I've been thinking and thinking about how to feel good when things are bad. Where do you find good in the world, Sara asked the other day, when the world is full of bad and scary news...it feels kinda... hard.And then I remembered this haunting, acoustic version of Moby's own song, We Are all Made of Stars... it's the cello mixed with those gorgeous voices that get me. So totally beautiful. And hopeful.People they come togetherPeople they fall apartNo one can stop us now'Cause we are all made of starsI really love this version. Indeed, let's be the one who... More »

I like to think of myself as being an organised and tidy person, but I don't make myself nuts about it. I mean, not for real.And recently while in the grocery store, the woman behind me remarked on how organised all my stuff was on the conveyor belt, waiting to be scanned by the cashier. I hadn't really thought about it before, but I suppose it was kind of sorted... fruits and vegetables were mostly together, cold and frozen things were close to the meats, drinks were together, eggs and breads at the last. *shrugs*It's the natural way I tend... More »

This kid's favourite sport is soccer. He loves watching it, playing FIFA video games, and spends hours kicking a ball around with his cronies in front of our house, for as many hours as I'll let him. And these many, many hours of practice have garnered him some pretty excellent footwork... and he's gentle about it - he's not likely to push his way to the ball, but he'll neatly steal it from between your ankles with quick little jabs of his nimble feet.Case in point: As we watched the Toronto Maple Leafs let their excellent lead slip away during... More »

I've been mulling and stewing and thinking about the issue big business + retail clothing for a while now, but especially since the recent tragedy of the building that collapsed in Bangladesh over two weeks ago. The death toll is nearing 900 persons, lots of them women.As is the case of every for-profit business, it comes down to the bottom line. Everyone is chasing the dollar - that's what big business is.So, herein lies the issue of ethical treatment of people everywhere - I'm sure we all agree that this is what we wish for all people, working everywhere in... More »

Dear lice,I'm normally a very tolerant person to all most creatures great and small, but I can tell you I'm not alone in hating you and wanting you out of my life. I'd wager (and win!) that even pro-life vegan tree-huggers all want you to die as badly as I do. Even Tibetan monks. (They shave their heads to avoid you, I'm certain.) Because you suck. Literally. You parasidic, reprehensible creatures... I want you all to die.Not only do you make me feel dirty and weird with your very presence, but the added workload of extra laundry, vacuuming, and the endless... More »

(continued from yesterday's post... still at the mall.)She: Mummy? I need to tell you something else. It's kinda bad. *looks at me with solemn brown eyes and then smirks*Me: *looks to the heavens* Oh my lord, child, what is it?She: Well... the other day? When I was at Jed's house for dinner? Well... I ate with my mouth open.At first she looks SO guilty, but this expression quickly morphs into smiling. I bite my lip. This is the kinda bad thing she has to tell me? Oh. My. Days.Me: *leans in with mock shock* Ava Scarlett!!? *clutches pearls*She: *slightly pained* I knoooow!... More »

This is a scene from a mall...She: Mummy, I need to tell you something. *picks up napkin and wipes pizza sauce from her mouth*Me: *takes deep breath* Yeeeessss? *feels stroke coming on*She: Well... *sheepish* I don't really like apple juice anymore.I swear to god, these kids...Me: *relieved* Oh. Well, why not?She: *cocks head* Well, I used to like it, you know, back when I was a little kid, but now that I'm a big girl, well... I just don't like it anymore. Because it's for babies.This baby of mine is currently the ripe old age of five, so I feel... More »

Yesterday, NBA player Jason Collins told the world he is gay. He wrote this terrific piece for Sports Illustrated, describing his process. We don't follow much in the way of sports around here, and basketball is no exception - I didn't know this guy's name before yesterday, but I'm pleased for him. I'm glad he feels free now, and I hope his life and career go smoothly forevermore.This morning on the radio, the announcers discussed this latest news item as my son ate his breakfast. He put his fork down while he chewed on it all.He: Mummy? The guy they're talking about...... More »

I've had this aching pain in my left shoulder for a while now. For a long while. For months, even. I kept telling myself I'd take care of it... another day... next week. It was February when I first noticed it had been bothering me for some time already, and now April is almost gone.This is what putting yourself last on the list feels like. And of course we know better than to do that... take care of yourself! Put your own oxygen mask on first! Blah, blah, blah... yes, yes, it's imperative to do so, and yet...There are just... More »

A thousand years ago, I used to be a runner.It was my sport-of-choice since I was in grade school, when we'd run for fund-raising causes, like for Terry Fox, or The Heart & Stroke Foundation. As I grew older, I moved from longer distances, to middle distances, and ended up mostly running sprints by the end of high school, but the feeling of running is one I still remember. Beyond the physical parts that are both wonderful and agonizing, the invisible part that forces you to keep on going is really an amazing, inexplicable thing. And all the more sweet when during a... More »