Writing

When I was a little kid, I had trouble falling asleep. I think it was because my mom thought I needed 12 hours sleep like many other kids, but I just needed 8 hours. Always have. So I would play in the dark, or sneak down the hall and watch the Johnny Carson Show through the reflection in the hall mirror so I wouldn't be detected by my parents sitting on the couch. (I was never caught). I would try counting - by 5's seemed to work the best for me, and sometimes I would write stories. When I was older, I'd compose business letters for the next day at work. And now sometimes I compose blog posts. I have some great subjects laying in bed at night but I don't write them down because I'm all snuggled in bed and at that time my reasoning is 'if I had the thought once, I'll have it again'. Except in the morning too much is going on already and I can't seem to recall what I had mentally written last night.

My brother has told me that he's laid in bed writing novels, but I don't  believe he's ever attempted to put pen to paper for any of them.  I think he just does it as a way to calm his mind down so he can sleep as well. In fact, I did see 'make up a story in your head' as a hint for falling asleep on a couple insomnia websites.

So I'm curious, do you do your best writing in your head while trying to fall asleep?

Diabolo

When I was a kid, one of my favourite toys was a diabolo. I didn't do any tricks with it and I wasn't very good with it, but I sure liked it. And it probably wasn't even my toy, it was probably one of my brothers. When I was really little I loved my 'elephant shoes' and my tricycle but unfortunately I had to give those up as I got bigger.

I'm curious, did you ever play with one? What was your favourite childhood toy?

Heritage Horns

I have been living in the Vancouver suburbs almost all my life and spent 4 years working in the downtown core. For many of us, the sound of the 12-noon horns, once on top of the BC Hydro Building either meant 'time for lunch' or time for the "Electric Lunch" to start on CFMI - Rock 101 radio station (back in the day).

I can't believe that it took all the way until the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics to learn that the tune  the horns play are the first 4 notes of our National Anthem - "Oh Canada" and that they have been moved to the top of the Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place.

And I'm not the only person who grew up around here, NOT to know that fact. I'm curious, did you know this?

Drivers

We place a lot of trust in other drivers. We trust that they will follow the lines on the road and not cross the centre line and they trust that we'll do the same. Sadly this occasionally does happen, with often tragic results.

There are plenty of other situations where we can put ourselves at risk. The other day while walking the dog, I was walking on the sidewalk across a driveway for an apartment complex and a lady was walking her dog towards me. We were about 10 feet from each other when a car drove between us - luckily it wasn't that close of a call, nor was either dog hurt, but it could have been a bad situation. As the car proceeded into the complex I saw the "L" on the back of his car indicating he was a learning/student driver. Well that explained a lot! I sure hope the driver that was with him taught him the mistake he made, if not maybe the fact that he scraped his car on the driveway incline due to the fast left turn he made will be a good reminder of what not to do.

I'm curious, have you ever had a close call with a car as a pedestrian?

Rain

My husband used to joke that if so many girls love long walks in the rain on the beach then every time it rains they should all be bumping into each other - but that never seems to happen does it?

Yesterday it was raining, as it's apt to do in February in the Vancouver area - and when Eco (my dog) and I were out walking, we saw no one. Not one other person who likes long walks in the rain!

So, I'm curious, do you like walks in the rain and if so, do you ever take one?

Africa

While flipping through the March 2010 issue of In Style magazine, I noticed yet another Hollywood celebrity - this time Rachel Bilson - in Africa promoting her charity. I wondered, do you think the people and children in some parts of Africa think all Americans are drop-dead gorgeous? (I realize though, that their definition of 'gorgeous' may vary greatly from ours, but I'm sure you get what I mean). Do you think they have a skewed idea of what we look like since so many beautiful celebrities are flying in to start schools and feed children? Would they be surprised if they came to America and saw what the average person really looked like?

I'm curious, what do you think?

Secrets

Part of my Sunday ritual is reading the posts on the Post Secret site. The secrets are often so loving and kind, although sometimes they can be revengeful.  Sometimes they express love, sometimes a wrong doing or a hurt experienced. If you're not already reading it, perhaps you'd like to try it. I find the creativity with the secret is almost as interesting as the secret written.

Today, I found this one the most stirring. In case it's gone when you link to it, the writer said they asked someone to write their secret as they didn't want their handwriting recognized but the person they asked couldn't write the secret down and admitted she had the same one too.

We all have secrets don't we - I don't think there's a human on this earth that can honestly admit they don't. And one of the things that seems to make us feel better is knowing that we're not alone, that we're not the only one experiencing such an issue. I  guess that's why talk shows in the 70's became popular, TV was a way to share secrets and the viewer felt a bit better knowing they weren't alone. The internet has helped and harmed this as we are able to better connect with strangers around the world, but often can't communicate to the people in our lives, sometimes in the same room.

I'm curious, have you ever anonymously shared your secret and were your relieved or did you regret it?

Gifts

Last night the kid was here for dinner and I asked him if he bought anything for his mom last weekend for Valentines. As he told me about the gift he bought, his dad was laughing and his face was getting redder and redder as he ate his dinner; and when the kid told me the price ($5), his dad was laughing pretty hard by that time.

You see, Jp gave me the same present for Valentines (although it was coupled with a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings) but it was funny. Kids only seem to be observant at the wrong times. Even though they were together and in the same store at the same time, this time the kid didn't notice that his dad bought the same present, so he happily and honestly told me all about it, looking over at his dad and wondering as he told the story why his father was laughing so hard.

Wife + ex-wife getting the same present for Valentines = BUSTED (although I actually don't care what she got)

One time I was at a Christmas time party and a guy there took a bunch of us into a room to show us a leather jacket he bought his girlfriend. When we all came out of the room, she was very curious as to what it was. Stupidly I said "oh it's beautiful, it'll look so nice on you!" And then everyone tried to cover up my mistake by throwing other hints at her and pretending that I was just leading her on.

So I'm curious, have you ever spilled the beans and ruined a present surprise?

Dog Clothes

In life there are many 'fine lines' and one that I find interesting (but trivial) is the subject of dressing up a family pet. My last 4 dogs have been bigger, working dogs that didn't need clothes for protection or warmth in our climate save for a few days a year. When we suddenly had a snow fall, I'd put on a winter coat to keep their tummies dry. And since I walk Eco (my chocolate lab) daily, she wears a rain coat so she doesn't get that stinky dog smell and it reduces the amount of 'road spray' on her tummy - this is more for cleanliness since she's an inside dog. And this is really the only times I put anything on her. They are practical pieces. My mom lives in a snowy part of Alberta and I sent her dog some Muttluks - this is also practical as road salt can wreak havoc on dogs foot pads.


In this article, they answer the question - do dogs like wearing clothes?

So I'm curious - do you dress your dog up? What does it wear? What do you think of people who dress up their pets? What is too far/too much?

Unseasonably Warm Weather

This year, in the Vancouver area, it's been rather warm for January and February. For me this is a good thing as we don't have a furnace and have single paned windows. For the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver - it hasn't been so good. I saw on the news last night that they've been trucking in snow from Manning Park! Can you believe that? Dumptrucks full of snow driving about 3 hours to deliver snow to Cypress Mountain (behind North Vancouver) and they've had to cancel some of the spectator events because of the mud.

Tickets for the Olympics went on sale last year and are very costly. Many people have been waiting anxiously to be part of the Olympics and suddenly their even has been cancelled? Ouch. If I was a sports fan and really wanted to go - I think I might just put up with some mud so I can watch this 'historic' event.

I'm curious - what would you do?

Advice

My brother recently informed me of a quote that advised not to give advice (I know...) it said that smart people already knew and "the others" didn't want to know. (I love the part of "the others" - who are these people?)

To me, this is really good advice, for you see - I am a problem solver. In fact, my husband recently 'yelled' at me that he just wanted to tell a story and didn't want me " to solve the problem'!!!

A good friend has posted dog behaviour problems on her blog. Now I agree I am not a dog behaviourist, however, I have 'rehabilitated' 3 troubled dogs. But I'm not saying anything. Okay, fine, I'll offer her support with her problem - but not advice. You see, I don't think she'll like my advice. I've tried in the past before but although she poses problems to the world on her blog, she still resolves it on her own (or what her husband tells her what to do). I've tried that so many times and it never seems to be received well, so I'll keep my mouth shut - unless I am specifically asked for help.

I'm curious - what do you do when someone poses a problem, but doesn't specifically ask for help? Do you offer advice?

The Naming of Things

As you may know (or not), I am a yarn crafter - that means I do knitting and crocheting and other crafty things.

When we knitters/crocheters set about picking a project, we carefully select the recipient, the pattern and yarn. For example, I recently knit my mom a pair of socks because I really wanted to try the intricate lace pattern. Pattern designers often give their patterns unique names so that we don't have to deal with 7 hundred billion patterns called "scarf". The socks I knit were named "Hedera" and I referred to them as such the whole time I was knitting them .

You see, we are a different breed - by just mentioning the name, the pattern, yarn details and other memories return to me. Just say "Monkey" or "Jaywalker" to a sock knitter and many would be able to tell you in great detail all about the socks. Some knitters even say that their thoughts get knitted into the fabric and when they look at a project, they can recall the parts they knit when they were angry, or who they had a conversation with or even what they were watching when they made certain project. We have formed a relationship with this project and truly know every inch of it, as we've made every stitch along the way.

And when I give my project away, I still think of the name. But the non-knitting recipient has no idea about these details. They just know they like the blue/green socks or the pretty purple lacy ones. And that's okay, as long as my work is being enjoyed.

I'm curious, do you feel the same way about your hobby, craft or art? How much of a relationship do you have with all the little parts of your project?

Journals

A friend of mine just received her mother's journals and has spent the past several days reading them. I asked her if she read anything interesting and she said her mom only wrote about which garage sale they went to and which restaurant they ate in. Rarely there would be an entry about someone coming to visit.

My mother, like me, has used her journals as a way of saying what she couldn't say to others; a way of working out problems and frustrations especially when dealing with others. My mother told me recently that she has burned many of those writings as she didn't want her kids to read them 'when she's gone'.

I respect her decision. They are her writings after all, and maybe I just don't want to read about how I disappointed her when, or how I made her angry. On the other hand, I'm hoping there may have been good writings and memories that are now gone - although I tend to write only when I'm upset so if you picked up my diary/journal I'm sure you'd think I was miserable and hated everyone always - and perhaps she wrote that way as well.

Some people use their journals for ideas - for writing or creating with little sketches and swatches and all sorts of things. Some use it to keep track of their lives.

I'm curious, do you keep a journal or diary and how do you use it?

Dream Weaver

Last night I dreamed that I was (the late) Britanny Murphy's personal assistant. First of all - I don't know why.

But in my dream I was stuck with the dilemma of correctly fulfilling my employer's requests - a soft boiled egg - but how soft is soft? Or a glass of chocolate milk - how chocolaty does one like it? In my dream every request was fraught with questions of proportion or strength or other criteria. Suddenly things I was confident with were now put into question.

In the end, my employer lost respect for me because I was so busy taking care of her, that I didn't take care of myself.

Okay, lesson learned - the one in the dream and the one behind the dream, since I'm sure a dream interpreter would point out the obvious - that I need to take care of myself first.

How much weight can you put on a dream's meaning? And are there other lessons to be learned?

I've been able to wake up and then go back to sleep to continue my dream, but I have not been a lucid dreamer. Can you force your dream to come out the way you want it to?

Bittersweet Anniversary

Today is my 10 year anniversary at work. Wow. That's quite the thing these days isn't it? The same old job for 8 of those years. There is definitely lots to reflect on - it's definitely a bittersweet moment for me.

I received a quick email from one of my managers, and another took the opportunity to joke about something I don't particularly find funny (I haven't told him NOT to say it, I kept thinking it would go away, but he keeps bringing it up, so I'll have to either accept it, or tell him how much it bugs me). Allegedly a 'service award' with some cash is to come, butnothing has been received or mentioned yet.

I know if I ran a company, I'd certainly make a bit bigger deal out of an employee staying for 10 years, however, I suppose since there are several managers and sales reps who have been with the company for 20+ years, maybe they think ten years isn't a big deal. But still don't you think it's some sort of accomplishment that should be rewarded? What do other companies do for employees 5 or 10 year anniversaries - please tell me if you know, I'd love to hear.

Oh and by the way, I'm not dwelling on it, after 10 years with being in this company I am well aware of 'how they roll' and have accepted the moment as it is.

The Mysteries of Food Cravings

I lived on my own for most of my twenties, and although I usually had a boyfriend or friends to have dinner with, I had many meals to myself. During that time, I didn't eat very well, and survived on some pretty sad meals.

When I was really poor, I would eat spaghetti noodles and ketchup, with a sprinkling of Kraft Parmesan cheese - that was my spaghetti. Or I would make a type of sloppy joe using up some stale bread for the bun. Or a double batch of Tuna Helper Au Gratin was what you served when some friends came over.

Fast-forward several years and there are a couple more people in my house, and a bit more money and much more food on my shelves, but you know what? I still crave some of those foods. My husband thinks I'm insane but I'm sure I'm not the only one. Isn't that what comfort food is all about? Food that you ate when times may not have been good but they were certainly memorable?

Like the time I ate spaghetti in a glass that was heated on a BBQ. Sure it was 3am at some university student's house and we had all been drinking, but still... those were good times. Good times.

In Search of.... Me!

For years I have been searching for 'my passion'. I've looked in so many places. I've done so many tests. Family encourages me to find it or to keep looking, but admittedly I'm getting a little tired of The Search.

In a recent Success Magazine interview, I listened to the speaker talk about how successful people don't have good golf or bowling scores because they spent their time focusing on their success. And as I thought about this, coupled with the idea of downsizing, I debated giving away all my craft supplies. That would clear out a lot of room, plus I'd have more time to focus on "ME".

But as I was crocheting this afternoon, I was pondering my future and I thought - what if my crafts lead me to my passion? What if this is what I am supposed to do? What if I keep doing my crafts and one day I develop the one thing that makes my heart sing and I become famous (and prosperous) for it?

Some life coaches tell you to "do something, anything, just pick and do!" In the absence of a better idea, do I remain doing my crafts? Maybe if I turn off the TV or stop listening to my iPod and continue to think about my life while crafting, I'll come up with the idea.

I'm curious - how do you know what to do?

The Dog Days

Years ago, a boyfriend taught me that there are two things you can never criticize or talk negatively about - people's dogs and people's kids. And although I'm no expert on children, I do know a thing or two about living, loving and training dogs.

I currently have a 10 1/2 month old chocolate Labrador who is becoming a very wonderful little girl. She's eager to please and loves training and really hasn't been a problem at all except for the shedding (that's another whole post!).

One of her daily routines is to play fetch in our backyard. - and being a retriever, we're outside a couple times a day. During this time I can observe the neighbour's daily activities. They have a 9 month old shepherd lab cross who seems to be a terrible little trouble maker; she's chewed up patio chair cushions and plant pots and she's dug all over the yard. And she's been getting in trouble from her owner and his friends as they play with their RC cars on his backyard track.

And what I want to say to them, but can't, is that there dog is the way it is BECAUSE IT'S BORED! Plain and simple. This young dog doesn't get enough attention. Just because he sits on his balcony smoking doesn't mean the dog is getting an activity at all. As I'm throwing the "ball" (it's actually a fat squirrel toy) and my dog is happily returning it to me, this poor thing is getting yelled at for entering the track and chasing RC cars. Poor thing.

I was so tempted to go over to the fence and say, "here, let me take her for a while" and play with her.

What needs to happen before people take the time to understand and care for their animals? Will they ever realize that a little bit of extra attention in the beginning will give them a wonderful companion? Why do some people get dogs in the first place?

Doggie DVDs

My brother sent me an article from the May 2008 issue of Reader's Digest, called "Best In Show" by Steve Burgess. The author talks about dog friendly remote controls (a thing of the future) and dog DVDs (a thing of the present). The article says "the DVDs offer plenty of motion to catch your dog's eye, and music designed to soothe".

So do we all have to take our wall mounted TVs and stand them on the floor like we did when he lived with futons and cinder block bookshelves? I don't think my dog even bothers to look way up there to see the TV and she certainly isn't going to be encouraged to watch TV from the furniture.

Are the owners truly thinking of their dog as a means to provide additional stimulation, or is it a substitute? If you take your dog for a good walk before work and one when you get home (assuming he's locked up for 8-10 hours per day) then he'll most likely sleep as dogs have done for centuries (well the ones that were housebound and not working)

Or, is this just another way for some people to make money and for owners to spend money?

Jazz (my Australian Cattle Dog) only pays attention to the TV when dogs are in distress (like the Vet TV shows) - but my mom says her schnauzer, Finnegan, watches TV and I've heard other dogs that are interested and even react to certain TV shows. According to the article, dog expert Stanley Coren says "nose-oriented breeds are less likely to respond to the TV". It would have been good for Jazz if she had paid attention to sounds electronically transmitted because I had hoped the Desensitization CD would have helped cure her noise phobia - but she paid no attention to it - no matter how many decibels I played the fireworks and gun sounds - she had no reaction. But shoot a kid's cap gun in the house and you've got a real reaction.

Is this the next doggie evolution? Or just people novelty?

"Global Warming?"

Can you tell me, "Does it bother you that we (the common people of North American) are constantly pushed and reminded to curb our daily living to slow down "Global Warming" by the same government that supports/funds/participates in War? Don't you think that several fighter pilots and multiple detonations harm the world a whole lot more that 1 unrecycled water bottle?"