It seems that sex is in the news today... at least as far as Yahoo is concerned.

Here are stories from Indonesia, and China in which sex is the topic of discussion.

I am sure hoping that the Indonesian law does not pass as it would make it yet one more reason for tourists not to travel there.

And, speaking of tourists, the story from China is a sad reflection on the Japanese (if it is true, that is.) I cannot figure why the Japanese government was recommending travel restrictions because of SARS yet it is alright for all of the sex tours to continue even though there is such a high risk of AIDS connected to them. It just doesn't make sense.

What do you think?

There are times, like yesterday, that necessity dictates your hairstyle for the day. My Bjork-inspired 'do was simply because I hadn't had time to wash my hair for more days than I would have liked and although it was cute, I found it more of a nuisance that it usually had been.

Picture, if you will, me sitting at a desk, being the target of an rubber band shooting coworker (yeah, I know, a bit juvenile but it was Friday afternoon and we were all just a little giddy that all of our intense projects had reached completion and we all had time to finally breathe) only to find that these tiny little folded-over, Bjork-type pony tails had become ring-toss pegs! I had never ever thought of this even remotely happening but there I was, sporting a huge rubber band hanging from my pony tail. The really bad thing is that I hadn't even noticed! And, after I did find out, I really didn't care. It's really quite funny!

Now, before you all become disgusted about the length of time between shampoos for me, I just wanted to defend this decision by stating that I have this incredibly curly (natural, at that) mop of hair that dries out at the vaguest suggestion of water touching it. That and the fact that it has been over-processed with colour and subjected to an unusually dry summer makes it necessary for me to refrain from shampooing too often. Besides, I really do like the pony tail look sometimes. Takes years off my age which is a definite plus. Those of you out there with the same problem can surely identify about the dry, frizzy result of having naturally curly hair. At least, I hope you can. Otherwise, you'll all think that I am some kind of slob. Not the case, I promise! (These are the products that I use now)

Yesterday, I also went out to see one of our office's interns off at the airport as she was leaving for Vietnam. I love hanging out at airports because even though I am not going anywhere at the time, I can dream of where I want to go next as well as partake in my favourite hobby, people-watching.

It's funny really, watching people awaiting their departures or for friends who are coming into town. Most of the shops had closed down by that time but we managed to grab a Tazo Chai from the evil coffee stop there. (Evil? Yes. Why is it at a Canadian Airport, the only coffee and tea you can get is Starbucks? It sucks as we have a lot of Canadian franchises that have better tasting coffee.)

As you can imagine, because everything is shut, there were a lot of people milling about with nothing to do. One woman was so rude to the girl at the coffee shop that I had to stop myself from saying something. Here is this poor girl, working there by herself, making our Chai teas when this rude woman shouts her order over the counter, even though it is obvious that the clerk is serving me. People get really bitchy without their caffeine, I notice.

Nothing much else happened there but when I was coming home on the local transit buses from downtown, I had to laugh. There were so many quirky passengers that there was never a dull moment.

Take, for example, the guy who wanted to put his bicycle on the bus. In Victoria, most of our buses have a bicycle rack on the front so that commuters can take their pedal-powered vehicles with them and ride where convenient. (For those of you who might be interested, these racks hold only two bicycles at one time). So, this guy has his bike in the downtown core and the driver informs the guy that he cannot load in the core (Something I hadn't known until yesterday) and that he would have to pedal himself about ten blocks away to get loaded. Actually, I think the passenger was a little loaded himself as he said he didn't think he was able to even ride the damned thing there. However, we saw him at every stop where he asked again to which the driver informed him of the stop that he actually would be able to get his bicycle on. It was quite comical really, what with the "here?" and "no" conversation that kept happening.

Then, there were the three girls of which two could not stop laughing because they didn't really know where they were going. One was from the mainland and she just kept chattering on, eventually getting the guy with the bicycle and then these two older ladies that were talking with them into hysterical laughter. I hope they finally found their way home...

I suppose that now it's about time that I found my way home. I trust you are all having a good weekend. See you soon!

A few entries ago, I was informed of the existance of David Blaine. I wonder what is the sense of these things and with this story, I wonder even more whether it is even more ridiculous...

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothing to do Nowhere to go I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport And put me in a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane I can't control my fingers
I can't control my brain Oh oh oh ho

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothing to do Nowhere to go I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport And put me in a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane I can't control my fingers
I can't control my brain Oh oh oh ho

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothing to do Nowhere to go I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport And put me in a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane I can't control my fingers
I can't control my brain Oh oh oh ho

Just put me in a wheelchair And get me to the show
Hurry hurry hurry before I go loco I can't control my fingers
I can't control my toes Oh oh oh ho

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothing to do Nowhere to go I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport And put me in a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane I can't control my fingers
I can't control my brain Oh oh oh ho

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

This Ramone's song is the gauge of my week. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!

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Voor het geval dat de schade ontstaan is tijdens de postverwerking, bieden we u hierbij onze verontschuldigingen aan.

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

I found this written on a card in a plastic envelope with one of those one-page, blue folding letters that you can buy at the post office. I haven't the slightest idea what it means. Anyone care to guess?

I knew that cats were evil. Check this out and see that it's true!

I was reading about Diane Arbus in a photography magazine over the weekend and decided to google her today. These are a couple of my favourites: quirky
and powerful. What do you think?

I was thinking over the weekend that I was the one responsible for Johnny Cash's death. The day before it was announced on the news, I was quoting from his song "A Boy Named Sue". The reason I say this is that I rarely think of songs by Johnny but on that particular day I did. What are the odds?

Actually, I don't really feel responsible, I just thought that it was an interesting coincidence...

Hope that you had a great weekend!

I am beginning to feel that I am jinxed...

Last month, a friend was attacked by a log on a beach and in the course of having the thing fall on top of her, broke her pelvis in four places. She got released from the hospital last Tuesday.

Then, my friend's mother, who had just visited my home while vacationing here from Japan, slipped on wet concrete (while holding my friend's two-year-old) and broke her hip. This resulted in surgery and delaying her parent's return home.

My friend's boyfriend told me that perhaps he should stop hanging out with my friend and I when we get together because he couldn't afford to end up hospitalized. I hadn't thought about it but perhaps he is right...

Have a great day and for god's sake, be careful. I don't think that my conscience could take another incident!

Okay. Okay. The time has come to close my contest. However, if I put your names in a hat, it doesn't seem like a very challenging competition. So, here goes... Would both David and Pete be so kind as to forward me a number between 1 and 100? A lovely coworker has chosen a number and the one who guesses closest will get the coveted Twin Towers postcard.

Good luck to you both!

(and remember, there is a consolation prize... a postcard from times square!)

I know it was written a while ago but I finally got around to reading "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" by Jean-Dominique Bauby. It was a quick read and, although translated into English, beautifully written. It's both amazing and true considering the way in which it was written and I felt inspiration.

If you haven't read it, you should check it out. You might be surprised.

I am also sure that it will be a big change from my next reading endeavour. Nausea by Sartre...

Yesterday, I received a postcard of the St. Basil (Vasily) Cathedral in Moscow that was sent with a Latvian stamp on it. I was pretty excited because it was somewhere that I had never received one from before!

Speaking of postcards, today is the final day to enter my little postcard contest. I have two brave souls who have already entered and wanted to invite anyone who hasn't already, to refer to my previous entry and leave a comment.

Have a great day!

It's only Tuesday. I feel like I have been run over by a truck. I lost my sunglasses (although I am pretty sure that there are only two places that they can be). And the clouds that filled the sky when I left the house this morning have disappeared and it has become sunny (and I am overdressed). It's not really that bad though...

Have a great day everyone. Hope to hear from you!

I just wanted to let you know that if I don't receive any entries for my Twin Towers contest, I am just going to put the blank card in the post box and let fate take its course. Please, I am begging, entertain me with stories (it doesn't matter what you write about) and I will consider you an entrant. Any comment will do. It would be a shame if this postcard goes to waste... Besides, I am dying to send stuff by snail mail!

PS I also have some San Francisco postcards if you would be more interested in them.

Today has been uneventful so far and it could be something to do with the fact that I am, once again, caffeinated and my mind is spinning around at the speed of light. It is truly a bizarre sensation.

The funniest thing happened today on the bus. It went in the wrong direction and then did a U-turn in an intersection - in front of a police car, no less. (Luckily, they didn't pull us over) That's what you get when people talk with the bus driver...

Yesterday, as I may have mentioned, we had an electrical storm or two. This occurence is quite rare here so you can imagine that it was quite spectacular even for the few minutes that it was happening. I turned my mobile phone off as I was outside and wasn't quite sure if it would make me a candidate for a lightning strike. I managed to survive without getting struck down although the little downpours that happened afterwards did get me and my little denin jacket a little damp.

Last night, while sitting with a friend in a local Chinese bakery and restaurant, it came to light that in North America (and perhaps Europe) there are no big name bands or singers that are Asian. We got on to the subject because I was saying that, while there are some Japanese performers (that I remember from my time in Japan) touring here, that they weren't really considered as serious artists but more of a novelty act. My guru Claire had once pointed this out because I wondered aloud why some of them didn't get exposure here. I have to say that I had never really thought of this. There are lots of Japanophiles out there but for the most part it is the novelty of the country that makes us interested and, perhaps not what they could offer us here.

Nevertheless, my discussion in the restaurant went on and we even got the owners involved. It was suggested that although no one would really admit it, there is still an underlying tone of racism in our culture. Those things Asian are interesting or different but could never become mainstream. Is it because we believe that these cultures are so intrinsically different from the European values that so many of us hold? Is it because we envy their wealth? Is it because Asians think that we are so narrow-minded that we couldn't even begin to understand their culture? I just don't know. What do you think?

Since then, I have been thinking about this a lot. In my opinion, there are many artists from Asia that I think should make a go of it here but I also know that any attempt at this before have failed miserably.

Take, for example, Toshinobu Kubota who has an amazing ability to project his voice in a soulful, r&b kind of way. When I first came back from Japan, I listened to his music in Japanese and although I didn't understand it entirely, really enjoyed his voice and the music. He even changed his name as you can tell from this website. When he released here, I couldn't even get a hold of a copy of the CD. And then he dropped out of sight...

Then, there is Nokko who released an interesting little album in English. I managed to get a copy of it and was pleasantly surprised.

Then there are stories like that of Seiko Matsuda, who first tried to break into the US market by doing an duet with Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame. Then she tried again with a sexy image and I did not hear one of the songs on radio but did happen to see one of her videos at one of the local gay bars in town one night. (It was alright) She just didn't make it. Not to say that she should because her talent is questionable but she tried and failed.

The only one that I can think of the is remotely Asian that has succeeded in Canada anyway, is David Usher who is, I believe has Asian roots. Have you heard of him outside of Canada?

Is there anyone that I haven't heard of? Oh, I have heard Asian Dub Foundation but well, that's not in North America and we rarely hear anything of them here...

What do you think? Why do you think this is? And, more importantly, how can we change it? Let me know...

Okay, so here I am in the office again on my day off. I dropped by to pick up something that I left here yesterday and filled up my water bottle at the cooler here and couldn't resist logging on to the computer. Just wanted to check my email and post a bit for your reading enjoyment...

Anyway, a few entries ago, I said that I would pay homage to those in my past who influenced me. Some, I am no longer in contact with and others are still involved in my life.

I started to think about this a lot after I started bumping into people that I went to high school with and over the course of conversations with them, I found it interesting - so many years later - that while I recognized the person, we had gone in directions that were not even close to what they had been. I mean, we had so much in common at the time that we knew each other but on many occasions, we had little in common but the memories.

I have met many people over the years and wanted to thank the ones that contributed so greatly to my being now. So, here goes. If any of you happen to know these people, please let me know or let them know that I have been thinking of them...

Claire
My blog guru and just a generally cool person. She, too, is across the ocean (in another direction) and is really busy right now. You can check out her blog here.

Corey
This person and I have had our ups and downs but our relationship has been a learning experience. I have learned a lot about myself from it.

David & Sian
I met these two while travelling across Canada. They offered friendship and a brilliant way to look at life - even opening their door to me when I wasn't sure where I was going. I guess they might be reading this now and I want to say thank you. I have learned a lot from you both.

Efren
Never gives me an opportunity to make excuses and that is something that I need. One of the most supportive people I know. And he is awesome at cutting this mop of curls that I have been cursed with (even though I don't let him go too crazy)...

Eva
You are an inspiration in my life. I have always been able to depend on you and consider you family. Take care!

Jean
She is inspirational and keeps me going to this day. She made me wings for my fourtieth birthday! She is brilliant!

Nina Raginsky
Nina, at the time that I met her, was an artist. She had an inspiring life and a career as a photography and she was what I wanted to become. Independent, creative, and a wonderful human being. If any of you out there are interested in photography, you should look her up. I just did and here are a few sites for you to look at. I especially agree with this one. These are some of her images: (1) and (2) were all I could find on the net. I would welcome you to check out any other work you can find. Here is a bit I found on one site... Nina Raginsky Born 1941. Choosing a career as a photographer, by 1964 she was doing freelance work for the National Film Board of Canada. She first expanded her photographic expression by hand colouring sepia prints and then began to create oil paintings based on photographs. She is perhaps best known for her formal full figure portraits. She is an Officer in the Order of Canada

She is now involved in environmental issues in our area of the world. I am lucky to have met such a brilliant woman! She continues to amaze me.

Shukuko
I don't know what to say except for THANK YOU. You are my sister and I love you!

Tanya
A totally creative being who, with the help of her wonderful husband, have created the most exceptional artwork. Tanya should be a muse even though she creates wonderful works of her own. She is an inspiration!

Teresa
My cousin Teresa is the coolest. She has been someone that I have looked up to since we were kids. She has been through so much and always accepted me for me and not what I might have been. She has strength and her faith is admirable. She's across the ocean now and I hope she's having fun. Hopefully, I will come and visit her soon.

Trisch
This woman, is someone I have lost touch with, regrettably. She saw in me what I couldn't see in myself and that is probably the biggest reason that we have lost touch. At the time, I took it as criticism but now that I am older and wiser, I can see that she was right. I just hadn't been ready to see it. If she is out there, I would certainly like to meet her again.

Yumiko
This woman has been through the ringer with me. She is smart, funny and I know that soon, she will realize her dream. I have learned so much from her and hopefully, I haven't driven her too crazy! Good luck, Yumi-chan!

Yun-Soon
What a history we have had and it continues! We both dream on film and, one day, very soon, you should be able to see both our work... in public even!


Man, this list is getting long. To save space, I will just begin to list names and maybe one day I can continue... Aya, Maki, Eri (even though she's only two years old), my grandmothers, Laura, my cousin Randal, Yuko H., Allyson, Isaac and the most awesome instructor in the world, Rand! I thank you all!

Well, it looks like a thunderstorm is looming. I'd better get out of here before the power goes out or something. Thanks for listening and don't forget to write for the postcard prize!

So, I got an email from someone who is interested in linking to my website. I took a look and found that it appeals to the supernatural nature in myself, so I set up a link. If you are interested, check out Ghosts Directory!

You've gotta wonder if it's true. Does the close proxity of Mars to the earth really throw the world into turmoil? I am beginning to believe so. However, that is not what is truly amazing this week. Read on.

The first week of school is always hectic and this week was no exception. (Hence the reference to Mars) Campuses are bustling, roads are busier (if not gridlocked) and the air starts to get a little cooler.

I usually like this time of year but this year, I just want to withdraw from it all. Our college campus is so much more crowded and the queues seem longer. I try to avoid venturing out of my office building because things are moving much more quickly and there seems to be few places where one can go where there is no distraction. It's just so different from the tranquility of summer there.

The thing that irritates me the most is the traffic on the road before and after my work day. I commute by bus everyday as I could no longer stand the inconvenience and expense of owning a car. I thought it would be wonderful as I wouldn't have to focus on the roads and could go about things like reading, making "to do" lists or sleep however, I was mistaken. I end up getting stressed out because of the traffic and the fact that my commute times because of the almost gridlock conditions on the road. You see, a good 85-95 per cent of cars on the road are what I like to refer to as SOVs. No, it's not a new type of off-road vehicle. It stands for Single Occupant Vehicle and it is the epitome of selfishness. Most of the vehicles go in the same directions, clog up roads, fill parking lots and all unnecessarily. Why they cannot be bothered to car pool or take public transit I cannot even begin to guess. However, what lurks in the back of my mind is the word selfish.

Sure, the transit system here is not perfect, but at least we have one. People don't want to be inconvenienced by having to walk to a bus stop or having to adjust to a schedule because they just want to do things when they want and wherever they are. No matter what excuse one uses, I still hear that word selfish.

I know that I should not be so judgmental but I cannot help it. The weather this summer has been the hottest it's been for as long as I can remember. And the humidity. We never had this much humidity here before. Perhaps it's just the trend in weather patterns but maybe it's the effects of global warming. I remember being in high school in the early eighties and scientists were warning us about it. So, nobody who was around then can say that they didn't know about the dangers of it. They just chose to ignore it.

Then, I remember what David and Olivia mentioned about the regeneration of the planet after the fires. I suppose that it could be true that human kind was meant to run the environment into the ground so that the earth can renew itself. Then this unfortunate planet could rid itself of the parasites that live on it.

Okay. So that was a tad bit pessimistic a statement. Oops.

Anyway, I found this story about solutions to traffic in the downtown areas of cities. It sounds like a great idea. However, I am not sure if they are discussing London, England or the London in Ontario, Canada. Either way, you can read about one solution here...

Now, on to other things...

I don't want to say "I told you so" but, really, was anyone expecting the US to succeed in their mission to rid Iraq of Saddam and bring that nation into a better place? Come on. Did we really expect the Iraqi's to welcome the Westerners who had proclaimed it their duty to free everyone? I mean, did anyone give the Iraqi people a choice?

I read yesterday (although I cannot find the headline today) in the National Post that the US admitted that they needed assistance from the UN Security Council to help rebuild post-attack Iraq. Now, I had to laugh at this because there are many out there who saw this coming. Are they all thinking "I told you so"? I bet they are. I certainly am.

And, boy, I think George W. is in trouble. This story tells of his need to address his nation on the state of affairs with Iraq. Is he really going to come clean?

Perhaps I should cancel my contest for the Twin Towers postcard and use the prize to send him a reminder. But, I don't want to deny any of you who have been thinking about entering my contest (See my last entry). I see that no one has participated yet. Is it too presumptious that people might want this postcard? Is it in bad taste? Or is it that people don't want it marred with my scribbles? Whatever the reason, I hope that you will take the time to enter. It doesn't take long and you can write about whatever you want. I just thought it would be fun. I also have a Times Square postcard as a runner-up prize. I would love to hear from you.

Anyway, I had better finish up. I have to go and catch the bus home now. See? It is possible to work within the perameters of a bus schedule.

Before I go though, I thought that I would include a couple of distractions...

First, read about Yoko Ono and a recreation of one of her past works.

And finally, I will never, ever believe anyone again. It is possible to get mortally wounded on a roller-coaster

Cheers!

Well, things are a-buzzing at the old college since classes started yesterday. It has been so quiet here over the summer and now there are thousands of people milling about. It's a little overwhelming and I am trying my best not to venture outside of my little building as there are people queued up everywhere - buying books, waiting for food at the cafeteria, complaining that their classes have been moved. It's all just a little too much however, the air conditioner is working now and it is tolerable.

While it is cool in the morning, the temperatures are still soaring into the high 20's which makes me just want to pass out and sleep through it all.

For those of you still wondering, I have yet to finish what I am now calling The Colossal Cleanup... I know it is going into week three (or is it four) but I know that I will finish it up soon. Just nit-picky stuff left but I will get it done!

Anyway, I should get back to the grind.

Don't forget to enter my competition for the Twin Towers postcard (signed by me) that ends on September 11/03. All you need to do is write a short blurb about travel to any landmark in the world. After I receive all of the entries, I will put them all in a barrel and send the card to the first person I choose. So, if you would, please leave a comment on any day that has a reminder and on September 11 at 3:30 pst, I will choose and contact the winner.