Content

New Blog!

2010-12-31T01:13:00.000-05:00

This is long overdue, but if you've enjoyed this site please follow my latest adventure in blogging, now on WordPress!

What's Up / Must Come Down

2010-10-09T00:54:00.001-04:00

Here are the latest and greatest things I'm up to right now, which also serve as good ~~excuses~~ reasons for me to not blog with any kind of regularity:

1. Craft Sales
Two upcoming sales with potential for two more. First things first: have some crafts to sell. Diversifying my wares from jewelry and magnets to also include body scrub, bath salts, cocoa butter minibars, beeswax candles, and stuffed toys. Consider it market research.

2. Board Work
Had my first Board Meeting and am now the head of a 4-member subcommittee. Report to the board due mid-November. Need to promote current projects and write at least one op-ed for publication. Lots of work to do in the next few months, and happily have some really bright and enthusiastic people to do it with.

3. Union Work
Bargaining. Committee.

4. Online Makeover
Attended a great educational conference and learned about how to develop a more effective online presence, realized I have a lot of work ahead of me. Need a plan. Need to move this blog off Blogger. Do I keep my personal social networks active and create a new snazzier alter ego? What about this great network of community leaders and activists I've built up? Do I really have to delete all those fun time pics off my facebook and stop updating my status with TOOL lyrics?? :S

5. Self Improvement
After recommending it to a bunch of people I've decided to take my own advice and re-read The Artists' Way, which is a book but also a 3-month course. This time I will get all the artists' way to the very artists' end, dammit. It's going well. Weekly homework and assignments. Earlier mornings for writing and reflection. Inevitable emotional fireworks and feeling fidgety, but more hope for a future that maybe isn't so far away.

6. Home Improvement
Someone told me about a website about how to get your domestic life in order and maintain it - keeping house, cleaning, meals, errands, chores, daily/weekly routines...and the all-important decluttering. To my surprise I have completely bought in and am SHOCKED to find myself WANTING TO CLEAN. No, like, I feel wrong if I don't scrub the toilet every morning. I have SEVEN boxes of clutter packed up for charity. I will have to write about this...am staggered by the personal politics at play here, and my unexpected reaction: blissful domesticity...without valium.

7. Garden
Must rescue from current jungle state. Harvest remaining edibles. Put patch to bed for winter. Any day now I will find the time.

8. Paid Work
Oh right. Yeah. Working a fulltime job is a fulltime job.

Tried to join a free oil painting class but never heard back.

Have been invited to join a group art project. Doing drop-in art journaling sessions instead.

Someone mentioned improv classes....sounds fun, would love to try...

I once read that the key to improv is to always say "yes" to whatever situation arises. Just keep saying "yes, and..." and interesting things will happen. Makes me curious to see that Jim Carrey movie Yes Man. Sometimes I feel like the insanely ecstatic guy on the poster, but the synopsis seems to suggest there's some kind of tragic lesson to be learned by being too agreeable. Hm.

Showing My Stripes

2010-09-27T00:48:00.000-04:00

I was not very popular in elementary school. In fact I was picked on quite a lot. I didn't hang out with the popular kids, do the cool things they did or wear the cool clothes they all had. I didn't read the magazines the other girls did and so had no idea I was meant to be obsessing about makeup, clothes, or the latest hairstyle and how to achieve it.

I was awkward, and as I was often reminded by the meanest kids, a loner. Being taunted with the title "loner" is all the more cruel when it's uttered by the same people who ostracized you in the first place. So I sat on the outside looking in, hoping to someday be worthy of their friendship, and hoping to become invisible in the meantime.

But at some point I started to realize that my shame was not worth the effort, and that the schoolyard hierarchy did not dictate my lot in life. I think it began with one short conversation.

There was a girl in my grade who was, to me, perfection. She was blonde, pretty and athletic. She was popular and included in all of the important cool events and activities that I had no part in.

When we were in about grade 5 or 6, as we lined up after recess, this beautiful blonde athletic girl stood next to me and we chatted. And out of the blue she said to me, "you have such nice ears. I wish I had ears like yours."

That this flawless creature before me could possibly envy me for any reason was shocking enough, but she then admitted to me that she was very self-concious about her ears. She thought they stuck out too much and she avoided putting her hair up in a ponytail for fear of drawing attention to them.

I looked at her ears and, just for a moment, I saw them through her eyes. They did stick out a little. I saw her embarrassment and sensed the shame in her voice. I saw that we were not that different really, and I realized that we're all insecure about something. I at least had one thing not to be insecure about: I had nice ears.

A few years later I came across a shirt that I really liked. I found it at one of the stores all of the popular girls shopped at, that I didn't usually bother to look in. This shirt was so cool. It was tight and pink and orange and stripy, and the height of tween fashion in 1994. I knew it was a departure from the safe preppy stuff I usually wore, but I got the shirt anyway. It looked good. I loved it.

This shirt hung in my closet for months. I knew it would attract a lot of attention, and attention was still risky. Until finally, on the last day of school in grade 8, on my last day at the school where I'd spent my days since the beginning of kindergarten, I decided I felt good enough about myself not to care what anybody said. I wore the shirt to school.

The scandal was already in full swing before I even got to class. A couple of girls had seen me on the walk to school and had started spreading the gossip. That unpopular girl is wearing a COOL shirt. Who does she think she is? Does she think she's cool? She is so not cool. She should not be wearing that shirt. She's like, sooo not worthy.

I heard all the whispers. I knew what they were saying. It was nothing new. Only this time they were talking about something that mattered - the fact that I had challenged their monopoly on coolness. That I just thought it was a nice shirt, and wanted to wear it, and didn't care that they thought I was a "poser," or whatever insult they thought I deserved for my transgression. I knew I wasn't any of those things, even if they didn't. That was what really mattered.

The girl who years before had complained about her ears was in my class. I was surprised when she came over to sit with me during lunch when nobody else would, at great personal risk of depopularization. She told me that everyone was talking about me, about how they thought I shouldn't be wearing that shirt because it was cool and I wasn't. "I know," I said. She smiled and said, "I think it looks nice on you." And I never forgot what a kind gesture that was. I went home that day feeling like a million bucks, because I really didn't care what the gossipers thought. I could say that and actually mean it.

It's difficult to "just be yourself" no matter how many times we're told to do it. Sometimes being yourself doesn't fit in with what other people are doing, or what other people expect of you. It can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, or challenging. It feels great and liberating when you express who you are, but it leaves you wide open. Everyone will know who you are! And they might not like the real you. The point is though, some people will. Some people will care for you no matter what shirt you wear, what career or spouse or hobby you choose or what crazy places your life takes you. They will support you when you are most vulnerable. Those are the people who deserve your attention.

We have this idea that it's the big milestones that matter in our lives - the graduations, the weddings, the promotions, great successes and adventures - but often it's the small moments that make life what it is. It can take only seconds to influence a life, whether it's with cruel words or encouraging ones. Our interactions with each other really do matter that much, and the words we choose can really be that important. It's a frightening prospect, but you could change someone's life tomorrow and not know it. You could even change your own.

This is an extreme example, but a relevant one I think: Hitler carried and collected resentment his entire life. One of the harshest blows was when, as a young man, he was rejected twice by the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and told he could not paint. His dreams of being an artist were crushed. Years later he took this pain, along with the rest of his accumulated grief, into a political career where he found another use for it. I often wonder how history could have been different had Hitler been encouraged to create instead of compelled to destroy.

"The Courtyard of the Old Residency in Munich" by Adolf Hitler, 1914

There is healing in living authentically, and encouraging others to do the same. We all benefit when we support each other and remember not to give up on ourselves, especially when aspects of our true selves are ready to take those first tentative steps away from the sidelines into the spotlight.

Trashing a Monster: Carelessness vs. Living With Care

2010-09-20T00:13:00.002-04:00

This is a glass that I rescued from the garbage.

It's nothing fancy or rare. You can find them in Ikea without much trouble. But of all the items I own, to me, it is one of the most beautiful.

Minutes before I pulled it from the trash, its previous owner noticed a minute chip around the rim and immediately, without any hesitation or second thought, threw it away. And I remember feeling completely appalled. Not because the act itself was a huge deal or particularly outrageous, but because to me it perfectly encapsulated the attitude of the person who did it. In that moment I saw who he really was.

What I saw was a man commit an act of flippant carelessness, and wastefulness. He who valued nothing while attempting to convey an image and impression of flawless perfection, because the external facade was always what really mattered to him. It was a demonstration of ungratefulness by a man who never understood that the objects in his life were not all disposable. Someone who did not consider alternate possibilities or alternatives. Someone to whom a glass is always a glass and a chipped glass is always garbage.

This man became a monster in my life. Not necessarily because of any nameable crime against me personally, but because of who he was and the sort of people - monsters all - who he came to represent for me. Those who live their lives carelessly.

Being "careless" is not the same as being "carefree," though we often confuse the two. It is often associated with wealth and prestige but is not limited to the rich. It is a basic disregard for others, a deep-rooted lack of empathy, a self-serving self-centered approach to living that allows for dependence, greed and an inflated sense of entitlement. It is ugliness in action, and it corrupts the world one interaction at a time.

I rescued this glass from the trash and saw in it all of the beauty and possibility that this man neglected to consider. I've kept it for many years and filled it with tea, pens, toothbrushes, and meaning. I cherish it as a testament to how that man chose not to live his life, and how I intend to live mine: with care.

putting the WORK into social netWORKing

2010-09-15T15:51:00.003-04:00

Oh my holy bejeezus.

The sad thing is I really want to use facebook as my 'home base' to update everything else, but that is currently impossible given inter-platform competitiveness and politics and behind-the-curviness and all that.

I will just have to tweet. Until this is tweaked.

*shaking angry fist*
I hate you all, you sick twisted social-network-tangle-making bastards!
Don't ever leave me!
*sob sob*

oh to hell with it #igiveup

2010-09-14T13:41:00.003-04:00

Alright. Okay. Fine.

I get it now. I didn't get it before...but I get it now. My comparison of Twitter to Facebook status updates was misguided. Twitter is not just a limited version of Facebook.

Despite all the attention Facebook gets for singlehandedly tearing down the rights to - and expectation of - privacy online, it is kind of a closed circuit. Likely because of all the privacy concerns, most people keep access to their profiles limited to their facebook friends. And regardless, a lot of the site's content is only viewable if you yourself are a member of Facebook.

Twitter, on the other hand, is more of a public forum. It might even be the long-lost electronic public sphere that everyone had almost given up on in the face of rampant commercialization of internet space...paid blogs, ads splashed on YouTube videos, corporate viral marketing efforts disguised as random user content, etc. Sure, it is promoted as the latest marketing wonder-tool, but as far as I can tell having corporate Twitter accounts around doesn't exactly encroach on the cyber-territory of little guys like myself.

So yes. I wish I'd had a Twitter feed going during the G20 when my disgust and disbelief at the mainstream news coverage bubbled over into a frantic flurry of Facebook updates. My attempts to correct the misinformation spewing into people's homes as they hid from the reality of what actually took place on the street would probably have been more effective on Twitter:

June 26 at 11:00pm

the media's using the phrase "the violence" when they really mean "the protest" - a ridiculously tiny percent of the demonstrators damaged property and even those jackasses didn't hurt any people (wish I could say the same for G20 leaders)

June 27 at 12:48pm

most pictures of "the violence" coming from the mainstream are of riot police standing around...where are all the rioters? there are clips and pics of individual black blocers smashing windows - where is evidence of the violent mass "mob"?

June 27 at 1:05pm

Mike McCormick, President of the TO Police Association, just said on CP24 that he could definitely confirm that every single person arrested had comitted a crime. (The media is not distinguishing between people "detained" without charges and actual arrests.) He could not, however, confirm that the smoke coming out of the tear gas guns, was in fact actually tear gas... Wow.

June 27 at 5:09pm

‎"muzzle blasts" are "individual applications of tear gas" according to a police spokesperson

[Ah "muzzle blasts"...the sneaky phrase that reporters babbled endlessly like squawking parrots. Tear gas. It was tear gas. Not harmless compressed air, but a chemical weapon. Targeted in individual doses not out of kindness for the public's wellbeing, but to make it more discreet and more difficult to identify that it was used at all. Tweet tweet!]

June 27 at 6:32pm

CityTV reporting that journalists volunteered to be arrested just to get out of Queen & Spadina protest area - how is the group supposed to "disburse" if the police are trapping them in?

June 27 at 7:49pm

is anyone else watching this? action starts on the street, a CP24 reporter asks a person on the street what just happened - they tell her they'd been chased by police and people were being beaten - the reporter says "no" embarassed and apologizes that her interviewee had not been "pre-screened" and "could say anything"... - then quickly moves inside to interview fellow journalists

[I have not yet been able to find a clip of this mind-boggling moment I witnessed on CP24. There is a riot (supposedly) going on outside, if you believe what the police are saying, and someone claims the police are beating innocent people "right over there" and the guy points to an alleyway across the street. So the reporter did what any serious journalist would do in that situation: discredited the guy as obviously crazy, and darted inside away from the action to do a fluff piece about how her fellow reporters are now safe and sound after being kettled by police for hours. Really?? Stellar job, gumshoe.]

So yes. The opportunity to be a part of a sort of alternative media phenomenon is pretty cool. The opportunity to have your shout outs heard by people who wouldn't normally hear what you have to say is kind of great.

More importantly though, my Google Buzz account will not sync with my Facebook updates. :(

What this means is that every time I update my Facebook, I also need to update my Buzz feed. I have to post everything twice. Don't ask me why or how I came to have a Buzz account or I might tell you: it turned up on my Gmail inbox one day and I couldn't help but get sucked in. I have swallowed the Google kool-aid, and my brand loyalty runs deep. I heart G<3<3gle and their simple, user-friendly, highly convenient and slick web tools.

The point is though, this ridiculousness is never ending and I am drawn in despite myself. For century after century civilizations have attempted to collect and accumulate all knowledge ever known in books and libraries. The ultimate, unattainable goal has always been to end up with all human knowledge in one place at one time. Then came the internet, where we attempt to accumulate all human knowledge in all places at all times.

And here we are, in 2010, just trying to get our silly social networking feeds working together with minimal fiddling and headaches. Until the next one comes along. Chaos: 1. Humans: nothing.

So anyway... Despite my boycott, as explained in my first post, I think I'm going to start a Twitter account. I can sync my Facebook and Buzz feeds to Twitter, meaning I will only have to post things once!!

The downside is that I rely on Facebook quite a bit to learn about and promote upcoming events, demos, community groups, etc. I am not so sure how that works in Twitterland or if it will be as useful.

Oh wait...I just found this article that suggests linking everything to Gmail/Buzz. Seems easy enough, but what I hate about Buzz is it doesn't post images or links very well in the way Facebook does. You don't get a preview of the link's text or even a picture sometimes if you post a website to share. Google FAIL.

So yes. Here goes nothing. Maybe literally.

Guest Post for That's Women's Work

2010-08-29T14:28:00.001-04:00

I've had the wonderful opportunity to guest blog for That's Women's Work, a local non-profit startup focused on promoting and empowering women artists.

Signing on to write the post was surprisingly ~~intimidating~~ scary...which is what told me it was something I really needed to do. I think I was right.

You can read my post here.

The excitement never ends

2010-08-07T01:01:00.000-04:00

More news!

I am pleased to share that I have been selected as a Board Member of Media Action, which is an organization that seeks to improve gender equity through media analysis and by promoting media literacy. I've followed their work for years now and am excited to have the opportunity to be more actively involved.

I recently helped out with a Media Action initiative called Informed Opinions. Although women have made great strides in terms of career options and career success, the expert opinions we hear in the media are still most often male. This is a big concern because expert opinions influence policy - women's voices and perspectives need to be heard. The Informed Opinions research looked into why women are under represented in this area, what the numbers are, and the program now offers services and resources (workshops, mentoring, etc.) to help more women share their expertise in the media.

So what could possibly be more exciting than all that? I'll tell you what:

PICKLES!!!

I tried making pickles today and I think it went well. I haven't tasted them yet but at least they look kinda cool. These are garlic dill pickles made with local cucumbers, organic garlic, and my own homegrown dill. I have not invested in any fancy pickling ingredients so the brine ingredients are mostly courtesy of my local supermarket, except for some additive-free sea salt I had previously bought at the St. Lawrence market.

My biggest concern was listening for the "pop" noise the lid makes that tells you the jar has sealed... The lids of these jars don't seem to have a nice obvious indent on them when they're sealed so I found it hard to tell if they were safe or not. I boiled the jars a second time to be sure and I think at least 3 of the 4 are okay. I will just have to eat the rest I suppose...wouldn't want them to go to waste...

Here is the next thing I might try to pickle:

The first of my "Purple Beauty" Sweet Peppers

I don't quite have a peck of purple peppers to pickle, but hopefully I will get at least a couple more before the plant gives up. I have lots of hot peppers growing now though - can't wait to start bringing those in.

August Aupdate

2010-08-03T00:40:00.004-04:00

Here's what's going on with me lately...

Guerrilla Gardening is done for the season. Despite a little bad luck with weather we ended up planting some fantastic gardens! I was designated "Queen Communicator" of the group this year and took the lead on keeping the facebook page and blog up to date. Also designed a new banner for the blog, which you can see here.

GG garden in the spot I picked at College/Bathurst right across from Sneaky Dees.

Last week I attended a free workshop on canning veggies, preserving fruit and drying herbs. It was organized by Young Urban Farmers and very educational. Plus we got to bring home freshly brewed pickled beets and blueberry preserve, as well as some herbs for drying. I had always been intimidated by the whole boiling and sterilizing thing but having seen it demonstrated I realized it isn't that complicated really, and you don't need a lot of fancy equipment. I bought some cucumbers at the farmer's market today and am looking forward to turning them into pickles.

An artist's conception of what delicious and pretty things I could make with my new pickling and preserving skillz...

This weekend a couple of my friends got married to each other after 11 years of dating and it was lovely. One wedding down, one more next weekend. This is nothing compared to last year's insane wedding bonanza! I am still convinced that attending someone else's wedding is much more fun than getting married, but having never been married I can only theorize.

Today is Simcoe Day! So instead of going to work I went for my first fruit pick as a Not Far From the Tree gleaner. I had a good time, met some nice folks, came home with a bunch of beautiful little blue plums, and did something today that scared me - namely, clambering onto a big tall garbage bin to reach the fruit because the homeowners hadn't left us a ladder. Volunteering is waay more exciting when you have to sign a waiver first.

I am taking a week off work after next weekend to spend time outside absorbing sunshine and watching trees, maybe reading, knitting or meditating. I know I will likely end up doing practical things like house cleaning and working on projects (see below) and purchasing things I need to purchase, but I hope to spend most of my time relaxing. It is a lofty goal but I will try!

I have signed up to be a guest-blogger on the That's Women's Work blog. There will be a different guest blog every day this month and mine will be August 29th. Now all I need to do is figure out what to write...

I have been recruited to help coordinate an art project for the Junction Arts Festival happening this September. I am really excited to be involved!

Making buttons with my friends at last year's Junction Arts Fest.

I have signed up to do a charity craft show in November. Last year I had a table at the same event and did pretty well for my first real craft sale EVER. This year I think I may change up my offerings and try bath products. I have a couple of recipes up my sleeve and I think they would sell rather well, knock on wood and all that.

I have started to pay more attention to CBC Radio. I have decided that CBC 3 is awesome and am inching closer to hipsterdom as I write this. Here are some songs I am digging that you can listen to by clicking the link:
Latin America by Holy Fuck
The Kite by batterie
Broken Transit Broken Soil by The Buttless Chaps (augh I hate the band name so much)
Two-Day Booze by BISON b.c.

My garden is finally doing pretty well! It was a slow start, and I was getting a bit discouraged, but my little seedlings are now looking quite nice. I got a few pea pods early in the season, and now I have lots of romaine lettuce, basil and dill to pick. I have a few shallots too and can snip the greens off once in a while. The donated rhubarb has recovered nicely after some dubiousness, and the donated black raspberry plant is very excited about its new home - I've had to cut it back already. My balcony planters are also producing sage, chives and rosemary. I think the strawberry plants are done but they seem to be flowering again so who knows. Looks like I will soon have some hot peppers, sweet peppers and tomatoes. I planted some cute little butternut squash seedlings kind of late and they have morphed into enormous trailing vines that are cruising all over the place. I can't wait to see if I actually get some squash!

I have discovered that I love drinking coconut water. It is apparently very healthy, besides the added sugar you get in most brands of the canned stuff. It is very high in electrolytes, is said to be an effective hangover cure, and can actually be injected intravenously instead of saline. I already use coconut oil for cooking, moisturizing, and to help keep my cat healthy. Is there nothing coconuts can't do?

...And that's what's going on with me lately.

Open Letter

2010-07-16T15:20:00.003-04:00

Here is a letter I sent to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association via their incident reporting form (which you can find on their G20 complaints resource page).

I am extremely concerned about the chilling effect that the G20 security measures had on Toronto both before, during and after the summit. I am outraged that my civil liberties were impeded, as were the rights of so many people. I am joining others in demanding a full independent public inquiry to investigate the G20 security tactics, mass arrests, and the poor and degrading treatment reported by detainees.

It is our right to move freely and assemble peacefully – these actions were discouraged during the weeks leading up to the summit through scare tactics and intimidation. Government and police authorities equated peaceful protest with rioting and crime, impeded free movement through the downtown core around the security zone, and made it known that anyone who came too close to the security zone would be treated with suspicion (having their ID checked, bags searched, and via the rumour of a 'secret law' possibly arrested).

The mainstream media was complicit in this and many Toronto citizens left town or avoided the downtown area out of fear. No Canadian should be afraid to walk around freely in their city. If people are afraid of criminals, the police are not doing their job in protecting the public; if they are afraid of the police, then doubly so.

Toronto streets get more surveillance cameras for G20
- Toronto Star, May 14th

Toronto police show off summit security
- CBC News, June 3rd

G20 activists accuse CSIS of intimidation
- CBC News, June 10th

Tourists' camera draws security squad
- Toronto Sun, June 21st

Hospitals prepare for G20 casualties
- CBC News, June 24th

Downtowners looking to get out of town for the weekend
- InsideToronto, June 24th

As people who have lived in police states tell us, police brutality is much harder when there are plenty of witnesses. By intimidating people away from downtown, security forces had already begun to “kettle” the streets, intensifying the situation and confusing absent citizens between peaceful protesters and criminal troublemakers.

This translated into a belief among many Torontonians that if you ventured downtown during the summit, whatever the reason, you were looking for trouble. Before the summit even began, there was already an underlying implication that any punishment received was invited simply by being downtown.

I suspect that the police were not immune to this culture of fear, even as participants in its creation. Warnings of a terrorist threat, the militarization of the city, confusion caused by Black Bloc groups and a general lack of distinction between lawful protesters and criminals by those in command all combined and resulted in an environment of fear and mistrust. Many police were required to wear heavy gear and stand for hours in summer heat, and we are now learning that there was confusion and ambiguity in the chain of command that resulted in orders that were sometimes unclear - I'm sure these factors made the police's jobs even more stressful. These factors were not conducive to a peaceful outcome.

During the G20 summit hundreds of people were arrested and, for most, their only crime was refusing to be intimidated off the streets of their own city by the police. The threat of property damage to storefronts by a small splinter group is no excuse for this outrageous violation of Canadians' basic rights.

The police conducted searches, collected personal information, and detained/arrested people illegally. Protesters and bystanders alike were intimidated, mistreated and assaulted. This was not a case of many isolated incidents by individual officers, but an organized strategy. Whether or not it was applied with the direct intent of suppressing political dissent, whoever is responsible must be held accountable.

I am particularly disturbed by the reports and videos suggesting that hundreds of riot police descended on Queen's Park to intimidate, arrest, and forcefully remove protestors on June 26th. Queen's Park had been designated a “Free Speech Zone” by the same authorities who orchestrated the police's actions that day. The concept that free speech can be limited to a particular part of the city in what is supposedly a free and democratic society is wrong to begin with, but the violent actions of police against people who were gathered peacefully in what was meant to be a safe area where they would be permitted to protest freely is unconscionable.

After the city witnessed property crime and historic mass arrests, the chilling effect became even more severe. On Monday June 28^th I was invited to participate in a rally supporting those who had been illegally detained and were being denied their basic human rights. Not only were their arrests likely illegal and in violation with the Charter, there were countless reports of degrading and inhumane treatment at the holding facility including harassment, excessive confinement, denial of water, food and medication, and assault.

The fear of being arrested for practicing my basic right to protest was so palpable that I wrote the number for legal aid on my body as friends tried to persuade me not to attend the rally. I was horrified to realize that my fear was real, supported by fact, and that by attending a public demonstration to support something I believed in I was risking arrest and possibly putting myself in physical danger.

Although the G20 summit was over, the police presence at the rally on June 28^th was in full force. Police in full riot gear blocked College Street on the west side of the intersection of Yonge and College. At earlier G20 protests, regular police officers with bicycles had been used to block traffic, and riot police had been used to block people. I believe that the use of riot police to block the road was an act of intimidation in an attempt to discourage people from attending the protest.

As were the riot police with zip-tie handcuffs clearly visible who were stationed inside College subway station at the exit which led to the protest area.

As were the on-duty police officers roaming College Park around the food court which led to the protest area.

Because of the blockade on the road, anyone coming from Yonge Street, one of the city's 2 main arteries, or east of Yonge Street, had to cross a line of riot police to get to the protest happening outside of Toronto Police Headquarters. This was unnecessary for public safety and likely stifled dissent.

I heard someone say that they had paid the $3 fare to enter the subway system in order to bypass the police line and cross the street underground in order to get to the protest. Who knows how many people who wanted to protest did not because they thought it would cost them $3 just to have access to the area where it was happening. This further suggests a concerted effort on the part of government and police authorities to crush political dissent surrounding the G20 and the G20 protests.

I will continue to demand a full public independent inquiry in the hope that it can shed light on what happened to my city, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure that our right to peacefully assemble remains a guaranteed right as stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

G20 video

2010-07-02T20:21:00.000-04:00

I didn't catch anything tooo exciting but here it is.

G20 Protests in Toronto from KT on Vimeo.

From the vimeo blurb:

Taken the evening of June 25th to the afternoon of June 26th, 2010. Getting marched on by riot police for standing on a street was very surreal. I was thinking the same thing as the guy in red - "Are they actually saying 'move'?" How is this possible? Or legal? Or justified? As you can see we're just casually milling about taking photos.

Later on I almost drop my camera when we're suddenly charged by the police without warning and one protester is dragged behind the line. They let him go a few minutes later.

Questions

2010-07-02T00:52:00.006-04:00

When I first saw this video I was horrified to see police targeting individual protesters and capturing them while they stood in a public park. This was filmed at Queen's Park, which was designated as a "Free Speech Zone" during the G20 Summit (the idea of free speech being limited to a small geographical area is an outrageous concept to begin with).

According to the person who posted this video, the woman filming who is attacked at 1:02 is a journalist, and it's fairly obvious that she was only observing.

How could these captures possibly be justified? As this was happening and reports of police arresting people without provocation began to reach journalists, the police authorities assured them that anyone who had been arrested had either committed a crime, or had been caught on film committing a crime earlier. The implication being that these surgical extractions were targeted at violent aggressors or Black Bloc suspects.

Here's a clip of ~~police~~ soldiers marching into the "Free Speech Zone" to round up and remove all of the people expressing their right to assemble and to free speech - keep in mind that police authorities had told people that they could protest here.

This is part of a 10-part series on youtube documenting how the protesters were forced from the park and pushed by rows of police down the street. There are several images of protesters with bandannas over their faces but police don't seem to show any interest in them. Instead they push against the entire crowd.

Here's another video of interest. Police removing undercover ~~officers~~ agents from a crowd of protesters. This is also at Queen's Park.

I'm not sure that this can be considered hard proof that police had undercover agents dressed as Black Blocs, but it's certainly suspicious that they had one of their own dressed all in black with a hood. Two actually - there's a bald guy wearing shades who runs in right behind the hooded guy.

During many of these incidents where police detained people, undercover or otherwise, there were calculated efforts to block bystanders from filming, or as in the case just above, intimidate them so that they stop filming.

So... When I look at the videos together, I wonder if the targeted captures in the first video were really extractions of undercover police. That would explain why they were so precise, and why other protesters with hidden faces weren't targeted but people with cameras were.

That assumes that some of the detainees and police are great actors, so I'm not so sure. It also assumes that anything that happened that weekend followed the rules of logic and common sense...

Here's another interesting little tidbit...not because it proves anything. Just for fun.

This is from the second video above at 0:59.

Where have I seen that crazy hair before?

Maybe I'm wrong and it's someone completely different, but if it's her then the police really didn't get their billion dollar's worth - they clearly need to work on their undercover program. First of all, you might want to use less conspicuous looking individuals in your U/C operations. Second, you might want to get them out of the area as quickly as possible so as to better preserve their U/C status, rather than having them stand around chatting - after all, you might want to plant them in another crowd.

Just sayin' is all.

[Edit: The man in the bright blue jacket standing next to the lamp post is also visible in the video with the woman. Running with the group at 0:05, at 0:11 (reaching for something in his pocket?), in the background at 0:15, and finally crossing the police line with the black clad dude - just above the bicycle wheel at 0:47.]

Canada Day Eve

2010-07-01T01:13:00.001-04:00

I know I have to post about the past week but I have too much to say. It's been a really heartbreaking ride. I knew it would be bad, I knew I would be disgusted and I knew I would get angry, but the things I've seen and heard in the past few days during and after the G20 summit here in Toronto have shocked me.

I work in an area of town that has a reputation for being high crime, dangerous after dark, and full of all kinds of 'undesirables'... Immigrants and crazies and artists, oh my! And as a woman I know that when I walk alone down any street, particularly after dark, I am vulnerable to attack, assault, and abduction. I take precautions. But I have never been more afraid for my personal safety as I was this past week. I was scared of the police.

Not a terrorist threat, or Black Bloc anarchists, but the police. And the saddest part of it is that they were terrified of me too.

I've posted my pictures and written what I saw in the captions. Click below to see the album.

G20 Toronto - June 2010

Of course there's an avalanche of youtube videos being posted and shared that were taken on the ground during what the media described as "riots." I've shared many. I've tried to view them critically, not take them at face value, and avoid any that lapse into conspiracy theory or overly sensational accusations.

All I know is, whether or not the police used provocateurs, whether or not those police cars were abandoned on purpose, and whether or not the accusations of beatings, inhumane and degrading treatment, verbal abuse and sexual assaults by police are true, illegally "arresting," "detaining," "apprehending," or "capturing" innocent people without just cause is called ABDUCTION.

This video is really disturbing and it's long...and unlike the last vid it sadly doesn't have any board game play in it...but it's important that people see this.

Notice around 8:00 everyone gets very quiet. And docile.

People get quiet and docile when they are terrified and powerless. They don't protest, or stick up for each other. They wait for what's coming and hope they don't get hurt. It's basic psychology, and it's human nature.

Several members of the media were encircled and trapped in a large group of people just south of this smaller group, where they were forced to stand for 4 hours in the rain. (The larger group is visible in the rooftop view link embedded in the above video.) My fear is that had it not been covered widely by live news broadcast, the mass arrests that happened throughout the evening would have been as violent as these earlier ones.

The official story from police at the time was that the Black Bloc had infiltrated the crowd and they were trying to filter them out. The police captured hundreds of people off the street, many just on their way home from work or errands.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair refused to apologize, and suggested that anyone in the area was there at their own risk, including journalists. Read his interview in the Globe and Mail here.

It's Canada Day. I'm going to Queen's Park to let the world - and the Queen! - know that this isn't right.

As Canadians, G20 or no G20, we have the right to:

Walk freely in our city without being afraid, either of roaming anarchist groups or roaming police thugs.

Demonstrate peacefully without fear of abduction or police brutality.

We are not going to be intimidated and we're not going to be quiet. Regardless of your opinion on the G20, we need to unite and make sure these rights aren't so easily forgotten or disregarded.

Hope to see you tomorrow. Happy Canada Day.

Settlers of PATAK!

2010-06-06T00:56:00.002-04:00

I've been messing with iMovie again!

Here we are having some nerdy family fun around Mom's birthday. My brother got Settlers of Catan for Christmas and taught us how to play when I was visiting in May. And of course things got silly, as they usually do...

Enter the word "butterchicken" to see the video.

Settlers of PATAK! from KT on Vimeo.

better luck next time

2010-06-04T22:14:00.003-04:00

Found this in a bar sometime last year, just came across the picture again.

Pickup FAIL.

Knitting World Record

2010-05-21T15:44:00.005-04:00

This is going to be a great event!
(Click the poster to see a full-sized image.)

Not only can you get a free knitting lesson c/o Wise Daughters Craft Market, and take part in a Guinness World Record attempt, you can feel good knowing that a lot of the knitted stuff made during the event will go to Streetknit, who will pass it on to someone who really needs it. [If it's your first time knitting, don't worry, you don't have to donate your misshapen square of knitted fabric, a.k.a "dish cloth" - you can treasure it as a symbol of your knitty success forever!] There will also be performances, and commemorative tshirts for sale in support of That's Women's Work.

[Edit: Clearly my head is not on right and I am mixing up my days. I have corrected the section below to reflect the fact that it is happening the NEXT day, not the same day as I originally thought. Though the rain date for the knit-a-thon is the 13th, so...I might be at least partially right, potentially.... Yeah, no, I've just really got to stop multitasking...]

As if that wasn't enough to get you out of the house on a spring weekend, there will be a community yard sale taking place the next day on McMurray, Vine and Mulock starting at 9:00AM.

Hope to see you in the neighborhood!

living life as it happens

2010-05-12T17:44:00.004-04:00

Here is my, "I'm still alive" post.

I honestly believe that my life is busier now than it ever has been. It's wonderful -- being active and engaged and doing things that are meaningful to you feels really good. It is the difference between being alive and really living your life.

At the same time, there is inevitably a point when even all of that energizing enthusiasm is not enough to sustain an over demanding schedule...at least for me.

What started as me pursuing one or two personal interests and getting more involved in goings on around town has gradually snowballed into an avalanche of activity and invitations to events that all sound really fun and cool, and hey look I'm free that day so I can check it out, and still make that group meeting on Saturday, that club meeting on Wednesday, that charity event on Friday, and that other event next Saturday, and ooh I've been meaning to catch up with so-and-so and I need to connect with so-and-so about such-and-such, but whoops my entire week is suddenly booked and I'll have to pencil them in 2 weeks from now...

This is all quite shocking to me. I am usually the one doling out advice to friends on life balance, taking time for oneself, and going easy on your energy resources.

So I have decided I need to take my own advice and pull on the reigns a bit. I need to have some down time in the mix. This has NEVER been something I've had to do consciously, or with any kind of effort, but I am actually finding it kind of difficult. As much as I want to be sane, well-rested and unstressed, I also don't want to miss anything. I am suddenly an experience junkie.

I guess it ties into what I was talking about before, about missing student life. There are so many interesting people around doing really interesting, meaningful, creative things and I am in awe. It inspires me to do positive things with my time, and motivates me to support work like theirs.

It does not particularly inspire me to stay home, or motivate me to do laundry.

Ah well. I have plenty of backburner projects to keep me busy even if I'm grounded at home a night or two each week. Maybe I'll actually get more accomplished if I stop running around long enough to focus on something, anything...

Wow... I have become the person I never used to understand.

Carlos Andrés Gómez

2010-04-03T02:12:00.001-04:00

I admit, I have never been to a poetry slam. But I recently had the opportunity to check out Carlos Andrés Gómez, who is an award-winning spoken word artist, performer, speaker, and thought provoker. He came to speak and perform at Ryerson and the University of Toronto as part of their respective White Ribbon Week events.

I attended the UofT talk, called Behind the Masc: Defining Masculinity, and it was an inspiring evening. In between performing his poems and sharing stories about his own experiences, he engaged the group to talk about our own experiences and outlooks on what it means to be a man/woman, stereotypes, race, how we interact with each other and how society and popular culture tend to mediate and dictate those things.

Carlos' talent for the spoken word is combined with a talent for immediately putting people at ease. His raw honesty and the intimacy of what he shares with his audience is disarming, and in the quiet lecture hall (as opposed to a club or similar venue where Carlos often performs) people were very candid and able to share some pretty personal stories and thoughts.

I'm really glad I braved the miserable weather that day and attended, though it definitely made me miss the student life. I may be an uber nerd, but I really miss attending lectures. I miss being challenged to expand my thinking and being handed new concepts to chew on every day. It's intense and exhausting, that I remember, but once you're finished and pursuing a career it sometimes feels a bit like you've gone from running a sprint to running a marathon. Both can be rewarding but...well, how often do you see little children running slowly and steadily for fun?

That's okay, this is why life in the big ugly city is so great. There's always something intriguing going on. Carlos will be back in town very soon to perform with some other spoken word artists, including some local talent. I'm liking this poetry slam stuff and I definitely hope to check out the show. It's called One Mic, and will be at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. There's a facebook page with all the details, and you can buy tickets here.

Masc Magazine interviewed Carlos after his last visit and you can read the result here.

When Doves Cry

2010-03-12T15:25:00.005-05:00

If Dove's ads for their women's products are promoted under the Campaign for Real Beauty banner, I wonder what the men's line campaign would be called.

Dove's new TV spot aired during the Superbowl and has created quite a stir (or they've successfully generated a lot of PR for it, whatever).

It's opened up some discussion (or PR, probably PR mainly...) about what it means to be a guy. I've heard it called a "celebration" of masculinity. Hmm...

What I get from it is that being a guy is a total drag.

The ad ends with a line to the effect of "now that you're comfortable..." which implies that all of the stuff depicted in the ad until the very end was UNcomfortable for the guy. The song even says "it wasn't a breeze."

I think the ad is clever because on first glance it seems to be aimed at your typical traditional male audience - basically the same sports-loving, tool-using, woman-seeking, back-slapping, buddyboy dudes targeted by the beer companies.

On the other hand, I wonder if Dove is making a subtle nod towards middle-aged gay men who decide to come out of the closet after marriage, kids, and doing all of the things they feel they're expected to do - and BE - because they're men.

The point is though, lots of men feel that way regardless of their sexual orientation. From a very young age there's pressure to be athletic, popular (which, let's face it, often means carefully walking a fine line between "douchbag" and "nice guy"), have tons of sex, get the right girl, and fit into any number of stereotypes that are supposed to define what it means to be male. And where the hell does being a 'gentleman' fit into it? Even if you're not a guy, there's pressure to get married, have kids, get the house and the car and all that stuff we're supposed to want.

So the message from Dove seems to be something like:

"Guys, you've been faced with a lot of pressure, you've played along, and you've worked hard to meet all sorts of expectations. Good job, you've handled yourself well.

Now give up the charade and admit you enjoy the pleasures of luxurious lather and soft skin. You're man enough to use a bath poof, aren't you?"

Forget Men+Care. How about coining it the Campaign for Real Honesty?

manifest feminists

2010-03-05T00:08:00.001-05:00

I've come across some old photos. Here's one that stands out:

I have no idea who this guy is, but he was just in front of me at last year's Pride Parade. He's waving a Pride flag that says "Peace," and he's wearing a shirt that says "This Is What A Feminist Looks Like."

This is totally the guy I'm going to not marry.

If for some strange reason that doesn't work out then my fallback guy is Professor Stefan August from that episode of The Simpsons where Marge goes to college and Homer invents grunge music.

Professor August: I watch sports as well, just like a regular man.

(Professor August turns on the TV to a football game.)
Professor August: Good goddess! The Patriots are deep in Redskin territory. This isn't entertainment, it's genocide! (Sobs)

Professor August: Look at that lighthouse. It's the ultimate expression of phalocentric technocracy invading Mother Sky.

Marge: I thought they were just tall so boats could see them.

Professor August: No Marge. Everything penis-shaped is bad.

Bahahaha! He's soo radical. *swoon*

kick out the style! bring back the jam!

2010-03-01T22:43:00.008-05:00

Sowing the seeds
An end to need
And the politics of greed
With love

-- Tears for Fears

The book launch was pretty great. I met a guy named Paul who's really into growing sprouts, of course enjoyed some great grub, and as if there weren't already enough freebies up for grabs, I even won the first door prize of the night.

My door prize came in a nice little tote bag and included:

A free copy of Gayla's book (now with autograph!)
A garden tool called a Cobrahead. According to the label it "weeds, cultivates, scalps, edges, digs, furrows, transplants, de-thatches and harvests with ease." Holy crap. That's pretty thorough. I don't understand why I would want to scalp people with a garden tool, but I guess it's good to know that I have the option.
A pair of "Womanswork"gloves. I'm dubious about the name, but they are pretty snazzy and will last me a lot longer than the dollar store gardening gloves I've been making do with.
A bunch of buttons & magnets
A bundle of veggie seed packets

I came home with some other stuff too:

More freebies (seeds, a pin, a postcard, a snack), some 'Spacemaster' cucumber seeds I started at a planting table, and I bought a brand new tshirt that hasn't hit Gayla's store yet - it says "Microfarmer" and is totally sexy, says I.

As I was chatting to Paul I said something that I knew was true but had never articulated in this way before:

Thinking that you can't grow food because you don't own a farm is like thinking that you can't sew because you don't own a textile factory.

So here I go again. The weekend before last was Seedy Saturday, only this year it was held on a Sunday. This is an annual eco-fair and basically the big gardening kick off where rabid gardeners gather to buy and trade seeds, sign eco-related petitions, eat organic goodies and visit the tables of local community groups. This year I was better prepared and actually went with a shopping list. A pretty long one...but I managed to stick to it for the most part.

[ Disclaimer: This post contains a lot of potentially boring lists that are mainly for my benefit so I can look back and see what I did and when. Don't worry - I don't really expect non-gardeners to be interested in this stuff. :) Scroll on! ]

My Seedy haul:

October Pole Bean
Black Jet Soybean - Yay! I love edamame and have wanted to try soybeans for a while, even though they're supposed to be a bit more challenging than regular beans.
Purple Beauty (Sweet) Pepper
Purple Dragon Carrot - Apparently they're purple on the outside, orange on the inside.
Fish (Hot) Pepper - I was told these change all kinds of crazy colours and are in the medium-spicy range. I can also use these in my homemade anti-aphid spray.
Ambition French Shallot - Loved the name. I feel like my gardening plans this year are a little ambitious for a relative newbie like me.
Quebec 5 Tomato - Another name-related buy. I was torn between this and a "Tiger" variety that is supposed to come out all stripy, but I wanted to stick to one and the seller said enthusiastically that this was the better fruit. Can't argue with that...
Garden Sage
Greek Basil - Since enjoying my neighbor's homegrown basil last year I've wanted to grow my own. This is a compact variety that is supposed to do well in containers.
Red Baron Onion - "Think I got the message figured..."
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory - A coworker asked me to look for these and reminded me that I've wanted to grow Morning Glory since I saw them in a community garden I pass on the way to work. Had no idea the seeds can induce psychedelic trips (and I'm guessing my coworker doesn't either, though I guess you never know!)

Yesterday I actually got down to planting. Mostly flowers and herbs since it's still a little early for most veggies. Instead of buying seed starting mix I opted to just use coir.

The new nursery: radiator + a daylight lamp

It works!

I already have baby cucumbers! These are the 'Spacemaster' seeds I planted on Wednesday at the book launch. When I left for work this morning there was nothing visible and after 1 day under the lamp there's been some serious action. Let's hope everything else is as enthusiastic.

Speaking of everything else.... Here's what I planted yesterday:

Herbs
Sweet Basil
Greek Basil
Garden Sage
Italian Flat Parsely
Thyme

Flowers (edible)
Fireweed
Heavenly Blue Morning Glory
Blackjack Pansy
Cupid's Dart
Butterfly Weed
Triangle Flashback Calendula

This Friday is the first meeting of our Guerrilla Gardening group. I'm looking forward to it and already have a space in mind that's in need of a serious seed-bombing.

Is it spring yet?

falter fret and flutter

2010-02-26T12:31:00.002-05:00

From the CBC:

An iceberg about the size of Luxembourg that struck a glacier off Antarctica and dislodged another massive block of ice could lower the levels of oxygen in the world's oceans, Australian and French scientists said Friday.

With part of the glacier gone, the area could fill with sea ice, which would disrupt the ability for the dense and cold water to sink.

This sinking water is what spills into ocean basins and feeds the global ocean currents with oxygen, Rintoul explained.

"There may be regions of the world's oceans that lose oxygen, and then of course most of the life there will die," said Mario Hoppema, chemical oceanographer at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Germany.

Well, if they're right and this event is part of a chain reaction that will cause disastrous changes and loss of life in regions of the oceans (I wonder how large these "regions" will be or if the experts have the foggiest idea), maybe we will finally get the message.

The butterfly effect is in effect. Only in this case the butterfly is 28 km long and weighs 600-800 billion tonnes. Oh, and there are two of them. Hang on to your hats!

I'm not trying to be alarmist. Whatever parts of the ocean that are affected will ultimately adapt. Organisms that don't need as much oxygen will eventually move in and thrive. But we need to be aware - whatever happens to the oceans will eventually happen to us.

"We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever." - Carl Sagan

The planet is now in serious flux. We are likely going to see some massive changes, rearranges, upheavals...and we have no idea what they will be. Or how we'll cope with them.

Pretty exciting isn't it! I can't wait to see what the cockroaches do with the place once we're....oh wait. Nevermind.

Read the full article here.

evidently waiting on the weight of evidence

2010-02-22T11:08:00.003-05:00

ere's the latest official story on what the experts are saying they think is maybe not false about the effects of climate change:

Top researchers now agree that the world is likely to face stronger but fewer hurricanes in the future because of global warming, seeming to settle a scientific debate on the subject.

But they say there's not enough evidence yet to tell whether that effect has already begun.

Since just before Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi in 2005, duelling scientific papers have clashed about whether global warming is worsening hurricanes and will do so in the future. The new study seems to split the difference. A special World Meteorological Organization panel of 10 experts in both hurricanes and climate change — including leading scientists from both sides — came up with a consensus, which was published online Sunday in the journal Nature Geoscience.

As usual, we'll just have to wait and see what happens. I wonder how much evidence they would need before they could conclude that "the effect has already begun." A ten year study? Thirty years? Fifty years? I'm honestly curious.

It's interesting that drug companies can find new medications safe for human consumption in just a few years...and yet, 69 years after Landsberg introduced us to modern climatology, and after scientifically monitoring weather for 140 years (in the United States), nobody seems to know what's going on with the climate. With so much data available in this area it seems strange to me that we seem to know so little, even as individual nations. Apparently we can make predictions about the future, but we have no idea what's going on in the present.

Read the full article here.

Grow Great Grub - Book Launch

2010-02-17T22:00:00.001-05:00

kay, so we're over halfway through February. Well over halfway considering it's a short month. Which means we're practically on the very verge of March. Which, as we all know, is a spring month...right? March is practically April, and April is most definitely SPRINGTIME. Well...alright, okay, here in Ontario (even in Toronto, which, as we all know, is the Miami of Ontario) March is more like winter's last laugh. Strange sporty people go skiing while the rest of us trudge around in enormous thick coats and scarves and cumbersome mittens and stupid-looking hats and grumble endlessly about how cold it is. We look forward to April, which, as we all know, brings nothing but showers and some vague half-promises of May flowers, and try to find comfort in the few moments of precious daylight we gain every day.

That's why, as early as February, some of us are already distracting ourselves with thoughts of gardening. I just received my final 2009 Christmas present - a copy of Gayla Trail's new book: Grow Great Grub: Organic Food From Small Spaces. I am super psyched! As I mentioned back in October, I'd really like to do a better job of planning my garden this year and maybe actually grow some decent foodstuffs.

Who better to get me motivated than Gayla - Toronto's urban farmer extraordinaire. Way to represent Parkdale, sista. I am indebted to her first book and bloggy-type website (YouGrowGirl.com) for guiding me through my first attempts at growing and caring for non-houseplant plants. I started with some empty toilet paper rolls full of soil and before I knew it I had a balcony garden and homegrown veggies.

The point she makes so well though is that you don't need anything fancy or elaborate. You don't need to have a traditional type of garden to be a gardener - you can grow plants on a balcony, or in a bucket on your fire escape, or in tupperware on your windowsill. It all counts. You can grow food too if you want, whether you live in the country on a farm or in a tiny basement apartment. It's not only possible, it's easy and you can do it on a dime.

I'm glad she's decided to focus on food with this book, and I'm definitely glad she's dropped the girly title this time.

I'm also really glad to hear that there will be a Growing Great Grub book launch party. I will definitely be there, book in hand for signing like the fangirl that I cannot deny that I am.

WHEN: Wednesday February 24, 2010 from 6:30pm - 10:30pm

WHERE: Lula Lounge @ 1585 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON

WHAT: FREE! Door prizes, book giveaways, seed starting station, nibbles, and music by DJ General Eclectic. (Licensed event.)

For more info on the launch, check out the Facebook Event page or this Yahoo event page.
For more info on the book, check out the official website.

sorry no rainchecks

2010-02-16T16:18:00.005-05:00

I hear Vancouver is pretty rainy. And some are criticizing the decision to hold the Winter Olympics there in the first place. But this does sound like out-of-the-ordinary weather, even for drizzly Vancouver:

Olympic officials have been forced to cancel an additional 20,000 general admission tickets for six more events at the rain-plagued Cypress Mountain ski and snowboard venue north of Vancouver.

VANOC announced on Tuesday morning it plans to issue refunds for the standing room tickets after rain turned the spectator area into a dangerous mud pit.

...

The 31-day period ending on Feb. 9 was a record-breaking mild spell for Vancouver, according to Environment Canada meteorologist David Jones, who notes it's been at least 114 years since the area has recorded so many warm mid-winter days in a row.

It seems very unfair of them to cancel so many people's tickets and offer nothing but a refund. What about the people who traveled to Vancouver just to see the events? Pretty sad. Then again, when you're running the Olympics and being forced to fly in shipments of snow just to keep your ski hills open, customer satisfaction is likely the least of your concerns.

Read the rest of the article here.

Snow Days

2010-02-14T23:40:00.004-05:00

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- After experiencing a rare snowfall Friday, much of the South on Sunday was bracing for a second round of winter weather as forecasters warned a second storm would bring more snow.

The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories and warnings for a handful of Southern states, stretching into Indiana and Illinois. Winter storm watches issued for areas in Ohio and West Virginia. One to 3 inches of snow was expected Sunday night into Monday morning in Tennessee and across the mid-South.

...

According to the National Weather Service, 68.1 percent of the United States is covered with snow, compared with 51.2 percent in January. Every state except Hawaii has some snow cover.

Read the rest of the article here.

faith found

2010-01-30T16:58:00.004-05:00

hile I was waiting for the bus the other day, I saw a hand-written note laying flat, frozen onto the sidewalk, peeking out between some traces of thin light snow. Nobody at the bus stop seemed to notice it. Some people who walked by actually stepped on it as they went off to wherever they were going. I almost resisted the temptation to pick it up, but I couldn't leave it. Of course I had to know... It's torn around the edges, and you can see it was taken from a larger page of writing. Here's what it says:

"I have hope because I had Faith in God to remove my addiction. He found a way to restore my bio-chemical balance, without stimulants."

It makes me a bit sad... It sounds like this person only has that one reason in life to feel hope. But I'm happy for them for what they've overcome, and I wish them well. I hope they don't mind the accidental intrusion. Maybe they dropped the note on purpose?

I think I'll slip the note into a copy of PostSecret at the library and send it on to someone else who might need to read it.

The Opposite of Girl Power

2010-01-22T00:19:00.006-05:00

Another article on Billiam's spirit blog has caught my attention. This one is a contributed post by someone named Charlotte, who talks about her experiences with a Native elder who mentored her for many years.

Here's an excerpt:

We have lost our way, as a culture, in the understanding of power. We have confused brute strength with power. To be female is to be weak. Women are listed as minorities, entitled to special benefits by the government. Even though the census shows there are more women than men in this country. Even though stats show women outlive men. Even though these and other facts are in place, the mind set the government reflects that of the nation. Women are the weaker sex.

Would you think a dime wasn’t worth ten cents if, when you put it on the table, tails came up instead of heads? It’s the same purchasing power no matter how it falls. We, as women, are the flip side of the same power.

Okay, okay, this we know. Well, this I know. This I know when I can't get a presentable hair cut for under $80 and am then considered not to be a victim of sexism, but of vanity. But that's a petty example, I digress...

This next part, in particular, got me thinking:

It seems as if everything that makes us female needs to be erased, hidden or shamed. Ceremony and ritual were invented, so to speak, to connect men to the Natural World. Women, by their nature, are already connected. The tides, the moon, the planets, the sun, the seasons are reflected in the body and mind of women. Men, without ceremony, would be robots.

Whoa.

Did she just say that?

Men, without ceremony, would be robots.

Is that a fair statement?

I'm interested in how this ties into my previous ponderings about well-intentioned scientists linguistically reducing humanity to flesh machines.

I understand the sentiment. I understand the feeling behind what she's saying, and although/because it's one of those wide-sweeping generalizations, I think it does have some truthiness to it. It's the same old mythological set of stereotypes that won't seem to go away: Men are from Mars, and are more logical / Women are from Venus, and are more intuitive. But I question the assumption that men are not active participants in the cycles of life and nature except through ceremonial gestures, which seems to be what she's saying.

The suggestion is often made that because women menstruate and give birth, we have an instant and powerful connection to the "natural," which is a difficult idea to confirm or dispute. It refers to a potential power, and a potential connection. As an ecofeminist, the idea rings true for me but if anything it's more of a spiritual belief than a statement of fact. In other words, it's easy to say, "we are all connected," but unless you've personally experienced that connection, they're really just nice sounding words - regardless of your sex or gender.

So I would argue it works the other way. If you're willing and able to tune into those natural rhythms, you'll get a sense of your participation in those cycles ("the tides, the moon, the planets, the sun, the seasons"). Fertile female or not, you can find and experience that connection to nature if you're so inclined.

So was ceremony and ritual "invented" for or by men? I'm not so sure. Ritual is important in all cultures, even non-human ones. I guess the point is that women have an advantage if you consider that menstruation, birth, breast feeding - aspects of our biology - are potentially, in a sense, powerful rituals. Men have no equivalent experiences and have had to create their own. Fair enough. But to imply that without ritual men are completely isolated from the natural world doesn't make sense to me.

None of us are isolated from the natural world. We are the natural world. Deny it as we might.

From another perspective, maybe the idea is that women are thought of as symbols of the natural world - we're perceived as this bridge between "humanity" and "nature." (The cumbersome "0.5" in an otherwise neat and tidy binary system.) So suddenly the idea of men as machines makes more sense on this continuum of naturalness.

It's true, we are special, us women. I think Charlotte is exactly right about one thing: the rhythm of the universe pulses so strongly, powerfully and visibly in us that it has had to be "erased, hidden or shamed" because it cannot be ignored.

But when it comes down to it we all have a pulse, we all breathe, we all cycle through fair weather and bad, and we're all somewhere along on this great big loop-de-loop we call life.

Some of us feel the hum, some of us don't. Some of us do live and think and act like robots, but many of us celebrate the fact that we're alive - most of us do at least a little of both. Whether we realize it or honour it, or not, we are all magical creatures.

Read the rest of Charlotte's post here.

Turquoise 1:11 - USS

2010-01-18T21:05:00.004-05:00

You are, now, all of you, answering a call.
We have said recently the call has gone out.
The trumpets have been blasted.
It has been called out into the universe
that now is the time.

You are going to see your reality turned upside down.
You are going to see chaos.
You are going to see confusion.

You are forming new bodies from the inside out.

All that exists is Energy, and all is One,
because All is Consciousness.

A certain amount now of disruption or chaos
is necessary to create new order.

Your World is a Direct Result Of Your Thoughts

As you yourself grow,
telepathically you affect those around you -
in your family, in your school systems, in your neighborhood,
and then of course, within your world.

Your World is a Direct Result Of Your Thoughts

All that exists is Energy, and all is One,
because All is Consciousness.

In your terms, what you call critical mass,
when a certain number of individuals achieve a certain state of knowing
others will instantly comprehend.

The third dimensional experience is composed of thinking.
The fourth dimensional experience is more involved with feeling.

Your World is a Direct Result Of Your Thoughts

Be very gentle with yourself and your experiences.
Love yourself.
Trust yourself - that there is a part of you that indeed knows what's going on
and there is a part of you that has no idea.
And the part that has no idea, allow it to just tag along.
Do not judge it.

Your World is a Direct Result Of Your Thoughts

page turning

2010-01-05T20:19:00.009-05:00

t's that time of year. Time to reflect, reminisce, recover, reclaim, regenerate, re-jig, revise, restart and, for some, reform. I haven't made any resolutions - at least not for the sake of doing so because the year ended. I suppose there are a few I could make. There are a few 'to-do's on my list that could stop being 'to-morrow's. But right now that just feels like bullying myself. I'd rather think about the past year - what I've been blessed with, what I've learned, and how it's prepared me for what's ahead.

So instead of some generic 'it's been good, it's been bad' kind of entry, an overdone 'the world went to shit' kind of entry (I'll leave that to the year-end television specials), or a silly 'i laughed, i cried, i hurled' kind of entry, I will spare you dear reader and try to be more creative.

Here is a list of things I gathered this year (apart from an excessive collection of craft materials) in no particular order:

1. Some discussions are never finished, some issues are never resolved, some questions are never answered. And that's okay.

2. I am lucky to have such amazing friends.

3. You've got to stay positive. Or you're totally royally fucked and you might as well not bother. Loser.

4. Real furniture comes in real handy.

5. A decade is a long time. Eleven years is enough.

6. Be careful what you wish for. Acknowledge and appreciate the wishes that are granted. Don't push your luck.

7. Pets > Prozac

8. Magic really happens.

9. Good things come to those who wait. Oh, bad things too. And sort of so-so things that make you say 'meh.' It's a pretty mixed bag actually...

10. Hating someone is never as empowering as forgiving them. Being disappointed by someone else isn't half as bad as disappointing yourself.

11. Weddings are great. Other people's weddings, that is!

12. Sometimes the pendulum needs to take a few swings before settling. That's okay too.

the longest fall

2009-11-30T22:22:00.004-05:00

Snow-free November for Toronto

Last Updated: Monday, November 30, 2009 | 11:20 AM ET

Unlike in past years,
Toronto has been snow-free this November.
(Peter McCluskey/CBC)

Toronto is set to record its first snow-free November since the weather office started keeping records in 1937, but one expert suggests this is no guarantee of a mild winter to come.

With temperatures expected to stay between 6 C and 8 C through the first three days of the week, it's unlikely any snow will fall in the city before Thursday at the earliest.

"Not once has there ever been a November without at least a trace of snow. So it's truly remarkable," said Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips.

Read the rest of the article on CBC here.

when a motivational plaque just won't do

2009-11-26T23:17:00.005-05:00

I was meeting up with a friend and we ended up in Shoppers Drug Mart. I found one of these "teen" care packages where they pre-package a bunch of products (one set for boyees and one set for girlz) and sell them to parents who don't have time to organize a real, not-corporately-constructed care package for their darling ones.

$8 for $30 of toiletries - and mostly stuff I'm likely to use? Always up for a deep discount, I grabbed one. It was worth it just for the facewash, which is usually close to $10 on its own.

One of the more ridiculous products included was a 3-pack of these:

Yes, it's a tampon. Bear with me. These are sport tampons.

I don't even remember the brand - I threw out the packaging in disgust too quickly to take note. I remember seeing ads for these and I get the marketing behind them - tampons are not just for the cheerleaders; they're for the tomboys playing football and excelling at sports. That's cool I guess...y'know, for a company that sells products designed to help women hide their monthly shame...whatever.

What I didn't realize was that these are also motivational tampons.

Oh hell yeah! I feel so alive! I WILL show my body who's boss - take THAT reproductive system!! Why don't all feminine hygiene products offer me this kind of invigorating pep talk?

But wait, wait...it's gets way better.

Because what teen girl wouldn't want to read a phrase like this on something she's about to stick where the sun don't shine?:

Apologies if these pics are blurry but I was laughing so hard I almost dropped the camera.

Ok, ready?
*Drumroll please.*

Here it is.
The grand finale of ridiculousness and my very personal favourite:

W3 @re Al1 C8nn3cted

2009-11-07T20:44:00.008-05:00

I recently heard about the Symphony of Science website. As described on the website, the Symphony of Science is a "musical project by John Boswell designed to deliver scientific knowledge and philosophy in musical form."

[I never noticed how much Bill Nye sounds like Kermit the Frog.]

I like what Boswell is trying to do here. I think, if I'm right, he is trying to communicate that there's something beautiful and spiritual about science, or at least, science is a means to comprehend the beauty and mindblowingness of the universe. Similar to what David Suzuki has tried to do, particularly with the Nature of Things series.

But why oh why must so many science folk insist on referring to Nature as machinery??

We compare Nature to whatever the human technology of the moment is. We've called the universe a giant clock and God a master clockmaker. During the age of steam power, the earth, plants, our bodies, etc. became engines that ran on fuel. In the post-industrial era as computers came on the scene we began to say that human and non-human creatures alike are "hard wired" or "programmed" and that our brains have "circuitry." Now in the internet age we use the word "networks" to describe everything from animal dens and social behaviour to fibrous tissues and groups of cells.

I can't help but wonder...

Does science recognize that our creations (i.e. technology) are influenced/limited by our own biology, which is itself a creation of the universe? Concepts like steam engines and computer networks were born of a system of cells in the brain that need energy to survive. Is it any wonder that the universe, and our bodies that the universe created, and the machines that our bodies created work in similar ways? Let's not forget what came before what.

Does science recognize that our understanding of the universe is influenced/limited by whatever our society is immersed in at the moment (i.e. technology)? Perhaps teachers of science choose to use terms that people will understand and relate to, and draw comparisons that the average non-scientist will understand. That makes perfect sense. But I often get the feeling that the language is no longer used merely as a comparison - it seems to me that scientists really believe that the body is a machine, different only in that it was/is created by some other force or power than human innovation. All societies throughout history have explained nature and reality in a way that reflected and agreed with their basic world views, and we are no different. Our worldview at the moment is entrenched in and mediated by technology. So, again, it's no wonder we choose to see biology and other natural phenomena through that lens.

Personally, it gives me hope to see the giddy wonder that these scientists seem to have for the world around us and the cosmos that brought it all into Being. If we could all see the universe with the enthusiasm, admiration and respect that they do, I think we'd be on to something wonderful. I just wonder if they know that you don't need to understand mathematics, astronomy or quantum physics in order to get that giddy feeling. That spirituality, and appreciating the beauty in all things, is much more accessible than that.

Science is one road that can take you there, but there are so many other avenues. Some people get there through music, or dance, or art, and others get there through religion, or studying history. It can happen in a moment looking up at the stars, or over a lifetime working with animals. You can take a drug and suddenly find yourself there, or kick an addiction and realize you were there all along and didn't know it. You can find it through love and through loss, through sickness and recovery. Through fantastic sex, or incredible suffering. It's a place, an idea, an endless moment, there inside yourself, and inside everyone and everything else. We are all connected.

Neverending Story: Alternate Ending

2009-10-28T20:47:00.005-04:00

Just thought of an alternate ending for the Neverending Story movie (1984). Unless I saw it on Robot Chicken and thought it was my idea by accident...

So at the end Bastian's first wish is granted and he flies around Fantasia for a while. Falcor asks him, "What would you like to wish for next?" Bastian whispers something in Falcor's ear. Falcor belts out laughing.

Bastian and Falcor swoop down into Bastian's neighborhood and see the 3 bullies that gave Bastian a hard time. "Look, there they are!" shouts Bastian as he pulls out a rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. The bullies run into the school and Falcor flies in behind them. Bastian, guns blazing, takes out the bullies yelling "LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT, CHICKEN!!!" while Falcor lobs pipe bombs. Falcor's roaring laughter echos through the halls as Bastian grins and pats the top of the dragon's head. The bullies, as well as several other students and teachers, are killed during the massacre before Bastian and Falcor off themselves in the school's attic.

Ah, for a simpler time when schoolyard revenge was based on social terrorism instead of the gun-related kind...

GO going electric?

2009-10-27T09:58:00.003-04:00

There's been an update on the Metrolinx GO expansion I wrote about in an earlier post. Metrolinx is conducting a study to determine the feasibility of running the new trains on the Georgetown corridor on electric power instead of diesel.

From the Toronto Star:

Expected to cost more than $2 million, the study is the most comprehensive in GO's history, say transit officials, who are under pressure from the community concerned about diesel pollution to electrify the Georgetown line, due for a $1 billion expansion. The expansion is necessary for GO to offer two-way, all-day service to Brampton and Georgetown and to run a rail link between Union Station and Pearson airport.

This will be the first broad look at the health and community impacts, as well as the economics of electrification, Metrolinx officials said Tuesday at a board meeting. Earlier studies examined electrifying the Lakeshore line only and focused on the cost of electric versus diesel.

This latest study will also consider alternative rail technologies.

Good news, I suppose. Even if this particular project doesn't go electric, at least the study will be done and will hopefully show that electric is the way to go on future projects. It sounds like the potential economic savings (minus the cost of the study of course) are already appealing to GO Transit.

The "community concern" that has pressured Metrolinx into conducting this study has been coming from the Clean Train Coalition. Looks like their hard work is paying off.

Read the full Star article here.

Baby Einstein misled consumers

2009-10-26T12:30:00.002-04:00

I'm glad this scam finally got thwarted. Ads for Baby Einstein videos have been airing for years, and though they claim to have softened the wording of their marketing efforts to retract claims that the DVDs actually offer educational benefits to babies who watch, I would argue that you can't exactly call your product "Baby Einstein" without indirectly inferring that it will make your baby smarter.

From the CBC article:

The Baby Einstein Company began offering cash refunds last month on any Baby Einstein DVDs bought in the United States from June 5, 2004, to Sept. 4, 2009. Canadians can get a refund if they're not satisfied within 60 days under a separate program.

Launched more than a decade ago, Baby Einstein was marketed as an educational tool that helps develop cognitive skills in babies up to the age of two.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a Boston-based advocacy group, claimed victory in its lengthy battle to protect consumers from falsely believing the videos could, for example, teach words to babies under two years old.

The campaign complained to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in May 2006, saying claims made on Baby Einstein packaging and the website were not supportable by scientific research.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under two years old watch no television or other "screen media."

The Baby Einstein company is a subsidiary of Disney, which leads me to believe that the videos are actually designed to make your baby dumber, and thus more likely to enjoy other Disney media later in life.

I see TV along the same lines as drinking alcohol and eating junk food - it's bad for your health (mental and physical) and something you probably shouldn't do, but for most people it's enjoyable and socially acceptable enough to not seem so bad. There is inevitably something better you could be doing with your time, your brain and your body, but you indulge anyway.

Okay, letting your kids watch TV every day is probably not as physically harmful as letting them eat a Happy Meal every day, but even at 5 or 8 or 11 years old I would argue it's not far off in terms of mental pollution.

But your baby?? Come on... Sitting an infant in front of a video and expecting it to enrich their lives is a bit naive. I hope at least that the people who have bought the DVDs were really just desperate for child care and didn't have anyone to watch the baby while they made dinner or showered or did whatever needed doing, so decided to get the least harmful/most beneficial video they could find to entertain their precious one in the meantime.

They say the first 5 years are crucial - it's the time we learn the basics of how to be human beings. Thanks for teaching even younger kids how to sit still, shut up and stare at the boob tube, Disney! I'm sure the DVDs have done wonders for voter turnout in North America...

For more on babies and TV check out this article.

Read the rest of the CBC article here.

August 20th, 2009

2009-10-24T22:58:00.008-04:00

Some of you may remember the absolutely massive storm that hit the GTA on August 20th.
I have finally gone through my footage! It isn't as good as some of the images that other people got of the many tornadoes that were spotted, but it gives you an idea of how crazy and eerie it all was.

Eerie Summer Storm: Aug 20, 2009 from KT on Vimeo.

Not something you can really capture on film, but it was a sight to behold. One minute it was calm, the next minute this massive rolling black cloud (0:47 - for a second it kinda looks like a hand, palm down) enveloped everything and the rain came down like a ton of bricks. The storm itself didn't last long. Then suddenly it was sunny again and the clouds cleared out, only the rain and thunder continued...it was very strange. And incredible.

H1N1 vaccine - 2G1 or N2G1

2009-10-23T10:16:00.008-04:00

[Note: I'm offering a prize to the first person who can decode of the title of this entry and post it in the comments.]

The FDA is angry at Dr. Andrew Weil for promoting his herbal immune support supplement on his website.

Their warning letter is available here, on the FDA website. They are threatening Dr. Weil with legal action, supposedly because they feel he is promoting his immune formula supplement as an alternative to the H1N1 vaccine.

Having read the letter and all of the references to the supplement that the FDA specifically quotes as illegal, I can't see any instance where Dr. Weil actually says that his product is meant to replace the vaccine. As far as I can see, he is merely suggesting that supplements can be used to reduce the risk being infected with a cold or flu virus. Granted, he does include this advice on his site in a section called "The Swine Flu - H1N1: Swine Flu and You."

The FDA seems to have a particular problem with his claims about astragalus, an ingredient in his immune formula, that is supposed to have medicinal properties but has not been well studied as a supplement. According to the wiki, its contains a substance being studied for treatment of HIV and various infections, but there is a "theoretical increased risk of cancer" due to the role this substance plays in increasing our resistance to tumors. (I suppose too much of a good thing could be harmful...)

The FDA's main point seems to be that Dr. Weil is promoting a product that, they claim, is not supported by any "well-controlled human clinical studies." Plus, EVEN WORSE, he didn't ask them for approval.

Alright, yes, the FDA is right to make sure that there are no disreputable people selling sugar pills or rat poison to cash in on the H1N1 controversy over the effectiveness of the vaccines.

But really, considering there ARE major doubts and conflicting information about the effectiveness and safety of the pharmaceutical solutions to this problem, shouldn't the FDA be spending more time proving to us that the vaccines are safe and effective than using scare tactics to quash the competition??

If their point is that a herbal supplement made from a legume that has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years poses a bigger threat than a brand new vaccine just concocted by a profit-driven pharmaceutical company, then I'm willing to listen. But that isn't what they're saying. They're just protecting an investment.

In New York the vaccine was going to be mandatory for health workers until the workers spoke out and their union sued against the practice, claiming the vaccine's effectiveness and risks have not been proven and that forcing vaccinations on people is a violation of their rights and freedoms. The city decided not to make the shots mandatory after all - CNN claims this was due to a vaccine shortage. (I can't help but wonder who orchestrated the shortage - the pharm company or its supplier? It conveniently halted the debate. Plus, as the video game industry has taught us, product shortages help sustain a frenzy of demand and are great for business.)

What REALLY gets me though is that as our health care systems have failed us (more so in the States but here in Canada as well) we as individuals have been encouraged to take more control of our own health care. Take better care of yourself, demand tests from your doctor, demand a second opinion, take charge! To reduce the strain on an overburdened system we've been encouraged to rely less on one family doctor and to explore other options like walk-in clinics, talking to your friendly neighborhood pharmacist, or calling some useless phone line for medical advice. On the upside, more insurance plans now routinely cover alternative health care providers like chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths, acupuncturists...

And yet, we are still at the mercy of bullies who don't want us to stray too far from the status quo top-down system that has worked out so well for pharmaceutical corporations. In this system drugs are manufactured like any other product - to be as marketable and profitable as possible - and doctors end up essentially acting as sales representatives, recommending the latest designer drugs to their patients because they have been sold on them.

Although we are told to take our vitamins, if we dare to step outside the system and rely too much on alternative options, we are reminded that herbal supplements can be dangerous, that they are not regulated, that they will interfere with your regular medications and may cause your head to explode.

Yes, okay, be careful with what you put into your body. It's true that bad reactions can occur, as with any medicine. But really, the message is to be scared of anything daddy doesn't give you, no matter what the potential benefits. Pharma knows best, and don't you forget it. (In the case of Dr. Weil, even a medical doctor who went to Harvard can't be trusted.)

I am still undecided about whether or not to get vaccinated. Although nobody seems to know why, young women are more susceptible to H1N1. More susceptible to dying from it. That should worry me because I am in that category, but frankly I'm so annoyed by all the madness and stupidity that I just don't want to participate - I want to ignore all of the urges to get vaccinated and take my chances with the alternatives.

Today is the End is the Beginning

2009-10-21T13:25:00.002-04:00

I can't say that I've agreed 100% with everything Billiam has written or posted on his spirit blog, but I am enjoying moments like these when I am inspired to nod and smile. (If only because he is so cute when he rants.)

From a recent post on Everything From Here to There:

The money system, which justifies money as a god (lower case!) and, in its wake, rationalizes starvation, class warfare, war, and judgment, is about to implode. Don’t believe it when ‘they’ happen to tell you everything is cool with the money system. Everything is not cool!! Money is just being printed and printed without backing, and I believe today marks the significant date that this snake-system begins to eat its own tail. Remember that those who tell you everything is ‘ok’ with the money system are paid by those who would most benefit from you believing blindly in its solidity. Know that the system of money is a shadow system for the system of death.

If you ask most people what is really going on, they know something is happening, but will readily admit that they don’t really want to know. When the #1 story on a world class news source is about police investigating possible charges against the balloon boy’s family, that is a clear sign that We collectively do not-want-to-know! It is easier to believe in someone who tells you what you want to hear than in a cuckold like me who can’t help but tell you at least a heartfelt form of the truth. Not the whole truth mind you (for I do not possess it), but at least a heartfelt version of it. Why are these news sources telling you everyday to get vaccinated when there are very serious concerns about the safety of what is being shot into people? Why are governments protecting the vaccine makers from lawsuits brought by private citizens should the vaccines be dangerous to human health? Shouldn’t the safety of a vaccine they have just made 175 million doses of be the #1 story? (I know, it’s too logical!) Appearances, and the system of being placated to death, will also begin its slow downward spiral today.

The paternal system is leaving us as well, to be replaced by a better system we’ll, for the time being, call the maternal system. The maternal system will be led by our true mother, Mother Earth, as we come into harmony with this planet. We don’t need angry dad anymore to lead us into senseless wars, or to tell us why it’s a good idea to continue to slaughter, even though they were elected because they said they would stop the same senseless war. We certainly don’t need the paternal/authoritative system to tell us anymore that everything is going to be alright, when it is so obvious that things are not all-right. We’ll come to no longer allow men to maim this planet in the pursuit of vague gains cloaked in humanitarian goals. All that has come to an end. So begins the era of Responsibility.

Read the rest of the entry here.

Chloe's Got Talent

2009-10-21T09:18:00.002-04:00

I apologize for what you are about to see.
I don't have kids to indulge. Humour me, will you?

Chloe's Got Talent from KT on Vimeo.

legends of the summer

2009-10-20T23:15:00.010-04:00

It's autumn! Somehow we've arrived near the end of October, and I feel like just yesterday I was not watering my plants and otherwise neglecting my garden. Time has flown.

So before the snow hits the fan, I thought it would be nice to finally follow up on my previous post about my first stab at gardening in the ground as opposed to in containers.

Things went surprisingly well. As in, I managed to grow plants.

'BEFORE' (June 2009)

'AFTER' (August 2009)
aka 'Why Tomato Cages Are a Good Idea'

Of the 4 things I planted the tomatoes were the only thing to grow. They grew like crazy. I didn't really prune them or do much at all except keep them from drying out and eventually staking them when they started falling over, so it's not surprising that they took over the whole space and stole all the sunlight from my other seeds.

The insanity from a different angle

The good news is that my half-assed efforts were rewarded - with half-assed tomatoes!

I don't know what happened here. Some baby tomatoes grew into little purple berry thingies while others on the same plant grew into pretty regular-looking tomatoes. These berry things looked like tomatoes on the inside... A bad case of end rot? Maybe it's a totally different plant that got intermingled with the tomatoes? Sigh...Only I could plant tomatoes and get blueberries.

The good news is that I did manage to gather a few edible tidbits.

This is the most I was able to gather at one time. I couldn't get these little guys to turn red, so I figure these must be the White Rabbit variety I'd already grown on my balcony, though these are more yellow and less white than the ones I saw before. In any case, they were DELICIOUS.

I really don't want to get into the state of my balcony garden, because it's even sadder than the state of my garden plot. I did manage to grow a couple of peppers from my old sweet pepper plant, and have managed not to kill my rosemary and chive plants.

In preparation for spring I've bought some bulbs. I've never planted bulbs before, but I know the nice feeling I get at the end of a long, disgustingly cold winter when I see little green shoots coming up out of the ground. (Here in Canada it takes until about, oh, JULY...) So as a gift to my future winter-weary self I'm going to plant some pretty flowers to welcome me to spring in April, May and maybe June. Might plant some garlic too.

Next year I endeavor to plan my plot, start more seeds, make more of an effort, and grow more food.

Dead Zone PSA

2009-10-16T11:43:00.005-04:00

Speaking of climate change, here is a very important public service announcement from Christopher Walken:

change of climate

2009-10-15T16:50:00.004-04:00

We have a bit of a Thanksgiving tradition in my family. We always have a centerpiece of coloured leaves that me and my brother go and collect from outside. As I remember, we used to be able to step right outside into the front yard or back yard of my parent's house to find a mix of bright red, orange and yellow leaves. Now, we always have to walk a block or two to find one of the handful of early-changing trees in our neighborhood. The rest of the trees are still green, every year.

Do I have hard data to support this story? Dates, data, pictures, scientific measurements? No... It's anecdotal, and it's based on my personal experience. Unfortunately it's the kind of story that is easily dismissed. (Then again, lots of scientific data about melting ice caps has also been repeatedly dismissed, so I suppose we're in bad shape regardless.)

But it's still important, isn't it? How many other stories could help to paint a picture of what's happening? I'm not even 30 years old and am talking about a change over just a couple of decades here - what have other people noticed?

Yes, I'm actually encouraging older people to sit around and start stories that begin with "When I was a child...." Apologies, apologies! But maybe we all need to hear what our elders have to say. As much as we hate to admit it, and adamantly claim the opposite, we lose some history with every generation. For all the record-keeping and information hoarding by people we trust to be experts on those things, we don't remember everything. We fail to pass basic things on to our children. Ways of living, speaking, being and doing are forgotten - let alone what the weather does.

Maybe we should pay more attention. Maybe we should not dismiss what we notice. We know there are more natural disasters occurring worldwide and are finally figuring out that the results of climate change will be unpredictable - not just a gentle, possibly pleasant shift in temperature. Things are about to get pretty crazy, for everyone.

Our own personal histories are important, and most won't appear in any textbook in any classroom. Is your climate changing? From what to what? What stories could you tell your children or grandchildren about what's happening to the planet, now or in the future?

fuel-less car by 2010?

2009-10-14T11:35:00.004-04:00

There is a company that wants to run cars on air....and magnets.

Taking inspiration from a 1930's design that ran on compressed air and required no gas at all, Magnetic Air Cars of California is trying to move forward and make cars oil-free.

Pretty exciting. This is why I am annoyed by the car companies introducing hybrid cars as some kind of revolutionary idea - there are other, better options out there waiting to be adopted. And, apparently, some of them have been around for seventy years. S E V E N T Y Y E A R S.

Of course I have to be a wee bit skeptical as well. The home of Magnetic Air Cars is a facility called Club Auto Sport, which, according to their website, caters to "motor sports aficionados and vintage car collectors."

Are car enthusiasts really going to be excited about reinventing/redefining the car? And isn't it (partly at least) our society's love affair with the car that has done so much damage and messed up our priorities so badly? I can't help but feel that in order to move forward from this point, we are going to have to get over our car lust and look at transportation more rationally. Collecting vintage cars and getting practical about sustainable, environmentally friendly options seem to me like they're on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Then again, maybe it's the car enthusiasts who need to get behind these ideas the most. If they can get excited about new innovations, and are willing to spend their money in support of them, then I suppose they're in a good position to steer the industry away from gas-guzzling asthma-inducing machines.

An environmentally-friendly car is still a car though. Opting for cars over public transit is still an illustration of our individualistic values, and an obsession with being slightly more in control of ones own daily destiny, regardless of the relative waste of materials, the danger of accidents, and the obvious stratification of poor vs. rich that private property inevitably facilitates.

Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change

2009-10-09T11:08:00.004-04:00

From the website:

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their own blogs with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be the largest-ever social change event on the web. One day. One issue. Thousands of voices.

Alright, now I've committed. Let's see if I actually have anything to say about climate change on the 15th...

I do really like the idea of focusing the attention of the blogosphere onto one topic for one day. As I've mentioned, I think there is power in thought and intention.

I like to think of the internet as a kind of tech-enabled collective consciousness. Surely, steering even a fraction of that consciousness away from pornography and gambling and towards finding solutions to a serious world issue, for even a short period of time, is a positive thing and worth doing.

choices

2009-10-07T10:06:00.007-04:00

I wish I had taken a picture.

Over the weekend I bumped into the anti-abortion protesters that like to demonstrate at Keele and Bloor. They stand on all 4 corners of the busy intersection with signs that say "Abortion Hurts Women" and "Adoption: The Loving Choice" among other things. Having lived just up the street for a year or so it wasn't the first time I'd seen them, or been both creeped out and ruffled by their self-righteous Army of Christ posturing.

I was on my way to my favourite coffee shop and there were a few protesters stationed right outside, one of whom I thought was waving a stick in the air. An enthusiastic passer-by who decided to show his support for the cause, I figured.

It wasn't till I got inside and got talking to the staff at the shop that I realized the guy was waving a coat hanger.

Apparently he'd come out of the bar next door with it and planted himself next to the pro-lifers without them noticing. And there he was, enthusiastically swinging his stretched out coat hanger in the air, silently protesting the protesters, without them realizing.

Oh, to have captured it on film.

I learned at the coffee shop that the protesters belong to St. Joan of Arc church, which is a block away. Having done some investigation I've found there are at least 2 clinics in the area performing abortions and the protest is no doubt meant to target women considering or planning an abortion as well as the general public.

I understand it's not a black and white issue. I know it's complex. And although I don't share their views, I can't help but feel some respect for people who decide to go out and take a stand for what they believe in. (I would have more respect if it didn't involve terrorizing women who are already in a difficult situation, but...)

But I can't get over the irony. What would Joan of Arc's life had been like had she faced an unwanted pregnancy? Would she have ever left her life as a peasant girl? Would she have been able to travel, to hobnob with the King, to go to war? Would she have been able to stand up and take action after watching her own village burned to the ground? Would she have been canonized as the patron saint of France, and of soldiers?

This teenaged girl, who wore men's clothing to escape the confines of her gender and to protect her own chastity, would have faded into history, completely unknown, never having had the chance to share her intellect, her bravery, and her devout faith in God. She would not have had the chance or the choice.

We send medallions with Joan of Arc on them to our soldiers overseas to wish them well as they kill and try not to be killed. Many soldiers are recruited from poverty - from single mothers, welfare, food stamps, no hope for an education - and honour their mother's sacrifices by sacrificing the lives foreigners.

Sacrifice is a concept I think Joan of Arc understood very well. I wonder how she would react to the protesters knowing their actions were in her name.

Here? Now?

2009-09-29T21:51:00.008-04:00

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when I started seeing Ford ads featuring the song "Right Here, Right Now" by Jesus Jones.

I mean, things are not looking good for the auto industry. Things are pretty amazingly bad. When GM is admitting it needs a complete and total overhaul, it's not exactly the time to sing "there is no other place I'd rather be" from the hilltops. Especially for GM employees, and the thousands of former GM employees who have been laid off.

I'm sure it sounded like a good idea to the GM execs while sitting around a boardroom table at a lavishly catered meeting with their marketing experts. I'm sure it seemed like a great way to get people all fired up and optimistic.

But there's something I find very crass about acknowledging the fallout of a global economic crisis to the poppy beat of a song that has come to encapsulate the euphoria and excess of the 1980s tech boom.

To me it serves more as a reminder that it was euphoria and excess that got us into this mess to begin with, and that while cars with fancy gadgets might be appealing, GM is up against growing dissent. People are yearning for simplicity and common sense. And while hybrid cars and showy shots of wind turbines might be a small step in the right direction, it is a sad case of too little too late. The auto industry sat on its hands for too long, and has a lot of catching up to do.

Billiam

2009-09-26T01:08:00.002-04:00

I have been a big fan of the Smashing Pumpkins since I was a grunge-loving closet goth in high school. In fact, early on in my fandom I developed a pretty significant crush on James Iha. Apparently there was nothing I found more attractive than a mute, androgynous, cross-dressing guitarist.

(And nothing has changed.)

But over time my crush began to transfer over to a different member of the band. To my surprise, Billy Corgan suddenly struck me as one sexy guy.

Even after he cut off his pretty hippie hair. (Sob!) Even after he shaved his head. (Wail!)
Despite the rumoured infighting and regardless of some (ok quite a few) abrasive comments that tended to upset even the most loyal SP fans.

In fact, I still think he is one sexy guy.

There is something about the Smashing Pumpkins' music that has always enchanted me. And that is the balance of opposites. The play between extremes. I've always considered this is a Billy thing, perhaps because his voice and his personality seem to execute it so well.

That is not to say that SP is the only band that has mastered this. Yes, I know, it's all been done before and has likely been done since. That matters not to this particular blog post.

What makes the songs so great is the incredible tension. The songs fade in unassumingly, nibble at your ears, build up to a massive explosion and then slowly walk into the sunset.

But it's not just about orgasmic guitar solos - everybody can do those. There's something more subtle at work. Billy's voice wavers between whispers and screams, gentleness and anger, tenderness and viciousness, vulnerability and gnashing of teeth. He is an emotional tease, and keeps you guessing.

It's not just about the singing either. There is always, always a minor chord just around the corner. No matter how ridiculously happy and cheery a song sounds in the beginning, you KNOW they will deliver the goods eventually. The mood will swing, the song will skip and play right over the edge of a cliff, and the melody will spread its wings and soar into melancholy. That's what the band does. And it's delicious.

One song in particular that kind of captures the tension for me - and it's not even one I particularly love - is "Behold! The Night Mare" from the Adore album. On first listen it sounds like a kind of sleepy, la la la, cute little song that isn't particularly exciting. It may even qualify as cheesy. But when you really listen to the chorus, and the driving of the beat, it suddenly becomes something really...horrific. Something full of manic energy.

Like a quiet conversation that feels furious because you have a fever.
Or watching a train wreck in slow motion to the twinkling sound of a music box.

I think it's pretty amazing to be able to put that kind of energy and feeling into music, and have it translate to the listener.

So, yes, I'm a fan. Through all the incarnations and silliness, and my regret that I never got to see them play live in 1996, the love is still there.

But when I decided to subscribe to Billy Corgan's blog to see what was what, I had no idea that it would lead me to this site.

Everything From Here To There is Billy's latest project - a blog where he discusses his spirituality and, by the looks of it, will encourage others to explore their own ideas on the subject.

When I heard the Zwan album I remember my reaction was "this sounds like the Smashing Pumpkins only clean, happy, and born-again." I suspected that BC may have found Jesus. [See track 13 for how I might have pieced that little riddle together...]

Well, apparently he did find some kind of spirituality, though it doesn't seem to be any particular religion. In fact his musings on how he finds meaning in life are not far from my own "beliefs," though I prefer to call them "experiences" since to me spirituality is more about what you feel than what you think.

As part of the launch of his new spirit blog, Billy held an essay contest inviting potential contributors to write to him about their take on spirituality.

I sent my entry in yesterday.

Having sat down and written (and written and written) about things I generally don't talk about openly, I have all the more respect for Billy and his courage to put himself out there for the world to see. We all have our own Truths, I think, and his willingness to be candid and show everyone what has meaning for him - from musical inspirations and pop culture, to the Bible and his astrological forecast - is a big risk to take for someone of his celebrity status.

And sexy. Did I mention it's sexy too?

[PS: Let's not forget Jimmy Chamberlin and his wicked album Life Begins Again with his band The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. It's a lot like SP, but with guest vocals by Rob Dickinson of Catherine Wheel!! Meaning it's amazing.]

[PPS: I miss that bitch D'arcy.]

Fear of Fighting

2009-09-24T13:32:00.004-04:00

Last night I was killing some time in Book City and the first book I picked up was Fear of Fighting by Stacey May Fowels (illustrations by Marlena Zuber).

I was immediately captivated by the main character Marnie and her blunt, choppy ramblings. This character and I have so much in common - single women, late 20s, living and working in Toronto - only her completely bleak, ridiculously depressed outlook on her life contrasts sharply with my newfound optimism and contentment with my life in the city. Her hopelessness, and her self-loathing are evident in neurotic ramblings that are raw and sad, but also really hilarious at times.

Here's my favourite excerpt so far, which actually made me laugh out loud on a crowded bus:

Lately I've been collecting and accumulating fears of dying.

Being alone means I've got a lot more time on my hands to pay attention to all the ways I could possibly go. Being alone means I've got a lot more time to fantasize about all the ways no one will likely notice.

I make a point to write down my pervasive panic daily, carrying with me a little brown dog-eared notebook and cataloging the things that rattle me, a rapidly growing list of all my obsessive anxieties. For some reason, having them documented makes me feel more in control of the possibility they will arise. Having a record means at some point I can say, "see, I told you so."

While "cancer" shows up on these lists almost daily, other items rotate, appear and disappear at will, things like "bladder infection" and "sudden paralysis."

Then there are the more irrational fears, like "attacked by pigeons" and "pushed onto subway tracks."

I jot them all down on the same pages I write lists of "things to do," how many cigarettes I've smoked, and phone numbers I need to recall. What results is randomized combinations of digits, dentist appointments and descriptions of tsunamis and tornados, reminders of Friday night dates and an overwhelming fear of scabies.

Like little pseudo-haikus of the modern neurotic condition:

Thursday, Meeting about new digital filing system, 10:30 a.m.
Eye Abscess, Colon Cancer, Eaten by Wild Dogs
Pick up eggs, milk and cat food
8

Olive; Veterinary Appointment, Monday 9:45 a.m.
Fainting on the bus, blood clot in leg, pregnancy, female pattern baldness
Call Ben at work: 416 767 8923
3

Return Ben's Sweater and DVDs
Being alone
Buy Vodka
17

It's rare that I get this into a book right off the bat but I am officially engrossed and delighted.

happenings this week

2009-09-09T19:17:00.005-04:00

A few events on the radar:

The 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair
Friday September 11 - Sunday September 13, 2009
@ Harbourfront Centre
Friday 4-9pm / Sat 12 - 9pm / Sun 12 - 7pm

Organic Food Festival
Saturday September 12, 2009
@ the New Horizons Community Garden
11am - 2pm

Christie Pitts Harvest Hoedown (yeeeehaaaaaw!!)
It's potluck!
Friday September 18, 2009
@ Christie Pitts Park (of course)
7pm

I'd love to stay and post but I'm off to check out the Junction Arts Festival!!! It starts tonight and runs till this Sunday Sept 13th.

Tomorrow: Pages Party

2009-09-07T23:15:00.003-04:00

Pages Books has closed its doors after 30 years on Queen West.

If soil isn't your thing, there's a farewell party at the Gladstone tomorrow, starting at 7pm.

life with a spazzy kitty

2009-09-03T17:54:00.007-04:00

Okay, when it comes to cats I think I got pretty lucky with mine. Chloe is about 8 years old and I adopted her from the Humane Society back at the end of February.

Here she is on the HS website looking sad and cranky.
For some reason her profile is still up - I guess they don't update too often.

Despite the ordeal she'd been through (being dropped off, being spayed, having some major dental surgery and being left in a cage for a month or so) she adjusted to me and her new home remarkably well. In fact, within one afternoon she already seemed quite at home and was eager for some attention. She was ridiculously easy-going.

Granted, within a week she had developed bronchitis and that was a bit of a ha$$le, and I soon discovered that she leaves lots of hairballs around (why did nobody explain to me that the innocuously named "hairball" is much grosser than it sounds?). No biggie, she's perfect in every other way and truly sweet and adorable. I can deal.

Still not all that photogenic, but at least looking less grumpy now.

Then, just a couple of months ago, Chloe suddenly developed a dreaded "litterbox issue." Ho-kay. That's really disgusting. It came as a surprise because I'd already changed the type of litter I was using once before and she'd made the transition without a blip. I'd even tried, unsuccessfully in the end, to get her to like a covered litterbox and despite that disagreement she was STILL problem-free.

I was almost certain it was anxiety-related because she had become increasingly impatient to see me when I came home. At first I would find her relaxing at the top of the stairs. As time went on she began to jump up and pace around at the top of the stairs when I walked in. Then she started crying and coming down to meet me. Finally, it got to the point where she would practically have her nose to the door, and I could hear her crying 2 floors down on my way up to my 3rd floor apartment. This is about the time I started finding little puddles around the house, and soiled clothes and bedding and whatnot. She was still using the litterbox most of the time, so as my vet confirmed, there was nothing physically wrong.

Sigh. Well, you can't get mad. As I understand, they soil things to comfort themselves and make their surroundings seem more familiar. More theirs. So I did some reading online and tried a few tricks.

I bought some enzyme spray. Vinegar didn't seem to help, but then again this wasn't exactly a miracle cure either. At least I managed to find some supposedly eco-friendly spray, and it does smell a lot nicer than vinegar. I didn't buy this brand, mainly because I only needed it for "pets," not "pets and people":

I left food around the place she had the most accidents. They say cats are pretty neat and tidy (hmmm...) and won't risk contaminating their food. This seemed to work for a while, but didn't put a stop to the problem.

I got her a food-dispensing toy to keep her busy during the day while I'm at work. The treat toy was only sort of a success, in that she didn't ignore it completely... Basically whatever I put in it will be gone in a matter of 10 minutes. Once she sees the food through the clear plastic, she doesn't play with the ball like she's supposed to. Instead, she pushes the ball around the room with her forehead, eating the treats as they're released, until all the treats are gone or she gets the ball stuck in a corner. It's cute, and hilarious, but didn't do much for her anxiety.

It's been a while since she's had any problems, so here's what I've done lately that I think has made the biggest difference:

I spend more time at home. My assumption that getting a cat would mean an independent pet was only kind of true. My habit of going out right after work and getting home after dark many days in a row was obviously stressing Chloe out. I've tried to not leave her alone for too long, or at least not too many times a week. When I am home she's getting extra TLC and attention and seems to appreciate it.

I've stolen her pheremones. My vet tried to sell me Feliway, which is a way overpriced spray or diffuser product that claims to spread around some kind of synthetic cat pheromone. More on that below. After doing some reading online I decided to try getting the goods straight from the source. Cats rub their cheeks against things when they're happy and - in theory only - it releases a pheromone-laden scent marker, which tells them "you were happy here recently" and makes them feel comforted. I rubbed a cloth against Chloe's cheeks and left it in a spot she used to soil. Haven't had any problem since, and she seems to like laying on the cloth. I plan to put a few of these cat-scented hankies around the house to keep her more comfortable.

I've put her on Bach's Rescue Remedy. I was originally researching this Feliway stuff - there are a lot of good reviews online claiming Feliway is very effective, but the Wiki claims that the only active ingredient is Valeriana officinalis, aka Valerian, which is a herbal supplement available in health food stores. I went to a health food store and asked for Valerian. The shop keeper told me that it wouldn't calm Chloe down but would make her more hyper - it's very similar to catnip. Instead, she recommended I try the flower remedy, and I'd already read that it worked well as a Feliway alternative. I've heard good things about its effectiveness on people too, so decided to give it a try. I've just started leaving several drops in her water so that she gets little bit at a time through the day. I did notice that today she was calmer when I got home. Coincidence? I'll have to see how it goes.

So, my cat is still a little high strung and anxious, but seems to be managing pretty well. She really is a well-behaved girl and just needs some extra reassuring. I don't know anything about her previous life before being put up for adoption - for all I know she's used to a house full of pets and being alone all day is totally disorienting. Maybe she was neglected by her previous owners, or maybe they doted on her all day. Maybe she's still getting over the whole shelter ordeal. Only she knows for sure.

(Thanks for the pics, Brad.)

Soil Day @ The Garden Party

2009-08-31T21:46:00.006-04:00

I recently found out about a community garden group called The Garden Party, who meet and cultivate plots at a church in my neighborhood. Looks like I've missed the boat this year, but I think I'd like to get involved next year. They donate most of their crops to local shelters. And I love that although they are associated with the Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, they opted for a quote by J.R. Tolkien on the first page of their website instead of a bible quote. :)

Now, I know this isn't going to make anyone cancel their plans to hit the Ex, but FYI, next week the Garden Party is hosting a free lesson on soil nutrient depletion. (That's "dirt fertility" if you're sexy.) Details below, and also on the Toronto Community Garden Network website.

Soil day with John Slack At the Garden Party Community Garden

Tuesday September 8 2009

"The Garden Party" Hosted by Redeemer Lutheran

The Theme of this presentation is:

"The Warning signs of nutrient depletion in your soil".

Learn how to keep your soil healthy and productive. This presentation is especially important for organic gardeners. It will include a soil test demonstration for the fertility of the soil.

There will be an open discussion of gardening techniques and you will be able to ask John your gardening questions, and concerns.

Location: 1691 Bloor Street West, Bloor Street West & Indian Road - Main Intersection - Bloor & Keele Street map

Date: September 8 2009

Time: 6:30 to 8pm

This lecture and demonstration is free but participants should register.

For more information, and to register, please contact Susan at perth-dupontcg@frogstar.com

a bright bright sun-shiny week in T.O.

2009-08-31T16:04:00.011-04:00

Could it get any better than this??

(Well, I mean...in Southern Ontario?)

clean trains?

2009-08-28T10:33:00.008-04:00

I practically live on public transit. Whenever I hear about more public transit in and around the city, I tend to feel pretty good about it. Great! Less people will take their cars - they'll have a cleaner, greener alternative!

But of course it's not all good. The Clean Train Coalition has been protesting the plan to expand GO train service between Union Station and Georgetown because of the increased pollution from the diesel-powered trains.

I agree, I think electric would be cleaner than diesel. Then again, running the city's transit off the power grid is a good excuse to argue for more nuclear power, which isn't exactly great either. I mean, unless the proposal is to run all of the trains on wind or solar or algae power then there's going to be a downside of some kind.

I'd be interested to know how the diesel pollution from the trains would compare to the reduction in car pollution that would occur if people were able to take the new GO train instead of driving.

To be fair to Metrolinx/GO, they are at least sort of claiming to kind of be thinking about the possibility of maybe looking at moving towards electricity....at some point. They even have a "public consultation" in progress, i.e. a web form including pre-suggested questions.

It's interesting to note that the CTC seems to have come into existence to protest this particular development, and does not seem to have much to say about the existing diesel trains that run, and have been running for many years, throughout the GTA.

It doesn't hurt to be aware of new leukemia risks though, so here's the latest from the CTC:

The Clean Train Coalition: Update

Sept 26th Human Train event
TPH's "hot spots"
Aug 31st petition deadline

HUMAN TRAIN

The confirmed date for the Human Train event is September 26th. More details will be coming soon. For now, mark the date! Please contact info@cleantrain.ca if you'd like to volunteer.

"HOT SPOTS" FOR UNACCEPTABLE RISKS OF LEUKEMIA

The Chief Medical Officer of the City of Toronto, Dr. David McKeown, has written a strong report and letter warning about the health risks of the massive increase in diesel train traffic. In his report, for example, he has identified 16 hot spots (our wording) for "unacceptable risks of leukemia" along the corridor. These hot spots are tied to Metrolinx monitoring receptors with an "R" designation. Here are the locations, with the corresponding street address (in our words):

R6: Strachan Ave. and Douro St, north side of tracks, near King & Strachan day care centre

R7: Strachan Ave. and Western Battery Rd. area, south side of tracks, East Liberty Village

R9: Sudbury St. and King St., north side of tracks, West Liberty Village area

R10: Joe Schuster Way and Dufferin St. area, south side of tracks, new condo area

R22: Earnbridge St. and Brock Ave,, near Pia Bouman Ballet School on Noble Street (not far from Gladstone Hotel)

R25: West Lodge Park Apartments, near Parkdale Public School and Community Centre

R26: Lansdowne Ave. and rail line at bridge, south side, near No Frills

R27: Lansdowne Ave. and rail line, north side at Northern Place, near Shirley St. School

R37: Bloor St. and rail line, at GO Transit station/Perth Ave., east side of tracks

R40: Bloor St. and rail line, at GO Transit station, west side of tracks, at Crossways Mall/Apts.

R41: Bloor St. and rail line, at GO Transit station, east side of tracks, near Randolph Ave.

R42: Bloor St. and rail line, at GO Transit station, east side of tracks, at Randolph Ave.

R43: Rail line and Wallace Ave., at bridge over tracks, east side of tracks/Railpath

R52: Dupont and Dundas, at Ostler St., east side of tracks, near Carlton Park

R56: Hook Ave, in Junction, near Lucy McCormick School

R119: Holley Ave., Weston Rd. area,

If you are concerned about this project, please write an e-mail immediately to John Gerretson, Minister of the Environment, at minister.moe@ontario.ca.

PETITION DEADLINE

If you haven't yet signed our online petition, please do it before August 31st at http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.cleantrain.ca/petition.php

green bin blues

2009-08-27T13:13:00.008-04:00

I noticed that after the garbage strike, taking out the garbage has become less of a chore. I know I won't face an enormous and possibly maggot-infested pile of nasty trash, and isn't it great that all you have to do is put your garbage in the bins and someone will take it away?! Stupendous!

It sure beats the alternative.

Of course, just to ruin the good times, two recent articles in the Toronto Star have me a little bummed about our green bin program:

Just Half of Organic Waste Hits Green Bins
"While the City of Toronto frequently states that 30 per cent of all household waste is 'green bin organics,' it turns out that homeowners, on average, place just 16.2 per cent of their household waste into green bins."

Green Bin Program a Mess
"Toronto garbage workers have been routinely mixing green bin organics with regular trash that is trucked to a Michigan landfill, say city employees interviewed by the Star."

So people aren't really that into this composting thing. (Or, by some miracle, almost all Torontonians have decided to start composting on their own and are therefore not counted as green bin "participants.") And even when people are into it, some of the organic waste doesn't get to the compost anyway.

Actually a lot of it doesn't get there for a different reason.

This is disheartening for someone like me who does make an effort to reduce the amount of non-recyclable, non-compostable waste that comes out of their home, and their life in general.

I don't expect everyone to be as gung-ho about it as me - I reduce/re-use/recycle, I vermicompost most of my compostable food scraps and the rest goes into the green bin, I split up my garbage every room not just the kitchen, I amass piles of "ooh, I could use this doohicky for something" crap instead of throwing things away - but it only requires a small effort to use the bin consistently.

And then to know that the people who do bother are being cheated out of their contribution by unmet weight quotas just makes it more sad. Once, years ago I saw a custodian changing the garbage bags at Union Station and witnessed him dumping the recycling bin contents into the same bag as the garbage. I had heard that this was probably happening on a larger scale during processing, but to see him do it in broad daylight, in public... The gall! The gall of it all! Even when it's one bag, it's hard not to find it annoying and upsetting.

Okay, let's keep in mind that the system needs a lot of work to start with. As a neighbor and avid gardener pointed out to me, by allowing items like diapers, meat, and other items that you would never put in a home composter, the green bin program is already kind of a mess. The organic waste is burned during processing and the resulting compost is not the rich loam you might produce in your back garden composter - it tends to burn your plants if you aren't careful with it.

I hope the folks at Toronto's waste management will fix what appears to be a badly thought-out, poorly executed system. In the meantime, I suppose sending useable food directly to the dump ourselves is more harmful than potentially increasing the strain on an already overloaded organics program.

Even better, DIY! You don't even need a backyard. Check out Cathy's Composters.
Or if you have some yard space you can always try a pile, a bin or a tumbler (buy it or make it).

The nice thing is that if you grow vegetables you're pretty much recycling food. Groceries go in, compost goes on your plants, and food comes out. Faaantastic!

2009-08-26T10:50:00.006-04:00

WE’RE OPEN

We know you’ve all been waiting.

THE GROUND LEVEL CAFE

IS FINALLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

AND WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO INVITE OUR FRIENDS

AND BUSINESS COLLEAGUES IN THE PARKDALE COMMUNITY.

PLEASE COME VIST US AT THE CORNER OF

QUEEN AND MACDONNELL

AND BE SURE TO GET YOUR REWARDS CARD

LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING YOU!

About the Ground Level Cafe (from their website):

Ground Level Youth Ventures operates The Ground Level Café in the downtown Toronto community of Parkdale. Through traditional forms of job and life-skill training as well as innovative models for peer mentoring, our café program seeks to empower youth with limited education, skills and experience towards long-term, meaningful employment.

Brand-free Searching

2009-08-25T12:47:00.002-04:00

Someone has set up a site that searches using 3 different search engines at once, and hides which engine is which. You can then vote on which results you think are the best and then the engine names are revealed.

Like a lot of people I'm a pretty loyal googler, but I found that my default engine of choice didn't always come up with the best options. Brand loyalty strikes again!

Check out BlindSearch.

Sharing Private Space

2009-08-24T12:58:00.004-04:00

If you live in the city, want to garden, and don't have a plot of land to call your own, you have a few options.

You can plant in containers. This requires some kind of outdoor space, and generally - unless you stick to very large containers - requires a bit more watering than in ground gardening.

You can get an allotment garden plot. There are a few allotment gardens in Toronto but I understand all have lengthly waiting lists.

You can get involved in a community garden. This option is recommended for people who play nice and know how to share -- it does involve getting to know your neighboreenos, or your "community" if you will.

You can guerrilla garden. Adopting public space and making it your own is good for you and good for the city. Just don't plant anything edible and be prepared for garbage, vandalism and stolen flowers.

Finally, you can borrow someone else's backyard. And now, thanks to Sharing Backyards Toronto, you don't even have to know them personally! SBT is an organization that connects people with soil to spare with people who want to garden but don't have a plot. Click here to see what's/who's available in your area.

Does sharing private space make it more public? Or does it just allow slightly more people to participate in its privateness?

Does it build a sense of community? Or does it bring into focus the division between the 'haves' with land and the 'have-nots' with no land?

Isabelle vs. a Buffalo toll booth

2009-08-17T18:32:00.012-04:00

Because there's no point having a blog if you can't post stuff like this...

My first iMovie!

call for junction artists/businesses

2009-08-16T13:52:00.004-04:00

CALL FOR JUNCTION ARTISTS AND BUSINESSES FOR
BOOM TIMES SPRING FLING 2010

Background
The Boom Times Spring Fling originated at the 2009 Amalgamation Celebration at Humberside Collegiate Institute, collaboration between Boom Times Cabaret, the Junction Historical Society, the Junction Residents Association, students, historians, artists, businesses and community groups. Building on its momentum, the Junction Residents’ Association’s new Cultural Committee is spearheading the coordination of a 2nd and bigger, more inclusive, multi-disciplinary event in 2010.

2010 Plans
There are two key components to the Spring Fling. The JUNCTION HISTORY MASH-UP will offer a mix of modern and traditional storytelling techniques from native drums to video images, from mime to rap. This theatre piece will be researched, dramatized and performed by local high school students working collaboratively with local historians for performances in early June and at the arts festival in Sept.

The second element of Spring Fling involves local artists who will mentor secondary students, supported by local businesses, in consultation with local historians, to create original art which will be exhibited in storefronts in June and ideally right through next summer and into Junction Arts Festival week.

This multi-disciplinary visual arts piece of Boom Times Spring Fling is envisioned to include photography, textile art, sculpture, mapping, painting, cartooning and anything else our artist/student teams can imagine.

If you are a Junction-area artist, working in any one of a number of disciplines/media, and would like to mentor participating high school students, here is what you need to do:

Send us your bio and tell us where you live (must be Junction, but boundaries are fluid)
Share your idea for a student-driven arts project on the theme of Junction history and culture
Tell us how you will mentor the creative process
Include a budget for equipment/materials
Find yourself a Junction-area business partner to exhibit the students’ work in June (and preferably through September, though logistical constraints may have to be accommodated)*

*If you are an artist and need help to find a business partner, please be in touch.
*If you have a business and want to get involved in the project but need an artist to partner with, we will help find you a match.

Here is what the overseeing JRA Cultural Committee/Boom Times Team will do:

Apply for funding to cover artists’ fees, student honoraria, materials and promotion
Match artist/business pairs with students from the participating high schools
Provide historians to act as resource people, and access to the Junction archives
Promote the activities and culminating exhibitions in the community

PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – FINAL DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 18 TO:culture@junctionra.ca

A Taste of Guerrilla Gourmet

2009-08-03T22:32:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday I attended a fantastic dinner event, hosted by local guerrilla gourmet, Maria.

This month, Maria decided to host a more casual event in addition to the regular full meal that she hosted at her home. The "tuesday tasting" that I went to was actually part of Hotshot's current exhibit on Urban Botany.

There were lots of mini-courses, all as beautiful as they were tasty. All of the ingredients, with a couple of exceptions, were locally grown. Some came from Maria's garden, and some were foraged by her or Forbes Wild Foods. There's no point even trying to do it justice with words. Luckily I remembered to break out my camera before it was all over.

Here's what Maria lovingly prepared for us:

1. Chilled Spearmint Lavender Tea made with English Hidcote & Provence Lavender

2. Cucumber Bronze Fennel Herb Juice w/ a Twist of Lime, garnished with a borage flower ice cube and a fennel flower in pollen stage
[This was gorgeous and I wish I'd taken a photo.]

3. Speckled Red Oak Leaf Lettuce w/ Millet Quinoa, Wild Chanterelle and Velvet Shank Mushrooms, garnished with shitake mushroom cooked with birch syrup and marjoram

4. Grilled Yellow and Green Zucchini Sushi filled with Basil Almond Pesto, tied together with onion chive

5. Grilled Sweet Potato and Cauliflower w/ Goat Cheddar Cheese Sauce spiked w/ Saskatoon Blueberry Mustard, garnished with dried blueberries and bergamot flower

6. Weedy Pockets filled with Swiss Chard, Canadian Callaloo, Spinach and Leeks, w/ Locally Grown Spelt Buckwheat Kamut Crust, garnished with radish flower bouquets (modeled skillfully by Janis)

7. Bronze Fennel Seed & Rose Geranium Tea

8. Raspberry Frappe with Wild Rose Petal Syrup

Needless to say, it was all absolutely delicious.

Of course it was also a nice opportunity to meet some other slow food enthusiasts. I got a free cherry tomato plant from Josh, and bought his last chive plant. (How had I not managed to find myself another chive plant until the end of July?) It was a great evening, and the stormy weather we were promised even held off.

Check out Maria's site to hear about upcoming events.

rocking feathers / ruffling the boat

2009-07-30T13:26:00.009-04:00

I just read this article on Masc about "gender disruption," which means behaving in a way that's outside the boundaries of what's considered normal for your gender. I think the author does a good job of illustrating this one particular example - a male athlete who is caught doing something (or even just carrying something) considered feminine.

From the article:

Disruption can create anxiety and tension (as it does in this example), but it can also create new spaces in which masculinity can be considered. What's exciting about this picture is that it illustrates a "macho" man in contemporary culture doing something typically not associated with masculinity. There's a deep significance to men disrupting the conventional boundaries of masculinity, as well as men supporting those same disruptions. From small acts, like men wearing the color pink or crying openly at movies, to larger, more serious issues, like men's health care, disruption is a powerful social act that shakes what often seem like impenetrable boundaries around gender and sexuality.

I have to admit that the last sentence there makes me cringe a little. I personally believe that normal is a construction, and gender - at least for the most part - is a performance. In my world, the idea of men wearing pink and crying at movies is normal enough, and insignificant enough, that the idea of those things being even minor gender transgressions seems laughable to me. But I know my reality is very different from other people's so my hope is that in the not-so-distant future, everyone else will find it laughable too. Even when it's poodles in backpacks.

(Louis Vitton backpacks though, regardless of your gender, are unforgivable.)

The boundaries of what's considered acceptable behaviour are certainly not "impenetrable," especially when you consider that it all depends who's watching, or who you are - consciously or not - performing for. Everyone's boundaries are different.

Personally, I get a big kick out of little transgressions. Pulling pink lip gloss out of my MEC backpack, which I like to call my "man-bag," or dressing as a boy character for Halloween.

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, although I am a women, it's being really feminine that feels out of the ordinary to me. I have recently discovered that I love wearing skirts after many years of pretty much living in long pants or jeans. It's a small thing, and not at all outrageous in terms of cultural norms, but for me it's a step outside the realms of normalcy - for me.

I recognize that, as a woman, I've had the luxury of wearing jeans and boys sneakers every day without being ridiculed or having my sexual orientation in question. Er, not to my face anyway... Ideally, I think all people should have the same freedom to present themselves in a way that's comfortable for them. And that's why, to me, the whole idea of gender transgression is as important as it is silly.

Read the rest of the Masc article here.

Passé Party Politics

2009-07-27T16:09:00.004-04:00

Speaking of the CBC, here's an interesting video from a few years ago on why so few people vote these days. Or one theory on that topic - I suppose there are others.

It features snippets of my grooovy place of employment and some of the youtube superstars I work with.

So basically, the non-profits we donate to are now serving a purpose that our tax money has traditionally covered. We pay our taxes, and then our taxes are spent on whatever causes the non-profits - which we support with our own money - lobby for.

On one hand, this shows that your donations to [insert organization here] really can make a difference to national policies. If that's where your loyalty is, it's not a bad place to put it.

On the other hand, this doesn't exactly help the cynicism that prevents people from getting out to vote. Doesn't it stand to reason that the organizations with the most money have the most power? Does this system not force voters to buy political influence via fundraising dollars as opposed to voting via a supposedly free and open democracy?

Well, maybe it's a debate for the future since this phenomenon seems to be a trend rather than a full-blown shift. But I could be wrong. Or it could be that it's always been this way to some degree and is just more blatantly obvious now - lobbying is certainly nothing new.

Despite this, I still think voting is important. Of all the systems in place in our society that are broken, ineffective or just out of date, the electoral system is one that I'm not willing to give up on just yet.

I do think the system needs repair, at the very least. Check out Fair Vote for more information on electoral reform in Canada.

(Thanks for the video link, Talbot!)

Interview with the Guerrilla Gardeners

2009-07-21T17:04:00.007-04:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, someone from CBC Radio came to interview the Guerrilla Gardeners while we were planting downtown.

If the embedded audio player above doesn't work, go here to listen to the clip we received from him. Not sure if any of it made it to air, but there you go.

Thanks for passing this on Terry!

Live Green TO Fest

2009-07-20T14:34:00.006-04:00

This Weekend

From Toronto.ca:

This year's festival promises to be bigger, better and greener than ever! Join us on July 25 & 26, 2009.

Saturday July 25th will include a street-closure of Yonge street (from Dundas to Queen) with over 100 exhibitors, local food, live music, and more. Sunday July 26th is family day with events on Yonge-Dundas Square with kid friendly activities and hands-on fun for the whole family.

What happens when you mix hundreds of green products and services with live music and local foods - and invite everyone in Toronto?

The Live Green Toronto Festival!

At Toronto's annual celebration of all things green, you can:

* Check out hundreds of green products and services to help you live green at home, work and on the road. Everything from bees, worms and bikes, to green fashions, renewable energy, local foods and more....

* Catch some of Toronto's top musical acts on the main stage at Yonge-Dundas Square.

new store on Ronces

2009-07-19T20:47:00.005-04:00

During my adventures this weekend I came across a flyer about a new store called Mariclaro that just opened on Roncesvalles. Here's what someone posted on their blog, quoting somebody else who wrote to him about the store:

"We focus mainly, but not exclusively on the production of bags. Other products we have and are working on include belts, wallets and whatever we dream up next. All our products are made to last, and 99% recycled."

(Hey, is what just did...meta??)

Read the rest of the blog post from boywithnoname.com here.
Or go right to the source and check out the Mariclaro website here.

Anyway, sounds good to me. I missed the grand opening, but do plan to check the store out in the near future. I also plan to read more of boywithnoname.com. Whatever his name is, I noticed he's got a great list of eco-friendly stores in and around the city.

Harbord Street Sale / Good Things Come in 3s

2009-07-17T15:24:00.005-04:00

TOMORROW!

The Toronto Women's Bookstore, Good for Her (not really safe for work, website is here), and Wonderworks - talk about a mind / body / spirit trilogy - are teaming up for the 4th annual Harbord Street sale. There will be discounts, a BBQ, entertainment and even workshops. I'm looking forward to checking this out.

Here's the blurb from the Women's Bookstore site:

Join us for the
TWB Annual BBQ & SALE and the Harbord Street Sale
               Saturday July 18th 
             20% off most books, and free food, readings and performances!                   

For the fourth year in a row, The Toronto Women's' Bookstore, Good For Her and Wonderworks on Harbord Street are teaming up to show off the diversity and community feel of this neighborhood!

On SATURDAY JULY 18 the Toronto Women's Bookstore will be offering 20% off most books, BBQ treats from noon until 4pm and readings and performances!

And, be the first in line to get your tickets to the launch of StaceyAnn Chin's book launch, sponsored by TWB here in Toronto on Saturday August 15th...ticket sales start at the BBQ!

TWB Schedule:

12:45 - reading by Suki Lee, contributor to the recently published queer anthology titled "Fist of the Spiderwoman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire" edited by Amber Dawn (Arsenal Pulp Press, April 2009) Suki Lee is the author of the short story collection, Sapphic Traffic (Conundrum Press, 2003). Her fiction has also been featured in the anthologies Hot & Bothered 3 and 4, The Portable Conundrum, With a Rough Tongue: Femmes Write Porn, and Second Person Queer. http://www.sukilee.com/

1pm - Mari Palhares & Carla, local fabulous Brazilian percussionist and guitarist team up for another incredible set with TWB!

1:50pm - Mel Gayle, Toronto-born Jamaican-bred writer, performer, and Buffy enthusiast who found her love for sharing words while spending her formative years in a collectively written play called The Strong Breast Revolution. She now spends her days among book shelves and cat toys, writing poetry, theatre and to-do lists all to the dulcet tones of Bjork.

2:05pm - Intro to the G-spot Workshop with Lorraine Hewitt aka Coco La Creme

2:20pm - Teresa Cheng, creator of the ever popular zines "Dykes and their Hair" and "Upskirt: Dirty Unfeminist Secrets, and recently published in the first ever Asian Freedom Arts School Anthology

3:20pm - Rachel Epstein, christina starr, & Karleen Pendleton-Jimenez read from "Who's Your Daddy? And Other Writing on Queer Parenting" (Edited by Rachel Epstein, Sumach Press, April 2009)

3:40pm - Farheen Beg, local jazzy vocalist with a heavenly voice...farheen beg = voice + djembe + percussion
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=95
950366&MyToken=f9f73360-9f33-4ca8-8ce1-a5556c6db279

Good For Her will be offering 15% off all vibes, 75% off clearance toys and DVDs, free mini sex seminars, and yummy desserts all day long, too.

Wonderworks will be offering great deals and disocunts that you will have to come visit to see!

Toronto Women's Bookstore and Good for Her will also team up to present a G-spot workshop at Toronto Women's Bookstore, and a saucy reading at Good For Her.

Join us for this fabulous day of GREAT DEALS, mini-seminars, readings, demos, and yummy treats all day long. We're all within 4 blocks of each other so you can hit us all all in one day!

Toronto Women's Bookstore
73 Harbord
www.womensbookstore.com
20% off most books
BBQ 12- 4 pm
Open 10am -6pm

Good For Her
175 Harbord
www.goodforher.com
15% off all vibes!
75% off clearance toys and DVDS!
Open 11am - 6pm

Wonderworks
79a Harbord
www.gowonderworks.com
great deals and discounts all day long
come visit to find out!
open 10:30am - 6pm

putting the 'cause' back in 'microcosm'

2009-07-16T09:30:00.017-04:00

Here's some more news about an independent Parkdale-ian doing a lot with a little. (Article snippet below.)

Eco-farming? Sounds kind of obvious until you start thinking about factory farming, or even how much water it takes to keep a family-owned field irrigated.

I would argue that "urban farming" or "SPIN" (Small Plot Intensive farming... I'd call it SPIF, if only as an excuse to use the word spiffy as much as possible, but that's just me) is related to the handmade movement, almost as much as it is to guerrilla gardening. It seems to me that it's part of the realization that doing things on a small scale with your own hands just makes more sense when it comes to providing goods and services.

It's like the cogs in the industrial machine are going 'Wait a second!...I have more to contribute.' Maybe they never joined that team to begin with. It's nothing new, but it seems to be happening in new ways. In any case, I think it's really encouraging.

It's no excuse to use the ridiculously groan-tastic headline, "Peony for your Plots," but yes, encouraging...

Nixon's success as an urban farmer makes me think about microfinance, and what it means for individuals to be empowered to create and/or contribute on their own terms. Small-scale success is no small thing, especially when it leads us to the possibility that, even with very few resources, practically anyone can become their own boss -- provided they're tapped in to their own personal potential and willing to share their talents with others.

Okay, I'll remove my rose-coloured glasses, put down what I'm smoking and leave you with some questions (...oh, and for your reading pleasure, the article I've been rambling about, also for your reading pleasure).

What would the world be like if nobody worked for anyone, and everyone's job was to do something they were good at, or something they loved?

What would your job be?

~ KT

                       A peony for your plots

                 

Eco-farmer blossoms as urban planter

Catherine Porter
ENVIRONMENT REPORTER

Sarah Nixon surveys her crop. She's weeded, watered, fertilized with organic kelp. But the blooms she needs are slow to arrive, given the cool summer.

"I have two weddings coming up. I have to just figure that out. That's one of those things. It's farming," says Nixon, clipping the stem of a delicate purple cerinthe for a "romantic-sophisticated" bride coming to survey her bridal bouquet.

Nixon's farm isn't out near Milton or Orillia. It's on Indian Rd. and Marion St. – just a few blocks from Roncesvalles in the city's west end. She grows flowers in back and front yards around Parkdale and then sells them for weddings, office receptions and, perhaps this season, to one Ossington Ave. florist.

What do the landowners get in return?

"They get a free flower garden without lifting a finger," says Nixon with a smile.

Nixon is part of the new wave of farming, called SPIN – small plot intensive farming – which is growing in cities across North America. Riding on the crest of the local food wave, SPIN is cashing in on a new eager market.

There are some surprising benefits to growing crops in the city, says the movement's leader, Wally Satzewich.

You can't turn a tractor in a tiny backyard, so there are fewer expensive start-up investments, for one. Then, there's the city's asphalt, which absorbs the sun's heat and makes us all sweat more on hot summer nights. But, for farmers, it means a longer growing season in the spring and fall. And there is the garden hose.

"All I have to do is turn on the water faucet in the house and there is irrigation," says Satzewich, who moved from his 20-acre farm outside Saskatoon into the city 10 years ago. "If I had to go back to getting my tractor to a river bank and getting the pump going ... When you've learned the hard way out in the country you really appreciate the benefits of the city."

Plus, there is money to be made. Satzewich says an urban farmer can make $50,000 profit on a half-acre by planting up to four high-end crops like arugula and spinach over a single season.

Read the full article here.

Shooting Star

2009-07-13T16:48:00.010-04:00

Just today I noticed the cover of Friday's National Enquirer -- oops, I mean Toronto Star:

No snarky comment, no tongue-in-cheek caption, just an enormous front cover picture of what appears to be President Obama checking out a woman's ass as French President Sarkozy giggles.

Whether Obama was indeed caught in the act or his glance is actually directed elsewhere (perhaps he's coveting her strappy sandals?), it strikes me as a pretty low blow for the paper to put this on their front page. A pretty hilarious low blow, but still.

Way to keep news reporting classy, The Star!

(FYI: You can send the Star your feedback on their stories here.)

Mega Memorial

2009-07-08T14:59:00.008-04:00

I caught the first 5 or 10 mins of the TV broadcast on the fuzzy TV at work. They lost me at Mariah Carey. I didn't watch any of it online either. Nor did I check http://michaeljacksonfuneral.org/ for up-to-the minute coverage or to order a life sized cardboard Michael Jackson standup. I DID see the play-by-play on a couple of entertainment shows in the evening, and I think I got the gist of it. Very touching, extravagant, nauseating and slightly disturbing - everything a celebrity megafuneral should be!

So the question is, who's going to play Michael Jackson in the inevitable biopic? My guesses are: Will Smith's son, then Diana Ross, then LaToya, then the guy from Powder.

Yup, I smell an Oscar.

P.S. Sort of unrelated, but I think I've just stumbled upon the BEST, most HILARIOUS nugget of MJ trivia EVER (as quoted from IMDb):

"His hit song "Bad" from 1987 was initially supposed to be a duet with fellow 80's superstar Prince. Prince said in an interview that he did not wish to sing the line 'Your butt is mine'."

Mark Giesbrecht the litter guy

2009-07-03T20:43:00.007-04:00

This is an old article, but with the garbage strike on I think it's even more relevant now. I've seen Mark working on Queen West before and just assumed he was homeless. I was really pleased to see this article about him and happy to learn that he's able to make a living (or just barely) doing what he does.

[ P.S. Here's a garbage strike tip: Store your green bin scraps in a sealed container in the freezer - they won't rot or smell or attract animals in there. ]

~ KT

Pickup artist makes a clean sweep

'Litter guy' pays rent by filling up to 80 garbage bags a day in several city neighbourhoods

May 25, 2009 04:30 AM

Francine Kopun
FEATURE WRITER

Mark Giesbrecht slips between shoppers and panhandlers on Queen St. W., a billboard strapped to his back, broom in hand, sweeping cigarette butts and wayward bits of paper into a heavy-duty garbage bag held together with duct tape.

"Your friendly neighbourhood litter guy, cleanin' up our city, one sweep at a time," reads the handwritten sign, attached to his knapsack with bungee cords. "Your donations of $ or supplies keeps me going."

A native of Winnipeg, Giesbrecht, 34, has been cleaning the streets of Toronto for three years, in exchange for whatever people decide to give him. He sweeps up broken glass, syringes, empty bottles of mouthwash and once, after a Santa Claus parade, 300 promotional pins with an image of the Toronto skyline and the words: Clean city, beautiful city.

Read the full article here.
See the video interview with Mark here.

my monkey

2009-07-03T15:40:00.003-04:00

Here's a pic of the creatures that went to Africa as part of Operation Sock Monkey, which I mentioned in a previous post.

Sparkie is in the bottom row, third from the left. Not bad for my first time, though I say so myself. Geez, he seems to be getting pretty friendly with his neighbors. Cheeky monkey.

anarchistivism

2009-06-29T21:49:00.003-04:00

This year I joined Toronto's Guerrilla Gardeners. Very basically, we pretty up the city by planting gardens on public land. Well, usually it's public land. Let's put it this way - if you found a dog that was woefully bedraggled and clearly starved for love and attention, wouldn't you want to step in and make things right, even if the owner didn't ask you to? Well, urban landscapes need love too.

Several weeks ago we did a plant in my old neighborhood, near Bathurst & St. Clair.

We tried in vain to figure out what purpose this big slab of concrete has. It's blocked off by those concrete markers that usually indicate a parking spot - there's no way to get a car in or out so clearly it isn't a parking lot. There are no benches for sitting. There aren't any bike rings for bike parking. The businesses nearby don't seem to make any use of it. Basically it takes up space and looks ugly. Well, we thought we'd at least make it a more inviting, less dismal waste of space.

As usual, we had some good reactions from people walking by, and one woman said she would water the plants when she walks her dog. We also got a puzzled reaction from the owner of the nearest business. As seems to be a trend when we bump into a business owner who serves to benefit from our work, the message was, "Thanks for beautifying my business. Too bad I'm not going to water the plants and everything will die." Sigh.

To play devil's advocate, it's true that we are, in a sense, forcing the responsibility for watering the plants on people without asking first. Although we do try to monitor the plots we plant, we can't keep an eye on them all and keep them all watered. We can't do it alone, and this is part of the appeal for me and why I think it's so important to do this.

Everyone already HAS a responsibility to take care of their communities. There seems to be a general consensus that somebody else will take care of things and fix any problems that may occur - the government will step in, or some corporate sponsor will come to the rescue. The idea that we as individual citizens can act as stewards of our own neighborhoods has been lost.

So let's turn this around. Let's start small. Sadly, something as simple and small as emptying a water bottle on a flower on your way to work is too much to ask for some people. Is it? Is it too much to ask to hold the door for someone? To smile and be kind to people you meet? To ask the cashier how she's doing today? To pick up one piece of garbage off the street? These are all small things, but they're important, and they do add up. I may be speaking for myself alone here, but to me Guerrilla Gardening is about community, and demonstrating that everyone can and should do something, anything, to improve the place they live, work, where their kids go to school, wherever. You don't need to join a group or sign a petition, you don't need any expertise or political insight...just do what you can. That's enough.

Our final planting of the season was a Summer Solstice plant near Yonge & College. There was some media interest - a guy from CBC radio and a camera crew (not sure which station) showed up to do interviews.

My reasons for doing this are, of course, also selfish. I do love gardening. And it's good exercise. Gardening as a group is a fun way to meet new people. I'd been looking to volunteer, and I think this qualifies. But also, for me it's about making myself at home.

Living in the city can be fun, but the real reason I moved here was for work. When I first moved downtown from the suburbs, it took me a long time to get over all of the concrete. For quite a while I thought I really hated this city. Okay sometimes I still do a little. :) Toronto isn't the greatest city in the world, but I can say without hesitation that it's my home and that I'm happy here. Thanks in part to gardening, and discovering that there are lots of wonderful people living here who want to make things better.

Gone Too Soon - RIP mj

2009-06-25T21:37:00.008-04:00

Michael Jackson died today. I really can't wrap my head around it.

He was 50, and it seems he died of a heart attack. He wasn't strangled by one of his boa constrictors, he wasn't murdered by a crazed fan, he didn't get mangled in an amusement park ride, or blown up by pyrotechnics on stage. He didn't perish from complications related to plastic surgery, or a strange disease, or auto-erotic asphyxiation.

At the moment, it sounds like he died in a ho hum usual kind of way. A regular old heart attack. It doesn't seem right.

Then again, a heart like his was bound to fail. Some souls are just too tender for this life; some spirits too restless to contain. He was a child caught in the wreckage of celebrity, caged in and bound to the machinery before he had a choice in the matter. I think it's incredible that he lived as long as he did. I only hope that wherever he is he's dancing.

I know these may not be as popular as his classics, but these are some of my faves:

Here's a clip of Michael singing his own eulogy. It's both cheesy and creepy. He even seems to wave goodbye at the end. Almost worth the close-up shots of Clinton and Hillary.

come out come out wherever you are

2009-06-23T15:07:00.005-04:00

I was on the subway last night and saw a very provocative Pride Week promo encouraging people to come out of the closet:

Oh wait...it's for a vegetarian group. They're being literal - no dirty euphemisms intended.

Hm. Well that's not very provocative.

(Thanks for the photo, Brad!)

Really Really Free Market - June 27th

2009-06-22T09:43:00.009-04:00

I went to the first RRFM and came home with a bunch of really cool goodies. It's hard to rip yourself away because every time you go around the tables a bunch of new stuff has been added. Also a great excuse to unload items around the house you've been meaning to get rid of. And a generally great idea for a community event. Everybody wins! ~ KT

The Really Really
Free Market is Back!

YES!

The Toronto Really Really Free Market is back, this Saturday, the 27th of June, co-hosting the Light up Our Alley street festival with the DuSpa Corner Collective. The fun starts at 3pm in the laneway on the south side of Dupont, just west of Spadina.

For those of you who don't know, the Really Really Free Market is a community-space for sharing – where people are encouraged to bring what they have to give, take what they need, and leave the rest. It’s kind of like a potluck, but for goods and services, dig!

Why? Because we all deserve the things we need; because we all have things we no longer use and could give away; because sharing brings us closer; because it’s responsible to our environment -- our community and our planet; because it’s a viable alternative to the economic crisis and a system of government which has proven time and time again to neglect us. This is Mutual Aid in action.

"Shoppers" are encouraged to drop things off, pick things up, and share and receive services -- for free! This is not a space to barter. This is a space is a space to share, a gift economy, if you will.

Some suggestions of things to share: clothes, books, music, furniture, household and kitchen wares, pet supplies, homemade goods such as crafts, art, artisan goods, baked goods (don’t forget to list the ingredients!), and services such as haircuts, yoga lessons, music and dance lessons, massages, gardening help, stories and jokes, hugs and kisses, and anything else your big beautiful hearts can think of to share.

This is a totally kid-friendly, older adult-friendly, animal companion-friendly, and wheel chair accessible event!

All unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the night to Good Will.

Questions can be directed to TorontoRRFM@gmail.com

As for the rest of the day... we'll have a line-up of some great bands, free Bike Tune-ups by Bike Chain, a free meal prepared by Food Not Bombs (the cutest cooks in the city), the Beehive Collective, the Samba Squad, Boardwalk Chocolates, and much much more!

Band Line-up is as follows:

The Sure Things (Toronto)
Barn Owl (Toronto, DCC)
the Flying Museum Band (Toronto)
Ten Thousand Creatures (Toronto, DCC)
Revolution Love (Toronto)
the Bag Ladies (Toronto, DCC)
Gutstrings (Montreal)
Sick Friend (Montreal)
Strumbrellas (Toronto, DCC)
the Resinators (Toronto, DCC)

Workshops:

Lantern Making (Kid Friendly)
Seed Planting

After party at 9:00 pm at the Duspa! (www.duspa.org)

PLEASE NOTE: We do need volunteers. We also need tables and other things to put items on. If you want to help, let us know.

Hope all is well.

Sincerely,
Benny

from the ground up

2009-06-21T14:31:00.006-04:00

Less than a year ago I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep gardening at all. Now, not only do I have a great little balcony for container gardening, I have been blessed with a patch of garden space in my backyard. I have a backyard!

When I moved here last summer, the back 1/3 of the yard was a wild jungle of thick impenetrable vines. This spring though my downstairs neighbor Mark made a project of clearing it out and cleaning it up. Remarkably, thanks to his hard work, all the housemates now have plots.

Here's mine:

Let's hope the 'AFTER' pic is more impressive than this 'BEFORE'

I have this terrible hangup that I'm trying to shake... It nags me, and as ridiculous as I know it is, the perfectionist in me won't let it go....

It feels to me that planting plants that have leaves and are already past the seedling stage is somehow cheating. That the "real" way to garden is to grow every single plant from seed, start to finish. I have no idea how I came to that conclusion. Maybe it's just what I always thought gardening was, and when I realized you didn't have to do it that way I wondered, well, what's so intimidating about that?

I only got around to starting a few seeds indoors this year. The ones that were successful are now growing in pots on my balcony and I decided to let them be. I didn't secure my spot in the garden until earlier this month and once I did, rather than doing the sensible thing - buying some veggies to plant - I stubbornly stuck some seeds in the ground. Besides, I thought, I have tons of seeds. Why would I spend money when I have all of these potential veggies sitting in envelopes right here?

So it's June and all I have sticking out of the ground are weeds and popsicle sticks. I'm hopeful that something will grow. I planted sweet peas, jalepeno peppers, 'san marzano' canning tomatoes and 'white rabbit' tomatoes. I'm excited to see the white rabbit - it's a small determinate variety that actually produces white tomatoes.

Weeding is a constant battle. The mystery vine that had taken over the garden is not giving up on its territory easily. I'm convinced it's some kind of space alien bamboo. It seems to grow an inch or two a day, and is sprouting up from the little disembodied chunks of root that Mark missed when clearing the yard. Most of it must be part of a ridiculously deep network of roots though because when we're not looking it grows into a mat of vines under the slabs of pavement we're using as a walkway - no sun required. The shoots snap off when you try to pull them up, and for every inch you see above ground there are a good 2 or 3 inches to dig up. The good news is I'm getting lots of fresh air and exercise.

On my somewhat neglected balcony I have 'little wonder' peas, 'white rabbit' tomatoes, my handsome dizzy pepper plant I started last year, and a bunch of non-edibles including a juniper bush I got from Mom, some flowers I got at the High Park Native Plant Sale, the Baby Necklace succulent I got from work last year that seems to be dying, the pot my Christmas tree came in with some kind of bushy plant in it that grew on its own, a mystery weed that looks like my mysterious 'butterfly weed' from last year that turned out not to be butterfly weed, and some catnip seeds that won't grow.

I'm super pleased about the pepper plant. I brought it inside in the fall and it was doing really well, but just as winter was finally coming to an end it started to give up and lose all of its leaves. It was down to one teeny tiny scrawny little leaf about the size of my pinky nail when I put it outside again this spring and I really thought it was going to die, but it pulled through and is now sprouting leaves all over the place. It even has a couple of flower buds. I'm looking forward to more home grown peppers this year.

So if this all sounds very fascinating and you've read this far without falling asleep or deciding to go make a sandwich or bang your head against a wall, you might like to read my old gardening blog. I doubt I'll update it again now that I've got this blog, but it documents my first year as an urban gardener...and as a gardener period. Thrilling stuff, really.

Tomorrow: BIG on Bloor Fest

2009-06-19T13:48:00.004-04:00

Bloor Street West will be car-free tomorrow between Christie and Bloor for the BIG on Bloor Festival. Runs 1pm to 9pm.

Check out the website and take a look at the list of vendors.

speaking of local businesses...

2009-06-18T22:19:00.006-04:00

Delight has hand-made organic fair-trade ice cream? On hand-made organic fair-trade cones??

Why was I not informed?!?!?

Go Fetch!

2009-06-18T14:30:00.004-04:00

One of our favourite places to grab lunch at my office was featured in NOW Magazine:

Trish Koughan @ Fetch

From NOW:

In the same funky storefront that’s home to Parkdale’s Not My Dog, seven-month-old Fetch carries on in the tradition of the much-missed Mimi’s by providing no-nonsense grub to legions of starving musicians. Those who remember Koughan’s nearby Swallow Café won’t be surprised by the quality of Fetch’s limited all-day brunch and lunch card.

...

Chef’s years spent in the kitchens of swanky beaneries like Mercer Street Grill and Greg Couillard’s China Blues pumping out “all that fancy shit” are evident in [Trish's] unusually polished interpretation of a classic Greek salad ($8) layered with tapenade-marinated chicken breast and elegantly plated huevos rancheros ($9).

Read the full article here.

Ride for Renewables - June 28th

2009-06-18T09:45:00.002-04:00

Ride for Renewables!

No more nuclear bailouts!

On Sunday June 28th, hundreds of cyclists will ride with a message - we want a 100% renewable energy grid. Join us for all or part of this 50 km journey along the shores of Lake ON.

Starting at 9 a.m. at the wind turbine at the Exhibition Grounds in Toronto, the group will ride along the lakeshore, stopping at various sites along the way to discuss renewable electricity options for Ontario. The ride will terminate with a rally at 3:30 p.m. at the wind turbine at Pickering Nuclear Power station. Most cyclists will then ride the GO Train home.

Ontario can have a 100% renewable electricity grid within 20 years. Neither federal nor provincial taxpayers should subsidize nuclear power when there are greener and lower cost options to meet all our electricity needs. We say NO to the proposed new nuclear reactors at Darlington power station that Premier McGuinty is asking Prime Minister Harper to subsidize, and YES to conservation and renewable energy including wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, and more.

For more info, schedule, route and registration, go to: http://www.ontariosgreenfuture.ca/rfr.php

Please pass this message on to your friends.

Thank you for your support.

Parkdale Foodbank Fundraiser

2009-06-17T14:28:00.004-04:00

Parkdale Community Food Bank

1316 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6K1G8

(416) 532-2375

June 16, 2009

Dear Friends of the Food Bank,

I am writing to let you know about our upcoming Fundraising concert for the food bank on Saturday June 27 at 8:30 P.M. at Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas Street West, South of Bloor, 416-531-6604. It will be a fantastic concert with six bands that will run from 8:30 until closing. We are asking all of our friends to come out to support our work and have a terrific evening together. Hughs Room is a beautiful venue with a great menu. Anyone interested in supper would be well advised to let Hugh's Room know when they book their reservation – arrive early for food. Tickets are $16 in advance and $20 at the door.

Many of you have been interested in the food bank since its inception. You will be glad to know that we have been doing very well, and that we have made much progress, including the donation of a van from the CAW. We are currently in negotiations to move into a permanent, purpose built home. This will require a major capital commitment. We need to raise those funds.

I’m sure that it does not come as a surprise to you that the recent economic downturn is having a profound impact on food banks. Since September the number of people served monthly has risen from 1,620 per month, to 2,160, a 33% increase! Also, food donations are shrinking. Part of our response has been to start purchasing essential food items such as milk, so that we can assure availability to all of our members. Our current commitment for this is $15,000 per year. We are also actively promoting food drives in the community and through companies and other organizations. Please let me know if you are interested.

I am including a poster for the concert, and a copy of the press release we have sent to the media which goes into more detail about our situation. Here is the concert line up: Big Rude Jake (Bawdy House Jazz), The Gypsy Rebels (Gypsy Fusion), Michael Holt (singer-songwriter), Up All Night (Celtic), Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra (Experimental Classical/Pop), Ronley Teper and Her Lipliners (Cabaret – singer/songwriter).

We see this concert as one of our most important events this year and we are asking for the support of all our friends. I should tell you that we will offer an opportunity to make donations at the concert, and are extending an invitation to those who can’t attend to make a donation directly to the food bank to support this campaign. As we are still awaiting our own charitable status (any time now), we are still processing our donations through “St. Francis Table, Food Bank Fund”. Please give generously, our need is great.

Very much looking forward to seeing you at the concert. It will be attended by a wonderful group of people who care - people like you. Please spread the word about this event. We’re expecting a warm and highly entertaining night; and we need to meet our need.

Yours truly,

Robert Thorpe

Executive Director

Parkdale Community Food Bank

oh snap

2009-06-16T22:35:00.006-04:00

Still busy. Here's a quickie.

I took a pic of this bike (as discreetly and un-creepily as possible) in a Timmies while the bike's owner was at the counter with her daddy. It says "shift'n gears" on it, but from where I was sitting it looked like it said something totally offensive and hilarious.

I didn't even notice the scary looking lemur plushie in the basket till now. Okay I guess it's supposed to be one of these cute ones. Maybe an ewok?

way to go

2009-06-16T09:39:00.003-04:00

This morning I saw a bumper sticker that said "Go Veg, Be Green, Save the Earth." It was on a minivan. Oh well, at least they're trying.

seriously...

2009-06-15T23:15:00.007-04:00

Okay, I've had some content all ready to go for OVER A WEEK now, that I have not had the time to write. My pictures are uploading now - very very slowly. My burning desire for a new (try functional) laptop is getting pretty intense...but I will have to wait another month at the very least before I delve into debt again. Sigh. So much for living within my means.

Instead of blogging, I went to see Cowboys and Indians for a second time. Not only does Anand Rajaram look like a brown Steve Carell, he's amazingly talented. Of course I couldn't help but see this non-story as "equating cowboys with testosterone-dripping machismo and destruction," as the NOW review puts it, or at the very least, an illustration of how gender and identity as peformance can lead us to lose ourselves in the act (with potentially soul-crushing concequences). On the other hand, it's a mime show and it's got some great laughs. Maybe the performance is the most important thing afterall.

Instead of blogging, I got my cat a covered litterbox. It looks like a carrier but it has a flap door entrance. My cat has been kicking litter all over the bathroom floor, plus I have a tiny bathroom and even the cleanest litterbox isn't very appealing to look at. I naturally assumed that my cat Chloe would be overjoyed at the opportunity to do her business in private, but her reaction was more along the lines of "Geez lady, what the hell is this thing?" With some encouragement - and a lot of treats and strong catnip - I've managed to get her to use it...almost all the time. Now if I could just get her to deposit hairballs in there as well I'd have the perfect cat.

Instead of blogging, I learned to crochet at Wise Daughters. As it turned out, I was the only one who showed up besides the workshop leader and Mary who owns the store. So Mary and I got a private lesson. Crocheting does seem a bit simpler than knitting, but I still need a lot of practice.

Instead of blogging, I went back to Wise Daughters again for an Operation Sock Monkey fundraiser. I made a monkey and I sent him to the country and I fed him on gingerbread- ...No! Wait - I'm thinking of a different monkey. So I made a sock monkey and then it told me his name was Sparkie. At first I thought he was a she, but he soon corrected me. Can you believe it? Can you believe there's a charity called Clowns Without Borders??? No, I'm serious. Click the link, I didn't make it up. Anyway, Sparkie leaves for S. Africa in just a couple of days and will go to a kid who's been impacted by HIV/AIDS. What's extra nice is that you get to write a little note to send with your sock monkey.

Instead of blogging I went to Random Dinner Night. We ate at Le Papillon - Monika made an excellent choice. Tres bien! Our waiter was fantastic and wasn't phased at all by table rearranging to seat 10, disappearing diners, and bouts of musical chairs. The food was very good, especially the desserts that I was forced to help others with. I got a really nice salad and a beer and despite the fancypantsyness of the venue, miraculously managed to spend only $20.

Instead of blogging I went to Lawrence's bachelor(ette) party. One dude...seven lovely ladies...all SUITED UP! Must post my videos somewhere. Am not mean enough to put them on facebook but can admit I am tempted. :)

Alright. My pics are loaded. Hopefully I'll get the chance to talk about them before they go horribly stale.

Stencil Art Bike Tour: June 13th

2009-06-12T14:11:00.004-04:00

THIS SATURDAY. I won't be able to make this ride due to pre-wedding shenanigans (oh, and lack of wheels), but it looks like a cool event.

From Bike Lane Diary:

Join 'Stencil Nation' author RUSSELL HOWZE, local bike stencil artist JANET ATTARD and photographer MARTIN REIS on an expert guided bike tour of Toronto's vibrant street art scene. The tour will feature many hidden street art locations and thought-provoking insights into this worldwide art subculture. A rare chance to see Toronto in a new way. Empty walls say nothing.

This event is being organized in conjunction with the Canadian release of the book 'Stencil Nation' at the 'This Ain't The Rosedale Library' after the tour.

Tour starts at Bloor and Spadina at 6PM and ends in Kensington Market around 8:30PM.

Men in Power vs. Men Empowered

2009-06-11T14:11:00.007-04:00

The so-called "men's advocacy groups" that pique the interest of the media every once in a while are nothing new. 'Women have exclusively female groups, so why can't men?' they ask. These new men-only groups are ridiculous attempts at tat-for-tit in a world where women continually fight for what so many men take for granted. Even so, the media's attention to these groups gives them the kind of implied credibility that a white supremacist who asks why there are so few "white advocacy groups" in North America just doesn't get outside of the Jerry Springer talkshow circuit.

The latest men's group to hit the mainstream news is called Men in Power - a student group at the U of Chicago started by a boy named Steve Saltarelli. Clearly he wanted some attention by choosing such a charged name for his "professional development organization." Whether his group is tongue in cheek or not, it's hard not to see Steve throwing wild tantrums as a child when mommy and daddy paid any attention his sister: No, lookit me! Lookit me! I'm more important!!

Rivalry is not what we need. Equality between men and women doesn't mean having equal muscle-power in a tug-of-war. It means letting go and working towards the same goal as one team. And unfortunately, even now, that's going to cause some anxiety for some - those at the end of their rope, I suppose - on both sides.

Peter Alilunas' commentary on this story is encouraging. Blogging with a male audience in mind, Alilunas asks some interesting questions about where to go from here:

"What ways might we focus on coalition instead of division? How can men’s groups exist on college campuses without falling back on anxiety-based claims of power loss and making claims of being 'overlooked' in culture? Could Saltarelli’s idea be turned into something positive?"

Read his article here.

contentedness

2009-06-05T21:49:00.002-04:00

I've always been pretty stubborn about new technologies, I admit it.

While the rest of the world was chatting on ICQ, I insisted on using PowWow. While everyone was signing up to hotmail with a cute nickname, I was sticking to yahoo or some such email service. By the time I got comfy with hotmail, gmail came onto the scene and blew everyone away with its usability and unpretentious charm. After snubbing it for some time I was eventually converted by my friends.

Next I was turned on to LiveJournal when these same friends stopped emailing each other and instead kept in touch via their LJ friends pages. I was later roped into finally buying a cell phone after avoiding it for years when I realized that society had suddenly changed - people no longer made concrete plans ahead of time, but just drifted in the same general direction and then called each other on the way.

Then came facebook. Again, to keep in touch with friends, I left the safe anonymity of my blog and entered a strange, enormous, intimate setting where everyone could see my name, photos of me, what I did last summer, and what my plans were for the evening.

There has been a lot of discussion about facebook and the decay of privacy in the electronic age, and that horse has been beaten to death a few times over. But what I've found most fascinating - and a bit disturbing - about facebook is its ability to instantly put you in touch with people from your past, present, and (potentially I suppose) your future. Sure, you're more likely to pay attention to your current friends' lives, but never before has it been so easy to look up any random person from your life.

The girl from your grade 12 lab group who made you laugh, the boy who put gum in your hair when you were 8, the kid you babysat when you were 14, the first person you kissed or had sex with or had your heart broken by... On facebook you have the opportunity to contact people you would never have otherwise seen or heard from again. Your past becomes intertwined with your present. It can be exciting; it can be unsettling.

At the same time, a new friend you just met can suddenly be as close at hand as a lifelong buddy. That friend of a friend of a friend you met at a dinner party? They made toast five minutes ago - in case you were wondering what they're up to right now.

And now, well, it looks like the party is starting to get stale. Twitter seems to be the next big thing, and, although I haven't tried it myself, it seems to me that there's a shift back to the more anonymous handle or ID instead of real names.

There's also a definite shift in what it's presumed people want to see and read. The evolution from blog to tweet seems similar to (or is an offshoot of) the evolution from hand-written letter to txt mssg. It's the breakneck speed of that transition that I can't help but find alarming. Yes, the decreasing attention span of the increasingly moronic masses is another topic that's popular and overdone. At the same time, it's difficult to see how this content shrinkage phenomenon could be considered anything but doubleplusungood.

With that in mind, I've created this blog as an alternative to these online spaces that paradoxically shrink as they expand, crush and compact as they spread.

I'm willing to admit that I may update very infrequently. I may have nothing intelligent to say, and I may have nothing to say at all. But knowing this space is here for me to fill is very satisfying in itself whether I reject or embrace the latest thing or not.

Either way, I'm contented.