ciroccoj | Beavers and Mario's and Blogs, oh my!

Still getting my head around the inurnment thing. But a lot of other stuff happened this weekend that I can write about.

Beavers: The Beavers sleepover was so much of why I wanted to have kids. Kids get so incredibly happy over the simplest things, like silly jokes or songs, or the adventure of sleeping inside a museum, right next to the satellite displays. And the joy they give off is so contagious. For a while there I actually felt sorry for childfree people (which I normally don't) because they miss out on this kind of thing. Of course, my pity was neatly balanced out by my envy of childfree people because they don't have to wake up at 5:45 to experience this kind of joy ;)

I also had to smile at Scouts Canada's tolerance towards girls, gays and the godless. First off, there were about 3 girls among the 120+ Beavers present. Then there was a Beaver leader who, if he wasn't gay, sure should've been. Think Jack on Will & Grace, only not so butch. Then there was the station on reflection, which began with "This is a time to thank your Beaver leaders, your parents, your fellow Beavers, the Museum, and if you believe in a God, you can thank him too." This was followed it up with mostly prayer with a few poems and songs thrown in, but at least it wasn't forced at anybody.
Pastry Quest: There are no pastry shops in Eastern Ottawa. Whaddup? I went looking for some with Justin yesterday, and finally ended up going into an Eastside Mario's and ordering cake instead.

I also ended up sending hate vibes towards one table. Young couple with two little girls (ages 2-3 or so) who were running all over the goddamn restaurant, shrieking that piercing small child shriek that can set dogs howling two blocks away. And the parents did absolutely nothing! Granted, the restaurant wasn't crowded, and they weren't grabbing anybody's food, but PLEASE!! We weren't in the restaurant to listen to that kind of racket. And the waiters kept almost tripping over them. Finally one of them told the parents they were going to get stepped on if they kept running aruond, and the parents lassoed them in and put them in the high chairs.

Damn. I know kids are hard to handle in restaurants, and I don't expect them to have perfect etiquette. But if your child is that out of control, either leave the restaurant or take them for a walk outside while you're waiting for your food. I kept hearing in my head the L&O quote "Just some parents I'd like to slap some sense into."
Blogs Across the Internet: On a quirky note, here's some bloggy joy to pass on, the first from Sarah, and the second and third from bear. Warning: the links 2&3 are not safe for office viewing!!