The UVic rabbit problem: lessons from the woods
By Bev Schellenberg
Imagine Avatar with a few plot changes. Keep the introduction, the meeting with newly-blue Jake and nimble Neytiri, and the seeds of Eywa floating around Jake in ethereal, foreshadowing bliss. Keep Jake’s hunting mission and the introduction of the Turuk. However, change the plot from the point when the Colonel tells Jake to [...]
Kate Gosselin: Go dancing with your kids, now
By Jodi A. Shaw
Dear Kate Gosselin:
What a long, twisty road you have travelled! I first met you when the smiling, laughing faces of your sextuplets caught my eye as I channel-surfed one lazy afternoon. I confess, I fell in love with your children and spent many afternoons looking in on your family. [...]
8.8. And that’s not an Olympics score
By Jodi A. Shaw
For the last week, Canadians have been shaking with excitement over Canada’s triumphs in the Olympics in Vancouver. And over the past few days, I’ve found it difficult to have a conversation with anyone that doesn’t involve talking about hockey. Today at the grocery store a complete stranger cornered me [...]
Alone on Valentine’s day? Boo-frigging-hoo.
By Jodi A. Shaw
Most romantic holiday of the year, hey? Valentine’s Day is more like the Paris Hilton of holidays: It’s there, we all observe it, and aside from the potential for an anti-climactic sex tape, it’s pretty much useless.
I’m not anti-love, romance or grand gesture. I’m a [...]
PlayStation nights
By Jodi A. Shaw
I cringed this past Christmas while purchasing a PlayStation 3 for my husband. It didn’t exceed my budget and the shopping experience was quick and easy, but I was disgusted with myself for finally giving in.
I’ve long had a distaste for video games and have been unapologetically vocal about it. The [...]
Not for mePhone
By Jodi A. Shaw
Am I the only one without an iPhone? The magical touch screen has been on the market in Canada for over a year now, but in the last three months, it seems everyone has abandoned their Blackberries in favour of Steve’s little toy. Meanwhile, I don’t even have one on my Christmas [...]
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Reality
By Bev Schellenberg
In this pro recycling age, it’s easy to feel guilty if you don’t maintain a high standard of green living. Do you rinse out your soup can, pull off the label, and insert it into your handy recycling box? What about the milk carton? Does it get a thorough clean [...]
Leaping Flames
By Jodi A. Shaw
From the very beginning of the H1N1/Swine Flu drama, I’ve had zero intention of getting a flu shot. Nevertheless, even I am infuriated by the preferential treatment given to the Calgary Flames players and their families.
I don’t blame the Flames’ medical team for requesting special treatment (it doesn’t hurt to [...]
Conflicted about candy
By Jodi A. Shaw
Navigating your way through the grocery store requires slightly more skill than usual this time of year. Maneuvering the cart around the mountains of Hallowe’en candy displayed in the entryway and randomly throughout the store becomes an exercise in both agility and self-restraint.
On my routine weekend trip to the Co-Op, I [...]
Alberta’s doctor dilemma
By Jodi A. Shaw
I just wanted to go to the doctor.
Alberta has been suffering from a physician shortage for several years, but it’s become especially keen lately. With Calgary’s population just over 1,070,000 and growing, an estimated 200,000 Calgarians are currently without a family doctor. It’s a complex issue – fewer doctors are going [...]
