Lilypie Pregnancy tickers

Monday, June 29, 2009

Yep, Still Writing

Several exciting things:

1) My new website is finally live! Take a look at http://www.chrisbenjaminwriting.com/ and let me know what you think. Especially if you find any troubles navigating, errors or uglies. [For those who saw an earlier version, it's worth another look - big changes.]

2) I received this message from Lesley Choyce at Pottersfield Press: "At long last, Nova Scotia: Visions of the Future is about to be released. I’m thrilled with the result. We are launching the book Thursday, July 9, 6-8 pm at Stayner’s Wharf 1781 Upper Water Street, Halifax." This excites me because I have a chapter in this anthology, the result of Lesley's invitation to "some of the best minds (and hearts) around the province to present their vision of this possible province of the future." The unfortunate thing is, I won't be able to make the launch. But, you fair reader may still pre-order your copy online at http://www.amazon.ca/Nova-Scotia-Visions-Lesley-Choyce/dp/1897426070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237333996&sr=8-1.

3) My latest column is up at The Coast. I don't like the title they gave it, or the stereotypical drawing they used. But the article itself is about a heroic woman named Cheryl Maloney, who is doing everything in her power to call attention to something no one seems to be thinking about: the fact that First Nations Reserves are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Yet aboriginal people in this country have not been consulted in climate change adaptation planning - which itself is very limited and narrow to date. See the column at http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/include-us-in-climate-change-adaptation-plans-say-natives/Content?oid=1150888, and apologies for the picture and title. (My problem with the title is the "say natives" part, which assumes that if one aboriginal person says it, all aboriginal people say it.)

Friday, June 26, 2009

March Protests Criminalization of Black Youth


Click the picture to see a news story I wrote for the current issue of The Coast.
-CB

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Fish Are Jumping, Cotton High

Dylan learning to pull himself up.
Dylan and Jay are find that shocking!


Wheee.

Summertime, Living is Easy
















Saturday, June 13, 2009

Introducing the sweet and funny

D's becoming a very good sitter. He's also becoming more and more of a kid. Fun to watch him grow.
Ah yes, the surrender to sleep.
Dylan's Blue Steel look.
He's just devouring his books these days!
Thirty seconds before nap. Obviously. (I mean, really. Can his eyes possibly look heavier?)
Apparently eating is a whole body affair. And much fun.

OK, this is ridiculous. Aided to sleep by something to suck, Blue Dog suddenly became an unsuspecting victim.
Wishing Papa a happy bday in style. A felt hat from a nearby garage sale (which was lovingly given to D for free since it suits him so well) with a homemade shirt by Mama, made of bedsheets found on the street. Perfect.
Oh yes. And the sunglasses were also found on the side of the road.

An all-time favourite picture. I was trying on some tshirts in the dressing room. Dylan shopped till he dropped. Really.
Not sure if these pics convey how much fun we're having with D and the hilarity that ensues. When I first found out I was pregnant and told Chris over the phone, I kept saying, "This is gonna be so much fun!" In the first weeks post birth, it took some time to settle into a new life and refocus. It's still not easy, obviously. But man, has it gotten hilarious and fun.
More on life lessons learned and thoughts on a whole bunch of things which are not D related (they do exist) later. Miia

Life in Halifax

For Bike Week, Dylan and I helped out in this driver education campaign. We hung out with an RCMP officer and Halifax cop who stopped passerbys to tell them about Bike Week and to watch for cyclists. Dyl and I were on the sidewalk, talking it up with pedestrians. Sweet evening chillaxing together.
Still having fun.
Chris' bday supper at the Wooden Monkey in Hali. We started off playing miniputt and followed it up with drinks and dinner. It is always heartening to see so many friends come together.
More for the bday.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Art's Environment


Click the picture for my latest column.