Well, if I have to give up the barefooting for a while, it's certainly nice to have some fun prize socks to wear.


Thanks Zoom!

Apparently today is the day I make up for months of shite blog-content.


Firefly fans (aka anyone who has ever seen the show) and anyone who has not yet been blessed by experiencing the Whedon-driven genius, I am pleased to present you with my favourite outtake of all time: Hood Ornament

Thanks for the laugh babe!

"If you pay careful attention to the way Ikarians have lived their lives, it appears that a dozen subtly powerful, mutually enhancing and pervasive factors are at work. It’s easy to get enough rest if no one else wakes up early and the village goes dead during afternoon naptime. It helps that the cheapest, most accessible foods are also the most healthful — and that your ancestors have spent centuries developing ways to make them taste good. It’s hard to get through the day in Ikaria without walking up 20 hills. You’re not likely to ever feel the existential pain of not belonging or even the simple stress of arriving late. Your community makes sure you’ll always have something to eat, but peer pressure will get you to contribute something too. You’re going to grow a garden, because that’s what your parents did, and that’s what your neighbors are doing. You’re less likely to be a victim of crime because everyone at once is a busybody and feels as if he’s being watched. At day’s end, you’ll share a cup of the seasonal herbal tea with your neighbor because that’s what he’s serving. Several glasses of wine may follow the tea, but you’ll drink them in the company of good friends. On Sunday, you’ll attend church, and you’ll fast on Orthodox feast days. Even if you’re antisocial, you’ll never be entirely alone. Your neighbors will cajole you out of your house for the village festival to eat your portion of goat meat." ~ Dan Buettner, "The Island Where People Forget to Die" (NY Times)


The secret to a long life is apparently living a very good life.

I'm not someone who normally has heros but if you asked, I'd probably put Dolly Parton right near the top of my list of inspiring people.


See for example: Jolene

Read for example: Dolly Parton Proust Questionnaire

And not just because she rocks the brains, big hair, impressive rack and short stature like I can only dream of doing. She also seems like a genuinely kind and decent human being. And I think she'd be a blast to have over for dinner.

I'd seat her right next to Christopher Hitchens. I bet they'd hit it right off.

Perhaps, for once in my life, I'm under-thinking something.


So far I haven't given much thought at all to being concerned about how much less dedicated parental focus a second child recieves.

I mean, we did consider it as a factor in as much as we felt that for our daughter (and ourselves), it was best to wait until she was a bit older and more independent before adding another child to the family. Feeling that this was the best way for us to ensure that we can maximize the positive attention (and intentional benign neglect) for both children. But, other than that, I haven't spent too much time worrying or obsessing over it.

Which of course makes me a tad paranoid.

Last night I was considering the possible reasons for my (uncharacteristic) lack of concern as I re-settled my eldest to sleep after a late-night pee-and-drink-of-water session. Snuggling down in her bed, spooning her small body against mine, cupping her still puppy-round belly in my hand, feeling her little brother/sister nudging about inside me - awake as well; the three of us cuddled together falling back to sleep.

I've noticed lately that the baby seems to really respond to my daughters' voice. (Lord knows, at 25 weeks old the poor kid has already heard enough to know the sound well since its elder sibling talks non-stop from waking to the exact moment of total nightly unconsciousness.) Perhaps I'm just being overly optimistic but to me this observation feels like a sign that this baby is already preparing to be adored by three people. That maybe I'm not worried about not be able to dedicate myself as fully to a second child because I intutively know that this kid will not be left wanting whatsoever for attention or affection.

I remember reading somewhere ages ago that parents need not worry about how much less of themselves they can devote to second children because the greatest gift they give them is an older sibling. That the time we as parents have dedicated to the first born is a boon to both that child and any subsequent ones. This is definitely a comforting thought to me. That my awesome, interesting, giant weirdo of a daughter will be a source of much enjoyment and entertainment for her younger sibling.

Of course, if you asked my younger brothers, they'd probably tell you that a little less older sibling attention might have been preferrable at times...

Technically I will have worked less than three full days this week.


But it sure as hell felt longer than that.

Currently dreaming of my couch, a magazine and something warm to drink.

With profuse apologies to the original designer, this weekend's highlight was scoring a knock-off Madeline Weinrib vintage Moroccan-inspired rug.


From WalMart. For $99.

A classic knock-off for the 99% as it were.

Some signs.


Maybe it was the pop-up calendar reminder that I hit 24 weeks today.

Or it could be the fact that I've been feeling my abs separating again for a few weeks now.

Perhaps it's because my favourite running path is apparently now closed.

It could be the freak snow/hail storm that began just after I started my run and got worse as I attempted to continue.

Either way, I'm thinking it may be time for me to give up the barefoot pregnant running. Sigh. Sad face.

I guess it's back to the weirdly-competitive, inclined, gym treadmill, power-walking for me for the next few months. I wonder if they'll let me do it barefoot?

I can't get this image/line out of my head.


I keep thinking about what it means in my life. About the implications of the constant nagging feeling that I'm not really living my real life. Not here. Not now.

Like I'm waiting for something or someplace to signify that I've arrived.

That I'm missing the bigger picture.

This list is going to be a good one. Ready?


Things I've learned from 5 years of marriage:

• If your parents (and grandparents) marriage(s) sucked, it doesn't doom you to a life of guaranteed (repeat) marital failure. At least not within the first 5 years... However, if you can, hedge your bets and find someone whose parents actually did have a good marriage.
• All that shit you think is REALLY REALLY important (e.g., religion; putting the toilet lid down; circumcision; finances; who should dispose of bug bodies; how much in-law bullshit one should have to deal with; how long dishes can be left in the sink; etc.) needs to be openly and unemotionally discussed and agreed upon. Ideally before you get married.
• All that shit you think is REALLY important (e.g., how full/creatively you stuff/stack the recycling bin before emptying it; how the bathmat is put back; how often your spouse asks you to attempt to stuff a new-used piece of furniture in the back of the car; etc.) probably isn't really. And you should probably try to shut the fuck up about it already.
• Don't parent your spouse. They're an adult - respect and treat them as such.
• Make sure you have each other's back. Always. You might disagree with each other but never undermine one another. Especially not in front of the kids. Those (adorable) little buggers will exploit any perceived tactical weakness.
• Let your spouse be an equal participant. Don't hesitate to share the burdens and benefits of your relationship. And parenting.
• Pay attention to the stressors. Try to structure and manage your relationship in such a way that both of you are as stress-free and content as possible. Most things people fill their lives with are meaningless. Don't strain your marriage by focusing your energies on the things that don't contribute to a strong, healthy relationship. Well, everything except kids. That might be one worthwhile exception.
• Children can both strengthen and weaken a marriage. Ideally, marry someone who understands that the long-term is more important than the short-term. And who also has a sense of fucking humour about the whole insane endeavour of being someone's parents.
• The best marriage advice comes from gay men and divorced women.

Happy 5th Anniversary My Love!

As soon as I've popped this kid out we're going to celebrate this auspicious occasion properly - with tattoos and whiskey!