Book Review: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Bauby)

I was so moved by the film adaptation, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon when I first saw it nearly eight years ago. Jean-Dominique Bauby authored this book by dictating with blinks from his left eye at a hospital an afternoon drive from Paris at Berck-sur-Mer, France. He is paralyzed by a stroke with something called locked-in syndrome. Formerly … [Read more…]

Kefir

In June, Pat – a fellow Membership/Marketing Team member from my Dragonfly Cohousing days – gave me some kefir grains to get some kefir going in our 8-member household. The fermented milk drink is remarkably easy to make over and over again once you have the starter bacteria-yeast symbiotic matrix (the grains which look and … [Read more…]

Cellulitis and Me

I have been brought low by bacteria again. This time it’s a little pathogen genus called staphylococcus. It erupted from a little cut in my ear. I woke up suddenly at 2:30 AM to striking pain on my right ear and neck. Because of where the infection set in, it is called cellulitis. Don’t google … [Read more…]

Marathon III: Victoria, BC

Following my second marathon on June 1, I barely ran at all. I wasn’t trying to avoid running, it’s just that there was no time or urgency. I had moved; I was wrapping up a very difficult year of teaching; I was enjoying my summer holidays. I was content not running. However by mid-August, I … [Read more…]

Marathon: The Second

Ever since having finished my first marathon in May 2012, I have been longing to replicate the experience. It was one of the most exhilarating times of my life. So, in early February I casually mentioned to Heather, one of my housemates, that I should run the Calgary marathon on June 1st. She said if … [Read more…]

Zaakistan 2013

January Sick Day. Snow Day. Gaming weekend in Canmore. Concerts: Living with Lions, Whitehorse. Semester 1 ends: Math 10C, Math 20-2, Multi-Media February Dragonfly Cohousing Social Media Blitz. Man Scouts Beer Tasting. Demitor Visit in Edmonton. Peter turned 80 in High River. Semester 2 begins: Calculus, Math 30-2, Multi-Media.  March Mother-in-law visit. Turned 37. Fundraising … [Read more…]