I'm impressed as well. I was four before I could tell you which presidential candidates were crooked and which were womanizers.

Of course, at the time I thought 'zipper problem' meant their fly wouldn't stay up and wondered why they didn't use buttons instead.

I'm incredibly apolitical now, but I used to have pictures of Thatcher and Indira Gandhi (I know, I know) up on my wall when I was 8, and the J'can MP I crushed on hardest then is now our Prime Minister, and it still gives me a warm feeling inside.

But now I'm shallow and care not of those workings.

My first memories are of being at demonstrations, but now I'm really nervous of attracting governmental attention. I'm still trying to work up the nerve to write to the government to say I'm in favour of same-sex marriage. I am wussy.

So, what Haligonistas want to go see Shaggy next month!?

He seems to be the only international artist, under 50 who comes here on any regular basis.

My first memories are of being at demonstrations, but now I'm really nervous of attracting governmental attention.

Because of your revolutionary past?

More from growing up knowing that the RCMP keeps files on everyone, and that the phone could be tapped and so forth. In high school I used to kind of wish that our phone was tapped so that the RCMP would have to listen to hours of physics homework every night.

I'm still trying to work up the nerve to write to the government to say I'm in favour of same-sex marriage

They might to be as unreceptive as you think since Nova Scotia (the no sunday shopping province) recently expanded it's definition of common-law partner to include same sex relationships, and granted the same rights as for heterosexual partners. Nova Scotia was actually the first province to do this.

Nova Scotia became the first province in Canada to create legislation recognizing same-sex relationships. For $15 a couple can "register a domestic partnership" at the Office of Vital Statistics. This will give them a number of rights under about 20 matrimonial laws which cover everything from pensions and wills to medical decisions, ownership of joint property, the right to request alimony, and child support. It does not give them the right to adopt children. Also, the province will not recognize union ceremonies performed in church. Couples will have to register with the government directly. Of course, nothing would prevent them from registering with the Office of Vital Statistics and then attending a commitment or union ceremony at a Unitarian Universalist, Jewish Reform or other religious institution.

I did know about NS being the first (Quebec has done it too, hasn't it?) but it's just a step on the way. I don't particularly expect to make a difference, I just think that people in favour whould be writing the government (although they're already challenging the case again) since the anti- ones are bound to.

You know there's something deeply weird with our province when they throw pot possession cases out of court, and welcome same sex partnerships (both good things!), but I still can't buy shoes on Sunday.

Since we're likely going to have an election this year, maybe you should write to all three parties and ask them for their positions same sex marriage.