From The Vault: Just Don't

I found this post in my Drafts folder, and I thought I would just share it for Pete's sake. I really enjoy writing different pieces like this, but they take a lot of emotional energy. And I continue to struggle between writing from my heart, and writing with purpose and eloquence. It's a work in progress and I love it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This blog post is inspired by Miss Marley Dias. This eleven year old black girl from New Jersey launched a book drive because she was "sick of reading about white boys and dogs".

Her goal is to collect 1000 books with black girls as the protagonists, the main characters.

And gosh if that isn't one of the more awesome things to hit the internet over the past week.

Marley and I don't really have much in common, but I'm also sick of reading about white boys and dogs. And I'm also sick about people not understanding why....or rather, not caring to understand why and not thinking it's such a big deal to read about white boys all the time.

aka Stop complaining! It's not a big deal! It's just a movie! Politically Correctness is Ruining Hollywood/Comics/TV/Politics/Schools/Life! Feminazi!

Just don't.

I'm not excited about yet another white guy superhero movie. There, I said it. I'm talking to you Marvel & DC! You wanna know why? Sounds like Thor 3 is coming out soon, and it features a bunch of the same white guys as were in Iron Mans 1-18 and Avengers 1 through Eleventy Billion, telling the same white guy stories. And don't forget Batman and Superman! They get to add to their lengthy list of prequels and sequels before Wonder Woman even got to be a fricken extra.

I am sick and tired of being expected to be excited about another movie (book, TV show, etc.) with literally the same white guy as the lead.

And don't give me none such bullshit as the tired line that movies with female-leads, or strong female casts don't bring in the big bucks. Ahem, Star Wars? Ahem, Mad Max Fury Road?

I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like being a POC, or LGBTQA+ navigating this same old shit. I am so excited to see POC making so many successful pushes into mainstream media lately (Viola Davis, anything Shonda Rimes & Ava DuVernay touch, Hamilton, Scandal, etc.), especially given the setbacks they continue to face (#OscarsSoWhite).

Diversity and representation matter, especially to the people who don't have ample chances to see themselves reflected in the media that they consume. It's also important for the people who do get to see themselves in the media all the time.

But also, it's kind of getting boring. People are bored with the same old story-lines and re-hashing of the same characters.

A month or so after Star Wars came out, I was talking to my (white cis man) boss, and he was fan-boying over some theory he had heard from a friend. That Han didn't actually die, and managed to escape the destruction of the Starkiller Base (thanks to Captain Phasma no less), just so he can have his reunited-and-it-feels-so-good moment with Luke. Really guys? We can't just pass the torch, we need to have another bro moment?

After he gave me the low down on that, I told him that I really hope they develop the relationship between Poe and Finn into something more romantic. Yes, the two dudes. They already have the perfect "meet cute", and some serious flirting going on. Why couldn't we see a gay relationship portrayed on Star Wars? That's a rhetorical question because I already know the answer....

I love Star Wars, and Star Trek, and I love Batman, and I even love Superman. But we've seen it. I've seen it. I'm done. Show me something new. Some me some ladies! Show me some lady friendships, and queer relationships! Show me some colour! Show me some fat people! Because that's what the world looks like, and we want to see ourselves up on the big screen.

And to all those fan boys out there who think having more female leads, or female super heroes will ruin the franchise, or that nobody wants to see that, or whatever lame ass excuse you've got for me this time, shuttup. Just shuttup.

As a woman, I am fully expected to treat all cis white male protagonists as representative of the human race. I am supposed to be able to put myself in their shoes, and really connect with their story because they are considered the default. Well, that's bullshit if you ask me. And if it goes one way, why not the other? Why don't we expect cis white men to be able to do the same with female characters, or minority characters?

Another rhetorical question friends. Stay with me here.

I got "tone policed" by a close relative when I was talking about my experience with all the "boys toys" out there because he didn't like how I said what I said. This is the same guy who tells me not to get "so excited" when I get excited. Gee, thanks for telling me that my personality trait is grating, thanks for telling me to be "less". Thanks for telling me to "whoa calm down" because you don't think I am responding in an "appropriate" way.

Just don't.

I'm excited about this, I'm just not excited about another cis white guy movie, written by a bunch of dudes, directed by a dude, starring a bunch of the same dudes.

Speaking of Star Wars, I found some posts on Tumblr today that illustrate my point quite well I think.

It's been almost 17 years and I still don't know why Padme Amidala develops a crush on 11 year old Anakin Skywalker when she's been travelling with a young and hot Ewan McGregor.

Response: Dudes wrote it.

_____

Friendly reminder that Leia has just lost her adoptive parents, entire planet, father, husband, son and been abandoned by her brother and yet has never been tempted by the dark side even once. take notes skywalker boys ya'll weak as shit.


xo

November 9, 2016

posted to Facebook this morning in response to the results of the US election yesterday.

Dear Canadians,

Okay people. Yes, be grateful you live in Canada, and have Tim’s coffee and poutine or whatever. But remember that we are not immune to what happened to our neighbours last night! We are always a few years behind the trends in the US, and I for one don’t want the Canadian version of Trump ruling our election cycle at all ever thank you very much.

For those of you who don’t believe that it could happen here, please look to what is happening in Alberta right now. Two very smart, and qualified women were just grossly bullied out of the PC leadership race, people are calling our Premier a “c**t” and threatening her life, racists attacking cyclists, and citizens brandishing confederate flags at an anti-carbon tax rally. And in terms of our federal politics, we need look no further than Kellie Leitch and her “values test”. The US rewarded a racist, misogynist, bully with no political experience, with their highest elected office, and racist, misogynist, bullies everywhere are cheering. We can point fingers and wring our hands all we want, but the truth is, it could happen here.

Now, my privilege allows me a little bit of a step back here, but there will be people who are immensely effected by this who can’t just “ignore the bad stuff” and have the strength to abide the things they can’t change. My privilege also affords me a little more wiggle room in how I can respond to this. This is not a time to just complain and be complacent. We must take action.

Start by donating whatever you can to organizations in your community who fight for things you believe it. Whether they be political organizations, grassroots, community assistance programs, or whatever! Not only do our most vulnerable people need charity during these tough times, there are organizations in a position to oppose the hateful, divisive politics and ideas that people like Trump espouse. And if you can afford to help them out, please do so in whatever way you feel most comfortable. We vote with a ballot as much as we vote with our dollars and with our voice. Please ensure that those organizations that best represent your values get your support, in order to continue doing their good work.

Call out racist and sexist and other–ist shit when you see it! Do you have a racist uncle-cousin-high school friend, telling rape jokes, and cheering for the bully? Don’t let them get away with that shit! If you feel safe doing so, call them out. Ask them why they think it’s funny, ask them why they support those positions. Our silence emboldens them, and makes them think that everyone feels the same way they do. Well, I for one don’t and I am not afraid to say so. If you don’t feel safe confronting them (in person or online), please don’t endanger your safety…you don’t owe anyone that.

And finally BE KIND TO PEOPLE! Don’t call someone an idiot just because they voted a different way from you. This election was about fear. Fear for jobs and the economy, fear about the war happening in Syria. People voted the way they did because they thought it would help them, and they don’t deserve your condescension because that looks a different way than what you wanted. We need to work together if we are going to make it out of this alive, but please keep in mind my point above. Remember that some people voted the way they did because they hate women and couldn’t stand to see one in the White House. And remember that some people voted the way they did because they hate black people, and want to take the country back to a time when POC and women weren’t allowed to vote, had no rights, and were treated like property.

When a man like Trump sees the success he has, it emboldens the darkest corners of his supporters. And they have come out swinging, literally, at POC, at women, at gay & trans people. At anyone who doesn’t look like them (straight white American males you’re probably still doing okay!), and anyone who doesn’t agree with their hateful message. Be kind to minorities, to immigrants, to people of colour, and to LGBTQ+ in your lives and in your communities. They are going to feel the brunt of this decision, and things are going to get a lot worse for them real quick. They need allies, and support, and love right now.

If this election cycle has taught me anything, it is that there are elected officials out there who are still full of love and hope for their country and for their citizens. And I intend to do everything in my power to make sure those people hear my voice and have my support up here. We’ve got our work cut out for us. Love Trumps Hate. 

Clear My Browser Tabs

When people post idiotic memes on Facebook, I am of two minds:
1. WTF?! Do people not THINK before they post these ridiculous hateful/ignorant/racist/uninformed/fake images and comments? Is it supposed to be "funny"? Cause it's mostly just wrong. Memes aren't news!

and 2. YAY! They've just given me a starting point to do some INTERNET RESEARCH! aka Google shit until I find something relevant. I live for this!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

And on that note, I thought I would share the contents of my current browser tabs.

In response to: a meme that instructed me to turn off the power to my house if I didn't "support oil and gas workers" (ugh...I have SO MUCH to say about this one...)
I am reading:
So you use oil? No, that doesn't make you a hypocrite

In reponse to: An acquaintance posted a year-old article about Montreal's problems with releasing untreated sewage into the St. Lawrence River, and then proceeded to comment with misinformation about how equalization payments work, and stereotypical bullshit about our French neighbours.
I am reading:
Raw sewage: 101 Quebec municipalities dumping into waterways (this is the article that started it all, actually)
Montreal's waste water to be cleaned using ozone  starting in 2018
Montreal building $100million waste water treatment facility
Ottawa suspends sewage dump in St. Lawrence River
Montreal controversy shows cities regularly dump sewage into rivers
Alberta doesn't send oil money to have-nots, and Ontario contributes more than Alberta - this is now my go-to article when someone blasts bullshit about how equalization works

In response to: The image above, posted without comment on a high school friend's page. And really, the constant bullshit about pipelines and climate change (it never ends really).
I am reading: 
Bill McKibben: Trudeau can't charm his way around the mathematics of climate change
Iron & Earth's Worker's Climate Plan
220 'significant' pipeline spills already this year exposes troubling safety record
Spills are more common thanks to aging pipelines
Dakota Access Pipeline explained: what you need to know
Oilsands growth makes it nearly impossible for Canada to meet Paris Agreement targets
Oil industry group opens doors to renewable energy companies

In response to: Blah blah blah stupid NDP, dumb c**t Notley, Kudatah, etc. (gosh this one is getting boring...)
I am reading:
Braid: the NDP's headlong rush to overall Alberta by 2019
Varcoe: Royalty changes make Alberta make competitive than BC and Saskatchewan report finds

Actually, a comment along these lines ("stupid NDP...blah blah blah TAXES!") was posted on a cool video my BIL shared about burning garbage. (this video). So I posted a link with more info about Edmonton's Waste to Biofuels & Chemicals Facility.
And now I am reading:
Biofuels in Edmonton - How does it all work?

In response to: A really COOL link my uncle posted about a recent Tesla announcement
I am reading: No one saw Tesla's solar roof coming

And that's what my browser looks like today!

Well, in addition to these tabs: Audrey's Books, Pokemon merch, a visual list of all the emojis, 350+ climate movement, a potential location for future family vacations, a cookie recipe, an awesome "world music" band, and an art blog.

Eclectic tastes.
xo

p.s. I am that annoying person that might call out your bullshit in the comments section with links like the above! That's me!

Language Matters

I shared this image on Facebook this morning.

Tod is my first cousin once removed. He's a cool, smart guy, I like him a lot. But I was uncomfortable with his response to my post, but I couldn't fully articulate why. It felt like a brush off, like a response that people (women...me...) get when we are dismissed. Like I don't know why I posted this. Like I need a lesson.

So I replied "Nope" because what the fuck else what I supposed to say in that moment?!

And I thought about it all afternoon. Like I have been thinking about Philandro Castile, and Alton Sterling, and Lavish Reynolds, and BLM TO, and the people of Turkey and Baghdad...

And I wanted to respond. I want to respond.

Thankfully, I was doing dishes tonight so I had some time to think and keep my hands busy. And this is what I came up with.

Language is important, it is powerful. It influences the way we look at and interact with the world and the people in it. And it reveals and protects and reinforces privilege and ignorance.

All I have to do is look at how people portray and talk about (white) male rapists ("lost potential"), or black shooting victims ("troubled history, criminal record"), or throw around the words "crazy" and "retarded" to know how devastating labels are.

Us white people have a hard time with the words "Muslim" and "Terrorist." We tend to equate them: Muslim = Terrorist. We don't tend to label the Christians or atheists who commit terror crimes as "Christian Terrorist". Look at Robert Dear, who terrorized his partner, and his neighbours, and abortion clinics. We call him a "misunderstood loner". We don't equate his religion with his crimes, and we don't paint all others like him with the same brush (perhaps to our detriment, but that's another blog post...).

Any step that I can take with my use of language to combat the inherent racism, discrimination, and intolerance in a word or label, I'm going to do it.

So yes, Daesh calls themselves "Muslims" and says they are doing the work of Islam. But to them I say fuck off. You are unlike any Muslim I have ever known, ever heard speak, ever watched react to their community being destroyed by bombs (and by hate). I refuse to connect Daesh to these Muslims.

And it might just be "semantics" but that is everything.

Can We Talk About Something More Pleasant

I don't get to talk about why I'm a vegetarian. I get it. It's a tough subject to bring up because no one wants to listen to a militant vegan shout at you for eating honey (it happens...)

But you know what I do get to talk about, that I really don't want to talk about?

Your Diet.

I have a lot of feelings about this one, and they all boil down to the fact that it has taken me a lot of years to be really okay with the fact that my body looks the way it does, the way that society tells me I should not be happy about. And your diet talk and body talk brings all those shit feelings back. So please try to understand when I change the topic, or disengage, or walk away from this conversation.

I have been trying to put my feelings toward this into a blog post for awhile now, because it's getting really unbearable at work and with my friends. (Probably because it's going to be "bikini season" soon and please just shoot me now...)

And then I saw this post on Everyday Feminism, and I saw my feelings get put into words! Smart, good words that made sense, that I can use in my brain, and in my heart, and in my life.

All "8 Reasons Why I Don't Want To Hear About Your Diet" were SPOT ON, but one really hit home for me.

#4. I am bigger than you.

This one. This one hurts the most. When you talk about how much your fat body disgusts you, and how eating this cookie is going to make you so fat, or how you really need to lose this "extra weight" you shame yourself and you shame me. I'M FAT! I ate that cookie! My lunch was pizza with extra cheese instead of a salad with dressing on the side! I am doing and being all the things that make you cringe, that make you talk about your stupid diet!

What do you see when you see my body existing beside you everyday? Do you think I'm gross? Do I disgust you with my happy fat? If I asked you that, you would probably say no because you are my friend, but every time you use fat-shaming language to talk about your body, you are fat-shaming me. I get that you aren't even thinking about me when you talk like this, but maybe you should consider the people around you when you "bash your own weight" (as the author says).

The part that hurts my heart the most, and that makes me turn away and disengage, is the underlying message you are sending to me about your body, and my body, and other women's bodies around you. That I must be skinny to be happy. And that's bullshit.

Did you know that there isn't a single scientific study that proves that weight loss is the magic "cure all" for health problems that people claim it is?

Did you know that there is no long term data showing that there is ANY weight loss system or diet plan out there that allows participants to keep the weight "off" for a sustained period of time?

That the data we have actually proves that something like 95% of people who diet will not sustain their weight loss.

AND that most people who diet actually gain back MORE weight than what they lost?

So not only do I not want to hear about your diet talk because it hurts me, it also reminds me about the shit messages that we are bombarded with everyday that make us hate ourselves and buy more stuff to feel good about ourselves and then end up hating ourselves even more.

No thanks. I have happily excised myself from this vicious cycle and I don't need my friends and people that I care about trying to pull me back in.

I really enjoyed her point at the end, when she writes that she will not congratulate her friends on their weight loss, because...

"While I wish you well, I know the odds are stacked against you, and I don’t want to contribute to any shame you’re likely to experience if/when the weight returns.

I value you no matter what your body size."

I value myself and I value your friendship, and it has nothing to do with your presence or lack of muffin top.

xo

p.s. Quotes taken from 8 Reasons Why I Don't Want To Hear About Your Diet
Also, I realize I have not touched on some other issues surrounding diet talk, or dieting, or being a small fat person talking about this, but please take this as author bias only, and not a specific attempt to subvert or misdirect. There are of course other conversations to have, and I am only scratching the surface. These opinions are mine alone, and are incomplete. But I'm trying!

Facebook Makes Me Cranky Sometimes

I was trying to find a "rebuttal" to a bunch of posts on Facebook about the state of Ontario's wind industry, and how that should really scare us Albertans in the face of our new NDP Government. Now, the NDPs don't specifically mention "wind turbines" in their platform. They reference a renewed interest and investment in all renewable technologies, and a re-focus on keeping oil and oil jobs in Canada. I was confused on all the hullabaloo about wind in Ontario (just as I was about roads in Saskatchewan, but that's another post...)

So I did what any good Internetter with a cause does...I Googled it! HA! But seriously...

And I found out that Ontarioans (am I saying that correctly) are really nonplussed about their new foray into wind turbine technology. It's noisy, it causes some sort of "wind turbine syndrome" (which I have to do more digging into), it's unpleasant to live by, etc. etc. I found a whole site dedicated to hating-on the wind industry there!

And I found this "woe is us" article on this site windontario.ca. I've quoted my "favourite" part below:

Gone are the days of beautiful Ontario….

“These wind projects will change this place more totally, more rapidly and more permanently
than anything in the past 10,000 years”James Corcoran, South Huron, Ontario
30 years experience, environmental assessments on behalf of developers.

The Human & Environmental Impact 

To appreciate the full impact of turbines on our people, please find the time  to read this:
http://www.southwesternontario.ca/news/public-fills-gallery-to-hear-wind-turbine-concerns/

Wind companies:

Pay a lower tax rate than other corporations.
Have farmers who sign lease contracts, sign a gag order.
Are exempted from municipal bylaws, building permits, proximity to highways, drainage issues.
Have weight restrictions on roads and bridges lifted during construction of wind projects.
May destroy protected wetlands.
May cause death or harm to endangered species.
Are exempt from the $10,000 fine in the event of destroying an eagle’s nest.
Override the Heritage Act.

Wind companies sue municipalities/persons who get in their way.

The government supplies lawyers to back a wind company;
but has never backed a municipality, group or person.

Municipalities have had all rights removed regarding wind projects.
Over 80 municipalities are “unwilling hosts” to turbines, but are not acknowledged.

July, 2014. MPP Jeff Yurek asked the Premier whether she will listen to constituents in
West Elgin and Dutton who have stated they do not want industrial wind turbine development.
This was her response:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouIhk07U9cU&feature=player_embedded

Every turbine destroys 3 acres of land; roughly 21,000 acres of farmland lost forever.
Ontario turbines are closer to people than any place in the world.
Turbine neighbours suffer from turbine noise and wind turbine syndrome which can be life threatening.
Residents are abandoning their homes at a unprecedented pace.
The fortunate are bought out by the wind companies, but must sign a gag order.
Rural Ontario areas are becoming ghost towns.

That's sad isn't it? Now, replace the word "wind" with "oil". Welcome to The Status Quo! I have to laugh. Renewable energy companies are finally getting the same special treatment as oil companies (some of which are actually the same companies), and we just can't stand it! Argh!

It's still bullshit, mind you, but I wonder if the author of the article above can see the irony.

It takes money, and time, and energy, and GUMPTION to test a new technology. I'm pretty sure the oil and coal industries didn't burst on to the scene all shiny and whole, with no kinks, no protests, no concerns... This is the wave of the future, kiddos. We don't have time to sit on our hands anymore, and wait for our Golden Ticket out of this mess (that we got ourselves into...sigh...). Put on your damn big girl panties, and get with the times.

I will continue to follow this, and other stories like this. I am NOT AFRAID of an Orange & Green Alberta. I know there will be sacrifices, and hard times ahead. But we're fricken Albertans! We got this! To tell you the truth, I am just so stinking excited about things to come!

Coincidentally, today marks the first day our new MLAs got to sit in their new seats! Go Team!

No Room For Hateful Rhetoric

I woke up this morning and jumped on Facebook to end my two-day self-enforced social media ban. And I see this hateful bullshit on my wall. I don't know Jennifer Harris - the original poster - but the identity of the woman who posted it surprised me. I thought she was more open minded than this.

To me, this is hate speech.

And there are so many things WRONG with her "argument" I just want to scream. It really gets my blood boiling.

I almost just walked away from it, because it made me so mad. But I really feel the need to address it this morning, because it is viewpoints like this that poison our humanity. And aren't we all in this together?!

A few points I would like to make:

The labour movement is fighting for EVERYONE'S wages to go up! Better conditions for all, that's the point of the labour movement! No fast food worker is saying "more for me at the expense of everyone else." No fast food worker is saying "I don't think the military deserves to earn more." If you told a fast food worker how little a Private or a Sergeant makes, you know what they would probably say? "THAT SUCKS! You should be striking with us! In fact, why aren't you...?"

Yes, fast food workers deserve to make more money. If you are living below the poverty line and cannot support yourself or your family on your income, you deserve to make more money.

Her comment about "working in a job designed for a kid in high school who is...earning enough for gas"... What is this, 1972?

You want to know who works in fast food places? Single moms and dads. People who have only known poverty all their life...it's a cycle that is practically impossible to escape from. Immigrants who come looking for a better life for their family, perhaps escaping persecution or terror in the land of their birth. They were architects, or engineers and now they sling burgers in the hopes that they'll make enough so their kids won't have to. They are very skilled, but not according to your immigration laws. And yes, teenagers work there as well. But I bet most of them are doing it to earn more than just gas money. They are paying for school, or they are helping to support their families.

This line really stings. "If you have chosen this as your life long profession, you have failed." (emphasis mine) This makes my heart so sad. No one chooses to live below the poverty line. Poverty makes your choices for you. A lot of those military boys that she is "honoring" with her post her, entered service because they were poor and they didn't think they had any better choice to support their family. They are dying overseas because they didn't want to work in a fast food joint. And they're still poor, and their families still on food stamps. Is that a fair choice to you?

Did you hear about the woman who died in her car from carbon monoxide poisoning because she was taking a nap in between shifts at one of her FOUR JOBS because she didn't have time to go home and sleep? And she needed the four jobs because she couldn't support her family on just the one (or two, or three). One guess what industry she worked in. She died for her shitty fast food job!

You know how much money the government would save by increasing the minimum wage? Loads! And you know why? Because all those services they pay for - you pay for - would disappear. Medicaid, welfare, food stamps could be a thing of the past because all of a sudden people could actually afford to buy stuff on their own! And not only that, they might have some left over money to spend on "luxuries" or saving for the future and that my friend helps the economy, yessirree!

And don't even get me started on the billionaires who lobby the government and convince them that raising the minimum wage would be a bad idea for everyone...that's BULLSHIT and they know it! What they really mean is that it would hurt their profits. Maybe they would only make 2 billion dollars next year instead of 10. Boo fricken hoo. And even though most of them complain about big government, and welfare programs, they benefit from all those government programs too, because that's their excuse for keeping their workers below the poverty line.

And if you want to educate someone, you don't call them names. "Baconator"...oh gosh. Wait, you aren't trying to educate anyone?! You're just ranting and spewing your hateful rhetoric all over the Facebooks where you can really get some back slapping from your buddies?! Right...thought so.

Before I removed it from my wall, my "friend's" post had received one like and one comment. I agreed with the commenter in saying that everyone including the military deserves a better wage. My "friend's" response to that: just eliminate the fast food positions....sigh....

I could go on and on. It is SHIT like this that made me take a break from Facebook. It makes me so fricken angry that there are still attitudes like this in our world.

I'll just stop here and see what kind of comments I get, if any. I would love to hear your opinion on this! Unless it's full of hate, because I get enough of that out there on the rest of the Internet. I don't have to tolerate it on my blog.

End.

Rant to end all rants

I am sick of rants in answer to rants. Just because someone "called you out" (based on their assumptions, and their prejudices and their waking up on the wrong side of the bed-ness, or whatever) doesn't mean you have to call them out on the internet for all to see as well.

What are you proving?

What is anyone proving by doing this?

Why can't we all just get along?!

I realize that the adage "if you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything" is too simplified a rule for this complicated world we live in. Perhaps it should be, "if you don't have something nice to say, wait 5 minutes and then engage in a less angry and more enlivened debate where we listen to each other before responding and both come out of the discussion feeling better about where that went."

I get mad about things on the internet all the time! But you know what, I don't live on the internet. If someone doesn't agree with me, that's cool! Good for them! I'm going to go for a walk in the ravine now!

If something makes an assumption about the life I lead and sends me a snarky email or posts a snarky comment on a blog post, oh well. These photos won't scrapbook themselves! And also, I think I will invite my friends over for margaritas now!

I blog my life, but my life is not my blog. I don't require the internet for my business, livelihood, or social activities & mental well-being. I can take a step back (a giant leap really) and not have it impact the way I provide for my family or the way "my personal brand" (oh barf) is perceived.

And thank goodness for that!

If someone slanders your name, address it directly. If someone sends you an email that threatens your life, do something about it!

But don't use the vast and polarizing nature of the Internet to be nasty just because somebody said something you didn't agree with. This goes for trolls and bonafide "Internet Personalities" as well.

As soon as you get on your soapbox to address somebody else who got on their soapbox (ad nauseum) you've just got a bunch of people fist-pumping you or throwing figurative rotten tomatoes at you and no one is listening to anything that is actually being said or trying to solve the damn problem that was brought up in the first place! And before you know it everybody has taken up their own soapbox of indignant righteousness and we lose a little bit more of that empathy towards each other (you know, the actual living breathing warm human person on the other side of the screen) that this medium threatens on a daily basis.

I'd rather watch thousands of cat videos than see that happen.

Why is it so hard to say: "I'm sorry you feel that way. Do you have an idea of a constructive solution to this issue that you have brought up today? Let's discuss!"

Or rather, say nothing at all.

And so ends my rant towards other rants in response to other rants.

The Internet is a nasty mistress.

xo Lisa

p.s. I love cats, and their videos.

Gluten Free GF

I was listening to CBC Radio at BFF's house the other morning, and they were talking about the recent study that was done that "debunks" the benefits of the gluten free lifestyle for those not suffering from a gluten intolerant disorder. The radio program played some clips from a recent Jimmy Kimmel show during which he asked random people on the street if they a) follow a gluten free life and if yes, b) know what gluten is. (I'm sure you can see where this is going...) No one that was featured on the program knew a stitch about gluten. Ha ha heh heh...sigh.

I don't have Chrohn's and I am not a celiac. If I were to tell you that I was, and then tell you that I'm "gluten free", you would be sympathetic. If I told you I was cutting back on carbs, you might make fun of me for a moment, and then you would probably agree that maybe eating a lot of white bread isn't particularly good for you and nod in agreement. But when I use the "gluten free" buzzword, I get made fun of, and laughed at, and asked more questions about my "diet" and asked if I'm a vegan too. It's mostly annoying. Scratch that. It's always annoying.

I refuse to believe that I have somehow been "brainwashed" by the "gluten free" proselytizers and that somehow my "symptoms" are psychosomatic. That means "all in my head." Big Gluten? THAT'S NOT A THING!

Wanna hear something I think is scarier? I think we have been brainwashed to believe that over-processed, crap food that we put in our body over and over and over again is actually good for us because it has been labelled as "whole grain". I think that's the buzzword. That study that was done way back in the 70s (I think...I don't have it in front of me or anything) that says whole grains are REALLY GREAT for you, and that meat and eggs are super bad because of CHOLESTEROL and blah-de-blah has also been proven to be mostly a load of horseshit. Did you know that? Scientists still don't actually know how cholesterol works and which - if any - is "good" or "bad". Eggs are full of vitamins and good stuff! And as long as you're not eating bottom-of-the-barrel meat, you're probably doing a-okay. And that the wheat we eat today looks nothing like the wheat we were eating even a generation ago, but no one has done a study on that to see how our bodies are reacting to it because it's still called "wheat" so it's probably okay right? I could go on and on and on here, but the point I am trying to make is...HORSE SHIT!

How do you tell the horse shit from the good info when all your news comes from "entertainment news" programs? Sigh...

I eat stuff that makes me feel GREAT! That gives me energy, and helps me move my body. I try not to eat stuff that makes me feel like SHIT, and makes me fart, or makes me itchy (dairy), or makes me crave more, or makes me lethargic, or puts my stomach in knots for hours. Sometimes I eat pizza because it is SO GODDAMN DELICIOUS and nary a week goes by that I don't finish off a 6-pack of PBR. But that is my choice. Cause I love delicious food. And I am not going to apologize for "cheating on my diet"...blargh! That's not even a thing!!!

I am mostly just SICK AND TIRED of celebrities, or celebrity chefs, or radio scientists, or late night talk show hosts telling me what to eat or what not to eat, or making fun of people who have chosen a diet that might be a fad today, debunked tomorrow, then endorsed by one of the above next summer.

I am NOT sick and tired of the people out there who are just trying to get more people to THINK about what they put into their bodies! Whether they be celebrities, cookbook writers, moms at their dayhome, or dads at a soccer game. Or over-posters on Facebook (k...maybe not them ;) All this stuff that we hear in the news, or on late night TV is just information. You have to decide if and how you use that information for yourself! And you have NO RIGHT to judge or ridicule someone for a decision they made based on information they were given, no matter the source.

Do I want everyone to eat healthier, and live better lives? You bet! Am I going to try and educate the haters who make fun of me when I tell them I eat "gluten free"? Of course! Am I going to judge those haters for their food choices? Maybe a little, but ultimately it doesn't matter. I think that we as a food-eating community of people (re: everybody) have to fight for better food, better choices, and better information on which to base those choices. And I think that's really sad.

EAT REAL FOOD PEOPLE!

Rant complete.
Lisa

Blah Blah Blah "Project Life"

I sort of "laughed out loud" when I read this excerpt on Becky's site: "Project Life provides an ultra-simple solution that helps us get those pictures into albums without draining our time, energy, and wallets." HA HA HA HA HA HA! That's hilarious! Doesn't drain your time, because instead of spending an hour or so each week scrapbooking last month's holiday we spend twice that amount of time every week organizing photos, and saving memorabilia, and writing out what my kid said (or didn't say), and filling pockets, and cleaning up after all that creating. Well, that's what it looks like at my house at least! Oh, and don't forget to buy the basic kit, and the page protectors, and the digital files, and the album, and some extra cardstock just in case....but it's really inexpensive I promise!

It's an exhaustive and exhausting project. And I've decided that I don't want to call the thing I do "Project Life" anymore. I don't buy her kits. I don't buy her page protectors. I don't buy her binders or extras or digital files or anything. I don't buy into "Project Life". I guess mine is more "small l" as opposed to "big L"...if you follow Canadian politics at all, that might actually make sense! HA! That's a good one Lisa....

please note: I am NOT trying to poo-poo on everybody else's experience with the actual Project Life, because I know a lot of people that really makes this work for them and their life! And kudos to them for doing so!! I am just really cynical, and lots of this make-it-easier-but-in-reality-not-so-much-but-it's-gonna-cost-you stuff like this bugs me. And so you get the slightly dark and super sarcastic Lisa-version of things. Yep...I'm kind of an ass.

I thought I would share a bit of my planning process, and how I keep myself organized. Reading about what works for other scrapbookers has really helped me figure out what to try. And more importantly, what to abandon when it fails to get the job done!

So, welcome to my "Life: Documented". So begins 2013.

I have been taking notes in this notebook since October 2012 and it really helps me keep track of what happens during the week, and what Instagrams belong to which days!

 Most of the time I just add some point form notes to each date. I also make sure to include funny things Dude said, new album purchases, and maybe a favourite video game or app of the week. Most of this stuff makes it into my spreads.

This next trick is a new one for me. I needed a place to store all of the printed photos and "memorabilia" that I was collecting each week. I am always behind, so I would often lose track of which ticket belonged on which day. And the piles were getting out of hand. So I went upstairs to my stash of large envelopes, pulled down a bunch that are still in good shape, and started filling them up.

Each envelope gets a range of dates written on it (my week runs from Monday to Sunday). Once I have finished scrapbooking that week, the envelope will get a new date range written on it and it will start all over again! And pretty much anything and everything I collect over the course of the week fits inside. I've got NINE envelopes on the go right now, but I have a feeling that a couple will be moved forward by tomorrow night!

Do you have any amazeballs "Project Life" tips or tricks to pass along?

Do you have any "Project Life" issues that you need help sorting out?

I'm going to post my first week's spread (done!) or so, and then see what happens, and what the interest is in these kind of posts. Any interest out there? Any at all...???

later loves

Let's Chat

Hanging out for a whole day with Nicole back in September - aside from being the bestest most best Saturday ever - gave me a lot of opportunities to geek out over Blogs. And chat about blogging, and what we like and don't like about certain blogs, and what makes us subscribe (and unsubscribe).

Y'know, I've been blogging for years, and I have way less followers than some ladies who have only been blogging for a couple of months. And truthfully, most of my followers are real-life friends, family, or spammers from overseas! Am I jealous of those upstart bloggers and all their readers? My feelings on that range from "not really" to "heck no". And I'm really okay with that.

A lot of bloggers (new and old) offer "advice" on getting more readers, retaining those you already have, connecting on social media, building your "audience", how to manage comments and giveaways and sponsors and blah blah blah.

I will never ever understand how people can take a blog and make it a business. And I guess those are the blogs that I have started to avoid.

To me, blogs started out as being personal online journals for making friends and sharing your story. And I guess that's kind of where I want my blog to live. I deem my blog a "success" as long as I enjoy writing it, and if I can meet some sweet new friends through it. Some even "IRL"....ermagherd.

I continually turn down (loser) requests for sponsored guest posts that "will really interest your readers"....my ass.....I want to write about things I like and if somebody else out there likes it too, well then shucks. Ain't that just super fun! And if I get some hate mail along the way, well then I'll know I've really "made it." HA!

Please note: Every once and awhile I feel I've just got to get things off my chest. I haven't yet determined exactly what kind of filter I could put on the blog for privacy, etc. That has never really entered my universe of thought, and I doubt it will any time soon. I like to rant in real life, so why the heck shouldn't it spill over here. If you take offence, please send me my first piece of hate mail so I know I'll have really made it!

And yes, I realize this is a super loser post to be putting out here right before Christmas, but it was the only one in my Drafts folder that was pretty much good-to-go! This week has been a gong show for me, working 9 hour days (not including the commute...), leaving and coming home in the dark. Ugh. I really just want to sit and relax, and scrapbook, and hang out with Dude & R! I hope to get some Christmas things under my belt before the weekend, but I'm not holding my breath.

But Christmas is next week! I get to see my brother, sister-in-law and nephew!! I get to hang out with my family, and play games, and drink too much! And snuggle babies! I get to drink homemade nog and watch old movies with BFF!! I'm fricken going to Disneyland! That's a lot to look forward to....and to help me take this week for what it's worth.

later loves

My Kind of "Social Media"

Fiona Apple // Icky Blossoms

The Wind // The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

 These guys are on the brain and on the iPad this month. I just can't bring myself to listen to my old music - I am such a music snob - but I can't stand new movies. Go figure, eh?

Oh, and all this "don't blame the medium" nonsense I keep hearing from people about how it's not Facebook's fault that people act like idiots, and braggarts, and bastards on there. And how if it's really bothering you, you should just change your feed and unfriend people. Um...yeah. Or we could change Facebook for the better and not have all these ridiculous games, and contests, and find out where your friends are at all times and who they are friending and what companies they like kind of shat that Facebook has made it's bread and butter. And we could stop making excuses for Facebook - and for each other - and just be nicer, and smarter, and use more common sense damnit! Just sayin...

later loves

lately...

I have been sleeping a lot. Like...a lot! So I haven't been doing much else. Saturday was very productive, and warm, and wonderful. And then Sunday hit me like a tonne of bricks and I did a lot of napping and sitting around. And then Monday and Tuesday nights I was in bed by 8 o'clock! What the deuce!?!? Being back at work after the long break has really kicked my ass. I leave the house just after 7am, and I'm not back until after 5pm. Then I make dinner, eat dinner, clean up dinner, and then I am done. Oh man...am I ever done.

I got a Blogging award from a blog-friend the other day, and then promptly fell off the face of the world! Sorry peeps!

Here is an image of a spiral galaxy to keep you entertained until I get my ass in gear.

I have two coffee dates planned and pretty much planned this week, so I am hoping these get me back in a better mood and give me some inspiration to stay awake past the senior sleeping hour. When did I turn 80, again?

And I have been listening more and more to this podcast, and while it hasn't been helping me in the awake-asleep department, it keeps my drives to and fro work interesting. Thanks to BFF for recommending this.

On a side note: I don't understand why it's so hard to just do your own job and not worry about what everybody else is doing. Also, why are you asking for my input solving a problem in which I have no history, expertise, or knowledge? But in an area that you are kind of queen of. Geez louise! Also, I don't really need a running commentary of what you're doing or what you're planning on doing in the next fifteen minutes. I have enough shit on my desk to deal with, I don't need updates on yours. Thanks. End "editorial".

later loves

On friendship...

"Friends build you up, they support you, they shine a light on your good qualities while looking past your not so good ones. They know that by building you up it doesn't take anything away from them." (from this post on Brenda's blog)

I have learned a lot of things about friendship lately...because of a dude. Go figure.

I have learned that you can do stupid shit, and it is forgiven. Or ignored. Whatever is most appropriate.

I have learned that what I think of as "stupid shit" may or may not be recognized as such.

I have learned that you can act like an idiot, and you will be laughed at accordingly, and your calls will still be returned.

I have learned what it means to just call someone and chat. Or text, as the case may be.

I have learned that if someone doesn't reply to your email right away it doesn't mean you're not friends any more. It just means you found someone even busier than you are.

Mae Chevrette's Blog

When I tell people that I am terrible at "normal social interactions", they laugh at me, and tell me that there is no way this can be true. Most people don't have this problem, so they don't understand. This type of thing is easy for most people, and therefore my little issue is a strange strange thing. Let's look at it this way. When people tell me that colour and art comes effortlessly to me and that they could never do that and that it is so not easy, I don't understand, because for me it is second nature. It comes naturally to me. And apparently dealing with people is the opposite of that for me.

I know that I am (usually) terrible with people. I am just wired wrong for that sort of thing.

Or maybe I was just waiting for the right time and the right person to come along and let me get some practice in!

Thank goodness for the people in my life that understand this about me, and have patience with me. And have stuck around to learn that I can be quite awesome, and that I am full of love, even though I don't know how to show it. And seem to love me in spite of it!

This was a post that I wasn't really sure about posting, and I scheduled it and un-scheduled it many times. But it's an honest look at a big part of my life, and I'm not afraid of sharing! And maybe someone out there will see a bit of herself in this post, and know she's not alone and that there's hope for us!!

later loves

PO'd

Can I just put it out there that online banking is at the same time the most annoying and inconvenient thing in the world, and still super convenient!?

I actually punched my kitchen counter and threw something (it was tiny and light) this morning cause I was getting so upset with all my online banking and M/C sites. They tell you not to write down any important logging-on information, but they want you to remember strange and obscure passwords, user names, email addresses, the name of your favourite teacher, soft drink and sports team, plus a unique image and welcome phrase. Really!? Oh, and when they update their system and your account mysteriously vanishes into the cloud, they make it "really easy" for you to get a new one...please note the sarcasm quotations.

And thanks to Canada Post and it's Union Workers, I missed my May M/C statement, probably only by a couple of days of strike, and now owe two month's worth of money on top of some interest.

As much as I hate the government getting involved, can we just get these workers back to work already. Geez Louise. This was supposed to be my stress-free Friday, full of ice tea and relaxing goodness. Now how am I to get back on track, when I have fallen so far off?

later skater alligator