Trooper

I saw Trooper tonight at the Globe downtown. It was absolutely fabulous. There's nothing like screaming (oops, I mean singing) along to Raise A Little Hell or We're Here For A Good Time (Not A Long Time). Even the opener was good - Feverburn. I recommend checking out their show if you get a chance.

All my complaints are centred on the idiot people who go to concerts! Although odds are someone out there had issues with me and my front row stance, I still have some specific comments to make.

To the short redhead - every reason I had for supporting the anti-smoking bylaw has now been replaced by one. I never want you to have a cigarette in your hand in a bar again. Dancing and jumping around with a burning cig above your head is completely moronic! The rest of us truly appreciated the red hot ash falling down on us. Truly.

To the semi-cute guy with the full glass of Guinness - Why did you pay for that drink and then bring it out onto the dance floor still full? I'm sure my washing machine will appreciate drinking it more than you ever would.

And finally to the extremely drunk blonde chick - First of all, don't borrow clothes from your teenage daughter. It really doesn't suit you. If you are going to wear it, keep your shirt done up at least partway. It really isn't as funny as you think. And oh, those bruises on your back - they are from my elbow as I tried to keep you from knocking me over for the eighteenth time.

There's a weird buzzing in my ears. A sign of a good concert. Or at least that I was standing too close to the speakers again.

Quake

I had a wonderful Christmas this year. Spent time with my family, visited both my grandmothers, received a lot of great gifts. A digital camera was a highlight and I'm sure you will be seeing evidence of it.

Then I woke early on Boxing Day to the news of the horrific 8.9 earthquake centred off Sumatra and the following tsunami. I remained glued to the early pictures on CNN - until it was time to go the the Boxing Day Sales. That's how I spent my day. While others were frantically searching for loved ones, I was supporting my local economy.

This is an extremely tragic situation. When I listened to the news before I went to bed, the death toll was around 40,000. When I woke up, they were now confirming 52,000 dead. And that's only the initial damage from the quake and the waves. How bad will it be in the coming days, with no clean water and no uncontaminated food? Cholera. Malaria. So many water-borne diseases. These people need help.

For information on the relief efforts, visit Unicef, the International Red Cross or the Canadian Red Cross.

Gay Marriage Letter Writing - Update

A few days ago, I was extremely pleased to find a response to one of the emails I sent out regarding gay marriage. Laurie Blakeman, the MLA for Edmonton-Centre, had taken the time to reply. I have also heard from a friend that she got a response from Laurie Blakeman as well. So, if this issue is important to you, take the time to write to your MLA and MP. Apparently they actually get read!

I asked Laurie Blakeman for permission to post her email to me and it was granted.

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Thank you for your letter. I couldn't agree more and I'm not surprised
you live in Edmonton-Centre. You have expressed the prevailing point of
view for my constituents and the main reason why I am so delighted to
continue to represent such a tolerant and diverse riding.

You also did the right thing in writing to the Premier. He often
reacts to issues that I know are important to my constituents by saying
that it is no big deal and he hasn't had many (or any) calls or letters
about the issue. So I now know that at least one person besides myself
has made themselves heard on this important issue.
Thanks again for writing. Keep in touch.

laurie

Babies

Every time I read the news lately, I keep returning to the same stories over and over. I am strangely fascinated and disturbed by two news items in particular.

The first is the frightening incident in the States where Lisa Montgomery strangled Bobbie Jo Stinnett and cut out her baby. Montgomery claimed the baby as her own and proudly showed off the baby girl she called Abigail. Montgomery posed as a someone interested in purchasing one of Stinnett's puppies so she could get close to the pregnant woman. The baby, now named Victoria Jo, has been recovered and is doing fine. Bobbie Jo Stinnett was only 23 years old.

The second news item is closer to home. In BC, a newborn baby girl was found at a bus stop on November 27. She was stuffed inside a plastic bag. Currently, the BC government has placed a newspaper ad seeking the parents of little Baby Jane Doe. They are required to inform the parents that they plan to put the baby up for adoption and this appears to be the only way to notify the unknown family members. The parents have until January 13 to come forward. It has been implied by various officials that the mother would not be charged, but that they are interested in learning the medical and cultural history of the baby.

So here we have two very different women. One was so desperate for a baby she was quite literally willing to kill for it. Another woman wanted to get rid of hers so badly that she left it out where it might die. Baby Jane Doe required a ventilator when she was found. I can't understand either attitude. I feel so sorry for both babies, to grow up with such a sad history, to not be able to know their mothers. At least Victoria Jo can be comforted with the knowledge her mother loved her and I hope Baby Jane is adopted by a family who will love their new miracle.

Gay Marriage

Ralph Klein suggested we start a letter writing campaign regarding the issue of gay marriage. I realize he was talking to those who oppose gay marriage, but I thought it was an excellent idea. So here are copies of my letters. They do get a bit repetitive but I like what I had to say.

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To my federal MP:

Ms. McLellan,

I am a constituent in your riding of Edmonton Centre and am writing to you regarding the gay marriage issue. As you are deputy prime minister, I am confident that you are supporting the supreme court decision regarding gay marriage. I would like to thank you for representing my views. As a Albertan who supports gay marriage, I worry that my voice is not being heard.

I consider myself to be an average Albertan, who has benefited from all Alberta has to offer and who enjoys living in Edmonton. I also support gay marriage as I do not feel it diminishes 'traditional' marriage and only strengthens the institution by offering it to both heterosexual and homosexual couples who want to make a strong, true commitment.

Thank you.


To my Premier:

Dear Mr. Klein,

I am writing to you as I feel my voice is not being heard on the issue of gay marriage. I consider myself to be an average Albertan who has benefited from all that Alberta has to offer. I am college educated, I have a job I enjoy and a home I am proud of. But I do not feel like my voice is being represented by your government.

I support gay marriage. I do not feel it diminishes 'traditional' marriage and only strengthens the institution by offering it to both heterosexual and homosexual couples who want to make a strong, true commitment.

Thank you.


To my provincial MLA:

Ms. Blakeman,

I am a constituent in your provincial riding of Edmonton Centre and am writing to you regarding the gay marriage issue. I feel my voice is not being heard by the provincial government on the issue of gay marriage and have also written Ralph Klein on this issue.

I consider myself to be an average Albertan who has benefited from all that Alberta has to offer. I am college educated, I have a job I enjoy and a home I am proud of. I also support gay marriage. I do not feel it diminishes 'traditional' marriage and only strengthens the institution by offering it to both heterosexual and homosexual couples who want to make a strong, true commitment.

Thank you.

Watch Where You're Going

On Tuesday night, a car hit a 10-year-old boy while he tried to cross the street. The last news report I read regarding the incident said he was not expected to survive. Horrifying. Tragic. Anything I'm about to say does not take away from that.

I overheard someone talking about this accident, furious with the driver for not being cautious, for not paying attention. The news had said the driver was not speeding nor was he drunk. From what I have read, it sounded like 3 or 4 kids tried to run across the street, but not all of them made it. One car was able to stop. Another did not.

I am a pedestrian about 80% of my transportation time. I take the bus and I occasionally catch rides but most of the time, it's my favourite pair of sneakers and me. I am more than aware of the dangers of crossing the street. You have to look all the time! It doesn't matter if you have the right of way; you are a heck of a lot smaller than that truck bearing down on you. I see it all the time, a person smacks the yellow button to the pedestrian-activated crosswalk lights and starts walking. They assume all the cars are going to see the yellow lights and have time to stop. For starters, this is Edmonton. Ever heard of icy roads? It's hard to stop on a dime at the best of times, let alone at 60km on slick streets. And what if the moment you hit that button is the same moment that driver decides to change his radio station?

Apparently 2/3 of pedestrian accidents happen at crosswalks. Ok, this stat relates to the number of people who cross at crosswalks versus jaywalking, but it also says to me that people take their safety for granted more in a crosswalk than at a random section of street. The province is trying to do something about it, raising the fine for not stopping for a pedestrian at a crosswalk from $57 to $500. We've had public awareness campaigns, including the latest called "Look out for each other: Share the responsibility." I think it's the right message, but the question is will anyone hear it? Pedestrians have to take responsibility for their own safety and assume the car isn't going to stop until they see that it is physically stopping. Check each lane as you cross. Some guy in the second or third lane may think it's a great idea to pull around and go ahead - into you. Start watching where you are going and what's coming at you.

And don't even get me started on the idiots that ride their bikes across a crosswalk!