Monthly Archives: March 2012

A bag full of it

Posted on March 26, 2012 by

In the spirit of intolerance, I have to draw this little piece of public policy to wider attention. Where I live, the local governments have imposed a bag tax: 5 cents for (paper and plastic) disposable bags, whether in supermarkets … Continue reading →

Posted in Bureaucracy, Economics, Government, Health care, Life styles, Public policy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Hoodie done it

Looking in my wardrobe, I wonder what to wear. Should my choice be geared by style or by fear? A warm day, true, but would I feel good, If I put on the sweater with the big hood? What I … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on March 24, 2012 by | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Create a way

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

I caught a riveting discussion on NPR yesterday about the roots of creativity: it has some great take-aways, including the need to think like a seven year-old. For today, I’m not going to try to outdo the discussion, but recommend … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Family, Human relationships, Language, Life styles, Parenting, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Happy half-birthday!

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

My second grade daughter’s birthday is September 21, so today, March 21, she is getting excited. She tells me it’s her half-birthday. What? She will be exactly eight years and six months old. Let’s celebrate! She would love it if … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Family, Human relationships, Language, Parenting | Tagged | 1 Comment

Are you my type? Redux: The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin

Posted on March 17, 2012 by

I wrote yesterday about how a chance remark reminded me about profiling and how it can be wanton. I was also reminded about how dangerous and destructive it can be to many, but it seems especially to young black men. … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Crime, Education, Family, Government, Human relationships, Life styles, Media, News, Parenting, Race and Ethnicity | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Are you my type?

Posted on March 16, 2012 by

My good lady and my good kid were chit-chatting in our car as we did our best to conserve fuel on the way to work and school, yesterday. A truck was making a turn as we waited at a junction … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Economics, Education, Family, Human relationships, Life styles, Service economy | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Smith at his anvil

Posted on March 15, 2012 by

If the name Greg Smith does not mean anything to you, then perhaps you had left the planet yesterday in honour of Pi Day, March 14th (written American style that is 3/14; close enough to Pi = 3.1415926535…). When the … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Family, Financial markets, Human relationships, Internet, Life styles, Media, News, Service economy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pure Bunkum!

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

Honestly, I was always bewildered about the furore concerning President Obama’s birthplace and religion. Deep inside, I know that a lot of his fellow Americans do not see him as one of their own. Whether it is because of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Human relationships, Media, News, Politics, Race and Ethnicity, Religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Simply speaking: Thank you, brown paper bag

Posted on March 11, 2012 by

My Saturdays have become quite simple in recent weeks; I’ve been trying to keep things simple and quiet. This Saturday, I craved some exercise so went to an early morning kick boxing class, after breakfast. The previous day’s burst of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Family, Health care, Human relationships, Language, Life styles, Race and Ethnicity, Religion, Sports, Urban life, Weather | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A is for apple. L is for lentils?

Posted on March 9, 2012 by

Last night, I sat outside with my daughter’s second grade class listening to her teacher tell a story for their regular full moon party. As I have heard these stories, I understood that for certain months it is traditional to … Continue reading →

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