DSC04354
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Vacation So Far...
At quitting time on Wednesday I began a couple weeks (+ 2 days) of eagerly anticipated vacation. Wednesday was the girls' last day of school/play-school. Super Mom works until Monday.
Here's the plan: we plan on not going far, not doing anything too expensive. After a couple of fabulous summer flying vacations, we're home bound and happy.
SCHOOL:
Action Girl (age 7.5) just finished an outstanding year of Grade 1. She enjoyed herself, learned a lot, and grew like a weed.
Super Girl finished a great year of pre-school. There's some uncertainty about next year will be her kindergarten or pre-kindergarten year. The government has announced that the school entry date will be changing past her birthday (meaning she would go to school a year earlier), BUT they haven't yet revealed when this change will be implemented. Its pretty frustrating.
SPORTS:
Both girls are head-long in soccer and they both recently completed a level in swimming.
Aside from organized activities, we're just trying to ctach up with friends and take it easy.
B.
Here's the plan: we plan on not going far, not doing anything too expensive. After a couple of fabulous summer flying vacations, we're home bound and happy.
SCHOOL:
Action Girl (age 7.5) just finished an outstanding year of Grade 1. She enjoyed herself, learned a lot, and grew like a weed.
Super Girl finished a great year of pre-school. There's some uncertainty about next year will be her kindergarten or pre-kindergarten year. The government has announced that the school entry date will be changing past her birthday (meaning she would go to school a year earlier), BUT they haven't yet revealed when this change will be implemented. Its pretty frustrating.
SPORTS:
Both girls are head-long in soccer and they both recently completed a level in swimming.
Aside from organized activities, we're just trying to ctach up with friends and take it easy.
B.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Soccer Solstice
This year both of our daughters are playing soccer. In fact, I am coaching Super Girl (age 4.5) in her inaugural season. Action Girl (7.5) has moved on to the Under Eights (who play on the same night and location).
I think I forgot how tentative Action Girl was in her first year (when she too was 4). Basically, our job as under six coaches is to: 1) Try to make sure that everyone has fun, 2) Try to ensure that its a positive experience for the team, and 3) start basic soccer skills.
The first night, Super was shedding a few tears, but she wasn't the only player on our team to do so. I can see her perspective- its loud and new and intimidating. Her second night was much more positive and she got to be goalie for a while (only one ball got past her). Tonight is night #3 and we may have thunder showers- the one force in the universe capable of stopping kids' soccer (actually, many experts are spilt on whether soccer should stop for zombie attacks, with a number of research projects still underway).
Soccer is new for me. My co-coach is really cool and we have some people in common (and it turns out we are practically neighbours). Happily, our next door neighbour (also 4 year old) is also on our team. Even by U-6 standards we have a "young" team, but they are having fun and are all smiling. So am I.
B.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Terry Fox's Van June 17, 2008
Terry Fox's Van June 17, 2008
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
Recently the van that accompanied Terry Fox on the Marathon of Hope in 1980 was restored and is making a cross-country tour. I was able to see it at the local Ford Dealership. Its a piece of living history.
B.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
In Iraq to Stay? (An article by Tom Engelhardt)
One of my favourite reads on the web lately has been Salon.com The latest article that's grabbed my attention is an article about how the U.S. Military has already constructed a number of bases in Iraq that are clearly intended to be "permanent." This has wide reaching implications for the Middle East and America's role in it (and the U.S. economy). It may sound like pretty dry stuff, but it really frightened me in a way that few things have lately. Here's a quote:
"After all, these giant bases, rising from the smashed birthplace of Western civilization, were not only built on (and sometimes out of bits of) the ancient ruins of that land, but are functionally modern ziggurats. They are the cherished monuments of the Bush administration. Even though its spokespeople have regularly refused to use the word "permanent" in relation to them -- in fact, in relation to any U.S. base on the planet -- they have been built to long outlast the Bush administration itself. They were, in fact, clearly meant to be key garrisons of a Pax Americana in the Middle East for generations to come. And, not surprisingly, they reek of permanency. They are the unavoidable essence -- unless, like most Americans, you don't know they're there -- of Bush administration planning in Iraq. Without them, no discussion of Iraq policy in this country really makes sense. "
The rest of the article is here.
B.
"After all, these giant bases, rising from the smashed birthplace of Western civilization, were not only built on (and sometimes out of bits of) the ancient ruins of that land, but are functionally modern ziggurats. They are the cherished monuments of the Bush administration. Even though its spokespeople have regularly refused to use the word "permanent" in relation to them -- in fact, in relation to any U.S. base on the planet -- they have been built to long outlast the Bush administration itself. They were, in fact, clearly meant to be key garrisons of a Pax Americana in the Middle East for generations to come. And, not surprisingly, they reek of permanency. They are the unavoidable essence -- unless, like most Americans, you don't know they're there -- of Bush administration planning in Iraq. Without them, no discussion of Iraq policy in this country really makes sense. "
The rest of the article is here.
B.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
River Phoenix as Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
River Phoenix (one feature film, 1989) (actor now deceased)
Geroge Hall as Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
George Hall (22 episodes, 1992-1993) (actor now deceased)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Five Faces
Indiana wants me, but Lord can I go back there?
Yes... Yes, I can.
I am a big fan of all the previous Indiana Jones films. I was in Grade
7 when I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark (at school) and very soon
thereafter made my parents rent a VCR so I (we?) could watch the movie
again. My dad took my to the second move and that's always been a
special memory.
I watched some episodes of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles in
1992-93 on TV. It wasn't as fun as the movies, but I remember the TV
series as fairly entertaining. Basically, the YIJC followed the
childhood and youth of Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. Mixed with this
were flash-forwards of an elderly (one eyed) Indy who was actually the
one telling the stories.
With that series in mind, here's the really interesting part: Five
actors have played Indiana Jones. They are:
Corey Carrier (8 episodes, 1992-1993)
River Phoenix (one feature film, 1989) (actor now deceased)
Sean Patrick Flanery (22 episodes, 1992-1993)
Harrison Ford (four feature films, 1981-Present)
George Hall (22 episodes, 1992-1993) (actor now deceased)
I'll post a review when we get to see Indiana Jones and the Crystal
Skull. Does anyone want to babysit for us?
B.
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