The Dragon and the Hospital

On Saturday, I captured a dragon and then spent the night at the hospital, but I really don't have time to talk about it just now.

A New Addition

Logan joined us when my boys were 9 and 10. I don't remember his early days that well anymore. He was a fluffy little thing and as you can well imagine he was an instant hit and was loved by the boys. Logan was the object of someone else's affection though.

My niece Tali was born about 2 weeks before Logan. Tali lives in Montreal and Logan lives in Ottawa, close enough that she could see Logan from time to time but far enough that it was infrequently. Tali's older brother and sister were mildly interested in Logan, but it was Tali who would wrap her arms around Logan like a teddy bear and smother him with kisses each time she saw him.

Tali loves animals in general and at four years old she decided she would grow up to be a veterinarian. It was about that time she also decided she HAD to have a dog of her own. She cried and whined and stomped her feet. My brother and sister-in-law told her she COULD have a dog but only when she was old enough to care for one properly. She cried "when, When, WHEN??". She was told "When you're ten years old!" "That's SO-O-O long", she whimpered.

Meanwhile Tali called my house every couple of weeks to speak to Logan. She would say hi to me but would quickly ask to speak to Logan. I told her I would get him and then I would bark into the phone while she would say, "Hi Logey, I love you, I love you, I LOVE you. I love you SO much that I ADORE you". Then she would blow kisses into the phone. I would get back on the line and ask Tali what she said to Logan because his tail is wagging and he had a big smile. She would then repeat her whole conversation to me.

That went on for a few years. Eventually she "suspected" that I was the voice of Logan, but it was okay, she still enjoyed the charade. She kept asking her parents for a dog and her parents still held firm and told her she had to wait until she was ten. Tali put pictures of Logan all around her room. She read books about dogs and studied the different breeds. Time dragged on!

Tali still loves Logan and still wants to veterinarian. Last week she made a special phone call to wish Logie a Happy Tenth Birthday!

Yesterday Logan and I came to Montreal to meet the newest addition to the family. Here's Tali with her new dog Molly!

Does Anyone Really Care Where I Buy my Oatmeal?

The other night CG (Cookie Girl) and I discovered our newest most favourite health food store, Rainbow Foods on Richmond Road near Lincoln Fields.

Here's how it happened:

CG and I sometimes fall asleep in an embrace. One Saturday morning about a month ago we woke up in the same embrace we fell asleep in the night before. My shoulder and neck were KILLING me. I thought it would get better on its own after a day or two. Well it didn't.

Day 2: neck/shoulder massage given by CG;

Day 7: neck/shoulder massage given by Shannon at LiveWell on Centrepointe;

Day 11: read Jo Stockton's blog post about Shawn the Accupuncturist and thought that would be my next step if relief didn't come.

Day 20: saw Dr. Shawn... he stuck some needles in my upper back and the pain subsided a bit. He recommended the use of Traumeel a "magic ointment" and that I should apply ice for 20 minutes at a time. All those things "sort of" did the trick... The pain is 90% gone.

Day 27: saw Dr. Shawn again, this time to discuss natural solutions for some of my age-related stuff. I take medication for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. These are all borderline conditions (but just over the border) and the meds help keep it all under control but if I alter my diet slightly, and walk Logan more often that may be all I need*.

Anyways, long story short, Dr. Shawn gave me a diet to follow (which included oatmeal!) and suggested a couple of supplements. One supplement was only available at NutriChem Pharmacy on Richmond Road. While looking for the pharmacy I found Rainbow Foods and went in to check it out. Didn't have much time to explore because I had to get back to work but noted that THIS would be a cool store for me 'n CG to visit.

So we did ...just the other night and as expected CG loved it and we bought lots of stuff.

These are some of the things I picked up:

1. a tin of John McCann's Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal;
2. a jar of pure Smooth Cashew Butter;
3. a box of Ginger Yogi Tea.

They also make great homemade soup vegetarian soup for lunch.

*NOTE: I haven't discontinued my meds, but I'd like to eventually if I can retake control of my blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure through diet and exercise.

Does Anyone Really Care What I Eat for Breakfast?

Here's how I made my oatmeal this morning:

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup steel cut oatmeal
2-1/4 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1 inch cube of fresh peeled ginger
2 cloves
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper

Put all the above into a pot, bring to a boil, lower heat and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring every once in a while.

While that was happening, I did the following:

1. fed Logan (1 cup dry Eukenuba for large seniors with 5 squirts of Omega-3);
   
   
2. let Logan in the yard to greet the kids walking to meet their school bus;
   
3. emptied the dishwasher;
4. made a strong capucinno (using 3 shots of espresso);
   
5. prepared my bowl (more of a small casserole dish) to receive the oatmeal:
   • handful of fresh raspberries
   • handful of fresh blueberries
   • kiwi peeled and cut into cubes
     
   • handful raisins
   • handful of chopped unsalted cashews
   • 1/2 teaspoon of each cinnamon, ginger powder
   • 1 teaspoon brown sugar;
6. put the oatmeal in the dish and top with leftover steamed milk from step 4;
   
7. put a little oatmeal (2 tbsp) in Logan's food bowl;
8. let Logan in.
9. WE EAT!
   

I'm a Balanced, Secure and Realistic Guy

When my partner and I visit art exhibits or galleries, we sometimes play a little game. If a number of paintings or other pieces of art are in close proximity, we each choose the work of art we prefer and then see if we agree. Most of the time we do agree but occasionally we don't. Art, after all is subjective and people have different tastes. But did you know that you can determine your personality type from the type of art you like. Today at Haphazard Life, Jazz linked to an art test that makes that claim and this is what it said about me (I'm not sure I like it):

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.

6 Impressionist, 1 Islamic, 3 Ukiyo-e, -11 Cubist, -9 Abstract and -2 Renaissance!

Impressionism is a movement in French painting, sometimes called optical realism because of its almost scientific interest in the actual visual experience and effect of light and movement on appearance of objects. Impressionist paintings are balanced, use colored shadows, use pure color, broken brushstrokes, thick paint, and scenes from everyday life or nature.

People that like Impressionist paintings may not alway be what is deemed socially acceptable. They tend to move on their own path without always worrying that it may be offensive to others. They value friendships but because they also value honesty tend to have a few really good friends. They do not, however, like people that are rude and do not appreciate the ideas of others. They are secure enough in themselves that they can listen to the ideas of other people without it affecting their own final decisions. The world for them is not black and white but more in shades of grey and muted colors. They like things to be aestically pleasing, not stark and sharp. There are many ways to view things, and the impresssionist personality views the world from many different aspects. They enjoy life and try to keep a realistic viewpoint of things, but are not very open to new experiences. If they are content in their live they will be more than likely pleased to keep things just the way they are.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Obama-349, McCain-162, Undetermined-26

This week colouring night was brought to you by the voting American population with special thanks to A&J for providing the link to an electoral colouring map.

unReal Estate in the Neighbourhood

The real estate agent:
The current owners:
Logan thinks the whole thing is funny.

Thanksgiving 2008

Dancing in the Pumpkin Patch:
Taking a break at Bruce Pit:

Because I Want to Be Smarter

A new puzzle showed up on page 2 of the Ottawa Citizen a few weeks ago. It's called Ken Ken and is billed as "the logic puzzle that makes you smarter". I decided I wanted to be smarter so I sharpened my pencil and dove right in.


I love this puzzle and I put into the category of puzzles I love, which so far only had one other member... Cross Sums (aka Sum Totals or Kakura).

Puzzles I don't love and are sort of a waste of time but are alright for doing on the bus: Sudoku.

My Deep Dark Past

I was recently asked if I had any deep dark secrets. I don't have ANY! Do you????

NOTE: Platinum viewers of Logan's blog have the option of making their comments private by typing "PRIVATE" at the top.

If You Don't Want Conservative in Ottawa West Nepean

Ottawa West Nepean has traditionally been a liberal riding until John Baird won in the last election. I think the only way to prevent Baird from being re-elected in this riding is to vote Liberal. Logan met David Pratt today and asked him for a lawn sign.

Just Another Night in the Park

Logan-the-Dog here. Skylark has been too preoccupied to blog so I'm filling in until he gets his shit together.

Here's what happened the other night at the park:

1. I ran in front of Skylark's girlfriend and tripped her. She fell and I was free!
2. Skylark went to the aid of GF and I ran to the duckpond. Nothing to eat there.
3. Skylark called me to come back so I came very close to him and then ran away again. Ha!
   
4. GF called me to come back so I did because she gives me treats sometimes.
5. Chased a porcupine up a tree but Skylark wouldn't let me get him because he knows the trouble that could cause.
6. Put a frog in my mouth but it tickled so I spit it out and barked at it. He went away.
7. Skylark and GF put me in the house and then they went to get ice cream. I sat by the bay window and barked at squirrels.
8. Skylark and GF came home. Skylark rubbed my belly and GF gave me TWO cookies.

The End

Should Have Stayed Home!

Home sick today and should have stayed home ALL day!

I worked most of the morning at home then took a bit of a nap, then helped Son #1 move his desk and computer to his new apartment.

It's hot out there today, or maybe I have a bit of a fever... I'm dripping.

I got stopped by a policeman on my way downtown, the bastard! I went through the intersection at Laurier and Nicholas just as the light was changing from orange to red and there was a motorcycle cop who was having a bad day and wanted to take it out on someone... ME, the bastard! I didn't argue with him, "Yes sir, I know sir, I'm sorry sir, $#%&^ OFF sir!" I stopped at city hall on my way home and paid the ticket so I don't have to think about it again. Let's just say it cost more than the 2 tickets to the folk festival that fell out of Zoom's pocket the other day.

I wonder if I really have a cold or I just want somebody to feel sorry for me.

The Shouk

I just don't know where to start with the Jerusalem market. I took some pictures (see below) but they don't do it justice. There were so many sounds and smells too. There were soldiers with guns and off-duty soldiers not in uniform but with guns. There were lots of people begging for money... religious people trying to get enough money to buy food for the Sabbath, there were buskers. There were shady-looking people standing in doorways smoking cigarettes watching people walking by, watching me watching people. There were people smoking LaSheesh hookah pipes. There were scavenger cats running about the produce tables. There were tourists screaming for their kids to stay near. There were teenaged tourists greeting friends in funny accents.



This last one is Aroma Café, the "Starbucks" of Israel

A Few Random Pictures from Trip

Finally figured out there WAS a card reader on the laptop so here are few images from where we've been:

1) In the market in mystical city of Tzfat, cradle of the Kabalah




2) Taking a break to rest weary feet after hiking at the Menara cliffs

3) Another market shot from Tzfat:


4) McDonalds in Tel Aviv:

5) Danger 1:



6) Danger 2:

Israeli Cats

Cats are not treated the same way in Israel as they are in Canada. I have yet to see a domesticated cat. They all seem to be strays and I've only seen them scavenging in the markets and at outdoor cafés.

Rafting on the Jordan River

Attack of the Scary Monster at the Bonfire

Instead of staying at the kibbutz resort this evening and having dinner at the buffet with the older contingent of our group, I went to the mall with the other 2 young families in hopes of finding a store that might carry a USB cable so I could upload pictures to this blog. Even though a USB cable was on my packing list and I was reminded a couple of times to bring one, I still managed to not pack it.

The girl at the camera store didn`t have a cable that matched up with my camera but had a universal cable that appeared to fit.

Our plan was to spend about an hour at the mall picking up supplies, have a quick dinner and then back to the kibbutz where there was to be a flashlight hike through the woods followed by a bonfire, singsong, marshmallow roast. This was to be mainly for the kids so in the end I decided to opt out and upload pictures instead. But wouldn`t you know it, the stupid cable didn`t work. I don`t think pictures are going to happen until I get home.

I walked to the main building pretty pissed off at the cable thing and had a capuccino outside by myself. I figured I shouldn`t be messing around doing computer stuff so decided to find the bonfire. I managed to find it about a kilometer away by just following the music.

There was an Israeli folksinger leading the grownups in song while the kids were running around the bonfire roasting marshmallows. I went to look for my niece and nephew by the fire. Zachary found me and gave me one of his marshmallows. I stood around watching the kids when all of a sudden one of the boys starting screeching and was running wildly looking for his mother. Even as he found her, the instensity of his screaming increased. I looked around the ground and saw lots of stray embers and figured he must have burned himself. I looked down at my sandals and noticed that most kids were wearing similar footware and how stupid wearing sandals was at a fire with embers everywhere. There was a crowd of grownups gathering around the screaming child when I felt a sharp pain on my upper arm. I brushed at my arm thinking that a flying ember had just caught me but that wasn`t it. I realized I had just been bitten by something. By this time word came out from the group of people around the screaming boy that the source of his agony was also a sting. Another adult had also just got stung.

Very quickly the singsong broke up and everyone scattered. As we left, my 9-year old niece Tali, let out a shriek and collapsed to the ground. She too had just been stung in the leg. In between the crying and screaming, she claimed she didn`t see anything and it was a monster that caused her this pain. Her father picked her up and carried her to safety. Another member of our group who happens to be a doctor came running out of the woods to see if he could be of assistance, tripped on a rock and cut his leg.

The victims were all brought to the main hall where ice cubes were applied to wounds. The injured sat around sharing the experience even though we didn`t all speak the same language. After a while the kids calmed down and people dispersed to their rooms.

I never saw what stung me and there were no bees or wasps in evidence so Tali could have been right, perhaps it was a monster.

Tomorrow we`re going kayaking.

Good night from Kibbutz Ha Goshrim in northern Israel.

New Journeys

I'm leaving on a trip overseas for 2 weeks. I'm going with my parents, my brother and his family and my sister-in-law's extended family. It's a trip that we've been planning for a year and is expected to be the "trip of a lifetime". I'm left with ambivalent feelings. I love to travel and it's been so-o-o long since I have, yet I want to stay here and put my life in order.

I'm taking Logan-the-Bear to keep me company and also to act as a reminder of what waits at home.

I'll take lots of pictures and try to make posts on the journey, but if that doesn't happen, look back here in 2 weeks.

I Miss Logan!

Six months ago I decided I had enough of living and working in my basement and that I was going to do something about it. I accepted a 6-month contract downtown. I started getting out more and meeting new people. I did all the festivals this summer in Ottawa and for the first time in a long time I was happy!

In the last two weeks, I left my wife and my home and moved into my son's apartment in the Market. He rents it with 3 other guys all in their early 20s, but only one of them (DG) is living there now. The others, including my son are moving in this September. I assured DG that I wouldn't cramp his style and he would hardly know I was there and this was a temporary thing and besides he had lived with us last year for a month when he couldn't find an apartment right away. He was good with it.

The first thing I did was buy the guys some things for their place:

1. a router - so I could get online and then eventually so could all the others.
2. bathroom stuff - a toilet seat, a shower rod and curtain, bathmat - because I've gotten used to some of the finer things in life like stepping out of the shower onto a fluffy mat and like sitting on a toilet seat.
3. general cleaning supplies for the kitchen and the bathroom.

I know, you're thinking I assured DG that he would hardly know I was there and here I was acting like a parent. Well he was OK with my changes. I think even though young guys like to live amongst beer bottles and playing cards and poker chips that are strewn about, they still appreciate a good roll of toilet paper.

The biggest problem with my new adventure is that I had to leave Logan at home. I've been allowed to walk him a couple of times since I moved out but I miss having him follow me around constantly. This is only a temporary arrangement (September 1st, latest) and wherever I end up living after, Logan will be there with me.

At the "moment of breakup" when I scrambled around the house filling a suitcase with things I would need immediately to start my new life, I picked up a little Ty teddy bear named Logan that I had sitting next to my computer. Here's a picture of Logan-the-Bear and our living arrangements.