYONE!!!

Let's @#$!!! talk!!!

2007-06-12T14:03:00.001-04:00

So, I regularly watch Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares on Food TV here in Toronto. I'm a foodie. What can I say?

And here's the thing: for all that Gordon swears like a sailor caught in the Doldrums, he's a caring guy who is very honest with the people he's helping out. Dare I say it... he's even gentle.

J and I were watching a recent episode where the Chef was a twinkie of about 21 and clearly not experienced enough to be heading up a kitchen. Hell, the poor kid couldn't even muster together a meal for his own parents and grandparents without burning the croutons for the French Onion Soup and under-baking the Lemon Meringue Pie.

Gordon's first experience with this kid involved eating food that had clearly been rotting in the fridge. The cameras, thankfully, did not follow Gordon out the back kitchen door as he went to throw up.

I would have fired the kid. Pronto. Serving rotten food... to anyone... in a restaurant? He'd have been kicked out on his overconfident ass. I'd have sent him packing back to school with his tail between his legs and with a tapestry of intricately woven obscenities following close behind him.

I don't claim to be worthy of being head chef anywhere but, crap, even I can cook a 4 course meal for 24 on Passover without burning anything.

BUT rather than telling the kid to give up and go back to an Ecole de Cuisine, Gordon spent a week training this kid and even got a respectable full evening's service out of him. Yes, the 'fucks' abounded. But fuck, the kid earned them. I was only watching (with an awed expression) and several 'fucks' were emanating out of my mouth.

Unfortunately, despite Gordon's best efforts, this twinkie of a chef went right on back to his old ways as soon as Gordon left, letting food rot in the fridge and dicking off.

Too bad.

That twinkie had a wonderful opportunity to learn from the Sensei.

Fuck.

Confessions of a SQUEEEEEEE-gier

2007-05-19T19:19:00.001-04:00

Alright, I realize my credibility is about to be flushed down the... well, it'll be jeopardized, shall we say.

I am a huge anglophile.

Sigh.

There it is.

I both love and laugh at most things British.

I mean, seriously, how can you not laugh at a culture that actually names one of it's towns "Little Wallop"? (Now, I realize as I write this that I live mere kilometers away from a place called Kapuskasing.)

I have an addiction (shall I call it?) to a bevy of wonderful British actors. ( I'm not including the word 'actress'... as the saying goes "I am an actor not an actress. Have you ever heard of a Doctress??")

So, I'm including on the right, some links to some gorgeous men and women (really... seriously drool-worthy). They are extremely talented yet very under-rated actors whose work is worth checking out if you haven't already done so.

The hottie at the top of this post is Toby Stephens. Do yourself a favour and DON'T rent Die Another Day. Uuuuggggh. Bad writing, though nice view of Toby with a sword. But by all means, check out the current version of Jane Eyre.

Now, I'm not usually a Bronte-aholic... Charlotte and Emily write a little too OTT for me but the screenplay by Sandy Welch is amazing.... She's a talented writer who tends to adapt literature extremely well. Her recent version of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a testament to her skills.

Toby brings a lightness to Rochester most actors ignore. Rochester is written as having a certain twinkle in his eye and Toby plays that wonderfully. Usually, Rochester is portrayed merely as brooding. Nice to see the different interpretation.

Toby can also be seen in another Bronte story, Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Kinda interesting that the closer in age to Branwell the Bronte sister was, the more violent and schmucky the romantic hero in the story. Coincidence? I think not.

Also check out The Chamomile Lawn (gotta love a writer who discovers her ability in her seventies! You go Mary Wesley!) and the latest version of Twelfth Night. Though it is a couple years old, it's star studded and worth the viewing.

I must just be in a ginger phase because I have a major thing going for Damian Lewis right now too. He's the cutie reading the cookbook on the right. Though most North Americans know him from Band of Brothers, check out, if you can get hold of it, Shakespeare Retold and enjoy Much Ado About Nothing. Incidentally, my admiration also extends to his leading lady in that production, Sarah Parish. Firstly, LORD! that woman is sexy! And secondly, wow, what a performance! Maybe it's that kinda Jean Arthur air about her: cynical but fun.

Damian also played the lead in Keane. Now there's a wonderful performance. In many ways it reminded me of Mike Leigh's Naked. Powerful.

So enjoy the pictures here and check out the fansites. These are actors worth following.

And they're yummy too!

Sigh.

SQUEEEEE!!!!!

My Humblest Apologies...

2007-04-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

Life lately has looked a little like Ruff Ruffman on the left there.

In between the preparations for Passover, Easter and my Mom's 60th...uh... 25th Birthday Party, this organizer has been busy!
Suffice it to say, Passover was wonderful. We had about 20 people sitting down to a true Sephardi dinner: Hummos, Moroccan Beef Stew and Chicken Cous Cous among other things! Yum! Oh, and we drank a little booze there. But ya just gotta love a holiday that actually demands you drink at least 4 glasses of wine! ( That's a bottle a person, folks!)

Easter followed close behind ( for obvious reasons... Last Supper and all) and was amazing. Yes, the Easter Bunny visited the wee monster and left all sorts of yummy chocolate treats all over the house. ( Someone wanna explain to this Jew how this ties in with Jesus' resurrection? Oh well.)

Then Mom's B-day party was a blast! Instead of the traditional B-day cake, she had a croque-en-bouche beautifully designed by the guys at our local bakery and scrumptious to boot. We have this fantastic French Patisserie around the corner called Pain Perdu ( French Toast) and oh! what wonderful things Christophe can do with sugar. He and his brother Yannick deserve all the success that will surely come their way. ( If you ever find yourself in Toronto... they're on St. Clair near Christie... trust me... it's worth the visit.)

I also got to check in with a couple of artists that my Mom and Dad have known for years. Ton and Rhea Harting. Ton was an engineer, long ago, but has since become a fantastic photographer specializing in black and white imagery. He's hoping to release a book ( that I've had the privilege to view in advance) of photos from the 50's taken while he was travelling in Europe as a student. Keep your eyes out for his published works... he's incredibly talented. Rhea is a textile artist extra-ordinaire... on a par with Kaffe Fasset, I would say. She spins her own yarns, weaves and knits... beautiful colours, beautiful linens and embroidery. She blows my mind!
Great to connect with such interesting and affable people again.

So, here we are. Hale, hearty and waiting for the next big function.

Yup.

What's next?

I'm ready... go on.

Hit me.

We SURVIVED!

2007-01-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

Oooh! What a couple months! Sorry it's taken me so long to blog but we've been busy. Not doing anything special... just the regular: work, getting sick, childcare kinda stuff.

M and my trip to Florida was wonderful! Time spent with my grandfather and his fabulous girlfriend was lovely! My little M swam his heart out... made new friends (see picture) and shopped 'till he dropped. KB Toys, you owe me now. We cleaned out every hot wheel in every store in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Thanks to M, you'll have a banner financial year.

And now, after a bout with colds and flu, not to mention double pink eye, we are healthy (knock wood it stays that way) and happy!

So all is well.

Yay.

Yum, Damnit!!

2006-12-12T21:09:00.000-05:00

I have just had one of the most stressful days of my life.

So, I thought, since I've just lost 70lbs, and for the first time in my life I'm rather pleased with my body shape... that, rather than go upstairs and EAT a gianormous wodge of yummy chocolate, I'd share a couple finds with you.

This place has the yummiest chocolate chili bar I have ever tasted. Going with the notion that if they're good at the chili thing, they're probably good at other stuff, I'm willing to bet that every spice bar they make is a religious experience.

Also check out this site for Chocolate Bark. It's WORTH the drive to Stouffville. (Or like J and I, you can just wait till they show up at the One of A Kind Craft Show here in Toronto.)

And also check out these guys. I purchased a box of their Eclectic Dragee Mix in Gravenhurst (Yes, you read that right... Gravenhurst... don't ask) and it was AMAZING! Problem is, I can't find the damn stuff here in the big smoke.

Oh well. Better for my figure that way.

Big breath.

Repeat mantra: I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate.

I just really WANT the chocolate.

Sigh.

MaceWindu's Latest and Greatest

2006-11-21T19:04:00.000-05:00

Introducing the BMW Z1 Concept Car.

It transforms into a plane. Whoosh!

It can jump as far as Australia. Wow! ( Who needs Westjet when ya got Mace?)

It can actually replace it's car wheels with train wheels too... It's the all-in-one travel vehicle!

I love when P finds these!

2006-11-21T12:51:00.000-05:00

You paid attention during 91% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Have fun!

Whazzup?

2006-11-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's been a long time, I know.

And the thing is, I'm really pretty happy right now. Business is good (and I love my work), everyone around me is now, finally, healthy and happy. This year, everyone we know has been getting sick (including the wee monster... Grade 1 kids share nothing but their germs).

It's been a full fall season.

So I guess that's why my body decided to crap out this weekend.

By Friday night, I could've been a double for Kathleen Turner, my voice was so low and scratchy.

We had been invited to T's for a big party. T has a few of these every year and, because we have yet to make it to one, I hear they are fantastic events with wonderful, intelligent people to meet and lots of fun, grown-up conversation. T is a brilliant person. Imagine Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde in Rupert Everett's body and that's my T. He surrounds himself with like minds, so you can imagine what one of these events must be like. But every time we try to go to one of these shindigs, we have some kind of health emergency with M or my parents or the babysitter cancels... something totally sucky happens and we have to drop out at the last minute.

This time, it was my health. And the stinking thing is that for the first time in ages the stars had aligned in just the right way to allow for J and I to go to T's party: My parents, both healthy for the first time in ages, had taken the wee monster for the night, I had no work scheduled for that day so I could rest up and be energetic for T's bash. Yet there I am, Saturday morning, praying that with a little sleep and lots of liquids we could still go.

J laughed. Everytime I opened my mouth it was clear we weren't going anywhere. I finally gave in, towards lunchtime, and called T to let him know.

I'm praying he continues to invite us... we'll make it yet, damnit!

Not with a bang, but a whimper....

2006-10-03T14:10:00.000-04:00

So, there I am, nuking broccoli for dinner. It's something I do very often. Broccoli is a staple at our house. We eat it cooked, raw, in the dark, on a train, at our work and on a plane. Thanks, Sam-I-am.

Then, all I hear is 'Pzzzzzzzzt' and the lights go off inside our micro-onde.

Has the power gone out? No. Lights are still on in the house. Let me try re-booting. Unplug. Replug. No dice.

Oh no.

She's dead, Jim.

After 20 years, my cheap $150 microwave has officially bitten the dust. So now we gotta find a new one.

Actually, I'm not griping. This is not a hard task for us because J and I have found probably the best kept secret in Toronto.

Look way up. That's it... way, way up. Past Finch, south of Steeles on the west side. Because there, on Yonge St., is a little appliance store called County Appliances. It's so small, you can easily miss it even though it's covered from door to window frame in appliance adverts.

Once in, you'll feel like you're in a Rare Bookstore. It's cozy, to say the least, and very dusty but the staff are amazing. They know appliances and appliance manufacturers like the backs of their hands. They give honest advice and aren't afraid to tell you which companies do NOT produce the best product. They'll look beyond their selection to find you the right appliance and, deity of your choice rain blessings upon them, they'll even hire people to take apart an appliance and re-assemble it in your basement because your stairway measures a mere 20" across and no known washing machine or dryer is less than 22" across.

Every time we go there, those lovely people chat us up. Not over-chipper, no commissions, just nice, friendly, knowledgeable service.

They don't have a web site and they don't advertise in print or media. They rely on word of mouth. ( They're that good.)

We found a microwave, no problem. It'll be here in two days. Installation no problem and no exorbitant fees.

County, we love you.

We're telling everybody.

Now, everybody, tell your friends.

I'm liking this!

2006-09-29T13:51:00.000-04:00

This is me guys:

III - The Empress 94%
XIX: The Sun 69%
XI: Justice 69%
II - The High Priestess 63%
VI: The Lovers 63%
XVI: The Tower 56%
VIII - Strength 56%
I - Magician 56%
XIII: Death 50%
0 - The Fool 44%
X - Wheel of Fortune 44%
IV - The Emperor 38%
XV: The Devil 25%

You scored as III - The Empress.

The Empress is a maternal symbol. She is the mother figure who loves, nurtures and protects. She will protect you, she will always be there when you are in trouble. When you fall over and graze your knee, the Empress will kiss it better. Yet she is not a weak figure. Her compassion is strength. If her children are threatened she will stop at nothing to protect them. If well aspected in a Tarot spread, the Empress can symbolise security, protection and unconditional love. If badly aspected it can represent over-protectiveness, fear of risk taking and refusal to face the real world.

Yup, that's me.

Check this out!

Not just another pretty face....

2006-09-15T13:13:00.000-04:00

This thoughtful piece of art on the left, called Self Portrait April, was painted by Viggo Mortensen.

I'm sure you all know him as Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings but let me tell you: this man is not just another pretty face! He's a renaissance man in the true sense of the word.

He speaks several languages, including Spanish, fluently. He's a respected artist as well as being a very talented photographer (as the photo below demonstrates) and poet.

To cap it off, he's extremely friendly and gracious.

AND (allow me to drool just a wee bit here....) I GOT TO SEE HIM IN PERSON!!!!!

J gets tickets to the Toronto International Film Fest each year. A book of ten. He goes to 9 movies and I go to 1.

This year, I chose Alatriste.

For a number of reasons.

First, yes, because ever since seeing Viggo talk politics and art with Charlie Rose on PBS, I have been a fan.
Viggo's a lefty, politically. Yay. He genuinely wants to make the world a better place by viewing it as a community that can provide for all as opposed to seeing it as a competition to see who dies with the most toys.

Second, it doesn't hurt that he ain't hard on the eyes!

Thirdly, I am a huge fan of Dumas and his style of writing.(This statement has relevance... keep reading.)

And lastly, because I'm a sucker for period pieces. Especially ones involving sword fights....

Line ups are long in time and people at the Fest... It helps to have company. I lined up with some amazing friends. One, P, who edits her own music videos and is a master at her art. Her husband, D, who graciously held our place in line for 2 hours while we grabbed the quickest sushi dinner you've ever seen. And a fantastic new friend, S, who, to my delight, shares my love of Canadian Theatre and my lust for many a British Actor (male and female... I believe finding one's soul mate is not dependent on gender).

What a night!

P has tuchas. Bringing along a book of Viggo's Poetry and Art, she had the chutzpah to join the throng on the red carpet and secure an autograph. She has my undying respect for that.

My one chance to get an autograph from an actor I really respected resulted in my going catatonic and drooling. My traveling companion at that function gently released the play program from my hand and offered it to the object of my respect saying "Uhm, she likes you. Would you mind signing her program? Thanks"

We sat in the front row (my head hurts this morning because I strained my eyes being so close to the screen) and when the mike was passed around for the introduction to the movie, the director and cast, very clearly shy of using their stilted English, handed it to Viggo who spoke very warmly of his fellow cast members and the director but said nothing of himself.

Now, of course, I'm biased. But I'm critical enough to know when a movie is poorly done. Not so here.

The entire cast was amazing. Everyone gave riveting performances.

The story very clearly owes most of it's inspiration to Alexandre Dumas (pere). As I'm sure you know, Alatriste is series of books by Arturo Perez-Reverte, author of the extremely successful Club Dumas (Yup, I 'd say he's a fan). The similarities to characters and plot lines from The Three Musketeers are hard to ignore but you never stop enjoying this dramatic romp through 17th century Spain.

And, lovely, sweet, talented Viggo entered the theatre late because he was making sure to sign as many autographs as possible.

Sigh.

Slurp.

In the wee small hours of the morning....

2006-09-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Gonna vent. Will write good stuff in a couple days, I promise, but for now, gonna vent.

A couple of weeks ago, M had the wonderful opportunity to go to a picnic with my Mom. He came back exhausted and hot, but happy. There had been lots of fun games, lots of prizes and the kind of food that makes 5 year olds smile: pizza and Kentucky Duck. He'd had a grand time.

Later that evening, though, we discovered that M's forehead was as hot as Hades. You coulda roasted marshmallows over that sucker, poor kid. My first thought was that Mom had let M dehydrate. Easy to do with an ecstatic 5 year old... but no, Mom kept him covered, hydrated and healthy. What we found out the following day was that M had a wicked case of Strep Throat.

Into sick-mode goes the entire house. No sleep, lots of liquids, regular Tempra at regular intervals and washing hands constantly.

Nothing we can't handle. Sick happens, nu?

J and I are very familiar with this routine and made sure we were careful about our health. Not only because we just didn't want to be sick, but also because we were heading to a cottage that my parent's had rented in Coboconk for 4 days the following Wednesday. Coboconk is quaint and charming. Known for the local diner called The Patty House: World famous in Coboconk! as the sign proclaims. Also known for having Ontario's smallest jail, still... not a place you can find good emergency services.

You see what's coming?

On the drive up to the cottage, no less, J starts to get a fever. A bad one. His breathing is noticeably more rapid. I had taken the precaution of getting a script from a Medvisit Doctor in case I came down with Strep... so... perfect. We stop in Brooklyn, Ontario and try to fill it. Turns out, the @#&%$!!! Medvisit Doctor has prescribed something for me to which I'm allergic. In spite of my repeating manifold times what my allergies were!!! So. This lovely small town pharmacist is taking her time explaining to me how dangerous this potentially is and how unsure she is as to whether to fill the script. I can't tell her the medication will be used for someone else... then she won't fill it at all. Like a drug addict, I'm tapping my toes impatiently trying to convince her that I'll take the risk... just fill the damn thing!! I gotta sick man in the car, honey, and two more hours of driving ahead of us before I can get him into a bed... hurry the fuck up!

Poor, sweet J spent pretty much the entire time at the cottage in bed.

Plus, the antibiotic didn't work because, as it turned out, he didn't have Strep... he had Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. Where that came from , who knows. It was something we discovered days after our return to the city. Something that is also very contagious for the entire time it is present in it's victim.

This household has been disease free for 1 day now but I'm still washing my hands like Lady Macbeth.

And now, summer is officially over and M begins school in 2 days so life gets...more hectic???

Oy.

Mace's Flingamajigger

2006-08-14T10:35:00.000-04:00

This here is Mace's Flingamajigger. It looks out for other bad guys and then it uses it's laser light to laser them in the eye! It's Mace's secret weapon. (But Mace and I don't encourage being nasty to anyone... we follow the peaceful teachings of Master Yoda!)

A little something after a LOOOONG weekend....

2006-08-14T07:17:00.000-04:00

Yup. J and I had to attend a family wedding last night.

It's been a long time since I've sat down with my family and, unfortunately, I was brutally reminded why last night.

It's the typical Jewish wedding complete with Chupa and Hora. The Bride and Groom are lovely, young, exceedingly gracious and full of impatience to begin their new lives.... The Groom's friends, slap each other on the back laughing loudly at memories of times gone by (usually things that happened a mere month or so ago). The Bride's friends, looking like cookie cutter images of one another, fuss over the Bride's meringue dress and coiffed hair. The family take every opportunity to enjoy the mediocre quality food and dance to the poor schleps who have been hired to play covers of bad 80's disco (that's redundant, isn't it... Sorry) during the meal.

Now there's an extremely thankless job, if you ask me, to watch other people eat while you try in vain to amuse them and then watch as a phenomenal number of them display their lack of rhythm.

My young cousins, the ones actually getting married, were lovely, gracious and happy. Mazeltov to them both.

The people J and I sat with... That's another story. My Uncles and Aunts... People I do not particularly get along with. They can be among the rudest, loudest and shallowest people in the room. My mom was clearly the black sheep of the family and for that I am eternally grateful. I tend to get very quiet in their presence and, I suspect, they believe I'm being aloof. I'm not trying to be aloof. I just have nothing to say to them. My small talk sucks and there's no chance of entering more profound conversation since we hold diametrically opposed political views. (When this has been attempted, I assure you, tempers flared.)

My mom is currently dealing with a not-so-little disagreement that has been ravaging these family relationships for the past 4 years. I know the details and I'm afraid, in this instance I've decided not to be the peacekeeper that she is. I told her that if one of them said just one little insensitive thing last night, my plan was to verbally annihilate them. Though I'm younger than the youngest Uncle by 11 years, I usually behave like the grownup and keep my opinions to myself... Not any more. The behaviours last night, though quiet (for a change), exemplified why I don't choose to hang out with my family. What wasn't spoken was often louder and more in your face than what was. While I'm thankful that they kept their mean spirited comments to themselves, rendering my little plan for open verbal hunting unnecessary, it was still rather astonishing to see little civilities ignored. It was so silly (Truly there was no better word for it... Silly)! My Uncle E snubbed my simple 'hello' and then darted me a look of anger when my Father moved to sit beside me gently pushing aside my Aunt L, E's wife. I feigned astonishment. Such a small thing... Such powers of offence.

It's true. You can't pick your family. You can, however, choose who you hang out with. Thank the deity of your choice for that.

J and I sat quietly, mused to ourselves about the Barnum and Bailey nature of the event, ate, and then made a quiet and quick escape.

I really needed something light this morning. Thank you immensely, P, for the lovely pick me up from your Blog...

Go here and look through random quotes until you find 5 that you think reflect who you are or what you believe. Repost in your journal and see if anyone else wants to play. (You may need to refresh a few times to find enough.)

Here are mine, guys (Remember that they may be tempered by how I'm feeling about last night's events):


It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up.: W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965)

Making duplicate copies and computer printouts of things no one wanted even one of in the first place is giving America a new sense of purpose.: Andy Rooney (1919 - )

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.: Margaret Thatcher (1925 - )

I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for His reputation if He didn't.: Jules Renard (1864 - 1910)

One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time.: Nancy Astor (1879 - 1964)

Oh Cabana Boy! Another Martini please....

2006-08-03T18:44:00.000-04:00

Recently, I've made a few new friends.

M has some friends at school with really cool Mommies who have been very sweet and invited me into their homes and lives.

Three of us: me, O and E as well as all our kids (4 boys under 6 years old) went up to Washago to E's cottage for three days of rustic living and fun.

While I have to admit that I was very, no, make that extremely trepidatious about living without running water with two other women who barely know me and four boys who don't yet know how to clean their own tushies, I gotta say, Goddamn! What a good time.

For the whole 3 days the temperature hovered in the high 30's ( that's celsius, folks) with a humidex that made it feel like the high 40's. Hell, on Tuesday the temperature was 42 with a humidex of 50. We sweated profusely. We swam in lake Couchuching till we turned into raisins. We hugged and alternately yelled collectively at all our kids and we ate like royalty (Thanks to O, our russian goddess extraordinaire in all things... especially as a chef).

But mostly we talked.

About families, food, life, sex... everything. Three wonderful nights of discovery and bonding. I haven't done that since High School. These wonderful, intelligent women made me smile, cry and laugh. All of which became necessary as the trip progressed and all the boys got crankier and more tired....

Last night, after O and I had returned to the city with 3 of the boys in tow, E had to contend with one of the most severe storms cottage country (and, indeed, Toronto) has ever seen. In that small cottage made by her brother-in-law of pine from the area, E watched as a huge tree got struck by lightening and landed on her car. Thankfully, she and her son had just gotten out of the vehicle and were safe. This morning, after spending an hour sawing off the offending branch, she felt comfortable enough to call me for backup. She's a tough cookie, E, and she handled the situation brilliantly. Not sure I could have been as calm. Especially since she had to drive that busted car 2 hours in the solid rain all the way back to Toronto with her son and a very nervous, panting golden retreiver named Maisie.

I feel honoured.

Why buy the cow...?

2006-07-17T15:37:00.000-04:00

Every morning, J and I have a routine that we follow.

J wakes up first, takes the Wee Monster to do his morning pish and then sends Wee Monster in to our room to wake me up bright and early at 7am. Let me tell you, there's no better alarm clock than an eager-to-play five year old. No snooze button there, Buddy. You also can't beat the hugs....

I then make the beds, pick out Mace's outfit for the day and lay it out for him to put on. J brews coffee for us and makes breaky for all.

I make sure all Mace's necessities are packed in his bag and ready to go to Camp or School and J checks the front porch for the inevitable newspaper that's waiting there.

Thing is, we don't pay for our newspaper. We don't want a daily. We don't get around to reading it so J and I thought about it and both decided we'd save a few trees and NOT subscribe to a daily paper.

The Toronto Star apparently doesn't or can't believe that we don't want a paper everyday and they keep sending it to us anyway. Whenever they call and ask us (and it's frequent, those calls) if we'd like to get their paper on a daily basis we tell them: We don't want a daily, we get (and pay for) the weekend edition, thank you, and could you please take us off the free subscription list. Really. Please? They say OK. We are without the paper for a week or two and then SURPRISE! It's back.

What I'm wondering is... Where's the incentive to pay? We get a free daily paper whether we want it or not.... Would they like us to pay to NOT deliver? That I'd consider....

This Just In....

2006-07-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

Cherry Beach Update: J and I are down 30lbs each! Losing at a rate of about 2 lbs a week right now. Nice and safe.YAY! Still eating and happy!

Soccer: Zizou, I still wish you hadn't headbutted Materazzi, Big Guy. BUT I also think Materazzi needs to sit on the stairs and think about what he did. Parenting 101 says both kids who lash out, physically and verbally, have to have a Time Out on the stairs ( aka: You're off the pitch for a few games there, Bucko!). Especially because Materazzi was clearly looking to provoke the response he got and get rid of the biggest threat from the pitch. No TV for a week and no dessert either for you, Materazzi!

Damn! Zizou's cute!

Shame on you, Marco!

'Kay.

I'm done.

Zizou, WHY?!?!?!!!

2006-07-09T18:34:00.000-04:00

First, let me start by congratulating Italy. What a fine game they played! And they really deserved to win. They play a tight game. Grosso, Cannavaro and Buffon have my undying loyalty (not just because they play beautifully but also because they are, let's face it, not so hard on the eyes....) Gigi, should you ever read this poorly written blog, next time you find yourself in Toronto, the drinks are on me, honey. Fabulous goal tending. Amazing.

Now. I'm gonna soapbox.

The person I've been most impressed with in all of this World Cup Mania has been Zinedine Zidane. I really believe that the reason that France made it to the finals was because of him. He's a strong player: wise and fast as well as a damn good penalty kicker. (Forgive me if I'm wrong here. I am after all new to this soccer thing, but Zidane kept cleaning up after Ribery... How did Frank make the team? Thank Poop they kept sending in Govou instead! )

So. WHAT THE HELL????? WHAT WAS WITH THE HEAD BUTT?????

In a game that had most players helping players of the opposing teams up from fouls and kicks and spills...What could possibly have been said to Zidane to make him give up his last game on the field, the last game of his career, for God's sake, in such a disgraceful way?

Was it the arm Materazzi had around his waist to hinder his movement? Hard to believe he would give up playing the World Cup simply for a potential foul....

Speaking as someone who's had a few nasty things uttered in her direction (a neighbour from my childhood who earned the nick-name The Nazi stands out in memory), ya just don't do it! Whatever was said, you move right on past it and play your guts out. You don't descend to the level of the aggressor.

What a shame.

Even 5 year old Mace talked about the player who had to sit on the stairs for a time-out to cool off....

Alright Mr. Bean. I get it....

2006-07-01T14:09:00.000-04:00

I'm not a sports fan. I'm not even ashamed that as a Canadian, I have absolutely no idea how Hockey is played. I have no interest in it.

You know those 'get to know you' email quizzes? When I get to the ' Favourite sport to watch?' question, I usually answer Masterpiece Theatre.

But, damn! I'm getting into this soccer thing. ( I apologize if you're European and reading this... I'd call it Footy but I just don't want it confused with American Football....)

J and I have been watching the World Cup and MY GOD it's exciting! I loved watching the Swiss face off against the Ukrainians. Both teams showed immense sportsmanship and skill. And when we watched the Italian Team face off against the Ukrainians...I had never seen footwork that fancy. Watching the Italians play was like watching the late Greg Hines tap his way across Broadway!

The Portugal/England quarter final game was a nail biter! The British team and fans were so upset at the end, but really, it was an amazing performance and with only 10 players on the field for most of it, they should be really, really proud. I have to admit I was cheering for both sides on that one. My anglophile nature wanted Britain to win but I live in a Portuguese neighbourhood and, I gotta tell you, I love listening to the partying ( which is happening even as I write this!)

Next up, Brazil and France. I've got divided loyalties on that one too. But I know I'll enjoy the match whichever way it goes....

Mmmmwaahhh!

2006-06-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

Just wishing everyone a Big Happy Pride Week! It's the end (sorry I didn't do this sooner) and, I believe, the parade is tomorrow.

HAPPY PRIDE WEEK!!!

From Neats, Welt and Mace!

I Must've Made a Wrong Turn at Bora Bora...

2006-06-20T09:33:00.000-04:00

I have a thing about Pirate Stories.

I like'em.

I like to read'em. Just for myself but also to M at bedtime.

The book on the right is one of my favourites right now. I highly recommend it (obviously). Great read for kids AND for parents who happen to like Pirate Stories!

So, M has a subscription to Chickadee (a kid's magazine) and every summer they put out this little Summer Adventures Edition that has all sorts of word games and crosswords and jokes.
This year, they've included a 'Find Your Pirate Name' and I had to share.

You see, apparently, my full name is Jack Fearful Horrible Swashbuckler. Arrrrr.

My sweet M's full name is Dirty Scurvy Smelly Swashbuckler Cannon. (This I find very apropos. You'll know what I mean if you've ever washed a kid after a day at the playground)

And, my lovely J is Bad Captain Cannon. Arrr!

Oh, and my Grandfather is Tinkerbell Treasure. I'm not so sure he'd be good with that one... so, SHHHHHH! Don't tell him.

Gotta love it.

So I thought I'd share. I apologize to Chickadee for spreading the joy without official permission but this was to cute to ignore. Remember, it's meant for 4-6 yr olds....

Go ahead, guys.

Find your inner Pirate:

Use the first letter of your first name to find your pirate first name. Then use the first letter of your last name to find your pirate last name.

FIRST NAMES

A - STINKY
B - SMELLY
C - HORRIBLE
D - YO-HO-HO
E - CAPTAIN
F - JOLLY
G - PATCHES
H - TINKERBELL
I - AWFUL
J - BAD
K - MEAN
L - NO GOOD
M - DIRTY
N - JACK
O - AHOY
P - AYE AYE!
Q - PIRATE
R - DREADFUL
S - FEARFUL
T - BLIMEY
U - MATEY
V - DAGGER
W - SCURVY
X - SHIPWRECK
Y - SILLY
Z - CRABBY

LAST NAMES

A - SHIPSHAPE
B - PLANK
C - TREASURE
D - PARROT
E - SHIP
F - BEARD
G - LOOKOUT
H - MAROON
I - SAIL
J - SWAB
K - ANCHOR
L - GRUB
M - SWASHBUCKLER
N - SHIVER ME TIMBERS!
O - LANDLUBBER
P - SCALLYWAG
Q - SWAB
R - ISLAND
S - BATTLE
T - CANNON
U - COMPASS
V - MONEY
W - GOLD
X - SWORD
Y - STINKY
Z - SURLY

With love, you scurvy landlubbers!

Jack Swashbuckler.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Mom Never Told Me There'd Be Days Like This....

2006-06-11T09:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, whilst M, J and I were having a lovely breakfast together, M asked how flowers reproduce.

Well....

We've already explained procreation to the little guy. I still have my copy of 'Where Did I Come From' by Peter Mayle. Still a classic, if you ask me, even though a few of the facts about pregnancy are a little out of date eg. You can hear the fetal heartbeat well before the second trimester using one of those special stethosocopes. We read it to M as a bedtime story often enough. He loves the line " It's a big day for bald headed babies!" Cracks up every time he hears it. Alliteration, ya know. So, basically, what I'm saying here is M understands the basics of sex.

Back to the flower thing... We used human sex as the example to explain the Birds and the Bees.

Yup. You read me right.

Gotta laugh.

Photo courtesy of PD Photo.

Yip Yip Yip Uhuh Uhuh

2006-06-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

Everybody remember these guys? Click here, remember and have a laugh!

The Cherry Beach Diet or Wide-eyed at the World of Weight Loss

2006-06-04T19:24:00.000-04:00

So, we're into week two of the South Beach Diet and although we're feeling no pain, we're not exactly following the rules either.

Have I mentioned that I'm a cynical person?

I did my research. I always do.

South Beach has some drawbacks. ( Nothing we weren't expecting.) You can't remove an entire Food Group (Breads and Cereals) and increase another (Meat and Dairy) from you're diet and not have some consequences. And although Dr. A tells you that you're going to re-introduce, ahem, 'good' carbs into the diet after two weeks, one wonders why they have to be removed in the first place. Removing all forms of grain means the weight loss during those first two weeks is water, not fat. So we haven't taken our whole grain bread and cereal out of our diet.
BUT. That being said, J and I have learnt some good things from Dr. A. Namely portion control, the reduction of sugar and a 20 min workout whenever possible. Mostly common sense, that, but when you have a blue print of sorts it makes it easier to put into practice.

Dr A. also advocates removing all fruit from your diet for two weeks.

Well. Hello. My name is Neatfreak and I am a fruit junkie. I think fruit is important in a diet. Lots of vitamins and minerals in them. And they're yummy too!!! BUT they also contain quite a bit of fructose. Sugar is sugar and I think, perhaps, we were consuming too much. So we've reduced (not eliminated) our fruit, increased our green and leafy veg lots and increased our protein just a bit. ( I'd rather stay off of Statin drugs if I can, thank you Dr. A!)

So, it's not the 'South Beach' Diet per se but rather, Toronto's own version. Let's call it 'The Cherry Beach' Diet.

Oh. And it's working wonderfully. J and I have already lost a few lbs and we don't feel hungry or deprived.

I'm not alone!

2006-05-31T09:05:00.000-04:00

Secretly, I must be a blonde.

Mace Windu's Lego Creations, Episode 3, the Revenge

2006-05-29T14:15:00.000-04:00

Monster Truck
It smashes over cars and breaks them. It bumps cars out of it's way. BUT he is actually a really nice guy. He only bumps into other trucks and cars because he has such big wheels. He also skids around corners very well ( but he still obeys the law... Mace wants to stress that he's a good guy.)

Dr. W or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mesclun Greens...

2006-05-29T13:28:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a very cynical being. Don't know if that's due to being the daughter of a Philosophy Professor and a Lawyer or if it's just innate to my personality. Whatever. I am a VERY cynical person. So when my Mom went on another diet, I didn't have much hope for it's success. My Mom has an iron will, don't get me wrong. She's a strong but extremely loving person. But I look at diets the way one would look at being tortured in a third world country: By the third day, no matter how strong you are, you break.

Mom's on year two of the South Beach Diet and doing fine, thank you.

I'm a large woman. My Grandmother was large too. And for a while, my Mom, though frustrated about it, was large as well. Genetics, I figure, played a part in my shape. I am a logical, reason-centered person. Except when sleep deprived... and as a mom, myself, that tends to happen rather more frequently that I would like these days. Nevertheless.... I believe in the scientific method. PLUS I have worked in the book industry long enough to know how many diet books penned by doctors come out each year and how many are refuted within months by other, just as reputable, doctors. In short, I just don't trust'em. No sir.

Have I mentioned that Mom's on year two successfully, thank you? Well she is.

OK, so I'm gonna concede this one. Where once, J and I would not, would not in a box , would not, would not with a fox, now we are going to try it. Look out low-fat dairy products, here we come.

We'll let you know how it goes....

Photo Courtesy of PDPhoto.org

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fiasco

2006-05-29T13:17:00.000-04:00

So on Saturday we went to Doors Open Toronto, for the first time ever. A friend (the Mom of one of M's school chums) told us they were planning to go to the Cadbury chocolate factory, and would we like to join them? Of course we said yes; kids, chocolate, cool old architecture? How could we go wrong?

So, it's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and we head down to the factory. It was about 1:15, and we expected the line to be pretty huge. And it was. Thankfully, parking was not a problem, for which I am very grateful. We got in line, and a few minutes later, M's friend and his family showed up. The kids were happy just to be together, never mind the factory. Which is good, because we were in line for an hour before we actually got to go in. But when it was finally our turn, the kids were cheering and whooping with joy. And then we went in.

So here's the scene (are we all wearing our imagination caps?): you're in the front foyer, and there's a person there to greet you and tell you about the building. Then you see the map, and after a very brief perusal realize that there are, including the foyer where you are now standing, FOUR THINGS LISTED ON THE MAP. They are:

A (two-room) museum, where you can see some really old chocolate paraphenalia, and get to visit what was, until recently, the president's office. There are many relics placed around the office, few or none of which were protected, which left the poor soul manning the office constantly having to ask everyone not to touch anything.
A sort of meeting room with a small raised stage where they were giving lectures about the chocolate making process. I don't know about you, but while M would be thrilled to WATCH chocolate being made, there ain't no way he's going to sit still and listen to someone talk about it
The store. Ah, the store. The store, you see, isn't usually open to the public. It isn't even open to employees. The only time the company opens it is for school tours. Now compare the size of your average class tour to the literally thousands of people coming to see the factory on that one day, and you begin to see the next logistical nightmare looming. Add to that all the people who had been standing outside in line for so long, only to discover there was nothing actually to SEE, and who, in frustration, decided that, at the very least, they were going to buy some chocolate thank you very much, and you have a recipe for, well, a mess. So they could only let people into the store in small groups. And the store only had one cash register. And the two people working the cash were both volunteers, and while I have nothing but admiration for their ability to remain cheery in such a situation, it was obvious they did not have much, if any, retail experience. So, believe it or not, we were actually in line in the store longer than we were in line outside to get in. Luckily for the kids, the one thing the store did have was a large electric train table right smack dab in the middle of the store. So that kept them from going completely insane with still more waiting.

Oh, and the air conditioning had not yet been turned on. Of course.

So, by the time we got out of there, we were very relieved to get out of there. We had seen nothing of the factory floor or got to see how chocolate was made; we didn't get to see barely any of the old architecture of the building; heck, they didn't even tell us the Caramilk secret! And then, to top it all off, as we're trying to drive home in what has become a very hot day, we hit a protest march coming along Bloor. At that point, we began to think some higher power was trying to tell us something.

I hope the Cadbury folks learn from their mistakes this year; I appreciate that it's the first year, and things are going to go wrong. But if the factory is open again next year, let someone else go first and tell you if things have in fact improved.

Mace Windu's Lego Creation of the Day, Part Deux.

2006-05-25T19:11:00.000-04:00

Speedboat.
Mace drives this one himself and it skids beautifully around corners. It's got boosters, tail lights and a license plate. ( Mace likes to keep things legal... It's a 'City Boat')

Tee Many Martoonies

2006-05-25T12:44:00.000-04:00

T came over for dinner and a schluff last night ( Schluff= kipped at mine on the guest bed). I LOVE when T comes over for a tipple, talk and schluff. We ordered in Chinese, I had a glass of red, he had a glass of white and we talked into the wee hours of the morning. About everything. Life, love, work, kids ('cause although T doesn't have kids, he has a remarkable understanding of parents and parenthood.)

But man, I'm in pain today.

One glass. One glass red. Up until 1 am.

Ouchie.

When the hell did that happen? I remember up all night, several glasses of red and no pain. Was that me? Maybe I'm thinking of Holly Golightly. No, wait. I'm fatter. That was me up all night. Am I old already? When the poop did that happen?

Bum and Trotsky.

Tonight, bedtime at 9, no CSI. Get some sleep and do the food shopping tomorrow. Yup. That sounds wonderful. Sleep and food. Goodstuff.

Wonder when T will be ready for another early nighter and single glass booze....

Photo courtesy of istockphoto

Mace Windu's Lego Creations of the Day

2006-05-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

Mini Droids. They are very fast, good guys who work with Luke Skywalker to save the galaxy from Darth Vader! George Lucas, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!

Ultra-racers. They chase bad guys. Mace and Mommy drive them and they go faster than Mini Droids. Whoosh!!!!

Today's Specials....

2006-05-16T18:30:00.000-04:00

Today, M and I definitively proved that it really isn't possible to put TOO much icing on a cupcake.

Photo courtesy of istockphoto

Missing Stacey

2006-05-15T10:22:00.000-04:00

I'm about to get on my melodramatic soapbox in a big way, so anyone who doesn't like that kind of thing should bugger off, OK?

This beautiful, intelligent and sensitive person was named Stacey. She was my best friend. If one were able to pick one's siblings, I would have chosen her as my sister. She died last year due to complications arising from her long struggle with anorexia and bulemia. She would have hated that I'm outing her here. (Sorry Stace.) But since her passing, I have inadvertently learnt about several other cases of severe anorexia.

It wasn't so long ago that anorexia seemed like something that you only heard about or saw in a movie of the week. But it seems to be everywhere now. And we have no real understanding of the disease. Even the people who have been studying it for eons are baffled as to how to treat it. I know that in Stace's case, she was taking out all her sadness and anger towards other people, on herself. I know that she felt unloved where she should have felt unconditional love. I also know that no matter how much love and care and tending her friends provided, it wasn't enough to make her pain go away. It wasn't enough to convince her that life was worth living. I know that, for someone who wasn't able to cope with the myriad of abuses in her own life, she was uncommonly wise. Her wisdom led us, her friends, through all the little difficulties in our lives.

The world lost a gem when Stace died.

I lost family.

But People, there are tonnes of other people out there dying from this. Slowly killing themselves by starvation. We NEED to figure what's going on. We need to find out why women... girls ( and, indeed, a growing number of young men) are torturing themselves to death. You can't look away. You can't pretend it's not happening or that it will just heal itself. It doesn't. You have to fight this battle head on. I know too may people who pretend this is just a passing phase or that it's chronic. It's not chronic. You don't live with it, you die of it. Stace died of it.

In my little way, I've been trying to fight this battle. I'm not anorexic or bulemic. But I've recently been encountering many people who are losing friends and family to these diseases. I tell them about Stacey. I offer all the resources I have. SO. To that end, you will find in the Link List on the right hand side a link to Sheena's Place. It's one of many support and therapy groups that's run here in Toronto.

I hope it helps.

Lines in the Sandbox

2006-05-12T09:03:00.000-04:00

OK. Recently, T posted a blog about the incredible differences between life as we knew it growing up and life for children now. He talked about parents literally hovering over their kids in an already protected environment. I read it and, as a parent... well, really, as a Jewish Parent ( what's the difference between a Jewish mother and a Pit Bull? At some point the Pit Bull will let go...) I said "Things are different today. Times are complicated and dangers are everywhere. Not only do we transfer to our kids our fear of the dangers of the street but also of this ethereal world on the Internet."

In addition, these days, we are also judged not only by our kids (read: "Aw, c'mon Mom, Timmy's doing it...") but also by the many societal resources set up to protect them. When M bonked his head on his bedroom doorjam as a 2 year old and split his forehead wide open... we got calls for three months afterwards from the hospital making sure that the event was indeed an accident. M was 2 and not steady on his pins. He tripped and fell headlong into the only area of my house that I hadn't completely covered with foam rubber. Yet I felt ( hell, still feel) horribly guilty that I hadn't managed to protect him....

Well, T. I had proof positive that you are right on the money about this over protection thing (Though I still temper my beliefs with my Jewish-mother-over-protection instincts... He's my baaaaby!)

Each child at M's school got sent home with a notice telling us that wearing sandals in the summer is a playground safety hazard. Sandals.... Wearing sandals.

OK.

That's my line in the sandbox and the Principal just crossed it.

It's summer. It's hot. Please let my kid know the joy of the sand and the wind between his toes. It a small pleasure, really. He can't go outside all day long and just play. Not even in our own backyard. I have to be there. Or another trusted parent has to be there. He has to be regularly slathered with lotion, covered from head to toe in UV protective clothing and watched to ensure he plays safe. I'm good with that. I would worry otherwise. Even though my own parents would open the door and say 'See ya at dinner...' when I was a kid.( As I said, that was a different time....) I can't do that for M. It's too dangerous.

But sandals are part of summer, like ice cream, like beach towels.... Summer is about playing in the sandbox and squishing the sand between your fingers and toes. Then watching the sand slowly wash off in the paddling pool....

Aw, c'mon... Ms. Principal, Timmy is doing it....

(Photo courtesy of istockphoto)

POOP!

2006-05-08T15:34:00.000-04:00

Ask me what my plans for this weekend were. Go ahead. Ask me.

Saturday, with my wee monster spending the night at Buby Grandpapa's, J and I were going to have a jammy day. That's right. Spend the whole day, just me and my guy, in our PJs watching good movies, cuddling, laughing our heads off and eating yummy junk food ( Except for dinner... Homemade Pizzas... Gourmet with pancetta, moroccan olives, roasted red peppers...Good Stuff!) Then a nice early night to bed and a huge sleep in. Ahhhhh. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Then, after a solid rest, I could face a productive day of work with one of my favourite clients.

Now. Ask me what actually happened this weekend.

Go ahead.

Ask.

Snot, sleeplessness, grumping, stomping, yelling... the only part of the weekend that stuck was the wardrobe. We were all (read: child too sick to sleep over at grandparents' place) in our jammas but hacking up our lungs and sneezing. No rest, no junk food (OK, we had the pizzas but we couldn't really TASTE them...) and BAD movies... TBS bad movies...ugh.

What is it about our bodies that disease kicks in the moment we plan to rest?!? I WANNA KNOW WHO THE HELL THIS MURPHY GUY IS AND WHAT'S WITH THE DAMN LAWS!!!!

That's it. I'm done.
Now, could you please hand me a hanky? I'm gonna sneeze....
Thanks.

I LOVE United Bakers

2006-05-03T14:09:00.000-04:00

No, they're not a footy team. It's a restaurant that J and I sometimes visit of a Tuesday morning when our cleaning lady comes to work. (I'm tidy, not clean. There's a difference.)
The food is always amazing. Kosher dairy but they bake on premises ( Translation: fresh baked bagels with whipped cream cheese and lox. It don't get better than that BUT NO BACON). We had this amazing waitress. Very friendly, chatty but not that kind of obnoxious 'I have to be uber sweet because my boss is watching' friendly... Just nice ( I know, that horrible 'n' word).

It got me thinking about our cleaning lady too. She's been looking after and out for my household since I was 12 or 13 years old. She's always smiling, always doing extra things for us...Going into corners where angels fear to tread. She gives my son presents on the holidays and hugs everytime she sees him; she gives us support and stories of life. Her wisdom. Her care.

These people... They give me hope.

I remember being in retail. (You can't make me go back, unh unh, no way...) I remember having each day those customers who made you feel either invisible or worthless... And then getting assessed by those same people on your ability to help them. Retail and cleaning are thankless jobs. It takes a strong character to clean other people's toilets ( So says TV John from Hamish Macbeth) and a strong ability to hold your tongue in the face of obnoxious customers.
Though we thanked our waitress in words and extra dosh, though I thank my cleaning lady everytime I see her, I thought a written 'thank you' was meritted as well.

Thanks. Your hard work is appreciated. Really.

NOTES FROM A BLANK MIND

2006-05-01T09:26:00.000-04:00

I have no idea where I am going to go with this Blog. I guess I'll just have to peek out from underneath the box and see what's what....