3 in 1: Back from a Hiatus!

*Usually Sunday is a day of rest. However, this Sunday I am back from a bit of a hiatus. We had a great family Spring Break vacation to Victoria & we were traveling light (no car, no laptop, so no blog posting kind of light!) So today you will get 3 posts in 1! Day Fifteen: Knit Wit We've been thoroughly enjoying Spring Break. Last week we were exploring the new River Market at the New West Quay. It's a great looking space with only a few fun "stores" (ie. Vancouver Circus School, Pedagogy Toys & Bloom Art Studio) by summer it should be lively and hopping with excitement. The art studio specializes in classes for kids, but the owner also has a social conscience. (http://bloomartstudio.ca/a) Kimberly Chiem has decided to start an Occasional Knitter's Circle on Friday nights. She hopes to create a communal quilt that will be donated to a local women's shelter. What a great way to combine a handicraft hobby with concern for the community. Day Sixteen: Government Spending at its Worst! (and millions of goats) So the election has been called. I can think of many things that Canadians would rather be doing on May 2nd than voting in yet another election. When checking out the Elections Canada website I was annoyed to see that their tagline is, "Shape Your World". I doubt that this election will be shaping our world. It will be costing the taxpayers a ridiculous amount of money. In 2008, Elections Canada spent $325 million (this included reimbursable expenses to candidates, producing election material and public awareness campaigns, and paying for the training and salary of election workers). Did I mention this expense is ridiculous? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a democratic society but I think federal elections in 2004, 2006, 2008, and now 2011 is pushing those limits. I can't help but think what that $325 million might be better spent on. A great way to put the electoral spending in perspective is to look at World Vision's "gift" catalogue. (worldvision.ca - sorry no direct link to the gift catalogue) It's amazing to see how far our dollars can go to impact lives. $325 Million could buy: 3,250,000 goats or 6,500,000 hens with 3,250,000 roosters or provide health and nutrition for 197,000,000 children in Ghana or sponsor 9.2 million children for a year! Just something to think about. Day Seventeen: World on Fire
One of my favourite videos of all times had been produced by Sarah Mclachlan. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0O2LMqnHGg) World on Fire points out the excessive amount the the music industry spends and how that money might be better spent. Just another take on spending our $ responsibly. Totally inspiring!