be your own fridge

be your own fridge
Originally uploaded by raysto.

Wish you were here

So I was listening to a friend talk about her son's first year at university and thinking about mine. I wasn't partying and stuff, because I'm the boring chick, but I did feel free. Now that I know what it's like to get paid biweekly, I'm not sure I could ever find that "free" again.

But anyway, at least now I'm doing stuff in the 8:30 to 4:30 prime time slot that isn't so incredibly suck-the-life-out-of-a-person dead boring. I feel like there's an academic aspect to what I do now. Which may not be the case in the traditional sense, but I'm learning and it's a challenge and I guess I equate that with school.

I still remember what I wore to university on my first day. I remember sitting on a concrete ledge outside university centre. I remember thinking that I wouldn't like English as a subject. I remember it was hot and I was wearing a hoody and I felt free. There was a string quartet in front of Fletcher Argue. I don't think the Robin's Donuts was there yet...

Balzac's Cafe - Sept. 3, 2006 @ 4:22 p.m.

Belated

So the thing is that the longer you put off doing something, the harder it becomes to climb that mountain again. It just seems taller and the expectations seem less surmountable.

And that's really my only excuse.

Now I'm online, loading pictures from my trip to the Distillery District with Nancy yesterday on flickr. We went because I have always wanted to go there and because they supposedly have a farmers' market every Sunday. For some reason, a farmers' market can mean something as little as a table and half of questionable produce. Actually, these guys did look legit, but it really wasn't anything to brag about. However, this might serve as an explanation to those of you looking at my pictures and finding the several shots of the outdoor handwashing station. You never know when this info could be useful...

I bought an awesome pair of bronzite earrings from Ku Jewelry.

It wasn't bad, but it would have been better if it was sunny. So much for summer....I'm wearing socks this very instant. I'm starting to think about my flannel sheets. September can be depressing.

For an interesting little read, check out Catherine's tale of Bill the Koala.

"Murder" or a "Lamentable Side Effect"

In a world with George W. thank god for Jon Stewart. Just saw a video of him skewering the hypocrisy of vetoing stem cell research because "every being counts" but estimating that the loss of life among Iraqis is "about 30,000 or thereabouts."

You can see it yourself here.

Canadian paper-clip blogger travels to Kipling, Sask., to seal house trade

A Canadian blogger who ambitiously aimed to swap a paper clip for a house arrived in Kipling, Sask., on Wednesday to complete the trade. Read more from CBC.

I actually sent this guy an email ( because I was bored, and because I believe in rewarding such a simple, yet brilliant initiative) and my god he actually responded! Okay, nothing huge, but I'm still impressed. Gosh, it says a lot about us Canucks, eh? Here's the message:

----- Original Message -----
From: kyle macdonald
To: Lise Conde
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: congrats!

thanks!

have fun,

kyle

Kyle MacDonald oneredpaperclip@gmail.com

On 7/8/06, Lise Conde <liseconde@sympatico.ca> wrote:

Just read an article about you on cbc online. Awesome story! Brilliant idea! Have fun in Kipling next week!

Lise

From paper clip to house, in 14 trades

"There's people all over the world that are saying that they have paper clips clipped to the top of their computer or on their desk or on their shirt and it proves that anything is possible and I think to a certain degree it's true."

...click here for more from CBC

And he's going to paint the house red! Check out the whole history at Kyle MacDonald's website, one red paperclip.

Bonne Fete du Canada!

Happy Canada Day - from the Newmarket Farmers' Market. I went there, then the Markham Farmers' Market (twice) ate my favourite Mediterreanean Lasagne from Boston Pizza in the backyard for lunch, had a long nap, cuddled with the dog, updated my iPod.... Not bad for such a great holiday. My favourite holiday really...no pressure involved.

Ciao and welcome to July.

Five million dollar contribution from provincial government kicks off Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO's solo kayak voyage for stroke research

"The goal of the Centre is to develop new strategies to repair the brain after injury, specifically after stroke," said Dr. Antoine Hakim, Scientific Director, Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery. "This funding will help ensure the Centre's researchers have access to the world-class infrastructure required to tackle the new frontier in stroke research and to continue making break-through discoveries and implementing treatments."

[...]

"I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of stroke in my family,"said Rocco Rossi. "This is why I decided to embark upon this journey. I will be kayaking my way to Ottawa almost 480 km away to raise money and awareness. The Centre has campuses in Ottawa and Toronto and so this trip is intended to symbolically connect the campuses.

"There are approximately 100,000 paddle strokes between here and Ottawa and that is a metaphor for our need to redouble our efforts to deal with this deadly and incapacitating illness. The Centre represents one of the best hopes to make a real difference and I am delighted and proud to be part of it."

Botox: A Documentary in Pictures

Since it's Stroke Month, I've put together a 'documentary' in pictures of my Mom's adventures with botox. Please be advised that no moms were permanently hurt in the making of this documentary, despite what she might tell you.

Botox is actually toxic, but it can be an excellent treatment for people with muscle problems as a result of stroke and acquired or traumatic brain injury. I've heard about it being used as a treatment for migraines, excessive sweating and, of course, crow's feet. I don't know about the benefits in those cases, but for muscle spasticity, I've seen it work wonders.

Special thanks to Mom, Dr. Cullen, Annabella, Mark (the doctor in training) and all the wonderful people at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

The world needs more physiatrists!