The Projector: An Awesome Charity

A few months ago, my dad ran into his cousin on a plane. They started talking about life, and then began discussing work. My dad's cousin, Ron, told my dad all about a company he works for, called ShelterBox. My dad came home, told me about the company, and I immediately wanted to write a story about it. The following is my article that was recently featured in the Projector, and I hope you like it:

They have provided emergency living environments for over 500,000 disaster victims worldwide. They have offices in eight countries, Canada included. They provide assistance within 48-hours of getting a call. Yet, very few people have ever heard of them.

The ShelterBox organization was founded by a Rotary Club member in England. With 80 full-time ShelterBox ambassadors, and a few hundred additional volunteers, the Canadian branch of ShelterBox is an important part of a large, worldwide operation.

The name, ShelterBox, directly represents the product. They are transportable shelters in a box. Each box contains necessary survival supplies for ten people, including a tunnel tent, sleeping bags, a multi-fuel stove, a water purification system, cooking supplies, and various tools and equipment. Nearly 30,000 boxes have been sent throughout the world since 2001. Countries such as Romania, India, Indonesia, Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan have benefitted. The supplies are of the highest quality, and it costs $1200 to sponsor a box.

Don Ohlgren, Executive President of ShelterBox Canada, became involved with the organization after a speaker visited his Rotary Club in 2004. After volunteering to help ShelterBox during the disasters in China and Burma last year, Don and his wife, Anne, began working for the organization. “We were tasked by England to take on the full-time position of managing ShelterBox Canada.” He explained that “we constantly work with all the major organizations,” including the United Nations and the Red Cross.

“Others do food, medicine, rescue and the like, but we are specialists in shelter and nothing else. That’s why we are so good and so fast at what we do,” he said.

Canada currently raises 8 to 9 per cent of all worldwide donations, with only 730 Rotary Clubs throughout the country to work within. The future goal for ShelterBox Canada, according to Ohlgren, is to prepare over 5000 boxes per year within five years. That is within Canada alone. “Worldwide,” he explained, “ShelterBox will be doing over 50,000 boxes per year, and Canada wants to be at least ten per cent of that total every year.”

Sylvia King, ShelterBox ambassador in Winnipeg, feels fulfilled working for the organization.
"As individuals who live in such an affluent country as Canada, with very few dramatic natural disasters, it is a privilege to serve those individuals in the world who are so much less fortunate.” King does not foresee the need for the organization decreasing. “There are constantly more and more disasters occurring worldwide, resulting in more need for boxes than ShelterBox can meet,” she said.

“The best part about working for ShelterBox,” explained Ohlgren, “has been meeting fabulous volunteers and like-minded people all across Canada who want to help out other people they will know and will never meet, but are still willing to financially aid them in times of disaster.”

For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit: www.shelterbox.ca

A Wedding Intro NOT for Everyone...

... but definitely for me! I stumbled upon this video while I was procrastinating earlier today, and just had to post it. I have seen the video where the couple busts out a choreographed dance routine during their first dance at the reception, but have never seen a dance routine during the actual ceremony itself. It is such a clever and fun idea!

Now all I have to do is convince someone to marry me, and I can come up with my own choreographed something. I hope you like it!

Study Tips to Save Your Life

To say the least, yesterday was an eventful day. I arrived at campus at about 7:30 a.m., and diligently began working on the massive amount of school work I needed to complete. I was feeling pretty good until about 2 p.m., when I had to confront a large pile of data for a PR research project. Now, I'm not complaining, but I'm afraid of numbers. I'm a Creative Communications student... we can't do math. My group mates - Tiffany and Jenn - were also confused, and slightly perturbed by the information we had to organize. It was only a matter of time before we each hit sensory overload.

The following is a list of what my classmates and I did yesterday to cope with stress (and survive without killing one another). I hope you find it entertaining:

• At lunch, we discussed our plans for Christmas (and this is becoming a popular conversation among CreComm's).
• The talk about a break from school initiated the talk about movies, and we wrote down a list of titles we need to watch in the near future (J.B hasn't seen very many musicals, so it looks like he will be spending a lot of time experiencing such wonders as Grease, Moulin Rouge, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show).
• Doing a little dance is always helpful... or contemplating how to retrieve a paper airplane that is stuck on the outside ledge of a windowsill on the second floor.
• When you are feeling stressed, a good yoga pose can do amazing things. Especially when that yoga pose is conducted by three people simultaneously in a stairwell.
• Sometimes one just needs to be removed from the situation completely, and therefore, I give you the King's Head Pub. They have a great menu, and a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes you just need to get away. Thankfully, our little study group maxed out at the same time, and we had a great dinner experience.
• When in a hurry, or when speeding down Portage Avenue in an attempt to find a vacant edit suite for a radio assignment, a good, fast-paced rock song will make the experience more memorable. Some waving and honking at strangers is also helpful, as it creates a festive air.

It was a truly interesting day yesterday, but I can't say I'm eager to live it over again. I want to finish this blog with a shout out to the people who helped me... You know who you are, and I love you!

I've Discovered Twitter... and it's Twitteriffic!

I tried to fight it for as long as possible, but today my PR instructor, Melanie, forced me to subscribe to Twitter. Initially, I was sceptical. What possible benefit could Twitter have for me? I know I want to be a journalism major, and I am not planning on pursuing a career in Public Relations. So, what's the point? Within about 10 minutes of searching through the site, however, I realized that Twitter contains a vast amount of information. I have been missing out by ignoring it these past few years, and I have to catch up!

We were instructed to add 10 people to our account, and my mind started swimming with possibilities. Authors, actors, writers, historians... I could add anyone, and become privy to their daily thoughts and activities. I started by adding Bartley Kives from the Winnipeg Free Press (because I do want to be a journalist, and he writes some great stuff), and then ventured towards music. So far, I am following 28 Twitter accounts, and the list will continue to grow as I think of additional people to add. I even added the Musee D'Louvre, and even though the Tweets are in French, I get the gist.

The moral of the story is that Twitter is in fact a good idea, and I feel that everyone should sign up. I will Tweet my followers when I have a new blog post. Hopefully readership of my blog will drastically increase as a result! Twitter on all!

Mario Music Equals Theme Songs For Life

When I was growing up, we had a Super Nintendo. We never had the original Nintendo, but my friends did, and I played that one as well. For children of my generation, characters like Mario, Luigi, Yogi, and the Princess were common staples to daily life. I enjoyed the games, like everyone else, but I must admit that the background music within certain video games affected me more.

What I loved about the music, in both Super Mario and Original Mario, was that it changed appropriately depending on the game level. Above-ground, normal paced levels had the basic music common within most levels. Underground, darker levels received a deeper, more defined tune. In fast-paced levels, a quicker, choppier music really got the player in the mood to kick some ass, take names, and reach the end. And don’t forget the somewhat slow, marine-like tune that accompanied under-water levels. That was one of my favourites, because I actually felt like I was swimming.

I believe that any situation in life can be defined by one of the Mario background songs. If you are late for class, or chasing the bus, think about the fast Mario tune. If you are doing laps in a swimming pool, think about the underwater Mario tune. And, if you are walking down a back alley, unsure of your future, the deeper, underground tune will get you through it. Sing the songs out loud, recount them in your head, or download to an iPod or other music device. Find the system that works for you, and follow it. Mario music can define your entire life, and can make any situation a whole new level of fun!

Where Do All The Road Cones Go?

I realize this is an interesting topic for a blog, but I have a serious question that needs to be thoroughly addressed. I was driving home through a construction zone a few weeks ago, and accidentally ran over one of those orange road cones. I know, I know, I should have been paying attention, but I swear it was strategically placed in a bad location. I continued driving, while cursing under my breath. Those stupid things are absolutely everywhere. This brings me to my question. How many cones does the city have in use on streets at any given time? Hundreds? Thousands? I bet the number is definitely in the thousands. So, what I'm wondering is: where do all the road cones come from?

When you actually stop to think about it, the concept will blow your mind. Mose people have heard the joke that Winnipeg has two seasons, winter and construction. This is true, year after year, and I have personally driven through more construction zones than I can count. And construction occurs simultaneously all throughout Winnipeg. This means that somewhere in the city there must be a place filled with City of Winnipeg road cones, and it must have enough stock to supply construction projects throughout the entire city.

Such a place must exist, and I want to know where this road cone palace of wonders is located. I also want to know if there is one person from the city assigned the important task of watching over the cone warehouse to ensure no one steals anything. You can picture it. A lonely man, the middle of the night. Nothing to keep him company but the thousands of road cones sitting quietly on shelves. I bet it's cold in there; cones don't need heat. I want to meet this person. I would buy him (or her, I guess) a coffee, bring some donuts, and ask what the road cone protection business entails. There HAS TO be a warehouse somewhere, because when winter hits, most construction disappears.

To take it one step further, think about every city in the world. I'm sure most large cities have road cones. Where do they go? And, to twist your mind even further, how many cone warehouses do you think there are in the entire WORLD?! Now there's a thought...

How To Survive a Zombie Outbreak

DISCLAIMER: The events in the following essay have not yet happened. This was an assignment for one of my classes, so do not be alarmed when you read the part about everyone you love being dead. This following is a How-To essay designed to teach the public what to do WHEN a zombie outbreak occurs. Print it out, put it in your wallet or purse, and ensure you can refer to it quickly in the event of an emergency. You will be glad you did. Good luck to us all...

The world, as we know it, has ended. Either a massive flu pandemic has broken out, or a deadly, unknown disease has escaped from a high security facility. Regardless, the majority of humans are now dead. Unfortunately, those who died have not remained dead, and instead have begun to roam the planet in search of living people on which to feed. Simply stated, you are now being hunted by creatures commonly referred to as zombies. And depending on the virus or disease that infected them, you are either being hunted by slow, stupid, awkward zombies, or fast, screaming, infected-with-rage zombies. But do not panic. The following is a guide of three easy steps that must be understood in order to survive a zombie outbreak. Do not refer to such books as The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead, because the information is not up-to-date. Following my three-step system is paramount, and complying with the information might just save you from becoming someone’s dinner.

The first step to surviving a zombie outbreak is acceptance of the situation. This is much easier said than done, as most people will have a difficult time when they realize everyone they have ever cared about is most likely dead. A variety of emotions will occur as you struggle to make sense of what has happened. Crying or hysteria will occur almost immediately; shock and fear will follow soon after. Next, rage will take over, and this is the emotion that can be the most problematic. Many people will want to grab the first available weapon-like object and destroy every zombie around as a way to avenge the deaths of loved ones. It is paramount that you fight this urge. Angry weapon wielding usually results in a zombie-inflicted injury, leaving you in the same position as those you lost. Find some way to stay occupied, and allow anger to pass like the previous emotions. If you successfully work through the rage phase without getting yourself killed, feelings of acceptance and calmness will take over. This is good, as it means you are now ready to move forward.

The second, and most important step to zombie survival, is preparation. If a zombie outbreak were ever to actually occur, the government would set up a recovery plan. This means help will arrive, sooner or later, and all you need to do is stay alive until you are found. To do this, preparation is necessary. First, find the nearest police station or military base, and stock up on the following: guns, ammunition, swords, machetes, various explosives, blow torches, and a bow and arrow. Next, locate the nearest department store, and collect canned food, bottled water, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a portable radio, and rope. Load everything into a dependable, working vehicle. Hopefully, you will be far away before the zombies are attracted by the noise of the car engine. Fill up at the nearest gas station, and fill as many portable gas cans as humanly possible. Finally, begin driving to the nearest body of water where large boats are moored.

It is a known fact that zombies are unable to swim. They will attempt to follow you into the water, but will gradually drown. This is precisely why in step three it is necessary to find both a sailboat and lots of water. Technically, any type of boat would do in a desperate situation, but a sailboat eliminates the problem of running out of gas. Pack the boat with the supplies you have collected, and set sail through your chosen body of water. Do not follow an approach similar to that highlighted in the movie Dawn of the Dead, where survivors hide in a local mall. This is short-term solution, as zombies will gradually surround your hideout and make escape impossible. Help will arrive eventually, and waiting on the water where zombies cannot reach you will increase the chance of survival. It is important, however, to be on the lookout at all times. Do not assume you are safe simply because you are on the water.

Attempting to live through a zombie outbreak can be a trying and terrifying experience for anyone. This is why it is extremely important to fully understand and implement the three easy steps that make survival possible. Allotting adequate time for acceptance, preparation, and escape will separate you from those who do not have a serious will to live. The well-organized steps and industrious methods you exhibit may even impress the rescue teams, resulting in a high-ranking political position in the post-zombie world. Following the zombie outbreak how-to guide will not only save your life, it will steer you towards a more powerful future. Just remember to choose your survival partners carefully, and when killing zombies, aim for the head.

My Travels: Switzerland

In Switzerland, my tour group stayed in a chateau, in a valley, beside a river, across a bridge from the town. It was supposed to be a chance to relax and explore before driving into Italy, and it was definitely worth the stop. The weather was slightly “chilly” by European summer standards, which basically meant that a person needed to wear a sweater and socks. (I will point out, however, that this WAS in fact the first time I had worn socks since London. I didn’t care for socks very much at the time). I will write a specific blog about scenery later, but I will say now that the country is absolutely gorgeous. Switzerland looks similar to Austria, except instead of hills there are mountains and crystal clear lakes. Waterfalls dot the mountains, and a light fog settles over everything. It’s hard to describe how beautiful it really was, and unfortunately, pictures don’t do it justice.

My brother Chris and I wandered through the town, which looks similar to the town in Austria. One of the highlights of our walk was stumbling across an old cemetery. Some of the gravestones date back to the early 19th century. Each stone is different, and they all are large and impressive looking. A church and a waterfall complete the background behind the cemetery, and all of the plots are perfectly groomed. What I found to be the most impressive part of this cemetery was the fact that every single grave had a large bouquet of flowers on top of it. Not just some of them. All of them. Chris and I wondered if there was someone who did this on purpose, like a grave-keeper or caretaker or whatever you call him, or if family members actually care enough to replenish the flowers. I like to think it’s the latter, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. I took roughly 50 pictures at the cemetery, and I hope you think it’s beautiful too...

We also stopped in Lucerne, which is the most photographed city in all of Europe. After spending some time there, I understand why. The entire city looks like it could be a postcard. It doesn’t matter which direction you look, it’s beautiful everywhere. I spent a good 15 minutes just STARING, and my brother had to force me to start walking. What really stopped me in my tracks was a bridge covered with flowers. It is just sitting there, in the middle of the city, and I’m pretty sure it’s been there for a long time. As I walked across it, I felt like I was in a completely different world, and that I had crossed over into some alternate universe. Chris and I spent a good 30 minutes taking pictures, and I wish I could have spent more time in Lucerne. I will tell anyone who is planning to visit Switzerland that they must go there. On my next trip, i’m going to stay for a week.

My Travels: Austria

It was in Austria that I went on a 25 km mountain bike ride with my tour group. I honestly believed I was going to die before I finished it. To be fair, the scenery was spectacular. I felt like I was in a scene from “The Sound of Music,” just without the singing kids and Nazis. We biked through the hills, through a field dotted with farmhouses, along a river, up, up, and up some more. The cement path turned to gravel, the gravel to dirt. I couldn’t take pictures, because I needed to focus all of my attention on navigating through the wilderness. One girl passed out; another told us we were all insane, and turned back. I got one hell of sunburn, for the second time since my trip began in London. By the time we had finished and returned to the hostel, my legs and butt had turned to putty. I was still smiling, however, because I was in Austria.

We stayed in the small town of Hopfgarten, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Everything is green and lush, and every single house has window boxes complete with blooming, fragrant flowers. Most people will have seen houses like the ones in Austria before; the facades are light-coloured stucco, with boards painted in dark colours nailed in criss-cross designs along the walls. There is only one main road snaking through the town, and I’m pretty sure most people own mountain bikes as their main form of transportation. I wonder how tough their butts are...

In the afternoon, I followed Chris and another friend we had made to a nearby fishing pond. This was not, however, and ordinary fishing trip. We arrived at a manicured and stocked pond, located in a valley beside the river. There is a nominal fee, which covers the fishing rod rental and one fish. The interesting aspect of this fishing hole is what happens to the fish once it is caught. First, after catching a fish, the fisherman is expected to hit it over the head with a wooden pole that is provided. The hitting continues until the fish is dead. Second, a waiting employee collects the fish. They take it, clean it, cook it, and serve it to the fisherman in a restaurant adjoining the pond. Beer is also available, to compliment the fish and add to the overall dining experience. Talk about a strange situation! I was going to include photos of my brother beating the crap out of the fish, but I decided to hold off for two reasons. One, I don't want to turn anyone off of fish. Two, he really didn't kill it well. He kept hammering away at the head, over and over again, while screaming "why won't you just DIE." The waiting employee looked very unimpressed, and a few spectators appeared to be horrified...

I didn’t go fishing, (because the idea of beating a fish over the head and eating it freaked me out) and opted to sit, drink beer, and read a book at a shady table. I had a nice conversation with a group of Austrians about Angels and Demons, the Dan Brown novel I was reading in preparation for my visit to Rome the following week. They hadn’t heard of the book, or of Dan Brown for that matter, but wanted to know everything and anything I could tell them about Canada. It was slightly difficult, as they spoke very little English, and I even less German, yet I tried my best to oblige. One man told me that he knew he would never see Canada in person. Another woman told me (through her husband, who was translating) that I was the first Canadian girl she had ever talked to. After the conversation ended, I felt both fortunate and humble. I am able to travel the world, and see many different places. Some people aren’t as lucky, and I shouldn’t take my travel experiences for granted.

Austria was a brief stopover, but it was definitely memorable. On my next trip to Europe, I plan to spend more time there. I would love to visit the cities, especially Vienna. BUT, you couldn’t PAY ME to go on another 25 km bike ride. Never, ever again.

The Hallway

It stretches out in front of me,
Cold, dark,
Waiting to envelop me.
It represents everything I hate to be,
Hollow, alone,
Trapped and not free.

I quicken my pace and stare ahead,
Walls, pipes,
My footsteps are dead.
The silence is louder than any scream,
Piercing, dominating,
Worse than a dream.

My heart quickens with each step,
Louder, faster,
Focus on each step.
Cannot fight the feelings of dread,
Swarming, controlling,
Owning my head.

I finally reach the end of the pathway,
Bright, inviting,
The next hallway.
A new place for me to explore,
Curious, open,
Right through the door.

My Travels: Amsterdam

The two days I spent in the Netherlands were educational, to say the least. With the tour, we stayed in Amsterdam, but also visited the small town of Edam. Our hostel was in a seedy area, which was slightly frightening, but I did manage to meet many interesting people while sitting on the front steps. An above-ground tram went past the front of our hostel, and I could hear the constant dinging from my window.

Edam is truly a magical place, and I think I would have seen tiny fairies floating around if I sat in one spot long enough. Personally, I could retire there. Edam is a small, sleepy town, complete with ringing bell tower and pristine canals. Out tour group rented a fleet of “granny bikes,” (the ones where you have to push the pedals backwards to brake) and lazily pedalled up and down the cobblestone streets. The houses that line each street are small, cute, and Dutch. Most people have a boat docked in the canal in front of their home, and the town boasts more lily pads, weeping willows, and bridges than I could count. Edam is also famous for cheese, and we visited a cheese and clog factory before returning to the city. My brother was about ten seconds away from buying a pair of clogs, but we were able to talk him out of it. They are comfortable and handmade, but where would you wear them at home?

Amsterdam is basically the complete opposite of Edam. It is a large and crowded city, but it is still equally as beautiful. The streets are lined with buildings that are very tall and very old. At any given time, I was 2 blocks away from a canal. Most people own boats, and they also own bicycles. The Dutch people have more bikes per capita than any other European nation, which makes sense, considering the country is virtually flat. There is even a huge, 5-level parkade beside the main train station dedicated to bike storage only. It if would have had more time, it would have been interesting to figure out just how many bikes are housed there. I would wager it is easily somewhere in the tens of thousands.

For me, the most important part of my visit to Amsterdam was spending the afternoon in the Van Gogh Museum. Vincent Van Gogh has been my favourite painter since I was young. Being able to view so many pieces of his artwork at one time, in one location, is a privilege. I felt truly blessed as I slowly walked through the museum. Photographs and prints don`t do his work justice. When you are close to a Van Gogh painting, you can actually see each of the individual brush strokes. It is magnificent.

Other highlights in Amsterdam included a visit to the Anne Frank House (which was very moving, despite being packed in like a sardine with about 100 other people), a canal cruise, a stop at the I amsterdam sign, and various random wanderings (which took us to a flower market, a coffee shop, and the Red Light District). I can`t really comment further about my random wanderings, but I will say the Red Light District is everything it is rumoured to be and more. There really are girls in the windows, as well as shops that sell everything imaginable. Taking pictures is forbidden, and even pulling out your camera could result in it being thrown into a canal.

An experience that I will share occurred our last night in Amsterdam. Our group was hopping from one disco to the next in the Red Light District, and ended up in a small bar. The bar started filling up quickly, and before I knew it, the whole place was completely packed with people. What made this so fascinating was that EVERYONE started dancing. Back home, a lot of guys stand at the side and watch the ladies dance. Not in Europe. Everyone, and I mean everyone, participates. The part that really got me, however, was the realization that everyone was also singing the words to the songs being played by the DJ. The music was North American, and the lyrics were in English, yet the entire bar was singing along. I had an opportunity to meet some people later that evening. In that single bar, I spoke to individuals from Brazil, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Jamaica, South Africa, and Sweden. Many of them could only speak basic English, and one guy admitted he had no idea what the words to the songs actually meant. That didn`t stop him from singing along. In that bar, in Amsterdam, I felt the greatest feeling of community I have ever felt in my life. We were all from different places, different background, yet we came together, partied together, and sang and danced together. It was something I will never forget.

I probably slept for about 4 hours the entire time I was in the Netherlands, but I don’t regret the lack of sleep for a second. After 2 days, however, I was excited to move on. The next stop on the agenda was Berlin, and the history girl in me was already starting to hyperventilate.

My Travels: London

London was incredible, and was the perfect beginning to a 6 week, ten country vacation with my brother (Chris) and my mother. Anticipating we would need lots of time to explore, I booked flights for Chris and myself 3 days before we were scheduled to begin a Contiki tour. This was a very smart idea, and is my first recommendation to those planning on doing Europe guided-tour style.

Chris and I arrived at Heathrow Airport in London at 7:30 a.m., which was just after midnight in Winnipeg. With all of our flight connections and stopovers, we had been travelling for 24 hours. And, to top it off, we could not check into our hotel until 3 p.m. later that day. Therefore, we had to fight fatigue, and spend the day sightseeing. I wont go through absolutely everything Chris and I did in London, but I'll mention the highlights.

St. Paul's Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking. You can't take pictures inside, which is the only downside. Of all the churches and cathedrals Chris and I saw in Europe, his favourite is still St. Paul's. We climbed 3 levels of stairs to the dome on top, and were rewarded with the most amazing view of the city!

Westminster Abbey was old and impressive. As I walked through the passageways, and through the different rooms, I tried to picture all of the people who had walked inside. The Abbey was especially important to me because of Poet's Corner, a large section where many famous writers are buried. I stood there for a good half hour, writing down names of the deceased writers in the little notebook I carried with me all throughout Europe. Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer are buried there, to name a few. Other authors have memorials there, such as Jane Austen, 3 Bronte sisters, and my favourite author of all time, George Eliot (a.k.a Mary Ann Evans).

The Tower of London was nothing like I expected. First of all, it is not simply a tower, but a large fortress. There are many different buildings, including where the Crown Jewels are kept. My favourite building was the Beauchamp Tower, where prisoners were kept before their executions. Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, 2 of Henry VIII's 6 wives, were kept there before being beheaded. So was Jane Grey, the 9 Days Queen. Tower Green, where the scaffolding was erected, has been turned into a memorial to honour those who were killed there.

Tower Bridge was also very interesting, but there were lots of stairs to get to the top! Chris and I then crossed the bridge to the Southwark area, where both William Shakespeare and Jack the Ripper roamed during their days. We visited the Globe and Rose Theater's, walked in Jack the Ripper's footsteps, and spent a few hours in an underground bomb shelter that was converted into the Britain At War Museum.

Chris and I went on the British Airways "Eye in the Sky," and the thirty minute ride was worth the twenty euros! We also wandered around Parliament at dusk,which felt slightly magical, and slightly creepy.

Another highlight was visiting the Abbey Road crosswalk and the recording studio. Being a huge Beatles fan, I have wanted to visit there since I was a kid. We walked for about an hour to get there, and spent another hour attempting to snap the "right" photo. We also met a couple from Winnipeg at the crosswalk, which shows how small a world we really live in!

After our 3 days in London, we met up with our tour, and took a ferry from Dover to Calais. The White Cliffs of Dover are quite impressive! We drove through Belgium, and the next stop was Amsterdam.

The Classic Novel Files: Anything by Chuck Klosterman

Chuck Klosterman does not really fit into this category, as he is still quite young, yet I have no doubt in my mind that Klosterman will be a Hunter S. Thompson type when he is older. I first experienced Klosterman's writing when I read an interview he did with Britney Spears a number of years ago. His articles are not so much about the individuals he is interviewing, but what he is thinking, feeling, and doing WHILE he is interviewing them. What caught my attention about the Spears article was that the first paragragh contained numerous comments about the fact that she was not wearing any pants while the interview was being conducted. She was not wearing any pants. She was pantless. Yes, pantless.

Klosterman has published a number of books, and they range from an almost diary-like account of his travels, to a collection of articles he has published in various magazines. My personal favourite of all of his published works is the book "Killing Yourself to Live." In this book, Klosterman travels around the USA, to sites where rock stars or rock star related deaths have occurred. He visited the field where Buddy Holly's plane crashed; he visited the intersection where Duane Allman, from the Allman Brothers Band, died on his motorcycle.

But what I love the most about the book is that he also writes about what is happening to him in his life as he is on this trip. A few women are mentioned (and in a similar fashion to the way Anthony Kiedis talks about his various muses in "Scar Tissue") and i'm sure these women are less than thrilled that they are mentioned by first name. He also talks about what he DOES while at each of these locations, and how he feels. I know that I would not talk about personal drug use in a piece of writing I would later submit to an editor, but hey, that's why he's currently published, and i'm not. "Killing Yourself to Live" is really a must-read for everyone, and you will not be dissapointed!

Makes Me Happy...

At some point, I had to post this video. It is not so much the video, but the song. I first heard "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service while watching the movie "Garden State." It was playing in the background during a scene with Zack Braff and Natalie Portman. I fell in love. There is something about this song that makes me smile each and every time I hear it.

It's funny how some songs can invoke such strong emotions. It's also funny how a person can remember lyrics to a song years after hearing it. I truly believe that music is the universal language, and that everyone can benefit from welcoming it into their lives.

Have a listen...



I also am including another Postal Service video, in case you really liked the last one. I could listen to this band all day, every day!



I hope you liked it!