The vision of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. All humans should realize the impact of astronomy and basic sciences on our daily lives, and understand better how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.

There are few things as old fashioned and traditional as a wedding. Even though couples add their own touches with poetry, sky diving and Halloween themes, a wedding is still something self indulgent which we do to celebrate a life change. It isn’t actually necessary, only signing the paperwork for the government is really necessary. But having a wedding is important to people and families. Mine was important to me.

Something new I’ve been hearing about is a green, environmentally thoughtful, wedding. I like the idea. When I planned my own wedding the environment was on my mind. I read about bird seed versus rice or flower petals. Which do you think has the least impact on the environment? It’s complicated. The birdseed might seem the best option but, it causes wild grass and such to grow in the area it is tossed. That will cause the use of more lawn chemicals. I forget why rice wasn’t a good option. Flower petals weren’t favoured either. In the end the article I was reading suggested the best alternative were soap bubbles. Though, I’m sure there is an argument against them too. How safe is soap after all? How important are the small things like throwing rice and wedding favours?

If you look there are services offering green weddings and advice for keeping all the parts of your wedding ecologically polite/ sound. I found one which lets you used recycled gold to create your own wedding bands. I found another which offers to arrange the whole ceremony for you. But, there is more than the day itself to consider. It’s adding a lot to the bride’s to-do list. You might consider how important it is to be environmentally good one day which is already stress packed, instead you could put more effort into every day and give yourself a break on the one day you set aside to get married.

I’m adding this quote cause it’s just so sweet! It came from a furniture site.

“I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, A church filled with family and friends. I asked what kind of wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife.”

– Author Unknown

Valentines Day is approaching. Your lover does not want a new coffee machine, even if he or she really does need one. Some people (mainly men it seems) get into a flap about February 14th, saying it’s too much pressure. Other people (mainly women) get sad around this time of the year. They say they are just tired of being alone and ignored. Someone really needs to put these men and women together.

Men think they are being shafted cause they have to come up with some brilliant and romantic gift/ event/ date. It’s really not that tough. If she is one of those women who really does expect too much maybe you’re just dating the wrong kind of woman. Consider some other single woman. Don’t take this the wrong way but what about looking closer to you, single sisters, widowed Mothers. Instead of pleasing the unpleasable woman in your love life give a few thoughts and a bit of chocolate, maybe even a pretty card to the women in your family.

Women… now don’t look at me like that. I am of the same species. I would love a romantic Valentines Day too. But, have you really lost your mind? Are you expecting him to just ‘know’ what you want? If there is something you really want make it simple and leave him a note with exact instructions about colour, size, etc. Men like having a shopping list rather than feeling hung out to dry.

On the other side of that are the single women who wish they had the prospect of a romantic day. Get over it lovely lady. Create your own day. So what if you are alone? Make it a day for yourself. Plan ahead and decide what you really would like to be doing today. How about treating yourself to a weekend at a Bed & Breakfast? How about buying a bag full of delightful smelling stuff from The Body Shop topped off with a bag of your favourite coffee beans from The Second Cup. Treat yourself the way you want to be treated. Have no shame in being alone. If you weren’t alone you’d have to share the bed, the remote control and clean up once he’s done in the bathroom. There are good things about having a selfish Valentines Day all to yourself. If you really must have company invite over a crowd of grrls and make a sleepover out of it. Have fun.

What else would you call the anniversary of your wedding once you have been divorced? If Alice in Wonderland can have an UnBirthday, I can have an UnWedding Anniversary. So today I did. I was married on December 14th, some year or other. It was a snowy day in a small Illinois town.

Today was another December 14th, not a flake of snow to be found in a large Canadian city. Being in a city has it’s perks on a day like today. I had a bus pass in my pocket, a map in my purse and the city at my feet - for as long as I cared to keep moving. I began by doing what I had done years ago: a long hot shower, some time to pamper myself and a little breakfast. I decided not to shave my legs or wear my wedding attire because this is my day and I’m not out to impress anyone.

There were so many things I thought about doing: a luxurious lunch out, a movie, a trip to the museum, even a bit of retail therapy, but I’m on a tight budget and didn’t want to be out too late and come home in the cold and dark. So I had a fancy coffee, bought chocolates and a lottery ticket. On the way home I gave a homeless woman a donation. I thought about buying myself things I don’t really need. But, I was happy having a day out and feeling kind of pampered and pretty. It was a good hair day and just enough wind to enjoy the sport of hair flipping. Maybe next year I’ll have more adventures.

I’m late again this year. This was going to be the year I started NaNoWriMo on time and actually finished my 50,000 words by the end of November. Instead I’m still in the final stages of moving jetlag. Not that I had a jet, that would have been nice, a whole moving crew too.

Here I am nearly a week after the start of November and I have not even begun. So much for my great plan to be part of it all this year. I don’t really like to put it off till next year, again. I did that last year after a slow, late start. Is anyone else joined up and trying?