April Fool

Well, that's me, the biggest April Fool of them all!

You would think by now that I would be used to the fact that our daughter Norah is the queen of practical jokes, but no, sadly, she got me again today. When I turned on the radio this morning I remembered that it was April Fools' Day and I listened to hear what joke they would try to pull on listeners. Why then, did I totally forget the day, so soon after that?

About 9 AM Pat told me that I had better read Norah's blog. There was a photo of her latest ultrasound which looked a lot different than the last one we saw. This one had two babies in it! Under the photo was her write up, all about the big recent surprise about expecting not just one, but two babies! I couldn't believe it and yet I did. I re-read it and re-read it in amazement. Then I was upset that she would share such important news in her blog and not call us. That's not like her.

We were prepared for the fact that the fall was going to be busy with the new baby, but now two?!
I spent the next couple of hours fretting about it. She was at work so I couldn't call her. Why hadn't she called us before she went to work? I sent a brief email to her..."What the heck? Why didn't you call?" Then I went off to my doctor appointment.

I couldn't stop thinking about the implications. With twins, well I may as well just move into their basement for a few months. Where would they put the second crib? What about us? Now we would have to buy a second crib. Where would we put that? And what about their car? Their back seat would be filled with three car seats. Would they go out and buy a van?

When I got back home I asked Pat if she had called and he said no. (liar) I checked email and she had replied to my message. "Call about what?" she had answered. That's when I finally realized that it was a joke. She had called when I was out and told Pat to tell me. He, being much smarter than I, had recognized the joke right off the bat.

So, it is only one baby. Before today I was thinking about how busy they will be with two kids so close together and what a big adjustment Avery was going to have. Now, having faced the prospect of twins, it feels so easy. It is just one new baby....a piece of cake really.

Where would the second crib go?

Winterlude/Rick Mercer/Mental Health

So, I'm still on my winter theme here. After this week's snow in Ontario, I think I can get away with it. 

One of Ottawa's winter highlights is Winterlude, a festival held over three weekends in February. I must confess that I didn't see much of it this year. I was too busy going to physio and walking very carefully with my sore knee. I didn't want to chance a re-injury, while skating on the canal or sliding down the ice hills in Jacques Cartier Park. At least that's the excuse I'm going with.

However, I did manage to make it to Confederation Park for one evening event. Along with many others we admired the ice sculptures.

Those sculptures were not the main reason for going downtown on a cold winter night. No, Rick Mercer was the draw for us. There was a free event in the park as part of the Cracking up the Capital Comedy Festival.

Mercer did not actually speak for long that night. But what he said was heartfelt and impressive. He gets my vote for one of Canada's true gems.  His television show is not only funny, but intelligent and enlightening. I can't think of another show that appeals to both my kids and my parents. When many of us used to listen to Peter Gzowski  on radio, we felt connected, all across the country. Likewise with Mercer. In a very entertaining manner he teaches all of us about various aspects of our country.

On this particular night he was talking about the importance of recognizing mental health issues and standing up against bullying when we encounter it. They played a rant from his show, when he spoke about the bullying that lead to the suicide of Ottawa teen  Jamie Hubley.

Mercers' part of the event was followed  by Jamie Hubley's father, city councillor Alan Hubley. He too called for better communication, recognition and support for those with mental health concerns. He has been very vocal in this field since Jamie's death.  

I was lucky to know Jamie for a short time. He was a student at my school and I was his resource/special ed. teacher for part of a year. Like many young teens he didn't want a lot to do with a spec. ed. teacher. What grade seven student wants to be known as a spec. ed. kid? And so our interactions were few. My main memory is a conversation we had about an upcoming figure skating competition he was excited about. He just seemed like a sweet kid. Shortly after that conversation he left our school. I found out much later it was because of a bullying incident. I can't imagine being his parents and living with his loss. It's very generous of his father to use this tragedy as an opportunity to de-stigmatize mental health issues.

And so, what we thought was going to be a light hearted evening turned out to be something a lot more serious. However, hearing that message again was far more important than just having a few laughs.

Paralympians..the real heroes

If non NHL players at the Olympics sometimes suffer from little media attention, what about our Paralympic athletes? Just how much attention do we give these people? Unfortunately I'm not able to follow Canada's Paralympic team on TV, while in the U.S., but  CBC does have a good Paralympics site.

A couple of weeks ago, while listening to an interview on CBC radio's show, C'est La Vie, I suddenly realized that I know someone who is competing at these games; Caroline Bisson.

Four years ago I took a creative writing course at a neighbourhood bookstore, with Ottawa author, Richard Taylor. (Unfortunately this store, like so many independent bookstores has since closed.) Anyhow it was a small group. We enjoyed each other's company and writing. One of the members of that group was Caroline. I remember her as a friendly and confident person. To be blunt, it is not often that you meet a young person who is missing an arm. Caroline never gave the impression that anything was out of the ordinary. It is only now, that I have heard the  recent interviews, that I realize that she had undergone her life-changing surgery only a year before I met her in that group. If that was me and I had faced cancer and the amputation of my left arm, shoulder and part of my rib cage, there is no way that I would have been  cheerfully participating in a writing group, besides  holding down a job. No, I would have been at home,  feeling sorry for myself for a very long time. However, Caroline is obviously made of stronger stuff. Here she is in 2014, having qualified to compete in both the biathlon and cross country ski events at Sochi.

In that radio interview Caroline shared valuable insights about Paralympic athletes and all people with physical disabilities.  She wants people to know that "people with physical differences are able to achieve great things." She sees the Paralympics as "an opportunity to celebrate life." She noted that  "the athletes at these games have all overcome serious traumatic events. They have shown determination to overcome whatever happened to them, before they ever started to train for their event."
Amen!

 Caroline is not counting on winning a medal. She is there to compete to the best of her ability. From the CBC schedule, it looks like her events will start today. I hope she has a great day and totally enjoys the experience.

                                         Caroline Bisson, from a recent CBC TV interview

Olympics...a postscript

The Olympics are now long over but I cannot resist making one last comment.  The day after they ended (Feb 24th), Jian Gomeshi summarized the games well in his opening essay. That was followed by Q's sports panel. I was especially interested in their debate about whether or not  NHL players should continue to compete at the Olympics. Ontario Noon had the same discussion that day and a lot of people seemed to be in favour of leaving them at home.

Not everyone agrees. I spoke to someone who told me that mens hockey was the only Olympic event he followed. I don't think those hockey fans are the ones we should be catering to. The Olympics are an opportunity for all of us to become more familiar with a variety of sports and to be introduced to many athletes who usually compete with precious little media attention. Is it too much to ask that very four years we open up our minds, just a little?

Although I certainly enjoyed watching men's hockey, those games were not a highlight for me. Nothing touched the excitement of the women's gold medal game. The main reason I'd be happy to say goodbye to the NHL guys at the Olympics, is that they soak up way more media attention than they deserve. For example, on the day that Canada played the U.S., (Feb. 21st), CBC's The National, decided to start off their newscast with coverage of that game. As Wendy Mesley said, "That's where we begin tonight, with men's hockey." Why?

First, they did a lot of pre-game mood stuff; they  interviewed fans about their apprehension. Then they covered the highlights of the actual game and interviewed goalie Carey Price. They also showed us fan scenes across the country during the game. Then they interviewed fans in Sochi about how they were going to obtain tickets for the gold medal game . Back to Canada they went, to reveal those oh so interesting details about how fans across the country would have to get up so early to watch the upcoming gold medal game. On and on they went,  after a hockey game that featured one lousy goal....and it was not a gold medal game! Altogether they spent five minutes on Canada's mens hockey team.

They followed this up with about two minutes on Canada's other notable accomplishments of the day. Now those accomplishments were nothing to sneeze at. On that day alone, Brad Jacobs led the men's curling team  to win gold, Marielle Thompson won gold and teammate Kelsey Serwa won silver in ski cross, while speed skater Charle Cournoyer won a bronze medal in the 500 m event! These four medal wins were quickly summarized in under two minutes by Mesley; it was like reading a shopping list.  If I was a family member of any of those medal winners that day, I sure would have been ticked off about the inequality of the coverage.

Now I don't mean to be overly critical of CBC's coverage of the games. Overall I thought they did an excellent job. Even now, if you go to their Olympic site, they have a very comprehensive summary of the games. It was just that one edition of The National that got to me. Unfortunately, I think their decision to spend so much time on men's hockey is simply a reflection of many viewers' interests. Maybe it's time for the NHL players to bow out of the Olympics and allow our other deserving athletes to get the attention they deserve.

Sorry Folks

Well, is anyone still out there? Gentle readers, I beg your forgiveness. How can I possibly expect anyone to read this offering if I don't contribute on a more regular basis? Now, I know you have heard this from me before but, here it comes again.....I am going to write more regularly. That belongs in the same chapter as..... I am going to exercise more regularly, I am going to eat smaller portions, I am going to get to bed earlier etc. But this time I really mean it! If real life would just not get in the way, I would be such a prolific writer! However, it is now the season of Lent; a time of soul searching, of new beginnings, a time for improved self-discipline. What better time to make a resolution to write more regularly?

Speaking of Lent, Pat and I started off Ash Wednesday with a bang. We got in the car and started driving... to Florida. We are giving up winter for Lent. (Yes, I know it is also supposed to be a time of sacrifice. We have got it all backwards.) We were not well rewarded in our quest for warmer temperatures during our drive. We saw a lot of  snow. The day we chose to spend walking around in beautiful Savannah, Georgia was downright miserable. However, all is now good. We are happily settled in a beachside condo and the sun is shining.

 I'm afraid the closest we got to church today was this sign.

We went for a walk this morning and knew that some type of  church was nearby. Even if we had been there at the right time, I'm not sure if we would have fit the bill for their traditional, casual or contemporary service.

If you don't mind, I will go backwards a bit and then forwards with my ramblings. So far I have not figured out anything technical with this blog site and so I do not feel connected through comments etc. That's another item on my "to do" list.. to sit down with someone more tech savvy than me (anyone under 60 will do) and get my site more interactive. Until then; if, at any time, you would like to comment on anything you read here, please email me at kotmaryellen@gmail.com. Thanks for your patience.

Olympics Part 2

So, what a great game today! Again, as I said earlier, if anyone really thinks that women's hockey is not worth watching, they should have seen today's exciting, come-from-behind gold medal win by Canada's women's team.

On another note, those human interest stories...One of the most widely covered was the decision by Canadian speed skater Gilmore Junio to give up his place to fellow team member Denny Morrison. Although I agree with a lot of the praise that has been lavished on Junio, I also feel for him and his family. I wrote the following letter which appeared in last Saturday's Ottawa Citizen.

When I first heard that Gilmore Junio gave up his spot in the men's 1000m race to Denny Morrison, I, like most people was touched by his generosity. All media reports have proclaimed him an Olympic hero who put Canada's team ahead of his personal goals. Yes, it's a great story with a heck of an ending, as Morrison won a silver medal.

However, I now feel differently about this episode. It was not a spontaneous gesture. Team Canada coaches approached Junio with the idea and met for 20 minutes to discuss it. I feel sorry for the kid. He worked hard and earned his spot in that race. This all goes back to Canada's new focus on winning medals rather than feeling satisfied with athletes performing to the best of their ability. Am I happy that Canada is having such a successful Olympics? For sure. However, I would feel just as happy with fewer medals. I like the human interest stories as much as the numbers and times achieved. Now because of Own the Podium, we have coaches saying to this athlete something like, "We don't really care if you go out there and do your best. It's more important for us to have a medal, so step aside and give your spot to this other guy." 

I feel sorry for Junio's family and friends sitting at the rink, hoping to see him race. I cannot imagine how much of their time and money was invested in his training and on their personal journeys to Russia. The ticket to that event alone cost $300.00. Personally I would have been happier to know that every person who qualified to go to Sochi was allowed to enter their event and perform to the best of their ability. 

In that spirit, let's take a moment to celebrate Larisa Yurkiw, one of our downhill skiers. Canada's medal-focused ski team dropped her, as she struggled to recover from a serious knee injury, last year. She wanted to compete so badly that she raised $150 000 so that she could hire coaches and trainers  and travel to Sochi. Today she came in 20th. Good for her! Hers is a story of determination, strength and courage. Her completion of the race, after all she has been through, is just as valuable as Morrison's silver medal.

Coincidentally, Jian Gomeshi's Monday commentary was on the emphasis on winning gold, after Patrick Chan won silver last weekend.

Olympic lessons

I love the Olympics! I know there are all kinds of reasons to boycott this particular version of the games. The obscene amount of money spent on them and Russia's anti gay laws are the most obvious problems. However, it's happening so I watch and enjoy.

The human interest stories attract me, almost as much as the sports themselves. So far I have not been disappointed. Last week, while having my hair cut, I asked my hairdresser to turn on her tiny little TV, on the counter beside all the hair products. It was an entertaining haircut as I got to watch the men's moguls as she did her best with my hair. What a thrill to see Alexandre Bilodeau repeat his gold medal performance of 2010. While it's exciting to watch that extreme sport, it is his quiet personality, and his relationship with his brother that endears him to many.

Then there's Mark McMorris, who won Canada's first medal of the games in slopestyle. Did you see the interview with Ian Hanomansing, after his win? It was just a short one but I was left with the impression that he is a sweet kid, totally satisfied with a bronze, rather than a gold, and eager to thank his medical team, family and friends for their support.

The Olympics always provide so many heartwarming stories. For me, they trump all the negative aspects of the games. It was really something to watch the cross country race last week when a Russian skier fell in the sprint event. Valiantly, he decided to complete the course, on a broken ski. Once again he fell. I couldn't believe it when he got up and tried to resume the race, this time with his ski  in several pieces. Suddenly a Canadian coach ran to him, bringing a ski. He snapped it on and completed the course, to the cheers of Russian fans. It was a scene of determination, kindness and generosity.

What a thrill to see Meghan Agosta's breakaway in the Canadian women's hockey game. She scored two goals on her 27th birthday, in the team's 3-2 win over the U.S.

What about U.S. skater Jeremy Abbott? How dramatic was that? He fell so badly during his program, lay there slumped on the ice and then somehow managed to pick himself up and complete the program!  He stood there and smiled this great smile as the crowd went absolutely crazy for him; what a triumph. While he did not make the podium, anyone who witnessed that lesson in "pick yourself up and try it again", will never forget it.

As the games started, I heard a commentator (perhaps it was Clara Hughes?) say something about the great exposure for female athletes. I totally agree. Unfortunately, in non-Olympic seasons, there is simply not as much media coverage on female athletes as for their male counterparts. Much of our winter TV sports attention is focused on the NHL. Even now, I cringe when many fans can only think of  men's hockey when they think winter olympics.  However, the Olympics really show us just how capable, strong and gutsy women athletes are. The next time a man spouts nonsense about women athletes  it would be great to be able to whip out some of theses scenes: the women hockey players, slope style snowboarders, downhill skiers, or bobsledders. It seems pathetic to have to keep on teaching this basic lesson. For parents and teachers, these Olympics provide a great opportunity to inspire girls to pursue athletics and to silence the boys who mistakenly proclaim that women are inferior to men in the field of sports. The other day I heard a commentator talk about a female bobsledder weighing 170 pounds and  being strong and muscular. What a great change from the examples of femininity that young girls are so often exposed to.

I can't wait to watch the women's gold medal hockey game on Thursday. Go Canada go!