for the past couple of years I've tried really hard to seperate the 'political' me and the 'reality' me...and now I just gotta be
my blog to update folks on life with our baby girl has become the only place I write on a consistent basis...and it just doesn't make sense - not to mention it's not at all practicle anymore! - to maintain writing updates in two different spots...so I'm not gonna try anymore ;)
as the year 2008 begins I find myself deep in public education advocacy. between the Vancouver Public Education Project (publiceducationproject.blogspot.com), the Charter for Public Education Network celebrating teh 5th anniversary of the Charters publication (www.charter.publiced.ca), and work on my documentary project "Educate Me!?" due out in fall of 2010 (educate-me.ca)...my other blog is bound to be full of interesting stuff in the years to come
our family continues to reduce its plastic consumption and decrease our footprint on mama earth and if you'd like to keep up on our adventures feel free to check out
katmarbaby.blogspot.com
be well
Kathy
Saturday
Friday
a time of great change
as i sit here i'm stunned that it is september already...a whirlwind few months have passed. family vacations and lots of picket duty...and now we add the search for a new home to the mix. our landlord has decided to sell the house and so it is time to move on...but boy o boy does the timing ever suck badly...
i know we'll get by with a little help from our family & friends (gratitude for all the positive energy we've received!!) but have to admit I had a few days where the weight of so much limbo time really hit hard...
then i received through my email network a wonderful little gift...a link to a preview of the movie "the Shift" www.theshiftmovie.com
goosebumps and hope abounded after watching the 6 minute gem...so that and an absolutely fabulous weekend on Saturna Island for my friends wedding (really really really amazing weekend!!!!!!!) gave me just the boost I needed to get our family through this crazy time...
one of these days we'll be settled in a new home, be back on the job and I'll eventually start my job share (yay!), and our child care will be organized...and maybe then i'll have time to write again ;)
for now I just recommend you check out "the shift" and give yourself a positive boost too...doesn't everyone need it at this time of year?
i know we'll get by with a little help from our family & friends (gratitude for all the positive energy we've received!!) but have to admit I had a few days where the weight of so much limbo time really hit hard...
then i received through my email network a wonderful little gift...a link to a preview of the movie "the Shift" www.theshiftmovie.com
goosebumps and hope abounded after watching the 6 minute gem...so that and an absolutely fabulous weekend on Saturna Island for my friends wedding (really really really amazing weekend!!!!!!!) gave me just the boost I needed to get our family through this crazy time...
one of these days we'll be settled in a new home, be back on the job and I'll eventually start my job share (yay!), and our child care will be organized...and maybe then i'll have time to write again ;)
for now I just recommend you check out "the shift" and give yourself a positive boost too...doesn't everyone need it at this time of year?
Wednesday
an interior journey
around the interior of bc that is...
Mark, Sasha and I just got back from a week long road trip that took us to Clinton, Chase and Castlegar...with many stops in between.
i'm full of thoughts on sustainability, community, plastic and more...but first i have to get in touch with the reality of being on strike...plenty of thoughts around this too...
family blog with all the cute pics of Sasha had to be updated first...next opportunity I have to do some writing will be here...
one thing i'd like to ponder on after seeing the success of my friends event in castlegar is the complexity...or ease...of organizing in ones community when it is small...or large...
Mark, Sasha and I just got back from a week long road trip that took us to Clinton, Chase and Castlegar...with many stops in between.
i'm full of thoughts on sustainability, community, plastic and more...but first i have to get in touch with the reality of being on strike...plenty of thoughts around this too...
family blog with all the cute pics of Sasha had to be updated first...next opportunity I have to do some writing will be here...
one thing i'd like to ponder on after seeing the success of my friends event in castlegar is the complexity...or ease...of organizing in ones community when it is small...or large...
Tuesday
rejuvenated :)
our family learning project focusing on plastic took a long pause back in april. after returning from our trip to ontario, i jumped back into work the first week of may (the year off with baby was a total time warp!)...so i've been just a wee bit distracted for the past few months ;)
we've settled into a new groove around my auxilary hours at britannia, and i'm full of gratitude at the amount of time i'm still fortunate to have at home with Sasha! i've also been busy with community stuff which has been moocho fun :)
the 'convenience' of plastics has continued to be a mainstay in my decision making around our family's needs...we haven't completely fallen off the wagon on getting the project and report done...i was just needing a sign that it was time to really get back to work on it all...
well, that sign has come. one of the families closest to our hearts (Thomas, Kristina and Keyan) has started their own journey in purging plastics from their home. they have sent me new links to explore for our research and shared tales of their experience so far...and completely re-sparked my passion again...
another friend (Susan) has provided new inspiration on my writing and activism goals by helping me see some things through a new lens...
and other friends (Monica, Virgina, Bev, Celia, Brenda, Mary, Allan...and of course my soul mate & best friend Mark) have recently been most excellent sounding boards and ego-boosters to help me overcome some of those insecurities holding me back...
i love my friends! :)
so...my agent for positive change hat is back on...fully...and i'll update soon with latest findings on our own personal quest on the plastic front...
we've settled into a new groove around my auxilary hours at britannia, and i'm full of gratitude at the amount of time i'm still fortunate to have at home with Sasha! i've also been busy with community stuff which has been moocho fun :)
the 'convenience' of plastics has continued to be a mainstay in my decision making around our family's needs...we haven't completely fallen off the wagon on getting the project and report done...i was just needing a sign that it was time to really get back to work on it all...
well, that sign has come. one of the families closest to our hearts (Thomas, Kristina and Keyan) has started their own journey in purging plastics from their home. they have sent me new links to explore for our research and shared tales of their experience so far...and completely re-sparked my passion again...
another friend (Susan) has provided new inspiration on my writing and activism goals by helping me see some things through a new lens...
and other friends (Monica, Virgina, Bev, Celia, Brenda, Mary, Allan...and of course my soul mate & best friend Mark) have recently been most excellent sounding boards and ego-boosters to help me overcome some of those insecurities holding me back...
i love my friends! :)
so...my agent for positive change hat is back on...fully...and i'll update soon with latest findings on our own personal quest on the plastic front...
Saturday
my bday reflection
every year at this time it has become a ritual for me to turn to our music and reflect on my life in this moment…which is truly wonder-full!
as i get into the groove something that strikes me is the comfort i feel as i know i'm not alone in life...i’m so fortunate to be loved by my hubby my baby my step-son and a great array of family and friends…and this brings me such joy that when i'm up (i can't get down) ...
while thinkin’ of thoughts to share suddenly i see ...a positive focus on life is one thing that has been very helpful in times of trouble ...and I have found that there are stories and songs which weave a ballad of human kindness … and legacies of amazing folks like mother jones…the most dangerous woman in the world…who agitate things in a good way...
these tales and tunes inspire me and help me stay grounded in my values when i’m feelin’ the hell of watching the blind leading the blind in our world...leading us down a path of mass destruction of our only mama earth…i’m hope-full ‘cuz i know there are also many creative visionaries in every community…workin’ for sustainability for all generations…
my main message for Sasha and Ché…and all of the nieces and nephews in my heart…the future and present youth of a nation...is to stand up for what you believe in...even though you can't always get what you want...there is nothing to be gained by complaining and sittin’ around waiting on the world to change...
the positive power of the people has made a difference in the past…continues to make a difference in the present…and will be the difference for the future...one day we’ll look back and see not only the day the world said stop the war…but also the many many days and all the hard work it took to end it…and all the agents for positive change it took to get it done…to keep getting’ it done…
like all of life’s cycles things have a way of comin’ full circle... you reap what you sow…call it karma if you like…so that’s why I continue to spread my seeds of small positive actions and will always look on the bright side of life...
thanks for bein’ a part of my wonder-full world! cheers!
much love & many hugs
Kathy
:)
“each one reach one, each try to teach one. nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something” gil scott-heron
as i get into the groove something that strikes me is the comfort i feel as i know i'm not alone in life...i’m so fortunate to be loved by my hubby my baby my step-son and a great array of family and friends…and this brings me such joy that when i'm up (i can't get down) ...
while thinkin’ of thoughts to share suddenly i see ...a positive focus on life is one thing that has been very helpful in times of trouble ...and I have found that there are stories and songs which weave a ballad of human kindness … and legacies of amazing folks like mother jones…the most dangerous woman in the world…who agitate things in a good way...
these tales and tunes inspire me and help me stay grounded in my values when i’m feelin’ the hell of watching the blind leading the blind in our world...leading us down a path of mass destruction of our only mama earth…i’m hope-full ‘cuz i know there are also many creative visionaries in every community…workin’ for sustainability for all generations…
my main message for Sasha and Ché…and all of the nieces and nephews in my heart…the future and present youth of a nation...is to stand up for what you believe in...even though you can't always get what you want...there is nothing to be gained by complaining and sittin’ around waiting on the world to change...
the positive power of the people has made a difference in the past…continues to make a difference in the present…and will be the difference for the future...one day we’ll look back and see not only the day the world said stop the war…but also the many many days and all the hard work it took to end it…and all the agents for positive change it took to get it done…to keep getting’ it done…
like all of life’s cycles things have a way of comin’ full circle... you reap what you sow…call it karma if you like…so that’s why I continue to spread my seeds of small positive actions and will always look on the bright side of life...
thanks for bein’ a part of my wonder-full world! cheers!
much love & many hugs
Kathy
:)
“each one reach one, each try to teach one. nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something” gil scott-heron
(ziggy marley, michael franti & spearhead, great big sea, kt tunstall, lucious jackson, kate fenner & chris brown, the dears, utah phillips & ani difranco, hamell on trial, squirrel nut zippers, soul jazz orchestra, faithless, p.o.d., kyprios, ben harper & rusted roots, john mayer, sara marlowe, robb johnson, ruthie foster, monty python)
Sunday
more positive findings on our plastic quest :)
I know I've already declared my gratitude that we decided to take on a family learning project focusing on plastic...and this has evolved to joy as we continue to build on the project (our full report, when it's done, is going to be pretty darn cool)...and as we continue to limit our plastic intake. Taking action to learn more about the substance that fills our world and our senses, and searching for alternatives has introduced us to great info...and more importantly great people!
We've had folks tell us they think this project of ours is inspiring...and we love that we're providing some positive energy to others...but now I'd like to introduce you to two other faboo folks who have taken on big challenges as well - for they have inspired me to persevere and make our experience the best it can be!
First I'd like to introduce you to Earthwoman. A fellow vancouverite who made a new years resolution to live plastic free for 2007. Her blog, plasticfree.blogspot.com allows you to follow along on her journey of hard core plastic free existence here in our fair city. I have learned a few good tricks from her and the folks who post comments on her site (such as a plastic free shampoo alternative using honey and baking soda) that we want to try out. I also love the way she writes about the sinners and saints of plastic, and the level of detail she gets into trying to share her experience of finding products with no plastic.
Her challenges have been good learning experience for us, and I admire her conviction to attempt this for the whole year. I also find she has a great witty style to her writing which really makes it enjoyable to follow along and keeps you waiting for new stories to come.
I feel our adventure compliments Earthwoman's experiment for a few reasons:
- it seems we live on opposite ends of town which could provide a great outlook on vancouver as a whole when it comes to consumer choices and plastic alternatives.
- her efforts to be plastic free are in the corporate world of investment banking (not your typical eco-warrior...which is why i've never been a fan of stereo-types!). This is a different reality than I live in as a worker at Britannia community centre. (though we have some family members who work in the corporate world...)
- Earthwoman is a vegetarian (and I believe kid-free at the moment) so she is not dealing with our biggest challenges which are baby food and other baby and kid things, and being omnivores we have dairy and meat to make choices about
If, like Earthwoman, you have a cruelty-free chromosome...well I think you're gonna love her story! And we look forward to following along throughout the year.
One of her great links led me to the second person I want to introduce you to - No Impact Man.
Visit his site to follow along with his family's adventure to live a no impact life in New York city! Talk about a challenge ;)
To make it even more interesting, he and his wife also have a baby...so needless to say we're learning alot from their experience so far. To attempt a year of living no impact in a large urban city, as a family unit to boot, is a very inspiring experiment.
I enjoy that he wants to bust the myth that it is just not possible to do such a thing! and I love that they see this as a valuable experience for the way forward it will provide them.
At the end of this attempt to rise to the challenge of leaving no impact for a year...I'm sure we'll all learn fantastic ways we can continue to decrease our own footprints too!
Sasha and I are off to Ontario in a few days...and the plastics we encounter will continue to pop into my consciousness - it seems once you really notice it (and even spend a day taking pictures of the litter it creates in your neighbourhood) you'll never see it in the same way again.
Thank you to those of you who reminded me that this is a voluntary project and that the world will not come to an end if I don't get it done "on time"! I was feeling anxiety at being behind on my goals...but the weather has been nice...and other things have taken priority for now. We are continuing our efforts to eliminate plastic from our purchases as much as possible and are enjoying finding positive alternatives.
...and thanks to all of you - including Earthwoman and No Impact Man - for the inspiration to continue to get the report done...when I get back ;)
for now I hope we've provided enough food for thought for a bit. enjoy the links here so far...perhaps I'll find time to post while we're living the gypsy life around ontario for a couple of weeks.
on the plastic front we're not done yet folks...stay tuned for more!
We've had folks tell us they think this project of ours is inspiring...and we love that we're providing some positive energy to others...but now I'd like to introduce you to two other faboo folks who have taken on big challenges as well - for they have inspired me to persevere and make our experience the best it can be!
First I'd like to introduce you to Earthwoman. A fellow vancouverite who made a new years resolution to live plastic free for 2007. Her blog, plasticfree.blogspot.com allows you to follow along on her journey of hard core plastic free existence here in our fair city. I have learned a few good tricks from her and the folks who post comments on her site (such as a plastic free shampoo alternative using honey and baking soda) that we want to try out. I also love the way she writes about the sinners and saints of plastic, and the level of detail she gets into trying to share her experience of finding products with no plastic.
Her challenges have been good learning experience for us, and I admire her conviction to attempt this for the whole year. I also find she has a great witty style to her writing which really makes it enjoyable to follow along and keeps you waiting for new stories to come.
I feel our adventure compliments Earthwoman's experiment for a few reasons:
- it seems we live on opposite ends of town which could provide a great outlook on vancouver as a whole when it comes to consumer choices and plastic alternatives.
- her efforts to be plastic free are in the corporate world of investment banking (not your typical eco-warrior...which is why i've never been a fan of stereo-types!). This is a different reality than I live in as a worker at Britannia community centre. (though we have some family members who work in the corporate world...)
- Earthwoman is a vegetarian (and I believe kid-free at the moment) so she is not dealing with our biggest challenges which are baby food and other baby and kid things, and being omnivores we have dairy and meat to make choices about
If, like Earthwoman, you have a cruelty-free chromosome...well I think you're gonna love her story! And we look forward to following along throughout the year.
One of her great links led me to the second person I want to introduce you to - No Impact Man.
Visit his site to follow along with his family's adventure to live a no impact life in New York city! Talk about a challenge ;)
To make it even more interesting, he and his wife also have a baby...so needless to say we're learning alot from their experience so far. To attempt a year of living no impact in a large urban city, as a family unit to boot, is a very inspiring experiment.
I enjoy that he wants to bust the myth that it is just not possible to do such a thing! and I love that they see this as a valuable experience for the way forward it will provide them.
At the end of this attempt to rise to the challenge of leaving no impact for a year...I'm sure we'll all learn fantastic ways we can continue to decrease our own footprints too!
Sasha and I are off to Ontario in a few days...and the plastics we encounter will continue to pop into my consciousness - it seems once you really notice it (and even spend a day taking pictures of the litter it creates in your neighbourhood) you'll never see it in the same way again.
Thank you to those of you who reminded me that this is a voluntary project and that the world will not come to an end if I don't get it done "on time"! I was feeling anxiety at being behind on my goals...but the weather has been nice...and other things have taken priority for now. We are continuing our efforts to eliminate plastic from our purchases as much as possible and are enjoying finding positive alternatives.
...and thanks to all of you - including Earthwoman and No Impact Man - for the inspiration to continue to get the report done...when I get back ;)
for now I hope we've provided enough food for thought for a bit. enjoy the links here so far...perhaps I'll find time to post while we're living the gypsy life around ontario for a couple of weeks.
on the plastic front we're not done yet folks...stay tuned for more!
Saturday
plastic in our 'hood - photo essay
nice day for a walk....and a little garbage collection!
One of my friends has recommended that we start a photo essay on plastic , which we think is a fabulous idea (many thanks Susan!)...so this has now become part of our end project goal. We've decided to include photos that represent the good and bad of plastic in our world.
The amount of plastic refuse in our neighbourhood is a bad on our list, so to show one example of the end of the plastic life-cycle - aka litter - we armed Che with a claw (made of plastic funny enough) for picking up the refuse and took pictures along the way.
Visit www.flickr.com/photos/plastic_in_our_hood to view our album of Plastics in Our 'Hood. This is the plastic we found in only two blocks of our street (36th between Argyle and Victoria), and some around our Jones Park as well...
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