Seriously, is it really the end of summer already? Maybe it's because we really didn't get anywhere this year, but I am not ready for it to be September.
Because we knew we weren't going to venture far this summer (the furthest we went was to Murray's family cottage in northern SK and it rained almost the entire time), we tried to make the best of what was going on in Calgary. It would have been nice to have more of a break, but that's how it goes.
Today's my day off, and I have a lot that needs to get done. I'm going to try to surprise Murray by getting one of our fall reno projects underway today (he doesn't read this so I'm not worried about him finding out). I also want to take the dog to the off-leash park, go grocery shopping, use up some of the zucchini we have in the garden, and go back to the basement (insert scary music here).
Off to it!
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Aug 31, 2009
Aug 21, 2009
Regular
I thought that with only working three days/week, that I could be posting on here a bit more regularly. That, of course, has not been the case. Part of it is that I think I need to find something worthwhile to blog about, and that can take some time. It's not that my every day life doesn't give me lots of inspiration, but by the time I have a chance to actually write something about it, the moment has passed and I've forgotten why I wanted to blog about it in the first place. I could also write a lot about work-related stuff, but I need this job for at least a few more months and blogging about work (unless you're the boss or it's a corporate blog) generally has bad results and really, by now a person should know better.
So what else did I do this week? Well, on Monday I used my day off to start going through the boxes and junk that have accumulated in our basement. It is not a task for the faint of heart, and even after spending 6 hours down there it still kind of looks like a bomb went off, albeit maybe a slightly smaller bomb. But it's amazing what a person can find, you know, all of the stuff you didn't realize was gone but totally need. Like my old retainer. I got it just before we moved from Saskatoon to Edmonton, and I'm pretty sure it's spent most of its lifetime in that same box, being dragged all over the prairies. I should throw it out, but....anyway, it's still in that box, with pictures from our honeymoon and Murray's coin collection.
I also found an original Nintendo, complete with Super Mario Bros. 1 and 2. I was, however, disappointed that there was no Duck Hunt, as I think this might affect it's resale value on ebay considerably. I'm sure that's the closest I've been to a firearm, for real. That's what growing up in Canada will do for you.
Besides the Nintendo and retainer, there was a lot of crap that we will foist on the poor volunteers at Goodwill so that we don't feel badly about just throwing it in the garbage. Giving our junk away to someone else fits better into our recycling ethic. We will come home and pat ourselves on the back about how even though it wasn't good enough for us, someone out there will really appreciate it.
There were also letters and pictures and books, stuff that will never be thrown away no matter how old. I opened one box left over from our most recent move and found all of my Harry Potter books. I can't wait to read them with Gavin. Another contained the trophy I won as the Performer of the Year at the Provost Music Festival in 1996. It's really, really tarnished and in "real" terms the accomplishment is pretty pedestrian, but every time I look at it I see my Mom's face when I won and I don't know anyone who gets tired of knowing that at one time they made their parents proud.
Now it's time to go back down there and see what else I can find. Oh, and does anyone need a microwave? Or a rice cooker?
So what else did I do this week? Well, on Monday I used my day off to start going through the boxes and junk that have accumulated in our basement. It is not a task for the faint of heart, and even after spending 6 hours down there it still kind of looks like a bomb went off, albeit maybe a slightly smaller bomb. But it's amazing what a person can find, you know, all of the stuff you didn't realize was gone but totally need. Like my old retainer. I got it just before we moved from Saskatoon to Edmonton, and I'm pretty sure it's spent most of its lifetime in that same box, being dragged all over the prairies. I should throw it out, but....anyway, it's still in that box, with pictures from our honeymoon and Murray's coin collection.
I also found an original Nintendo, complete with Super Mario Bros. 1 and 2. I was, however, disappointed that there was no Duck Hunt, as I think this might affect it's resale value on ebay considerably. I'm sure that's the closest I've been to a firearm, for real. That's what growing up in Canada will do for you.
Besides the Nintendo and retainer, there was a lot of crap that we will foist on the poor volunteers at Goodwill so that we don't feel badly about just throwing it in the garbage. Giving our junk away to someone else fits better into our recycling ethic. We will come home and pat ourselves on the back about how even though it wasn't good enough for us, someone out there will really appreciate it.
There were also letters and pictures and books, stuff that will never be thrown away no matter how old. I opened one box left over from our most recent move and found all of my Harry Potter books. I can't wait to read them with Gavin. Another contained the trophy I won as the Performer of the Year at the Provost Music Festival in 1996. It's really, really tarnished and in "real" terms the accomplishment is pretty pedestrian, but every time I look at it I see my Mom's face when I won and I don't know anyone who gets tired of knowing that at one time they made their parents proud.
Now it's time to go back down there and see what else I can find. Oh, and does anyone need a microwave? Or a rice cooker?
Aug 14, 2009
Working Mother Hero
For some reason the death of Eunice Shriver this past week has really had an effect on me. Say what you will about the Kennedy family, but there can be no doubt about their commitment to public service. If you read about the motivation behind this commitment, it lies not in seeking greater recognition or glory for themselves (although they have certainly achieved their share of notoriety), but in a sincere belief that those to whom much has been given have a duty to give back. She is among those rare individuals who live, rather than preach, their faith.
As the family statement announcing her death said, "She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more. [She] taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others.”
Mrs. Shriver is best known for founding the Special Olympics, a program that has affected millions of people and their families around the world. It gives the athletes an opportunity to show a world that underestimates them what they're capable of. I truly believe there is a place in heaven reserved for people like Eunice Shriver and Jean Vanier, people who live their lives in service to those who are so often ignored and isolated. As Lawrence Downes wrote in a editorial today for the NY Times,
"Mentally disabled people don’t catch many breaks. The world isn’t made for children who grow old before they grow up. The slow spread of tolerance hasn’t outraced indignity and neglect. People have always mocked the retarded, especially those who like to take credit for their own intelligence.
But there is one island of inclusion: the Special Olympics. They are the pride and inspiration of millions. They exist because Eunice Shriver, who had a retarded sister she greatly admired, insisted on looking differently at disability. She offered love without pity, a chance to race and win, and to win just by racing."
And let's not forget that Mrs. Shriver did all of this while raising five children, all of whom have continued the Kennedy tradition of public service. Of course, most people know that her daughter, Maria Shriver, is the First Lady of California, but her son, Bobby Shriver has founded the ONE Campaign, and Product (Red). Another son, Anthony, founded Best Buddies International, no doubt influenced by his mother and her commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her son, Tom Shriver, is currently the head of the Special Olympics.
All in all, she exemplifies what it means to live a life of service. It wasn't about making money, or being powerful. I only hope that my life will have a fraction of the impact Mrs. Shriver's has had and that I can instill the same values of faith and service in my children.
As the family statement announcing her death said, "She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more. [She] taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others.”
Mrs. Shriver is best known for founding the Special Olympics, a program that has affected millions of people and their families around the world. It gives the athletes an opportunity to show a world that underestimates them what they're capable of. I truly believe there is a place in heaven reserved for people like Eunice Shriver and Jean Vanier, people who live their lives in service to those who are so often ignored and isolated. As Lawrence Downes wrote in a editorial today for the NY Times,
"Mentally disabled people don’t catch many breaks. The world isn’t made for children who grow old before they grow up. The slow spread of tolerance hasn’t outraced indignity and neglect. People have always mocked the retarded, especially those who like to take credit for their own intelligence.
But there is one island of inclusion: the Special Olympics. They are the pride and inspiration of millions. They exist because Eunice Shriver, who had a retarded sister she greatly admired, insisted on looking differently at disability. She offered love without pity, a chance to race and win, and to win just by racing."
And let's not forget that Mrs. Shriver did all of this while raising five children, all of whom have continued the Kennedy tradition of public service. Of course, most people know that her daughter, Maria Shriver, is the First Lady of California, but her son, Bobby Shriver has founded the ONE Campaign, and Product (Red). Another son, Anthony, founded Best Buddies International, no doubt influenced by his mother and her commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her son, Tom Shriver, is currently the head of the Special Olympics.
All in all, she exemplifies what it means to live a life of service. It wasn't about making money, or being powerful. I only hope that my life will have a fraction of the impact Mrs. Shriver's has had and that I can instill the same values of faith and service in my children.
Aug 9, 2009
Mr. Mom
I know few people my age who weren't influenced by at least one of John Hughes' movies, so when he died last Thursday it brought out quite a bit of introspection. I mean, while my parents never forgot my sixteenth birthday (or any birthday), there were days when I felt like there was so much going on in our house that I could run away and it would take awhile for anyone to notice. Most importantly, Molly Ringwald also had red hair and freckles and boys liked her so there was hope for me yet.
What I didn't realize until all of the obituaries for Mr. Hughes started making the rounds was that he was also responsible for Mr. Mom. I'm not a huge cinephile, but the only major male character that I recall taking on the 'mother' role prior to Mr. Mom was Atticus Finch, but he also brought home the bacon, so to speak. At the time I was watching Mr. Mom, the deeper themes of gender role-reversal and its true effect on a marriage were entirely lost on me. And there was a lot of comedy inherent in the idea of the movie itself, like, "Can you imagine a Dad trying to be a Mom? As if!"
Last fall when Murray and I first moved to Calgary we had our own little "Mr. Mom" scenario going on. I was back at work full-time and Murray stayed at home with Gavin. We put Gavin into daycare for a few days/week so Murray could concentrate on another business opportunity, but he was still responsible for most of the day-to-day stuff in our household. I think it's safe to say that the stigma attached to being a stay-at-home dad is lessening to a certain degree (as one of Murray's cousins put it, "Live the dream Murray. Live the dream."), but how far have we really come in the past twenty-six years?
Murray investigated a number of different groups for him and Gavin to join, but that didn't work out so well. He was really looking forward to joining the neighborhood playgroup that meets at the local community centre every Tuesday and Thursday. The first day he went he was the only dad, and not one other parent (mom) spoke to him. His attempts to make conversation were more or less ignored. He tried a few more times but it didn't get much better so they quit going. The stay-at-home Dads group that he found online met once at the local mall. It was Murray and Gavin and one other dad and his daughter. They sat at the food court and...that was it.
Compare that to my New Moms' group that still connects with each other on a regular basis, or the number of Mommy & Me groups that are available. On the other hand, there were a lot of dads who took swimming lessons with their kids during the session that Gavin and I were in, but I'm guessing that's because it was scheduled for 6:30pm, a time when most working dads could attend. The day sessions probably would have been a much different story.
Right now both Murray and I are working. I will be home for at least six months after the new baby is born, but who knows what will happen after that? Murray may be a Mr. Mom again. He's a great dad who takes care to make sure Gavin's eating well and has no qualms about changing a dirty diaper. There are no gas masks here. I hope that if there is a next time he'll find more support, from both moms and dads.
What I didn't realize until all of the obituaries for Mr. Hughes started making the rounds was that he was also responsible for Mr. Mom. I'm not a huge cinephile, but the only major male character that I recall taking on the 'mother' role prior to Mr. Mom was Atticus Finch, but he also brought home the bacon, so to speak. At the time I was watching Mr. Mom, the deeper themes of gender role-reversal and its true effect on a marriage were entirely lost on me. And there was a lot of comedy inherent in the idea of the movie itself, like, "Can you imagine a Dad trying to be a Mom? As if!"
Last fall when Murray and I first moved to Calgary we had our own little "Mr. Mom" scenario going on. I was back at work full-time and Murray stayed at home with Gavin. We put Gavin into daycare for a few days/week so Murray could concentrate on another business opportunity, but he was still responsible for most of the day-to-day stuff in our household. I think it's safe to say that the stigma attached to being a stay-at-home dad is lessening to a certain degree (as one of Murray's cousins put it, "Live the dream Murray. Live the dream."), but how far have we really come in the past twenty-six years?
Murray investigated a number of different groups for him and Gavin to join, but that didn't work out so well. He was really looking forward to joining the neighborhood playgroup that meets at the local community centre every Tuesday and Thursday. The first day he went he was the only dad, and not one other parent (mom) spoke to him. His attempts to make conversation were more or less ignored. He tried a few more times but it didn't get much better so they quit going. The stay-at-home Dads group that he found online met once at the local mall. It was Murray and Gavin and one other dad and his daughter. They sat at the food court and...that was it.
Compare that to my New Moms' group that still connects with each other on a regular basis, or the number of Mommy & Me groups that are available. On the other hand, there were a lot of dads who took swimming lessons with their kids during the session that Gavin and I were in, but I'm guessing that's because it was scheduled for 6:30pm, a time when most working dads could attend. The day sessions probably would have been a much different story.
Right now both Murray and I are working. I will be home for at least six months after the new baby is born, but who knows what will happen after that? Murray may be a Mr. Mom again. He's a great dad who takes care to make sure Gavin's eating well and has no qualms about changing a dirty diaper. There are no gas masks here. I hope that if there is a next time he'll find more support, from both moms and dads.
Aug 7, 2009
How?
How does a mother end up with a blood alcohol level of .19 on a Sunday morning if she doesn't have a serious drinking problem? Not judging. Just wondering.
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