Launch of Planted: Stories From Manitoba’s Natural World

It’s been a while since I’ve been here. But I’m here to tell you a bit about what I’ve been up to.

For the past year, I’ve been planning, researching, and writing a creative non-fiction book called Planted: Stories From Manitoba’s Natural World. And now, I can finally share it with you.

I’m having a launch on March 2 at McNally Robinson Grant Park at 7 p.m. There’s going to be a seed swap, I’ll read a passage from the book, and Laura Reeves and John Morgan will be on a panel discussion about Manitoba plants and fungi.

Some light reading

I visited Chicago at the start of May (check out #CreCommChiTown on Instagram) with school. I was the least prepared I’ve ever been for a trip. I’ve travelled a bit in the past — with family, with my dance group — and I’ve mostly been a follower. But I still try and learn a bit about the city before I go, so I know what I’m in for.

Well, that was not the case for Chicago. Between school and dance and work, I didn’t get the chance to research. But I still had a good time, thanks to instructors and classmates who made plans for me and, of course, thanks to accidental discoveries.

Physics and fouettés

I’ve been a Ukrainian dancer for 18 years. To me, one of the most challenging things is turning, especially when in an ensemble where you all have to look identical. Your face has to be the front at the same time as the person beside you. Your foot has to be to the side (and turned out!) at the same time as the person beside you. Your right pinky has to be in the same position as the person beside you.

Not only are you thinking about perfect placement, you’re spinning round and round and round. You’re trying not to fall over. And of course, you’re smiling.

Naomi Klein: This changes everything

On Friday, I joined 1,000 others at Knox United Church for An Evening with Naomi Klein.

Naomi Klein is a Canadian journalist who is touring in support of her latest book, This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate.

I want to be a science journalist

When I tell people I’m majoring in journalism, the next thing I say is, “But I don’t necessarily want to be a journalist.”

Wait. I don’t?

World Water Day

People need 50 litres of clean water per day for hygiene and consumption, according to the United Nations. Many people in developing nations like sub-Saharan Africa get less than 20 litres per day.

That’s equivalent to about two toilet flushes.

Theatre review: Reservations

I first heard of the German philosopher Martin Heidegger in Deirdre Dore’s short story “The Wise Baby.” Themes in the story revolved around Heidegger’s writing, which I understand very little. I’ll get to learning more one day.

Well, that day was not Tuesday, when I saw Steven Ratzlaff’s play Reservations, presented by Theatre Projects Manitoba. It was two stories in one — Pete’s Reserve in the first hour and Standing Reserve, which mentions Heidegger, in the second.

Both stories were connected by indigenous issues: land entitlement and Child and Family Services (CFS).

How to see in the dark

You walk from outside to in, or turn off the lights for the night. And all you see is darkness until — oh wait, what’s that? You start to see vague outlines, and then — ahhh, finally! Your eyes adjust and you can see colours and objects, or if you’re in pitch black, you start to see shapes you can navigate around.

Science podcasts

Here’s a little bit of personal math for everyone:

Books > podcasts > film documentaries > movies > TV shows

I like podcasts almost as much as I like books — and I really like books.

Feel the burn

…though I wish you didn’t.

Heartburn. It gets the best of us.