Rain, rain, and more rain

I think we're going to postpone our Cherry Blossom Festival outing for a week or so. There's been so much rain here that it wouldn't be a pleasant outing. Apparently, Vancouver has really outdone itself this year in the rain department. Already, we've had more rain than the usual average amount, even though March is always a rainy month. I know we have a reputation for rain, but normally our rain is what I consider to be a "heavy mist" rather than the pouring down hard variety. However, this year we have the pouring down hard variety! It's depressing and keeping me from taking the dog for walks. Yeah, yeah I do have an umbrella but have you ever smelled WET DOG? Not pleasant!

So...I've been busy doing "Spring cleaning" - rearranged the kitchen cupboards, emptied out the laundry room cupboards and thrown stuff out, donated to the thrift store, etc. Then, of course, my hot water tank blew so lucky me got to dole out almost $1,000 for a new tank. :-(
To top off this depressing season, I have to PAY income tax!
I guess I shouldn't complain, since I do have a nice home with a (last year) new roof over my head, hot water to bathe in, a car that's paid for and my health. But it would be nice to have a little "real" sunshine for a change.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

After a miserable winter here in Vancouver, BC, we look forward to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Everywhere you look, these trees are beginning to bloom. The various shades of pink contrasting with the bright blue sky uplift the spirits of Vancouverites who are tired of the dismal grey gloom. With heads high and cheeks rosy with excitement for summer just around the corner, we gasp with admiration and realize that all the rain was worth it. Next Saturday, my good friend Josie and I will have our fill of the sight and smell of these bounteous blossoms. I plan on taking my camera and will try to capture the beauty of beaches and boulevards lined with these fabulous cherry trees. Stay tuned.

St. Patrick's Day - the wearing of the green

St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland. Once a pagan himself, St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely known figures. The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the saint's death. In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766. Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks and heritages by wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green.

Although I have absolutely no Irish blood in me, I do appreciate the help they gave William Wallace knight and Scottish patriot who led a resistance to the English occupation of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence back in the 13th century. Remember the movie Braveheart? Therefore, in honour of those whose ancestors were part of that war, I will wear something green on March 17, 2007.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Actual Letter to Proctor & Gamble

A friend of mine emailed this to me and I thought it was absolutely hilarious. Brava to the woman who wrote it. All I can say is I'm glad I don't need the product anymore.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core(tm) or Dri-Weave(tm) absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favourite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from "Aunt Flo". Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behaviour. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps.

Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is
just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period." Are you freaking kidding me?

What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a
moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong", or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for have I chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep...

Always.

******

LATEST PHOTO ENTRIES

Well, it's voting time again for the latest Telus Photo Contest. The theme this time is "Dreams" and my entries are as follows: "Dream Tree," "When I Grow Up," "En Attendant (Waiting)," and "Finale."
If anyone is registered on the site, feel free to drop by http://photos.globetrotter.net/concours/vote_album.asp to vote. Again, it's so hard to choose as there have been some absolutely fantastic photos submitted by some very talented photographers.