Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Metro Suicide
A friend told me a story the other day that was horrifyingly compelling for some reason.
You know, of course, that people are always jumping in front of metros in this city. I don't think it's merely urban lore that that's what causes many of the delays and stoppages in the system, especially at rush-hour.
Well, this friend was actually on a metro where this happened. He said that:
The metro stopped as it was one or two cars into the station (Lucien-Lallier). Everyone was sitting there wondering what to do (of course). There were large numbers of hockey fans on their way to a game, and the out-of-towners were starting to panic. The doors opened and instructions were given for evacuation.
My friend was in the thrid car, so was able to go to one of the cars that gave on to the platform. He walked to the front of the train (out of morbid curiosity), where there were paramedics with lots of equipment jumping down on to the tracks. My friend saw the victim (Can we call him that?) who apparently was still alive, because they were working on him frantically. He didn't go into detail, but it seems there was a lot of blood etc.
God, it's so sad. I have often imagined committing suicide, but to attempt it in such a public way makes no sense whatsoever to me. But who can explain the ways of the mentally ill, or the terrible suffering that they wish to end?
A friend told me a story the other day that was horrifyingly compelling for some reason.
You know, of course, that people are always jumping in front of metros in this city. I don't think it's merely urban lore that that's what causes many of the delays and stoppages in the system, especially at rush-hour.
Well, this friend was actually on a metro where this happened. He said that:
The metro stopped as it was one or two cars into the station (Lucien-Lallier). Everyone was sitting there wondering what to do (of course). There were large numbers of hockey fans on their way to a game, and the out-of-towners were starting to panic. The doors opened and instructions were given for evacuation.
My friend was in the thrid car, so was able to go to one of the cars that gave on to the platform. He walked to the front of the train (out of morbid curiosity), where there were paramedics with lots of equipment jumping down on to the tracks. My friend saw the victim (Can we call him that?) who apparently was still alive, because they were working on him frantically. He didn't go into detail, but it seems there was a lot of blood etc.
God, it's so sad. I have often imagined committing suicide, but to attempt it in such a public way makes no sense whatsoever to me. But who can explain the ways of the mentally ill, or the terrible suffering that they wish to end?
Sigh
Sometimes I despair of things ever changing. What should we make of this:
Two teen movies are out right now, one that appears to be for girls, with Julia Stiles falling in love with a nice boy who turns out to be a prince (awwww). The commercial for this one actually ends with her dancing with him wearing a hideous pink satin ballgown that looks like it came out of Barbie's closet. The other movie seems to be about a group of boys who meet and go out with young girls who are, in reality, pRon stars! Wait a second, isn't that Risky Business, starring a young Tom Cruise? Oh, no, the girl in that one was actually a prostitute. My mistake.
Well, it's nice to see that roles for girls these days are so empowering.
Sometimes I despair of things ever changing. What should we make of this:
Two teen movies are out right now, one that appears to be for girls, with Julia Stiles falling in love with a nice boy who turns out to be a prince (awwww). The commercial for this one actually ends with her dancing with him wearing a hideous pink satin ballgown that looks like it came out of Barbie's closet. The other movie seems to be about a group of boys who meet and go out with young girls who are, in reality, pRon stars! Wait a second, isn't that Risky Business, starring a young Tom Cruise? Oh, no, the girl in that one was actually a prostitute. My mistake.
Well, it's nice to see that roles for girls these days are so empowering.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
How things are
I guess you'd never know it from looking at my own house interior, but I'm very interested in design. I could look at this site all day. Too bad really innovative and/or beautiful design costs so much.
Among everyday objects, Bodum coffeemakers are well-designed. Teapots in general, though often beautiful, are poorly designed; I've yet to meet one that never drips. Most bathroom sinks and most toothbrush holders are poorly-designed. Medecine cabinets and Tupperware containers are usually well-designed.
It's still a little dream of mine that someday I will go back to university and do a degree in design. Then it might lose all appeal, however. There's something exciting about being an amateur, not a professional. But wouldn't it be cool to actually do design (interior, furniture) for a living?
I guess you'd never know it from looking at my own house interior, but I'm very interested in design. I could look at this site all day. Too bad really innovative and/or beautiful design costs so much.
Among everyday objects, Bodum coffeemakers are well-designed. Teapots in general, though often beautiful, are poorly designed; I've yet to meet one that never drips. Most bathroom sinks and most toothbrush holders are poorly-designed. Medecine cabinets and Tupperware containers are usually well-designed.
It's still a little dream of mine that someday I will go back to university and do a degree in design. Then it might lose all appeal, however. There's something exciting about being an amateur, not a professional. But wouldn't it be cool to actually do design (interior, furniture) for a living?
All good
Well, in the end we decided against going to a movie, because I get very sleepy by about 9 and staying up past 11 is a thing of the distant past. Instead we went out for dinner to a lovely restaurant that we'd never tried before. It was absolutely perfect: kinda fancy, really good food, lovely romantic ambiance and moderate prices! Then we decided to go for a drive to the lookout on Mount Royal. It was a foggy night, and on the mountain the fog was really thick. Strange to go to a lookout on a foggy night, perhaps, but it was kind of eerie to look out on the city and know that it's there but not see it. Plus the drive up there was a crazy adventure!
It was a great evening, an intimate date that felt just like old times (except that we talked about our kids a lot).
Our "lodger" moved out the next morning. Bright and early, but the move went quickly and the weather was gorgeous. He is very happy with the whole situation. Let's hope this fresh new start will be the beginning of better times for him.
All in all, our weekend was busier than I would have liked (I'm feeling extremely lazy these days), but good, with plenty of fun time spent outdoors with the children, who finally got their bikes out once our garage was emptied of our friend's possessions.
Now we have to get to work on the baby's room, and collecting all the stuff we need for the baby. Believe me, what we don't have is a lot!
Well, in the end we decided against going to a movie, because I get very sleepy by about 9 and staying up past 11 is a thing of the distant past. Instead we went out for dinner to a lovely restaurant that we'd never tried before. It was absolutely perfect: kinda fancy, really good food, lovely romantic ambiance and moderate prices! Then we decided to go for a drive to the lookout on Mount Royal. It was a foggy night, and on the mountain the fog was really thick. Strange to go to a lookout on a foggy night, perhaps, but it was kind of eerie to look out on the city and know that it's there but not see it. Plus the drive up there was a crazy adventure!
It was a great evening, an intimate date that felt just like old times (except that we talked about our kids a lot).
Our "lodger" moved out the next morning. Bright and early, but the move went quickly and the weather was gorgeous. He is very happy with the whole situation. Let's hope this fresh new start will be the beginning of better times for him.
All in all, our weekend was busier than I would have liked (I'm feeling extremely lazy these days), but good, with plenty of fun time spent outdoors with the children, who finally got their bikes out once our garage was emptied of our friend's possessions.
Now we have to get to work on the baby's room, and collecting all the stuff we need for the baby. Believe me, what we don't have is a lot!
Friday, March 26, 2004
Oh yeah
The weather is warm, our "temporary lodger" is moving into his new place tomorrow morning, I'm going to see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Dawn of the Dead tonight.
Suddenly things are looking pre-tty good.
The weather is warm, our "temporary lodger" is moving into his new place tomorrow morning, I'm going to see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Dawn of the Dead tonight.
Suddenly things are looking pre-tty good.
Got any big ideas?
CBC Radio and TV are looking for suggestions from the public for the topic of this year's "Montreal Matters", a month-long cross-platform focus on Montreal through the prism of a particular topic. There are radio and TV items, live shows, lectures, and newspaper features that all address issues within the topic during the month of October.
Last year's topic was HOME, and the year before it was MONEY.
If you have any ideas, let me know, or e-mail montrealmatters@cbc.ca. Public participation is crucial to the success of this project, and all of your ideas will be taken seriously.
CBC Radio and TV are looking for suggestions from the public for the topic of this year's "Montreal Matters", a month-long cross-platform focus on Montreal through the prism of a particular topic. There are radio and TV items, live shows, lectures, and newspaper features that all address issues within the topic during the month of October.
Last year's topic was HOME, and the year before it was MONEY.
If you have any ideas, let me know, or e-mail montrealmatters@cbc.ca. Public participation is crucial to the success of this project, and all of your ideas will be taken seriously.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Idol Update
So far, America is getting it right! They seem to be weeding out the weakest singers/performers in the American Idol competition, in just about the order I would do if I had any influence...
Last night's reject: Matt Rogers! Huzzah!
Ding-dong
The jock is gone!
He couldn't sing,
Had a Rose Bowl ring.
Ding-dong
The macho jerk is gone!
So far, America is getting it right! They seem to be weeding out the weakest singers/performers in the American Idol competition, in just about the order I would do if I had any influence...
Last night's reject: Matt Rogers! Huzzah!
Ding-dong
The jock is gone!
He couldn't sing,
Had a Rose Bowl ring.
Ding-dong
The macho jerk is gone!
For those of a literary bent
The Blue Metropolis Literary Festival is coming up next week in Montreal. If you haven't ever checked out this fest, you should give it a try. Big literary stars come from all over the world and do some pretty interesting and intimate interviews on stage. It also features a Comix Jam and a kids' day and other stuff as well.
And it's cheap. Tickets to most events are only 5$, and you can volunteer and get in for free. One of the most unique literary festivals in the world, and definitely becoming more important every year.
The Blue Metropolis Literary Festival is coming up next week in Montreal. If you haven't ever checked out this fest, you should give it a try. Big literary stars come from all over the world and do some pretty interesting and intimate interviews on stage. It also features a Comix Jam and a kids' day and other stuff as well.
And it's cheap. Tickets to most events are only 5$, and you can volunteer and get in for free. One of the most unique literary festivals in the world, and definitely becoming more important every year.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Good reading
For anyone who's interested, you can read the winners of the CBC Literary Awards here. These are the first-prize winners in the Travel Writing category. Winners in all categories will be published throughout the summer.
Have a look around the enRoute site, if you have time. They publish a pretty swank magazine, and the web version is quite complete.
For anyone who's interested, you can read the winners of the CBC Literary Awards here. These are the first-prize winners in the Travel Writing category. Winners in all categories will be published throughout the summer.
Have a look around the enRoute site, if you have time. They publish a pretty swank magazine, and the web version is quite complete.
La chasse a l'appartement!
Bill is looking for a place to live.
D. and I have been actively trying to help someone find an apartment over the past week. This person's requirements were pretty limiting, or so we thought: $500 for a 3 and a 1/2, with heat and hot water included, plus fridge and stove obviously.
With everything we've been hearing about the rental market lately, we thought it would be totally impossible to find this outside of crack-ho-central-type neighbourhoods.
But we found something! It's definitely not the Taj Mahal, as they say, but it's clean and freshly painted with a decent bathroom and I know the street, which isn't bad. There are a lot of immigrant families in this particular building, which I tend to see as a good thing.
And it's exactly $500/month, everything included. And it's NDG (!) right on the 105 bus route, which is useful for this person.
D. and I have always had incredible luck finding places for ourselves, and it looks like our lucky streak didn't end when we found our wonderful house two years ago. (Great price, great location, great, stout little house with no problems, big backyard). Now we need to keep our fingers crossed until our friend signs the lease, which should be this evening. Let's hope there are no horrible hidden defects!
Bill is looking for a place to live.
D. and I have been actively trying to help someone find an apartment over the past week. This person's requirements were pretty limiting, or so we thought: $500 for a 3 and a 1/2, with heat and hot water included, plus fridge and stove obviously.
With everything we've been hearing about the rental market lately, we thought it would be totally impossible to find this outside of crack-ho-central-type neighbourhoods.
But we found something! It's definitely not the Taj Mahal, as they say, but it's clean and freshly painted with a decent bathroom and I know the street, which isn't bad. There are a lot of immigrant families in this particular building, which I tend to see as a good thing.
And it's exactly $500/month, everything included. And it's NDG (!) right on the 105 bus route, which is useful for this person.
D. and I have always had incredible luck finding places for ourselves, and it looks like our lucky streak didn't end when we found our wonderful house two years ago. (Great price, great location, great, stout little house with no problems, big backyard). Now we need to keep our fingers crossed until our friend signs the lease, which should be this evening. Let's hope there are no horrible hidden defects!
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
The underground
I haven't felt much like blogging lately, although my life has been pretty eventful. Unfortunately, most of the events have been of a personal nature that would be pretty uninteresting to anyone outside of my closest circle. All is well, though. Just un peu compliqué.
This story brings a song to my heart. Finally, a cash infusion for our aging metro system! I actually think that their plans to use the money are good, focusing mainly on the things that are really awful about our still-pretty-good system.
No mention, though, of simply running more metros at peak times. The crush in those cars during rush hour is a downright frightening experience for a claustrophobe like me, all the more so because I now have a rather protuberant belly!
No mention either of improvements for the disabled. Our whole transit system is a disgrace as far as access is concerned. Every metro station requires you to walk up or down flights of stairs. Although replacing escalators will help the situation for people with strollers or limited walking capacity, why not put elevators in some of the stations for people in wheelchairs? It doesn't seem like a far-fetched idea to me.
I am truly gratified, however to hear that they will be making changes to Beaudry metro. It is, hands down, the most hideous and even creepy station I've seen, and it's the one closest to my office! Because it's so awful I avoid it, and walk the 10-15 minutes to Champ-de-Mars station, which is really quite lovely.
I haven't felt much like blogging lately, although my life has been pretty eventful. Unfortunately, most of the events have been of a personal nature that would be pretty uninteresting to anyone outside of my closest circle. All is well, though. Just un peu compliqué.
This story brings a song to my heart. Finally, a cash infusion for our aging metro system! I actually think that their plans to use the money are good, focusing mainly on the things that are really awful about our still-pretty-good system.
No mention, though, of simply running more metros at peak times. The crush in those cars during rush hour is a downright frightening experience for a claustrophobe like me, all the more so because I now have a rather protuberant belly!
No mention either of improvements for the disabled. Our whole transit system is a disgrace as far as access is concerned. Every metro station requires you to walk up or down flights of stairs. Although replacing escalators will help the situation for people with strollers or limited walking capacity, why not put elevators in some of the stations for people in wheelchairs? It doesn't seem like a far-fetched idea to me.
I am truly gratified, however to hear that they will be making changes to Beaudry metro. It is, hands down, the most hideous and even creepy station I've seen, and it's the one closest to my office! Because it's so awful I avoid it, and walk the 10-15 minutes to Champ-de-Mars station, which is really quite lovely.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Monkey in a Taxi
I'm a day late, but so what. This month's installment of the 12 Monkeys project asks for taxi-ride stories.
I have had a number of memorable taxi rides, but in the interest of interest, I'll include a couple of tales from my long list of memorable hitchiking rides.
New York Taxi
One crazy ride was in NYC, of course. I was there on a wild Brass-Monkey drunk weekend with some friends when I was about 18, and we took a cab back to our hotel and were driven so fast with such bizarre swerving and turning that I was hanging on to the seat in front of me for dear life. In the haze of alcohol and fear, I turned to see my friend L. hanging on to a hand-strap (funny that they see the need to provide such a thing) with both hands and looking at me with a maniacal expression, screaming "Fuckin A!" I cracked up mightily, I tells ya.
Lisbon Taxi
After being mugged in Barcelona (and who hasn't been?) my friends and I hitchiked to Madrid and then to Lisbon to get my passport renewed at the Canadian consulate there. It was pouring buckets and we couldn't find our way, so we got in a cab. This driver outdid the NYC cabbie by a long shot, driving so insanely that we were literally in fear for our lives. He actually sideswiped a parked car, making a horrible wrenching metal sound. But he got us there, much to our immense relief. Unfortunately the consulate wouldn't let my friends in (for security reasons) and they stood on the doorstep in the drenching rain for more than an hour while I went through bureaucratic hell inside. Good friends! Incidentally, the hilarious 1940s-style passport photograph (complete with giant chin-zit) was worth all the trouble; it provided us with many laughs on the rest of our travels.
Hitchhiking
I could write a book about my hitchiking adventures at home and abroad, but I will limit myself to two here:
1. Trying to get up to a small town in the Pyrenees mountains to begin a long hike to stay with a shepherdess friend, we got a ride in a sports car up one of those roads that I thought only existed in movies and Bugs Bunny cartoons. You know the kind, winding along the side of a mountain with a sheer drop to one side and sheer rock mountain to the other, at top speed, complete with a screeching stop to allow a herd of sheep to cross. I still wonder how we didn't die.
2. A very weird story: Thumbing back from a night of drinking and drugs downtown, we were picked up by a tiny dude named Rudy (I remember cuz we were singing "Rudy can't fail" to him). He took us off the route to where we were going and drove us into a very dark, very secluded field. I was only somewhat scared because he was only one small dude and we were two tough chicks ( and I was carrying a switchblade up my sleeve). While I was demanding that he tell us what was going on, my friend piped up from the back: "Hey Bec, I smell hot dogs!". I was like "What?" and Rudy shamfacedly started the car and drove us back to the highway and let us out. He had pissed his pants, I'm sorry to tell you. Luckily for us, he wasn't cut out for the life of a psycho-rapist-killer.
Ah, life is precious.
I'm a day late, but so what. This month's installment of the 12 Monkeys project asks for taxi-ride stories.
I have had a number of memorable taxi rides, but in the interest of interest, I'll include a couple of tales from my long list of memorable hitchiking rides.
New York Taxi
One crazy ride was in NYC, of course. I was there on a wild Brass-Monkey drunk weekend with some friends when I was about 18, and we took a cab back to our hotel and were driven so fast with such bizarre swerving and turning that I was hanging on to the seat in front of me for dear life. In the haze of alcohol and fear, I turned to see my friend L. hanging on to a hand-strap (funny that they see the need to provide such a thing) with both hands and looking at me with a maniacal expression, screaming "Fuckin A!" I cracked up mightily, I tells ya.
Lisbon Taxi
After being mugged in Barcelona (and who hasn't been?) my friends and I hitchiked to Madrid and then to Lisbon to get my passport renewed at the Canadian consulate there. It was pouring buckets and we couldn't find our way, so we got in a cab. This driver outdid the NYC cabbie by a long shot, driving so insanely that we were literally in fear for our lives. He actually sideswiped a parked car, making a horrible wrenching metal sound. But he got us there, much to our immense relief. Unfortunately the consulate wouldn't let my friends in (for security reasons) and they stood on the doorstep in the drenching rain for more than an hour while I went through bureaucratic hell inside. Good friends! Incidentally, the hilarious 1940s-style passport photograph (complete with giant chin-zit) was worth all the trouble; it provided us with many laughs on the rest of our travels.
Hitchhiking
I could write a book about my hitchiking adventures at home and abroad, but I will limit myself to two here:
1. Trying to get up to a small town in the Pyrenees mountains to begin a long hike to stay with a shepherdess friend, we got a ride in a sports car up one of those roads that I thought only existed in movies and Bugs Bunny cartoons. You know the kind, winding along the side of a mountain with a sheer drop to one side and sheer rock mountain to the other, at top speed, complete with a screeching stop to allow a herd of sheep to cross. I still wonder how we didn't die.
2. A very weird story: Thumbing back from a night of drinking and drugs downtown, we were picked up by a tiny dude named Rudy (I remember cuz we were singing "Rudy can't fail" to him). He took us off the route to where we were going and drove us into a very dark, very secluded field. I was only somewhat scared because he was only one small dude and we were two tough chicks ( and I was carrying a switchblade up my sleeve). While I was demanding that he tell us what was going on, my friend piped up from the back: "Hey Bec, I smell hot dogs!". I was like "What?" and Rudy shamfacedly started the car and drove us back to the highway and let us out. He had pissed his pants, I'm sorry to tell you. Luckily for us, he wasn't cut out for the life of a psycho-rapist-killer.
Ah, life is precious.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
News you need to know
Is it just me, or is the Montreal news story about the un-certified acupuncturist and her dirty needles kind of a non-story? A bunch of people are at a very tiny risk of being infected with something -- noone knows what because noone is actually infected as far as we know. And acupuncturists don't require certification in many parts of Canada, so the fact that she wasn't certified and what that might mean isn't really something we need to look into urgently.
I certainly don't think it justified the screaming headlines about "thousands at risk" of HIV or hepatitis. Now, if they had found one of her clients who had contracted one of these diseases, then maybe there'd be cause for alarm, but really. Come on.
Is it just me, or is the Montreal news story about the un-certified acupuncturist and her dirty needles kind of a non-story? A bunch of people are at a very tiny risk of being infected with something -- noone knows what because noone is actually infected as far as we know. And acupuncturists don't require certification in many parts of Canada, so the fact that she wasn't certified and what that might mean isn't really something we need to look into urgently.
I certainly don't think it justified the screaming headlines about "thousands at risk" of HIV or hepatitis. Now, if they had found one of her clients who had contracted one of these diseases, then maybe there'd be cause for alarm, but really. Come on.
A metaphor for life!
I heard a robin while walking in to work this morning, twilling out across a parking lot and four lanes of traffic.
Despite the cold, despite the wind, despite March in all its glowering sternness, I have heard summer.
I heard a robin while walking in to work this morning, twilling out across a parking lot and four lanes of traffic.
Despite the cold, despite the wind, despite March in all its glowering sternness, I have heard summer.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Another TV Post
Just to say, check out Nana-Lan' on CBC's morning lineup. It is one of those wonderful kids' shows that should appeal equally to grown-ups. I appreciate its quiet intimacy, reflecting real family life, as much as its amazing "puppet-shows within a puppet-show" when the next-door neighbour comes 'round to amuse Nana, Mona and Russell the dog.
It really is worth checking out, even taping, because who knows how long a quality children's show will last?
Just to say, check out Nana-Lan' on CBC's morning lineup. It is one of those wonderful kids' shows that should appeal equally to grown-ups. I appreciate its quiet intimacy, reflecting real family life, as much as its amazing "puppet-shows within a puppet-show" when the next-door neighbour comes 'round to amuse Nana, Mona and Russell the dog.
It really is worth checking out, even taping, because who knows how long a quality children's show will last?
Monday, March 15, 2004
Shallow TV stuff
I don't even look forward to Survivor anymore. The All-Stars Edition sucks, frankly. It is wall-to-wall with eveything I find boring about Survivor: strategizing, planning and backstabbing.
The only semi-interesting part is seeing how one tribe is so much healthier and happier than the other. But even then, the healthy tribe is constantly "thinking about the merge" and making strategic relationships.
Even the two "crises" so far were not really water-cooler-worthy and were in fact kind of calculated and constructed. Nothing seems to be natural and the simple result of throwing a bunch of humans together in difficult conditions.
I want to see a Survivor shake-up, where all bets are truly off and nobody knows what's going on. These players are just too savvy, and the producers too manipulative, to make really interesting viewing.
I think I'm gonna give the rest of this season a miss.
I don't even look forward to Survivor anymore. The All-Stars Edition sucks, frankly. It is wall-to-wall with eveything I find boring about Survivor: strategizing, planning and backstabbing.
The only semi-interesting part is seeing how one tribe is so much healthier and happier than the other. But even then, the healthy tribe is constantly "thinking about the merge" and making strategic relationships.
Even the two "crises" so far were not really water-cooler-worthy and were in fact kind of calculated and constructed. Nothing seems to be natural and the simple result of throwing a bunch of humans together in difficult conditions.
I want to see a Survivor shake-up, where all bets are truly off and nobody knows what's going on. These players are just too savvy, and the producers too manipulative, to make really interesting viewing.
I think I'm gonna give the rest of this season a miss.
Had a great weekend, restful yet fun.
I've been feeling overwhelmingly sleepy for the past week or so, so I took a few lovely naps during my four days off, feeling only slightly guilty about all the things I'm not getting done.
On Friday I spent a long time alone with my son. We went to our favourite library, which is about a half-hour's walk away, and had a nice quiet time together. On our walk home we stopped in at a restaurant for lunch. He's such great company, such a calm and happy presence in my life. We always have interesting things to talk about, and I love to watch the way he goes through the world.
Lately D and I have been excited to see how the little guy's drawings have changed, getting more sophisticated by the day. Today he drew a horse, copying from one of his sister's artworks. It was the first drawing he'd done of a non-human form. I find this kind of thing fascinating; just one of the many interesting things about having children.
On Saturday, I proposed to my daughter that she go for a chess lesson and maybe join the chess club at that same library. She was right into it, so off we went to check it out (they meet every Saturday afternoon). When we showed up, a fellow came up to us and asked if we were there for the Science Playground. We said no, but we were interested! So we went up to the auditorium where this total cutie had set up all kinds of science games and puzzles and experiments. We had a blast up there, and it turns out that he is also one of the chess teachers, and he gave my daughter a very long one-on-one lesson, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She beat him 2 times out of 3, and he told me afterwards that she is very good, and has the potential to be one of the best students he's had! I'm so proud of her; not only because she's good at chess, but because she's so willing to try new things and meet new people, and she's a good sport and I could tell (I was nearby during her leson) that he enjoyed her company, even though she's only six years old.
So now I have a chess geek in the family, and I couldn't be happier. And her little brother is learning to play too. I think that learning these kinds of things is good for their minds, whether or not they keep it up later in life. It also teaches them good sportsmanship and how to get along with people, and exposes them to different people than those they meet at school or in the playground or at soccer or whatever.
So that was good!
Our book club meeting on Friday evening went well, with lots of stimulating discussion about the book and other stuff (politics, motherhood, baby names, etc.). Opinions of the book varied quite widely, which is somewhat unusual for us, and made for a good chat. As usual I was impressed with the brains and personalities of the women of the club. I feel lucky to be a part of it.
I've been feeling overwhelmingly sleepy for the past week or so, so I took a few lovely naps during my four days off, feeling only slightly guilty about all the things I'm not getting done.
On Friday I spent a long time alone with my son. We went to our favourite library, which is about a half-hour's walk away, and had a nice quiet time together. On our walk home we stopped in at a restaurant for lunch. He's such great company, such a calm and happy presence in my life. We always have interesting things to talk about, and I love to watch the way he goes through the world.
Lately D and I have been excited to see how the little guy's drawings have changed, getting more sophisticated by the day. Today he drew a horse, copying from one of his sister's artworks. It was the first drawing he'd done of a non-human form. I find this kind of thing fascinating; just one of the many interesting things about having children.
On Saturday, I proposed to my daughter that she go for a chess lesson and maybe join the chess club at that same library. She was right into it, so off we went to check it out (they meet every Saturday afternoon). When we showed up, a fellow came up to us and asked if we were there for the Science Playground. We said no, but we were interested! So we went up to the auditorium where this total cutie had set up all kinds of science games and puzzles and experiments. We had a blast up there, and it turns out that he is also one of the chess teachers, and he gave my daughter a very long one-on-one lesson, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She beat him 2 times out of 3, and he told me afterwards that she is very good, and has the potential to be one of the best students he's had! I'm so proud of her; not only because she's good at chess, but because she's so willing to try new things and meet new people, and she's a good sport and I could tell (I was nearby during her leson) that he enjoyed her company, even though she's only six years old.
So now I have a chess geek in the family, and I couldn't be happier. And her little brother is learning to play too. I think that learning these kinds of things is good for their minds, whether or not they keep it up later in life. It also teaches them good sportsmanship and how to get along with people, and exposes them to different people than those they meet at school or in the playground or at soccer or whatever.
So that was good!
Our book club meeting on Friday evening went well, with lots of stimulating discussion about the book and other stuff (politics, motherhood, baby names, etc.). Opinions of the book varied quite widely, which is somewhat unusual for us, and made for a good chat. As usual I was impressed with the brains and personalities of the women of the club. I feel lucky to be a part of it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
book club notice
We are meeting this Friday night, to discuss the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
As usual, I haven't read all of the book, but not for lack of trying! Repeated visits to several librairies and second-hand stores proved fruitless, and dammit, I can't afford new books.
But I really like the book. Images and scenes from it haunt me.
I'm looking forward to talking about it with my buds!
We are meeting this Friday night, to discuss the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
As usual, I haven't read all of the book, but not for lack of trying! Repeated visits to several librairies and second-hand stores proved fruitless, and dammit, I can't afford new books.
But I really like the book. Images and scenes from it haunt me.
I'm looking forward to talking about it with my buds!
Aaaah...
The sun is shining and warm on the face, and today is the last day of my working week.
Life is good -- in spite of the jerk-off truck driver who tried to intimidate me (revving, honking) as I was crossing (not fast enough, apprently) at an intersection this morning.
The sun is shining and warm on the face, and today is the last day of my working week.
Life is good -- in spite of the jerk-off truck driver who tried to intimidate me (revving, honking) as I was crossing (not fast enough, apprently) at an intersection this morning.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Well all right then
The Health Minister has said no to elective ceasareans, in fairly strong terms, calling it unethical. That's not a word I would have used, but hey, I'm not a politician.
I heard a very good radio interview with the head honcho of Quebec obstetricians. He said that they had pretty much decided that it wasn't a good idea, because a ceasarean is a major surgical procedure, with possible complications. He stressed that the demand for ceasareans that aren't medically necessary is not "epidemic" but that most obstetricians had probably run into the request on one or more occasions.
He also stressed that the increase in ceasareans in recent years has nothing to do with elective cases.
The interview was funny in one respect: The host was very reluctant to use the word "vaginal", as in "vaginal birth". He said "uterine birth" first, then used vaginal once, and then said "...as you said, 'vaginal' birth". His discomfiture was most amusing.
I wonder what a "uterine birth" is? Sounds kinda scary.
The Health Minister has said no to elective ceasareans, in fairly strong terms, calling it unethical. That's not a word I would have used, but hey, I'm not a politician.
I heard a very good radio interview with the head honcho of Quebec obstetricians. He said that they had pretty much decided that it wasn't a good idea, because a ceasarean is a major surgical procedure, with possible complications. He stressed that the demand for ceasareans that aren't medically necessary is not "epidemic" but that most obstetricians had probably run into the request on one or more occasions.
He also stressed that the increase in ceasareans in recent years has nothing to do with elective cases.
The interview was funny in one respect: The host was very reluctant to use the word "vaginal", as in "vaginal birth". He said "uterine birth" first, then used vaginal once, and then said "...as you said, 'vaginal' birth". His discomfiture was most amusing.
I wonder what a "uterine birth" is? Sounds kinda scary.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Relaxation, sleep and fear
Had a four-day weekend, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I especially enjoyed going to my sister's place up north for a couple of days, even though lousy weather prevented us from doing most of the things we enjoy doing up there. It's like a mini-holiday for us when we visit: nice meals;great company; happy, preoccupied children and a break from the normal demands of our life. And mountains, forests and lakes all around us, when it's only about an hour's drive away. In short -- perfect!
The children enjoyed their March break. They seem to have had a good balance of activity and rest. I find that they get tired from school (and pre-school) and life and need to unplug sometimes, just like adults do, so I appreciate school breaks and ped-days and the like. Yesterday the little one fell asleep on the couch at 5 pm, missed supper and slept right through the night until 7:15 this morning. I'm sure it did him the world of good. I suspect that he's been going through a growth spurt; I've noticed that these don't stop after the baby years, and the symptoms of growth spurts remain the same: irritability followed by a spike in appetite followed by fatigue. The actual growth usually shows up in tighter-fitting clothes about a week after the whole cycle is complete.
On the pregnancy front, all is still well, tho' I had to read my family the riot-act this weekend because my sleeplessness is really getting me down. I insisted that D. talk to a pharmacist about his snoring (a recent development) and forbade the children from coming into my room and waking me unless it's an emergency.
I am getting rather *ahem* -- large. So far my face and hands etc. haven't bloated up, so I'm not feeling too down about my appearance, but it's certainly getting harder every day to do things like climb stairs, bend over, and sit on the floor. Also, I've noticed that when I lie on my back momentarily (a habit I find difficult to break), I now feel dizzy and feel my heart beating wildly. According to my book, lying on your back puts weight on a big artery called the Vena Cava, and should be avoided. But it's only recently that I've experienced the effects of that so immediately and scarily.
Speaking of fear, I've been thinking about the delivery lately, and feeling -- what's the word? -- apprehensive? about the pain that I know I will have to endure. Best not to think about it, I know, but I guess a little fear is inevitable. I just have to remember: It's only a few hours of my life, no matter how hideously painful it is. Right? Right?
Had a four-day weekend, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I especially enjoyed going to my sister's place up north for a couple of days, even though lousy weather prevented us from doing most of the things we enjoy doing up there. It's like a mini-holiday for us when we visit: nice meals;great company; happy, preoccupied children and a break from the normal demands of our life. And mountains, forests and lakes all around us, when it's only about an hour's drive away. In short -- perfect!
The children enjoyed their March break. They seem to have had a good balance of activity and rest. I find that they get tired from school (and pre-school) and life and need to unplug sometimes, just like adults do, so I appreciate school breaks and ped-days and the like. Yesterday the little one fell asleep on the couch at 5 pm, missed supper and slept right through the night until 7:15 this morning. I'm sure it did him the world of good. I suspect that he's been going through a growth spurt; I've noticed that these don't stop after the baby years, and the symptoms of growth spurts remain the same: irritability followed by a spike in appetite followed by fatigue. The actual growth usually shows up in tighter-fitting clothes about a week after the whole cycle is complete.
On the pregnancy front, all is still well, tho' I had to read my family the riot-act this weekend because my sleeplessness is really getting me down. I insisted that D. talk to a pharmacist about his snoring (a recent development) and forbade the children from coming into my room and waking me unless it's an emergency.
I am getting rather *ahem* -- large. So far my face and hands etc. haven't bloated up, so I'm not feeling too down about my appearance, but it's certainly getting harder every day to do things like climb stairs, bend over, and sit on the floor. Also, I've noticed that when I lie on my back momentarily (a habit I find difficult to break), I now feel dizzy and feel my heart beating wildly. According to my book, lying on your back puts weight on a big artery called the Vena Cava, and should be avoided. But it's only recently that I've experienced the effects of that so immediately and scarily.
Speaking of fear, I've been thinking about the delivery lately, and feeling -- what's the word? -- apprehensive? about the pain that I know I will have to endure. Best not to think about it, I know, but I guess a little fear is inevitable. I just have to remember: It's only a few hours of my life, no matter how hideously painful it is. Right? Right?
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Why, I oughta...
One news story that's really got me riled up is this one where the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists intends to propose that doctors perform elective caesarian deliveries. In other words, if a woman doesn't feel like having a normal labour and vaginal delivery, or she's afraid of the pain or whatever, she can just ask the doctor to cut her open and haul the baby out of her through an incision.
Now, it seems as though this is already happening, and the new recommendation would just make it more widely-practised. The poster-girl for this choice is Posh Spice, of course, and in Canada? Argh! Rebecca Eckler! The most vapid, useless excuse for a woman we can find. Apparently, she was scared to have her baby the natural way, because it would be painful. Awww. Isn't that cute? Was she unaware of the fact that childbirth is painful when she got pregnant? Or perhaps she was unaware of the widespread use of epidurals to relieve pain. In any case, she'd rather have her womb sliced open with a scalpel -- 'cause that's just another day at the office, right?
I know that I am in the minority in advocating natural childbirth, ie. without drugs and with as little medical intervention as possible, but apart from my own opinion, every mother I know who had to have her child delivered by caesarian was saddened by that fact, not to mention sorry to have to recover from surgery while trying to handle a newborn baby. So besides being contrary to my own beliefs, this move seems contrary to logic and good sense.
So who benefits, apart from ninnies like Rebecca Eckler? The health-care system certainly doesn't need more beds taken up during the greater recovery time that a caesarian requires. Logic would seem to dictate a reduction in elective surgeries in an underfunded and overtaxed system.
It must be the obstetricians themselves who benefit. How? Well, the only thing I can figure is that a caesarian is a procedure that can be scheduled and has a proscribed duration. Thus it is easier to "manage" than regular labour, which is unpredictable and unscheduled.
It wouldn't be the end of the world, and eventually the pendulum would swing back to more natural childbirth, but it just seems like one more step away from nature, and I can't help feeling that that's not a good thing.
One news story that's really got me riled up is this one where the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists intends to propose that doctors perform elective caesarian deliveries. In other words, if a woman doesn't feel like having a normal labour and vaginal delivery, or she's afraid of the pain or whatever, she can just ask the doctor to cut her open and haul the baby out of her through an incision.
Now, it seems as though this is already happening, and the new recommendation would just make it more widely-practised. The poster-girl for this choice is Posh Spice, of course, and in Canada? Argh! Rebecca Eckler! The most vapid, useless excuse for a woman we can find. Apparently, she was scared to have her baby the natural way, because it would be painful. Awww. Isn't that cute? Was she unaware of the fact that childbirth is painful when she got pregnant? Or perhaps she was unaware of the widespread use of epidurals to relieve pain. In any case, she'd rather have her womb sliced open with a scalpel -- 'cause that's just another day at the office, right?
I know that I am in the minority in advocating natural childbirth, ie. without drugs and with as little medical intervention as possible, but apart from my own opinion, every mother I know who had to have her child delivered by caesarian was saddened by that fact, not to mention sorry to have to recover from surgery while trying to handle a newborn baby. So besides being contrary to my own beliefs, this move seems contrary to logic and good sense.
So who benefits, apart from ninnies like Rebecca Eckler? The health-care system certainly doesn't need more beds taken up during the greater recovery time that a caesarian requires. Logic would seem to dictate a reduction in elective surgeries in an underfunded and overtaxed system.
It must be the obstetricians themselves who benefit. How? Well, the only thing I can figure is that a caesarian is a procedure that can be scheduled and has a proscribed duration. Thus it is easier to "manage" than regular labour, which is unpredictable and unscheduled.
It wouldn't be the end of the world, and eventually the pendulum would swing back to more natural childbirth, but it just seems like one more step away from nature, and I can't help feeling that that's not a good thing.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
I'm blushing!
All maternity tops should be red.
I'm wearing a cherry-red top today and receiving compliments everywhere I turn! It does wonders for a girl who, as my dear old mother used to say, "looks like a house end".
Well, apparently even a house-end looks okay in red!
All maternity tops should be red.
I'm wearing a cherry-red top today and receiving compliments everywhere I turn! It does wonders for a girl who, as my dear old mother used to say, "looks like a house end".
Well, apparently even a house-end looks okay in red!
Monday, March 01, 2004
Le weekend
This weekend I was, predictably enough, sick. Predictably because whenever I go through a high-stress period in my life, I get sick once it has reached its critical point. I think I got off easy, though. I never had a full-blown cold, just a sinus-infection kind of thing that demanded that I sleep...sleep....SLEEP.
That was kinda nice.
Apart from sleeping I did a few things: made a nice supper; played, got ice cream and rode a toy train with my son; and watched about 90 minutes of the Academy Awards. Yay LOR!
Knowing that there will be far too much talk about the Oscars this morning, I will limit my comments to one topic: I don't like the "look" most of the women were sporting, ie. the shiny, tanned face with flesh-coloured lipstick and wavy platinum hair. Give me a raven-haired beauty with red lips any day, if only to break the monotony!
Best dressed, according to moi: Angelina Jolie looking like a Greek Goddess in white satin. I liked Catherine Zeta-Jones in red (daring, considering the insipid pastels of almost everyone else) and Jennifer Garner in a vintage dress in saffron. Will Smith looked gorgeous, and I swooned over Johnny Depp, as usual.
This weekend I was, predictably enough, sick. Predictably because whenever I go through a high-stress period in my life, I get sick once it has reached its critical point. I think I got off easy, though. I never had a full-blown cold, just a sinus-infection kind of thing that demanded that I sleep...sleep....SLEEP.
That was kinda nice.
Apart from sleeping I did a few things: made a nice supper; played, got ice cream and rode a toy train with my son; and watched about 90 minutes of the Academy Awards. Yay LOR!
Knowing that there will be far too much talk about the Oscars this morning, I will limit my comments to one topic: I don't like the "look" most of the women were sporting, ie. the shiny, tanned face with flesh-coloured lipstick and wavy platinum hair. Give me a raven-haired beauty with red lips any day, if only to break the monotony!
Best dressed, according to moi: Angelina Jolie looking like a Greek Goddess in white satin. I liked Catherine Zeta-Jones in red (daring, considering the insipid pastels of almost everyone else) and Jennifer Garner in a vintage dress in saffron. Will Smith looked gorgeous, and I swooned over Johnny Depp, as usual.
