Introvert? Hello, Rockstar
Once upon a time, not that long ago, the quiet ones among us kept quiet about the fact we were quiet. We tried to hide or make excuses for the fact that we didn’t like big groups, had zero interest in being the center of attention, and liked time spent alone. There was a time when being an introvert was a bad thing. Not anymore. Over the last couple of years, the introverts among us have quietly crept up, positioning ourselves as tomorrow’s rockstars. The cool kids. The A-listers. The sought-after ones. Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts […]
A tourist’s guide to the gym
It’s January. Tourist season. People are flocking to the gym for the first time in ages to make good on their resolution for fitness, health, a slimmer waistline, better pecs. Tourist season can be a frustrating time for both gym locals and gym tourists. The locals, who call the gym home every month of the year, appreciate that tourists want to love the gym as they do, but groan at the increased traffic, the fact that long held traditions aren’t being followed, and that their regular routine is disrupted, even if just for a brief period of time. The tourists, […]
On turning 40
Today, I am 40. The big 4-0. The first true milestone birthday of real adulthood. While 40 and I have only known each other briefly, here’s what I know about this much discussed age. It is…. An age with a reputation problem. An age that offers no apologies. An age that brings a suitcase of expectations when it comes to visit. An age that makes you realize when you were 16, you wrote the story all wrong. An age that dead bolts many doors shut, and opens up ones you’ve been trying to pry for years. An age that everyone […]
My favourite books of 2012
The year started off slow. I struggled to find a book that made me want to keep reading. And then the flood gates opened. One great book begat another, and another, and another. I even found a book that I count as one of my favourite books of all time. Now that doesn’t happen every year. While 2012 is not over, I thought I’d share my list now in case you wanted to pick up one or more of these for the favourite people on your Christmas list. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking […]
Significance
On October 2, 2012, Edmonton will step up once again with the opening of Valour Place. Valour Place is like Ronald McDonald House, but for injured soldiers as it provides “hope away from home” for Canadian Forces and RCMP members, veterans and their families when they are in Edmonton for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Valour Place is significant on so many levels. It’s the first home of its kind in Canada and it’s right here in Edmonton. It’s an initiative led by the community, for Canada’s military community. A team of hard working and connected Edmontonians took an idea conceived […]
Don’t touch a girl’s garden
When you were young, your parents likely taught you not to touch or take what’s not yours. One of those early teachings most people get. However, two recent incidents magnified the fact there are people that have forgotten this important early life lesson. Now, I realize people steal and take things all of the time. I am not naive to the greedy, evil side of human nature. But when a stranger comes into your sandbox and touches or takes your toys, it really hits close to home. The first incident involves my garden. I’m a bit of a green thumb, […]
I bet you think this post is about you
Once upon a time, long long ago, when you acted like an ass or crazy lady, or just did something plain stupid, mean or funny, the story spread as quickly as one could tell two friends. And then they’d tell two friends, and so on and so on. But we no longer live in Faberge Shampoo kinda times. You don’t need two friends anymore. You just need a blog, Twitter or Facebook account. Share your tale blindly in cyberspace and before you know it, everyone knows the kind of shampoo you use. The internet and social media move rants, rumours, and […]
In defence of TV
You’ve met them. The people that like to boast that they don’t watch TV. “I don’t really have time for TV, I am too busy with biking / golfing / landscaping / reading / work / tweeting / splitting the atom / anything other than lowering myself to watch the boob tube busy.” And when you meet these people, what stands out is the mighty tone in their voice when they tell you they don’t watch. Like TV is the most lowly, time-wasting, bottom-feeding, passive-minded activity a human being could do. Now many of these same people also like to […]