tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64306590220591285092024-03-19T04:40:47.857-07:00The T-Shirt ProjectWhile doing a massive organization of my wardrobe during the summer of 2012, I realized that I own a ridiculous number of t-shirts, some which I was able to cull without much thought but many that have stories attached - sentimental, funny, creative, unique stories.
So... my goal is to tell the story of one t-shirt per day. Until I run out of t-shirts... or stories.Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-37747525794626561102014-01-08T09:33:00.000-08:002014-01-08T09:33:34.507-08:00Not a T-Shirt but Totally Post-Worthy<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A year ago, I shared this video:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/raSHAqV8K9c" width="560"></iframe>
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...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which, happily, sparked a bit of conversation in my comments section.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, the brilliant team that created that intro has a new video to share, focussed on the science and technology that drive the GMO industries and how they affect the food system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My video gadget in the sidebar displays both videos, newest first, so if you can't quite remember the website (https://feedingninebillion.com/) you can always find it here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please watch the new video (it's less than six minutes long) and share with EVERYONE.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eFDyTz9K9i8" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the t-shirt front, I'm considering a blogging return after March Break. Need to reorganize the t-shirts again... ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers!</span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-77890602260706703372013-07-17T12:34:00.001-07:002013-07-17T23:33:22.125-07:00Floating - Summer Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzNfS1EMeCSZGl7rOGWIWa8tlbTGO5uH7mnHyxLXcCWRyZV98-etjX4wk6FPJnptfbylshFtwcm0k5NcmYEtE4ik7-moVphOREdSXis8R8l0ivvDXirWZGpqby0wFDC0JPG_BN3bRGxUy/s640/blogger-image-1406860270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzNfS1EMeCSZGl7rOGWIWa8tlbTGO5uH7mnHyxLXcCWRyZV98-etjX4wk6FPJnptfbylshFtwcm0k5NcmYEtE4ik7-moVphOREdSXis8R8l0ivvDXirWZGpqby0wFDC0JPG_BN3bRGxUy/s640/blogger-image-1406860270.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day Four and it's official, Alaska likes things BIG. We embarked at noon on a raft float down the Talkeetna River ("na" is the suffix in Athabaskan denoting "river of" - therefore, "Talkeetna" means "River of Plenty") It's a beautiful, relaxing float and raft guide, Bryce, was informative about both our surroundings and his extremely diverse life pursuits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D9JjlMuDhNALnWIRVHUXImpbmc39dMOw_nSmMBEK8DhYDw-F41hgxPSatrNOe1tXHDV-Wt4PMTRahd_YwpqeH68DqjiWvGLFei1xCp5CI0L8E5t-tEzryrqMwHQHNDC-cytV0v9UfoSL/s640/blogger-image--2030436326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D9JjlMuDhNALnWIRVHUXImpbmc39dMOw_nSmMBEK8DhYDw-F41hgxPSatrNOe1tXHDV-Wt4PMTRahd_YwpqeH68DqjiWvGLFei1xCp5CI0L8E5t-tEzryrqMwHQHNDC-cytV0v9UfoSL/s640/blogger-image--2030436326.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw1e7dAazB6jQG73f6N4vGr-jns8s81CqqScmgVqL2WBcRGSsPPi5ez1LmCecqL1kqydtY0q1iMbd4agV7Y32zYKxhUxAY0LcvWEUh2an2KRKW3GJFS_l38k4DjEBGFHy33IRzX6VoLWE/s640/blogger-image--1761182237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw1e7dAazB6jQG73f6N4vGr-jns8s81CqqScmgVqL2WBcRGSsPPi5ez1LmCecqL1kqydtY0q1iMbd4agV7Y32zYKxhUxAY0LcvWEUh2an2KRKW3GJFS_l38k4DjEBGFHy33IRzX6VoLWE/s640/blogger-image--1761182237.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPsIqCwtVuW9G_MDyJR6k-R22E6mmEicOixUWKYq0WY-t-dikBBGnfCAEhR_RvjPqh1jz0cWz5Eu7OdzGslepV7N8PoL_LnV5xwLX6bb58f8aTP5xbLurFljPUSDsiohN7LPl5FXmz9gX/s640/blogger-image--1629586713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPsIqCwtVuW9G_MDyJR6k-R22E6mmEicOixUWKYq0WY-t-dikBBGnfCAEhR_RvjPqh1jz0cWz5Eu7OdzGslepV7N8PoL_LnV5xwLX6bb58f8aTP5xbLurFljPUSDsiohN7LPl5FXmz9gX/s640/blogger-image--1629586713.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The tiny-looking blue boat on the left is the Talkeetna Queen. The owner, a very nice and completely insane friend of Bryce's took that drafter boat UP the Devil's Canyon, a nearby set of Category SIX white water rapids years ago, losing all his front teeth in the endeavour. Apparently, it's still viewable on YouTube videos from "The Wide World of Sportsl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We floated down the Talkeetna nearly to the giant triple confluence that becomes the "Big Su" or Susitna (River of Sticks).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We wandered through "Main St, Talkeetna" for lunch but couldn't wait for a table at this place which came highly recommended (to everyone, apparently): </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHIT7q61dpzfdbPP9PxHEGeEVg5872-T6eRMIm-o4LNPXBVKwp3b-PUmIGDVv-JMgUjaV43XhNgbIJREM6XRh8ZufeoggWBWUOgwJWsSt2Ey-7zZX7i8oLSfWpBnOFtDYlbTcmqsb2PgH/s640/blogger-image-1688897052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHIT7q61dpzfdbPP9PxHEGeEVg5872-T6eRMIm-o4LNPXBVKwp3b-PUmIGDVv-JMgUjaV43XhNgbIJREM6XRh8ZufeoggWBWUOgwJWsSt2Ey-7zZX7i8oLSfWpBnOFtDYlbTcmqsb2PgH/s640/blogger-image-1688897052.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...so we decided to try this one across the street (also recommended):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdZBLxPhVP4VCm_fR8RUWhXjKWHpxUgjEDAgY6nAOtmDpPgPqPct0GknD2hheCU_QiIrv2zwPlJBPrsLXHzXGYa2BuA9YsPBkS8hygs1NKzSEIumfOLP4egJeCTldzc1__W3kE5LUkl3F/s640/blogger-image-1853133901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdZBLxPhVP4VCm_fR8RUWhXjKWHpxUgjEDAgY6nAOtmDpPgPqPct0GknD2hheCU_QiIrv2zwPlJBPrsLXHzXGYa2BuA9YsPBkS8hygs1NKzSEIumfOLP4egJeCTldzc1__W3kE5LUkl3F/s640/blogger-image-1853133901.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were forearmed with the knowledge that Mountain High's calzones were ENORMOUS so we ordered one to share. It was still HUGE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduMP-lPvi_V-pisRKRl07H6hpkvJ22YF7PDB4NUfYCwyFPoWZ19OKCYI1eDlntf_F4A7Jbeh4-rrm4T8aISxFBk6fxD816K3NA-84mdGtUMy8vhSAiZrhV7JliQi8UxXzW96Y8cwLAck_/s640/blogger-image-61452571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduMP-lPvi_V-pisRKRl07H6hpkvJ22YF7PDB4NUfYCwyFPoWZ19OKCYI1eDlntf_F4A7Jbeh4-rrm4T8aISxFBk6fxD816K3NA-84mdGtUMy8vhSAiZrhV7JliQi8UxXzW96Y8cwLAck_/s640/blogger-image-61452571.jpg"></a></div><br></div>See? Like how I made Jeff stick his hand in for proportion comparison?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also discovered a yummy soda at Mountain High: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiazu_KZ53QCAQe3n1hg4UD2K3paRuYgMfFB4Ddt4flgzKaxcKqfnm2ePh99e_v4YAIGeyVyhEdDENiNHUnt9rRCkcrTT3yTawIwXfFS7fY1hCE8i5rsJWR3v7Qv56tBB__vuwYHhSj3wG/s640/blogger-image--569962074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiazu_KZ53QCAQe3n1hg4UD2K3paRuYgMfFB4Ddt4flgzKaxcKqfnm2ePh99e_v4YAIGeyVyhEdDENiNHUnt9rRCkcrTT3yTawIwXfFS7fY1hCE8i5rsJWR3v7Qv56tBB__vuwYHhSj3wG/s640/blogger-image--569962074.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After lunch we headed back through town, catching a few quirky photo ops </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PoQMUc4K9jl8XkuoYdGyVOEBM2ZHpQTEf8f_OcJoqTmrQhwIjmgNrUIQnMO_zFeFnLTQhWa1nFhs0GPkLIDIPTjyUQWNCzIRP9_PlBcpnAHC3PtMTU2_tyWAoN6obQ3E8yy6FTpcpzMR/s640/blogger-image-1742472433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PoQMUc4K9jl8XkuoYdGyVOEBM2ZHpQTEf8f_OcJoqTmrQhwIjmgNrUIQnMO_zFeFnLTQhWa1nFhs0GPkLIDIPTjyUQWNCzIRP9_PlBcpnAHC3PtMTU2_tyWAoN6obQ3E8yy6FTpcpzMR/s640/blogger-image-1742472433.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9z-r2ha68nVpIfnDpR9pDrjUL9nOowZYMaIhqsLIlt8j6EKY0-JvjkyUuk_A3TbTIalgGf4mF7GerDCGffGBEnI13V8Pyl_3R0OYwyZ3MWFjbqqusqLlYx4hxcjDUIKUs6xwDjtW7H45/s640/blogger-image-917108984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9z-r2ha68nVpIfnDpR9pDrjUL9nOowZYMaIhqsLIlt8j6EKY0-JvjkyUuk_A3TbTIalgGf4mF7GerDCGffGBEnI13V8Pyl_3R0OYwyZ3MWFjbqqusqLlYx4hxcjDUIKUs6xwDjtW7H45/s640/blogger-image-917108984.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVll-8PDkK5S4Cgr6I4BYrqESj7eDOf4aVTEvrY16xhmiqN3nybfJUz4FXex2e8gE3rwqczfBrMo9s4fQZsknwGKHBMqFQx6rVvQf_h0vsl4q5bigf70AqPMhyphenhyphenEKLDMFnyWrz3lZeRTajb/s640/blogger-image--597439757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVll-8PDkK5S4Cgr6I4BYrqESj7eDOf4aVTEvrY16xhmiqN3nybfJUz4FXex2e8gE3rwqczfBrMo9s4fQZsknwGKHBMqFQx6rVvQf_h0vsl4q5bigf70AqPMhyphenhyphenEKLDMFnyWrz3lZeRTajb/s640/blogger-image--597439757.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFnIH487S24RGjPfJlNNsGuKW9-7XSv4Y9PWNsMRuRKWgN4emwL44Q4_65qf-KMa4WQTAEun9pEiZyw1rygoor6K7zKiDWyQKMbhDiEr-rknaftQRA6OacMY9pAw6PjMDliy8UBSPhW3e/s640/blogger-image--609288776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFnIH487S24RGjPfJlNNsGuKW9-7XSv4Y9PWNsMRuRKWgN4emwL44Q4_65qf-KMa4WQTAEun9pEiZyw1rygoor6K7zKiDWyQKMbhDiEr-rknaftQRA6OacMY9pAw6PjMDliy8UBSPhW3e/s640/blogger-image--609288776.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">en route to the shuttle that delivered us to the hotel to board the bus to take us to our last rail leg of this trip into Anchorage. The dinner shift!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I haven't written about train food so far because it has been mostly forgettable. The scenery has, by far, out-shone the food. Dinner was good though. Solid and tasty. Solid and tasty and pricey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jeff had the prime rib:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZLQRgvovDTWRfvb0f0UduEK0RKzh0e3Sy1B9cXuQgpdzVKJBgUJsQFxUTqqvyUkyFzsGBlUmKsFQ8ehXv2arJRFLnWRcmfwo9-eOr-Z0FocN_8wdCciADP9tDGWxFlf-rAa_rgpiozn/s640/blogger-image--1468114279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZLQRgvovDTWRfvb0f0UduEK0RKzh0e3Sy1B9cXuQgpdzVKJBgUJsQFxUTqqvyUkyFzsGBlUmKsFQ8ehXv2arJRFLnWRcmfwo9-eOr-Z0FocN_8wdCciADP9tDGWxFlf-rAa_rgpiozn/s640/blogger-image--1468114279.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I had the lemon halibut:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeD9SMOPucRoJEU_FkWknOnA1_0qnBnbCyMeI3GLRvTqNL_vgNt7quFvNEpWaqtJoVSxhAQ0enqZdTgMItRkoLVvoJv_6pI2vzs0fnkyG_g5aE-iweBT4AOhH2c-C5i0RKX14mGV3MbwK/s640/blogger-image-1642238675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeD9SMOPucRoJEU_FkWknOnA1_0qnBnbCyMeI3GLRvTqNL_vgNt7quFvNEpWaqtJoVSxhAQ0enqZdTgMItRkoLVvoJv_6pI2vzs0fnkyG_g5aE-iweBT4AOhH2c-C5i0RKX14mGV3MbwK/s640/blogger-image-1642238675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">which, sadly, photographed blurrily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Being our last train meal, I even treated myself to a glass of wine which was an unfortunate pinot grigio in a sturdy, train-tolerant glass:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPchHp1SM16UMjIDPKlv-MDEkZKdy_6GaEKW-t2sheWV5VmpgTuSX-dVvNOkCZsN5zS1yz9LFDzZM-54-dXELQIFCtF5p8ZAX5bYZ9Tz3ov38jzG0XfJx9smEXSahOIJIzReB0Upmy3oJ/s640/blogger-image--204071133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPchHp1SM16UMjIDPKlv-MDEkZKdy_6GaEKW-t2sheWV5VmpgTuSX-dVvNOkCZsN5zS1yz9LFDzZM-54-dXELQIFCtF5p8ZAX5bYZ9Tz3ov38jzG0XfJx9smEXSahOIJIzReB0Upmy3oJ/s640/blogger-image--204071133.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our rail guide had a long section of her script devoted to the praise of Sarah Palin as we passed through Wasilla. I was (easily) distracted by this cute little establishment spied through the window which, coincidentally, had a cop leaving just as our train whipped by:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfHwcYjyOzBSsR1XTY3j9cayoGF2myRPLDZkHzJJeSJka9jvyhb0Hx1soj0CWwlScrzEOrgtUuS6zLf6xOBMcPNl5q1NRujwt9l2u1wgjBAwJsDruVdFs3KyPpoX-Ww3OwJ2NE0skIzEq/s640/blogger-image-1500704502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfHwcYjyOzBSsR1XTY3j9cayoGF2myRPLDZkHzJJeSJka9jvyhb0Hx1soj0CWwlScrzEOrgtUuS6zLf6xOBMcPNl5q1NRujwt9l2u1wgjBAwJsDruVdFs3KyPpoX-Ww3OwJ2NE0skIzEq/s640/blogger-image-1500704502.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anchorage isn't much to look at but it is obviously an important rail hub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ12s0RHo-wVkPRrkXHxeyz6vJFvRioLp10N9vcjdm3-MvJNSJO1SvOVpyudzTVQ1xYD0l2RrdfwpI6MCAjD8EAnqP2I0_Xi6fGC5ponZpF4O9y2QLDWj2B4NbntgITipDPLbLB_A0q9Y/s640/blogger-image--1090628931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ12s0RHo-wVkPRrkXHxeyz6vJFvRioLp10N9vcjdm3-MvJNSJO1SvOVpyudzTVQ1xYD0l2RrdfwpI6MCAjD8EAnqP2I0_Xi6fGC5ponZpF4O9y2QLDWj2B4NbntgITipDPLbLB_A0q9Y/s640/blogger-image--1090628931.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They also have really nice hanging flower baskets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqvvA1hLLzfu6mwjbASyIj0mHnpP6ci-HHXO3zlfVNi7jdJvo8RxY5MbAW0ETAWyM-GT1xsJTv32jzR8AM-Poa_RysrzDmj9Eg36ELXpF1gw_NVemiHoK6UiOy6TPPGmqp9mTDIoqqqsA/s640/blogger-image-1985764546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqvvA1hLLzfu6mwjbASyIj0mHnpP6ci-HHXO3zlfVNi7jdJvo8RxY5MbAW0ETAWyM-GT1xsJTv32jzR8AM-Poa_RysrzDmj9Eg36ELXpF1gw_NVemiHoK6UiOy6TPPGmqp9mTDIoqqqsA/s640/blogger-image-1985764546.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(I thought it auspicious that the ones in front of our hotel are red & white ... to make the Canadians feel at home, eh?)</div>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-83115182830661483302013-07-16T13:11:00.001-07:002013-07-17T12:23:19.227-07:00Main Street, USA - Summer Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3Q6BWlmtZeSkZiL3IzPYoWtuQXNZdMxGy6p7M1Rg9JaKEtJJ2gv7ivIfjYg96dhGUmAVHQ4RWZ5BiDd6UdMc2RbszsBV4nPUXg9IPJH77uND4WlUH1yQsXDzzA5RpQ9yK4IjVzGX0REC/s640/blogger-image--469894723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3Q6BWlmtZeSkZiL3IzPYoWtuQXNZdMxGy6p7M1Rg9JaKEtJJ2gv7ivIfjYg96dhGUmAVHQ4RWZ5BiDd6UdMc2RbszsBV4nPUXg9IPJH77uND4WlUH1yQsXDzzA5RpQ9yK4IjVzGX0REC/s640/blogger-image--469894723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 3 and we headed off on our own first thing to hang with the Denali National Park Canine Rangers. Denali is the only one of 395 National Parks to have working sled dogs to patrol in the winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5C2OD_4ynIXoTXSaj0bbjxWDWwrYm9leNodmafQh2nHEWO0LiPRYh_inNoQ7iXU7Nre9FbZ8n-ntu07hNDsH85ogrcNq3vvZh72zCgAe84hBe2LAFLxZ3cyYJfxOtu-q_JfrMPt_lnoM/s640/blogger-image--318517675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5C2OD_4ynIXoTXSaj0bbjxWDWwrYm9leNodmafQh2nHEWO0LiPRYh_inNoQ7iXU7Nre9FbZ8n-ntu07hNDsH85ogrcNq3vvZh72zCgAe84hBe2LAFLxZ3cyYJfxOtu-q_JfrMPt_lnoM/s640/blogger-image--318517675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These are the resident puppies when they were born 8 weeks ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjywuziQ1LFrzUrnKikHn18RMvIpk1eKdbyGyv5nwJ6WsfMVBzo2t3rdAeYA_7BPR3EE6HBxXGe241xvdZOjkCTzS-CTBxtyiBH17flFDIi6OKQk_YWzZY4Bnty9i6mgGmUMvTjq-S4B/s640/blogger-image--2146369404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjywuziQ1LFrzUrnKikHn18RMvIpk1eKdbyGyv5nwJ6WsfMVBzo2t3rdAeYA_7BPR3EE6HBxXGe241xvdZOjkCTzS-CTBxtyiBH17flFDIi6OKQk_YWzZY4Bnty9i6mgGmUMvTjq-S4B/s640/blogger-image--2146369404.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is Clove now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the sled dog demo, we met back up with the group and boarded the train to Talkeetna (where I found today's shirt - thought "Phish Hard" would've been even funnier but that's me)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Talkeetna, the "Las Vegas of Alaska", is a bustling city of 500 year-round residents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubOOk46hySPYYYZ4HnubMc3Axohn3_ymQXLQRAZ_EsQAwsIaZ86G7srrHmKi5Ewi2uJ971LetpAeqEDrZ4pC_BV2ltHLNQWEgzy3rXGC3QT15hedmJwz7bEb-HvazVB_txm4PR3ol8D4H/s640/blogger-image--1666998025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubOOk46hySPYYYZ4HnubMc3Axohn3_ymQXLQRAZ_EsQAwsIaZ86G7srrHmKi5Ewi2uJ971LetpAeqEDrZ4pC_BV2ltHLNQWEgzy3rXGC3QT15hedmJwz7bEb-HvazVB_txm4PR3ol8D4H/s640/blogger-image--1666998025.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvEmx5buxHHGZJAvf_fT46Ll8SvClvk_zukf8P2CFLVf2saquAxmlxnfj5ajrwN28nticM2-KnuuFbQQjYhsmPMrxpHHaXgVYlByWvHYXlRTZA3iluoEf-1GMdjRLT3k31R35lzCPSYHl/s640/blogger-image--992988516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvEmx5buxHHGZJAvf_fT46Ll8SvClvk_zukf8P2CFLVf2saquAxmlxnfj5ajrwN28nticM2-KnuuFbQQjYhsmPMrxpHHaXgVYlByWvHYXlRTZA3iluoEf-1GMdjRLT3k31R35lzCPSYHl/s640/blogger-image--992988516.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA1OcRC5fIVBSub9zjHYmepbmOyVC1kTxNcoPdttG964-dHbQqDw1SEcUDT8_yB_2kG1zy99MGoCw1o0QLbg8zOUffynPO0siFboWSF1z-S8w6oW53j3gruZxCDvL7xnrj9aEqq2CgIpv/s640/blogger-image-1383235982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA1OcRC5fIVBSub9zjHYmepbmOyVC1kTxNcoPdttG964-dHbQqDw1SEcUDT8_yB_2kG1zy99MGoCw1o0QLbg8zOUffynPO0siFboWSF1z-S8w6oW53j3gruZxCDvL7xnrj9aEqq2CgIpv/s640/blogger-image-1383235982.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner highlight for Jeff was the "Ice-Axe", a 9.2% alcohol content locally-brewed honey ale. He also had cod & chips with his booze. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASfToVC1Pul6y3XRvL2Ouu7WKmIj-HkqVPiyQspr7JqmK49FUiwpKvq5cIdHYHrB1j4v2ShIJSG4NSS4Gj2NIEQyxi7uJ2GYK97sN5oBgAmC78ZHjK7Dskmr0EUovGIJmIKfwcLOU9Z2U/s640/blogger-image-332805627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASfToVC1Pul6y3XRvL2Ouu7WKmIj-HkqVPiyQspr7JqmK49FUiwpKvq5cIdHYHrB1j4v2ShIJSG4NSS4Gj2NIEQyxi7uJ2GYK97sN5oBgAmC78ZHjK7Dskmr0EUovGIJmIKfwcLOU9Z2U/s640/blogger-image-332805627.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had the king crab plate with a locally brewed raspberry ginger "brew" (stronger than ginger ale, not alcoholic)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1_dzTH1NwCSxnVAsgx4HByM25XdPv6beS1Lo8e_lVoGOHLpOnKPjBCSRQufMWGN76w2InA3Oei37srZA_G6CHdEeURRAnAEs8qh5zToHnt-m3kC7Qaki9X8lAIL3aQRJjGOuHhRBmVVN/s640/blogger-image-1306037590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1_dzTH1NwCSxnVAsgx4HByM25XdPv6beS1Lo8e_lVoGOHLpOnKPjBCSRQufMWGN76w2InA3Oei37srZA_G6CHdEeURRAnAEs8qh5zToHnt-m3kC7Qaki9X8lAIL3aQRJjGOuHhRBmVVN/s640/blogger-image-1306037590.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqV1-XrtsC_ziofDJNEcTJcFLm5FOr7PLjYvpl24aN0e0qQHzwoY_HRzsq7H7iC9Gc2z8EF0CSQBbk_qLxc4hyphenhyphenQaFsx22Ml553Jr_gCp-kJnvt2wiMTEEgZQI7Bu1hVuAV7yX7w5nuuje/s640/blogger-image-233478345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqV1-XrtsC_ziofDJNEcTJcFLm5FOr7PLjYvpl24aN0e0qQHzwoY_HRzsq7H7iC9Gc2z8EF0CSQBbk_qLxc4hyphenhyphenQaFsx22Ml553Jr_gCp-kJnvt2wiMTEEgZQI7Bu1hVuAV7yX7w5nuuje/s640/blogger-image-233478345.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-74111429139957820832013-07-14T19:19:00.001-07:002013-07-14T20:54:59.554-07:00The 30% - Summer EditionDay 2 started REALLY early in Fairbanks. At least, really early for holidays. We had to put our bags out for pick-up at 6am and be ready to roll at 7:30am. <div><br></div><div>Found today's shirt at the Denali National Park Gift Shop.<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20HHN30_YDC7rfY1Y_Dzj8Ees1VXden99gYlNLI9UWFwjID0Mr7W2KMnQlOvBJuOYRcu1nJvKNstEBblEqtSLn3HRjwm9FFtz7a2k7iHkGDsEpUF0EVxWgQNhOp-Qr_0UcdIK5IezqXQn/s640/blogger-image-559107279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20HHN30_YDC7rfY1Y_Dzj8Ees1VXden99gYlNLI9UWFwjID0Mr7W2KMnQlOvBJuOYRcu1nJvKNstEBblEqtSLn3HRjwm9FFtz7a2k7iHkGDsEpUF0EVxWgQNhOp-Qr_0UcdIK5IezqXQn/s640/blogger-image-559107279.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>(Less true when one is on a strict schedule but a lovely sentiment, very typically reflective of the environment)</div><div><br></div><div>The bus took us to our train (the tour guide, Kate, delineated the difference between caribou and reindeer - "Reindeer can be domesticated. Caribou can't. Reindeer can fly. Caribou can't") which brought us to Denali National Park. I always appreciate good merchandising and the US National Parks Gift Shops have some of the most engaging marketing incentives around. There's a National Park Passport and a collectible tokens booklet. And Denali has two DIFFERENT stamps for the passport at its two centres. Colour me a happy tourist.</div><div><br></div><div>From the Visitor Centre, Jeff and I boarded this bus:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimphjLm012CKyEF8zbdkHd6NeI0O-HOe7SbyPYjw8O2-eZ_AxRQJaicxQaGMdKIFuAQ3DpDRnW8VJ7BCgXRBtRUEW6DjsGCK2B77kYnr2OhDBMIX_4xCS-0OB9QQs_btqlJvXDf1esV1i/s640/blogger-image-471396408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimphjLm012CKyEF8zbdkHd6NeI0O-HOe7SbyPYjw8O2-eZ_AxRQJaicxQaGMdKIFuAQ3DpDRnW8VJ7BCgXRBtRUEW6DjsGCK2B77kYnr2OhDBMIX_4xCS-0OB9QQs_btqlJvXDf1esV1i/s640/blogger-image-471396408.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>NOT this bus:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zBSPfUiJeojn291Zb6gTXC3NBT3TCq95n7RhgbTpjQwxCDam9TmV15z5hsur8iqpsfOGhmMP10rHf3qCs6VvLbIaEM5PJinf8-tEVAtd2HX75rmLAqGtdtHotYEwH1wonmwzZX-__y2W/s640/blogger-image--935137774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zBSPfUiJeojn291Zb6gTXC3NBT3TCq95n7RhgbTpjQwxCDam9TmV15z5hsur8iqpsfOGhmMP10rHf3qCs6VvLbIaEM5PJinf8-tEVAtd2HX75rmLAqGtdtHotYEwH1wonmwzZX-__y2W/s640/blogger-image--935137774.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>... which took us on a four and a half hour tour of the park, through the "front woods" into, you guessed it, the "back woods" with Tour Guide Steve who may be my ultimate trivia god. (The green bus which we did NOT board would've taken us on an EIGHT HOUR TOUR and after sitting on a train for three hours already, that wouldn't have been happy-making at all)</div><div><br></div><div>Our tour was INCREDIBLY informative. Steve covered topics ranging from Alaskan's Native Peoples to climate change to local herbology (I can now identify three plants that can kill or, at least, incapacitate a person. And one that can make you itch and turn you photosensitive for MONTHS). I used the good camera to capture the wildlife we encountered - a few singleton caribou and some ground squirrels - but managed to grab the iPhone for a couple of what the Denali Visitor Centre refers to as "Alaskan Fast Food"</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMEyd87OlwQxEABAklTPLqOwuaJZA8oPFI3zcx-OjjhLQFnouQpvc3gN8lxBYCm714JMg4msP6sbx2iXuAKdp_FNm63HqyRVANtSVfpuYYY98e4nK68fWMaRH4IBMvS1Yi6TvMHTLDYQo/s640/blogger-image--1441918965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMEyd87OlwQxEABAklTPLqOwuaJZA8oPFI3zcx-OjjhLQFnouQpvc3gN8lxBYCm714JMg4msP6sbx2iXuAKdp_FNm63HqyRVANtSVfpuYYY98e4nK68fWMaRH4IBMvS1Yi6TvMHTLDYQo/s640/blogger-image--1441918965.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZbOHVOPa_N7SOaKFzXu1F9ZEItLJfhTVoHUPl9prkRI6huGYIYZD2iGHnvFU4uSxKueK55ZD7g7KiHtT6GUGKnZQlwp81jTz_j541zTI28TZiSsfUVYFDULkhfrAZoD54JcYsFKLpVYE/s640/blogger-image--1022403535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZbOHVOPa_N7SOaKFzXu1F9ZEItLJfhTVoHUPl9prkRI6huGYIYZD2iGHnvFU4uSxKueK55ZD7g7KiHtT6GUGKnZQlwp81jTz_j541zTI28TZiSsfUVYFDULkhfrAZoD54JcYsFKLpVYE/s640/blogger-image--1022403535.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Speaking of dinner, for the second night in a row, our hotel's restaurant is booked and closed to the public (in Fairbanks, it was a wedding) so we're foraging in Denali Village, a one street business strip Jeff likened to Chase or Blind Bau.</div><div><br></div><div>After some consideration, dinner tonight is NOT here:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47HWibnJus31U0ta4xO9xfYgFjXa7iUVakHpMRl2ezpDmUZDObxmpAUPfY51gWxGaBePbkaA1CK0om06SULbYXTNku-Agcs1tTzUZn8qoPaxrTbKXW_Y9D6uT5oTP8jDxDA_UR2elfFN3/s640/blogger-image-184964798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47HWibnJus31U0ta4xO9xfYgFjXa7iUVakHpMRl2ezpDmUZDObxmpAUPfY51gWxGaBePbkaA1CK0om06SULbYXTNku-Agcs1tTzUZn8qoPaxrTbKXW_Y9D6uT5oTP8jDxDA_UR2elfFN3/s640/blogger-image-184964798.jpg"></a></div> (but I had to take a picture)</div><div><br></div><div>Nor is it here:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcEywcTRupnOBZNuFcMR_WDzTpJli6SrJSWzUNa9qPV84ef5GPRJKQswSobfj6UdNKiIEP3l9ZKCBW2_jCJZczp7kq8r9ONelQEvne3S6YK1cl4Ub87LCeEb72NCRaDxDZrF-k6H-0dsk/s640/blogger-image--1423969480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcEywcTRupnOBZNuFcMR_WDzTpJli6SrJSWzUNa9qPV84ef5GPRJKQswSobfj6UdNKiIEP3l9ZKCBW2_jCJZczp7kq8r9ONelQEvne3S6YK1cl4Ub87LCeEb72NCRaDxDZrF-k6H-0dsk/s640/blogger-image--1423969480.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>(reportedly the most expensive Subway we will ever find)</div><div><br></div><div>Tonight's dinner greeter is this awesome chair:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bY2G_fzEk-2K3B6_p1H1kpN9UCLy7QG2CIYBRWn1xdvJurylEvluQ9zZMDP7xCNKjEKvJnzfFXghwxIQ0Nw2JvsgqvANL9BB_NJpkcOJ7TZIyXQrHfRXbdvapIRZpS7KxF0V2wb6tmEL/s640/blogger-image--1741236651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bY2G_fzEk-2K3B6_p1H1kpN9UCLy7QG2CIYBRWn1xdvJurylEvluQ9zZMDP7xCNKjEKvJnzfFXghwxIQ0Nw2JvsgqvANL9BB_NJpkcOJ7TZIyXQrHfRXbdvapIRZpS7KxF0V2wb6tmEL/s640/blogger-image--1741236651.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUuOwzBXrTAonmAzVNQwcOaC7soeJkl5GNIepnyf8_J7th-mAnfEvxYSZmikMBFX4U7daWsaalucvdiLk97l0B_Wwc0iq2qXyv7SfVqdS-Tll1djbQIDMpJ9BxQuQkbxqcRs7I0B_BZH/s640/blogger-image-2111913599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUUuOwzBXrTAonmAzVNQwcOaC7soeJkl5GNIepnyf8_J7th-mAnfEvxYSZmikMBFX4U7daWsaalucvdiLk97l0B_Wwc0iq2qXyv7SfVqdS-Tll1djbQIDMpJ9BxQuQkbxqcRs7I0B_BZH/s640/blogger-image-2111913599.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>at Prospectors Pizzeria (recommended by our guide) where I ordered spag and elk meatballs and Jeff ordered a pulled pork Hawaiian-esque pizza called the Maui Wowie (also recommended). Ordering a Hawaiian pizza in Alaska while "Hotel California" is playing (seriously) made for a really odd snapshot moment. Prospectors doesn't serve mozzarella "sticks". They serve mozzarella "bricks" </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLklY9D_QdIV7vJUb-X5025ZgBJf1M1LsmoLKOVtaAU1AIBCZ3e11jM5mLQXLHOmjepIjCietnj6MdVc1pzqnNMCRAA9GW9l6lD9vuG4wHO9t7c9czZMFQCOebX1JWuSQyswc-9QKOTrR7/s640/blogger-image--1420834316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLklY9D_QdIV7vJUb-X5025ZgBJf1M1LsmoLKOVtaAU1AIBCZ3e11jM5mLQXLHOmjepIjCietnj6MdVc1pzqnNMCRAA9GW9l6lD9vuG4wHO9t7c9czZMFQCOebX1JWuSQyswc-9QKOTrR7/s640/blogger-image--1420834316.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>They also serve the most expensive pizza I've ever seen on a menu.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXG3UeEYZykq1ybn-3PgZELuw_NyFjx0MAn9EsHBq7YnAv-QUPhiEpL8rTogmI02n9lBppTo3Y9nzBpo6t1wmgIgmmA-NldfXvlAGWX0DzWoUu9u8-PqZEof9h-WDfXnFqUJ3V_5t30SZ/s640/blogger-image--948471416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXG3UeEYZykq1ybn-3PgZELuw_NyFjx0MAn9EsHBq7YnAv-QUPhiEpL8rTogmI02n9lBppTo3Y9nzBpo6t1wmgIgmmA-NldfXvlAGWX0DzWoUu9u8-PqZEof9h-WDfXnFqUJ3V_5t30SZ/s640/blogger-image--948471416.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>(I've heard of the Steveston Pizza specialty pizzas but have yet to physically see it on a menu and besides, those are custom orders where this is orderable at any time)</div><div><br></div></div><div>Regarding the titular 30%, we weren't lucky enough to see Mt. McKinley today but hope that tomorrow's trek to Talkeetna will be rewarded with that 1 in 3 viewing.</div>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-74352163064243053212013-07-13T20:33:00.001-07:002013-07-13T20:55:39.913-07:00The Rush is On - Summer Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Sr_oZ32IfkxQTh1LQSzDoYgciZxxqQs-0XDHSUtuAZTuc4_CIlML0uoKcFf5U1gfWKs1Hjt9q1EmRwwdkRidde2nMBA5Qib0yqoFVGkAZ4MAMkQEatehU6mNM7S06JRYN7E9tEN7Gec4/s640/blogger-image--81314598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Sr_oZ32IfkxQTh1LQSzDoYgciZxxqQs-0XDHSUtuAZTuc4_CIlML0uoKcFf5U1gfWKs1Hjt9q1EmRwwdkRidde2nMBA5Qib0yqoFVGkAZ4MAMkQEatehU6mNM7S06JRYN7E9tEN7Gec4/s640/blogger-image--81314598.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>Rather than build my collection, I've decided to blog our summer adventure through shirts I see versus own. I'm also doing this on the go so formatting may vary a bit and length will definitely be reduced. There will be more pictures though!<div><br></div><div>(There's also a handful of entries that I mean to polish off from the school year but that's not going to happen until August at earliest.)</div><div><br></div><div>Today is Day 1 of our Alaskan Adventure, aka "the honeymoon". We flew from Vancouver to Anchorage to Fairbanks today and it was a fairly smooth journey except that Jeff's checked baggage burst somewhere between Anchorage and Fairbanks and two of my brand new (and rather pricey) cosmetic purchases were lost in the mishap. Alaska Airlines is looking and I'll be able to repurchase them at their expense if they are not recoverable.</div><div><br></div><div>Dinner tonight and AK Tee #1 is The Pump House, an actual historical pump house once used to pump water from the Chena River over the Chena Ridge into town. There's a restaurant and a saloon in the Pump House. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxzjWW_86L1AIosDJE8tlvt6P0Cl_cdH_AxyfMlv8w2iPsmGlpytGHFcbG8BluQwGeXphRV-SjhkeOWe67xNydSQSnfjixbpWVdnIrEoLdEQn4Nyb8iXuPd-29GQy6Z1hLQxqDYf01fI9/s640/blogger-image--1246894223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxzjWW_86L1AIosDJE8tlvt6P0Cl_cdH_AxyfMlv8w2iPsmGlpytGHFcbG8BluQwGeXphRV-SjhkeOWe67xNydSQSnfjixbpWVdnIrEoLdEQn4Nyb8iXuPd-29GQy6Z1hLQxqDYf01fI9/s640/blogger-image--1246894223.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>As there was a wait for a table in the restaurant, Jeff and I tried out some local Alaskan beers in the saloon:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFM7lCc0AfMg4TEXjiq54bIIQOjSVCbVM1FnCmduzCrz23Jt4ikqJfLDDh_TcKTai5EllvcDHJctNhwvzK5oQ7TweP5mLVBZnIAfTBVbkH7K-ap3ClFAKxRLr0MnABQZOOZZASnPxFtxc/s640/blogger-image-1242395587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFM7lCc0AfMg4TEXjiq54bIIQOjSVCbVM1FnCmduzCrz23Jt4ikqJfLDDh_TcKTai5EllvcDHJctNhwvzK5oQ7TweP5mLVBZnIAfTBVbkH7K-ap3ClFAKxRLr0MnABQZOOZZASnPxFtxc/s640/blogger-image-1242395587.jpg"></a></div></div><div>(Left to right: Pyramid Hefeweizen, Goose Island Honker's Ale, Alaskan Amber Alt Style Beer, and Silver Gulch Ale)<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Silver Gulch, incidentally, is billed as "America's Most Northern Brewery" while The Pump House is listed in the U.S. national registry of historical sites. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lk4WL7nwaHtjVpNOVh7GQZeC4bwwpUHW_CkrX1AABzPrqD62fVIITwPjYNXNNBElD9bsNmYcOlDkfszhd3YMkMncGoG65EzP-A94teJDAo4XhD93UL1zlePBZ2ACpkojuweVADgL30P3/s640/blogger-image--1428857525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lk4WL7nwaHtjVpNOVh7GQZeC4bwwpUHW_CkrX1AABzPrqD62fVIITwPjYNXNNBElD9bsNmYcOlDkfszhd3YMkMncGoG65EzP-A94teJDAo4XhD93UL1zlePBZ2ACpkojuweVADgL30P3/s640/blogger-image--1428857525.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>According to Foursquare, Reagan ate here in 1983. I ordered reindeer tenderloin for my main. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdeWUZ7ukKSn61ccRdF_W7T5h6LYwNK0wG40s9s6iah7jYAe6YxXw4LIdXWGk1U8hT436QPB2hqgtXMt4YP1ncm072P3VvIc_kdFOMYJnDs4dNjSFR4iG7zVAfgZ5q21nPdxV1X5C6kfJ/s640/blogger-image--876719739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdeWUZ7ukKSn61ccRdF_W7T5h6LYwNK0wG40s9s6iah7jYAe6YxXw4LIdXWGk1U8hT436QPB2hqgtXMt4YP1ncm072P3VvIc_kdFOMYJnDs4dNjSFR4iG7zVAfgZ5q21nPdxV1X5C6kfJ/s640/blogger-image--876719739.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(No idea what Ronnie ate.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The view from the Pump House's deck:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dfYU1Od3nkP3eTYDkokxXVtA80a1jvjewVl6aWXqq4uhKh1q_cdz5F-jPSWV-wItgGeA-JjHDyaTzBYP67p7ziXGdGbUnohZ6DIk2CwpgBiJOpQd_9M2Vsc3P3HDNE5WAm42CyXnw9HJ/s640/blogger-image--222675675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dfYU1Od3nkP3eTYDkokxXVtA80a1jvjewVl6aWXqq4uhKh1q_cdz5F-jPSWV-wItgGeA-JjHDyaTzBYP67p7ziXGdGbUnohZ6DIk2CwpgBiJOpQd_9M2Vsc3P3HDNE5WAm42CyXnw9HJ/s640/blogger-image--222675675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Pump House greeter:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyw3hJTVx_TOmYGEHAx2zh8m_o-4Qc7h8xejKku71ZKd5lCsqDQ7R8SbTWbwj4TolOzYfYS8hnUDxRIG3voKfHjfIp4YsR1exbYY9kyB1SticE_bWSX7FJ3dqlFbm6Z3ariBuJkYOsF7W/s640/blogger-image-608388169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyw3hJTVx_TOmYGEHAx2zh8m_o-4Qc7h8xejKku71ZKd5lCsqDQ7R8SbTWbwj4TolOzYfYS8hnUDxRIG3voKfHjfIp4YsR1exbYY9kyB1SticE_bWSX7FJ3dqlFbm6Z3ariBuJkYOsF7W/s640/blogger-image-608388169.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Our hotel, the Pike's Waterfront Lodge, has a large greenhouse system set up and an advertised Iris Garden. Irises being my favourite flowers, I have to believe that this is an auspicious start to our trip (despite the luggage issue)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOyJyPsS7eDMSh9fOOLe1bJnn9_3e7L51TPTaHutRxfdFvZdNurQhl04hEDu1R3LSEjyiXG3cTiZrP9tOv74_fQsmGnhHkr1ww9LLZOnyHtYA7sZyLUexB_R8SADd8Hg-UvL-AWHkHPJO/s640/blogger-image--245853672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOyJyPsS7eDMSh9fOOLe1bJnn9_3e7L51TPTaHutRxfdFvZdNurQhl04hEDu1R3LSEjyiXG3cTiZrP9tOv74_fQsmGnhHkr1ww9LLZOnyHtYA7sZyLUexB_R8SADd8Hg-UvL-AWHkHPJO/s640/blogger-image--245853672.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-1649548250172939112013-06-14T14:32:00.000-07:002013-06-14T14:32:38.551-07:00Music T Friday: Oh the Divine Ms. Jones...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm always amazed by how seemingly random things turn out to have significance. Picking a music tee for today was a process centred mostly on "I'm wearing black slacks today. I don't want to wear a black tee as well". So I pulled out the <a href="http://www.sharonjonesandthedapkings.com/">Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings </a>shirt I picked up at the <a href="http://www.twitter.com/commodorevcr">Commodore Ballroom</a> show in 2010. It's also a very nice fit still. At the time of the show, I was a contributing freelance photographer for the Guttersnipe website (rebranded <a href="http://www.thesnipenews.com/">The Snipe News</a> a little while ago) and parked myself up close to the stage to get my shots in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m5AUUbq0MLOkOIxznw1TzEjLzjo-2XnP1udlPvT0m_rAKH63UiSHropH55g1ypr1jIbJWRoXHeQUyX-JQaTs9uDScPpgR7W_DXy7me6MCaeQDZFA9oWmhfIOgOcUWQZAtESTwoNqtX9z/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRJQUgeUqx93BByIC-oPN38-aPeYv_bpZfeCWCCdnwUxkWvBZD2afddphspqzS-PyQJpupP1hTKaPOkknKqklAymhbEHgy5IMMvQxQ4G7l4LP2NyILfTUp-9VQz-Xlu82IVgYK07WVwlz/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRJQUgeUqx93BByIC-oPN38-aPeYv_bpZfeCWCCdnwUxkWvBZD2afddphspqzS-PyQJpupP1hTKaPOkknKqklAymhbEHgy5IMMvQxQ4G7l4LP2NyILfTUp-9VQz-Xlu82IVgYK07WVwlz/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRJQUgeUqx93BByIC-oPN38-aPeYv_bpZfeCWCCdnwUxkWvBZD2afddphspqzS-PyQJpupP1hTKaPOkknKqklAymhbEHgy5IMMvQxQ4G7l4LP2NyILfTUp-9VQz-Xlu82IVgYK07WVwlz/s200/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-6.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m5AUUbq0MLOkOIxznw1TzEjLzjo-2XnP1udlPvT0m_rAKH63UiSHropH55g1ypr1jIbJWRoXHeQUyX-JQaTs9uDScPpgR7W_DXy7me6MCaeQDZFA9oWmhfIOgOcUWQZAtESTwoNqtX9z/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m5AUUbq0MLOkOIxznw1TzEjLzjo-2XnP1udlPvT0m_rAKH63UiSHropH55g1ypr1jIbJWRoXHeQUyX-JQaTs9uDScPpgR7W_DXy7me6MCaeQDZFA9oWmhfIOgOcUWQZAtESTwoNqtX9z/s200/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hXhvfH0eTfnJwRUO2FTAd8zTLrkzFEiFWAoA50YiGm1cZBm7Hwzo5fBWuEv_KYqkIhfKAtfd9Dmj0j7Hl867oFkYjMikZGQormBT_zS20a1G9nKWNWQhjQFInwKkNmuVxHRyGMLkiSjA/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudC0S4YWeMVKUokjVL7338ISVd6cxrl2BFrqcWaQ4WggZ-qEzQzY9lV_fvwWcY507qzaye9w_yanfcE4vDNVRXMieLsNX7V9rXWX1qSX146WpTQkRpGhdAWOIp2SrEW9PlkqJp0JQxn1_/s1600/sharon-jones-concert-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudC0S4YWeMVKUokjVL7338ISVd6cxrl2BFrqcWaQ4WggZ-qEzQzY9lV_fvwWcY507qzaye9w_yanfcE4vDNVRXMieLsNX7V9rXWX1qSX146WpTQkRpGhdAWOIp2SrEW9PlkqJp0JQxn1_/s200/sharon-jones-concert-photo.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRwrb2MTtHJLyROOXJqYRurzuoO_tPM2Y2wu8wnTXocmeXEd4QpTTjPA_IIldmylfaw8oeE6RvoCLaIncsrXHZ7-Zqqog84kcXVJY_LukbbBzdNHL494u3L_vr0BD1aXRlRqZHy_lyAVJ/s1600/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRwrb2MTtHJLyROOXJqYRurzuoO_tPM2Y2wu8wnTXocmeXEd4QpTTjPA_IIldmylfaw8oeE6RvoCLaIncsrXHZ7-Zqqog84kcXVJY_LukbbBzdNHL494u3L_vr0BD1aXRlRqZHy_lyAVJ/s200/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-18.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hXhvfH0eTfnJwRUO2FTAd8zTLrkzFEiFWAoA50YiGm1cZBm7Hwzo5fBWuEv_KYqkIhfKAtfd9Dmj0j7Hl867oFkYjMikZGQormBT_zS20a1G9nKWNWQhjQFInwKkNmuVxHRyGMLkiSjA/s200/sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-concert-photo-7.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are certain shows where the tableaus are the thing, where the act holds a still frame in the audiences mind, where there are certain iconic "flashbulb" moments. Those photog opportunities are all about timing, and have a generally satisfactory pay-off because if you can capture that one definitive picture, you've done your job. This was not one of those events. The SJDK performance was all movement, all energy, all power and verve and not at all suited to the fairly pedestrian still photography that I was capable of. Instead, it was all I could do to get a series of images in focus that might one day make a good flip-book recount of the evening. The gallery I submitted to Guttersnipe/The Snipe News is still up (sorry, the browsing function is a little slow) and still doesn't do justice to the fantastic performance Ms. Jones and her Kings put on for Vancouver. There are 26 pictures in <a href="http://www.thesnipenews.com/music/concert-reviews/sharon-jones-dap-kings-photos/">the gallery</a>. There are 153 in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1309961317733.2040508.1491622535&type=1&l=55478fe2ea">Facebook album from that night</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, the show was touted one of the best of the year by several industry friends and music concert aficionados, many who had attended with no idea what to expect of the show. The next time Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings played Vancouver, the show was in Malkin Bowl, an outdoor amphitheatre venue and Stanley Park came alive with their unique sound which claims the "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.straight.com/blogra/georgia-straight-presents-sharon-jones-dap-kings-malkin-bowl">territory between ’60s soul and ’70s funk</a>"</span>.</span><br />
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't followed the SJDK news over the last half year, being otherwise distracted by life events, so it was a sombre revelation to me today (in researching this post) to discover that, as of June 3, they had had to cancel their most recent tour appearances (and the August CD release) due to <a href="https://twitter.com/sharonljones">Ms. Jones</a> seeking treatment for stage-one bile duct cancer. Her message to fans <a href="http://sharonjonesandthedapkings.com/news">on the website</a> was hopeful and spirited as the doctors had deemed her situation operable and curable. According to her Twitter-feed, she went in for the surgery on this past Tuesday. She was out the same day, all "tubed up" and tweeting on Wednesday and declaring Life to be good yesterday. Sincerely, I send her best wishes for a speedy and total recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there you have it, a seemingly trivial morning shirt selection leads me to a contemplative post on life, cancer, and the joys of music - making it, appreciating it, photographing it. All our lives are all soundtracked by our internal orchestras. It's when we recognize our soundtrack in the music around us, in front of us, that we know we are where we are meant to be.</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-8413361138165904712013-06-13T15:19:00.000-07:002013-06-13T15:19:11.205-07:00Let Freedom Ring...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the lingering aftermath of 2010's Arab Spring and the current state of affairs in Turkey, it seems almost surreal to hear high school students in our school bemoaning their "caged and de-liberated" lives as the end of the school year approaches. And yet, moan they do. Mind you, it's not just the kids that are eyeing the exits with increasing anticipation. I guess when there is a perceived barrier, any freedom is deemed sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less than 75 years ago, the island of Newfoundland was an independent nation-state termed a "dominion" (which is, arguably, a step up from "colony") with its own flag, coat of arms, prime minister and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_dollar">CURRENCY</a>. Becoming a province of Canada in 1949 was a coup for Canadians, a feather in the cap of first premier Joey Smallwood, and a point of contention for the 47.7% of the population who voted against confederation with Canada in 1948. As today's t-shirt (from my ever-generous Newfoundland family, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bkidney">Brian</a> & <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lehogan">Lori</a>) demonstrates, Newfoundland's independent spirit and sense of humour (and entrepreneurism!) continues to thrive today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who live in hope of true freedom - whether it's domestic, political, financial, global, or emotional - I offer up a little New Country prayer sung by Martina McBride in duet with special guest who knows better than anything that Love is a <u><i><b>(fill-in-the-blank)</b></i></u>. ;)</span></div>
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Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-61266625790205597702013-06-12T17:56:00.000-07:002013-06-12T17:56:06.593-07:00Teacher Humour: Part 2 - Appropriateness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wearing the hoodie to cover up is more necessary with today's stealth funny tee than yesterday's as the slogan was deemed "inappropriate" by the Faculty of Education the year after I finished my Education Degree. Apparently, teachers can have a sense of humour but teachers of teachers are another level of stuffiness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLWiTbGoVuzphSqTBUkC1UvvA3JqqU1eiXgkTUFUkhHRTBWBibMr2mAFJyX2ypD-e2JYwJI3gQ6iYRYhn0VyPk5IUJmDQZNocWRXAEp3IIKor5tCGBjHXYsB1sGETY3gqB82yzRQulXhm/s640/blogger-image--1681678901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLWiTbGoVuzphSqTBUkC1UvvA3JqqU1eiXgkTUFUkhHRTBWBibMr2mAFJyX2ypD-e2JYwJI3gQ6iYRYhn0VyPk5IUJmDQZNocWRXAEp3IIKor5tCGBjHXYsB1sGETY3gqB82yzRQulXhm/s400/blogger-image--1681678901.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGqz1rIx2j3FVSOORKUXNIvL45GxW3jPUMAqCFXcalOr89XOF2Jt0_djHdz-o13gIXtuclY-cWWTUDWROtufCAuR-svRjIyHHbNCjhVVC0rCBYvxZQcolFFn9LILabiWr4X2yLTYlRjdo/s640/blogger-image-1348607697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGqz1rIx2j3FVSOORKUXNIvL45GxW3jPUMAqCFXcalOr89XOF2Jt0_djHdz-o13gIXtuclY-cWWTUDWROtufCAuR-svRjIyHHbNCjhVVC0rCBYvxZQcolFFn9LILabiWr4X2yLTYlRjdo/s400/blogger-image-1348607697.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did wear the shirt to school once. A student called me on it by asking "Is that supposed to be dirty?" I thought about it for a second before answering and said,"No, I was in the Bachelor of Education program so that what it was in reference to." Student bought it. And why did she buy it? Because to high school students, TEACHERS AREN'T FUNNY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there's appropriate humour. Appropriateness, like humour, is very subjective. When living and teaching in the UK, it was accepted and even expected to run into teachers in the pubs after school, having a drink or dinner. In my current school district, there are "code phrases" for meeting at the pub after school. Most often, "library meeting" is used. Again, kids completely ignore this because if teachers aren't fun or funny, librarians are even less so to their thinking. Funny how stereotypes can be so wrong...</span><br />
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<br />Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-19192118266249632442013-06-11T09:36:00.000-07:002013-06-12T11:03:45.568-07:00Teacher Humour: Part 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that time of year when teachers of all ilks either trot out their wackiest, most surreal, and ephemeral humour or grab an early ticket to the funny farm. Last week of classes for high schools. Weather's (more or less) nice out. Holidays are on the horizon. Who needs to worry about final exams? Herding cats would be a walk in the park compared to trying to get a class of teenagers to focus on essay-writing, math formulae, and scientific principles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two of my favourite shirts are the ones I picked up while attending UBC in the Faculty of Education. For the most part, I wear them stealthily to school, usually covering the back by wearing a jacket or hoodie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybIqMZbATeLXgQ4OIHHbTN7djUeQ0qZn-eceOA6t4enmHVPVYqKR6Ve74rTNM2GN-rAwcCD-0aKJqmIS4emTejBwKPsaErNf9W4bBuKlSGAL70cWOHFVJIL2u5rUlWg_-HjcaJ9GFZ7wU/s640/blogger-image--1669853797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybIqMZbATeLXgQ4OIHHbTN7djUeQ0qZn-eceOA6t4enmHVPVYqKR6Ve74rTNM2GN-rAwcCD-0aKJqmIS4emTejBwKPsaErNf9W4bBuKlSGAL70cWOHFVJIL2u5rUlWg_-HjcaJ9GFZ7wU/s400/blogger-image--1669853797.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bg4Ntth2p9hU98cUQQKyQTY71g5-Oz1IEl1Dr-R6ABwoSuOhDHjzlGBHU9VROkQeaSgFoiXN_MnMdS8xmuWq5OTODfMtw9PX3FCByHKz9iPsgv8AsjW6KNjgoToU9V9IAW4vRYRNHcWW/s640/blogger-image--681218362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bg4Ntth2p9hU98cUQQKyQTY71g5-Oz1IEl1Dr-R6ABwoSuOhDHjzlGBHU9VROkQeaSgFoiXN_MnMdS8xmuWq5OTODfMtw9PX3FCByHKz9iPsgv8AsjW6KNjgoToU9V9IAW4vRYRNHcWW/s400/blogger-image--681218362.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's shirt amuses me because the term "teacher voice" has such a negative connotation. The "teacher voice" most people think of comes from the gut, projected loud and strong, and is expected to be an admonishing diatribe or instructional monologue that brooks no negotiation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing is: most teachers I know and respect don't need to use that voice on a regular basis. Yes, the successful ones have it in their toolkit but it's a band-aid solution for the occasional moment of mob insanity in the classroom. A teacher who is always using the "teacher voice" soon discovers that it loses its effectiveness as students develop a tolerance for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teachers' voices are powerful things but they don't need to be loud to be heard, they don't need to be nasty to be corrective, and they certainly don't need to be condescending to educate. Getting students to think often needs a productive silence as much as a trivial lecture. More than mastering the "teacher voice", an effective use of wait time can be the key to classroom management, more engaged students, and successful learning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, having a sense of humour (whether or not your students truly appreciate it) is ultimately the secret to sanity as the school year wind down. For example, when I taught academics, nothing brought a smile to my face as much as a major exam in the last class of the year. No <i>bazinga</i> about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got a Part 2 in the works for this but thought I'd end this post with one of my favourite videos by a teacher for teachers and anyone who has ever known/loved/feared teachers. Now this guy, <a href="http://www.taylormali.com/">Taylor Mali</a>, has a TEACHER VOICE.</span><br />
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Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-36171158373954369192013-06-10T16:16:00.001-07:002013-06-10T16:16:14.910-07:00Identity<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember being underwhelmed by the 2003 suspense film by this title. Good twist at the end tho. Mostly, I want to write about the Game of Thrones finale but that's not really fair to people who haven't read the book... O_o ... who don't want spoilers so I'll hold off on that too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this shirt. Have bought it multiple times for myself and once for my brother. It used to be a great excuse for going to Harrison Hot Springs. When we were up there for the wedding, however, I noticed that the store that sold this shirt is no longer there anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The quiz on the back has garnered comments from strangers... mostly folks who get sucked into reading it while lined up behind me and REALLY want to finish reading it despite the fact I need to move along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way: Number 10 is a trick question and most people get tricked. So don't feel bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I teach the Grade 10 Socials curriculum, we spend a lot of time discussing identity. It works in the English curriculum discussions too when focussing on voice and motive. I always play this video once (despite it being a beer ad) and sometimes a Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire ad too. Eventually, some smart kid wonders aloud whether "we are what we buy" more nowadays. And I give that kid an "A" most times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, in order not to spoil any Game of Thrones stuff, I'll tie this back in to the title with one word and let DANGER:SPOILER discussions ensue in the comments section if it is to be:</span></div>
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Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-3975033417517529962013-06-07T12:28:00.000-07:002013-06-07T12:29:04.145-07:00Music T Friday: U2: Overcoming Aversion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my second year of university, there was a group of girls living on my floor in residence who had a regular Wednesday routine of finish class at 3:30, start drinking at 4, and blare U2 tunes on repeat until 6:30 when they would start getting "dressed" for Pit Night at the Student Union Building pub, all the while singing along tunelessly and at the top of their lungs to their Bono soundtrack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For nearly 10 years after that, I had a knee-jerk "ick" reaction to U2's song "One", the most frequently played track by that group of girls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happily, I had outgrown the aversion enough by 2009 to find my way into the stadium when U2 came through Vancouver.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY0ekCZ4fep8zYmremsIIdKB6twp8nuYiEke6s8XP7yZ1qW5NNhRJOczgjZ8Pv8gFMXZV5kXYnFeHjeiTbAMFkgAEz7IW-YoChEunQfj86VbHefmsSAS7SRji7uhG0_gytCBV3XHMYXDf/s640/blogger-image--564746140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY0ekCZ4fep8zYmremsIIdKB6twp8nuYiEke6s8XP7yZ1qW5NNhRJOczgjZ8Pv8gFMXZV5kXYnFeHjeiTbAMFkgAEz7IW-YoChEunQfj86VbHefmsSAS7SRji7uhG0_gytCBV3XHMYXDf/s400/blogger-image--564746140.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKWhRxk8xVIozVMIRqyjUjTOZe8kYQo17N2TPZ4raSpY92JklroLTssGtSL6BScdE1rz5ViGVYyZsqIqlGatnMIfb8CIBqcM8d0kvmcWzC77uiC2_ZF5ulQA2UbacX8BL-DjCsnm-isBH/s640/blogger-image--1570642455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKWhRxk8xVIozVMIRqyjUjTOZe8kYQo17N2TPZ4raSpY92JklroLTssGtSL6BScdE1rz5ViGVYyZsqIqlGatnMIfb8CIBqcM8d0kvmcWzC77uiC2_ZF5ulQA2UbacX8BL-DjCsnm-isBH/s400/blogger-image--1570642455.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some aversions are biological. I'm lactose-sensitive and allergic to cilantro. Milk and most Thai/Mexican/Indian and some Chinese food will make me physically ill although, thank goodness, not dead. Ginger isn't my friend either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other aversions are based on personal taste: I've never liked bell/green/red peppers and can't stand the texture of eggplant. This is not for trying. I know the health benefits and nutritional value of these things and have made considerable efforts in the past to incorporate them into my diet but as much as I talk them up in my head, it just doesn't get past the gatekeepers in my mouth. There's a point where you just have to give it up. Or at least a prolonged rest. Tastes do change, after all. I once heard the fact stated once that every cell in a person is completely replaced every seven years (qualified by a biology student later that brain cells to not regenerate) and that includes taste buds. This explained why eight-year-old me, all of a sudden, no longer liked McDonald's Filet-O'Fish sandwiches (when previously, that was the only sandwich I'd eat) and stole my mother's cheeseburger instead. Spinach is another taste aversion that I've grown past. Other sensory choices that I think fall into this category are not so much from an aversion to one thing but a strong preference for another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there are the aversions based on prior bad associated (like the U2 example) or perceived associated evils. I recognize that these are illogical and irrational aversions. In my case, a lot of these have to do with movie, television, music, and literature. My on-going aversion to the work of actress Charlize Theron is rooted in her slamming of Canada in an interview during the filming of <u>Reindeer Games</u>. Won't listen to Chris Brown (not that I ever did before). Boycotting <u>Glee</u> because of the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/michelecatalano/2013/01/31/jonathan-coulton-vs-glee-and-fox-update-last-laughs/">Jonathan Coulton thing</a>. These aversions are psychological and I realized awhile ago that if I were to collect and hold on to these aversions, I would be limiting my world a lot. So, like green peppers and eggplant, I try to re-evaluate my dislikes every so often. I got over Tom Cruise's "crazy" period that way and really quite enjoyed his recent movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1483013/">Oblivion</a> (it helped that Morgan Freeman was on board for that one too). I've mostly forgiven Kirsten Dunst for portraying a stoopid and useless version of Mary Jane Watson in the Raimi <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/?ref_=sr_3">Spider-Man</a> franchise and pretty much exhausted my ire with Sam Raimi for NOT killing her off on the bridge in the first movie (err.... SPOILER ALERT). Mind you, Raimi also had some good-will currency in the bank for his involvement with the Xena and Herc enterprises and his general connection to Bruce Campbell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, anyone got an aversion - past or current - to share? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting N.B. : Didn't get much return on my comment fishing expedition yesterday ... although page views took a massive jump. Might've been related to the labels I used. Will have to investigate that...</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-57722956507345017822013-06-06T11:16:00.000-07:002013-06-06T11:16:04.672-07:00How We See Ourselves<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conan: Part 2, in a way. I bought this at the same Conan O'Brien show as yesterday's tee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was curious as to why an Irish-Catholic family like O'Brien's would name their son Conan (with the obvious pop-culture connotation - see shirt image) so I <a href="http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Conan.html">looked it up</a> and it turns out the name is Gaelic for "little wolf hound" and Breton for "high, mighty". So there, I've learned something today and you might've too. My "job" here is done. On to the introspective stuff...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fact: Self-image is a truly messed up aspect of human psychology. Culture, family, media and life experience all feed into it. And it is a visceral judgement, difficult to override with the most cogent of logical arguments. To top it all off, the brain is wired to focus on the negative, meaning that human nature is a glass-half-empty sort of party-pooper. We criticize far more readily than we give <i>meaningful</i> praise... and that applies as much to ourselves as to others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today, comment on this post with what you like <b><i>BEST</i></b> about yourself. And pick something from the category that you're most likely to criticize. I'll start. For me, the category would be physical attributes and:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I LOVE MY COLLARBONES, ESPECIALLY THAT SPOT WHERE THEY MEET ABOVE THE STERNUM</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your turn. Don't leave me hanging here, folks.</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-54500523920151386632013-06-05T15:12:00.000-07:002013-06-05T15:12:02.171-07:00Picking Sides and Sidedoors<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 2010, I was on Spring Break in Hawaii with a couple of girlfriends when <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005277/">Conan O'Brien</a> announced his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legally_Prohibited_from_Being_Funny_on_Television_Tour">Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/ConanOBrien">his Twitter-feed</a>. Specifically, I was in a line at an airport towing my luggage when the announcement was made and I immediately tweeted my frustration at being nowhere that I could feasibly buy a ticket from. To my rescue swoop my Newfoundland friends, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bkidney">Brian</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lehogan">Lori</a> (THIS is why technology is awesome), who speedily bought me an e- ticket for a Vancouver show (the sold out #conezone one) which they forwarded to me through email (again, technology = awesome) and which is why I am now able to sport the <a href="http://teamcoco.com/">Team Coco</a> branding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is beyond fitting that technology provided a loophole for me to acquire a ticket for this show in particular as the whole tour was a giant loophole through which Conan evaded the illegality of him being funny in the public arena. In a nutshell, when he split with NBC in early 2010, he was not allowed to perform on broadcast television until September 2010. Live performances and any subsequent photos, recordings, or streamed videos resulting from said performances were not covered by the contract however and thus, the tour was born, fed on a steady diet of social media/networking until it grew to the mammoth proportions of a <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=self+pleasuring+panda&oq=self+pleasuring+panda&aqs=chrome.0.57j62.2988j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Self-Pleasuring Panda</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">err... yeah, not exactly sure where I can go from that link so that's all I got for today but I may decide to wear the other Conan shirt tomorrow...</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-38041241148884364022013-06-04T10:59:00.004-07:002013-06-04T11:00:55.806-07:00With a Little Help<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Short post today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not the world's authority on any specific band. Instead, I tend to gather general (some would deem it trivial) knowledge on a wide range of music and musicians. However, while living in the UK, I made the pilgrimage to Liverpool almost specifically for the Beatles-value of the place. (For full disclosure, Liverpool also had a Hard Rock Cafe at the time). In my memory, it was a dynamic weekend of incidental experiences. Aside from the grumpier hostel lifers (who SNORE), I met a group of extremely friendly Irish students who were determined to treat me to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">craic </i>(a good thing) and, although I did not get the chance to take the "<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x45rat_ferry-cross-the-mersey-gerry-the-pa_music#.Ua4buGR0xGg">Ferry Cross the Mersey</a>", I did spend a lovely afternoon exploring the revitalized waterfront and its shops and historical interest points. There was no footie on that weekend but I took some pictures around the Liverpool FC stadium, Anfield, while humming "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5_LQArLa0">You'll Never Walk Alone</a>" (It occurred to me then that hockey lacks a lot of the singalong interactiveness that soccer has.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, I had a meal at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cavern_Club#The_Cavern_Club_today">The New Cavern Club</a> which isn't EXACTLY where the Beatles were discovered but very, very close (and built with many of the same bricks as the original club) and took the <a href="http://www.liverpoolattractions.com/attractions/magical-mystery-tour/">Magical Mystery Tour</a> with the amazingly knowledgeable tour guide (I want to believe his name was also John) who was a born and bred Liverpudlian and not only attended school with a couple of the Beatles but has chatted with Sir Paul in the past about the fact the tour has stopped at McCartney's childhood home more times than McCartney himself ever did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By strange coincidence, my visit to Liverpool happened just after a tragic accident claimed the life of Vancouver musician </span><a href="http://paullawton.ca/memories/pboys.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul "Lolly" Lawton</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. A friend of Lolly's knew where I was heading and asked me to pick up an Everton F.C. scarf from the team shop while I was in Liverpool as Lolly had been an avid Everton supporter. It was a trick to find the shop as it was the most unassuming little hole-in-the-wall but I was happy to do it as it gave a rather frivolous jaunt some meaning in the big picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, it was an interesting weekend getaway but traveling alone always reminds me of how much more fun trips can be when made with friends. Of course, it depends on the friends in question - some travel better than others - but experiences like exploring an unfamiliar city are often made richer for being shared.</span></div>
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Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-66799335942651815332013-06-03T14:20:00.000-07:002013-06-03T14:20:01.271-07:00Freelancing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It finally happened. I lost my place in my wardrobe. I had to go through ALL of my previous posts on this blog because at some time during my hiatus, my system of moving blogged shirts into a "done" drawer had broken down and I couldn't honestly remember if I had worn this shirt already or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turns out I hadn't. Whew.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5EFZxTlM8TrnR-UVGwYKlxBzvyKVqVqIZ3NrNhNEY-YdIbe6sYrDNOID3mYsTSh_5z4JCGhj4nZEcxo2__IF5m5enOrmXz1VZjtq8I1uidmwehUHOyj3GtYeFBDobtKucY-xfSrM1A5j/s640/blogger-image-1456730390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5EFZxTlM8TrnR-UVGwYKlxBzvyKVqVqIZ3NrNhNEY-YdIbe6sYrDNOID3mYsTSh_5z4JCGhj4nZEcxo2__IF5m5enOrmXz1VZjtq8I1uidmwehUHOyj3GtYeFBDobtKucY-xfSrM1A5j/s400/blogger-image-1456730390.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqfie1dJZ9I42dXXbp__Bu1ObFNcOKsTs5-UbuyK2edVNKdPtokdn_Fndo1XSKTzxPECwzqlhGjhqgyPJJgZiP3HJHrLRPBmZzmOhSYfP87XinDedIt6m9a3zfbkbr8-9mmCwLcN8vms7/s640/blogger-image-41275849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqfie1dJZ9I42dXXbp__Bu1ObFNcOKsTs5-UbuyK2edVNKdPtokdn_Fndo1XSKTzxPECwzqlhGjhqgyPJJgZiP3HJHrLRPBmZzmOhSYfP87XinDedIt6m9a3zfbkbr8-9mmCwLcN8vms7/s400/blogger-image-41275849.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe that this is the last of my Red Vs. Blue/RoosterTeeth shirts. Tex was a mysterious character introduced late in Season 1 and, although affiliated with Blue Team in Blood Gulch, maintains a freelancer/mercenary status for the rest of the series (according to the </span><a href="http://rvb.wikia.com/wiki/Tex" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wiki</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). Tex is also the first female character brought into the series (besides </span><a href="http://rvb.wikia.com/wiki/Sheila" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sheila</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the tank) and, to begin with, the most lethal, competent, and relentless agent. This becomes a common set of traits among the freelancers. In a way, the Freelancer Project in RVB is the perfect device to illustrate the difference between agents with team connections and those working without social supports or safety nets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't say that I've ever been a proper freelancer. I think to make a claim to that, I would have to be gainfully (and solely) employed as such. I do stuff I like to do to some net benefit but, whether it stems from an inherent fear of failure or a practical need for traditional, reliable employment, I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'ve always relegated these activities - writing, acting, knitting, photography - to a category more akin to an organized hobby than a life priority. It doesn't mean that I don't try to create something meaningful when I do make the time for these things, just that I like to keep the things I do for fun, "fun".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides, although I consider myself to be a fairly optimistic person, I don't think that I could handle the rejection, criticism, and rebuilding that seems to be a given in the world of freelancing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These sorts of <i>ouroboros</i>-like existences hold no allure for me and that's probably the best indication that I'm not cut out for that life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, my quandary for readers today is: if we were to remove the requirement of cost-of-living monetary compensation or viable career from the definition of "freelancer", how many of us could call ourselves "independent [fill in the blank] contractors" or a "freelancing [fill-in-the-blank]? If you could monetize a hobby, what would it be? What skill is it that your friends look to you for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, in certain contexts, I am a fairly organized person (although not in terms of my t-shirts today, obviously) and to a large extent, I really enjoyed planning my own wedding (the largest and most involved event I've ever planned) so the hubby and I discussed what my life as an event planner could look like as we drove back to Vancouver from the Valley a few weeks ago. After weighing a number of factors, we figured out it could never work as a business because I would have to insist on a "no-crazy" clause, even (especially) temporary-totally-caused-by-upcoming-event crazy. With this deal-breaker in place, I would be setting an impossibly high standard for most brides, grooms, and their families. But I still like event planning. So I'll help friends out, problem-solve with them, and brainstorm themes, decor and all sorts of DIY awesomeness if called upon. This approach also deals with the second issue we identified in the business plan - pricing. I could see event planning as one of those past-times that I'd feel awful to be charging for if I was having a great time doing it and which no amount of money could compensate me for if it all goes sideways. Getting paid isn't enough. Satisfaction is the key. Just off the top of my head, I know people who could realistically be identified as freelance chocolatiers, herbalists, florists, model designers, pastry chefs, artists, composers, therapists, or editors ... IF we determine that getting paid isn't a requisite. They pursue these avenues because it's what they do, it's what they need to do. In re-defining the term, "freelancing" isn't about freedom from a commitment to an employer or workplace, it's about a commitment to yourself.</span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-50436973998876438732013-05-31T14:36:00.000-07:002013-05-31T14:36:54.717-07:00Spirit Week Music T Friday: Formal "Police" Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's an unbloggable inside joke involved in today's post but since I can't write about that I'll discuss the shenanigans involved in trying to keep up with today's Spirit Week: Formal Friday festivities and reconcile it with the "Music T Friday" habit I'd started before the hiatus. To start with, I accessorized my t-shirt with my Parent-Teacher Interview suit:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music T = check. Formal Friday = check.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I tried to pinpoint moments in my life soundtracked by The Police. I've always appreciated the fact that Sting started out as a teacher and I imagine Mr. Sumner would've been a fun guy, if a little distracted. The band's music has permeated so much culture that I was immediately able to snag several flashbulb memories associated with certain songs by The Police:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0551370/">Cupid "End of an Eros" </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0551370/">(1998)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I've met and become friends with more musicians, my understanding of the value of TV and film licensing of music for both monetary gain and exposure has deepened. As a television viewer, I appreciate the difference between a good song and the ideal song in pivotal scenes. At the end of episode 9 of the short-lived Jeremy Piven series, there is a mundane moment spun into love-match-making magic where a jaded and embittered cosmologist (that's space not make-up) turns to face his perfect mate under a spectacular canopy of an astrological observatory's laser show as this Police song cues. Over-the-top is under-rated. Moments like that one are what television and film were made for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Roxanne - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/?ref_=sr_1">Moulin Rouge! (2001)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3T1c7GkzRQQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because my parents' grasp of English was sketchy at best when they came to Canada, I heard a lot of music played as a kid with lyrics that went well over my head until I was older. (The best example of this is probably Cher's "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" which I tried to explain to my mother when I was in my 20s and Mom just wouldn't believe it.) I had heard Roxanne played multiple times throughout my life but the lyrics didn't hit home until the scene in <i>Moulin Rouge!</i> which, quite honestly, felt like it deviated from the central plot. I understand it was there to make Satine's circumstances clear (and to showcase some awesome dancing) but I've always felt it was a mis-step on Luhrmann's part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Don't Stand So Close to Me - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442936/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl">Glee "Ballads"</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said before, I figure Mr. Sumner would've been an ace teacher and the music video takes The Police back into a classroom to tell this Nabakov-esque story. And while I'm not a fan of Glee any longer, I was back in Season 1 and the mash-up of "Don't Stand" and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's "Young Girl" was brilliant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Message in A Bottle </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always loved the story of this song where one voice in the middle of nowhere receives a "hundred billion" responses. It's a bit of a metaphor for the social media of the world today. We are so used to instant responses today that it is unthinkable to have to wait a day (forget a year) for a reaction to confirm that we actually exist, that what we say and/or do matters. But we keep putting it out there, don't we?</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-89513212005230242732013-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:002013-05-30T12:28:01.321-07:00Spirit Week: Gender Bender Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly wonder if at some point we'll have a full-out, openly declared Cross-Dressing Day in Spirit Week. Sadly, it'll probably still be considered a bigger social risk for guys than girls. Today's Spirit Week gender bending was for girls to wear blue and boys to wear pink. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the growing recognition of Pink Shirt Day, observed on the last Wednesday of February (at least it is in Canada), which makes a stand against bullying in all its forms, you'd think (hope) that the colour pink would've be de-listed as an stereotyped indication of femininity. As a (female) child, I remember having a distinct dislike for pink myself. And I don't think I was the only girl to feel that way. Of course, being a girl, gender bending was, to a point, acceptable. I was a tomboy of a child for much of my school career to the point that my mother was once congratulated on having two healthy and strong sons AND I was once stopped from going into a ladies washroom at a restaurant. As a teen, I still preferred practical clothing to the fussiness of fashion-awareness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gender-fying of clothing has an interesting history. Like Coca-Cola's role in our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_in_Northern_American_culture#American_origins">modern day North American visual of Santa Claus</a> (my favourite snippet from the Wiki entry: "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px;">Images of Santa Claus were further cemented through </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddon_Sundblom" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Haddon Sundblom">Haddon Sundblom</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px;">'s depiction of him for </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coca-Cola_Company" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="The Coca-Cola Company">The Coca-Cola Company</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px;">'s Christmas advertising. The popularity of the image spawned </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Urban legend">urban legends</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px;"> that Santa Claus was in fact invented by Coca-Cola. Nevertheless, Santa Claus and Coca-Cola have been closely associated, except for 2005 when Santa was replaced in advertising by Coca-Cola's </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bears" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Polar bears">polar bears</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"><i>."</i>)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, advertisers and marketers had a </span><a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html?c=y&story=fullstory" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">direct influence on assigning specific colours to girls and boys</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The linked article from the Smithsonian is fascinating. I especially like the comment on the rising consumerism of children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my bluest shirt (that hasn't already been on this blog) is not only blue but features characters known specifically for being blue, yet happy, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smurfs_(TV_series)">The Smurfs</a>. The tee is a Kerri-gift and more than just retro thanks to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smurfs_(film)">a film reboot</a> in 2011. Also, a tangential point on the theme of gender-fying, Smurfette is one of those anomalies in children's programming that few people think about unless it's in hindsight. (Mind you, I vaguely remember an episode where Smurfette's origin was revealed that she was a Pandora-like trap made by villain Gargamel to ensnare/corrupt the Smurfs. I could be making it up completely but if she was a Mark 1.0 Cylon Fembot reprogrammed by Brainy Smurf and assimilated into Smurf society, it does kind of explain a few things.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, because any discussion of gender needs a Whedon connection, and because this video fell out of the sky and onto my Facebook newsfeed just yesterday, (and because he really is my Big Damn Wordsmithing Hero), here is <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JossWhedon">Joss Whedon</a> addressing the 2013 commencement class of Wesleyan University from last Sunday. He doesn't exactly address gender issues but I'd like to think that in "accepting duality to earn identity" on a macro-level, we would all recognize the inherent strength and value in every member of society - no matter their gender, age, race or creed - and, instead, work to grow the connections that really define us as individuals, collectives and communities. Wouldn't that be Smurf-tastic?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-85450154860324429842013-05-29T13:40:00.001-07:002013-05-29T13:40:03.967-07:00Spirit Week: Colour Wars<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truth be told, I always get vestigial tremors of Miklowitz's "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_Between_the_Classes">The War Between the Classes</a>" when Colour Wars is declared for Spirit Week. No ranking involved here - each grade gets a colour assigned and on Colour Wars day, you wear the colour of your grade to see which grade has the most spirit. Teachers usually get neutral territory like black, white, or school colours (black & gold). We were given the option of black or white today. I went dark. And sparkly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443489/"><i>Dreamgirls</i></a> shirt should be a collectors' item, meaning that I should probably wear it less and with more care than I do. When the Jennifer Hudson movie opened in 2006, the studios promoted it by running it on a <a href="http://www.movieweb.com/news/dreamgirls-limited-engagement-road-show-in-new-york-los-angeles-san-francisco">super limited "roadshow" release</a> in three select cities - New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Being in Vancouver, I sent a proxy - <a href="http://www.twitter.com/arthurkeng">my brother</a>, who was whiling away his time as a paralegal in SF at the time. I bought the ticket, he attended and picked up the included souvenir lithograph and program that I coveted. Generous soul that he is, he bought me a t-shirt too. The lithograph is framed and hung in my upstairs hallway. The program is filed away safely with my Broadway and West End collection. And this t-shirt gets worn at least once a month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which brings me to the difficulty with dressing in all black. Like green, which the human eye can supposedly distinguish the most shades of any colour, black is hard to match and, counter-intuitively, easily clashes with itself. My well-worn black tee is tinged more grey than my cardigan which is tinged more "brown" than my slacks which are pinstriped black on black. Don't even get me started on my socks and boots. It's a good thing students barely register teachers as people, forget fashion plates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To end on a Big Thought: this trivial clothing experiment supports a generalizable adage. Variety is good. Contrast is great. The more diversity we embrace, the stronger (and more interesting) we become. So maybe the fact that Vancouver's largest theatre company is currently staging <i><a href="http://www.artsclub.com/20122013/plays/dreamgirls.htm">Dreamgirls</a></i> with a slightly un-Motown-looking ensemble should probably direct audiences to look for red-hot innovation rather than stone-cold imitation in this production.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vKs4V76DXqc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-46696358225900076892013-05-28T11:03:00.000-07:002013-05-28T11:03:04.276-07:00Spirit Week: PJ Day<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The spirit is definitely moving me this week. Today took some effort. Sure, PJ Day <b>sounds</b> convenient: Just roll out of bed and trudge into school in whatever you sleep in. Yeah, not so much when one typically sleeps in old (non-blog-worthy) t-shirts and lives a forty minute commute away from school. And even if one were to own a proper set of pajamas, wearing them on the bus with "outdoor" shoes (in my case, my trusty Blundstone boots) and a bigger-than-usual overcoat to disguise the fact your bottoms are leopard print cotton sweats makes for a rather self-conscious and uncomfortable trip - rather like, I figure, a flasher's first deliberate escapade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My PJ bottoms actually are leopard-print cotton sweatpants (and my go-to slippers are zebra striped so I'm killing all sorts of fashion etiquette today) so, this morning, I changed out of my PJs, packed them in a bag with my housecoat and slippers, brought them to school and changed once I got here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check that: I wore the t-shirt top (pictured above) rather than changing altogether. But I wore a coat over it. And I drove. Like I said, effort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned yesterday, PJ Day is usually the most popular day of Spirit Week at this school. That being said, only about 1 in 5 students observes/participates/remembers it. I was considering it yesterday in preparation for today and wondering why I don't remember it being a thing at all in my high school years. I came up with a couple of explanations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <b>Context is important</b>. Wearing your PJs to school in the BC Lower Mainland fall, winter, or spring is a very different thing than in Saskatchewan where the school year is best outlined as September, SNOW, or June. I remember the last day of Grade 8, also the last day of elementary school when one classmate, who lived across the street from the school set himself a goal to be back in bed at home after signing yearbooks and picking up his report card before the sheets had a chance to cool down. He still got dressed to come to school. And that was June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) <b>The acceptability of PIP (PJs In Public) has grown</b>. I blame this in part on Lululemon(TM) and the yoga gear fad. I'd have to consult with the fashion-minded frugalista <a href="http://www.shoppingdetox.com/">Annabelle Hepburn</a> to be certain but I'm pretty sure by 1990, leggings and the like had been deemed beyond pass</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">é (see? I can be French-esque too) but then<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lululemon_Athletica"> lululemon athletica</a></i> was founded in 1998 and by 2000, it was fashionable to wear unflattering, high-priced, patterned stretchy skin in place of trousers. And those who couldn't afford $60 - $100 for a pair of stripped-down <a href="http://www.inthe80s.com/clothes/snwbabeshotmailcom0.shtml">stir-up pants</a> could be forgiven for interpreting the sudden prevalence of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">über-casual</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> dress on public transit and at the workplace as a tacit societal acceptance of a comfort-first approach to clothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) <b>Loss of privacy.</b> This goes back to discourses on social media, common sense, the diminishing of the term "friend" and crowd-sourcing. When I was in high school, you held sleepovers with maybe a half-dozen of your close friends. They were the ones who got to meet your parents, annoy your siblings, chase your pets, hang out in your room/closet/basement (whatever), and watch movies/talk/crimp hair late into the night. It was a fairly exclusive experience that could be shared second-hand at school the next week in discussions. It allowed for safe risk-taking, potential embarrassment that was understandably manageable because of the small number of witnesses. Nowadays, if sleep-overs do still happen, they are streamed, tweeted, shared, and updated so persistently, nothing is sacred or safe anymore. And, similar to the word "friend", "privacy" in this arena has become so de-valued that the approach has become extreme - either you share everything or you share nothing at all. ever. Neither is really healthy emotional development and both can be potentially problematic socially. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To end where I started, PJs are a source of comfort in theory. I have my winter PJs - red fleece reindeer printed ones and seafoam green fuzzies that I refer to as my Muppet-skins - and a couple of sets of cotton coordinates that appeal to my humour (see today's) and my own personality (see today's). PJs may, in fact, in their natural state (ie. not-Spirit-Week requirement), be a source of truth for how we see ourselves. I believe we sleep best when we are at ease and there is some evidence that we learn best when at ease too. However, the jury's still out on how well teens learn while asleep.</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-13432890974520224162013-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:002013-05-27T08:27:01.618-07:00Spirit Week: "Nerd" Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Light weight post today in an attempt to get back in the blogging groove. I have four posts from last week that I'll try to backdate/backpost</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The school has "Spirit Week"s every so often. The equivalent in the high school I attended as a student would've probably been "Pep Week" wherein there were dress-up days, activities, & contests throughout the week and a pep rally on the Friday. Spirit Weeks at my current school are almost exclusively dress-up themed days, PJ Day being the most popular one. So today is "Nerd" Day and I'm wearing a Kerri-special giftie, commemorating the original Battlestar-Galactica-Starbuck-Nine-Year-Old-Me-Was-Going-To-Marry glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my blog topic is mostly a semantics question. I, personally, proudly self-identify as a "geek" and still hear "nerd" as a derogatory term. I may be in the minority. Anyone out there got an opinion?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I believe credit for my knowledge of this graphic goes to <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lehogan">Lori Hogan</a>)</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-22173506184074160022013-05-23T09:11:00.000-07:002013-05-27T09:33:23.626-07:00Knowing Where You Are<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Published verbatim on 27 May 2013, tee actually worn on 23 May 2013 hence the backdate stamp*</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm back on the wagon (aka Canada Line) and looking to confuse folks as I have tshirts from Tues & Wed (and one from a week & a half back) to write about and will probably back-date them all for accuracy's sake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's tee is a bday giftie (from this most recent birthday!) from my Newfoundlander family who travelled 7,500km (with a toddler powered by Energizer bunny power and a far-too-cute-for-her-own-good 5-month-old) across the continent/country to attend my wedding. Yes, I got married during my blog hiatus (and aged out of a marketing category two days later). It's all about timing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who have never been lucky enough to visit St. John's, NL, the tee depicts the city's harbour with Cabot Tower on Signal Hill on the left. It's a beautiful vista, almost as lovely as the people who live there. And the geekery factor of the 8-bit text-game presentation is amaze-balls.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLvPPJgzpsBP6PpoPy0CSj3AF4uD7Jsi_qH8wXh28dD_oVwJ5gvmBSLovUQDSF6Mc0yTOzFX4r3NY-lSdcGrRmoh7M06XPuhdQ-_gYTyGq3_afQBzU9S3ucaThQcJ0otYrrqof4W1OvA/s1600/DSCN5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLvPPJgzpsBP6PpoPy0CSj3AF4uD7Jsi_qH8wXh28dD_oVwJ5gvmBSLovUQDSF6Mc0yTOzFX4r3NY-lSdcGrRmoh7M06XPuhdQ-_gYTyGq3_afQBzU9S3ucaThQcJ0otYrrqof4W1OvA/s400/DSCN5400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Most similar Google Image I could find to the tee graphic</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of knowing <b>where</b> you are has to do with knowing who you're with and, perhaps, making a conscious judgement call as to who is and who isn't a positive influence in your life. Family is family and there is an innate acceptance where they are concerned. Everyone else is present by choice - mostly a combination of theirs and yours. Some people are hard work and there can be times where the pay-off isn't worth the investment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhoVAbyBY7oUS9LpBrvw8juWug0Owp22B0ba-1dMZeS4PJAVZ58BKGJpfi6qAlKgfVKfLVtOwMfxjGHLd8jZVWi8Zw1HRA97mwTiCA1_sb819S4yl_y678OyQwu0F6Pwx0Mxf9XwRwYqf/s640/blogger-image-65863925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhoVAbyBY7oUS9LpBrvw8juWug0Owp22B0ba-1dMZeS4PJAVZ58BKGJpfi6qAlKgfVKfLVtOwMfxjGHLd8jZVWi8Zw1HRA97mwTiCA1_sb819S4yl_y678OyQwu0F6Pwx0Mxf9XwRwYqf/s640/blogger-image-65863925.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm living proof of this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there are some precious few who belong in your life no matter how far apart you live geographically or how many changes your life goes through.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEPWAMRwSFnt4IQlvddM3tEoHHOWM5gmUwA8YtZbK8ogJm5JMV9IfXoyjQ5DBBabNTAfElF0ni70g9VmhS7W0kSEbgABD_4wRxf69T2BtwV0i8MbrOkZhM8zzz2iVrdss6weHVlxukvAF/s640/blogger-image-1150477074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEPWAMRwSFnt4IQlvddM3tEoHHOWM5gmUwA8YtZbK8ogJm5JMV9IfXoyjQ5DBBabNTAfElF0ni70g9VmhS7W0kSEbgABD_4wRxf69T2BtwV0i8MbrOkZhM8zzz2iVrdss6weHVlxukvAF/s640/blogger-image-1150477074.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Then and Now: <br />You really should be focussed on how much camera technology has improved ;)</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met <a href="http://www.twitter.com/bkidney">Brian Kidney</a> in the summer of 1996 in Hamilton, ON, at the annual CanJAC convention (he wasn't tweeting then). He was the tallest person I had ever met. His humour, warmth, and confidence was (and is) striking and of all the people I met that week, he is the only one I have kept in contact with over the last seventeen years. We wrote <a href="http://tshirtproject.blogspot.ca/2012/12/snail-mail-4-realz.html">actual letters</a> to each other (and even mailed them), sent birthday cards to each other (I have the advantage in remembering his birthday as he shares the day with my brother) and made odysseys across this great country of ours to see each other (his wife, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lehogan">Lori</a>, won a cross-country VIA trip and they made optimum use of it, coming to Vancouver, while I took advantage of the <b>most skookum airfare deal ever</b> to go see them get hitched). As is common with many of my guy friends' significant others, I learned a lot about Lori before ever meeting her - police decoy, seal enumerator, lucky horseshoe, rescue beagle delivery person - and she exceeded every expectation. Add super-mom to the mix now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He and Lori have travelled extensively in their work and play and never fail to generously add to my Hard Rock Cafe pin collection on every excursion. This trip was no exception. After my wedding, they packed their happy little family into the mini-van and traipsed down to Seattle and back (before the bridge on Skagit collapsed, thankfully) and I found a new HRC pin from the Seattle store tucked in with my tee (which, appropriately, smells of baby powder - the tee, that is). I should also point out (if my faithful readers hadn't already clued in) that a large section of my tee collection originates from the East Coast thanks to Brian and Lori.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of the many, many blessings I thank the 'verse for, I cherish the good people in my life who keep my feet on the ground, my head in the game, and my heart in the right place. Whenever, I need a guiding star, they're there no matter how far away the GPS puts them physically. And that, ultimately, is probably the key to knowing where I am.</span></div>
Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-81282676780120847022013-01-18T11:57:00.000-08:002013-01-18T11:57:40.331-08:00Music T Friday: Civic Duty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCv6pgHrKefRjofz025x7G8JVCWz0buRcs7Tdh-JDA-WaBruyxHDmiZ-EEWo3dIS8CRAlfJC0STEhnAdyb8CkTT_bHfXF9AmUimV0KNY0W1Im0rTwaDSoiOJ5D2LJ0tZmVdFGPDPIBwCi/s640/blogger-image-2016563555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCv6pgHrKefRjofz025x7G8JVCWz0buRcs7Tdh-JDA-WaBruyxHDmiZ-EEWo3dIS8CRAlfJC0STEhnAdyb8CkTT_bHfXF9AmUimV0KNY0W1Im0rTwaDSoiOJ5D2LJ0tZmVdFGPDPIBwCi/s400/blogger-image-2016563555.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkn-Igq4vfzXsp74PHISaTg9vODXBh1_5005fYDxrK34pejLPLEBoU9lDMoNDBQvT20aPPQpRe7whJANoOZQFDQQzSTaROj4R4stQmXa4YsdcIRW-xtBj4TpAGqvkBndzRGw1PQOfCB5d/s640/blogger-image-1902349297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkn-Igq4vfzXsp74PHISaTg9vODXBh1_5005fYDxrK34pejLPLEBoU9lDMoNDBQvT20aPPQpRe7whJANoOZQFDQQzSTaROj4R4stQmXa4YsdcIRW-xtBj4TpAGqvkBndzRGw1PQOfCB5d/s400/blogger-image-1902349297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_6A0O0BUQ-T08RNLljiP61MOqWLSO3srFM9KgBvaVxJiWnizhBD1jnQ7I_2jicOMLMJ2QgX35yOrWVj3fNltjyuSo0b1iCXkHnHKfASQ1E3v-6FbnRXux1MWgba5nPPwlejArDgMFUjb/s1600/29522_1292777648152_3169646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_6A0O0BUQ-T08RNLljiP61MOqWLSO3srFM9KgBvaVxJiWnizhBD1jnQ7I_2jicOMLMJ2QgX35yOrWVj3fNltjyuSo0b1iCXkHnHKfASQ1E3v-6FbnRXux1MWgba5nPPwlejArDgMFUjb/s200/29522_1292777648152_3169646_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyqN5GDQNWt9krUH3a6b5q86ZLV43Srh9hXGnzOmxg368_3GIt-hmq9fca8h-2QbsyinuBoqcyFR8ZYSpFWjDQHlCP-DOPehqqk0R_qkQttfDh9STcZJ262Q2vKkBD3nAzplcCjw9ULRF/s1600/29522_1292777728154_6899709_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyqN5GDQNWt9krUH3a6b5q86ZLV43Srh9hXGnzOmxg368_3GIt-hmq9fca8h-2QbsyinuBoqcyFR8ZYSpFWjDQHlCP-DOPehqqk0R_qkQttfDh9STcZJ262Q2vKkBD3nAzplcCjw9ULRF/s200/29522_1292777728154_6899709_n.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Enemy_%28group%29">Public Enemy</a> is probably the only hip hop group I would ever be interested to see in concert. (I've seen a couple other groups out of circumstance rather than choice and as novel an experience as it was, I just don't think I "get" them) Back in 2010, I was lucky enough to win tickets to P.E. at the Commodore Ballroom just a week after my birthday. It was a phenomenal show with an electric energy in the crowd. They performed for over two hours and Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and Keith Shocklee (performing in place of DJ Lord) schooled Vancouver old-school and in-style in politics, culture and societal injustices in an incredibly entertaining set of music. Afterwards, they were wonderful about coming out a connecting with their fans. Even the really really drunk Asian guys who got all gangsta-babbly fan-boy when given the chance to shake Chuck D's hand. :) I hung out and got pictures when the opportunity arose. I bought a t-shirt. It was a good night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today marks my (roundabout) 75th blog post (the numbers are a little funny because I still have two posts from before Xmas break that I have yet to publish. I continue to enjoy the exercise of writing almost daily but Life likes to throw curve-balls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As of yesterday, I am a serving jury member in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. I received my summons back in December. Apparently, about 3000 summons were sent out for jury selection for this particular trial. Of those 3000 summons, I estimate about 300 showed up on the day of jury selection, Wednesday last week. Of the 300 who showed up, only about 100 were called up by random number selection before 14 jury members and 2 alternates were sworn in. This is going to be a long trial and if Counsel's estimate is accurate, court will sit for the rest of the school year, Monday - Thursday. This means that my job has been posted for a long-term substitute. Which means that my blog mandate to write every day that I teach will be cut by more than 80% for the rest of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a unionized public school teacher, the collective agreement covers my jury duty and I do not suffer any financial repercussions for serving. I am physically able, geographically local to, and intellectually interested in the workings of our legal system. As a teacher who believes that educating our students in good citizenship is of utmost importance, I would feel like a total hypocrite if I had asked to be excused just because I didn't want to leave my students mid-year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It honestly never occurred to
me to ask to be excused from serving so it was a disappointing and
startling realization that I appear to be in the minority. Nearly every
person I told about the jury summons offered me a "way out", an excuse
to not serve, or asked how I was going to get out of it. I finally took
to asking them point-blank,"WHY would I try to be excused?" No one
really gives me an answer after that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it's a damned
inconvenience. And I don't like leaving my students or my classroom
mid-year, especially with so many of them facing provincial exams for
the first time this year. Furthermore, I've had a good rapport with the
parents this year so disappearing mid-year is extremely awkward. That
being said, I live in a country that doesn't require military service of
me, that allows me about as much freedom as anywhere in the world, that
doesn't even tax me all that much when compared to most European
countries. All my country asks of me is to be an educated voter and to
serve jury duty. So I bridle at the suggestion that I would shirk that
call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As our system exists right now, no teacher is irreplaceable. It is highly conceited, narrow-minded, and unrealistic to think otherwise. Yes, we are individual and we all bring unique qualities to the job but a functioning education system is meant to be resilient. That means students, co-workers, administration and substitutes adjust to keep the system running. As a profession, teaching requires us to trust in our colleagues and to recognize that there are many effective ways to teach, not just how we do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't like to think of myself as a righteous individual. There's a lot of baggage and self-importance that goes with that moniker. But I feel indignant and morally (civic-ly?) outraged at the expectation that everyone should TRY to get out of serving jury duty. I understand that there are perfectly legitimate reasons for asking to be excused from jury duty. There's a huge financial hardship if your job does not pay you while you serve. It can be physically painful for you to sit still day after day. You may be the sole caregiver for a young child, elderly individual or dependent family member. There are a myriad of other, completely valid reasons for being excused. BUT I do not feel that being a teacher is one of them. In fact, I believe that being a teacher means that you are even more obligated to serve. How can you teach your students the importance of community, citizenship and the legal system if you seek to escape your own responsibility as a member of society? As much as teaching is my vocation, I will never state that I am a teacher first and a citizen second. Doing that, in my mind, would make me less of a teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately, like so many things, it comes down to personal choice and personal beliefs. A colleague who seeks to be excused on the basis that their students and colleagues would suffer for their absence has a much higher estimation of their importance than do I. A colleague who seeks excusing because they simply do not want to serve has a different understanding of citizenship and education than do I. What they choose for themselves is not what I choose for myself but I do resent the suggestion that I care any less for my students or am any less professional because I choose to serve my civic duty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who read regularly, I hope to be able to post something at least weekly. And I'll get those December ones up too. Interestingly enough, I took a quick count at New Years and figured that I would've had almost exactly enough t-shirts to finish out the year. Maybe I'll have to continue through the summer now. :)</span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-61707584172869407092013-01-16T12:11:00.003-08:002013-01-16T12:11:52.320-08:00No. Seriously.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can't believe I haven't done this shirt already... I guess it's a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/">Big Bang</a> Week here at the Blog.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o941EXn2fXY7bbisZVQ1Ok6jJVhfRhgJD-dtNSyg_JIj0Cgbi6GZTo8NawtIJBNj9PtIKeIvKcugX-p2eULcpiZGfCXZhjuykELSAxcqnJ6Te8H4Z4o089PhxkD5ds4zpsYkYOPiMfiM/s640/blogger-image-103749950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o941EXn2fXY7bbisZVQ1Ok6jJVhfRhgJD-dtNSyg_JIj0Cgbi6GZTo8NawtIJBNj9PtIKeIvKcugX-p2eULcpiZGfCXZhjuykELSAxcqnJ6Te8H4Z4o089PhxkD5ds4zpsYkYOPiMfiM/s640/blogger-image-103749950.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Thank you, <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/">ThinkGeek</a></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned "<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bazinga">Bazinga</a>" WAY back in October as a part of the discussion on<a href="http://tshirtproject.blogspot.ca/2012/10/building-vocab-creating-verses.html"> creating vocabulary</a>.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a fairly recent lexicon development - although Big Bang Theory is in its sixth season now! - and it is one that is so often used incorrectly that I believe I've developed a twitch when people (even close friends of loved ones) treat it as a general exclamation point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won't rant about this because it makes me sounds crazy (and my mom did NOT have me tested). I will simply state it... thoroughly: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bazinga" does <b>NOT</b> equal "Boo-Ya!" or "Eureka!" or "Awesome!". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bazinga" <b>DOES</b> denote a practical joke that has been successfully played. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bazinga" is the invention of writer <a href="http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/Stephen_Engel">Stephen Engel</a> who used it as his personal word for <b>disclosing a prank</b> before Dr. Sheldon Cooper was ever a uvularly-atypical, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCNrs23r4DA">train-loving</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5IWvWmp5KE">ballroom-dancing</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD2xrFQdeYs">Fiddler on the Roof-regaling</a> genius, atomic apple in the collective consciousness eye of CBS. I heard this origin explanation first during the TBBT panel at Comic-Con 2010 but <a href="http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/Bill_Prady">Bill Prady</a> has confirmed this on <a href="http://www.twylah.com/billprady/topics/bazinga">Twitter</a> since then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Bazinga" means "Gotcha!" or "You've been fooled!".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ignorance is no longer an excuse, if it ever was. Seriously. Use "Bazinga" as you will but know that you had better have punk'd someone but good beforehand in order to deserve that utterance. Misused terminology is no laughing matter - (see <a href="http://tshirtproject.blogspot.ca/2013/01/approximations.html">Monday's post</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-52113411849876767962013-01-15T10:03:00.000-08:002013-01-16T10:04:48.657-08:00Improving Upon the Original<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So before it was made famous by the TV show, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/"><i>The Big Bang Theory</i></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock">Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock</a> was a thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case readers don't feel like clicking through to the Wiki:</span><br />
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<li>Scissors cuts paper</li>
<li>Paper covers rock</li>
<li>Rock crushes lizard</li>
<li>Lizard poisons Spock</li>
<li>Spock smashes (or melts) scissors</li>
<li>Scissors decapitates lizard</li>
<li>Lizard eats paper</li>
<li>Paper disproves Spock</li>
<li>Spock vaporizes rock</li>
<li>Rock crushes scissors</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This improves upon the original by reducing the chances of ties which, with the only the original three options, is statistically (and anecdotally) highly likely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said, "improvements" are tricky things. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_coke">New Coke</a> is the usual example of innovation gone wrong. Sometimes, however, an established product really requires a total rethinking in order to meet modern needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favourite example of this is the spinning wheel. Given this prompt, most people would think of this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Elderlyspinnera.jpg/200px-Elderlyspinnera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Elderlyspinnera.jpg/200px-Elderlyspinnera.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, in fact, the spinning wheel has been redesigned and modern day ones look more like these:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD0bdDAsch2SNIr5QdbC30tEopPkqJNTLxomJjWbPsKhRA1EVbzmXYMhGZB6saZTypRlkqqduDTD__MjU0SqydAl-0oUg7Sg5qZRx0Z4ocz9ecrvUT7qoavAkgIglTUZkZx9Y8NhDOqK5/s400/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD0bdDAsch2SNIr5QdbC30tEopPkqJNTLxomJjWbPsKhRA1EVbzmXYMhGZB6saZTypRlkqqduDTD__MjU0SqydAl-0oUg7Sg5qZRx0Z4ocz9ecrvUT7qoavAkgIglTUZkZx9Y8NhDOqK5/s640/IMG_0705.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new generation is portable (many fold down and fit in carry bags), space-efficient, and easier to maintenance and repair (or so I've been told by friends who spin). In the words of my friend, Sally, who first brought these to my attention,"It's like someone sat back and asked,'What is a spinning wheel SUPPOSED to do?' and then designed something that did that without weighing a ton and taking up the entire living room."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often when I consider transportation, I wonder if that's what needs to happen. I remember seeing an interview at one point where someone pointed out that if we were to invent cars today, the proposal would be ludicrous: "Let's invest in vehicles that run on fossil fuels, pollute the environment, require billions of dollars in infrastructure to create and maintain pathways on which to drive, and need replacing or major repairs every five to ten years." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So where are our successes? What do we lose with change? Can we learn from mistakes?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My current round of edumication is thematically hung up on paradigm shifts in schools. Getting away from curriculum-driven, factory-based classrooms but also needing more documentable achievement and skills outcome targets than traditional child-centred teaching provides. It requires a lot of rethinking as well as a total change in administrative/political focus. It's a daunting windmill to tilt at, especially when we're up to our eyeballs in the trenches. Still, if I didn't think it would get better eventually, I probably wouldn't get out of bed in the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone else out there feeling a sense of revolution in the air? Anyone getting a sense that the more we change, the more we stay the same? It's been a while since I called on my readership for a discourse. Any insights on this, spinning wheels, or variations of Roshambo (that don't require getting kicked in the nuts... or do. Whatevs ;)?</span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430659022059128509.post-13146951528289248782013-01-14T11:48:00.000-08:002013-01-14T11:48:02.436-08:00Approximations<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Being precise is a gift as well as a skill that takes practice. Mark Twain is quoted on the topic, discussing <a href="http://www.theproblemsite.com/treasure_hunt/lightning_bugs.asp">lightning and lightning bugs</a>. Dr. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2JyvheWwk0">Beverly Hofstadter</a> on <u>The Big Bang Theory</u> requires it constantly. It echoes the power of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_name">naming a thing</a> from folklore and mythology.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUEV39-8J71VP5NDcAC0aT_MetFE0_eS9b1_UnanDtWc_mXM5pPo22Z32jEAMXV0PuxOw3uZ3gkgUFstE8Q6cWef3cvhBkVnj4V3FXXAr9K0Hcfq0fl4PQP_styA6SHtQoWoCbl7w9MJ7/s640/blogger-image-860856819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUEV39-8J71VP5NDcAC0aT_MetFE0_eS9b1_UnanDtWc_mXM5pPo22Z32jEAMXV0PuxOw3uZ3gkgUFstE8Q6cWef3cvhBkVnj4V3FXXAr9K0Hcfq0fl4PQP_styA6SHtQoWoCbl7w9MJ7/s640/blogger-image-860856819.jpg" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://rvb.wikia.com/wiki/Sarge">Sarge</a>, in Season 1 of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_vs._Blue">Red Vs Blue</a>, has difficulty pronouncing "Chupacabra" in his eagerness to make fun of <a href="http://rvb.wikia.com/wiki/Dexter_Grif">Grif</a> and resorts, as many of us would do, to approximating the word. Thus, the "chupathingy" is born. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be fair, approximations are a valid use of language. We all have those 'tip-of-the-tongue" moments where we can't recall the exact term we need. The brain files things away in its own special way sometimes. So we have place-markers like "thingamagig" and "whathisface" and "whozit" to fill in until we figure it out. Or we use similar, sometimes related terms/names to approximate what we need. For example, a man I used to know could never remember <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/">George Stroumboulopoulos</a>' surname so would refer to him as "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Snuffleupagus">Snuffleupagus"</a> instead because he had a better grasp of Muppet characters than pretty much anything else in his life. And I guess the CBC connection made it relevant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the point of approximations is to direct the brain to the precise term you are looking for NOT to take the place of said term. If vocabulary becomes too vague or inaccurate, you end up with the <a href="http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/blbushisms.htm">Bushisms</a> that #43 will always be remembered for and all the questionable intelligence that entails. Or you discover that when you REALLY need a precise term that you once knew, you've genuinely lost it. Studies show that early onset senility is as much a case of lack of use as a genetic predisposition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where this shows up on the other end of the timeline is profound - language acquisition in babies. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nouns are the easiest things
for children to learn as they are usually visual, tactile and novel.
Pointing to something and saying a word is easily interpreted as naming
that thing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acquaintances I met last fall were describing their daughter's pre-talking activity of pointing and grunting at various things she desired. Mum would randomly pick things up and ask Baby,"Is it this? Is this what you want?" until assent was given. When Baby started verbally asking for things, everything was "this" rather than any specific name for an item. It apparently took weeks to de-program that little trick. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was visiting friends in the UK who had a precocious and eager to learn toddler, we had a sudden power outage and dinner had to be served by candlelight. Their toddler immediately reached for the flame of the nearest candle and, reactively, I grabbed his hand and said clearly,"No. HOT!" indicating the flame. He looked at me very seriously and pointed to the flame and repeated "HOT!" and I reinforced the learning by agreeing "HOT!" He did not try to touch another candle that night. Lesson learned. The next night, power had been restored and we were in the living room when he looked up, saw the light fixture in the ceiling and pointed. "HOT!" In fact, anything bright was now "HOT!" Oops. Well, generally, in the world of incandescent bulbs, that's sort of accurate. Net learning for the grown-ups: adjectives are trickier.</span>Divinityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17204047865617818203noreply@blogger.com0