Monday, October 2, 2017

Not Normal

Since moving to the USA (Colorado, actually) in late December of 2014, I have most certainly not been vocal with my opinions, probably due to the fact that I choose to live here and I cannot vote. We are lucky to live in a beautiful place surrounded by the front range of the rockies and among a progressive group of thinkers, filled with craft breweries and farm to table restaurants and organic grocery stores in abundance - even with all of this, my dinner conversation with these two lads pictured below stopped my fairytale dialogue.


The day began with a message from a bestie (nickname Mom #2) reporting on a crew celebrating a year of turning 40 and they all headed from Northern Ontario to Vegas, "We are all safe." Fuck, this is not normal.

The evening continued at the dinner table, discussing the details (with the dudes) and explaining it was exactly where their father was a few weeks ago, and the collective reaction was matter of fact, which did not help my attempt to wrap my head around the situation.  This is not the first one, nor the last - I recall very vividly the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 (not a shooting, but an event that should create heightened awareness)  and later writing an article for The Drive Magazine detailing the execution of Timothy McVeigh in June of 2001 - today brought me back to that (and the many others:  Orlando, Sandy Hook and close to my new home, the Aurora CO movie theatre shooting).  

During Clinton's era the Assault Weapon Ban became  law in 1994 (until it's expiration in 2005), those ban years saw a decrease in mass shootings; only 16 from 1995 to 2004, unlike the spike in 2005 to 2012 (27 incidents - source Mother Jones).  This is not normal, assault weapons are not necessary for general society.  I felt more comfortable in Paris this summer with military slinging their semi-automatics across their shoulders.  

We need a new normal - peace and love, vagi 


Thursday, May 4, 2017

It's Been Awhile

My dear readers, I have been ignoring you, and I apologize.  Thoughts and words are continuously swirling around in my head and I haven't been giving them the time and consideration they deserve.  I learned some valuable lessons back in late January and didn't share them with you.  Now I will.
Triple Threat Trio 
I had the pleasure of these two great women (far left and middle) come and visit me at my "new" residence in Boulder County, Colorado.  My itinerary was drafted in full detail - a shared google doc that filled every minute of their precious three day visit from the Great White North (Canada).  This picture was from day one - a sunny spot after a fairly boozy lunch - delightful.  

Day two involved yoga, afternoon boutique perusing, Happy Hour with all the great ladies I know and then more bad decisions and adventure.  Day two didn't move beyond yoga - after a private session at a friend's home and some bubbly on my sunny back patio - it was time to get ourselves together and my husband arrived home (not feeling well).  The "monkey in the middle" is a nurse, took his vitals and my brunette "sister" took him to the closest E.R.  I picked up kids, contacted the restaurant and sent out a mass message that all was cancelled.  

I learned that I have an amazing support network - offers to take boys, feed everyone, bring me food to hospital and more...it was humbling and heartwarming.  I also learned that you cannot plan everything - life decides what you will do.  So while my "Triple Threat Trio" google doc still exists in my drive, it is a reminder of being present, taking a breath and letting things take care of themselves. I struggle with that concept - but  I am trying.  I did learn how thankful I am for the strong and loving women I have surrounded myself with, and I learned that sometimes you just need to sit beside your partner, hold their hand and tell them it will all be ok.

Stay present, be loving and learn from each other, xoxo Vagi.