Guinea Pig

A dinosaur guinea pig (in honour of my little monkey who loves all things dino).











A few weeks ago I decided to take part in a medical research study.  To be a 'guinea pig'.  (apologies to all those who love these cute little creatures.  I am just taking advantage of a common way of describing this experience).

I have a few chronic medical 'things'.  Mostly I can forget about them due to advances in medicine, my own fortitude and luck.  When the information about the research study showed up in my work email it seemed to indicate an opportunity to give back and be part of future advances in medical research.  And I'm a sucker for ensuring that research groups are diverse (woman and brown - two points!).  I'm a one woman 'diversity plan'.

The research study is longitudinal (over a period of time), backed by a major medical facility and the investigators are long time medical scientists and practitioners.  It seemed like a 'good' thing to be involved with and hopefully some good would come out of it. 

There were lots of forms to read and sign.  There is an optional DNA research component where they would collect a DNA sample and use it to isolate which genes or sequences have a part to play in the disease they are studying.  I declined.  I don't want a drug company, no matter how peripherally involved, to have access to my DNA (at least not with my explicit consent).

The first appointment was relatively painless.  Two hours, weighing, measuring (I'm taller than I thought), lots of questions, a few tests and peeing in a cup:)  (one of the conditions is that you must not be pregnant while in the study).  The only part I could have lived without was the researcher attempting to draw blood (not a good idea!  I had two toonie size bruises to contend with the following week).  I don't mind giving blood but there is a big difference between those I can draw it and those who cannot.  I'll have to bring a special cookie for my next QUALIFIED human blood-letter.

The nicest surprise was that I would receive money for being part of the study!  Not a lot but still a nice bonus for a mostly unemployed student.  At each stage there would be a payment.  There are three groups in the study - people without the condition being studied, a group with the condition who agree to an uncomfortable procedure during the research and a group with the condition who do not have to undergo the uncomfortable procedure during the research.  Surprisingly the group who undergo the procedure filled up first!  I guess that $300 makes that procedure worthwhile!  I was happy to be in the other group.

It was the second appointment that had me rethinking my decision to be a guinea pig.  There were more questions and more tests.  One of the tests involved introducing into my body a chemical that aggravates the chronic condition.  The idea was to see how much of this drug it would take to aggravate me.  Apparently my body adjusts well to adverse stimuli but eventually I 'responded'.  The reaction was medically addressed and then we moved on.  There was another test where I could not do what was asked - they wanted sputum.  (Look it up, it is kind of yucky:)  I tried and did everything they asked but no sputum could I produce.  In a show of optimism, they sent me home with a specimen jar to see if I could collect it at home (no luck so far).

What had me rethinking was my body's reaction after the appointment.  I felt unwell and my chronic condition remained aggravated.  Three days I've been feeling under the weather.  Is it the chemical they introduced into my body?  Or was I already incubating a mild cold and the medical tests aggravated it?  Hard to be sure.  But I'm wondering whether it is worth the aggravation to be part of this study.  How much bad (in the short term) am I willing to endure for doing good (in the long term)?

Of course my questions about taking part in the research study mirror questions I've been having about life. 

I want to do as much good as possible during my time on this earth but at what cost to myself? 

And does doing good have to have some negative impact on me? 

Or am I just getting involved with the wrong good things (there is a mind-bender!).

My next appointment is in a few weeks.  I'm going to keep thinking about my involvement.  I've found that I'm prone to epiphanies when I allow my body and mind to ponder freely.

Honouring Jack

“My friends,” he wrote, “love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

His final words embody all the reasons I respected this man. 

With his death, Canada has lost a fierce advocate of all that has made us great - our compassion, our desire for fairness, and our decency.  It is a Canada that is being bullied out of existence by recent political processes and policies but in his person and with his passion, he made this Canada possible again.  He made me believe that we could recapture our ideals and our soul and make Canada a leader on the world stage again.

It was devastating to learn of his death this morning.  Even though he looked so ill when he took his temporary leave from leadership, I was optimistic that he would return in the fall.  After his amazing campaign and the historic NDP victory, it seemed wrong to imagine that Jack wouldn't be around to enjoy being the leader of the official opposition. 

I am thankful to his family for sharing him, especially over this past year.  Despite his illness, he lived his life fully and in that is a lesson for me and maybe for us all.

Optimism may be better than despair but today I will mourn the passing of a great Canadian. 

Thank you Jack and we will miss you.

Before and After Series: Spare Room

How crazy is it that I have a spare room!  In a world where most folks live in a fraction of the space that North Americans occupy, I am so blessed to have so much space.  Of course, the more space, the more the clutter!  I am lovingly called a pack-rat by most.  I believe I am not a hoarder (said with confidence:) but those shows certainly make me re-think holding onto House & Home and Style at Home magazines from 1998!  (I recycled them).

Before:  (I cheated a bit.  This is the mess from the renovations but it is a good foil to the after shot).

After:                                                             

Changes:  new carpet, wood blind and headboard (CL).  The quilt is from Vietnam (http://www.mekong-quilts.org/).  If you need a quilt and want to support local community development and job training, take a look.

As my sister remarked, it looks good enough to come stay in:)  I'm hoping to host as many guests as I can.

Before and After Series: Kitchen

Before:

After:

Changes:  new-to-me appliances, new lighting (CL), new hardware (CL), new flooring (from vinyl to porcelain tile) and no clutter:)

Before and After Series: Foyer

Before:

After:

Changes:  floor - from carpet to porcelain tile; stairs - changed the spindles, added the trim and added a new newel post and a few new-to-me CL finds to decorate.

Renovations Complete!

I've been in the middle of renovations for about five months.  It shouldn't have taken so long but my wonderful contractor turned out to be not so fabulous.  He disappeared (after I'd paid him in full!) with promises to come back to complete the final touches.  He didn't return calls or emails.  I heard he left the country!  I waited several weeks hoping to hear from him.  Finally my sister-in-law referred me to another contractor (thank you!) and he finished the work (poor guy, coming in and finishing work started by someone else - drove him crazy!). 

I thought it might be fun to post before and after photos of the work.  The next few posts will be part of a Before and After series.  It is nice to enjoy the results of so much chaos over such a long period of time.

Here is a video of the chaos:

My Sister

My sister is two years younger than me and when we were young we were very close. 

I remember playing Barbie's and road hockey.  We spent alot of time annoying my brother and commiserating about pop stars we had crushes on and boys we liked at school.  Our fights are hilarious in retrospect - for example she once told me she was happy she had a healthy chest compared to my chocolate chip breasts.  I think I quipped that at least mine would remain perky:)  (I'm not sure I was right).  I once made her throw up multiple times and she mocked my dancing.  We spent hours trying to figure out how to be Canadian and Indian without alienating our parents and their community.  And no matter what happened, there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. 

I left home at seventeen and never looked back.  In some ways I abandoned her as I ran like h*ll away from my parents' reality and I hoped towards my life.  And as that life happened, we drifted apart.  We love each other and there is still nothing I wouldn't do for her but it is not the same. 

The last few years it has been joyful watching her become - more confident, more adventurous, more curious and more in love with herself.

She is a media darling right now for her project - The Year of Hugging Fearlessly.  Here are two links, one for a print article and one for a video of when she appeared on TV.  Take a look, I guarantee it will make you smile.  Apparently the project has a Facebook page, if you are so inclined.

http://www.mondaymag.com/articles/entry/womans-mission-is-to-hug-furiously/news/

http://www.youtube.com/user/ANewsVanIsland#p/u/0/gwhvgeo5qnM

Really? Vancouver!

I will remember Game 5 of this series. 

It was one of those games where I sat on the edge of my seat, so keyed up that I actually called my sister and left her a message that "I can't stand it anymore!  Score already!".  And the sheer joy of LaPierre's goal was magical.

Game 7 is just something to forget.  Very sad, considering the magic that brought us so far. 

I have a feeling the hardworking men who make up the Canuck's team are devastated.  Thank you men.  You did us proud.

But the story tonight is what 'fans' are involved with downtown - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/06/15/bc-stanley-cup-fans-post-game-7.html

This is not how I'd like to remember today. 

Here is the view from my balconey:

















If you're out there, be safe, don't hurt anyone and remember... there are cameras everywhere.

How do you get to here?

In a hockey mad city how do you get anything done?  How many projects have been delayed?  How many sick days taken?  I know I've been having trouble getting anything finished.  How many people are walking around in a daze that includes a mirage with a palm tree, a pond and a Stanley Cup (and maybe Don Cherry)? 

Forty years is a long time.  My brother just had his 40th birthday and it made me realize how long I have been a Canucks fan.  He has never not been one.

You see, when I was young, we lived in a small resource town in British Columbia.  The kind of town where there was little grey and most everything was black or white.  Watching hockey, loving hockey, it was what the men and boys did .  And my dad loved hockey.

I cannot remember a time from my childhood when we didn't watch hockey.  If it was on TV, we watched it.  If it was on the radio, we listened to it.  And if it was on both, my dad did both.  And it was the kind of household where you didn't try and have a conversation during the game.  Nope.  Total concentration was required.  Meals had to be served and eaten during period breaks.  In many ways it was a worshiping of a Canadian ritual.

I remember the Canucks first run at the Cup in 1982.  I lived at home then.  The BIG TV was downstairs in the family room.  My dad always sat near the radio and the rest of us took whatever seating we coveted.  We had a green striped sofa made with that nubbley cloth you find in bedspreads from the 80s.  Square armrests, square cushions.  Kind of like the modern look you get now but more comfortable.  That was my favoured seat.  During the playoffs all of us had caught my dad's obsession so we were all down there.  Do you remember the players from then?  Harold Snepts, Richard Brodeur, Darcy Rota, Tiger Williams, Thomas Gradin and Stan Smyl.  I remember the smell of the wood stove (the playoffs must not have been in June then:) and my mother's cooking.  None of us were helping her but she was happy watching all of us doing something so intently together.  I remember the Canucks scoring a goal that they desperately needed (the do everything the hard way is not a new theme for this beloved team) and we screamed so loudly and jumped so high that I fell off the couch quite unceremoniously.  But I was happy.  I didn't understand the game very well and couldn't have quoted you any stats but I did love watching the game and I especially loved being together and happy.

I've been watching the playoffs and especially this round.  Sometimes with friends and family and sometimes alone.  And the other day I was sitting during a period break or maybe a commercial and I reached for the phone to call my Dad.  I wanted to share with him the excruciating excitement and hype of the game and toss in a few players names for good measure.  I didn't dial, of course but that wanting made me realize how much I still miss him. 

He would have loved this. 

He deserved to see his team in the finals, in game 7.

It is amazing that a teenager could come from a small village in India and help mold his three children into the devout Canucks fans they are today.

Wherever you are Dad, I hope you're watching on a 52" screen. 

Go Canucks Go.

They're Coming Home!

The boys are coming home!  They're coming home! 

The team will be here.  They Cup will be here.

Need I say more?

Poor Guys

I love my team and the first period is not going well.

Four goals in ten minutes.

I have faith so I'm going to keep watching but maybe with one eye closed:)

Looking for my Soul

How do you lose your sense of self?  That quiet knowing of who you are, no matter the context.

Does it happen slowly, one thought and feeling at a time?  Or does it require a transformational event?  Something that tilts your world off centre to such a degree that your 'north' is hard to locate?

Since I came home from Vietnam, in 2007, I seem to have lost my soul.  That sense of what makes ME me. 

I came home to go to school, to learn and to reconnect with my community, my family and friends.  I think I might have been lost before I came home but my seeking journey really began when I came home.

I've been wandering in the wilderness, sometimes stumbling upon situations or moments that make sense but eventually wandering again.  The hardest thing is that I don't have a direction.  I don't know what I'm wandering towards.

I realize that into every life some transition comes.  I've read the books and thought about buying the tshirt but none of that knowing makes the process any easier.

It is rare for me to regret.  After Dad passed away one of the lessons I chose to take to heart was that there are few do-overs in this life.  Live your life in such a way that tomorrow takes care of itself.  I try to make sure those I love know I love them and I try to embody the golden rule.  Hard to go wrong with that as a guiding philosophy.  And even though I don't believe the world owes me anything, I do live with the belief that the world is fair (in the long run).  All of this has resulted in an amazing life (if I do say so myself;).  And yet these past few years I feel like I am lost.

Maybe I need to find god(dess) or experiment with drugs and find my personal nirvana?  I could go and work overseas again.  Or could it be moving to a small town and living off the grid would satisfy this longing?  Selling everything I own and using the money to travel the world, volunteering and helping also appeals.  All of these (and others) have meandered through my mind.  But that is the problem... they've meandered but none of them are exactly right.  I keep remembering that no matter what I do next, I take myself with me.  So I can be soul-lost here or in another place.  At least here I am loved.

I don't know what I'm going to do but I wanted to share.  This brown girl's adventures aren't always external.

Fantastic Appliance Odyessy

I need to share this story.  Mostly because I'm pretty happy with myself and also to share how you can do renovations on the cheap (or mostly cheap:).

So, as I've mentioned, once or twice, I am a total CL junkie.  I regularly check to see what has been posted, I post most unwanted items in my home and I shop with other CL people when I need something.

I realized I needed appliances.  When we moved into this condo (my brother and I) the appliances were original to the building.  Which meant they were installed in the early 1990s.  Now, appliances are meant to last but in 2011 they were going into the third decade of their lives and I was getting worried.  It is never a good sign if you find yourself listening to the sound your fridge makes instead of the CD or to repeatedly visit your washing machine as it cycles through its paces to ensure there are no leaks or spontaneous combustion.

So, when I realized I needed appliances I decided to buy them on CL.  Not knowing anything about appliances I turned to Google and Consumer Reports and all other sorts of reports to see what indicated value in the land of appliances.  Whenever I found a reasonable item on CL I'd research it but good items go fast and there was the matter of the transporting said appliance.  They just didn't fit into my hatchback:)

Finally, I located a fridge (LG, second fridge of previous owners, clean, no funky smells and still had some of the blue film that appliances are shipped with - how used could it be?). 

A lovely Russian woman was selling it and she told me about her arrival in BC, English lessons, a new grandchild and an incredibly busy partner.  I told her about school, family and my history in her community.  I gave her a deposit and told her I was arranging transport.

Then I found a dishwasher (Kenmore, they were switching over to stainless steel, it looked clean, there was no way to try it out but the seller seemed honest).  I gave her a deposit and the same story about transport.

The stove was far away so I asked the owner about it by phone and he said he'd keep it for me.  It had been in an inlaw suite but hadn't been used.  It looked really clean.  He said I sounded honest and he knew I'd come to pick it up.














The washing machine was the last one.  The seller was selling a very ancient dryer (more than mine) and the washing machine.  He was willing to sell it separately.  It is a Maytag, clean inside and out, no funky smells and they were selling because they updated to frontloaders.  Deposit paid, now just to arrange transport.

Ah yes, the dryer.  I went and looked at one but wasn't sure it would work.  A few days later the guy asked if I would just come take the dryer.  He just wanted to get rid of it.

Now, how to pick up four appliances that are in three different municipalities?!!

The movers were great!  Met them in Richmond, paid the lady and picked up the fridge.  Next to south-east Vancouver to pick up the washing machine.  The dishwasher was not too far away in Vancouver and the last pick up was in North Vancouver.  Amazingly enough we made all the pickups in less than two hours.  It took longer to get the fridge up into my home (a bit too wide and the movers didn't know how to remove the door).

Here comes the complicated social justice math.  Is it better to buy used appliances and then drive to three different municipalities to pick them up (adding carbon into the atmosphere) or is it better to buy new appliances and have them delivered in one go?  My new appliances are more energy efficient than my older ones but maybe really new ones would be more so?  It is enough to make my head hurt:)

Thankfully Hydro came and took my fridge away, I gave my stove and hood fan to someone putting together a rental suite, I sold my washing machine and dishwasher to some folks who wanted an appliance that worked and didn't have problems (Note:  my washing machine didn't have problems, it just scared me:).  None of them when into the garbage!

With all the renovations going on, not all of the appliances were tested until last week.  Everything works.  The fridge makes its own odd noises and the dishwasher is noisier than the one I sold, the stove works perfectly, although its bottom drawer is smaller than my last one and the washing machine is a bit of a mystery (no owner's manual) but it washes clothes:)  And the dryer didn't work in my space so it's on CL for someone who needs a great dryer for a low price (hey, I've got to pay for the movers:).

Thanks for listening to my story.  It isn't earth shattering but it makes me smile.  If you got to here, maybe it made you smile too.

Renovations and Craigslist

I've lived in my home for almost 14 years (at least it has been my address for that long) and for that whole time I have dreamed of 'fixing' its short-comings.  I've plotted in my brain, ransacked my piles of home decorating magazines for ideas and created miles of drawings of how things could work better 'if-only'..  I've always thought the main bathroom is ugly and over-crowded;  that only a crazed person would wrap stair treads in carpet (who puts carpet on the BOTTOM of the stair!); that the vinyl flooring in the kitchen and three (!!) bathrooms needs to be replaced and on and on....

Since March I have been knee-deep in renovations.  Anyone who has lived through renovations knows that patience is required - everything takes twice as long and that great ideas that seem very simple often are VERY complicated and expensive to execute.  But I have a great contractor who I trust and he is trying his best to make my renovation dreams come true.

Here is some work in progress:

You can see the carpet on the stairs. One stair is 'unwrapped' to see if we could save the treads (nope).




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stairs sans treads....  Pretty freaky, especially when said contractor nearly took a tumble through the open stairs onto the stairs below.  Despite my screaming he managed to catch himself but it has made me overly concerned for his physical safety (to his dismay:).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And with new treads.  The finishing is underway so I won't post the almost done picture but it looks fantastic.  So much closer to how I've wanted it for years.  And no more vacuuming (especially the underside of stair treads!)!














Here is a great before and (almost) after photo of a different part of a home:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I see them side by side like this, I realize what a huge difference it makes!  The paint on the walls is just the primer.  I'll post a finished shot when it is done.
 
The renovation progress has also been slowed by my insistence for sourcing materials from Craigslist or the ReStore.  Not that everything has been (the treads or paint for example) but I have been surprised by how much I have been able to buy from individuals or a non-profit store.
 
If you do not know the ReStore, please check it out.  In the lower mainland there are two, one in Burnaby and one in south Vancouver - http://www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca/restores
 

 
But Habitat for Humanity has ReStores in many communities across Canada:  http://www.habitat.ca/en/community/restores/location
 
The money you spend goes into their building projects.  And you can find amazing items.  Home Depot donates a great deal to the ReStores - often most opened boxes that have been returned by a consumer are not re-stocked in the store but rather donated to the local ReStore.  You just need to visit often because the stock is always changing.  I have found flooring for a kitchen and bathroom, lighting and window coverings.
 
In addition to the ReStore, I've been combing through Craigslist to find what I need for the renovations.  The tiles in the kitchen?  They are from someone who advertises on CL.  They are a smaller company (run out of a storage locker) and had fabulous glass tiles at a great price.  I've sourced a bathroom vanity (and sink), another sink for the downstairs bathroom, the tile for the kitchen/bathrooms/front foyer, wood blinds and replacement appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher, dryer, washer) all on CL.  It takes time but I'm learning that it is do-able.
 
I am recycling, saving money, but the best thing?  I meet really lovely people.  90% of the time we have a great chat about their home or why they are using CL or what they are working on (improvements, downsizing, moving).  I may never meet them again but they are part of my community and it makes me happy to know them, for those moments.

Conflicted

How can I simultaneously be so devastated by the majority Khanjar (inside Punjabi joke) government and yet so elated by the NDP's gains across the country?

Thank goodness for Libby Davies - small joys are always appreciated.

Truth in Advertising?

For most of the election I've managed to skip most of the election advertising.  Pretty good eh?

I try not to watch too much TV so either I don't see them or I'm quick enough to mute them when they are on (truth be told, I mute most commercials).  However, no one can be perfect and I just watched one of the Conservative ads - the one that talks about the essential Canadian character and is similar to a beer commercial that ran some time ago.  Much of what was said in that ad is false, as it applies to the Conservative party.  How can they air that?  Where is the truth in advertising?

The Conservative party have no right to speak of the wonders and values of Canada.  They have, as a MINORITY government, managed to change this country for the worse. 

The Conservatives are the party that was brought to this election because of CONTEMPT charges. 

They are the party that has lowered the respect Canadians enjoy on the world stage.  Amnesty International reports that Canada is no longer known as a leading proponent of human rights.  During Conservative rule, Canada didn't sign the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, only one of three countries that did not, despite active lobbying by the First Nations in Canada.  Canada was pivotal in blocking a UN resolution to make access to water a human right.  Our loss of status on the world stage is clearly seen in our failure to obtain a seat on the Security Council.  This is the first time in 50 years that we have not won a campaign for a seat on the world stage.  The Conservative party has undone FIFTY years of statesmanship, diplomacy and nation-building.  And they've managed to do this as a minority government.

I am offended by their desire to equate the Conservative party with Canada.  The Conservative Party is the antithesis of the Canada I have known and love. 

My Canada respects diverse views, even if the party in power disagrees (see the Conservative's actions on Planned Parenthood, Kairos, amongst others).  My Canada is about universal health care, not about increased privatized health care.  My Canada is about immigrants being able to reunite with their families (Conservatives are clamping down on family reunification).  My Canada is about accepting refugees (the Conservatives have decreased the number of refugees accepted AND reduced the staff hearing applications, ensuring the process takes longer).  My Canada is about safety through crime prevention, not incarceration (Conservatives concentrate on building jails).  My Canada includes political parties from a variety of viewpoints, not the dichotomy represented in the United States (Harper is committed to reducing funding provided to federal political parties). 

How can they sell themselves as a party that is promoting and supporting the best of Canada?  Where is the truth in advertising?

ANOTHER Federal Election

Yes, ANOTHER (heavy emphasis, BIG sigh) federal election. 

You can't blame me for sounding weary. 

We had a federal election in 2004.  Then, we had another one less than 2 years later in 2006 and yet another one 2.5 years later in October 2008 and now we have one scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2011.  It is alot of money spent (on campaigns and the actual election), carbon spent (all the air, bus, car travel) and verbiage (by the politicians and in the media) in a relatively short period of time.  As a friend commented earlier today, "I'm tired already of all the election talk."  And she is someone who is an actively engaged citizen.

Despite my weariness, I'm going to vote.  I always do (well, almost always.  I missed the one in 2004 when I was in Ghana). 

This commitment (to exercising my token participation in the democratic process) is partially due to my upbringing.  My parents always voted and it seemed everyone in our neighbourhood did too.  Maybe this was a new immigrant thing (both my parents came to Canada as adults), maybe a union thing (I grew up in a resource town, the Union was important) or maybe they truly believed it was important to participate in the governing of their new home country (or some combination of reasons).  Whatever the reason, voting has always been really important.  And then I have my own reason.  I vote so that I may comment, complain, kvetch, exclaim, analyze, bitch, moan, celebrate and generally participate as fully as I can as a citizen.  If I don't vote, I do not give myself permission to engage in any of the for mentioned enjoyable past-times. 

Are you wondering why I am writing about the federal election?  I created this blog to keep in touch with friends and family when I am travelling or engaging in adventures at home.  So, why write about the election?  There is no travel involved (at least for me) and on the face of it, it doesn't seem like an adventure.

Ever since it became clear that an election would be called, I have been pondering how I can get involved and how can I help others become involved.  During the last election, fewer than 60% of registered voters participated.  This is the lowest participation since Canada was created (http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=turn&document=index&lang=e)  Participation is important to me and if Canadians are not participating, even in the token marking of a ballot, what does this say about the process?  Or our collective future?  Writing about the federal election is one of the ways I will get involved.

Full disclosure:  I am not a fan of the recently dissolved government.  Even though they have governed with a minority, they have changed Canada in so many different ways that I do not recognize my country.  Canada is not perfect (and will never be) but this government has infused the essence of Canada with some of the arrogant, anti-intelligence and pro-populist bombastic meanness that it daily demonstrates as a Party.  This is not the country I want for the generations to come.  This is not the country I want to grow old in.  I deserve better and so do all Canadians.

I took the Vote Compass at CBC.ca (http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/votecompass/) and was surprised to find that I am (based on my answers to the questions online) aligned most closely with the Green Party.  I am surprised because I have never thought to vote Green.  Now, before all my friends in sustainability desert me, I have to explain that my federal and provincial representatives are so exemplary that I do not give much thought as to which party they represent.  I vote for them because they have done a great job over the years and maybe this is part of the problem.  If I do this, how many other Canadians vote for their representative because s/he has done a good job or seems like a nice person without any real thought to what they believe or stand for?

We humans are simple creatures, for the most part.  If we know Janeeka Smith has been a great MP than why consider the others?  It is easier to just go to the polling station and put a check mark beside the name we recognize.

But maybe that is why we keep creating a government that doesn't serve our best hopes and dreams.

I suggest we have a real responsibility to consider the other representatives because what their parties stand for, what their policy positions are will change our lives and will inevitably shape the future we create. 

Do you believe in a Canada of peacekeepers or warriors? 

Do you believe in a Canada with a universal health care system or a Canada where your net worth determines the health care you receive? 

Do you believe in a Canada that demonstrates leadership on the world stage or a Canada that blindly follow its allies? 

Do you believe in a Canada where we utilize the best knowledge and experience available to make policy decisions? 

By considering the alternatives I am not suggestion that you MUST vote differently.  I am only asking that you take some time to consider the impact of your decision in the longer term.

For example:

I vote for my 'nice' representative but her party does not believe in taxing carbon.  I vote for my 'effective' representative but his party does not believe that the tar sands are an environmental nightmare.  I vote for my 'experienced' representative but her party believes in more private health care.  At what point do I stop caring about how 'nice', 'effective' and 'experienced' my representative is and start caring about creating a Canada that I want to live in?

Enough ranting for the afternoon. 

I ask you to take the quiz and find out where you fall in the quadrants and which party is most closely aligned with you.  If you don't want to take the quiz, each party has posted their policy positions on their websites.  Take a look and consider the policy positions of the different parties.  And at some point before May 2, 2011 answer the following question for yourself:

Which party can help us create the Canada we want to live in today and leave behind for the seven generations to come?

With love and hope,
Thanks for listening.

Amsterdam

Also called the Venice of the North, Amsterdam is a legendary city for so many different reasons. 

For some it is the unique nature of an urban centre built in harmony with its surrounding (albeit groomed surroundings).  For others the somewhat liberal drug laws provide a sanctuary and freedom from 'drug war' philosophies and actions.  And for others Amsterdam is a place where social consciousness and hard-headed pragmatism co-exist uncomfortably (I say this as a good thing).

I was only in Amsterdam for 36 hours (including three at the airport).  I wandered downtown, stayed with new friends and attended an all day training session.  Downtown I meandered along stone streets, avoiding cars and admiring boats.  Just as in Venice I crossed bridges as much as to admire the view mid-span as to get to the other side.  And I passed many coffee shops where the scents emanating from within could transport you to alternate realities.  And coffee houses (the distinction is important) where some of the best coffee in the world could be had.  I tasted some of the best cheese I've ever had - and all of it made from sheep's or goat's milk!

Here are some pictures from my afternoon of wandering.  I'd love to hear about your impressions of Amsterdam.  I know I will be back there one day soon.

Parking lots for bikes!  You have to love this part of Europe.  Now when will North America catch up?

This was a shop window I saw on my way back to the bus loop.  It made me smile so it seems a good way to end this post:

Me in Amsterdam!

Once again, the non-glamorous shot but highly effective (I'd say:):

As I mentioned, a new friend from the DD course (and his partner) offered me a place to stay.  Here are some pics of their beautiful home:

Their apartment is at the top of the building (of course it would be so for me and my psychic and very real baggage:).  As T advised me, there are no real rules for how buildings are built so, to best utilize space (and why waste it on stairways?), the stairs are more like ladders, very narrow steps and very straight up.  As I was negotiating them, I was thinking that they would make a very effective exercise regime.

But to manage the several flights of stairs to encounter this lovely home made it quite worthwhile.  The light alone.  I can understand why they love it so much.

I appreciate their sharing it with me, even for a short time.

I'll post a more fulsome post about Amsterdam later today or tomorrow.  I need to pack and get ready to go to the new DD course - Let's Talk!

Train Journeys

Do you like long distance trains?

I do.  Always have.  My first train journey (that I can recall) was from Vancouver to Calgary (when they still had such a trip) and I still remember my joy at seeing the Rocky Mountains in the morning and that steady noise of the wheels as we moved across my massive province.

When I travel I try to take trains.  In India, Tara and I took a 51 hour train journey from Dehli to Trivandrum, Kerala.  Amazing, to say the least.

So, when I realized I would be returning to Amsterdam for a short trip before leaving for Canada, I looked to the train.  On Saturday night I took the Night Line from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, a trip of 17 hours.

I booked in a sleeping cabin with six beds.  I ended up with three companions on the trip, only one of whom boarded in Copenhagen and each of whom left before Amsterdam.  Sleeping on a train can be a joy, except when it is not:)  My rackety patterns were louder than the sound of the wheels.  Amazing how much more irritated one becomes the later it is in the night.

Here is a video of a stop at dawn:

Despite less than ideal 'roommates' and rackety patterns, I arrived in Amsterdam on time.  One of the people from the Intermediate course (in Rotterdam) was kind enough to offer me his home to stay.  So I ventured into Amsterdam.

Copenhagen

The first few days were NOT a great introduction to Copenhagen. 

I arrived on Sunday, thinking I'd have time to explore.  I was landing at 3, after all and the airport is less than 30 km from the city.  However, the flight was slightly delayed and then our luggage was greatly delayed and by the time I was in the train it was dark!  And dark it seemed to stay. 

My course began at 9 am so I'd leave the hotel at 8 am and commute for ONE hour! (something I refuse to do in Canada!) to be on time.  Not that I managed it on the first two days.  It is very difficult leaving a warm, inviting hotel to plunge into the icy cool of a Copenhagen morning.  I left in the dark, I returned in the dark.  I felt like I lived in the dark.  Like a mole or maybe an ant or a worm.  I wasn't feeling very warm and fuzzy about this new city I was in.

The course was incredibly intense and the darkness was sapping my energy.  However, the second evening I did gather the energy to wander about the town.  My hotel (WakeUp Copenhagen - highly recommended by me!) was near Tivoli (this giant amusement/entertainment complex in the middle of town) and all around that was all manner of shops, restaurants and other fancies to seperate tourists/visitors from their dollars or kroner.

I love old cities.  Maybe because Canada doesn't really have old cities.  We're not that old a nation so it makes sense that there is no real feeling of history.  I love the buildings that list a bit to the right (or even the left).  And even though it is murder on the feet, I love the stone streets and sidewalks.  To imagine how many generations of who else walked just where I am 'right now'.  And Copenhagen is an old city and over the next few days I did come to appreciate her unique charms.  Amazingly enough, it was a clear, sunny day on Thursday and for parts of Friday and Saturday.  According to the locals, not a very common occurrence.

Here are a few pictures of the walk into town from where I stayed after the course:

Not bad eh?

The sunshine certainly helps.

Copenhagen is attempting to become the most cyclist friendly city in all of the EU (maybe the world?).  There are certainly a great number of people who use bicycles, people of all ages and abilities.  There are bikes with space to transport children or goods.  There were more bikes in the very small part of Copenhagen than I have ever seen in Vancouver.

So I keep alluding to the fact that I moved locations.  One of the people in my course said she had a friend who might have a place I could stay (have I mentioned that Europe is insanely expensive?!).  So she put us together and her friend did have a place.  In her housing development there are two small apartments that are kept empty for use by the tenants for family or friends when they visit.  There is a nominal charge.  So the apartment was not the Ritz but it was mostly clean and quite comfortable and it was very inexpensive.  A fabulous combination.

Doerthe, the woman who allowed me to stay in the apartment is pictured below:

I wanted to include her here because she went out of her way to be welcoming and kind.  She allowed me to stay in the apartment, offered to help me use the laundry facilities and on Saturday she spent part of her day showing me parts of Copenhagen.  

It was a lovely day.  We went to the Botanical Gardens which are fantastic!  You walk into the buildings and they are tropical and steamy warm.  There are all manner of strange and wonderful plants.  In one of the domed buildings you could walk to the top and walk all around the dome looking down at the beautiful plants.  Not for those scared of heights and wonderful for the experience.  After we went to the National Gallery of Denmark.  I try to go and visit the National Gallery in each city (if I can) with the logic that if it is called the National Gallery there must be some pride and interest on the country's part to put their best foot forward in terms of what is displayed.

My logic did not work in terms of the national gallery we visited on Saturday.  It was truly awful.  But the day was wonderful.  So Doerthe, thank you.  I wouldn't have enjoyed Copenhagen as much if I hadn't met you.

My last question for Copenhagen is in this picture that I posted earlier too:

What has this person done to his shoes that he must leave them on the window ledge in the freezing cold?  I know European apartments are small, but honestly, how smelly do your shoes have to be to leave them like that? :)

Me in Copenhagen

It's not glamorous but it's me IN COPENHAGEN! 

The camera has a view away from where I've been staying since the course ended.

Here are a few pics of the neighbourhood (near the Norresport Metro and S train stations): 

Couchsurfing and Rotterdam

One of the best memories of Rotterdam was connecting with a new friend.

This is Rossi, aka Anne Marie. She answered my query on Couchsurfing and offered to go for a meal or an adventure. We arranged to have dinner on Wednesday night.

We had a great time! She said she went along with my request to meet up because she liked my picture. I seemed like a nice person. BTW, my picture is one I took this Christmas with my sister and nephew at Suessical the Musical. CS, esp. for a newbie like me, can be a bit of a turkey shoot. I was as likely as to end up with a serial murderer as I was a lovely human being.

Rossi has her own business but what we really had a great time talking about was art and art collecting (she and her partner collect). So she told me about the great time they have visiting galleries, meeting artists, following careers and even swapping art when they find it no longer fits their life. They buy art they like, not really as an investment, although that part is nice, but really because it finds a place in their heart and soul and they want to see it every day. We had a great chat and she told me about Rotterdam and where I could eat and what I should try to see. And we decided to get together before I left. She said there was an art swap event and I could attend with them.

Rossi is exactly why something like Couchsurfing works so well. She is a fabulous person who is willing to meet new people and demystify her hometown for travellers. She has hosted and she has been hosted (on the west coast of Canada!). Now she is taking it a bit easy (relatively speaking) and she acts an ambassador in Rotterdam. She attends CS events, welcomes new local members and is available for social connections with visitors.

We did meet up on Saturday, before I left Rotterdam, and had another great dinner and fabulous conversation.

Rossi made my time in Rotterdam so much fun and I hope we can meet again - in Europe or maybe even in Vancouver!

Rotterdam

Whew!  I've been so busy I haven't even told you that I arrived in Rotterdam and now am already in Copenhagen!

But I'll concentrate on one city at a time.  Rotterdam has been a surprise.  I thought it would be a large bustling city but it seems much more laid back.  What has been nice is that bicycles (no helmets!) and transit rule the roads.  I was quite anxious about how to ensure I not only don't get run over by a car but that I dont' get run over by a bicycle!  There are dedicated lanes and heaven help you if you're in the wrong lane at the wrong time!  Cars are smaller and parking is not easy to find and very pricey once located.  And oddly, it is difficult to find a good salad in my neighbourhood.  I've been pining....

Here are a few pics from Rotterdam:

 

This sculpture is outside the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (http://www.boijmans.nl/en/) which is up the street from my hotel.  As luck would have it, it was free on Wednesday.  Being a free day at the museum meant that many, many folks were taking the opportunity to explore.  Classes of children, youth, aspiring artists, tour groups of seniors and random tourists - everyone was there.  I wish there was time to go back.  They have some amazing pieces and I'm gaining a fondness for Surrealism.

Here is one piece from the museum:

Maurizio Cattelan, Untitled (2002)

You can see all the way down into the storage room where the sculpture is standing on a chair, on a table.   It apparently took the museum years to get permission to make the space into what is the employee's break room.  The scupture is supposed to be a self-sculpture of the artist.  There are many other images that display if you put the artist's name in Google.

Here is part of the walk back to the hotel:

 
 

I'm staying in a very central neighbourhood that has been purposefully 'revitalized'.  The hotel (Hotel Bazar:  http://www.bazarrotterdam.com/read/middle_eastern_room_204?sublist=25) is in a heritage building which is both fantastic and terrible.  It is fantastic because the rooms are all unique and there are many touches of the 'old' or unusual that charm and entice.  Terrible because the owners cannot upgrade for today's reality, for example the windows are single paned letting in noise and letting out the heat but they cannot be replaced, to preserve the heritage value of the site.  So terribly fantastic or fantastically terrible:)  Either way, incredibly central and if I was a tourist, instead of a student, I would choose to stay here again.  As a student (getting up early, needing a good sleep and a place to work) it is less than ideal.  

I wanted to share one of my favourite things about the hotel - the lamps and the ceilings:

Some of the ceilings are completely covered in tin or in strings upon strings of 'christmas tree' lights, woven into a cloud of twinkling sunshine.  Throughout the whole hotel you will find these lamps.  They are from all over - Morocco, Turkey, Ethiopia and Mauritania and many are for sale.  I was sorely tempted to add to my baggage by buying one or two of these wonderful pieces of everyday art.