Life in: June 2008 Archives

Today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to deliver an historic apology to the Aboriginal people of Canada for the residential schools atrocities. A long time ago, but not lost from memory or pain, the Government of Canada, in an act of apparent cultural genocide, removed thousands of children from their homes and placed them in state run schools. Families were torn apart, children died, abuse was rampant and the pain of this act continues to afflict and haunt.

Hopefully today will be another step (long-awaited) towards healing and restitution for our country.

The Prime Minister will deliver this speech at 3pm today in the House of Commons.

Some reference links:
CBC In depth on Residential Schools
GOC Truth and Reconciliation Commission Home Page
CBC Truth and Reconciliation Commission Coverage
Remembering the Children

Related News Articles:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/200...
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sto...
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTV...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7438079.stm
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeq...
http://news.google.com/news

I thought this was funny. "Invite Google Calendar to chat"

It's nice to see that Gmail wants Google Calendar (not Gcalendar?) to be her friend. And for some reason I feel like Gmail is a girl (Google Calendar has no gender affect on me).

I wonder what would happen if I invited Calendar to a chat?

me: Hey Calendar, how are things?

Calendar: You have a dentist appointment 1 day ago.

me: Ignore.

Calendar: That's it then. You're all caught up.

me: Seriously?

Calendar: Sorry. There's nothing happening right now. Have you checked out Google reader for news?

me: Yah, but I wanted to talk to you. I miss you. You're like the friend I never had.

Calendar: I've got nothing for you.

me: Not even an early reminder for a Friday meeting?
me: Calendar?

Calendar: ;) Sorry, I was talking to Labs. Did you know it's in Gmail now?

me: Yah, superstar, snake games, muzzle... I heard. Are you getting any Lab features?
me: Calendar?
me: CALENDAR!

Calendar: Hey, twitter is back up. Did you see WWDC? Jobs killed! Sweet man.

me: But what about me? Don't you want to talk to me?
me: Calendar!

Calendar: I know, Froogle was a crazy idea, just like checkout.
Calendar: Oops, sorry, that wasn't for you. brb, talking to YouTube for second.

me: Wait! Come on!
me: Fine, I'll schedule an appointment with myself.
me: Calendar? Can I schedule an appointment please?

Calendar has set their status to busy. You might be interrupting

me: I know you're not busy.
me: Stop ignoring me.

Calendar: Ha ha, Cali Lewis is so funny. And Mahalo! Man, I should have thought of that. Who cares, I'll just buy them. You should check out their latest posts.

me: Calendar! Me, focus on me!

Calendar: What? Oh, right.
Calendar: Listen, I told you. I've got nothing for you.

me: Really?
me: Am I that boring?
me: Come on?
me: Is there nothing else? At least tell me about the upcoming holidays. Something. Public Calendars somewhere? Feed me Calendar!
me: Calendar?
me: Calendar!

Calendar has left the chat

me: dammit.

This year, with my kids getting a little older (3, 4 and 5) I'm making a pledge to get out and do more things. Like at least one thing a year to start. And what better place to start than Ottawa's free arts festival, WESTFEST.

The festival spans all divides of art with musicians, visual artists, authors, spoken word performers and live theatre. There are literally millions and millions of performers poised for powerful presentations of proactive imaginative machinations of pure pleasure.

Among the artists readying their creative outbursts are Lynn Miles (my favourite Ottawa (if not Canadian (if not worldwide... not really even joking))) singer/songwriter who was introduced to me by my lovely wife and whom I have had the pleasure of seeing live more than once, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kinnie Starr, Joel Plaskett and many, many, many more.

And even though after a close examination of the list of hosts you might begin to think this is a subversive attempt by the CBC to take over a few city blocks with radio and television personalities, if you have the time and you want to mingle and rock, make an effort to join in the fray.

The festival takes place June 11 - 15 in Westboro Village, Ottawa (Richmond Road). And don't forget, it's free. For details check out westfest.ca and get crackin.

Oh, and they need volunteers for like everything.

Oh, Oh, also, they are linked up with Make Poverty History as well so it's all good, all the time.

tallness underrated, originally uploaded by note to self.

I was in the backyard last weekend with my kids and we were playing in the weeds. I was curious if weeds would make for good subjects seeing as I don't have any real flowers growing and I'm a terrible gardener.

I posted some of the pictures to flickr.

Update... And so it ends while sadness falls

As reported by Truemors.com, the final drinking binge of the Londoners protesting the end to their ability to drink on the Tube (seriously, they were previously allowed to drink on the subway?) ends with fights, vomiting and seriously ugly debauchery.

Also reported by the BBC.

The end.