Hi Everyone!
Got the ceiling painted (2 coats) yesterday. You wouldn't believe the fiasco that went on. On Friday night, I pulled the horrid linoleum off the wall (it was used behind the kitchen counter). It was covering up some gritty yellow rubber-like substance (I think it was glue at one point) as well as some uneven glue/sealant that was maybe used for tile? Anyways, I sprayed some paint stripper on it to soften the compound and had to scrape for several hours to get the surface even. I have since put two layers of plaster on it and tonight will do a bit more sanding and put on a final plaster layer. The stupid people also used 2" long screws to fasten the curtain rod hooks up (the ones that are sold with 1/2" nails to hand them). They then painted over the top so I had to pry them out and replaster some big holes. I was not impressed.
Anyways, Sunday afternoon rolled around and I pulled out my painting supplies. Guess what I didn't have - a replacement roller! I ended up applying both coats with one of those tiny 6" long rollers. I was quite angry with myself because I was at Walmart on Saturday picking up supplies (and buying Girl Guide cookies!). Tonight I'll be plastering, sanding and cleaning I'll put on my first wall coat on Tuesday.
Both arms are bruised (tiny bruise on my right but my left is pretty cool looking). They don't hurt anymore unless you poke at them.
Have a great day!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
Friday!
Hi Everyone!
I'm very tired and my arm is sore but at least it's Friday.
Went for plasma donation last night. I usually use my left arm but for some reason last night, it wasn't drawing very well. They decided to stop, return my leftover blood (everything except for the plasma - it gets taken out) and I was given the option to try my other arm. I said ok. The problem was, when they started returning my blood in my left arm, instead of going back into the vein, it collected in my arm in a big bump. A lot of rushing and some ice on my arm got rid of the bump. It didn't hurt very much - more like a tingling that you get if the iodine isn't quite dry when the needle goes in. My arm's sore today and my bruise is just starting to appear. It's a bit yellow around the needle hole but I figure the full effect won't show up until tonight or tomorrow.
I switched to my right arm (which only has a small vein so it's very slow) and they were able to get a second draw on me.
When you donate plasma, whole blood is drawn into a machine where it is collected in a bucket and spun around. The centifugal force separates the plasma. The leftover blood is put into a container until it's full. At this point, the machine changes direction. Instead of drawing blood, it pumps the blood back into the vein. This is why you can donate plasma every week but can donate whole blood only every 56 days. In plasma donation, your iron is returned to your body but it isn't in whole blood. It usually takes about 25 minutes for me to donate. Women usually have 2 cycles - draw, return, draw, return. Men usually need 3 cycles.
Last night I finished 2 but I would've needed another draw to fill up the bag. They decided to stop after 2 because they could still use my plasma but they didn't want me hooked up for so long (almost an hour). One of the nurses gave me a ride home (it was the end of her shift).
I slept terribly last night because my arms couldn't get comfortable. Poor Mike! I kept waking up and he kept thinking it was time to play.
Have a great day!
I'm very tired and my arm is sore but at least it's Friday.
Went for plasma donation last night. I usually use my left arm but for some reason last night, it wasn't drawing very well. They decided to stop, return my leftover blood (everything except for the plasma - it gets taken out) and I was given the option to try my other arm. I said ok. The problem was, when they started returning my blood in my left arm, instead of going back into the vein, it collected in my arm in a big bump. A lot of rushing and some ice on my arm got rid of the bump. It didn't hurt very much - more like a tingling that you get if the iodine isn't quite dry when the needle goes in. My arm's sore today and my bruise is just starting to appear. It's a bit yellow around the needle hole but I figure the full effect won't show up until tonight or tomorrow.
I switched to my right arm (which only has a small vein so it's very slow) and they were able to get a second draw on me.
When you donate plasma, whole blood is drawn into a machine where it is collected in a bucket and spun around. The centifugal force separates the plasma. The leftover blood is put into a container until it's full. At this point, the machine changes direction. Instead of drawing blood, it pumps the blood back into the vein. This is why you can donate plasma every week but can donate whole blood only every 56 days. In plasma donation, your iron is returned to your body but it isn't in whole blood. It usually takes about 25 minutes for me to donate. Women usually have 2 cycles - draw, return, draw, return. Men usually need 3 cycles.
Last night I finished 2 but I would've needed another draw to fill up the bag. They decided to stop after 2 because they could still use my plasma but they didn't want me hooked up for so long (almost an hour). One of the nurses gave me a ride home (it was the end of her shift).
I slept terribly last night because my arms couldn't get comfortable. Poor Mike! I kept waking up and he kept thinking it was time to play.
Have a great day!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
A busy week
Hi Everyone!
Don't have much time to type - we're getting ready to hire/train so it's been pretty hectic.
Next week we'll start the inbound customer service people. I'm being moved to becoming Customer Service Supervisor (for the duration - end of May, beginning of June). I've been updating the training manuals and I'll be doing most of the training on the hands-on computer component.
Have plasma donation tonight and choir practise. Will start prep/painting the kitchen this weekend.
My flowerbed is covered in croci. When I make the flowerbed on the other side, I'll need to remember where they are so I can move some over. My tulips and other bulbs are also about 3" high.
I ordered a new workout video from an infomerical and it arrived last night. I know that I'm a sucker but it's a Windsor Pilates video with a work-out circle that helps with your form. It was also $9.95. I know that pilates is an effective workout so I'll give it a try. I'll do it in the morning so I'll have to adjust my sleep.
Have a great day!
Don't have much time to type - we're getting ready to hire/train so it's been pretty hectic.
Next week we'll start the inbound customer service people. I'm being moved to becoming Customer Service Supervisor (for the duration - end of May, beginning of June). I've been updating the training manuals and I'll be doing most of the training on the hands-on computer component.
Have plasma donation tonight and choir practise. Will start prep/painting the kitchen this weekend.
My flowerbed is covered in croci. When I make the flowerbed on the other side, I'll need to remember where they are so I can move some over. My tulips and other bulbs are also about 3" high.
I ordered a new workout video from an infomerical and it arrived last night. I know that I'm a sucker but it's a Windsor Pilates video with a work-out circle that helps with your form. It was also $9.95. I know that pilates is an effective workout so I'll give it a try. I'll do it in the morning so I'll have to adjust my sleep.
Have a great day!
Monday, March 27, 2006
A tired sort of morning
Hi Everyone!
A bit tired today - was up last night starting to pack up the kitchen (to prepare for painting).
Had a nice adventure on Saturday. Walked through the dog park to the Glenmore resevoir, crossed the dam and eventually made my way to the mall. It was a rather long hike (detours that forced me to go quite a bit further south than I wanted to) so I only spend a few hours at the mall. Had fun though and got some great things. Picked up a spring/summer coat (I've never owned one specifically for that season). It's bright robin blue and it's a trench coat style. It has a belt and it comes down to the top of my knees. Ended up walking home as I was just short transit fare and had a headache by the time I got back. It's about 1 1/2 hours to walk from the mall.
Whiskers ate my telephone cord yet again (she ignores the bitter apple spray) so I'm without internet at home until the weekend (I think this time I'll pick up a couple extra cords). I think it's because the cords are thinner and flatter than electrical cords that she sneaks over to them to bite them in half. Stupid rabbit.
Love my new hair cut. It looks great and is super easy to style (brush forward, optional hair wax). I forgot what a difference it makes when you have a short style vs a longer cut. With a short style, there's nothing to hide behind and I find that my shoulders are straighter and my head is up more often. There's no ducking behind bangs (which covered my eyes). I feel a lot more confident but I thinks it's more a pschological thing (of getting a change) more than the actual cut. There was a lot of hair that went and I can feel the difference in the weight.
My croci are about to bloom! The flower buds are just about to open. To me, this is when spring starts.
Have a great day!
A bit tired today - was up last night starting to pack up the kitchen (to prepare for painting).
Had a nice adventure on Saturday. Walked through the dog park to the Glenmore resevoir, crossed the dam and eventually made my way to the mall. It was a rather long hike (detours that forced me to go quite a bit further south than I wanted to) so I only spend a few hours at the mall. Had fun though and got some great things. Picked up a spring/summer coat (I've never owned one specifically for that season). It's bright robin blue and it's a trench coat style. It has a belt and it comes down to the top of my knees. Ended up walking home as I was just short transit fare and had a headache by the time I got back. It's about 1 1/2 hours to walk from the mall.
Whiskers ate my telephone cord yet again (she ignores the bitter apple spray) so I'm without internet at home until the weekend (I think this time I'll pick up a couple extra cords). I think it's because the cords are thinner and flatter than electrical cords that she sneaks over to them to bite them in half. Stupid rabbit.
Love my new hair cut. It looks great and is super easy to style (brush forward, optional hair wax). I forgot what a difference it makes when you have a short style vs a longer cut. With a short style, there's nothing to hide behind and I find that my shoulders are straighter and my head is up more often. There's no ducking behind bangs (which covered my eyes). I feel a lot more confident but I thinks it's more a pschological thing (of getting a change) more than the actual cut. There was a lot of hair that went and I can feel the difference in the weight.
My croci are about to bloom! The flower buds are just about to open. To me, this is when spring starts.
Have a great day!
Friday, March 24, 2006
TGIF
Hi Everyone!
Getting my hair cut today. I'm rather excited - think Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby and you'll have an idea of my soon-to-be haircut.
Wednesday was Sylvia's birthday so after work we (co-workers) went for Japanese. This was a new restaurant for me and they sat us around a grill and the chef prepared the food in front of us. It was really good (although I didn't find it very filling) and the chef was very entertaining.
I've decided that tomorrow I'm going to the mall. I know this seems like an odd statement but usually if I need to go shopping, I'll go to Signal Hill (area of stores beside each other but you have to go outside to get to the next one) or Westbrooke Mall (very small but it has a Walmart). I'm going to visit Chinook Centre (the largest mall in Calgary). My income tax came in so I'm going to buy a new outfit. No big splurge or anything like that but it's been a year since I've been to Chinook and almost the same amount of time since I've been to a mall to browse. Usually, I have a list of things to get and I'm in and out, without browsing and people watching. I'm going to walk there (1 1/2 hours) so hopefully that will make up for the 3 krispy kremes I've eaten so far today (Lori brought them in for me). I can spend the day enjoying myself (with no time limit) and I think I'll go see a movie as well.
Have a great day!
Getting my hair cut today. I'm rather excited - think Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby and you'll have an idea of my soon-to-be haircut.
Wednesday was Sylvia's birthday so after work we (co-workers) went for Japanese. This was a new restaurant for me and they sat us around a grill and the chef prepared the food in front of us. It was really good (although I didn't find it very filling) and the chef was very entertaining.
I've decided that tomorrow I'm going to the mall. I know this seems like an odd statement but usually if I need to go shopping, I'll go to Signal Hill (area of stores beside each other but you have to go outside to get to the next one) or Westbrooke Mall (very small but it has a Walmart). I'm going to visit Chinook Centre (the largest mall in Calgary). My income tax came in so I'm going to buy a new outfit. No big splurge or anything like that but it's been a year since I've been to Chinook and almost the same amount of time since I've been to a mall to browse. Usually, I have a list of things to get and I'm in and out, without browsing and people watching. I'm going to walk there (1 1/2 hours) so hopefully that will make up for the 3 krispy kremes I've eaten so far today (Lori brought them in for me). I can spend the day enjoying myself (with no time limit) and I think I'll go see a movie as well.
Have a great day!
What's in a Krispy Kreme donut?
Original Glazed Ingredients
enriched flour
dextrose
vegetable oil shortening (partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil)
water
sugar
soy flour
dried egg yolks
yeast
skim milk
calcium sulphate
ammonium sulphate
calcium peroxide
monocalcium and dicalcium phosphate
diammonium phosphate
sodium steroyl-2-lactylate
whey
corn starch
ascorbic acid
sodium bicarbonate
calcium carbonate
salt
mono- and diglycerides
lecithin
calcium propionate
cellulose gum
malted barley flour
natural and articifial flavours
amylase
protease
BHT
Glaze
sugar
water
corn starch
calcium carbonate
calcium sulphate
agar
dextrose
locust bean gum
disodium phosphate
sorbitan
monostearate
mono- and diglycerides
artificial flavour
salt
And yet they're so yummy...
enriched flour
dextrose
vegetable oil shortening (partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil)
water
sugar
soy flour
dried egg yolks
yeast
skim milk
calcium sulphate
ammonium sulphate
calcium peroxide
monocalcium and dicalcium phosphate
diammonium phosphate
sodium steroyl-2-lactylate
whey
corn starch
ascorbic acid
sodium bicarbonate
calcium carbonate
salt
mono- and diglycerides
lecithin
calcium propionate
cellulose gum
malted barley flour
natural and articifial flavours
amylase
protease
BHT
Glaze
sugar
water
corn starch
calcium carbonate
calcium sulphate
agar
dextrose
locust bean gum
disodium phosphate
sorbitan
monostearate
mono- and diglycerides
artificial flavour
salt
And yet they're so yummy...
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Karen's 2rd year anniversary
Hello Everyone!
Today is my second anniversary of arriving in Calgary. This is the longest I've lived in one place, one apartment, and had the same job since high school.
I'm very glad that I moved here. When I was getting ready to head out here, I was very nervous. I didn't know anyone, I didn't have a job and I only had enough money to survive for about 2 weeks. The plane touched down and I had the feeling that "this is where you're suppose to be". Everything worked out (almost to the point of being freaky). I lucked out with my apartment. Since I didn't know the city, I didn't know just how great the location is. The bed & breakfast that I first stayed at was in a neighbourhood called Mission. The other 6 apartments I looked at were in this area. The apartment that I ended up choosing was further away from Mission and when I first saw it, I didn't want it. Later that night, I compared apartments and it turned out to be the best - big (and no funky smells/mold) bathroom, storage, cheapest, and largest. That black & white squares linoleum on the floor was a big turn-off but rugs have since made them less dizzying. I bought Gilbert even before I moved in so he had to wait an extra day at the pet store before coming home. At this point I still didn't have a job. I had my job interview exactly one week from the time I flew in and got the job the next day. I started a couple days later. I was so glad that everything fell into place - if it hadn't, I don't know what I would've done.
Three years later, I love my neighbourhood, apartment (with new paint!) and I've made a life for myself. Work is steady although I don't think I'll still be here in another three years. They've been very good to me at work and I'm glad that this was where I ended up when I first moved out here. I'm going to start taking university courses through distance education and eventually get my BA in Humanities. I have my furry family that keeps me company and I have a network of people I can socialize with through church. I don't have the close friend to go shopping with and do girly stuff with but I'm also not lonely. There's always something going on in the city and transit can get me to most places.
When I was younger, I also thought I'd stay in a small town and I used to hate visiting "the city". It helps that there are a lot of parks/green spaces to relax in. I think living in Hohhot helped me to adjust from country to city live. It's been a struggle financially (Calgary is expensive) but I'm keeping my head above water. There's a lot of opportunities out here (and if you have any experience in a trade you'll make a fortune) and you can see the boom of the city.
A lot of you are probably wondering if I'll eventually move back to Ontario. You never know what's going to happen in the future but at this point I'd say no. I'm not a westerner (nor will I be) but I feel that I fit here better than I did in Ontario. I'll be back for visits to see everyone and you're welcome to stop in for a visit - my futon folds out! I still have a lot of Canada to see (I've only stopped in airports in Sask, Nfld & Man and yet to see the north) although I've mellowed to the point that I no longer have the urge that I have to see everything right away.
Anyways, these are just my musings for the morning. It's weird (and a bit scary) that so much has changed in my life throughout my 20s (I'll hit 28 in a couple months) and Calgary has given me a change to figure out who I am and what I want in my life.
Have a great day!
Today is my second anniversary of arriving in Calgary. This is the longest I've lived in one place, one apartment, and had the same job since high school.
I'm very glad that I moved here. When I was getting ready to head out here, I was very nervous. I didn't know anyone, I didn't have a job and I only had enough money to survive for about 2 weeks. The plane touched down and I had the feeling that "this is where you're suppose to be". Everything worked out (almost to the point of being freaky). I lucked out with my apartment. Since I didn't know the city, I didn't know just how great the location is. The bed & breakfast that I first stayed at was in a neighbourhood called Mission. The other 6 apartments I looked at were in this area. The apartment that I ended up choosing was further away from Mission and when I first saw it, I didn't want it. Later that night, I compared apartments and it turned out to be the best - big (and no funky smells/mold) bathroom, storage, cheapest, and largest. That black & white squares linoleum on the floor was a big turn-off but rugs have since made them less dizzying. I bought Gilbert even before I moved in so he had to wait an extra day at the pet store before coming home. At this point I still didn't have a job. I had my job interview exactly one week from the time I flew in and got the job the next day. I started a couple days later. I was so glad that everything fell into place - if it hadn't, I don't know what I would've done.
Three years later, I love my neighbourhood, apartment (with new paint!) and I've made a life for myself. Work is steady although I don't think I'll still be here in another three years. They've been very good to me at work and I'm glad that this was where I ended up when I first moved out here. I'm going to start taking university courses through distance education and eventually get my BA in Humanities. I have my furry family that keeps me company and I have a network of people I can socialize with through church. I don't have the close friend to go shopping with and do girly stuff with but I'm also not lonely. There's always something going on in the city and transit can get me to most places.
When I was younger, I also thought I'd stay in a small town and I used to hate visiting "the city". It helps that there are a lot of parks/green spaces to relax in. I think living in Hohhot helped me to adjust from country to city live. It's been a struggle financially (Calgary is expensive) but I'm keeping my head above water. There's a lot of opportunities out here (and if you have any experience in a trade you'll make a fortune) and you can see the boom of the city.
A lot of you are probably wondering if I'll eventually move back to Ontario. You never know what's going to happen in the future but at this point I'd say no. I'm not a westerner (nor will I be) but I feel that I fit here better than I did in Ontario. I'll be back for visits to see everyone and you're welcome to stop in for a visit - my futon folds out! I still have a lot of Canada to see (I've only stopped in airports in Sask, Nfld & Man and yet to see the north) although I've mellowed to the point that I no longer have the urge that I have to see everything right away.
Anyways, these are just my musings for the morning. It's weird (and a bit scary) that so much has changed in my life throughout my 20s (I'll hit 28 in a couple months) and Calgary has given me a change to figure out who I am and what I want in my life.
Have a great day!
Friday, March 17, 2006
Mike's doing great!
Hi Everyone!
Got a call from the vet about an hour ago. Mike's doing great and is recovering well from the anaesthetic. He's a big cat (well normal sized to me) and came out of it quite quickly. His teeth are healthy and they discovered he has a couple extra! I was speaking to the vet (rather than the receptionist) and thought it was very nice of her to speak with me personally. I was told that I could pick him up any time after 3:30. I'm impressed that they give such a long observation period to make sure there's no complications. I'll pick him up after work and shower him with kisses.
My anxiety is gone!
Have a great day and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Got a call from the vet about an hour ago. Mike's doing great and is recovering well from the anaesthetic. He's a big cat (well normal sized to me) and came out of it quite quickly. His teeth are healthy and they discovered he has a couple extra! I was speaking to the vet (rather than the receptionist) and thought it was very nice of her to speak with me personally. I was told that I could pick him up any time after 3:30. I'm impressed that they give such a long observation period to make sure there's no complications. I'll pick him up after work and shower him with kisses.
My anxiety is gone!
Have a great day and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Mama's already a nervous wreck
Hi Everyone!
Mike goes to the clinic today. I'm already a bit nervous (after all, he doesn't understand why this is happening) and I likely will be until I pick him up tomorrow. Will he think I'm abandoning him? Will he have a lovely sleep-over? Will he be lonely? Will his mouth hurt a lot after the cleaning (very likely)? Will he understand what is happening? Will he be terrified of the cat carrier in the future? Will this just be another day?
I'll sleep terribly tonight without him (as per usual when he's out in the livingroom or I'm on vacation). I might bring Whiskers in so I can sleep!
Finished tidying up the apartment. It's neat, but still looks lived in. Mike's in my bedroom for the inspection (what a day he'll have) and Whiskers is angry that she wasn't let out last night.
Mike's dvd arrived last night. It's a special video made especially for cats. A company in the UK designed it with colour filters and a lens focus to make it suitable for a cat's eyes and they adjusted the sound as well. It's a video of bugs that has a two hour repeat and is continuous play. Mike rather enjoyed it and spent his time swatting at spiders and moths. The bugs looked fuzzy to me (out of focus?) but then again, I don't have cat eyes. If he still likes it after a month, I'll also buy the bird dvd.
Have a great day!
Mike goes to the clinic today. I'm already a bit nervous (after all, he doesn't understand why this is happening) and I likely will be until I pick him up tomorrow. Will he think I'm abandoning him? Will he have a lovely sleep-over? Will he be lonely? Will his mouth hurt a lot after the cleaning (very likely)? Will he understand what is happening? Will he be terrified of the cat carrier in the future? Will this just be another day?
I'll sleep terribly tonight without him (as per usual when he's out in the livingroom or I'm on vacation). I might bring Whiskers in so I can sleep!
Finished tidying up the apartment. It's neat, but still looks lived in. Mike's in my bedroom for the inspection (what a day he'll have) and Whiskers is angry that she wasn't let out last night.
Mike's dvd arrived last night. It's a special video made especially for cats. A company in the UK designed it with colour filters and a lens focus to make it suitable for a cat's eyes and they adjusted the sound as well. It's a video of bugs that has a two hour repeat and is continuous play. Mike rather enjoyed it and spent his time swatting at spiders and moths. The bugs looked fuzzy to me (out of focus?) but then again, I don't have cat eyes. If he still likes it after a month, I'll also buy the bird dvd.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
My faith in Tim Hortons is shattered!
Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006
Not all rims rrroll up equal
(CBC) - The odds of winning a big prize when you roll up the rim on a cup of Tim Hortons coffee depend on where you live, CBC News Online has learned.
Canada's biggest fast-food chain is currently running its annual spring promotion that offers customers a chance to win prizes ranging from a cup of coffee to a $33,000 sport utility vehicle.
Albertans and Atlantic Canadians have nearly twice the opportunity of driving off in one of the 30 SUVs as residents of Toronto or southwestern Ontario.
If you live in Quebec, where Tim Hortons is battling for market share with rival Dunkin' Donuts, your chances are even better - a one in four million shot at the SUV, versus one in eight million for B.C. and one in 11 million for southern Ontario.
The same is true to a lesser extent for the three other big rewards: 100 plasma televisions, 500 cash prizes of $1,000 and 10,000 barbecues.
A spokesman at the company's Oakville, Ont., headquarters was initially unaware of the prize distribution breakdown and had to check with corporate lawyers before confirming that the odds have been skewed for at least the past couple of years.
"There are only 30 cars," Greg Skinner said. "If it was all equalized, some places like P.E.I. or New Brunswick might not get one at all. This is just about trying to create some excitement."
The overall odds advertised by the company of winning one of the SUVs is one in 8,296,300. While a longshot, the chances are at least better than those of picking up the Lotto 6/49 jackpot, which are roughly one in 14 million.
Not all rims rrroll up equal
(CBC) - The odds of winning a big prize when you roll up the rim on a cup of Tim Hortons coffee depend on where you live, CBC News Online has learned.
Canada's biggest fast-food chain is currently running its annual spring promotion that offers customers a chance to win prizes ranging from a cup of coffee to a $33,000 sport utility vehicle.
Albertans and Atlantic Canadians have nearly twice the opportunity of driving off in one of the 30 SUVs as residents of Toronto or southwestern Ontario.
If you live in Quebec, where Tim Hortons is battling for market share with rival Dunkin' Donuts, your chances are even better - a one in four million shot at the SUV, versus one in eight million for B.C. and one in 11 million for southern Ontario.
The same is true to a lesser extent for the three other big rewards: 100 plasma televisions, 500 cash prizes of $1,000 and 10,000 barbecues.
A spokesman at the company's Oakville, Ont., headquarters was initially unaware of the prize distribution breakdown and had to check with corporate lawyers before confirming that the odds have been skewed for at least the past couple of years.
"There are only 30 cars," Greg Skinner said. "If it was all equalized, some places like P.E.I. or New Brunswick might not get one at all. This is just about trying to create some excitement."
The overall odds advertised by the company of winning one of the SUVs is one in 8,296,300. While a longshot, the chances are at least better than those of picking up the Lotto 6/49 jackpot, which are roughly one in 14 million.
Ingredients in a Max 5 candy bar
Max 5 - peanut butter candy, pretzels, caramel, peanut butter, peanuts
Ingredients:
partially defatted peanuts Huh?
sugar
wheat flour
hydrogenated modified vegetable oils (palm kernel and soybean oil)
high fructose corn syrup
modified milk ingredients
peanuts I guess not all the peanuts were defatted!
dextrose
peanut oil They added oil after taking the fat out of the peanuts?
hydrogenated vegetable oils (coconut and soybean) Maybe the modifications worked!
salt
corn syrup Just plain corn syrup - no fancy high fructose here
glycerin
soy lecithin
mono and diglycerides
ammonium
bicarbonate
sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate got a first name
artificial flavour
carrageenan
yeast
disodium phosphate
TBHQ I'd hate to see what the actual name of this stuff is
citric acid
The "candy bar" (no chocolate involved) actually didn't taste terrible. It was odd and strange looking (and expensive if you compare the weight to an Oh Henry!) but did fulfill my snacking urge.
Ingredients:
partially defatted peanuts Huh?
sugar
wheat flour
hydrogenated modified vegetable oils (palm kernel and soybean oil)
high fructose corn syrup
modified milk ingredients
peanuts I guess not all the peanuts were defatted!
dextrose
peanut oil They added oil after taking the fat out of the peanuts?
hydrogenated vegetable oils (coconut and soybean) Maybe the modifications worked!
salt
corn syrup Just plain corn syrup - no fancy high fructose here
glycerin
soy lecithin
mono and diglycerides
ammonium
bicarbonate
sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate got a first name
artificial flavour
carrageenan
yeast
disodium phosphate
TBHQ I'd hate to see what the actual name of this stuff is
citric acid
The "candy bar" (no chocolate involved) actually didn't taste terrible. It was odd and strange looking (and expensive if you compare the weight to an Oh Henry!) but did fulfill my snacking urge.
Halfway through the work week
Hi Everyone!
A cold and grey walk to work. It started to mist/snow when I was almost there. It's overcast and rather blah out.
Tidied the apartment last night. Mike tried waking me up this morning (and was awfully cute about it) but it ended up being Whiskers who got me out of bed. They're going to be very upset with me because Whiskers won't be out of her cage tonight or tomorrow and Mike needs to be shut in my room tomorrow for the inspection. He'll only have a few hours of roaming his territory before going to the clinic. It's going to take a lot of bribes to make it up to him on the weekend.
Have a great day!
A cold and grey walk to work. It started to mist/snow when I was almost there. It's overcast and rather blah out.
Tidied the apartment last night. Mike tried waking me up this morning (and was awfully cute about it) but it ended up being Whiskers who got me out of bed. They're going to be very upset with me because Whiskers won't be out of her cage tonight or tomorrow and Mike needs to be shut in my room tomorrow for the inspection. He'll only have a few hours of roaming his territory before going to the clinic. It's going to take a lot of bribes to make it up to him on the weekend.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Mornings suck
Hi Everyone!
I didn't get enough sleep last night so I'm grumpy and tired this morning.
I ended up getting nothing done that I wanted to last night (had a bath and finished my book instead) so it'll be a busy night tonight. The book was really good. It was a biography of Zainab Salbi. She is the co-founder of Women for Women (an organization that helps women from war-torn countries deal with rape, loss, etc.) She is Iraqi and her father was once Saddam Huissain's pilot. It was very interesting to read because it talks a lot about the manipulation and fear of "close friends" to Saddam (she didn't find out about a lot of the atrocities until she went to the United States). I highly recommend the book. It's called "Between Two Worlds" and she co-wrote it.
Hoping to get my hair cut next week - just waiting for the salon to open so I can make my appointment. I think I'll chop it all off to about an inch. It's much easier to care for and I don't have to worry about bed-head.
Poor Mike! He wanted me to wake up and play with him this morning and I think (it's a bit blurry) I shoved him out of bed! In my defence, it was before 6:00am. I tried to make it up to him when I eventually got up but I think I hurt his feelings.
Anyways, not in the mood for typing.
Have a great day!
I didn't get enough sleep last night so I'm grumpy and tired this morning.
I ended up getting nothing done that I wanted to last night (had a bath and finished my book instead) so it'll be a busy night tonight. The book was really good. It was a biography of Zainab Salbi. She is the co-founder of Women for Women (an organization that helps women from war-torn countries deal with rape, loss, etc.) She is Iraqi and her father was once Saddam Huissain's pilot. It was very interesting to read because it talks a lot about the manipulation and fear of "close friends" to Saddam (she didn't find out about a lot of the atrocities until she went to the United States). I highly recommend the book. It's called "Between Two Worlds" and she co-wrote it.
Hoping to get my hair cut next week - just waiting for the salon to open so I can make my appointment. I think I'll chop it all off to about an inch. It's much easier to care for and I don't have to worry about bed-head.
Poor Mike! He wanted me to wake up and play with him this morning and I think (it's a bit blurry) I shoved him out of bed! In my defence, it was before 6:00am. I tried to make it up to him when I eventually got up but I think I hurt his feelings.
Anyways, not in the mood for typing.
Have a great day!
Monday, March 13, 2006
I ate a fig!
Hi Everyone!
It may not seem exciting to you but last night I tried a fig. Gayle brought some to the church water study last night. It was dried (apparently - it was soft and very sticky) and although I liked it, I could only eat one. It was so sweet! I was told it makes lovely jam.
Had a productive weekend.
After work on Friday, I detoured onto 17 Ave ("The Red Mile" for hockey fans) and bought some bee pollen. It looks like Rainbow's food pellets but they're golden coloured. It is apparently very healthy for you (30% protein), gives you energy, boosts your immune system etc. I don't particularily like the taste of it although I don't like the taste of honey either. I've been tired so often lately and hopefully this will help. I have noticed that after I take it, I'm not super hungry and need sugar right away. I then stopped at the Paws Boutique which is a dress-up store for dogs and cats. I ended up passing on a t-shirt for Mike but I did get him a toy with catnip in it. While there, two dogs were preparing for a fashion show later that night and one of them got its bangs cut.
I stayed in my pjs all Saturday and cross-stitched.
On Sunday, I made a proper supper. I made roast beef (M&Ms is lovely - it's already seasoned for you!), mashed potatoes and corn. I also did laundry, swept the floor, organized the kitchen and tidied the hallway. I also tried to make pralines. I've made them before (in Ontario) but I ended up burning the candy and setting off the fire alarm. I think I either heated the mixture at too high of temperature (too quickly) or my pot wasn't thick enough. I was quite disappointed.
There was a skiff of snow on the sidewalk this morning and it was -14 C when I left the apartment.
I have a busy week ahead of me. Tuesday is the Townships meeting, Wednesday is Bethel class, Thursday is my apartment inspection, I drop off Mike at the vet, and have choir practise, and Friday is when I pick Mike up. He's having his teeth cleaned. I know this sounds pretty stupid but his teeth are in bad shape. It's probably from him eating that horrible, cheap Safeway catfood for so many years. Since house cats don't have a regular diet of meat (ie mice) and bones to scrub their teeth, placque builds up. In Mike's case, the placque has gotten so bad that by next year, his gums would become infected. I'm hoping that by getting this done now, he won't need it again for another few years. Because of the nature of the procedure, the vet needs to knock Mike out. I could drop him off Friday morning but I'd end up being late for work and I would still need to fast him. The clinic is open late on Thursday and they won't charge me for boarding. I'm still a bit nervous about the procedure and I'll likely sleep horribly on Thursday night.
Whiskers learned a new trick this weekend. I let her out on Friday. When I was getting ready for bed, I did a quick search for her. I found her on top of my bed! She learned how to hop up but I don't think she could get down. I set her down and throughout the night, she kept hopping up. I'd wake up and set her back down (in case she needed to go to her cage to go to the bathroom). By Saturday morning, she had figured out how to jump down. It was rather nice to wake up to two furry family members hopping/stepping on me. Saturday night consisted of her jumping up and down off the bed and tearing down the hallway. Mike took a few swats at her (but she can hold her own) this weekend but I think it's good for the both of them. They both get exercise (Whiskers from her hallway racetrack and Mike from jumping out of the way) and they get used to each other.
I also included two articles in my blog. The first one is about the beer flowing from a faucet in Norway and the second is from the editor of the Danish newspaper who published the cartoons. I thought they would be of interest.
Have a great day!
It may not seem exciting to you but last night I tried a fig. Gayle brought some to the church water study last night. It was dried (apparently - it was soft and very sticky) and although I liked it, I could only eat one. It was so sweet! I was told it makes lovely jam.
Had a productive weekend.
After work on Friday, I detoured onto 17 Ave ("The Red Mile" for hockey fans) and bought some bee pollen. It looks like Rainbow's food pellets but they're golden coloured. It is apparently very healthy for you (30% protein), gives you energy, boosts your immune system etc. I don't particularily like the taste of it although I don't like the taste of honey either. I've been tired so often lately and hopefully this will help. I have noticed that after I take it, I'm not super hungry and need sugar right away. I then stopped at the Paws Boutique which is a dress-up store for dogs and cats. I ended up passing on a t-shirt for Mike but I did get him a toy with catnip in it. While there, two dogs were preparing for a fashion show later that night and one of them got its bangs cut.
I stayed in my pjs all Saturday and cross-stitched.
On Sunday, I made a proper supper. I made roast beef (M&Ms is lovely - it's already seasoned for you!), mashed potatoes and corn. I also did laundry, swept the floor, organized the kitchen and tidied the hallway. I also tried to make pralines. I've made them before (in Ontario) but I ended up burning the candy and setting off the fire alarm. I think I either heated the mixture at too high of temperature (too quickly) or my pot wasn't thick enough. I was quite disappointed.
There was a skiff of snow on the sidewalk this morning and it was -14 C when I left the apartment.
I have a busy week ahead of me. Tuesday is the Townships meeting, Wednesday is Bethel class, Thursday is my apartment inspection, I drop off Mike at the vet, and have choir practise, and Friday is when I pick Mike up. He's having his teeth cleaned. I know this sounds pretty stupid but his teeth are in bad shape. It's probably from him eating that horrible, cheap Safeway catfood for so many years. Since house cats don't have a regular diet of meat (ie mice) and bones to scrub their teeth, placque builds up. In Mike's case, the placque has gotten so bad that by next year, his gums would become infected. I'm hoping that by getting this done now, he won't need it again for another few years. Because of the nature of the procedure, the vet needs to knock Mike out. I could drop him off Friday morning but I'd end up being late for work and I would still need to fast him. The clinic is open late on Thursday and they won't charge me for boarding. I'm still a bit nervous about the procedure and I'll likely sleep horribly on Thursday night.
Whiskers learned a new trick this weekend. I let her out on Friday. When I was getting ready for bed, I did a quick search for her. I found her on top of my bed! She learned how to hop up but I don't think she could get down. I set her down and throughout the night, she kept hopping up. I'd wake up and set her back down (in case she needed to go to her cage to go to the bathroom). By Saturday morning, she had figured out how to jump down. It was rather nice to wake up to two furry family members hopping/stepping on me. Saturday night consisted of her jumping up and down off the bed and tearing down the hallway. Mike took a few swats at her (but she can hold her own) this weekend but I think it's good for the both of them. They both get exercise (Whiskers from her hallway racetrack and Mike from jumping out of the way) and they get used to each other.
I also included two articles in my blog. The first one is about the beer flowing from a faucet in Norway and the second is from the editor of the Danish newspaper who published the cartoons. I thought they would be of interest.
Have a great day!
Kitchen tap in Norway spews beer, not water
Monday, Mar 13, 2006
Kitchen tap in Norway spews beer, not water
(CBC) - A bar worker in western Norway managed to turn water into beer for a lucky woman living in an apartment above the pub.
Haldis Gundersen turned on her kitchen tap on the weekend expecting water to gush out so that she could wash some dishes. Instead, she got beer.
A worker in a bar two floors below had accidentally connected a hose from a new barrel of beer to the water pipe leading to Gunderson's apartment in Kristiansund.
"We thought we were in heaven," she told Reuters.
The beer tasted strange and didn't have the fizziness that specialized bar spigots would create, she added. Given the choice, she would have opted for her favourite coffee liqueur.
"If it happens again, I'm going to order Baileys," Gunderson said.
The mood wasn't so happy in the bar where the problem originated. Expecting beer from the usual tap, staff were startled to see water pouring out instead.
Kitchen tap in Norway spews beer, not water
(CBC) - A bar worker in western Norway managed to turn water into beer for a lucky woman living in an apartment above the pub.
Haldis Gundersen turned on her kitchen tap on the weekend expecting water to gush out so that she could wash some dishes. Instead, she got beer.
A worker in a bar two floors below had accidentally connected a hose from a new barrel of beer to the water pipe leading to Gunderson's apartment in Kristiansund.
"We thought we were in heaven," she told Reuters.
The beer tasted strange and didn't have the fizziness that specialized bar spigots would create, she added. Given the choice, she would have opted for her favourite coffee liqueur.
"If it happens again, I'm going to order Baileys," Gunderson said.
The mood wasn't so happy in the bar where the problem originated. Expecting beer from the usual tap, staff were startled to see water pouring out instead.
Article from the Danish Editor who published the cartoons
Why I Published Those Cartoons
By Flemming Rose, culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.
Sunday, February 19, 2006; B01 Washington Post
Childish. Irresponsible. Hate speech. A provocation just for the sake ofprovocation. A PR stunt. Critics of 12 cartoons of the prophet Muhammad I decided to publish in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten have not minced their words.
They say that freedom of expression does not imply an endorsement of insulting people's religious feelings, and besides, they add,the media censor themselves every day. So, please do not teach us a lesson about limitless freedom of speech.I agree that the freedom to publish things doesn't mean you publish everything. Jyllands-Posten would not publish pornographic images or graphic details of dead bodies; swear words rarely make it into our pages. So we are not fundamentalists in our support for freedom of expression.But the cartoon story is different.
Those examples have to do with exercising restraint because of ethical standards and taste; call it editing. By contrast, I commissioned the cartoons in response to several incidents of self-censorship in Europe caused by widening fears and feelings of intimidation in dealing with issues related to Islam. And I still believe that this is a topic that we Europeans must confront, challenging moderate Muslims to speak out. The idea wasn't to provoke gratuitously -- and we certainly didn't intend to trigger violent demonstrations throughout the Muslim world. Our goal was simply to push back self-imposed limits on expression that seemed to be closing in tighter.
At the end of September, a Danish standup comedian said in an interview with Jyllands-Posten that he had no problem urinating on the Bible in front of a camera, but he dared not do the same thing with the Koran.This was the culmination of a series of disturbing instances of self-censorship. Last September, a Danish children's writer had trouble finding an illustrator for a book about the life of Muhammad. Three people turned down the job for fear of consequences. The person who finally accepted insisted on anonymity, which in my book is a form of self-censorship. European translators of a critical book about Islam also did not want their names to appear on the book cover beside the name of the author, a Somalia-born Dutch politician who has herself been in hiding.Around the same time, the Tate gallery in London withdrew an installation bythe avant-garde artist John Latham depicting the Koran, Bible and Talmud torn to pieces. The museum explained that it did not want to stir things up after the London bombings. (A few months earlier, to avoid offending Muslims, a museum in Goteborg, Sweden, had removed a painting with a sexual motif and a quotation from the Koran.)Finally, at the end of September, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen met with a group of imams, one of whom called on the prime minister to interfere with the press in order to get more positive coverage of Islam.
So, over two weeks we witnessed a half-dozen cases of self-censorship,pitting freedom of speech against the fear of confronting issues about Islam. This was a legitimate news story to cover, and Jyllands-Posten decided to do it by adopting the well-known journalistic principle: Show,don't tell.
I wrote to members of the association of Danish cartoonists asking them "to draw Muhammad as you see him." We certainly did not ask them to make fun of the prophet. Twelve out of 25 active members responded.We have a tradition of satire when dealing with the royal family and otherpublic figures, and that was reflected in the cartoons. The cartoonistst reated Islam the same way they treat Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions. And by treating Muslims in Denmark as equals they made a point: We are integrating you into the Danish tradition of satire because you are part of our society, not strangers. The cartoons are including,rather than excluding, Muslims.The cartoons do not in any way demonize or stereotype Muslims. In fact, they differ from one another both in the way they depict the prophet and in whom they target.
One cartoon makes fun of Jyllands-Posten, portraying its cultural editors as a bunch of reactionary provocateurs. Another suggests that the children's writer who could not find an illustrator for his book went public just to get cheap publicity. A third puts the head of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party in a lineup, as if she is a suspected criminal.One cartoon -- depicting the prophet with a bomb in his turban -- has drawn the harshest criticism. Angry voices claim the cartoon is saying that the prophet is a terrorist or that every Muslim is a terrorist. I read it differently: Some individuals have taken the religion of Islam hostage by committing terrorist acts in the name of the prophet. They are the ones who have given the religion a bad name. The cartoon also plays into the fairy tale about Aladdin and the orange that fell into his turban and made his fortune. This suggests that the bomb comes from the outside world and is notan inherent characteristic of the prophet.On occasion, Jyllands-Posten has refused to print satirical cartoons ofJesus, but not because it applies a double standard. In fact, the same cartoonist who drew the image of Muhammed with a bomb in his turban drew a cartoon with Jesus on the cross having dollar notes in his eyes and another with the star of David attached to a bomb fuse. There were, however, no embassy burnings or death threats when we published those.Has Jyllands-Posten insulted and disrespected Islam? It certainly didn't intend to.
But what does respect mean? When I visit a mosque, I show my respect by taking off my shoes. I follow the customs, just as I do in a church, synagogue or other holy place. But if a believer demands that I, as a nonbeliever, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect, but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a seculardemocracy.This is exactly why Karl Popper, in his seminal work "The Open Society andIts Enemies," insisted that one should not be tolerant with the intolerant.Nowhere do so many religions coexist peacefully as in a democracy where freedom of expression is a fundamental right. In Saudi Arabia, you can get arrested for wearing a cross or having a Bible in your suitcase, while Muslims in secular Denmark can have their own mosques, cemeteries, schools,TV and radio stations.
I acknowledge that some people have been offended by the publication of the cartoons, and Jyllands-Posten has apologized for that. But we cannot apologize for our right to publish material, even offensive material. You cannot edit a newspaper if you are paralyzed by worries about every possible insult.
I am offended by things in the paper every day: transcripts of speeches by Osama bin Laden, photos from Abu Ghraib, people insisting that Israel should be erased from the face of the Earth, people saying the Holocaust never happened. But that does not mean that I would refrain from printing them as long as they fell within the limits of the law and of the newspaper's ethical code. That other editors would make different choices is the essence of pluralism.As a former correspondent in the Soviet Union, I am sensitive about calls for censorship on the grounds of insult. This is a popular trick of totalitarian movements: Label any critique or call for debate as an insult and punish the offenders. That is what happened to human rights activists and writers such as Andrei Sakharov, Vladimir Bukovsky, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Natan Sharansky, Boris Pasternak. The regime accused them of anti-Soviet propaganda, just as some Muslims are labeling 12 cartoons in aDanish newspaper anti-Islamic.The lesson from the Cold War is: If you give in to totalitarian impulses once, new demands follow. The West prevailed in the Cold War because we stood by our fundamental values and did not appease totalitarian tyrants.
Since the Sept. 30 publication of the cartoons, we have had a constructive debate in Denmark and Europe about freedom of expression, freedom ofreligion and respect for immigrants and people's beliefs. Never before have so many Danish Muslims participated in a public dialogue -- in town hall meetings, letters to editors, opinion columns and debates on radio and TV.We have had no anti-Muslim riots, no Muslims fleeing the country and no Muslims committing violence. The radical imams who misinformed their counterparts in the Middle East about the situation for Muslims in Denmarkhave been marginalized. They no longer speak for the Muslim community in Denmark because moderate Muslims have had the courage to speak out against them.In January, Jyllands-Posten ran three full pages of interviews and photos of moderate Muslims saying no to being represented by the imams. They insist that their faith is compatible with a modern secular democracy. A network of moderate Muslims committed to the constitution has been established, and the anti-immigration People's Party called on its members to differentiate between radical and moderate Muslims, i.e. between Muslims propagating sharia law and Muslims accepting the rule of secular law. The Muslim face of Denmark has changed, and it is becoming clear that this is not a debatebetween "them" and "us," but between those committed to democracy in Denmark and those who are not.This is the sort of debate that Jyllands-Posten had hoped to generate when it chose to test the limits of self-censorship by calling on cartoonists to challenge a Muslim taboo.
Did we achieve our purpose? Yes and no. Some of the spirited defenses of our freedom of expression have been inspiring. But tragic demonstrations throughout the Middle East and Asia were not what we anticipated, much less desired. Moreover, the newspaper has received 104 registered threats, 10 people have been arrested, cartoonists have been forced into hiding because of threats against their lives and Jyllands-Posten's headquarters have been evacuated several times due to bomb threats.
This is hardly a climate for easing self-censorship.Still, I think the cartoons now have a place in two separate narratives, one in Europe and one in the Middle East. In the words of the Somali-born Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the integration of Muslims into European societies has been sped up by 300 years due to the cartoons; perhaps we donot need to fight the battle for the Enlightenment all over again in Europe.The narrative in the Middle East is more complex, but that has very little to do with the cartoons.
flemming.rose@jp.dkFlemming Rose is the culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.© 2006 The Washington Post Company
By Flemming Rose, culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.
Sunday, February 19, 2006; B01 Washington Post
Childish. Irresponsible. Hate speech. A provocation just for the sake ofprovocation. A PR stunt. Critics of 12 cartoons of the prophet Muhammad I decided to publish in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten have not minced their words.
They say that freedom of expression does not imply an endorsement of insulting people's religious feelings, and besides, they add,the media censor themselves every day. So, please do not teach us a lesson about limitless freedom of speech.I agree that the freedom to publish things doesn't mean you publish everything. Jyllands-Posten would not publish pornographic images or graphic details of dead bodies; swear words rarely make it into our pages. So we are not fundamentalists in our support for freedom of expression.But the cartoon story is different.
Those examples have to do with exercising restraint because of ethical standards and taste; call it editing. By contrast, I commissioned the cartoons in response to several incidents of self-censorship in Europe caused by widening fears and feelings of intimidation in dealing with issues related to Islam. And I still believe that this is a topic that we Europeans must confront, challenging moderate Muslims to speak out. The idea wasn't to provoke gratuitously -- and we certainly didn't intend to trigger violent demonstrations throughout the Muslim world. Our goal was simply to push back self-imposed limits on expression that seemed to be closing in tighter.
At the end of September, a Danish standup comedian said in an interview with Jyllands-Posten that he had no problem urinating on the Bible in front of a camera, but he dared not do the same thing with the Koran.This was the culmination of a series of disturbing instances of self-censorship. Last September, a Danish children's writer had trouble finding an illustrator for a book about the life of Muhammad. Three people turned down the job for fear of consequences. The person who finally accepted insisted on anonymity, which in my book is a form of self-censorship. European translators of a critical book about Islam also did not want their names to appear on the book cover beside the name of the author, a Somalia-born Dutch politician who has herself been in hiding.Around the same time, the Tate gallery in London withdrew an installation bythe avant-garde artist John Latham depicting the Koran, Bible and Talmud torn to pieces. The museum explained that it did not want to stir things up after the London bombings. (A few months earlier, to avoid offending Muslims, a museum in Goteborg, Sweden, had removed a painting with a sexual motif and a quotation from the Koran.)Finally, at the end of September, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen met with a group of imams, one of whom called on the prime minister to interfere with the press in order to get more positive coverage of Islam.
So, over two weeks we witnessed a half-dozen cases of self-censorship,pitting freedom of speech against the fear of confronting issues about Islam. This was a legitimate news story to cover, and Jyllands-Posten decided to do it by adopting the well-known journalistic principle: Show,don't tell.
I wrote to members of the association of Danish cartoonists asking them "to draw Muhammad as you see him." We certainly did not ask them to make fun of the prophet. Twelve out of 25 active members responded.We have a tradition of satire when dealing with the royal family and otherpublic figures, and that was reflected in the cartoons. The cartoonistst reated Islam the same way they treat Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and other religions. And by treating Muslims in Denmark as equals they made a point: We are integrating you into the Danish tradition of satire because you are part of our society, not strangers. The cartoons are including,rather than excluding, Muslims.The cartoons do not in any way demonize or stereotype Muslims. In fact, they differ from one another both in the way they depict the prophet and in whom they target.
One cartoon makes fun of Jyllands-Posten, portraying its cultural editors as a bunch of reactionary provocateurs. Another suggests that the children's writer who could not find an illustrator for his book went public just to get cheap publicity. A third puts the head of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party in a lineup, as if she is a suspected criminal.One cartoon -- depicting the prophet with a bomb in his turban -- has drawn the harshest criticism. Angry voices claim the cartoon is saying that the prophet is a terrorist or that every Muslim is a terrorist. I read it differently: Some individuals have taken the religion of Islam hostage by committing terrorist acts in the name of the prophet. They are the ones who have given the religion a bad name. The cartoon also plays into the fairy tale about Aladdin and the orange that fell into his turban and made his fortune. This suggests that the bomb comes from the outside world and is notan inherent characteristic of the prophet.On occasion, Jyllands-Posten has refused to print satirical cartoons ofJesus, but not because it applies a double standard. In fact, the same cartoonist who drew the image of Muhammed with a bomb in his turban drew a cartoon with Jesus on the cross having dollar notes in his eyes and another with the star of David attached to a bomb fuse. There were, however, no embassy burnings or death threats when we published those.Has Jyllands-Posten insulted and disrespected Islam? It certainly didn't intend to.
But what does respect mean? When I visit a mosque, I show my respect by taking off my shoes. I follow the customs, just as I do in a church, synagogue or other holy place. But if a believer demands that I, as a nonbeliever, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect, but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a seculardemocracy.This is exactly why Karl Popper, in his seminal work "The Open Society andIts Enemies," insisted that one should not be tolerant with the intolerant.Nowhere do so many religions coexist peacefully as in a democracy where freedom of expression is a fundamental right. In Saudi Arabia, you can get arrested for wearing a cross or having a Bible in your suitcase, while Muslims in secular Denmark can have their own mosques, cemeteries, schools,TV and radio stations.
I acknowledge that some people have been offended by the publication of the cartoons, and Jyllands-Posten has apologized for that. But we cannot apologize for our right to publish material, even offensive material. You cannot edit a newspaper if you are paralyzed by worries about every possible insult.
I am offended by things in the paper every day: transcripts of speeches by Osama bin Laden, photos from Abu Ghraib, people insisting that Israel should be erased from the face of the Earth, people saying the Holocaust never happened. But that does not mean that I would refrain from printing them as long as they fell within the limits of the law and of the newspaper's ethical code. That other editors would make different choices is the essence of pluralism.As a former correspondent in the Soviet Union, I am sensitive about calls for censorship on the grounds of insult. This is a popular trick of totalitarian movements: Label any critique or call for debate as an insult and punish the offenders. That is what happened to human rights activists and writers such as Andrei Sakharov, Vladimir Bukovsky, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Natan Sharansky, Boris Pasternak. The regime accused them of anti-Soviet propaganda, just as some Muslims are labeling 12 cartoons in aDanish newspaper anti-Islamic.The lesson from the Cold War is: If you give in to totalitarian impulses once, new demands follow. The West prevailed in the Cold War because we stood by our fundamental values and did not appease totalitarian tyrants.
Since the Sept. 30 publication of the cartoons, we have had a constructive debate in Denmark and Europe about freedom of expression, freedom ofreligion and respect for immigrants and people's beliefs. Never before have so many Danish Muslims participated in a public dialogue -- in town hall meetings, letters to editors, opinion columns and debates on radio and TV.We have had no anti-Muslim riots, no Muslims fleeing the country and no Muslims committing violence. The radical imams who misinformed their counterparts in the Middle East about the situation for Muslims in Denmarkhave been marginalized. They no longer speak for the Muslim community in Denmark because moderate Muslims have had the courage to speak out against them.In January, Jyllands-Posten ran three full pages of interviews and photos of moderate Muslims saying no to being represented by the imams. They insist that their faith is compatible with a modern secular democracy. A network of moderate Muslims committed to the constitution has been established, and the anti-immigration People's Party called on its members to differentiate between radical and moderate Muslims, i.e. between Muslims propagating sharia law and Muslims accepting the rule of secular law. The Muslim face of Denmark has changed, and it is becoming clear that this is not a debatebetween "them" and "us," but between those committed to democracy in Denmark and those who are not.This is the sort of debate that Jyllands-Posten had hoped to generate when it chose to test the limits of self-censorship by calling on cartoonists to challenge a Muslim taboo.
Did we achieve our purpose? Yes and no. Some of the spirited defenses of our freedom of expression have been inspiring. But tragic demonstrations throughout the Middle East and Asia were not what we anticipated, much less desired. Moreover, the newspaper has received 104 registered threats, 10 people have been arrested, cartoonists have been forced into hiding because of threats against their lives and Jyllands-Posten's headquarters have been evacuated several times due to bomb threats.
This is hardly a climate for easing self-censorship.Still, I think the cartoons now have a place in two separate narratives, one in Europe and one in the Middle East. In the words of the Somali-born Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the integration of Muslims into European societies has been sped up by 300 years due to the cartoons; perhaps we donot need to fight the battle for the Enlightenment all over again in Europe.The narrative in the Middle East is more complex, but that has very little to do with the cartoons.
flemming.rose@jp.dkFlemming Rose is the culture editor of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.© 2006 The Washington Post Company
Friday, March 10, 2006
It's Friday!
Hi Everyone!
A cool walk to work. It snowed a bit last night so I had a chance to wear my new snow boots. I bought them at The Bay on Wednesday and they were marked down and on sale.
Felt crappy after work (bad headache, achy eyes, sore muscles) after a bunch of data inputting. Ended up skipping choir and a meeting last night. Stopped at M&Ms for a roast (on sale) and sampled their chili & garlic bread (and ended up buying them for supper). Their garlic bread is lovely and the chili's pretty good too.
After I got home, I curled up on the futon with Whiskers and napped until 7pm. The tv shows were all messed up and The O.C. was on at 7, C.S.I Miami at 8 followed by American Idol. I ended up going to bed early (despite the nap) and Mike pestered me this morning after my alarm went off. I eventually hid under the blankets and had to rush to get ready. I should know better than to ignore Mike but he sometimes confuses 6:30 am with 4:30 am.
Have yoga tomorrow and I want to see a movie in the afternoon. Beowulf is now in theatres and I have a coupon for free admission. Will take it easy tonight and maybe do some tidying up around the apartment.
A cool walk to work. It snowed a bit last night so I had a chance to wear my new snow boots. I bought them at The Bay on Wednesday and they were marked down and on sale.
Felt crappy after work (bad headache, achy eyes, sore muscles) after a bunch of data inputting. Ended up skipping choir and a meeting last night. Stopped at M&Ms for a roast (on sale) and sampled their chili & garlic bread (and ended up buying them for supper). Their garlic bread is lovely and the chili's pretty good too.
After I got home, I curled up on the futon with Whiskers and napped until 7pm. The tv shows were all messed up and The O.C. was on at 7, C.S.I Miami at 8 followed by American Idol. I ended up going to bed early (despite the nap) and Mike pestered me this morning after my alarm went off. I eventually hid under the blankets and had to rush to get ready. I should know better than to ignore Mike but he sometimes confuses 6:30 am with 4:30 am.
Have yoga tomorrow and I want to see a movie in the afternoon. Beowulf is now in theatres and I have a coupon for free admission. Will take it easy tonight and maybe do some tidying up around the apartment.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
A warm walk to work
Hi Everyone!
Didn't hear my alarm go off but still woke up in time to get to work. The sidewalks were icy (snow melting that froze overnight) but they should be clear by this afternoon.
Don't have any plans for tonight. This means I can do a bunch of stuff at home. Laundry, dishes, baking, Bethel homework, cleaning etc.
Last night I filed my taxes. I used the same program as last year (recommended to me by the people who do our payroll at work). I really liked it - I don't know the first thing about taxes and they walk you through the steps in an easy manner. You can work on it for a while and then save it until the next time you want to add something. Everything is done on-line and I sent my file electronically to the government. It's also cheap ($14.95 for me) and since my return was fairly straightforward, it took very little time. Last year was more complicated (moving expenses, multiple jobs etc.) but they have a great faq and help section. If anyone's interested, I used Intuit. They also have programs for more complicated returns as well.
Chinook cloud over the mountains today. Have a little headache but nothing bad. Everyone's getting sick with the flu. Sylvia's at home today, Lori was sick last week as well as a couple techs. Hopefully I can stay healthy - January wiped me out enough without getting sick again in the winter.
Have a great day!
Didn't hear my alarm go off but still woke up in time to get to work. The sidewalks were icy (snow melting that froze overnight) but they should be clear by this afternoon.
Don't have any plans for tonight. This means I can do a bunch of stuff at home. Laundry, dishes, baking, Bethel homework, cleaning etc.
Last night I filed my taxes. I used the same program as last year (recommended to me by the people who do our payroll at work). I really liked it - I don't know the first thing about taxes and they walk you through the steps in an easy manner. You can work on it for a while and then save it until the next time you want to add something. Everything is done on-line and I sent my file electronically to the government. It's also cheap ($14.95 for me) and since my return was fairly straightforward, it took very little time. Last year was more complicated (moving expenses, multiple jobs etc.) but they have a great faq and help section. If anyone's interested, I used Intuit. They also have programs for more complicated returns as well.
Chinook cloud over the mountains today. Have a little headache but nothing bad. Everyone's getting sick with the flu. Sylvia's at home today, Lori was sick last week as well as a couple techs. Hopefully I can stay healthy - January wiped me out enough without getting sick again in the winter.
Have a great day!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Chinook's coming
Hi Everyone
The temperature's should reach +7 today. Not in the mood for typing.
Whiskers spent the weekend hopping around the apartment. Made pudding last night. Slept most of the afternoon (despite having a lot of things to do). I guess I just needed a lazy weekend.
Have a great day!
The temperature's should reach +7 today. Not in the mood for typing.
Whiskers spent the weekend hopping around the apartment. Made pudding last night. Slept most of the afternoon (despite having a lot of things to do). I guess I just needed a lazy weekend.
Have a great day!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
One more day until the weekend...
Hi Everyone!
It's pretty sad when it's not even 10:30am and you're already counting down the hours until the weekend.
My Tim Horton's rant: they call it a Canadian institution but I suspect they serve you better coffee while you're in a straight-jacket! I decided to treat myself this morning so I jogged a bit and stopped at the stupid Tim Horton's a block south on McLeod Trail. It's a drive-through shack that only accepts cash. I went inside and was the only person in line. I waited three minutes before someone took my order. When I got to work (was late by a minute or so - what fast service they have!), my coffee was bitter, there was definitly not 2 sugars in it and my honey dipped donut was stale. I was rather bitter (like my coffee!) - $1.90 used to at least get you a fresh donut (and mediocre coffee).
Had a great weekend - I finished the bathroom! It looks great (if I do say so myself). I finished the trim Saturday after yoga and then went to Zellers to pick up accessories. My colours are blue and white. I kept my white curtain but got rid of my over-the-toilet cabinet and the under-the-sink cabinet. Both looked cheap and were poor quality. I now have a big blue plastic tote for storage under the sink that has a white towel on it to hide the lid. On the other side of the exposed pipes, I have a woven basket with a unbleached cotton liner. I got a great towel that ties in the blue to the sage on the walls. It's white with blue and green polka dots. The polka dots fade from dark to light and the light colour is the same as the wall. (I already have blue towels). My new towel pulls everything together. I also got small, narrow shelves to go over the toilet. They change in length from 18" to 10" and they have short pieces of wood at the end so they look like this [ if there were turned on their end. I have them staggered up the wall and look very nice. My shower curtain is a translucent white with white leaves on it - really nice and it was on sale! The bathroom looks so much different than the rest of the apartment. I love it!
It's been a snowy week. Went to the Ash Wednesday service last night. Have a doctor's appointment and choir tonight and tomorrow is the World Day of Prayer of service. I'm making squares and the choir is also singing. I was quite surprised last Thursday when we went over hymns (both for last Sunday and for tomorrow night). There were several that were unfamiliar to the members that I learned at St. John's.
Will be taking it easy this weekend. I think I'll do some tidying around the house and I need to do laundry. Maybe I'll just cuddle with my furry family all weekend...
Have a great day!
It's pretty sad when it's not even 10:30am and you're already counting down the hours until the weekend.
My Tim Horton's rant: they call it a Canadian institution but I suspect they serve you better coffee while you're in a straight-jacket! I decided to treat myself this morning so I jogged a bit and stopped at the stupid Tim Horton's a block south on McLeod Trail. It's a drive-through shack that only accepts cash. I went inside and was the only person in line. I waited three minutes before someone took my order. When I got to work (was late by a minute or so - what fast service they have!), my coffee was bitter, there was definitly not 2 sugars in it and my honey dipped donut was stale. I was rather bitter (like my coffee!) - $1.90 used to at least get you a fresh donut (and mediocre coffee).
Had a great weekend - I finished the bathroom! It looks great (if I do say so myself). I finished the trim Saturday after yoga and then went to Zellers to pick up accessories. My colours are blue and white. I kept my white curtain but got rid of my over-the-toilet cabinet and the under-the-sink cabinet. Both looked cheap and were poor quality. I now have a big blue plastic tote for storage under the sink that has a white towel on it to hide the lid. On the other side of the exposed pipes, I have a woven basket with a unbleached cotton liner. I got a great towel that ties in the blue to the sage on the walls. It's white with blue and green polka dots. The polka dots fade from dark to light and the light colour is the same as the wall. (I already have blue towels). My new towel pulls everything together. I also got small, narrow shelves to go over the toilet. They change in length from 18" to 10" and they have short pieces of wood at the end so they look like this [ if there were turned on their end. I have them staggered up the wall and look very nice. My shower curtain is a translucent white with white leaves on it - really nice and it was on sale! The bathroom looks so much different than the rest of the apartment. I love it!
It's been a snowy week. Went to the Ash Wednesday service last night. Have a doctor's appointment and choir tonight and tomorrow is the World Day of Prayer of service. I'm making squares and the choir is also singing. I was quite surprised last Thursday when we went over hymns (both for last Sunday and for tomorrow night). There were several that were unfamiliar to the members that I learned at St. John's.
Will be taking it easy this weekend. I think I'll do some tidying around the house and I need to do laundry. Maybe I'll just cuddle with my furry family all weekend...
Have a great day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
