Submitted by Sarah Marchildon

Bio/About: I'm a Canadian cat-lover currently living in Kyoto, Japan and studying at Kyoto University.

My take: I went to a cat cafe in Osaka yesterday. Although, describing it as a "cafe" is somewhat misleading. It's more of a cat brothel than a cat cafe.

It's hidden inside a nondescript office building. An elevator discreetly whisks you up to the third floor. The elevator opens into a small hallway where you must remove your shoes and put on a pair of slippers.

Submitted by John Dunn

Bio/About: I am a 76-year-old retiree but I still do some work for a chemical industry association in the Niagara area. I graduated from McGill University in 1956 with a chemical engineering degree. Worked all of my career with one company, B.F. Goodrich Chemical, the last fifteen years as plant manager of a mid-sized chemical plant. I am keenly aware of the trials that Canadian manufacturers are going through trying to compete with countries that have wage rates that are about one tenth of what we have in Canada.

My take: The current "rescue" of the economy with a great infusion of cash will have a short term beneficial effect on the economy. All of the much needed work on the country's infrastructure will put a lot of people to work on a temporary basis.

What happens when all of this work is finished in five years?

Submitted by Ajay Parasram

Bio/About: I am an independent researcher based in Vancouver. I specialize in Asian international relations and maintain an interest in multiculturalism and Canadian politics.

My take: About two weeks ago I arrived in Toronto from Vancouver. Travel weary because my flight was three hours delayed and it was now 4 or 4:30 AM in Toronto, I collapsed into the first available taxi to get myself to my parents' place in downtown Toronto. I was on a business trip so my employers were footing the bill, hence my disregard for paying $50 for a "limousine cab."

The gentleman driving did not get a good look at me. I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pants and a big bowler of a hat, and was sitting in the shadows in the back of his large vehicle. We got to talking about all sorts of things.

Submitted by Kate Shapero

About/Bio: I'm an environmental activist and film producer from Thornhill, Ont. I have actively campaigned for environmental candidates in the York Region and a supporter of Animal Aid and Adoption, Haven of The
Heart and the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

My take: The David Dunlap Observatory and its surrounding 189 acres is in grave peril. It was entrusted to the University of Toronto by Mrs. Dunlap in 1935 in memory of her late husband with a simple request that the property never be put on the auction block or be sold.

Submitted by Miller Donnelly

Yesterday, we heard from Mike Donnelly, a proud hockey dad who shared the story of his incredible son's mission to bring civility to minor hockey. Today we hear from Miller Donnelly, the boy behind the magic helmet.

Bio/About: I play defence with the Copper Cliff Minor Pee Wee AA Redmen. I also play baseball, cross-country running, basketball, volleyball, tennis and golf.

My take: What a fun time I am having! I can't believe there are over 136,000 views of my video!

When I wrote it, I was very happy to have the parents from my community see it when I performed it in our school gym and Legion. I thought, at the time, that maybe if some local parents saw it there that they would stop yelling when they saw me at the rink. But now, I am getting messages through YouTube from all over the world! This is wild!

Submitted by Mike Donnelly

About/Bio: I'm a proud, 43 year old hockey dad. I don't know what I'd do in the winter time if my son didn't play hockey! I suppose in order for anyone to understand what I'm about to write about, you need to see a video called "The Magic Hockey Helmet" that was created and performed by my son, Miller.

Check out the video:

CBC Sports asked Mike to share his hockey dad story, check it out his blog on our CBC Sports page.

Submitted by Alana Downey

Bio/About: I am a 35 year-old single mother, divorced since 2004 and on my own since 2003. I was 29 when my ex-husband left. I had been working at a bank up north for a few years, during which time I had my son.

My take: I, too, am a single-parent completely frustrated with the cost of daycare/after-school care.

When my husband left for greener pastures, I was working up north with a work arrangement of about 20 hours per week. Considering the remote location away from family, I had to apply for a transfer which was accepted. My new work arrangement in the Lower Mainland was 12 hours a week plus any on-call shifts that were available. With my son being four at the time, I was working as much as I could just to pay the rent.