A Rare Glimpse Into the Reclusive Life of Author, Little Two Two

The Price of Genius
An interesting fact I came across was that over seventy percent of the people in the Hall of Fame are Aquarians (of some sort or another), yet on the other hand a substantially high percentage of those confined in mental institutions are also aquarians (of some sort or another).

The price of genius I think.

This day in history

Brainyhistory website lists events for February 5th from the years 816 right up to 2011 and they show nothing for 1975.

The historyorb website for the year 1975, skips February 5th entirely.

Todayinhistory website lists only two famous birthdays for February 5th, 1975 that being two Dutch soccer players ... who?, I know, right.

This is proof that my birth was the single most spectacular thing that happened on February 5th 1975 in, at the very least, North America and a good chance worldwide.

Not bad for a early arriving kickin' little 6 pounder.

Gardening

I am an urban dweller, my garden consists of pots on the balcony, filled with vegetables mostly and some herbs. I find it healing, refreshing and incredibly soothing to be wrist deep in dirt surrounded by baby plants that were seeds but weeks ago.

I grow habenero peppers, small tomatos, lettuce, carrots and a huge variety of herbs including summer savoury, basil, chives and mint. This summer I want to include cucumbers, replace lettuce with kale and grow green onions and garlic. I see a future lens.

Documentaries

I am a huge fan of documentaries. While I do not often enjoy a hollywood movie with all its special effects and big name actors, I do love most anything in a documentary form and preferable to be educational, at least for me.

Almost all documentaries are enjoyable to watch whether its spectacular landscapes like Wild Russia, mesmerizing animal lives even the clash of animal and human as in Grizzley Man or something so clearly painful human suffering such as Marwencol ... but some documentaries move you to action, inspire you with simple ideas and profound people such as Biblioburro: the Library Donkey, did for me.

Genealogy

Maybe I just like to snoop and know details for peoples lives from the extra ordinary to the mundane day to day, but genealogy was a activity I picked up out of curiosity and came to love. It was a affair that has lasted for the last 17 years and it is no where near complete.

Fishing and camping

Splash! was the only clue they had that a particularly rambunctious child has gone head over heels into the side walled fishing hole. I was 5 years old wearing two knitted sweaters and a pocketful of pretty rocks, sinking like a rock. My younger sisters shocked stare told the adults exactly what fishing hole I went tumbling into. I was unceremoniously hauled out, grasping a fighting trout with both hands as I hung like a wet rat from my dads hold on my sweaters.

That was the start of my love affair with fish and water, rather falling into the water.

Science Center

Even as a child I enjoyed learning activities and the Science Center, now that I am grown, is just as entertaining as it was when I was kid.

The Toronto Zoo

Many a summer day my mom toss 20 bucks at my sister and I and we would disappear pronto for the entire day, and we would spend it at the zoo. Taking a different path each visit.

St. Lawrence Market

Don't be fooled by the use of the word Market, the St.Lawrence Market is a world unto its own. Ranked among the top 25 markets in the world, it is old and has a rich history, not to mention a tonne of variety and choices in food, drink and more.

Nathan Phillips Square

Is a lively public gathering place located immediately in front of Toronto City Hall. In summer it is sometimes the location of a concert, in winter it is transformed to a public skating rink ... Free.

Royal Ontario Museum

Right in the heart of downtown Toronto is a museum of world culture and natural history. I always loved going to the ROM, as it is called, seeing things I never would have had a chance to see.

Centreville island

With nothing more than a ten or fifteen minute ferry ride from the heart of Toronto is a great escape to a nearby island amusement park.

Casa Loma

Torontos landmark famous castle that is complete with 98 rooms, secret passageways and estate gardens. A piece of Canadian history that must be seen or experienced.

This is an incredibly small list of things to do. I do not do them daily ... chuckles. Depending on the season there are ice festivals, ethnic celebrations such as taste of the Danforth, Caribana, CN Tower, Canada's Wonderland, Exhibition Place, Air Show events and so much more.

Advocacy

Whether advocating for animals, disabled people, elderly, young, poor, street people, the environment, immigrants, drug users or even just for a change I believe in, I thrive off of being able to help and defend those who are unable to do so themselves.

I find advocacy empowering. It's a positive gateway to improving yourself and leads to improved confidence, self respect and a sense of control.

Literacy

Having the ability to open a book and escape for even only 15 minutes, is absolutely priceless in todays age. The benefits reaped from such a simple exercise such as reading is not only far reaching but numerous.

Having seen what it means when someone learns to read, that joy of finding a form of freedom long denied them, sealed a life long love and support for books, literacy, knowledge and education.

My Pets

I have had animals in my life since I was but a baby. My parents almost always had a dog and or a cat. Once I came along, their animal caregiving experience extended to basically any animal within my clutches at any given time, their squirming was not to get away, they followed me home dontcha know, it was excitement!. I have had squirrels, skunks, turtles, frogs, groundhogs, field mice, snakes and a few birds. Those are on top of the 'it-followed-me-home" variety of pets like dogs, cats and hamsters.

At the moment I have 9 budgies, 1 cat, 2 turtles and a load of fishes. My partner has already declared the next animal I bring home gets to stay and I have to leave.

I originally came for the promised riches that were just waiting to be plucked with ease from their vines ... I found the vines plucked bare and I now stay for the love and challenge of writing.

This entire lensography never would have been born had it not been for Rocket Squids. They sent me an invite to join and while I may be a tiny squid in a sea of big squids, it's wise to do as the big squids do, if I want to be a big squid one day. I couldn't turn down the offer to be mentored and taught age old secrets of squidoo from the successful brilliance that they all are.

It's actually but a day or two away from having to 'show' our creations that I only am now starting. But as a hero of mine states last minute panic is the fuel that sparks creativity. That hero by the way, is Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes.

Squidoo is where I choose to write and put time and effort into for many reasons. I can't speak of financial ones, I haven't earned a penny ... but I am new and not here for just money anymore. Squidoo has a community that I think many if not all the other writing platforms lack. It is not the forums or the university that I speak of, which are great, but the community and the actual people who write and use squidoo. They are helpful, supportive and offer advice freely, even when you did not ask for it or even realized you needed it.

I genuinely hope to write articles that make you laugh, cry, curse or jump up and move to action. Writing is not only a chance at earning some income, its an outlet I have recently discovered and am exploring thoroughly.

You can expect the unexpected anything from me. I write what I feel passionate about or have experience with, sometimes a topic captures my interest and I happily share it. Below is a sampling of my writings as you can see, I am all over the map.