I agreed to stand for election because it was an opportunity — an opportunity to bring a progressive perspective to a riding where those ideas are usually overlooked, and a personal opportunity to expand my own skills and experience. Overall, it was a positive experience — because it was so
Continue readingTag: we like lists
wmtc: what i’m reading: what i haven’t read and am not reading
Many of my co-workers keep colourful lists like this,or use Goodreads or Shelfari to track their reading.I prefer plain old text. Like most avid readers, my to-read list contains far more titles than I could ever read in a lifetime, even if I did nothing but read. Although I add
Continue readingwmtc: new year’s un-resolutions
I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions, but I do enjoy using the revolution of our Earth around the Sun as an excuse to take stock in where I am and think about where I’m going. This is not a Big Promise To Do Something; it’s not even goal-setting. In my
Continue readingwmtc: 11.11: remembrance day readers’ advisory
I’ve posted 11 anti-war songs, and I’ve done Labour Day readers’ advisory, but I don’t think I’ve ever done anti-war readers’ advisory. Here are 11 great books with an anti-war themes. 1. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins 2. Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut 3. War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning,
Continue readingwmtc: in which i answer the burning question, what will laura binge-watch next?
In response to my help me find a new series to binge-watch post, I got tons of answers both here and on Facebook. I’m keeping the list for future reference. In the category of watching by myself during R&R downtime, I am starting with Hinterland, which has long been in
Continue readingwmtc: in which i contemplate the personal pros and cons of social media
I’ve been taking a break from social media, and I am feeling the positive effects. But I do miss people. But I feel better…but I miss people…but I feel better. And so on. This is your brain on fibromyalgia I struggle with low concentration and intermittent brain fog. I believe
Continue readingwmtc: in which old photos make me think things
I’ve been scanning some old photos — some of Allan and me through the years, others with my siblings at various ages — and have been posting them on Facebook. This experience has led to two insights. The thoughts themselves aren’t new, but this walk on memory lane has recalled
Continue readingwmtc: authors i keep wanting to read but don’t
My book list is extremely long, so long that I don’t call it a reading list or a to-read list, because I will never read even half the books on the List. It’s more like books I would read. A list to narrow down the universe of books to a
Continue readingwmtc: 10 things you can do to fight trump-era nazism
Like all good people, I am horrified by recent developments in the US, and like everyone who has being attention, not surprised. I take hope from the immediate and powerful resistance that has been set in motion. But also at the resistance, I am angry, too. What took you so
Continue readingwmtc: labour day readers’ advisory: books and movies that celebrate labour
I spoke to a customer yesterday who was visiting from Denmark. He described himself as a trade-unionist, and he came to the library, looking for me, to learn about our strike!He also said he had read a book he loved, and was looking for more like it. H…
Continue readingwmtc: we still like lists: recipe for effective activism
What it takes to be an effective activist:1. Hopefulness2. Persistence, perseverance3. Reliability4. Enjoyment of teamwork5. Willingness to take direction from others6. Willingness to make space and time in your life for your cause7. Good listening ski…
Continue readingwmtc: 14 thoughts on watching how i met your mother (first time through so no spoilers please!)
I was watching MASH when Netflix pulled the plug on our VPN. I found a new VPN… but now MASH is gone. One day I hope to finish the end-to-end rewatch. But right then, my comedy-before-bed slot was left hanging. I tried “How I Met Your Mother,” and I …
Continue readingwmtc: 10 ways you can increase member engagement in your union
#7: Hold a logo contest!Trying to increase member engagement in your union? Here are some ideas that work.1. Always make time for your members’ concerns.This is number one through infinity. If you don’t make time for your members’ concerns – if your …
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: things we learn from tv detective and murder mystery shows
If you enjoy detective shows, murder mysteries, and legal dramas, you learn a lot of things that don’t necessarily reflect reality. Here are some things you may learn from these shows. 1. Women are crazy and kill people. I have already blogged about and disproportionate percentage of female murderers on
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: list # 20: top ten reasons we love our favourite cult show or movie
For those who want the question with no context: Do you love a cult show or movie? What movie and why? List at least 10 reasons. (I wish everyone would reply here and not on Facebook, but I know that is a lost cause…) * * * * Further to
Continue readingwmtc: remembrance day: 11 anti-war songs for 11.11
Many artists and bands have recorded anti-war songs, and they’re not always those associated with protest. Here are 11 songs that decry the deceit, corruption, and futility of war.1. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye2. Generals and Majors – Andy Partridge …
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: list # 19: more eponyms, subcategory edition
Eponyms everywhere! Who knew? Our most recent list of eponyms was a smash success. It gave rise to at least three subcategories, as I wrote here: – Inventor/creator/discoverer, not genericized. These are eponyms, but have not entered the vocabulary as a separate noun or descriptor. Example: Alzheimer’s. Compare to pasteurized.
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: list # 18: words that were once people
I really enjoy learning about the origins of words and expressions. (I included this in our last list.) Several words now part of ordinary vocabulary started out as proper names. In 1880, a group of Irish tenant farmers organized a labour ostracism against the agent of an abusive absentee landlord.
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: list # 16: conformity and its discontents
Allan is in the midst of a giant Stephen King reading and writing project, and in honour of that, I’m reading my first ever book by Stephen King. From this post, I was moved to read the novella The Body (which was adapted into the movie “Stand By Me”). Allan’s
Continue readingwmtc: we like lists: list # 15: such stuff as dreams are made on
In a dream, you walk into a room, someplace you have been before. Three people are there: a current celebrity, a historical figure, and someone you associate with your childhood. You ask for something to eat and something to drink. Music is playing in the background. Tell us: 1. What
Continue reading