Buttons!

i'm collecting Canadian party buttons. I need a block button and a Conservative button to finish up my collection for this election. i doubt i'll get a block one but i think my chances of hunting down a Conservative one are pretty good. all you need to do to get a button from canvasers is pretend you're interested and ask some bad questions... or just say, "hey can i have a button" and they might give you one. My personal favourite in my collection is my JACK layton one b/c its SO obvious that the campaign is focused around the individual, not the party and that they're trying to make him approachable by making his first name 14x bigger than the rest of the button. also, note the tiny NDP on the bottom. the liberal button is based on the individual of Peter Milliken, who has been the MP here since like 88. He's running on being who he is and not on his party platform. Its all about being a local man...i talked to him... i think he thinks that Martin is an idiot. the green party button is interesting b/c it just has the Party name on it. clearly these buttons are intended for multiple elections and were mass produced knowing that the leader could change and that they don't have any big names. anyway, i can't wait to get more buttons. if you have one i'd love. here are pictures of mine so far! also, i am quite aware that i am a giant nerd!

Them

I’ve often heard of how referring to people as a ‘them’ is bad. The idea of being the other, of not being part of us, of being outside of a group isn’t something that I often feel. As a white female it is rare that I’m in a situation where a group of people are referred to as a ‘them’ and I feel included in the ‘them’ and thus excluded from the ‘us’. Today in my very first American government class we were talking about differences between Canadian and American political systems and the point was brought forward that the US has a sizable religious vote. The prof then went on to discuss Christians in a tone one might use discussing a vile parasite and referred to the number of ‘them’ in the US in a way that made ‘us’ seem extremely threatening and dangerous. Naturally, there were people shaking their heads in disbelief about the sheer number of Christians in the US. I personally wanted to nod my head approvingly. I was, however, feeling extremely isolated at the time as I looked around the room and realized that to probably 90% if not more of the class Christians are a ‘them’ to them. And this group is seen as a bunch of crazed fundamentalists (in the worst use of the word) out to blow up abortion clinics. I was frustrated b/c I feel that the prof wouldn’t have referred to many other groups as a ‘them’. Not women, not black people and not homosexuals…that’s just politically incorrect. It is okay, however, to isolate Christians as a ‘them’ as not part of ‘us’. I’m probably being over sensitive about this whole thing but it really made me realize today that I am a ‘them’ in many ways and I’m okay with that. I guess since I’m not a visible minority, and instead an invisible minority its easier for me to blend in… appearance wise anyway. But this invisibility of my minority status has meant that I’ve lived my life largely unaware of my fundamental differences. Its only when I’m reminded of who I am…a ‘them’ that I really remember that I’m different. And I’m okay with that.

Robyn Goes to Victoria's Secret

Well folks, its official, i got a pair of Victoria's secret pajamas. Now i'm sure you're all thinking that this is some sort of sketchy post by me but frankly, these are some of the most fun pajamas i've ever had. Check them out!!!
okay, i'm going for a moon light swim!
(i'm home on Friday)