February 26, 2010
My brother and I went to see one of our favourite comedians, Jeremy Hotz, at Massey Hall this evening. We have been to many of the Just for Laughs festivals in the past, which have featured Jeremy a number of times. His quirky and unique stand-up style is what I find hilarious! He tends to find misery in the most everyday tasks and delivers his commentary on the brink of either laughing at himself or on verge of tears. Jeremy got his start in little comedy clubs around Canada, but in 1997, he performed at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and received a standing ovation after his debut performance at the festival’s prestigious television gala. Today’s question is: when did the Just for Laughs comedy festival start?
A: Just for Laughs comedy festival started out as a humble two-night French language comedy show in Montreal in 1983. Twenty- seven years later, it has turned into a powerhouse of comedic film, television, theatre and touring comedy festivals. The company has expanded from Montreal to Toronto, then adding Chicago and most recently Nantes, France.
Sources:
Jeremy Hotz
Just for Laughs: Jeremy Hotz
Just for Laughs Comedy Festival
Travel Lady: Just for Laughs
Friday
Hannah and Her Sisters
February 25, 2010
For Valentine’s Day, I rented Annie Hall (see entry VD) and it reignited the desire to see Woody Allen films. On recommendation, I rented Hannah and Her Sisters, which turned out to have amazingly rich and complicated characters and wonderful plot. The storyline that I was most fascinated with was that of Eliot, Hannah’s husband, and Lee, her sister. Eliot had become enamoured with Lee and decided that he wanted to have an affair with her - to find out what happens I suggest that you go out and rent it. There is a fabulous scene in the film, where Eliot is first trying to get Lee to notice his affections, which takes place in a bookstore. Eliot tells Lee that he read a poem that reminds him of her and he wanted to buy her an anthology book that contained the poem. The featured line from the poem is “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands”, which I immediately recognized as e. e. cummings, noting that it is also used as the epigraph from Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie. Today’s question is: what is the name of that e. e. cummings poem?
A: The book that Eliot gives Lee in the bookstore is the Complete Poems 1913 – 1962 by e. e. cummings. Eliot tells her that the poem he wants her to read is on page 112 of the book, yet in actuality the poem entitled “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond” is on page 366.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
e. e. cummings
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Sources:
Academy of American Poets
Internet Movie Database: Hannah and Her Sisters
For Valentine’s Day, I rented Annie Hall (see entry VD) and it reignited the desire to see Woody Allen films. On recommendation, I rented Hannah and Her Sisters, which turned out to have amazingly rich and complicated characters and wonderful plot. The storyline that I was most fascinated with was that of Eliot, Hannah’s husband, and Lee, her sister. Eliot had become enamoured with Lee and decided that he wanted to have an affair with her - to find out what happens I suggest that you go out and rent it. There is a fabulous scene in the film, where Eliot is first trying to get Lee to notice his affections, which takes place in a bookstore. Eliot tells Lee that he read a poem that reminds him of her and he wanted to buy her an anthology book that contained the poem. The featured line from the poem is “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands”, which I immediately recognized as e. e. cummings, noting that it is also used as the epigraph from Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie. Today’s question is: what is the name of that e. e. cummings poem?
A: The book that Eliot gives Lee in the bookstore is the Complete Poems 1913 – 1962 by e. e. cummings. Eliot tells her that the poem he wants her to read is on page 112 of the book, yet in actuality the poem entitled “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond” is on page 366.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
e. e. cummings
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Sources:
Academy of American Poets
Internet Movie Database: Hannah and Her Sisters
Vay-cay
February 24, 2010
For more than 10 years, I have been talking about visiting Belize. I initially wanted to go there on my honeymoon, but with my husband being from another country and not all of his family able to attend the wedding, things didn’t really work out and our honeymoon was spent visiting with those that couldn’t make it to see our nuptials. Then, I wanted to go for my fifth anniversary, but things didn’t really work out in general. So, in the midst of a divorce, I figure I’m going to go on vacation to Belize. Being part Guatemalan, my matriarchal family never lets me forget that Belize used to be a part of Guatemala. My former husband maintained that Belize was a British colony. Now, much like me, Belize is an independent nation. Today’s question is: when did Belize achieve independence?
A:
Belize was initially inhabited by the Mayans between 200 A.D. and 1000 A.D. The culture slowly declined throughout Central and South America with the conquering attempts of the Spanish and British. In preparation for colonization, The British-Guatemala Treaty over Belize was established in 1859 to settle the boundaries of the countries. In 1862 Belize became a colony of British Honduras, making Belize the last British colony on the American mainland.
1933 Guatemala reasserted its claim to Belize stating that the treaty of 1859 was an agreement of cession through which Guatemala would give up its territorial claims. The Guatemalan Governor General, Jorge Ubico, disputed the validity of the treaty under the grounds that Britain did not fulfill the terms and commitments of the document. Britain maintained that Guatemala had never exercised any authority over the area or protested British presence until the 19th century. A series of political negotiations began and continued well into the 1970s, yet the dispute was never resolved. In 1975 Britain allowed the colonial government to internationalize its case for independence, so Belizeans participated in international diplomacy even before the area became a sovereign nation. The stalemate in the protracted negotiations between Britain and Guatemala over the future status of Belize led Belizeans to seek the international community's assistance in resolving issues associated with independence.
In 1981 Belize became an independent nation, through the support of Central American and Caribbean countries who campaigned on Belize’s behalf.
Sources:
BBC News – Belize Country Profile
Belize – Decolonization and the Border Dispute with Guatemala
History of Belize – Chronological Table
Anus?
February 23, 2010
My roommate and I subscribe to an organic fruit and vegetable delivery service. The company, called Mama Earth, delivers seasonal, organically grown produce to our home. This week, we had a fennel bulb delivered and my roommate asked me if it was an anus.
Now, let me provide some background… Both her and I worked in family-run grocery stores when we were younger. Both of the stores stocked fennel but labelled it as anise. My roommate always thought that it was pronounced anus.
But back to our organic fennel, I didn’t know how to answer her. So, today’s question is: is there a difference between fennel and anise?
A: There seems to be a common misconception that fennel and anise are the same things. Some cooking websites use the two words interchangeably, as both plants have a subtle liquorice flavour. However, it seems that anise and fennel are actually a different plant. The botanical name of anise is Pimpinella anisum while the botanical name of fennel is Foeniculum vulgare. Both anise and fennel belong to the Apiaceae family.
The whole plant (bulb, stalks, and fronds) of fennel can be consumed, while it is usually just the seeds from the anise plant that are eaten. Star anise or Chinese anise, which is often used as a spice, is not part of the Apiaceae family, which means it is not even related to anise or fennel. Huh.
So, the likelihood is that if you go to the grocery story and you see a plant-like vegetable labelled anise, it’s a good chance that is fennel – and not anus.
Sources:
Jamie Oliver Forum
Yahoo! Answers
My roommate and I subscribe to an organic fruit and vegetable delivery service. The company, called Mama Earth, delivers seasonal, organically grown produce to our home. This week, we had a fennel bulb delivered and my roommate asked me if it was an anus.
Now, let me provide some background… Both her and I worked in family-run grocery stores when we were younger. Both of the stores stocked fennel but labelled it as anise. My roommate always thought that it was pronounced anus.
But back to our organic fennel, I didn’t know how to answer her. So, today’s question is: is there a difference between fennel and anise?
A: There seems to be a common misconception that fennel and anise are the same things. Some cooking websites use the two words interchangeably, as both plants have a subtle liquorice flavour. However, it seems that anise and fennel are actually a different plant. The botanical name of anise is Pimpinella anisum while the botanical name of fennel is Foeniculum vulgare. Both anise and fennel belong to the Apiaceae family.
The whole plant (bulb, stalks, and fronds) of fennel can be consumed, while it is usually just the seeds from the anise plant that are eaten. Star anise or Chinese anise, which is often used as a spice, is not part of the Apiaceae family, which means it is not even related to anise or fennel. Huh.
So, the likelihood is that if you go to the grocery story and you see a plant-like vegetable labelled anise, it’s a good chance that is fennel – and not anus.
Sources:
Jamie Oliver Forum
Yahoo! Answers
Masa
February 22, 2010
This afternoon I got the chance to catch up with an old colleauge and friend. We went to a local sushi place called Masa, which offers an all you can eat lunch special for $10.99. I always enjoy eating here as the selection is quite extensive and the quality is great. I think my favourite roll is the spicy salmon skin roll - I know, it sounds a little off putting, but this definitely gets Mirelle's stamp of approval - it is delicious! Today's question is: what is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
A: Sushi and sashimi are both Japanese dishes consisting of raw fish. Sushi consists of vinegared rice with an overlay of raw fish or is rolled in seaweed with fish and/or vegetables. Sushi does not mean “raw fish,” but “vinegar rice.” While much of the fish used to make sushi is raw, some of the items are blanched, boiled, broiled, marinated or sautéed. Sashimi consists of different species of fish dipped in a mixture of wasabi and soy sauce that are sliced into thin pieces and then served raw.
Interestingly, sushi was originally developed as a snack food to serve at gambling parlours so the gamblers could take quick bites without stopping the action.
Sources:
Difference Between
Food Info Net
The Nibble
This afternoon I got the chance to catch up with an old colleauge and friend. We went to a local sushi place called Masa, which offers an all you can eat lunch special for $10.99. I always enjoy eating here as the selection is quite extensive and the quality is great. I think my favourite roll is the spicy salmon skin roll - I know, it sounds a little off putting, but this definitely gets Mirelle's stamp of approval - it is delicious! Today's question is: what is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
A: Sushi and sashimi are both Japanese dishes consisting of raw fish. Sushi consists of vinegared rice with an overlay of raw fish or is rolled in seaweed with fish and/or vegetables. Sushi does not mean “raw fish,” but “vinegar rice.” While much of the fish used to make sushi is raw, some of the items are blanched, boiled, broiled, marinated or sautéed. Sashimi consists of different species of fish dipped in a mixture of wasabi and soy sauce that are sliced into thin pieces and then served raw.
Interestingly, sushi was originally developed as a snack food to serve at gambling parlours so the gamblers could take quick bites without stopping the action.
Sources:
Difference Between
Food Info Net
The Nibble
Familia
February 21, 2010
Sundays usually consist of going up to the suburbs to visit my parents for Sunday lunch. This has been a long standing tradition, yet I sometimes find it to be quite torturous. My mother is very critical and has an opinion on everything I do. My father, as lovely as he is, tends to lecture about everything and is a little socially inappropriate with his questions. I don’t have any complaints about my brother, who has been supportive and kind, but things can change. I figure that everyone has their issues with their family, be it parents, siblings or extended family, at some point. Today’s question is: where does the word family come from?
A: The word family first referred to the servants of a household and then to both the servants and the descendants of a common ancestor. It comes from the Latin word familia, meaning 'household; household servants', which came from another Latin term famulus, or 'servant'. It was not until 1667 that the term was used specifically for the group of persons consisting of parents and their children. The word daughter is a very old English word, first recorded c. 1000 as dohtor. It descends from Old English and is related to words in many other Indo-European languages, such as Greek thugater. The modern spelling daughter was first used in a 16th century Bible and was popularized by Shakespeare. The word son is quite a bit older, found in Beowulf in 645. It also descends from Old English and is related to words in many other Indo-European languages, such as Greek huios. Mother is one of the surviving words from Anglo-Saxon (starting as modor), which are among the most fundamental words in English. Mother has many cognates in other languages, including Old High German muoter, Dutch moeder, Old Norse mothir, Latin mater, Greek meter, and Sanskrit mat. These words share an Indo-European root. Father is derived from Latin pater and has cognates in many other languages; the word entered Old English as feder and foeder.
Source:
Dictionary.com
Sundays usually consist of going up to the suburbs to visit my parents for Sunday lunch. This has been a long standing tradition, yet I sometimes find it to be quite torturous. My mother is very critical and has an opinion on everything I do. My father, as lovely as he is, tends to lecture about everything and is a little socially inappropriate with his questions. I don’t have any complaints about my brother, who has been supportive and kind, but things can change. I figure that everyone has their issues with their family, be it parents, siblings or extended family, at some point. Today’s question is: where does the word family come from?
A: The word family first referred to the servants of a household and then to both the servants and the descendants of a common ancestor. It comes from the Latin word familia, meaning 'household; household servants', which came from another Latin term famulus, or 'servant'. It was not until 1667 that the term was used specifically for the group of persons consisting of parents and their children. The word daughter is a very old English word, first recorded c. 1000 as dohtor. It descends from Old English and is related to words in many other Indo-European languages, such as Greek thugater. The modern spelling daughter was first used in a 16th century Bible and was popularized by Shakespeare. The word son is quite a bit older, found in Beowulf in 645. It also descends from Old English and is related to words in many other Indo-European languages, such as Greek huios. Mother is one of the surviving words from Anglo-Saxon (starting as modor), which are among the most fundamental words in English. Mother has many cognates in other languages, including Old High German muoter, Dutch moeder, Old Norse mothir, Latin mater, Greek meter, and Sanskrit mat. These words share an Indo-European root. Father is derived from Latin pater and has cognates in many other languages; the word entered Old English as feder and foeder.
Source:
Dictionary.com
Curl Ambassadors
February 20, 2010
Yet another eventful Saturday involving a lot of running around and completing errands! One of the highlights was getting my hair cut. Having naturally curly hair has left me with a number of bad hair cuts in the past including something that made me look like a poodle or constantly leaving the salon with wonderfully stick straight hair, in which I never have the time or inclination to try to reproduce the next morning. However, in the last year or so, I’ve been going to a place called The Curl Ambassadors, who only deal in cutting and styling curly hair. I have not been disappointed! Today’s question is: what causes curly hair?
A: The obvious answer is that genetics plays a major role in whether a person has curly or straight hair. Even if both parents do not have curly hair, they may have the genetic markers that can be passed on to produced curly-haired children.
One of the biological reasons for curly hair is the shape of the hair follicle. Hair follicles are the tiny sacs in the skin of people's scalps. These sacs hold the hair bulb from which hair grows. As the hair grows, it emerges from the top of the hair follicle. People with curly hair have hair follicles that are shaped like an elongated oval. The direction that hair grows out from the scalp also determines if it will be curly. Within the follicle, the hair bulb may lie at a certain angle. This angle will determine in which direction hair will grow when it emerges from the scalp. Curly hair grows out of the scalp at a sharp angle because their bulbs sit to one side within their hair follicles.
Yet another eventful Saturday involving a lot of running around and completing errands! One of the highlights was getting my hair cut. Having naturally curly hair has left me with a number of bad hair cuts in the past including something that made me look like a poodle or constantly leaving the salon with wonderfully stick straight hair, in which I never have the time or inclination to try to reproduce the next morning. However, in the last year or so, I’ve been going to a place called The Curl Ambassadors, who only deal in cutting and styling curly hair. I have not been disappointed! Today’s question is: what causes curly hair?
A: The obvious answer is that genetics plays a major role in whether a person has curly or straight hair. Even if both parents do not have curly hair, they may have the genetic markers that can be passed on to produced curly-haired children.
One of the biological reasons for curly hair is the shape of the hair follicle. Hair follicles are the tiny sacs in the skin of people's scalps. These sacs hold the hair bulb from which hair grows. As the hair grows, it emerges from the top of the hair follicle. People with curly hair have hair follicles that are shaped like an elongated oval. The direction that hair grows out from the scalp also determines if it will be curly. Within the follicle, the hair bulb may lie at a certain angle. This angle will determine in which direction hair will grow when it emerges from the scalp. Curly hair grows out of the scalp at a sharp angle because their bulbs sit to one side within their hair follicles.
Sources:
Sitting on an atomic bomb about to go off
February 19, 2010
This evening, my roommate and I went to see the cult classic 'The Room' for the first time. The Royal Cinema in Toronto tends to show it monthly at midnight. 'The Room' was horrifyingly bad, which made it so good. This movie has everything, from terrible acting, editing inconsistencies, a disturbing 1990's slow jam soundtrack, revolting sex scenes and a nonsensical plot. Yet I challenge someone else to attempt something worse and make it just as entertaining. From the screening, it was obvious that there are some really hardcore people who enjoy shouting at the screen and throwing spoons, a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today's question is: what is the significance of the spoons in 'The Room'?
A: As a ‘The Room’ virgin, I was completely unaware that there is a framed picture of a spoon inside Johnny and Lisa’s living room. 'The Room' followers have become obsessed with the photo and shout “SPOON!” and hurl plastic picnic spoons at each other or at the screen each time it appears on screen.
So there you have it. If you end up seeing a midnight screening of this amazing display of horribleness, make sure to bring spoons with you!
Sources:
Independent Film Channel: “Everyone betray me!” A Primer on ‘The Room’
The A.V. Club: A Viewer’s Guide to The Room
Times Online: Cult hit The Room is the best worst film
This evening, my roommate and I went to see the cult classic 'The Room' for the first time. The Royal Cinema in Toronto tends to show it monthly at midnight. 'The Room' was horrifyingly bad, which made it so good. This movie has everything, from terrible acting, editing inconsistencies, a disturbing 1990's slow jam soundtrack, revolting sex scenes and a nonsensical plot. Yet I challenge someone else to attempt something worse and make it just as entertaining. From the screening, it was obvious that there are some really hardcore people who enjoy shouting at the screen and throwing spoons, a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today's question is: what is the significance of the spoons in 'The Room'?
A: As a ‘The Room’ virgin, I was completely unaware that there is a framed picture of a spoon inside Johnny and Lisa’s living room. 'The Room' followers have become obsessed with the photo and shout “SPOON!” and hurl plastic picnic spoons at each other or at the screen each time it appears on screen.
So there you have it. If you end up seeing a midnight screening of this amazing display of horribleness, make sure to bring spoons with you!
Sources:
Independent Film Channel: “Everyone betray me!” A Primer on ‘The Room’
The A.V. Club: A Viewer’s Guide to The Room
Times Online: Cult hit The Room is the best worst film
Bit o' Bread
February 18, 2010
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Today, I got to put my procurement skills to use. I'm helping to plan a bunch of focus groups and I need to order the all important food. And since I order food, indirectly, with tax payer dollars, it is important for me to schlep around getting quotes on how much food will cost. After nearly a week of calling around, visiting lunch spots and researching online, I went with the Croissant Tree. Mmmmm... croissants.
I like to think of myself as an intermediate level cook, however the only croissants I have ever attempted were these:
I know that it takes a long time and lots of patience to make croissants from scratch - and to be honest, I would rather just buy them from the store. Today's question is: what is the origin of the croissant?
A: The answer for this one fascinated me. Apparently, there is a long standing myth about where the croissant came from. In the 1938 book, Larousse Gastronomique by Alfred Gottschalk, it was detailed that the croissant was created in 1686 in Budapest, Hungary by a courageous and watchful baker, at a time when the city was being attacked by the Turks. Working late one night, he heard odd rumbling noises and alerted the city's military leaders. They found that the Turks were trying to get into the city by tunnelling under the city's walls. The tunnel was destroyed and the baker became a hero. However, the baker asked no reward other than the exclusive right to bake crescent-shaped pastries commemorating the incident, the crescent being the symbol of Islam.
This story has been reproduced and become the accepted history of this delicious, flaky and buttery bread. Unfortunately, it just a myth that has been accepted as truth. The real history of the croissant is less dramatic. The croissant originated in France in the 1830s. It was an adaptation by the Austrian baker, August Zang, of the Austrian bread called the kipfel. The first croissant recipe was published in 1891, but it wasn't the same kind of croissant we are familiar with today, the flakier version was subsequently published in 1905 in France.
Sources:
Poetry
February 17, 2010
Another writing Wednesday and our little class will be moving on from the short story to poetry. I am not looking forward to taking on this section. I don't think I have the eloquence to be a poet. I also have difficulty interpreting the symbolism of poetry, which strips my enjoyment of it. There are a number of different styles of poetry - most of which I am unfamiliar - but my question is really one of definition. Today’s question is: what is a poem?
A:
Edgar Allan Poe said, "Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words."
A poem is identifiable by its literary and musical elements. For example, metaphor and alliteration are common in many poems. Another hallmark of a poem is its brevity, or ability to say much in few words. This requires layered meaning and the use of symbolism. A poem need not rhyme or contain a consistent meter to qualify as such, but those elements are common in many poems. Usually a poem is broken down into lines and stanzas. They can contain full sentences or just fragments, or a combination.
There are many forms of poetry such as:
Sonnet – the sonnet is the most popular form of poem. Sonnets are usually connected with poems about love. Shakespeare produced many well known sonnets, some of which can be found in the Oxford Book of English Verse.
Ode – an ode is a lyrical poem which is structured into three parts (strophe, antistrophe and the epode).
Haiku – Haiku is a form of unrhymed Japanese poetry, the haiku contains three sections totaling 17 onji (phonological units of syllable weighing), structured in a 5-7-5 pattern.
There are also many different genres for poems including epic poetry (narrative literature centered on mythical or heroic people), narrative poetry (poems which tell a story), dramatic poetry (written in verse), lyric poetry (usually describes the poet's feelings and thoughts).
Ugh. I’m not looking forward to it!
Sources:
eHow: What is a poem?
Wikipedia: Poetry
Another writing Wednesday and our little class will be moving on from the short story to poetry. I am not looking forward to taking on this section. I don't think I have the eloquence to be a poet. I also have difficulty interpreting the symbolism of poetry, which strips my enjoyment of it. There are a number of different styles of poetry - most of which I am unfamiliar - but my question is really one of definition. Today’s question is: what is a poem?
A:
Edgar Allan Poe said, "Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words."
A poem is identifiable by its literary and musical elements. For example, metaphor and alliteration are common in many poems. Another hallmark of a poem is its brevity, or ability to say much in few words. This requires layered meaning and the use of symbolism. A poem need not rhyme or contain a consistent meter to qualify as such, but those elements are common in many poems. Usually a poem is broken down into lines and stanzas. They can contain full sentences or just fragments, or a combination.
There are many forms of poetry such as:
Sonnet – the sonnet is the most popular form of poem. Sonnets are usually connected with poems about love. Shakespeare produced many well known sonnets, some of which can be found in the Oxford Book of English Verse.
Ode – an ode is a lyrical poem which is structured into three parts (strophe, antistrophe and the epode).
Haiku – Haiku is a form of unrhymed Japanese poetry, the haiku contains three sections totaling 17 onji (phonological units of syllable weighing), structured in a 5-7-5 pattern.
There are also many different genres for poems including epic poetry (narrative literature centered on mythical or heroic people), narrative poetry (poems which tell a story), dramatic poetry (written in verse), lyric poetry (usually describes the poet's feelings and thoughts).
Ugh. I’m not looking forward to it!
Sources:
eHow: What is a poem?
Wikipedia: Poetry
Mom, Pop, Suzy and Little Johnny
February 16, 2010
Today's post is a continuation of yesterday. I had quite an eventful day today - I went to see Editors in concert - but I was left questioning the "made up holiday" of the third Monday of February. In 2008, Dalton McGuinty, the Premier of Ontario, decided that Ontario would observe this as a statutory holiday just as the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan do. Today's question is: when did Alberta begin observing Family Day?
A: Family day was first observed in 1990 in Alberta, it was created to recognize the pioneers who first settled there and to emphasize the importance of the modern day family. Saskatchewan followed suit in 2007, and as mentioned above, Ontario began observing in 2008.
In researching, I came across this line from TimeandDate.com:
On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities... As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks.
Where these people think we live? A Hallmark snow globe?! Admittedly, I went skating with my brother, but had he not suggested it, I would have stayed in bed and been the miserable, antisocial, biotch that I normally am! ;)
Source:
Calendar: Family Day
Today's post is a continuation of yesterday. I had quite an eventful day today - I went to see Editors in concert - but I was left questioning the "made up holiday" of the third Monday of February. In 2008, Dalton McGuinty, the Premier of Ontario, decided that Ontario would observe this as a statutory holiday just as the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan do. Today's question is: when did Alberta begin observing Family Day?
A: Family day was first observed in 1990 in Alberta, it was created to recognize the pioneers who first settled there and to emphasize the importance of the modern day family. Saskatchewan followed suit in 2007, and as mentioned above, Ontario began observing in 2008.
In researching, I came across this line from TimeandDate.com:
On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities... As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks.
Where these people think we live? A Hallmark snow globe?! Admittedly, I went skating with my brother, but had he not suggested it, I would have stayed in bed and been the miserable, antisocial, biotch that I normally am! ;)
Source:
Calendar: Family Day
Oh Canada
February 15, 2010
Today is an important day for Canadians - no, it's not that made up "Family Day" holiday - today is flag day. I only know this because of a newspaper article that my roommate pointed out to me. So, an opportunity to research. Today's question is: when was the Canadian flag incepted?
A: Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty King George V.
Dr. George Stanley designed the current flag, which is inspired by the Royal Military College of Canada’s flag, and chose to use the single maple leaf because it could clearly be seen from a distance. The multi-party parliamentary committee formed to select a new flag unanimously chose the design on October 29, 1964. The House of Commons passed the design on December 15, 1964. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new flag on January 28, 1965, and it was inaugurated on February 15 in the same year.
In 1996, Februrary 15th officially proclaimed National Flag of Canada Day.
Source:
Canadian Heritage: National Flag of Canada Day
Today is an important day for Canadians - no, it's not that made up "Family Day" holiday - today is flag day. I only know this because of a newspaper article that my roommate pointed out to me. So, an opportunity to research. Today's question is: when was the Canadian flag incepted?
A: Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty King George V.
Dr. George Stanley designed the current flag, which is inspired by the Royal Military College of Canada’s flag, and chose to use the single maple leaf because it could clearly be seen from a distance. The multi-party parliamentary committee formed to select a new flag unanimously chose the design on October 29, 1964. The House of Commons passed the design on December 15, 1964. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new flag on January 28, 1965, and it was inaugurated on February 15 in the same year.
In 1996, Februrary 15th officially proclaimed National Flag of Canada Day.
Source:
Canadian Heritage: National Flag of Canada Day
Tuesday
VD
February 14, 2010
Oh, another Valentine's Day. Some people believe that Valentine's Day is nothing more than a commercialized holiday and that couples should show their love for each other every day. I agree. However having been married, I also know that paying the bills, cleaning the toilet, cooking meals and the mundane tasks of daily living usually robs the romance from relationships, so I believe that a day set aside to reignite the love is not such a bad idea. Being single this Valentine's Day stings a little bit, not for lack of gifts or flowers, but a reminder of the lack of romantic love in my life. Regardless, I decided to make the most of it by watching break-up movies with a duo of friends. We indulged in 'Annie Hall', 'Cashback' and 'Lars and the Real Girl' - all wonderfully quirky films about romantic relationships - and a caramel apple upside down cake. Today's question is: what is the most popular Valentine's Day gift?A: Well, it seems that VD really is a Hallmark holiday! According to the Greeting Card Association (yes, there really is a trade organization devoted to greeting cards and stationary!) 190 million cards are sent each year, that is excluding the ones that school children send.
According to the annual consumer survey, conducted by the National Retail Federation, fifty-five percent of the US consumers were planning to send at least one Valentine's card this year.
Source:
Tribute to a Lost Love
Saturday, February 13
This is a very sad day for me. On the second Saturday in February of 2009, I took my whippet puppy, for her first puppy training class. The fact that she was hyper, disobedient and shat on the floor has nothing to do with the sadness I feel. It’s that Moss was mauled to death last May and I miss her terribly. Today dredged up all the feelings of loss as if the incident had just happened. I have considered getting another puppy, but have waited partly because I don’t want to feel as if I’m replacing her and partly because of my living situation (four cats, two humans and a puppy in a carpeted basement apartment sounds like a recipe for disaster). In time, I may be ready to bring a new little whippet into my life, but for now, I will honour the memory of my lost love, Moss. Today’s question is: how intelligent are Whippets?
Sources:
Intelligence of Dogs
This is a very sad day for me. On the second Saturday in February of 2009, I took my whippet puppy, for her first puppy training class. The fact that she was hyper, disobedient and shat on the floor has nothing to do with the sadness I feel. It’s that Moss was mauled to death last May and I miss her terribly. Today dredged up all the feelings of loss as if the incident had just happened. I have considered getting another puppy, but have waited partly because I don’t want to feel as if I’m replacing her and partly because of my living situation (four cats, two humans and a puppy in a carpeted basement apartment sounds like a recipe for disaster). In time, I may be ready to bring a new little whippet into my life, but for now, I will honour the memory of my lost love, Moss. Today’s question is: how intelligent are Whippets?
A: According to Stanley Coren, author of "The Intelligence of Dogs", there are three types of dog intelligence:
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability). This is specific to the individual animal and is measured by canine IQ tests.
- Instinctive Intelligence. Which is also specific to the individual animal and measured by canine IQ tests.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence. This is breed dependent.
There are seventy-nine breeds included in this ranking. The author used "understanding of new commands" and "obey first command" as his standards of intelligence. Although it must be noted that this ranking is heavily weighted on obedience, which may categorize dogs bred for hunting in a lower rating due to their independent nature, but does not mean that they are unintelligible or hard to train.
Whippets are listed in the Average Working/Obedience Intelligence category ranked number 51 of 79. Despite being in the lower half of the ranking, a study in the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science - and posted on the Discovery website - explained that Whippets are considered to be one of the least aggressive dog breeds.
Sources:
Intelligence of Dogs
Monday
Bouquets of Glory
February 12, 2010
Today is the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As I’m not a huge winter sports fan, I am not a die hard watcher of the Olympic Games, yet I am completely spellbound by the opening ceremony. I actually got teary eyed when Steve Nash, Wayne Gretzky, Rick Hansen, Nancy Greene and Catriona Le May Doan lit the larger Olympic torch. As Vancouver 2010 dominated conversations today, someone told me that the bouquets that are given to medal winners are very special; however they could not articulate more than that. Today’s question is: what flowers make up the Olympic bouquets? (And what makes them so darn special?!)
A: The Olympic bouquets are made of flowers and greenery that are grown in Canada. The victory bouquets contain:
Hypericum berries
Leatherleaf fern
Today is the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As I’m not a huge winter sports fan, I am not a die hard watcher of the Olympic Games, yet I am completely spellbound by the opening ceremony. I actually got teary eyed when Steve Nash, Wayne Gretzky, Rick Hansen, Nancy Greene and Catriona Le May Doan lit the larger Olympic torch. As Vancouver 2010 dominated conversations today, someone told me that the bouquets that are given to medal winners are very special; however they could not articulate more than that. Today’s question is: what flowers make up the Olympic bouquets? (And what makes them so darn special?!)
A: The Olympic bouquets are made of flowers and greenery that are grown in Canada. The victory bouquets contain:
Hypericum berries
Green spider mums
Leatherleaf fern
Monkey grass
Aspidistra leaves
The greenery is bound together by a royal blue ribbon and the handles are made of recycled paper. All packaging and wrapping are sourced according to sustainability principles and delivery is governed by a carbon management program.
Now, what makes these bouquets so special has nothing to do with what is in them or how they are transported; it is in who is making them. The flowers are selected and the bouquets are handmade by marginalized women, recovering from addiction, leaving the sex trade or released from prison. The bouquets are produced by a small business and social enterprising partnership between florist Margitta Schulz and a social service organization called Just Beginnings Non-Profit Society. Just Beginnings is a flower shop and floral training facility for women with barriers to employment. The women are provided with an experience that connects them with top athletes as well as employability skills for future opportunities.
Now, what makes these bouquets so special has nothing to do with what is in them or how they are transported; it is in who is making them. The flowers are selected and the bouquets are handmade by marginalized women, recovering from addiction, leaving the sex trade or released from prison. The bouquets are produced by a small business and social enterprising partnership between florist Margitta Schulz and a social service organization called Just Beginnings Non-Profit Society. Just Beginnings is a flower shop and floral training facility for women with barriers to employment. The women are provided with an experience that connects them with top athletes as well as employability skills for future opportunities.
Sources:
Sunday
Nelson Mandela
February 11, 2010
Today marks the 20-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Mr. Mandela had been in jail for 27-years for his actions in protest of the apartheid system in South Africa.
I can remember being ten years old on the day the nation and the world rejoiced as the instrumental leader in changing the South African segregation policies was set free. I remember writing a story that outlined why Nelson Mandela was my hero; although at the time I don’t think I grasped the magnitude of what apartheid was or why his release from imprisonment was such an important event. Today’s question is: how long was the apartheid policy in place?
A: Apartheid is the Afrikaans word for ‘apartness’ and was used in the 1930’s as a political slogan of the South African National Party. The social customs of apartheid had been in practice since the colonial times of the 1650’s, however became systemized under law in 1948 when the Afrikaner Nationalists came into power. The new legislation segregated people into racial groups, the segregation extended to residential areas, medical care, education and other government services providing inferior services to non-whites.
The apartheid policies were met with much internal and international resistance. A number of black political groups opposed apartheid by using a variety of tactics, including violence, strikes, demonstrations, and sabotage strategies that were often met with severe reprisals by the government. In 1961 South Africa was forced to withdraw from the British Commonwealth and in 1985 the US and UK governments imposed selective economic sanction on South Africa due to opposition of apartheid.
In 1990, President Fredrik Willem de Klerk, under external anti-apartheid pressure, began dismantling the apartheid policies. De Klerk cultivated a National Party government dedicated to reform and saw the legalization of formerly banned black congresses and the release of imprisoned black leaders.
After the 42-years of apartheid, the policies had been abolished – although, there is debate on whether the vestiges of the system still play a role in South African politics and society.
Sources:
African Encyclopedia: Apartheid
BBC News: Nelson Mandela’s 1990 release celebrated in South Africa
Wikipedia: South Africa under apartheid
Today marks the 20-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Mr. Mandela had been in jail for 27-years for his actions in protest of the apartheid system in South Africa.
I can remember being ten years old on the day the nation and the world rejoiced as the instrumental leader in changing the South African segregation policies was set free. I remember writing a story that outlined why Nelson Mandela was my hero; although at the time I don’t think I grasped the magnitude of what apartheid was or why his release from imprisonment was such an important event. Today’s question is: how long was the apartheid policy in place?
A: Apartheid is the Afrikaans word for ‘apartness’ and was used in the 1930’s as a political slogan of the South African National Party. The social customs of apartheid had been in practice since the colonial times of the 1650’s, however became systemized under law in 1948 when the Afrikaner Nationalists came into power. The new legislation segregated people into racial groups, the segregation extended to residential areas, medical care, education and other government services providing inferior services to non-whites.
The apartheid policies were met with much internal and international resistance. A number of black political groups opposed apartheid by using a variety of tactics, including violence, strikes, demonstrations, and sabotage strategies that were often met with severe reprisals by the government. In 1961 South Africa was forced to withdraw from the British Commonwealth and in 1985 the US and UK governments imposed selective economic sanction on South Africa due to opposition of apartheid.
In 1990, President Fredrik Willem de Klerk, under external anti-apartheid pressure, began dismantling the apartheid policies. De Klerk cultivated a National Party government dedicated to reform and saw the legalization of formerly banned black congresses and the release of imprisoned black leaders.
After the 42-years of apartheid, the policies had been abolished – although, there is debate on whether the vestiges of the system still play a role in South African politics and society.
Sources:
African Encyclopedia: Apartheid
BBC News: Nelson Mandela’s 1990 release celebrated in South Africa
Wikipedia: South Africa under apartheid
Thursday
Chocolate and Froot
February 10, 2010
Today, I awoke and felt horrible. I was exhausted and achy and just all 'round ill. As my day was uneventful and filled with bad daytime telly, I don't have a question based on the events of my activities. However, I did have my regular read of the Beeb and it gave me an answer to a question that has plagued me for decades yet have not ventured to ask. Today's question is: side-by-side, what are the difference in various aspects, of a banana and a Kit Kat bar?
A: This post is another cop-out as the answer, although interesting, was re-printed (without permission) by the BBC. Regardless, here it is:
THE GREAT SNACK STAND-OFF
POPULARITY
The United Kingdom's best-selling fruit by far: 231 bananas eaten every second on average.
The UK's best-selling confectionery brand: 47 KitKats are eaten every second on average.
CALORIES
There are 105 in a medium banana (CalorieKing)
There are 230 in a traditional four-finger bar (Nestle)
FAT
The banana contains 0.4g fat (1% daily recommended intake)/0.1g sat fat (1% daily recommended intake)
The Kit Kat contains 12g fat (18% daily recommended intake)/7g sat fat (36% daily recommended intake)
HEALTH BENEFITS
Rich source of potassium, essential for good blood pressure and heart function, and fibre. A medium banana has roughly 400mg of potassium, 11% of your daily recommended intake and 3.1g of fibre, 12% of your daily recommended intake. Also helps regulate blood sugar levels and slowly release energy.
Not brimming with vitamins and minerals, but has some calcium - good for bones and teeth - and iron, good for blood and transporting oxygen around the body. One four-finger bar provides 6% of recommended daily calcium intake and 8% of recommended daily iron intake. Also has 1g of fibre.
DOWNSIDES
Unripe bananas can cause constipation. High fibre content means eating too many can cause bloating and wind.
Gives a sugar rush but not very filling. Even has 0.1g of trans fat, the food nasty that is bad for the heart.
SATISFACTION
Limited satisfaction - it's simply fuel for most people. The banana experience can be spiced up if thrown in a fruit smoothie, or baked in a tasty muffin, but the latter is not so healthy.
Mmmm. Good mouth-feel. And snapping off a finger can be a very satisfying sound, particularly if it is the sound of friends sharing the snack. Rare all-chocolate finger is bliss.
VARIETY
Comes in three sizes - small, medium or large. Colour, texture and taste varies as the banana ripens from woody and green to mushy and nearly black. Dried banana chips add an extra frisson to the selection.
Four fingers or two. Chunky. Dark chocolate. White chocolate. Mint. Orange. Caramel. Cappuccino. Apple (Japan). Hazelnut (Germany). Even banana flavoured in Canada. The list goes on and on...
FOLKLORE
Fishermen associate bananas with bad luck. One popular theory suggests this is because venomous spiders hitched rides in banana crates - and once onboard would bite and kill crew.
Parents in Japan swear by KitKats when their youngsters are taking exams. The phrase "Kitto Katsu" apparently translates as "you will surely win". The bars are often given as a good-luck gift.
DANGERS
A slip on a banana skin is painful and very embarrassing.
Dunkers run the risk of burning their actual fingers on hot beverages.
CULTURAL IMPACT
The banana-skin slip has been a comedy classic for generations and across cultures. It's made the world laugh.
It's a global chocolate bar, that cuts through cultural differences. The world shares the UK's love of KitKats.
PORTABILITY
Easily battered about and squashed. Can look obscene in a trouser pocket.
Flat and slips very neatly into pockets or bags, but easily melts and snaps.
HISTORY
Mentioned in Buddhist texts in 600 BC. Alexander the Great discovered the fruit in India in 327 BC. Organised banana plantations could be found in China back in 200 AD.
Launched in 1935 and was originally called Chocolate Crisp. From 1945-47, sported a blue wrapper when plain chocolate was used due to milk shortages after the war.
ETHICAL CREDENTIALS
One in every four bananas sold in UK supermarkets is now Fairtrade, with sales topping £150m. But there has been a long-running international trade dispute, with tariffs on some countries that produce the fruit for European markets.
The four-finger KitKat was certified as Fairtrade in the UK and Ireland in January 2010. Although parent company Nestle does have a chequered reputation for ethics, with consumer boycotts over the years because of its promotion of baby milk formula in Africa.
THE GOD FACTOR
Christian activist Ray Comfort says bananas are proof of God's existence - they are so perfectly suited to our hands, God must have created them expressly for our benefit.
A Dutch website reported last April that a man had claimed to have seen the face of Jesus in the centre of a KitKat Chunky he had just taken a bite out of.
Source:
BBC News - Snack stand-off: Banana v KitKat
Today, I awoke and felt horrible. I was exhausted and achy and just all 'round ill. As my day was uneventful and filled with bad daytime telly, I don't have a question based on the events of my activities. However, I did have my regular read of the Beeb and it gave me an answer to a question that has plagued me for decades yet have not ventured to ask. Today's question is: side-by-side, what are the difference in various aspects, of a banana and a Kit Kat bar?
A: This post is another cop-out as the answer, although interesting, was re-printed (without permission) by the BBC. Regardless, here it is:
THE GREAT SNACK STAND-OFF
POPULARITY
The United Kingdom's best-selling fruit by far: 231 bananas eaten every second on average.
The UK's best-selling confectionery brand: 47 KitKats are eaten every second on average.
CALORIES
There are 105 in a medium banana (CalorieKing)
There are 230 in a traditional four-finger bar (Nestle)
FAT
The banana contains 0.4g fat (1% daily recommended intake)/0.1g sat fat (1% daily recommended intake)
The Kit Kat contains 12g fat (18% daily recommended intake)/7g sat fat (36% daily recommended intake)
HEALTH BENEFITS
Rich source of potassium, essential for good blood pressure and heart function, and fibre. A medium banana has roughly 400mg of potassium, 11% of your daily recommended intake and 3.1g of fibre, 12% of your daily recommended intake. Also helps regulate blood sugar levels and slowly release energy.
Not brimming with vitamins and minerals, but has some calcium - good for bones and teeth - and iron, good for blood and transporting oxygen around the body. One four-finger bar provides 6% of recommended daily calcium intake and 8% of recommended daily iron intake. Also has 1g of fibre.
DOWNSIDES
Unripe bananas can cause constipation. High fibre content means eating too many can cause bloating and wind.
Gives a sugar rush but not very filling. Even has 0.1g of trans fat, the food nasty that is bad for the heart.
SATISFACTION
Limited satisfaction - it's simply fuel for most people. The banana experience can be spiced up if thrown in a fruit smoothie, or baked in a tasty muffin, but the latter is not so healthy.
Mmmm. Good mouth-feel. And snapping off a finger can be a very satisfying sound, particularly if it is the sound of friends sharing the snack. Rare all-chocolate finger is bliss.
VARIETY
Comes in three sizes - small, medium or large. Colour, texture and taste varies as the banana ripens from woody and green to mushy and nearly black. Dried banana chips add an extra frisson to the selection.
Four fingers or two. Chunky. Dark chocolate. White chocolate. Mint. Orange. Caramel. Cappuccino. Apple (Japan). Hazelnut (Germany). Even banana flavoured in Canada. The list goes on and on...
FOLKLORE
Fishermen associate bananas with bad luck. One popular theory suggests this is because venomous spiders hitched rides in banana crates - and once onboard would bite and kill crew.
Parents in Japan swear by KitKats when their youngsters are taking exams. The phrase "Kitto Katsu" apparently translates as "you will surely win". The bars are often given as a good-luck gift.
DANGERS
A slip on a banana skin is painful and very embarrassing.
Dunkers run the risk of burning their actual fingers on hot beverages.
CULTURAL IMPACT
The banana-skin slip has been a comedy classic for generations and across cultures. It's made the world laugh.
It's a global chocolate bar, that cuts through cultural differences. The world shares the UK's love of KitKats.
PORTABILITY
Easily battered about and squashed. Can look obscene in a trouser pocket.
Flat and slips very neatly into pockets or bags, but easily melts and snaps.
HISTORY
Mentioned in Buddhist texts in 600 BC. Alexander the Great discovered the fruit in India in 327 BC. Organised banana plantations could be found in China back in 200 AD.
Launched in 1935 and was originally called Chocolate Crisp. From 1945-47, sported a blue wrapper when plain chocolate was used due to milk shortages after the war.
ETHICAL CREDENTIALS
One in every four bananas sold in UK supermarkets is now Fairtrade, with sales topping £150m. But there has been a long-running international trade dispute, with tariffs on some countries that produce the fruit for European markets.
The four-finger KitKat was certified as Fairtrade in the UK and Ireland in January 2010. Although parent company Nestle does have a chequered reputation for ethics, with consumer boycotts over the years because of its promotion of baby milk formula in Africa.
THE GOD FACTOR
Christian activist Ray Comfort says bananas are proof of God's existence - they are so perfectly suited to our hands, God must have created them expressly for our benefit.
A Dutch website reported last April that a man had claimed to have seen the face of Jesus in the centre of a KitKat Chunky he had just taken a bite out of.
Source:
BBC News - Snack stand-off: Banana v KitKat
Tuesday
Our Lady of Guadalupe
February 9, 2010
Today was the funeral of my former colleague. She was from Peru and the majority of the homily was in Spanish. I tried to quietly translate the priest's words for my friends who aren't bilingual, however felt that I couldn't quite capture the beauty his words. He explained that in death, her spirit has planted a seed in our hearts and each time we show love to each other that seed sprouts into a flower - sharing a piece of her. At the end of the mass, I looked around the small church. It was a simple building with three stained glass windows and a large crucifix. Everything was painted a neutral yellow and, despite it's modest appearance, I could feel the love and community in that church. I grew up Catholic and went to mass (admittedly, sporadically) in a church that underwent a lot of renovations and at the end of it all looked very grand. These days, the holy water burns due to the hijinks that I freely participate in and the only time I visit mass is on occasions such as these. However, standing in the tiny Our Lady of Guadalupe church, I felt quite solemn and spiritual. I was suddenly curious of the story behind the namesake. Today's question is: what is legend of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
A: This miracle is documented as happening in December 1531 in Mexico. A widowed Aztec man, named Juan Diego, was travelling over the Tepeyac hill on his way to mass when he was greeted by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. She requested that he visit the Bishop Zumárraga and request a church be built in her honour at the bottom of the hill. Juan Diego complied, however the bishop was skeptical and explained that he needed a sign before constructing the temple.
Juan Diego intended to visit the Virgin to explain the bishop's response, however his uncle fell gravely ill and he did not return that day. The following morning, Juan's uncle requested that a priest be brought to perform the sacrament of Last Rites, as he did not expect to live another day. As Juan made his way to the church, his route took him over Tepeyac hill. Once again the Virgin showed herself to him. Juan explained that he was unable to convince the Bishop and that he had no time to spend with her, as his uncle was on his death bed. The Virgin Mary told Juan that his uncle had been healed and that Juan should climb to the top of the hill to retrieve the flowers as proof for the Bishop to approve the building of her church. Juan Diego showed reluctance, as the area was barren in winter, yet he respected her wishes. At the top of Tepeyac, Juan found a garden of blooming roses - in his mind, this was truly a miracle.
He gathered the flowers in his tilma, a native cactus-cloth cape, and returned to see Bishop Zumárraga. As Juan Diego released the flowers from his cape, it was revealed that an imprint of the Virgin Mary was left on the cloth. The bishop was taken aback by this miracle and ordered the construction of the church to begin.
Sources:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Wikipedia: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today was the funeral of my former colleague. She was from Peru and the majority of the homily was in Spanish. I tried to quietly translate the priest's words for my friends who aren't bilingual, however felt that I couldn't quite capture the beauty his words. He explained that in death, her spirit has planted a seed in our hearts and each time we show love to each other that seed sprouts into a flower - sharing a piece of her. At the end of the mass, I looked around the small church. It was a simple building with three stained glass windows and a large crucifix. Everything was painted a neutral yellow and, despite it's modest appearance, I could feel the love and community in that church. I grew up Catholic and went to mass (admittedly, sporadically) in a church that underwent a lot of renovations and at the end of it all looked very grand. These days, the holy water burns due to the hijinks that I freely participate in and the only time I visit mass is on occasions such as these. However, standing in the tiny Our Lady of Guadalupe church, I felt quite solemn and spiritual. I was suddenly curious of the story behind the namesake. Today's question is: what is legend of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
A: This miracle is documented as happening in December 1531 in Mexico. A widowed Aztec man, named Juan Diego, was travelling over the Tepeyac hill on his way to mass when he was greeted by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. She requested that he visit the Bishop Zumárraga and request a church be built in her honour at the bottom of the hill. Juan Diego complied, however the bishop was skeptical and explained that he needed a sign before constructing the temple.
Juan Diego intended to visit the Virgin to explain the bishop's response, however his uncle fell gravely ill and he did not return that day. The following morning, Juan's uncle requested that a priest be brought to perform the sacrament of Last Rites, as he did not expect to live another day. As Juan made his way to the church, his route took him over Tepeyac hill. Once again the Virgin showed herself to him. Juan explained that he was unable to convince the Bishop and that he had no time to spend with her, as his uncle was on his death bed. The Virgin Mary told Juan that his uncle had been healed and that Juan should climb to the top of the hill to retrieve the flowers as proof for the Bishop to approve the building of her church. Juan Diego showed reluctance, as the area was barren in winter, yet he respected her wishes. At the top of Tepeyac, Juan found a garden of blooming roses - in his mind, this was truly a miracle.
He gathered the flowers in his tilma, a native cactus-cloth cape, and returned to see Bishop Zumárraga. As Juan Diego released the flowers from his cape, it was revealed that an imprint of the Virgin Mary was left on the cloth. The bishop was taken aback by this miracle and ordered the construction of the church to begin.
Sources:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Wikipedia: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Monday
Cancer club
February 8, 2010
Today I received some news that a former colleague of mine had died of cancer. I used to work with her at the YMCA for a number of years. From what I knew of her, this was her second bout of cancer and that she had been battling it for some time. In addition, a friend has informed me that doctors have found a tumour that will need to be operated on in early March.
In these diagnoses, it has reminded me of a departed friend who's "live fully" approach to life with cancer is best illustrated by her three rules of cancer club.
Rule #1: Have a holiday
Rule #2: Buy some shoes
Rule #3: Have a party
This positive outlook makes me smile each time I think of it, however doesn't detract from the my fear that people I know, young people, are being diagnosed with this disease. I had a conversation with my roommate about why the instances of cancer have increased in the last years. We discussed the hormones and preservatives in food, global warming and other potential causes. However, I suggested, that perhaps it isn't an increase in the number of people who have cancer, but rather having the technology to detect it early and the advanced techniques to fight it that make it seem more prevalent. The difficulty is that a direct cause of cancer has not been identified - yet there are things that are known to increase risk of aquiring cancer, such as smoking and sun exposure. Today's question is: what are some of the cancer myths?
A: Cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of cells within the body. These masses, known as tumours, can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The term benign refers to a mass that is non-cancerous and will not spread, where as malignant masses may invade surrounding cells and have the potential to spread to other places in the body.
There are a number of myths that exist, especially on the internet, that have arisen relating to potential causes of cancer.
1) Antiperspirants cause breast cancer
The myth states:
The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration.
Antiperspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out.
This causes a high concentration of toxins and leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER.
Nearly all breast cancer tumours occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is precisely where the lymph nodes are located.
Additionally, men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by antiperspirant usage because most of the antiperspirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied to the skin. Women who apply antiperspirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area.
There are conflicting views of this myth, but the fact remains that a clear cause of breast cancer has yet to be determined. A study conducted in 2002 by Dana Mirik, an epidemiologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has shown no correlation between antiperspirant usage, shaving and breast cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, only 50% of all breast cancers are in the upper outside quadrant of the breast. Additionally, the quadrants of the breast are not of equal size because the nipple is not the true centre of the breast; the upper quadrant is comprised of the most flesh and extends toward the underarm.
The Canadian Cancer Society also explains that the 1% of men afflicted with breast cancer is because of their lack of female hormones – not due to hairy armpits.
In 2004, an allergist named Dr. Kris McGrath published a study in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention that showed evidence that this myth was true. The study interviewed 400 breast cancer survivors and found that those who regularly performed underarm hygiene and grooming regimes were diagnosed with cancer an average of 22 years earlier. There was also evidence that nicks in the skin allowed the aluminium chloride to leach into the lymph nodes. Many specialists in the subject refute this study, as they have questioned the validity of the retrospective interviews.
Sources: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2002-10-17-email-hoax_x.htm
2) Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer
Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras written in 1995 by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, theorize that wearing a bra for more 18 hours per day increased the risk of breast cancer. Tight fitting bras reduce blood flow and put pressure on the lymphatic system, reducing the ability to remove toxins from the body. The book outlines that there is 100 times greater incidence of breast cancer than those who go bra-less. This claim means that women 3-4 times more likely to get breast cancer from wearing a bra, than by smoking cigarettes.
The Canadian Cancer Foundation explains that this not based on scientific evidence, rather is an anthropological study. Additionally, woman have been wearing restrictive garments for centuries, such as corsets, and it has been in recent decades that the instances of cancer have risen. The claim does not account for other risk factors and cannot be conclusively prove that a bra causes cancer.
Source: http://theminaretonline.com/?p=7798
3) Microwaving food in plastic containers causes cancer
The e-mail looks like this:
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletters worth noting... This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard. (He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital.) He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, without the dioxins.So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.
The fact remains that Tupperware and other plastic food containers undergo rigorous testing and quality control before sold to consumers. The Mayo Clinic released a statement that microwave safe containers are fine to use, but urged people to avoid reheating food in plastic containers that are not microwave safe, such as margarine tubs.
4) Bottled water exposed to extreme temperatures cause cancer
Yet another email states:
Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic.
OR
A friend whose mother recently got diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor told her women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink that water bottle that has been left in a car and pass this on to all the women in your life.
In Canada, bottled water is considered to be a food and is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act. The companies that bottle water must comply with quality standards, good manufacturing practices, and labelling requirements.
Studies conducted on plastic water bottles, even under extreme temperatures, have failed to find that chemicals are produced at levels that would pose a health risk to anyone who drinks the water in question.
Some consumers have also expressed concern about the small white particles that often appear in bottled water that has been frozen and then thawed. These particles are minerals that separated from the water when it went through the extreme temperature change. They are not harmful to human health.
According to Dr. Rolf Halden of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, consumers face a much greater risk from potential exposure to microbial contaminants in bottled water — germs, to you and me — than from chemical ones. For that reason, most experts suggest not refilling or reusing empty bottles. He also explains that “freezing actually works against the release of chemicals. Chemicals do not diffuse readily in cold temperatures, which would limit chemical release if there were dioxins in plastics…”
Source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/bottled-embouteillee-eng.php
5) Using tampons cause cancer
HERE'S THE SCOOP: Tampons contain two things that are potentially harmful: Rayon (for absorbency) and dioxin (a chemical used in bleaching the products). The tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white. They seem to think that we view the product as pure and clean.
The problem here is that the dioxin produced in this bleaching process can lead to very harmful problems for a woman. Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) and is toxic to the immune and reproductive system. It has been linked to endometriosis as well as lower sperm counts for men----for both, it breaks down the immune system.
Last September the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that there really is no set "acceptable" level of exposure to dioxin. Given that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate, the real danger comes from repeated contact (Karen Houppert "Pulling the Plug on the Tampon Industry"). I'd say using about 5 tampons a day, five days a month, for 38 menstruating years is "repeated contact", wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a highly absorbent substance and therefore when fibres from the tampons are left behind in the vagina (as usually occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin, and stays in a lot longer than it would with just cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS (toxic shock syndrome) occurs.
Tampons are made from cotton, rayon or blends of both. Rayon is made from cellulose fibres derived from wood pulp. In this process the wood pulp is bleached. Bleaching the wood pulp was a potential source of trace amounts of dioxin in tampons at one time, but that bleaching method is no longer used. Rayon raw material used in US tampons is now produced using elemental chlorine-free or totally chlorine free bleaching processes. State-of-the-art testing of tampons and tampon materials that can detect even trace amounts of dioxin has shown that dioxin levels are at or below the detectable limit. No risk to health would be expected from these trace amounts. Risk assessment indicates that this exposure is many times less than normally present in the body from other environmental sources, so small that any risk of adverse health effects is considered negligible.
Source: http://www.cancer.ca/Ontario/About%20cancer/Cancer%20myths/Tampons%20and%20cancer.aspx?sc_lang=en
Today I received some news that a former colleague of mine had died of cancer. I used to work with her at the YMCA for a number of years. From what I knew of her, this was her second bout of cancer and that she had been battling it for some time. In addition, a friend has informed me that doctors have found a tumour that will need to be operated on in early March.
In these diagnoses, it has reminded me of a departed friend who's "live fully" approach to life with cancer is best illustrated by her three rules of cancer club.
Rule #1: Have a holiday
Rule #2: Buy some shoes
Rule #3: Have a party
This positive outlook makes me smile each time I think of it, however doesn't detract from the my fear that people I know, young people, are being diagnosed with this disease. I had a conversation with my roommate about why the instances of cancer have increased in the last years. We discussed the hormones and preservatives in food, global warming and other potential causes. However, I suggested, that perhaps it isn't an increase in the number of people who have cancer, but rather having the technology to detect it early and the advanced techniques to fight it that make it seem more prevalent. The difficulty is that a direct cause of cancer has not been identified - yet there are things that are known to increase risk of aquiring cancer, such as smoking and sun exposure. Today's question is: what are some of the cancer myths?
A: Cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of cells within the body. These masses, known as tumours, can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The term benign refers to a mass that is non-cancerous and will not spread, where as malignant masses may invade surrounding cells and have the potential to spread to other places in the body.
There are a number of myths that exist, especially on the internet, that have arisen relating to potential causes of cancer.
1) Antiperspirants cause breast cancer
The myth states:
The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration.
Antiperspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out.
This causes a high concentration of toxins and leads to cell mutations: a.k.a. CANCER.
Nearly all breast cancer tumours occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is precisely where the lymph nodes are located.
Additionally, men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by antiperspirant usage because most of the antiperspirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied to the skin. Women who apply antiperspirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area.
There are conflicting views of this myth, but the fact remains that a clear cause of breast cancer has yet to be determined. A study conducted in 2002 by Dana Mirik, an epidemiologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has shown no correlation between antiperspirant usage, shaving and breast cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, only 50% of all breast cancers are in the upper outside quadrant of the breast. Additionally, the quadrants of the breast are not of equal size because the nipple is not the true centre of the breast; the upper quadrant is comprised of the most flesh and extends toward the underarm.
The Canadian Cancer Society also explains that the 1% of men afflicted with breast cancer is because of their lack of female hormones – not due to hairy armpits.
In 2004, an allergist named Dr. Kris McGrath published a study in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention that showed evidence that this myth was true. The study interviewed 400 breast cancer survivors and found that those who regularly performed underarm hygiene and grooming regimes were diagnosed with cancer an average of 22 years earlier. There was also evidence that nicks in the skin allowed the aluminium chloride to leach into the lymph nodes. Many specialists in the subject refute this study, as they have questioned the validity of the retrospective interviews.
Sources: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2002-10-17-email-hoax_x.htm
2) Wearing a bra can cause breast cancer
Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras written in 1995 by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer, theorize that wearing a bra for more 18 hours per day increased the risk of breast cancer. Tight fitting bras reduce blood flow and put pressure on the lymphatic system, reducing the ability to remove toxins from the body. The book outlines that there is 100 times greater incidence of breast cancer than those who go bra-less. This claim means that women 3-4 times more likely to get breast cancer from wearing a bra, than by smoking cigarettes.
The Canadian Cancer Foundation explains that this not based on scientific evidence, rather is an anthropological study. Additionally, woman have been wearing restrictive garments for centuries, such as corsets, and it has been in recent decades that the instances of cancer have risen. The claim does not account for other risk factors and cannot be conclusively prove that a bra causes cancer.
Source: http://theminaretonline.com/?p=7798
3) Microwaving food in plastic containers causes cancer
The e-mail looks like this:
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletters worth noting... This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard. (He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital.) He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, without the dioxins.So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.
The fact remains that Tupperware and other plastic food containers undergo rigorous testing and quality control before sold to consumers. The Mayo Clinic released a statement that microwave safe containers are fine to use, but urged people to avoid reheating food in plastic containers that are not microwave safe, such as margarine tubs.
4) Bottled water exposed to extreme temperatures cause cancer
Yet another email states:
Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic.
OR
A friend whose mother recently got diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor told her women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink that water bottle that has been left in a car and pass this on to all the women in your life.
In Canada, bottled water is considered to be a food and is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act. The companies that bottle water must comply with quality standards, good manufacturing practices, and labelling requirements.
Studies conducted on plastic water bottles, even under extreme temperatures, have failed to find that chemicals are produced at levels that would pose a health risk to anyone who drinks the water in question.
Some consumers have also expressed concern about the small white particles that often appear in bottled water that has been frozen and then thawed. These particles are minerals that separated from the water when it went through the extreme temperature change. They are not harmful to human health.
According to Dr. Rolf Halden of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, consumers face a much greater risk from potential exposure to microbial contaminants in bottled water — germs, to you and me — than from chemical ones. For that reason, most experts suggest not refilling or reusing empty bottles. He also explains that “freezing actually works against the release of chemicals. Chemicals do not diffuse readily in cold temperatures, which would limit chemical release if there were dioxins in plastics…”
Source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/bottled-embouteillee-eng.php
5) Using tampons cause cancer
HERE'S THE SCOOP: Tampons contain two things that are potentially harmful: Rayon (for absorbency) and dioxin (a chemical used in bleaching the products). The tampon industry is convinced that we, as women, need bleached white. They seem to think that we view the product as pure and clean.
The problem here is that the dioxin produced in this bleaching process can lead to very harmful problems for a woman. Dioxin is potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) and is toxic to the immune and reproductive system. It has been linked to endometriosis as well as lower sperm counts for men----for both, it breaks down the immune system.
Last September the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that there really is no set "acceptable" level of exposure to dioxin. Given that it is cumulative and slow to disintegrate, the real danger comes from repeated contact (Karen Houppert "Pulling the Plug on the Tampon Industry"). I'd say using about 5 tampons a day, five days a month, for 38 menstruating years is "repeated contact", wouldn't you? Rayon contributes to the danger of tampons and dioxin because it is a highly absorbent substance and therefore when fibres from the tampons are left behind in the vagina (as usually occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the dioxin, and stays in a lot longer than it would with just cotton tampons. This is also the reason why TSS (toxic shock syndrome) occurs.
Tampons are made from cotton, rayon or blends of both. Rayon is made from cellulose fibres derived from wood pulp. In this process the wood pulp is bleached. Bleaching the wood pulp was a potential source of trace amounts of dioxin in tampons at one time, but that bleaching method is no longer used. Rayon raw material used in US tampons is now produced using elemental chlorine-free or totally chlorine free bleaching processes. State-of-the-art testing of tampons and tampon materials that can detect even trace amounts of dioxin has shown that dioxin levels are at or below the detectable limit. No risk to health would be expected from these trace amounts. Risk assessment indicates that this exposure is many times less than normally present in the body from other environmental sources, so small that any risk of adverse health effects is considered negligible.
Source: http://www.cancer.ca/Ontario/About%20cancer/Cancer%20myths/Tampons%20and%20cancer.aspx?sc_lang=en
Sunday
Operation
February 7, 2010
This morning, I received a very casual text from a friend asking what I was doing. I responded that I was busy sorting out some house things, what about her. She explained that she was in the hospital with gallstones. I scratched my head, how could a casual conversation of 'what are you doing?' could turn into 'I'm in the hospital getting ready to have surgery'. Apparently she was all hopped up on pain medication and couldn't explain to me what gallstones were or how one gets them. So, I decided that I needed to research. Today's question is: what are gallstones?
A: Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that sits the right side of the abdomen below the liver. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver for secretion into the small intestine to aid digestion. The bile is made of cholesterol, fats, salts and a pigment called bilirubin - if one of these 'ingredients' is more prominent, gallstones will form.
Risk factors that may lead to the formation of gallstones include:
This morning, I received a very casual text from a friend asking what I was doing. I responded that I was busy sorting out some house things, what about her. She explained that she was in the hospital with gallstones. I scratched my head, how could a casual conversation of 'what are you doing?' could turn into 'I'm in the hospital getting ready to have surgery'. Apparently she was all hopped up on pain medication and couldn't explain to me what gallstones were or how one gets them. So, I decided that I needed to research. Today's question is: what are gallstones?
A: Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ that sits the right side of the abdomen below the liver. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver for secretion into the small intestine to aid digestion. The bile is made of cholesterol, fats, salts and a pigment called bilirubin - if one of these 'ingredients' is more prominent, gallstones will form.
Risk factors that may lead to the formation of gallstones include:
- Gender: females are more susceptible to the formation of gallstones
- Age: those who are 60 or over
- Ethnicity
- Being overweight or obese
- Pregnancy
- Eating a high-fat or a high-cholesterol diet
- Eating a low-fibre diet
- Heredity
- Having diabetes
- Disruption of the gallbladder's normal emptying cycle
- Losing weight very quickly
- Taking cholesterol-lowering medications
- Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as hormone therapy drugs
Most people experiencing gallstones have 'silent gallstones', which do not cause any symptoms and generally do not need treatment. However, those who have more severe gallstones may experience pain in the abdomen, between the shoulder blades or under the right shoulder, and/or nausea and vomiting.
Complications may arise, including:
- Inflammation of the gallbladder, manifesting with severe pain and fever.
- Blockage of the common bile ducts, the tube that moves the bile to the small intestine, which may later lead to jaundice.
- Gallbladder cancer, which is relatively rare.
For treatment of more severe gallstones, doctors may prescribe medications to dissolve the gallstones. The medication is taken orally and usually takes many months of treatment to see results. Doctors are experimenting with injections directly into the gallbladder, however the effectiveness and safety of this procedure has not been confirmed. The second treatment option is removal of the gallbladder. Doctors reroute the bile ducts so that bile will flow directly from the liver to the small intestines.
The last I heard, my friend had not received gallbladder removal surgery. She is quite a healthy indivdual, both with diet and exercise, however has just had a baby. She explained that her doctor advised that she had 'silent gallstones' for a year, which I suspect made her fall into the pregnant risk factor category. But, she has returned home and I wish her a speedy recovery!
Spread the Love
February 6, 2010
Today is the late, great Bob Marley's birthday. I saw an interview with his wife this past week, as she was promoting a fundraising event called One Love to benefit the Haitian earthquake victims. As a tribute to a gifted musical artist and curiosity about how much love Bob actaully spread. Today's question is: how many children did Bob Marley have?
A: There is some controversy as to how many children are Bob actualy fathered. However, here are the details of those listed on the official Bob Marley website:
Sharon, born November 23, 1964 (Rita Marley)
Cedella, born August 23, 1967 (Rita Marley)
David "Ziggy", born October 17, 1968 (Rita Marle)
Stephen, born April 20, 1972 (Rita Marley)
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972 (Pat Williams)
Rohan, born May 19, 1972 (Janet Hunt)
Karen, born 1973 (Janet Bowen )
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974 (Rita Marley)
Julian, born June 4, 1975 (Lucy Pounder )
Ky-Mani, born February 26, 1976 (Anita Belnavis)
Damian, born July 21, 1978 (Cindy Breakspeare)
It has been confirmed that Sharon Marley is not Bob's biological child, however is acknowledged as his own. There is also some speculation that Stephanie Marley was a product of an affair that Rita had with another man, however this has never been confirmed so Stephanie remains a Marley.
There are two additional names that some people feel should be on the list. The first is Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963 to Cheryl Murray. The other is Makeda, born on May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton, after Marley's death.
Today is the late, great Bob Marley's birthday. I saw an interview with his wife this past week, as she was promoting a fundraising event called One Love to benefit the Haitian earthquake victims. As a tribute to a gifted musical artist and curiosity about how much love Bob actaully spread. Today's question is: how many children did Bob Marley have?
A: There is some controversy as to how many children are Bob actualy fathered. However, here are the details of those listed on the official Bob Marley website:
Sharon, born November 23, 1964 (Rita Marley)
Cedella, born August 23, 1967 (Rita Marley)
David "Ziggy", born October 17, 1968 (Rita Marle)
Stephen, born April 20, 1972 (Rita Marley)
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972 (Pat Williams)
Rohan, born May 19, 1972 (Janet Hunt)
Karen, born 1973 (Janet Bowen )
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974 (Rita Marley)
Julian, born June 4, 1975 (Lucy Pounder )
Ky-Mani, born February 26, 1976 (Anita Belnavis)
Damian, born July 21, 1978 (Cindy Breakspeare)
It has been confirmed that Sharon Marley is not Bob's biological child, however is acknowledged as his own. There is also some speculation that Stephanie Marley was a product of an affair that Rita had with another man, however this has never been confirmed so Stephanie remains a Marley.
There are two additional names that some people feel should be on the list. The first is Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963 to Cheryl Murray. The other is Makeda, born on May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton, after Marley's death.
Friday
Reunited at last
February 5, 2010
I have been reunited with my lost love, coffee. The game has ended and I can rejoice in the most delicious Le Gourmand French Roast that I have ever had. My roommate, who –as described in the F.L.A.B.B. entry – has been reunited with her long lost love of Pepsi, described her experience and enjoyment of her first drink. I mentioned that at least my favourite beverage has some health benefits – although all I couldn't come up with any off the top of my head. Today’s question is: what are the health benefits of coffee?
I have been reunited with my lost love, coffee. The game has ended and I can rejoice in the most delicious Le Gourmand French Roast that I have ever had. My roommate, who –as described in the F.L.A.B.B. entry – has been reunited with her long lost love of Pepsi, described her experience and enjoyment of her first drink. I mentioned that at least my favourite beverage has some health benefits – although all I couldn't come up with any off the top of my head. Today’s question is: what are the health benefits of coffee?
A: Many of coffee's health benefits come from it's antioxidants. Here are five health related facts about my fav hot beverage:
2) Alcohol drinkers who also drink coffee regularly have a lower chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver.
3) A 12-year study on Japanese women found that drinking 3 or more cups of coffee per day may actually halve the risk of developing colon cancer.
4) After a hard workout, a cup or two of coffee has been shown to reduce muscle soreness in women, more effectively than naproxen, aspirin and ibuprofen.
5) Roasted coffee has some antibacterial properties, particularly against Streptococcus mutans, one of the major causes of cavities.Sources:
http://www.positivelycoffee.org/topic_performance_statement.aspxhttp://men.webmd.com/features/coffee-new-health-food
http://www.ecosalon.com/20-surprising-facts-about-coffee/
Thursday
Tong Tong
February 4, 2010
This morning I was trying to help a friend rework a fundraising letter. I asked her to model it on the World Vision advertisements you see on television. You know the ones:
This is Tong Tong, he is the youngest sibling of 17,000 children. His mother makes mud pies to sell at the market, only bringing in 1/2 a penny a year. Your donation, that only costs the same amount as a cup of coffee, can make a difference in this child's life.
Basically, I told her to tug on the heart strings of potential donors. But after writing my mock philanthropic plea, I thought about the kids that I saw on the documentary 'Which Way Home' and I decided, that since I haven't been drinking coffee, I would sponsor a child through World Vision. I chose the cheekiest-looking, six year-old Guatemalan boy that I could find and will be donating $35 per month. Today's question is: what is the history of World Vision?
A: World Vision was founded by Dr. Robert Peirce in 1950. The idea was born out of his missionary work in China during 1947, where he met an orphaned girl and her foster parent who was unable to care for the child. Peirce gave the foster parent five dollars to supplement the child’s needs and promised to send five dollars each month.
In 1953, in response to the numerous children orphaned in the Korean War, Peirce built an organization dedicated to helping the world’s children. As time went on, the sponsored children of Korea flourished; this led to the expansion of the program to other Asian countries, Latin American, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
In the 1970s World Vision realized the growing need to work with families and entire communities to break the cycle of poverty. The organization also began funding agricultural ventures and vocational training as part of its sponsorship efforts. These programs have helped to build sustainable solutions and self-reliance.
During the 1980s, World Vision played an important humanitarian role in the famine of Ethiopia by providing millions of dollars worth of food and medical care. The organization also began drilling wells for communities with high infant mortality rates due to lack of clean water. Once a well had been installed, World Vision staff taught a community representative to educate the village and surrounding community the importance of using clean water for better health.
Recognizing the magnitude of the AIDS pandemic, World Vision expanded its AIDS programming to help the children who had been orphaned by parents who had died of the disease. This program continues with the development of the Hope Initiative; World Vision is helping turn the tide against HIV and AIDS worldwide by caring for orphans and vulnerable children, preventing the spread of HIV with education, and advocating for effective programs that transform communities and save lives.
Sources:
World Vision International
This morning I was trying to help a friend rework a fundraising letter. I asked her to model it on the World Vision advertisements you see on television. You know the ones:
This is Tong Tong, he is the youngest sibling of 17,000 children. His mother makes mud pies to sell at the market, only bringing in 1/2 a penny a year. Your donation, that only costs the same amount as a cup of coffee, can make a difference in this child's life.
Basically, I told her to tug on the heart strings of potential donors. But after writing my mock philanthropic plea, I thought about the kids that I saw on the documentary 'Which Way Home' and I decided, that since I haven't been drinking coffee, I would sponsor a child through World Vision. I chose the cheekiest-looking, six year-old Guatemalan boy that I could find and will be donating $35 per month. Today's question is: what is the history of World Vision?
A: World Vision was founded by Dr. Robert Peirce in 1950. The idea was born out of his missionary work in China during 1947, where he met an orphaned girl and her foster parent who was unable to care for the child. Peirce gave the foster parent five dollars to supplement the child’s needs and promised to send five dollars each month.
In 1953, in response to the numerous children orphaned in the Korean War, Peirce built an organization dedicated to helping the world’s children. As time went on, the sponsored children of Korea flourished; this led to the expansion of the program to other Asian countries, Latin American, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
In the 1970s World Vision realized the growing need to work with families and entire communities to break the cycle of poverty. The organization also began funding agricultural ventures and vocational training as part of its sponsorship efforts. These programs have helped to build sustainable solutions and self-reliance.
During the 1980s, World Vision played an important humanitarian role in the famine of Ethiopia by providing millions of dollars worth of food and medical care. The organization also began drilling wells for communities with high infant mortality rates due to lack of clean water. Once a well had been installed, World Vision staff taught a community representative to educate the village and surrounding community the importance of using clean water for better health.
Recognizing the magnitude of the AIDS pandemic, World Vision expanded its AIDS programming to help the children who had been orphaned by parents who had died of the disease. This program continues with the development of the Hope Initiative; World Vision is helping turn the tide against HIV and AIDS worldwide by caring for orphans and vulnerable children, preventing the spread of HIV with education, and advocating for effective programs that transform communities and save lives.
Sources:
World Vision International
Wednesday
Al Qaeda vs. Taliban
February 3, 2010
I have been reading on my commute to work recently and I am nearly done Three Cups of Tea. It is a non-fiction novel that details the founder of the Central Asian Institute; which is an organization that has built schools in the rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson, the Director of the CAI, was in that part of the world on 9/11 and had his fair share of dealing with the Taliban. Although, he also mentions Al Qaeda which had me very confused, I don't know the difference between the two groups. So, today's question is: what is the difference between Al Qaeda and the Taliban?
A: Both Al Qaeda and the Taliban, originated in areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and both operate under fundamental Islamic ideals, but that is where the similarities end. The Taliban is an authoritarian-religious government that ruled Afghanistan between 1996-2001. The Taliban have a localized agenda and sought to create a pure Islamic state. Much of the Taliban leadership is comprised of local Afghanis that were educated in religious boarding schools called madrassas. Under the Taliban, who interpreted Islamic law, Afghanis were forbidden to access any media and suppressed women's freedom including education for girls.
Al Qaeda is a militant group that operate with under a globalized anti-imperialist movement with Islam as its ideology. Many of Al Qaeda's members are highly specialized, university educated, who were drawn from all over the Islamic world. Al Qaeda has been branded an international terrorist organization by the UN Security Council as they are known to use suicide bombing and coordinated bombing to achieve its objectives.
Sources:
http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1054493.html
http://www.tressugar.com/979598
I have been reading on my commute to work recently and I am nearly done Three Cups of Tea. It is a non-fiction novel that details the founder of the Central Asian Institute; which is an organization that has built schools in the rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson, the Director of the CAI, was in that part of the world on 9/11 and had his fair share of dealing with the Taliban. Although, he also mentions Al Qaeda which had me very confused, I don't know the difference between the two groups. So, today's question is: what is the difference between Al Qaeda and the Taliban?
A: Both Al Qaeda and the Taliban, originated in areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and both operate under fundamental Islamic ideals, but that is where the similarities end. The Taliban is an authoritarian-religious government that ruled Afghanistan between 1996-2001. The Taliban have a localized agenda and sought to create a pure Islamic state. Much of the Taliban leadership is comprised of local Afghanis that were educated in religious boarding schools called madrassas. Under the Taliban, who interpreted Islamic law, Afghanis were forbidden to access any media and suppressed women's freedom including education for girls.
Al Qaeda is a militant group that operate with under a globalized anti-imperialist movement with Islam as its ideology. Many of Al Qaeda's members are highly specialized, university educated, who were drawn from all over the Islamic world. Al Qaeda has been branded an international terrorist organization by the UN Security Council as they are known to use suicide bombing and coordinated bombing to achieve its objectives.
Sources:
http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1054493.html
http://www.tressugar.com/979598
Tuesday
Wiarton Willy
February 2, 2010
Another February second, another groundhog day. The great Ontario groundhog woke up this morning, scratched his arm pits, asked for a cuppa Joe and looked down and saw his shadow. Once he was well caffeinated, he proclaimed that spring is still six-weeks away and went back to bed. I have always been confused with the seen-unseen shadow thing. I mean, surely if it's sunny out he will see his shadow, but shouldn't that mean the clear skies and sun would indicate an early spring? And if this groundhog is so smart, can he predict when the prorogue of government will end? Or perhaps some insight on economic forecasting? And what kind of credentials does Willy have? Rumor has it that he has a a meteorology degree from the University of Phoenix online, but this is yet to be confirmed. Today's question is: what is the origin of groundhog day?
A: The tradition of Groundhog day is celebrated in North America on February 2nd. It stems from the Christian celebration of Candlemas, a festival that celebrates the Virgin Mary's presentation of the baby Jesus 40 days after his birth. Christians would light blessed candles, although it was also believed that a clear day on Candlemas predicted an extended winter. Romans also believed that conditions during the first days of February were good predictors of future weather, using hedgehogs as the weather forcasters. The traditions were medled in Germany, where a hedgehog being frightened by his shadow on Candlemas would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. German settlers brought this tradition to the United States, using the native hedgehog, or woodchuck, as their predictors.
Sources:
National Geographic: Groundhog day 2010
The Holiday Spot: Groundhog day origin
Another February second, another groundhog day. The great Ontario groundhog woke up this morning, scratched his arm pits, asked for a cuppa Joe and looked down and saw his shadow. Once he was well caffeinated, he proclaimed that spring is still six-weeks away and went back to bed. I have always been confused with the seen-unseen shadow thing. I mean, surely if it's sunny out he will see his shadow, but shouldn't that mean the clear skies and sun would indicate an early spring? And if this groundhog is so smart, can he predict when the prorogue of government will end? Or perhaps some insight on economic forecasting? And what kind of credentials does Willy have? Rumor has it that he has a a meteorology degree from the University of Phoenix online, but this is yet to be confirmed. Today's question is: what is the origin of groundhog day?
A: The tradition of Groundhog day is celebrated in North America on February 2nd. It stems from the Christian celebration of Candlemas, a festival that celebrates the Virgin Mary's presentation of the baby Jesus 40 days after his birth. Christians would light blessed candles, although it was also believed that a clear day on Candlemas predicted an extended winter. Romans also believed that conditions during the first days of February were good predictors of future weather, using hedgehogs as the weather forcasters. The traditions were medled in Germany, where a hedgehog being frightened by his shadow on Candlemas would foretell that winter would last another six weeks. German settlers brought this tradition to the United States, using the native hedgehog, or woodchuck, as their predictors.
Sources:
National Geographic: Groundhog day 2010
The Holiday Spot: Groundhog day origin
Monday
Doppelgänger
February 1, 2010
For those of you on some obscure social networking site, called Facebook, there has been a trend called doppelgänger going around. Individuals are being encouraged to replace their profile pictures with photos of celebrities that they resemble. Since I have been told that I look like Norah Jones, I participated in this fad and put her picture in place of mine. When I did that, it struck me that we do look quite similar and it led me to think of this past Friday, when a shopkeeper asked me if I was of Indian decent – which is Norah’s ethnicity. Additionally, I had two friends who I have seen recently tell me that I looked fabulous in my new photo. It gave me a good chuckle. Today’s question is: what does doppelgänger mean?
A: Doppelgänger is German meaning double-walker or look-alike, and is defined as a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its fleshly counterpart. It is used to describe the sensation of having glimpsed oneself in peripheral vision where there is no presence of mirrors. If one’s friends or family spots a doppelgänger it is an omen of illness or death. Generally, doppelgängers are bringers of bad luck.
All I can say is that I hope I never meet Norah Jones. But perhaps we don't look that similar really, it could just be the lost, wide-eyed looks that we both have. What do you think?
For those of you on some obscure social networking site, called Facebook, there has been a trend called doppelgänger going around. Individuals are being encouraged to replace their profile pictures with photos of celebrities that they resemble. Since I have been told that I look like Norah Jones, I participated in this fad and put her picture in place of mine. When I did that, it struck me that we do look quite similar and it led me to think of this past Friday, when a shopkeeper asked me if I was of Indian decent – which is Norah’s ethnicity. Additionally, I had two friends who I have seen recently tell me that I looked fabulous in my new photo. It gave me a good chuckle. Today’s question is: what does doppelgänger mean?
A: Doppelgänger is German meaning double-walker or look-alike, and is defined as a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its fleshly counterpart. It is used to describe the sensation of having glimpsed oneself in peripheral vision where there is no presence of mirrors. If one’s friends or family spots a doppelgänger it is an omen of illness or death. Generally, doppelgängers are bringers of bad luck.
All I can say is that I hope I never meet Norah Jones. But perhaps we don't look that similar really, it could just be the lost, wide-eyed looks that we both have. What do you think?
Norah Jones
Me
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