Coulda Woulda Shoulda

My interest in education and nurturing the next generation probably started years ago when I was a Girl Guide leader. Part of me thought back then that I just liked to be bossy. There was one moment, during a weekend camping trip, where I saw the light in a girl's eyes and I knew that this was a feeling that I wanted to witness again. She was a small little blond girl, 9 years old and while very out going and precarious, she was terrified of fire. All the girls had to try and light the stoves by lighting matches at least once as part of the tasks to compelete their 'Overnight Camp Trip'. And this girl was petrified. So, I helped a little. I showed her how to do it. We practiced with wood and then got ready for the real thing. I could see the fear in her eyes and yet there was a determination. She was GOING to do it, even if she was completely convinced that she wouldn't. And then she did. On the first match try. And the look on her face was one of beaming accomplishment...

So, there has always been the if/what if/when conversation in my house regarding entry into the whole mommy world. But I have to say, that my favorite blogger and her friends has done it again, showing us just what can happen if when those creative types take mommy-hood by the kahoonas and SPEAK OUT. Momversation If/when the mommyhood fairy visits me, I hope I'm as innovative as all of these lovely ladies.

I was moved in many ways at the opening gala of the International Festival of Authors last night. Hearing Dubliner Roddy Doyle speak in his lovely lilt made me want to jump on the next plane and fly back to the green Isle. He reminded me too, how culturally rich a nation Ireland is. How humour plays a role in almost everything they do. How some of the world's best story tellers come from there. How I'm not sure I could ever replicate - even just a little - the experience I had in the Irish publishing industry. And maybe that's okay. I was also privileged to speak to the talented Canadian director, writer and actor Don McKellar and let him know IN PERSON just how deeply his movie Last Night affected me. But most importantly, I found a charity that I want to actually work with. Not to say that there are charities that I WOULDN'T work with, just that this organisation has got me mobilized in a way I've not thought of before. "PEN Canada assists writers around the...

There has been some talk - and government action - regarding the arts funding in Canada that I must humbly admit I have not been paying enough attention to. I remember feeling quite lucky to live and work in the arts scene in Belfast as it was abundant not only with talented people but also the money to support those people in the creation of good work. It's a bit sad that my home country seems to not want to see the value of art as it relates to the well being of every day life. Margaret Atwood has written a very great piece on this here: To be creative is, in fact, Canadian After reading today I am reminding yet again how frustrating it is to prove worth. That human worth has been relegated to the economic factor. That we can see the benefit in bankers because they make money. That there seems to be this theory that only rich snobs wander around at art galas and events. That even the act of mentioning that maybe there is worth outside of bringing in money tends to draw large scof...

I have to say it takes a lot to shock me these days when it comes to organizations not thinking globally. Since living abroad, I've learned that most countries are essentially quite insular and not very good at thinking outside their own borders. I would not even go as far to say specific countries because I think each country has its own close minded view of the world, and, in their own way, contributes to this intolerance and understanding across the globe. But I think the LPGA has really taken the cake on this with the latest rid-onk-ulous (thanks JF) decision. English only please - we're not racist, just an American organization I'm just wondering what exactly the LPGA was thinking? Oh yes that's it, they were thinking about THEIR SPONSORS. What about all of the people AROUND THE WORLD who watch the bloody thing that DON'T speak English? That pay to fly all over the planet just to watch the stupid events? Maybe the LPGA should make all their players learn Spanis...