11 years ago
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Work in progress!
I am happy to report that bright and early this morning I officially started Nano'ing. And yes, I hauled my sorry carcass out of bed at 5:00 a.m. And no, it didn't kill me. In fact, despite the lack of reporting on my sorry excuse of a word count widget, my tally for this morning is 1,915 words, 248 over the average daily requirement (to hit the 50,000 mark by November 30). Just like clock work, when I hit save after my last word count check my youngest rolled out of bed, but not until I had over two hours of uninterrupted writing time. I could really get into this early to rise thing (I might actually have to begrudgingly admit to my DH that he's been right all along - damn!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Consider the trigger pulled ...
It's official. I've registered. I'm NaNo'ing. I'm also crazy, but that's not news. Here's the thing, I want to write. I've been told I should write - by three teachers, assorted family & friends, a psychic and now a tarot reader. I'm thinking maybe it's something I should pursue. On the other hand, I'm big on procrastination, self-doubt etc. so NaNoWriMo is going to be my proverbial kick in the pants. That being said, I'm now feeling somewhat naseous and quite a bit like I did before I started training for my first duathlon ... scared crapless, not really believing that I could/would really do it. But, since I had publicly declared my intentions I felt compelled to press on. I didn't want to feel like a quitter, nor did I want others to see me as one (peer pressure is a powerful thing, even if it's just imagined). I sucked up the fear and did it. Then I did it again. I'm hoping NaNo has the same affect on my writing.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo here's the rundown - copied directly from their site ('cause I'm too worried about my own word count right now to be bothered rewriting someone else's stuff):
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.
Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.
As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.
In 2007, we had over 100,000 participants. More than 15,000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.
Wish me luck! If you're NaNo'ing too and want to be my buddy here's my link.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo here's the rundown - copied directly from their site ('cause I'm too worried about my own word count right now to be bothered rewriting someone else's stuff):
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.
Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.
As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.
In 2007, we had over 100,000 participants. More than 15,000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.
Wish me luck! If you're NaNo'ing too and want to be my buddy here's my link.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Lots going on. Haven't been writing, but actually part of what I've been up to has to do with writing.
First, was my awesome hubby's birthday. That was Friday. We had a quiet dinner at a local favorite restaurant with the girls and then dessert at home. The festivities continued Sunday night with my family at yet another restaurant (no complaints here with all that cooking-free dining!)
On Saturday night, at the invitation of my friend Kellie, I attended "Ghoul's Night Out" with my sister and twelve other witches. Yes, that's witches, not bitches. It was a fund raiser for our county museum. The event was a ladies only costume party (come in your witchiest attire) complete with dancing, appetizers, funky cocktails (too bad I was a dd!), karaoke and tarot card readings. Lots of girlie fun! The party was also sponsored by a local spa, so every ghoul got a nice goodie bag full of pamper-yourself samples to take home.
Thrown in with all of the festivities I managed to completely reorganize our bomb-site of a yet-to-be-finished basement. This will be ever so helpful when it comes time to haul the Christmas decorations out in about five (?!!) weeks. It also allowed us to move our desk downstairs to it's future home in our future office. In the mean time our familyroom has become much more spacious. My computer has also now moved upstairs to my stepdaughter's bedroom. OJ is rarely here anymore due to those teengerish things like work and socializing, so we didn't think she would mind. Plus we didn't think she would object to having the computer in her room when she is here (I'll just hang out on my hubby's laptop on those occasions).
So what does all of this have to do with writing?
My husband's birthday? Nothing.
Ghoul's Night Out? My tarot reading was very favourable to me pursuing my writing. I was told I should start working on this "artistic" thing in question now and that I need to get over my guilt and just do it. It is part of who I am and others will benefit from it. The only catch - the tarot lady suggested I start getting up at 5:00 am to make time to write (the thoughts of 5:00 am are extrutiatingly painful to me and is something I will definitely have to ease into)
Moving the computer? I now have a much brighter, less cluttered, quiet place to work.
In the week since I posted last I have also been trying to work on an outline. I am this close to signing up for NaNoWriMo. For those unfamiliar I will post about it once I pull the trigger. My husband has actually been very supportive of this crazy idea. I just need to work on the 5:00 am thing ...
First, was my awesome hubby's birthday. That was Friday. We had a quiet dinner at a local favorite restaurant with the girls and then dessert at home. The festivities continued Sunday night with my family at yet another restaurant (no complaints here with all that cooking-free dining!)
On Saturday night, at the invitation of my friend Kellie, I attended "Ghoul's Night Out" with my sister and twelve other witches. Yes, that's witches, not bitches. It was a fund raiser for our county museum. The event was a ladies only costume party (come in your witchiest attire) complete with dancing, appetizers, funky cocktails (too bad I was a dd!), karaoke and tarot card readings. Lots of girlie fun! The party was also sponsored by a local spa, so every ghoul got a nice goodie bag full of pamper-yourself samples to take home.
Thrown in with all of the festivities I managed to completely reorganize our bomb-site of a yet-to-be-finished basement. This will be ever so helpful when it comes time to haul the Christmas decorations out in about five (?!!) weeks. It also allowed us to move our desk downstairs to it's future home in our future office. In the mean time our familyroom has become much more spacious. My computer has also now moved upstairs to my stepdaughter's bedroom. OJ is rarely here anymore due to those teengerish things like work and socializing, so we didn't think she would mind. Plus we didn't think she would object to having the computer in her room when she is here (I'll just hang out on my hubby's laptop on those occasions).
So what does all of this have to do with writing?
My husband's birthday? Nothing.
Ghoul's Night Out? My tarot reading was very favourable to me pursuing my writing. I was told I should start working on this "artistic" thing in question now and that I need to get over my guilt and just do it. It is part of who I am and others will benefit from it. The only catch - the tarot lady suggested I start getting up at 5:00 am to make time to write (the thoughts of 5:00 am are extrutiatingly painful to me and is something I will definitely have to ease into)
Moving the computer? I now have a much brighter, less cluttered, quiet place to work.
In the week since I posted last I have also been trying to work on an outline. I am this close to signing up for NaNoWriMo. For those unfamiliar I will post about it once I pull the trigger. My husband has actually been very supportive of this crazy idea. I just need to work on the 5:00 am thing ...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Hippy Dippy Joy Joy ...
We spent the afternoon at my father's house today. As my hubby helped my dad with some outside work I felt myself at loose ends. I started poking around and discovered a treasure tucked away in my old bedroom closet. Years ago I packed and stashed one of my childhood favorites ... the Sunshine Family Craft Store. My intent was to save it for my future kids. Well, the future kids were happily playing downstairs, so why not break it out, set it up and let them enjoy a blast from the past.
As the store took shape I had to laugh. It is truly a relic of the 70's (totally dating myself here!). The faux bookshelves are stacked with such titles as Beginner Weaving and Pottery For Fun And Profit. There is a large macrame wall hanging adorning the shop. While there actually aren't any potted "herbs" to speak of you can almost smell some questionable aromas lingering on the premises. But what else would you expect from a family of dolls where the mother wears peasant skirts and sandals and the father sports a turle neck and dabbles in pottery?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Being schooled by my three year old ...
So yesterday we were at my inlaws. I busted my three year old for enhancing her grandmother's dining table decor by emptying and arranging a tray of ice cubes amongst the dishes. In her typical manner she wailed like I had just murdered her best friend and ran to my hubby to rat me out for being a mean mommy. When she found no sympathy there she headed upstairs. I followed her up and and found her standing quietly in one of the bedrooms. When I asked her what she was doing she said "I'm madding!" I tried not to laugh. How cute, I thought.
Everyone else oohed and awwwed at my pumpkin's cuteness when I told my story.
Well she's got the last laugh now. Out of curiosity I looked it up and guess what? Mad can be used as a verb! Who knew?! Other than my three year old, that is.
verb (used without object)
Archaic. to be, become, or act mad
Inflected form(s); mad.ded; mad.ding
Everyone else oohed and awwwed at my pumpkin's cuteness when I told my story.
Well she's got the last laugh now. Out of curiosity I looked it up and guess what? Mad can be used as a verb! Who knew?! Other than my three year old, that is.
verb (used without object)
Archaic. to be, become, or act mad
Inflected form(s); mad.ded; mad.ding
Friday, October 10, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving, eh
As we embark on our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend I could post about the usual "this is what I'm thankful for." However, anyone who knows me knows what I'm thankful for and it's probably quite similar to what they themselves are thankful for. So, for a different spin on things here's what I am not thankful for:
1. A federal election here being held simultaneously with a federal election south of the border, both of which seem based more on mud-slinging than dealing with the serious issues that should be addressed.
2. The inevitability of a second term with Stephen Harper as the hapless leader of our country.
3. The fact that a serving of Pepsi counts as 3 w.w. points (particularly brutal when I'm only allowed 18 pts/day!)
4. That my computer seems to be dying a slow, painful death (but I will be VERY thankful for the laptop that my hubby has promised as its replacement when it finally meets its ultimate demise ... )
5. That my youngest has declared all out war with me on the potty-training front. The little wench is one obstinate chiquita, but I.will.have.victory.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend with their loved ones. And to my American friends, while we may get to eat our turkey one month earlier, you get the Macy's parade and a four day weekend (as aforementioned obstinate preschooler would say "no fair!")
1. A federal election here being held simultaneously with a federal election south of the border, both of which seem based more on mud-slinging than dealing with the serious issues that should be addressed.
2. The inevitability of a second term with Stephen Harper as the hapless leader of our country.
3. The fact that a serving of Pepsi counts as 3 w.w. points (particularly brutal when I'm only allowed 18 pts/day!)
4. That my computer seems to be dying a slow, painful death (but I will be VERY thankful for the laptop that my hubby has promised as its replacement when it finally meets its ultimate demise ... )
5. That my youngest has declared all out war with me on the potty-training front. The little wench is one obstinate chiquita, but I.will.have.victory.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend with their loved ones. And to my American friends, while we may get to eat our turkey one month earlier, you get the Macy's parade and a four day weekend (as aforementioned obstinate preschooler would say "no fair!")
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
ARMY OF WOMEN ...
If you are a woman or have a wife, mother, daughter ... this is a revolutionary project that needs your help. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation have joined forces to create the Army Of Women initiative. This project has two goals :
"1. To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.
2. To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women. "
Unfortunately, this project is currently only open to women residing in the U.S. because, at this time, it only involves American researchers. However, I know there are American gals/guys who read this blog and my Canadian readers all probably know at least one American woman that they can share this information with. This is an important, fresh approach to finding a cause and preventative measures for breast cancer that will benefit all women.
The link for the project is here. Pass it on!!!
"1. To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.
2. To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women. "
Unfortunately, this project is currently only open to women residing in the U.S. because, at this time, it only involves American researchers. However, I know there are American gals/guys who read this blog and my Canadian readers all probably know at least one American woman that they can share this information with. This is an important, fresh approach to finding a cause and preventative measures for breast cancer that will benefit all women.
The link for the project is here. Pass it on!!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Root and Sprout, again!
While I haven't had a chance to do much in the way of writing lately I did manage to get another piece done for Root and Sprout. It appears in the October issue. Here is the link (scroll down the page to the article titled Taking A Leap Of Faith). Thanks again to Lis for giving me a place to present my work!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Writer in absentia
With all the fine fall weather we've been enjoying it's been way too hard to park my butt at the computer and try to bang out something on the keyboard, especially since autumn is my most favorite time of the year. Call me a slacker, but a brisk walk (kid-free!) on a sunny September morning is wayyyy more appealing! I've taken three of late (completely self-indulgent).
It hasn't been a complete waste of valuable work time though. I find walking time is great for bouncing ideas around in my head. I've mulled over the angle of a piece I want to propose to a veterans' magazine, put it aside and focused on a cultural idea, and am now planning a kids' sports article while also plotting a short (?) story. Even if none of this is actually on paper (or my hard drive) it still counts. Kind of. Doesn't it?!
It hasn't been a complete waste of valuable work time though. I find walking time is great for bouncing ideas around in my head. I've mulled over the angle of a piece I want to propose to a veterans' magazine, put it aside and focused on a cultural idea, and am now planning a kids' sports article while also plotting a short (?) story. Even if none of this is actually on paper (or my hard drive) it still counts. Kind of. Doesn't it?!
Monday, September 15, 2008
A little good news is hard to find
Since my last couple of posts have been about writing I wanted to do something off topic today. I started thinking about current events trying to find something to blog about. Not a lot of good news out there. We've got the mudfest that is the election south of the border and the snooze-fest of an election that is going on here at home (I could write a page about the insanity that is the Sarah Palin phenomenon and lead that the Conservatives hold here in the poles, but my husband will think I've developed an obsession). Ike is too tragic. The economic chaos is troubling. Yep, good news is hard to find. So I'll give you some of my own ...
My youngest daughter's brain MRI was negative.
My washing machine repair will be partially covered by the warranty.
The wheeze/squeak in my chest is almost gone. The cough is completely gone (until my kids bring the next virus du jour home).
I've lost 10 lbs and am now a size 4 again (no, I'm not one of those skinny bitches obsessed with my weight - I'm petite and believe me those extra few pounds do make a difference!)
Root and Sprout will be featuring another one of my articles in the next edition.
Nothing super major (except the MRI) or earth shattering. But the most important place to find the positives and celebrate the good things is right here at home.
My youngest daughter's brain MRI was negative.
My washing machine repair will be partially covered by the warranty.
The wheeze/squeak in my chest is almost gone. The cough is completely gone (until my kids bring the next virus du jour home).
I've lost 10 lbs and am now a size 4 again (no, I'm not one of those skinny bitches obsessed with my weight - I'm petite and believe me those extra few pounds do make a difference!)
Root and Sprout will be featuring another one of my articles in the next edition.
Nothing super major (except the MRI) or earth shattering. But the most important place to find the positives and celebrate the good things is right here at home.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I'm back!
Ok, forget yesterday's suckfest. Bad day. Today I refocused (thanks BPV for making me ask how much I want it), put the polish on a little article that I've had sitting on my desktop for a month and submitted it. I also started some notes for a few other ideas I've been kicking around. Tomorrow I will be digging in the basement for the research I did months ago on a particular topic (just haven't unpacked it since our move in April). It feels good to be motivated again!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Guilt and the aspiring writer ...
Here's my dilemma. I want to write. I've always been told I'd good at it. I've taken some courses along the way. I'd like to try to develop my skills and give it a try.
On the other hand. I'm a stay-at-home mom. I feel that my family and home should be my first priority. This makes it extremely easy at any given time to find fifty different things that I could/should be doing instead of working at my computer. I do try to sit and write, but I feel that since I'm not a "professional writer" bringing in some income that in others' eyes I'm just blowing off time at the keyboard (I have a paranoia that when my kids are older they will have this image of me as simply being some sort of computer/internet addict and that they won't understand what I really was/am trying to do). That's where the guilt enters and I find myself pushing away from the desk and tackling another task.
I know I should designate a certain time of the day as my time and use this only to focus on my writing. Unfortunately, 9 - 11 pm is not what I would consider my optimal work time. I'm either too tired or run the risk of getting on a roll and staying up way past my bed time (a bad habit to get into when my oldest gets up between 6:30 & 7:00 each morning).
I had hoped that I could write during the hours that my youngest is at nursery school, but I find myself filling that time with other things ... working out, running errands, appointments ... things that are also much easier to tackle when I'm flying solo.
sigh ... feeling crappy about my aspirations today
On the other hand. I'm a stay-at-home mom. I feel that my family and home should be my first priority. This makes it extremely easy at any given time to find fifty different things that I could/should be doing instead of working at my computer. I do try to sit and write, but I feel that since I'm not a "professional writer" bringing in some income that in others' eyes I'm just blowing off time at the keyboard (I have a paranoia that when my kids are older they will have this image of me as simply being some sort of computer/internet addict and that they won't understand what I really was/am trying to do). That's where the guilt enters and I find myself pushing away from the desk and tackling another task.
I know I should designate a certain time of the day as my time and use this only to focus on my writing. Unfortunately, 9 - 11 pm is not what I would consider my optimal work time. I'm either too tired or run the risk of getting on a roll and staying up way past my bed time (a bad habit to get into when my oldest gets up between 6:30 & 7:00 each morning).
I had hoped that I could write during the hours that my youngest is at nursery school, but I find myself filling that time with other things ... working out, running errands, appointments ... things that are also much easier to tackle when I'm flying solo.
sigh ... feeling crappy about my aspirations today
Monday, September 1, 2008
September - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ok, ladies (and concerned gentlemen) here is your public service announcement for the month. I will risk sounding like a broken record here (I know I've posted about this before) but it's a message that bears repeating.As many you you know I lost my mother a year and a half ago to ovarian cancer. My sister has tested positive for BRCA2, one of the gene mutations related to breast & ovarian cancers (thanks merely to a roll of the dice I am, and therefore my biological daughter is also, BRCA2 negative).
This disease is the fifth leading cause of death amongst women and the most deadly form of cancer a woman can develop. It is extremely hard to detect. Often the symptoms are vague and mimic other illnesses. Doctors frequently miss the signs. Early diagnosis, and therefore education is crucial in beating this disease.
Here are some warning signs:
Abdominal bloating or discomfort
Changes in bowel function
Unexplained weight gain and a distended abdomen from fluid build-up
Nausea
Infertility or changes in menstruation patterns
Changes in bowel function
Unexplained weight gain and a distended abdomen from fluid build-up
Nausea
Infertility or changes in menstruation patterns
If these symptoms persist for three weeks or longer you should see your health practitioner immediately.
For more information:
Friday, August 29, 2008
Little Miss Sunshine
Upon helping my daughters make paper fans:
M: You're a fantastic mommy!
me: Ah, thanks sweetie!
M: And you're so creative ... just like me.
Guess my worries about my five year old having good self esteem might be unfounded.
M: You're a fantastic mommy!
me: Ah, thanks sweetie!
M: And you're so creative ... just like me.
Guess my worries about my five year old having good self esteem might be unfounded.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
My bad ... : (
Bad blogger. Bad writer.
When I started out with this blog it was supposed to be my motivation to park my behind at the computer for more than wasteful purposes and perhaps produce at least a paragraph of prose more than once a week. Well, it would seem that I have completely fallen off the wagon. Funny how life will get in the way of such pursuits.
Next week I vow to get put my writer's hat back on & hit the keyboard ... just after I get my five year old off to grade one, my three year old off to nursery school (not too hopeful on that one), take the same three year old for a sedated MRI (also not too hopeful on that one - she is currently terrified of hospitals) and get a hair cut ...
When I started out with this blog it was supposed to be my motivation to park my behind at the computer for more than wasteful purposes and perhaps produce at least a paragraph of prose more than once a week. Well, it would seem that I have completely fallen off the wagon. Funny how life will get in the way of such pursuits.
Next week I vow to get put my writer's hat back on & hit the keyboard ... just after I get my five year old off to grade one, my three year old off to nursery school (not too hopeful on that one), take the same three year old for a sedated MRI (also not too hopeful on that one - she is currently terrified of hospitals) and get a hair cut ...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Beating up on China
Warning: somewhat long winded rant ...
Although I enjoy watching the Olympics I am almost happy that they will soon be coming to a close. The daily bashing in the media of the host country China has become overdone and tiresome. No other venue, in my memory, has been so scrutinized and ridiculed. I have serious doubts if the Games had been held in a western country that so much criticism would have been levelled at the host.
Admittedly I am somewhat biased towards China. It is the birthplace of our youngest daughter. We have friends who live there. I am not blind to the objectionable policies of the Chinese government, but I do not feel that the daily western witch hunt to find flaws with these Games, or more specifically the host country is necessary or fair. It borders on racism.
Does it really matter that the little girl from the opening ceremonies was lip syncing to someone else's words? Prerecording music is used all the time in the entertainment industry. This was certainly not the first or last time it will be used during an Olympic opening or closing ceremony. By the outcry in the media you would think that the Chinese Olympic committee had beaten the poor child. Sure, it seemed mean spirited to replace the child behind the voice with a little girl that the officials deemed to be prettier, but how often in life are children judged by their looks? It happens all the time, in Hollywood, the media, in school yards. That doesn't make it right and I don't think it's appropriate when it happens, but the Chinese are certainly not the first to judge someone based on their looks. Was it a heinous act worthy of an international media frenzy?
Then it was revealed that, gawd forbid, some of the firework sequences from the opening ceremonies were prerecorded and digitally enhanced. So what?! It was a show. It added to the entertainment value of the production. But again, it was portrayed as yet another example of how those untrustworthy Chinese tried to pull a fast one on the rest of the world.
Now we hear accusations that some the Chinese women's gymnastics team was under aged (apparently their younger, tinier bodies would give them an advantage). I have to wonder if this would have been questioned at all if the team hadn't dominated in the event and it wasn't a western team that was perceived as being thwarted in the process.
What about Michael Phelps? Here is an athlete who grabbed eight gold medals and smashed world records in the process. His accomplishment seems implausible, but is he questioned? Does anyone point the finger and say "he must have cheated?" No. He is celebrated. I wonder if the attitude would be different if he was Chinese.
Then there is the Jamaican track team. They dominated "the big" races in winning the men's 100m, 200m, 4 x 100 m relay and women's 100m. Again, in the process world records fell. Does anyone accuse Usain Bolt of doping? No, they line up to hand him endorsement contracts.
I am not accusing any of these athletes of cheating. What I am commenting on is the public perceptions based on the athlete's home country. I have even heard suspicions of judges throwing decisions to the Chinese in situations where there were judgement calls to be made. So now the long arm of the Chinese government has reached out to influence the international judges in several sports?
This China bashing is not limited just to the Olympics. For the last few years there seems to be a marked increase in negative press regarding China.
The Chinese are sending us toxic toys! The toys that were found to contain led paint were but a drop in the bucket of Chinese made products that flood our stores. If the west didn't have such a voracious appetite for cheaply made Chinese goods perhaps incidents such as this would not happen.
The Chinese are selling us poisonous pet food! Don't trust any food products from China!
How about not trusting any food products from Ontario? The current Maple Leaf meats recall in Canada due to an outbreak of listeria shows that any source in the food chain can be vulnerable.
Why the China bashing? I think it goes beyond human rights and remants of a communist ideology controlling the ruling regime. It has to do with power. Economic power and power in sheer numbers. And it has to do with oil. The emerging economies in Asia, with massive populations to support, are now starting to put demands on the supplies of oil that the west is so addicted to. China is seen as a threat.
Maybe I'm overly sensitive because of my child's ties to China. But I don't feel that my sensitivity is unfounded. When the media continuously portrays a particular country in a negative light it isn't long before these negative attitudes begin to permeate public perceptions. Yes, my daughter is Canadian, but simply by virtue of her beautiful face she is first and always seen as Chinese. When adopting transracially we knew we would have to deal with issues of race, we just didn't count on this issue being exacerbated by the media.
Although I enjoy watching the Olympics I am almost happy that they will soon be coming to a close. The daily bashing in the media of the host country China has become overdone and tiresome. No other venue, in my memory, has been so scrutinized and ridiculed. I have serious doubts if the Games had been held in a western country that so much criticism would have been levelled at the host.
Admittedly I am somewhat biased towards China. It is the birthplace of our youngest daughter. We have friends who live there. I am not blind to the objectionable policies of the Chinese government, but I do not feel that the daily western witch hunt to find flaws with these Games, or more specifically the host country is necessary or fair. It borders on racism.
Does it really matter that the little girl from the opening ceremonies was lip syncing to someone else's words? Prerecording music is used all the time in the entertainment industry. This was certainly not the first or last time it will be used during an Olympic opening or closing ceremony. By the outcry in the media you would think that the Chinese Olympic committee had beaten the poor child. Sure, it seemed mean spirited to replace the child behind the voice with a little girl that the officials deemed to be prettier, but how often in life are children judged by their looks? It happens all the time, in Hollywood, the media, in school yards. That doesn't make it right and I don't think it's appropriate when it happens, but the Chinese are certainly not the first to judge someone based on their looks. Was it a heinous act worthy of an international media frenzy?
Then it was revealed that, gawd forbid, some of the firework sequences from the opening ceremonies were prerecorded and digitally enhanced. So what?! It was a show. It added to the entertainment value of the production. But again, it was portrayed as yet another example of how those untrustworthy Chinese tried to pull a fast one on the rest of the world.
Now we hear accusations that some the Chinese women's gymnastics team was under aged (apparently their younger, tinier bodies would give them an advantage). I have to wonder if this would have been questioned at all if the team hadn't dominated in the event and it wasn't a western team that was perceived as being thwarted in the process.
What about Michael Phelps? Here is an athlete who grabbed eight gold medals and smashed world records in the process. His accomplishment seems implausible, but is he questioned? Does anyone point the finger and say "he must have cheated?" No. He is celebrated. I wonder if the attitude would be different if he was Chinese.
Then there is the Jamaican track team. They dominated "the big" races in winning the men's 100m, 200m, 4 x 100 m relay and women's 100m. Again, in the process world records fell. Does anyone accuse Usain Bolt of doping? No, they line up to hand him endorsement contracts.
I am not accusing any of these athletes of cheating. What I am commenting on is the public perceptions based on the athlete's home country. I have even heard suspicions of judges throwing decisions to the Chinese in situations where there were judgement calls to be made. So now the long arm of the Chinese government has reached out to influence the international judges in several sports?
This China bashing is not limited just to the Olympics. For the last few years there seems to be a marked increase in negative press regarding China.
The Chinese are sending us toxic toys! The toys that were found to contain led paint were but a drop in the bucket of Chinese made products that flood our stores. If the west didn't have such a voracious appetite for cheaply made Chinese goods perhaps incidents such as this would not happen.
The Chinese are selling us poisonous pet food! Don't trust any food products from China!
How about not trusting any food products from Ontario? The current Maple Leaf meats recall in Canada due to an outbreak of listeria shows that any source in the food chain can be vulnerable.
Why the China bashing? I think it goes beyond human rights and remants of a communist ideology controlling the ruling regime. It has to do with power. Economic power and power in sheer numbers. And it has to do with oil. The emerging economies in Asia, with massive populations to support, are now starting to put demands on the supplies of oil that the west is so addicted to. China is seen as a threat.
Maybe I'm overly sensitive because of my child's ties to China. But I don't feel that my sensitivity is unfounded. When the media continuously portrays a particular country in a negative light it isn't long before these negative attitudes begin to permeate public perceptions. Yes, my daughter is Canadian, but simply by virtue of her beautiful face she is first and always seen as Chinese. When adopting transracially we knew we would have to deal with issues of race, we just didn't count on this issue being exacerbated by the media.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
One of those days ...
Today was not good. Low energy. Blah. It was a struggle to get through. I'm sure it got off to a bad start because of the lack of uninterrupted sleep from last night. Our five year old has a bad cough (allergy related) and was hacking unmercifully through the wee hours of the morning. At one point I had to relocate her to another room so she wouldn't wake the three year old.
Because of her bark, that seems to be settling into her chest, I kept our daughter home from day camp/swimming lessons today. Unfortunately her little sister had a speech therapy appointment out of town. So by 9 am we were all piled in the van and headed out on the highway. Half way there barky asked for the pewk bucket. A pail probably would have been more appropriate. Needless to say we didn't make it to our appointment.
Once back at home the day seemed to drag on. I felt like I could barely function. I was cursing the new "eating regime" I'm trying to stick to. I'm sure it was partly to blame for my lack of energy. And before any of you start in with the "are you crazy?! You don't need to lose weight!" let me just say you haven't seen me naked. Besides, I'm getting tired of camouflaging those little jiggly rolls under my clothes.
One o'clock rolled around. Thank gawd! The youngest will nap ... a reprieve! Or not. She decided that today she would like not to have a nap. No thank-you. No way. I think it's some sort of sick sense that children come pre-wired with. They can smell when you're weak and they will go for the kill every time.
I tried to relax for a few minutes and have a quiet moment in the family room (I'm not sure where the minions were by that point). One of our kitties decided to climb up on my lap. Nice kitty, purring, trying to make me feel better ... until he anchored himself to my leg with his claws and then swung off. Not only did he cut my leg, but my only pair of shorts that fit me decently (yes, I do need to lose a few). I don't think the day could get any worse. I was close to tears.
Then it happened. My wonderful, shining knight (ok, now I'm going to pewk! ha ha) My thoughtful husband sensed my distress during a phone call and cut his work out short to be home at his usual time and rescue me. After supper he whisked the kids away, not to return until just before bath time. Not only did he bring home two tired children, but also a bag of Lays. My hero! (I'll worry about counting points tomorrow).
Because of her bark, that seems to be settling into her chest, I kept our daughter home from day camp/swimming lessons today. Unfortunately her little sister had a speech therapy appointment out of town. So by 9 am we were all piled in the van and headed out on the highway. Half way there barky asked for the pewk bucket. A pail probably would have been more appropriate. Needless to say we didn't make it to our appointment.
Once back at home the day seemed to drag on. I felt like I could barely function. I was cursing the new "eating regime" I'm trying to stick to. I'm sure it was partly to blame for my lack of energy. And before any of you start in with the "are you crazy?! You don't need to lose weight!" let me just say you haven't seen me naked. Besides, I'm getting tired of camouflaging those little jiggly rolls under my clothes.
One o'clock rolled around. Thank gawd! The youngest will nap ... a reprieve! Or not. She decided that today she would like not to have a nap. No thank-you. No way. I think it's some sort of sick sense that children come pre-wired with. They can smell when you're weak and they will go for the kill every time.
I tried to relax for a few minutes and have a quiet moment in the family room (I'm not sure where the minions were by that point). One of our kitties decided to climb up on my lap. Nice kitty, purring, trying to make me feel better ... until he anchored himself to my leg with his claws and then swung off. Not only did he cut my leg, but my only pair of shorts that fit me decently (yes, I do need to lose a few). I don't think the day could get any worse. I was close to tears.
Then it happened. My wonderful, shining knight (ok, now I'm going to pewk! ha ha) My thoughtful husband sensed my distress during a phone call and cut his work out short to be home at his usual time and rescue me. After supper he whisked the kids away, not to return until just before bath time. Not only did he bring home two tired children, but also a bag of Lays. My hero! (I'll worry about counting points tomorrow).
Monday, August 18, 2008
Summer Is Waning ...
Can you sense it in the air? There is a distinctive feel to when a season decides to take leave and begin preparations for its successor to arrive. When August makes that turn everything begins to look over done, dry, spent. The crickets chirp anxiously. And the evenings begin to cool, single digit temperatures making for comfortable, restful sleep. I love this part of the summer. I'm not a scorching heat lovin', hit the beach kind of gal. Autumn is my favorite time of year and I welcome it's coming with open arms. I dream of crisp fall days with rust fallen leaves crunching under foot, a trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch with our girls, comfort food ... ahhh.
Yep, can't wait.
Yep, can't wait.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Missing a homeland that's not my own ...
Tomorrow is the opening of the Beijing Olympics. I have been watching the coverage leading up to the games with a lot of interest and emotion. It was a year ago this week that we were packing our bags and boarding a plane to Beijing. We were embarking on a trip of a lifetime to bring home our daughter.
It was exciting to be travelling to such a foreign land. But what I never expected was to fall in love with that land. I can't say that it was love at first sight. It was a gruelling trip, mixed with strong emotions. But through the mental haze my brain managed to grasp onto the tastes, the smells, the beauty, the people.
Now when I see the familiar sights flashing across my tv screen I feel a strange longing. I miss China. I read about friends preparing to embark on their own journeys to bring their new children home and I feel envy.
I believe much of my affinity for China has to do with the fact that it is my child's homeland. It is where she is from. It is part of who she is.
As I spend the next few weeks being bombarded with images of this familiar foreign land I will feel a strong melancholy. I feel it now. One day I will return to China and introduce my daughter to the home that I miss so much.
It was exciting to be travelling to such a foreign land. But what I never expected was to fall in love with that land. I can't say that it was love at first sight. It was a gruelling trip, mixed with strong emotions. But through the mental haze my brain managed to grasp onto the tastes, the smells, the beauty, the people.
Now when I see the familiar sights flashing across my tv screen I feel a strange longing. I miss China. I read about friends preparing to embark on their own journeys to bring their new children home and I feel envy.
I believe much of my affinity for China has to do with the fact that it is my child's homeland. It is where she is from. It is part of who she is.
As I spend the next few weeks being bombarded with images of this familiar foreign land I will feel a strong melancholy. I feel it now. One day I will return to China and introduce my daughter to the home that I miss so much.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Published!
I am very excited that the August issue of Root and Sprout, a parenting ezine, features an article written by yours truly. It is titled Cultivating Community and can be found here.
While this is just a small piece, in my mind it is still an accomplishment. Root and Sprout is a great parenting resource and I am proud to have my work associated with it. It is the first thing I have had "in print" in eight years. It is something that I took the time to write, submit and put out there for public comsumption. It is the first step on my way to hopefully producing much more published work.
While this is just a small piece, in my mind it is still an accomplishment. Root and Sprout is a great parenting resource and I am proud to have my work associated with it. It is the first thing I have had "in print" in eight years. It is something that I took the time to write, submit and put out there for public comsumption. It is the first step on my way to hopefully producing much more published work.
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