relay for life

Jeff and I went to see Sum Of All Fears last night at the Paramount, and both liked it more than we expected despite Ben Affleck not being as good a Jack Ryan as Harrison Ford.

I'm pleased to report that the bureaucratic loose ends in my life are gradually being tied up. I have a meeting this morning with my accountant to sign some papers re: my numbered account filing, papers that another lawyer had erroneously told me didn't need to be filed. I also recently received an apology letter from the Tax Services Department admitting that they were wrong about my owing them a late GST election filing penalty fee. Apparently they had marked down a U.S. cheque as being in Canadian funds even though they cashed it as U.S. They apologized for the inconvenience. It would have been nice if they had offered to pay my tax lawyer's fees to straighten out the mess, too.

None of the above were part of my audit, by the way; that remains a separate thorn in my side. I'm still waiting to hear more about that. Apparently they're focussing on the sale of Inkspot right now. I just want it to be finally over with.





Allison, Jodi and I are performing at Relay For Life tonight! Yesterday the entertainment coordinator e-mailed to ask for some bio info as well as whether any of us had been affected by cancer in our lives.

The latter question made me realize how much we had been affected. I've lost three family members to cancer (my mother, aunt, and grandmother...all non-smokers). Jodi's father was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago but survived, and her aunt is being treated for cancer. My friend Christine Miller recently was declared cancer-free after a bout of treatments; she and Andy Beaton are throwing a party next weekend in celebration. Jodi, Allison and I all know friends who are being or have been affected by cancer or the threat of cancer.

Because of the prevalence of cancer in our family, Ruth and I both know we're at a somewhat higher risk that others. Other than going to physicals and trying to stay healthy, I don't fret about it too much; what's the point? But I did ask my doctor what I could do to reduce the risk. Since I'm already a non-smoker, she said the best thing I could do was to avoid contact with second-hand smoke. Easier said than done, though, what with corporate types doing their panic-puff breaks outside buildings during office hours in our neighbourhood.

I hate cancer with a passion I can't begin to describe. I've seen what it can do to people, both the victims and the ones left behind.

Which is why I'm particularly happy to be involved in helping out with the Relay For Life. Somehow, I think my mom would have been pleased, too.





Looks like Luisa and Reid and Ronnie might be at the event tonight! Yay, that means at least some people will actually be listening to us! Allison, Jodi and I expect that most people will be milling around, talking, watching the relay itself, but we're also hoping that some will be intrigued enough by our somewhat off-the-beaten-track (i.e. geeky) repertoire to listen. :-)

Here's our final playlist (which may be tweaked depending on how the timing goes):

Cuz He's A Guy - with some new guy lines
This Island Earth - Nylons song
Alien Jellyfish - song by Chris Conway
Marvin - ode to Marvin the Martian
Library Boy - was a birthday present for Rand
I'm A Believer - Monkees!
Friendship Song
Technonerdboy
Another Story
70s Song
I Want To Believe
Neurotic Love Song - I make a fool of myself
Twinkle In His Eye
Viewmaster - by Rand Bellavia and Adam English
Hockey Monkey Song - by James Kochalka


Here's the full schedule that I received in e-mail yesterday:

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE 2002
TORONTO REGION
BIRCHMOUNT STADIUM, SCARBOROUGH (JUNE 7ñ8, 2002)

ON STAGE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Friday, June 7

5:30ñ6:30 p.m.	14 Carrots Sold Band
6:45 p.m.	Warm Up Exercise
7:00 p.m.	Opening Ceremony Note of Welcome Ms. Ayesha Khan & Ms. Laurie Dubrovac Event Co-chairs, Relay For Life 2002, Toronto Region National Anthem Introduce and Thank Sponsors and VIPS Mr. Bill Barley President, Canadian Cancer Society Toronto Region Remarks by: The Bay, Scotiabank Group, Rogers Television, Toronto Community News "Say A Prayer Against Cancer" Performed by Ms. Salome Bey Note of Thanks Ms. Sylvia Leonard Associate Director, Regional Operations Canadian Cancer Society Ontario Division
7:30 p.m.	Cancer Survivorís Victory Lap Remarks by Honourable Dan Newman, MPP "Survival" by the Moody Blues, played by14 Carrots Sold Reading of Survivorsí names by Mr. Ken Kostic
7:40-8:15 p.m.	Lucky Fool Band
8:20-8:40 p.m.	HIP HOP Dance Group
8:45-9:30 p.m.	Urban Tapestry Band
9:30-10:00 p.m.	Songs by Ms. Salome Bey
10:00 p.m.	Luminary Ceremony Remarks By Mr. Bobby Baun, NHL Alumni "Amazing Grace" The Red Hackle Pipes and Drums "Stone By Stone" By Mr. Harry Lewis
10:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.	Beautiful 2000 Band
11:00 p.m.	Music & Karaoke with DJ

I'm taking a bus to Port Elgin tomorrow morning to hang out with Craig and other friends for the weekend; Jeff is driving up with Parki tonight.

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Today's Blatherpics:

	My niece Annie.
	I saw this in a pet store recently and thought it way too bizarre. Are ferrets really that common a pet?!
	I mentioned in a recent Blathering that I tried glassblowing at Marcon. Steve Scherer showed me how to create a little glass mouse. You can see his mouse at the top of this photo, and my mouse on the bottom. Mine looks a bit bloated and beaten, but I adore him just the same. His name is Tobermory.