I'm Still Here

I haven't felt very inspired lately. I am content, but there has been little desire to write. Hopefully, I will be back to my usual self.

November Blahs

As the days get shorter, I find that my body and mind seem to go into hibernation. There is a tendency to want to curl up with a good book in bed. Writing appears to be too much work.

Not much exciting seems to be happening. Sure, I’ve lost 36 pounds and I’m still going down. Maybe that’s part of the problem. I’m suffering from pizza withdrawal. My body is in shock from a few months of healthy foods being eaten. I have eaten more apples in the past week than I have eaten in some years. I don’t know how much more lettuce I can look at. The funny thing is that I don’t have the same craving for food. As the fat has melted away, so has my desire for the stuff that put it there in the first place. I have learned the discipline of moderation. A little taste of everything is just fine.

Still, I long for more adventure in my life.

I have done something wild and crazy, though. No, I haven’t gotten a tattoo or pierced any part of my body. That will never happen. It’s just not me.

As my body has shrunk, some of my clothes are too large. Some of my briefs were getting too large and a bit old, so I decided to try something different. I bought boxer briefs. For a guy to go from briefs to boxers or vice versa is a bold move indeed. It is as bold as changing toothpaste, which is something I can’t contemplate doing. But I took the plunge anyway.

By making this move, I discovered one thing. I really don’t think of underwear much during the day. It has made no difference whatsoever.

So I have to try some other foolish thing to do. Then again, at this time of year when the days are getting shorter, I don’t mind being dull and boring.

Russ

When I was a young boy, there was a guy who lived in our neighbourhood called Russ. While he loved sports, I didn’t see him as particularly gifted in them. His technique was often unorthodox and awkward. That didn’t stop him from participating.

He was actually very kind to me. At least, I think he was. While he was on vacation, Russ let me deliver his papers, giving me a penny for each one. I later found out that he was paid two and a half cents. However, I appreciated earning the money.

He also tipped me off on a snow-shovelling job he didn’t want. I spent over six hours cleaning deep ice and snow from somebody’s driveway. I was paid ten dollars. Even in those days, that wasn’t a fair wage for the amount of work I put into it. Again, I appreciated the money nevertheless.

Russ tried out for our softball team. He always wanted to be in the centre of things. He wanted to be the pitcher. For the first couple of years, he made the team. Eventually, though, he was cut from the squad. That didn’t stop him. He went to another team that was not as good as ours. The first time we faced Russ, he pitched and actually beat us. Can you imagine that? Why I could pitch better than Russ, but he beat us.

He went to a different high school than I did. I heard through the grapevine that he was the quarterback of the football team and the place kicker. I remember going over to the schoolyard while he was practising and kicking a few field goals with him. I found out I was a better kicker than he was. I figured I was a better quarterback, too.

There was one big difference between Russ and me. He didn’t care a heck of a lot what I thought. He just went out there, did his best and had fun. All I did was sit back thinking how much better I was than he. I never tried out for my school’s football team. I didn’t accomplish very much, did I?

When I look back at my teenage years (and even beyond), I wince at the missed opportunities where I talked a good talk but didn’t get out there and just do it. It is sort of like flying kites in your mind. You can imagine the experience all you want, but it isn’t until you actually feel the wind tugging at it that you feel the exhilaration.

My guess is that Russ has gone on to great things in life. I certainly hope so. By his sheer determination and attitude, he deserves it.

Megan’s Note

Yesterday was not the best day, although it had its good moments. Working as a substitute teacher can be a very difficult job. It’s actually called an occasional teacher not a sub, probably because you occasionally teach. The rest of the time you are busy staying alive on your feet trying to stay one step ahead of the mob.

For some reason, there is often one kid or two who wants to get up on the stage that is the classroom and put on a play. Yesterday, I had to get out the hook for a couple of them and send them to the office. I will not tolerate somebody not showing me any respect.

After a day like this one, I often drive home wondering why I continue doing this job. Sometimes the answer is pretty obvious. At this moment in time, it’s the only way I can make some money. I keep trying for new positions outside of teaching, but I have come up empty so far.

This morning I arrived at a different school to teach a grade 7/8 split class. When they get to this age, the potential for an “interesting” experience is heightened. I thought positive thoughts all the way in on the drive.

One of the things I do as a teacher is play my guitar. If the students are good, I haul out my binder full of songs and play something. The kids today earned a tune, so I opened the pages. A little note fell out. Here is what it said (grammar mistake included):
Your the best teacher ever and I’m not just saying that! – Megan

That short little note struck my heart like a lightning bolt. It couldn’t have arrived at a better time. It told me that I had made a difference in one person’s life.

Then I started thinking. This short message meant a lot to me. What if more people were like Megan and passed on secret messages of encouragement that popped out only when they were discovered?

OK, you are reading my blog. How about sending a short note of encouragement to somebody today? You will never know the effect it will have on the person. I’m sure Megan didn’t know how much her words would affect me.

Good Motivation

I know I can be very lazy. I usually have to have a good reason for doing almost everything. When I teach, I find the same thing. If my students understand the advantage of doing something, they will be much more eager to do it. I have experienced this type of motivation lately.

On December 2 I will be going to the Shouldice Hospital north of Toronto. It is one of the top facilities of its kind in the world. When I am there, I could be mingling with people from who knows where. Since the 1950s they have performed hernia operations and nothing else. Many of my acquaintances have heard about it.

When I first got my appointment, I had to fill out a questionnaire. I filled out the information on my measurements and how much I weighed. I sent it in.

The news that came back that I had to lose weight – a lot of it. If I arrive in Toronto for the operation and I don’t weigh 190 pounds, they will send me home.

I had told them I weighed 210 pounds, so 20 pounds didn’t seem too bad until I stepped on the scale. The needle pointed to 228. That’s 38 pounds I had to lose.

Although my hernia is not very serious, that painful pinch I get from time to time reminds me that it has to be corrected. That brief bit of pain also motivates me. It tells me to keep pressing on.

Although I haven’t reached my goal, I am almost there. I have lost over 30 of the 38 pounds. I haven’t been as light as this since the early 1990s, if then. A belt I bought in 1999 can’t be tightened any more. Some of my clothes are rather baggy.

While the initial motivation was getting to the correct weight for my operation, something else has replaced it. Knowing that I look and feel better has taken over. My intention is not to stop at 190 pounds but to continue reducing to a weight I had in my mid-twenties. I am actually looking forward to it, especially since I will not be under the time restraint I am under right now.

Eight more pounds to go in three weeks! I can do it. If I want my operation, I have no choice, do I? Now, that’s motivation.

Deep Snow

Do you think you live in a snow belt? I know the people in St. Marys keep saying this. Try living in Ottawa. It can get really deep there.

Marie and I often walked our dog, Sarah, when we lived in Ottawa. There was a greenbelt nearby where we could let her run free. We took along Isabel’s black lab, Sarcen, who was best pals with ours.

On this particular day, the snow was rather deep. Marie, I and the dogs were struggling to make a path. Regardless, the canines bounded forward with great energy. I followed. Marie was behind all of us.

Suddenly I heard this cry of anger from Marie. She shouted, “Why are you walking ahead? Why don’t you walk beside me?”

I’m glad she asked that question. Otherwise she would have been silently upset. I find that when this happens it gets mixed with something else later on and comes out really smelly. Anyway, I had the perfect answer.

I was not walking ahead of her to be apart from her. I was doing this so I could clear a path and make it easier for Marie to walk.

Suddenly her anger turned to tenderness. She had completely misunderstood my motive for forging ahead. Her reasoning was perfectly logical. It’s just that her logic was completely wrong. Once she understood my actions, she realized that my actions were done with kindness.

Communication is so important in a relationship. It clears up misunderstandings. Without it, it’s like trying to find the light switch in a dark room you are not familiar with. You may eventually find it and illuminate the situation. Often you don’t and just have to guess what is going on.

Had Marie not asked the question and had I not answered it, both of us would have been trudging through deep snow in our lives for some time to come.

Luck Comes In Threes?

Saturday started very nicely, thank you. I walked up to the YMCA for a workout. When I entered the door, Nancy Riddell came up to me and told me that I had won a prize in a draw they had on Halloween.

I love winning! Everyone does. I’m not complaining. On second thought, I am. It seems every time I win something, it is nothing of any great value.

My prize at the YMCA was a cloth bag. It didn’t even say YMCA on it. It appeared to be something they had been given by one of their suppliers. I figure it was worth about 49¢.

However, being positive, I told myself luck comes in threes. I prepared myself for my next win.

It came that evening. Marie and I attended a fundraiser in London. At the end of the night, they gave away the centrepiece at each table to the person whose birthday was closest to that day. I was the winner again.

Marie gave me a strange look that indicated that she thought it was ugly and didn’t want to take it home. I offered it to everybody at our table. Silence. I spoke louder, thinking they couldn’t hear me. Silence again. Nobody wanted it. Instead of being like MasterCard, priceless, it was like my other win that day, almost worthless.

I quickly went down some of my other great prizes. There was the ultra-thin towel I won at the drug store. I can’t forget the notepad from Iberia Airways I received in a contest for a travel agency in naming their newsletter. Winning a flight or a weekend in Montreal was what I was hoping for on that one.

When I lived in Ottawa, I actually won two tickets to the Senators’ hockey game. That was a great prize. The only problem was that I had another commitment I couldn’t get out of, so I had to give the tickets away.

I am still holding on to the belief that luck comes in threes. I am prepared for the big one. I don’t know what it will be, but I’m having lots of fun dreaming of whatever it might be. I really don’t care when it comes, because living with the expectation gives me a positive feeling that things are going to work out fine. It’s sort of like the excitement before Christmas.

So, if you hear any screaming, you will know that my ship has arrived.

The US Election

I don’t pretend to be a political pundit. For what it is worth, here are some of my thoughts on the US presidential election.

When I listen to the two candidates speak, there is a huge difference. John McCain keeps shouting about getting out there and fighting. Barack Obama is encouraging everyone to keep working together for the victory. Which one do you think has the most hope of unifying the country?

I know that the majority of Canadians, and I am guessing most of the world, prays for an Obama victory. Yet, the religious right is favouring McCain. Whose prayers does God listen to? It reminds me of a discussion I had with a soldier who served in the British army during the Second World War. He told me of how German soldiers also prayed to God for victory.

Let’s say that Obama does win. Will the God of the religious right, who favour McCain, not listen to their prayers if they pray for America?

Why do many Republicans, John McCain’s party, still believe that Barack Obama is a Moslem because he has the middle name Hussein? Why does this same party want to link him with Pastor Jeremiah Alvesta Wright, a radical Christian minister? How can somebody be Moslem and Christian at the same time?

Again, many Republicans keep harping on Obama’s middle name, Hussein. Did Barack have any say in what he was named? Why don’t Democrats attack the naming of Sarah Palin’s kids, Track, Trig, Bristol, Willow and Piper? These names sound sort of new age to me. Could it be that names are not that relevant to an election?

Which “ism” will be the biggest factor, if at all? Will people not vote for Obama because of the colour of his skin or will Sarah Palin’s being a woman be a negative factor?

One thing the Republicans have right, I feel. Most of the media seem to be behind the Democrats. Is it because they are liberal or do they genuinely believe that the Obama is the best choice for President?

Why does Joe the Plumber keep coming up? Can the whole political situation in America be nailed down to one person, somebody who apparently owes income taxes to the current administration? Might this be the reason he can’t start a business, not Obama’s plans?

And finally, which candidate has acted more presidential in the campaign? Who has given the country the most hope for the future? I think the answer is obvious. Do you?

I’ve Turned a Corner

I just realized something the other day. I have turned a corner.

If you have been following my blog and reading my comments, you will notice that “anonymous” recently commented that she didn’t visit it very often because she found my articles too personal and not very inspiring.

This may be funny, but I am truly thankful that she said these words.

What???

Yes, I am truly thankful that she said these words. Why?

It wasn’t long ago that I would have been crushed by such comments. I would have felt that I have been a failure. I didn’t live up to somebody’s expectations. These words would have discouraged me. Honestly, I accepted them for what they were – comments from an anonymous person. Certainly valid for her, but drawing a “so what?” feeling from me. Allow me to explain.

I have learned that only I can be responsible for my own destiny. I can choose to allow the words of others pierce my spirit or I can simply continue doing my best to make this world a better place.

There is a saying that I like. “You may not be anybody to the world, but you may the world to somebody.” I’d like to spend my energies on who I am, not what I am not.

Part of this realization has been through watching the elections in Canada and the United States the past couple of months. Everybody has been attacking the character of everyone else, yet they don’t let these comments define their self worth. If they can take it, then why should I be different?

There will always be people who don’t see things the way I do. Heck, there were people who were critical of Mother Teresa, yet she just went about her business helping the poor in India. She put all her energies into just doing her best at what she was doing instead of worrying about what others thought.

Does that mean that I don’t listen to the advice of others? I do, but people who really care approach me directly in love rather than under the cloak of secrecy. That doesn’t mean I always like what they say, but I do respect the fact that they had the courage to talk to me directly.

Every day I have the choice to do my utmost to reach my highest goals or to listen to the world and let it chop me up.

I see it in some of my students. I asked them the other day, “Has anyone told you that you are special lately?” All of them said that they hadn’t. I then told them that I thought they were special. You could feel their spirits rise.

We can choose to believe what the world tells us or we can believe that we can achieve what we are destined to do.

And it took a comment from “anonymous” to help me realize that. Thank you, anonymous.

Dear Anonymous:

I got this comment the other day and I would like to thank the person again who sent it. I would also like to make some comments.

I admire your desire to change the world but think you need to relax and enjoy life a little more - you sound a little bitter lately!
I've read your blog periodically - I'm not a regular because your content is not very inspiring and too personal. Mostly (not always) it appears you are writing this more for yourself than anyone else. I suggest you Google "how to write a successful blog" for some constructive ideas.

To start, read the very top of this blog. It states what it is all about. I’m sorry if you think it is too personal.

As far as the inspiring part, I have no problem if you don’t find what I write that motivating. Although I don’t even compare to these works, the Bible and the Koran provide inspiration for many, but nothing for many.

What I do know is that I have touched one heart with at least one article. I received an email from the very first one, The Mirror of Death. It was from a mother who had just buried her daughter that day and she thanked me for putting into words feelings she had difficulty expressing. There have been other messages thanking me. To me, the few who I might have helped along the way are worth it.

Mind you, a weekly Internet mailing, endorsed by some involved in “The Secret”, going to thousands around the world, has used four of my articles. Each one resulted in about 200 positive replies and few negative ones. There are at least 800 who have been positively affected by what I have written.

Bitter?

First, this is the 394th article that I have written in a little over a year. A few have told me that some are pretty good. I know many are not very good at all. I don’t pretend to be a Hemmingway or a Tolstoy. In an earlier blog, I mentioned that my purpose was to write for a year and see what happened. I have found that not much has developed, but if I have helped make somebody’s life a bit better, great.

The process of trying to think of what to write is difficult after a year. That is why I will be writing much less, if at all, in the future. I feel I have gone to the well too often.

As an avid newspaper reader, I know that columnists don’t write Pulitzer-winning pieces every day. Some are criticized through letters to the editor, many in a similar tone as yours.

Since I don’t get paid at all for this, I am writing this between doing other things. I’m sorry if having a bad day may be reflected in some of the writing.

However, most days I am far from bitter. I live better than most of the world. I have great friends and, contrary to your statement, I do enjoy life very, very much. I do wonder if some of your judgement on my bitterness might be because you don’t agree with many or most of my opinions.

Yes, I am concerned about the world. Like many, I struggle to make sense of what is happening. Sometimes the process is difficult and I expect it shows in my writing. I see things that I don’t understand. For example, people complain about too much violence on television, yet do nothing about it. Sure, we can tell them to change the channel, but I feel that only to do that is to abdicate any social responsibility. The media affect our lives and we need to understand them more.

I state my opinion. Yours may differ. That’s fine. I may even be totally wrong and you may be totally right. That doesn’t make my right to state my opinion any less valid.

As far as “Googling” for tips on writing a better blog, I am not trying to create some mass following. You are right. I write mainly for myself, as most blogs I visit do (I have seen so many photos of peoples’ children), and if others can benefit from my ideas, great. So, thanks for the suggestion, but I won’t be following up on it.

Although you might not find me very inspiring, perhaps you might enjoy the following quote from Bill Cosby.

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

So I can accept your criticism as being how you feel. I haven’t satisfied you. It really isn’t a big deal for me – I am not trying to please everybody – especially since you are anonymous. Thank you for taking the time for writing. If you are ever in the area, drop in for some tea.

Complaints

If I don’t like something, I am quite willing to pipe up and say so. Through the years, I have learned to pick my battles more carefully. Still, the way I see it, we are all responsible for the society we live in. If we don’t voice our concern, then we should be prepared to live in the world that has been formed without our input.

Years ago, I was concerned about a Sprite advertisement where parents were attending a show so they got their daughter to baby-sit. They specifically said no boys were to come over. As soon as they left, the boyfriend was seen behind the door with a pizza. The parents forgot their tickets, so they surprised the teen by walking in. The pizza was thrown in the air and the boyfriend ducked behind the couch with the adults not knowing all that happened.

Sounds innocent, but I didn’t like the way it made it sound “cute” to lie to adults when you are in a position of responsibility looking after children. I was surprised that the parent company, Coca Cola, had shucked it wholesome image. This was the company that taught the world to sing in one of its ads. Why was it portraying adults as dolts who wouldn’t notice someone was trying to pull a fast one on them or if they did know what was going on, wouldn’t seem concerned that their daughter was lying to them?

I don’t think it was only I who complained, but the advertisement barely lasted a week.

More recently, my target was the Wrigley Gum Company. It introduced a new sugar-free Juicy Fruit. In the commercial, a guy was strumming the company song on a guitar. Two guys enter the scene while everyone else is enjoying the music, rip the instrument from his grasp and smash it. This was supposed to be funny. I didn’t think so. So I called the company.

They basically told me to lighten up. Didn’t I appreciate the allegory? I asked them if their company policy was to settle all disputes with violence. In a world where people don’t seem to talk about their differences and come to some resolution, smashing somebody’s guitar is not an image I want to see. Also, having written commercials myself, I know that the idea isn’t really that creative. There are better ways to convey a radically new gum.

They created a second ad. It wasn’t much better. I complained again. Like before, I don’t think I was the only one who was offended. It didn’t last long either.

Next I tackled Much Music. You’re against violence against women, right? How about racism? Why not throw in vandalism?
In a Smashing Pumpkin’s video called 1979 all of the following happens. A girl’s head is shoved violently at a party. An Asian’s convenience store is trashed. Somebody’s home has its pool furniture thrown into the water and toilet paper put all over. Ah, the sweet innocence of youth.

I wrote to Much Music and they didn’t reply. I happened to know that the Canadian Radio and Television Commission takes these complaints seriously, so I contacted them and asked why I didn’t receive a reply. The sent a letter to Much Music and copied me saying that the station had nine days to respond otherwise it risked losing its licence.

Somehow I told this story in a classroom a few days ago and a couple of girls went ballistic. They didn’t equate that I had done nothing wrong. I was exercising my rights, and it was Much Music that was trying to ignore them.

I told the girls to put their beefs on paper. One furiously started scribbling. She tossed out the first draft and handed me the second. On it she told of how a video by M.I.A. called Paper Planes advocates that war and gangster activities need to stop through mockery. I thanked her for her response and said I would watch the video.

Ya, perhaps in my old age I just am not getting the hip, young message that is being given here. Maybe I am taking the last lines of the song a bit too seriously:
Some some some I some I murder
Some I some I let go
Some some some I some I murder
Some I some I let go.

Meanwhile the number of murders in Toronto is on the rise and people scratch their heads and ask why. No, it's not this one song, but it is a whole society filled with media of all types, including the Internet, that promote voilence.

There was a saying in computer talk a few years ago in the punch card era. It was garbage in, garbage out. I will argue for your right to put whatever you want into your head. I cherish that same right for myself, but it has been known for centuries that if you fill your life with good thoughts, then the result will be a happier life.

Writing

There are times when I love to write. I literally can’t wait to get to my keyboard and start pounding my keys. Lately, that hasn’t been the case. I have been struggling. I just haven’t had the motivation.

There have been topics that I have wanted to discuss. It seems that I just can’t be bothered. I am discouraged. There are times when I feel as if I am going nowhere. I keep trying to work towards goals and don’t seem to be succeeding.

Then I watched the birds at the feeder today, particularly the one containing Niger seed. Each nugget is so small. Each peck extracts only one. It will take forever to drain the container. Yet, each morning I see that it has gone down. It has happened one seed at a time.

So I try to focus on the small stuff and try to do them well. I plough ahead with the expectation that I will arrive at my destination in life, whatever it is, safe and sound.

Just like the sparrow, if I just keep pecking away, I will make a difference eventually.

The Conference

If an invitation to a conference from a professional group had said, “We invite Caucasians aspiring to leadership positions …”, what would you think? My guess is that many would consider such an invitation as racist.

If it said, “We invite heterosexuals aspiring to leadership positions …”, I suspect that many would be calling it homophobic.

What if that same professional group had in one of its communications, “We invite Muslims aspiring to leadership positions …”? Might that be deemed as religious exclusivity?

How about this one? “We invite men aspiring to leadership positions …” Definitely sexist.

Well, the invitation did not say any of these phrases. It did say, “We invite women aspiring to leadership positions …”.

What would you say if this professional group had many activities specifically for women and none exclusively for its male membership? What would people say if the situation was reversed?

Oh, and by the way, this professional group says it has a great concern for social justice and equity.

Maybe I have it all wrong, but I feel that equality and equal opportunity means just that. We have worked hard to take words out of the English language that depict gender. Chairmen have become chairs. Manning a table has become staffing it. Mankind has been changed to humankind.

Then why is it not sexist when it appears that men are not welcome? I have checked with this professional group. Men are not allowed at this conference.

Why is there this double standard? It is like saying only white people can be racist.

I am not saying that there shouldn’t be conferences and seminars that are geared towards the interests of women. What I am saying is that everyone should be allowed to go to them as long as they are members of that association.

When I was the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Journalists, we had several caucuses, including ones for women and gays and lesbians. I remember one journalist who was neither a woman nor gay, but he joined both of them. Nobody batted an eye.

A part of me is tempted to register using my name in French, Jean, which looks like a woman’s name in English, and then show up. A part of me wants to stand up and fight against something I feel is wrong. Another part of me says I have had too many battles of this kind in my life. Swimming against the stream too often gets you nowhere and you often get swept over the dam.

I’ll just think about it for now.

What He Said

It wasn’t necessarily what he said. It was how he said it that made the difference.

Dream On

I wish things would turn out the way I want them to all of the time. They don’t. We all face disappointments in life. At times we just want to give up.

What would happen if you didn’t take any more shots in basketball because you missed a shot that would have won a championship?

What would happen if you didn’t take another turn at bat because, like mighty Casey, you struck out with the bases loaded?

What would happen if you decided not to drive because you failed a driver’s test?

While I can’t guarantee that you would have the opportunity to win another championship or knock in some home runs or pass the driver’s test by giving it one more try, I can guarantee that if you don’t give it one more try, you will never have that opportunity.

At the time when it feels you should give up on your dreams, you should dream some more. It may seem a crazy thing to do, but look at it this way. If you have no dreams, you have no dreams to come true. If you have many dreams, one, just one of them, might come true.

You have the option of living in certainty that nothing will happen or the expectation that something could happen. Which one would you rather choose? Many opt for the sure bet. It feels safer knowing what the future holds in store.

Although I feel like Charlie Brown at times when he was trying to kick the football, I trust that one time Lucy will not pull it away. In fact, that is what I wanted to see in the last strip of Peanuts. I don’t know why Charles Shultz didn’t think of it. He should have had Charlie Brown kick the ball a mile. It would have been a fitting end to a great comic strip.

The way I figure it, I will keep dreaming on until some of my dreams come true. The odds are with me. Eventually something will happen.

Speaking the Language

Effective communication means using the English language in a way that resonates with your audience.

When I worked in television advertising in Edmonton, I feel we lost an important account because my boss prevented me from presenting a proposal in a manner that the client would appreciate.

The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association sponsored a program that was broadcast on our station called Good News. Due to Canadian content laws, the organization, based in California, realized that there were many advantages in having it produced in Canada.

The Edmonton chapter of this organization was very strong. So was the Toronto chapter. It was basically a two-horse competition.

There were many reasons why Edmonton should have won over Toronto. Our production costs were less. It took less time and less money to commute between California and Edmonton. Our staff and production facilities were among the best in Canada.

Landing this account was pretty important, too. This was an organization of businessmen. There is no telling how much additional business rubbing shoulders with them could have generated.

I put together a great package that ended with the line, “It is my sincere hope that our proposal is an answer to your prayers.”

When my boss saw this, he made me take it out. He indicated this in the strongest possible terms. Why? Was there something untruthful about what I said? Not at all. If these were Christian businessmen, they would, indeed, be praying about it. Was I being insincere and giving them a line just to win the contract? No, I honestly thought we would do the best job. Anyway, selling what you have is putting it in a favourable light in language that the consumer will appreciate. The problem was that my boss wasn’t a very religious person – more anti-religious – and he didn’t speak the language.

The result was that Toronto won the contract. I still wonder how things might have been if I had been allowed to keep that one sentence in my introductory letter. I don’t waste too much time on it, though. There is nothing I can do to change what happened. It’s history.

US Politics

I am perplexed by the Christian right’s involvement in the US election. It seems as if it is basing its recommendation to voters on two issues that define Christianity to them – abortion and the right for gays to marry. If you are against both of these, then you must vote for John McCain.

I’m not even going to debate these two issues, because that is not the point I am trying to make here.

What confuses me is what I feel elections should be about. In Canada, we voted yesterday and the main issue was who we felt was the most effective leader for the country. Yes, there were other issues involved, but at the end of the day, it was the person who is to make those decisions who was being judged.

Let’s start with the Biblical stance that everyone is a sinner. That includes Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain and Sarah Palin. None is exempt from this category, including me.

So, which sinner do you want to put into the White House?

I guess one of the questions I would ask is which person would you trust the most to be able to negotiate peace and harmony in the world? Which person will put the best face on the United State’s foreign image?

Or does the USA have the market cornered on Christianity? Is it the only nation that is following God’s will?

For the past eight years there has been an evangelical Christian as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. And he has been terrible. Sure, he has been in line with the two “issues”, but most agree that he has been one of the worst presidents ever. The suspicious way he was elected must have been God’s will, right? Can we forget the voting irregularities in Florida, a state governed by his brother? But many were happy because he is an evangelical Christian.

My concern in polarizing these two issues for the vote is that many other important issues will be sidelined. There are many cults out there that believe the same thing. How do we know that Sarah Palin’s theology reflects the mainstream of America? She and her husband have supported a political movement in Alaska to separate from the United States, yet she has the gall to link Obama to terrorism and some guy he had dealings with long ago. Do people not see the hypocrisy in this?

Aside from these two issues, which party is acting more Christian-like? If one party was to pull the trigger on dropping bombs on innocent people, which one do you think would do it first? Would it be one that supports gun control or one that argues that Americans are safer if they pack a pistol?

If at the end of the day people think that McCain is the better leader, I have no problem with that. That’s the way democracy works. What I have a problem with is that two issues are defining the campaign when there are a lot of other things at stake.

Meanwhile both parties try to put fear in the voters’ hearts using every political trick in the book. Does that sound very Christian to you? If God is really on your side, do you need to stoop so low?

My friends in the United States, clear your heads and do the moral thing. Elect the best leader you can. If it is Barack Obama, that’s fine. If it is John McCain, that’s fine, too, but don’t elect somebody based on two issues alone when there are so many others to consider.

Adolph

One of the most amazing students I have ever had was Adolph. This was years ago in 1979.

He always seemed happy and got along with everyone in spite of having a name that few have named their kid after the Second World War.

His foster parents asked if I could come out for a meal to discuss the best way to help Adolph progress in school. You see, he had problems in most subjects, particularly math.

If I asked him what 3 plus 4 was, he would just guess at the answer. To multiply 3 times 4 resulted in more guessing.

When I arrived at his home, I noticed a copy of The Hockey News on the coffee table. I instinctively picked it up and glanced at it while I waited for tea.

When Adolph’s foster mom came back into the living room, she said, “Go ahead. Ask Adolph any question from The Hockey News.

I started with a simple one. “Who is the leading scorer with the Edmonton Oilers?”

“Wayne Gretzky.”

“How many goals?” He knew. “How many assists?” He knew. “What’s the total?” He knew.

In that era, every kid knew about Wayne Gretzky. I decided to be a bit, no, a lot tougher.

“Who is the leading scorer with the Minnesota North Stars?

“Al MacAdam.” Adolph was right. He knew the goals, assists and total points, too.

“What kind of stick does he use?” Adolph was like a marksman picking off targets. He knew. “What kind of gloves does he use?” He knew, he knew, he knew everything I asked him. Somehow he could digest The Hockey News like kids attack pizza.

The next day in class, I thanked Adolph for inviting me into his home and gave him a note to send home with his foster mum.

In math class, I tried fruitlessly to work on addition and multiplication with him. Then I got a brilliant idea.

“How many points does Wayne Gretzky get in a game if he has three goals and four assists?” “Seven,” Adolph immediately shot back.

“And if he gets a hat trick (three goals in a game) for four games, how many goals does he get?” “Twelve,” replied Adolph, matter-of-factly.

It seemed as long as I put the math question in hockey terms, he knew the answer.

Maybe that’s the problem we face with communication. We express ourselves in our terms and expect everybody to understand. I somebody doesn’t get it, perhaps we need to enter into his world. Of course, this is much easier said than done. It requires work on our part and the other person has to be open about what his world is like. Fortunately, Adolph’s passion for hockey allowed me to discover valuable insights about his character.

I lost track of Adolph. A job that I wanted more took me out of the province. My fondest desire is that this young lad landed on his feet and is happy in life. I know what the perfect job for him would have been. Something working with a professional hockey team was right up his alley.

I wonder if he ever got to meet Wayne Gretzky. I hope so.

Censorship

We had an interesting discussion about censorship around our breakfast table. Those who feel that censorship is a bad thing always amaze me. What I dislike is the superior intellectual attitude that they often adopt. I think they need to think a few things over.

Mention censoring explicit sexual content and they cite how violence bothers them more. Ok, limit that, too.

Let’s look at a world with no censorship and see if you want it.

In this world snuff films would freely exist. What is a snuff film, you ask? It is where a person is murdered and the action captured for people to watch. I wasn’t even aware that such things existed until I saw the film “Pornography” starring George C. Scott.

The tapes of Paul Bernardo would be accessible to anyone. They depict the torture of two teenage girls and the sexual acts they were forced to perform. Who knows how seeing these may encourage others to mimic the contents.

The problem, of course, is that the Internet is here now with very little censorship. However, some things are taken off. For example, You Tube removed a clip that showed a US Marine throwing a puppy over a cliff to its death.

However, there are some who would argue that nothing should be censored and that people should have the option to decide for themselves what they should read or watch.

The main problem is what to allow and disallow and who makes that decision.

One of my teachers at Ryerson once sat on the Ontario Film Censorship Board. The dilemma was that if a film was censored, they would be asked if they had seen it. If the answer was no, the response was, “How could you censor it if you didn’t see it?” If the answer was yes, then the argument was made that they had seen it, so everybody should be allowed to do the same.

With freedom there is responsibility. For every action there is a reaction. In an anything-goes society, we have to accept the fact that many things will be allowed to happen that will not be good for that society. I think the majority of people want some limits, which means censorship is not necessarily a bad thing at all.

A Couple of Thoughts

I have been very busy lately. We run a bed and breakfast and I have been doing occasional teaching almost every day. There has been little time to sit and muse about what I am going to write. I have had a couple of thoughts, though, and I will share them with you.

People are worrying about the litter from coffee cups. I would like to add some pizza companies that sell single slices and put them on a small wedge of cardboard. Inconsiderate customers toss them away without any regard. I have some solutions.

For the coffee, charge a bit extra for the cup. If somebody brings in his own cup, then he gets a discount. If you collect 10 take-away cups, you get a free coffee. What if people toss them away anyway? There will be people like me who will collect the in order to get a free coffee.

The same strategy can be used for the pizza wedge plates.

In both cases, people might be concerned that cups and cardboard from different locations might be used for the free product. Simply marking the bottom of the item with a unique symbol or store location will do the trick. If this isn’t present, then it doesn’t count.

It could also be a strategy for helping the poor. Instead of asking for money, you could give them these “vouchers” that could be traded in for coffee and food. I tried to start a scheme like this with Subway stamps a few years ago. The idea is that people could donate the stamps to the poor, but the head office didn’t seem to warm up to the idea. Too bad,

On another matter totally unrelated, I have Sarah Palin editorial cartoon that I would like to draw. The problem is that I can’t draw, so I will just describe it.

Perhaps you remember the night she debated Joe Biden. When she greeted him, she asked if she could call him Joe. What a calculated move! Don’t ever believe that it was spontaneous.

In my cartoon she would be meeting the Queen. The words that would come out of her mouth would be, “Can I call you Liz?”

That’s it for today.