We've got a bit of catching up to do. For those interested in hearing about my basement renovation I can report I've done next to nothing. But in the meantime as a delicious distraction I bought an ice cream maker. It is superb, the ideal tool to help supersize me.  Mrs. p2p didn't believe me when I told her I thought I'd purchased a rice cooker and vegetable steamer. "There must have been a mistake!" But she did believe that the device couldn't be returned after being used.

My mother was quite excited to be honoured at the University of Toronto. In 1945 she was the unable to attend her own graduation ceremony because she had enlisted in the RCAF. Mom said she'd protest if the speaker mentioned a bright future for the grads. War vets get their convocation - 60 years later

"I think this is an additional opportunity for us to pay tribute to this group of people for what they do for the country. It's very important to the university. This group of graduates, they're incredibly important to us," said Rivi Frankle, the interim vice-president of university advancement.

The idea for a special ceremony came after Ms. Frankle had approached Mr. Heffernan in November for a donation to refurbish Convocation Hall. He told her that he hadn't even stepped into the building.

With the president's blessing and to mark the 100th anniversary of the building, Ms. Frankle arranged the special convocation ceremony.

At the reception we were able to speak to former Premier of Ontario David Peterson (Liberal), Susan Eng, (progressive Toronto politician, former Chair of the Police Services Board), TVO and CBC political commentator Dr. Janice Stein (Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies, and my favourite, Professor Kirk Wipper. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the founder of the Canadian Canoe Museum, a passionate environmentalist, (even before the word was invented) an advocate of indigenous people, and progressive thinker. He's always been an inspiration to me.

On the weekend we attended some alumni events. We wished we were less formally dressed because there was a great drum festival being held in Queen's Park. I wanted to skip the alumni dinner. This sounded like a whole lot more fun.

Muhtadi Drum Festival It wasn't our first time at the drum festival. About 5 years ago the heiress was enchanted by the drums we heard as we crossed the street, near the Royal Ontario Museum. We went to investigate. She was about 6 years old and as we walked by an African drum vendor she tapped the top of a drum. "Little girl!" The vendor was speaking to her and she froze, thinking she was in trouble with the big man. "Little girl, you want to learn some beats?" Ok! He showed her how to make different sounds by tapping her fingers, using her palm heel, and moving around the surface of the drum. Then they played a bit. One, one - two, One, one - two, One... It was a call to all those who had brought their own drums, bells and whistles. In no time at a circle had formed. About twenty drummers fell into rhythm. Some swayed, some danced.  Spontaneous music. Joyous celebration. Instant party. Impromptu concert. A crowd gathered to watch. Even the statue of King George, astride his horse, seemed to move. (Hot sun? Rum punch? Who knows?)

To these parents it felt like our little girl had started the whole thing. How naïve! At the end of about 20 minutes the group finished. The first man to sit down beside our daughter gave me his card. I didn't recognize him then but I now know that Rick Shadrach Lazar is one of Canada's most honoured percussionists and artistic director of Samba Squad.
Urban Mozaik

By Janet "Slamdog" McClelland

Samba Squad Rules!
... It didn't take long before word spread and more people started to join in. The band was named; and the philosophy of "One Heart, One Mind, One Groove" was adopted as our philosophy, which now dons our promotional t-shirts. But we also became a community. The joy that we felt playing Rick's arrangements was contagious, especially to Rick himself. He was thrilled and fed off our energy. On the street, friendly strangers holler at off-duty Samba Squad members, "Samba Squad rules!" The reason why we were able to turn so many people on was due to the intense energy of the band, but it was also because of the variety of the rhythms we played. Samba, was joined with Samba Reggae, Soca Samba, Samba Funk, Dancehall and Afro Samba, which further broadened the scope of interest in the band. Recently Rick has introduced more Brazilian rhythms like Afoxe and Maracatu, as well as West African rhythms like Gahu, Donba and Sabar into the mix...

Now that we've had a break let's get back into the rhythm and start mixing it up. For goodness sake be careful. Don't get distracted crossing the street. We don't want anyone else to become the hood ornament on a Peterbilt.

Here's to TNA, Ben Carpenter, WW2 war vets, Samba Squad, and good hearted people everywhere. May all your wild rides end happily. Cheers!