Harmony

Mathematics, according to my numbers obsessed son, can explain everything. It is language, it is reason and it answers all the questions that count. I don't think I disagree with him totally because it is hard to argue against the answers that science provides; the whole fact thing versus supposition and intuition. I also believe that there is the flip side that is equally valuable and perhaps even more profound. Exploring the heart and soul of humanity answers questions and raises even more, much like numbers and their offspring.

Too often we go to one extreme or another. Too often it is only logic versus only passion. A middle ground that offers plenty of both and allows for the possibility of harmony. It is telling that followers of Pythagoras proposed that a relationship existed between heavenly bodies and that they went deeper than a product of an equation - "an ancient philosophical concept that regards proportions in the movements of celestial bodies—the Sun, Moon, and planets—as a form of musica. This "music" is not usually thought to be literally audible, but a harmonic, mathematical or religious concept." (Wikipedia) Interesting coming from people dedicated to the pursuit of science in an age that could get you killed for even suggesting something other than what the local version of Holy writ was.

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. 

We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race, 

and the human race is filled with passion. 

Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. 

But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."

Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society

I'm feeling a little Quixotic with all the noise we hear and see around us - yesterday, today and tomorrow can be assumed. Maybe I can only do for myself what works for me, in the hope that it matters to someone else as well. Maybe in a positive way somewhere down the long road ahead, the answers will become clear. It's better to travel that road together but more importantly it is imperative that we at least try our version of our best. Looking for harmony as we see it and being open to more than one way of getting there.

"We can walk our road together

If our goals are all the same

We can run alone and free

If we pursue a different aim

Let the truth of Love be lighted

Let the love of truth shine clear

Sensibility

Armed with sense and liberty

With the Heart and Mind united

In a single perfect sphere"

Rush

Ciao
D

Hey, Hey, Hey!!!

It's prisoner 24601!! Or whatever number Mr. Cosby ends up wearing. How the mighty have fallen in this case; America's Dad is going to jail and quite possibly he will die there. While wishing no ill will towards anyone, save for the throat punchy people, it's sad to see what his life has become. All of his own making of course. So let that be a lesson to the Bill's, Jian's and Brock's of the world; maybe, just maybe we are seeing the tide turn enough that #MeToo is not just a catch phrase but a call to action and justice.

And today we have Brett Kavafuck denying Dr. Ford's sworn testimony that he sexually assaulted her. One wonders how the far right and the Republican party can stand there and say the things they say about his accuser. She's a democrat sent to derail this fine man? Where was she all these years? Why now? No one in their right mind would put themselves through the meat grinder known as a senate hearing today if it wasn't true to one degree or another. Death threats from the "gone hunting" crowd and you just know the douche canoes on that committee will absolutely try and destroy her. Fuck them I say. And while we are at it, Fuck Trump!

It seems so easy for the right to walk into a room, suck the oxygen out of it with their holier than thou jamboree and with malice and forethought, think nothing of lying through their collective teeth to paint a picture that suits their narrative. And I'm not so naive to think that the other side isn't complicit in this sort of game, think Bill Clinton and what they tried to do to Monica Lewinsky, but there is a difference here when it comes to the higher ground. Monica, by her own admission, was fully aware of her actions in that sordid story. Young and awestruck? Absolutely. And slick Willie was notorious for getting his way, but she was fully aware of what she was doing. Dr. Ford was not a willing participant and will wear those scars for the rest of her life. And in the end they will face or have faced vilification and humiliation because they came to the show when the circus was in town.

It is a sad commentary on our world to be sure, but I really do think that the tide has turned in the grand scheme of things. Maybe we have finally woken up to the simple fact that not only have we not treated women very well but there are now consequences to those actions.

About damn time!

At Your Service

Why do I do what I do? Days that call for a throat punch response aside, I generally like my chosen career. I'm good at what I do and I'm mostly respected for my abilities. I like the camaraderie of the team I work with, I have a creative outlet when I need it, it can be challenging when busy; mostly though, on those occasions I get to directly see a guests response to something that I played a part in, I enjoy making people happy. I get to impact people's lives, brief as it is with a fleeting meal.

This weekend we have L'Arche in the house for a few days. An organization dedicated to bringing people together of varying abilities in the belief that when everyone is involved then everyone benefits; the world is a better place for the compassion and justice that comes from simply taking someones hands into your own and offering to be of service to them. I was moved by what I saw when walking through the halls going about my day. There is, for me, a quiet but powerful nobility in the notion of saying how can I help you? What can I do for you? Recently it was explained to me that this is one of the ways we show love...I like that.

Too often we are bombarded by the everyday meanness of the world; if it bleeds it leads when it comes to the news. Pundits proffer reasons and predict outcomes, pontificating on everything from gay marriage causing hurricanes to why Drumph is the best or worst president ever. Yet all along we are surrounded by the simple good that the world does show itself that goes unnoticed so often. To think of the way the world could be if we promoted that as much as the people shouting from the rooftops about gun control or abortion or whatever seems to be bothering them most on this day.

Scott has entered the last of his days with us, the fuck off cancer is spreading too rapidly and palliative care is where he now finds himself. We've been blessed to have had this much time with him when he was diagnosed in March. Treasured memories to mingle with the tears that are certainly  coming. He's now going to be entrusted to the people that I think have one of the most difficult jobs in the medical world, taking their patients the final few steps to the beyond. I have no doubt it would be one of the most difficult and yet most rewarding places to practice your humanity.

I want to share a little story from the past few months. Since his diagnosis Scott and Fifi have been subjected to an almost constant stream of visitors coming to say goodbye and show love. All well intentioned of course but there is a reality to be recognized, they essentially began running a bed and breakfast while coping with the stark truth that they faced. One weekend Tammy and I stole away for a visit with an old friend and on the next day we had plans to visit Scott and Fifi. On a whim we decided that we wanted to cook for them and that is what we did instead of going out for a meal. They allowed us to give them a gift, our love being shown with the simple act of preparing a meal and cleaning it all up afterwards. They were happy and we were over the moon to have been able to do something for them. I will treasure the memory of that afternoon forever.

The earth is rotating rapidly on its axis and I know the inevitable is coming sooner than later. I hope for only one thing, the grace to help me do whatever is needed. To be able to show my love in whatever way I can.

D

Two + Two = A Bushel of Apples

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." 

Galileo Galilei

One would not need to dig too deep to find a world out there full of conspiracy "theorists", deniers of science and believers in the ludicrous. Former president, and noted thinker, George Bush claimed that the jury was still out on evolution. We have a Flat Earth Society and there are people out there, walking amongst us, that believe hurricanes and tornadoes are caused by gay people. Yep, welcome to 2018.

I've said this many times, I don't give a good God damn what you believe in, I really don't. Just keep it to yourself please. I don't want to hear about the conspiracy of gravity or the inside job on 9/11. And it's not because of the reason you may believe it to be, it's because I can't stomach your absolute inability to allow for the slightest possibility that you are wrong. Your absolutism is what keeps me away from your theories. If only you wanted to truly discuss and debate your ideas along with mine and others, then perhaps we could allow for the idea of 9/11 being something other than what it appeared to be.

But not the earth being flat. Sorry. Look up at the moon pal. During a lunar eclipse the shadow cast upon it is curved, which is due to the fact that the earth is round or spherical. Done. Lewis Black already gave us the rebuttal to Bush Jr - fossils!!! Enough said.

Whether due to a crazy amount of weed smoked in a short span of time, an anomaly of genetics or simple belief that the the YouTube guy must be right because he uses big words, there are a few too many out there that believe these things, regardless of scientific proof and general agreement by the world at large. It's perplexing to me and to others and we simply shake our heads in disbelief but to be honest I don't know what is worse for me, the absurdity of the claim or the complete binary way that people look at life. Ones and zeros may work in computer coding but not in the world at large. The world is grey, not black and white, and while there are absolutes to be sure, we can also be sure that there are far more areas of nuance allowing for a plurality of beliefs and ideas. This simple understanding is how we move forward, the underlying "how" of how we have grown as a society, Drumph and his ilk not withstanding of course.

A few years back I was visiting the Big Smoke and having a drink with an old friend. From time to time he reads this blog of mine and he wanted to ask me about my thoughts on Justin Trudeau. He was a little nervous because he didn't want to offend me but after a little bit of encouragement he let me know that he thought I was dead wrong on Trudeau. So we began a discussion on the merits and faults of our prime minister. Dom and I are at opposite ends of the political world but that has never stopped us from being best of friends for over 35 years now. We can agree and disagree on everything and we can respect each others positions because we allow for the possibility of more than one answer. While I still believe in Justin and generally like where our country is going he did open my eyes to a few things with logic and reason. so by the end of our discussion I had to agree that he was right about a few things. My world did not fall apart and I still have him as a friend. Plurality, it's a thing.

So whether we are coded one way or another I do believe it's important to note that codes can be re-written and adjusted. We can change. People used to believe that the earth was flat, now they don't, save those flat earth society types of course. We used to believe that we could literally scare the sick out of people, thankfully smarter people came along and started using science and reason to come up with better ways of curing illness. I think of my own brush with cancer, radioactive disk sewn on to my eye to kill a tumour or have Bob jump out from behind the door to scare it away? I'll take the disk and punch Bob in the throat thank you very much.

And that is my thing for today.
Ciao
D

Where Do You Draw The Line?

I have read with interest the case of Dr. Mehta at Acadia University, a tenured professor being fired for his behaviour and views that, according to the University, go beyond what would be considered both normal and acceptable. The man stands accused of fostering a hostile work place for his colleagues and a place to not only espouse his views on the world but, more dastardly, shoot down anyone that dares to question his version of said world.

So, let me go out on a limb here and state that this guy sounds like one of those nut job believers in conspiracy theories and has deeply held convictions that "they" have it too good and why should "they" get a leg up when others don't. "They" being women, minorities and any other group that seem to get preferential treatment in his view. You needn't think too hard to know where I am going to come down on when it comes to my view of the good doctor.

I will preface what I am about to say by saying that I have not met this guy, sat in his class or read anything other than what has been reported in the news. I will also say that I know this guy, more specifically, guys like this. Annoying little fucks that carry chips on their shoulders for all manner of real and perceived problems that they like to blame on everyone else but themselves. Women, minorities, aboriginals and just about anyone else gets scooped up in their vitriol, and they will mask they're racism and misogyny as free speech; and should you question them on their views you are attacking the very freedom that scores have died for. Get fucked.

Why is it that these douche canoes feel like they can trample all over everyone else's rights in their search for justification and a sympathetic ear? Lurking in the not so dark and dark corners of the web, with names like Rebel Media and leaders/fans like Alex Jones and Rush Limbaugh. Under guise of academic freedom, political populism and simple free speech, emboldened by the likes of Drumph and his ilk, the truth these people speak almost always comes with a cost. The cost in human terms, for the people targeted by these Idi Amin wannabes, is dignity, peace and yes freedom. 

"Not that I condone fascism; or any ism for that matter. Isms, in my opinion, are not good. 

A person should not believe in an ism, he should believe in himself."

Ferris Bueller

Yes, Ferris had it right back in the 80's. Believing in an "ism" may make you feel better, may even make sense but it will, by simple definition, lead to one group of people looking down on another and lead to exclusion and/or persecution of others. This is an almost inescapable by product of your desire to play footsie with any faction of people out there. We have seen it time and again through history. Right, left, Catholic, Jew - it doesn't matter, for one to grow it often leads to standing on the throats of the other. And that's where my problem lies with the likes of Dr Mehta. I don't care what you believe in. I really don't. Unicorns are real and sex with penguins is a turn on for you? Fill your boots, just keep your shit over there and out of my face. Don't try to convert me to your way of life and prepare for a response should you find yourself in need of belittling others within earshot. If you want to talk about things, great - I am all for healthy discussion and debate. It is when conversions and crusades come into play that I stop listening and start reacting.

Some will argue that curtailing this guys free speech is the bigger issue, we must after all preserve it regardless of how objectionable it might be. I will grant you a portion of that argument, with the strongest caveat being related to how said message is delivered and if it is to someone else's detriment. It is, I believe, against the law to yell fire in a movie theatre when there is no fire. The same as you are not allowed to joke about having explosives while waiting in line to board a plane. Your right is not absolute so you shouldn't be able to spew Nazi hate without expecting consequences of one kind or another. I'm thinking a throat punch.

This whole episode has raised my ire a tad I must say. There is little patience for this kind of douche baggery in my opinion and I do really believe that we are all obligated to stand up to this nonsense when it presents itself. So, on the face of it, good for you Acadia. Out with douches!!!

Ciao

D 

That's How I Got To Memphis

A country song? Really? Have no fear, I'm not about to don cowboy boots and buy a douche bag truck, country music remains in the same category it always has. Which doesn't preclude me from taking inspiration from a lyric or two; on these very pages I have written about Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson's You're Always On My Mind, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that this song got me thinking. It also shouldn't come as a surprise that it was an Aaron Sorkin show that brought this tune to me. See, I haven't changed.

Or maybe I have. And that's the point dear reader. As Sorkin brilliantly put it, Memphis is a stand in for where you are, it talks of how you got to where you are in life. A romance, a life change, sickness and death...insert so many other events, large and small, and see how life can sometimes leave you feeling like you're dancing on puppet strings.

"If you love somebody enough

You'll follow wherever they go"

I have changed over time. I think we all do. Not the core of us of course, I think that remains constant save for the ebbs and flows like a meandering river, which is as good a metaphor for life that I can think of. Yesterday I was walking a beach on the Northumberland Shore, seals sunning themselves on a sandbar not to far from us and simply enjoying the pleasure of spending time with Tammy and her boy. Who would have thought that six months ago? And that's the important part, being open to whatever comes your way. Being open to ending up in Memphis. The destination matters less than the journey; people we meet, things we do and the love that is built around shared expereinces as well as hopes for the future.

"If you love somebody enough

You'll go where your heart wants to go"

Milestones seem to be the word of the day, Scott's birthday; a blessing all things considered, first day of university for all three of my little birds with the youngest one starting day one in the next step of her journey while my oldest starts medical school, and last but not least, by any stretch, celebrating six months together with the love of my life. OK fine, six months and a day but I was busy yesterday with the seals and stuff. 

All around me people are journeying to their own Memphis, or is that Memphii? Some are there for the time being as I really do think Memphis is a fluid kind of place, remember, it is actually on the rivers edge.

How did I get to Memphis? Waiting outside that coffee shop for a first date, a blustery kind of day and she walks up to me a gives me a hug because she's a hugger. So am I. And in those next two hours over a hot beverage we connected. Here we are six months later planning a future together. Hello Memphis!! Life is beautiful.

"That's how I got to Memphis

That's how I got to Memphis"

Ciao

D