alittleTOtheleftY

Picturs ... sort of

2008-10-26T19:49:00.005-05:00

We'll post some actual photos soon, but I just spent hours uploading the albums to facebook and am SPENT in the patience for uploading. BUT if you're not on facebook, you can still see the albums by going to the public link. There are 7 albums on the site!

Democracy? Are you there?

2008-09-09T19:48:00.003-05:00

When I signed the petition to DEMAND DEMOCRATIC DEBATES, I left the following comments:

"How is it possible that Elizabeth May not be allowed to take part in the debates? Is this not a democracy? Did Stephen Harper choose to not attend the Olympics in China due to his opposition to the way their government opporated? Are we really standing up and saying that we are better - that we are an example? I think not!

The Greens are more than a one issue party, but most Canadians continue to view them this way. Why? Because they haven't heard from them in the media on any other issue! The media needs to stand up and take responsibility for the power they have over the public due to their ability to reach such vast numbers.

Are they going to cave into the Harper government, who threaten to "take their ball and go home" if May is allowed to take part? Are they that scared? Well, if they believe so strongly in their policies than they should be willing to stand up to her - or are they worried their policies won't stand up?

Absolutely ridiculous. I'm ashamed to be a Canadian today."

Do you agree? Please sign the petition, join the Facebook group, send an e-mail to your local media and, most important, TELL A FRIEND! I think many people do not realize this miscarriage of democracy is happening in our country. We're better than this. You don't have to be a Green or even believe in Green policy. You just have to agree that the media has a responsibility here. As a Canadian, it's up to you to DEMAND DEMOCRATIC DEBATES!

BAN THE BOTTLE!

2008-08-29T21:14:00.003-05:00

The best Uptown article I've read in a while:

IS BOTTLED BETTER?

When it comes to water, Mike Warkentin doesn't think so - and he has a business plan to prove it

Mike Warkentin

Is bottled better? I'm going to start selling bottled water.

I'll call it Purity, or maybe Puri-T to suck a few dollars out of the iPod kids and hip hop fans, and it will come in a stylish clear bottle with trees and mountains and other nature bullshit. Maybe a brook or something.

All I really need is a pristine image, and I might even ditch the nature angle and go with an ultra-sleek label that will stand out and give the product some cachet with the hipsters who drive big SUVs and think recycling is a communist plot concocted by hobbits.

My bottling plant is going to be in my basement, and as for my supply of high-quality potable water, I'll just run a garden hose from the tap in my kitchen.

And I can legally do that.

As long as the sleek Puri-T label doesn't say 'mineral' or 'spring' water, I'm good to go, according to the Health Canada Q&A on bottled water. I don't need a licence to start my operation, either, and while my product could be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, I'm pretty sure everything will be positively bitchin' given that Winnipeg already tests its water and I am not required to release any of my own test results to the public.

I'll get the operation running soon, before Winnipeg follows the lead taken by London, Ont.'s city council, which recently voted to ban the sale of bottled water at municipal facilities to cut down on waste and encourage people to drink tap water the city considers safe.

See, the suits in London think Canadian tap water is pretty clean. A bunch of reports even back up the claim that Canadian tap water is often just as safe as - or sometimes safer than - bottled water, including Water Proof 2: Canada's Drinking Water Report Card (Sierra Legal Defence Fund, 2006), as well as Survey of Bottled Drinking Water Available in Manitoba, Canada (Dr. Eva Pip of the University of Winnipeg, 2000).

That's not to say all bottled water is vile brew laced with more particles than the hot tub at Fun Mountain. Most of it is fine. All the studies are saying is that tap water stands up pretty well in a Pepsi Challenge with bottled water, both in terms of taste and composition - which is pretty rad for Puri-T considering bottled water usually sells for about 3,000 times more than tap water.

You just can't find profit margins like that anywhere other than the shady deals that go down at the Osborne Village Bell Tower.

But I'm banking on the fact that most people don't know about the studies and will be more than happy to buy Puri-T at about $1.50 a litre only because it's "bottled" and therefore must be good.

To kick-start the whole deal, I might even begin mentioning the Walkerton, Ont., water-contamination incident of 2000 to do a little fear-mongering: "Puri-T - because even one sick blond, blue-eyed child is too many."

Then I'm banking on making a pretty sweet chunk of change before Winnipeg gets around to placing more stringent regs on bottled water to keep the used containers out of our landfill sites.

But we aren't really a forward-thinking city, so I think Puri-T will be around for quite some time.

You should buy some.

Mike Warkentin is selling you tap water.

Getting close ...

2008-08-29T20:55:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe that the cycle of wedding "events" is under way! I had my stagette last weekend (thank you SO MUCH to everyone who came out, it was such a blast!) and this weekend Matt's sister Merideth is hosting a shower for me. It's so weird to think of myself as having a shower - don't I just go to those things for other people who are getting married? Weird! Matt is getting taken out by the boys for the stag ... we'll see how that turns out - should I be afraid? On the 6th is the social. Be sure to check out the event on Facebook. For those who have avoided this addictive site, the social will be in Holland MB, about an hour outside of Winnipeg. You can get tickets from any of the bridal party (see past post introducing the crew on this blog) or by contacting Matt and myself (mtenbruggencate@gmail.com or mel.marginet@gmail.com - or call, but I'm not posting my phone number!) After that, it's time for the crazy weekend to begin! I'm so glad Matt and I have decided to keep everything low-key and relaxed, it's definitely kept the stress down. And, seriously, is all the details don't come together "perfectly"is anyone really going to notice? All we need is good food, good friends and good fun, and I'm sure with our guest list and amazing caterer, we're sure to have ALL of the above. That said, I did check my "to do" list and realized I forgot a few things. Always have a list - they'll save you in the end!

Seriously? Give me a break

2008-02-03T10:46:00.000-06:00

James caught this blog by Elizabeth May. Following my post: Surprises? I think it is quite an important finding. It seems like Stephen Harper prefers to look at pictures of himself rather than, you know, Canadian landscapes, past leaders and all that nonsense. Can you say ... FRIGHTENING.

Good gravy, when is the next election? Get this yahoo out of here!!!

Surprises?

2008-02-02T22:35:00.000-06:00

The Conservatives have put the muzzle on scientists, preventing them from speaking to the media before getting approval from the government - they can then use government approved language. This is to prevent John Baird from being "surprised" by what he reads in the paper in the morning.

Dude, your government has proven to be completely inadequate when dealing with the environmental crisis. This government runs like it's 1952 - attempting to muzzle those "crazys" who are out spreading the word about the warming climate ("they're clearly 'on the pot'), trying to keep its voter base insulated from reality. Surprisingly this 'new' government looks really red to me - and it's not liberal Canadian red I'm talking about.

Midnight firings, hostility, condescension, and censorship. Is this the government for Canada?

On the bright side, the adage of "healthy earth, healthy life" is catching on as more and more people are recognizing the connective tissue between our environment and our health. Shocking, I know! I'll end this post with a link to the Sierra Club's article on Health and Environment. There are some great links and lots of information. Check it out!!

A Green Horizon

2008-01-28T22:13:00.000-06:00

I just received an e-mail from Len Sawatsky, who is running for the Green Party in Winnipeg Centre, announcing the launch of his blog. It's very exciting! Everyone who knows me (and I think you'd get the impression after reading my blog) knows that I'm a passionate Green Party Member. However, I have been quite disappointed in the provincial Green Party's lack of organization. As such, I helped my good friend James run his campaign bid for the Liberals during the last provincial election (and he doubled the vote in the VERY conservative Springfield riding!) And I stand by my decision to support James and Jon Gerrard - both are brilliant, hard working guys who are right for Manitoba. But I am super excited that there's a Green Contender out there! And he's right in my riding of Winnipeg Centre.

So bring on the election and let's get the Green wave going! Woohoo!!

YMCA-YWCA International

2008-01-17T17:02:00.000-06:00

I'm part of the International Committee here at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg (go to the website to find out what the Y does, and how you can get involved!)

We're publishing the next newsletter and I contributed an article to it! I wrote about this year's Peace Medal Winners - they are SO COOL!! Here it is:

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, together with YMCA associations across Canada, marked World Peace Week November 14 – 24 by encouraging kids, youth and adults to create peace by living it, every day, with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. The week included displays and contests in all four branches, activities in regular children’s programs, a Peace Week Breakfast, and LIT and Leaders Peace Jam. The highlight of this week of activities was the announcement of the 2007 YMCA Peace Medal Winners.

“The Peace Medallion recipients have led the way in showing how any one of us has the ability or power to create positive social change without special resources. They are a tremendous inspiration and role model for improving the quality of life in a community, either at home or overseas,” says David Young, Chief Executive Officer.

KEVIN FREEDMAN, winner of the Adult Peace Medal, has always been passionate about human rights and peace. Kevin began working in the inner city at the Salvation Army Booth Centre when he was twenty, and represented the Salvation Army on the Winnipeg Homeless Committee in an advocacy role. He discovered Peace Brigades International (PBI) through a random Google search, and was accepted into the program in December of 2005. PBI is an international grassroots Non-Government Organization (NGO) that has promoted nonviolence and protected human rights since 1981. They send international volunteers to areas of conflict, where they provide protective accompaniment to human rights defenders threatened by political violence. They also facilitate other peace-building initiatives.

Celia Guilford, a Project Coordinator for PBI, nominated Kevin for the prestigious Peace Medal, describing the amazing accomplishments and contributions he has made. As part of the PBI team, Kevin provided protective accompaniment and international presence to threatened human rights defenders. To assist in bringing peace to the region, Kevin actively networked and cooperated with high-level Indonesian government officials, various embassies, and local and international NGOs to ensure the safety of local human rights defenders; monitored and dispersed information on social, political and human rights issues in Indonesia; gathered, evaluated and analyzed information on security issues/threats; contributed to the writing of bi-weekly newsletters concerning local NGOs in Papua and Aceh, and participating in writing letters of concern to local and national governments in the event of a security risk situation.

Kevin’s work in Indonesia also extended beyond PBI. In May 2006 a devastating earthquake hit the Jogjakarta region, one of the poorest provinces in the country, where he was living. 6,000 died and over a million were left homeless after the disaster. Kevin and some friends provided emergency relief to hundreds of victims – using their own money and almost $7,000 in donations gathered through a website created by Kevin.

Kevin came home in August 2007 to complete his BA at the University of Winnipeg. In an article he wrote for Rights and Democracy he describes his admiration for the Human Rights Defenders (HRD) he worked with during his time in the country: “I find inspiration in, and am fascinated by, the HRDs that PBI works daily with here in Papua, and hope some day I may be able to make an anonymous impact the way they do.”

Kevin plans to return to Indonesia in January, and hopes to study law in 2008.

The Youth Peace Medal went to the VINCENT MASSEY COLLEGIATE PEER HELPERS, who work to make change happen! This group has served as ambassadors, peacemakers, problem solvers and friends. The Peer Helpers is an ethnically diverse group of students from all high school grade levels. The group was nominated by Ruth Elizabeth Stargardter, Student Services Department Head at Vincent Massey Collegiate, who describes their meetings as a time of discussion about everything ranging from the co-ordination of activities to how each and every one of us can and must have an impact on promoting peace and unity. The many activities and campaigns organized by the Peer Helpers demonstrate their creative drive to helping the community at large.

Last year, the group organized the first Wear Red Campaign for World Aids Day. They encouraged students to wear red to show their support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada and internationally and also set up a booth during the lunch hour to raise awareness and funds, which were donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

The group also organizes a Holiday party each year for students enrolled in the English as an additional language program. This past year they organized a unique pot-luck, encouraging every student to bring a dish as well as a story or tradition from their own culture or heritage that they would like to share.

After a fire destroyed the school on the Black River First Nation, one of the members saw an article on the situation and the group launched into action by organizing a Book Drive, accepting hundreds of donations of all types of young and adolescent literature to replace those lost in the fire.

The Peer Helpers also made history by organizing the first ever Addictions Awareness Week to be held by the school. Their aim was to promote safety and the well-being of students in an interactive and non-judgmental approach.

Considered to be the highlight of the year, the group organized the World Vision 30-hour famine. Activities included a documentary, a thought-provoking round-table discussion, a presentation from students who’d just returned from working in Africa, playing the World Game, as well as raising several thousand dollars!

Starganter best describes the actions of this innovative group by summarizing their work on a 50 foot mural, which they completed in one week by working every day for three to four hours after school. The mural - depicting a circus theme, elephants, laughing children and dancing lions - was completed with the collaboration of the Sainers’ Foundation, and will be separated into portions sent to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Montreal, the Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Winnipeg and the Shrine Temple in Winnipeg. Both the mural and the Peer Helpers serve as “a constant reminder of the incredible work that can be done when groups co-operate to make a difference in the lives of others while promoting a strong sense of community.”

Congratulations to the 2006/2007 Vincent Massey Peer Helpers: Gladys Yeung, Seni Akinrinlola, Michelle Bakkelund, Dania Khalid, Sarah Khalid, Victor Le and Samantha Worms!

Stop the Idle!

2008-01-14T18:31:00.000-06:00

This story caught my eye this past week.

School Division an Idle-Free Zone by Nick Martin

Sometimes it seems like the Green wave is doomed to wallow is society's need to consume, and it can be very frustrating for Environmentalists out there trying to make a difference. But, then, stories like this catch your eye - young people making a difference in their community, and seeing that ripple turn into a wave!

Grade 8 students at Bernie Wolfe School have launched a campaign to stop idling on school grounds. Brittany Hogeveen, Andrew Kyrzyk, and Ana Dueck got involved in a global warming project last year and were inspired them to make their school an Idle-Free Zone - and it's taken off! Not only was the administration at their school convinced, but now the entire division is idle free! Alright!

The Free Press reported this story on Thursday, January 10th and it made my day. From the article:

Come spring, students in Sokalski's Grade 10 geography class will be at the corner of Academy Road and Stafford Street interviewing motorists idling at red lights, and holding up signs ... Meanwhile, early in September the members of Kelvin's HASTA (Hopeful, Aware Students Taking Action) were on Kingsway and Harrow Street, asking parents dropping off and picking up students to cut their engines if they're pulling over for more than 10 seconds.

And, he said, they were suggesting that parents stop a block away, to reduce congestion that causes delays and idling.

"We stand on the boulevard with a sign and a smile," said Sokalski, who's noticed more parents turning off their engines.

And, hey, some parents reported that they're taking the No Idling spirit with them, cutting the engine at red lights and railway crossings. Remember: turning off your engine for waits longer than 10 seconds is a net benefit! Facts from Climate Change Connection:

Excessive idling wastes over $100 a year per vehicle.
Idling produces more emissions per minute than driving
Engine exhaust contains more than 40 hazardous air pollutants
Contaminants in vehicle emissions have been directly related to significant respiratory health effects
Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it
If every driver of a light-duty vehicle in Canada stopped idling for just five minutes, we would save 1.8 million litres of fuel and prevent more than 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Every 10 minutes of idling costs you at least one-tenth of a litre in wasted fuel.
Excessive idling can be hard on your engine
Restarting a car many times has little impact on engine components such as the battery and the starter motor.

Note: The students are not targeting those warming up cold vehicles; but, rather, cars which are already warmed up. So even though you live in cold Manitoba - no excuses! Stop the idle!! Once again, if you think that you can't make a difference to the environment, this is another thing that we all can do that makes an impact. NO excuses!!!

CanadaVille

2007-10-06T19:32:00.000-05:00

I'm in the middle of watching a very interesting documentary on CTV's W-FIVE called CanadaVille. It deals with the development of a community created after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. It's an interesting observation of human nature and the huge cultural difference between Canada and the southern states.

Can a small conservative town accept refugees from New Orleans, a city they associate with crime and poverty? Can the people from the city adjust to small town life? Can the predominantly white townspeople accept the black neighbours arriving?

Sadly, it seems things do not go well. Ironically, in separate interviews with original residents and the new arrivals of CanadaVille, both communities repeatedly said that they did not feel "safe" with the other group. Even though it's 2007, society still has a long way to go. We may have mastered technology, but communication is another story.

Back to GREEN

2007-09-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

Alright, I've had enough of this "come and see my show" blog crap, and it's time to write about something serious (not that missing any of my shows isn't a serious error on your part my friends, but I digress ...)

The next step that I am taking in going green in my life is with cleaning products. We can all do tons of simple things to Greenify our lives - walking, biking, reduce, reuse, recycle, don't crank the bloody heat in winter so you're walking around your house in shorts when it's freezing outside - but the one area often overlooked is how we clean our homes day to day.

This is a very serious issue, as harmful cleaning products are not only disastrous for the environment, but they also endanger our health.

I take you to: THE GREEN PAGE by Cheryl Binning and Lidsey Wiebe, from the Wpg Free Press on Sunday, August 19th (once a month the paper prints this "consumer-friendly guide for ecologically minded Manitobans" which is a great way to get tips on how to incorporate green practices into your every-day life - check it out!)

Here are some quotes to fill you in on why I think this is important:

We are bombarded with ads for an ever-increasing assortment of harsh cleaning products that promise to melt dirt away with out scrubbing and wipe out every possible evil bacteria lurking in our kitchens.

Many cleaning products contain corrosive ingredients, petroleum-based chemicals and suspected carcinogens that can build up in our bodies, pollute the air and contaminate waterways.

Studies show that indoor air can be anywhere from two to 11 times more polluted than outdoor air due to toxic compounds.

Many bathroom cleaners and automatic dishwasher detergents contain chlorine bleach, a hazardous air pollutant in its own right, that can react with chemicals in the environment to form dioxin, a hormone disrupter that can build up in our tissues and infect the air.

Ammonia, a common ingredient in household cleaner, is a suspected carcinogen, that stays in the air for up to four hours after being sprayed ...

Jay Boschman, who has spent the last 36 years working as a Manitoba pharmacist, says we should be switching to environmentally friendly cleaning product for the health of our families and for the sake of our lakes and rivers.

The No. 1 toxic product in the home and a potential cancer-causing agent is automatic dishwasher detergent

Phosphates - which are found in automatic dishwasher detergent - have become a cause for concern because of its impact on waterways

"If you think of how many dishwashers there are in Winnipeg alone, it adds up. As individuals we have to take some of the blame and do our part."

One 45 oz bottle of automatic dishwasher detergent contains enough phosphate to produce more than 200 pounds of algae.

So, what can we do to make wiser choices? We have to keep our homes clean somehow, right? Well, you'll be happy to know that there are whole PRODUCT LINES of eco-friendly cleaners available online or right here in Winnipeg! They include:

Citra-Solv (cintra-solv.com), Ecover (ecover.com), Melaleuca Ecosense (melaleuca.com), Method (methodhome.com), Nature Clean (naturecleanliving.com), Norwex (norwex.ca, EatIt.ca), Seventh Generation (seventhgeneration.com.

If you're not an on-line shopper, please visit some great local shops to pick up a number of these products as well as some tasty organic eating delights! (Trust me, you've HAVE forgotten what a real apple tastes like):

Organic Planet (877 Westminster), Aviva (Exchange District), VitaHealth (221 McPhillips), Organza (230 Osborne) EatIt (603 Wall), Humboldt's Legacy (887 Westminster).

Also, if you don't want to brake the bank and buy all new cleaners at once, you can use these great homemade recipes courtesy of Kristle Caliso-Tavares (owner of Inspired Practice):

All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix 1/2 cup pure soap (or soap flakes) with 1/4 cup lemon juice nd 4L of hot water.

Carpet Cleaner

Lightly sprinkle cornstarch and/or baking soda over carpet, rub it in and then vacuum in one hour. Or combine 1/2 cup dish detergent with 600 ml boiling water. Cool, whip into a stiff foam and apply iwht a damp cloth. For tough stains, try cold soda water or blot area with vinegar and soapy water.

Disinfectant

Mix 1 tsp borax, 2 tbs vinegar and 1/4 cup soap with 2 cups hot water.

Drain Cleaner

Pour 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 salt down the drain. Add 1/2 cup vinegar and cover with a stopper. Wait 15 minutes and flush with boiling water.

Dusting Spray

1 tsp olive oil, and 1/2 cup of vinegar applied with a soft cloth.

Floor Cleaner

Combine 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda and 4 L of warm water. Or try just 1/2 cup vinegar with 4 L of water.

I hope you've found these tips useful and that you're thinking about switching over from the harsh, synthetic products.

I find it interesting that many moms feel the pressure to "super clean" their homes with these products that promise to kill "99.9%" of bacteria, when their kids are hopefully playing outside often and therefore, as soon as they leave the home their going to be "exposed" anyway. It seems a bit ridiculous. I think we need to think about creating a warm home free of synthetic chemicals, as they are far more harmful to the human body, since we can't break them down and they just build up in our systems.

Well, I'm off to Organza today to replace my dishwasher detergent and pick up some Borax. Maybe I'll wait until Monday when my sister brings back the car ... or maybe I'll just take the bus.

Bye for now!

Join me at the FRINGE!

2007-07-22T17:36:00.000-05:00

Alright, I just started this "Import Feed" thing on Facebook, where by all of my posts on Blogger should in theory appear on facebook.

Let's see if works!

First of all, I must say how insanely difficult it is to pick and choose fringe shows when there are so many good ones, and when you want to support all of your friends' shows as well. The problem is, most of my friends seem to be involved in theatre, and they all seem to do a fringe show (some even do TWO!! AH!!!) So, if you aren't on the list below, sincerest appologies. Time and money are the enemy. Then again .. if you want to trade passwords .... ;) I could go with a free ticket of two!

Monday:

3:45 - 4:45 Mozart: ze komplete hystery

9:30 - 11:00 The Rivals

Tuesday:

1:15 - 2:00 Voices in my Head

6:15 - 7:45 Water

9:00 - 10:00 Napoleon's Secret Diary

Wednesday:

5:30 - 6:00 Homely Woman #2

7:45 - 8:40 ...your company/table for ...

Thursday:

12:15 - 1:25 Beowulf

11:30 - 12:30 The Ingrates

Friday:

2:45 - 3:45 Tough!

7:00 - 8:30 Lucrezia

Saturday:

5:30 - 6:40 The Story of a Sinking Man

Sunday:

Jesus in Montana (if it wins BEST OF FEST - I hope so!)

Things I've already seen: Featuring Loretta, One Last Thing, Genghis Khan, Giant Invisible Robot. All have been great in my books, for many different reasons.

So, if any of you all are heading out to the fringe and would like to join me for any of the above, please do!

I can't believe it's pimping time again - AH!

2007-07-04T22:52:00.001-05:00

"So you're at the Winnipeg Fringe, going to see some plays.

See some plays? Really? When it's this nice out?"

Join three actors as they examine the hilarious history of the Theatre in a desperate search for its significance. There must be some reason we're not all just going for walks!! THE HISTORY OF THEATRE

By Brent Hirose, Mel Marginet and Matthew TenBruggencate Premiering at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival Venue #5: Son of the Warehouse Friday, July 20 5:30 Saturday, July 21 7:00 Sunday, July 22 11:00 Tuesday, July 24 4:00 Wednesday, July 25 Noon Thursday, July 26 9:15 Friday, July 27 10:45 Saturday, July 28 1:45

2007-05-19T20:48:00.000-05:00

Time is flying by and the election and fundraiser (not to mention Fringe and the beginning of Gents rehearsals ...)

First of all, the Manitoba election. What a crazy ride it's been. With all of the campaign promises, campaigning and mud-slinging, this thing couldn't be over soon enough. I am, however, extremely proud of and excited for James. He's had a steep hill to climb in the con-ser-va-tive riding of Springfield, but if our door knocking proved anything last Sunday, it is that most people out there consider him to be the most qualified and best person running. However, they all say that knowing that there's pretty much no chance of the liberals winning in the con-ser-va-tive riding. That's basically the summary of the whole election - "well, Jon Gerrard is the best candidate for premier with the best platform, too bad he stands no chance." Sigh.

Best piece of BS in the whole election: "I would never run a negative campaign with attack ads" from Hugh McFaden, whose 5 of 7 TV ads are ... attack ads. He's so brilliant he makes me want to barf.

Best quote from Matthew during the election: Hugh McFaden's "family values" ad comes on the television for the hundredth time. Matt: "why doesn't he just take them to Higgins and Main and pimp them out?"

TUESDAY, MAY 22nd is voting day - get out and hit the poles!! If you live in Springfield, vote JAMES JOHNSON!!!

On the theatre side of my world, things are busy but coming together. I think our fundraiser on June 7th is going to be AWESOME. We already have so many great prizes, we have a kick-ass scene to feature, and hopefully we'll sell this baby out!

Mel's reading recommendation for May: DeNiro's Game by Rawi Hage. I seriously missed my bus stop twice reading this one.

Reading

2007-05-01T21:50:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post. With Fundraising, Production, writing, campaigning and, you know, WORKING, it's been tough to get some regular posts in.

So here it is, just because I think that no matter how busy you get, you have to take time to read a great book. It's good for the soul, keeps you grounded and your mind fresh. Therefore, I took this time to post Mel's Reading Recomendation for May:

The Song of Kahunsh by Anosh Irani. Go out and get it, read it, and let me know what you think!!

VOTE for James Johnston

2007-04-25T22:02:00.000-05:00

Things are heating up in this election campaign!

First off, we've gone live with the Elect James Johnston web-page.

Most important in this first phase of the campaign is fundraising! Therefore:

You are invited

To attend the James Johnston for Springfield MLA Fundraising Social! It is happening on Friday, May 4, at Cowboys at the CanAd Inn on Lagimodiere. Tickets are $10, and there will be a silent auction, 50/50 and lots of good times!

This is a very exciting campaign with many young minds and voices, and I encourage you to get involved!

EARTH DAY!!!!

2007-04-22T11:08:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate this wonderful world. The birds are chirping, my cats are sunning themselves on the balcony, and I'm looking forward to a fun afternoon down at the forks.

But, at the same time I am reminded of just how fragile our environment is. Again, today, is another article in the Free Press about the dangers facing Manitoba's wetlands, and just how valuable those wetlands are to our environment.

As much as today is a celebration of Mother Earth, and a time to pressure governments to do everything within means to ensure our children's children can enjoy the same wonders as we do everyday, it is also a time for us to look at ourselves and take account of the many things we can do, and the many steps we can take, to save the planet.

Here are 5 things I pulled from today's Free Press :

REDUCE YOUR CAR USE BY 10% A MONTH

Measure your car mileage on a monthly basis and set a target of reducing the number of kilometres by 10% a month. "It means not using the car for short trips and taking transit occasionally."

DON'T JUST RECYCLE. BUY RECYCLED PRODUCTS

Most people feel they are doing their part for the environment by tossing recyclables in a blue bin. But unless consumers are willing to buy goods made from recycled products, there is no market for companies that manufacture items from post-consumer waste and they will eventually stop producing these items. Ex: paper towels, toilet paper, coffee filters, garbage bags and office supplies (binders etc.)

WASH LAUNDRY IN COLD WATER

According to some environmental studies, you can save $63 a year by switching to cold-water laundering. You can buy detergent specific to cold water EVERYWHERE. Now that it's warm outside, you can further reduce energy consumption by drying clothes on an outdoor line instead of in the dryer.

STOP USING THROW-AWAY PLASTIC BAGS AT SUPERMARKETS

Canadians would save 3.3 BILLION plastic bags a year from ending up at landfill sites if they started using more durable shopping bags that can be reused many times over to haul groceries home from the store.

USE PESTICIDE-FREE PRODUCTS ON YOUR LAWN AND GARDENS

Buy a composter and fertilize garden beds with natural waste materials. Some supermarkets and garden centres now carry natural fertilizer and synthetic pesticides, herbicides or other toxic chemicals.

Happy EARTH DAY everyone!!

The Vagina Monologues

2007-04-08T21:26:00.000-05:00

I am very excited to be a part of the Winnipeg cast for The Vagina Monologues!!!

April 20th and 21st at 8pm

Eckhardt Grammatte Hall, 3rd Floor, University of Winnipeg

Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $6 students/underemployed

Available at the UofW info booth, Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe, Kustom Kulture.

ALL proceeds go to SAGE HOUSE, a health and outreach centre for street women in downtown Winnipeg.

Tickets are going FAST and Saturday night is almost sold-out already. However, because of the rapid ticket sales, there is talk of adding a Saturday matinee at 3pm. Stay tuned ...

This is a truly exciting show with many community women involved. While a large number of women from the theatre community are involved, there are also women making their stage debut. Everyone is very excited and honoured to be a part of this production. It will also be the North American premier of "They beat the girl out of my boy" which is very exciting!

If you are unable to pick up tickets from any of the above locations, you can contact myself or vdaywinnipeg@hotmail.com for more information.

Hope to see you in the audience!

Dion and a Great book

2007-03-31T18:53:00.000-05:00

Good ol' Reader's Digest. This month they featured an interview with Liberal Leader Stephan Dion. Although I'm not a Liberal myself, I am helping James with his campaign to be a Liberal MLA in the next provincial election. So I figured "why not highlight some of the interview to share some facts on a quiet guy whom a lot of you probably don't know much about?"

Dion is a modest, courteous man, an intense thinker with a doctorate in sociology who gets by on five hours of sleep a night.
Still, with Dion, the less formality the better, as witnessed when Reader's Digest met him recently in his office on Parliament Hill. During an easy hour long conversation, the Opposition leader displayed a ready sense of humour - especially when recalling his politically rebellious youth: He related that, after his father shot down his arguments for Marxism and Trotskyism, Dion flirted with separatism - until age 21, when, campaigning door-to-door for the Parti Quebecois in 1976, he was invited into the home of one voter ready to debate. "I got there at 7:30 pm, and the man's wife poured rum and Cokes for us all evening," recalls Dion. He finally left and 10:30, "completely drunk," and by now convinced he was on the wrong side.
Since then, I stopped being a separatist," he says with a laugh. "and I never drank a rum and Coke again."
RD: How would you improve Canada's health-care system - an issue, along with the environment, that's top in the minds of Canadians?
DION: The link between environment and health is key. Though we need to improve the capacity of the heath care system - one in three Canadians will have cancer in their lifetime - it's our way of life that lead to things like obesity and asthma. If we don't change our environment and our lifestyle, our hospitals will stay crowded, and our health-care system will continue to face difficulties
RD: Canada has fallen behind the other G8 countries in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, and in fact our levels have increased by 27 percent since 1990. So the environment issue could also become your weakness if the Harper government blames Canada's poor performance on the Liberals' time in office.
DION: In 2005 [then finance minister] Ralph Goodale introduced the greenest budget since Confederation; [former Liberal environment minister] David Anderson expanded the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and created legislation for endangered species. Our climate-change plan was by far the best Canada has ever had, bu the [Conservative] government cancelled it and didn't replace it with anything.
The reason we've fallen behind other countries in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is we're exporting more oil and gas now. Also, our economy is build on waste - Canada is one of the worst for water consumption, and we're not very good at recycling. We need to do much more, and in a way that will benefit the economy. I want Canada to be on the podium of the new industrial revolution for a sustainable economy. Because of climate change, the world risks losing a fifth of this wealth in the coming decades - and we will number nine billion human beings by 2050. I want to become prime minister of my country and the G8 leader for the world because I want Canada to be part of the solution.

You can read the full interview by Christoperh Guly in the April edition of Reader's Digest (51).

Dion's an interesting guy, and I can't wait for a Televised debate in the next election with him AND Elizabeth May. What a shift in political strategy that will be!! ("What, we have to actually KNOW what we're talking about now with the environment? They're bringing out this whole 'Environment is linked to Health Angel? CRAP!") It will be a sweet sweet day indeed. Especially since this next generation is the FIRST generation to have a SHORTER life expectancy than the generation before. Yep, we are actually regressing. Oh humanity, how evolution has smited us.

On a separate note: Mel's reading recommendation for March is Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill. I absolutely couldn't put it down. Even while I was in Toronto on a whirlwind Dove Campaign, I had it with me at all times. Absolutely an amazing read (and the Winner of Canada Reads on CBC Radio!)

Guess What!!!!

2007-03-25T09:52:00.000-05:00

I'm engaged! Crazy town!

I was lead on a crazy - but not too specific ;) - treasure hunt, then kidnapped by pirates, and then saved by my hero! Some very fancy swordfighting, fabulous costumes, and a beautiful proposal followed.

Stay tuned for bridzilla posts. Lol ... yeah right.

And the campaign begins!!

2007-03-13T23:01:00.000-05:00

My dear friend James Johnston is running in the next provincial campaign! And now begins the quest to gain support and momentum going onto the road ahead. He's not running as a Green (I know, I know, it seems as though I'm jumping from the Green Party ship already); However, he's running on a Green, sustainable platform. To those of you tsk tsk'ing me right now, I just renewed my membership with an extra 'lil something for the party to boot, so I am still on the Green Cruise going into the next national election!

But this campaign basically highlights what is right in politics - Not getting behind a candidate strictly based upon party line; supporting them, instead, based upon their policies.

James is fantastic and I am on "Team James" in Manitoba!

_______________________________________________________________

Dear friends,

If you're interested in making green politics mainstream and making Manitoba more competitive at the same time, I'm interested in soliciting your help. I am organizing a campaign to run as the Liberal candidate in Springfield constituency for the upcoming Provincial election. This election will likely happen sometime in April or May.

I am looking for a positive team of people who are as passionate about the environment as they are about building a more competitive, more optimistic Manitoba. Most seriously of all, I envision this campaign being a whole lot of fun. If you are interested in getting together for a discussion on the subject of Manitoba's future, please contact me and we'll work out a mutually acceptable meeting time.

I look forward to hearing from you,

James Johnston

electjames@gmail.com

dove evolution

2007-03-11T12:53:00.001-05:00

Why I entered the contest for Shine. I love Dove. Real Beauty = AWESOME.

Youth

2007-02-27T18:05:00.000-06:00

I might be a little biased, but I think that Ms. Alundra Elder is quite a profound poet. Here are some words of inspiration from one of this world's youngest voices:

Peace

I dream of a place that’s full of flowers,

And everyone’s equal and has fair amounts of power.

I dream of a place that has no war,

Guns, knives and murders no more.

I dream of a place that has education,

For all of the children with wide imaginations.

I dream of a place that everything is right,

So we won’t be afraid of sleeping at night.

If you want a world like this to come true,

You may find it will take people like you.

My Ideal World

In my world, everyone has clean water to drink,

And everyone has their own space to think.

They have a shelter over their heads,

And at night they sleep in their cozy beds.

All the people are equal and treated the same,

And no one is called Famous or any other special name.

Everyone has enough food to eat and to be enjoyed,

And everyone has money because they’re all employed!

Some people aren’t so lucky though, and aren’t so healthy,

But they can visit hospitals, without being wealthy.

And if you are a person with a positive attitude,

If you believe in yourself you can make this world very, very true.

By Alundra Elder

Makes me think that maybe the world isn't doomed after all - if we all do our part that is!!

The Secret to You

2007-02-24T20:14:00.001-06:00

Do you know "The Secret"?

Quicky

2007-02-13T23:08:00.000-06:00

Crazyness!

I just did the first school performance of Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans. So fun! I love doing theatre, especially theatre with a point.

In other news: The Assiniboine Park Cricket Pavilion has confirmed that we can use their space for our outdoor show this summer, and our 2nd choice for our October venue has also confirmed (Now, if only the 1st choice would call back ...) Currently working on the MAC grant. We have a Production Manager who looks like she's going to be fabulous and save us A LOT of headaches. Lots is happening, it's hard to keep up. I'm so excited to do the official "2007 Season" post. It's coming, don't you worry!

Everything is clicking along. If only I had a job that I liked. It's not that I hate my jobs - The Y's been very good to me, I like working with almost all of my Respite clients. I just feel ... bored. Like I'm wasting my time. Nothing really challenges me enough to make me want to go that extra mile. I feel like I'm just hanging in Limbo, waiting for the time when I can wake up every morning and be excited to go to work, and not feel like I'm just trudging through another day to pay the bills. I suffer from the winter blahs quite badly, it's not fun.

James Johnston is running in the next provincial election. I'm so excited to work on his campaign (he's not running as a Green, but still on a sustainable, progressive platform. More to come!) Where do you get your energy from James? Sometimes when I think that I'm "just too busy!" I think of you and feel lazy. How do you do it?

Time for bed. I can feel my body fighting off whatever infection is going around now (does it every end?) It's so weird not having Matt here. He's touring Love You Forever (and other stories) with PTE right now. He's all over the province for over a month! Ah! But I'm proud of him, he's doing a great job.

Toodles for now cyber-space!

"It's Later Than We Think"

2007-02-03T11:15:00.000-06:00

Drum Roll Please: the release of the Paris report, in which two thousand international scientists came to unanimous conclusions about the environment, states that Global Warming is "very likely" the result of human activity. Will this finally be the death of the "warming trend"??

From the CBC:

"It is critical that we look at this report … as a moment where the focus of attention will shift from whether climate change is linked to human activity, whether the science is sufficient, to what on earth are we going to do about it," said Achim Steiner, the executive director of the UN Environment Program.

U.S. government scientist Susan Solomon says 'there can be no question' that human activity is the cause of increased greenhouse gases.

"The public should not sit back and say 'There's nothing we can do,'" Steiner said. "Anyone who would continue to risk inaction on the basis of the evidence presented here will one day in the history books be considered irresponsible."

The 21-page summary of the panel's findings released Friday said climate changes are "very likely" caused by human activity, a phrase that translates to a more than 90 per cent certainty that global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

A top U.S. government scientist, Susan Solomon, said "there can be no question that the increase in greenhouse gases are dominated by human activities."

It was the strongest conclusion to date, making it virtually impossible to blame natural forces for global warming, according to the authors.

International scientists and officials hailed a UN report Friday that said human activity was "very likely" the cause of global warming and that higher temperatures and rising sea levels would continue for centuries, regardless of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"It is critical that we look at this report … as a moment where the focus of attention will shift from whether climate change is linked to human activity, whether the science is sufficient, to what on earth are we going to do about it," said Achim Steiner, the executive director of the UN Environment Program.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — consisting of hundreds of scientists and representatives of 113 governments — said global observations of air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of ice sheets, rises in sea level as well as regional changes in precipitation,wind patterns and extreme weather all point to a shift in the world's climate.

People 'can make a difference'

The report said global warming and a rising sea level will continue for centuries, even if greenhouse gas emissions are slowed or reduced.

"We're locked into a temperature increase of about 0.5 degrees by 2025 regardless of what we do, but the increases start to diverge depending on the levels of emissions when you look a hundred years from now," said Fyfe, one of four Canadian scientists involved in the report who spoke in Ottawa Friday morning.

"So what we do now can make a difference," he said. Temperature increases of 1.8 to 4 C by 2100 The panel predicted average temperature increases of 1.8 to four degrees by the year 2100. That was a wider range than in the 2001 report.

On sea levels, the report projects a rise of 17.8 centimetres to 58.4 centimetres by the end of the century. An additional rise between 9.9 to 19.8 centimetres is possible if the recent, surprising melting of polar ice sheets continues.

Canada would be among the countries to see disproportionately high temperatures changes — perhaps enough to keep the Arctic ice-free in summer. Canadian Environment Minister John Baird said after the report's release that global warning required "real action," while Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged it was an "enormous" problem, but said any solutions would be long term.

Need to stop using economy as bottom line

David Suzuki, well-known environmentalist and host of the CBC's The Nature of Things, said from Halifax on Friday the evidence has been "a long time in coming."

'I would say that we are in a state of crisis, that it's the equivalent of a hundred Pearl Harbors going off at once in the environment.'

"Scientists have been conservative and cautious, now I think they've thrown that caution out," he said. Peter Brown, a professor of philosophy at the McGill School of Environment, said he hopes the sobering news will lead to a change not just in carbon emissions, but in how the world economy functions. "What the report shows me is a very deep paradigm shift is needed," he told CBC News Online.

"We need to move away from a model where economic growth is the only indicator of success."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, created by the UN in 1988, releases its assessments every five or six years, and is used as a major source of information for government policy makers. The summary is the first of four major reports expected this year. The second report on April 6 will detail the impacts of global warming and focus on vulnerable regions, while the third report on May 4 will look at ways policy makers and scientists might mitigate climate change. A final report released on November 17 will synthesize the work of the previous three reports.

So how does this report effect us here in Canada? Hotter, drier summers with stronger storms and milder winter with more rain (not snow, rain). Of course, this report comes out in the middle of a nasty cold snap, so what is the general consensus? SWEET!

In Chris Cobb's article in today's Free Press, Climate Change Poses Challenges for Canada, he states that Canadians need to "shed themselves of the complacency that comes with living in a land of plenty. In fact, living in a country with apparent infinite natural resources makes us vulnerable."

Yes, golfing the weekend before Christmas is fun and I personally am procrastinating hitting the gym right now because I don't want to face the windchill. A longer growing season is also beneficial to farmers. But what about other parts of the world where nothing grows, where the rising sea levels wipe-out coastlines?

"How are we going to deal with people who can no longer live where they are? You can adapt to certain changes in lifestyle but you can't adapt to living under water, so if the sea level goes up a metre in Bangladesh, where do you put those hundred million people? In China? Or do we take them in Canada?"

Most pressing of all is our abundant supply of fresh water in Canada, which in fact makes us vulnerable:

"Canada is a land of fresh water but if you're in the sub-tropics, as in the central U.S. and south of there, you're going to get less rain, increased drought and you're going to want more water," Weaver said. "So where will they get it from? From us of course and we're quite incapable of stopping them."

What gives this report more of a chance to make a difference in the minds of everyday individuals is the fact that it IS conservative, despite the striking conclusions.

Insert funny/scary story: I was over at my Aunt's the other week for supper, and she told me that, whenever environmental issues come up, a fellow at her work scoffed "Global warming. All those environmental people just want you to believe in it just to get your money." Yep, there's a lot of money to be earned saving the environment. All those not-for-profit agencies ... AAHHHHH!

The report comes from the research of two thousands of the world's top scientists, researchers and fact checkers. EVERY SINGLE WORD of the report had be agreed upon "and it isn't easy to get agreement among scientists because they're very conservative people."

But it IS possible to cut emissions and to be a good global citizens. That is what I constantly try to do with my blog: provide resources and easy things that we can all do everyday to make the world a better place. Watch the video in my last post and take the Nature Challenge to get started!

Take the David Suzuki Nature Challenge

2007-01-31T19:37:00.001-06:00

It's SO easy! Why isn't everyone doing these things?

just a random photo ...

2007-01-29T09:46:00.000-06:00

So, apparently if I delete this post, this picture won't appear in my profile ... weird. I'm still figuring this "blogger beta" thing out. For the most part it's cool, but frustrating when I JUST DON"T GET IT!! AH!

Freedom!!

2007-01-23T21:04:00.000-06:00

I handed in the WAC grant for Theatre by the River today!! YES!!!! I started it over 3 weeks ago, and still spent until the wee hours of the morning the past 2 nights perfecting it. SO STRESSFUL! It's so frustrating trying to get into the heads of the "grant assessment panal" and to know what they're thinking. I am defanitely going to ask the company if they can pay for me to take a workshop on grant writing. As much as I can ask questions to Hope McIntyre and call WAC for clarification, there's just too much stuff to communicate and clarify. Hopefully that can happen in the next year so I'll be more confident in myself in the future.

But, the end result looks good and professional (I hope!), so maybe we'll get some funding this year!

I've been insanely busy lately (I thought things were going to calm down after Christmas ...?) I recently started taking a class at the Actors Training Centre of Manitoba with Jeff Skinner. I really like it. I was able to start in the intermediate class based on my resume, which is nice. The class portion is still pretty basic, but I'm learning tonns about "the biz", and Jeff has been pushing me in my scene work, which is great.

I haven't been able to see a lot of Stoppard shows yet (since I'm only home 2 nights a week, and one of them is Wednesday ...) But I did get to see Theatre Incarnet's Arcadia - highly recommended! The show is a long haul at over 2.5 hours, but it is so well done that the time flies, especially in the 2nd half when all the pieces start to fall together. The performances were great and the staging was dynamic, so it's a show to see!

I'm in rehearsal for 2 shows right now: Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans, which played at the Fringe this summer, is going to do a small tour. I am also part of The Vagina Monologues. This show got off to a bit of a rocky start organization wise, but now it's smooth sailing. Come out and see it in April!!

PEASE READ.

The Green Debate

2007-01-16T19:07:00.001-06:00

Also go to http://www.cbc.ca/mansbridge/2007/01/elizabeth_may.html I couldn't figure out how to post the episode, but it's a must-see for anyone who cares about where Canada is going, and why the voice of the Green Party is now more important than ever since Dion's election to leadership. Think about it.

What's real, and what's a big poofer?

2007-01-14T00:28:00.000-06:00

There was quite a discrepancy in the Free Press this morning regarding Global Warming (or that inconvenient little "trend" that seems to be happening). Just as Dr. Gordon McBean, chair of policy in the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction at Western Ontario University, reported an am anticipated study to be released out of Paris highlighting "how human activity is heating up the planet much faster than experts had previously expected" there was Tom Oleson's editorial in the same A section.

Oleson, while admitting that it's pretty odd that he's been wearing his rain coat well into January, and that even the Bush administration is considering upping Polar Beards on its endangered species list, writes:

But put a pause on that pause before you sign on to the crusade against greenhouse gas emissions and most other kinds of useful human activity. Because there is nothing exact about all this, not much real science in it, mostly just a lot of by-guess-and-by-golly and said-to-be-so in the so-called science of climate change.

He then goes on to say that we can't know if there are less polar bears because they're hard to count since they eat people, and that it's kind of weird how the giant chunk of ice fell off of Ellesmere island but who knows and stuff. But! Here's where I laughed so hard that a lil'bit of pee came out:

We all have our idiosyncrasies, and the environmentalists' obsession is greenhouse gases - the poison spit out by the evil automobile. We probably should watch our greenhouse gas out-put, however, and one way to cut back is to eat more meat. Cows and pigs and such animals contribute more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than all the automobiles in the world because - not to put too fine a point on it - their mostly vegetarian diet causes them to poofer like crazy, releasing methane gas. Every hamburger you eat, every pork chop, perhaps even every drumstick ... every mouthful of meat you eat is a blow against global warming. Who would have thought that the Sals or KFC could save the world? Thanks to them, we can even use emission transfers, trading the gas we use in the McDonald's drive-thru against the methane we save my munching a Big Mac. That's a crusade I could join, one based on solid, scientific fact.

Kind of makes me want to poofer, take a giant dump, and then use Mr. Oleson's article to clean-up the mess. Good lord, when will humanity be able to stop joking around about how this "warming trend" is kind of nice (golfing in January? Sweet!) and actually step up to the plate?

I need to end this post with a quote that should ACTUALLY be taken SERIOUSLY:

Climate scientists have predicted the Earth could heat up by anywhere between two to six degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the 21st century because of the greenhouse gases that trap heat from sunlight in the earth's atmosphere.
"Just to put that in quick context, the difference between now and an ice age, when there was several kilometres of ice over this part of Canada is about five degrees globally," McBean said. "So we're talking about a temperature change in the net 100 years that is of the same order, perhaps larger, perhaps a little bit smaller than what we had going in and out of an ice age. That's a big difference, and it's happening in 100 years, not in tens of thousands of years."

______________________________________________________

Mel's must reads for December/January: Habitat by Judith Thompson and Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland.

Colbert Helps Out with Bush's Speech

2007-01-11T23:17:00.001-06:00

So, did Bush take the advice ...?

Some stuff

2007-01-07T16:10:00.000-06:00

I've been unsure what my first blog update of 2007 should look like - should I do the usual "this is where I was last year, and here I am today" or a "in 2007 I'm going to"?? First off, I'm not a New Year's Resolution person - I think we should always be making changes in our lives and evaluating ourselves. No offense to people who are into the resolutions, but to me it's kind of like "Earth Day" - great to get the exposure, but shouldn't everyday be Earth Day?

Anyhoo, semantics aside I decided to bring a little notice to a great organization here in Winnipeg. RaY (Resourse Assistance for Youth) is a street level organization dedicated to helping youth and young adults on their terms. RaY was formerly known as Operation Go Home, and it has a wide mandate, assisting youth in everything from emergency care, addiction treatment, finding employment, housing and a whole range of activities. I also recommend Voices from the Margins: Experiences of Street-Involved Youth in Winnipeg.

Life on this end is tres busy. The ball is rolling for Theatre by the River, a grant deadline is approaching, I'm working on two writing projects and just started taking classes with Jeff Skinner. And I have 3.5 jobs.

Ok, I'll bite the bullet and make one resolution: by this point next year I will only have 1 - maybe 1.5 - jobs next year, aside from artistic endevours. *Big sigh of relief*

Did anyone read the Free Press article yesterday about what the CIA was able to get away with doing during the cold war? Scary!

Into 2007!

2006-12-28T22:17:00.000-06:00

I came across this great New Year's Resolution Chart on the Sierra Club of Canada's website. Click on the link to make some resolutions that are a bit deeper than losing 20 pounds (not that I'm saying getting healthy is a bad thing!) I had a festive 6 days of eating over the holidays, so I've hit the gym pretty hard over the past few days myself!

At the end of February I will be a part of The Vagina Monologues for V-day. I'm not sure which monologue I will be doing yet, I only found out this week that I got a part. But, either way I'm excited. Theatre in the community with a point - I love it!!

My wonderful Matthew gave me an MP3 player for Christmas, so now I'm learning the wonders of "ripping" and "syncing". I actually just deleted all of the albums that he had already put onto my player in the quest to make playlists. Ugh, I'm an idiot!

This could quite possibly be my most random post to date. I really have nothing at the moment - Christmas was its regular mix of feasting, visiting and crazy running all over the province. The highlight had to be my Marginet Christmas and my little cousin who loves to call her dad "a pimp, a hoe and a cheeshead" (courtesy of my cousin Corinna, her mother!) and the Jell-O shooters that followed.

Appologies on the crappiness of this post. Do the quiz thing and go into the new year with the audacity of hope!

The Shape of Things to Come

2006-12-19T23:16:00.000-06:00

Gwynne Dyer had a very interesting article in today's Free Press (A11) that I had to share. In The Shape of Things to Come, he outlined how some countries are getting radical about climate change in a very doable way:

Here's the plan, Everybody in the country will get the same allowance for how much carbon dioxide they can emit each year, and every time they buy some product that involves carbon dioxide emissions - filling their car, paying their utility bills, buying an airline ticket - carbon points are deducted from their credit or debit cards. Like Air Mils, only in reverse.

So if you ride a bike everywhere, insulate your home, and don't travel much, you can sell your unused points back to the system. And if you use up your allowance before the end of the year, then you will have to buy extra points from the system.

This system is on the verge of becoming British government policy, and the environment minister is behind it 100%! Awesome!! It came about from the realization that:

A huge share of total emissions is driven by the decisions of individual consumers. Miliband [the environment minister] thinks that the least intrusive, most efficient way of shaping those decisions is to set up a system that track everybody's use of good and services that produce a lot of green house gases, and rewards the thrifty while imposing higher costs on the profligate.

Again, the most shocking part of this Green article was the pressing urgency for SOMETHING to be done. Dyer outlined that "the Arctic Ocean will be entirely ice-free in the summertime not in 2080, as previously suggested, but by 2040, just 33 years from now." It is important to remember that "Britain only produces two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so a 60 per cent cut in Britain alone is still only a drop in the bucket, but the aim is to set an example: See, we can do this without impoverishing ourselves, so other developed countries can to."

I think that the best part about this proposed system is that those who do not use all of their credits can sell them back to the system. Think about what this little bit of extra income could mean to low income folks barely surviving from check to check. Brilliant!

_______________________________________________________

On a personal note: Theatre by the River got into the Fringe! We were #54 out of 55 spots ... *sweating brow*. Time to get to work on The History of Theatre!

The Holiday Spirit

2006-12-16T16:54:00.000-06:00

In this, the holiday season, I just wanted to give a shout-out to one of my favourite charities, The United Way. The United way is vital to Winnipeg because it gives people a hand-up, not a hand-out, which creates more stability for those that the programs supports. I cannot even begin to list off the programs that the United Way provides. I know that the YMCA-YWCA alone benefits immensely from this charity, which supports many of its programs. From immigrants, refugees, at-risk youth, young mothers, to the unemployed and working poor, the United Way provides valuable resources to make their future brighter. Please go to their web-site to learn more.

If you are looking to give back a little this season, or if you're in need of gift ideas, consider giving to the United Way yourself, or in the name of a person on your Christmas list. Your money is going to a good cause!

Bits of news

2006-12-08T10:48:00.000-06:00

Where does the U.N. go now? In one of Kofi Annan's final speeches as head of the organization he is expected to recognized the failings of the U.N. and ask "how a world that promised to uphold human rights can allow the "horror" of Darfur to continue." (CBC)

In this, the season to over-eat followed quickly with a resolution to get into the best shape ever, I wanted to post this little fact article on the whole trans fat debate. All we can do is be informed and make healthy choices. Matt got a Y membership this week! I'm so excited to have someone to go to the gym with (anyone want to join us ...?)

Finally, everything (almost) that you need to know about Stephan Dion. I'm not a Liberal, but I was enamoured with the whole chess game of the leadership convention. Congratulations to James, who was in Montreal as a Dion delegate, and who was no doubt running around like a mad turkey building support for Dion.

How do my fellow Green Party members feel about the Dion win? I am very happy to see that the environment will undoubtedly be a major election platform and have to be taken seriously by the Conservatives this time around. After the bi-election in London, it is clear that the Green Party is officially on the map. Now, it is up to us to make sure that it stays there!

Inspired

2006-11-27T23:10:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I wrote an actual blog that is less an essay and more a ... log. Well, I've seen and read lots of great stuff and lots of crap, so I figured it was time for a "what's been going on in the world of Mel" edition.

First off, Theatre. My baby, what keeps me going, what floats my boat. Holy crap it was a disappointing start to the season. The Tempest, need I say more? A very pretty show with very pretty music (including a mid-show operetta ...?). No risk, no message, no real point (isn't the play about forgiveness? Did that get lost between Miranda's-3rd-costume-change-into-a beautiful-gown even-though-they-were-marooned-on-an-island and the sailors who look like they were auditioning for the next role as "dark and dashing leading man" even though they were supposed to be kind of freaked out by all of the weird stuff going on in this strange place?) . The drunks saved the day, thank the gods. It just ticks me off when a theatre that has the ability to produce great theatre just doesn't because it's too risky. *shudder* The first few shin-digs at PTE and the Warehouse were better, but nothing to be crazy about. Wonderful performances in both Apple and Retreat, and Robb Patterson managed to find the funny in a play that could have been a long painful trudge through the trenches of divorce. Good, but ... meh.

Thankfully the smaller companies are around to keep me interested. Theatre Project's The Monster Trilogy and Hana's Suitcase at MTYP were great. I also just got home from Summer of My Amazing Luck at the Warehouse. For those unfamiliar with the Mariam Toews tale, teen mom Lucy lives in the Have a Life (or Half a Life) housing project with the other welfare moms and working poor. Then, her and crazy neighbour Lish decide to hit the road to find Lish's long lost street performer love one day, and Lucy discovers that this might be the summer of amazing luck.

It was a great show to see with the MTC crowd - you could sense when people were a little uncomfortable when being confronted with "the system" and how it's pretty crappy for those stuck with it. The whole "they're just happy living off of my tax dollars" is a little harder to swollow. Chris Craddock is brilliant. The show was hilarious, simple, full of life and ... it just had a point. It's so great to see a show that has a point.

Mel's latest must-read: The Time In Between by David Bergen.

Finally, film. I can't believe how few movies I've seen in the past year. Seriously, I've been to the theatre maybe 4 times in 12 months. However, with an unexpected cancellation from work, I got the chance to see Babel. Awesome, well done, bravo all around. Also, incredibly scary - how we're so globalized and yet have no ability to communicate to one another. Frightening.

I think I'm just bursting with opinion because I'm so excited about season 2 of Theatre by the River. We took care of all the messy crap from last year, trimmed the fat, reformed and are now starting off into an exciting season. Plus I'm getting the chance to write more, I've found an awesome audition piece. Ah, life is good.

Well, I'm still working too many jobs for not nearly enough money so that's kind of crappy. You win some, you lose some. C'est la vie. As I learned from Lucy tonight, you can find happiness and luck in the most unlikely of places. Eternal optimism it is.

Think Global / EAT LOCAL

2006-11-19T14:27:00.000-06:00

If you've been following the Sunday Free Press, you'll notice that Lindsay Wiebe has been writing a series of articles on her decision to eat only Manitoba grown food for a month ... in November (and she's a vegetarian). Quite a challenge! You can read her article on page A15 today.

I decided to spread the word and post the stores in Winnipeg that stock locally produced food so that we all can Think Global and BUY LOCAL! Caulfield’s Organic Market: 885 Westminster Ave.

EatIt: www.eatit.ca, 603 Wall St.

Fresh Option: www.freshoption.ca, 1338 Clifton St.

Harry’s Foods: 905 Portage Ave.

Organic Planet: 877 Westminster Ave.

Organza Market: www.organzamarket.com, Confusion Corner

Big-box grocery stores: Of course the big guys carry local food — just be sure to check the label.

Any produce marked Peak of the Market is definitely OK.

The Bay Food Market: basement of The Bay downtown.

Community Organics: www.saveyourfork.ca.

Foodfare Stores: 247 Lilac St., 115 Maryland St., 1840 Arlington St.

The Market 520: 520 Academy Rd.

Stephen & Andrews Food and Wine Shoppe: 384 Academy Rd, http://stephenandandrews.mywinnipeg.com.

Vic’s Fruit Market: 1038 Pembina Hwy.

Vita Health Natural Food Stores: 102 Osborne St., 845 Dakota St., Cityplace Shopping Centre, 4611 Reenders Drive, 16-845 Dakota St., J-2211 McPhillips St., 156-2025 Corydon Avenue,Kenaston and McGillivray, www.vitahealthstores.ca.

De Luca’s Specialty Foods: 950 Portage Ave.

Dutch Meat Market: 245 Marion St.

Foodland: in St. Norbert

The Forks Market: wide array of local-friendly stores

Frig’s Natural Meats and More: 3515 Main St.

Gimli Fish Market: 625 Pembina Hwy.

House of Nutrition: 770 Notre Dame Ave.

Manitoba Beef: www.manitobabeef.com

Naleway Caterers: 1411 Main St.

Natural Raised Pork: www.naturalpork.ca

Neechi Foods: 325 Dufferin St.

Portage Meat and Sausage Deli: 1032 Portage Ave.

Scoop & Save Bulk Foods: 3133 Portage Ave.

Scoop N’ Weigh Fine Ingredients: 1885 Grant Ave.

Spenst Brothers Premium Meats: 235 Perry St., Winkler

Wenkai Garden Fresh: 2247 Pembina Hwy.

Here's a summary of Wiebe's Why Bother Buying Local? : 1) Discover new foods! 2) Go Fresh or go home

"It's commonly reported that in North America, food travels an average of 2,400 kilometers before it reaches your plate - closer to 3, 200 kms in Manitoba"

3) It Tastes Better 4) Support the Local Economy

"A study in Maine found that every $100 spent at a sample of local businesses generated an average of $45 in local spending, compared to $14 in big box retailers."

5) Reduce Food Kilometers 6) Cut Fructose

"...and xanthan gum, whatever that is. For me, buying local has meant very little in teh way of pre-packaged food, and more cooking and meal planning than I'd like. On the upside, buying unprocesssed foods has helped limit the number of additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners in the foods I eat."

7) Save the Farm

"Between 1981 and 2001, the number of Manitoba farms plummeted nearly 30% according to the Manitoba Food Charter. That means of approximately 29, 000 active farms a few decades ago, more than 8, 000 have vanished."

8) Knowledge is Power

"the ability to speak with farmers and producers directly to ask how their crops are grown, and where their ingredients are sourced."

9) Eat Safe

"How can an E. Coli outbreak in California leave manitobans without spinach for months? ... Regional buying is, by its nature, typically smaller in scale ... a smaller supply chain means the outbreak will generally be easier to track, and contained to a smaller number of people."

10) Would you like a Story with that?

"Finding out the stories behind your meals is as rewarding as locating the food itself. You'll swear it makes dinner taste that much better."

Now after all this talk about food, I'm going to eat some lunch. I'm thinking toast with honey - I've been buying this local honey at The Bay Market for years. It tastes great! You can follow Lindsay's blog to keep up on her shopping and cooking adventures yourself and get lots of helpful hints on how to add more local food to your diet. Enjoy!

Vancouver to Vancouver and a Green MP!

2006-11-13T11:05:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Tim Harvey, who completed his trip around the world on his own steam! He's spent 2 years sailing, cycling, walking and rowing himself across the globe, all to show that if he can get himself around the world without using fossil fuels, can't we all get ourselves to work and school using less?

Exciting news is brewing! Will the Greens finally have an MP in the house? You can help make it happen!

Elizabeth May, the new leader of the Green Party of Canada, is running in the by-election in London North Centre. The need for a Green Party voice in the House of Commons is more urgent than ever before. Developments in the last two weeks highlight this urgent need:

1. The Stern Report, released in the UK, predicts that climate change will cost up to $7 trillion and will be more catastrophic than two world wars and a depression combined. Melting glaciers and rising sea levels could displace 200 million people; and up to 40% of species face extinction. This report was not from an environmentalist but a former Chief Economist for the World Bank. Electing Elizabeth May in the London North Centre by-election will put a Green Party voice in Parliament that cannot be ignored. We need to have a fully funded campaign in this by-election. Go to www.elizabethmay.ca to support the campaign.

2. Marine scientists say that almost a third of the marine species now being caught have collapsed by more than 90% from their historical maximum catch. They warn that if we don't change the way we manage ocean species, then this is going to be the last century for any semblance of a healthy marine eco-system. Helping Elizabeth to win this by-election is the best way to ensure the magnificence of a diverse marine life on earth. 3. For the first time since 1990, Canadians are saying that the environment is their #1 concern. Canadians realize that we are on the brink of irreversible climate crisis. Stephen Harper's minority government is in clear violation of international law and the Kyoto protocol. The NDP have sacrificed Kyoto for their own short-term electoral advantage, and the Liberals talked a good line but did nothing.

Canadians are waking up to the peril in which our Liberal and Conservative governments are putting the future of our children and grandchildren and all life on earth. Mr. Harper wants to rip up the Kyoto Protocol while under 12 years of Liberal rule, emissions rose by 25%. Electing Elizabeth will finally force the old-line political parties to act! Donate to Elizabeth's campaign at www.elizabethmay.ca to help make history! We need to elect Elizabeth May. We need a Green Party voice in the House of Commons.

This will be the largest campaign in Green Party history. We are budgeting to raise the maximum allowable $88,119.87 and the campaign will involve more than 10,000 hours of volunteer time as we work to canvass and phone every elector up to three times.

Elizabeth needs your help. The campaign has raised $40,000 but we are still $48,000 short of our goal. Make History: Elect Elizabeth

* Elizabeth is the only national leader running in London North Centre

* Elizabeth is the only female leader of a national political party

* Electing Elizabeth will profoundly change this Parliament. Electing any of the candidates from the three old-line traditional parties will change nothing.

* Only electing Elizabeth will ensure that the issues of climate change, marine life depletion in our oceans, smog, Afghanistan and poverty will even be discussed in the next election and televised leaders' debates.

* By supporting Elizabeth's campaign you will be helping to make history.

The by-election campaign in London North Centre is historic - for these critical reasons:

* The one million Canadians who say they have decided to vote Green in the next federal election deserve a voice in Parliament;

* Out of the four major party candidates running, only Elizabeth will profoundly change this Parliament;

* Electing the first Green to a Canadian parliament: will be news that is heard around the world;

* Elizabeth May is committed to raising the bar for political discourse through the rejection of the politics of the personal and the elevation of the trivial. She will act to restore dignity and non-partisan cooperation to advance solutions in the House of Commons.

* We can avert the $7 trillion economic cost of climate change and avoid tripping the "tipping points" in atmospheric chemistry that could flood every coastal city, melt the ice caps and create permanent drought over much of the planet, by forcing action soon. By electing Green Party leader Elizabeth May, voters in London North Centre will be sending a clear message to all the old line parties that we will no longer accept the disintegration of our life support system under the weight of our careless exploitation of the planet.

How You Can Help:

1. Make a donation to Elizabeth's campaign today by going to www.elizabethmay.ca or www.greenparty.ca and click on the red button on the right side of the page. Or you can mail a cheque made out to: "L. Loretta Pellizzari, Official Agent, Elizabeth May Campaign" to:

The Elizabeth May Campaign Office 211 Dundas St London, Ontario N6A 1G4 Tel: (519) 850 4MAY (4629); or (519) 913-2474

Corporations and trade unions can also make political donations of up to a total of $1,000 per calendar year - "L. Loretta Pellizzari, Official Agent, Elizabeth May Campaign" and mail it to the campaign office above.

On donations of up to $1,275 you get the majority of you donation back as a deduction on your federal tax payable. See the table below.

2. Forward this email to your friends, family and contacts. We can all make a profound difference by campaigning in this by-election!

3. Go to www.elizabethmay.ca and find how you can get involved! For instance, more than 120 Green Party members throughout Canada have volunteered to be part of the "virtual phone bank" organized by Phil Spidle (pspidle@greenparty.ca)

Take action! Get involved. Volunteer. Canvass. Phone. Join. Blog. Email friends. Come to London! Rebecca Bromwich Rebecca Bromwich Chair Campaign to Elect Elizabeth May Sharon Labchuk Sharon Labchuk Campaign Manager Campaign to Elect Elizabeth May Disponible en français Authorized by the Official Agent for the Elizabeth May Campaign Information: slabchuk@greenparty.ca Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Reading list

2006-11-06T20:22:00.000-06:00

Quick thingy:

I've been wanting to update my reading list, as I've had a bunch of books on the go for a while now, but nothing that I could really sink my teeth into. I'd love to get some "must reads", so let me know!

Books that I've read recently that have been great are The Kite Runner, Home from the Vinyle Cafe, The Way the Crow Flies, A Complicated Kindness ... just to give you an idea of my "genre".

Toodles friends and fellow Greenies!

2006-11-02T22:36:00.000-06:00

Researchers Project Collapse of Seafood Species.

That's right. If the downward trend continues, by 2050 there could be no seafood harvest from the ocean.

"The loss of biodiversity is reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants, and rebound from stresses such as over fishing and climate change"

"but [researchers] say it's not too late to change"

Tick tock goes the clock, and time is running out for us to save ourselves. Perhaps this new evidence will stress why the "Clean Air Act" - which essentially lays out a bunch of rules that the government might put in place maybe by 2010 is simply not good enough. We need to get our shit together NOW!

I finished reading Elizabeth May's How to Save the World in Your Spare Time the other day, and I recommend it to all. She has some brilliant advice on how to get yourself out there - I even used some of the tips on media and promotion with Theatre by the River this summer! But it is meant for the everyday environmentalist who wants to get active. It is brilliant! Here are some great quotes:

"If we don't change our course, we'll wind up where we are headed." - Chinese Proverb

"Why is it whenever we destroy something man made, it's called vandalism? And whenever we destroy something God made, it's called progress?" - former Democratic senator of Arkansas, Dale Bumpers.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction is obliged to stick to the possibilities." - Mark Twain

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." - Ghandi

"Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present generation without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs." - World Commission on Environment and Development

"Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences are second only to global nuclear war." - Consensus Statement, "our changing atmosphere: implications for global security", June 1988.

"No more TV until you clean up your planet!" Sierra Club of Canada T-Shirt, 1990's

Making the connection

2006-10-29T11:21:00.000-06:00

Suzy and Lem, 2 of the smartest clowns around, say that making the connection that our environment effects our health is just fantastic! They are very happy that this news has arrived right on the heels of the disclosure that all of that nasty carbon we've been pumping into our atmosphere is actually causing some pretty crazy things to be happening with our weather. Keep it up everyone! Thinking caps are very good things!

It seems that Canadians are making the connection that a contaminated environment hurts their health (Imagine!) More than 50% believe that the environment has already negatively impacted them.

With education being the first step to change, this is a good sign (well, not in the sense that more Canadians are getting sick ... but in the sense that fixing it will hopefully become a priority). Some very disturbing statistics. Scary!

In other news ....

We've welcomed a new friend into our home. Everyone, meet Hank. He loves to play, chew, cuddle and eat eat eat. Although Thales was a little moody for the first few days of his arrival (becoming more like a teenager everyday that one ...) he is very happy to have a new buddy.

Good ideas

2006-10-13T23:56:00.000-05:00

I find myself being in constant limbo: eternal optimism combined with sharp cynicism.

"I think all people are truly good at heart" ... fuck I hate people most of the time.

The world is going to hell in a handbag ... BUT, maybe not ...

Enter (Product) RED. Spearheaded by Bono, backed up by heavyweights like Spielberg, Oprah, Alycia Keys etc, the RED movement is using the power of the consumer to help buy Anti-retroviral medicine in Africa. I love campaigns like this, where everyday people who assume that they can't make a difference in the world, CAN. When you buy a RED product, you will be donating money to stop the spread of aids, and to help those living with aids to have quality lives. 40 cents a day buys the anti-retroviral drugs for a person. For 40 cents a day, you can save a life. Christmas is coming, people will inevitably buy stuff, why not give RED gifts? There's a whole price range of products, from T-Shirts at the GAP, to iPOD nano's from Apple, you can support the movement. The more consumers choose the RED products, the more brands will become RED.

I hate consumerism, but at least people can see the power of the consumer. Where and what you choose to buy, whether it's local, organic or RED, can make a difference.

Also, there's a new campaign by the government of Manitoba called Seeing Green in MB that outlines why Seeing Green is beneficial to our health, economy and way of life, as well as easy steps that everyone can take to be greener.

Today, eternal optimism wins!

The falling mercury

2006-10-11T18:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, as Mother Nature rang the "winter's coming!" bell, I thought about Pakistan. About how millions of people who lost their homes that day still live in camps. How they're bracing their tents for a bitterly cold winter much like ours. How they're dealing with the trauma. Most importantly - How lucky we are.

I also wanted to write about the upcoming civic election, which made me think about how disgustingly uninformed I am. I think that because I'm not originally from Winnipeg, I have a hard time getting involved. BUT, since I'm always the first to harp that young people need to be involved in the democratic process, I need to put my money (and time) where my mouth is. Today I used the lovely CBC search engine and I'd love to share some articles with you:

Nobody gets a free ride!

... And then I realized there wasn't much really going on, which is probably why I didn't really know anything, since there's nothing to really know. Sam Katz is talking about bringing in wireless Internet downtown, banning spray paint to make things look pretty. There are probably some really clever other candidates with some great ideas jumping up and down for attention, but since Sammy doesn't like showing up or, you know, actually trying to get elected (since it's probably in the bag anyway) the media doesn't really have much to cover.

So, if you have a mayoral candidate (or someone in your ward) that you think deserves my vote and some attention, let me know! If they have a blog or web pages send the link and I'll post them!

Karla's Wedding

2006-10-09T20:11:00.000-05:00

Karla and Allen

October 7, 2006

Who Killed the Electric Car?

2006-09-30T11:41:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just shake my head.

Watch the trailer for Who Killed the Electric Car?

It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles in the Arizona desert? WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? Chronicles the life and mysterious death of the GM EV1, examining its cultural and economic ripple effects and how they reverberated through the halls of government and big business. WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? is not just about the EV1. It's about how this allegory for failure reflected in today's oil prices and air quality can also be a shining symbol of society's potential to better itself and the world around it. While there's plenty of outrage for lost time, there's also time for renewal as technology is reborn in WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?

It makes me so mad to wonder where we could be today technology wise. The Winnipeg Free Press had an article today by Dallas Hansen titled Electric Cars Coming to a Driveway Near You that details the history of the electric car and how it seemed to disappear throughout history...

In regards to in GM's EV-1: "Charging required about eight hours, from a wall-mounted charger in the driver's garage - far more convenient, EV-1 drivers said, than regularly filling up at gas stations. Unfortunately for lessees, they did not own their vehicles. And when California's Air Resources Board quashed the ZEV mandate in 2001, GM moved to quash the cars themselves. After seizing hundreds of EV-1s from satisfied customers, the cars were transported to Arizona for crushing ... complete with a voice over from GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss shamelessly insisting that all recovered EV-1s would be completely reused and recycled." (A19)

But, there IS time for renewal. What do you think?

A culture of consumption

2006-09-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

How many earths would it take to support a world of people living your lifestyle? Find out!

Never before have I been so busy not being very busy at all - I like it! I've seen HEAD, a very ambitous new musical by SIR, finished a great book called The Way the Crow Flies by Ann Marie-MacDonald, went to the country to for a rocking great Stagette for Karla (and to visit family of course), my mom ran a half marathon!, I'm working almost 4 jobs, I'm trying to learn the names of almost 50 Intro: Performance students that I only see once a week!, I've had a at least one cup of tea everyday. I've also had the chance to start writing again, a frustrating but rewarding venture that I lost for a while during the craziness of the summer. Hopefully I've entered the stage of my early 20's titled "Mel starts to get it together" - I'm very happy at any rate.

For anyone who has lived/worked/played downtown, or for anyone who loves rocking accordian music, you have to listen to That's What Keeps the Rent Down Baby by Geoff Berner. Awesome.

What kind of pinatta is that?

Ranting

2006-09-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

Glad to see this article on the CBC. It is a big world after all ...

I was watching American television this AM and they were talking about Islam and the reaction to the Pope's speech on the 15th, which was criticized by Muslim's because it essentially implied that their faith is based on violence. He quoted a Byzantine emperor who said a command by Mohammed to spread his faith by the sword was "evil and inhuman." The fallout from the speech has, of course, been violent, with churches being burned and a nun allegedly being killed (that was still speculation this morning ....)

The conversation of the hosts was, of course, that protesters should not use violence when protesting a comment that Islam is violent - I defanitely agree with that. However, I was very disturbed when the conversation lead to a "where are the moderate leaders when this violence is happening? Why aren't they standing up and condeming this violence?" One of the hosts said that "if there were moderates they would be speaking out."

I take this to mean that she thinks that all Muslims are extremists. WHAT. There are MILLIONS of muslims around the world, and if they were all closet extremists, don't you think the world would be more crazy then it is? Plus, there are moderate Muslims wanting to speak out, but they have a very hard time finding their way onto American Talk-shows. I wonder why?

Well, that's my rant for the day. What a crazy world we live in.

moving on ... always forward

2006-09-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

Wow

And we've come to the end of season 1 of Theatre by the River. I'm not sure how I feel about that ... Here are some random sampling:

Relieved, exhausted, sad, post-show depression, EXCITEMENT, relief ... RELIEF. It was such a roller-coster this year. Such huge successes combined with giant internal problems that caused way too much stress to Matt and myself. But we learn, make some changes, and carry on. Moving on ... always forward.

I miss Dromio already ... he was a fun little guy. A great friend, went with the flow, such a quick thinker (so clever!), emotional, fun. Yeah, he will always be one of my favourite characters - a character that rifted off of the truest parts of myself if I do say so myself. Yes I'm emotional, known to cry on occassion, but I'm pretty low-maintanence and fun to hang out with, right?

But, change of topic!

I was very excited to open my paper this weekend to discover that the Fort Whyte Centre had given itself a make-over! It is now: ForteWhyte Alive Human. Nature. I defanitely want to go check it out, hopefully go for a day of canoe or kayaking, take a hike ... sweet sweet time off and fresh air - I love it! Hopefully this new face-lift will draw more young people to the centre to enjoy the simplicity and beauty of our prairie environment. I defanitely think they should BAN cell phones on any nature preserve.

And hummers on network television. I was watching CSI: Miami tonight (I know! Free time, it's so weird - and TV is so bad, but such a guilty pleasure. You're brain doesn't have to work at all, it's so relaxing! ... Wait, what does that say about the medium?). Anyway, if I have to see Horatio Cane zooming around in that damn Hummer one more time, I might scream. AH!!!!!

Last Weekend!

2006-09-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

THEATRE BY THE RIVER

presents Shakespeare's

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

This is your last chance to see this show! We're hoping to have over 1000 people see the show by closing night on Sunday, so do come (and tell your friends!)

Thursday - Sunday @ 7pm

Assiniboine Park, northwest corner

Stuff to do

2006-09-02T14:58:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

Elizabeth May, newly elected leader of the Green Party of Canada will be in Winnipeg on Sunday, September 3 from 11:20am til 12:25pm at the Winnipeg CN train station, 123 Main St, Wpg.

Elizabeth is travelling across Canada on Viarail and will conduct Whistle-stop rallys at any station where time and the train schedule permits.

You are invited! Please bring all Green Party members, green supporters and anyone else who would just like to meet our dynamic new leader and hear her inspirational view of a new, greener Canada.

Do come out if you can, Elizabeth is always a treat to listen to!

As for myself, aside from crazy Green rallys and Comedy of Errors, I'm trying to put together my fall schedule. I will be TA'ing 2 classes at the university, both of which were very last minute - but it's nice to be in demand for something at least (maybe I'll be a teacher after all ... *shudder*). In any case, I'll be working with the most eccentric Shelagh Carter, and the very lovely Hope MacIntyre. Alas, since I didn't actually apply to be a TA this year, I won't get to work with Ian again, but I am meeting with him next week. I'm hoping to help with Red Roots - they need to do another play!!

I will still be putting in a few shifts a week at the Y, as well as doing some community respite work. Once again, Mel is back to working 3 jobs.

Comedy is going very well, and our goal now is to have 1000 people see it by the end of the closing show on September 10th. Winnipeg has been very supportive in this venture (when we had to cancel Thursdays show due to rain, Matt and I waited at the site until 7:15, just in case. 11 people still showed up, rain gear in hand, ready to see the show despite the gale-force winds and imminent rain. Bless them!) After this show is done I'll have a bit of a break. I'm doing a reading of a one-woman show for FemFest which I'm very excited about, but no actual show planned until next summer. Weird, I've been doing shows one after the other for almost 2 straight years now, so this will be a very scary - but very necessary - break to get my feet back on the ground and figure out where to go next.

Post in summary: come out tomorrow to meet Elizabeth May, come to see Comedy of Errors, Mel has no prospect of full-time employment, but she's at peace with that and has more than enough to keep her busy this fall.

Until next time, think green, enjoy the dwindling days of summer, and smile!

Yay, it's May!

2006-08-28T20:25:00.000-05:00

By capturing 65.3% of the votes, Elizabeth May has become the next leader of the Green Party of Canada!

I am very excited, because I think that May has what it takes to get the Green Party focused and into the media, and thus into the minds of all Canadians. She has an amazing work ethic (has anyone read How to Save the World in Your Spare Time?) and the ability to raise the party from its traditional "one issue" brand.

From the mouth of May:

"We will have influence. We will exert power, but to be a majority government, as the mark of whether or not we're successful, is the wrong goal. It's not that it's unrealistic; it's the wrong goal because the issues are too pressing."

One more reason why the Greens are gaining momentum:

From Green politics sprouting roots in Alberta by Graham Thompson (Wpg Free Press, Sunday August 27th).

"One issue of growing concern to farmers involves coalbed methane, which is a technical term for natural gas found inside coal seams. Since 2002, energy companies in Alberta have been drilling deep holes into the coal to fracture the seams to free the gas, which is then brought to the surface.

In theory, the process is supposed to be clean, efficient and not allow any methane to seep into nearby water tables. In practice, some farmer discovered there was enough gas in the water tables that when they turned on the kitchen tap they could set the gas/water mixture on fire.

Hundreds of farmers have shown up at public meetings to discuss their concerns with officials from Alberta Environment, who maintain there is no proof linking the coalbed drilling to height concentrations of methane in the drinking water. If there's gas in the water, it got there through natural fractures in the coal, officials insist.

Farmers are incredulous. They point to contaminated wells, sick cattle, and the flame thrower in the kitchen sink."

So, here we go. The Greens have a strong leader to corral us into the next phase of politics. Where do we go from here? Can we make a difference? Of course, because everyone has the ability to foster change and to promote sustainability. With May at the wheel, I just hope that the message about how to do it, and why it is so critically important at this time in history, reaches as many people as possible.

Or maybe a water fountain that can sprout fire is what we all secretly want?

Comic Days

2006-08-25T22:51:00.000-05:00

Well, we're well into the Comedy run now, and I must say that I am very happy. We've had great croweds, publicity, and donations. Thank god, b/c it was such a labour of love to get it together (a labour that almost killed Matt and myself), so it's great to finally see some rewards.

Thank you to everyone who has come out to see the show, you rule!

Green convention is underway right now. Unfortunately I've been so busy with the show and working looong days, I haven't really been watching any of the footage or keeping up with the debates. This theatre business is SELFISH - it's all me me me all the time, no time for participating in the rest of the world. After the 10th of September, I will try to restore some balance in my life.

Reading The Way the Crow Flies presently. I've decided that I want to be just like Anne-Marie MacDonald when I grow up. Yep, that's my goal.

Still looking for volunteers for Comedy, let me know if you'd like to help out!

And we're off!

2006-08-18T11:19:00.000-05:00

We made it into the Free Press on August 17th! Also, Matt and I were on Breakfast Television this morning at 7:25am (had to be up at 5:30am. After these past few weeks getting this show together, my sleeping pattern is COMPLETELY screwed up). Hopefully we continue to attract a crowd!

Here's the article:

Shakespeare troupe opts for snappy debut Thu Aug 17 2006 By Kevin Prokosh

THE Comedy of Errors is believed to be William Shakespeare's first comedy, a knockabout bit of slapstick from the Bard's apprentice years. For a young band of twenty-something apprentice actors -- all University of Winnipeg recent graduates or current senior students -- starting out with one of the plays Shakespeare started out with seemed a perfect fit for its inaugural summer. Theatre by the River makes its official debut al fresco at 7 tonight with a performance of Shakespeare's shortest and snappiest play in Assiniboine Park.

"You can definitely see a young writer at work," says director Matthew TenBruggencate who also serves as co-artistic director of the fledgling troupe with partner Mel Marginet. "When he was starting out, the plays were still pretty basic. He was still doing the broad comedy that was bringing the crowds out then." Like many novice dramatists who find it easier to adapt an established work, Shakespeare borrowed the basic plot line for his farce from the Roman playwright Plautus' (254-184 BC) script Menaechmi. In turn, Stephen Sondheim fashioned A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from the same material, as did Rodgers and Hart with The Boys From Syracuse.

The theatrical fun centres around two sets of twin brothers who are separated at birth and 20 years later end up in the same town where their friends, family and lovers repeatedly mistake one for the other. The classic set-up sets the stage for some vintage comic gags that seem not to have gone out of style through the centuries of sitcoms. "I watched Road to Morocco, the Big Crosby-Bob Hope road movie, while I was reading the play and was struck by the similarities of the characters on a journey," says TenBruggencate, who graduated last spring from U of W's honours theatre program. "These two guys show up in this foreign town on the way home and encounter all this trouble. "So we set it in the 1920s with a vaudeville style. I found out that the Royal Shakespeare Company has also set it in the '20s. After seeing this idea had establishment approval, I felt more comfortable going ahead." Amidst the 90 minutes of tomfoolery, Shakespeare attempts to examine the serious idea of two selves made whole. TenBruggencate, 23, says he has created a central image in a scene where all the characters as well as pieces of the set are running in circles, never quite catching each other.

"So we set it in the 1920s with a vaudeville style. I found out that the Royal Shakespeare Company has also set it in the '20s. After seeing this idea had establishment approval, I felt more comfortable going ahead."

Amidst the 90 minutes of tomfoolery, Shakespeare attempts to examine the serious idea of two selves made whole. TenBruggencate, 23, says he has created a central image in a scene where all the characters as well as pieces of the set are running in circles, never quite catching each other. "It's like our lives, running in circles, trying to find ourselves," he says. With The Comedy of Errors, the 13 cast members are also trying to find themselves as full-time actors in this non-Equity production. They are creating their own work and while they are presenting a free show, they will be passing the hat for donations. Nobody is being paid. All the money will go to a future production, probably to be staged next summer. Although Theatre by the River bowed with the well-received kids' folk tale The Elfin Knight last month at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, the troupe purposely opted to perform a bawdy Bard laugher outdoors as an introductory presentation.

"We want to create accessible theatre," says Marginet, 23, who plays Dromio, the servant of Antipholus. "Performing in the park allows us to tap into an audience that normally wouldn't go. There's always a crowd when you do Shakespeare. We chose that location so the foot traffic going by will see a play going on and come and sit down."

The Comedy of Errors is performed on the northwest side of the footbridge in Assiniboine Park, Thursday through Sunday at 7 p.m. through Sept. 10. The audience can sit on the grass of a natural amphitheatre, so blankets and cushions are appropriate while lawn chairs are not.

Opening went great, over 50 people!! Wow! Hopefully we have a good sized crowed at our shows this weekend, as the forcast for next weekend is rain (but who can tell this far ahead anyway?!)

We had a bit of a snag when one of our set pieces wouldn't go into its socket, requiring some last minute (seriously, last minute as in mid-performance) blocking changes. But, c'est la vie!

If you'd like to volunteer to work the "door", please let me know!

Let the COMEDY Begin!

2006-08-11T23:17:00.000-05:00

Theatre by the River is pleased to present Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in Assiniboine Park!

Comedy will run August 17 - September 10, Thursday - Sunday evenings, at 7pm - Weather permitting! The show runs at approximately 90 minutes. Please feel free to bring blankets, pillows and anyting else to make yourself comfortable at our outdoor venue.

Comedy of Errors is FREE for all, but a donation to the company is suggested.

Please visit theatrebytheriver.com for more info!

The Kite Runner

2006-08-07T18:54:00.000-05:00

I just finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I loved it and definitely recommend it to all!!

"Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them."

This is definitely my reading recommendation for the month. I also just finished Home From the Vinyl Cafe, which is amazing (Stuart McLean is definitely a great Canadian storyteller). But you can't beat The Kite Runner, so go read it!!

Coming Soon:

You've got to be kidding me

2006-08-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

The national aired tonight aboard a ship in Canada's north, following several climate scientist. When the story was heading towards the "isn't it weird that all of this weird weather is happening at the same time? If arctic ice melts, there will be draught from BC to South America" direction, the story shifted in a really REALLY disturbing direction: If all of the arctic ice melts, there will be a short-cut to Asia! Therefore Canada needs to assert its sovereignty and claim these waters as their own.

You've got to be kidding me.

On that not, go to the ol' Hummer web-site to check-out their intelligent advertising. My favourite is Tofu, where 2 guys are at the check-out counter, one purchasing health food (they had to do a close-up of the tofu being scanned). Right behind him is a guy buying some manly meat (big racks of ribs). Guy #1 is clearly embarrassed by his obvious lack of manhood when he spots a Hummer magazine on the counter. He zooms out of the store to the nearest dealership to purchase the solution to all of his problems: The Hummer. As he drives off chewing on a carrot, the tag like RESTORE THE BALANCE flashes across the screen. They even advertise the 20 MPG and the fact that they start at $30, 000! Wow! Yep, restore that balance. I think their next commercial should deal with the fact that you could save thousands of African children from disease for the price of 1 hummer. Restore the balance and be proud of yourself you giant asshole.

As one blogger, commenting on the same commercial, said - "when you're the bottom of the barrel, all you can do is scrape the garbage." So, if you're working in advertising at GM, make sure you take a lot of showers because you smell like rotten eggs.

Winding down

2006-07-28T08:55:00.000-05:00

The Fringe is winding down, I'm into my last few shows, and the craziness is about to subside. It's been a crazy few days for sure!

Best of Fest was announced and Wallflowers tied for second place, but they gave it to King Cans b/c we have an 8 show run, and they have 7. That's understandable, however our houses have been steadily growing, while theirs have been shrinking (bad reviews apparently). But, that's OK, now at least I'll have a last minute chance to see some shows that I haven't had the opportunity to.

I haven't seen a single stinker this Fringe. Some shows have been better than others, defanitely more inspired, but nothing where I check my watch a million times wondering when the torture will end. I saw a great little show last night, Every time I see your Picture I Cry. Daniel Borrowman used an overhead projector to illustrate his story, it was so amazing. A very sad story of isolation, though, which was only helped by the fact that we only hear his voice. I also saw: JC, IS ; Teaching Shakespeare, La Dispute, Candy from a Baby, Flemenco Con Fusion 2, The Complete word of God, Abridged; Canned Hamlet, Ease, Bliss ... I think that's all for now. A few more to go, though!

My biggest beef with the Fringe: I think we're becoming too much like Edmonton. Re: You need to have a big show, with big reviews (and big laughs) in order to attract an audience. Anyone else feel this way? I know of so many people who went up to Primrose to say how "brave" she was to bring Wallflowers, which is so dark, to the Fringe. Where else could that show be produced? Isn't the fringe supposed to be about taking risks? I saw so many great, different shows this fringe with a small audience, that I hope they don't begin to get lost entirely. I hope that the Fringe won't become to catored for the audience, that it'll still be about pushing the mainstream, an opportunity for audiences to see something that they'd never see on the mainstage.

Alas, we found out yesterday that we will not be heading to Ontario after all. But I'm still so proud of Matthew - those Stratford people don't know what they're missing! It would have been nice to get out of this city for a bit, but we still have a lot of projects to do here, so I'm sure we won't be bored!

Finally, I received my Green Party membership card. I also got a form to sign up somebody new, so if you've ever wondered what the Green Party was actually about, go to their web-site and see. If you would like to become a member, let me know!!

Bigger things

2006-07-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

And it begins, another year of Fringing. Both Ducks and Wallflowers opened yesterday ... and they went off withoug a hitch. Well, that's a lie, there were little bobbles, but when you only get 2.75 hours to load in your set, set light levels and specials, run a Q-Q, dress rehearsal (if you're super lucky) and load out, a few bobbles on opening night are par for the course.

Seriously, it was a great day. We had a great crowd for Ducks, which suprised me. I've been weary coming into this Kid's show thing - "do people actually go to shows between noon and 3 in the afternoon?" We opened at 1:45, and the answer is yes!

Wallflowers, which had me up all night with dread of a possible failure on my part, felt amazing. I think we must have reached that point where we REALLY needed an audience. I'm not kidding when I say I was worried about it - I was WORRIED about it. Plus Prokosh predicted on the first day of the Fringe that we'd get Best of Fest, which is great, but talk about adding a little more pressure to the pile! Thankfully there were only about 30'ish people there, which is a good crowed and not as scary for an opening night. I'm not sure this play will get the Best of Fest. Yes, Primrose has won in 3 times before, but with much lighter shows. Last years Fat Tuesday was a comedy about an uptight girl heading off to Mardi Gras and discovering the liberation of beads, flashing, and cutting loose. Wallflowers deals with the complex issues around date rape. Flashing vs. date rape, very different genres. But it is a great show and I do hope that we get generous houses. I love that both shows I'm doing this year have such positive messages, that they actually mean something. It's a great thing. Plus I saw Brent's one-man, which was awesome (so proud of you Brent!) And I had my first evening of beer-tenting. It was a great day all around.

But I've felt like such an ass being so involved in Fringe prep and it's all consuming ways, while this horrible outbreak has started in the middle east. I mean, really, do reviews matter when people are suffering in Lebanon. I can't really take a side exactly in this one, although I'm most sympathetic to the Lebanese. Yes Israel has the right to defend itself, but they were clearly looking for the first opportunity they had to exert themselves as a military power over Hezbollah. I'm not going to pretend to be super knowledgeable about politics in the middle-east, but my feeling is that Israel will not get what it wants from this fight. They're just giving another generation of Lebanese and Palestinian children a reason to hate them, and they will reap what they sow. Yes, they will probably weaken Hezbollah for now, but by fostering hate they're fertilizing the soil for the next crop (I'm bad with metaphores). My conclusion: Israel has the right to defend itself, they have suffered greatly for generations. Should they not, then, by sympathetic to others who are suffering? Was there no other way to avoid this use of military force? Will they get what they want? Do they even know what they want?

We live in confusing times, with many shades of grey. I am going to enjoy this year's fringe, but my mind will always be putting things into perspective. Everyone involved in this year's Fringe has put in hours upon hours of work, and we deserve to enjoy ourselves, read reviews, see too many shows, drink too many beers. But in the grand scheme, it doesn't really matter. A bad review, a good show, it's all relative. We need to enjoy it, but know that we have a bigger purpose in this world, and bigger things to do with our lives.

The ol' Fringe Pimp

2006-07-15T17:31:00.000-05:00

And the day has finally come for me to post all of my show information for this year's Fringe. As previously mentioned, a crazy series of events led to me being involved in both of Primrose Madayag Knazan's shows this year. It's been lots of crazy fun (well, not everything leading up to it;) but now I'm happy to be where I am), and I hope that you all can come out and enjoy the festival! Click on The Fringe! link on the right, under the Arts section for more info on the festival. Here's what you've been waiting for:

_________________________________

Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans at Venue 3: Playhouse Studio

Directed by Elena Anciro

All ages welcome (Best suited 7-13)

"A new version of the Ugly Duckling ... Because sometimes a Duck is just a Duck."

Thurs, July 20 1:45pm

Fri, July 21 7:30pm

Sat, July 22 Noon

Mon, July 24 3:30pm

Tues, July 25 2:00pm

Wed, July 26 7:30 pm

Thurs, July 27 1:00pm

Sat, July 29 2:15pm

________________________________

Wallflowers and Wildflowers at Venue 5: Son of the Warehouse

Under 14 not admitted

"Two girls meet through a bathroom door. One has been raped. The other must save her."

Thurs, July 20 5:00 pm

Fri, July 21 11:45 pm

Sat, July 22 3:15 pm

Sun, July 23 8:45 pm

Wed, July 26 Noon

Thurs, July 27 9:45 pm

Fri, July 28 1:30 pm

Sat, July 29 Noon

____________________

Come on out and enjoy some theatre around Old Market Square!

A weekend in Bruxelles

2006-07-11T22:40:00.000-05:00

Karla and Allen - notice how their outfits match ... I don't think they planned that. Creepy.

Toilet paper brides! A great way to make often deadly boring showers more bearable.

Amanda and her husband Terence - They survived the first year of marriage, which is supposed to be the brutal test. And they're still smiling!

My Ginger. He's 18 years old, I got him when I was five. He's deaf and almost blind, but all the dogs in town are still scared of him.

Gypsy, the adopted town dog (random dogs will just show up in town, people will just drop them off if they don't want them anymore. Cruel jerks!) But what a purty evening. My mom is training for the half marathon with Kim, Amanda's mom, so I joined them for a run Friday night. So good to run outside and not breath exhaust fumes.

Amanda and I at the social - good times!

Ok, I've had my fun sharing pictures, I promise! Back to my usual bitching, nagging blogs in the future.

Gone digital

2006-07-10T21:26:00.000-05:00

Matt got a digital camera from his parents for grad, and you can see that I'm having all kinds of fun with it. Coming soon ... pictures from a crazy country wedding social and shower (ever seen a toilet paper bride?)

Art on the Riverbed, The Quiffs rocking out in Osborne on Canada Day, yawning Thales, Pretty flowers!, Matt!, me working late (as usual) on the endless paperwork for Theatre by the River.

The Fringe is rapidly approaching! I'm excited/nervous/exhausted and can't wait for it to be here (although I'm going to be soaking up every minute left to rehearse!)

I'm off to pick up Matt from the airport. He got a call-back for Stratford and was flown out to Toronto! It's exciting! Maybe we'll be living in Ontario next year ...

How do you knock people out of their Complacency?

2006-07-01T12:07:00.000-05:00

This is a question Matt and I were wrestling with after supper with my family. Long story short:

My sister, Laura, was supposed to move today, July 1st, but Matt got a call yesterday at work because Winpark (who owns the apartment) had arranged for someone to be in her place yesterday, and if she wasn't out by 4:30 they were going to charge her an extra month's rent, and they couldn't get a hold of her anywhere. Matt called me at work to see if I knew where she was, then he ran home during his break to call my parents in the country to see if Laura was out there. I ran home when I was done work to find out what the deal was. In the end, we ended up moving her stuff into a vacant apartment down the hall, she stayed with my parents in a hotel, and they're moving her into her new place today. Conclusion: Winpark sucks b/c she's been a good tenant for 3 years and they were just going to boot her out, there's great people in this building who helped with the move, and Matt and I are EXHAUSTED after hauling all of our set pieces, costumes, etc. from the fundraiser Thursday, and then moving her on Friday after almost no sleep. Today will be a relaxing day if I have to lock myself in my room and read for 10 hours straight! Here's where things with my family started to irritate me:

My father and sister believe that climate change is not happening - they're on the "it's a warm cycle" bandwagon. I tried to bring up things like measuring the carbon in the ice, which is data that we can measure, not from the last hundred years, but from the last thousands of years. I tried to talk about the Alberta tar sands, and how 17% of Canada's increase in emissions is due to the tar sands. Nothing.

The parts that really got me were when my dad said that "there's nothing we can do about it." To tell an environmentalist that you shouldn't bother doing anything about the environment is like telling a Christian that evil can't be defeated so you should just bunker down and wait for the inevitable. And then Laura said "Mel, you just don't understand how things work."

Needless to say, I was pretty furious. Being dismissed is one thing, but to be dismissed by your own family is an entirely different matter. If this was the first time it had happened it'd be one thing, but every time I go out to visit them I come home agitated and annoyed by their complacency. Annoyed by the pat on the head I get, the "you'll think differently when you're our age." Just annoyed.

My sister called me after and suggested that I just keep my opinions to myself to avoid an argument. I said that the whole point of why I say something is because to me it's the complacency of the upper-middle class who fail to see that their actions and choices have consequences. Laura's response: "Well, all you do is cause an argument and you know that it just upsets mom." I think that's blackmail, anyone agree?

Here's my beef: Everything is always about money. I don't think that the general population will do anything without a tax break or some monetary gain. When we drove past the construction site of the new Hydro building I said "that's going to be the most energy efficient building in the world" and my dad responded "how much is it going to cost to be so environmentally friendly?" Well, if that's the way things are, let's tax the life and blood out of big oil. Did you know that for every barrel of oil that comes out of the tar sands, 6 barrels of water and used? 2 million barrels of oil are extracted every day (you can see the mine from space). Did you know that the oil companies don't pay for that water? Did you know that billions of dollars worth of subsidies are paid to oil companies by the federal government. The biggest companies in the world who are selling the most profitable, most in demand product are receiving the biggest subsidies. Fine. The Conservatives have proven they don't give a crap about the environment, but they have shown that they care a lot about money - They could make a lot of it here to say the least.

What did I learn? We have a LONG way to go and the environment is going to be bled a lot drier before the cycle changes (I would say IF the cycle changes, but we can't think that way.) It is too scary for most people to see the link between climate change, air pollution, disease, obesity, and the toxic environment that we are creating because of, quite frankly, laziness.

I can accept that I will probably always be the black sheep of my family. I asked Matt why it was so hard to make people see out of the bubble that is their lives, and his response was "Mel, being selfless and caring is counter-culture. You are very counter-culture."

I think I will always feel like I'm going against the current. I say, it's a good thing that I'm a damn good swimmer! My Matt quote of the day:

"The world is a great big masterbating beast."

On that note: Happy Birthday Canada! May you save yourself from imminent doom. I know I'll do everything to help, anyone with me, or are you just too busy?

Drawing a Blank

2006-06-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

I think I've reached my mental limit. I had my first official breakdown yesterday, so you could say I'm defanitely feeling the pressure! AH!

What is scary now is that I'm having moments while acting of complete blankness. For example, during my Theatre Projects audition, while in the midst of a monologue I'd been working on almost everyday for a month ... suddenly nothing. Couldn't even flub my way through a dropped line. I totally just stared into space for what seemed like 5 minutes (probably 5 seconds - 5 excrutiating seconds!) Of course I recoverd and carried on and my second piece went better than usual, but still - BLANK! This has also been happening while working on my plays - On Wallflowers I'll just jump ahead 5 pages, it's freaky. So, when rehearsing for Stratford on Monday and I drew a complete blank in one of my monologues I just lost it. I'm freaked that I'll blow this audition, because I've worked so hard. But that's the thing, I've been working so hard on EVERYTHING and it seems like I am barely keeping it all together ... Now I'm ranting. It's just freaky, mostly because Alzheimers runs in my family, so when I have memory loss I do worry probably more than I have to.

Ok, now that I'm done the rant, it's time to pimp Comedy of Errors - Comedy 101. We decided not to present the whole play on Thursday - both to save some highlights for the official run in August, and also because some scenes are weaker than others, and we don't want to show anything below par. So, come out and support Theatre by the River and see an interesting interpretation of The Comedy of Errors on Thursday, and enjoy some tasty treats courtesy of the cast as well! (Show details in post titled Measure some Comedy!)

2 fun things to do on Friday:

SubCity Dwellers Tour 2006 Kick off! at Shannon's Irish Pub, from 10pm - 2am. Bring your Pub membership card to get in the door!

La La LA Dispute Fundraiser upstairs at the King's Head. $6 and there is a silent auction as well. La Dispute is the UofW Fringe show that will be at the Warehouse this summer!

I'm not sure what I'll do - support my friend's band or Fringe show ... maybe I'll just stay home and sleep, and desperately try to increase my momory space.

Save the World in Your Spare Time!

2006-06-21T22:13:00.000-05:00

Went to listen to Elizabeth May speak yesterday. She's a lawyer, activist, recipient of many awards, including the International Conservation Award, United Nations Global 500 Award, 2002 Harkin Award from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. She's the former, I believe, Executive Director of The Sierra Club of Canada, because she is now running for leadership of the Green Party, and I don't think that you can't be on boards and stuff, b/c that's apparently against the rules. Oh, politics.

I must say that it was a great event hosted by Manitoba Wildlands. She is a very engaging speaker and I believe that she will be able to bring the Green Party to the next level of government (mainly, not just being on the radar, but stirring the pot! I'm rooting for her to be part of the next debate, because her style will defanitely throw off the other suites fishing for sound bites to say the least). Her strength is that she is extremely knowledgable in not just facts about the environment, but also poicy, as she has been at almost all of the major environmental conferences around the world. This first-hand experience enables her to connect to the public and to explain in plain language why "Someday is now!" and that "Global Security" means more than defeating terrorists.

I did finally put my money where my mouth is and bought a membership to the party. If you've ever voted Green or are thinking about supporting the party, I defanitely encourage it. And buy those memberships right away, because you have to be a member by the 29th of June to vote for the next leader (guess who has my vote!) All you have to do is go to Ms. May's page, and click on the big green button!

Right now I think the Greens have a long way to go, as they're still pretty unorganized. But I believe as they gather members and support, they will inevitably get all they're eggs in one basket and be able to make a run and getting some seats in parliment. To me, it seems they party is at a cross-roads, trying to show that it's more than a bunch of one-issue hippies. Of course, this is the same problem the liberals are having trying to convince the country that they're not all elitist, wealthy business people. So, I've decided to stick with the party and vote for Elizabeth May!

A Message from Thailand

2006-06-20T18:16:00.000-05:00

My roommate last year, Nichole Huck, has been in Thailand this past winter. She is a journalist who just graduated from the University of Regina. She's worked for the CBC in the past, and now she is doing some freelance stories for them on her experience working with street children in Thailand. She was interviewed on CBC Saskatchewan morning news a few days ago. Click on the link to hear her interview! http://www.cbc.ca/morningedition/. What I loved about the interview was that so much of what she is learning across the ocean is applicable here. For example, giving money to these young children on the streets is not a good idea, as it encourages more parents to send their children out begging, exposing them to a greater risk for pediphiles and violence. BUT, tourists should instead support local agencies that are helping these children to get off of the streets and to get an education. A great organization here in Winnipeg is RAY (resource assistance for youth - their link is on the right).

I'm so proud of Nichole, she's such an amazing person. She's finishing a documentary now, and hopefully I can get my paws on it in the future and somehow find a way to upload it to my blog (all of my computer savy friends, send me your knowledge!)

I decided that I had to share some of her pictures as well, because they're spectacular!

Jazz Fest etc.

2006-06-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

Went to check out some Cool Jazz at Old Market Square this evening at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival. Defanitely go check it out! Alas, I once again missed my bud Alain's band, The Subcity Dwellers, last night in the square because of rehearsal, but I heard them from the car when we were driving Theresa home. If you like some wicked ska, check out their link on the right - you won't regret taking in a show!

I feel I've been totally selfish for these past few weeks. I've been so busy working on my own projects that I'm not really up to speed on what's going on in the world. Not that this blog is an every few days leftist rant on the world, but I take pride in the fact that it's not just a "look into my neat life". But, sadly, that's all I gots for now folks. Oh! Except I did see the live interview with G.W. Bush after his suprise visit to the President of Iraq. All I can say is that Bush is one pompus ass. "I went there to look him in the eye and to see if he has what it takes." And you do? Holy mother of god.

I'm in the midst of some intense rehearsals. We're doing our first stumble through of Wallflowers Sunday, another run of Ugly Ducks, Matt and I have had 2 sessions with David Warburton to work on our 3 Stratford pieces, Theatre Projects audition coming up, Comedy of Errors fundraising show approaching RAPIDLY, and there is one giant ASS HOLE that I have to work with every day that is driving me crazy!!! I finally went to the Doctor today to see if I actually have broncitis because I've been hacking up a lung for 2 weeks now, but I think I just have some intense stress that's crushing my chest. Well, at least it's just stress, much cheaper than prescription medication. SIGH.

On the way home from Jazz Fest tonight there were about 6 cop cars around our building. Turns out some guy who's on the run from the cops barricaded himself in an appartment on the 1st floor. Nutso. If anyone sees anything on the news about what the heck is going on in my building, let me know. Do you think we can oppose a raise in rent due to a police standoff in the building? Shouldn't our rent go down? I think it's only fair!

Well, time for bed b/c I'm playing 4 ball games tomorrow. I'm going to be one stiff cookie on Sunday since I haven't played AT ALL this year. Ugh, this is not going to be good.

Peace out folks! And no worries to my friends out there who have faced the rejection reality at the end of this audition season. It was so funny, as Matt and I were chatting with David after our last meeting we mentioned CofE, and David was like "who's putting that on?" and I said "Well, Matt and I started a company this year to do it" and he's like "Wow, there's companies popping up all over the place, I wonder why?" It's so funny how working actors forget how bloody HARD it is to secure professional work when you're a young gun. I was thinking "Well, since only about 2 actors in our age range will get professional work next year, we kind of have to produce our own stuff or we won't work at all." Oh, the real world, how it smites us.

Measure some Comedy!

2006-06-09T16:18:00.000-05:00

Upcoming show information!

Matthew is playing several character roles in Tom-Tom Theatre's Production of Shakspeare's Measure for Measure, directed by Ross McMillan. Go out and see it! Here're the facts:

When: June 9 - 18th. 8pm nightly, Sundays at 2:00, No Show Monday

Where: Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. Crocus Building, 211 Bannatyne Ave

Cost: $12 / $10 students, seniors, underemployed.

Why: Because Shakespeare's the man! And you gotta do your own shows and not wait by the phone for someone to hire you (You might wait for a looooong time).

Now, if you do go to see Measure for Measure, keep your ticket stub because ....

Theatre by the River is presenting Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in a "one-night-only" fundraising production. This performance will be a bit of a workshop, as it will be blocked and off-book, but not as polished as it will be when it is presented this summer in Assiniboine Park. Therefore we welcome any feedback! What works, is confusing, awesome, interesting, weird: any and all of the above! The facts:

When: June 29th at 8pm.

Where: Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers (see above).

Cost: $10, $8 if you bring your stub from Measure for Measure!

Why: Raise money for Theatre by the River, to cover production costs.

If you're interested in catching some Shakespeare, you know where to find it! Spread the word!

Class of 2006

2006-06-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

Writing this bit from a computer in the library:

Just arrived at the school for graduation. First thing I noticed is that all of the girls have really nice black heels. It said that black shoes are "recommended" - I didn't take that seriously. It's hot and humid outside, so I went comfort all the way. Got my nice green and white striped socks and brown sneaks. But, I must say that I look quite put together with the ol' cap and gown.

It's always at these formal occassions where I realize that my idea of getting dressed up is drastically different than everyone elses. So I'm left thinking "well, at least I'm unique, just being myself" while the little voice in my head that reads the covers and first few pages of fashion magazines in the check-out lines goes "who in their right minds would want to be you? You're a dork."

Ah, well, whatever. Time to go line up and to remain in that position for the next 3 hours. Stay tuned!

Writing this bit from the comfort of home:

That was the longest f'ing thing ever. 8 pages of names, holy crap. I must say that, although I was quite casual about graduating, the meaning of the day didn't hit me until the grads started filing into the Duckworth, which was PACKED, and everyone started clapping. It was amazing! I got a little tear in my eye . . .

In short, the ceremony was too long, the gowns were polyester and didn't breath, but my partents were right there after I got my diploma, as well as Patti who gave me a big hug! So, it was totally worth it. Branigans after was great, as well as the par-tay at the King's Head!

Congratulations to everyone who graduated! We did it! We survived! All the papers, assignments, scenes, productions, exams ... it's all over. AH!

Now, into the world!

A perfect SUMMER night!

2006-06-03T23:17:00.000-05:00

"O nature!"

Bloody Brilliant! I want to send a big GO SEE IT to everyone for SIR's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory. Amazing script (oh Shakespeare, do you ever disappoint?), great actors, beautiful setting, and some clever direction make this a definite hot ticket. Therefore, get your tickets now, as they're selling like hot cakes!

To celebrate the fan-tabulous weather today, I decided to go plant shopping and get my patio all summered out. Now I just need some chairs so we can sit and enjoy it! Our last chair just disappeared one night ... that's a little disturbing since we're on the second floor. Hm...

Graduating tomorrow! I look forward to signing my name: Mel Marginet, BAH.

Isn't it inconvenient

2006-06-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited that this film is finally out! I hope that lots of people go out and see it, because that would definitely send a message to the world's governments that the environment is at the top of the priority list of many people. Roger Ebert wrote: "The director, Davis Guggenheim, uses words, images and Gore's concise litany of facts to build a film that is fascinating and relentless. In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to."

It is so true that so many people view climate change as being "terrible" but they make no effort in their everyday lives to make a difference because it's too inconvenient. For example, this past weekend a group of cyclists in the city staged another weekly demonstration along the downtown streets. They get together during Friday rush-hours and cycle as a group to promote alternative transportation as being both good for the environmental, as well as for health. Police asked the group to disband because they were holding up traffic, and when the group refused some members were arrested (there's a whole side claiming police brutality, bnothingg's beconfirmedend yet). Anyway, in the Free Press the next day, this guy wrote in that having these "yahoos" on the streets "slowing traffic" was annoying and they should just take their protests elsewhere. I recycled that paper, but I wish I had kept that letter to the editor, because it was a perfect example of why everyone needs to see films like An Inconvenient Truth, because the cyclists in the demonstration were not thinking of themselves, they were not out to ruin the lives of all of those driving around them - they were out to spread the word on an alternative choice for commuters that will help the environment as well as thewaistlinenes. Yes, stopping the mass abuse that we are causing the planet will probably cost a lot of money, but I think that making a buck destroying the planet is completely unacceptable. I would like my little cousin to grow up to be my age and still be able to go up north to see the polar bears, but if momentum keeps swinging against the environment like it is, that just won't happen. It's so sad, BUT PREVENTABLE!

Today was beautiful! I love summer! It was a bummer having to work, but as soon as I got off I went down to the village to get my hair cut and do some window shopping. I went home and made some pizza and knew that I had to get working on my audition pieces for Stratford, but I couldn't stay in side, so I decided to go to the library to hunt down some Arden Shakespeare's. To my suprise, the library closes early on Fridays (people don't go to the library on Fridays? What!?) But I had a nice walk, and then got down to some work. Matt and I met with David Warburton on Thursday to go over our audition pieces for Stratford. He's so hilarious, and a very generous fellow! Next week: Offbook for Wallflowers and Wildflowers, Offbook for Ugly Ducks, present 3 pieces to David Warburton, work on 2 songs that I have to sing in front of people on the 15th! This weekend: work, go see A Midsummer Night's Dream, GRADUATE! Busy busy!

I'm very glad to be busy though, I'm very fortunate! But hopefully I'll have time to head over to the theatre to see An Inconvenient Truth! If you're looking for something to do Sunday night, it's the grad party for the theatre grads at the King's Head. Woot!

Can you say Control Freak?

2006-05-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

It seems Stephen Harper's desperate need to control EVERYTHING in government doesn't just extend to what questions the press can ask him, but also what members of his cabinet can comment on. Apparently he placed a gag order on all of his MPs in regards to the upcoming marriage of two gay Canadian mounties. Mr. Harper needs to learn how to take criticism an itsy bit better now that he's in power, because he is making policy and budget announcements that leave much to be criticised! He needs to realize that he is no longer representing the Conservatives, but also the entire, diverse country. Also, what kind of message does he send by gagging his MPs? "You can't be trusted to think and speak at the same time, but sure, you can be a part of our party and help to govern the country!" Good gravy, that's pathetic!

I'm beginning to feel the crunch of the many projects I have on the go now. Comedy of Errors, Ugly Ducks, Wallflowers and Wildflowers, plus prepping for Stratford (and my good ol' regular job to pay the bills) are leaving my brain with little room to process information. No more words! I can't take anymore! AH!

Bravo to the cast of Assasins who pulled together a Stephen Sondheim musical in record time (2 weeks!) And I liked it, which says a lot because I usually HATE musicals. I go if I know people in the cast, and don't take it personally if I don't like the show, it's not your fault! I'm just not a "let's express our feelings through song and dance" kind of gal. But Assasins was twisted and funny enough to keep me from wanting to go to the bathroom and not come back. Accoustics in the MTYP theatre are a bit of a nightmare, but other than that, great!! Looking forward to Midsummer next weekend!

Democracy, books, and the cost of tickets

2006-05-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

I just received notice of a petition that addresses the unfairness in the Torie budget in regards to parents who choose to put their kids in organized sports receiving a tax break, while no such tax break supports parents who choose to put their kids in the arts. If you click on the link below, you can read and sign an online petition to the federal government requesting that it reconsider its budget provision giving a tax break to parents who put their children in organized sports (hockey, soccer), but giving nothing to parents who choose to develop their children's intellectual and artistic talents (art, music, dance, drama). I feel that both are equally important, and I hope that you agree! I'd have put a cool "link" in this post, but blogger seems to be doing some weird stuff with my links lately (mainly deleting everything in my post around the link - yeah, that's never good). So, here's the address. Cut and paste it into your browser and TA DA, it's like magic! http://www.petitiononline.com/dbs201bl/petition.html

Who read about the whole OlyWest council vote today in the Free Press? For those who don't know, OlyWest wants to build a massive slaugher house (ah hem, I mean "processing plant") here in Winnipeg, between St. Boniface and Transcona. The city approved the plant without ever counsulting with home owners in the area. This lack of a voice, needless to say, massively pissed off home and business owners in the area, as the stench will not only diminish their quality of life, but also lower their property values. Also, waste from the plant threatens the water supply.

Yesterday was the vote. Protesters showed up early with plenty to say, but were "out-manouvered for seats in the gallery" wrote the Free Press' Gordon Sinclair. "It was a scene that reeked of symbolism. They arrived early, the 150 or so homeowners and business operators who represented the people who stand to be most affected by the 9, 000 pigs that would be trucked to the St. Boniface Industrial Park every day ... Somehow 'the winners' had managed to all but monopolize the gallery, proudly wearing their crisp white OlyWest aprons like placards until they were asked to remove them. 'The losers', meanwhile, were literally left on the outside lookin in, sperarated by glass and huge brass bars" (A5). Are we still in Canada? Do we still have a democracy that stands up for THE PEOPLE? I very much agree that it seems that Mayor Sam Katz is "open for business."

I'm in the middle of rereading Fall On Your Knees by Anne Marie MacDonald (the same woman who penned Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)). I very much recommend this book to everyone. It's a page turner set on the east coast in the early 1900's. It takes place over 3 generations through the lives of the remarkable Piper girls.

I need to find something new to read. I'm on the waiting list at the library for The Kite Runner, Night, and Shake Hands with the Devil, but I'm not sure when I'll get my hands on them. I am constantly reading plays, which I love, but everyone needs a good novel to keep them going. If you have any "must read" recommendations, pass them on! Did you know that in Sweden, 80% of the people use the public library, while in Canada only 40% do? Break out those library cards everyone!

Tomorrow Matt and I are off to see Derek in Dry Cold's production of Assasins. Regular tickets are $25! What is up with that? Well, student price is $15, but still! A disturbing trend, as I also paid $25 each for A Midsummer Nights Dream. Not that I don't think both shows are worth it (dude, I bought the tickets). I just think it's getting a little pricey to go see theatre in this town. At least the Fringe is coming up soon! Tons of shows for less than $8 per ticket! That's what I like to see!

Sharing the speech

2006-05-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

James had a transcript of Stephen Colbert's speech at the presidential correspondents' dinner on his blog, and I totally had to paste it here to share. It's bloody brilliant, and I hope everyone can spare a few minutes to read it!

May 1st - Stephen Colbert's speech where he confronted the American elite, including the President and media, over their chronic ignorance and irresponsibility.

Wow, wow, what an honor. The White House Correspondents' Dinner. To just sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what, I'm a pretty sound sleeper, that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.

Is he really not here tonight? The one guy who could have helped.

By the way, before I get started, if anybody needs anything at their tables, speak slowly and clearly into your table numbers and somebody from the NSA will be right over with a cocktail.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press corps, Mr. President and first lady, my name is Stephen Colbert and it's my privilege tonight to celebrate our president. He's not so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the "fact-inista." We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut. Do you know you have more nerve endings in your gut than you have in your head? You can look it up. I know some of you are going to say "I did look it up," and that's not true. That's because you looked it up in a book. Next time look it up in your gut. I did. My gut tells me that's how our nervous system works.

Every night on my show, "The Colbert Report," I speak straight from the gut, OK? I give people the truth, unfiltered by rational argument. I call it the no-fact zone. Fox News, I own the copyright on that term.

I'm a simple man with a simple mind, with a simple set of beliefs that I live by.

Number one, I believe in America. I believe it exists. My gut tells me I live there. I feel that it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and I strongly believe it has 50 states. And I cannot wait to see how the Washington Post spins that one tomorrow.

I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq.

I believe in pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. I believe it is possible -- I saw this guy do it once in Cirque du Soleil. It was magical.

And though I am a committed Christian, I believe everyone has the right to their own religion, be it Hindu, Jewish or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's yogurt. But I refuse to believe it's not butter. Most of all I believe in this president. Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32 percent approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in "reality." And reality has a well-known liberal bias.

So, Mr. President, pay no attention to the people that say the glass is half full. Pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half empty, because 32 percent means it's 2/3 empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash.

Folks, my point is that I don't believe this is a low point in this presidency. I believe it is just a lull, before a comeback. I mean, it's like the movie "Rocky." The president is Rocky and Apollo Creed is everything else in the world. It's the 10th round. He's bloodied, his corner man [is] Mick, who in this case would be the vice president, and he's yelling "Cut me, Dick, cut me," and every time he falls she says stay down! Does he stay down? No. Like Rocky, he gets back up and in the end he -- actually loses in the first movie. OK. It doesn't matter. The point is the heart-warming story of a man who was repeatedly punched in the face.

So don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68 percent of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68 percent approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't.

I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.

Now, there may be an energy crisis. This president has a very forward-thinking energy policy. Why do you think he's down on the ranch cutting that brush all the time? He's trying to create an alternative energy source. By 2008 we will have a mesquite-powered car.

And I just like the guy. He's a good joe. Obviously loves his wife, calls her his better half. And polls show America agrees. She's a true lady and a wonderful woman. But I just have one beef, ma'am. I'm sorry, but this reading initiative. I've never been a fan of books. I don't trust them. They're all fact, no heart. I mean, they're elitists telling us what is or isn't true, what did or didn't happen. What's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal was built in 1914. If I want to say it was built in 1941, that's my right as an American. I'm with the president, let history decide what did or did not happen.

The greatest thing about this man is he's steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday, no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change, this man's beliefs never will.

And as excited as I am to be here with the president, I am appalled to be surrounded by the liberal media that is destroying America, with the exception of Fox News. Fox News gives you both sides of every story -- the President's side and the vice president's side. But the rest of you, what are you thinking, reporting on NSA wiretapping or secret prisons in Eastern Europe? Those things are secret for a very important reason -- they're super depressing. And if that's your goal, well, misery accomplished.

Over the last five years you people were so good over tax cuts, WMD intelligence, the effect of global warming. We Americans didn't want to know, and you had the courtesy not to try to find out. Those were good times, as far as we knew.

But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works. The president makes decisions, he's the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell check and go home.

Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know, fiction.

Computer's Back!

2006-05-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Viruses defeated!

Brent, I'll get on going through your scripts when I get home tonight, promise! KinKar Raffle for TBTR has begun! Who wants to buy a ticket? 2 for $5, 5 for $20. Half the money goes to our company, the other half goes to support charity through the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg!

I'm working with one of the most annoyingly arrogent people of all time. She just started at the Y and thinks that she is the best lifeguard/swimming teacher EVER. But, she sucks. Terrible with people, terrible judgement, doesn't know how the Y works, how to do basic duties etc. It's one thing to suck at your job on your own, only this girl has the attitude that the rest of us are idiots and she needs to "whip us into shape." She's writing a protocol manuel for the Aquatics Centre of the Y (yep, essentially a rule book for the rest of us), and yesterday she called an inservice, and told the Aquatics Coordinator that "if you can't be there, I'll run it." Who does she think she is? Who would do that? Some people's kids, let me tell you. Wow! It would be funny if it wasn't so insulting to our competance.

Computer Virus

2006-05-16T17:11:00.000-05:00

My computer has had an extended stay at the local Staples. Started off as a simple one-dayer to get some new software, and it turned into a fight against viruses that I had no idea were there. Who makes these viruses? Get a life people!

So I'm writing this post on my sister's boyfriend's laptop. Not a big fan of the laptops - difficult to type and the spacebar is less than handy. But, beggers can't be choosers!

I just wanted to send a big GO SEE THIS MOVIE out to everyone. Thank You For Smoking. Brillant satire, great message without hitting the audience over the head, super funny, well acted. Overall, a must see my friends! Check it out at the Globe ASAP!

I now have a second play in the Fringe. As you probably all know, I'm super excited to be playing Mal in Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans. Anyhoo, when I went in to audition for that one, Primrose and Josh were also casting her other play Wallflowers and Wildflowers. I got UDPS, but Josh said that he liked my Wallflowers audition "but Primrose wanted me for the kids' show", which I thought was very nice, but they probably say that to everyone. Ah, showbiz, hard to dig through the crap. Well, they must have been sincere, b/c their actress for Wallflowers had to drop out, so they offered me the part! So I get to do both shows, which is very flattering and I'm super excited for the opportunity. It's going to be a great Fringe people!! Woot! (P.S. Kristen, how come you can't do the show man? I hope all is well).

The weather is absolutley beautiful outside, so I'm off to enjoy it! Get outside everyone! Sunshine!

Good Riddance

2006-05-08T21:15:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I am printing out the completed application form for the Winnipeg Arts Council. It's been a long process putting this thing together, especially since it's for a project I don't have any particular passion for anymore (in fact, a twinge of loathing), but I'm glad that I did it. This has been a lesson in how the world can be a bitch and step on your face, but you have to be a professional, grit your teeth and keep moving forward. And I've learned a lot of skills that'll help me in the future. One step at a time. And after this, I wash my hands. I foresee dropped balls (some have dropped already) but it is now no longer my problem. Ready, 1, 2, 3, and a BIG sigh of relief - Ahhhhh. Now onto Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans, which encompasses all of the fun and professionalism of a great show, without the bullshit. Plus it'll probably be a tour in the fall! Woot!!

Comedy of Errors is coming together. Comedy is hard, very hard. It's all in the timing and if you miss it, you fall smack on your face, and that really hurts (not the face so much, but the pride). But we're done blocking the show, and now we're just running it, fixing bits, running some more. Building the set, props, costumes ... ugh, long way to go, but it'll be great when we get there!

So I totally screwed up a few posts ago when I said I did stand-in for The Lookout, it was actually The Good Life, which I found out on Sunday doing a reading at MAP and I was talking to Darcey Fehr and I was like "we worked together a few weeks ago on The Lookout" "I didn't work on the Lookout" "Really? You must have a twin with the same first name" "who did you stand-in for?" "Sarah Constable" "Really? We did The Good Life together" "Really? Was it?" Yeah, that pretty much sums up what a total dork I am when it comes to "the business" since I can't remember names, dates, STUFF I'VE WORKED ON. Love of god, some days I wonder . . . At least I won't ever be that annoying name-droppy person. I'm more of the "Yeah, I think I worked with that woman, what was her name? Ugh, you know, brown hair .... what's her name? With the shirt." Yep, that's me, a total ass.

In this time of crisis with the Conservative "every man for himself" reign, where the environment (and low-income) people will inevitably get screwed, I just wanted to hook all of my loyal reader up with the Green Party Blog. This is their 2006 Platform. You'll notice that it contains a lot of common sense and less "crazy radicalism" then you'd expect from the coffee-shop talk of the "wacky socialists". We're not that wacky, we just care. And so should you!!

The Torie Budget

2006-05-02T22:34:00.000-05:00

"Good from far, but far from good"

This is a quote from one of my old guy friends from high school, describing the search for girls at social functions (bars, socials, etc.) The look good from far, but once you get closer you see what the make-up and flashy clothes are covering. I would use this quote to describe the latest Torie budget. At first you see "tax break, tax break, tax break!" You quickly, however, see that the tax breaks really only give a break to the biggest spenders. Also, where do you think all of the money to make up the money lost on the GST cut etc. is going to come from?

Already, the Kyoto accord has been cut. Ths is DISASTEROUS. The world is in a crux, the weather is becoming more unstable, we're losing the ice caps, dependant upon unrenewable resources, pollution is abundant. I could go on for pages and pages about how we cannot wait any longer to finally DO something about the corner we are backing ourself into in regards to how we are taking advantage of the planet. A dark day is coming, and let me tell you, a country as dependant upon its natural resources as Canada is, should be paying attention. We made a committment to the planet with the Kyoto accord, and I am ashamed that we will fail.

Kelowna accord CUT. Yep, finally all of the provinces and native leaders had aggreed on a PLAN (aka ACTION) to fix the wrongs done to Aboriginals in this country that have been multiplying with each passing generation. The native population is the fastest growing in Winnipeg, and if we don't do something to give a hand up, and not just a hand out with talk talk talk, the results will not be good. Kelowna was different than past promises of money, because a clear plan about how the money would be spent to help with housing, education, and unemployment had been made between native groups and government leaders. All talk and no action makes the problem get bigger, not go away.

I don't even want to know what cuts will be made to the arts. As the co-founder and director of a new theatre company, I am very nervous. It's almost impossible to get funding now, what'll it be like next year?

I'm very nervous about where Canada is headed. Very, very nervous.

But I can't end this post on a sad note, so here's some light in the tunnel:

Matt and I got auditions for the Stratford Conservatory! I have between now and July 4th to get myself in prime audition mode. Planning to meet with all the Shakespeare gurus in Winnipeg. Not a good chance of actually making the final cut this year, but I want to make a good impression. At the very least, I'll have 3 new audition monologues for next year!

The cast and crew of Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans met at Theresa's AMAZING apartment (a loft in the Exchange, pretty much EVERYTHING I want in a living space in the future) for the first read-through/contract signing. I have very good vibes for this play, and am eager to get moving forward.

Just had to do the popular one

2006-04-27T17:38:00.000-05:00

I just had to do the fun "Which movie/leader are you" tests. Very similar results as the Eyesnck one. A little shocked at the Leader description though! "I could destroy mankind"! What! Well, I guess if I put my mind to it I could ...

What Classic Movie Are You? personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Are You? personality tests by similarminds.com

For those of you out there that know me (or think that you do!), are these the results you expected?

What's your personality like?

2006-04-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by Rod's latest post, where he decided to take a personality test. I enjoy taking these tests from time to time, just to get an outside look at myself. When I took Intro: Psychology - about a lifetime ago now! - my prof was a personality psychologist, so we were constantly doing these things. I find it interesting. Keep in mind that you do have to take the same test multiple times in order to get an accurate result (good mood day vs. bad mood day). This is the result of my Eysenck Personality Test:

Eysenck's Test Results

Extraversion (57%) moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity. Neuroticism (50%) medium which suggests you are moderately worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious. Psychoticism (40%) moderately low which suggests you are, at times, overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense of your own individual development (martyr complex).

Take Eysenck Personality Test (similar to EPQ-R) personality tests by similarminds.com

Martyr complex? Well, I guess I do tend to get a bit stepped on at times - cough cough. Am I overly talkative? I suppose I do always feel like I have to initiate conversation with people - the silence makes me anxious!

Changing topics .... I got to do some work on The Lookout last night! That was fun (as fun as film can be anyway - "hurry up! and ... wait"). I was the stand-in for Terry, a character played by a local actor named Sarah Constable. It's funny because when the last MTS commercial came out (where she's sitting on the bus) someone actually said to me "I thought that was you in that commercial." So hopefully I was a good stand-in! And the money's pretty damn good considering you do a whole lot of sitting around chatting with the crew. I think I memorized most of my lines for Comedy of Errors too!

Rod's b-day bash this weekend! Everyone come on out for some drinks at the Toad and some Improv. It'll be a good time to relax with friends (I can relax, I'm only MODERATELY worrying and anxious ....)

Earth Day 2006

2006-04-22T18:43:00.000-05:00

Did you know:

Polar Bears face extinction in the next 20 years, due to the changing northern climate.

Recent studies show that the Arctic Sea ice has thinned by 43 percent over the last three decades.

Scientists believe that accidental drowning in fishing gear is the single greatest threat to the survival of many of the world's 86 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

9 million tons of CO2 = 2 million cars off the road.

Yes my friends and loyal readers, these are just 4 random facts that represent the infinite amount of reasons why everyone needs to be more conscious about the ways that their everyday activities impact the world around them. Do you commute by car regularly? Could you car pool or take the bus? Do you recycle? Do you leave the water on unnecessarily? Do you wash your clothes in hot water (get some Tide Coldwater - it works just as good!)

There are many ways that we can all do our part and make this a better, healthier world for everyone. With cancer, asthma, obesity on a staggering rise, we all need to look at how we can live greener and healthier.

While today is officially Earth Day, our concern for the planet needs to be ongoing. Awareness and consciousness, combined with action is what our world needs now! Please go to the World Wildlife Foundation to find out the small things that you can do everyday to make a difference!

Man, it's so beautiful!

2006-04-20T14:34:00.000-05:00

Do you know what's worse than writing grant applications? Writing grant applications when it's so beautiful outside!!!

Stress is so nasty. I usually don't get sick, but I've been so busy trying to stay ahead of deadlines, prep for auditions, learn lines for Comedy of Errors and deal with lifes ups and downs that I've felt like crap for most of the past few months. It's so weird, usually I have a pile of energy, I'm in the gym everyday, and lately my favourite part of the day has been when I put my head on my pillow late at night and I know I won't have to lift it for a good few hours. I must shake this funk and get my self back in gear ... tomorrow.

Oh! If you happen to be cruising this blog from somewhere far far away, let me know if you want me to include you in my "Blogs from across the Globe" section under my links. I like browsing around seeing what folks in other parts of the world are up to. It's good to stay in touch in this global community, and to take a walk in someone else's shoes now and then.

Well, time to go bake some bread and then take a little nappy nap before going to see my Intro:Perforance class' play. Yep, they just decided "let's do a show" and now ... they're doing it! Ah, I'm so proud!

23

2006-04-17T17:44:00.000-05:00

Today I turn 23.

Wow! I really don't feel 23 at all, and I still get ID'd every time I buy beer. So, I think I'm 23 going on ... 19? But I am quite mature ... well, that's a lie, I'm a dork most of the time, but much more wise than a 19 year old. Hmmm. 'Tis weird to be in this "early 20's" phase where we decided what path to choose, question the choices we've made, and are asking ourselves WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE?? Be an actor? Run a theatre company? Write plays? Work with youth? Teach? WHAT!

And then I realize my life isn't even close to being half over (assuming I don't get hit by a bus tomorrow) so who really cares? So I don't know what I'm doing, nobody does! That's the point! It's not about where you end up in life, it's about the journey. And this is one great ride!

On a happy note, I got the part in Ugly Ducks, Pretty Swans! I will be playing Mal, the bully. Should be fun! I also auditioned for MTC today. It was good, short and sweet. Don't think I really suite the part that well (dry British humour just isn't me), but it's still good to audition. Keep the skills fresh!

April 17, 2006, the day I turn 23. Arrived back in Winnipeg after a relaxing weekend in the country, audition for a major theatre company, went out for Sushi with my Matthew, and enjoyed this beautiful spring day. Ah, life is good.

Look! It's a window!

2006-04-14T21:28:00.000-05:00

So, Mayor Sam Katez put his foot firmly in his mouth this past week, when honouring Winnipeg's women's Olympic athletes. At the ceremony in Old Market Square he said that he felt "like Hugh Hefner" amongst the women. Yes, lets compare these decorated athletes to the Playboy bunnies shall we! AH! I'm not a feminist, but for anyone out there who actually thinks that women and men have achieved equality in the world, think again. There are so many hurdles left to clear! I think Mr. Katez did not mean any ill-will, he just didn't even consider what he was saying, and how it contributed to the problem of women being objectified.

Well, I'm off tomorrow for Bruxelles! I haven't been home for Easter in 5 years, and haven't been out at all since Christmas. I've had a very stressful few weeks, with general auditions coming up (more stress!) so I'm very excited to just unwind and not have to think about anything going on her in Winnipeg and with our theatre company. I'm doing OK, slowly recovering from the monster blow, but it just takes a long time when someone completely pulls the rug out from under you to get your feet firmly back on the ground, and to trust that it won't be ripped out again. Trust ... something I'm lacking right now.

But, just to show that when one door closes, another opens, I heard about an audition for a different kid's show for the Fringe this summer, by Primrose Knazan. It was a great audition, I did a section of Charlotte's Web called "Escape." I found out yesterday that I got a callback! I loved working on Charlotte's Web, the wonders of great storytelling. I'm hoping to write a stage adaptation of the story, I think it could be great!

So I get to do the callback tomorrow morning, then go and see my Matthew's touring show The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes! Then it's off to fill the car up with gas (ugh) and rehearse for Comedy of Errors. It'll be a busy day, but worth it when we get outside the perimeter highway and off into the wide open spaces!

The end is near

2006-04-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

I just finished my final university paper EVER!! ooooo, this is a dear diary moment people. However, I don't think this one really counts as a paper, as it's a take-home exam. Plus this is one of my weaker papers - far less creative then my usual standard. But he handed out the topics literally 30 minutes after I handed in my research paper which I slaved over for a month, so my enthusiasm had dwindled quite substatially. I will consider my Into the Woods paper my last paper, because I'm quite proud of it, and this my last exam, since it kind of sucks.

But, back the important bit: I'm GRADUATING! Yes, after 18 years of school, this girl is taking a year off! Unless I get into the Stratford school .... right. Hey, miracles happen everyday! Now I have to measure my head, fill out the rental forms for the cap and gown, and get ready for the looooong graduation ceremony. Oh, and pay the fee. Damn, they just have to give you one last kick out the door, eh? "So, you're graduating with an BAH, have no savings, and no "real job" to go into ... How about giving us MORE money." Jerks! I think education should be free for everyone! I say if you can maintain a c+ or B average, you shouldn't have to pay tuition. Who's with me?

If you read the editorials in the Free Press today, you'd have read about the upcoming conference that the UofW's Global College is hosting which will tackle the many issues surrounding child soldiers in August of 2006. Lloyd Axworthy says the college "serves as a dynamic catalyst for new ideas, critical thinking and open discourse on issues of global significance affecting our local and global communities." Click on the link under "Be Informed!" for more info! Try to check out the speakers that the college brings in when you can - very interesting and illuminating on the crazy world we live in, and what everyone can do to make it a better place!

Picking up the pieces

2006-04-08T12:59:00.000-05:00

I've been a puddle on the floor

I've been more angry then I've ever been

I've been disrespected and manipulated

I've been in pieces

I've let myself hit below the belt

I won't do that again

I've discovered that "you're only a doormatt if you lie down"

I've gotten close, but I'm picking myself up

Re-evaluating, processing

Making my boundaries very, VERY clear from now on

Growing some tuffer skin (but I still like it soft 99% of the time!)

I'm going to laugh, be optimistic, heal myself, BE myself

Stop writing bad-ass poetry

Finish my Shakespeare exam (ugh)

Make lists, let others help me

I'll be the best person I can be

Be as professional as I can

What happened will never be understandable or OK

I'll pick up the pieces

I'll put myself back together

Rollin' On

2006-04-04T22:32:00.001-05:00

As most of you can probably guess by the last post, this past week SUCKED!! Ugh, I won't publish all the details to avoid further political difficulties within the company, but just let me tell ANYONE out there who is working professionally with anyone (strangers, friends, family) you MUST lay out your expectations for people in a contract and get it signed. I've learned that you must use short words and simple sentances, b/c "mis-understandings" can happen (when did common sense go out of style? I think it's still cool!) I thought this picture, posted on my friend James' blog, suited my mood from this past week pretty perfectly:

Anyway ...

I really have to finish my take-home essay exam for my Shakespeare course. I spent the past month stressing over my research paper for that course, and the fact that we were handed out the exam topics essentially 30 minutes after handing in the papers, blows monkey butt. I'm quite unmotivated. Do you ever find that when you have a boat load of crap to do, you can somehow find time to procrastinate? I've discovered a love for the RENT dvd with special features and Su-Do-Ku. Beautiful.

What's the verdict on the Conservative agenda delivered in parliment today? Anyone have major issues? I personally think there has to be some compromise on the daycare issue. No, daycares shouldn't be government run. I never went to daycare when I was little, b/c our store that my mom ran was attached to our house and my dad had his own business too. Esentially, why should parents who choose to stay home with their kids, or to work from home be ignored by a plan to simply set-up and fund government daycares. But, at the same time, do you really belive that the tax credit will always go to the kids? I'm conflicted.

But I am very glad that the Conservatives are talking to the NDP. Merging the left with the right in a balanced way could be a beautiful thing ... But I still vote Green baby!

Mel's reading recomendation for April: WICKED: the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

Well, time to get rehearsing monologues for some Fringe auditons this weekend. Yep, gotta auditon for another company's show. Well, at least it was a choice - or was I never consulted? Hmm ... it's a mystery!

MEL (recovering eternal optimist, NOT a doormatt)

Sometimes I just feel stupid

2006-03-29T18:22:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I just feel stupid

Sometimes I feel like a rung in a ladder

Sometimes I wonder if I actually do have "walk all over me" on my forehead

Sometimes I feel very naive

I may be naive, but I'm not stupid

Some people out there need to GROW UP

Those people can kiss my ass

It sucks, b/c days like this make it hard to trust people

I will still be an optimist

I will not be broken

MEL

P.S. teaching english overseas next year is looking really good

So much going on!

2006-03-24T23:11:00.000-06:00

And the ball keeps rolling!

After not getting any substantial film/tv stuff in the past few YEARS, I've had some great luck in the past week. I just finished filming my part as one of the Paddlewheel women in Guy Maddin's My Winnipeg, and I got a call from Absurd Machine studios to audition for this crazy Sci-Fi series they're doing. I was wondering where in the crap they got my name/number from, but it turns out that one of the guys working on this semi-disaster of a film I did last summer is involved, so he dropped my name. I don't have a part or anything ... YET - but it's a great opportunity because they contacted me, which means my toe is in that door. It just goes to show that "you never know where an opportunity will come from" philosophy! I also will be doing a short for MindShackle films this summer. They're making a series of shorts for a "CryptKeeper" type compilation. I'm excited, b/c I get to play a very different character than what I've played before (even more off the Mel-dar than Desire people. Crazy!)

My goal is to keep the film/tv ball rolling, so that I can continue to develop Theatre by the River. The best advice I ever received was "invest in yourself" and that is what I'm going to do. Theatre by the River is such a great opportunity for us young guns in the theatre world to create and produce some awesome shows!

This weekend I'm going to MTYP's Typo and WJT's Via Dolorosa with my favourite theatre reviewing partner, my Matthew!! Stay tuned for our reviews!

What I'm beginning to realize is that a lot, or most, of my life revolves around theatre and film. Next year, when I'm no longer taking university courses (graduating!) I plan to get a hobby or take a class in something completely not related to performance art. Drop me a line for any suggestions! I'd actually like to get back into painting, if I can find an affordable class. Or maybe I could find another team in the Winnipeg women's league for volleyball or another sport. So many possibilities. Either that or I'll just spend copious amounts of time in the library reading up on Yoga, Buddhism, and writing all of the play ideas I've had but never finished - everything I've dabbled in but never had the opportunity to really persue fully. Don't think I'm a complete geek. Once I don't have the constant pressure of due dates, I do intend to rent more movies and regain my CSI addiction.

Normally I don't drink coffee

2006-03-18T23:29:00.000-06:00

Normally I don't drink coffee, it does nasty things to me. Throws off my sleep patterns, makes me a little shakey. BUT when you're bloody bleeping tired at the end of term, with summer projects piling up, and winter projects wrapping, life can become a little STRESSED.

Next week I have to actually teach the class I TA for, because Ian got asked to go teach at national for the week (National Theatre School in Montreal for the non-tespians out there), finish a paper, meet with both MAC and WAC in one day to go over project grants and, you know, work, go to school, voice class - all the other stuff that keeps me busy week to week. But, I'm also very excited for Wednesday, because I get to film the scene I'm in for Guy Maddin's My Winnipeg. So exciting! It's set on the Paddlewheele in the '40's, so I get to wear this amazing navy blue skirt-suite with a wicked hat. AND I get paid a decent amount of money, FINALLY. On the same day, Sunday, as I got to go for my costume fitting, I also auditioned for an independant film. It went pretty well, and I got a call-back right away, which is a good sign. But then the director, Sean, called me and offered me either the part I auditioned for or the lead in the next short they're filming. Sunday frickin' ruled! (Except for when I waited for the bus for over half an hour at the north end of Main. Brrrrr, it was cold that day. Damn transit.)

Gmail is screwing me. I cannot get into my gmail account from my home computer. I can get into ANY other Google page, but not Gmail. I can get into Gmail from other computers, b/c I logged in fine from the Library. I can only access my gmail account by going in throup GoogleTalk. Frickin' weird and annoying!! Bah!

So, this post is essentially about the ups and downs of my crazy wacky life, and how I try not to mess with it by ingesting too much coffee. 20 minute power naps are defanitely the way to go.

Peace out folks!

The failure of humanity

2006-03-09T22:08:00.000-06:00

I saw Romeo Dallaire speak at the university today. Well, I didn't actually see him, as there was such an overwhelming amount of people that the university had to open classrooms so the over-flow could watch the presentation live (It was being broadcast over the internet and pod-cast). His lecture was titled From Rwanda to Darfur: The Failure of Humanity, and his goal was to address human rights reform.

He is possibly the best speaker I have ever had the priviledge of seeing, and I was totally engrossed and inspired. But I am also devistated by how much the people of Rwanda suffered, and how much the developed world, who swore "Never Again" after WW2, failed:

800, 000 people were slaughtered in 100 days

"As the death toll mounted, General Dallaire submitted a detailed plan for a Rapid Reaction Force. He needed 5,000 soldiers to dismantle the killing machine of the genocidaire and to stop the Hutu power movement. The UN Security Council rejected the plan. The United States even refused to acknowledge the genocide to avoid any legal obligations to help. " (CBC)
When Dallaire was finally granted soldiers to help in the war, he told officials he needed them within 12 days. They arrived 2 months later.

The wars in Yugoslavia and Kosovo were happening around the same time. Thousands of UN soldiers were pouring in to help. Why? What made Africa different?

All humans are the same. All humans are responcible for humanity and human rights

80% of the world lives in inhumane conditions.

2.5 MILLION people were refugeed after the genocide

More news coverage was given to Tonya Harding's knee-cap attack on Nancy Kerrigan and the OJ drama then on the thousands of people dying everyday in Rwanda.

Child soldiers were fighting this war. Pregnant 10 and 11 year old girls were used as human shields. Many UN soldiers suffer horrible PTS today re-living the days when they were forced to kill these children b/c they were being attacked.

There are still child soldiers today.

It's important for us all to remember these failures, in order to never let them happen again. It is only after everyone in this world is truely viewed as equal that peace can ever happen. So, whether it's the homeless person on the street, the kid squeegying on the corner, or the children in the refugee camps on the news, they are all like you. And YOU can change the world.

Ready to think?

2006-03-06T19:43:00.000-06:00

From Rwanda to Darfur: The Failure of Humanity.

On Thursday, March 9 @ 7pm, Romeo Dallaire will be speaking at the University of Winnipeg. I encourage everyone to try to make it out to hear him speak. I've seen many television interviews with him on his work in Rwanda during the genocide, and his plight to get aid into the devistated country. He is truely an amanzing human being, and he will open your eyes to the world around you. Just go to the UofW's homepage for all the details, as well as dates and times for associated workshops!

I had the CRAZIEST shift ever on Saturday. I run the Y's Saturday swimming lesson program, which means I am responcible for managing the lessons, teachers, permanent records and all of the testing. But aside from that, I lifeguard the rest of the pool. It's usually no problem, I'm pretty organized. But this Saturday, the shit hit the fan. Here's an abreviated list:

1 teacher had to leave early (I had to juggle the teachers and classes to compensate).
3 teachers showed up late (grr)
1 women passed out in the showers (we're the first-responders in the building, so guess who had to deal with that? ME! P.S. if you go tanning in the morning, then go from the steam room, to the hot tub, then back to the steam room WITHOUT EATING OR DRINKING you're being nasty to your body and your body will not like it!!!)
1 man lost his key swimming and was freaking out b/c he had $350 CASH in his locker (who does that? P.S. that's why the lifeguards carry pins - pin your key to your shorts, don't just put it in your pocket!)
1 woman was distraught after a man tsk'd her and then told her that "you people should really shower before you go in the hot tub" (re: the woman was african, and the man is an A-rate JERK who I have fought with on numerous occasions. I now have a full-proof incident report with his name and her name and HOPEFULLY he will finally lose his membership or at least get a huge ball-twist from the general manager).
In between the crazy incidents the pool was wicked busy for some reason and AHHH one of the mother's was following me around telling me that "the hot tub needs spray" "there's a hair clump on the deck" and - get this - "there are TOO MANY volunteers in the pool with the classes" (yeah, I really want to discourage volunteers woman - get real!)

Thankfully, after my shift was over, I had the chance to go to the gym and run like a mad fool, and then go to MTYP to see Frog and His Friends, a great Danish show touring through. I love children's theatre, and am so excited for The Elfin Knight! Oh! And I'll be playing Dromio of Syracuse in Comedy of Errors! So excited - I get to be Rod's side-kick! I totally expected to be one of the sisters and didn't see it coming - now it's time to get to work creating the best season ever!

I almost forgot, the reason for said post title. Going into the Oscars on Sunday after showing all of the clips for the fims nominated as Best Picture, the ABC host comented that this year "America seems ready to think." I just thought it was funny. But I'm very glad that CRASH won, it deals with the many angles of racism and fear in America (and around the world) and I think everyone should see it!

Could be the green city

2006-03-03T17:44:00.000-06:00

So I've nearly fallen on my butt a million times the past few days because almost NONE of the sidewalks are plowd.

Winnipeg could be a green city. I know we've won some illustrious award for our trees and revitalized downtown and stuff (Did we even with that this year? I have no idea).

But Winnipeg could be so much better! Take for example the "lets not plow the sidewalks" thing. Shouldn't walking be encouraged? Not just encouraged, but not HAZERDOUS! Especially downtown, where the majority of pedestrian traffic is. It's hard enough encouraging people to walk without the added insentive of broken bones and sludge-drenched pants. Also, think of senior citizens and those with wheele chairs or other disabilities.

Has anyone been on the bike/rollerblade trails in Brandon? They are awesome! You can actually get around almost the entire city by bike and rollerblades. They aren't the greatest trails if you'er in a super rush, b/c at times the trail meanders down the scenic route, but still GREAT! Yes, Winnipeg is a lot bigger, but it would still be manageable to connect various parts of the city with trails to encourage healthy activity as well as environmentally friendly ways of commuting. I heard an urban myth-type roumer that there's, like, a 500m bike-only lane along main street or another major avenue. Wow!

Winnipeg needs to make it safe for those choosing to commute in a way that both helps the environment and lessens the traffic on our over-used highways. AND bus fare went up! It now costs $2.00 for a ride! What the hell!,p> If anyone knows of any petitions to sign or organizations to join in order to support Winnipeg becoming a greener city, leave a link in the comment box!!

The Final Paper and Innocent Eye

2006-02-26T09:52:00.000-06:00

I'm about to dive into my final major paper of my universtiy career. Wow! I think I'm going to write about the pastoral vs. city world in Shakespeare's As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Now I have to dive into the Journal world, which is a bit nerve racking, b/c during my educational career I haven't used journal sources that often, so I'm not too swift and don't like to waste time - I turn into a frustrated suck. Hopefully Shakespeare Quarterly will prove to be my buddy and be user friendly, as that is where most of the articles I need to read are published. Dear God let the library be my friend on Monday.

I'm about 3 hours away from hitting the batting cages with some gals from my fastball team. I fucking love softball and miss the crap out of it. Why can't it be summer all year long so that we could practice on the diamonds right now? Frickin' winter.

Ok, just got back from the batting cages and I totally bruised the nerve in my right thumb. Nasty business. But so much fun! The Bruxelles gals are going to kick major ass this year!

Saw MTC's The Innocent Eye Test last night, and I defanitely recommend it. I'm not usually one for the "big" plays at the "big" theatres, but Michael Healey's writing was very witty and well-paced, and the cast was exceptional (Gord Rand, you RULE!!) Aside from a random character showing up, like, 15 minutes from the end who served NO purpose whatsoever, and a little unresolved plot issue (I don't want to giver 'er away for those who haven't seen it, but if you have ... Plutonium? What?), it was very enjoyable. I see a LOT of theatre, and recently I've been very impressed. TPM's Confessions of Punch and Judy, PTE's Marion Bridge, and now MTC's Eye Test have all impressed me, and I've seen them all within 2 weeks. Score! I've only seen 1 tanker since O'Neill Fest, so in the law of averages, Winnipeg is producing some good stuff!

Mel's reading recomendation for the month of March: Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness. A local author doing exceptionally well - I couldn't put this one down. I think everyone will enjoy it, but it's especially brilliant for anyone from a small town. You know these people, you know that feeling of having to get out, but not wanting to leave, because it's not just where you're from, it's who you ... are. Defanitely complicated.

Canada ends up 3rd overall, with our highest medal count ever! Woot!

Canadian gals in Torino

2006-02-22T23:17:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to give a big WOOP! to all of the Canadian gals coming up big in Torino. Heil started it off in downhill freestyle, and the momentum kept going through women's hockey (Gold!), skeleton, snowboard cross, cross country skiing (Chandra Crawford was awesome!), and - of course! - speed skating! Cindy Klassen is the most decorated female athlete at any Olympics with 4 medals, and she still has one race to go! I think it's a great sign for female athletes in Canada, showing that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world. The positive results also show what can be acomplished with extra funding. We've ignored our ameteur athletes for too long, leaving them to struggle through years of training with little support, and then expecting them to come up big in the Olympics. Hours of training and thousands of dollars go into every year of training for an athlete on the world cup circuit, and it can be a hard road to travel alone. Canada's athletes need to know that we're behind them for the long haul! Canada's now 4th in the standings, just 2 gold behind the US. Go Canada!!

The Olympics and being Canadian

2006-02-17T22:48:00.000-06:00

The Olympics have bound me to CBC television. Luckily, when I came down with a nasty case of the stomach flu on Wednesday, I was able to curl up on the couch, down some Tylenol Ultra, and watch as amateur athletes from around the world came together in the prasuit for the podium and personal bests. But there is always that conflict for Canadian athletes. They have to perform on the day, seem confident but not cocky, disappointed if they don't perform well while not being too pissed at themselves because it is the Olympics and it is just an honour to be there, but they shouldn't just be happy to show up, they should want to be the best without being unCanadian (aka cocky). Yeah, it's a weird dynamic to be a Canadian athlete indeed. Overall, I'm very pround of our team this year. Most of the medal favourites are peaking and adding to the meadal count, many underdogs are stepping up, and things are looking good for Vancouver 2010! And we're still undefeated in women's hockey. I don't care how unCanadian it is for me to say it, but our women's hockey team fucking DOMINATES. Woot!!!

The Hate Game

2006-02-09T19:58:00.000-06:00

I just couldn't resist weighing in on this crisis involving the comics that the Danish press released featuring the Muslim prophet Muhammed. Naturally, I have to agree the comics were in bad taste, should not be run again, and the Danish press should issue a formal appology. At this point, however, it is clear the protests are no longer about the comics, but Europe - and the rest of the world's - lack of understanding of Muslim culture. I mean, the comics featured a bomb-shaped turban on Muhammed's head - YIKES!! I think the sheer amount of violence is indicitive of what happens when a segment of society feels marginalized. Be it school shootings resulting from prolonged bullying, or the recent riots in the slums of France, we have seen what happens when humans feel mis-understood, threatened, and victimized. Layer that with generations of abject poverty and violence, and the world has a problem. What really frustrates me is the fundamentalist leaders are blowing this situation out of control for their own gains, encouraging violent protests and hate. It's so sad.

So ... what can we do about it? I think as citizens of a GLOBAL community we all need to get on board and get informed about the cultures, religions, and serious issues of the world around us. War, violence and mis-trust stem from fear, and we fear what we don't know.

what now?

2006-02-05T12:19:00.000-06:00

Well, I've entered that point after a play where it's like "ok, I need to start working on another part so I don't feel like I'll never work again." Luckily, all of the pieces of Theatre by the River seem to be falling into place, so hopefully we'll be cast and off and running by the end of the month. Now it's just the financial side of the whole operation that is freaking me out. The problem with being a new company is that you're starting from scratch and have to dish out a whole wad of cash to buy the rights for plays, advertising, and pay for all of the production (sets, costumes, EVERYTHING) before seeing any money come in. So, now I'm off on the wonderful hunt for grant money. Luckily, Dan Kern (awesome headshot photographer - click on his link!) mentioned this great place called the Arts and Cultural Industries of Manitoba, whose mandate is to help artists with the business-side of the industry. SCORE!

After prepping all week for my audition with Shakespeare in the Ruins, I found out Thursday that they were cancelling pretty much all of the auditions for those who are non-Equity members. This I find un-tactful. A) don't have a sign-up sheet specifically for non-Equity members if you haven't alotted yourself time to see them. We who are non-union members work our ASSES off trying to get jobs so that one day we can join the union and actually make enough money in theatre so we don't have to slave away at our crappy regular jobs just to make the rent, so when we get an audition we put everything to the side to prepare for it, so when it's cancelled suddenly it is very disappointing. B) You can't just go to the list and pick-out who you'll see and who you won't. It's unfair and ... untactful. TACT people, tact is the word of the day.

I have a cold. It sucks. I don't like being sick. I only get sick when the weather changes. In Canada, the weather changes often. I hate living in Canada when this happens.

But on a happy note ... Shannon and Matt got into MTC's touring show The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present. Derek got into Dry/Cold's musical Assasins. Woot!! And guess what company they're members of ... Theatre by the River! Yay!

I'd like to recommend a book to anyone who enjoyed Angela's Ashes or just stories of the crazy Irish: Malachy McCourt's memoir A Monk Swimming. It's tragic, yet I laughed my butt off. Oh, the Irish, what story-tellers they are!

God Bless Theatre Parties

2006-01-30T21:42:00.000-06:00

Oh, the memories!! Two wicked parties during Desire Under the Elms. Happy Birthday Liette!! Thank you for hosting the "Trailor Trash" theme party, it was INSANE! How did we fit that many people into your itsy-bitsy apartment? There are some questions that are best left unanswered ...

Thanks Amanda for the Opening Night extravaganza. The champaign didn't sit so well and working at the stuffy Y pool wasn't so great the next morning, but it was worth it!! Woot!