The Winter Blahs

The Winter Solstice was last night, and our days are only about 8 hours long again. The light quality isn't very good either cos the sun never gets very high in the sky.

I just heard on the radio yesterday that up to 20% of Canadians get a mild form of depression associated with the short days and, presumably, not getting enough sun. The "Winter Blahs" is what they call it. A few percent (2 or 3) get a more severe version called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is like wintertime depression.

It's not surpising to find it's an issue for potentially everyone in the population. I've heard several people talk about just having to go outside and do something to avoid going insane - and that's why a lot of Canadians like to go skating. In Montreal, you can even commute to work by skating along the canals - that would be cool.

I've been trying to go for walks around the block at lunchtime at work - and I'm still managing to do it even in late December because there is no snow around at the moment. We got a major dump about a month ago but there's been nothing much since. (Global warming again?) I'm going for the occasional swim at the McMaster U swimming pool when I'm in-between various bouts of cold and flu. Rachel walks to and from work every other day or so, and we've managed to find a skating rink once.

A very Merry Christmas to you all who are still reading. We've been doing this blog for a year now to keep everyone posted on our settling down in Canada, and we've done that. (Though it may well be as soon as a year before we're packing up to leave again...) We'll keep putting things up here from time to time, but I suspect we'll just have less to say unless we go travelling somewhere and take photos. Anyway, thanks for tuning in, and come visit us some time!
Cheers
B

Which Japanese Demon are you?

Ryu You scored 8 in Malice and 27 in Chaos!

Japanese dragons, or "Ryu," are very different from their Western counterparts; where the Western dragon is typically reptilian, with a heart as cold as its blood, the dragons of the Orient actually tend to err more on the side of beneficence. This should not, however, be construed as a license to treat them with disrespect; Oriental dragons are extremely powerful beings who do not tolerate impudence. Ryu, like the dragons of the West, are known to have a fondness for shiny objects and treasure. Some Ryu are willing to part with their treasures if they deem a mortal worthy of inheriting it. Other dragons may also, like gods, grant wishes and supernatural powers to those who seek them. At the same time, one must be wary when dealing with dragons; some may be extremely temperamental, and others even harbor a hatred for mankind and its desecration of the earth. Most dragons are by no means evil, but must still be treated with extreme caution.

Link: The Japanese Demon Profile Test written by Maharbal on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Lumpy is a Fox!

Kitsune You scored 14 in Malice and 32 in Chaos!

You are the Kitsune, or "Fox demon," the ultimate doer of mischief. Kitsune belong to a class of demons known as "Henge," or animal shape-shifters, along with the Tanuki, or badger-demon. They are uncanny creatures who are notorious as much for their malevolence as for their wild and unpredictable behavior; a fox demon may help a human, only to betray him in deepest consequence at a later date. Kitsune are known to frequently possess women or pose as humans, causing chaos and catastrophe where ever they go. They are mischievous creatures who take great pleasure in playing terrible tricks on unsuspecting mortals; however, this behavior indicates that they are more perversely playful and apathetic to human suffering than genuinely evil and desirous of harm.

birthday!

Before I got ear-muffs I had a birthday, and since I haven't written anything in ages I thought I should tell you all about it!

First, I must say it was awesome because lumpy is awesome and bought me cake and chocolates and a really cool mug! Mmmm it was Gooood cake!
In my class that day I couldn't remember any of my questions after the group presentation (and had forgotten my notes), so I said "it's my birthday so you can all go home early"! : )

That weekend we went to Fort York which is part original, part restored and is where the the Battle of York was fought in the 1812 war against America. Also the birth place of modern Toronto. One of the most interesting things is that it used to be basically on the shore, but the shore has had so much filling in that it is now quite a bit inland and is pretty much under a freeway...



So you have this weird juxtaposition of the new city and the old fort.

It's an old sloping walled type fort, so that people are easier to shoot as the run up towards you. Good for long-range weapons.

Inside wall with cannons.

Outside wall with spikes.

The soldiers lived in dorm style accommodation. With slits for firing through! All the windows are on the upper floor (this is one of the rebuilt buildings).


The offices were rather better off (this is the mess hall). Note the floor covering made of Canvas, which was rather popular at the time (it's more hard wearing than carpet and can be made from any left over sails you happen to have).

They had a special power store with copper fittings (to prevent sparks) and a ventilation system to keep the gun powder dry.

In other news, I am thinking of changing my stylist...lumpy assures me that this is the latest look, but I am not convinced!


Love to all!

Forgi got Earmuffs!

Look!