Oh, Those Costco Hotdogs!

Honestly, the cheapest lunch in the world, and truly, one of the most satisfying. The Costco Hotdog. $1.50 for hotdog and a drink. The onions, sauerkraut, relish and just added win.

Feminism isn't dead, it's just misunderstood

 While making my son's usual eggs and hashbrowns and toast this morning, we somehow found our way onto the topic of Feminism.

If you want to know what 14 year old girls think about feminism, you don't have to look past social media. A great many of them make a point of disavowing any belief or need of feminism - they see Feminists as Dykey lesbians, as combative demonstrators for a cause they don't think they need. These girls haven't been taught anything in school about feminism, and they have no idea what it is they are railing against.

My son said that girls at his school think that feminism is about not letting a man (or boy person) hold open the door for you. They think that whatever feminists are talking about, they don't need it. It's all old school, ancient history. Totally uncool.

I told my son a few facts about north american women in the 20th century - like the fact that we weren't allowed to vote until 1918, and even then, not all women, aboriginal women did not have the right to vote until the 1960s. Until 1909, it was perfectly legal to abduct a woman. Women weren't allowed to serve on juries until the 1950s, and lots of similar facts. I also included the fact that when I got married in 1990, the marriage form that I was supposed to sign designated me as a 'spinster.'

I told him the story of post WWII America, and the massive propaganda machine that worked to take women out of those war jobs, and back into the home so that returning soldiers could go to work. I told him about the suburbanization of the American woman. He was looking pretty skeptical when I told him about the media machine 'resocializing' women to be content with cooking, cleaning, and being home for their husbands, so I found some ads from back in the day. The images pretty much made the point.

It is unbelievable to me that they don't teach any of this in High School. Shame.

Saw a very cute sloth at Starbucks today!

Cute sloth at Starbucks!

The Urban Reef public seating installation at Robson Square

In Front of the Art Gallery

The furniture at Robson Square is pretty cool, called the "Urban Reef." Pretty comfortable too! Part of the VIVA Vancouver city plan and will be out there to enjoy until September 1.

The Urban Reef seating

Need this pink silicone bag!

Found this little beauty at Mi Kemistry in Gastown - adorable fuschia silicone molded take on the venerable Madame Chanel. Only $39.95.

 

Fabulous Gastown shop

Mi Kemistry in Gastown

Happened by Mi Kemistry in Gastown today on Gore - what an amazing and wonderful little pocket of goodness! Meet Andrew, the guru in residence - watch out for his boxwood inset design for the storefront coming soon.

Mi Kemistry interior

Andrew - Mi Kemistry Guru!

ChouChou bowler food truck!

Ahhhhh, Gastown! Adorable food truck on Water Street.

Bowler Food Truck in Gastown

Don't forget malware protection for your phone

If you use your smartphone like I do - then all the personal information you store on your computer lives on your phone too - don't make the mistake of neglecting security. The best malware app I've found so far is Lookout. Download for free from the Play store. It includes a few extras like remote phone wipe, cloud backup etc. Back it up girlfriend, you'll be glad you did!

What the hell is a Kumato?

Three Kumatos for 50 cents at NoFrills

These cute little packages of three were on sale at the grocery store the other day, so I picked it up, and then noticed the label. Kumato. No description on the package of what a Kumato is supposed to be, but it sure looked like a tomato.

So, I took it home, cut it open, sprinkled it with sea salt and took a bite.

Hmmm. Tastes like a tomato. Color is a bit green on the outside, tomato-ey on the inside.

Kumato sliced

Wikipedia says a Kumato is a variety of tomato developed in Spain, and is only grown by selected growers around the world. It is a bit sweeter than a regular tomato.

Interestingly, a regular person can't buy the Kumato seeds - they are only sold to registered growers who have undergone a "rigorous" selection process.

See the full Wiki story here if you really need to know more.

Douglas Coupland's Head

Doug Coupland's Head at the VAG

Impossible to resist sticking gum on Doug Coupland's head.

My very own chew

Diet and Exercise Makes Me Feel Good - Who Knew?

I've been cursing myself for a long time because I could NOT seem to find the motivation or energy to do the exact things which would give me more motivation and energy. Talk about a death spiral. 

For some reason - (Blessing from the goddess of the sunshine?) - About a week or so ago I committed to making a few small changes whether I liked it or not:

• Gym or some kind of exercise every SINGLE day.
• Stay away from all the sugar I can control.
• Stay away from alcohol
• Eat protein first thing in the morning.
• Eat foods with high iron (hoping to help with fatigue)
• Eat healthy foods in smaller portions.

After 8 days.... WTF? I feel great.

I am energy girl. (at least comparatively)

I am learning not to dread the gym with my whole soul.

It is easier to choke foods down in the pre-noon part of the day.

Plus, it appears that the muffin-top that has graced my middle for year or so is shrinking. SHRINKING I tell you! 

This diet and exercise thing might just have potential.

We must spread the word! Tell the world!

Sparkly Paisely Craftiness!

Phase One

After a long hiatus, I've picked up my crafty side again, and with a little help from my boy who drew the paiselys on with sharpie, I decorated my pink tank top. Hmmmm. Not sure if I love it, but it does sparkle!

Phase Two

Finished!

Grin, Giggle, Snort.

I know it's hideous, but....

This is proof that I'm not in the gym to impress anybody - I know it's an eye-scream, but they are my favorite socks!

If there is a heaven, it's always summer there

I always bloom in the summer like a hothouse flower, but this year it seems even bloomier! Don't know if it's my good spirits or the truth, but it seems like Vancouver has had the best spring and beginning of summer in a long time.

Long Live Sunshine!