The Sparks Lady

You play hockey, football or soccer. But you are  a dancer. After 4 years at an arts high school where I majored in dance, and a certificate program from college, this unique art form was a major part in my growing up. Am I pursuing it as a career after all of that time? I wish I could, but no. I know I could have tried, and there was a part of me that wanted to. On the other hand, realistically it would have been a struggle I don't think I was prepared to fight through. This is not because I'm not passionate about dance. If anything, because I am too passionate. I was afraid of trying to make it work as a career, and becoming bitter towards dance if I couldn't make it work out. And sure I was a late bloomer to the dancing world, so not as strong in technique as some, but I trained enough to hold my own. But my connection to dance goes beyond the technicality of it. When I dance I stop feeling and express feeling all at the same time. When I'm happy, I dance, whe...

What a farce I think this is. Don't get me wrong, I think more women should be in trades. In fact, I am going back to school in January to get involved in the trades myself (electrical, in case you are wondering). But am I taking a specialty "Women in Trades" program?  No.  These programs are for women only, and seem to touch on most of the constructions trades and skills: electrical, framing, plumbing, tiling, dry walling, etc.  This should really be called the "Home-Reno" program, or the "Jack-of-All-Trades-Master-of-None" program, or even the "Didn't-Learn-Enough-to-Get-an-Apprenticeship" program, (yes they probably help) but... I'm sure you get my drift.  Realistically, being able to try a little bit of everything is not a bad plan. Especially, if you want to do a trade, but aren't sure which one is the best fit for you. But why does this need to separated into a women-only program? (I'm sure there are men out ther...

Or so I felt the need to point out, especially in light of the Ford Nation Fiasco. But let me back track for a moment. Even when I moved to North Vancouver 4 years ago, I took the same stance. I am not from Toronto, and even though it's the more commonly known city, I felt the need to educate other Canadians that there is more to Southern Ontario than the Concrete Jungle. I am from Mississauga, an entirely different city, it's own mayor, bus transit system, school and police services. We are not a suburb of Toronto (see: Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York). The only significant thing we share is a border between the neighboring cities.  When on a bus tour in my recent travels to Boston, I learned that Cambridge, Massachusetts is in the same position with regards to being mistaken for being a part of Boston. They, like Mississauga, are a city all their own. Not that Boston is a city I wouldn't want to associate with, but they are separate. Coming from...