Cool diversion - Cornel West on Craig Ferguson

When I get a chance to watch late night TV, I rarely seek out Letterman or Leno anymore. Not when I could be watching Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show on CBS.  I'm rarely disappointed and almost always entertained, even if it's just the band at the end of the show (it's here that I first saw Paolo Nutini, my favourite singing Scot).

It isn't always gold; he gets the popular stars of the day promoting their new movies (and some of his sketches are too silly even for me). But he also pulls in a broad range of people that make a significant contribution to life, either through writing, activism, science, the arts or journalism. And what is rare about his interview style, for me at least, is the respect he shows his guests. He asks real questions and, shockingly, really listens.

This week there was gold, at least for me, and so for this week's cool diversion, I'm going to feature an NPR article and 5 minute clip from his interview with Dr. Cornel West in honour of Black History Month. It is a powerful example of something I think we see too rarely on TV, thoughtful conversation with a goal, not to sell things but to engage minds.

So, check out the listings occasionally to see who he is interviewing that week. If it's someone that looks interesting, I bet it's a great interview.

I'll warn you - the clip contains some salty language and discussion, albeit brief, of a sexual nature. It's late night TV after all. So, not suitable for most worksites or kidlets.

Cool diversion

I used to be quite a reader. I love books. But when I was going through cancer treatment, I just could not focus on a book. The thought of reading was exhausting. So I turned instead to my other guilty pleasure - the Internet.

In the interest of sharing the love, and on the off chance I might help someone going through a difficult time, I'm going to start featuring my cool diversion of the week. The focus will not be cancer, though health and wellness will probably pop up a lot. I will also be mining the web for sources of humour, good news and, well, things that are just plain cool.

First up: urban explorer Steve Duncan. Cinematographer Andrew Wonder followed Steve Duncan as he showed off his guilty pleasure, exploring the underground of famous cities. In this film, he takes Wonder on a tour of the hidden underground world of New York City. Now, I am claustrophobic so some of the footage makes me queasy, but you will be amazed at what they show you. Even better is watching the enthusiasm Duncan has for this world - that kind of passion is a beautiful thing to see. Here's another link to the video at YouTube.

Final bit of advice: I first heard about this team on an NPR Story of the Day podcast. In this podcast, Duncan and Wonder lead an NPR reporter on a mini-tour, and this is another fascinating trip. My advice: if you like to listen to the radio but find yourself missing your favourite shows, most of them are available as podcasts. To find out more go to iTunes or directly to the podcast area of NPR's website.

Another reason why I love the Internet

...and spend way too much time on it.

DIY outdoor chalkboards from Amy Karol at Angry Chicken.

You've Got to Be Freaking Kidding Me

or How I Learned to Put Down the Malbec and Pick Up the Green Tea

In a few days, I will post about some of the risk factors for breast cancer. One of them is moderate alcohol consumption. Not heavy consumption, moderate. Really?! Really. And, for most women, moderate consumption is considered to be one alcoholic beverage a day. If you are someone that enjoys a glass of wine with dinner (and if you are a red wine drinker you have probably been patting yourself on the back for all those lovely heart health benefits you've been swigging back) now you need to enjoy it less often.

So when you do get to enjoy it, make sure you really enjoy it. :-) That means, do your research. In addition to talking to family and friends to get advice (Hi Mom, Christi, Jim, Judy, and Shaun!), I've also started looking at an on-line resource - Snooth.

From their website:
Snooth doesn't sell wine. Instead, we offer users an engaging and unique shopping experience that lets them interact with wineries, merchants, fellow wine lovers, and wine professionals from all over the globe. When users are ready to make a purchase, they can compare prices and shop from over 10,000 wine merchants worldwide as well as review the wine and their buying experience to help others in the future.
Since its launch in June 2007 Snooth has quickly become the world's largest and most comprehensive online wine destination, featuring millions of reviews and hundreds of thousands of wines.

I don't buy wine via Snooth, but I have been reading the articles and reviews. I have researched past wines I have loved, and not loved, and learned about new ones to look for the next time I'm out for dinner or at the liquor store. It's a fun diversion and, if you like wine, you will find lots of great, current information from experts and amateurs.

So, I highly recommend doing your research and making sure you are getting good value for your dollar. And, now that you have freed up all that time you normally spend selecting, opening and decanting your wine, could I suggest you pop the kettle on for tea?

Cheers!

Cool diversion

Some days it can be hard to be inside my head with "the cancer." On those days, I look for a way to get outside of my brain. Here are a few sites I turn to to help me think about better things.

Kiva - Kiva connects people who want to help with people who need help - in the form of microloans. As of November, 2009, Kiva has facilitated loans totalling more than $100 million. Kiva makes it so easy to connect your desire to help with someone in actual need. See how it works here.

Color Me Katie - Katie Sokoler is a freelance photographer and street artist in Brooklyn. The joy she injects into life around her makes me want to be a more creative and spontaneous person.

Nienie - Stephanie Nielson and her husband survived a plane crash, but the road to recovery is long and challenging. Her blog covers every step on that road, with much humour and grace.

make something - crafty list of things to do Karyn owns the Toronto shop the workroom where you can take classes, sew by the hour on her sewing machines and sergers, and more. I can't visit her store but I love scanning through her running list of "things to do" to find inspiration closer to home.

not martha - Megan talks about crafting, cooking, blogging, technology and more...and takes damn good pictures of all of it. She's in Seattle and I love finding out what we should check out the next time we visit.

dooce - Heather Armstrong writes about being a mom, wife and blogger. She survived post-partum depression, became a succesful auther, got a show on HGTV, drinks good bourbon and takes pictures of her dog Chuck with things balanced on his head. Why are you still reading my blog when you could be reading hers?

Cool diversion

Etsy is an online global marketplace where you can buy or sell handcrafted goods. Jewelry, clothing, food, makeup, art, cards, perfume, leather goods...where does it stop? Find goods nearby or buy from the other side of the world.

I'll give links in the future to favourite sellers and special finds. As a start, check out the lovely work of April Kawaoka.

Cool diversion

Last year, I was very sad when Craft magazine folded. But while the paper version may have died, Craft lives on in their very cool online presence Craftzine.com. What I'm loving right now - their blog features this DIY dry erase board originally designed by Brittni of paper n stitch. I'm making one for the front hall this weekend.

Cool diversion

Haul out that crockpot and head to A Year of Slowcooking. I first found it when researching yogurt makers. I eat a lot of yogurt, as does my family. Well, via Stephanie's website, I found out how to make it myself without investing in another piece of kitchen equipment. Click here to find out how and then take a tour of her site to find lots of yummy ways to shorten your time in the kitchen.