Or so she claimed. I found out later that the five was completely real. And if she really believed it to be fake, by law, isn’t she suppose to keep it so it can be turned into the police?

The bill was torn a little with tape over it. I’m thinking she simply just did not want it because of that reason alone.

I’m stumped, really. As I suppose I’ll never know if she was telling the truth.

Man… all this trouble. And all i wanted was my morning java.

Having said that… bundle up. Especially the little ones as it will still be on the winter-chilly side.

Honestly, I’m extremely glad we have the TTC - it does make toting back and fro to the downtown district much easier.

However, coincidentally, I read an article by the Toronto Star regarding what it is like, these days, to commute via the TTC and being pregnant.

I was simply angry to learn how many people do not give up their seat when they see a pregnant woman. Even one that is near her due date and looks to be bursting at the seams. The article basically said that some pregnant women even have to race to find a seat.

Then again, I”m not completely surprised. When I was pregant a couple of years of go, I almost got knocked down the stairs by people behind me that were obviously frustrated and pissed off that they were stuck behind a waddling pregnant woman.

I was 7-8 months pregnant. Waddling and being slower is natural. It’s what pregnancy does to a woman’s body. After all, we are not only carrying a baby in us, but everything that goes with it… think about it. On average, we carry an extra 25 lbs. 7-8 lbs would be from the baby, but there is the placenta, the extra blood units, the fluids… and the natural increase of body fat.

All this, around our mid-area… our centre of gravity has completely changed.

It does, however, seem that more women are understanding of others that are pregnant. I suppose because either they’ve been through it themselves or they know one day they may very well be such a position. And it’s scary… all of the sudden, one’s natural ability to find one’s balance is thrown off. There are aches and pains in areas where we never even knew existed. And we truly feel like we are bursting at the seams.

I haven’t been a daily TTC commuter for awhile before this recent week. The last time I took it religiously was ten years ago while I was still a university student. And back then, it always seemed that any pregnant woman, senior, or those using a cane/crutches, would surely get a seat. I know I was always quick to offer my seat anytime I saw some one who needed it more.

I’m pretty disgusted that things have gone downhill in regards to general politeness and manners in the public.

And to the man who rudely almost knocked me down the stairs when I was pregnant, hopefully he’s reading this right now. As he should be ashamed for being such a jackass.

However, I’m interested in other people’s Valentine dining adverntures.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of this day. I always find it a tad odd trying to have a romantic dinner with a bunch of other couples doing the same thing. It’s the one day I’d rather cook a fantastic meal and open a great bottle of wine. However, I must admit the Cosmo menu for Valentines sounds mighty tempting…

http://www.mirvish.com/Lord/

Last I checked, I felt the prices were a bit over the top for me. Aside from the very back two/three rows that is. So if you are interested, be prepared to pay $94.00 to $125.00 for mid to high range tickets.

I admit, for the first time in a loooong time, I almost bailed. After a tiring day and my constant back and forth decision of who I was going to vote for, I actually sat there in the living room contemplating whether or not I wanted to even bother.

But my husband reminded me, “It’s only a minute away and the process won’t take long at all.”

“Okay,” was my only reply. I suppose it was more the thought of dragging a toddler with us… and the fact that she may only find it exciting if she is able to run from booth to booth, yelling ‘peek-a-boo! to whoever was behind it, voting.

He was right though. It didn’t take long at all as we were there at the end of the day and hardly anyone was there. Or… was that not a good sign? Was that a sign that yet again, we have a small percentage of Canadians voting? Oh dear…

After each election, I always feel a sense of accomplishment. I suppose because after talking to friends who just came from China not longer then a year or so ago, they asked to accompany us just so they can see what it’s all about.

I warned them, “Really? Well, sure but it’s not very exciting.”

But you see, to them it was. Because from a communist country, they don’t really get to vote. Well, there’s an election… with one out-come, really. So as my friend put it, it’s sort of a ‘pretend’ election.

We’re damn lucky. To live in such a country where we have the privilege to vote.

Another thing I noticed… those that were volunteering there… all different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. A sign of how Canada embraces multi-culturalism.

Oh Canada… you kick ass.

I’m amazed with the warm weather lately. And maybe a little sad because while I can’t complain about the lack of snow storms this year, I’m sort of wanting it to stay a little more like winter. We do have pretty winters. Having said that, I’m curious… what will our summer be like? Mild as well?

The election is coming up and I don’t know who to vote for this time. Usually, I have stronger feelings to one party but this time, I’m truely feeling like I’m voting for the lesser of two evils. If I can even figure which party that might be. I am usually a Liberal supporter but this time? I just don’t know.

For myself, I didn’t even know it existed until I went there for a wedding recently (and there’s your freebie hint).

I completely forgot to post about the concert for Sleeping Children Around The World and the date has already come and gone.

And I’m a double-dolt for the fact that I had forgotten to bring my camera.

The fund-raising concert, filled with beautiful music ranging from jazz vocal, jazz piano, choirs, steel drums bands to name just few, was held in the St. James Cathedral at Church and King. The inside of the church is just so beautiful. It’s really a very nice way to get into the festive mood.

Not to mention it helps raise money for bedkits to be delivered to children of third world countries who spend most of their nights sleeping on a hard (and sometimes cold) floor. The profit made goes directly to the cause - 100%! As all those involved in the organization are purely volunteers.

Definitely something to keep in mind for next year as they will be schedule for December 2nd, 2006.

And hopefully, I’ll remember to post a reminder BEFORE the concert. :)

Today’s drive home was quite the adventure. Who needs sky diving when one can get their thrill driving through a heavy snow fall?

One frustration I had… I was at the traffic lights and just as it’s about to turn green, I hear sirens. I turn my radio down just a tad to make sure it wasn’t from the radio itself, and then realize I was correct. In my side mirror, I could see the flashing lights of a firetrck in the distance.

The traffic lights turned green but I sat there, knowing that going into the intersection might very well black the firetruck who would need ANY space it could get. Especially on a day like today.

However, the car behind felt the need to honk at me, expecting me to listen to him instead of doing what was right.

I turned on my emergency signal and just sat there, not exactly sure if he was just clueless and not paying attention to the sirens or just a jerk that didn’t care.

Regardless of the weather, I think it’s still important to yield to any sirens. It could be a medical call. And perhaps the one on the receiving end is some one you know.

There’s no rush.

See it as a compassionate and good deed.