Sunday, December 30, 2007

Cuba si!

We went to Cuba last month. We stayed in Varadero at an all-inclusive resort for one week. We took day trips into Varadero city and Havana - did lots of sight-seeing and absorbing of the local culture. The beach was lovely. The weather was perfect. The water was breathtakingly beautiful. Some photos have been posted for your viewing pleasure.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

snow day

We got clobbered with snow last weekend. I’d say we got about two feet of it. It began snowing very early Sunday morning and didn’t stop until almost 24 hours later. My dear husband was working a double shift, which means I was home alone and left to do the shoveling on my own.

Initially, I thought I would do my first bit of shoveling at about noon. By 8:30am I became concerned that there would be way too much accumulated by noon and I wouldn’t be able to handle it. So out I went at about 9:30am. I was bundled up in a warm coat, scarf, hat, mittens, and clumsy winter boots – the kind one wears not for fashion, but for surviving a Canadian winter.

As soon as I stepped out the front door, I noticed my next-door neighbour shoveling his property. I smiled and said hello and he did the same. We aren’t especially close. In fact, we aren’t close at all. We say hello-how-are-you whenever we see each other. Occasionally we engage in a little bit of small talk during the summer when we’re both out more, but that’s about it. I wouldn’t call him a friend. Anyway, we exchanged hellos and he went on with his shoveling while I got on with mine.

Over an hour later, I had finally cleared all I could. I was tired, my face was flushed, my heart was pounding. It was quite a work out. I went inside and relaxed a little while I felt the ache in my arms and shoulders begin.

By 1:00pm it was time to shovel again because a lot more had accumulated. I went out there and my neighbour was there again too; this time with his eleven year old son. I shoveled, carrying snow from one end to another by the shovel-full. It was exhausting work. I looked at my neighbour and had a thought that would probably make any feminist cringe.

I was a little peeved that my neighbour wasn’t offering to help with the shoveling. Quite honestly, I would have likely politely declined his generous offer anyway because I don’t like to inconvenience people. However, if the roles were reversed and my husband J had been out there shoveling while the neighbour’s wife was shoveling by herself because her husband wasn’t home, I KNOW J would have helped. Furthermore, if I was out there alone and the neighbour’s wife was out there alone, I’d definitely help her as well.

Then I wondered if I had any right to be peeved or disappointed or disgusted with his behaviour. I mean, he certainly doesn’t owe me anything. So does this mean that chivalry is dead? Does it mean that I’m way too nice for being the kind of person who offers to help people when I can? Does it mean people, in general, tend to only look out for themselves and for what is theirs?

I also wondered what this says about my neighbour. I mean, I’ve already found him to be a little self-centered. His priorities, according to my own personal beliefs, are a little warped. For example, he gives a hell of a lot more attention and love to his car than he does to his children. So maybe he’s just a self-absorbed bastard and I shouldn’t be offended.

Then I started to wonder if this says something about me. Maybe he thinks I’m a bitch and I don’t deserve his help. Maybe I’m the rotten neighbour and that’s why he didn’t offer to help. I wonder how many people out there, if any, think that I’m a rotten bitch. And I wonder how many feminists will think me a pathetic excuse for a woman for even wanting a man to offer to help me with some shoveling during a snowstorm that lasted about 24 hours.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Canada - in six words or less.

A friend sent this to me and I thought it hilarious! There were a few more entries included, but I only picked my favourites.


And the winner is … Announcing the results of our 'Canada – in six words or less' motto contest

The new unofficial Canadian motto is "Canada — a home for the world," sent in by Deborah Torenvliet of Ottawa.

With a 39.8% share of the total online votes, the highly earnest entry took the title (plus Tim Hortons and Petro-Canada gift cards) hands down. Second place and a Chapters/Indigo gift card goes to "Endless possibilities squandered in political correctness," by Gary Valcour from Oshawa, Ont. .

For the record, here are the other top 10 nominees:

"Medicare, we're dying to keep it." C.N. Johannesson, Calgary.
"Proud to be humble." Nesta Morris, Unionville, Ont.
"Canada: Mostly OK." (Alexander) Sandy Baillie, Munster, Ont.
"Canada: Nobody gives a puck." Charles Cook, Toronto.
"Life, liberty and pursuit of hockeyness." Lawrence Hickman, Victoria
"From inquiry to inquiry." Gord Nixon, Barrie, Ont.
"If countries are clothes, we're cardigans." Paul Meyer and Jane Power, Montrose, B.C.
"Double Double, from Sea to Sea," Pat Harris, Toronto.

Over the last three weeks, we received hundreds of motto suggestions. Some funny, some sad, some alarmingly racist, some dark and some that were just plain weird. Unfortunately, we had to whittle them down to a top-10 list. But as a final nod to all those Canadians (and a few Americans) who emailed us their mottoes, here are some of the more notable entries (with a few entries from editorial board members sprinkled in). Thanks to all who entered the contest, and to everyone who voted online.

"Red, white and forgiving." Gary Crawford, Chicago, Ill.
"Molding a history-free heritage." Tim Burke, Montreal.
"Land of inferiority complexes." John F.H. Lupton, St. Albert, Alta.
"Canada — lost." L.G. Anderson, Spruce Grove, Alta.
"Global warming hasn't reached us yet." Talya Gryn, Thornhill, Ont.
"True north strong and free health care." Dick Richards, North Gower, Ont.
"Health or die waiting." Marg Nixon, Barrie, Ont.
"Lest ever we should understand ourselves." J. Paul Mutton, Burnaby B.C.
"Step on me." Jack Sands, Markham, Ont.
"Canada: United in diversity." Dave Williams, Ottawa.
"Canada — we're soooo nice." Gilles Caron, Montreal.
"Dominating sports no one else plays." Lorne Gunter, Edmonton.
"Bad weather, punishing taxes, cold beer." Brad LeMee, Toronto.
"Canada: It's all about Quebec." John William Campbell, Vancouver Island.
"Canada: scenery, greenery, political chicanery." Joanne M. Bargman, Toronto.
"Canada — from sea to whining sea." Anthony J. Petrina, Vancouver.
"Beauty, eh?" Rick Carter, St. Albert, Alta.
"Mediocre, and reasonably proud of it." Al Blow, Cranbrook, B.C.
"Apologizing for Celine Dion since 1990." Yoni Goldstein, Toronto.
"Canada: supporting everyone, unknown to anyone." David Saul, Richmond Hill, Ont.
" amplus et frigus" ("Big and cold"). Michael N. W. Baigel, Toronto.
"Loonies in the sky with diamonds." Cathy Gilbertson, Burlington, Ont.
"Foreign health professionals drive our taxis." Paul and Susie Higgins, North Vancouver.
"Canada yada yada." Irene Berkowitz, Toronto.
"Domicile of delightfully dysfunctional dogooders." Dan and Suzanne
"Canada, nine equal provinces and Quebec." Evelyn Keep, London, Ont. Clavelle, Calgary.
"Americans on Valium." Gary Clarke, Prince George, B.C.
"One-third makes, two-thirds takes." Dan Horne, Calgary.
"So little history, so many cultures." Kathryn Speck, Edmonton.
"So clean and bland. Welcome home." Paolo Zinatelli, Toronto.
"Dominion of quiet beauty." Elaine Doran, Fairmont, B.C.
"Keenly aware of your indifference." Doug Burn, Toronto.
"We'll tolerate anything, except intolerance." Scott Gilbreath, Whitehorse, Yukon.
"Rights without responsibilities." Bob Reid, Grafton, Ont.
"Excusez ... I'm Sorry." Alice Ducharme, Victoria.
"Canada: Heart of gold." Thomas (Moishe) Goldstein, Toronto.
"Canada: Hypocritically hypocritical." Dick Turner, Victoria.
"A Heaven and a haven." Lois Reid, Toronto.
"Proud to be smug." Clive Seligman, London, Ont.
"Canada: We shall undercome." Peter Strachan, Ajax, Ont.
"Morally superior. Just ask us." Reg Bechtold, Lethbridge, Alta.
"Give me liberty or a doubledouble." John Turley-Ewart, Toronto.
"Canada: Your mother would love us." Ian Hopkins, Markham, Ont.
"The true north, weak and taxed." Paul Filipiuk, Toronto.
"What you get for being nice." Hugh Phillips, Boucherville, Que.
"One nation ... divisible." E.W. Bopp, Tsawwassen, B.C.
" Saturday Night Live's unofficial training camp." Marni Soupcoff, Toronto.
"Tax me, I'm Canadian." Glenn Woiceshyn, Calgary.
"The world's most preferred passport." Allan Swartz, Thornhill, Ont.
"We are, perhaps, sorry for nothing." Eugene Taylor, Toronto.
"Insert your culture here." Colby Cosh, Edmonton.
"Canada: Birthplace of mediocrity." Jeff Spooner, Kinburn, Ont.
"Because the world needs more vanilla." Ori Rubin, Toronto.
"Diverse pasts, one future." Karla Poewe, Calgary.
"Patriotic and proud of it ... shh." Cathy Cove, Goderich, Ont.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

my kind of town

J and I decided to get away for a few days when our Thanksgiving rolled around (early October). There were several places we were considering - San Diego, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, Boston, etc - but we decided to limit ourselves to a place where I could use my accumulated air miles points to pay for both our flights. We also wanted a place we hadn't been before. I suggested Chicago - the windy city!

Chicago was fantastic! It really IS my kind of town. If someone told me I absolutely had to move to the United States, Chicago would be one of my top picks. There is so much to do there and so much to see and the architecture is spectacular! Chicago, to me anyway, is a smaller, less crowded, less polluted, less noisy New York.

We had unseasonally warm weather and we spent most of our time outdoors. We were there to witness the marathon (marathons always inspire me, so this was a big treat), we walked the downtown area, we walked the Riverwalk - which left me breathless as I turned to view interesting architecture from every angle, we visited and had dim sum in Chinatown with a wonderful blogging friend and his adorable son, we saw Wrigley Field (even though it was closed, I still felt a special energy just by standing in front of the big red sign or by looking through the locked gates and onto the field), we went on an architectural walking tour, we went to a couple of museums, parks, etc, etc, etc. We even went to the beach! We walked and took the bus and train EVERYWHERE! It was so much fun and we returned home exhausted. This was definitely not a relaxing little holiday, but it was definitely fulfilling.

I invite you to view some of the photos from this trip on my flickr badge.

his favourite

This is J's favourite pasta dish. It's very quick and easy to prepare. If you like salty and tangy, then you should give this a try.


Puttanesca Sauce for Garlic Lovers

Ingredients:
1 cup pitted halved ripe olives
1/2 cup dried tomatoes, cut into strips
1/4 cup olive oil
1 (3-1/2 oz) jar capers, drained
8 garlic cloves, chopped
6 anchovy fillets, mashed
3 cups quarted plum tomatoes
1/4 cup pesto sauce
1 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper

Instructions:
- Combine the first six ingredients in a large saucepan; heat through - stirring to ensure it doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.

- Add the tomato, pesto, and red peppers; bring to a boil again.

- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes; stirring occasionally.

- Serve over hot pasta.