It’s about Time!

You know there’s just not enough hours in the day, but I thought it’s about time I wrote something about time. Because everyone has a relationship with time. And as with any relationship, it could be good or bad.

Time is a tool to structure our days, weeks, and lives. Calendars, planners, and digital apps help keep track of appointments, deadlines, and events. Unfortunately, humans don’t have a personal built-in time manager.

But it got me thinking as to “what it would be like it we didn’t have to think about time? Other than appointments, what exactly are we measuring? The time to sundown? The time until dinner? Bedtime? Our next favorite show on TV? Is time really on our side?

Does anybody ask anyone for the time anymore…

…because there’s simply no excuse not to know what time it is. We have laptops, smart phones, smart watches, hell; now there’s even *smart eye glasses.

Nonetheless, I just went out to buy a wall clock. I know… a wall clock! How many people own one? I hemmed and hawed at first, but bought one anyway. Mostly because there was an empty space on my wall where a clock once hung and I kept staring at the empty spot. My new clock fills the space with huge, black legible numbers, instead of roman numerals. What surprised me was how many clocks the store had in stock. Regular clocks and watches seem antiquated now but I guess there’s still a market. Not many people wear watches solely for telling time nowadays. I wear a watch that I can barely read because little diamonds replace the hour markers. I wear it not to tell the time, but as a nice jewelry piece.

Have you ever taken, or had time to stop to wonder what it would be like it we didn’t have to think about time? We could wake up when we feel like it, and not to an alarm clock. No set work schedule or punching of clocks, and no way to monitor the timing of wonderful (normally 60 minute) massages. Wouldn’t that be nice? Or would it?

Everything we do revolves around time.

The typical person consults their clocks several dozens of times a day. We have a schedule and almost everything we do has to be done on time. Remember when, before streaming, we had to sit down in front of a television at a set time to watch our favourite program? Oops…think I just dated myself.

At an opera they give you a ten minute pre-show warning and if you’re not at your seat they close the doors. You just paid big money so you better sit down.

If you’re meeting someone, out of respect you cannot (or should not) keep others waiting. There’s a grace period of let’s say 15 ~~for me it’s 5~~ minutes before someone will start to get annoyed. God forbid you go over time with a lawyer or therapist.

Timing is important too. Everything major that’s happened in my life had been due to good or bad timing. I think that’s the case for everyone. But that’s a separate topic for another time. I would elaborate more on this but I don’t want to be late for a very important date.

How about you? Are there areas in your life where keeping an eye on the clock has been particularly important or challenging for you? Do you feel that you wasted your time reading this post?

Sidenote on *Smart Eyeglasses: most smart eyeglasses can tell the time, displaying it on their small heads-up display, allowing you to see the current time without needing to check your phone or watch; this feature is considered one of the basic functionalities of most smart glasses. I found this out when I asked someone for the time (yes I did) and he gave me the time without looking at any device. Then he took a photo of me with his glasses. He then showed me the pic on his phone. It’s so hard to keep up with technology.

THINKAboutit

Trains, Planes and Subways.

Today’s post is more like journaling rather than journalism

TIFF 2024 was a fabulous experience.

Having only been to two other film festivals before, this one is incomparable. This is a top-tier festival. The choices were varied and outstanding. The public turnout was staggering, including the A-list stars who attended. King Street W (where my late hubby and I used to own a condo) in the heart of the Entertainment District, was all about “TIFF” From September 5th to the 15^th with streets blocked off and lots going on. Elizabeth and I saw some amazing selections. We also missed some amazing selections. We both navigated the subway system which was easy enough. Now we’re pros.

I stayed with my brother-in-law who lives mid-town in a really nice high rise. Coincidentally, an old friend of mine lives in the building right across the street. I went over for a pitcher of her delicious homemade margaritas one evening and sat on her balcony looking over to where I was staying. How strange is that in such a big city? Elizabeth stayed with her brother (my other cousin Frankie) who lives in trendy High Park area.

I ended up going back to Montreal with Liz for a little side trip while the festival was still on. I wasn’t intending to at first, but we decided to bury our Uncle Chuck (who was living in Florida) and whose ashes were in Elizabeth’s closet for one year. I can explain. Last year, when we all met up for a wedding in Montreal, Chuck’s wife brought his ashes to be buried with his parents (our grandparents) on Mount Royal – the mountain in the heart of the city. As luck would have it, workers were on strike at that time, so we were unable to carry out his wishes. Now he’s out of the closet and back with his parents in a beautiful last resting place.

I was also able to get together with a long-time friend one evening for dinner and another evening with my childhood bestie Linda, and her parents. Her mom is exactly the same, only with white hair. Her dad is partially paralyzed in a wheelchair now, but his face lit up when he saw me. We had dinner at their home. It was like going back in time but very familiar. These people I saw were all at my wedding and we have history. While a lot of the movie themes were suggesting “out with the old, in with the new” – I like to keep the old around for old times sake.

Elizabeth and I travelled Via Rail “Business Class” which is really the ~~only~~ best way to take the train from TO to MTL. The seats are more comfortable and they feed you. But a word of advice: try not to miss your train. If you do; you might have to wait a few hours and pay more $. You shouldn’t have to pay more, but they justify the reason as just a different train with a higher fare. Yeah; happened to me. Won’t happen again!

As promised, here are some other movies and docs that were on my list that I really wanted to see, but didn’t get around to. LOOK FOR:

Will & Harper (a documentary with SNL alumni and close friends, Will Ferrell & Harper Steele, as they take a road trip following Steele’s announcement of her transition – I imagine with lots of questions along the way). Steele was a writer for Saturday Night Live TV show; four years as head writer. In theatres now – available on Netflix end of September.

We Live in Time (Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield) A romance about how to make the most of our time in this world. I wonder what they have to say about that.

The Room Next Door (Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton) – about re-connecting an old friendship when one of the friends is sick. This one got a long standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and it’s Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature. I’ve always liked his films.

Conclave (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini). I didn’t even know Rossellini was at TIFF until I saw her interviewed – I worked for her when she was dating David Lynch while filming a movie in Vancouver. Again; history. I’ll see it at VIFF -Vancouver Int’l Film Festival.

Road Diary: A documentary about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Without Blood (Salma Hayek Pinault; directed by Angelina Jolie). That’s enough.

Disclaimer (a mystery starring Cate Blanchett – anything with her in it).

Mistress Dispeller (a true story about the work of Chinese women who practice unorthodox techniques to repair marital infidelity – sounds fascinating).

The Apprentice (I watched the first season of this popular series featuring you know who).

The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (my late husband spent some time in Lagos – not in a prison; his company set up telecommunications there – but don’t blame him for all the scams).

The Shrouds (because…well; it’s David Cronenberg). It will be sombre.

Can I Get a Witness? (Sandra Oh; written/directed by Ann Marie Fleming – someone I know from Vancouver. This is getting a lot of buzz and I’m excited to see it at VIFF).

Taking Care of Business (a documentary about another iconic Canadian band – Bachman Turner Overdrive; BTO for short. I have friends in common with Randy Bachman and my brother is good friends with his drummer).

A Movie Short called “SoleMates” starring Richard Jutras, a friend of mine from Montreal. We went to Actors Studio a million years ago. Takes place in a shoe store.

The Life of Chuck – It’s not about my Uncle. It just won a People’s Choice Award at the close of TIFF. Synopsis: The world feels like it’s ending and everybody’s saying goodbye to Chuck. Wherever Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes, he can’t get away from Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). His face is showing up on billboards, window signs — even TV commercials. What’s so special about this seemingly ordinary accountant and why does he warrant such a sendoff? Guess we’ll have to watch it to find out.

Lots to look forward to. Coming up:

THINKAboutit

Amy’s Purpose – Pet Safety Awareness

Amy’s Purpose is an educational, non profit organization, dedicated to saving the lives of pets. It was created by DeAnn Lubell in honor of her soul dog, Amy.

**AMY** is second from left at the bottom (with one blue eye). Photo taken from the Website.

A dogs tale: Amy’s story is on the website (provided below). I won’t share it here because the beginning and ending is too traumatic, so you can decide whether to read it or not. However, the middle part is wonderful because a human named DeAnn got Amy out of a rough situation. And we’re hoping more and more people get animals out of hopeless circumstances. You know, some situations can be prevented.

Some people say there’s too many fundraisers to do revolving around animals; specifically dogs and cats . But unfortunately, these creatures cannot speak for themselves and rely on us humans to care for them in a manner to which they deserve. To be well looked after is to love, walk, feed, groom and keep them healthy. It’s the least we can do. They’re family members and when we get pets it’s a lifetime commitment.

Amy with DeAnn – taken from the website.

Many people do properly look after their pets, but sadly, many do not. But even good dog/cat owners sometimes come across problems they didn’t foresee coming. That’s mostly what Amy’s Purpose is all about. It’s about educating us to be aware of certain pet predators. It is up to us to take the necessary measures to safeguard our pets to avoid interactions and conflicts.

This taken from website: “Coyotes and other natural predators are here to stay. They have inhabited just about every region in the United States from coast to coast. They are spotted roaming in the deserts, mountains, resort properties, Country Clubs, golf courses, parks, suburban neighborhoods, towns, and bustling big cities, as well as can easily sneak into high-fenced private backyards with ease. As we humans encroach upon their space more and more, the possibility of coyote and other natural predator encounters increases. “

As a matter of fact, in Vancouver just last summer we came across a lone coyote in broad daylight in an open area we frequent. I had my dogs off leash when all of a sudden the coyote (which I thought was a dog at first until I noticed no owner in sight) brazenly started to follow us. I quickly leashed up my two and started walking briskly but it kept following us until we got to an area with more people. It was the first time I felt some panic out walking my dogs. I was told that a coyote grabbed a small dog at the local dog beach one morning too – a first. Glad I wasn’t there to witness it. I also saw two coyotes one evening right across the street from where I live. I’ve been warning people with dogs (and cats) over and over again about the dangers of predators like coyotes and even eagles for those with tiny dogs, but I know how it is when you never see them yourself. I hadn’t seen them myself until just recently. As more and more green space is being cleared for more condos and housing, where do you suppose these animals will go?

Therefore, Amy’s Purpose is dedicated to providing predator awareness and promoting safety information to help us protect our beloved pets. Its mission comprises community-based education outreach programs; local student scholarship veterinary assistance scholarships to help rectify current emergency veterinarian care crisis; and offer individuals pet loss grief counseling.

They are working on establishing a streamed speaker’s series to address the dangers of wildlife, stray domestic animals, and even *humans.

This fundraiser which took place at Willie’s Modern Fare in Rancho Mirage honoured the Palm Springs Animal Hospital’s Dr. Henein, DMV and John Garcia, Hospital Manager. Dr. Henein as it so happens, was my friend Tammy’s vet when her late dog Timbit got diagnosed with cancer. Some photos from the event:

L-R: Mini, renowned local artist **Karen Barone**, me, Tammy.

Local talent **Prince Fleet Easton** with me, Tammy + Mini.

Liberace discovery – entertainer **Jere Ring**.

Professional Comedian **Mini Holmes** with the **Prince** of Palm Springs – **Fleet Easton**.

SAVE THE DATE:

The next fundraiser will be an epic party celebrating the legacy of Palm Springs’ Premier Dog Lover – Liberace. It will be called “An Evening with Liberace” featuring my new friend Jere Ring; acclaimed Liberace Protégé and David Maiocco; no. 1 Liberace Tribute Artist. It will be held on October 13, 2024 at Casa de Monte Vista, Palm Springs – the gorgeous estate featured in “Behind the Candelabra.” Produced by Bruce Fessier. Raising funds to support Amy’s Purpose. More entertainment & dinner info TBA on Amy’s website at link below.

https://www.amyspurpose.net

https://www.williesrm.com

Karen & Tony Barone

As a side note, there is another type of predator of pets – the *human predator. Beware of unscrupulous individuals who will uncaringly steal your fur-baby for three reasons: resale for profit; bait for dogfight training and, yes, unfortunately, as a possible food source as deemed okay in certain cultures.

THINKAboutit

Critical Viewing

“Critical Viewing” – the best words I can think of to describe films as more than just entertainment.

It’s very similar to critical thinking which is the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment – but on cinema instead of with thoughts.

As much as I love watching movies, I rarely find one that inspires, enlightens or generates insight for me. So for that reason, I’m a tough critic at least for myself. Ironically, uninspiring movies have inspired me to write this post. For example; as I quickly went through a recent film festival guide with speed dating precision, countless films felt unworthy of my attention, sad to say.

So…does that make me a movie snob? Or are there just not that many seemingly great movies out there any more? I’m talking about a majority of just so-so films. Obviously there are some greats past and present – just not an abundance.

I read somewhere that If you can sit through 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, without blinking an eye, that you are either a movie buff or dead.

Then there’s the much more serious Cinephile. I’m certainly more of a movie buff than a “Cinephile.”

The word “Cinephile” sounds pretentious, although it refers to an educated film consumer with the tool kit needed to distinguish average films from outstanding ones. Yes, I get that too; but the difference is I prefer to focus mainly on the story while appreciating costume, set design, etc. The “cinephile” pays attention to the allover art form for the way it is filmed, edited, the camera angles, and the use of colour and sound. While I appreciate all of this too, if the story isn’t something I’m personally interested in I don’t care about the rest. Sometimes the director gets something in his/her head that they want to convey but which just doesn’t come across clearly to the audience. You’re left guessing as to what they were trying to communicate. And there’s nothing entertaining in that.

Anyway, these days I want something to move me, to make me trigger an insight, educate me or cause me to want to better myself or inspire me to create something, cook something or travel somewhere.

Life that imitates Art. Art that imitates Life – can be either good or bad. You know what I mean? There’s a lot of crap out there. Art for art’s sake is not good enough. I’d much rather watch a low budget documentary than a high budget mediocre Hollywood blockbuster.

Maybe my category is just a “lover of movies that move me.”

Trailer Trashing:

Is watching the trailer important? Depends. It can ruin the surprise as sometimes it gives too much away, sometimes it gives it ALL away, and sometimes it makes you turn away.

Some of my favorite past picks for:

Inspiration: Forrest Gump, The Blind Side, Dead Poets Society, Erin Brockovitch, Rocky.

Enlightenment: Good Will Hunting, Life of PI, Shawshank Redemption, Ghost.

Insight (into people or animals – documentaries are best for this): Searching for Sugarman, My Octopus Teacher, Wolf of Wall Street.

Epic: The Godfather I, II, etc., Gone With The Wind.

Escape: ET, Lost in Translation, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Dirty Dancing.

Comedy: Bridesmaids, The Producers, Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

How about you? What’s your preference?

My previous post on Critical Thinking:

Has Critical Thinking Gone Out of Style?

THINKAboutit

Walk 4 Awareness – Dogs without Borders

Once you have a wonderful dog in your life, you cannot imagine life without one (or two).

Alongside our pack leader, animal welfare personality and influencer Lee Asher (THE ASHER HOUSE Sactuary); a bunch of us came out to Spanish Banks on Sunday for a sold-out event in support of dogs needing adoption.

Lee with Adele + Layla **Photo**: d. king

Held outside, they had to limit the numbers because of the amount of dogs and for knowing how much food, coffee + water to supply.

This was sponsored by “THANK DOG I AM OUT” – a registered non-profit society based in Vancouver, BC that is dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of dogs who are at risk of being euthanized, surrendered, abused, or neglected. Their mandate is to rehome or support discarded dogs. Sadly, there are many.

They say that shelters are maxed out now. It’s very sad to hear that many people who got dogs during Covid ended up abandoning them by returning them to shelters when they had to go back to work and no longer had time for them. For more info:

https://thankdogiamout.com/

The fun fundraising walk was 4 km along beautiful Spanish Banks on a gorgeous September morning. There were two tents for those who registered online with coffee (from the coffee bike) + treats for canines and their companions. Thank Dog I Am Out had merchandise for sale with proceeds going towards their cause. I bought a hoodie. Of course there was plenty of time for a photo opp with Lee.

The goodies included WAG BAGS for dogs with bandana, treats + discount coupons. TISOL (Pet Nutrition + Supply) was a sponsor along with TURF (fitness studio, boutique, café) and TIM HORTONS.

CANINE CONNECTION dog training experts also had a booth. They offer private and group classes for training in Vancouver Area & Vancouver Island.

https://www.canineconnectiontraining.ca/

Curser down to “What is THE ASHER HOUSE?” to find out exactly what Lee Asher is doing:

https://www.theasherhouse.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXC-hiAZpMU

Follow him on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theasherhouse/?hl=en

This little guy named Eddie (short for Eduardo) is looking for a home. Originally from Mexico, he was found at a high kill shelter in Los Angeles. He’s now being fostered in Vancouver. You can adopt him here: LOVED AT LAST DOG RESCUE: https://www.lovedatlastdogrescue.ca/

UPDATE: EDDIE GOT ADOPTED in October, 2023. Yay! You can still go to the website above for more rescue dog information.

THINKAboutit

Valentine’s Day – What’s Love got to do with it?

What do rock concerts and Valentine’s day have in common?

They both begin with a spontaneous emotion but over time the performance becomes ritualized and people anticipate the expected songs/gifts and they both must deliver.

Head’s up to men everywhere – women like to be spoiled every day of the year.
Romance is natural and not something forced, and gifts should be unexpected instead of expected. So don’t save it only for one commercially enforced day of the year. Holidays imposed upon us for the sole purpose of profit making are not expression of a loving sentiment. However, it’s a not so subtle reminder to show appreciation for those we love and sometimes for those we don’t.

Having once lived in Japan I remember a few customary rituals to do with their version of Valentine’s Day.

First off, there’s White Day – the male counterpart to Valentine’s Day in Japan, where the tradition is that women give expensive chocolates to men they’re romantically involved with, and cheaper chocolates to their coworkers, bosses and sometime older brothers.

Giri-choco (義理チョコ) is a custom where woman give chocolates to male colleagues. It’s an unspoken obligation to give chocolates to your boss.

Whereas Honmei choco (本命チョコ, or “true love chocolate”) is inspired by romantic interest and given to husbands, boyfriends, or a potential love interest.

Here’s a sprinkling of some of my favourite Valentine quotes:

“It is not love that makes a relationship complicated; it’s the people in it who do.” — Unknown

“I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s Day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours, I watched whatever I wanted on TV.” — Tracy Smith

“Valentine’s Day: the holiday that reminds you that if you don’t have a special someone, you’re alone.” —Lewis Black

“You can’t buy love, but you can pay heavily for it.” — Henny Youngman

“Remember, your Valentine’s card shows you care enough to send the very best, even though you’re too lazy to put it in your own words.” — Melanie White

“One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” — Oscar Wilde”

outside a restaurant in Palm Springs

“If Christmas is considered the most wonderful time of the year, then Valentine’s Day is most definitely the LOVEliest day of the year.” – d. king

ENJOY!

Header Photo: d. king **(if you receive this via e-mail you can click on the title to get the full screen.)

THINKAboutit

Scream of Consciousness.

Venting on my blog is not something I like to do. But I thought I’d switch it up for a change and tell you about my one day in the life of first world problems. Events I refer to as my Seinfeld Saturday. Remember that show was supposed to be much ado about nothing. But it was really about something in the way it presented humorous renderings of daily insignificance that we North Americans experience and complain about. No wonder it was so successful and it’s still relevant because every single episode was about mundane setbacks we can all relate to.

Before I begin I want to mention that a few weeks ago a tragic accident happened to someone I know who was involved in a head on car collision. She did not survive. I haven’t been in much of a mood to write. Life is precarious. It’s a gift and when something like this happens out of the blue it really makes you evaluate what is important and what is not. But we manage to move on however we can – taking in all the good, the bad and the uncertain.

So as I’m reliving a very ordinary day, make no mistake that I’m also grateful for being alive to not only share it, but to poke fun at it too – like Seinfeld would.

Picking up my top from the same cleaners that I always go to resulted in a much higher bill for the same top which was there only two months prior. I found my old bill and noticed a $10 increase. I know; I know, the excuse of inflation, higher gas prices, yada, yada. However when I go to the cleaners I don’t expect to be taken to the cleaners!

Next was going to see my alterationist – a very skilled one at that. I had a lining replaced in a fancy little jacket that belonged to my mom. Her name was inscribed in the lining. I asked that the name be cut out but sewn back for sentimental reasons. Picked it up, got home and looked inside to see the name sewn upside down. Perhaps a metaphor for the topsy-turvy upended times we live in. When I called the alterationist to let her know, she explained that she was too busy so asked her husband to sew it on for her. Of course I had to take it back and get her to re-do it, which she did. But not happily. And extra wasted time for me.

Then I tried to register a business because I was granted the name I requested. However, in British Columbia you have to go through a “one-stop” business registry system (actually called “one-stop”) that makes you go through several non one-stop steps. Again; first world problem. Still, I don’t understand why so much time is wasted on these unnecessary extra steps. I’ll spare you the details.

My dog needing grooming but since we were on a two month wait list for the local groomer I decided to take her to a dog store with a DIY service. I bathed, blow dried and thinned out Layla’s coat there. I may have used too much conditioner because Layla had so much static after blow drying that her fur was sticking straight up. She looked like Rod Stewart. So we showed up at the regular groomer right after. Even though busy with other dogs, someone who works there decided to spend a few moments with Layla to straighten out the situation.

Later in the day, looking back on the day, I laughed over how many little things upset me. Life’s little problems.

It’s a new week with a whole new set of adventures ~~_{and little problems}~~. I wish you a wonderful week. See you back here soon.

THINKAboutit

The power of Film

It’s that time of year again. The time where movie theaters start to fill up as Fall approaches. And of course; the film festivals start up. Toronto International Film Festival (better known as TIFF) is on now until the 18^th followed by the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF for short) which begins on September 29^th.

Film is a powerful tool for so many reasons. There’s times I don’t want to think and only want to laugh, however; the three highlighted here help to get a message across with a not so gentle reminder of what good and bad we humans are capable of. This is the true power of film. Comedy and Tragedy, like life itself. Previews of what’s to come…

If you liked My Octopus Teacher…

Blueback

A story about an intimate mother–daughter relationship, forged by the women’s keen desire to protect the inhabitants of the pristine blue oceans on the Australian coast where they live.

With images of beautiful blue vistas demanding to be seen on the big screen, Robert Connolly (Balibo, TIFF ’09; Paper Planes, TIFF ’14) returns to the Festival with a story about a young woman’s connection to the ocean and an inherited mission of environmental advocacy.

A teenager named Abby and her mom maintains a bond with a groper fish (In Australia, “groper” is used instead of “grouper” ) affectionately named Blueback, who becomes a reminder of all the wonders the ocean has to offer and a path to healing a rift between Abby and her mother.

Sidenote from Girl who would be King: as a former scuba diver where at 19, my very first dive was in the Bahamas with a team from National Geographic no less, I personally came into contact with Grouper fish among sea turtles and many other remarkable sea creatures. I visited Cayman Islands too where turtle stew is considered the national dish. This trailer pulled on my heartstrings.

Grouper and snapper are still the mainstays in the Bahamas, however, with the former being the “Rolls Royce of fish” according to Ben Simmons, owner and operator of Harbour Island’s Ocean View Club.

Bones of Crows

An epic account of the life of Cree matriarch Aline Spears that spans generations, Marie Clements’ Bones of Crows is a powerful indictment of the abuse of Indigenous peoples as well as a stirring story of resilience and resistance.

752 Is Not A Number

On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 went down as it was leaving Iranian air space. All 176 people on board were killed, many of them Iranian Canadians. For weeks Iranian authorities vociferously denied responsibility, but foreign governments and agencies were certain the plane was shot down by Iranian military, a fact Iran’s government eventually admitted. There were no answers as to why the plane was fired on or even why it was allowed to take off, since hostilities had broken out in the region in preceding days.

This tragedy is the subject of the documentary. The focus is one man’s dogged fight for the truth. Hamed Esmaeilion, a dentist in Newmarket, Ontario, lost his wife and his young daughter in the incident. Determined not to let the Iranian government exploit their memories, Hamed took a harrowing journey to Iran to claim the remains, then embarked on a quest for justice for all the victims in this atrocity.

Happy Film Going (and some not so happy film going) but we all learn something and become more mindful in the process.

Have a great weekend (a long weekend in most provinces in Canada due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II). RIP our longest reigning monarch.

THINKAboutit

2022 – Moving ahead

2022 here we go! I like the numbers. They appear more balanced.

Summing up the year so far…

words to live by

The theme of this year is letting go. Letting go of what cannot be controlled. For starters; to stop putting pressure on myself and on others to do more, be more and maybe just BE is in itself, a bit of a challenge. Expectations have changed big time. Energy wasting explanations too – like letting go of a need to explain when there is really no need to explain.

We’ve all experienced many unforeseen events and changes in the past almost two years and this year will be no different because change is constant and we have to deal with the good along with the bad. It’s only the uncertainty that is puzzling and seems to be trying everyone’s patience.

This year kicked off with a kick in the chest of a few less people in my life – two amazing women I know have passed. Even some friendships have changed. Some have lessened, some have strengthened and one has unexplainably disappeared from my life. Nothing is as it was, and yet everything is as it should be (except finding out about the untimely passing of my friend Ruth). Just trying to accept things as they are is a test to human nature along with a testament to strength.

Humans are disappointing. We can watch all the blood, graphic violence & soft porn on every day TV shows, but we have to watch our personal opinions on social media.

As the symbolism behind the number 2022 suggests: set priorities in life and use your energy and time on them exclusively. Avoid thinking about unimportant things as this will only waste your time and take away energy that can be used in a much more useful way. Only draw in honest people to your life. Don’t dismiss the importance of lessons from the past. If you are aware of your eventual mistakes, you will know things to avoid in the future. Fear can only block you from achieving what you want, so ignore it. Be fierce, confident, and trust your instinct. For example, our own beliefs and idealizing people that are obviously not good for us can teach us not to ignore what our instinct is telling us. If you trust your gut, that means you believe in yourself. So believe in yourself!

Alison Bechdel in “The Secret to Superhuman Strength” writes:

“Peel it back far enough and beneath every obsession, every compulsion, every peculiarity of being, every creative act and every destructive act, there is the kernel of some universal human struggle or longing — usually for love or for control, the twin faces of the elemental human heartache: we are born to die, and in the meantime life is one great uncertainty throughout which we are fundamentally alone, no matter the people and possessions we surround ourselves with.

How these universals manifest, however, is to a large extent a product of the time and place into which chance has deposited us.”

In “Superhuman Strength” you can feel that Bechdel knows that she doesn’t have that much control. But perfection is not the point, which is the point. Control is an illusion; the secret is to let go. – part of New York Times book review.

Wherever we go, we take ourselves with us – Walt Whitman.

You can follow the right path or you can take a rocky road – which is okay if it’s ice cream.

THINKAboutit

“Real” Estate: doing the Can Can

Try to contain yourself as you have a browse through some luxury lifestyle homes for those who like to think “outside the box” for price souring housing solutions.

Numerous shipping containers are artfully arranged in a starburst pattern for this **Joshua Tree** Home – the brainchild of London based **Whitaker Studio.**

These home are made from shipping containers. That’s right. Some ranging from small “tiny house” structures featuring a single container to larger, more ambitious projects that combine numerous containers that result in opulent luxury homes. These shipping container spaces offer something for every budget and lifestyle.

**Affordable Housing** – two shipping containers built on a low budget.

California-based *Kubed Living* offers multiple different shipping containers such as this 160 sq. ft. studio built from one container.

I just spent a little time in a winery built out of two shipping containers with windows cut out large enough to have a view of the vineyard. I couldn’t believe it!

Canadians looking for a chic container home can contact Alberta based **Honomobo** . Built from rigid steel to provide durable, efficient living space.

Toronto based **Storstac** is in the business of selling new and used shipping containers. This one is made from two containers.

The main floor includes two shipping containers that saddle bag a wedge-shaped space . I’m still trying to wrap my head around this one.

Every time I see a container now I envision what the inside would look like if I wanted to make it into a home. The way things are going you just may see them becoming more mainstream.

Intriguing; No?