Walking away is not an option... dialogue must prevail.
"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with." - Kenneth A. Wells
"I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace." - Helen Keller
Disclaimer: if this post makes no sense I blame the confused red germ.
Ugh! I hope the purple one got me because that blue one looks just plain mean and prickly. The red one looks so confused it might get lost and end up somewhere germs aren't supposed to go and stick around, like my big toe. And the green one.... well, it's green and that's cruel. Nuff said.
On the positive side, Sharkdog does not have tuna butt and Chicklet is well on her way to being healthy. Oh.. and there's jello in the fridge... except that the fridge is downstairs and I'M not.
Right, so Dumdum seems to be getting his own health issue as well. He's been shaking that big empty head of his a lot and I suspect something's amiss with his ear. So last night, I decided to put a little doggie ear cleaner in there. He comes easily enough until he notices the bottle in my hand, doggie instinct kicks in and he runs off in the other direction (he can't get far, the house isn't that big). Well... all my years of schooling in psychology are put to the test. How easy is it to fool this dog? I just squeal and run in the opposite direction. It was a lot like grammar school when you'd either run away and play coy or smack the boy you liked on the head. Mission accomplished. He was as confused as the red germ.
It's the little victories that make life meaningful, you know? HOOOOOOOORAH!
Last night we watched the elimination show for SYTYCD Canada and I think Canada got this one wrong. We had to say goodbye to Kaitlin and Danny. Although I haven't been a fan of Kaitlin's throughout the season so far, I've never had a bad thing to say about her dancing (she did fall a bit flat this week mind you). I just think she was a victim of youth and inexperience. What really has my underwear in a twist (I, unlike Jeremy - Jen's hubby from Steenky Bee- who likes to go commando and came out of the closet, was wearing underwear yesterday) is that Danny was "voted off" in favour of lesser dancers (IMHO). This guy has some of the best partnering abilities I've seen on a dance show and I just hope Chicklet and I will be able to get tickets to see him during the SYTYCD Canada tour.
Ah crap! It just dawned on me... Kaitlin was WEARING THE RED GERM! Yup... confused. My point exactly.
...to empty the bathtub after your kid takes a bath.
So yesterday, in the hopes of washing away the ickies, Chicklet took a long leisurely bubble bath. When she was done, she got out, dried off (I know this because her jammies were dry although she was a prune) and put on the aforementioned jammies (they have penguins on them) to join me as we watched SYTYCD Canada before she was shooed to her own bed.
I remember asking her if she had pulled the plug in the bath and her "Oops!" response... She always forgets. I swear I had made a mental note to go back and correct her oversight. But the sticky note fell behind some other clutter in my brain.
I settled in for the night with our dogs snoring loudly in the room. Sharkdog was in her usual spot (hogging the bed) and Dumdum was by the bedroom door. That dog seems to prefer sleeping in front of doors. I think he keeps hoping I'll forget he's there, wake up in the darkened room to fetch water or visit the WC and trip over him and provide him with a carcass to scavenge. I'm actually giving him far too much credit. He is the "Pinky" to Sharkdog's "The Brain".
In the middle of the night, as I was sleeping soundly, the plan to take over the house went into full force.
Ok, actually, the dogs were thirsty and requested some libations. So... being the good hooman I am (if I do this quick I'll never really wake up... yeah... that's the ticket) I crawled out of bed and opened the bedroom door so the Trouble Twins could quench their thirst. They're like Hobbits with pints, I tell ya.
Dumdum started down the stairs towards the water bowl in the kitchen and Sharkdog was dragging her fat carcass (I really do love them... yeah...) behind him. That is... until I decided to visit the WC in the dark.
That my friends, is when all hell broke loose.
You see, Sharkdog has discovered the joys of drinking from the faucet in the bathtub.
and
SPLASH!
and
no! no! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
$%@&(?&!!!!!
Half wet dog... in the dark... wanting to go back on my bed... smelly... not a Bounce sheet in sight.... where the $@%$ is the towel?
Get back here!
No!
STOP!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!
I need new jammies...
I hate you.
*stubbs toe*
$@%$
*Sharkdog smirking* I swear she was smirking!!!
*drool* Yeah, keep doing that Dumdum...
Great, now I'm awake.
What's on TV?
This morning, Chicklet was still icky. So... home again. After hugging Sharkdog until Sharkdog would be hugged no more she proceeded to hug Dumdum... who had enough right quick but is too much of a wuss to do anything about it.
The following ensued:
Me, the jello and soup maker extraordinaire: "Let him be, he looks miserable!"
Chicklet aka the Germ Factory aka the "why are you blogging this" whiner: "But I want to hug a dog! And I can't hug Chelsea (you know, Sharkdog's given name)!" (in her whiny sucky tone)
Moi: "Why not? She won't let you?" *snarf*
Germs: "Yeah.. and I don't want to... she has tuna-butt"
I've been walking around with a garlic garland around my neck in the hopes that The Chicklet's germies will stay away from my sinus cavities. Her school has a "no fever" policy. So... since I have no other alternatives, it means I work from home and run around making red jell-o and chicken soup.
Thankfully I stocked up after our last brush with zombification.
Who knew visiting Steenky Bee would mean her germs would spread through the interwebs right to our house? And to think I've been using the Mac! What happened to "an Apple a day keeps the doctor away"?
Lately it seems that I come out to blog on very rare occasions. It’s ironic that as my last sortie was to promote a Peace Movement for Bloggers (see last post), the one immediately following it should be a very sombre yet hopeful and celebratory post.
I am Canadian. And on this 11th day, of the 11th month at the 11th hour, I will be bowing my head and thinking back to the thousands of soldiers, heroes, who died in the service of my country. They fought for their homeland, their families, to right injustices, for the weak and defenseless and so that Peace may be returned to the world.
In 1918, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, Armistice was signed. It heralded the end of World War I, The Great War. I find it so sad that we should have enough wars to number them... and I pray my daughter and her children won’t come to know another World War.
Last year, I posted about my father and his twin brother. I was thankful my Irish-born grandmother and Greek-born grandfather didn’t have to pay the ultimate price so many parents have had to pay over the years during Man’s history.
I had spent hours looking at and touching documents and mementos from my father’s time in the army. My heart swelled with pride as my eyes swelled with tears.
I thought of the women in my family and what this would mean to them... my aunts watched their baby brothers enlist. I remember my aunt Kay telling me how protective my grandma Mary had been of Dad as a baby. And how now, so many women send their husbands and sons to the desert, not knowing if they'll come home.
If I ascend up into Heaven Thou art there: If I lay down in Hell Thou art there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me and Thy right shall hold me. -Psalm 139
During the summer of 2005, my daughter and I took a girls only road trip. We toured a good portion of Ontario, discovering a part of our country. Our last stop was to be the nation's capital for a visit to the Science Museum. We ended up staying in Ottawa a little longer than originally planned. We drove by the Parliament and saw a light show was on and so we parked he car and waked over to join people from all across Canada and many visitors from foreign lands. Chicklet stopped at the eternal flame.
We decided to stay another day and after watching an inspiring musical light show we headed back to the hotel to rest up for a trip back to Parliament during the daytime. The next morning, we walked back to a place I had visited as a child and was still in awe of.
We visited the Peace Tower and Parliament Hill, walked in the solemn quiet of the Memorial Chamber and read the names of the brave from the Books of Remembrance.
We stood in front of the altar and marveled at the detail in the carvings and at the beauty of the stained glass windows. I was humbled at the scope and magnitude of the sacrifice that the books laid out for me. So many had died... some were so very young, from all parts of my great nation. That small yet majestic room sparked in me feelings of hope, that we may finally find Peace, a Peace that would be stronger than the stone, glass and metals from which the memorial was so lovingly and expertly crafted.
“My idea is that visitors to the Memorial Chamber shall realize the sanctity of the place, the pavement whereon they stand, the nations gathered at this shrine, the tremendous sacrifice, and shall read the lettered panel below the window of the Assembly of Remembrance so that there may come home to them the exhortation – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Then as a parting benediction, carved over the door, the relatives of those who gave their lives, as they leave the Chamber will read:
All’s well for over there among his peers a happy warrior sleeps.” -John Pearson, Master Architect.
I imagined the scenes in so many kitchens across our great land throughout the years, as mothers taking a brief pause from their chore filled days, would sit at the kitchen table, wiping a tear from their eyes as they worried about their sons who were in trenches, on transports, at sea... My grandmother was one of them, her twin baby boys in training to fight as first generation Canadians... proud first generation Canadians.
She was fortunate not to suffer the same great loss that befell Mrs Charlotte Wood of Winnipeg, who had twelve sons and was awarded five silver crosses, one for each of five of those sons (Joseph, Louis, Fred, Harry and Percy) killed in the first world war, the war to end all wars. She was Canada's first Silver Cross mother. At her funeral in 1939, the ladies of the War Widows, of which she was an honoured member, passed by her grave and each dropped a poppy on her coffin.
In our changing times, following the death of Captain Nichola Goddard (Canada's first female soldier killed in combat), the Silver Cross has now been awarded to a widower... this isn't a change I cherish. I would like to see such medals become relics, reminders of times passed.
Canadian Soldier
Do not cry for me, For I am a Canadian soldier. Guardian of “The True, North, strong and free”, Ambassador of the “Red Maple Leaf”.
I know that, what I had of freedom, All I used or knew, Is what our father’s Fought for us long ago.
I did not give That freedom away or, Have someone take it away By force or law.
You hold in your hands The most precious of gifts. Freedom to love and express art. Freedom to be who you want to be.
Freedom is a package deal. With it comes responsibilities and consequences. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Do not make our sacrifice, one in vain.
I join God knowing, I fought for my fellow man’s freedom. My duty complete, Yours to carry on in memory.
For now my mother is crying, And criticism of our mission arises. Question not, but always remember, For I am a Canadian soldier.
- Sgt. M.J. Watts
Later that day, my daughter and I walked to the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier where I said a silent prayer of thanks, and where we returned a couple of years later to pay our respects during the Remembrance Day ceremonies. My daughter left a poppy on that tomb as a show of gratitude.
We stood and cheered as our veterans marched past us. Before the celebrations started, Chicklet had walked over to a group of veterans waiting for the procession to start and thanked them, shaking their hands.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. ~John McCrae, 1915
The Ode of Remembrance
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest we forget.
I've posted this before, and will continue to do so on Remembrance day...
I cry…
For the men and women who died, fighting for our Nation, for my freedom and the freedom of others… For the mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters in the fight for Peace… For the men and women who have lost their soul mate… For the children, those who are left behind… and those who shall never come to be… For the friends who are left with only memories… For those who have no PEACE… For those who forget what makes the sacrifice so meaningful... For those who miss so many important moments of everyday life because they are fighting for justice... the first step, the first tooth, the first goal, the first school play… For my country, for we have lost so many fine Canadians… For those who died alone... and for those who are buried so far from home... For those who confuse their opinions on war and the respect and appreciation owed for the sacrifice of our soldiers... For those who have lost their brothers and sisters in arms and parts of themselves... For those who will not take the time to remember…
When this blog was started some months ago, I was making a fresh start. Leaving pain behind and carrying love and peace with me in my heart.
Over the past months, I've continued old friendships and made new ones.
I continue my journey towards love and home.
In that spirit, I repost my globe from this past June... my path is clear and remains the same. Over the last few days we have seen some impressive rejoicing from people of all races and creeds, from all over the world as Americans have made a choice... a choice in the hopes that a change would come.
"I'd like to say, that people, people can change anything they want to. And that means everything in the world. Show me any country and there'll be people in it. It's time to take the humanity back into the center of the ring and follow that for time. You know, think on that... Without people ..... we are nothing."
-Joe Strummer
"The Future is Unwritten." - Joe Strummer
While pregnant with my Sunshine, I listened to Bob Marley and The Wailers... a lot. And I remember dancing the belly around to this song.
Oh... please enjoy this piece. I give you Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman playing Handel's Passacaglia, as arranged for violin and viola by Halvorsen. This always calms the savage beast, forces me to breathe... and leaves me with the feeling that my life has just been saved.
I've been struggling with a very long week and looking forward to the weekend. My week is just a continuation of last week as I worked over the weekend. But the dancing I saw last night will allow me to finish my week without throttling anyone.
My challenge in presenting these clips of my favourite couples is the following.
I could expound profound and talk about the dances, but a) I don't have time and b) that's not how I experience dance. Basically, dance is, with all it's technique, all about the expression of emotion. It's about reaching a part within you and bringing it out to the surface. Sometimes it reaches deep within, in places you've buried and hadn't planned on ever letting out again. And other times it just makes you happy.
I've chosen one word for each of these dances. It was like a therapy exercise.
First up, I wanted to share with you the darling Allie and Gene Kelly-like Danny (for some reason, I associate her with pink) and their Quickstep, as engineered by Pierre Allaire (félicitations Pierre, quelle belle chorégraphie!):
The word is: CLASSIC
Second, this dance crafted by Sean Cheesman... an Afro-Jazz as interpreted by Lisa and Vincent-Olivier (my other favourite couple)
The word is: JOY
The cool thing is the dancers felt JOY and so did the judges... and my heart sings. Ok, and maybe a tear to my eye. The music was so very uplifting.
Now, on to Natalli and Francis (my other other favourite couple)and .... the RUMBA! mmmmmmmmm! The dance of Love. Gustavo Vargas gives us yet another beautiful story.
My word is: DESIRE (the other word is LEGS LEGS LEGS!)
Oh.. Congratulations to Francis Lafrenière and his real-life partner, Claudia Primeau... good luck representing Canada at the World Championships! (Did I mention he lives IN MY CITY????? THUD!!! Now I know why he looked familiar, I probably saw him at the supermarket while I was picking out my produce... THUD!)
And now.. a very powerful and beautiful dance as choreographed by Blake McGrath (you were right Blake, tears!) and danced by my absolute favourites, Arassay and Nico.
My word is: SOULFUL
This dance found my heart made it swell with emotion.
This dance was the expression of an emotion so many have experienced... the struggle with ending a relationship that just doesn't work. And the symbiosis between choreographer and dancers was powerful.
The smile on Chicklet's face when she watched this dance was too adorable, Lara and Miles have a wonderful connection and entertain in this Krump by Lil' C.
Chicklet's word: COOOOOOOOOL! (and BUCK! LOL)
Oh.. and I just have to say, I love Jean-Marc Généreux... Having Kenny Ortega and Pau Becker as guest judges this week was wonderful.
40 years is a long time to wait for people to listen and truly hear.
Have we heard?
Will we hear?
Ever?
I hope so... hold on to hope...
Today, millions of Canadians are going to vote. God I hope they go and vote... I just hope this election doesn't leave us with a big post-Thanksgiving turkey... nothing but a carcass and the bits no one wanted. They say timing is everything.
I'll be bringing Chicklet with me as I have for every election (including municipal) since she was a baby. I hold on to hope...
Neither of our two countries have a "Bobby" to look to this fall, but at least we HAVE a choice.
And for that... I am thankful.
"First is the danger of futility; the belief there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world's ills -- against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world's great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. "Give me a place to stand," said Archimedes, "and I will move the world." These men moved the world, and so can we all."
“It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
Too much turmoil and not enough smiling isn't good for a girl...
This week, Chicklet and I sat down to watch SYTYCD Canada's first competition show. We'd been watching the auditions and a few dancers had already caught our attention. We picked the performances that made us go SQUEEEEEEEEE and WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The judges are:
Luther Brown who has choreographed for the likes of Shawn Desmon and Keshia Shante;
Blake McGrath - a canadian dancer from season 1 of SYTYCD USA and a fierce choreographer; Tré Armstrong who starred in "How She Move" and has worked with Missy Elliott and Sean Combs;
and last but not least, Jean-Marc Généreux (choreographer extraordinaire for SYTYCD USA) and a possible distant cousin of mine as he and my maternal grandmother share a last name!
So far, we've enjoyed watching just how talented the Canadian dancers are who are vying for the priviledge of becoming Canada's favourite dancer.
Now, I'll be frank. Nico Archambault... Oh My WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! and swoooooooon! Montreal boys...mmmmmmmmmm! Yup... he comes from MY backyard! Nico is a lyrical dancer... but he HIT this first number! Arassay Reyes is a hot thang... and Travis, she's got LEGS LEGS LEGS!!! and baby, HIPS HIPS HIPS!
HAWT!
And this dance started off the season.. a salsa by Gustavo Vargas! MUY Caliente!!!
So you know who I voted for...
The next couple I wanted to share with you is Lisa and Vincent-Olivier (another sweet thang from my backyard)...
They're both contemporary dancers and this routine was breathtaking... it was magic. Stacey Tookey did an outstanding job with this choreography... wow!
I voted for them too...
This couple... Allie and Danny (another Montreal boy *sigh*)!!
They are the CUTEST thang! Here they are doing a great rockabilly 50s jive choreographed by the UBER talented Melissa Williams.
And Jean-Marc is right: CHEMISTRY!!!
I voted and voted and voted!
There are some outstanding dancers in this competition. We're quite pleased... yup!
A long time ago, my mother sat me down and explained to me that my aunt was getting a divorce. This was mom's youngest sibling and mother of my closest cousin. This meant my cousin's life was being turned inside out in a society and a time where divorce wasn't common.
I remember the range of emotions I went through. I was angry at her husband for leaving her and what I saw as an abandonnement of my cousin. I was sad, because I knew some of the people I loved the most were sad...
I now have to tell my daughter the same thing, sort of.
I told you when I last posted that there was something looming for a family member. My cousin contacted me telling me she was getting a divorce. I never saw this one coming. I always liked him because I could tell by the way he looked at her how precious she was to him. He left me a very sad comment about a picture of Chicklet (who simply ADORES him) saying he'll miss being her "uncle" terribly.
I don't know all the details, and won't take a position in this one other than to stand by my cousin as she makes a transition in her life... looks for a new place to live, a new job... new beginnings.
It sucks.
I'm sad at the thought that my cousin, the closest thing I have to a sister, has to go through this yet... again.
I'm sad my aunt has to see this happen to her child... again.
Yes Buff... the empath - as you called me - is having a very difficult time with this. I'm going to call her this weekend. We don't talk often but gravitate towards each other in really bad times. I think I may have to spend some time with her next weekend... just she and I. I have to go back to my roots. To the people who truly care about me.
I'll try and visit your blogs over the long weekend. I've only managed some flybys.
First, I want to thank you for the lovely birthday wishes. We had a wonderful time together as a family this weekend. Unfortunately the hotel pool was closed so we changed some of our plans. However, Chicklet had a blast Saturday night at Chuck E Cheese playing the firefighter game (she completed all levels) and skee-ball and we made it back safely after a 6 hour drive yesterday.
Unfortunately, I came home to some not so good news for a member of my family. Thankfully it isn't a health issue and since that's the most important, I'm hoping this situation is for the good.
Looks like I'm going to be a busy girl this month and I'm not sure just how often I'll be posting. I will however try and visit as much as I can.
I leave you a "huh?" moment I had last month when I drove by the home improvement store and saw this...
She was always too sweet to tell me, but I bet you it was because of my big head.
Shortly after my birth, the doctor informed my parents that I would have to be transferred to the Childrens Hospital because of jaundice. Dad traveled back and forth from my mother's bedside after her C-section in one hospital to the nursery where I spent time being roasted like a little chicken in another. Mom always said he took so many pictures, it was probably the flash from the camera that gave me enough light to overcome the jaundice.
She also suspected that during my time there, I was inoculated with a gramophone needle. I think she meant I talk too much (can you believe that?)...
My parents made me who I am today, and for that, I'm thankful. And I will honour them by standing up for who I am and being true to myself.
Have a great weekend folks... I know I will. I'll be spending it with my Chicklet and my Honey.
Today is my dear blogging friend (and almost twin) Ron's birthday and I'm going to make a fuss. Because I simply adore him. And he's worth it.
I felt a kinship with him instantly and he's one of my MUST read blogs. He makes me laugh, puts a smile on my face when I'm down and has a great approach to life. In many respects it really feels like he and I were separated at birth (by a few years and a day)!
And since he loves chocolate... and cake... (pssst... I asked for a "wedding cake")
A toast to you my darling friend!
Don't forget to CLICK HERE to go over and wish him a happy birthday... mayb he'll share the cake and champagne!
"We turn not older with years but newer every day." - Emily Dickinson
I will listen (technically I will read as this is not an audio blog) to your opinions... I may not agree and be aware that I will let you know when I disagree... as you are welcome to do the same.
There is no singular truth.
"Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death." - Anais Nin
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Disclaimer: if this post makes no sense I blame the confused red germ.
Right, so Dumdum seems to be getting his own health issue as well. He's been shaking that big empty head of his a lot and I suspect something's amiss with his ear. So last night, I decided to put a little doggie ear cleaner in there. He comes easily enough until he notices the bottle in my hand, doggie instinct kicks in and he runs off in the other direction (he can't get far, the house isn't that big). Well... all my years of schooling in psychology are put to the test. How easy is it to fool this dog? I just squeal and run in the opposite direction. It was a lot like grammar school when you'd either run away and play coy or smack the boy you liked on the head. Mission accomplished. He was as confused as the red germ.
