like we do every Fri. evening. Our conversations cover every thing from the mundane to the spititual. Tonight was a paricularly spiritual conversation. You might be suprised to know that we even spoke of some of you.
During the course of the conversation she suggested I write down my experiences. Many of which she wasn't there for. Partly to help me figure out my path in this life and partly as a legacy to my kids.
I left home for the first time at the age of 12. I was only one month into my 12th year and was offered an opportuntity that changed me forever.
I won't ask at this point if you want to hear it, I am just going to start.
My Grandfather had married a woman who was and might still be for all I know very big in the ballet world (she should be if not dead than damn close to it by now). I was asked if I wanted to go with them to spend a summer in North Carolina, Greensboro to be exact.
Initially there was no mention what so ever of me being expected to take classes. It was to be a holiday for me.I wanted to go as scary as it was to leave home and venture into the unknown.
My flight to say the least was interesting. I was well under age and therefore had escorts. I left Toronto and landed in NYC. Don't ask me which airport, I don't remember. What I do rememeber is being escorted off of an Eastern airlines flight and walking forever with the flight attendant that was my "guardian" for that leg of the trip. She escorted me to American Airlines, they were expecting me. They took me into a back room of the airport were there was a birthday celebration for one of the pilots. I remember being so intimidated by all of these super confident people in uniform, they couldn't convince me to eat any of the treats.
At this point in writing it crosses my mind you might be waiting for a sexual experience. Don't hold your breath. They were all wonderfull and when we finally landed in Greensboro they weren't ready to let me go even though I had identified my grandfather who was waiting to pick me up. He had to prove he was my grandfather before they would release me.
The next day it got interesting.
I was TOLD I would be taking classes, my grandparents had no time for me they were far too busy.
And so began my journey into the world of ballet.
I think I need to continue this for me, not you.
It is time I let go of it all.
For better or worse I am taking you with me.
If nothing else you will learn not just a little but a lot about me.
Dunno why I feel the need to spew now, blame my Mom.
ju

Schools are still open but the buses are cancelled. We are expecting 30cms (12" of snow with the possibility of freezing rain and ice pellets. I decided to give the kids the day off however I still have to go out in it. Gotta have beer and food for the weekend Don't worry I will be walking not driving.
I just LOVE a good storm.
Wishing I had my handsome man to cuddle with,
ju

Lego, 50 years old and still going strong.
There are an estimated 372 billion pieces of lego in this world. That is 62 pieces for each person on the planet. I know I have stepped on my share and vacuumed up even more.
Did you build anything today?
ju

We have to keep ourselves amused during the long winter months. I saw this on the news tonight and thought how cool!

[url]http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=eae_1187536658[/url]

No way on earth would you catch me doing that but it does look like a hell of alot of fun.
Wondering if this is the next olympic sport,
ju

Teenages!!
My daughter just took a shower. Now I'm sitting here waiting for the kettle to boil so I have some hot water to do dishes.
Wondering what it's going to be like when I have 2 teens in the house,
ju

is my word of the day.
I will see how it goes.
Don't expect much from me in the way of blogs for the next few weeks.
Looking both ways,
ju

million or so? The lottery gods haven't been smiling on me and I have a plan.
ju

I buy them, well almost never. When I do I have to put one on a piece of bread, stick it under the broiler till the top "skin" puffs up and gets slightly burnt. Leaving the inside all melty.
When you take a bite you get an ever so slight crispness and then ooey, gooey, stick to your teeth inside.
When I was a kid we used to call this delicacy "cheese dreams"
I still can't resist them now and then.
Sucking the ooey, gooey off of my teeth,
ju

VVBG did an excellent blog, reasons to be cautious when meeting people online. I agree 100% with all she said however I would like to point out the flip side, a different way to get to know people.
Chat, some like it some hate it but as a way to get to know people, it is like a group date, the kind of thing your parents are sort of ok with when you are a young teen. Safety in numbers.
You aren't directly interacting with anyone individual, you get to see and get a feel for many. Some you will click with right away, some not so much. You are in control, you can watch and listen, accept or reject.
After a time you really SEE personalities, IF you are paying attention at all. There are going to be times when you thought you were ok and then find out that all is not as it seems. I have been there done that, nuff said.
You are still in a fairly safe environment, you are part of the "pack" the rules of the site are still in effect so you have a certain amount of protection.
At some point if I feel comfortable enough then I may want to move on to IMs, a more intimate exchange. Some people add willy nilly, some are very cautious. I choose to NOT add people I do not consider friends. It saves a ton of time deleting and blocking the ones that you just don't mesh with.
By the time I have decided to add you I am comfortable enough to reveal a little more about myself. With some people this can take years, with others there is just that instant "click"
Perhaps the difference with me is I am NOT looking for sex or a long term relationship. I have however been open to making new friends. I have met to date 12 NNers and cannot say I have had a bad experience at all. In several cases I have made what I consider to be REAL friends. There are many more I have spoken to on the phone and have exchanged snail mail with and one day I hope to meet them too.
With this blog I hope to introduce a balance. There are real people behind those keyboards and just like in the real world some you will get on with, some you won't.
Be cautious, trust your instincts, know there is bad out there among the good.
Trust your instincts, stay safe but be a little open to new people. You just never know where you will find your new best friend.
ju

I got a newsletter home from school today and they are seeking volunteers for a "walking bus" I just had to know more about it and my google search turned up,

[url]http://www.walkingbus.com/index.htm[/url]

What a great way for kids to get some excersise and some independance at an early age while staying safe.
Someone was thinking and I'm impressed!
ju