Ok... I'm officially sad now. Ratzinger??!?!?! Ratzinger?!?!

Setting aside the way in which Popes are chosen (which is an important issue in itself), I can't think of a cardinal more associated with the conservative elements of the Catholic church. There are so many amazing Latin Americans coming out of the tradition of liberation theology - siding with the poor and the marginalized - and they picked the one guy who seems to want to close all doors to dialogue.

I think Andrew Sullivan says it best, "It's a full-scale attack on the reformist wing of the church. The swiftness of the decision and the polarizing nature of this selection foretell a coming civil war within Catholicism. The space for dissidence, previously tiny, is now extinct."

Back to the exile.

It's interesting to see that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is continuing a trend to limiting the number of countries it will work with in the future. It's been a hard struggle to reorient in the last few years, but CIDA finally realized that it has limited resources and that it was easier to show contribution to development impacts if it didn't spread itself too thinly.

Africa clearly comes out on top - particularly francophone Africa. Expect to see more Canadian funding and experts popping up there. And if you're Canadian and interested in working in CIDA, best to make sure your French is strong...

OK... time for my yearly anti-car rant. The last one feels like such a long long time ago...

I hate cars!!!!

Yesterday, my friend Sheldon McLeod was one of 3 cyclists (of a group of 7) that was ploughed into by a driver who was falling asleep at the wheel. This all occured on an open stretch of rural highway where the driver had another lane to go around them - if he'd been paying attention. Sheldon is in his late-50s and one of the NICEST human beings on the face of the planet (in addition to being a top-notch environmental mediator). He was thrown completely off his bike and was rushed to a hospital in Winnipeg. He's undergoing surgery for a broken arm and leg today. Thankfully, he wasn't killed. But, I do suspect he'll have to undergo a lot of rehab... and cancel his plans for a 12-day canoe trip in June he was very excited about.

If you have to drive - STAY AWAKE!!!!! If you're tired, GET OFF THE ROAD!!! Endangering your life and other's just isn't worth it.

The Youth Internship Coordinator will work directly with Project Manager for the internship program supporting activities within this program area. This position is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Specifically for the internship project, the following tasks will be performed:
* Assist with logistics (including flight arrangements, health insurance, etc) and in the development of training materials and course outline for orientation and debriefing.
* Assist with marketing and recruitment for YCLSF and CYL Programs
* Respond to potential candidates with information as requested.
* Assist with pre-selection of candidates and arrange the interview schedule in coordination with the project manager.
* Update alumni contact information in a data base and on website
* Format and edit funding proposals, research documents, presentations, narrative reports and correspondence using Microsoft Office products.
* Track intern correspondence
* Update YCLSF website as needed.
* Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and information about applying are available online at http://www.iisd.org/about/employment.asp. Closing Date: April 22, 2005

I just had it confirmed that the doctors pretty much want to hospitalize me from week 28 (May 25) until the end of the pregnancy. We're trying to work it out so that I'm at least at the hospital where Linda works so she can visit me off and on throughout the day. But, I fear I will still go stir crazy. Particularly since it turns out that the hospitals don't have Internet access for patients.

So... my question is... what the heck do I do for 8-10 weeks in a hospital with no Internet access?????? The Internet has pretty much been my life for 10 years and I have no clue how one lives offline. Particularly in an institutional setting where I can't go for long walks and/or putter in our garden over the summer. Looking for thoughts, suggestions and ideas.