On the Current right now, there is a really touching interview with a German mother who came to Canada after the end of World War II with her children, one of whom was conceived as a result of rape by a Russian soldier. I should clarify -- raped while her two sons watched. Some of the women who had to go outside to get water at night or early in the morning were frequent targets. Some would disguise their faces with dirt or other make-up, to seem older, or walk as if they were crippled. The daughter said the saying "if the end is good, all is good" and her and the mother agreed it's good that this secret is out in their family and that others are there to listen. The mother is now 91 years old.

Here's a link to a recent film about this:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,585779,00.html

well, my racist, homophobic, alcoholic, sexist, womanizing grandpa died on friday night (heart failure and complications from pneumonia). my mom's a complete mess. i do have some good memories of him but they are really overshadowed by the nasty things he put my family through.

he gives me my doukhabor russian roots. he loved and respected nature and had little good to say about organized religion. he could cook a mean steak. he was socialist to the core. he was my last living grandparent.

the hans brinker budget hotel in amsterdam makes the euphemia hotel, where we stayed, look like a hilton. their ad campaign is based on being the worst hotel in the world and it's been a huge success!

Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin of the Supreme Court of Canada had difficulty locating an articling job immediately after law school, and look where she is now.

*This fills me with hope as I keep writing those letters and getting my packages together*

the doctor says i have osteoarthritis. i kinda knew this was going to be the diagnosis - the localized pain in my right knee, the swelling, etc. it still came as a bit of a surprise to hear the words and realize that i will need to be proactive and deal with it.

it's been over one year that i've been taking something to sleep - regularly, without fail. sleep issues started in university and worsened over time, reaching that point. i would sleep soundly and deeply, sometimes with very odd dreams.

last night was the first night in over one year that i did not take something. it wasn't as deep a sleep, a bit light especially compared to what i was getting before. and it took about an hour to fall asleep. but, sleep arrived without having to leave the bed and make haste for the couch.

it's a bit frightening to think about sleeping on my body's own power. i'm trying to just embrace it and give myself a chance.

well, in vancouver you can get:

one black leather purse (made by a local designer)

one giant quatchi plush toy.

you probably cannot get these for $690 total because you need to add the GST and PST.

i can't get that song out of my head. maybe sharing a random recipe for figgy pudding would help. i wish you all many plates of figgy pudding this season.

Diana's Figgy Pudding Recipe (ala her hubby Ken)
Source: DianasDesserts.com
Date: November 9, 2006

1 pound (453g) fresh black Mission figs
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz./113g) butter, melted
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 tbsp. orange zest, fresh (or 1 tsp. dried)

Serve with (optional):
Custard sauce (see recipe below) or sweetened whipped cream

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Generously butter a 2-quart (2 litre/8 cup) pudding mold.

In a medium saucepan, warm milk over low heat, add figs, cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. (DO NOT LET MIXTURE COME TO A BOIL).

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and melted butter until frothy. Slowly add bread crumbs, and orange zest. Add the milk and fig mixture and using a wire whisk gradually add flour mixture, until just blended.

Spoon pudding batter into prepared pudding mold. Cover and place mold in a large roasting pan or casserole dish. Pour enough hot water into the bottom of the roasting pan or casserole dish to cover the bottom 1/3 of the mold. This "water bath" will help the pudding cook evenly and keep it from scorching. Cook the pudding in preheated oven for 2 to 1/2 hours. You may insert into the center of pudding a wooden skewer or toothpick to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, then the pudding is done. Allow pudding to cool for 15 minutes before inverting and unmolding onto a serving plate. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar or for a very festive look, pour the warm custard sauce over the pudding and place a holly sprig (real or artificial) on top. Serve with custard sauce or sweetened whipped cream.

Makes 8 servings.

Custard Sauce

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1 large egg
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, scald milk and allow to cool.

Mix together remaining ingredients, except for butter. Add to cooled milk. Cook over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter, mixing well.

Serve pudding warm with custard sauce or sweetened whipped cream. Store unused portions in refrigerator.

never really thought this day would come, but i've been laid off. bad US economy, blah blah blah, go apply for EI, blah blah blah. i must say, i felt it coming but it doesn't make it any easier, especially six days before the christmas party. and this after being sick for two days (make that three if you count today's tummy ache and sniffles).

ah well, hopefully this will be an opportunity for change in a good direction and a reminder not to spend money (too much that is) over the holidays.

send positive vibes my way... good thoughts on finding new work...

i was listening to the cbc and they were discussing natalie dylan - who is auctioning off her virginity using the bunny ranch in nevada (so she can afford to go to grad school and become a marriage counsellor). there are so many layers to this.

the most disturbing for me is the price our society is willing to place on virginity - it's great that our sexual bodies can be traded for money and that the price can go right on up there into the millions. i don't care that she wants to do this or even that she can make money from her body - it's the talk concerning the price of virginity that's truly upsetting, especially for all the little girls out there. in fact, girls who are brought into the sex trade also trade higher if they are virgins. hmmm....

__________________________________________________

Article from:
The Daily Telegraph

September 10, 2008 12:00am

The 22-year-old brunette, who is using the pseudonym of Natalie Dylan for 'safety reasons', said the money will pay for her college tuition.

The San Diego brunette was introduced to the DJ by the owner of a legal Nevada brothel, where her sister already works.

But Stern has already denied claims of the auction taking place.

The infamous satellite radio host admitted he has invited the girl in question onto his show, but she's the one selling off her innocence online - not him.

But Natalie has told the UK's Daily Mail: "I don't have a moral dilemma with it. We live in a capitalist society."
related links

Related Coverage

"Why shouldn't I be allowed to capitalise on my virginity? I want someone with chemistry. We'll take bids until I find a suitor I'm happy with.'

The winner of the auction will get to sleep with her at the brothel, the New York Daily News reports.

And Natalie says she is willing to undergo a lie detector test and a gynaecological exam to prove she really is a virgin.

VOTE BELOW: SHOULD PEOPLE BE ABLE TO AUCTION THEIR VIRGINITY FOR PROFIT?

Natalie says her mother, who is a primary school teacher, doesn't approve of the auction but 'supports' her.

And she says she knows she will be attacked for the stunt.

She added: "I understand some people may condemn me. But I think this is empowering. I'm using what I have to better myself."

Natalie, who already has a bachelor's degree in women's studies at Sacramento State university, wants to study for a master's in marriage and family therapy.

Dylan was introduced to Stren by Dennis Hof, who owns the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, made famous by the HBO television show, Cathouse.

Hof said: "I think it's a tremendous idea. Why lose it to some guy in the backseat of a Toyota when you can pay for your education?"

The auction will be launched on Stern's Sirius radio and conducted on the brothel's website.

She says she got the idea after reading about a Peruvian woman who needed to pay for her mother's medical bills.

so, about that sax in my closet...

the Los Primos Project (see www.losprimos.ca) provides used instruments to Cuba - for both musicians and students. what an amazing journey for my little alto (in high school, he was named Elmo).

if you know of any used instruments just gathering dust, you too can make someone far away very happy. send it to the following address and it will get to someone who can toot, strum, or thump away on it:

Los Primos Project
45 White St.,
Dartmouth, NS, B2X 2P6
(902) 401-2104

CANCER FORECAST FOR JULY!

Summary

A sparkling birthday month awaits you, and it's the kind of month that could put back your faith in miracles and fairy tales. The excitement starts the moment the month begins, on the new moon in Cancer, July 2. That new moon will open doors for you, so be sure to voice your dearest desires to friends and colleagues, as others will certainly be listening and willing to do all they can to help you. Birthday month is always great for seeing one's aims come true, as the Sun is back in the place it occupied at birth. Venus will glide in Cancer too, giving you an extra fill up of social fun.

Venus will be in Cancer until July 12 so you might want to make it a point to go shopping during the first twelve days of July. You'll find madly flattering wardrobe pieces that will bring you more compliments than you've seen in ages.

Your partner will bring exciting news for you, too. Watch the full moon July 18 for news (plus or minus four days). You may exchange vows, promises, plans, or goals dear to your heart at this time.

You may also discover that you'll be traveling alone or with your partner near July 14 or 22, quite unexpectedly. If you have children and can't quite leave town, you'll have other opportunities to travel closer to home over the weekend of July 26. (And guess what? It's still great fun!)

Romantically, if attached, you'll have an enviable advantage. The tender full moon July 18 will be wildly romantic and rival your favorite moments of the silver screen. This full moon is for you! If you're attached, you may get engaged for your birthday over that weekend, or, if you are already part of an established relationship, your other half will be so darling, you'll fall in love all over again.

Single Cancers will do well too, for Venus will glide in your sign from July 1 to 11. If you hope to meet someone new, consider taking a short trip to a nearby seaside resort, for settings by the sea will relax and rejuvenate you. Besides, those settings will also engender feelings of love. The weekend of July 4-6 should be extra special.

You may also meet someone while doing an assignment at the office, whether a co-worker, supplier, client, or person you call on. Look your best!

Time to launch goals with a big push: July 2, plus two weeks

A relationship reaches an exciting culmination: Full moon, July 18

Change a contract: July 18, sign on July 25 or 26

Travel to nearby towns: all month

		I will marry Tilda Swinton.
		After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down in Berlin in our fabulous Mansion.
		We will have 4 kid(s) together.
		Our family will zoom around in a Yellow Ford Pinto.
		I will spend my days as a Cat Sitter, and live happily ever after.

Honorary Degree: William Gibson, noted science fiction writer whose 1984 award-winning novel Neuromancer helped introduce the concept of cyberspace to the world.

tomorrow is the birthday of a guy i work with. all i can think of is how grand it would be if tomorrow were my birthday and i could curl up at home with a keg of heinneken and watch muppet movies and eat hot dogs and kraft dinner.

but tomorrow is only march 19th.