Blog or white ... because it never is.

My partner does a great deal of volunteering so it won't surprise anyone that he volunteers for a large music festival in Birds Hill Park every July.   He has been volunteering for almost 20 years.  The festival has grown substantially in 20 years and volunteering has completely changed during that time.  Back in the old days, you just needed to raise your hand and you were in, and come whenever you could make it.  Now, of course, the appropriate checks have to be completed and there is the need for schedules and orientation and new roles created.  About 5 years ago, his "crew" was broken up.  This broke his heart as they had become quite tight with each other.  He questioned whether to continue as some of his crew decided it wasn't worth it anymore.  But, he found another role he could volunteer in that gave him satisfaction.  Earlier this week, his schedule came out and it was exactly what he didn't want.  He was ticked off.  He couldn't understand why h

When I was in University, there are "Young" political parties at every campus.  Many of the Young Conservatives and Young Liberals used this as valuable experience to translate into political careers.  There was one thing about "Young NDPs".  They were no fun.  The other "young" clubs took "parties" to define themselves.  There were a lot of fun and meetings usually involved alcohol.  Not so for the Young New Democrats, they were part of a movement.  They didn't have much electoral success but they were committed to social ideals and that was a heavy burden to bear.  Not only were they New Democrats but they were the party that had evolved from the CCF.  The CCF had loftier socialist goals. That was a long time ago.  Now, most Parties get their policy from the polls and there is very little difference in their positions.  If you can remember, NAFTA was brought in by Prime Minister Mulroney.  There was a federal election fought on that.  T

There were two stories making the news over the past week that I felt needed some commentary.  One story was local and the other was national. First of all, I feel obligated to clarify what a news story.  A news story occurs when something actually happens.  Seriously, a person standing in front of a podium is not news, but that seems to be what we like to cover.  I value a free press.  I value freedom of speech and exercise it on this medium almost daily.  Apparently, according to my friend, Leanne, sometimes I can be controversial.  I am trying to get people to think of things from different perspectives.  However, the press is under attack and being accused of fake news.  This is the time for the press to be more careful of what they put out as news.  They must be careful that they don't try to sensationalize pieces of information.  Last week, I heard a report on local tv about expenses filed by City Councillors.  The news report seemed to be reporting the expenses to

The Liberals have no intention of mounting a real challenge in the upcoming provincial election.  They are content with their four seats in the Legislature.  It may be because they are wanting to focus on retaining their federal seats in the October election.  It may be because they are weary from a leadership race, or they have little funds.  Either way, they are content with what they have.  It is also possible that they are not secure with their four seats so they will be devoting all of their resources on those election campaigns.  \ I have a friend who bleeds red.  Well, we all do, but this woman has been a loyal Liberal for a long period of time.  She has been a loyal foot soldier for a long time.  For the past few years, she has been preparing to run as a Liberal candidate in the Provincial election.  She is a true believer.  She leans a little left of center as do most idealists.  A few months ago, during the SNC-Lavalin affair, she was a passionate defender of Trudeau

I have a complicated relationship with butter tarts. My mother didn't cook much and she baked even less, but, once a year, she would make butter tarts.  Christmas baking.  She would make butter tarts and that dessert made with coloured marshmallows and peanut butter.  I don't know if we made them together, but I was present when she made them.  While making the crust for the tarts, my mom passed down to me her one and only baking secret.  While making pastry crust, she would substitute 7-Up for water.  The carbonation contributed to a flaky and light crust with just a touch of added sweetness and flavour.  It was a big deal to me.  My mom had knowledge about cooking to pass down to me.  So, once a year, my mom would make a lot of butter tarts.  They were stored in one gallon empty ice cream containers separated by wax paper and placed in the freezer downstairs.  Butter tarts are always a happy memory of me and my mom. Also, as I found out, butter tarts don't take very

Attention fatigue?  Another thing I hadn't heard of until today.  It is apparently the condition of  hearing the same message over and over again so that eventually we stop listening.  It is apparently why an allegation by author E. Jean Carroll has not made front page news.  No, I had never heard of her either.  She was an advice columnist for Elle magazine and she has written several advice books for women.  You know the type of books.  How to Meet Prince Charming in 5 days or less.  She alleges that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her 23 years ago at her place of employment.  She made the allegation in an interview with New Yorker magazine.  She is on the cover wearing what she says she was wearing on the day it happened.  She has a very specific allegation and she has very specific details.  It sounds credible.  President Trump denies it, no surprise. He never even met her.  Frankly, if you were a cynical person, you might question why she hasn't come forward before

Last week, my partner reminded me that it was the 25th anniversary of the OJ Bronco Chase.  Every generation has their iconic moments.  For my dad, it was the Pearl Habour.  For my mom, it was the day that President Kennedy was assassinated.  Or when Elvis died.  For my generation, it was 911.  Iconic moments where you remember where you were and what you were doing.  /The death of Princess Diana was another iconic moment for me.  For many, the OJ Bronco Chase was another iconic moment. I remember where I was during that farce, I mean, chase.  My son was 11 months old.  I was at work, then I drove out of town to his daycare provider to pick him up, and then we went grocery shopping. Then, we went to home and I made supper. I fed him supper, and then I spread toys on the living room floor and we played and I turned on the tv.  The chase was still going on.  I put the toys away and we had cuddle time on the couch and he fell asleep.  The chase had ended but OJ was still in his house

When I was younger, I dumped many guys for trivial reasons.  It turns out I fooled people into believing I was a catch.  I had very high standards, and then needed to be perfect.  I dumped guys that I didn't think had enough earning potential.  I dumped guys who weren't athletic enough.  I dumped guys who didn't give back to the community.  I dumped guys who were 8s.  Of course, I dumped guys who told off colour jokes.  I even dumped some women.  For some reason, I had a harder time dumping women because I was ridiculously flattered that they were interested.  Three times in my life I was in a relationship panic.  The first was when I graduated grade 12.  I needed a date for Grad.  The second time was when my niece got married.  She is younger than me by three years.  She was younger than me and getting married.  Also, I just knew this wedding would by about many watershed moments in our family.  I didn't need a date, I needed John F. Kennedy, Jr.  As it turned out,

A few years ago, I was reviewing an application for admission to a personal care home.  The woman was all alone in the world and her only advocate, her power of attorney, lived in Britain.  The woman immigrated from Britian in the early 1950s with her "female companion".  Really.  This was 2012.  We were still referring to them as "female companions".  Why not "women in comfortable shoes".  Anyways, it was obvious that these two women were really in love and could not find acceptable with their own families or within their own country, so they decided to come to Canada and start life over.  What amazing women who had the strength to be who they were in the 1950s.  I'm sure society was not very accepting and I don't think the fresh start in Canada was all that they hoped.  Sixty years later, they were still being referred to as "female companions" in air quotes.  They were both professional women and ended up buying condos next to ea

Premier Pallister has indicated that Manitobans will be going to the polls to elect a provincial government on September 10.  Some people say it is an illegal election and the Premier is breaking the law calling an election.  Well, technically, it is not a law but an Act that he is disregarding.   Regardless, I would be surprised if there wasn't some sort of legal challenge.  Elections are tremendously costly and the federal government and most provincial governments moved towards set election date.  Also, changing governments is very much a logistic difficulty and creates a period of uncertainty.  It was felt that by having fixed terms, governments would appear to be more stable for businesses, government services, and other governments.  So, Pallister has decided that the time is right for him, regardless of what is right for the people of Manitoba.  I am very confused because even though we know the date of the election, we don't know exactly when the writ will be offi

Social media has taken a lot of flack in the last little while.  Data miners use social media to the detriment of ourselves.  Hackers figure out how to steal our personal banking information.  Foreign governments use it to influence elections.  There are predators out there and it can be dangerous.  If you send a naked picture of yourself to a romantic partner, and then you break up, it is a no brainer that the picture will show up on social media.  Everything we do on social media needs to be under the assumption that it could be used against us.  That is just reality.  Despite all the warnings, we still use social media.  I use my fitness tracker to track my steps.  I know it is just an app, but I am under the assumption that if anyone really wanted to know, they could.  Fortunately for me, everything I do on social media is pretty mundane so I can't imagine anyone being bored enough to care.  Something happened a couple of weeks ago that made me restore my faith in humanity

Dreams never die just the dreamer.  So many leave the world with their dreams unfulfilled.  I imagine those who have fulfilled their dreams remind themselves of those 5 things many times.  Today is Manitoba Marathon day and I am reminded that my long ago dream of running the marathon remains a dream.  Not only a dream but something I haven't pursued.  I ran the half marathon when I was 25 and wanted to run the 26.2 miles of the marathon when I was 26.  It didn't happen.  Not even close, now, I am in no position physically to even have that dream.  And, then I remember my brother-in-law.  We have many things in common but when we were in our early twenties, he was also a runner.  Only he fulfilled his dream.  He ran the Manitoba Marathon when he was about 22.  Then, he became a father and his life was focused on his children and his career.  He stopped running.  Then, he retired and his children gave him and my sister a trip to Hawaii for his present.  Going to Hawaii had

My father completed his journey on this Earth in 1992.  I think of him everyday, not just Father's Day.  This store looks the same structurally as it did when I was born.  It was yellow then and it was a convenience store/gas station.  It was a Shell Station and I was named after the gas station my parent's owned when I was born.  My father taught me a lot.  My mother taught me a lot.  They didn't teach me many things together, except they taught me about sex.  I was in grade three and I remember it very well.  In grades 1 and 2, report cards consisted of check marks.  Fail, needs improvement, average, good, and very good.  I got all Very Good check marks.  In grade 3, report cards moved to letters.  In grades 4,5,6, I was straight As.  In grade 3, I was straight Cs.  My parents blamed the teacher.  This was before holistic education and they never thought of other factors that could influence academic performance.  I knew why I got straight Cs.  I couldn't focus on

Today is Father's Day and I am reflecting on a father that I never met.  This guy's father passed before I could meet him formally but I feel I know him well.  The man was a history professor but he was so much more than that.  He was VP Academic and Dean of Arts and Department Chair.  The man was passionate about soccer but he was so much more than that.  He was President of the Canadian Soccer Association and active in the FIFA organization.  He was a father but he was so much more than that.  When my partner was at the lowest points in his life, he didn't hesitate to call his dad at 3 am and his father listened and helped.  His path in life was not easy.  He was a 9 year old Jew living in Germany when he was sent alone to live with a family in Britain for his safety.  9 years old and having to get through Europe during the cusp of World War II.  When he finally was able to get to a boat leaving for England, they didn't want to let a boy alone on the boat with n

We all know the golden rule which is treat people the way you want to be treated.  Good advice?  Yes, but there is a better way.  I first heard it from Winnipeg's own, Dr. Harvey Chochinov.  Before I tell you about the better way, google Dr. Chochinov and be prepared to be amazed.  He is unbelievably accomplished but he is also the real deal.  He is one of the most compassionate people I have had the privilege of meeting.  I have heard him speak dozens of times, many times the same speech.  Each time, I have walked away with something different.  Anyway, he suggests that there is a platinum rule.  Treat people like they want to be treated.  Treat people like they want to be treated.  Seems simple.  It is harder than you realize.  I've had a rough couple of weeks.  I have been struggling.  My partner also has a blog.  I recommend it.  It is called strugglingtosmile.blogspot.com .  Anyway, last week, we took a few days off to accomplish some projects.  We managed to strike

I am an "all or nothing" kind of woman.  I am competitive, but mostly against myself.  I set huge goals for myself and I don't give myself credit unless I achieve them.  Usually, they are impossible to achieve.  So, I am always beating myself up.  I also throw in the towel too early.  If my partner puts an extra egg in my omelet in the mornings and I don't know until he tells me, I already quit my diet for that day convinced that I can't make my daily goal.  And, even throwing in the towel is an "all or nothing" thing for me.  If I can't make my diet goal, then, I might as well eat everything that we have and then go through a drive-thru.  I am thinking a lot about this "all or nothing" thing as this weekend is Father's Day.  It is not just because my father will be gone 27 years.  I think of my dad every day.  I lost him too soon in my life, but he remains my best friend.  No, Father's Day is another day of regret for me becaus