This crazy meme is going around. This time with some hardcore Canuckian-on-Canuckian action. The lovely and talented Princess of the Universe sent me these balls to the walls, life altering questions.
1. So we're both Canadian- so that means we know all the same people right? I totally know Robyn in Orleans and Ryan in Ottawa - will you say hi to them for me the next time you see them?
Will do. And while we're at it Jason in Edmonton said "hi", Julie in Sault Saint-Marie wants her tiara back, Gilles in Moncton said you owe him $20 for the lobster, and Rob in Corner Brook is still looking for your bra. But it's just one big happy family here. And I know each and every Canadian just like you.
2. So I actually do have some very good friends and an ex in Ottawa. So tell me honestly, is Elgin Street really that cool? Cause we have an Elgin Street here in Winnipeg and it's totally in the sketchy area of town. I didn't want to hurt their feelings and all - but they just kept taking me there...What are the secret cool areas that they they maybe don't know about?
I don't think much in Ottawa is actually all that cool. It's an ok place don't get me wrong, cool -- not so much. I mean it's a government/hi tech town. How cool could it be? Me, I'm a mom who works full time and all that so I dont' know where the cool kids hang out.
However, Elgin Street is a bit of a hot spot. It's where they had the Sens Miles a few years back when the Sens made the Stanley cup Finals and tanked. (They flopped dramatically last year.) But there are a bunch of restaurants and a few clubs and pubs on Elgin. At the North end of the street is the Cenotaph which is where the Remembrance Day Ceremonies are held. At the other end if the Ottawa Police headquarters and the Canada Museum of Naturue. It's where the the young ones go to play apparently.
Much much more importantly, The Man and I had our first date there on March 11, 1992 at a Restaurant called Pancho Villa. They have some good Mexican eats. Still there and they've expanded.
3. How did you get into running?
Way back when, before 500-channel universe, I'd seen a story about this guy who'd run his marathon surviving all sorts of adversity. He'd come in DFL (dead fucking last), it was night time and his devoted little wife waited for him at the end. I thought to myself, one day I will run a marathon, then I laughed until I peed myself. But the idea stayed with me.
In 2004, I met a trainer during a story I was working on for the local community rag. I decided to hire her. She turned out to be a bit pathological but she got me through the marathon, pointed out that mere mortals could do it (something she stole from any number of running experts). I ditched her but kept running.
4. Your Mom Guilt Scale- is it from 1 - 100? Cause you seem to get pretty high - have you ever considered grading yourself on a curve? I bet you're actually a pretty kickasstastic Mom.
It's sort of a sliding exponential scale. It can skyrocket at any time.
I think all moms have guilt all the time. Now that The Boy is almost 8, it's not so hard leaving him at school. So I'd say baseline for me is about 35. If I missing a field trip it's about 50, if I am silently glad that I don't have to go spend the day watching some god awful play it's about 65. Now if I had planned to go and something OR if I am in the midst of mom-son time and my pager goes off. I can easily shoot up to the 200s. Then there is usually a big pay off in terms making it up to him.
Also triggers, hard day at work when I'm totally lacking patience. When I get short because I just really really want 10 minutes to myself. All sort of things. Guilt. The basis of all good parenting.
Parenting is bar none the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done... I guess we'll find out how I did in 10-12 years when he's an adult.
5. Now that you've met a bunch of Ottawa bloggers, are you totally willing to host CanadaCon? I'm thinking all of us Canadian bloggers should congregate in our Nation's Capital- more specifically, your house- what do you think?
Sure come on over. There is floor space. BYOB. But the reno we started in August is still not done and well... but I've decided the lack of closet doors and missing bits give the house "character."
The only rules are that you have to link back to the original post (I lost Princess original but it's on her blog honest.) and you have to put these rules in your post:
"Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions."