Halfway Along Life's Highway

Discontinued - But Happily Blogging at Toronto Is My Town

2010-08-12T08:29:00.001-04:00

It has just come to my attention that some folks are coming here, don't see a new posting and assume that I have stopped blogging - This is not so - far from it, I am alive and in great blogging health at my other blog "Toronto is My Town". Please join me there and bookmark or attach your feed to this new site. Sorry for the inconvenience. http://torontoismytown.blogspot.com/ Best Regards,

2 Blogs are Not Better than One!

2009-09-07T19:05:00.002-04:00

Today I decided to act upon something I had been thinking about for a while. I initially started blogging last January with this blog "Half Way Along Life's Highway" and in late spring decided that some posts had a lot to do with the city I live in and perhaps I should split the posts into 2 blogs by subject matter. So I created my second blog "Toronto Is My Town". I had this vague thought that

Thoughts swimming in my brain

2009-08-22T19:23:00.000-04:00

Funny thing happens to me every year as August draws to a close. I start thinking about how things will change as summer ends and we get back to the serious business of living. When my children were living at home it also marked a very busy time as we got school and fall clubs, classes and lessons organized. Now the habit of thinking of the end of summer sort of like a bookend has become

A Day at Toronto Island

2009-08-15T22:36:00.010-04:00

Yesterday was my birthday. And as birthdays go, it was pretty good. A day to myself and a wonderful dinner with my Son Jeff and his G/F Amanda (More about that in the next blog). As you start having more birthday's behind you than you can expect ahead of you I guess it stands to reason that you get a bit laid back about them. A couple of things I have come to terms with.Firstly, I have

Birthday Dinner at Mildred's Temple Kitchen

2009-08-15T22:29:00.005-04:00

A new restaurant opened this winter in Liberty Village - Mildred's Temple Kitchen. It really isn't new - just relocated. Mildred Pierce was the name of the original restaurant (named after the 1945 film classic) and it was just a little bit further north of Liberty Village and had been a well regarded area restaurant for over 17 years. The new restaurant is quite the place and the food is very

Bad Weather or Inappropriate Clothing?

2009-08-10T23:06:00.000-04:00

We have been having thunderstorms in the last handful of days, of the sort that reminds me of Florida in the summertime. Intense heat and humidity and then late in the day as the heat builds the rain lets go. I really don't mind this weather - I love the heat and the rain always cools things a bit. So bad weather is all a matter of perspective. You just need to have an umbrella handy!I feel

Reading and "New" Author Hans Fallada

2009-08-02T20:27:00.008-04:00

I must confess my list of "Wanna Read books" is growing far too large and I have way too many books "in progress". I tend to have several books on the go at the same time and depending on my mood I will pick up one or the other. It hasn't always been this way though. I have always been an avid reader and in my teens and twenties I would always read a book cover to cover before starting the

Tall Ship Kind of Day

2009-07-26T20:44:00.005-04:00

Finally! Some real summer weather! Hot, muggy and pure July in my mind, even if mixed with a tad more rain than we usually get in July and just a bit cooler than the hot days we usually get. Good enough, I guess.As I sit out on my balcony on this wonderful Friday night and put my feet up and sip a glass of my favourite beer of the moment - Rickard's White - I am really enjoying the evening.

The Toilet Incident and a Bowl of Rice

2009-07-26T08:24:00.008-04:00

I have been having a tough week. It all started last weekend when my iPhone took a dive for the deep.Sometimes you see things happening in advance and you take no warning. You continue with a risky behaviour even though you know there is a possibility of something awful happening by accident but because doing otherwise is a bit more difficult or just even a few extra steps. So you continue a "

Lazy Days of Summer - Not!

2009-07-18T07:11:00.009-04:00

This song reminds me of my childhood summers. Until I was about 10 my parents would take us kids to a family cottage with my Mother's sisters, her mother and all the grandchildren during the summer school holiday - which here in Canada is from late June until after Labour Day at the beginning of September.The men would all arrive on the Friday night and leave on the Sunday night. In those days

Agatha Christie and Funny the Way it Is

2009-07-14T06:00:00.003-04:00

I listened to a radio program last Sunday on the CBC Radio One program called "The Sunday Edition" which in its 3rd hour featured Agatha Christie. We all know that her name is synonymous with the crime mystery novel. However, did you know, according to Wiki, that she has the distinction of being the best selling author of all time, right beside Shakespeare and trailing behind only the Bible?

Another One Bites the Dust! The Week Just Flies By!

2009-07-11T14:09:00.006-04:00

This has been a week for absence from blogging! I am not going to bore you with the mundane details of my life, but for the most part it has been work, eat sleep and repeat.... Except for a few hours of fun on a couple of the nights, the week has not been particularly memorable. Just like our weather seemingly this summer.I am thinking more and more about my planned Cuban vacation next year.

Mixed Moods - Short Stories and Music

2009-07-03T23:01:00.010-04:00

Sun and Clouds - But No RainMy mood this weekend was like the weather - mixed. We had sun and clouds and some threats of rain - and even rain in the distance - but happiliy, no real big storm. I dare say we certainly have had enough rain and could use a few weeks of dry and hot weather.My mood matched - happy and then for some reason a bit less so...So, moods mixed this weekend. Don't get me

Short Story Authors, Levi Blues and the David Wilcoxes

2009-07-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

First, the Novel ReportI don't think I mentioned that I headed out to the library and bookstores to get research material for my novel. I have several books on order at the library and have sussed out a line of research that will pave the way to keep me from venturing too far out of sight of the possible in my story line. While I wait for these books to arrive, I am doing some thinking. I believe

To Make You Feel My Love

2009-07-02T06:00:00.006-04:00

Even though Wednesday was a holiday I did not further my writing project one little bit. I did however do a lot of other stuff. So, no regrets. (Actually, I make it a policy not to regret - learn maybe, but not regret...)Gopher Broke FarmI had long been putting off a drive up to Collingwood to visit the Parents - as mentioned in an earlier blog they are staying at my Collingwood Shangri-La

la porte rouge: Nadia n' aime pas....

2009-06-29T06:00:00.007-04:00

I snapped today's pictures while walking Bella today...Firstly, my progress report on the weekend's effort toward the Novel Project. I am glad to report that I spent my weekend immersed in brainstorming and research. I learned a lot about what might be appropriate for my novel and what would perhaps not work as well. I got knee deep into understanding Dualism theories and how they might apply

It is just like Christmas

2009-06-25T22:31:00.008-04:00

I received the most wonderful parcel in the mail. You may recall that I was participating in a Blog Swap that Nadia had organized. (Go Here to see that post). Well, I received my parcel in the mail and I am so happy to meet (through her choice of items) this lovely bloggist!Consequently, I am sitting here listening to the fantastic CD that Sheila who writes BlueGreenEyesYellowButterflies made

Rock Your Gypsy Soul...

2009-06-22T06:00:00.004-04:00

OK, first my progress report on my idea for NaNoWriMO. I have summaized the theme in 3 succinct sentences and considered some different treatments with respect to genre and have settled on what I think is the right approach. There will need to be at least 2 locations and I have those. I am now thinking over characters. Hero or Heroine or a dynamic duo? hmmm, that is to mull over this

My Summer Project - Planning for NaNoWriMo!

2009-06-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

I need to carve some big chunks of time out of my calendar for my latest project.To explain what NaNoWriMo is, I have to quote blogspot’s MerlotMom who said:It's called NaNoWriMo. NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth.For everyone else it's in November.Crazy people, like me, get together online and spend the month of November killing themselves.They lose touch with their families, forget to shower,

Morning View

2009-06-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

I have just ordered window coverings for my bedroom windows. I have 2 windows in my bedroom and initially I just installed some light blinds which cut the sun a bit, (they have pin holes in them to let some light through) to be used to keep out some of the heat during the hot sunny days. There really is not much of an issue about privacy, since there is limited view into my bedroom from the

Blog Swap

2009-06-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday I packaged up a parcel to send to a bloggist in a distant country. Well, actually not that distant, but until it is received I need to keep the identity secret.The idea is that a bunch of bloggers put their "names in a hat" and exchange mailed packages of stuff. So you make up the package with the prescribed contents and send to the assigned blogger. The organizer acts as the hat

Interview with Leonard Cohen - This Man Knows About Love

2009-06-16T06:00:00.007-04:00

This isn't the first time I have blogged about Leonard Cohen. (Go here to see my other posts), having said that, I must comment on an interview I listened to yesterday which was broadcast (into my ear buds) at the same time on CBC Radio 1 as I was trucking around Luminato. I have put on his "Live in London" DVD this morning while I write this blog and I am again reminded what a great artist he

Patio at Night - Feathering my Nest

2009-06-13T06:31:00.006-04:00

Last night was the first summer night warm enough to sit outside on my patio in shirtsleeves - no sweater or jacket! Fortunately, my balcony had been repaired this week and I have the use of the full length of it now. We had several very bad wind storms in the winter/early spring and the repairs to the balcony had been pending - hence the rope seen in some of the pictures I had previously

Flu Pandemic or Aid Epidemic - Perspective

2009-06-09T06:00:00.004-04:00

When is a Pandemic Nothing to Worry About?There seems to be an increasing amount of press speculating that the WHO will soon pronounce the novel H1N1 to be a Level 6 and a true Pandemic.I have been following the (almost) daily statistics that have been published by the WHO. They were publishing the “situation updates” daily, now new statistics come out every 2 or 3 days. Things have seemed to

फिरे एंड वाटर

2009-06-06T00:55:00.014-04:00

Fire and Water Please note that my blog title seems to be stuck in some sort of Arabic (?) translation mode which I have no clue how to undo LOLA few weeks ago, when Barb and I visited Beba (See this Blog), I discovered that Beba was into astrology. We ladies had a very enjoyable hour or two over wine, discussing astrology and our astrological signs. But wait a minute - it was not the normal

P.S. From this Mornings Blog....

2009-06-01T20:45:00.002-04:00

A big Oops!I so carefully wrote my lead in to my new blog site "Toronto is My Town" but I did not give you a link to it! Of course, there were some of you who found it none the less. :) and I thank you for those that went to the trouble of going to my profile and finding the link to my other blog.To make it easier for the rest of you who did not get to visit there as yet:Go here to visit "

6 Month Blogging Checkpoint

2009-06-01T06:00:00.006-04:00

It has been 6 months since I wrote my first blog and I am half way to completing my New Year's resolution to write a blog every day. I have written 128 blogs since then and if you do the math I am just a wee bit shy of my daily quota for the 140 days since Jan 11/09.Since then I have developed not only a passion for blogging, but also the habit of putting out a blog just about daily.My original

What a Difference a Day Makes

2009-05-31T06:00:00.003-04:00

I woke up this morning thinking about how different days can be when placed one beside the other. It has been so rainy this week and today I woke up to sunshine streaming through my window. One day grey, the next bright and cheery. Moods are like that too. While I can with all honesty say I am not a moody person, for all of us, moods change. Some days we feel hopeful, the next we feel, well,

The Toronto Criterium

2009-05-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

Last night after work I decided to check out the Toronto Criterium. According to Wiki, a criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city centre streets. This one was held in the downtown Toronto core in the St. Lawrence Market area, which is just about 15 minutes east by foot from my office building. It was the 2nd of recent years

More Doors Open Toronto

2009-05-29T06:00:00.009-04:00

From yesterday's blog, you will recall that I left off my Toronto Tour at the Holy Trinity Church. Once I finished there, I headed over to City Hall to see what was happening there. Lots! I went on a tour through the building and had a refresher on the art and displays there. I have toured City Hall before, but the art work has been updated and they also had some wonderful floral displays in

Doors Open Toronto

2009-05-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

I blogged about the Doors Open event last week. If you did not read that blog, you can slip over and have a scan to catch up if you like. Just go here.I did not go to one building that I had on my list! I did go to a bunch of others. I had been listening to CBC radio promote the event all week and they were focusing on buildings that would have events going on at the building as well as just

Saturday in the Country

2009-05-27T06:00:00.003-04:00

To continue my weekend story, on Saturday, after Larry and Miranda left Barb's house I got a tour of the progress that she and John had made in their landscaping. They had heavy equipment up and the ground had been leveled and a new circular driveway installed. Plans for the pond and the volleyball court were well in hand. I took photos and loaded them up on the picasa web site. You can go

Friday Night Fun! Dinner with Friends - Old and New

2009-05-26T18:00:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned on my Saturday blog, I had planned to stay home last weekend and do two days of the Doors Open Tour. However, I was kindly extended an invitation to go up to GopherBroke Farm and it was an offer I could not refuse. Barb’s husband John was away for the weekend. I have to pass along a great thanks to my friend Barb for inviting me up to spend time with her friends, Larry and

Last Week... Thursday Night Fun!

2009-05-25T06:00:00.004-04:00

I have been busy and as a consequence for the next few days I will be catching you up with the goings on from the last week. There has been too much to put in one blog - and I am trying to learn to do shorter blogs...On my Friday blog I mentioned the concert I went to on Thursday night. I did not give you the low down, since I was rushing up north - so here goes!I had a spectacular Thursday

Pandemic Preparation

2009-05-24T06:00:00.004-04:00

Does a 90 Day Supply Make Sense?Actually, I believe the folks advocating laying in a 90+ day supply of goods are not being very realistic. From the reading I have been doing, is less that the supplies will be gone (that would be I think a more appropriate worry), but rather that we should choose to live in isolation for 90 days or more to escape the pandemic. Now that is downright stupid. I

More Tomorrow

2009-05-23T08:25:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I had an unexpected change of plans. I had thought I would head home for a quiet night after another busy week and I was going to blog about my night out at the ACC Centre to see the "One Night" concert, which featured Sheryl Crow and Sting, which was on Thursday night. However I received a note from my friend Barb at Gopher Broke Farm that her friend (and author) Larry Hill and his

Doors Open Toronto

2009-05-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

This weekend Toronto opens its doors for the public to tour 175 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance. This is the 10th anniversary of the event and each year it gets bigger and better. Admission is freeThere are all manner of buildings and points of interest which are available for wandering through, for guided tours and in some cases literary talks and

My Outdoor Room

2009-05-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

My balcony furniture arrived! I am so happy to be able to lounge out on the balcony now, comfy and with feet up! The condo corp has to do some balcony repairs on the far side of the balcony. The high winds of a month ago loosened a few pieces above which are now held with ropes tied to my balcony railing. Once they repair that then I will move the chaise over to the other side and put a small

Monument to the War of 1812

2009-05-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

On my way back from Harbourfront on Sunday, I happened to cross the corner of Bathurst and Lakeshore at the new Condo Building which has goine up there. It has been a new trend with the condos being built in the downtown core of Toronto to house outdoor sculpture exhibits and I was happy to see a public art installation by Artist Douglas Coupland of his "Monument to the War of 1812". The

Victoria Day Fireworks

2009-05-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am so thankful for living where I do. My condo, which faces south to the lake, has the most wonderful view of just about everything.It is no exception that I get a perfect view of the fireworks on Victoria Day. I tried hard to get decent photos of the lights - but this is the best I could do - and there were better ones than this. The problem is that by the time I press the shutter and the

All You Need to Know About the Coming Pandemic

2009-05-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

On my walk to Harbourfront yesterday, I saw the first of what I fear will be a familiar thing in the next number of months - a person walking around with a medical mask on. I guess this is a familiar sight in Mexico, but frankly, I did a double take, seeing it in Toronto.As of 06:00 GMT, 18 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 8829 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 74

15 Tons of Rice!

2009-05-18T06:30:00.002-04:00

I had a wonderful walk from my condo to the Harbourfront area to see the Rice Exhibit. I took some photos on my walk along the Martin Goodman trail along the lake and will show those along with some observations in another blog. Let me get right into telling you about the Rice Exhibit!The exhibit is actually titled "Of All the People in All the World" According to the Harbourfront Website:Using

Birthday Celebrations and other Week's Events

2009-05-17T12:32:00.007-04:00

I am falling behind with the ever growing list of topics I want to blog about and I do need to figure out a way to write shorter blogs. It is already noon and I haven’t written today’s blog – I spent the morning reading and also went out walking with Bella (more about that in another blog) and I want to get out to what I am thinking of as “The Rice Exhibit” at Harbourfront this afternoon. So I

Rainy Saturday

2009-05-16T15:28:00.007-04:00

I woke early this morning to the sound of rain on my windows. I quickly realized, such a happy thought, that it was before dawn and a Saturday and I was able to go back to sleep. It was a good day to have a bit of a sleep in. Especially since I had been so mentally exhausted the night before.The week had been a tough one. I had my share of “foot in mouth” incidents, misunderstandings causing

Mentally Exhausted!

2009-05-15T19:22:00.004-04:00

I must explain that despite the best laid plans to get a blog together to publish this morning, I could not. Just too much happening this week and now, I am mentally exhausted and so will beg off again. Tomorrow, when I have recharged my brain, I will get it together to do some decent blogging. I have a lot of topics to write about just not the strength of brain at the moment to do anything

Pretty River Valley Drive

2009-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

After leaving GopherBrokeFarm on Saturday morning, after John's Birthday party, I decided to take the scenic route through the Pretty River Valley over to Collingwood. It was raining and there was fog which obscured the Blue Mountains on either side, but that just made it seem a bit spooky. I got out along the way and snapped a few pictures.Pretty River Conservation AreaThis park has

Hot Docs

2009-05-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

I must by now be looking like a City of Toronto blog site. On Sunday it was the Great Canadian Guitar Ensemble and Luminato, last Friday it was the CityLit andDoors Open... today I have to make a mention about Hot Docs as it just finished this past weekend. There are just so many things happening here to blog about.Toronto, in keeping with its reputation for a City of the arts, hosts several

Chuck Palahniuk - Pygmy

2009-05-12T06:00:00.002-04:00

It was my daughter Laura’s 22nd birthday last week and as her birthday gift I gave her (yet to arrive in the mail) an autographed copy of the newest book just out from her favourite author. She has all the books ever written by Chuck Palahniuk, and he is a prolific author, and I was so happy to find a book shop that would send me a copy which had been personalized and autographed by the author.

Playing for Change

2009-05-11T06:08:00.000-04:00

Friday morning I heard an interesting snippet on the radio. If you go to You Tube and search “Playing for Change” you will be able to hear one of the songs featured on the Playing for Change Documentary.Playing for Change is a “multimedia movement” created to inspire, connect and unite the world. It is an extraordinary effort to produce a collaborative effort with musicians and vocalists from

Vote now for The Great Canadian Tune

2009-05-10T16:38:00.003-04:00

I plan to be a the Yonge-Dundas Square in the downtown Toronto area on Saturday June 6th when the City of Toronto attempts to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the largest guitar ensemble. For us to break the record we need to have more than 1802 guitar players out to participate. That is how many set the current record in 2007 in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany when they played Smoke

John's Birthday Dinner

2009-05-09T06:30:00.002-04:00

Well, it was not just another Friday night at GopherBrokeFarm. Friday was John’s 55th birthday and there was a small birthday dinner party to celebrate. Unfortunately work kept me at the office until nearly 5 and by the time I got home, got packed, got to the liquor store and the gas station it was 7:00 and that meant I didn’t get there until after 9.The drive up was very pleasant. Very little

Lit City

2009-05-08T06:00:00.004-04:00

I try and record what is happening around me – and with that in mind I will talk about Lit City today. This is another of our City of Toronto organized happenings to generate enthusiasm for the places within its borders. Lit City promotes writers who find inspiration in Toronto and use the city as a setting in their work. There are author readings, literary walking tours, book launches, panel

Audio Habits and Great Music

2009-05-07T06:30:00.001-04:00

We all have our morning routines. My morning routine is more than just habit, it is something I have found starts my day well and frames my mood in preparation for a great rest of the day. One part which I have come to appreciate very much is my audio habits for weekday mornings. CBC Morning with Radio 1As my regular followers will know, I listen to CBC radio a lot. At 5:45 each weekday

Trinity-Bellwood Park and Little Portugal

2009-05-06T06:16:00.000-04:00

A Walk in Bellwood ParkLast Sunday I was able to get away for a nice long walk. I had been unable to go on any long walks in a while. I had wrecked my knee the month earlier and I have been babying it along trying to let it mend before going on one of my "marathon walks". I decided it was well enough to attempt a longer walk and worse case, I would take public transit back. So Bella and I set

Gratitude for where I am and what I have...

2009-05-05T06:30:00.002-04:00

I wrote this blog on Sunday morning just past. I have resolved to publish one and only one blog early each morning. In order to make this possible on busy days, I am now writing in advance of publication dates. So instead of being behind and skipping a day when I get busy, I should in this way be able to maintain my schedule to publish each morning.Sunday Morning HappinessI woke early Sunday

Lets Sing Sing today

2009-05-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

The the first Monday of May each year is designated as Music Monday. It is an educational event organized within the schools across Canada - both primary and secondary. During that day, they take their music outside into the open air of their school grounds or into their communities, to perform a short concert. Many community and professional organizations and ensembles are also involved,

Trucking Around

2009-05-03T06:30:00.001-04:00

I had a fabulous last few days. I scooched off early from work on Friday (consequence of working through the night on Wed ) and headed up to GopherBrokeFarm, as I mentioned on my previous blog. Barb and John's home is serene and comfortable. Just the thing one needs after a hectic week. We drank wine and ate pizza (Johnny is such a good cook – he is the chief cook and anything he makes is

April Showers Bring May Flowers

2009-05-02T10:33:00.001-04:00

It is appropriate that we ended April with pouring rain. We received 24 mm of rain on Thursday tongue in cheek, I saw someone twitter “Toronto is looking a lot like New Orleans after the flooding”. We have had a few rainy days this week and the grass where I walk Bella is covered in inches of water. OK, bring on the flowers!May DayIs it May already? I received my annual announcement from

Boston Marathon

2009-05-02T10:33:00.000-04:00

Last week the Boston Marathon was held. I am not a runner, but there was a bit of stir at work because one of the Executives in our area usually runs that marathon.The Boston Marathon is the worlds oldest marathon and the most famous. It is one of the five World Marathon Majors. Tens of thousands of runners from all over the world run in it and international runners dominate at the finish line

Bits and Pieces

2009-05-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

Something I wanted to pass along which I found reading blogs last night. One blog I read called the Cuba Journal reported on their Terry Fox Run of March 26th:HAVANA, The start/finish line in Havana was across from the Capitol building, at the entrance to the Kid Chocolate Sport Complex.The race seeked to make the public aware of the fight against cancer and to promote new life styles. It is

Carry a Poem in your Pocket Day and other Goings on in My Life

2009-04-30T15:02:00.005-04:00

Ok, my excuse is that I have been really busy. I suddenly have a few minutes (I live in a “hurry up then wait” world it seems, so let me fill you in on the bits and pieces in my life at the moment.Carrying on with the it is Poetry Month theme, today is “Carry a poem in your pocket day”… if you care to participate you can go to to poets.org and choose a poem and print it out and carry it around

Nice Day, Stormy Night

2009-04-26T08:46:00.010-04:00

Yesterday the weather was spectacular. Having seen that the weather was to degrade as the day progressed, and having received a call from my daughter Tegan who wanted to "borrow" my dog Bella to go walking in the Beach with her friends, I decided to take the opportunity to get out and do errands in the afternoon and at least be able to drive around with the window down and my arm hanging out.

The Saturday file...

2009-04-25T09:55:00.009-04:00

I have been collecting a few "bits and pieces" for blogging and thought I would today throw a few of these things out there for you folks. I have been trying for the last few days to get my income taxes done and frankly things are conspiring against me. So, if you don't mind that I get up on my soap box and rant about it for a couple of sentences, I will then deliver the remaining content and

Another Blog in Support of Poetry Month

2009-04-24T06:38:00.000-04:00

In yesterday's blog, I made a brief mention of my sister-in-law's "Poetry Event". I would have gone into that further, except I thought that it would make a good single topic blog and the one I had embarked on was already too long. Besides, I didn't want to start my discussion of poetry month by saying that my sister-in-law is a poet and so please buy her books... :) However, having now

Planetary Poetry Month

2009-04-23T05:24:00.004-04:00

This month is "Planetary Poetry Month". I guess I am risking niche blogging by doing 2 "observances" blogs in a row, but I can't help it. I noticed a couple of blog worthy newspaper articles whilst researching the Earth Day blog and now I feel I must carry on to discuss Poetry month.Firstly, let me go on record that I enjoy conventional poetry and can appreciate some of the more modern, "out

Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T12:41:00.011-04:00

We have been celebrating Earth day since 1970 on April 22 each year. It is a day to increase awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. I was curious about this so did a bit of rooting around for more information.The world was a different place in the late 60’s and early 70’s. This Earth Day – the one held on April 22nd each year - was instituted in the US and promoted widely. At the

Zen for April

2009-04-21T18:41:00.006-04:00

Do you remember last month when I talked about my Zen calendar in my bathroom? Well, now that it is April I get a new Zen thought to contemplate as I spend time in the place of contemplation. April is "So whatever you do, just do it, without expecting anyone's help. Don't spoil your effort by seeking for shelter. Protect yourself and grow upright to the sky; that is all."Something to think

Cold, damp and miserable day

2009-04-20T18:35:00.006-04:00

Having said that I will pull out my glass half full attitude and point out that it is Monday and it was nice that the miserable weather held off until the weekend finished and that the miserable weather is scheduled to leave again before next weekend. Also, it could very well be snow – I do recall that we did have some white stuff last year in April.Just a quick blog today, my son Jeff will be

Last Vegas - Sin City

2009-04-19T16:56:00.012-04:00

For those of you who have never been to Las Vegas the first part of this blog provides some background information and overview to help you appreciate the unique atmosphere and sights in Las Vegas. For others who may have been there but not at the specific attractions you can probably skim over the first bit of the travelogue. We did manage to get in a lot of sightseeing in our few days there -

New Laptop, Spring Days and Good Company

2009-04-19T09:24:00.010-04:00

My cute little new baby!Still a bit computer challenged, but let me give you an update – nearly back in business! I bought the cutest little netbook, an LG X110 and am now in the middle of trying to round up and load all the software I need on it and to get all my settings back to what I had. The good news is that these little net books come pre-loaded with XP, rather than Vista, so you need

Cuba - Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion

2009-04-15T23:47:00.000-04:00

First a big moan – my computer packed it in and I am now on the hunt for a replacement. I vow to take my time and be more careful about the selection – there was so much I hated about my last one which was bought on whim when I noticed a computer sale at my local Staples! Not this time. I may even venture into apple territory!But I will hoof it right out and buy a cute, little, cheap net book

At Two Ends of the Spectrum

2009-04-14T18:58:00.005-04:00

A short blog tonight because I have other things on the cook.Some Funny Videos:I love Seinfeld. It was the funniest show on TV and I watched it religiously. TV has never been the same for me since it finished, honestly. My kids and my significant other, at the time, could quote whole episodes. (The kids also quoted Simpsons a lot also, but that is another story). I really enjoyed the Soup

Happy Easter Monday

2009-04-13T20:45:00.009-04:00

I must admit I am starting to get impatient to have spring unfold itself a little bit more. We seem to have gotten ourselves stuck with -5 or -6 at night and +6 or +7 high in the daytime. I need my winter jacket as I walk to work in the early morning and even as I walk home at night, as it cools right down as soon as the sun falls low on the horizon. What I long for is short sleeves in the

Smorgasborg Sunday

2009-04-12T09:52:00.016-04:00

SO annoying when your computer screws up and you find that somehow the blogger software didn't save your work like as it is supposed to do! Before I try and rewrite the last 30 minutes of creativity let me blow some steam. I have this awful habit of being in a rush and hitting the wrong spot in the web browser tab and on more than a few occasions I hit the x rather than the tab and then of

The long weekend continues with self indulgence... :)

2009-04-11T20:17:00.000-04:00

I am doing all sorts of neat stuff this weekend. Getting organized about a couple of writing projects (more about that maybe tomorrow) and I have rented a movie on my "wanna see" list for some time.The Unbearable Lightness of Being is the movie and I think it will be a good one. It is X rated and really about a womanizing surgeon who lived in Prague at the time of the Soviet takeover. The

Happy (?) Good Friday

2009-04-10T09:58:00.020-04:00

Not that Good Friday is meant to be happy. It is meant to be a somber religious holiday, but none the less do have a happy one!I am in a wonderful mood. It is warm and sunny out. We all have a holiday today and can do as we please, not having to serve our paymasters. Some of you will be surrounded by family and or friends and others such as me are basking in solitude and able do private

April is the Cruellest Month

2009-04-08T03:02:00.009-04:00

I woke up this morning to hear the phrase "April is the cruellest month" and it rang a familiar chord. The radio personalities (isn't that a funny thing to call them?) went on to say that the weather was nasty. I guess that is why April is a cruel month - the weather teases you. It was -4 with a wind chill making it seem like -12. I jumped out of bed and pulled up my blinds. A light dusting

This and that for a Monday Morning

2009-04-06T18:47:00.003-04:00

I want one!I came across something the other day when watching a TED talk on new innovations and as it turned out, one of the items was not new just perhaps new to us folk who do not live in Japan. Apparently nearly half of all Japanese homes are equipped with one and I I think that it would be really neat to have one in my home. What is it you might ask? A Toto Washlet S400!Just watch the

Lazy afternoons are so nice...

2009-04-05T12:33:00.014-04:00

Just finished cleaning my little place and getting the laundry well underway and it is only just 1:30! The day is sunny and just a bit cold, but warm enough to have the windows and balcony doors open a foot or more. With so much window space in my apartment, the place does heat up on a sunny day. I am in a happy mood and ready to plan some new projects for the coming months. But first my

Couch Potato Afternoon and Evening...

2009-04-04T20:49:00.008-04:00

I did get out of the house this morning and had a great few hours at the St. Lawrence Market. St. Lawrence Market was the actual downtown centre and city hall location during the late 18th and entire 19th century. The original City Hall building burned down in the great fire of 1849 and was the elegant St. Lawrence Hall was built in its place. I met a friend of mine, and we had a great time

Hoover Dam

2009-04-03T21:11:00.008-04:00

I guess it is normal to have post holiday let down. You know, when you get back from holiday and you have to face the facts that the holiday is over and it is back to work and back to normal. I have just spent a few hours reviewing my holiday photos and seeing all the pictures has made me want to find more time to travel. It is so nice to see new and different things.The funny picture from

Home Again

2009-04-02T21:23:00.004-04:00

Just arrived home tonight from my Las Vegas trip. I am happy but very tired from an absolutely fun packed holiday. So today's blog will be short. Was thinking that I would write about my trip over the next few weeks in little 2 paragraph installments - there is just so much in Las Vegas to see and tell about. Not to mention my 450 photos, which I have downloaded just now and saw there is

Raising Awareness

2009-03-28T07:50:00.005-04:00

I believe Earth hour is very important. It is vital that all citizens of this planet individually communicate with the folks that rule that we are concerned about global warming, that we are concerned about the environment that we are passing on to our children and our children's children.It may seem like an insignificant act, and make no doubt, it is a tiny thing that we each need to do tonight

Catch Up Time

2009-03-26T19:13:00.014-04:00

It has been a few days since I have blogged. I feel guilty and sot of like I have forgotten to brush my teeth. I guess that is good. The habit has been forged. Now to keep the habit alive without letting it take over, become an obsession. You see the truth is there are a lot of other things in my life which need to be done, which want to be done. It is important to find a way to blog

Rule No. 1 of playing hooky: Just call in sick

2009-03-24T21:26:00.006-04:00

I had to laugh at a news item I read today which reinforced the belief that I have. People who are not smart should not try and get away with a lie. Apparently, the chap had called his boss and left a message that he wouldn’t be into work because he had fallen in a hole. So the boss called 911… and the rest you can read about at: Rule No. 1 of playing hooky: Just call in sickI was once

Bookkeeping and Risotto

2009-03-23T22:22:00.006-04:00

It is late for me to start my blog – just got bogged down with all sorts of stuff tonight. I think I will now attempt to set a record for a speed blog.I spent tonight catching up on bill payments and paperwork – no, I did not catch up but I made a start. With a bit of effort tomorrow night as well and I may even feel like I am getting on top of it – and I need to do

Have you Signed UP?

2009-03-21T22:54:00.011-04:00

Support Earth HourThis will be the second year I have participated in Earth Hour . Last year's Earth hour was very successful in Toronto and as the Video at the link below attests, power consumption dropped significantly in Toronto which showed that there was a great deal of participation. Earth Day Toronto 2008So what does this prove? Obviously, the energy savings from the one hour are not

Happy Nowruz!

2009-03-20T20:46:00.006-04:00

I spent all day studying very productively and when I finally said enough is enough! I decided to cook myself a nice meal to provide a reward and also food for my tired brain. Also, it is Friday and a good reason to have a nice meal and a glass of the good stuff! I have the most interesting cooking appliance, a portable infrared/convection/radiant oven which does steaks to perfection –

Obama's Interview with Jay Leno

2009-03-20T08:33:00.002-04:00

He's the Man!Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

To Rip or Go Slowly?

2009-03-19T19:51:00.005-04:00

There were a few things I wanted to blog about today. I must be firm with myself. I am doing another time limited blog and whatever draft I produce in 30 minutes will get final edit, pictures and posted without additional thoughts added! It is 7:20 p.m. now. Last night I listened to another TED talk that grabbed my attention. The TED talks are organized by theme and I traced a trail along

A bit of this and that

2009-03-18T07:39:00.008-04:00

I have to admit that I missed blogging for 2 days. This is my 60th post in 66 days - my first post being January 11th. So I have missed 6 days in all. Not perfect – but then who is perfect? Good enough that I have gotten past the point of wondering if I will acquire the habit of blogging, wondering if I will run out of topics or even enthusiasm. But I do run out of time and find it

A Scattered and Fragmented Mind

2009-03-15T21:32:00.004-04:00

What to write in my blog tonight? A dilemma – can I manage a short, pert piece and get on with the other things I need to do before bed? I check my clock – 9:15! Later than I would have liked but for sure enough time if I make haste. Today was a gorgeous day weather wise – but this did not help me stay focused on my studying. I moved myself out onto my balcony and sat there on my lounge

Detachment and Mindfulness - Zen Pursuits

2009-03-14T17:11:00.004-04:00

As you might recall, I have a Zen calendar on my bathroom wall – I blogged about it last week. Aside from the humour of the month and the Zen thought in view while one is busy on the throne, which may have made you think otherwise, I am quite interested in the practice of Zen. It is a helpful tool to break out of stressful situations and unproductive “self talk”. Right now, work is a bit

Busy Week and Now for some Concentrated Study Time

2009-03-13T19:47:00.005-04:00

I have really not done much focused studying this week – not that I had planned to do too much, and to tell you the truth it is tough coming home from work with a tired brain and then spending time productively studying. I had expected this to be the case, so I have not many hours in my study plan allocated to work day evenings. Last night was time for family. It was my son Jeff’s birthday –

Leonard Cohen - He's My Man!

2009-03-12T10:07:00.002-04:00

I am a fan of Leonard Cohen’s have been for the longest time. In the last month he has been in the news lots as he starts a new cross Canada tour. Leonard is yet another aging musician still touring and still appreciated by his fans. I am sure many older musicians are out there because they love making music and being on the road, but I would expect that for the most part they are out there at

Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

2009-03-11T14:38:00.005-04:00

"Brace for a Sharp Slump" - that is the Business News headline today, a proclamation by the International Money Fund (IMF) who are in the process of reducing their forecast for Canada's 2009 output. This was in stark contrast to the rose coloured speech Harper gave to the Board of Trade in Brampton yesterday on the state of our economy.

Stem Cell Research and GM Pensioners….

2009-03-09T21:32:00.005-04:00

What does Stem Cell Research have to do with GM Pensioners you might ask. The answer is that both of these topics have been in the foreground of my thoughts these days and I have been aching to blog on both topics. But time prevents me from doing justice to either.So I shall have to satisfy myself with giving you a rough sketch of what is on my mind and not the full picture. The rest maybe

The Beat Goes On

2009-03-08T21:10:00.009-04:00

There are a few topics I want to cover with the limited time I am allowing myself to attend to my blog. Firstly, I want to provide an update on my daughter Laura. Next, as promised yesterday, I want to tell you about “The Onion”. Lastly, I want to update you on how I am making out with my PMP exam preparation. Oh, Broken Bones - Oh My! Laura just left my place. She had booked to come over

Rain, Rain, go away…

2009-03-07T19:51:00.003-05:00

I know I should not complain about the rain. It is warm outside and the snow has almost all disappeared. I am not able to go out and enjoy the weather anyway and so perhaps I should say Hurrah for the rain! Except that it has been a dreary and grey day. I much prefer sunshine, even if I can only look at it through my condo windows.I have been working pretty steadily all day studying for my exam.

2009-03-06T22:45:00.004-05:00

It is 10:30 and I haven’t yet started my blog. Just got back from the hospital. I got a call just as I was finishing up at work and it was my daughter Laura (or Lilly as she is more often called). She was at work (she is a bar maid these days at the Dogs Bullocks Bar) and she said she had broken her hand and needed to go to the hospital. Of course, I rushed home and grabbed the car and went