With the five-week campaign wrapping up, everyone was relieved, if tense. The media was speculating about an upset or at least a minority — the Liberals in free-fall under a new leader. Nobody saw it coming. Just a couple of months earlier, the Liberals seemed untouchable. Then Brian Mulroney won 204 seats, the largest Progressive Conservative majority in Canadian history. The Liberals were reduced to 40. It was September 4, 1984. That night I was pumping gas at MacLean’s grocery in Winsloe, PEI. MacLean’s was a family-owned, one-cashier spot next to the Lion’s Club on Highway 2. We lived across the road and bought all our groceries there. So did…

Please contact me if you feel good/inspired/hopeful about Monday’s federal election. I would like to understand you. You’re probably in the minority. But minorities rule here. Consider the fact that the Liberals have governed Canada for 11 years with just over 40% of the popular vote. More people voted against them than for them. And if you factor into the equation the fact that only 60% of the electorate voted last time, 40% of that is an even smaller cheering section. No wonder we no longer see the big hockey arenas packed with the placard-waving public. And who votes? It seems that young people have given up (only 18% of…

Still no baby. Anticipation is quickly turning to anxiety as “two weeks overdue” approaches this week. Today we have an ultrasound scheduled, to check on the baby’s condition and to assess things like the amount of amniotic fluid. The results of the ultrasound will determine the next course of action — whether to induce labour, or continue to wait! The prospect of going to the hospital for a diagnostic ultrasound makes me want to hurl. It’s too horribly familiar (after 20+ such tests that preceeded Jasper’s birth at 4 months premature). Suzy is also tense, though stoic. I’m angry. Stress and anxiety related to birth is miserable, and I’m resisting…

Baby Update Check out the Simon Eye for a picture each day. Simon’s First Web Album. Renovation 2004 OK, OK, here are the kitchen photos. Click on a small pic to see a larger version. Aware Today’s the first day of summer. We’re half-way to 2005, which is half-way to 2010. I’m still getting used to this decade; it still needs a name. “The Ohs?” I read somewhere last week that DNA starts to break down at age 35, age spots appear, bifocals follow. That explains the faint brown blotch on my right hand, but I’m actually seeing better than ever lately. It’s only this spring that I noticed that…

I fell asleep at the breastfeeding appointment today, with Simon also asleep on my lap. I have faint memories of Suzy and lactation consultant Lana squeezing the areole (too tired to look up the correct spelling), of a nylon “kit breast” into the mouth of Armand, the afro-haired cabbage patch kid newborn. The heat was up in the consultant’s office, a south facing room in a suburban house, and the door was shut to keep out the poodle. When I woke up I noticed a dusty Christmas snow globe on the window sill and a sticker asking fire fighters to please, please save the poodle and the rabbit. Bunny was…

Can’t get this song out of my head Does anyone remember this music? I never imagined I’d be singing it to my wife to distract her from screaming labour pain… The Simon Eye NEW: Daily pics are back! The cam site page needs to be customized, but for now it just does what it needs to … show a picture! A big thanks to Elizabeth in TO for being the Simon Eye tester! Simon Tenzin Fraser Hickox was born Tuesday, June 15 at 3:38 p.m. Ottawa time. His arrival was greatly anticipated and nearly two weeks late. He is a big guy, weighing in at a whopping 9 lb 7…

One of these days there will be a birth announcement here. Sooner rather than later, hopefully. Suzy is now a week overdue and we’re starting to think this little bundle is never coming out. Last week was full of nervous anticipation. This week we are kinda bored. But there is exciting news! I’ve discovered that Mini Wheats cereal is now available in brown sugar coating, not just white. Oh, and the Green Party is now polling at 7% nationally.

So we have a choice this month between the old familiar Liberals, and the “New” Conservatives. Oh, yeah, and the Decades-old New Democrats. Is it any wonder why people are tuning out? Wouldn’t it be interesting to hear some new ideas? The Green Party has 6% support in the polls and candidates in all 308 ridings. They have a credible national platform, and offer a balanced and middle-of-the-spectrum approach. If you are surprised to hear this, it’s because The Media Doesn’t Want You To Know. This week, a consortium of executives from the main TV networks has decided that the Green Party should not have a place in the upcoming…