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I really wanted to write something tonight that wasn't overly opinionated, so I started thinking about things that happened today.

1) Tiny snowstorm, so the whole gosh darn town closed down. Mel Lastman, where are you?

2) Leona got health. Uh, wow. I'm glad I didn't place any bets on that one, because I already lost $25 in the territorial election.

3) Food from the Snack. Like, why? I always regret it afterward.

4) I wrote many stories, at least one of which I really didn't want to write.

5) Liquor order! Please planes, fly!

6) Uh. Stuff I can't blog about.

I'll just leave it alone for today and come back tomorrow.

xoxo

Love and peace, y'all

I've been doing a bit of reading lately about the campaign against Prop 8 in California. I almost can't believe it's even a question, until I remember who the president is in those parts and it all becomes clearer.

It's peculiar and fascinating that humans still feel the need to attack one another on the basis of these vile, bigoted and ignorant beliefs. Luckily, I live in Canada, so I can marry whoever I want and make any decisions I want concerning my reproductive rights. (Unless I live in New Brunswick, where it might be difficult and costly, but I'll probably write more on that later.)

I've also been looking back at the stands our current and former political leaders have taken on issues such as this. In 2003, a scary-scant five years ago, the bigwigs of this territory stood up and explained that they did not support same sex marriages because, among other reasons, there were no homosexual Inuit. (I'm just repeating what was reported and recorded.)

The premier, also the minister of justice, said the territory would refuse to support gay marriages until compelled to do so by the federal government and Supreme Court.

The members did, however, agree they would recognize marriages conducted outside of the territory, making NU one of the first to do so in Canada.

The federal Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2005, meaning the dickheads who did oppose it had to accept it anyway.

Also noted that in 2004, Tagak Curley re-entered politics on a platform to oppose language in the human rights act that recognized same sex marriage.

I write this to add to the posts by my fellow bloggers, KOTN and Jackie, outlining his 10-point plan to a better government. Because, you know, the fact that he ran on a fundamentalist Christian wave in the last election is pretty important too. Especially if he wants to be premier.

ADDED INFO:

For my southern readers I might need to explain that we have a consensus-style government. This means no party politics, everyone runs as an independent. The election is over, but the speaker, premier and cabinet will be chosen in an upcoming leadership forum.

RIP

I note Frank magazine has announced it is folding. Kinda sad, although apparently the separately-owned Atlantic Frank is still operating.

There was a time when I thought that if I ever made it into the pages of the satirical zine, well, that would have meant I was a real VIP. Now if I was a smart rat, I'd just note the industry trends. Then I'd rush my way off this sinking paper ship altogether.

Wrecked

I filed an hour ago, came home, played sad songs on my guitar.

I'm tired.

I will bring up only one point about the election tonight: only one of 15 MLAs elected is a woman.

"Strange Old Man in my Living Room"

Hangover + GarageBand + snowstorm = the latest single from the Kate Nova Koping Strategy!

Introducing "Strange Old Man in my Living Room," with pleasure, because I never knew he lived in my PowerBook until this very afternoon.

Ahahaha.

The restorative power of soup

Tonight was the first night I've been home early and alone in a long time. The house smells like cumin, vanilla and fresh laundry, the floors are clean, and I'm curled up barefoot in a cotton dress and warm corner.

Some pretty insane things have been happening in my personal and professional lives, and I'd neglected the homestead because of it. Cleaning, cooking and a glass of wine therefore fit the bill for a blissful night ce soir.

Making soup has got to be one of the most grounding activities I ever perform. In my kitchen I connect in culinary prayer with a long line of women making soup. Standing there smashing garlic and stirring lentils, I feel my battered soul begin to heal.

The eating of said soup is pretty ancillary. In fact, after munching on bread, blue cheese and almonds all night, I have appetite only for a tiny bowl. It was tasty.

In soup-making, as in yoga, intention is more important than the complete execution of the asana.

Broken telephone

For those in the South who have been complaining about my home phone being "broken," well, it really did break. A man came and fixed it Friday. One hour, a bit of fiddling and presto, dial tone.

"The liberal media conspiracy"

KOTN hosted an early numbers-gawking event on three screens and a computer monitor in his APTN "war room."

Because my lovely friend Val has been waiting for my reaction to last night's election, I will draw her attention to my facial expression in topmost photo.

Nunavut broke down roughly this way: C - 35 per cent, L - 29 per cent, NDP - 28 per cent, and G... well, better luck next time.

The Conservative candidate won with 2,806 votes. Only a whopping 49 per cent voted here anyway.

The NDP candidate has been making a fuss about how difficult it was for people to vote with the new ID requirements, and blames that for the low turnout.

FYI, even without proper photo ID, you could have used two of these ALMOST SIXTY OPTIONS to vote:

Identity cards:
Health Card
Social Insurance Number Card
Birth Certificate
Driver’s Licence
Canadian Passport
Certificate of Indian Status
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Citizenship Card
Credit/Debit Card with elector name
Canadian Forces Identity Card
Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card
Employee Card issued by employer
Old Age Security Identification Card
Public Transportation Card
Student ID Card
Library Card
Liquor Identification Card
Canadian Blood Services/Héma-Québec Card
Hospital Card
Fishing Licence
Wildlife Identification Card
Hunting Licence
Firearm Acquisition Card/Firearm Possession Card
Outdoors Card and Licences
Provincial/Territorial Identification Card
Local Community Service Centre Card (CLSC)
Original documents (containing name and address):
Credit Card Statement
Bank Statement
Utility Bill (residential telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas or water)
Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authority of an Indian band or reserve
Local Property Tax Assessment
School, College or University Report Card or Transcript
Residential Lease, Residential Mortgage Statement or Agreement
Canada Child Tax Benefit Statement
Income Tax Assessment Notice
Insurance Policy
Government Cheque or Government Cheque Stub with elector name
Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions/Quebec Pension Plan Statement of Participation
Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4AP)
Statement of Benefits from provincial workplace safety or insurance board
Statement of Direct Deposit for provincial works or provincial disability support program
Vehicle Ownership
Vehicle Insurance
Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authorities (shelters, soup kitchens, student/senior residences, long-term care facilities)
Letter from public curator

I know many disagree with me, and I stress that this is my PERSONAL OPINION, but I feel as though if you can't get it together to either:

a) get some of this ID, or
b) ask someone for help in getting some of this ID...

...maybe you don't really want to vote.

Someone will now probably accuse me of being discriminatory, paranoid or "not understanding the North." Accuse forth. I've heard it all and maintain, but won't debate you. And besides, it could be worse. In Starship Troopers you have to serve in the military for two years to be eligible to vote.

But I digress. At least it wasn't a majority overall. And I have some final advice for the losing parties:

Libs, the name is GERARD KENNEDY, and he lives in PARKDALE-HIGH PARK.

Jack, I didn't like the MuchMusic fashion statement.

And Lizzie... um, make sure the cheques don't bounce and campaign staff clean up their puke in small town hotel rooms.

Saving ourselves

I don't know how I missed this story this week. Mail Goggles is a service to prevent drunk-mailing on the weekend.

Like, so brillz.

I've been pretty good about the drunk-mailing in the last few years, and the fact that I no longer have a cell phone has saved me from much morning-after angst. But, you know, just in case. (Like I might get back from the Legion tonight and want to send hate-mail to a certain left-leaning redhead in the south.)

I do see one flaw with this service, however. Once it kicks in, it requires you to answer math-type questions to send the email.

Even when I'm stone-cold sober I can't do math.

:(

Girlz making maki

My doppelganger is cooler than me

There's something I need to discuss which has been weighing on me for quite some time.

There is another Kate Nova out there, and I suspect she is cooler than me.

I discovered her a few months ago. She is some kind of electronica musician from Belarus. Here is her website, although it is a language I can't understand.

Translated into English (courtesy of Google), I discovered her real name is Catherine Kotenova, and she likes "Acid, Acid Jazz, House, Progressive House, Progressive Trance, Tech House, Trance."

She wears cool clothes, and has friends named DJ Sasha Funny, DJ Rash and DJ Misha TranceSister. They leave comments like, "I liked it, really pleased with ears, waiting for new releases," although I expect it is more eloquent in the original language.

She also has a blog, on which this is posted:

"И ловит жалкие взгляды пьяных от дыма людей
Мелодия сердца звучит и пахнет забытой постелью
Но все же он чувствует запах небесно росы
Саксофон напряженно выводит мелодию"

Which Google translates to mean:

"Saxophonist plays on the stage bardelya
And catches pitiful drunk views of the people smoke
Melody of heart sounds and smells neglected bed
Yet he feels the smell of celestial dew"

I wonder how she feels about sharing her name with some weirdo in Canada.

Too bad Katie, mine's been around a long time too. Yeehaw.

Kate Nova votes early

Everyone is so chill

- Ring -

KN: Ullakkut, N/N.
Lady: Ublakkut, KN?
KN: Ii.
Lady: You know your interview with L at 2 p.m.? Well, he can't make it on the phone.
KN: Okay, when is a better time?
Lady: Well, there's some whales today. He has to go hunting. Maybe tomorrow?
KN: Okay, tomorrow. Nakurmiik.
Lady: 'Bye.

Click.

Breakup Makeup Blues

SING ALONG!

Well, it's sad what a girl will believe in
Just to get through another day
Just to wake back up in the morning
And while those long winter nights away

But as sure as the dogs bark down by the river
As sure as the sun once hung up there in the sky, oh my
I'm not gonna make it through this winter
Without my old man standing by

He was as sweet as the berries on the tundra
When he smiled, well, the weather went away
But though I sung him up in a hundred songs
My old man he walked away

As sure as the dogs are barking by the river
As sure as the sun once hung up in the sky, oh my
I'm not gonna make it through this winter
Without my sweet old man standing by

It was a trick of the light, so he told me
When I caught him stepping out the other night
But though the rain and snow, they be blinding I know
Something in his tale it just ain't right

As sure as the sun clung onto the barrens
As sure as the dogs sing on down below, oh no
I'm not gonna make it through this winter
Without my old man standing by
I'm not gonna make it through this winter
Without my old man standing by

Campaigning

First territorial election campaigner (one of only two) arrived at the door today. It was our most recent premier.

PO: "So, will I have your vote?"

KN: "You know I have to be impartial. I am a reporter."

PO: "I know. Well, I'll give you all kinds of interesting stories and news."

KN: "You have definitely been entertaining."

Sometimes my mouth moves way faster than my brain.