Day 113: Ottawa Fringes

Back in 2004, Rob, baby James and I enjoyed a brief sojourn in North America  - our itinerary included Chicago, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. The trip involved conferencing, researching and part reconnoitring around Vancouver before we headed back there for a semester in 2005. In Ottawa, Jill Vickers hosted me at Carleton (Day 37) where I gave a seminar about the 'unholy alliance' that had developed at the UN between the US and their strong evangelical Christian lobbyists, hardline Islamic states and the Vatican to block developments in women's rights. In my assessment, and to my despair, the effectiveness of this informal coalition seems to have only strengthened over the past decade to the extent that there was a debate just two years ago -led or supported by these players - about whether violence against women should even be considered a human rights abuse. The constant struggle over these issues is more critical than ever, and exhausting!

Ottawa pre-purchase 2004

Along with my Chicago Elipses (Day 79) I purchased these silver fringes in Ottawa as a souvenir of this trip. I rarely wear such long earrings these days (I've also stopped wearing red!), but remember being attracted by their swing. Amazingly, I've got a photo of me with James in the Ottawa restaurant we were at when I ran across the road to buy them. And I also have an image of an early outing, in front of a restaurant where we were meeting a colleague from Simon Fraser University, set in beautiful Stanley Park in Vancouver.

Stanley Park Vancouver 2004

I had no particular reason for wearing this pair today but while Rob was playing "guess where these come from?" this afternoon (he got it after a few clues), he remembered a few stand out events from that trip. First, in Ottawa when I was away working he and James visited the National Gallery of Canada where James took a particular liking with his sticky fingers to a famed Picasso - the guards were not amused! Second, when we were in Toronto we caught up with my gorgeous cousin Benny Crogan, Suzie and Pete's (Day 55) son who was living there at the time. We had a lovely brunch with him while James slept. Benny's the go to man for anyone wanting to know about wine, from all over the world, and the best places to eat in Brisbane, where he now resides.

Brunching with BJ Toronto 2004

Day 113 has been a busy one in our house. We all woke early to prepare for the arrival of the air-conditioning installers. We finally succumbed after another oppressive summer, with a commitment that the next installation must be solar power so we're not further adding to the climate change that makes the air-con essential in the first place. I was feeling very average - bad mouth issues,  ongoing stabbing, and an increasing sore throat - I guess I should expect to lose my voice again soon. Aside from one adventure, I spent the day with in bed with my computer on my lap working through a number of work issues. I'm so grateful for how accommodating and patient everyone at work is, including today Laura S, Andy D, Andrea B and Sarah W.

The adventure consisted of Robbie and I excitedly making a foray to our new Woolworths, just around the corner and right next to Dan Murphy's - our life has changed and improved for ever (and has been diminished to this!). Apparently, according to neighbour Katie we missed the opening with Jamie Oliver last weekend. I bought some pink grapefruit cordial - why hadn't I thought of it before. It is hands down the most divine tasting thing on the planet - for tonight at least.