What Sucks

Well, they're back to school - all of them.  And we finally get to stop seeing the Staples ad with its tiresome overuse of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".  And that darn Glee girl in the Canadian ads.

I'm assuming this is the real ad, since I couldn't

bring myself to watch it all the way through again.

One of my kids asked me if she could watch the Glee premiere tonight (hint: not the 4-yr old boy), and I stuck to our parental party line of "no way".  Too many sexualized references and dancing, high school puppy love romanticized like a soap opera, not to mention the trivializing of sex in general.  And I lost interest in the first season when they started using instrumental tracks instead of the catchy "a cappella" arrangements.  Just lazy producing, if you ask me.

So while the U.S. has started gearing up for next year's presidential election, pundits poking holes in other parties' candidates (ah, I remember it well from our 10 years in Massachusetts), Canada's on the precipice of its regular provincial elections. 

Here in Ontario the pendulum swung from right to left in the last decade, after late-90's premier Mike Harris cut many programs to balance the budget. Now that Dalton McGuinty has spent us back into a deficit, the government teat has swollen, and taxes are at an all-time high, will the pendulum swing back? Only Oct. 6 knows for sure.

Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is getting constant heat for any suggestion of cutbacks or privatizing services to save money.  Not that I'm a fan or anything, but it goes to show how tough it can be to wean people off that teat. 

http://news.ca.msn.com/local/toronto/toronto-service-cuts-talks-end-after-20-hours-12

We all want less taxes and more spending money, but we want the government to keep growing services to meet growing needs.  Using what, the barter system?



OK that's two cartoons in quick succession - I apologize.  Just trying to keep the mood light when getting political, which I haven't done yet in this blog.

Speaking of my turning-40 goals, I now have definite word from all three local universities that I'd have to quit work to get my PhD, since none of them offer part-time programs.  Which sucks.  Or not; maybe it's not meant to be -- maybe my next life project is bigger than that, or on a totally different track.

In the meantime, I've explored the PhD possibility like I said I would, I'm halfway through transferring the Ireland home videos, we defeated Bethany's LCH yet again, and I built a kick-ass shed in the backyard this summer.  Not bad for nine months.

"Let Them Talk"

Hugh Laurie and I have a lot in common.

We both play piano and guitar reasonably well – though I’d immediately forfeit in a duel with either weapon.  We both have reasonably good voices and enjoy the blues. 

Of course, he’s a highly talented British actor who just released a well-produced jazz-blues album that’s sure to sell millions of copies.  On the other hand, I have people around me who would probably strongly suggest (if I were inspired to release an album) vocal training, numerous re-takes while recording, or that I not release an album at all.  And Hugh apparently doesn’t, but should.

I picked up Hugh's album, "Let Them Talk" this afternoon, and after listening all the way through a couple of times, I feel cheated.  Here's a sample of one track, "You Don't Know My Mind":

It’s not that it’s a horrible album, because it’s clearly entertaining enough.  And it’s not that Hugh has a lousy voice, because he doesn’t.  I just wish he played more on the album than he sang, since he’s clearly more talented in the former than the latter.  His playing, on the album and on the show, is clearly inspired and soulful.  His singing, though, tends to be repetitively choppy and punchy, talky and at times self-conscious, with little sustain or vibrato (and the occasional lisp), which makes his singing rather unidimensional.   In quality reminiscent of Dr. John (who incidentally sings on a couple of tracks) without as much soul or variation. 

I also wish those around him hadn’t encouraged/goaded him into releasing an album as they probably did, since he seems impressively humble and modest about his musical talent.  Most of all, I wish my local Best Buy had “try before you buy” listening stations, since I probably would have screened this one out. 

I have to admit, I was taken in by his face and name on the cover – kind of fooled into thinking that being superb in one art would likely make him superb in the others.  Probably a lot like Hugh himself.

When does Season 8 start?

State of Mind

Seems like bi-weekly is about right at this point, since the personal news cycle is a little slower, shall we say, than it was a couple of months ago...

Bethany came back from camp on Friday beaming (through tired eyes) and boasting of all the fun she had and great people she met.  It was so great to see her having enjoyed herself thoroughly with the simple things - outdoors fun, simple crafts, friendship, like the little girl I've known and loved.  Not the electronics-obsessed, boy-crazy, crotchety teenager we've had around here, even before the diagnosis and chemo.  Thanks Camp Ooch!  A GBS (Great Big Sea) song she brought back with her:

I give it less than two weeks.  And then getting "plugged in" again, pesky little sibs, and high school in September will likely knock it right out of her. 

Kinda like that "vacation state of mind" we get in and lose so quickly when we get back to work, or the inspiration of a good conference.  Why is it so hard to live in a more relaxed and creative mindset like that?


So after striking York U off my list based on distance/commute, I started inquiring about U of T and their Scarborough campus and got a curt email back saying they only take full-timers.  Looks like with them I'd have to choose between full-time work and a full-time degree program, and get over a unwelcoming first contact.  I don't know why I keep being surprised at the poor customer service here in Canada, I guess the "U.S. state of mind" is still with me. 

Next stop: Ryerson.


Did you know that someone in Canada dies every 8 minutes from cancer?  I think I've heard more cancer stories since we moved back here (again, even before the recent unpleasantness) than I did in 10 years in Massachusetts.  And, probably not coincidentally, much more smoking. 

Which is why I designed and will be sporting this bumper sticker (on one of our vehicles, not my back or briefcase or something):

Not really cause-and-effect since other things cause cancer, but somehow I don't feel sorry for maligning smokers.

Out of the Pit

Well, she's out of the woods for now - so "relieved" may be overstating it, but woo-freakin-hoo!

After a CT scan on Tuesday, we got the feedback from Sick Kids today that Beth has no signs of the LCH in her brain at this point, just some debris in her inner ear from the surgeries. 

And no more meds for now - awesome - thanks for all the prayers and support.

The bonus is that she goes off to overnight camp on Sunday, run by Sick Kids.  It's called Camp Oochigeas and includes water sports, so now she can enjoy getting wet without having to worry about her PICC getting wet.  Double awesome.  A little long and 2 years old, but the best video I could find:

Meanwhile, to give Maggie (#2 daughter) her due, she started a drama camp this week at Actone School of drama in Pickering and is enjoying it tremendously.  She's always had the boldness of a stage performer (or any kind of performer really) so it fits for her.  Hopefully the drama of her adolescence is still a couple of years away.

And I've decided on a theme song for my 40th year - actually it keeps finding me, and I keep resonating with it:

I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you

I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

Ok, ok it's not Shakespeare (or John Donne...), it's U2, but it speaks to the combination of faith and longing that kind of fits where I'm at. 

Actually, I thought about their song "40" (based on Psalm 40) but it's more of a redemption song.  I don't really feel like I was the one in a pit and had to wait patiently for Him to pull me out, Beth was. 

Then again, someone clearly "inclined and heard my cry".  And we will be singing a new song, for sure.

Ok, two video clips this time - can't leave out the early Red Rocks performance:

On Vacation

...for the last couple of weeks.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

A week in Montreal, seeing old friends and old sights, and then a week back in TO, taking Bethany for her last week of chemo (woohoo!) and building a lean-to on the side of the house.

Montreal, for all its construction/traffic headaches, is still a great city with awesome food all over, lots of history, and beautiful women everywhere (sorry TO ladies). 

It's starting to show its age a little though, now that the bridges and overpasses have caught up with the roads as being the crappiest in urban Canada.  The state of the overpasses (boarded up and caged for reinforcement) reminded me of the concrete ceiling that collapsed in Boston just after the "Big Dig" and new tunnel was finished, which ended up killing a woman.

Props to Archemdis and his blog for chronicalling this and this photo:
http://archemdis.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/montreal-quebec-is-literally-crumbling-into-dust/

Oh, and not only did Beth have her last 5 days of IV chemo last week, but she also got her PICC line taken out on Friday (double woohoo!) and we're hoping the CT scan on August 2nd just confirms the progress.  Meanwhile once the wound from her line heals she can go swimming again, with the help of a swimming earband like this:

and Doc's Proplugs as seen on Survivorman (don't ask, I've never seen it):



Oh, and we also got her the puppy she's been wanting - a "bichon-poo", and she broke it off with her jerk "boyfriend", so I'd say that's a fair trade.

I actually feel more sorry these days for our other daughter Maggie, who didn't seem to mind all the attention Beth was getting when she was more sick and in danger, but now feels a little left out and jealous I think.  As a middle child myself, I can relate. 

Especially now that she also has a younger brother and a puppy competing for the "cute and helpless" spot in the family.  She doesn't stand a chance. 

Gary and Greg

So, another week of chemo completed, and off the missus and I went to Niagara Falls for the Canada Day-4th of July weekend.  Can you say "tourist season"?

It was ultimately quite fun and relaxing, though.  We booked some inexpensive rooms at a small motel down the parkway, upriver from the falls, and we picked and chose the sights we wanted to see.  Gary, the owner of the Niagara Parkway Riverview Inn, was a great host:

Tough running a motel pretty much by yourself, as Gary described, with just a little handyman help from his dad.  But the rooms were clean, the pool was clean and heated, and Gary makes everyone feel like they're staying in the guest room of his own home.  





Niagara Falls Lessons Learned:
     1) If you leave early enough (7:30-8ish), you can beat most traffic in either direction, but any later than 10 and you're screwed.
     2) Staying in any of the establishments in-town is a crapshoot; I heard tourists talk of cockroaches in better motels than ours.
     3) There are inexpensive hotels just up the QEW in nearby towns like Grimsby that are less than 20 mins from downtown Niagara.
     4) Dinner at the Skylon Tower was worth it, for the food and the view.  The dinner show at the Greg Frewin Theatre wasn't, for the food or the show.

Maybe it's my age and having seen too many magic shows in my time and/or maybe we were just sitting too close so the tricks became obvious.  But I got tired of the variations on disappearing people, even when the lion and tigers started appearing.  Sorry, Greg.

On the other hand, I did like the close-up magic, the sleight-of-hand stuff.  And the dancers were entertaining - worth sitting up close for!  Plus the lion got loose backstage and didn't want to go into her cage, so that provided a little nervous excitement for everyone for a few minutes.

I guess it must be tough being a magician these days, with your trade secrets being revealed regularly on TV, competing with Harry Potter and special effects, and live crowds being overall tougher to impress.  Kind of like Gary and his inn, competing with the chain hotels and online reviews by anyone who wants to dis your business.  Two middle-aged guys, putting themselves out there for public scrutiny doing old-fashioned jobs in a hi-tech world - it's gotta be tough.

I actually had to make extra noise at Greg's show to get my section clapping and cheering, otherwise it could have been a much tougher room.

Sorry, no audio of me doing my Homer Simpson "woo-hoo"s.

Bright Spots

The cork from a bottle of Dan Akroyd's Sauvignon Blanc we had last week:

And who says we Canadians aren't funny?
Apparently only some stupid social networking site, who polled its members:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Americans+rated+funniest/4931138/story.html

Makes me wonder, though, who the voters were thinking of when they thought of "funny Americans", since many comedians in the States were bred in Canada (e.g. Bill Murray, Jim Carrey, Will Arnett, etc.).  I guess you could point to SNL and Second City, but then Lorne Michaels is Canadian and SC Toronto is second only to, well, Second City Chicago.

And then there's the Canucks' uniforms (they're on their 5th since '69):

So week #4 of chemo is done, and we got the results ot Bethany's MRI scan -- seems the "thickening" of the pituitary stalk is gone (woohoo!) and there's even a "bright spot" back to see.  The "bright spot" is the posterior part of the pituitary that's supposed to show up brightly in an MRI scan:

NB: Not her real scan, so don't worry about the arrow

This were two of the indicators that the doc had seen in the March scan that had convinced her that the LCH was back.  So a reversal of those two things is really good progress and hopeful.  As you can imagine, we're thrilled and grateful for the ongoing support of friends and family.

Our neighbours, on the other hand, thought we were taking too long to cut our lawn (two weeks instead of one), so left us a note in our mailbox this week saying they'd "appreciate it" if we'd cut it soon.  I finally got to it yesterday, but then posted this on the poles near the house:

And who says we Canadians aren't funny?
Wait, I asked that already.