If any of you are in Toronto, or plan to visit there, check out a restaurant called Bordello. It's owned by a friend of mine. Here is a short write-up about it.

Bordello
This newly opened restaurant offers a three-course Italian and Mediterranean-themed dinner, including dessert. First seating at 9 pm. 603 Markham. 416-536-8383

I don't think that they have a website at the moment, but if you DO go there, send me a review!

It looks like Canadians are really not in the good books with the American government.

I just wanted to know...

Are all Americans as upset as US Ambassador Paul Cellucci is with Canada? There is even talk of Cellucci being expelled from Canada...

And what about all of you who aren't from the US?

Something funny happened earlier today. My friend's one-and-a-half year old got a new doll today. She seemed very happy and looked as if she bonded instantly with the doll and so, we decided to take it with us to the aquarium and loaded her and the cute pink thing with it's imitation baby soother into the stroller and went on our way. While we were crossing this really busy street, we didn't notice that the little one had dropped her new baby in the crosswalk. When we finally did realize that it was gone, my friend and I looked on in horror to see this little bundle flailing around in this busy intersection as it was being struck by several cars that didn't slow down or swerve or anything. We heard a horrifying crunch as its soother was crushed and it's little hat came off and tumbled further into the intersection. We waited for the signal to change and we both ran into the intersection to pick up the doll and returned to the group of children who were waiting for us. We didn't want to laugh but couldn't help it... to see this poor creature being hit by cars and tumbling around as the cars hit it. We had to use Vim cleanser to remove the tire prints from its head. I just kept thinking... I wish I had my video camera!

I watched Sponge Bob for the first time today. It's amazing what you miss when you don't have children. Has anyone else seen this? Is it funny?

On a more serious note, I wanted to continue on about personal well-being... I have taken up Kundalini yoga and must say that it is doing me a world of good. While I am still in the early stages, I find it fascinating and it increases my energy levels immensely after spending all day sitting in my chair at the office. This school of thought focusses much on breathing and meditation as well as re-energizing the spine. This is just another aspect of getting in tune with myself and my body. I am thinking of taking up belly-dancing next. This artform is not just a sensual self-expression, it also helps to tune oneself into the movement of the human body thus releasing all sorts of positive energy.

Does anyone out there have any other methods to get in touch with yourself? I would love to hear them!

I am still on holiday and am finally able to access this now. I am so happy to see that everyone is tuning in and speaking up!

So much has happened over the past couple of weeks on the international front and I, happily, have turned off the telly and stopped watching the news. It just gets me riled up. That and it the caffeine that I had the other day has me bouncing off the walls with opinions.

I wanted to just say that I believe that it is NOT futile to make your voice heard by writing MPs and corporations. After all, think about when the people started to boycott McDonalds when they were still using styrofoam containers in North America. Now they don't because they were afraid the boycott would cause them to would lose money. They caved to the consumer.

The same could be said for the government. While they don't appear to be listening, if enough people complain, they would listen. Try not paying your taxes in protest... see how far that will go. But it will have to be unified. If large groups participate, they couldn't prosecute everyone!

Well, must go... My niece and nephew are here reading over my shoulder and I should get back to them. I just took a few minutes to show them what they can do by speaking up. These blogs have created a voice for those who thought their voice was not being listened to!

Cheers!

I'm still on holiday and am trying to access my blog today but something on the public library computer is not allowing me to. Will try again soon!

Anything exciting going on with you?

I am off on holiday until March 31st so I will probably take a short break from this. I am sure the world will change so much in that short time.

I have decided to turn the news reports off and just give myself time to take in all the information that I have been barraged with over the past couple of days. It really has taken its toll, hasn't it?

I think what I have noticed most is that many of us have lost the self-sufficiency that was so prevalent in past generations. We don't grow our own food, make our own clothes or even prepare our own meals from scratch. For those of you who know how much I go on about this, comments like this are nothing new but it really has come to light again in the past week or so.

The conveniences in our every day lives are surely put in place to make things easier for us but is any of this really fulfilling on a personal level? Do we really get to spend any more time with our families? Are we learning the life lessons that our parents and grandparents had because they didn't have as much money as we do? I don't think so. They were less able to go down to the local mall and pick up anything that they wanted than we are nowadays. They had to make things on their own. They had to learn things that we have since not had to because of our ability just to pop down to the local shop and pick it up. No money? No problem... just whip out that piece of plastic and put yourself into debt. That just didn't happen in past generations...

We may have an "easier" life but can we fend for ourselves if all of these convenience were gone tomorrow? No. The generations that had the knowledge to do live are almost gone and we have no one to teach us these things. My friend Dave once said that the average young person in the UK does not know how to butcher meat. (I apologize to the vegetarians here) So, for those people who still eat meat, who will prepare this for you if all of the butcher shoppes were gone?

This makes me a little fearful and also makes me more than a little sad. Having lost all of the skills that were present in everyday life a generation or two ago, we have also, it seems, lost our usefulness.

Let me ask any of you out there, when was the last time you actually made something? Things like clothing, your own soap, a table or any other item that would have just been made at home in our grandparents time. I know that it has been way too long since I did anything like that. When I did though, I always felt so worthwhile having started and completed the project. We live in a time of "instant gratification" but I can tell you that I feel way more gratified to be able to say "I made this". And I would like to feel like this more often.

There was a time for me in which I felt totally worthless. I just simply came to work at the office and stewed about how I was not appreciated and became very unhappy with my life. What I have only recently come to realize was that it wasn't really the job that made me unhappy but because I had let it happen to me and I had nothing to give me anything to be proud about. Don't get me wrong, if I were handed a large sum of money tomorrow, I would probably quit but I know that I have to do things that make me feel worthwhile. And if that means I have to stick my hands in the soil and nurture a carrot or artichoke to life, then I will do it. Perhaps I will make a quilt or something else...

My point is this: Perhaps the so-called conveniences in life are a big part of our troubles. Perhaps we need to get back to basics to ground ourselves. What do you think? Anyone care to join me? Let's get out there and ask our elders to teach us some of these skills!

PS I want to thank all of you who have been "checking in" and commenting on my rants. The comments really are food for thought.

I went to the supermarket yesterday and while I was shopping tried to keep in mind about what my friend said about boycotting American goods. So, strolling through the produce section at Thrifty foods, it came to light that a large percentage of fruits and vegetables were from the States.

In light of this, I started thinking about how, if the US were to fall, that we would be screwed! We would have limited food and it could become like Russia. We could be waiting in lines for the simplest of everyday needs.

I know this sounds a little alarmist but the truth is, I think we should be aware of this. Myself, I plan to make this point more and more often. We have to begin to become more self-sufficient. I will start today.

Anybody know if we can grow papayas on the West Coast? Would it actually work?

Warnings, warnings and more warnings...

It's a time to reflect, for sure.

Another of my friends has sent an email declaration that she will be boycotting goods and services by American companies in hopes to exercise her rights as a consumer to protest the US foreign policy. I think this a very good idea. Dollars really do speak louder than words and actions, don't you think? How far should this go? Should we also stop buying goods from the British, Spanish and the other nations that are now part of the coalition of the willing?

I also read an article in Common Ground this month that encourages Canada to break their economic ties with the US and join the EU. Sounds great on paper but are we able to do it? Why aren't we looking for new markets?

These are trying times, aren't they?

A friend passed this on to me today...

'World War 1 and 2 have been fought.
I don't know WHEN or HOW World War 3 will be fought
But World War 4 will be fought with sticks and stones'

Any thoughts?

This past week or so has been very inspiring. People have inspired me to live life fully. I would like to share them in hopes that they can inspire you as well.

The first was Gu Xiong. He gave a lecture at the college last week. His story is amazing. And very inspiring.

The second was the death of a family friend. She succumbed to a terrible illness. She was a wonderful person and I am sure that she is looking down on us now because the sun has shone for days now despite some really depressing weather forecasts. We miss her.

The third was Sacha Trudeau. This man has been through much in the last couple of years and he is an inspiration to me for sure.

These people have inspired me to challenge myself and thus, this little spot of mine might suffer. Keep in touch though...

My friend's mother died yesterday...

It makes one think about why we attach our life stories to the internet instead of going out and living life to the fullest. Who knows? Tomorrow, you could step off the sidewalk and get run over by a bus. Sure, I suppose one could say that we live life and THEN share it on the internet, but perhaps instead of sharing it with strangers, we should share it with people we know.

I know for sure that many of my friends here are more informed about what is going on with me from reading this blog than actually seeing me face-to-face. That's a shame, truly. I really should be doing a better job of being with these people that I care about so much. I have become tied up with the self-centredness of this anonymous "fame" and the convenience of the technology. I know that I have said this before though.

So today, in honour of my friend's mom, I vow to spend less time typing (and surfing) and more time seeing my friends and family, sharing laughter and tears and holding each other's hands...just because...

I will jump headlong into making life what I want it to be instead of what it should be.

Cheers!

Hey Corey! Have you sent that letter yet? It still hasn't arrived...

If you don't already know this about me, I really do like to receive letters. There is nothing more joyful than running down the driveway to the mailbox and finding something there (and, no, not bills) for me. So, if you ever have the urge, feel free. And remember, the more interesting the postage stamps, the better.

Have a great weekend all!

Are there no original ideas any more? Why does Hollywood continue to make inferior copies of good films? Here's the latest attempt! Argghhh!

It has rained a lot in the past few days.

I find it totally interesting that after the rain, one can see a gazillion earthworms on the pavement probably trying to escape the moisture in the ground. I swear I saw one every two steps during my pedestrian travels yesterday. And I so careful not to step on any of them. Quite a feat considering part of my walking route is totally dark. I couldn't tell if they were actually earthworms or sticks that had fallen off the trees during the past stormy days...

Watched Angel last night and was shocked to see that Angellus was about to turn Faith into one of his kind. Do you think she will escape? Or will they just have to kill her off now? And what's with all of the repeat episodes of Buffy?

I really should get a life and not spend so much time watching these shows on television...

Anybody else out there wondering what the hell bling bling means? I searched it out on google and if this is what it looks like, want absolutely no part of it! Is obesity fashionable nowadays or what? I have been hearing this bling bling thing all over the place and the yesterday was the final straw. I heard it on telly while I was ill and at home yesterday.

Another thing, you know an expression is out of style when you hear it used by Maury Povich on his sad excuse for a daytime tv show...

NOTE: I have just been informed by one of the cooler members in the office that bling bling means $$$$! Go figure!

Someone vandalized the tampon dispenser in the staff washroom yesterday. The front door had been pried open and at first glance it looked as if all of the contents were gone. I wondered what motivated this kind of behaviour? Was it desperation or was it greed?
Did the vandal really need something out of it and lost her quarter? (and then had no option but to pry open the front and take what she needed?) Or, did someone just want the money?

Today, I noticed that the whole dispenser had been removed from the wall and left on the floor. Upon closer examination, I saw that just the money was gone and the contents were still there. When I returned there later, the whole machine was gone. The only proof that it had ever been there were the holes in the wall where it had originally been attached.

Some people will stoop really low, won't they?

Found this article while searching for "White Fright" on the web...White Frights. I love this guy!

It really bugs me when the enetation site goes down. I have discovered, however, that the comments still register so keep on commenting!

It's a weird day. The sky is a beautiful shade of blue but it is windy as hell and the temperature has dropped quite a bit over the last week. The weather report threatens snow over the weekend.

Have a great day!

On a lark, I surfed using the name of the village that I stayed in with these awesome friends I met on a cross-Canada train journey. Here is a site (official?) for Froncysyllte. I lived in this cool old attached house about 100 feet from this photo. (Am I correct David?) I invite you all to tell me how you think it should be pronounced!

If you blink you will miss it but they sure had an awesome Indian takeaway up the hill. I wonder if it is still there?

My advice though, beware the post office!

Just wanted to say hello to Corey and want to say that I was glad to finally reach you on the phone yesterday without having to feel awkward about talking with your parents (I suppose this should read talking at your parents as neither end shares a common language) I suppose this means that I should add Mandarin to the list of languages that I have to study...

I am finally back to my regular desk because my coworker is back on the job and so my stress levels have dropped dramatically. Ah to be back at my desk with my outdated globe of the world and my Blythe calendar sent to me from my friend in Hirakata. (I love this calendar...cute, yet creepy) The desk top is a little more cluttered than I had hoped it would be but I am managing to create a molehill from the mountain of paper I left here.

Today, I would like to talk about communication. We have visitors from Japan and so I am communicating in two languages at home at the moment. Boy, is my Japanese rusty! However, I must say that I am at my best when I am totally exhausted as I seem to absorb more. Go figure!

One of my visitors brought a dvd of Miyazaki's Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi or Spirited Away as it is called in North America. We haven't finished watching it but so far I am impressed. Some of the illustrations look pretty real. It might be a little frightening for children especially when Chihiro's parents turn into pigs and left to fend for herself. Anyway, I hope to finish watching it in the next couple of days. We were just too tired to finish watching it last night.

So where was I? Oh yeah. Communication. It is funny how we sometimes downplay communicating with people. I mean, all week I have been stewing because I haven't had the guts to express fully my frustrations with stuff at home and the office. The stress became close to unbearable. It is times like these that I don't sleep, I overeat and just become generally bitchy. It sucks. All because I was afraid to say what I thought. I tell myself that I should not do that but under crisis situations I forget. Note to self... Communicate!

Where I found release was in having to speak in another language. Talking with our friends and watching the Japanese animation is soothing in a sense. It reminds me of a much better time. Funny how it does that.

Slightly off topic, I had an interesting freshly-made juice, that was made from carrots, beets, apples and ginger, at Rebar Modern Foods yesterday. It's not on the online menu and I forget the name of it but it was awesome!

Speaking of foods, I think that I really should go and eat the lentil soup that I brought for lunch today. Does anyone out there have some interesting soup recipes that don't have any wheat, vinegar or tomatoes in them that I could prepare and freeze for future lunches? If you do, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for tuning in. And I would love for you to leave your mark on my page. Just "share your thoughts on this!"

Well, I finally got over my "culture" shock from being in the US which means that I am no longer converting prices into Canadian dollars. (And I no longer have to be really careful paying for things because the money here is not all the same colour). I am hoping that my last entry did not sound anti-American as I believe that the people cannot be held responsible for US foreign policy especially when it looks like many of them do not agree with what is going on with Mr. Bush's crew... My guru had this site posted on her site with a special note to me and I must say that it did make me a little more hopeful that this war will not happen easily. Give the country a face and people are less likely think of those who live there as monsters or evil.

My week has been uneventful mainly because I spent the whole time stewing over the lack of organization that one of my bosses had at the office. This meant way too much pressure and overtime. It did teach me one thing though... if the bosses don't have the foresight to keep things running smoothly, then I shouldn't really worry about it either. After all, they are getting paid the big bucks and get all the glory when things look great, they should also take responsibility when their lack of good management skills cause a breakdown. Once I learned that, the stress pretty much disappeared!

Last night, I went to the National Geographic Imax Theatre at the Royal BC Museum in my city. We saw the IMAX film India Kingdom of the Tiger and I must say that it brought yet more tears to my eyes. I love when the message that we are all responsible for taking care of the planet and all her creatures. We are ultimately responsible for the destruction of the ecosystems that we live in and these kinds of films help to spread that message. The film itself was not one of those cute Disney-like films but brought the message of the tigers and how man and nature and these tigers are intertwined. I must admit though that the depth-of-field for those cameras must be quite small. However, you should check it out. It is quite beautiful.

I think that is it for today. I am at an internet cafe doing this today as I didn't have time to update this week.

PS I just wanted to say thanks to Takara who commented in my last entry. It's good to know people are reading... Keep in touch, alright?