I love fog, as long as I don’t have to be driving in it when it’s as thick as last night!

I’m torn because on the one hand I do see that there are safety rules for a reason, though on a personal note I wonder what the odds really are of someone being strangled because of a hijab. At the same time, a hijab is not the same thing as someone wanting to play while wearing a long string of beads around their neck or a hat for fashion’s sake, it’s a religious headscarf and I’m all about her right to wear it.

However, I don’t think the story in and of itself, as it was briefly described is the REAL interesting part of the story. What is interesting to me is that not only did she refuse to take it off and not only did her team support her by refusing to play, FOUR other teams walked off and refused to play in protest of the rule.

I find that part interesting and fascinating and even hopeful of a generation that cares about issues because when I was a young kid I don’t know how many of my peers would have cared enough to stand up for someone and walk away from a tournament like that.

I had two pleasant surprises. For one thing, despite the fact that there were a lot of people there (who knew so many people would need a birth, marriage, or death certificate all at the same time?), it was very quick to get through the line and get called up to the desk. I think I was there under half an hour - with a four-year-old and a one-year-old in tow, fast is always appreciated!

The biggest surprise was that we got the birth certificate in only three business days! I was very pleasantly surprised by that, because I was not expecting it until the end of this week. Now I guess we’re all ready to register her for school. Except for the fact that we don’t want to admit she’s almost school aged.

The best part of the experience was that I haven’t been downtown in ages so even though it was too cold to walk around with a camera in hand, I got some fairly decent shots out the window. Sometimes I really miss working downtown.

It’s interesting to see this happen. I’m all for free speech but I feel promoting hate crosses a line. However, so many people feel that the anonymity that the Internet offers allows them to do whatever they wish without consequence. It’s thought-provoking to see someone prosecuted for an online hate crime.

What do you think?

After such a dismal winter, even I am happy to see its return. My oldest daughter is even more ecstatic since that means she can go out to play in the snow. While going for a walk, we stood and watched the streets being cleaned. It was only then that I realized how quiet the winter has been thus far without the loud commotion of snow removal. I actually missed seeing those dinky little sidewalk plows barreling crazily along.

I’m sure the joy will wear off (for me; my daughter would be happy if it snowed every day for 3/4 of the year) but for now I’m pretty pleased. And relieved.

Maybe it’s partly because my husband played a show there back in 2003, but I don’t think it’s just that. I think it’s mostly due to yet another hallmark of our city going the way of so many others.

Still. Although it’s handy to be able to go outside more easily, to not worry about dressing until you can barely move, it’s just not natural. This is not what I expect to see on the streets and sidewalks when I stroll around my neighborhood.

Nutty. Absolutely nutty.

My husband and I decided that instead of buying a gift for each other that we would chip in an equal amount of money and buy ourselves a much-needed new printer. We decided to wait until after Christmas so that the prices would be better. December 28th is not a good day to venture into Best Buy, let me just say that. It’s not great for Bureau en Gros either. (We actually ended up getting a fantastic HP printer/scanner/copier at Loblaws of all places, for $50.)

Speaking of Loblaws, even going out to get groceries was a slight case of insanity over the holidays. We were so busy with everything else that we didn’t plan our food budget very well so we found ourselves needing to get something to eat for the 31st but the grocery stores were all SO packed with last-minute party-planning folks that my husband walked in, snorted in disgust, and immediately walked back out. Of course, everything was closed on the 1st, so it’s just a good thing that we actually had leftovers and staples in our freezer. Today? Hello, grocery shopping with the normal amount of people.

It was a great two weeks, really, but I am so glad that life is going back to normal now so that we can walk into a store without being scared off by enormous line-ups.

I always mean to get my shopping done early but finances dictate more last minute buying than I’d like. Yet somehow I always survive. Whew.

I hope none of you have to go shopping tomorrow, but if you do, good luck, and breathe in and out!

Last night at the Bell Centre, that’s exactly what happened. The crowd of fans and the teams all stood or sat in silence for a minute to offer their respect and sadness for Laura Gainey, daughter of Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Bob Gainey. Laura was swept off the deck of a ship by a rogue wave last Friday; the Coast Guard searched for 70 hours but never recovered her body.

Obviously, Bob Gainey wasn’t in attendance at last night’s game but he sent his thanks to everyone for their support in his difficult time. The Canadiens went on to beat the Bruins last night.