Warning: I'm feeling ranty and generally fed up with society.
This morning "news" broke locally about an NHL'er and his recently signed deal (read it here). The "Nuge" was signed for seven more years - for 42 million US (that's 42 with six (6) zeroes).
Did I mention he's a hockey player?
Yay for him. I'm sure he's very talented and he's worked hard to get where he is. Although I think his salary is ridiculous (we don't pay people to save lives anywhere where near that much - see here for the average of a GP in Alberta - my math calcs come up with about $170,000 annually), that's only one of the problems with this story.
The first line of the "news" story states: EDMONTON - During his peewee years growing up in Burnaby, B.C., Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was forced to sit out one season because his family was having a tough time making ends meet.*
The radio station I was listening to said how awesome and great this was - because they were poor and he couldn't play hockey for one year. Although I haven't found 'exact' costs, it's estimated one year of peewee costs anywhere from $600 to $2000 for registration, $1000 for equipment. Additionally, there are travel costs (hotels, food, etc) for tournaments and away games.
Can I just remind everyone that hockey is not necessary to survive? It doesn't feed, clothe or shelter you. No matter how you slice it, dice or dissect it, it is an exclusive and elitist activity that very few can really afford to play.
Do I think it's fair and equitable that he's making 5.6 million dollars more than the neurosurgeon who had my life in his hands? Not a chance.
We, as a society, are seriously screwed up and have an enormous problem on our hands. What message are we sending our children? That "poor" means you can't play hockey for a year? Tell that to the families who frequent food banks!
I'm not really blaming the players - it is us (meaning the collective "we") who caused this. When we put our priorities in the wrong basket, we've sentenced ourselves to a lifetime of this misguided lifestyle.
Just once, though, it would be nice to have a hockey player stand up and say "Hey, this is stupid! How can I possibly be paid more, in one year, than the leaders of many nations combined?"
The "heads" of Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA, Germany, Canada, Luxembourg, Ireland, France, Britain, Cyprus, Spain and Italy make $4, 568, 768.00 per year COMBINED. Yet we're always bitching that politicians make too much money (for what it's worth, the Prime Minister of Italy is drawing no salary). Hockey (or other pro-sports) players? Totally justified...
Hand me a hand-basket, as obviously, we're up crap creek without a paddle.
* Edmonton Oilers lock up another building block with Nugent-Hopkins extension - Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal (Sept. 20, 2013) [See link above for full article]
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Garage Sale Blues
I hate garage sales. Yet I agreed to have one this coming weekend. I'm happy to be purging tons of stuff from my house (we've been collecting stuff since last summer) but I dislike the entire process.
I don't want to dicker. I do not want to 'make money' (why people think they make money from garage sales is beyond me - you're selling everything at a loss). I don't want to engage in inane chit-chat with strangers. Buy my stuff or don't, I don't care. Well, I do, but whatever doesn't sell is going to Good Will on Monday anyway.
I'm kind of shy and I do not flourish in these kinds of conditions.
Oddly enough, my husband is amazing at garage sales. We had one five years ago (at my parents) and even though my husband dreaded it, the first punter through the door, he was chatting and making sales.
Two days: I've got to get through two days.
TroubleMaker is dead excited - he is going to be running a lemonade stand. I'm oddly embarrassed by this (weird conditioning from my parents) but I am going to be his biggest champion (and likely thirstiest customer).
Maybe it will be okay... TroubleMaker has committed to selling many of his (old and unused) toys - he is hoping to raise half the funds to buy an all weather, all terrain Grave Digger monster truck. His excitement will fuel mine. I adore that kid and always manage to see things through his eyes and that gives me renewed excitement.
I'll see you on the other side. I'm going to Tweet about my garage sale adventures so feel free to follow along!
I don't want to dicker. I do not want to 'make money' (why people think they make money from garage sales is beyond me - you're selling everything at a loss). I don't want to engage in inane chit-chat with strangers. Buy my stuff or don't, I don't care. Well, I do, but whatever doesn't sell is going to Good Will on Monday anyway.
I'm kind of shy and I do not flourish in these kinds of conditions.
Oddly enough, my husband is amazing at garage sales. We had one five years ago (at my parents) and even though my husband dreaded it, the first punter through the door, he was chatting and making sales.
Two days: I've got to get through two days.
TroubleMaker is dead excited - he is going to be running a lemonade stand. I'm oddly embarrassed by this (weird conditioning from my parents) but I am going to be his biggest champion (and likely thirstiest customer).
Maybe it will be okay... TroubleMaker has committed to selling many of his (old and unused) toys - he is hoping to raise half the funds to buy an all weather, all terrain Grave Digger monster truck. His excitement will fuel mine. I adore that kid and always manage to see things through his eyes and that gives me renewed excitement.
I'll see you on the other side. I'm going to Tweet about my garage sale adventures so feel free to follow along!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Dream a little Dream: Plans instead of Resolutions!
I don't know about all of you, but I have dreams of grandeur. I don't mean that I dream of fame and fortune but I do dream of a life less ordinary. I start out the year (nearly every year) with the thought “this is going to be my year".
The year I lose weight and get healthy, the year I finish/write a story to publish, the year I get organized, the year I get my own business running, the year I succeed.
Focus - I know this is a problem. What starts out with a bang gives way to me forgetting about it, replacing it with a new and even better idea, or my lack of confidence zaps the life out of it.
Commitment - maybe this is similar to focus but I can't commit to any one thing. I've got a few talents and they aren't the get you rich quick kind of talents but moreover, I need to hone in on one thing and start with that but because I lack focus, I'm not sure how to do that!
Time - not enough of it. I know everyone suffers from this. The real world gets in the way of living one's dream. Food needs to be bought, bills paid and by the time all that is done, there is no time left in my day to dedicate to a start-up. I work 7 to 5 (including commute) and I have a small child who is not known for his ability to sleep... I just don't know how to get it all in...
But I want 2012 to be different. I’m three years from my fortieth birthday and although that doesn’t really bother me, the fact I feel stalled – and like I’ve spent nearly twenty years stalled – does. I want to live life, not wait for a life to live. I’ll let you know right now, I don’t know the answer, I don’t have a plan and I don’t know if I will have any success but this New Year, I’m making a list and I will be checking it twice! Assuming I can remember where I put it…
The year I lose weight and get healthy, the year I finish/write a story to publish, the year I get organized, the year I get my own business running, the year I succeed.
Each year turns out just like the last and I begin each New Year with the same ideas, hopes and dreams. I've known for a long time that my thought patterns are cyclical and in order to do something, I have to take it further than a list or an idea on a piece of paper. I joke about being scatterbrained and disorganized - and I am, to a point, but I think I also lack a few other things that keep me from succeeding.
Focus - I know this is a problem. What starts out with a bang gives way to me forgetting about it, replacing it with a new and even better idea, or my lack of confidence zaps the life out of it.
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Commitment - maybe this is similar to focus but I can't commit to any one thing. I've got a few talents and they aren't the get you rich quick kind of talents but moreover, I need to hone in on one thing and start with that but because I lack focus, I'm not sure how to do that!Time - not enough of it. I know everyone suffers from this. The real world gets in the way of living one's dream. Food needs to be bought, bills paid and by the time all that is done, there is no time left in my day to dedicate to a start-up. I work 7 to 5 (including commute) and I have a small child who is not known for his ability to sleep... I just don't know how to get it all in...
Health - I lack it. Not just my weight and lack of regular exercise. I have a few health problems that are roadblocks. I've never used my health as an excuse but as the drugs increase in my body, the side effects worsen but the issues aren't really being resolved. My body hurts, a lot, but worse than that is the exhaustion! Any parent, college student, senior or stressed person can relate, I'm sure, but many days, I feel like that times 10. My head gets muddy and I can't think straight and its sheer will power that one foot gets put in front of the other. Working all day and walking all over campus do me in. When I get home, its make dinner, find jammies and SIT! There is no playing with my son, no visiting friends, talking on the phone, and writing or being creative, I am just finished. And the bonus? I get to do the exact same thing the next day!
But I want 2012 to be different. I’m three years from my fortieth birthday and although that doesn’t really bother me, the fact I feel stalled – and like I’ve spent nearly twenty years stalled – does. I want to live life, not wait for a life to live. I’ll let you know right now, I don’t know the answer, I don’t have a plan and I don’t know if I will have any success but this New Year, I’m making a list and I will be checking it twice! Assuming I can remember where I put it…
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Something for Nothing
Recently, a story about hundreds of "Run for the Cure" t-shirts winding up, unopened, in a trash bin made the news here in Edmonton. It turns out, it was an "mistake" the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation admitted today. Generally, the spokesperson said, the shirts are donated to developing countries to help those in need. For some reason, this lot ended up in the bin.
I'm glad they realized their error but perhaps it is time we took a bigger look at the entire idea. So many places give things to their supporters as a token of their appreciation. T-shirts, bags, buttons, pens... The continual giving away of free stuff boggles my mind. I'm not a huge volunteer but in the past few years, we've amassed a silly collection of t-shirts in support of everything from Pride week to Adopt a Pet week. The majority of them have never been worn. TroubleMaker is the only one who wears t-shirts in our house and I can assure you, these are all too big for him!
I'd like to understand the point of asking someone to donate their time and/or money and then giving them a reward. To me, this is a gross waste of money, time and effort. Honestly, I am donating my time or money (or both) because I believe in the charity I'm supporting. Giving me something as a token of goodwill doesn't make me want to donate more time or money - it makes me ask the question "how much money went into making this t-shirt that is only going to end up in a dresser drawer never to be worn until we donate them to Goodwill?"
I am troubled by the idea that in order to get any person to do good things, a reward is required. I know in most cases, an 'entry fee' is charged and part of that fee goes to the production of the gifties, but imagine just for a minute that if the $5 it costs to make the t-shirt (that will likely end up as a cleaning rag or in a bag for charity) was actually put towards the charity, calculating $5 per shirt, times (a conservative) 5000 racers per location times 60 locations (number of participating sites across Canada) equals
$1500000 (in case you can't read the zeros like me, that is 1.5 million dollars).
That is a considerable number, don't you think? Maybe it's time we all just said "NO" to all the kind ideas that cost millions of dollars and put the money back towards the important things - like finding the cure!
I'm glad they realized their error but perhaps it is time we took a bigger look at the entire idea. So many places give things to their supporters as a token of their appreciation. T-shirts, bags, buttons, pens... The continual giving away of free stuff boggles my mind. I'm not a huge volunteer but in the past few years, we've amassed a silly collection of t-shirts in support of everything from Pride week to Adopt a Pet week. The majority of them have never been worn. TroubleMaker is the only one who wears t-shirts in our house and I can assure you, these are all too big for him!
I'd like to understand the point of asking someone to donate their time and/or money and then giving them a reward. To me, this is a gross waste of money, time and effort. Honestly, I am donating my time or money (or both) because I believe in the charity I'm supporting. Giving me something as a token of goodwill doesn't make me want to donate more time or money - it makes me ask the question "how much money went into making this t-shirt that is only going to end up in a dresser drawer never to be worn until we donate them to Goodwill?"
I am troubled by the idea that in order to get any person to do good things, a reward is required. I know in most cases, an 'entry fee' is charged and part of that fee goes to the production of the gifties, but imagine just for a minute that if the $5 it costs to make the t-shirt (that will likely end up as a cleaning rag or in a bag for charity) was actually put towards the charity, calculating $5 per shirt, times (a conservative) 5000 racers per location times 60 locations (number of participating sites across Canada) equals
$1500000 (in case you can't read the zeros like me, that is 1.5 million dollars).
That is a considerable number, don't you think? Maybe it's time we all just said "NO" to all the kind ideas that cost millions of dollars and put the money back towards the important things - like finding the cure!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Teach your children well...
I don't speak often of my parenting philosophy. The beliefs I've adopted are mostly because I read about various parenting styles prior to and during my pregnancy and truly felt certain methodologies fit with my "style" and personality.
We, for all intents and purposes, "attachment" parent. What does that mean? Essentially, there are eight tenements to AP and they are as follows: (information from Attachment Parenting International)
Eight Principles of Parenting:
Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
Feed with Love and Respect
Respond with Sensitivity
Use Nurturing Touch
Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
Provide Consistent and Loving Care
Practice Positive Discipline
Strive for Balance in Your Personal and Family Life
I can tell you if you read the information provided on API's website, you will go "Well, I already do that!" In theory, attachment parenting - or parts of it - are what we do every single day as parents. A lot of the beginning foundations are what most miss - and I like to think it has more to do with lack of knowledge than anything else.
I breastfed. I, in fact, breastfed TroubleMaker until he was much older than is typically "normal" by today's Western standard. I was so gungho to breastfeed that I likely sacrificed some of our sanity in ensuring our breastfeeding relationship was successful (pumps, pills & patience, OH MY!). I "wore" him in an Ergo baby carrier (best $100 every spent - it was the #1, must have baby "device" for me). Due to choices that had more to do with my husband's insistence that certain parenting "tools" were a marketing ploy by greedy Corporate America, we carried TroubleMaker every where from birth. We did not have an "infant carseat" and our stroller was a heavy duty jogging stroller that was cumbersome and too much of a pain in the butt to use for simple running into the store for milk shopping trips. We co slept - and again, it was at my husband's insistence. He did not want our newborn baby in a different part of the house. What started as co-sleeping morphed into bed sharing. And yes, we did try to "sleep train" him when he was about 8 months old and it failed. Miserably. I don't know who cried more - TroubleMaker or me? It was at that time that I accepted TroubleMaker as a child who did not sleep and this freed up a lot of my misery and expectation. We cloth diapered - which has nothing to do with AP, but I need to push my environmental agenda where ever I can.... ;)
We had TroubleMaker - it was a decision his father and I made. We sought out what we thought would be the best path forward. We read, we studied, we changed our minds. We've cried, laughed and have learned we can love another person in a way that can likely not ever be truly explained. We are happy - even if we don't always know the right answer or the correct path forward.
Looking back at the past three and a half years, we've done a few things right and a few things we could have done better. Each day is a new lesson and we all learn from one another. We make mistakes and sometimes he gets too much candy and watches too much TV. But he is always loved and always our first priority.
No matter what philosophy you ascribe too, love your child, protect your child and always make time for fun and laughter.
We, for all intents and purposes, "attachment" parent. What does that mean? Essentially, there are eight tenements to AP and they are as follows: (information from Attachment Parenting International)
Eight Principles of Parenting:
Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
Feed with Love and Respect
Respond with Sensitivity
Use Nurturing Touch
Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
Provide Consistent and Loving Care
Practice Positive Discipline
Strive for Balance in Your Personal and Family Life
I can tell you if you read the information provided on API's website, you will go "Well, I already do that!" In theory, attachment parenting - or parts of it - are what we do every single day as parents. A lot of the beginning foundations are what most miss - and I like to think it has more to do with lack of knowledge than anything else.
I breastfed. I, in fact, breastfed TroubleMaker until he was much older than is typically "normal" by today's Western standard. I was so gungho to breastfeed that I likely sacrificed some of our sanity in ensuring our breastfeeding relationship was successful (pumps, pills & patience, OH MY!). I "wore" him in an Ergo baby carrier (best $100 every spent - it was the #1, must have baby "device" for me). Due to choices that had more to do with my husband's insistence that certain parenting "tools" were a marketing ploy by greedy Corporate America, we carried TroubleMaker every where from birth. We did not have an "infant carseat" and our stroller was a heavy duty jogging stroller that was cumbersome and too much of a pain in the butt to use for simple running into the store for milk shopping trips. We co slept - and again, it was at my husband's insistence. He did not want our newborn baby in a different part of the house. What started as co-sleeping morphed into bed sharing. And yes, we did try to "sleep train" him when he was about 8 months old and it failed. Miserably. I don't know who cried more - TroubleMaker or me? It was at that time that I accepted TroubleMaker as a child who did not sleep and this freed up a lot of my misery and expectation. We cloth diapered - which has nothing to do with AP, but I need to push my environmental agenda where ever I can.... ;)
We had TroubleMaker - it was a decision his father and I made. We sought out what we thought would be the best path forward. We read, we studied, we changed our minds. We've cried, laughed and have learned we can love another person in a way that can likely not ever be truly explained. We are happy - even if we don't always know the right answer or the correct path forward.
Looking back at the past three and a half years, we've done a few things right and a few things we could have done better. Each day is a new lesson and we all learn from one another. We make mistakes and sometimes he gets too much candy and watches too much TV. But he is always loved and always our first priority.
No matter what philosophy you ascribe too, love your child, protect your child and always make time for fun and laughter.
Friday, November 4, 2011
NaBloPoMa: Under Pressure
Commitment. It is an evil word and one that I tend to over do. How about you?
My issue is time. There just isn't enough of it in a day. I need more hours, less work (well, my paid-for work), and likely better organization skill. I have a constant running mental inventory of things that I need to get done. My mental "to do" list.
The fact is, I think I am far more capable than I am. Perhaps that is the wrong way to phrase that... But my cluttered head is not putting the words together so I'll give an example of it instead.
I have ten things to do this weekend:
bake: pepparkaka, ginger sparklers, shortbread, a pie and two apple crisps
make: create a $100 "Christmas in a Box" home decorating package
prepare: pizza, a menu plan
help: my husband de-decorate from Halloween and hang up our exterior Christmas lights
To me, right now, this list seems completely reasonable... However, having been down this road last weekend with all the preparations for the Halloween party, I know something will not get done. Likely a few things will not get done. I do not have the luxury of not completing the first two (bake and make). Those are promised commitments for TroubleMaker's playschool fundraisers.
Sunday night, I'll be upset and lamenting how much I didn't get finished that I want too but I'll be powerless to get a Mulligan on the weekend.
So what is the answer? I don't know. It's my style to try and get lots done in a limited amount of time. I rarely succeed but I can't stop planning everything the same way! Weekend after weekend, I fill my calender with unmanageable tasks and every Monday, I'm faced with the reality that I didn't accomplish everything I'd set out to do.
I wonder what the answer is - I hope I find it soon... You should see the list I've set for myself to get ready so I can start "new" in 2012 and stop setting myself up for failure!
My issue is time. There just isn't enough of it in a day. I need more hours, less work (well, my paid-for work), and likely better organization skill. I have a constant running mental inventory of things that I need to get done. My mental "to do" list.
The fact is, I think I am far more capable than I am. Perhaps that is the wrong way to phrase that... But my cluttered head is not putting the words together so I'll give an example of it instead.
I have ten things to do this weekend:
bake: pepparkaka, ginger sparklers, shortbread, a pie and two apple crisps
make: create a $100 "Christmas in a Box" home decorating package
prepare: pizza, a menu plan
help: my husband de-decorate from Halloween and hang up our exterior Christmas lights
To me, right now, this list seems completely reasonable... However, having been down this road last weekend with all the preparations for the Halloween party, I know something will not get done. Likely a few things will not get done. I do not have the luxury of not completing the first two (bake and make). Those are promised commitments for TroubleMaker's playschool fundraisers.
Sunday night, I'll be upset and lamenting how much I didn't get finished that I want too but I'll be powerless to get a Mulligan on the weekend.
So what is the answer? I don't know. It's my style to try and get lots done in a limited amount of time. I rarely succeed but I can't stop planning everything the same way! Weekend after weekend, I fill my calender with unmanageable tasks and every Monday, I'm faced with the reality that I didn't accomplish everything I'd set out to do.
I wonder what the answer is - I hope I find it soon... You should see the list I've set for myself to get ready so I can start "new" in 2012 and stop setting myself up for failure!
Friday, October 21, 2011
I need six more hours each day
I have four unfinished posts and a dozen (or more) rattling around in my brain trying to escape.
But it all lays still with in my head or a half written thought typed on a page.
I have been told I, all to often, take on more than I can realistically can complete. I do not believe this is an affliction uncommon - I'm most certain a large majority of the world suffers from this.
For me, when I take on more than I can get done, I get nothing done. I do not know if this is common or not.
I have a Halloween costume to sew before next Saturday, a basement renovation to finish (again, mostly before next Saturday), baking, cooking, decorating, AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! And don't even get me going about Christmas and the house work that lays undone.
But the real point of my post is to figure out how I can achieve more. Don't confuse my desire to do more with ambition as that is certainly not it! ;) I just want to figure out how to better organize my time, get more energy and plan better so I can complete the thoughts I have, finish the posts I start and one day, actually do some of the things I love - design, sewing, crafting, play the beautiful guitar I have. I just need to figure out to get it all in one day.
Don't you wish the day had just a few more hours in it too?
But it all lays still with in my head or a half written thought typed on a page.
I have been told I, all to often, take on more than I can realistically can complete. I do not believe this is an affliction uncommon - I'm most certain a large majority of the world suffers from this.
For me, when I take on more than I can get done, I get nothing done. I do not know if this is common or not.
I have a Halloween costume to sew before next Saturday, a basement renovation to finish (again, mostly before next Saturday), baking, cooking, decorating, AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! And don't even get me going about Christmas and the house work that lays undone.
But the real point of my post is to figure out how I can achieve more. Don't confuse my desire to do more with ambition as that is certainly not it! ;) I just want to figure out how to better organize my time, get more energy and plan better so I can complete the thoughts I have, finish the posts I start and one day, actually do some of the things I love - design, sewing, crafting, play the beautiful guitar I have. I just need to figure out to get it all in one day.
Don't you wish the day had just a few more hours in it too?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Light a candle and help them find their way home...
It has been an emotional day - battles were fought - some were won and others saw no winners.
Ryan Nadeau is still missing and his wife's desk sits empty. Our office is filled with hushed whispers and clucking tongues and although everyone on the floor knows, no one speaks of it. Ryan's brother in law has been at work and although his mood is fair - an inexplicable sadness still falls over him like a grey storm cloud.
What can we do?
Essentially, nothing. Posters are circulating and are being posted in our city and beyond. Articles are being written and news broadcasts carry his photo and interviews with Amanda. Keeping his face out there, his story current is all anyone can do at this point in time. They family has done and continues to do everything they can. Friends, coworkers and strangers are uniting for a common cause: bringing Ryan home.
We all ask, how does a person just disappear? How can a person cease to exist? No trace. No record. Erased.
I don't know all the details of Ryan's disappearance but I understand how people can be lost, even when they are right beside you.
Today, after a few of us returned from posting Ryan's missing person posters around the campus, I had an email from a friend of a friend. She and I had been in contact because our mutual friend, Nire, has been on a slow and steady decline into mental illness. Or perhaps it was a rapid decline and we just didn't see it. Or we saw it and pretended it wasn't there.
I've known for a while something was "off" with Nire. I've known her for 23 years. She's been my best friend and big sister, confident and support network. Three years ago, as I was embroiled in being a new mother, something went seriously wrong for her. As her story started to unfold, it sounded like she'd found love. I was unsure if it was reciprocated but as time passed, it seemed to have potential.
But things changed. Our conversations began to get muddled - she'd speak of one thing and the next time, she'd repeat the tale but with a different ending or middle... Then the object of her affection became a dark, seemingly heartless jerk who was toying with her heart and emotions. Not being clear with her, sending her mixed messages. Professing feelings but hiding from her.
Slowly things slid further. Messages, conspiracies and accusations of everyone betraying her. It was nonsense and ramblings of a crazy person. I remember telling her that it sounded crazy and couldn't be possible. She said she realized how it sounded but she was certain it was fact.
I'd speak to her again a few weeks later and she sounded like she'd come back to reality. The next conversation with her was again, nonsense.
I ask myself now why I didn't act then. I knew there was a problem - something was wrong... I knew I was only one friend of many - could I be imaging things? Why did no one else seemed concerned by her behaviour? What could I do? She was holding her job and although she'd been more-or-less demoted, she admitted an addiction to Facebook caused some issues at work. Her son didn't seem concerned. Maybe I was the crazy one?
More time passed and then odd emails started appearing from her. Accusing things - odd statements like "Corrie, quit fighting, she's my mother". When questioned, she said several coworkers were standing outside her cubicle talking about 'the game' (what she'd started to call the entire conspiracy) and she'd found out a long time ago that the only way to end these games was to email someone else involved.
I contacted her older brother. He was useless. Absolutely and utterly useless. I understand they aren't close. I understand they live two different lives. But as a family member and human being, shouldn't he have been concerned?
I contacted three of her other friends. One called me back and yelled at me. Literally reduced me to tears. One offered help, but didn't know what to do and her other "old time friend" was concerned but didn't know what to do either.
I called around to different agencies looking for help. Short of the police or an adult crisis unit, I was powerless to do anything. I had resigned myself to just sit tight, talk to her son and wait.
Her son said everything was "fine" and that his Mom had just been really lonely. At that point, I decided that perhaps I should just be her friend - listen to her, support her and try to steer her towards some professional help (which I had been doing since I first realized that something was wrong). I knew that everyone else in her life had been pushed out of it because they all told her she was crazy and needed help. I knew that I was one of the only people left and I could get her to talk and as crazy as she sounded and as draining as it was, I knew that I had to keep in contact with her in case things went south.
And as I spoke to her step mother today and to the mutual friend, I realized just how easy it is to disappear. To vanish and not even have anyone notice...
So tonight, my head is filled with thoughts. Of Ryan and his family, of Nire and her family. Of the people wandering the streets, lost - no matter what the cause.
Let's all light a candle and help at least one of them find their way home.
Ryan Nadeau is still missing and his wife's desk sits empty. Our office is filled with hushed whispers and clucking tongues and although everyone on the floor knows, no one speaks of it. Ryan's brother in law has been at work and although his mood is fair - an inexplicable sadness still falls over him like a grey storm cloud.
What can we do?
Essentially, nothing. Posters are circulating and are being posted in our city and beyond. Articles are being written and news broadcasts carry his photo and interviews with Amanda. Keeping his face out there, his story current is all anyone can do at this point in time. They family has done and continues to do everything they can. Friends, coworkers and strangers are uniting for a common cause: bringing Ryan home.
We all ask, how does a person just disappear? How can a person cease to exist? No trace. No record. Erased.
I don't know all the details of Ryan's disappearance but I understand how people can be lost, even when they are right beside you.
Today, after a few of us returned from posting Ryan's missing person posters around the campus, I had an email from a friend of a friend. She and I had been in contact because our mutual friend, Nire, has been on a slow and steady decline into mental illness. Or perhaps it was a rapid decline and we just didn't see it. Or we saw it and pretended it wasn't there.
I've known for a while something was "off" with Nire. I've known her for 23 years. She's been my best friend and big sister, confident and support network. Three years ago, as I was embroiled in being a new mother, something went seriously wrong for her. As her story started to unfold, it sounded like she'd found love. I was unsure if it was reciprocated but as time passed, it seemed to have potential.
But things changed. Our conversations began to get muddled - she'd speak of one thing and the next time, she'd repeat the tale but with a different ending or middle... Then the object of her affection became a dark, seemingly heartless jerk who was toying with her heart and emotions. Not being clear with her, sending her mixed messages. Professing feelings but hiding from her.
Slowly things slid further. Messages, conspiracies and accusations of everyone betraying her. It was nonsense and ramblings of a crazy person. I remember telling her that it sounded crazy and couldn't be possible. She said she realized how it sounded but she was certain it was fact.
I'd speak to her again a few weeks later and she sounded like she'd come back to reality. The next conversation with her was again, nonsense.
I ask myself now why I didn't act then. I knew there was a problem - something was wrong... I knew I was only one friend of many - could I be imaging things? Why did no one else seemed concerned by her behaviour? What could I do? She was holding her job and although she'd been more-or-less demoted, she admitted an addiction to Facebook caused some issues at work. Her son didn't seem concerned. Maybe I was the crazy one?
More time passed and then odd emails started appearing from her. Accusing things - odd statements like "Corrie, quit fighting, she's my mother". When questioned, she said several coworkers were standing outside her cubicle talking about 'the game' (what she'd started to call the entire conspiracy) and she'd found out a long time ago that the only way to end these games was to email someone else involved.
I contacted her older brother. He was useless. Absolutely and utterly useless. I understand they aren't close. I understand they live two different lives. But as a family member and human being, shouldn't he have been concerned?
I contacted three of her other friends. One called me back and yelled at me. Literally reduced me to tears. One offered help, but didn't know what to do and her other "old time friend" was concerned but didn't know what to do either.
I called around to different agencies looking for help. Short of the police or an adult crisis unit, I was powerless to do anything. I had resigned myself to just sit tight, talk to her son and wait.
Her son said everything was "fine" and that his Mom had just been really lonely. At that point, I decided that perhaps I should just be her friend - listen to her, support her and try to steer her towards some professional help (which I had been doing since I first realized that something was wrong). I knew that everyone else in her life had been pushed out of it because they all told her she was crazy and needed help. I knew that I was one of the only people left and I could get her to talk and as crazy as she sounded and as draining as it was, I knew that I had to keep in contact with her in case things went south.
And as I spoke to her step mother today and to the mutual friend, I realized just how easy it is to disappear. To vanish and not even have anyone notice...
So tonight, my head is filled with thoughts. Of Ryan and his family, of Nire and her family. Of the people wandering the streets, lost - no matter what the cause.
Let's all light a candle and help at least one of them find their way home.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Forty in Three!
Tomorrow, I turn 37. I’m not sure where the years have gone or how I ended up with so much grey hair (which, I admit, I have recently coloured – but it had more to do with eradicating the Fruitopia orange colour it had turned) but there is no denying, that this chicky was hatched all those years ago.
I share my birthday with a few famous people… Harrison Ford, Julius Caesar, Patrick Stewart, Cheech Marin, and Canadian R&B Singer, Deborah Cox (same year even). Lots of famous people died this day too – including an inspirational and legendary photographer, Yousuf Karsh. In 1985, the world witnessed “Live Aid” – a globally broadcast concert/festival to aid starving nations in Africa and in 1942, three German U-boats shot and sunk merchant ships in (Gulf of) the St. Lawrence and in 1974, John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” was number one on the music charts.
Now, I’m not one of those people who subscribe to a life’s purpose or think that my life has a deep meaning. Ideally, of course, I’d like to be deep and important and change something on this Earth, but the reality of the situation is 99 percent of us just exist. We are no more destined to change anything other than our socks… But I thought it would be fun to make a list (even though I said I wouldn’t) of things to do before 40… Now I’ve Googled a few lists and they have things like:
Travel alone
Balance a check book
Ride a horse
Get married
Get divorced
Have a baby
Start a blog
Buy a car
Get your heart broken
Be scared witless and do it anyway
I also found another list that you added one point for each thing you’ve done – I got 27 (it was a list of 50). I’ve found that I’ve done a lot of the things people list (I had a misspent youth) and some of them don’t hold much interest for me (travelling to places like France or Italy or getting a tattoo).
So what should be on my list? What should be on anyone’s “List”?
The only things I believe should be on these lists are things that have meaning for you. We could all take a cookie cutter approach and check off the things that meant something to someone else, but I prefer the personalized approach. A list (like this) shouldn’t be a competition or entrance fee to an elusive club. We all have birthdays, we all get older. That is a given. The things we do with our life, well, that’s individual. What holds meaning for me may be meaningless to someone else. I think a list like this is meant more to be like a record keeper. A place to layout and establish goals.
What are my goals? I’m not entirely clear but I do know that my life’s endeavors are more important that what can be rattled off in an hour’s lunch break! I’m going to work on my list over the coming months and see what it is I hope to accomplish before I turn 40!
Happy birthday to me!
I share my birthday with a few famous people… Harrison Ford, Julius Caesar, Patrick Stewart, Cheech Marin, and Canadian R&B Singer, Deborah Cox (same year even). Lots of famous people died this day too – including an inspirational and legendary photographer, Yousuf Karsh. In 1985, the world witnessed “Live Aid” – a globally broadcast concert/festival to aid starving nations in Africa and in 1942, three German U-boats shot and sunk merchant ships in (Gulf of) the St. Lawrence and in 1974, John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” was number one on the music charts.
Now, I’m not one of those people who subscribe to a life’s purpose or think that my life has a deep meaning. Ideally, of course, I’d like to be deep and important and change something on this Earth, but the reality of the situation is 99 percent of us just exist. We are no more destined to change anything other than our socks… But I thought it would be fun to make a list (even though I said I wouldn’t) of things to do before 40… Now I’ve Googled a few lists and they have things like:
Travel alone
Balance a check book
Ride a horse
Get married
Get divorced
Have a baby
Start a blog
Buy a car
Get your heart broken
Be scared witless and do it anyway
I also found another list that you added one point for each thing you’ve done – I got 27 (it was a list of 50). I’ve found that I’ve done a lot of the things people list (I had a misspent youth) and some of them don’t hold much interest for me (travelling to places like France or Italy or getting a tattoo).
So what should be on my list? What should be on anyone’s “List”?
The only things I believe should be on these lists are things that have meaning for you. We could all take a cookie cutter approach and check off the things that meant something to someone else, but I prefer the personalized approach. A list (like this) shouldn’t be a competition or entrance fee to an elusive club. We all have birthdays, we all get older. That is a given. The things we do with our life, well, that’s individual. What holds meaning for me may be meaningless to someone else. I think a list like this is meant more to be like a record keeper. A place to layout and establish goals.
What are my goals? I’m not entirely clear but I do know that my life’s endeavors are more important that what can be rattled off in an hour’s lunch break! I’m going to work on my list over the coming months and see what it is I hope to accomplish before I turn 40!
Happy birthday to me!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
She Ain't Heavy, she's my sister (and she's yours for $5.00)
For those of you with siblings, you will probably understand the innate ability of one sibling to get the other into trouble. In my family, it was always the "baby" of the family who caused the trouble for my parents and my brother and I. She was always sweet and dainty and tiny with finger nails like an eagle's talons. My parents only ever saw the adorable sweet little girl with the long, fluttery eyelashes.
As my sister and I became teenagers, I think our parents began to see with Devil that slept within my sister... But even her coming home tipsy and running smack dab into my Dad's chest well after curfew didn't get her in trouble. She ran amok and followed me like a puppy (because as she'll tell you, my friends would give me grief if she didn't tag along - that isn't actually true but I won't burst her bubble... ;)
Anyhow, we are well into adulthood now with children of our own and our relationship hasn't grown much. Each trip to my mother's brings the typical sister squabbles and her continual insistence of turning the photos of my brother and I around so only her picture is showing. She tattles to our mother for every little thing ("Mom, Corrie is hitting me!" - when I'm not) and bats her eyelashes and tries to look innocent (my Mom now knows better).
Trips to the local stores always illicit childlike behaviour (especially the dollar store) and has my sister setting off everything with batteries, trying on wigs, hats and giant sunglasses. Trips also involve buying things and doing things I wouldn't normally do.
The last trip had me colouring my hair an odd shade of coppery red and this trip involved me buying "bling" for my laptop. Now I will admit that hanging out with my sister is fun and I do these things because in the moment, it generally seems like a good idea. Reflecting on it, it seems like a waste of money and so out of character for me (I've always been the responsible, mature one).
I like the bling - in theory. But I know my husband will tease me - just like he does when I spend any time with Lizz... She tends to bring me back to a time in my past when I was very "rural"...
None the less, sisters are fun and annoying - but I wouldn't part with mine (even if I did try to sell her to the bag boy at the Sobey's yesterday). She's been my best friend, my worst enemy - likely all in the same day! I love her and she keeps connected.
So here's to you Lizz!
As my sister and I became teenagers, I think our parents began to see with Devil that slept within my sister... But even her coming home tipsy and running smack dab into my Dad's chest well after curfew didn't get her in trouble. She ran amok and followed me like a puppy (because as she'll tell you, my friends would give me grief if she didn't tag along - that isn't actually true but I won't burst her bubble... ;)
Anyhow, we are well into adulthood now with children of our own and our relationship hasn't grown much. Each trip to my mother's brings the typical sister squabbles and her continual insistence of turning the photos of my brother and I around so only her picture is showing. She tattles to our mother for every little thing ("Mom, Corrie is hitting me!" - when I'm not) and bats her eyelashes and tries to look innocent (my Mom now knows better).
Trips to the local stores always illicit childlike behaviour (especially the dollar store) and has my sister setting off everything with batteries, trying on wigs, hats and giant sunglasses. Trips also involve buying things and doing things I wouldn't normally do.
The last trip had me colouring my hair an odd shade of coppery red and this trip involved me buying "bling" for my laptop. Now I will admit that hanging out with my sister is fun and I do these things because in the moment, it generally seems like a good idea. Reflecting on it, it seems like a waste of money and so out of character for me (I've always been the responsible, mature one).
I like the bling - in theory. But I know my husband will tease me - just like he does when I spend any time with Lizz... She tends to bring me back to a time in my past when I was very "rural"...
None the less, sisters are fun and annoying - but I wouldn't part with mine (even if I did try to sell her to the bag boy at the Sobey's yesterday). She's been my best friend, my worst enemy - likely all in the same day! I love her and she keeps connected.
So here's to you Lizz!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
You know you're in the country when...
It's late - around 12:30am (MST) and the house is quiet. I'm at my Mom's for the official start to Summer (in my province anyway) and the whole house is still and silent.
And as I sat here catching up on some blog reading, I heard a gun blast. Now I am not a gun expert but I would suppose it was a shotgun - probably fired off at some random animal a mile or three away from my parent's farm. It left me with a weird feeling - not frightened or anything but just curious to know what on earth got shot as the night is dead silent (no pun intended). Often we hear the coyotes crying and dogs barking and I know they had a bear in the area a couple years back but there was barely even the constant din of the highway traffic.
You know you're in the country when you hear a gun being fired and it isn't followed by the scream of police sirens!
And as I sat here catching up on some blog reading, I heard a gun blast. Now I am not a gun expert but I would suppose it was a shotgun - probably fired off at some random animal a mile or three away from my parent's farm. It left me with a weird feeling - not frightened or anything but just curious to know what on earth got shot as the night is dead silent (no pun intended). Often we hear the coyotes crying and dogs barking and I know they had a bear in the area a couple years back but there was barely even the constant din of the highway traffic.
You know you're in the country when you hear a gun being fired and it isn't followed by the scream of police sirens!
Friday, January 14, 2011
52 Weeks of Organizing... Challenge Accepted!
Ok. I like to tell people I'm organized. Very organized, actually. It's on my resume. My organizational brags have likely gotten me a job or two. Thankfully, I'm very talented in other ways because, well... Although it's not a lie, I am a bit delusional in my organizing ability. Well, no, that's not quite right... I'm delusional in my ability to keep my life organized.
The one notable exception is in my project management ability - although I may have to shuffle through an enormous file folder that contains all the documents, I know to the penny what my project is costing, how much is left in the budget and exactly where we are in regards to the schedule. I remember conversations and details and actually had a file drawer full of every single incoming and outgoing phone call I made over the six years at my last position.
Personally, well, I need serious help. So during my recent lunch time reading session, I came across a great motivator... The Org Junkie's 52 Weeks of Organizing. I had a "plan" for the year - one of which was to be a little more organized. I've got room after room of 'stuff' that I need to go through. But I think I had that list at the start of last year too... I tried and I wrote about it here and here and it was part the reason I started my blog. I thought if I was 'accountable' publicly, I'd get the job done.
It didn't work.
I realized when reading the challenge on the Org Junkie's site that I have many talents and knowledge but organizing is not one of them... But I can learn and why reinvent the wheel? I have knowledge and skills, which I'm sharing with We-Design-Day but I must realize my specialty is interior design - organizing is not one. So now I'm sifting through articles and hints and I've committed to the 52 Weeks project.
One of the tasks was to make a list. The other night, I made mine. Now, I only have 30 items on my list but I know there are a couple of the tasks are going to be multiple week projects. And I know as I get started, the list will grow.
Here is my dirty little list... It isn't in order either, I just wrote as things came to me and I'll pick/choose the task based on the time I have that week to commit to it.
52 Weeks of Organizing
1.
2.
3.
4. Ensuite medicine cabinet
5.
6. My dresser
7. Front hall closet
8. Main bath vanity
9. Linen cupboard
10.
11. Guest room closet
12.
13. Spice cupboard
14.
15.
16. Laundry room
17. Cold room
18. Christmas decorations
19. Painting supplies
20. Non fiction library
21. Sewing studio
22. Design books/library
23. Computer files!
24.
25. Gardening supplies (shed)
26. Night stand
27. Fabric stash
28. Photos (print)
29. Recipes
30. Back hall closet
31. Broom/pet closet
32.
33.
Wish me luck... I'm going to need it!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Catching up - an apology!
This was one of those weeks - I was struck by my first and hopefully only migraine Monday afternoon... It rendered me powerless and paralyzed. I couldn't think, couldn't see and it hurt to even move a finger. The recipes for the week's menu sit unposted (I'm so sorry about that) and my design post slated for publishing Wednesday didn't get completed. Which also means my Thursday "Green" post isn't done either.
And then I went to log in to my Blog this morning only to find out my password has been changed - thankfully I set up alternative access and was able to recover my account.
So I will delay my design post and my green post and in light of it being Remembrance Day, thanks to our soldiers and our veterans - young, old and no longer with us - for their contribution.
Happy writing,
Brennan's Mom
And then I went to log in to my Blog this morning only to find out my password has been changed - thankfully I set up alternative access and was able to recover my account.
So I will delay my design post and my green post and in light of it being Remembrance Day, thanks to our soldiers and our veterans - young, old and no longer with us - for their contribution.
Happy writing,
Brennan's Mom
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
What's your life path (number)?
I admit fairly readily that I’m a little lost in this life sometimes. I have all the things I thought I wanted - a nice home, a loving and devoted husband, an amazing, beautiful, healthy, perfect son, a good job with decent hours good pay and excellent benefits. We get a good vacation each summer in our great little motor home and we have lots of cars. We live in a good neighbourhood with great neighbours and all the check boxes for summing up a successful and full life are checked. I’m (mostly) healthy and we do OK with the things we want.
But I very often feel like something is missing… Naturally, like every mother, I want more time with my son and more time at home. I have a creative streak that is left untapped recently but I know that it is deeper than that.
During a recent lunch break, I randomly typed into the Google something like “the meaning of life” or “how to find your life path” and it came up with a bunch of different sites – the one that caught my eye was "your life path number"... Now, years ago, I was “into” astrology and palmistry and all the things that go with the occult. I don’t really know what I thought of all of it, but I suppose I must have decided there was a fair amount of truth behind it all as I kept reading and “believing”. But with time and most fads, my interest waned and I moved on to different things.
But I decided today to calculate my life path number and read what it had to say about me. As it turns out, I’m a “5” and honestly, it is me to a “T”… Or at least it is in my own eyes! I don’t think I’m quite as adventurous as it describes but I don’t like to be bored and I like to live life well. It says I’m always questioning life and the answers so I thought “Holy cow – the accuracy is frightening, let’s see what the rest of family is like…”
My husband is an “8” and couldn’t be farther from the truth… Save for his being a fun sucker (OK- that’s not fair – he’s not and it’s not really what it said). What it did say was that the negative “8”’s were often suppressive of the enthusiasm and effort of other members of the environment. This sentence does aptly, again in my mind, describe how I sometimes see my husband. He is a practical person who doesn’t dwell in the make believe. I am very much a dweller and a make-believer and I do know that this does tend to drive my husband a little crazy.
TroubleMaker is a “4” and although he is two and one half, there are parts that I do see developing that accurately match the description of his ‘life path number’. It said he is “strong willed” (often mistaken for being stubborn) and he is very set in his ways and he is determined to handle things his own way. These describe him perfectly – however, he is two and one half and I believe that description likely describes just about any toddler!
So I suppose, like horoscopes, you can bend anything to fit, if you try! What is your life path number – does it describe you?
But I very often feel like something is missing… Naturally, like every mother, I want more time with my son and more time at home. I have a creative streak that is left untapped recently but I know that it is deeper than that.
During a recent lunch break, I randomly typed into the Google something like “the meaning of life” or “how to find your life path” and it came up with a bunch of different sites – the one that caught my eye was "your life path number"... Now, years ago, I was “into” astrology and palmistry and all the things that go with the occult. I don’t really know what I thought of all of it, but I suppose I must have decided there was a fair amount of truth behind it all as I kept reading and “believing”. But with time and most fads, my interest waned and I moved on to different things.
But I decided today to calculate my life path number and read what it had to say about me. As it turns out, I’m a “5” and honestly, it is me to a “T”… Or at least it is in my own eyes! I don’t think I’m quite as adventurous as it describes but I don’t like to be bored and I like to live life well. It says I’m always questioning life and the answers so I thought “Holy cow – the accuracy is frightening, let’s see what the rest of family is like…”
My husband is an “8” and couldn’t be farther from the truth… Save for his being a fun sucker (OK- that’s not fair – he’s not and it’s not really what it said). What it did say was that the negative “8”’s were often suppressive of the enthusiasm and effort of other members of the environment. This sentence does aptly, again in my mind, describe how I sometimes see my husband. He is a practical person who doesn’t dwell in the make believe. I am very much a dweller and a make-believer and I do know that this does tend to drive my husband a little crazy.
TroubleMaker is a “4” and although he is two and one half, there are parts that I do see developing that accurately match the description of his ‘life path number’. It said he is “strong willed” (often mistaken for being stubborn) and he is very set in his ways and he is determined to handle things his own way. These describe him perfectly – however, he is two and one half and I believe that description likely describes just about any toddler!
So I suppose, like horoscopes, you can bend anything to fit, if you try! What is your life path number – does it describe you?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
How being creative led me here...
I love to create. I have since I was a little girl. Whether it was fashioning new furniture for my dolls from scrap pieces of wood in my Dad’s garage or sewing clothes (without patterns) from my Mom’s fabric stash, I was always putting things together to make new things or cooking up ideas for different things.
Sweater Set handmade by Brennan's Mom
I remember re-purposing the foot rest from my kid sister’s high chair to make a table I could use while sitting in bed and turning a first crochet project into a wall hanging (as I’d dropped enough stitches it could no longer be used as the intended pot holder it was supposed to be). I taught myself guitar when I was 13 and even began writing and playing my own songs a year or so later.
Baby blanket & card handmade by Brennan's Mom
I learned to sew, crochet, create with clay, make cards, scrapbook, arrange flowers and a whole host of other ‘crafty’ things because it’s just who I am. And today, when I started questioning my entire career choice, I began to remember all these things about me and perhaps why I chose to go into interior design ten years ago. Because honestly, three hours ago, I had no idea why I’d chosen this field.
Brennan's Nursery designed & all items in room handmade by Brennan's Mom
But what I did realize over these few hours was that I have not created a thing lately. And my job is of minimal creative value and other than my writing; I haven’t made time to do anything. I have a mother/son apron project half cut out on the sewing table and I owe my friend at See Spot Run a final crate cover! I was supposed to sew my niece pajama pants two years ago and then decided to make her gym bag from the fabric because she’d outgrown the pattern I’d purchased. I have somewhere in the neighbourhood of 100 metres of fabric waiting to be sewn into something… Anything… But it sits and collects dust instead. And the yarn – I tease my Mom about the thousands of balls of yarn but I’m just as bad – I’m just better at hiding it!
Wedding decorations handmade by Brennan's Mom before she was Brennan's Mom
So although I don’t know how to fix my current dilemma, I know that reading this on The Organic Sister's blog made me think perhaps I should try to apply myself more and find some time soon to get back to the things I know bring me joy.
Sweater Set handmade by Brennan's Mom
I remember re-purposing the foot rest from my kid sister’s high chair to make a table I could use while sitting in bed and turning a first crochet project into a wall hanging (as I’d dropped enough stitches it could no longer be used as the intended pot holder it was supposed to be). I taught myself guitar when I was 13 and even began writing and playing my own songs a year or so later.
Baby blanket & card handmade by Brennan's Mom
I learned to sew, crochet, create with clay, make cards, scrapbook, arrange flowers and a whole host of other ‘crafty’ things because it’s just who I am. And today, when I started questioning my entire career choice, I began to remember all these things about me and perhaps why I chose to go into interior design ten years ago. Because honestly, three hours ago, I had no idea why I’d chosen this field.
Brennan's Nursery designed & all items in room handmade by Brennan's MomBut what I did realize over these few hours was that I have not created a thing lately. And my job is of minimal creative value and other than my writing; I haven’t made time to do anything. I have a mother/son apron project half cut out on the sewing table and I owe my friend at See Spot Run a final crate cover! I was supposed to sew my niece pajama pants two years ago and then decided to make her gym bag from the fabric because she’d outgrown the pattern I’d purchased. I have somewhere in the neighbourhood of 100 metres of fabric waiting to be sewn into something… Anything… But it sits and collects dust instead. And the yarn – I tease my Mom about the thousands of balls of yarn but I’m just as bad – I’m just better at hiding it!
Wedding decorations handmade by Brennan's Mom before she was Brennan's MomSo although I don’t know how to fix my current dilemma, I know that reading this on The Organic Sister's blog made me think perhaps I should try to apply myself more and find some time soon to get back to the things I know bring me joy.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Today's Top Stories (enter any online "news" network here)
Common cancer believe shattered in study
Style Winners and Losers
Province might lower auto insurance rates
Charlie Sheen heading back to jail
‘Survivor’ producer wanted for murder
The ultimate fat-burning outdoor workout
Seriously? Those are the top headlines in a world fraught with war, poverty and destruction. We are a sick, sick people who lead ourselves into our own extinction.
Or at least I hope we will.
I’m horrified at those headlines and I have to admit that for the most part, I gloss over the page the opens when my internet browser does. I don’t find it ‘local’ or ‘interesting’ so I just gloss over. But the first headline caught my attention this morning – breast cancer always is a headline grabber so I thought I should read the report. It wasn’t until I had that screen open that the other ‘headlines’ flashed up.
I’m ok with ‘entertainment’ news but of the six headlines, only one is a ‘serious’ news report. Are we that ignorant to the world around us that we can no longer digest the real world news? We’ve become enamored with Hollywood and Hollywood culture. Who doesn’t want to be a star these days?
I admit the fame and the fortune are incredibly appealing to me as well – I don’t want to trudge on the train and bus to work anymore than the other 50 people packed into the subway car headed to meager paying jobs that consume more of our life than any other activity but I’m enough of a realist to know that I will never be famous, I will never be a fashionista, I will never be anyone but the rapidly approaching middle age, married mother of one who has a nice house in an older part of town.
And that is why I don’t care what Angelina is wearing or what scandal some reality show contestant got themselves involved in. Whether this diet or that one will ‘melt fat from my middle’ and I really don’t care how to “copy” Lara’s style (who is this Lara and why should I care?).
What I do care about is the little kid who got run over yesterday and the new mom sitting alone at her tiny apartment trying to cope with a screaming newborn with no support. I care about the guy who picks bottles in my back alley early on Sunday morning and the people I see living on the concrete sidewalk as my train whizzes through the poorest part of my city. And perhaps – just maybe – if more of us actually took the time to care about what was happening in our own backyards instead of what is happening thousands of kilometers away in TomKat’s backyard, we could make a difference.
Or perhaps we’ll be extinct first.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Diversification is the key?
My blog is new – only a couple of months old and lately, I’ve been having difficulty writing regularly. When I started it, I was MOTIVATED to clean and organize my life and I felt truly inspired – why not share my bumbling tale with others and I shot out of the gate like a winning Thoroughbred!
Except I’m far more diverse. Sure... I’m trying to organize and clean but I also like to postulate about politics, life, children. I like to think of funky design ideas, dream about paint colours and complain about annoying people. I have learned many things from TroubleMaker (my 2 year old) and the Wonder Pup (my 10 year old Standard Schnauzer) that I’d like to share with the world...
I feel that I’ve pigeon holed myself thus far by trying to focus my blog on one idea. I really thought my blog had to have a ‘theme’ – a guiding light that would make it interesting and helpful but I’ve come to see that I have far more to offer everyone by just sharing me and the various parts of my life I write about.
Or maybe you have a design question you’d like answered. Or perhaps want to know about cloth diapers and extended breastfeeding or c/sections and breastfeeding or babies (who turn into toddlers) who do not sleep. Or life as a step child or having your son be the first, fourth and fifteenth grandchild or what family gatherings are like when you have a HUGE (immediate) blended family. I'm open to suggestions too!
Yes, I think it’s time to diversify the Barefoot Deliberations portfolio. I’m not a static, flat person so why should my blog be any different than Brennan’s Mom is in real life? I hope you’ll enjoy the changes I’ll be making in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Temporary Leave of Absence
There are some things going on in my life that I need to sort out right now... I will still post my MPM but will likely not be further updating my blog until July.
Check back - please - sometimes life gets in the way of the creative spirit.
Corrie
AKA Brennan's Mom
Check back - please - sometimes life gets in the way of the creative spirit.
Corrie
AKA Brennan's Mom
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