could be right before your very eyes - just beyond a door that's open wide - could be far away or in your own backyard - there are those who say, you can look too hard - for your place in the world - could be one more mile, or just one step back - in a lover's smile, down a darkened path - friends will take our side, enemies will curse us - but to be alive is to know your purpose - it's your place in the world
I can remember walking into the newsroom 10 years ago at 5:30am. At the time, I was working on our morning show and it was the beginning of my shift. As I signed on to my computer and started looking over the rundown, I saw a story called V-GEORGE. My heart sank as I read the script. George Harrison had lost his battle with cancer.
Having been a life-long Beatles fan, I was saddened that only half of the group was left. George had been my favourite for a long time. The quiet one. A musical genius in his own right that was overshadowed by the magic of Lennon/McCartney.
For the past several years, I have faithfully listened to Jian Ghomeshi host a show called Q on CBC Radio. If you know me at all, you know that I am a huge fan of CBC Radio. So, when the former Moxy Früvous-er hit the airwaves, I tuned in. The national show which focuses on the arts reminded me of Morningside, which I loved. Yes, I believe that over time, Jian has become the next generation's Peter Gzowski. Less rumpled and better looking but a silky voice that so easily asks the right questions with, what I might add, a bit of an endearing stutter sometimes that is reminiscent of my beloved PG.
When I saw a tweet last week that Jian should bring his Q show to London's Aeolian Hall, it sparked my interest. That would be fun! What ensued was a full-on competition amongst a handful of Ontario towns, all vying for the privilege of hosting the crew. That one little tweet from London, Ontario has sent thousands of Ontarians into a social media frenzy while bringing communities together.
For example, some of the offers made by Londoners include donations to charity of web design, film production, music and art lessons...the list goes on. Isn't that so cool?
To contribute to this campaign, I decided to play on the recent
interview Jian did with Kermit The Frog. (Yes, I was elated to see my
favourite radio host and my favourite Muppet come together) My idea was to have
Kermit endorse London with a few photos around town. Take a look:
@jianghomeshi 's new friend Kermit the Frog gives London a thumbs up. He thinks Jian should bring @CBCRadioQ to town.
Hopefully London is successful in its bid to bring Q to town. The winner will be announced December 8th! If you want to get in on the campaign, use the hashtag JianInLdnont, check out (and like) the Facebook page, the YouTube video and use your creativity! My tech-genius friend Carmi and I have been nerdily enjoying this whole process. Check out his blog here.
You might have noticed a surge in the popularity of
the moustache in recent days. Is it making a come back? Or is it all
part of what has become known as Movember?
Movember,
the month formerly known as November, is dedicated to growing
moustaches and raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues;
specifically prostate cancer.
On average men live 4-5 years less than women
1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year in Canada
Everyone
knows someone that has been effected by cancer and when it touches you
personally, it increases your desire to participate in such campaigns.
Although I'm not growing a moustache, I'm coordinating a team of men
that are! I am proud to say our team has raised nearly $500!
I invite you to support our team by donating at http://mosista.co/actionteam10 You can even go old school and donate cash or write a cheque payable to “Movember Canada”. All donations are tax deductible. We only have three days left to support these Movember moustaches, so please come along for the ride.
Funds
raised will help make a tangible difference to the lives of others.
Through the Movember Foundation and their men’s health partner, Prostate
Cancer Canada, Movember is funding world-class, research, awareness,
educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible.
For
more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been
used and the impact Movember is having please click on the links below: About MovemberProstate Cancer CanadaGlobal Action Plan Thank you in advance for helping us change the face of men's health. Go the Mo!
I have always loved board games. So, when I moved to London and discovered a group of my co-workers that also loved board games, we instantly connected and had many a "games nights". Over time this group morphed - gaining some members and losing some too but the games nights lived on in one form or another.
It had been quite some time since I had hosted such an event. My apartment in the nunnery had just been too tiny to have more than 4 people. So, I guess I had "mini games nights" but nothing full-blown.
After moving into my house, Duane and Lisa would remind me of this and ask when I was having a games night. I finally decided and put it on the calendar.
Some of my favourite people came and we had such a great time! Can't wait for the next one.
I am smitten with apple products. The effort they put into their design is amazing... and they are beautiful to look at! So, when the iPhone 4s was unveiled, it started me thinking...it's time for an upgrade. My poor phone had been slowing down and I even had to revive it a few times.
A friend was upgrading to iOS5 the night it was released and updating me on how cool the new features were. I watched the video online and finalized my decision to upgrade.
After a lot of fanangling with Rogers/Bell/Rogers/Bell...I opted to switch to Bell. It's a fantastic plan that includes 10 numbers that I can call anytime for FREE ...anywhere in Canada! This facilitates cancelling my land line! Plus I get my 35% discount for being a Bell employee. Sweet.
The iPhone 4s really is the best iPhone yet. I can talk to it...and it talks back! It provides me with answers to questions, will read my texts to me, will type my texts as I say them aloud and has FACETIME! Video calls between me and other apple nerds...very cool.
So, yes...I am completely enamoured with my latest accessory. The only downside is that I wanted white. (apparently there have been issues with the white phones cracking. Boo to that.)
I spent Sunday afternoon with my niece Abby. Twelve years ago, she made me an auntie which has been a pretty cool experience. And now, I can hardly believe she is on the verge of teenagerism and taller than her mom!
We spent the afternoon shopping while I got a glimpse of who she is becoming through her selection of stores and items she liked to look at and the constant chit chat about school, friends and things she thinks are cool.
Our first stop was Winners and when we wandered through the shoe section, I spotted what I knew would be the purchase of the day... silver sequined boots! Abby loved them and immediately tried them on. A perfect fit! We decided to put them "on hold" until we did some more shopping, just to be sure.
So we completed her Christmas shopping (one gift for her brother, one for her sister) and also picked up a sweater and t-shirt for her. But, we ended up back at Winners for the silver boots. She was over the moon!
We stopped at Coffee Lodge on the way home for a hot chocolate/coffee and I discovered her favourite subjects at school are very similar to what mine were. Music, art, french and she's good at math but doesn't like it. I played the grown up card and told her it would be a wise move to take french as long as she could and keep it up as a language. We also talked about music and I tried to educate her about my faves - explaining who the Beatles were and also the genius of Paul Simon :) I found out she's making a claymation video at school and I can't wait to see it!
A great day spent with one of my favourite little people (who's not so little anymore) AND...I was pretty proud when someone said she looks just like me. That's pretty cool.
I am convinced that something happens to you when you become a parent. Something inside you changes as you become less self-focused and suddenly you would do anything for this little being that is part of you. I really can't say for sure, since I am not a parent but I have observed this change in most parents.
Mine are no exception. Throughout the years there have been many times when they sacrificed their own time, desires or financially for the love of their kids.
Since I bought my house, I have particularly noticed this. My mom & dad have helped out so much with mundane tasks around the house that have helped me out so much. It's actually been a really great bonding experience for me & Dad as he shows me how to do things and trips to Home Depot.
Last week they came and helped me get ready for winter. While Dad & I worked outside - cleaning out the eaves and putting patio furniture, rain barrel and hoses away for winter, my mom worked away in the kitchen. She cleaned my oven, my toaster oven...even my coffee maker! When I came inside, everything was sparkling!
Thanks Mom & Dad...for all you do and all that you are to me.
I have always loved board games. So, when I moved to London and discovered a group of my co-workers that also loved board games, we instantly connected and had many a "games nights". Over time this group morphed - gaining some members and losing some too but the games nights lived on in one form or another.
It had been quite some time since I had hosted such an event. My apartment in the nunnery had just been too tiny to have more than 4 people. So, I guess I had "mini games nights" but nothing full-blown.
Last week they came and helped me get ready for winter. While Dad & I worked outside - cleaning out the eaves and putting patio furniture, rain barrel and hoses away for winter, my mom worked away in the kitchen. She cleaned my oven, my toaster oven...even my coffee maker! When I came inside, everything was sparkling!
