Well, he wasn't actually WAITING for the bus.
Just as I realised I missed my connecting bus, a Liberal Party van pulls up. "Hmmmm, maybe they can drive me work!" -I thought. Low and behold, Jon Gerrard, ( who is currently running for provincial premier) got out of the Van and was joined by three sign waivers carrying brochures,... first thing he did was walk straight up to me (the only person at the bus stop then) and shook my hand - "Good Morning, Jon Gerrard". I asked him to change the weather in Manitoba and improve the transit system,...hmmm, we'll see.
I don't think I will ever vote Liberal in my life time (although I think Chretien is doing a good job), but it was a neat suprise,... you never know what can happen when you miss your bus. He is a very bouncy and energetic man as he waived to drivers-by. - Elections are on June 3rd.

"Craig's List" is a great example of a well organized, simple, transparent, and honest website. I just read an article from the National Post,... couldn't find it on the net but here is the link to Craig's List: www.craigslist.com. The article boasted how its popularity grew by word of mouth and not marketing. Its simple layout and the fact that its free and lacks commercialism is the real seller. Check it out its got everything! Although, its mostly based in the US, it seems to be spreading to Canada and the UK. (I used it to look for cheap furniture, when I lived in Boston.)

Microsoft Tries Flush Away Its iLoo Snafu

hee, hee,... "iLoo",...iLoo?? like seriously! Perhaps we could put our time toward some REAL accessibility issues?

What is your health goal for the month?
hmmm, get off my tush and back into shape! Gain vitality, flexibility, energy,...lose some weight, firm up and DRINK MORE WATER!!



- Why did you choose this goal?

Although, its really unlike me,.. I haven't excersized regularily since a couple months before the Youth Employment Summit. Being buisy with that threw me off! Then I came back to cold Winnipeg and became a winter hermit!

Now, my brother is getting married in June and I want to look especially radiant for the pics! (I am already a month into my challenge and I have actually been pretty consistant with my level of activity and eating habits - so Kudos for me!)

- What actions/choices/sacrifices will you make to achieve this goal?

Jogging every second day. Weights when I am watching TV. More veggies and quit the chips and dip habit!!


- Any message to other members who are participating in the Health Challenge?

I KNOW how much better I feel when I am active, as opposed to a couch potato or an internet freak,... shutdown the comp and get outside! Its Summer! (for some of us anyway :))

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2685335


This article in Reuters mentions that girls (women) are no less interested in technology than boys (men), however, they are finding that technology courses are marketed more towards men – hence the real reason for the gender gap. I have wanted to write something on gender and technology for sometime now. I took electronics as a three-year vocation in high school. Back then, I was destined for a career in Electronic Engineering or Computer Programming/Analyst and I was even specifically pegged to be a project manager for a local public utility company. My teachers had high hopes for me in electronics. I was the only female in the class AND I had really high marks. After I graduated, I even enrolled in the DeVry Institute of Technology.

But, as you know, I chose international development as a career path. Why not electronics? Just when it came to pay tuition. I said nope!

The male-dominated environment turned me away from it. While in electronics, I faced sexual harassment. I was marginalized, singled out from the rest of the class. And I probably marginalized myself, rather than to have to deal with rude comments, noises, and typical teenage male humor. My teachers (who were all male) acted differently around me than just with the guys alone. (Being the first female in the program, I don’t think they knew how to deal with me,…looking back.) And even though, I “told on” the sexual harassers and even though, I had a confident “I can do anything boys can do” attitude, and although I really enjoyed electronics, I still consciously chose NOT to pursue a career in electronics. I did not want to have to deal with working in a male dominated field.

In international development there are still these issues deal with. I can deal with gender issues, in relation to poverty especially. However, I cannot deal with having to defend myself (or feel like I have to) to group of men, every day for 8or more hours for my entire career. It’s too personal and very tiring, especially considering I didn’t have a passion for creating “things” for the private sector.

So where am I now? It has been 8 years since I graduated. I am not really convinced that the men in trades have warmed up to women in the office. Many are just scared of doing something that will get them into trouble. They still don’t get it. (I use “they” very generally here. My apologies.)

The Good News: We are getting there. For at least three years following my enrollment, a female signed up for electronics! The male teachers/tradesmen are very welcoming of female students and are learning about gender challenges as they go. Most men are sensitive to this. It’s the odd “rotten egg” that just ruins it.

For the record, I would do it all over again. I may even decide to go back to a career in technology,….if I am not already??