In this household EVERYONE helps with the baby.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Friday Five on Great Brushes
David Letterman used to have a feature on his show called "Brushes with Greatness." Members of the audience would share stories of encounters with famous people. And so...
1. Tell us about a time you met someone famous. The summer after Grade 12 the theatre group I had been involved with was asked to help with a lunch and show for the Mulroney family (just Mila and the kids, not Brian). At the time Brian Mulroney was the Canadian Prime Minister.
2. Tell us about a celebrity you'd like to meet. Actually Pope Benedict. I know we would disagree on many things but the chance to talk about them appeals.
3. Tell us about someone great who's *not* famous that you think everyone oughta have a chance to meet. My girls.
4. Do you have any autographs of famous people? Well I do have a signed copy of a book by Pierre Berton.
5. If you were to become famous, what would you want to become famous for? NEver really thought about that before...wisdom shared I would guess. (don't I sound Solomonlike? :-) )
Bonus: Whose 15 minutes of fame was up long, long ago? Oh so many people...PAris Hilton jumps to mind. And then there are those who never should have had those 15 minutes to begin with (anybody on reality TV for instance).
1. Tell us about a time you met someone famous. The summer after Grade 12 the theatre group I had been involved with was asked to help with a lunch and show for the Mulroney family (just Mila and the kids, not Brian). At the time Brian Mulroney was the Canadian Prime Minister.
2. Tell us about a celebrity you'd like to meet. Actually Pope Benedict. I know we would disagree on many things but the chance to talk about them appeals.
3. Tell us about someone great who's *not* famous that you think everyone oughta have a chance to meet. My girls.
4. Do you have any autographs of famous people? Well I do have a signed copy of a book by Pierre Berton.
5. If you were to become famous, what would you want to become famous for? NEver really thought about that before...wisdom shared I would guess. (don't I sound Solomonlike? :-) )
Bonus: Whose 15 minutes of fame was up long, long ago? Oh so many people...PAris Hilton jumps to mind. And then there are those who never should have had those 15 minutes to begin with (anybody on reality TV for instance).
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
THere Are No WOrds...
One person has died after a shooting rampage at a Montreal college Wednesday,
which also left the gunman dead and 19 injured.
MAy God be with those who weep and those who mourn and those who ask WHY?
SOmetimes the only thing to say is GOd help us...
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
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Sunday, September 10, 2006
Tourists Need Information??? Really??
SO we are travelling and two of the days we planned to stop for lunch at provincial borders (not because they were borders but because that would be about the right time to stop. Yes it is after Labour Day but who thinks about that -- we are travelling on a route of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Day 1: Arrive in Lloydminster on the ALberta/Saskatchewan border. Lots of picnic tables available but the building is closed (therefore no washrooms). BOx of brochures in front of the door for visitors to the wealthiest province in the country which can't afford to staff the information bureau between September and May. Said bureau is at the border on the highway to the provincial capital . So we have lunch and use the "hide in the bushes" approach to urination. OTOH, at least this is right beside a municipal area so people have other places to go for facilities and actual personal information.
Day 3: Come to the Manitoba/Ontario border. THere is ONE major Canadian highway linking the two provinces. Tourist Information Center is closed. Not only that but there are locked gates to the parking lot so people can't even use the picnic areas. Next closest possibility is 50 kms down the road. We pull off the road and use the grassed area beside the "Welcome To Ontario" and "Forest Fire Hazard" signs for our lunch break (the girls were all overdue for lunch, we weren't about to wait longer). While we are eating, at least 10 vehicles with license plates from many different places pull into the turn lane to use the Info Center (within a 30-45 minute span).
Maybe people who make these decisions need to think about the message of welcome they are actually sending? At least keep the places open until Thanksgiving, 12 months a year would be better. (Currently these booths open the Victoria Day Weekend in May).
Day 1: Arrive in Lloydminster on the ALberta/Saskatchewan border. Lots of picnic tables available but the building is closed (therefore no washrooms). BOx of brochures in front of the door for visitors to the wealthiest province in the country which can't afford to staff the information bureau between September and May. Said bureau is at the border on the highway to the provincial capital . So we have lunch and use the "hide in the bushes" approach to urination. OTOH, at least this is right beside a municipal area so people have other places to go for facilities and actual personal information.
Day 3: Come to the Manitoba/Ontario border. THere is ONE major Canadian highway linking the two provinces. Tourist Information Center is closed. Not only that but there are locked gates to the parking lot so people can't even use the picnic areas. Next closest possibility is 50 kms down the road. We pull off the road and use the grassed area beside the "Welcome To Ontario" and "Forest Fire Hazard" signs for our lunch break (the girls were all overdue for lunch, we weren't about to wait longer). While we are eating, at least 10 vehicles with license plates from many different places pull into the turn lane to use the Info Center (within a 30-45 minute span).
Maybe people who make these decisions need to think about the message of welcome they are actually sending? At least keep the places open until Thanksgiving, 12 months a year would be better. (Currently these booths open the Victoria Day Weekend in May).
Friday (SUnday) Five
From the RGBP site:
This Friday Five is Fairly Simple. Name five things you have enjoyed this week.
1. Camp reunion (see below) and visiting with old friends
2. A meal at the one of the restaurants where I used to work (paid for by someone else too!)
3. A Truly good night's sleep last night (first in a while)
4. HArvesting the Garden (pictures to follow)
5. Being invited to supper by a colleague while travelling home.
This Friday Five is Fairly Simple. Name five things you have enjoyed this week.
1. Camp reunion (see below) and visiting with old friends
2. A meal at the one of the restaurants where I used to work (paid for by someone else too!)
3. A Truly good night's sleep last night (first in a while)
4. HArvesting the Garden (pictures to follow)
5. Being invited to supper by a colleague while travelling home.
Welcome HOme
GOt back yesterday suppertime (4700 km and $1400 after we left here). Originally the plan was to be back today but, given that that would mean 2 4-hour drives and given that there were frost warnings out (not good weather for a tent) we decided to push it and make an 8-hour day of the final push.
Best thing about coming home after a vacation---gettting to sleep in your own bed again.
Best thing about coming home after a vacation---gettting to sleep in your own bed again.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
On the ROad Again...Homeward Bound
Tomorrow we leave for the return trip. SUnday (according to the plan anyway) we arrive at home. Thursday I officially return to work {any guesses as to the chances of my starting to work before then???}.
4 weeks is a long time to be away. IT has been good and fun and relaxing but it is still a long time. You just need to listen to the girls to know it.
It will be good to get home...
See y'all on the flip side.
4 weeks is a long time to be away. IT has been good and fun and relaxing but it is still a long time. You just need to listen to the girls to know it.
It will be good to get home...
See y'all on the flip side.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Going Home
YOu really can go home again, depending on what home you are talking about.
We spent the long weekend out at Camp MAskepetoon, the place I worked at during my University years (and got hooked). And I was at home. In moving away I left many things behind but Maskepetoon is what I miss the most. There is such a feeling of belonging there.
If we were back in this area I know I would be involved still. I know I could do no other. But now I carry with me my memories and my prayers.
Some day we may plan a holiday trip back here so that the girls can go there as campers. Some day...
We spent the long weekend out at Camp MAskepetoon, the place I worked at during my University years (and got hooked). And I was at home. In moving away I left many things behind but Maskepetoon is what I miss the most. There is such a feeling of belonging there.
If we were back in this area I know I would be involved still. I know I could do no other. But now I carry with me my memories and my prayers.
Some day we may plan a holiday trip back here so that the girls can go there as campers. Some day...
Friday, September 01, 2006
Friday 5 on Driving
Big gentle hugs, soft pillows and heating pads to Will Smama, our resident matriarch and preacher/blogger/procrastinator who was involved in a bit of a fender-bender this week. We're very grateful she's OK, just a little shaken up...In lieu of flowers, I send this Friday Five out to her. Let's all be careful on those roadways.
1. Driving: an enjoyable way to clear the mind? a means to an end? a chance to be quiet with one's thoughts? a necessary evil? the downfall of our planet and its fossil fuels? Discuss. No, yes, sort of, yes, partly. I find driving tiring, not relaxing so really it is a means to an ends for me.
2. Do you drive the speed limit? A little faster? Slower? Have you ever gotten a ticket? Generally a little above, but not usually as fast as the rest of the traffic on the highway. In town, at or slightly below the limit as a rule. 2 tickets: one photo radar, one in person--both before I moved East.
3. Do you take public transportation? When? What's your opinion of the experience? Living in an area with NO (in town) public transport the annswer would be no. When doing my undergrad I relied exclusively on the bus and that was good.
4. Complete this sentence: _____________ has the worst drivers I've ever experienced. My home province, both in the city and on the highway. Not so much bad as aggressive and always in a rush (what do yellow lights mean again?)
5. According to the Census Bureau, reverendmother's fair city has the 6th longest average commute in the United States at 29 minutes each way. How does your personal commute rate? What commute? THe manse is across the parking lot from the church.
Bonus for the brutally honest: It has been said, and the MythBusters have confirmed, that cell phones can impede driving ability almost as much as drinking. Do you talk on a cell phone while driving? Nope. We have only had a cell for a month mind you...
1. Driving: an enjoyable way to clear the mind? a means to an end? a chance to be quiet with one's thoughts? a necessary evil? the downfall of our planet and its fossil fuels? Discuss. No, yes, sort of, yes, partly. I find driving tiring, not relaxing so really it is a means to an ends for me.
2. Do you drive the speed limit? A little faster? Slower? Have you ever gotten a ticket? Generally a little above, but not usually as fast as the rest of the traffic on the highway. In town, at or slightly below the limit as a rule. 2 tickets: one photo radar, one in person--both before I moved East.
3. Do you take public transportation? When? What's your opinion of the experience? Living in an area with NO (in town) public transport the annswer would be no. When doing my undergrad I relied exclusively on the bus and that was good.
4. Complete this sentence: _____________ has the worst drivers I've ever experienced. My home province, both in the city and on the highway. Not so much bad as aggressive and always in a rush (what do yellow lights mean again?)
5. According to the Census Bureau, reverendmother's fair city has the 6th longest average commute in the United States at 29 minutes each way. How does your personal commute rate? What commute? THe manse is across the parking lot from the church.
Bonus for the brutally honest: It has been said, and the MythBusters have confirmed, that cell phones can impede driving ability almost as much as drinking. Do you talk on a cell phone while driving? Nope. We have only had a cell for a month mind you...
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