Blogosphere – The New Political Arena? I think not.

I was reading a paper today on my morning commute into work, and I came across a column written by a University of Calgary professor who described bloggers as “isolated and lonely, living in a virtual reality instead of forming real relationships or helping to change the world.” He also says that “bloggers are living in a world where emotions may be real but everything else is make-believe”.

Well pardon my french, but *#@! you, Mr. Professor. I’m not sure about the rest of you out there – but for me blogging is just one way that I express my creative side; how I share some thoughts that I find interesting. Sure – some of my posts are more personal and geared towards close friends and family – but does that make me isolated, lonely and living in never-never land? I don’t think so. I’m actually happier in my life now than I’ve ever been.

And what is reality anyway? To me, reality is whatever you perceive it to be. So if you want to get technical – there is no reality – there is only perception. (I think Dr. Phil would agree).

In any event – I think bloggers are people who are not afraid to test the boundaries – who are creative and intuitive and strong-minded. I’m not trying to toot my own horn – I’m just saying that it sometimes takes guts to put yourself out there. Are we changing the world? No. But perhaps we’re lightening it just a little for someone who might be having a rough day. So put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr. Prof.

The end of an era!

"Well I just heard...the news today....seems my life....is gonna change..." - the other day Depeche Mode - today Creed (sorry honey - know you hate them). Well, I'm not expecting a child (as the song alludes to), but I did hear some news today. I knew it was coming. Just didn't know when. The little white house with the red door has been sold. My parents' house has been sold! My favourite place in the whole world has been sold! Now, to most of you 'normal' people out there...you're wondering "yeah,...and...??" - like you're waiting for a punch-line or something. But you don't understand. That's it.

This house is our family home. It has been for 34 years. It's a beautiful, lovely, warm, inviting home which backs onto the water. I spent all my years growing up looking out my bedroom window at the sailboats going by and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. It was magical. Why else do you think I stayed till I was 30! It wasn’t just a house – it was part of our family.

But my brothers have their own homes with their families, and I have my home with my boyfriend, and my parents' have a new home up north - so it was time to sell their precious abode. And sell it they did! It is a good thing - don't get me wrong. Their new home is just as warm and homey and lovely as the old, and is also on the water. (we’re a boating/kayaking family – so water is a big plus!!) Also – it’s steps away from one of the best shoe stores in Canada!! What's not to love!?

So although it will be hard to say good-bye to the little white house with the red door, it gives me comfort to know that my parents will have new adventures in their new home with lots of opportunities to travel and explore. And mom - maybe you can get a job at that shoe store so I can have staff discount K? I know you’re about to retire….but take one for the gipper. ;)

Expectations and Assumptions

"People are people so why should it be....you and I should get along so awfully....?" Even Depeche Mode doesn't know the answer to that question. Granted "awfully" is a pretty harsh word - I don't know anyone that I get along 'awfully' with - and now that I read that - it's kind of an oxymoron no? Get Along Awfully? Oh well...the song has made millions so what do I know?

I get along with pretty much everyone I meet. At least I think I do. However, there are times when I question the way others think and act. But who doesn't right? Sometimes when I feel strongly about something, that to me is so obviously correct, I just can't understand why the other person doesn't see it the way I do. So...I have a tendency to get a bit defensive, a little suspicious, and perhaps a touch self-protective - which is wrong - I know. However, having said that, there are certain things that I just won't budge on. Phoniness for example. Probably one of my biggest pet peeves. If you're phony, I'll see right through you.

But in most situations, I do need to realize that just because someone is not meeting my expectations, it's not fair of me to assume that it's because they just don't care, or that they are insensitive or eeevil. They deal differently, act differently, think differently. That doesn't make them bad, or wrong, or "awful". I DO know this in my heart of hearts (i'm not just another pretty face you know) - but you know when you just want to shake someone until they see things the way you do? Well...it's not gonna happen. "People are People" as the song says.....Plus, you can get arrested for that kind of stuff.....apparently.....

So...to all of you out there who do not meet my expectations....it's okay! It's cool! Y'all ma peeps...you can't help it if you're wrong....OOOPS! I mean Different! Yes...Different! It's good to be different and it's OKAY! Just don't come within shaking distance to me and we'll be fine!!

Things that Make you go Hmmmm

I came across an interesting e-mail the other day that posed some serious questions...I thought I'd share them with you here....

• Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?
• Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough money?
• Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
• Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?
• Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
• Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
• Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
• Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
• If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
• Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
• Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
• Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
• Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
• Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
• How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
• When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"
• Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
• In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
• And my FAVORITE...... The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.

TGIF - Have a great weekend!

Baby, it's cold outside....!

brrrrrrr. brrrrrrr. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Well - winter's here. Sorta. Not so much snow, but definately chilly temperatures - which is a good thing for the polar bears at least! The past few days I've been walking to the train station for my morning commute to work. It's only about a 20 minute walk from my house and, in all honesty, it can be quicker than driving when the weather is bad. No warming up the car; no scraping the windshield, no trying to find a parking spot when cars are parked three deep cause the lines are covered over by snow. (I saw that this morning actually...some poor sucker isn't going to be getting home too soon tonight - there's a car in front of him and a car behind him....can't believe some people!). Anyway - so yes - very cold - but I put on my hot-chillis (long underwear) and away I went.

As I was walking along, I thought to myself, "Self......doesn't this feel good? Don't you feel alive and invigorated by the crisp cool air? Isn't it grand to see the sun begin to rise? Don't you love that you can walk by a park and say hello to nature and marvel at the land that is?" But after about 10 minutes into my walk, my thoughts changed a tad cause my bum was cold and my lips were twisting sideways cause my face was starting to freeze and I couldn't see due to the windgusts throwing ice pellets in my eyes. So at that point, i thought to myself, "Self....you are stupid to walk today". But it was too late...I was already 1/2 way there. So I trudged along. After a frigid wait on the platform for the train to arrive (they're rarely on time - but they do "apologize for the inconvenience", so of course that justifies the $180 I pay to their late arses every month), I hopped on and got settled in.

As I was taking off my hat and scarf and mitts and earmuffs and getting out my book and changing positions about 40 times to get comfy, I noticed that something was different. What was this sensation I was feeling? Why were my fingers turning blue? OH! That's right - there was no heat on this train! I couldn't believe it. Heaters weren't working in my car, and after the walk outside in minus 15 degree weather and then waiting outside another 10+ mins for the train to come - some heat would have been a really nice treat! Not to mention an expected utility in the middle of winter on a commuter train. But to change train cars would have required me re-gathering my hat and scarf and mitts and earmuffs and putting away the book and readusting my papers and schlepping through the train, yadda yadda yadda, so I just snuggled up in my coat - wrapped my scarf around my head and dealt with it. I got into my book and started to forget about how cold I was, until I looked up to see what stop I was at and realized that I was the only one on my train car. I guess the others couldn't take it. They had abandoned the non-heated car. Wussies. So, I continued to read and shiver, and sing........"baby it's cold outside".......

And that was my morning. I have nothing better to blog about today, so perhaps you will get some entertainment picturing me wrapped up in a scarf and mittens singing in an empty train. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Mexico can't come soon enough! Adios.

A shout out to my Meho

So, this Friday I am going to see my meho. My meho is actually my friend, Shannon, but to me she is meho. I think that started when we went to Cuba together and I heard someone say it - not even sure what it means - "little one" or something like that?? anyway - my meho and I have a date this Friday and I can't wait.

We have known each other about 9 years now I think. We met in college and then ended up working at the same firm together. We have pretty much the same sense of humour, so we can have some pretty good laughs about stuff. Don't get me wrong - we've had our moments that weren't so peachy - but we've always worked it out - which is what's important. What's funny about my meho and I is that even though in some ways we're very much alike...there are more ways in which we're complete and total opposites:

1. We don't like the same music (like c'mon - who doesn't like Gordon Lightfoot!??)

2. We don't like the same stores (like c'mon - who doesn't like Winners!??)

3. We don't like the same tv shows (like c'mon - who doesn't like The Biggest Loser!??)

4. We don't like the same clothes (like c'mon - who doesn't like Dickies!??) haaaa. kidding. although I used to have a nice red one.

The point is - we may disagree on a lot of stuff, but when we're together we have a lot of fun. We were both single for a long time so we were each other's travel companions. We've been to Cuba a bunch of times together and always had a blast. Our first trip was the best! Ahhhh...the memories. (Shan....remember when we stole all the buns? and the time we jumped in people's pictures and pretended they were our friends? and the time we sang at the piano bar with all the senior citizens? - good times). The other good times cannot be mentioned at this time as my parents and boyfriend read this blog. ;)

So, I'm looking forward to seeing my meho on Friday. We will laugh and dine and drink and reminisce and maybe even have a fight. (kidding). Unless she keeps pulling her cell phone out every 5 seconds... OOPS! did i say that out loud? ;) See you soon sista!

El Niño? El Scarrio!

It's the talk of the town here in Canada - the weather. People are marvelling in how awesome it is. Today is January 5th, and I think we had a high of 13 degrees above zero. To us Canadian folk, that's bathing suit weather. Normal daytime average this time of year is probably around minus 2 on a good day. I have to admit - the fact that I'm not driving on snow-covered roads and scraping my windshield does bring me some relief, but at the same time it scares the poop out of me that this is happening to our climate. Greenhouse gasses? Polar Ice caps melting? the depleting Ozone? Our poor mother earth is getting damaged every day, and all anyone seems to talk about is that we can still jog outside in January with only a windjacket on.

I'm not here to preach. I too am guilty of commenting on how great the weather has been. But at the same time, I am trying in my own small way to treat my environment better. I don't use anything aerosol. I commute to work by train. When in my car, I don't let it idle. I recycle and compost and never ever litter! I even voted Green last election! But those are just small little things that little old unimportant me is doing. In all honesty, I don't really know what else to do. I need to educate myself more on what other changes I can make, and I plan on doing just that. One thing is clear though, global warming is no joke. Heat is trapping polution and it's building up in the atmosphere. I'm sure I'm not even aware of all that is happening out there.

I guess I'm writing this post to just maybe get one person who may be reading, to think about what they could do to help out a bit. Just a small change they can make in thier daily routines to help (and not hinder) this great green globe of ours. Here are few ideas you can do in and around the home. By taking these actions you really can have a direct impact on the earth's climate - wouldn't that make you feel good?!

• When replacing light bulbs in your home, use compact fluorescent bulbs; switching to just one of these light bulbs will save 500 lbs of coal.
• Purchase appliances and electronics with the "Energy Star" label.
• Recycle aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic, paper, cardboard and newspapers which will reduce the energy needed to make new products.
• Turn down your water heater, or call a service person to adjust it.
• Install a programmable thermostat to save energy.
• Change or clean your furnace and air conditioner filters regularly to keep heating and cooling systems running efficiently.
• Regularly check your car's tire pressure - poorly inflated tires waste gas.
• Buy a fuel efficient vehicle, such as a hybrid car ( i know, i know...$$$$) or - Better yet, carpool or take mass transportation whenever possible.

If I could, I would reach out and give Mother Earth a great big hug, cause boy-oh-boy, she's been taking a beating.

My Bro's...

How many of you are lucky enough to have a brother? Well, I am. I have 2 actually. Both older. Both wiser. Both of them mean the world to me. There's a few years between us, 10 yrs between me and Cory and 8 years between me and Rich. And yes, my boyfriend and brother have the same name, so it gets a bit confusing sometimes to my 90 year old grandmother when I tell her I'm going to Rich's (boyfriend) mom's for dinner and wants to know why she can't come, etc. But I digress.....

Growing up, people would say to me that it must be hard to "only have brothers and no sisters" - but not for me. I loved it! I was the youngest, the only girl, well taken care of (i.e. spoiled) and loved loved loved having my brothers around. Often they would be my baby-sitter when my parents were out. I grew up loving sports (don't tell the boyfriend) because of them. I always felt protected and secure and even though I was (and still am, obvioulsy) younger than them, they always made me feel important and took time to teach me things and laugh and spend time with me.

Now that I'm older, I appreciate my time with them even more. Even though we may not see each other as often as we used to, they are in my thoughts every day. We are as close as siblings can be. Get us together in a room and the laughs begin as memories are re-lived. Not to mention the guitars and singing as we all play and goof around making up songs about each other or our family, etc. Cory and Rich - I love you guys. Thanks for being the best brothers a girl could have. You make my life more beautiful.

And don't forget....my birthday is coming up soon ;) (totally kidding)....(not really)....(yeah...kidding)....(kinda).

Would you like to buy some Rocks?

Ring Ring....Ring Ring....Ring Ring.....Ring Ring....."Hi..you've reached Rich and Lisa, sorry we missed..." Click.

That's what occurs in my house about 3-4 times a night during the week. It's them. They're out there. Trying to get to me. But I won't let them. I shall not succumb to the wants of telemarketers. I understand that they "are just doing their jobs". But I don't want them to do their jobs in my home - which is what they are in fact doing each time my phone rings. I'm a smart girl. If I want my windows cleaned, I know how to look in the yellow pages and find someone. If I want the newspaper, I'll subscribe. If I want to donate my $$ to an organization, you can bet I'll find out how.

It wouldn't be so bad if when I answer and they do their shpeil, and I say "no thanks, I'm not interested" - that they said ok and ended the call. But any good salesperson wouldn't let that happen right? So they start into shpeil B, and so on and so on. This usually ends with me just hanging up, which I don't enjoy, as I'm not a cold-hearted person and do realize they are just trying to earn a living and then I feel bad. So..usually I just don't answer (thank goodness for Caller I.D.) and that's that.

But it's getting annoying. I don't like listening to a ringing phone. So, I've decided on a new approach. Next time I see a 1-800 number or an "unknown" number, I shall pick it up. I shall say in my most pleasant voice "hello?" "yes...this is the lady of the house"......(pause while they do shpeil A)..."no thanks - I'm not interested".....(pause while they do schpeil B)....."as i said before, no thanks"....(pause for shpeil C) at which time I interupt them with my own shpeil, which goes a little something like this:

"um...excuse me sir...sorry, don't mean to interrupt you, I know you're on a roll, but since you're so keen on me buying this new fabulous water fountain you speak of, I thought that perhaps you may be interested in some painted rocks that I've been working on. They would look great in your garden, or on a window sill, or in a vase - you name it - I can do it for you. No, no, just wait....hear me out....I just happen to have a bunch ready and for sale at a very reasonable price. I could customize it to your liking, add your name, whatever you prefer...yes, yes, I know you were just trying to do your job...now tell me, what's your favourite colour? I'll paint the rock just how you like it...when would be a good time for me to come and show them to you? oh, and did i mention - If you purchase one now, i'll throw in another free for your lovely wife, what's her name? what's that? you're not married - no problem! kids? dogs? you name it, I'll paint it!....how's that sound sir? Sir? Sir? Hello?"

Mission accomplished. One down, 1000's to go. Bring it on.

A New Year - A New Me?

Happy New Year to you! Hope you had a memorable new years' eve celebration and that your cerebrums are in full working order and you're ready to make 2007 the best year of your life!! (thank you Tony Robbins...)

I don't like to call them "resolutions", but there are some things I'd like to improve on in 2007. For one, I'd like to be able to do the splits again by the end of this year! For my 'newer' friends - you may not know this, but I was a gymnast for about 15 years and then coached when I finished competing. I was the most flexible thing this side of Lake Titticaca! I could bend and twist and flip and jump....limber as an alley-cat....but now that I'm older, my flexibility is not as it used to be, and I miss it. I miss springing out of bed in the morning and taking the stairs 2 or 3 at a time. So, I'm going to start a stretching regimen to get my flexibility back, and I will send you a picture near the end of the year showing you how "low I can go" (get your minds out of the gutter!)

Secondly, I have to accept that Rich loves sports and when he lived alone he could have watched it 24-7, so the fact that he only watches it 2-7 now is pretty good. He bends for me and my makeover/shopping/cooking/dating/reality shows, so I need to ease up on him a bit and let him watch that basketball game, or hockey game, or football game, or soccer game or all 4 at the same time while flipping during commercials as they are ALWAYS ON THE TV NO MATTER WHAT DAY OR TIME IT IS ALL THE TIME FOREVER ALWAYS. But I'm okay with it. really. I am. totally. allll gooood....yup...

Third - I want to get my finances in order. So that means NO MORE SHOES! (or frivolous buying for awhile). 2006 was truly an amazing year for me - but i'm feeling the effects of it now. Rich and I both agree that we have to make the most of our time here on earth and that we want to travel travel travel. So, in order for us to do that it means NO MORE SHOES! (till spring anyway) ;)

Fourth - as my father always tells me "Lisa...you need more patience". So - I will try very hard to sit back, take some deep breaths and count to 10 before jumping the gun as I do in some situations. I do think I'm better now than I used to be...but I still can improve on that front.

I'm sure there will be more that come to mind as the year progresses, but I will start with those and see how it goes. And who knows...maybe this time next year when you're putting away your Christmas cards, you will look fondly at the one with the picture of the barefoot girl doing the splits, while high on a mountain in the Himalayas, smiling down at her boyfriend who is playing soccer with the buddhist children, as the sun sets slowly behind them..........What!? It could happen.