RIP Michael Jackson

I heard the news of MJ's death on Twitter and yet I tried to get confirmation through traditional sources, like CNN.com, which was about 45 minutes behind the original source of TMZ. I trusted twitter for the news of MJ's death and retweeted the information before confirmation. It was true. The same however could not be said for a hoax that circulated about Jeff Goldblum. This was the day when Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer and Michael Jackson succumbed to cardiac arrest...so why wouldn't we believe that Jeff Goldblum had died accidentally in NZ by falling off a cliff? Again...I tried to get confirmation from traditional sources but we already saw how behind the times the traditional media sources can be...and in the world of Social Media (especially Twitter) the conversations are fast and furious and old news is what happened 30 minutes ago. And the rumour spread...like wildfire. I think that it was 15 minutes later that we were spreading word of the hoax but some people were still catching up with the older tweets and the rumour wasn't quashed for an hour or so. Who would do something like that? This was a question that a couple of tweeps asked me. I know it was rhetorical but it made me think; if there are persons out there creating false information then should I ever believe what I read without getting confirmation from traditional sources? I certainly will question things a little more...for now. I did, however, come to the conclusion that, although morbid, the publicity that Jeff Goldblum got yesterday on twitter (he was a trending topic for a bit there) probably didn't do him or his career any harm.

Yes it was a morbid day in the news world/entertainment world (and for that matter this week with the passing of Ed McMahon also). I grew up watching Charlie's Angels (younger people may think that the movies starring Drew Barrymore, etc., were the original) and listening to Michael Jackson. I bought The Jacksons Destiny album when I was 9 or 10 years old at a record store on Sparks Street in Ottawa during a family vacation. I listened to it with my cousin's record player singing along to every song while another cousin ironed in the hallway...I was embarrassed when I found her out there because I was listening to it with headphones...so my voice was acapella!

I think most people agree that Michael Jackson was a great entertainer who revolutionized (or at least started a trend in) videos, dance and (not sure I can forgive him this one) fashion. Oh, he had rough times...was called Wacko Jacko, criticized for his many plastic surgeries and was accused of being a child molester. No wonder the man, who was in the spotlight from the age of 5, became a recluse. He had basicallybeen living under the radar since 2001 but was planning a comeback tour including 50 sold-out performances in London. I can't imagine what that would have done for the London economy. Having been postponed for health reasons the tour was supposed to go on but perhaps the stress of it all was too much for Michael. RIP Michael Jackson, I'll remember the good times but I won't Blame It On The Boogie.

For the Love of Twushi

My first experience with sushi was January 1993. I arrived in New York, NY (without my luggage) and was met by my cousin's husband (I was going to stay with them for 3 months or so). We arrived at the house in Hartsdale and were almost immediately on our way to friends of theirs for dinner….sushi I later found out. (I should mention that my cousin [who has since passed] and her husband with their three young children had recently moved from Japan for a four year posting and their friends were transplanted from Japan for a few years also.) I went with…a little anxious about my luggage arriving and being left on the doorstep while we were gone and about eating raw fish for the first time but I was happy to be welcomed to New York with an introduction to a different culture. And what a welcome it was! I have not seen such a large smorgasbord of sushi since…the entire table was covered with it and as I heeded the warnings to stay away from the sea urchin…I thoroughly enjoyed it…and so it began…my love of sushi! (oh…and my luggage was on the front doorstep when we got back that night!)

When I returned home I didn’t have an opportunity to have sushi. I think Suisha Gardens may have still been open in the Maritime Centre then but my menu choices there were always cooked (chicken or beef teriyaki anyone?). Soon after I moved to Ottawa. I learned not to order fish at all when I was there. (I’m sure that has changed in the last 9 years)

Fast forward to 2008. I’ve been back in Halifax for 8 years and sushi restaurants are popping up everywhere. My birthday is spent with friends for a luncheon of ‘make it yourself’ sushi and I discover my favourite sushi restaurant is Hamachi House on Morris Street. Yumm.

And then came Twitter. It started innocently enough…you sign up, make a few tweets, follow a few tweeps and the next thing you know you are attending meet-ups at sushi restaurants affectionately known as Twushi! (of course on twitter we use a hash tag in front of it.... #twushi) Our first #twushi meet-up was at Minato on Queen Street. Thirteen people (some of whom had never met prior to that night) enjoying each others company and conversation while eating sushi. Mmmm…it was a great night and was to be followed up with another #twushi night at the Hamachi Grill Dartmouth the following month. And again at Sushi Nami Royale on Dresden Row last month (unfortunately I could not attend that one).

But I made it to #twushi last night!! At my favourite restaurant (although I seem to frequent Sushi Nami Royale in Clayton Park more often because of proximity to work and home...went there this after-noon as a matter-of-fact) with people who are strangers no longer. Viva the Hurricane Roll!! Viva my twitter friends!! Life in social media is definitely more than sitting at your computer! There were 15 tweeple at #twushi last night. Two people I had never met on/off line and two I met in person for the first time. It was great! Amazing food, good drink and AWESOME company including @bitdepth, @giftedtypist, @spennell, @aliasgrace and hubby, @iTeedee, @natniles, @jessyo @davemmett @porcelainduck, @nicolacourtney, @BradFraser, @areaeleven and @smistephen (with the notable absence of our organiser @DarrinSearancke).

I'm already looking forward to the next #twushi where I will vie for the title of #twasabi Champion...I think I shall practice increasing my tolerance of wasabi now....the others won't stand a chance!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day….sorry the weather is so bad. Rainy, windy and not so warm for the first day of summer. I imagine many golf plans were cancelled but Dad’s everywhere are probably enjoying a nice meal prepared by their kids…(some are enjoying it more than others, I’m sure …hehe).

I called my dad at 9am to wish him a good day. I haven’t lived at ‘home’ for 21 years so I can’t even remember the last time I cooked him a Father’s Day meal. If it counts, I recently visited my parents for a weekend to celebrate his birthday and cooked breakfast (eggs Benedict) my first morning there (although I think my mother enjoyed it more!). Mmm…eggs benedict…think I’ll cook some today…seeing as how the weather is dictating an ‘indoor day’ today!

Thinking back, I can’t recall a Father’s Day (or a Mother’s Day for that matter) that sticks out more than another. Did my dad go golfing on that day?? Probably. I’m pretty sure we didn’t do much as a family which is a shame. My mother once said (when I asked why there wasn’t a ‘Kid’s Day’) that everyday is ‘Kid’s Day’ so we didn’t need one. Hmmpf…I wasn’t buying that. I thought then…and still think now…that Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are days to be spent with the children. Making memories that parents and children alike will remember fondly. Do you something special as a family on that day…create a tradition…or do something different each year so it is even more memorable? It’s a tough call but whatever you do, enjoy it with your children…they won’t be home forever.

Re: Free Parking for Motorcycles & Scooters

RE: FREE Parking for Motorcycles and Scooters in Halifax

(a recent article on CBCNS)

I don’t mind that Motorcycles and scooters are to have access to free parking spots for up to 90 minutes in Halifax but it’s hard to see these spots which can accommodate up to 3 motorcycles open when it seems that ½ the metered parking downtown has been taken away for outdoor patios! (and yes…these vehicles are more environmentally friendly considering the amount of fuel they use but could we also have the city/province legislate that these motorcycles have mufflers? I can get a ticket for having a hole in my car’s muffler but motorcycles contribute to noise pollution every day…but I digress…this is about parking after all)

Recently I parked in the MetroPark off Granville to attend the Grand Opening of the HubHalifax on Barrington. It was a Friday after-noon…a nice day outside. I spent 5-6 hours downtown….big mistake…it cost $16 to get out of the parkade. I could have parked on the waterfront all day for less than that! Maybe I would have parked outside the downtown core and taken the bus to downtown but I was running late and it’s hard to find a place on a convenient bus route that isn’t limited to 2 hour parking.(I can’t even visit family in the South End without having trouble finding a spot that isn’t limited to 1-2 hours.) Even FRED, the free bus shuttle downtown doesn’t start until July 4th and isn’t frequent enough to make it worthwhile. The city wants to encourage drivers to stay OUT of the downtown core…make it easier for us to do so. We CAN park outside the downtown core (for free), but offer day passes for unlimited travel on metro transit and put a bus route from these parking areas that is more direct to the downtown core. You can get passes for the day (or for so many trips) in New York and London…make it easier and thus more environmentally friendly to do so here in Halifax. We are the little city that wants to be big…we need to start somewhere!!