>
Friday, December 30, 2005
except from speech by Bono
I want to tell you about someone I met. An extraordinary man called Jonah striking and fit.
He told me that five years ago he weighed half his body weight. Five years ago he had TB, and scars all over his body from scratching terrible skin rash. Five years ago, his family had written him off actually for dead. But he managed to get onto a Medicine sans Frontiers programme and his life has since been transformed. They call it the Lazarus effect, these anti-retrovirals these extraordinary drugs.
We were excited, he was excited. He told us that his wife had died of AIDS, leaving him with two children. That made him feel even gladder to be alive. We were excited again. Then he told us that his new love was also HIV positive. We said well that’s great, he said well it’s not great. She is not part of the Medicine sans Frontiers programme.
So here was Jonah’s dilemma. He said he could share his drugs with her so that they both die slow. Or he could give his drugs to her knowing that his children would lose their father to AIDS. Or he said, I can keep the drugs and lose the love of my life.
Well that’s a decision that no civilised world should ask Jonah to make, in my opinion - that’s a decision we should not ask Jonah to make.
I want to tell you about someone I met. An extraordinary man called Jonah striking and fit.
He told me that five years ago he weighed half his body weight. Five years ago he had TB, and scars all over his body from scratching terrible skin rash. Five years ago, his family had written him off actually for dead. But he managed to get onto a Medicine sans Frontiers programme and his life has since been transformed. They call it the Lazarus effect, these anti-retrovirals these extraordinary drugs.
We were excited, he was excited. He told us that his wife had died of AIDS, leaving him with two children. That made him feel even gladder to be alive. We were excited again. Then he told us that his new love was also HIV positive. We said well that’s great, he said well it’s not great. She is not part of the Medicine sans Frontiers programme.
So here was Jonah’s dilemma. He said he could share his drugs with her so that they both die slow. Or he could give his drugs to her knowing that his children would lose their father to AIDS. Or he said, I can keep the drugs and lose the love of my life.
Well that’s a decision that no civilised world should ask Jonah to make, in my opinion - that’s a decision we should not ask Jonah to make.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
live the emotion
On a cold and snowy night in York Mills, friends gathered for a spontaneous meeting of the minds. The night began in spectacular fashion as the enduring question that has challenged the spirit of youth since the beginning of time was posed:
"So guys... what do you want to do?"
After commiserating over the loss of quality Shakespeare productions being staged in reputable Canadian theatres, the idea to gaily traverse a section of Yonge Street while singing olde tyme carols was presented. it was agreed upon immediately!
Before long, they witnessed fellow citizens reveling in the spirit of the Christmas season! Huzzah!
Short and tall, loved ones gathered around drink and merriment...
And after all was said and done, t'was a good night for friends and festivities.
Good night!
On a cold and snowy night in York Mills, friends gathered for a spontaneous meeting of the minds. The night began in spectacular fashion as the enduring question that has challenged the spirit of youth since the beginning of time was posed:
"So guys... what do you want to do?"
After commiserating over the loss of quality Shakespeare productions being staged in reputable Canadian theatres, the idea to gaily traverse a section of Yonge Street while singing olde tyme carols was presented. it was agreed upon immediately!
Before long, they witnessed fellow citizens reveling in the spirit of the Christmas season! Huzzah!
Short and tall, loved ones gathered around drink and merriment...
And after all was said and done, t'was a good night for friends and festivities.
Good night!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
change my perspective
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
-Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
-Philippians 4:8
Thursday, December 08, 2005
while discussing Christmas bonuses with my boss...
T: So the way bonuses work is $/full month you've worked here. So you started on March 3rd so... ah. 9 months. Wow, really?
N: Mmhmm!
T: 9 months... you could've had a baby by now!
N:...
ahahahahah!
T: So the way bonuses work is $/full month you've worked here. So you started on March 3rd so... ah. 9 months. Wow, really?
N: Mmhmm!
T: 9 months... you could've had a baby by now!
N:...
ahahahahah!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
my dad is cute
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 17:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
o.k...will go for a steak.
> "Ishiguro, Naomi"
> <****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
Wow! go for the steak or the salmon... Veal parmigiana isn't that good.
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
o.k..no headache, that's good. staying late is part of your job. Sometimes
we need to do that whether you like it or not.
We (IBM) are heading to restaurant in Markham today.
I'll be home a bit late.
Send you an info on this in separate note......
"Ishiguro, Naomi"
<****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
12/07/2005 04:32 cc
I knew it was too good to be true!
Yup no headache, but I will have to stay late at work...!
> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:36:58 -0500
> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
> Subject: Re: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>
> O.k...next time you need to be more careful for those things we call it
> 'FREE'. The only free thing I know is 'we can breath' free. Are you
> still having a headache ?
>
>
>
> "Ishiguro, Naomi"
> <****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
12/07/2005 03:13PM
Subject Re: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yeah... One of my co-workers told me today =(
>
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>>
>>
>> Naomi, Somebody mentioned this is a hoax ??? Otousan....
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 17:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
o.k...will go for a steak.
> "Ishiguro, Naomi"
> <****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
Wow! go for the steak or the salmon... Veal parmigiana isn't that good.
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
o.k..no headache, that's good. staying late is part of your job. Sometimes
we need to do that whether you like it or not.
We (IBM) are heading to restaurant in Markham today.
I'll be home a bit late.
Send you an info on this in separate note......
"Ishiguro, Naomi"
<****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
12/07/2005 04:32 cc
I knew it was too good to be true!
Yup no headache, but I will have to stay late at work...!
> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:36:58 -0500
> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
> Subject: Re: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>
> O.k...next time you need to be more careful for those things we call it
> 'FREE'. The only free thing I know is 'we can breath' free. Are you
> still having a headache ?
>
>
>
> "Ishiguro, Naomi"
> <****@Harlequin.ca>
To Fumio Ishiguro/Markham/IBM@IBMCA
12/07/2005 03:13PM
Subject Re: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yeah... One of my co-workers told me today =(
>
>> From: Fumio Ishiguro <****@ca.ibm.com>
>> Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:11:43 -0500
>> To: "Ishiguro, Naomi" <****@Harlequin.ca>
>> Subject: Re: FW: Golden Retriever Pups to give away - they're free
>>
>>
>> Naomi, Somebody mentioned this is a hoax ??? Otousan....
ugh!
winter pet peeve #2:
insane amounts of static electricity!!
winter pet peeve #3:
dry dry skin!!
AGH!!! I want to wipe down my entire cubicle with Bounty sheets and jump into a huge vat of cocoa butter! I'm shocking myself everytime i move...grrr....
winter pet peeve #2:
insane amounts of static electricity!!
winter pet peeve #3:
dry dry skin!!
AGH!!! I want to wipe down my entire cubicle with Bounty sheets and jump into a huge vat of cocoa butter! I'm shocking myself everytime i move...grrr....
Monday, December 05, 2005
a sign you CAN have too much of texas
i dozed off for a second at work while checking digital proofs and had a tiny daydream. Dubya was campaigning again, and he bounded out of a pale-coloured mini-van with an Uncle Sam hat and a satin baseball jacket. The van was parked in the middle of a sports stadium (on the track, I think). Behind him, struggling with wriggling blond toddlers, was Cindy Crawford, his wife, outfitted in the same get-up, sans Uncle Sam hat.
er?!
i definitely blame the 17.5 hours spent on the weekend reading a book about a ragtag group of adults, including a beautiful widow and her two surly children, trekking the Santa Fe Trail trip in Conestoga wagons, just to prove a chavinistic, yet dashing professor wrong about his views on modern women.
i dozed off for a second at work while checking digital proofs and had a tiny daydream. Dubya was campaigning again, and he bounded out of a pale-coloured mini-van with an Uncle Sam hat and a satin baseball jacket. The van was parked in the middle of a sports stadium (on the track, I think). Behind him, struggling with wriggling blond toddlers, was Cindy Crawford, his wife, outfitted in the same get-up, sans Uncle Sam hat.
er?!
i definitely blame the 17.5 hours spent on the weekend reading a book about a ragtag group of adults, including a beautiful widow and her two surly children, trekking the Santa Fe Trail trip in Conestoga wagons, just to prove a chavinistic, yet dashing professor wrong about his views on modern women.
Friday, December 02, 2005
i should tell you...
yesterday was World AIDS day, so in celebration and remembrance, i will review RENT!
i was ecstatic to find out they were doing a big-screen version of Johnathan Larson's generation-defining musical. The cast in the movie, save two, were the original Broadway cast which includes, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin. The new additions are Rosario Dawson as Mimi and Tracy Thomas as Joanne.
The movie opens with the full cast singing "Seasons of Love" to an empty theatre, on a stage lit up by a few spotlights. And as soon as Tracy Thoms broke out in her solo I was getting shivers, thrilling at the sound of their voices. Like I've said before, I sometimes wish my life was a musical, so naturally I'm a huge fan of the genre. I saw the stage version in high school, with my Arts York mates when I was... 16 or 17 I guess. I really liked it, but I'm sure the story didn't really resonate with me, and I think I got caught up in the hype. But now, seeing this story again at 25, and seeing my peers essentially, it's a lot more... wonderous and heart-breaking.
The struggle to survive and the questions and decisions and consequences that battle for attention hit harder now. Their questions of how will they pay their rent, which career path to choose, am i ready to leave or do i stay, where has inspiration gone, do i let myself fall for this person, will someone care if i leave tomorrow, why can't i turn back time...? i've actually asked those questions now, but obviously not in the same context.
and it's crazy! when did the growing up start? (mind you, i still don't feel like a full-fledged grownup just yet)
RENT makes growing up seem less scary if you have the right perspective, if you're mindful of keeping true to the important things and to find beauty wherever you are-ah, bohemia =) And these bohemians can sing. Jesse L. Martin as Collins was beautiful... his range and voice were showcased with such grace.
No one can play Mark like Anthony Rapp-he is Mark.
I was v.impressed with Tracy Thoms, but less so with Idina Menzel, but only in comparison. The former's tone was warmer, soulful while the latter had a sharper edge to it. Nevertheless, these ladies can SING.
But the standout for me was Rosario Dawson, believe it or not. The original Mimi was more raw and edgy. Dawson presents a more vulnerable, sweeter Mimi... the hurt that she feels is easier to detect in her voice.
it's not the strongest film/adaptation (there's one scene that looks like scenes from a baaaad karaoke video) and Larson's songs sometimes feel a bit dated, but it's definitely worth seeing, just to feel the vibrancy of the musical, and to remind oneself of the ever-present tragedy of those infected with HIV/AIDS.
yesterday was World AIDS day, so in celebration and remembrance, i will review RENT!
i was ecstatic to find out they were doing a big-screen version of Johnathan Larson's generation-defining musical. The cast in the movie, save two, were the original Broadway cast which includes, Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin. The new additions are Rosario Dawson as Mimi and Tracy Thomas as Joanne.
The movie opens with the full cast singing "Seasons of Love" to an empty theatre, on a stage lit up by a few spotlights. And as soon as Tracy Thoms broke out in her solo I was getting shivers, thrilling at the sound of their voices. Like I've said before, I sometimes wish my life was a musical, so naturally I'm a huge fan of the genre. I saw the stage version in high school, with my Arts York mates when I was... 16 or 17 I guess. I really liked it, but I'm sure the story didn't really resonate with me, and I think I got caught up in the hype. But now, seeing this story again at 25, and seeing my peers essentially, it's a lot more... wonderous and heart-breaking.
The struggle to survive and the questions and decisions and consequences that battle for attention hit harder now. Their questions of how will they pay their rent, which career path to choose, am i ready to leave or do i stay, where has inspiration gone, do i let myself fall for this person, will someone care if i leave tomorrow, why can't i turn back time...? i've actually asked those questions now, but obviously not in the same context.
and it's crazy! when did the growing up start? (mind you, i still don't feel like a full-fledged grownup just yet)
RENT makes growing up seem less scary if you have the right perspective, if you're mindful of keeping true to the important things and to find beauty wherever you are-ah, bohemia =) And these bohemians can sing. Jesse L. Martin as Collins was beautiful... his range and voice were showcased with such grace.
No one can play Mark like Anthony Rapp-he is Mark.
I was v.impressed with Tracy Thoms, but less so with Idina Menzel, but only in comparison. The former's tone was warmer, soulful while the latter had a sharper edge to it. Nevertheless, these ladies can SING.
But the standout for me was Rosario Dawson, believe it or not. The original Mimi was more raw and edgy. Dawson presents a more vulnerable, sweeter Mimi... the hurt that she feels is easier to detect in her voice.
it's not the strongest film/adaptation (there's one scene that looks like scenes from a baaaad karaoke video) and Larson's songs sometimes feel a bit dated, but it's definitely worth seeing, just to feel the vibrancy of the musical, and to remind oneself of the ever-present tragedy of those infected with HIV/AIDS.
