I just went out for a walk as I'm having a high-anxiety day. There's no particular reason for the anxiety, other than the pandemic and Ontario's chaotic public health messaging right now, wondering if we've chosen the right path in keeping our kids going to school in-person, economic and career anxiety, plus the usual to-do … Continue reading Quality of light
Dojo of life
The bearable fullness of being
This Saturday, I drove my 14-year-old son and 4 of his friends down to Storm Crow Manor for a DM&Dine session as a belated birthday party. Picking the boys up from various corners of our neighbourhood, I knew a lot of the streets because I have mapped out or driven routes to pick kids up … Continue reading The bearable fullness of being
#OkBoomer + The Rise of Skywalker anticipation
The generational warfare is strong this week as the NY Times points out the #OkBoomer trend. Thanks, New York Times, but the Boomer/Y showdown is really about to play out this December through the mythology of our time, as The Rise Of Skywalker hits movie theatres. Let's pause to consider the oeuvre to date. First … Continue reading #OkBoomer + The Rise of Skywalker anticipation
On Joker and raising boys
I saw Joker on Canadian Thanksgiving. First the whole family went for a walk in Colonel Danforth park and along the lake, and then we ended up hungry enough to stop at Swiss Chalet (we did our Thanksgiving meal on Sunday, as I usually do for long-weekend holidays as it gives me a day to … Continue reading On Joker and raising boys
Midlife Dreams
Over the last few months, I've started to sleep more consistently than I have in years. I'm not sure whether this is because of the changes I've made professionally and personally, because I'm writing again, or -- most likely -- because my hormones are shifting again. But I'll take it, because sleeping well is pretty … Continue reading Midlife Dreams
Proprioception, or how to exercise when you hate it and you aren’t any good at it.
The last month, when my leg has been mostly ready to go, I have been struggling to get back into martial arts training, which isn't really great for a martial artist! But I was reading a question on a chat community from someone who wants to exercise but feels like they are just no good … Continue reading Proprioception, or how to exercise when you hate it and you aren’t any good at it.
Enslaved and Empowered
I was speaking with my mother-in-law Judy over the weekend about mediums and the concept of an afterlife. To picture this conversation you have to understand that I was in the backseat with my crutches and my Air Cast and wondering how I was going to cope with the buffet-style meal my youngest chose for … Continue reading Enslaved and Empowered
No Man’s Land (1)
Sometimes when we lose our heroes we lose ourselves. And the corollary holds. Growing up I frequently got through the day (hour...minute) by fantasizing constantly. My mind was full of The Bionic Woman, Star Wars, Star Trek, Arthurian legend, V, Pern...pretty much anything other than the there and then. I could call it fandom, or … Continue reading No Man’s Land (1)
Falling on the Floor
I attended a PIAC conference this fall. The keynote speaker was Dr. Stuart Shanker, who outlined some of the differences between misbehaviour and stress behaviour. He also pointed the audience towards Dr. Mel Levine's The Myth of Laziness. It was eye-opening as a parent to recognize how easy it's been for me to forget my original parenting position which basically … Continue reading Falling on the Floor
Giddy up
It's been a while! Quick summary: I loved my job at The Royal Conservatory for two years, but with Noah growing up sooo fast and Liam fast on his heels, as well as having fallen in love with martial arts, I took a job at what I will now refer to as The Academy as … Continue reading Giddy up
Jennifer Gruden 