Wild ending

As hard as it was to visualize while listening to streaming audio online, the Roughrider game came to a wild ending tonight. A game of rugby broke out on the field after Rocky Butler fumbled the ball.

Unfortunately, Team Green didn't come off the field with a win, but at least it was a well-played game. And as far as I'm concerned, that last play definitely gave the fan's their money's worth.

We're set to meet Montreal on Thanksgiving Monday next. Hopefully by then Kerry Joseph (who was sidelined with a knee injury in the third quarter, I believe) will be back on his feet. Then again, Rocky can serve up a good dish of the mean-green machine too. The season isn't over yet!

So thanks, boys, for a fantastic game. Get 'em next time!

Disappointment

Again.

The job I applied for has gone to someone else.

Again.

Disappointment is a bitter pill.

The good news is, they really wanted to hire me. Hmm... sounds familiar. Didn't a local daily newspaper really want to hire me? But really wanting to hire me isn't the same as actually hiring me. At least they said they would keep me in mind for future positions.

So once again, I turn to my writing to help make ends meet. Unfortunately, this one thing I just can not seem to get off the ground. I know that I write more than some, but I'm no where near as busy as I would like to be. And my income targets have never been met. Other writers that have been writing as long as I have make four times as much as I do a month from writing.

I am prompted to ask: What am I doing wrong?

In a way, I guess this is disappointment on so many levels - in so many areas. Perhaps that is what makes it so keen.

My prayer is that God will make it clear what he'd like my prayer to be. Because none of the ones I've been praying have been working, I've noticed.

Pending assignments: 1
Queries pending: 1
Houses looked at: None!

Currently reading: Boundaries with Kids, You Can't Make Me, (but I can be persuaded) AND The Frazzled Factor.

We won!

Riders won a nail-biter in Regina tonight. In the second overtime, Kerry Joseph connected with Fantuz. Talk about pulling it out of a hat!

Several pricelss moments from the game...

Joseph's fumble on the three yard line as he went in for a touchdown... the ball trickled into the end zone to be recovered by Saskatchewan - TOUCHDOWN GREEN!

Wally Buono decides to kick it through the end zone on B.C.'s first possession in overtime, but the kick doesn't make it, setting up the second over time. Nice gamble, Wally.

The Lions ran into a wall of green on a 3rd and inches and turned it over on downs. A few plays later Saskatchewan netted three yards with a quarterback sneak. That's how it's done, boys!

Way to go, Riders! GO GREEN!

Proud to be Canadian

I truly am a patriot.

I think Canada is the best place on the planet to call home. I'm actually one of those crazy saps who gets choked up at the national athem given the right circumstances. I'm so patriotic, there are days when I think I should have been American. (Actually, I'm half-Amercian, but that's a story for another day...)

And seeing our boys in military fatigues gets me teary every time. I'm so darn proud that there are men and women who love their country so much they would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in her defense. Not only in defense of this country, but to defend democracy and freedom around the world, as well.

That's why this video of a rally on Parliament Hill today has got me all choked up.

Some military wives from Ontario decided to start a wear red campaign to support our troops in Afghanistan. They are encouraging people across the country to wear red on Fridays to show support for our troops and their current mission. To encourage them, that we are not going to abandon them.

To say thank you.
To say we're proud of you.
To say we're proud of the job you're doing in Afghanistan (and a damn fine job they're doing, too!)
To say God bless you and may he bring you home safe.

As a result, I've changed into a red shirt.

House hunting part 97

4:25 p.m. Realtor sent email with a brand new listing in River Heights.

4:30 p.m. I phoned Richard to tell him about it.

4:45 p.m. I have called the realtor to say yes we're interested, heard back from her that we are to meet her there at 8 p.m. and called Richard back to tell him the time.

5:50 p.m. I called one babysitter, but she's busy.

6:00 p.m. I called different babysitter. She's available. ; )

6:02 p.m. I leave for work because we have a volunteer open house tonight.

6:35 p.m. I arrive at work and pick up seven voice mails from just this afternoon.

7:40 p.m. The phone rang at the centre and I spent 10 minutes on the phone with potential client.

7:50 p.m. Richard and I raced up Warman Road to get to the house.

8:05 p.m. Really like the house.

8:25 p.m. Look around some more. Love the yard.

8:50 p.m. Raced to realtor's office to put together offer.

9:02 p.m. Faxed offer.

9:02 and 45 seconds p.m. Selling agent called. There is another offer on the table. Do we want to sweeten our deal.

9:12 p.m. New offer is faxed with about six extra pounds of sugar. ; )

9:20 p.m. Leave realtor's office feeling positive about this potential transaction. It's a beautiful location, on a crescent, gorgeous yard, beautiful open lay out inside.

We waited and waited...

I had a bath and shaved my legs...

Still we waited...

11:51 p.m. Realtor called to tell us they have gone with a different offer. (The particulars were pretty much the same. There wasn't much more we could offer them.)

11:52 p.m. Too tired for words...

As disappointing as it is, we're hopeful something CAN be found out there.

Sigh...

Rainy day musings

It is with bleary eyes and drooping chin that I drag my sorry butt to the keyboard... (good thing I said drooping and not drooling!)

Okay, it's not quite that bad, but I am getting a little too old for the 1 a.m. writing sessions, followed by 6 a.m. writing sessions.

It's a good thing my coworker is so organized at work, or I could have made a real mess of things while there this morning. She was kind enough to bring me hot apple cider, too! What a sweetie!

Still no response from ABC to my rant last week, but I am encouraged to learn there has been a significant public outcry in the States to Rosie's comments. Good on them! Though I doubt it will do much good.

I am disheartened, though, because I doubt there would be a similar outcry here in Canada over this CBC program. This is from the same broadcasting corporation who's chairman resigned yesterday after making some controversial statements about the Lebanese and beastiality and also for waxing poetic on the pleasures of bowel movements. Story here.

Kind of throws a proverbial wet-blanket over the organization's intellectual credibility, but then that's just me.

I had thought of writing the ombudsman to complain, but I doubt it would do any good. And where does a person begin? It would be like picking a single grain of sand in a desert to complain it is mishapen. Besides I would have to admit to watch the CBC on occasion.

To any who wish to voice their opinions feel free. Here is the email addy:
COMPLAIN
The Ombudsman, CBC English Services
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 500, Station “A”
Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6
e-mail: ombudsman@cbc.ca

I'd also be curious if anyone actually watches it. Let me know what you think of it. Just don't go out of your way to do so. After all, I think watching the CBC may actually make you dumber. The former chairman could to be a case in point.

The whole mess reminds me of something one of my theology professors once said:

The only constant in the world is man's unfailing ability fo find new levels of depravity.

Houses looked at so far this week: 1 It was icky and way overpriced!
Pending assignments: 1
Listening to: absolutely nothing, don't want to confuse my weary brain with sounds

UPDATE: My apologies. I should have been more clear. I'll blame it on sleep-deprivation. The CBC program last night was an in-depth look at the dangers of faith - and it targeted all faiths. It basically said that all faith (in Allah, Buddha, God, whatever) is the enemy of free-thinking and modern civilization. It equated radical Christians in North America with the suicide bombers of extremist Islam.

Am I crazy?

I had two interviews today. One a Ukrainian Catholic priest (article in Saturday's religion section of The SP). And the other for a new job.

No, I don't intend to quit my work at the centre.

And, no, I don't intend to quit writing. That's like trying to quit breathing. Tried that and it makes me dizzy...

So, I ask you... Am I crazy?

The position is mainly administrative and entails work I could do from home around my (increasingly nutty) schedule.

I don't want to cut in on my writing time, but I felt I needed to supplement my income from writing. In a way, it'll probably help me get more accomplished as the busier I am the more I tend to be able to handle and accomplish.

So, as I ponder my schedule for the fall, I again ask... Am I crazy for wanting to make myself this busy?

Then again, we are looking at adding buying a house...

Ok. I'm alright. I may be crazy, but I know I'm in good company! ; )
--
Listening to: Newsboys - Thrive
Queries submitted: 1
Assignments pending: 1
Houses looked at this week: not a blessed one! Whew!

Anniversaries

September is a big month for me personally. First, the kids go back to school and that's always a blessing.

This year the beginning of September marked eight years since Richard and I moved to Saskatoon. We came with barely any earthly possessions. Richard spent the first two years going to school to become a computer tech.

There were times that we didn't think we'd make it - living on a small student loan with a toddler on the go. I remember rolling our spare change so we could put gas in our car or buy diapers.

We've come a long way since then. God blessed Richard with an amazing job (twice - because he left it for nine months to take a different position which he ended up hating). Richard has accomplished so much at this job and I'm so proud of him.

God blessed us with another little one, as well. Mikaela is such a joy to our hearts.

God blessed me with another September anniversary. This month I can celebrate six years as a freelance writer. I'll never forget dancing around our little apartment when I received that first contract to publish a parenting essay I wrote.

I may not have accomplished all that I have wanted to in my writing career, but God has blessed me. I've had some amazing experiences, interviewed some amazing people and established myself as a regular contributor for several publications. Not bad for the girl with no formal training in journalism or writing.

God has also blessed us with an amazing circle of friends and coworkers, not to mention the joy of being a part of a vibrant church family. We've grown so much - spiritually and emotionally - since coming to Saskatoon.

It was definitely the best move we made. We have been truly blessed.

Pending assignments: 0
Houses looked at this week: 7

The View

I don't watch ABC's The View very often. I used to enjoy the banter on current issues when they first started. But eventually, my schedule and the lack of a charismatic host meant I don't watch it much.

However, it came to my attention that on a recent episode Rosie O'Donnell made some outrageous statements. I understand her position. As a member of the gay and lesian community, O'Donnell feels the church in general would condemn her. Ok. I get it. She's not impressed with us.

As she discussed the recent anniversary of 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror, she made this comment as she duked it out with co-host Elisabeth Hasselback.

"Radical Christianity is just as dangerous as radical Islam."

Wow.

I don't even know if I can find words. (You know I can... I wouldn't have written a blog post about it if I could, but it's for the effect...)

Wow. Wow. Wow. WOW!

The truly amazing thing was the audience APPLAUDED.

Wow.

I sat down and wrote the producer of The View the following email:

It came to my attention today that The View Host Rosie O'Donnell made some outrageous comments on your show. While I missed the actual program I have seen a clip of the offending remarks. "Radical Christianity is just as dangerous as radical Islam," she said.

I am horrified by this statement. Worse than horrified I am outraged. This statement is absolutely completely and totally irresponsible and insane. Not to mention completely inaccurate.

On the heels of 9/11 - the greatest single purposeful act of evil committed by man against his fellow man - she dares to compare conservative Christians with the type of insanity that would see passenger jets flown into buildings to maim, kill and terrify thousands (not to mention millions) of people?

If this is the type of commentary that The View is now planning to offer, you can be assured I will never watch your program again. I am offended that Rosie would speak such absolute nonsense without qualification, proof or any shred of evidence to support her outrageous opinion.

Reasonable debate in a society that enshrines free-speech is expected on The View. This is hatred disguised as liberal rhetoric. It's completely irresponsible for you to allow her statements like this to go unchallenged.

As a Christian I can assure Ms. O'Donnell that I know of no conservative Christian who vows to kill as many non-Christians as possible, as much of the rhetoric coming from Islamic clerics often does.

Her statements are ludicrious. I'm not saying she isn't entitled to her opinion, but I am saying that if you want your program to be taken seriously, such ridiculous statements should never make it to air. Are you a news/commentary program or a pulpit for O'Donnell's misguided beliefs?

If she had said the same about "radical buddhism" would the statements have been aired without apology?

Christianity is afforded the same protections as other religions, whether or not Ms. O'Donnell agrees with their belief system.

Please tell me an apology is forthcoming.

I'll let you know if this gets a reply.

Five years on...

The blogworld is abuzz with 9/11 memorials. Thought I would add mine to the mix...

September 11, 2001, started earlier than usual for me. Logan had awakened shortly after 7 a.m. I had little desire to be awake at that time, so I bundled him in a blanket and planted him in front of CBC Kids. I thought an hour or so of their morning programming would keep him occupied as he was still kind of sleepy. Mikaela (just over a year old) slept in the living room in her playpen and she woke up a few minutes later.

As I snoozed fitfully in the bedroom, something slowly started to seep through the fog. The deep voice of a middle-aged man was droning on the T.V. It wasn't Dragon Tales or Sesame Street.

I wasn't concerned. I thought the kids must have inadvertantly changed the channel to CNN or something. I stumbled into the livingroom... into what I can only describe as full-blown chaos.

A building was falling on the T.V. and a sombre Peter Mansbridge was explaining this was only one traumatic event in a morning of traumatic events.

I couldn't figure it out. Was it movie footage? A disaster movie in NYC? But those ridiculous ideas were quickly disgarded. Whatever had happened it was huge. And it was bad. Very bad.

I screamed for Richard, who was home sick from work (another tale for another time), who managed to drag himself to the livingroom long enough for us to gather that some sort of terrorist attack had taken place in New York.

I still couldn't fathom what would make the BOTH World Trade Centre Towers fall, but something else was niggling at the back of my head... both of my kids had been watching the news coverage alone for who knows how long.

(A week later a picture of the Twin Towers in church caused Logan to lean over with a look of concern and ask, "Are the buildings going to fall down again, Mommy?")

I quickly popped Blue's Clues into the VCR and Richard hobbled back to bed.

I logged onto my computer and phoned my mom. All she said was, "I know." Just the day before she and I had discussed when she was getting their satellite channels turned back on. Needless to say she had already phoned the satellite TV company. Stuff was happening in the world and she couldn't see it!

CNN.com and every other news site in the Western World was down or severely disfunctional for most of the day. I eventually started getting my news updates from the BBC News website.

When I logged onto a writing group's bulletin board the first message I saw said: Holy Freaking Crap!!!! That pretty much summed it up.

I remember going into the bedroom and telling Richard that they still thought there was a hijacked plane in the air, but they didn't know where it was or where it was headed. I remember being struck by how odd that statement was. Who could have dreamed of ever uttering such words? I added, "The worst part is that's not the worst thing that's happened today."

Images of the thousands of posters of the missing are still etched in my mind. And you know for every one poster that was hung, there was one mother, father, brother, sister, or child waiting anxiously (and often in vain) for the return of their beloved.

The massive crowd of people walking out of Manhattan in absolute silence isn't something I'll ever forget.

Or the image of thousands of office workers covered in building dust with trails of tears through the coating on their faces.

There was the picture of a fire station in Belgium that shined their trucks until they glowed for the memorial service a week later. They spiffed up their uniforms and then drove their trucks just outside the station and stood in front of them at attention. It was their show of solidarity for their fellow firemen who gave their lives in the attacks.

That image stills brings a lump to my throat. They didn't know these people they were honouring. They might not have spoken the same language. I'm betting not many had even stepped foot on American soil. But they didn't care. They still wanted to honour the sacrifice these brave men made in an effort to rescue people like you and me.

It was a sign of solidarity, that connection of being bonded with your fellow earth travellers, that made me smile - even through the tears.

Another image I'm sure everyone remembers... the quiet skies. For days there were no vapor trails in our prairie sky. There were no planes rumbling over the city on take off or coming in for a landing. I never noticed how often they do that, but I do remember noting how odd it sounded when they weren't doing it anymore. To this day, I don't look at passenger jets the same way as it slices a graceful arc over the city.

I wonder if the people of NYC still cringe when they hear one.

I also remember the shame. International shame. I watched with horror as my fellow Canadians dared to utter the most absurd and insulting words: they had it coming. How could my copatriots be so unfeeling, so insensitive? And when Jean Chretien refused to allow a Christian minister to pray at the Parliament Hill memorial service for the WTC, I remember thinking Canada was walking around with toilet paper stuck to its shoe on the international stage. We just didn't know it.

Maybe we still don't know it. In my mind, my national pride slipped a bit after the 9/11 tragedy. Perhaps mostly because Canada never had to examine itself as a nation. Instead, we pompously took ourselves out of the equation. We never asked ourselves those hard questions. It was too easy to point fingers and place blame. It was happening to the other guy. So instead of doing some healthy self-examination, we got to wash our hands of the incident - perfectly smug in our belief that it couldn't happen to us.

I don't believe that. Canada has too much in common with our neighbour to the south for the terrorists to tell the difference. Well, except when it comes to getting a passport (something of a joke internationally).

Anyway, those are my thoughts from that day. The taste of shock in my mouth is still there. The numb confusion as I try to make sense of the incomprehensible. It's all still there. Just a little quieter. A little less vivid.

So probably Monday night, I will sit and raise a glass in memory of those who lost their lives five years ago tomorrow. Those who started their work day on a typical Tuesday morning, but never got to finish it.

Dental Adventures Part Three

Well, we did it. The final installment of our dental adventures was completed this morning. Logan decided to take the sedative again, but I'm not convinced he needed it. He was pretty calm about the whole thing to begin with.

And I have to say, the staff at Lawson Dental were so great with Logan. Thank you to them for being so professional and caring with him. I know their quick, efficient work made the whole experience a lot easier on my little buddy.

So yay! Dentist visits are finished for another six months - except for Richard, who has to go back later this month for a single filling.

But I doubt he'll need me to hold his hand or anything!

Pending queries: 2 (aka rejections-in-waiting)
Pending assignments/deadlines: 1

They did it again

Holy repeat batman! It's three in a row!

The Saskatchewan Roughriders wholloped the Bombers but good in the annual Labour Day classic.

Woohoo! Go Green!

Dental Adventures or Wonder of Wonders

Today, Logan chugged down two medications with little complaint. We herded him into the car (him weaving and staggering) and drove off to the dentist for the fillings that were to have occurred on Tuesday.

Logan, steadied by his dad bravely went forward to meet with his fate at the hands of Dr. Taylor (also a close friend).

I sat nervously in the waiting room... waiting. (Probably why they call it a waiting room!)

After an agonizing 30 minutes I ventured into back to see how things were going. I was pleasantly surprised to discover they were almost completed BOTH fillings, with nary an incident.

I was (and still am) in shock. My little buddy was so brave through the whole thing. Not to mention relaxed. I think I like this medicine... Could he be on it all the time? He was so agreeable!

Logan said he was such a pro at this now, he could probably do the next two fillings without the sedative.

We all chuckled.

We'll see how he feels when the freezing wears off. ; )