Mark it on your calendars! June 9th, or 6/9 will be Yellowknife’s Salute to Heterosexuality. Did anyone in proclaiming this actually look at the date?

The Crown has laid 12 more murder charges against former pig farmer Robert William Pickton, bringing the total to 27.

27 women confirmed murdered. 27 mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. 27 people who no longer walk the earth because of a sadistic waste of skin.

And this is only what they can confirm, after countless hours of meticulous DNA testing. The real total could be in the 60s!

The man has been in jail since February 2002. 3 1/2 years and still no trial. How long do we have to wait?

And why again, do we not have the death penalty?

Baghdaddy shares some fantastic pictures from Iraq. His blog is always a good read.

And if there was any doubt that the good news is plentiful, OpinionJournal has a long, but worthy read on the goings-on of the past two weeks alone.

You may remember Dhia Muhsin, a carpenter from the working-class Baghdad
neighborhood of al-Dora, who became a celebrity of sorts back in March, when he stood up to insurgents who terrorized his area. In a firefight lasting half an
hour Mushin and his nephews killed three of them and forced the rest to retreat.

Considering it looks like Zarqawi’s days are numbered after being shot in the lung, could things really be turning around?

Well, it was a busy one, and I think I needed to get back to work to get away from things a bit.

On Saturday, a friend and I went to see Revenge of the Sith. I'm not a die-hard fan but a fan, nonetheless and was looking forward to having this movie sum up the other 5. I was not disappointed. Although as far as dialogue and romance, Lucas' talents definitely fall elsewhere. And what's with the fact that they can cure just about any entirely maiming injury, yet can't tell when someone's carrying twins? Let alone she can look so tiny and petite, and still pop out a couple of 10-pounders?

Saturday night was the Rodeo. Once a year, we have the Cloverdale Rodeo to thank for letting us closet-cowboy-junkies out in public. This time, we were lucky enough to get front row tickets and sit with a bunch of real country folk, who were kind enough to explain a little more of the intracacies of the sport.

Sadly, it was marred by some misguided protesters who felt holding up signs stating 'Buck the Rodeo' (ooh, think of that yourself?) and 'Real Men Don't Abuse Animals'. Let me just say the rest of the crowd was none too polite about them and let their displeasure be known. We laughed at the thought that they wasted $100 ($20 a seat, and there were at least 5 of them) to get chucked out amid boo's and jeers. I wonder if they thought of where their Nikes were assembled, or where their makeup was tested before they considered this particular venue for their protest. It lasted all of about 5 minutes, but did make the headline news that evening. Oddly, (or maybe not so) the news chose to mention that one calf had to be physically removed after suffering an injury. The calf in question did momentarily become stunned, and vets were called into the ring but by the time they got there, the little guy was up and running all on his own.

I sat beside a group of Americans and was pleased to see they sung not only their own anthem, but ours as well.

Unfortunately though, the Rodeo ended on a bad note last night when a long-term volunteer was seriously injured by a loose bull. I wonder if those protesters will now hold up signs saying 'Real bulls don't abuse men'.

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to go see the play, Miss Saigon. I took my parents and my Aunt. Although the play was well done and the costumes and sets were incredible, I have to say this was not one of my more favourite live performances. I tend to prefer less musical and more theatrical. This, with no lines spoken and only sung, was a bit hard to decipher at times.

Todd's called every day this weekend. He said yesterday he's going to have to stop doing that so he doesn't spoil me. Yeah, silly, job's already done. The temperature in his little corner of the Sandbox is extreme. While it has been at a 'reasonable' 120F over the weekend, there was one day last week when it got to 138F. I did a little google search and that seems like one of the highest recorded temperatures in the world. He said someone there had told him it got to 162F one day last summer, but I can't imagine that it could possibly be correct. Skin would be melting!!

A friend of mine had an unfortunate thing happen to her on the way home from work the other day.

Her son-in-law and she were driving home, and about half a block from their house, there was a balloon lying in the middle of the street. So, Julio ran over it, not thinking anything of it.

But, it wasn't just any balloon. It had been filled with what they figure was a gallon of oil-based paint! The subsequent splash was like 'the worst mud puddle you've ever gone through' and the insurance figures there is at least $1500 damage. The whole truck will need repainting!

Obviously a kid's prank, which they were no doubt watching from somewhere but I'd never heard of it happening. Now they're out of pocket their deductible and the inconvenience of not having their vehicle for a week.

So next time you see an innocent looking balloon, don't run over it!

Given the turbulent climes in our fair country, The Monarchist has a thought provoking piece on reaching the tipping point. It is felt Canada is experiencing a cross-roads of sorts. It is an emotion filled time, and we all join in hoping that good may eventually come from it. Although sadly, that good seems a little past the horizon at the moment.

His other piece, centered around Victoria Day, is also well worth the read.

Your Dominant Thinking Style:

Exploring You thrive on the unknown and unpredictable. Novelty is your middle name. You are a challenger. You tend to challenge common assumptions and beliefs. An expert inventor and problem solver, you approach everything from new angles. You show people how to question their models of the world.

Your Secondary Thinking Style:

Experimenting You're all about looking at the facts, and you could always use more of them. You see life as your lab - and you're always trying out new things, people, and ideas. The master of mix and match, you're always coming up with unique combinations. You are good at getting a group to reach consensus.

I once heard that the word Canada comes from an aboriginal word meaning 'The Good Place'. I wonder lately if those long forgotten first Canadians ever foresaw the quagmire we are now finding ourselves in.

Many excellently worded posts and comments on our fallen government have been made, and if you are at all interested, I invite you to read the words of the Red Ensign bloggers on my left. Very eloquent folks, these lot. Sometimes they get a bit riled up, but I envy that. Rather than being apathetic and disgruntled, they speak up while others furl up their newspapers and hide until things calm down a bit.

In the past two weeks, our leader lost the confidence of the government. At that time, he should have recognized that his time on the Hill was done, and dissolved the government to allow a new election. The allegations about his party are so severe and so corrupt, that even Michael Jackson's trial lawyers likely couldn't put a positive spin on it. But he chose to ignore that vote, and made May 19 the day for the vote he would count. During the 7-10 days between the votes, his party wooed the others. Backroom deals, shady offers, taped conversations all over the place. It worked for Belinda Stronach...not only did she cross the floor to the other side but dropped her boyfriend too. Power is a dangerous drug, indeed.

She was called a whore for what she did. It got a lot of people riled up at the word, but you know what? A rose is a rose is a rose. She made a choice for much personal gain, and not much for the people that elected her. If I was in her riding, I would be white hot with rage. She turned her back on everything she apparently stood for, because she felt she wasn't getting the respect she deserved in the Conservative Party. Guess what, sweetheart? Politics is nasty business. Get used to it. When the shine is off her crown at the Liberal Party bench, you can be sure she'll be soon forgotten.

In the end, it was Chuck Cadman who held the most power. An independant MP from Surrey who listened to what his riding wanted and voted that way. The Liberals staved off an early election and will remain in power for the time being. But Mr. Cadman, the father of Jesse Cadman who was murdered a decade ago, stood his ground against what was likely a very heated scene behind the curtain. I didn't like his choice, but I'm also not in his riding. Those that were, spoke up and he listened. I have to wonder though if he didn't take into consideration the Liberal Party's choice to dump him in favour of a different candidate in the last election. He chose to run as an independant and won hands down. I'll bet there were more than a few people that had some explaining to do over that choice.

I've always admired Chuck Cadman from the time he ended up in the public's eye. When Jesse was murdered, even in his grief he was well-spoken and gave off the feel that he was going to make something good come of an evil act. Jesse was a friend of my nephew's, and I remember when he was murdered, it felt far too close to home. It's got to be a surreal experience to think that when Mr. Cadman lost his son that the road he chose to take would end up being one of the most powerful people in Canada. He's independant, he's strong and well, I'd vote for the man every time. This is the type of person we need more of in politics. One who believes in what he's doing and does it for his community, rather than his party.

We now sit with close to a hung government. 152 seats are on one side, 153 on the other. Effectively, it's unworkable and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. All the while, spending will remain over the top and we continue to watch like some slow moving trainwreck that we're powerless to stop.

Makes you wonder what is the good of the political parties in general if this is the outcome, and that an independant can have so much sway in the result. Take our newest province of Nunavut, for example. They made their government without the political party structure when it was set up in 1999. Nineteen independant officials were elected from that region. Through secret ballot, those 19 elected a speaker, a premier and cabinet ministers. From that, they work through governmental issues and it seems to work. I'm sure I'm probably being glib here but in light of our current chaos, it certainly does add a perspective to what is quickly becoming a disastrous and expensive mess.

In any case, I am becoming more and more disillusioned of the direction my country is taking. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there will be chance for change anytime soon. Maybe it's finally time to make a case for the new country of British Colberta.

My aunt turned 75 yesterday. I still can't quite get my head around it...she is strong, and full of life. Only when she broke her arm two years ago did she ever seem even slightly slowed down and somewhat mortal.

We're from fishing stock. My grandad was born on the Irish Sea (as the legend goes) and was fishing from before he was born. When he came here, he had a boat and his daughters often helped on the seas. His son, of course, was overseas in WWII. The above picture was taken around 1938. My Aunt, who turned 75, is the one on the far left. My Mom is the toddler sitting on her eldest sister's lap.

She's always been a bit rough around the edges. Tough exterior, but would give you the last penny she had if she thought it would help. She married at 17 to a wild, partying man who's mother had been shot and wounded in a saloon fight a few years before. She and my Uncle had 6 kids, and lost one to SIDS at 3 months old. My Uncle did become an alcoholic, but she loved him dearly. Never complained and taught us young how to make drinks watered down so he wouldn't know it. Like dipping your finger in the gin bottle and then lacing around the top of the glass so his taste would be of pure booze. When he was dying of cancer in 1995, she tended to him so he could go at home and ministered his medicines with the care of the greatest nurse. The wake was one of the best parties I think I'd ever been to and I think my Uncle would have been very proud.

When she fell down the stairs while carrying the laundry a couple years ago, she phoned my mom and said 'I broke my f*ckin' arm'. I don't think she would even know how to speak, if it wasn't her rather colourful vernacular. Turns out she had not only fallen down 12 concrete stairs, but had broken the upper part of her arm and had to shimmy to the phone which took her a good 45 minutes as she kept passing out. But she wasn't one to complain, and wouldn't mention that part, only that she was more worried that dinner was on the stove and she wouldn't be back from the hospital in time to fix it.

When we arrived at the hospital, we found her looking feisty and argumentative with a hospital gown draped over her splinted upper arm. As they couldn't put it on her properly, she was lying there fairly exposed, her clothes in tatters at her side. 'F*ckin' doctors. They're lettin' me sit here with my dairy's out'. That always makes me laugh. But she took her injury with surprising ease, learning to readapt to everything she did, and sewing new clothes for herself that would fit over the cast. She once casually mentioned that she had to sleep in the recliner as she couldn't lay down and that had been after 4 months. Never once did she ever complain or whine.

We had cake for her last night, and next weekend is a surprise party. We're working on getting a bunch of old pictures of her to put in a slideshow.

So I've now been at my new job for about 6 weeks. Hence, the much lessened blogging, which I am feeling rather guilty about. I need to get over this and get back into things soon! So I do want to thank my blogging friends who have stuck with me through a lot of the drivel of the last while. It'll come back soon, I am sure...

The new job is great. More than great. I've got a new lease on life. I start a lot earlier than I was used to (7:30am instead of 9) but the commute is only a 1/4 of my old one. The people are amazingly friendly and I've met quite a few that make me feel as if I've already got lifelong friends. Working closer to home, and being home earlier has given me a little bonus I had long let alone. As those that read here know, I have chronic pain. Mostly from persistent migraines, but also from the Crohn's. I take, or should I say, was taking up to 6 narcotic-level pain pills a day. Since I've been working there, I've been able to wean myself off. It's slow. Withdrawl's a bitch, but I am now strong enough to handle it and that's something I haven't been able to say in years.

There's a lot to learn, though, and I'm often overwhelmed with the technical terms. Frogs, castings, maganese, shotblasting. It's a far cry from the pharmaceutical job I used to do. But somehow, I am just eating all this education up. I've got a big dry-erase board in my office and a few of the guys have been playing 'pictionary' with me to help me understand.

A couple times a week, we need to go back into the 'yard'. This entails putting on a hard hard, safety goggles, steel toed boots and a safety jacket. Let me just say some people can really pull that look off and get my heart racing just a bit, but others, well...let's just say they look better behind a desk. Yeah, superficial I know.

Yesterday, I had the chance to go for drinks with an ex coworker of mine from the Old Den of Hell. It sounds just insane back there and it would seem that I truly did get a gift when I was laid off. Although I knew that already...I had worked for far too long in a pressure cooker environment, not getting home until too late to properly decompress and eat. The people in my old office were jaded, frustrated and it had become highly political. You just never knew who you could trust, and I especially found that out last year when people I'd held close had turned on me. So for the last year, it had been incredibly debilitating. But I wouldn't quit. Couldn't. Even when my health got so severe and I began having the kidney issues, I wouldn't. So when I got the news that it was me, I was elated. It was like they paid me to quit. And not even once, have I ever been sad. Missing my true friends, most definitely, but now 4 months later, I'm in contact still with those that wish to and I know that it will stay that way. Seeing my old coworker confirmed that yesterday. Bonds don't have to end. They just take on a new form.

I can now honestly say that the old job was slowly killing me. It was subtle and over time, but nonetheless, was having a substantial effect on my heath and psyche. While this new job, at this point, is only a short contract, I have been hearing good things about them trying to find me a place in the organization. That would be perfect.

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

Ok, it's a bit of a cheezy quiz and has some bizarre questions, but interesting all the same.

Since I've been gushing all day, I just have to say I'm having some pretty strong and deep feelings for NavyBoy these days. When I first met him, I had so many reasons why this would not and should not work. I told myself this was just a strong friendship. A friendship with benefits. Yeah, nice try. It has now been 10 months, and I'm now so deeply into this, I am now fully out of control. Scares the freakin' hell out of me. For the longest time, I promised never to trust again, nor to fall in love. But I'm there. So is he. If I could just get the little devil in my head to stop screaming warnings, I would be fine.

I get so nervous about saying the L-word. He's said it, but I somehow can't find myself able to voice the words. Feel them? 110%! Type them. Sure. Easily. But it's like I have this block from painful experiences that says if I say it, then the whole thing will go downhill. Luckily, he knows I'm struggling and understands my difficulty and has said he knows when the time is right, I will be able to. It's getting closer every day though. He told me to check the lyrics out for 'Goodbye Girl' by Bread. (They're below...makes me very emotional reading them...)

While I can't say a lot about what he's doing, Todd has now been transferred to a new group. This place is much smaller than before, but will allow him to eventually work into a civilian job close to me. I knew that he was contemplating the move and while I loved the idea, I was very mellow about it to him. I wanted him to make the decision on his own, and well, he did. We are now in a phase of him being able to call me every day. I had always hoped it would come to this but finding now it's a double edged sword. Those phonecalls have become such lifelines for both of us. They make our days better and when we don't get to talk, we both find ourselves antzy and withdrawn. Who knew that I could get to the point that missing him would become a physical pain?

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

All your life you've waited for love to come and stay
And now that I have found you, you must not slip away
I know it's hard believin' the words you've heard before
But darlin' you must trust them just once more...
'cause ma babyGoodbye doesn't mean forever
Let me tell you goodbye doesn't meanwe'll never be together again
If you wake up and I'm not there, I won't be long away
'Cause the things you do my Goodbye Girl
Will bring me back to you>.
I know that you've been taken, afraid to hurt again
You fight the love you feel for me instead of givin' in
But I can wait forever, a-helpin' you to see

That I was meant for you and you for me..
so remember Goodbye doesn't mean forever
Let me tell you goodbye doesn't mean
we'll never be together again
Though we may be so far apart you still will have my heart
So forget your past my Goodbye Girl'
Cause now you're home at last.

Can our government get any more pathetic and just plain sad? The Liberals are now so desperate I don't think there's anything going to be even left once Martin stops signing cheques.

I am reminded today by Belinda Stronach's about face of another floor crosser of not long ago. Looks like another Joe Peschisolido in our midst.

Back in 2002, after being elected as an Alliance party member for Richmond, became one of Chretien's team, turning his back on the people who elected him. He wasn't even from BC, but was just another opportunity hog.

At the time, he said:
"I know there are going to be individuals who are going to feel I'm opportunistic," Peschisolido said - one day after crossing the floor of the House of Commons to become a backbencher on Prime Minister Jean Chretien's Liberal team.

In America, this would be like a Republican becoming a Democrat mid-term. Unthinkable.

I guess when all of us hard working folks, who were taught to be trust worthy, ethical and work hard were busy earning a living, the ACME School of Screw-you-Over-Politicians was alive and running strong.

Take your 30 seconds of fame, Madame Stronach, 'cuz it's all you are ever going to get. Where is Joe these days? Soundly defeated and back under a rock somewhere.

I found an interesting account of last week's Operation Matador on PBS.

We pulled up to the city Euphrates for what was supposed to be a dawn
crossing. And in fact we didn't leave until the next morning. There was a
problem with getting the bridge built across the river. And because of that, by
about the fifth hour that we were waiting by the bank to cross, we started
getting mortar fire from the nearest town, Ubaydi.
And the mortars were getting closer, to the point that the last one hit in the yard where a lot of the officers, and we were waiting to cross. And that's when they decided to go across the river into Ubaydi and take care of whoever was firing mortars.

Read the whole article.

Something else occurred to me this morning. We haven't heard anything in the media lately on the condition of Jeffrey Ake, who was kidnapped nearly 5 weeks ago. There's been stories on the Australian American and the Japanese contractor, but nothing on Jeffrey Ake. His poor family must be going through absolute hell.

The geek test says I'm 26.0355% geek. That's total geek, just slightly over a regular geek. All those sad, quiet Saturdays in high school must have meant something!

Take the test.

Melissa and Mike were married last night in a lavish and no-expense spared ceremony at a local country club. My niece is very particular about her tastes, and this was without a doubt a fairy tale dream wedding. But, and I say this with some hesitation because I shouldn't be negative, it was so rehearsed and scripted! There was very little emotion from the bride and it was mentioned over and over again that Melissa would not have anyone helping her and this was all her. It was absolutely beautiful but I think I would much prefer a backyard shindig that everyone just let go and had fun.


The wedding party was 14-strong. 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen and in the picture above, with the parents barely possible to keep in one frame. This was without a doubt the biggest wedding our family has ever seen.


Here's a pic of me, which my family teased me unforgivingly that I resembled Joan Rivers. Not funny and I believe I may have responded with comments that would have made a trucker blush. My family definitely were all in their cups this night, and it showed. Although my mom felt it necessary to tell everyone that would listen that I do have a boyfriend and he's a soldier in Iraq. This was a big change considering she, up until now, wouldn't even acknowledge the relationship. I chose not to correct her about the soldier part. Soldier, Sailor...6 of one, half a dozen of the other in this context.


This pic, of my big brother with his little girl is my favourite. My brother Bob was so incredibly proud and puff-chested, it made me teary. It was his day as much as it was his little girl's.


The bride and her 6 best friends. The honeymoon will be in Cancun, with most of the bridal party in tow.

It was a decent time. I always feel so uneasy at functions like this, being on my own. No matter what happens, there is always a good bulk of the evening when you sit totally by yourself and it kinda highlights being single. I tried very hard not to let it get to me, and showed pics of Todd to anyone who came by to chat, but I missed him very much.

More pics are here.

It's been a big week in Todd and my relationship. We've hit another level of closeness that I didn't think was possible. Considering 80% of our situation has been long-distance, it amazes me every day the odds that went into us meeting, and the even greater odds that have kept us getting stronger every day.

In the aftermath of the incident last week, he's been calling once or twice a day since. He feels very far from home these days. The situation has been compounded by a certain testosterone-poisoned creature in his direct daily dealings. You would think that people would have more brains and realize the bigger picture, but the fact remains that human nature can be ugly. He's been dealing with a guy that feels the need to try to physically intimidate him on a regular basis, trying to taunt him into a confrontation. It brings back all those decades-old scars from high school and just preys on a side that should be left long ago. So far, it's been manageable for him but takes a lot of energy just to turn the other cheek. He worries though, that it may escalate soon.

Ahh...so frustrating.

There's also been a lot of talk that he may be transferred to another batallion again, and if that comes through, he won't be home in September. I'm trying very hard not to think about that, but it's no matter, I guess. Whatever the date, I will be there when he comes off that plane. I told him this week my reason for taking the 6-month contract was so that I could be in a position to take some time with him when he comes home. I think it touched him deeply.

Tomorrow is my niece's wedding. This shindig is costing her parents in the neighbourhood of $40K! It's at a gorgeous golf course, complete with all the trimmings and 6 bridesmaids and 6 groomsmen. His family is Greek, and ours is Irish so there should be some serious partying going on. I've booked myself into the salon for most of the day tomorrow. I always get nervous at these functions, being the only unmarried family member. So if nothing else, I will look smashing when I'm there.

This is Your War got picked up by the mainstream media today. Good for him! His blog is by far my favourite milblog out there and he really deserves some attention!

Check out the article here.

I had a rant on the pathetic creep of a Prime Minister we have going on in this country, but I'm so annoyed that words just aren't coming freely. It's just absolutely revolting and frustrating.

Paul Martin, the tribe has spoken. You have been voted off, and you need to extinguish your torch and walk away.

The fact this man, who I can no longer in good conscience refer to as my Prime Minister, has thumbed his nose at absolutely everything is an embarrasment to our country as a whole. Not only voted no confidence, but now waiting setting a scrambing, grasping deadline knowing that at least one crucial members of the vote is undergoing cancer surgery that day is beyond the means of taste.

To say this man is the leader of a country is a farce! You would think we were in some third world backwater. If we had a military, we would have every excuse to form a coup.

For my American friends who may not know the whole story of Canada's government falling, check out NealeNews for the headlines.

Ugh. I am beyond disgusted. It is incredibly disappointing to see your country's government fall so far into shame and not even be able to see the light.

Rebecca has tagged me for a list of five things that people in your circle of friends or peer group are wild about, but you can't really understand the fuss over."

Hmmm...this is hard, but here goes:

1. Alcohol - I've never been a big drinker except in those mid-teens when you just had to try. I don't like the taste of wine, or beer but once in a very blue moon, I'll have a few vodka somethings. I'm always an oddity in a new group - What, you don't drink? but once people get to know me, they know I'm just as fun and I don't get the hangover the next day.


2. Reality TV - there are a couple I will tolerate (Amazing Race, Survivor) but for the most part they annoy. I live reality. I don't need to see it. The worst to me are the romance related ones...it makes me cringe to see these desperate people on TV making such a bad name for themselves and further stereotyping their gender!


3. Pot - a lot of friends do it, a lot of family too. In a country where people tend to look the other way at the legal issues, I sometimes feel I'm the only one. But I've seen the bad side - my brother is a shell of himself and my ex was a brilliant scientist but his days now consist of chronic use. I have tried it...it just wasn't for me.


4. Exercise/Sports - I'm a couch potato. I admit it. I would love to curl up with a good book, or watch a good movie every time rather than go out and actually get moving. I grew up in a family of highly motivated athletes (one brother in pro football, the other on Team Canada for volleyball) but it has never held fascination for me. My friends know not to call me when they're going for a 14 mile hike but if there's a movie involved or some Cranium, I'm there.


5. Spicy Food - nuh, uh, not me! Friends rave about curry, and jalapeno related stuff, but it just makes me cringe. Never have been a friend to the spicy stuff - even pepper is too much!

Passing the baton to Stephie, Scarlett and Charon!

The Globe and Mail published the results of a poll today proclaiming the downfall of the relationship between Canadians and Americans.

While the poll results show that only 53% of Canadians consider the US it's closest ally, the questions regarding how certain social issues show a much closer bond.

Despite some high-profile disagreements on issues such as the war, softwood lumber duties and missile defence, "there are more differences within the countries than between the countries," he said.

With the exception of the blogosphere, I find most of the people I talk to don't spend a lot of time to understand these issues. Softwood lumber? I would bet the average person couldn't even tell you what the real issue was. Military issues aren't well understood, as we have such a small military now that many people don't have an invested interest nor know anyone that does. My nephew-in-law this weekend made a comment that he didn't realize that people were still dying in Iraq. Granted, he's not really one that spends a lot of time with current affairs but it surprised me nonetheless.

I find it interesting. While I may have issues with American policies, I have just as many or more critisicms about my own country. And while the issues may be cause for disagreement, I'd like to think on a person-to-person level that these diminish.

A couple weeks ago, I heard a very disturbing story about an American friend's family who decided to move back to the US after a few years in Canada. They had found an undercurrent of unfriendliness in certain Canadians, who felt it was their place to ridicule the family for their homeland's policies. Even more disturbing, one of those people were their son's school teacher who took delight on anti-American sentiments in front of the child. While the parents eventually took the issue up with the school principal, the child was made to feel separate from his schoolmates and somehow different. I still can't understand why this is any different than bullying. The family eventually became disillusioned and decided to return to the US. Frustrating and a story that made me feel embarrassed by my countrymen's actions.

The more I talk to my American friends, the more we all seem to have the same issues. We are annoyed with certain things about our respective countries, and if anything, there is just a large amount of disinformation and misunderstanding between the two places. Todd was surprised to learn this weekend, for example that marijuana was not legal in Canada...he was sure that it was, and that people could get any medication (narcotics) at any pharmacy sans prescription.

Asked whether people from different ethnic backgrounds "would be better off if they became like the majority," nearly half of Canadians -- 44 per cent -- said yes. But only 37 per cent of Americans agreed.

"I think that would stun Canadians," Mr. Giffin said. "They believe themselves to be infinitely more tolerant [than Americans]."

This does surprise me to a degree, but then again, we are hearing more and more racially motivated comments these days. Actions speak louder than words, and I think the fact that Canada's multiracial make-up is different than that which we see in America, we like to think we are more tolerant. However, I'm sad to admit that I've noticed more and more tension than in the past.

more Americans than Canadians agree that their faith determines which political candidate they vote for, a solid majority in both countries -- 76 per cent of Canadians and 62 per cent of Americans -- disagree.

I have always found this interesting - that Americans are so much more concerned about what their leaders believe in spiritually. Personally, I am not concerned that my leader is of a certain faith, but more that he is a fair and just leader who takes my country in a positive direction (and doesn't steal my money while he's doing it, but I digress....)

Just like any family, sometimes I don't agree with my brother, but he's still my brother.

Here's a snippet of some of the questions from the poll but it's well worth the read:

I like and admire Canadians/Americans	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	60%	37%
UNITED STATES	85%	11%

How do you view Canada as a force in world affairs?	Strong force	Weak force	Neither
CANADA	40%	56%	4%
UNITED STATES	25%	68%	4%

My religious faith often determines which political leader I vote for.	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	22%	76%
UNITED STATES	36%	62%

Conviction of possession of marijuana should always result in a criminal record.	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	39%	59%
UNITED STATES	42%	57%

If a family member was hospitalized, I would be worried about how to pay for it.	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	36%	63%
UNITED STATES	62%	37%

I feel I have the personal freedom to say anything I want to about the government	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	87%	12%
UNITED STATES	81%	19%

The government has a responsibility to take care of the poor.	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	87%	12%
UNITED STATES	78%	20%

The government has a responsibility to take care of the elderly	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	93%	6%
UNITED STATES	88%	12%

People of different racial and cultural backgrounds would be better of if they became more like the majority.	Agree	Disagree
CANADA	44%	52%
UNITED STATES	37%	59%

The 21st edition of the Red Ensign Standard, a round up of postings of those that fly Canadian Red Ensign in the blogosphere in the last two weeks is up at The London Fog.

No easy task, and the group has done a great job showcasing the 50+ bloggers in the group. Go take a peek, and learn some of the interesting things we've been talking about lately.

So the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission) has banned the selling of subscriptions to Sirius and XM satellite radio systems.

A great article at Digital Home Canada explains and disects the ruling.

The reason according to CRTC:

Satellite radio is not allowed into Canada because it has the potential to put Canadian commercial radio stations out of business. Canadian commercial radio stations derive their revenue from advertising sales and if their audiences decline because of satellite radio then they risk going out of business as advertising revenues fall.

The CRTC under the guise of Canadian cultural protection has outlawed satellite radio to protect the interests of commercial radio operators.

It amazes me the short-sightedness that goes into this ruling. It's legal in Canada to download music (assuming it's for your own use) and we can always tune into radio stations anywhere in the world through the internet. For the 1 in 3 Canadians who don't live in populated areas, sometimes that's the only option they have.

Allowing Canadians to subscribe to satellite services will not cause the economy to collapse, the world to crumble. It just makes no sense to me.

Meanwhile, the little Sirius symbol on my car's MP3 player just sits there, mocking me.

I'm feeling quite a bit better today, at least as long as I don't actually try to eat. Or think about food at all for that matter. No fever today, so that's somethin'...

I did Todd's tarot for him last night. I hadn't drawn the cards for anyone for a long time, ever since I saw a friend's miscarriage in them, I have been hesitant. But he's going through a lot of emotions right now and not really knowing where to proceed. So I did a spread for him and I thought I did quite well - I saw a lot of turmoil going on but it seemed to be positive over all as long as he learned to rely on his instincts. Of course, he didn't read it like that at all and when he phoned this morning, he seemed more depressed than ever. Now I feel terrible. I thought I was doing what he wanted but now I feel like I should have kept my trap shut. He's in such a deep dark place right now, and I have no idea how to bring him up.

(And Stephie, I know I promised you a reading too...I will hopefully do that soon!)

In other news, my friend is battling a pretty serious infection at the moment that has her going into the hospital every 12 hours for an IV treatment. It's a type of Staph called MRSA, but considered to be the Superbug as it's resistant to most medications. She had it twice last fall and was seriously ill. This is not something to be trifled with....as it can be life-threatening. I am very worried for her. Life has been a rollercoaster with her, as she's in the midst of a divorce and other relationship issues and it's just not been easy at all.

What does annoy me on her behalf though is that instead of being hospitalized, she must go to the hospital for outpatient treatment twice a day. The hospital is a good 40 min. from her house, so imagine having to get one treatment around noon and then having to pack yourself back to the hospital for midnight. How does one possibly rest to get better?

A couple of quick links -

Check out Audience of One's weekly round up of bloggers.

And if you haven't read Michael Yon's online magazine, it's a must read. He's the photographer who took the picture of the fatally injured Iraqi toddler being carried to medics by a soldier.

Your Birthdate: September 22

While sometimes employing unorthodox approaches, you are capable of handling large scale undertakings. You assume great responsibility and work long and hard toward completion. Often, especially in the early part of life, there is rigidity or stubbornness, and a tendency to repress feelings. Idealistic, you work for the greater good with a good deal of inner strength and charisma. An extremely capable organizer, but likely to paint with broad strokes rather than detail. You are very aware and intuitive. You are subject to a good deal of nervous tension.

when you have the flu?

I have been down for the count more or less since Tuesday. I thought my nausea was related to my nerves but it would seem it's just the old-fashioned stomach bug. I am really not having any fun at all!

I spent from about 2am this morning being violently ill, to the point that I have purple splotches on my face from dry heaving. Nice, just absolutely beautiful. I went to work but only made it 2 hours before they sent me home. I've slept on and off since then and am now just trying to get moving, but am not doing so well at it.

I did, however, hear from Todd this morning. He's being a big dumb boy at the moment. He started off the conversation with 'I got hurt the other day'. Of course, my mind reels to the casualty incident and my heart starts skipping beats. Turns out instead of anything dramatic, he was just trying to outdo the younger guys at the gym and decided to lift weights double the amount he was used to. About 10 reps in, he felt a rip in his upper back and shooting pain.

Ugh. Testosterone is a dangerous thing.

Off to the doc he went, who seeing his injury chided him. Doc asked him what made him do such a thing, and Todd told him 'I was just trying to keep up with the young bucks'. The doc laughed and said 'Well, you can't do that for much longer. Take me for example. I'm not able to any more now that I'm 41'. Todd replied 'Well, I'm turning 41 in August'. Open mouth, and remove foot, now.

So he was injected with pretty strong pain meds, which got him all loopy. When they were at a stop light, he saw the car beside him move and thought it was his van moving suddenly, and he grabbed the dashboard. He's supposed to take it easy and no more weight lifting for 3 weeks.

It's my niece, Shan's birthday today. She's 23. Unfortunately, it's not been a good one as most of her friends are more into clubbing, than wanting to come to their house for a party. Life really does change when you have kids, and she's learning how hard it can be. But we'll still have a shindig tomorrow night and make the best of it.

Back to the couch...I'm outta energy again.

So they captured a major Al-Qaeda figure. Too bad he had only partially finished the patented Michael Jackson Extreme Makeover special...

I have always had a fascination with genealogical history...not just the dates and numbers but who these people, my ancestors were. Where they lived, what they were like. Bringing history to life for me, imagining my forebears living through times long ago. The picture below always amazed me from the time I was a little girl. Thinking that my Dad's grandmother lived in the hoop-skirted world was amazing to me.


In the picture above, my Aunt Phyllis claimed 'the old bat was pinching me when they took that picture'. My Dad, the youngest, seems pretty unconcerned though.

From the RCMP Media website:

A Touching Tribute Given to Coquitlam Mounties- for all of us.

Last week, Coquitlam RCMP had a visit from a local Coquitlam Citizen who came bearing a special gift. Mr. FILUSHKIN attended the front counter with his daughter with 4 beautiful slate carvings depicting our fallen comrades in Alberta.

Mr. FILUSHKIN immigrated with his family,( a wife and 2 daughters), to Canada almost 5 years ago from Israel where they had resided for almost 9 years. The family came to Canada because of the peaceful and friendly people and have never had any regrets about moving here.

Mr. FILUSHKIN says that this horrendous event caught the attention of the entire nation, " it was so sad...they were all so young”. He wanted to do something in honour of them and what they stood for, so he turned to his hobby of carving and drawing in slate. Mr. FILUSHKIN downloaded the pictures from the internet and it took approximately 3 weeks to complete the carvings.

Coquitlam RCMP wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Mr. FILUSHKIN for this thoughtful tribute.......it touched us all deeply.

There's a special place in hell for people who do this.

From the RCMP Media Relations website:

Senior loses money after "winning" internet lottery

COQUITLAM - A 74 yr old man has lost $37,000 and is facing personal bankruptcy after responding to an e-mail notice he received seven weeks previous, congratulating him in winning $2.5 Million in the “PRIME LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL”.

It started in early March when the senior received a message that his e-mail address had been selected from a world wide web data base and that he and nine other lucky winners would share the $25 M prize money.

The man immediately replied to the message providing the required personal information to ensure that his prize money would be couriered to his home within 48 hours. The following day, he received another e-mail from the ‘courier company’ informing him that the cheque delivery was being blocked by the ‘British Inland Revenue Board’ pending payment of a 3 per cent tax. After replying that he wasn’t able to pay the tax, the courier company stated they had found a Canadian financier who would front him the money in exchange for 10 per cent of the lottery winnings.
The senior agreed to this arrangement, and received a $37,000 cheque by courier with instructions to wire the funds to an overseas account. This was later followed by another cheque for $72,000 with the same instructions. A week later, his bank notified him that the second cheque was actually a counterfeit item, and they had been successful in getting his money back. However, they weren’t able to recover his money from the first overseas transfer. (The first cheque was returned as a stolen item.)

The senior is devastated by the financial loss. He had hoped to use the money to help his disabled grandson.

These types of internet lottery scams are meant to lure victims in using their personal bank accounts to launder stolen or counterfeit cheques.
If you receive any unsolicited e-mails alerting you of winning something you didn’t enter, the best thing to do is press the ‘DELETE’ button.

We see that spam enter our mailboxes every day and most of us are internet savvy to know it's just a waste of bandwidth. But the older generation doesn't have that learning curve. Sure, it's easy to say he should have known better but poor guy was just trying to make a better life.

My parents and my Aunt are both getting on in years now and it's almost daily that I field questions about their email for them. My Mom is actually pretty good now and can actually trouble shoot a lot, but my Aunt is barely able to function on the computer. She started getting spam in large quantities recently and even though I have tried to explain the whole 'junk mail' theory to her, it doesn't seem to click. Now she's getting XXX-rated stuff, and trust me, 'beastiality' is not a word you ever want to hear come out of your 75 year old Aunt's mouth. I nearly fell off the couch when she told me that's what the site was sending her to.

Uh. Makes me feel so sad. That unfortunate man...not only did he screw up with his life savings, but I'll bet he's humiliated too. Rough stuff.

Ok, not really but sort of...

I'm arachnophobic. Not mildly, mind you, but cold sweats and primal fear instincts take over when I see one of the beasts. It's not a response I can control...I've tried. I remind myself that I'm much bigger and it's a bug, and in my mind that works, but then the damn thing comes into my line of vision and I lose it.

With that in mind, this story just sends chills up my spine.

A man in Northern England finds a large 5" spider in his industrial freezer. As any techogeek would, he takes pictures of it with his mobile and is bit twice on the hand. He then douses it with boiling water and then microwaves it. Not really understanding the need for the microwave, but whatever...guess he found it necessary. Then again a few years back, my friends in England had a conversation going about microwaving the oddest things and turning it into a TV show, but I digress.

The mutant arachnid survives the freezing, scalding and microwaving and once put in a jar, struggles to get out.

Dude goes to the hospital, suddenly feeling the affects of the venom. He's treated, but somehow the staff at the hospital release the spider thinking it's harmless. Again, not so quick thinking on their part.

The spider is later identified in the photographs as a Brazillian Wandering Spider, one of the most poisonous in the world.

Years and years ago, my eldest brother was bit by a black widow on a construction site. He reached up onto a shelf and the spider got him in the palm. He kept the beast for months in a jar, much to the delight of his sons and ended up with a pretty large and deep circular scar on his hand. Never did get the feeling back as I guess the nerves were destroyed.

Nasty. Just plain nasty.