Monday: Favourite Thing

so what if i live in Blue Alberta, at least I know
there are others like me out there

Today my favourite thing is a map of Canada that has more Orange than Red with the hope of one day having more Orange than Blue... That, my friends, is my favourite thing today.

I exercised my democratic right to vote today. Living in Edmonton Centre, our incumbent was the ex-fighter pilot Laurie Hawn. He wins votes by giving to the rich and stealing from veterans - ironic since he is one. I don't get it.
I did not follow the candidates very closely this year. At first I thought it would be an obvious vote for Mary MacDonald, the Liberal candidate because this riding used to belong to Anne McLelland and so I thought if I wanted Mr. Hawn out, I should strategicly vote Red.
But on Sunday we got a flyer from Lewis Cardinal. He looks like a friendly man and of course, I always feel more strongly tied to the NDP. Plus I believe there should be more Native representation in Parliament. Not long after reading his flyer, my mom called to say she had just met him. He came to my parent's apartment campaigning. She said that I should vote for him - not because of the NDP, but because he is a very nice man with strong ideals. By that point I had already decided that my vote was better used going towards something I believe in instead of throwing it away on the Liberals, so I agreed with my mom and told her he would have my vote.

Today, while voting, I looked at the other names on the ballot. Realising that I didn't receive any information on Mary MacDonald at all. Laurie Hawn did come to our door and he spoke to Mark who reserved his right to keep his political views confidential. He refused Laurie's handouts and said if he wanted information he would look on the internet.
Today I recieved emails from both Laurie Hawn and Mary MacDonald in response to my email generated by the Open Media petition against internet usage billing. Laurie Hawn's letter was brief and simply stated he had a policy not to respond to polls. Whoopie shit as my Dad would say.

It is exciting to live in a time when the tables have turned more than once. Liberal majority, Conservative Minority, and now a Conservative Minory with an NDP opposition. I am excited and let's hope that the future holds great things for Canada.

Weekend Getaway

We had a mini getaway this weekend. A drive on a sunny Friday afternoon south to Calgary through our favourite prairies. There is nothing like blue sky dotted with clouds and a clear view as far as the eye can see. It makes my heart flutter. I get overwhelmed and I want to holler and cry and hug everyone around me. The prairies make me feel incredibly alive, like my heart knows what this land can give and that I may not feel satisfied until I can give my heart what it truly desires: a little house on the prairie. Calgary is home to our friends and their two kids. The cutest kids in Alberta, I think. Especially since Evey, the oldest, tells me that I am her friend and she asks me to read her stories. Plus she says Maria in the cutest way: "Ma-wee-a". I can't help it. I love them! Teagan is a big strong boy full of smiles and giggles. He wants more than anything to play alongside his big sister.

They are the kind of kids that make me want to have a whole pile of babies. Seriously, every time we visit Ryan and Jen we come home talking about babies...  *sigh*

Nothing like a comfy weekend with friends to ease any stress. Not to mention the copious amounts of fondue we ate. Cheese, Hot Stone beef and shrimp, and chocolate. A very therapeutic weekend indeed.

enjoying Dad read Cat in the Hat