Reflections on #CLIMATEACTION

The above is my art, inspired by the youth - click to enlarge

From Friday night, on the bus (post global #climateaction strike in downtown Victoria):

Thanks to a work colleague, I clued into bus re-routing downtown. I got my bus 1 stop earlier, got a seat, and was able to relax as the bus navigated the modified route. The bus indeed got very full, so I was feeling rather gratelful.

Have been reflecting on the news stories of some schools not 'allowing' kids to protest. What a stupid move, and a missed opportunity.

Even I could design engaging lesson plans...  
Beginning with context, as in the history of protests and activism...

Before the protest... weighing the decision to go or not to go, what do you want to say on your sign, how to stay safe at a protest even...

Debriefing afterwards... are you glad you did/didn't go, what did you learn, who did you meet, what are you now inspired to do? 

Facilitating an open dialog throughput provides an opportunity to just process all the feelings about the environment (fear, sadness, frustration, hope, inspiration, etc). 

Youth are very troubled and, in addition to the need to be heard, they need forums to share. Adults ~ in this case teachers ~ have a responsibility to facilitate.

How rich of a learning opportunity this is.

Hopefully the school's taking this stance were few and far between.

It's been cool seeing kids on the bus, post-protest, with their signs. The power of social disobedience...

Regretfully, I haven't done much protesting myself. Worth reflecting on that.

Review: Rick Mercer Final Report

Rick Mercer Final Report by Rick Mercer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks Rick.
Definitely worth a listen. A combination of Rick's rants/reports (in context), backstories from the show's making, and the Canadian icon's life. Overall, entertaining and well told. Jann Arden fans will not be disappointed.

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Review: The Last Job

The Last Job: "The Bad Grandpas" and the Hatton Garden Heist by Dan Bilefsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great heist story...
I always love heist stories, fascinated by how they pulled it off... and how they got caught. I downloaded this book after hearing an interview with the author on CBC. I had just watched the movie about the old gents' crime (I'm a sucker for Michael Caine), so wondered if it would still hold my attention. It did... though funnily enough the narrator sounded a lot like Caine. Overall, very well researched and written. The only thing that turned me off ~ almost to the point of not continuing ~ was the excessive use of the 'c word' (ladies be warned). I respect that initially this was part of creating realistic characters, but it got tired very fast. I think men (in this case the author) have no idea how offensive this term is to women. I was ready to stop listening. It became gratuitous and unnecessary, and took away from an otherwise excellent book.

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Review: Rules of Civility

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book!
Be ready to be transported to New York City in the 30's and 40's. An extremely well told story told from the perspective of an interesting and independent woman, not prone to convention or loveless relationships. Full of fun, adventure, heartbreak, serendipity and rich characters. Lots of insights to the publishing world. The perfect narrator for the story.

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Review: The Missing Millionaire

The Missing Millionaire: The True Story of Ambrose Small and the City Obsessed With Finding Him by Katie Daubs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love a true Canadian mystery...
In all honesty, the lack of a definitive answer to what happened to Small made it hard to spin a compelling tale, so I would find my mind drifting. The book was well enough written that I stayed with it, and in the end, it was worth the listen. I like that I have added to my knowledge of Canadian mysteries and history. Would probably be even more interesting to Torontonians.

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Balzac's home in Paris

Novelist Honoré de Balzac's home
Photo copyright Peter's Paris

Add this to your list of off-the-beaten-track sights to see in Paris, courtesy of my favourite Paris blog...

"The house where the novelist Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) lived for some seven years (1840-47) has recently been reopened after some restoration works. This is where he finalised a large part of his famous “La Comédie Humaine”, some 91 stories, novels, essays… How many have you read? I have only read one, “The Père Goriot” (Old Goriot). Balzac always lived beyond his means and, as he now and then had some unwanted visitors, he was happy to live in a house with several exits, including to the small narrow street on the back side. We are in the Passy area of Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, and this old little house is now surrounded by fashionable apartment buildings..." [read more on Peter's Paris].

Balzac's statue in
the Cimetière
du Père-Lachaise

To visit
The Maison de Balzac is located in the 16th arrondissement at 47, rue Raynouard (nearest métro and RER stations are Passy and Avenue du Président Kennedy) - open daily except Mondays and holidays (admission free)/
Maison de Balzac - Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
Maison de Balzac Profile and Visitor's Guide - Trip Savvy
Back to Balzac - Literary Traveler


To learn more
Balzac's Paris - a Guided Tour - University of California
Balzac's Paris: History and Modern Walking Tout

Review: I'll Be Gone in the Dark

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A true crime reader's dream.
A fascinating look into the world of those who are driven to solve real life mysteries. Unfortunately, Michelle died before the final pieces fell into place, so thanks are extended to her friends who finished this work posthumously. Also the very interesting background to the killer caught by connecting DNA from genealogy testing (which he had never done) ~ verified by a coffee cup.

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T'is morning...

... and I suppose I am sleepy. I was fooling myself, thinking how awake I was, when I wished someone a good day by name... and her co-worker's name came out.

To horripilate

Today's new word, from the Audible book I am reading:

hor·rip·i·late

undergo horripilation, in which the hairs stand erect from the body due to cold, fear, or excitement

- Oxford Dictionary 

Cinderella stamps

When is a stamp not a stamp?

When it's a cinderella stamp it seems.

I've been curious about this category of stamps on eBay. My newest interest is art stamps, as well as architecture, myth and music stamps, so I have been getting quite familiar with how eBay organizes stamps. I finally satisfied my curiosity about the 'cinderella stamps' category I kept seeing. Here's what I discovered.

In philately, a cinderella stamp is "virtually anything resembling a postage stamp, but not issued for postal purposes by a government postal administration".

This beauty was a charity stamp for TB (tuberculosis)

In addition to stamps issued by non-recognised countries or governments, cinderella stamps include advertising stamps, charity stamps (eg. Christmas or Easter seals), commemorative stamps, purely decorative stamps, hotel stamps, local stamps, poster stamps, propaganda stamps, railway stamps, revenue stamps, telegraph stamps, and any other stamp created solely for amusement (such as labels or stickers).

While cinderella stamps tend to mimic official postage stamps, they may lack a country name (often replaced by the organization or cause) or a denomination. Sometimes a fictitious country or denomination may be used.

Following are a few examples, courtesy of WikiCommons (click to enlarge for details, especially entertaining of the mad cow stamp amuses you):