yyj Stone Soup

Twamper 2.0 - Thank you #yyj

2011-11-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your interest and requests for this year's Twamper drive! It's on :) We are going to provide a Holiday Hamper for a grandmother & her two teenaged granddaughters who have recently moved and have asked for very little! I had to keep pestering to ask for a more lengthy wish list. The hope is to provide a lovely delivery of some gifts - the fixings for a Christmas Dinner and to stock up the panty. Gift certificates for groceries, movies or teen stores would be most welcomed!

The kind community-minded folk at Cabin 12 have offered to let us enjoy their cozy space for a wrap party, a time to get together in real life and share some of the holiday joy. Below is some information about the family and their wish list.

Granddaughter age 16, wears junior size 9, she likes the colour red - likes ‘Japanese Doll Style’, quite popular now in Japan for clothes and other things.

Granddaughter age 14, and wears size 9/10. She likes green and more tom boyish, she likes big T-shirts, plain or with pretty images.

Both teens love Michael Jackson and are interested in his new release. They also like the band ‘Queen’ and have asked for the new Adam Lambert CD. Grandma likes ABBA and Roy Orbison.

For the household they need an the electric broom/vacuum and a corn broom for the patio outside.Also a large teflon pan for pancakes. They like coffee, chocolate & nuts.

For all of them their number one wish is for skates so they can skate on the outdoor rink that will be put up downtown: Grandma size 9, and both teens size 10. I thought I would try to see if a rental place would set them up a bit earlier than Christmas so they can enjoy the rink.

Nice People Do Drugs - But, they sometimes do Bad Things

2011-02-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

This may be a little more controversial than my usual fare, but I suppose everything isn't always unicorns & lollipops no matter what shade of rose my glasses are.

I have the utmost respect for the hard work being done by Victoria's proponents of harm reduction. It is one of the cornerstones of creating an environment of hope for Victoria's citizens living in deep addiction.
I fall into the IIMBY category, 'It's In My BackYard.' Quite literally. Recently we have had 2 robberies, a bicycle for which someone climbed up the front of our house (as our family slept,) and someone broke into our secure shed and stole a bunch of equipment for our small business. More frighteningly, the single mother of a baby, for whom my daughter babysits, 2 doors down came to let us know she woke up to find her ladder leaned up against her house - good news is, her window was secured. I have far too many stories to recount I'd write a novella before getting to my point. These are not the acts of people who are not inherently bad, but who are in the living in the grips of addiction. A condition that will cause people to do things they never would do were they in their right mind.

One of my best friends is currently in jail as a direct result of addiction. He 'came up hard' so to speak. An upbringing that would certainly cause a little boy to retreat inside to be sheltered by a tough guy who knew he needed to look out for number one. Whether he had a predisposition to addiction or just used so much he became dependent as a young man, soon he was entrenched in the lifestyle feeding an addiction demands. Violence, robbery & having to retreat further into that shell of self-preservation. We all have that shell to some degree or another - circumstance will dictate when & how to use it. His behaviour alienated him from those who cared, straying further to stay alive and in drugs.
I was lucky to meet this man in a time of health & recovery. He was respected in his field of work, married to an amazing woman and touched me with his spontaneous kindness - taking collections from his work crew on payday to buy cases of baby food for the food bank and always offering to lend a hand to a friend. Sadly, he got involved back in the drug scene and it wasn't long before he was disappearing and as he spiralled out of control I watched my friend do things he would never consider doing were he clean.
It is by no means the addict who is the only one who suffers, imagine having to turn away your husband, child or best friend because they rob you of your money & cause that safe haven of home to become a place of fear and uncertainty. The worst part of that is knowing as that person looks you in the eyes and apologizes and swears it will never happen again, they truly mean it - sadly, the spectre of addiction that creeps up and takes over, haunting them into doing just as they promised they wouldn't. The pain for the victim is rough - the pain for the addict is devastating too, shame and loneliness are two bitter mistresses. When someone feels like that, hope is a hard friend to come by.
My friend retreated into the scary world of people struggling to feed their addiction and those that prey on them - he would clean up for a short while, only to go back harder & to escalated crime, more extreme people, eventually prison, for a while yet.
He is clean and working hard to address the layer upon layer of experience that blanket him - that smother him when things get to a point & he turns to what he knows in active addiction. It's easy to intellectualize cause & effect - if you feel bad & do drugs, you will end up with problems a lot worse than those that led you to use in the first place. But like for those addicted to food or gambling, or for people who suffer depression, there is a comfort & familiarity in those behaviours & feelings, regardless of the tragic outcome.
These are the behaviours which cause the addict to be stigmatized by both society and themselves. Just as the person on the street corner, so obviously in deep poverty & ravaged by addiction is dehumanized by 'normal' (using that term lightly) members of the community, the non-addicted community members become dehumanized to the person addicted. They can no longer see each other as people, which is truly sad.

Why am I writing this?

As we work to have compassion & understanding for those living in addiction, the activities that surround the drug world and their impact on the community living in the midst of it, must be acknowledged. Our balcony and shed are not safe places for us to keep our needed belongings - our burgeoning business cannot afford to replace or relocate specialty items, we are trying to get by just like anyone else. Our neighbour does not need to lay down in fear wondering of someone is going to climb in her baby's bedroom window looking for something to grab quickly & turn into a fix. Just because people don't know the pain, shame & fear of addiction, does not mean they don't struggle to get by in one of the most expensive places in Canada, fretting over rent, bills, groceries & needs for their children. There needs to be compassion & open hearts both ways, I absolutely acknowledge that will be easier to do for people who are housed & not living with addiction than for those who are marginalized by society, poverty & who quite literally do not have a pot to piss in.

Harm reduction facilities are necessary. Harm reduction facilities need to be properly funded & monitored in order to work effectively. By painting our marginalized citizens with one big brushstroke we dehumanize them and don't create effective programs or provide service that address specific issues. By no means should people be 'shushed' away - services need to be accessible, they just need to be in varied locations. There is no simple answer. The 'War On Drugs' has created a situation where no one wins except for those profiting from the illicit drug trade and those paid to police it.

Hey, look what we did - thank you friends & twamps!

2010-12-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

After much celebrating, visiting and more wrapping than LL Cool J on a gig night....here they are, the Twampers that will help 3 families to have a happy holiday season! Thank you so very much...I have much to say...but I am a tired elf, more to report soon!

Stone Soup, more like Stone Smorgasbord!

2010-12-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

I will start to write about something other than this soon - sometimes when I get into a project I just keep going until it is done!

I need to let you know how constantly amazed I am at the love, generosity & willingness to help which people hold in their hearts & are so willing to share! Stone Soup, a little bit from a lot of people can go a long way! The #yyj Twitter community and our personal networks have worked hard to fill the wishes of a young mom starting fresh. I have some friends who have turned their Annual Holiday Party into a collection for the #Twamper! I am floored by this incredible thoughtfulness. Santa will be delivering a load of shiny packages for mom, babe & household. At this time I would ask for people to maybe start to think about things to add to their food hamper. Boxes of cereal, healthy snacks, juice, canned and dry goods, and of course, maybe a special box of chocolates (every girl loves a box of chocolates!) Bags of Potatoes, Carrots & other hearty root veggies can probably go with hampers, as well as cheeses if you are so inclined. I am also collecting cards, or cash for Safeway grocery certs to allow families to get fresh foods & create some ease for these deserving people going into the new year. Our second family has two teenage boys (this demographic oft gets missed during holiday helping) & as you can imagine, they are likely big eaters! You can contact me at any time on this blog, @JanineAnnT on Twitter, or email me directly at ~~removed email~~ - if you want to ask about where we might be light and needing, or to find out more about the organizations who have helped us find families and where your donation will go. If anyone would like to join me in delivering hampers to agencies, please let me know.
At this time we are now looking for some magic for a second family, which is actually 2 families. A dad who is working poor & rarely asks for help & his teenage sons AND his adult daughter who is a student with a four year old son. Movie passes have been graciously donated & at this time I am hoping we can fill a stocking for each of the adults & get a few lovely little boy gifts for the 4 year old. Most importantly I hope we can as a community provide them with a Holiday Feast, Turkey & all the trimmings + a full pantry. If you have the ability to provide gifts as well, below is the info you need.

4 year old grandson: big for his age, size 5/6
15 year old son: men's S/M AXE toiletries, likes skateboard/snowboard style clothing
18 year old son: men's L/XL AXE toiletries, likes skateboard/snowboard style clothing
23 yr old Daughter: size medium would love 'Bench'or lululemon.
Dad: size XL & needs tools like a socket set (does not have to be brand new either!)

December 17 there is a Tweetup at Cabin 12, 607 Pandora, from 7-10pm. This is an opportunity for our awesome Tweeps to share some holiday cheer and to bring donations for these deserving families. The space and appies have been kindly provided (without hesitation) by Cory & Dan at Cabin 12. There will be a cash bar. You can RSVP here:

http://www.meetup.com/VictoriaTweetup/calendar/15497301/?a=socialmedia

I will tell you from experience, there is nothing like having the panic & fear about the upcoming holidays alleviated by the kindness of strangers who fulfill your hopes beyond what you could have dreamed! We can do this! When you're next at Costco if you can pick up something you need and 'supersize' it to share with these families, you will make a big difference to these folks. Thanks for reading & getting involved if you are able!

You know you are old and not hip when...

2010-11-24T17:33:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what 'Bench' clothing is - it is apparently not stuff you wear when you are pushing weights. I know what lululemon is, and although it is worn for practicing yoga, it often isn't.

We are almost completed the Wishlist for #yyj #Twamper numero uno, we are short a blender, a small child's computer and some winter boots. I have aquired some lovely wellies that should get our little gal through the winter (provided the #yyjsnowpocalypse moves on to leave us in our mild westcoast peace!)

At this time I would suggest stocking stuffers, little treats and am still collecting food and Safeway giftcards or contributions for this hamper.

#yyj #Twamper numero dos:

Let's get them together for a Christmas meal with all the trimmings and anything else you can contribute is a huge bonus!

4 year old grandson: big for his age, size 5/6
15 year old son: men's S/M AXE toiletries, likes skateboard/snowboard style clothing
18 year old son: men's L/XL AXE toiletries, likes skateboard/snowboard style clothing23 yr old Daughter: size medium & likes clothes in the aforementioned styles or brands.
Dad: size XL & needs tools like a socket set (does not have to be brand new either!)

UPDATE: 2nd Family for a #yyj #Twamper

2010-11-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Yay! We are going to go for it! We have almost completed the Wish List for our 1st little family. The remainder is any little extras people might want to add for stockings, and we are still in need of either Safeway giftcards, or cash towards them for Holiday dinner fixings - or anything you would like to add to the pantry to provide a little relief for the next little while for this young mom. The second family dynamic is quite different than the first, but we could see what suggestions we get and maybe think about some gifts for these youth and the little grandson, whilst ensuring they have a fabulous family feast. I will have more specific details tomorrow I hope.

From earlier today: The following is a quote from an email I received from a service provider in town:

"I hope this fits with who you have in mind. This is a single Dad, working poor, with older kids: male 15, male 18, female 23 (with a 4 year old son). The daughter does not live with him, but I know he wants to get something for his grandson as the Mom is a single Mom and student. I know that the Dad is not registered anywhere as he is not on any form of assistance and rarely uses our services. He just came in recently for some advocacy around housing."

We are doing well filling the requests of the young mom for her daughter Thank you Thank you Thank you! I wonder if by way of response to me here or on Twitter if you all think we can create a Christmas feast and stock up the pantry, as well as providing a simple gift for the kids in this family. Sounds like they want to be together and will not be seeking assistance with their Christmas. I think sometimes families with older kids get missed in the rush to make Santa appear for the wee ones. I think and hope we can make some magic happen! Please message me on Twitter @JanineAnnT or on this blog and if I garner enough support I will go ahead and connect with the family advocate. Sometimes giving someone some unasked for love can help them realize how awesome they are!

#yyj Twamper Wish List

2010-11-19T19:57:00.000-08:00

I am so thrilled at the response to the #yyj #Twamper project. We've been connected with a small family in need of some love and holiday cheer, a mother and her two and a half year old daughter. I am touched by these request and hope we can pull together as a community to fulfill these wishes, and perhaps go a bit overboard? I think that we have the potential of supporting another small family as well as this one, what say you #yyj? Shall we spread the joy further? Please message me on Twitter @JanineAnnT or leave comments on this blog post if you are willing to contribute items on the list or would like to provide anything in addition. Grocery gift cards and turkey trimmings would be a great tag on. Hopefully we can not only make for a lovely day and meal, but stock the pantry and provide some comfort and relief.

Don't forget, there's also a December 17th Tweetup to celebrate the season and friends, new & old! http://www.meetup.com/VictoriaTweetup/calendar/15497301/?a=socialmedia Thank you to Cabin 12 for opening their hearts and doors to us!

Mom ~ Size Small
1. ~~warm socks~~
2. ~~pyjamas~~
3. ~~bath stuff~~
4. portable CD player (i am going to ask if this is supposed to be an MP3 player)
5. ~~likes to shop at La Senza~~

Child ~ 2 and half year old girl - Size 2
1. ~~turtleneck shirts~~
2. ~~winter boots size 7~~
3.small children’s computer
4. ~~dry erase pens for a white board~~
5. ~~a doll~~
6. ~~colouring or painting stuff.~~

Household needs
1. ~~glass pie plates~~
2. ~~cutlery~~
3. ~~blender~~4. ~~computer monitor~~

Food allergies - None - would enjoy a turkey

Outdoor Gear & Apparel Show - with beer

2010-11-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

~~At this time the registration for the show is quite low, without further attendance the show will be moved to April 25th 2011.~~ ~~Robinson's Outdoor Store's 2nd Annual Outdoor Apparel & Gear Show is coming up Thurs, Nov 25th!~~ Postponed to April

This is a fundraiser for their Victoria charity, Power to Be (which I should add is where I work) and their Nepal charity, The Umbrella Foundation. Local media peeps walk the runway in the latest Outdoor Apparel & Gear trends. There’ll be wine, beer & appies. 100 waterbottles are sold @ $20 each to customers, inside they’ll have a number that corresponds to their prize bag which contains gear/apparel worth anywhere from $40-$300. It costs $10 at the door and they will raise at least $3500 for their charities.

It’s a whole lot of fun for a great cause, everyone wins!

WHO:

Hudson Mack - A News
Meribeth Burton - A News
Gordie Tupper - Chek TV
Karen Elgersma - Shaw Cable
Norm Gidney - Douglas Magazine
Ken Kelly - DVBA
JoAnn Roberts - CBC
Mandy Farmer - Accent Inns
Jody Paterson - TC
Bruce Carter - CEO Chamber of Commerce
Melinda Cottingham - 100.3theQfm
Tim Cormode - Power to Be
Carley & Youth - Power to Be

WHAT: Outdoor Apparel & Gear Show - with beer
WHEN- Thurs, Nov 25th: 6-9pm
WHY - Fundraiser for Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society & Umbrella Foundation Orphanage in Nepal

Portrait of the Blogger as a Young Woman

2010-11-17T22:56:00.000-08:00

Not so sure I would be considered a 'Blogger' in this realm of prolific bloggers..but, I do blog, therefore, I am recorded in digital history. If I so chose to use those emoticons that tell you what mood I am in at 10:11 pm PST November 17, 2010, I could just pull up this post in 30 years lest I have forgotten.

Will anyone care? Maybe I will have gained some fame (more likely notoriety) or maybe I will be gone (you never know,) but really, I think I'm the only one who really dips into the archives of my digitally published history. I was reflecting on this today as we were all at home this evening plucking away on our computers or ipods and other digital publication/communication devices. I looked at my 13 year old and was thinking how lucky I am, that even though she can be a moody turd, she is a pretty darn good kid, and I feel safer knowing that she is not getting into the hijinks I enjoyed at her age. I like to think myself I would be able to figure it out pretty quick if she were up to no good. This little thought train chugged along and choo chooooos still as I write and recall the location technology discussed at Monday's Social Media Club Victoria's meeting. If I really want to know where and what my kid is doing away from home, I can have her snap a pic on demand to ensure she is indeed at the sleepover she said she was going to! Further, with the tech available today I could track her like some spy or something. At this juncture I have not resorted to any of those tactics. We will keep working on the honour system and working hard to talk frequently and lovingly.

Tonight as I watched her text away I began to drift back to my early teens and you know what? I remember many things and many faces - highlights and those bitter low moments that come with the territory. I can remember the darkened, foggy gymnasium pumping out Maestro Fresh Wes, Billy Idol and strobe lights - but couldn't tell you which boys I danced with (not that many, I can tell you that!) I know I had tonnes of sleep overs at Adrianne's house, and some of the specific prank calls made and crushes discussed. (Prank calls have gone the way of the dodo in this digital age, such good times - sorry Mr Hunt, or all the M Jacksons we dialed in the mid-to-late 80's 'is Michael there?')

Today it really dawned on me what a truly different world this is. Dependent on what happens with facebook in the long term for record keeping (will they ever let us export?) they can go back and back and back, through these catalogues of status updates: OMGeezz having such a good time at Krissy's house! (posted at 2:30 in the freakin' morning!) Email conversations saved like the box of letters I keep under my bed, with those I only get one side of the conversation. Photo records of all the bffs, visits downtown, or to the mall, walking down the street - pictures of shoes, close ups of eyes, throwing the horns, going for the cute coy profile pic. In my day (you know the ones where we walked barefoot in waist-high snow to get to school & watched black & white movies?) photos were for birthday parties and camping trips, maybe the occasional dance. There was always someone in the crowd who was a bit snap happy, but dang, film & developing was expensive! Now my kids have this constant companion of imagery and communication around even the most routine teenage activities. My parents are from England, my mom didn't have a phone and my dad was a) a guy & b) paying for each call on their line. My dad would go nuts as I would tie up the phone incessantly chatting to the friends I had just left at school, the ringfest that would happen before a mall visit or a movie would always precipitate his bemoaning "when I was your age we'd say, 'I'll see you tomorrow at the park, 2 o'clock' and that would be it!" And here we are today - the good news is, I share the same technologies my kids use, and certainly use it to socialize, as well as work and take care of family management - but, it is second nature to them. It amazes me that they will remember all of there classmates, movies & events.

I do wonder how all this works for memory development, if that makes sense? I am no psychologist or brain person, but, the many memories I do have are a feeling and some images, names and faces - remembering we used to sit right up at the theatre on the floor at the mall theatres...I saw Goodmorning Vietnam there...it's a whimsical walk where events fall into my mind and if I work hard I can pull up much more, no order or reason for their surfacing. I can smell that horrible taste of cigarettes and snow as I used to sneak out for a secret butt with my friend Graeme, I can remember the food court in the mall and when we'd go to Chaps for dinner and I felt like a grownup with my friends (but wanted to play it cool like this was just totally normal.) Will the kids remember in these ways at all, or will it be chronological and based on the pics and status commentary? I am sure these thoughts have been had and questions studied and answered, but it really hit me how the reality can shift in one generation - and life is so different for my kids.

*I am indeed in that pic celebrating Melissa S' bday, I remember the games we played but couldn't tell you what I gave her if my life depended on it!

Idiot Anarchist Rant Can Wait - This is more important

2010-11-14T13:03:00.000-08:00

I still feel strongly about the actions taken against Mayor Fortin and his family, as a community member & parent. I have laid down my freedom in political action and am grateful we live in a country where the repercussions of that are discomfort and a potential record, not death or cruel and unusual punishment.

That being said I will contradict myself and point out the case of Betty Krawczyk: http://bettysearlyedition.blogspot.com/ grandmother and nature crusader, who I was honoured to meet in prison at the impressionable age of 18 during the Clayoquot protests of 1993.

Now that I have both admitted I am an ex-con and if you do the math, my old-age, I want to talk about something that can be more difficult to disclose. At this time I am by no means wealthy, maintaining a home & raising 2 daughters in Victoria can be tough on a good day, and at this time we are in the process of opening a business. There was a time when I was on my own in Victoria, raising two small girls on an extremely meagre income. Frankly, I was not making enough to cover all we needed, never mind the fun things like trips, movie nights or trips to the toy store. I am blessed to have great friends who would join in on potlucks and help with sitting. I had a roommate for many years, without whom I could not have managed to house my family in some of the nice neighbourhoods and well maintained homes that we did.

I am a fun, resourceful and creative person, and although my kids knew we could not do some things others could - they did not know just how bad it was sometimes. There are/were many free family activities and festivals that Victoria offers, we'd picnic at the beach & enjoyed the petting zoo. I could manage to keep just behind enough to maintain our lifestyle.

We acknowledge the Solstices & Equinox in our family and like to learn about other cultures and traditions. I grew up celebrating Easters and Christmas, and to me, those are times to be with family, feast and make magic for kids. I loved when the girls would wake me up letting me know the Easter Bunny had been, and their anticipation as they would pretend they hadn't peeked to see if Santa had been until coming to rouse me from my sleep. Honestly, I'm like a kid, excited by the surprises and delight the kids will enjoy. This too could not have happened without the kindness of friends and strangers.

As much as I want to give the kids everything they desire, I can't. For what it's worth, I didn't get everything I wanted growing up, and I don't think kids should. But, that is another conversation.

The spicy aromas and sparkle around the holiday season often came with a heavy heart for me. How could I make it work for my daughters? The Victoria Christmas Bureau was where I turned a number of times. I cannot relay my gratitude in words. I am tearing up here as I type thinking back to the people who made our Christmases so very magical and special. Our tree trimmed with homemade popcorn strings and trinkets the girls made at school was lit and present-laden every Christmas morning. Packages wrapped with the true spirit of giving - many times, just what had been whispered in Santa's ear as he (or his helper) took visits the malls. Groceries too came in the door and turned into feasts which we could in turn share with friends who might not otherwise get to have that special meal.

I have tried to pay it forward by organizing a Christmas Hamper for families through school and work in the past. I would like to do this again this year, but will not be able to supplement a lot from our family, nor my workplace. What say you twitter tweeps in #yyj? Can we pick a family and make a Christmas Miracle happen for them? http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Times+Colonist+Christmas+Fund/3784517/story.html The more people who join the less it will take from each person - you can contribute gifts, money towards a grocery card ($20 from 10 people goes a long way,) stocking stuffers, food for a hamper (some fun and healthy treats for school lunches etc.) & some seasonal decorations are nice too! Let me know if you are interested & if I can get enough people together, I will find a family through one of the charities.

Mo on Movember later..a wee catchup and promise of prolific persistent posting

2010-11-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

Well, how many effing times have a read a blog post that starts “wow, I have been meaning to write for so long!” or the ever popular “sorry!” and here I am...one action-packed month between posts!

Now I have to decide what it is I am actually logging on to say? As I ended my last boob-filled entry with my excitement for the upcoming Social Media Camp - I will report it was an incredible success in my eyes. I had opportunity to hear some amazing speakers and ask panels questions. I even got to run around with a microphone which made me feel engaged. It was great to see that even though often heads were buried in laptops and iPhones (a few crackberries too,) when they were raised they were shiny-eyed and smiling. Part of that toward the end of the day could have been because it was a truly long and information-filled one. Kudos to the organizers for pulling off such a smooth inaugural event. I laughed, I learned, I was impressed. Great variety of speakers and it was great getting to have lunch with Scott Stratten whilst supporting the United Way.

Very shortly after attending the event I received a feedback survey and just the other day received the results. As part of my job entails sending out surveys, I can say the response rate of attendees is very high, another indicator of the level of engagement the event was able to elicit, although I think many of the attendees are already pretty keen on engagement. That being said, I can see that SMCV10 Version 2.0 is going to be an even further comprehensive event with more opportunity to learn practical uses of Social Media and a great opportunity to meet the tweeters in person. I hope this time we get to have our Twitter handles as well as our names on the badges. I’ll see you there, likely as a volunteer!

Why do I use social media?

At first I thought it would be to get in there with our business. You know what? I actually barely discuss it, I think. I mean, I do put up articles that have been published about us (shameless plug here: http://tinyurl.com/2u66qb4 and here: http://tinyurl.com/2wtasjt,) okay, okay, but really – I am more the proud wifey than anything else. We have both worked hard on this, but I have watched Maxwell put his heart, soul and passion into our products.

More than anything, I love the current of local and global information that flows through my Twitter stream. I am enjoying the cheeky banter back and forth, and feel I am having great conversations with real people. I have been lucky to win some cool prizes – and to find some great events. People poured in well wishes when we awaited info in the hospital about Hazel’s busted arm (she is the Tim Burton kiddo,) and I see a bunch of peeps wanting to share themselves and learn about each other.

Overall, the past month has seen one daughter injured and now recovering, the other struggle with the immensity of being 13, a celebration of love as two friends were married, the magic that was Hallowe’en (how come no one spells it with the apostrophe anymore?) and a transformative retreat that taught me much about myself and the incredible people I work with.

More to report sooner than later...I am in too delightful a mood to finish the rant I started about the attack on Mayor Fortin’s home! That my dear readers, is another entry for another mood...if you don’t know what that is, read here:

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Vandals+sought+attack+mayor+house/3788589/story.html

I believe in having a voice for the marginalized, but this was puts ‘ass’ in asinine!

Airing dirty laundry to the online public?

2010-10-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

*see footnote

Is it TMI to share online I am happy it's a home day so I can wash all of my bras in one fell swoop? It has been a day of accomplishment already. I have: been out to Tonic Spa in Fernwood to get waxed (face only folks, don't want it to teeter obviously over the edge of over-share,) updated the business website (mjspirits.com, minimally, but its a start,) had some friends over for a visit (did not join them on the afternoon bike ride, can be dangerous braless,) chatted with neighbours (dynamic & community-minded folks,) outlined culinary tourism article (one on the drinks of BC to follow,) stayed in touch with twitterverse (on laptop & iPhone,) almost finished the laundry (you know this already,) and am about to watch Cirque du freak the Vampire's Assistant with my eleven year old (she loves this one, if I didn't know better I would say she was Tim Burton Jr,) before she heads out for a slumber party!

Phew, what a day! Big one coming up tomorrow, Social Media Camp!
Thank you for stopping by.

*picture neither represents actual bra size, nor number of bras owned by me

The scales are Twipping...

2010-09-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

When I first jumped into twitterland I had a notion of what I was getting into, but, it is really not what I had expected, it is much more! I feel like I am amongst a crowd, most of whom I have never met, who are perpetually moving things forward, humans doing instead of humans being. (I have to admit there is something to just 'being' - being what you are doing maybe?) As long as the intent is positive and the result productive it's all good to me. Productivity can be creating art, opportunity or deconstructing a negative to allow a positive to take its place.
The accessibility to each other, events and activities which you can just take or leave is kind of liberating and reassuring. This is the ultimate flash mob forum! It's also where a community can mobilize around a little girl in need of a rare blood type - which turned out to be a viral miscommunication, but everyone was so ready to share and try to get help...I know there have been innovators who saw the potential of social media and who carved the way for the stream of consciousness to flow, who probably see us newbies become twitterpated upon stumbling into this realm, I gotta say, ‘thanks!’
My entry into this new (to me) medium of communication comes at a time of great introspection and change in my life. My duties to work and family have kept me away from some of the more social activities I enjoy so this is really great. I find I log more into twitter than facebook. I am making arrangements for precious 'face' time with my pals on fb. I love my day work – I am surrounded by deeply caring people whose job it is to make life better for others and to elicit the greatness from people who might not realize they have it. It can be very demanding for me at times, but I am freshly fuelled by these people who give their all and expect nothing less from me. Sometimes my best is volunteering my time or making an effort to help someone out - others, it’s eating or sharing a coffee with friends who know if they slip the word ‘seminal’ into a sentence it is going to make me giggle like a kid - or being a mom who listens without judging - a wife who is as proud as can be of her husband’s wonderfulness.
When I arrived in Victoria in 1993 it was the Clayoquot Summer year, there was a vibe in the in the air. I had made some friends up at the protest and my journey through the legal system and we were full of piss and vinegar, passion for change and all the time in the world to make it happen now. Since then I have learned a lot – things can take time, but with the emergence of social media in our lives it can take less time. It’s not just the speed at which information can be disseminated from one circle to another – it’s relationship building and common interests being shared, it’s bringing a new perspectives and information to the table that has room for everyone. I hope to eventually cook up some good dishes and invite others to join.

Double choking on chicken, what does it mean?

2010-09-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

Someone on my twitterfeed posted this other day:
Overheard today & worth passing on "...what would you do if you weren't afraid...?"

What immediately came to mind was "speak my mind more often." Now, if you know me, you are shaking your noggin. I am be no means a wall flower, I am quite outspoken, like to tell jokes (sometimes in poor taste) and join in wherever I can, at times to a fault. I often have a strong idea of which direction I am leaning on a given issue, although recently I spent a lot of time relearning and re-evaluating my 'position' on some things in this world. I do occasionally harbour this scared little self that hides and worries about what people think. Isn't that ridiculous? I am 35 years old, have a great life, an incredible, supportive community - but now and again that fear pops up. Unfortunately it doesn't have the best timing, some real gems have flown out of me off the cuff that I wish I could have been too frightened to say!

Today I was reminded, quite unequivocally, of why I do not diverge from my two sure and steadies at the mall food fair. (1. Sushi at the Bay Centre 2. A bowl full of oozing , calorie-laden goodness that is New York Fries poutine.) The combo I ordered was 1/3 tasty and satisfying, 1/3 unremarkable filler and 1/3 inedible and disappointing. I ate 2/3 and picked up my tray to walk it back to the vendor and advise them of the issue. I was not going to ask for my money back, and I don't always complain - just, it was bad. By the time I got there a line up had formed at the previously quiet counter. I would have had to wait in line with my obviously uneaten food, or draw everyone's attention to my dissatisfaction by grabbing an employee. This could go two ways with the people in line, one: annoying lady is getting between me and my lunch, or two: ugh, I am not going to eat here. I also did not want to upset or embarrass the staff - awkward and well, frightening to some degree.

It was just one of those days. I bumbled up my evening plans, to no great detriment, and decided to treat myself to some Pizza Zone. On my way there I noted an Indian restaurant I had intended to try and went for it. I am a slow learner, I went for the chicken biryani. I got a giant plate of rice in which two lean, on-the-bone thighs were hidden. Now, I know biryani is a rice-based dish, but the ratio was way off, and well, just wasn't very good...but, I resigned myself and dug in. That is when I started biting on little bits of bones, really??? I laid out a napkin and started placing said bone bits out on the table as I tried to quell the hunger monster rumbling in my tumbly. During this process a young couple entered the otherwise empty restaurant. As they ordered at the counter it was apparent, like me, they were new to the establishment. They ordered the same thing I was eating and sat down. This must have distracted me from my vigilant eating as I started choking on a bone bit. Not the kind of grabbing my throat and turning red kind, just enough to cause me a microsecond of panic followed by a not-so-delicate hacking and finally the emergence of said obstruction. Now I am just done, want to go home and chill out with the kids and work on some writing (which this is not actually a part of!) The server, of what is very apparently a family owned and operated business came out and asked how I liked it. I said I had just choked on a bone, gesturing to the napkin, and would not be able to finish. I felt like an oracle who would have divined ‘no tip in the near future’ if I hadn’t paid up front. She said that was "too bad," in a nice way. You know what I did next? I asked for it to be packed up and I left. Again, two reasons, one: did not want to upset the other diners, and two: did not want to upset the lady in the kitchen who personally served my dinner to me.

Now, I also suffer mild vertigo at times. That kind of fear really makes sense. This other fear is irrational. By no means do I want to run around complaining, I have far fewer complaints than I do kind thoughts and words...I just want to not let silly worries hold me back.

Octobertunities to Help!

2010-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

10/10/10 Work Party - the DAY

Join in the community to plant a few trees, have a snack and a hot drink, and feel good about what you accomplished today! Groups are most welcome - feel free to bring your class, church, co-workers, organization, etc - the more, the merrier!

Please wear suitable clothing for the weather, and for working on a farm.

If you're able to, please bring a spade with you!

When: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Woodwynn Farms ~ 7789 West Saanich Road ~ Victoria, BC. Click here for Map.

Transportation: Please bike, bus, or carpool - if possible!

Bus from downtown Victoria: Take the #75 to Brentwood Bay, then transfer to #81, which will drop you off at the Woodwynn gate. Call BC Transit for direct info: 250-382-6161

Carpooling: If you can provide transportation, or if you need a ride, contact Lisa Cole lisafcole@gmail.com and she will help to connect you.

After you plant your trees, drop by the tent for a snack and a hot drink.

When the planting is complete, we’ll celebrate by taking an official 350.org Action Photo for their Gallery - to show the world that the people of Victoria BC got to work at Woodwynn Farms on 10/10/10!

Woodwynn Farms

Woodwynn is a 193-acre organic farm and therapeutic community for the homeless, offering an opportunity to change peoples’ lives with educational and work programmes based on responsibility, dignity, independence, and the principles of peer-to-peer help.

Woodwynn is the ideal location for a Therapeutic Community. It is accessible to education and medical facilities. It is reachable by public transport. The farm is well suited (soil capability, land layout and area, and outbuildings) for intensive and mixed sustainable and profitable agriculture. A farm such as this one not only becomes a model for other communities, it becomes a valued community asset and an excellent example of community activism.

For more info on Woodwynn, visit http://www.woodwynnfarms.org/

Project Connect - October 13, 2010

Project Connect returns to Our Place on Oct. 13, giving the public a chance to see the realities of homelessness and provide help for those affected.
Our Place, which offers a range of programs from its Pandora Avenue location, hosts the event while the Coalition to End Homelessness co-ordinates the day's activities. That includes having close to two dozen agencies on hand to deliver services to the homeless and others in need, including medical checks, haircuts, massages and veterinary care.
About 100 volunteers are expected to help, and the Capital Lions Club will be back for a third year to cook as many as 1,000 burgers in the Our Place courtyard.
Bringing the public closer to the issue of homelessness and poverty is a key part of the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Jody Paterson of the Coalition to End Homelessness. Up to 700 patrons of Our Place are expected.
Volunteers and visitors at Project Connect can expect to have a positive experience getting to know the homeless and poor who attend, she said.
"They make a bit of a connection. It changes people, it changes their view because suddenly it humanizes the issue."
Project Connect also focuses on collecting basic items to fill "survival packs" for those who come to use the services at the event. Since this year's crowd is projected to be about 700, that is the number of packs organizers hope to give out, Paterson said.
She said contributions from the community will help determine what the packs contain. She said it is hoped that individuals will be joined by churches, clubs, teams, offices and other groups in collecting items, perhaps having donation drives and zeroing in on specific items to ensure that enough are collected for all of the packs.
Churches that gave support last year have already stepped forward, including one that has offered to give 700 pairs of socks. A group of office workers will be collecting 100 winter hats, and another is gathering 200 deodorants.
Here is the list of some of the items being sought, with the distribution breakdown anticipated to be 70 per cent men, 30 per cent women:

- Winter scarves and hats, men's and women's gloves. Can be new or slightly used.
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, small soaps, hand sanitizer, deodorant, shaving products, feminine-hygiene products, socks. All of these must be new.
- More possibilities -- small shampoos, new underwear, pens and paper, rain ponchos, cosmetics, art supplies, consumables like granola bars and juice boxes.

For further information, e-mail jodypaterson@shaw.ca. To inquire about volunteering, e-mail dnilsen@shaw.ca.
Project Connect is taking place during national Homelessness Action Week

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Project+puts+spotlight+homelessness/3546398/story.html#ixzz10q2TDrPN

Zen & the Art of Aquarium Maintenance (or red fish blue fish)

2010-09-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

My life’s balance - what I do for myself, my family, my work and for others - is often precarious at best. Sometimes instant gratification and little treats might seem like a little well-deserved self indulgence, but sometimes that peanut buster parfait was just franchised-over-priced-crap and a belly-ache in the making. I think balance is determining priorities and recognizing you can't do everything on the list, you should do what you can, well, and with mindfulness. Go-go-going often gets in the way of me remembering my secret recipe for balance. I relish these moments when I have caught up with myself and relax with a calm knowing that everything is as it should be. I am lucky, loved and safe. Priorities are mutable as change is inevitable, although certainly on its own schedule.

I sit at horseshoe-shaped desk, 'the bridge' I like to call it, for much of my day job. Right in front of it there is a 90 gallon salt water aquarium. It used to have two little fish in it - a feisty Blue one (who I would consider the ‘top’ in this submersed relationship) who was always flitting around the upper half of the tank and first to eat the food. Mr Reddy-Purple was content to remain reclused in the rocks and to eat B's scraps. I rarely saw Mr RP from my vantage, but would enjoy B's darting about and greedy feed times. My darling hubby, an aquarium enthusiast, would often come in and noted there were some serious maintenance issues and equipment that was simply not working. I work at a non-profit and he volunteered (such the sweetheart) to take on refurbishing the tank.

Well, isn't the universe a funny thing? The first week he took it over the 'feeder incident' occurred. We had invested in an automatic feeder that took care of our dear fishy friends’ feasting on a daily basis, dropping just the right amount of pellets into the tank for dinner, it worked a treat. I added new food when we had finished our sizable container - unfortunately, the grain was finer and the first rotation caused the whole feeder-full to be dumped in the tank, fortunately, it all got sucked into the filtration system and our little buddies did not eat themselves to explodation. When I told my husband at dinner his face fell, I tried to assure him it was okay, but he explained this was not good. I saw he was right when I went into work and the whole tank interior was slathered in red slime. The unhealthy tank got quite a bit worse before it got better. We have lost our serene scaly friends (it technically could have been old-age, but...), but have worked hard to replace equipment and regain equilibrium in our little underwater world. It has been more than a few months since the 'feeder incident' and we are finally ready for the cleaner crew to move in, some slugs and maybe a few hermit crabs. Some new underwater foliage has begun to grow and sand worms fan with their delicate feelers.

Why do I tell this silly story? It's to illustrate just how quickly bad things can happen, or in this case, go from bad to worse. I would call my husband to regularly describe the sludgy tendrils and greeny gross things waving around in the tank he and would reassure me everything was as it should be. When I would pester him to the point of stopping in and checking it out, yet again, he would let me know everything was right on track. As long as I kept doing the little things I needed to it would get better. Good things take time - a strong foundation, a little attention, maintenance and most of all patience.

Speaking of red fish, blue fish, doing good things and taking the time to do it right - see http://www.redfish-bluefish.com/ Socially responsible, innovative and delicieux!!!

A short introduction to me & my thoughts this fine autumn evening in yyj

2010-09-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

My name is Janine and I love and live in Victoria, BC. This is my first attempt at a public blog post. I am not a stranger to blogging, just have never blogged for public consumption, and really, who's to say anyone will read this. I am a novice in the social media world beyond facebook. As a newbie I can see there is a strong infrastructure of experts and pioneers, but also a continuous emergence of new purpose and method. Possibilities abound in this realm that introduces the intangible to the tangible - a pulse you can feel beneath the keyboard. I still have yet to understand what Twitter 'lists' uses are, among a few other functions!
I am at that awkward stage of transitioning from utilizing social media as a social networking tool, to using it to share my business aspirations and perhaps implement and discuss my ideas for community building - to share thoughts on how I see the world and maybe some writing for writing's sake (I have been missing it.) A little all over the place I know, as am I. (This, my dear reader, if you stick around, you will come to learn.)

What seems like an eternity ago I had a Myspace page. I only 'friended' people with whom I had an immediate 'real life' and regular relationship with, mostly local friends and relatives afar. I recently read some of the blog posts I shared on the site and was shocked by their intensely personal nature. It was also an exercise in reminiscence as there were significant events I wrote to, and many posts from prior to reconnecting with my childhood best friend to whom I am now married. (Who interestingly I found living in Prince George on Myspace!) It's amazing how much a few years can change your priorities and perceptions, but I still see me in those words. My facebook has served essentially the same purpose, although the friend count rises as acquaintances connect and old friends crop up from around the globe, and I tend to keep some of my more intimate details away from the wall.
I was a single mom with two young girls and worked hard to keep them in dinners and digs. I still do, but it's different now. As a self-seeking 18 year-old, filled with ideals of saving the forests from corporate baddies and creating a world of equality and justice for all, I drove out from Ontario to the west coast. Beyond my husband, mother in-law and kids I haven't any immediate family here. I would never have made it through the last 17 years I have been blessed to adventure and to adore here, without supportive friends and the amazing communities this city.
Much has changed in these years, as of course change is the only constant. My emotions and beliefs have ridden the roller coaster that is life, some to leave the tracks to new places, some to come full circle and back to their origin. Some things you just know, some you have to learn. I have learned that it is hard to live knowing about all of the atrocities and pain that happens in this world without being always angry and confused about how these things happen. It makes me grateful for all of the things that I have. I have learned that there is creativity, innovation, love and good intent in this world - I take comfort in this and want to believe that for the most part, when given choice, most will choose to do good. Some simply don't have choice. It makes me realize that I have come through tough times, relatively unscathed and hopeful that I can help others do the same. I want to do what I can to support those who don't or who feel they haven't any choice, to learn that they do.
I believe in the ripple effect - the pebble of hope thrown in the pond. The great thing about the social media world is that it is a great big pond with showers of pebbles...each ripple overlapping with another - each one connected.