Catching up, a breath and a break!

It has been more than busy over the past few weeks. We're launching an important program at work - Keep Toronto Reading - in February. That has meant long days over the holidays and into January to make sure all the programming, advertising, web and promotional components are in place.

Maggy has been a bit under the weather over the past few days, so of course that becomes the priority, though today she has bounced back and seems to be feeling better.

Family stuff, work stuff, home stuff have all needed attention. And thankfully, Yasmin came to visit over the weekend which was a much needed break. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it was the coldest weather so far this winter so we ended up staying inside for a few low-key days of chatting, eating, sipping tea and just hanging out. Every now and again we'd venture out for a few hours into the frigid city, including being dragged by Maggy to the park, but as Yasmin had anticipated visiting the milder and much cooler big city of TO, she had not brought along her below 40 (and practical) Ottawa winter gear. Next time, she'll bring it, or better yet she'll visit again in the spring or summer! Thanks Yasmin for hanging with Maggy and me and let us know when you're coming again. :)

All that said, I'm feeling the need to communicate with many of you 1:1 and will do so in the next while. Hope all is well so far in this new year.

A worthy message...

In the spirit of focusing on what's meaningful, I'm passing along this wisdom originating from Charles Shultz and most recently touted by friends Susan and Faye at TBC.

"The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care."

A rather nice acknowlegement at any time of year. :)

Positive Thinking

It's a new year and what truly feels like a new beginning.

There's much to be grateful for and much to look forward to. Family, friends, a new job, a new home, finding our way in a new place, and rich connections to the past, present and future. Maggy is doing really well - thriving on her new health regimen and tons of attention.

As much as possible, I'll cherish and nurture this feeling of goodwill and thanks. And wish everyone the same including much happiness and good health and well being in 2008. Cheers!

Overwhelmed and yet content

Both Maggy and I have been pretty busy of late - kind of overwhelmed by all that's going on to be honest - and yet we're both feeling very happy and settling into our new life.

We've had an instant winter and Maggy's thrilled to see so much snow so soon and on the ground for so long - about two weeks now. She loves to roll and burrow and dig and run and chase and, of course eat as much as she can. She's also a great fan of the cold - so this all suits her quite fine.

I had forgotten just how bone-chilling cold it could be during an Ontario winter. And apparently it hasn't been this cold and snowy since 1985-86 - the last time we lived here - go figure! I'm still working on finding the ultimate walking-with-Maggy and walking-to-work thermal, ankle-length coat as that seems to be the fashion. I also just scored my still in-storage long underwear and wool sweaters from my parents place on the weekend, so am not feeling quite as vulnerable.

Weather aside, it's been a wonderful few months of getting to know our new neighbourhood - including incredibly friendly neighbours, Maggy's new friend and walker Nisha, and for me new friends and co-workers at TPL. Plus, as busy and populated as the city is, I'm finding encounters with strangers to be amazingly uplifting. People on the street, in the subway, in shops are incredibly friendly. And good thing as they counteract the drivers!

All of our boxes are unpacked, there's a plan to find the last of the needed pieces of furniture and the Christmas decorations have been pulled out of boxes after their voyage east.

Maggy's doing well - thriving on her new naturopathic diet and supplements. She's as energetic, playful and strong-minded as always which is great to see!

We're looking forward to heading back to Oshawa on the 21st for a Christmas break and time with family. And to celebrating a year of much change, connection and growth for us both.

Dancing with the Stars

How on earth did I become hooked?

I blame it on my Mom as while I was still staying at my parents' she introduced me to this, the last of the reality shows to which I ever would have gravitated on my own. And yet for the past 10 weeks I have watched and been truly impressed with the show. The individual dramas, successes and challenges. And mostly with the ability of the participants to dance. At times wonderful, sexy and impressive. At other times disappointing and even embarassing. All through, demonstrating the guts and determination to get out there and perform beyond the comfort zone.

Marie Osmond and Jane Seymour representing 'experienced' women, did incredibly well and both boasted an impressive enough fan base to keep them alive well into the competition. Added to that, both went through tragedies: the death of Seymour's Mom and then Marie's Dad during the run of the show. Mostly, it was really great to see them rise to the occasion and surpass expectations. In the case of Seymour in her mid 50s (!) she was fulfilling a life-long dream to return to dance. Osmond in her late 40s went to #3 based on entertainment savyness shown over and over again.

And now, with the finale in progress, the two finalists Mel B. (Scary Spice) and Helio (Racing Champion) could both take it away. While both deserve it, Melanie should win as she has consistently outscored everyone and has been described as a true dancer.

Both though, with their very talented partners, have demonstrated great humour, determination, skill and personal growth. And as the judges would say, they have both unleashed tremendous enough sex appeal to take the breath away from most, if not all observers! And that is precisely the allure of this well-constructed (if not concisely packaged) extravaganza. Plus it's fun. :) Ok, gotta go watch!

Photos: Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Melanie Brown; Julianne Hough, Helio Castroneves, ABC/Carol Kaelson

CBC's Influence

I've been enjoying a sunny Sunday morning at home with coffee, getting things done and listening to CBC Radio. I often find this to be a wonderful way to recharge my batteries - both physically and mentally. Actually spiritually too.

The combination of Sunday Morning, Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe, Tapestry, Eleanor Wachtel's Writers and Company and Cross Country Checkup with Rex Murphy provides an insightful snapshot of life in Canada. While at times it can seem Toronto-centric, for the mostpart these shows, as well as weekday installments of The Current, This Country Canada and others really do cover the spectrum of locations, issues and cultures in Canada and beyond. And though I've lived in Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto, I've always loved the fact I can tune in and connect with familiar voices and people.

Two different shows this morning resulted in an epiphany for me. One featured a comedian who did impersonations of prime ministers. When mimicking Stephen Harper he commented on how difficult it was as he has a fairly indistinctive voice. That said, he did succeed in sounding like Harper's 'new' way of speaking. As many of us have observed, Harper's voice changed significantly prior to his first election race for PM. No longer was he sounding cranky, impatient and mean, but had transitioned to a more (for him) upbeat cadence, ending sentences on up tones, I think in an effort to seem more open-minded, warm and statesman-like.

Later in the morning, I heard the Vinyl Cafe. That's when it hit me - Stephen Harper had changed his voice to emulate Stuart McLean! If you listen to McLean's delivery - it's quite amazing how similiar it is. Positive, smiling - in story-telling mode. He's a renowned Canadian personality welcomed to any and every community across the country. There to meet and share experiences with Canadians from all walks of life. Warm, engaging, creative, astute. Perfect! Harper's image/pr consultants surely must have seen the benefits of personifying this well-loved CBCer as Harper's personality on its own was not electable. Too bad this new one isn't the real deal.

Photo: Stuart McLean, CBC

Life lines

It seems to me that there's a thread that winds its way through life's everyday moments. It's a solid, unbreakable and yet ephemeral connection to the truly meaningful. While the day-to-day deadlines and dramas often occupy much of our time and attention, we're reminded of what is really important when we get a glimpse of, or tug on, this connective 'life line'.

I've mentioned this before and I'm still amazed at how many times I've felt this now that I'm so much closer to my original home, family and friends. It's stunning how wonderful life is and yet there's such a dichotomy between the beauty and the sorrow that comes with rich relationships and adventures. To be in touch with this core of life is to appreciate everything and take nothing for granted. And to remember this amid the chaos is the true test.