a lucky man

I am very fortunate. Life is good these days ...

I live in a lovely house, in a wonderful neighbourhood, in an excellent city, in the best country in the world. Our standard of living gives us cleanliness, safety, healthcare, resources and support systems ... we've got it pretty good.

Being born in North America and living here, it can become very easy to forget how lucky we are and take life for granted. It's often immigrants that truly have a real appreciation for what we have here. I was reminded of this at the barber's during my last visit.

Imagine escaping from a country where struggle, poverty and war are constant challenges; and landing in Canada, where freedom allows us to enjoy all that we have.

I am lucky to live the life I am living ... a life that includes travel, creature comforts, a wonderful home, the opportunity to earn a living doing work I enjoy ...

I am grateful for caring people in my life ... friends, family, co-workers and of course Janice. To have a caring, supportive, intelligent partner who enjoys the same the same things is the greatest gift of all.

I am not wealthy in terms of money. I do alright - the bills are paid and I have more than enough toys around me to play with,however I am no Donald Trump, but in some other respects I am very wealthy ... I am healthy, happy and in a wonderful loving relationship ...

life is wonderful - and I am very thankful for all I have.

the city of bridges

Every once in a while I get a hankering to return to the city of my birth. It's not a big city, but it's friendly, down to earth and real. It's a town with a nice, easy, warm vibe.

Something draws me back here ... if I don't drop by every once in a while, I get a yearning to return. Maybe there is something comforting about revisiting one's childhood.

Returning to my youth, I visit my old neighbourhoods ... Main Street & Broadway, Greystone Heights, Eastview ... I stop by to see old landmarks of my childhood, like Alvin Buckwold Elementary School, The Tube I used to walk through to get to school when we lived at 103 Spinks Drive, The little strip mall where I got my Pixie Sticks and competed in spinning top competitions.

A walk through Kinsmen Park invokes memories of warm memories of my dad and me; and I try to envision the type of life my parents lead living here so many years ago.

Purely by chance, the radio station as we drive around in the rental car is playing oldies from my childhood on "The Sunday Sock Hop" ... it's funny how some songs take us right back to where we were long ago ... for me: Green Tambourine / Itchycoo Park / Happy Together / Spooky / Little Green Bag / San Francisco ... these songs invoke memories of childhood ... of my first crush ... of childhood innocence ... my first memories of music ...

I remember many of the struggles of childhood ... perhaps that helps when I work with some of the students I work with these days.

I remember the bitter cold ... being bundled up for the long trek to school. I remember hot summer sun and trips to Pike Lake or the local public swimming pool and lining up at the concession stand for taffy.

Of course it's wonderful to visit with relatives that still live here ... I miss them, and think of them often ... it's beautiful to be able to spend time with them.

Nothing lasts forever, and one of the icons of a childhood event may soon be relegated to a memory. The Victoria Bridge has been closed, and will likely not be repaired. It's sad in a way ... it would have been nice to see it restored ... but probably not practical to do so. One has to let go of the past, as change is only thing constant in the universe.

When I was a kid, I had my tonsils out. My parents got me a little kiddie car after getting the procedure, and I remember riding down to this old iron bridge.

I was born here in Saskatoon, and spent about a quarter of my life here ... then lived in Winnipeg for many years ... a prairie boy - through and through ... I know of windchill, block heaters, ice scrapers ...

I don't live in the past, but I think it's ok to revisit it once in a while ... if nothing else, to remind yourself of where you came from ... we are, after all, who we are in many respects because of our past. All the things that helped make us who we have become are behind us, and while we can't change them, it can sometimes be kind of comforting to remind ourselves of our origins.

the musical universe

When my Palm personal Digital Assistant died a few months ago, I remember how hard I looked to find a replacement. Alas, I was forced to find a new device to manage my calendar, contacts, lists and media. After some research I picked up my iPod Touch.

I have to say - I'm really impressed. It does everything I need it to do, and well. Initially, I wasn't crazy about having to change devices, but now I am glad I was forced to make the change.

Technology does indeed improve, folks. I've seen wonderful improvements, and while it may not always be easy to change, upgrade and learn how to use new devices - in the end it will always be part of the tech landscape ... and we have to just suck it up, read the manuals and learn to embrace the new.

These days I use it to surf the net, view video, listen to my music library, enjoy streaming internet radio ... there are PLENTY of free apps to help me do all I want to do. I love my iPod.

I know that Apple has got a new model coming out soon, and it too will have more to offer. That is the nature of technology - there are always newer, better devices on the horizon. I'm in no rush to upgrade ... my iPod keeps me organized and entertained, and I will use it until it fails.

I have had a burning, hot, passionate love affair with music for a very long time ... and it is one of those passions that seems to remain strong with time. I still have my vinyl LPs downstairs, a few cassette tapes, and several shelves of compact discs. You can imagine that with over 30 years of DeeJaying behind me, I have a respectable music library.

Currently, I am contemplating relegating my CDs to the basement. I've been importing them to my iPod, and can see that physical multimedia seems to on the way out in many respects.

Most of the movies and music I play these days are digital. They are on hard drives, USB sticks and other devices. I am not quite ready to completely part with my CDs yet ... there are still situations where I use them, although fewer and fewer.

As I have been digitizing my music library, I have come across many forgotten musical gems. It's nice to rediscover some of the music that I haven't heard for some time. My music collection is decent, but I know that the musical universe is immense. There is so much excellent music in the world, I know that this is an ongoing project, with no foreseeable end in sight.

I love rock, jazz, blues ... and doubt I could ever be forced to pick just one as my favourite. As time goes on, I see that there is so much more to discover and enjoy. The joy of music continues to inspire and elevate the human spirit.

one more step in a greener direction

I love cycling. It's another one of those win - win things ... I get exercise, sunshine and fresh air, while NOT using a gasoline powered vehicle for my transportation needs.

One of my goals this summer was to find a way of being able to get groceries while on my bike. I new what the answer was, and have been watching for my opportunity to put things in place. A little while ago opportunity knocked, when I saw that bike trailers were 40% off at Canadian Tire.

By the way - if you ever get the chance to see the movie "Who Killed The Electric Car" - I'd recommend it. After seeing it, my view of gasoline and automobiles changed completely ...

Today I am off to get groceries by bicycle.

It's not a huge step to reduce my carbon footprint, but the way I see it, even smaller steps can be effective ... as long as they are in the right direction.

sharing good music

I was a deejay for 30 years before moving to Ottawa. During those years I played a huge range of gigs : Pow - Wows, Wedding and sports Socials, School Dances and Sock- hops, Family reunions, Birthday Parties, Night clubs, Afternoon Jamborees, Singles Dances and more ...

I have fond memories of various functions ... functions at Fort Gibralter, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Hotel Fort Gallery, The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba's House ... country socials out near Brandon ... school Graduations and barbecues ... many fun and wonderful celebrations.

Some deejays weren't fond of doing weddings, but I didn't mind. They usually involved a room full of love, with toasts and well wishes ... celebrating with friends and family. The spirit at such an event can often be uplifting and joyful.

After moving to Ottawa I explored the possibility of continuing deejaying, but it didn't end up happening. One of the reasons may have been that I really had hoped to find a company that had progressed beyond CDs. I was unsuccessful in my quest, and perhaps it's just as well. While I miss the warm smiles and packed dance floors, I don't miss the late nights ...

During the summer I have been driving with Performer Transportation for a couple of Ottawa's music festivals, and always bring a couple of CDs with me to play in the vehicles. I love when the musicians I am driving around begin to ask about the music I'm playing.

The artists I drive are truly a captive audience, and it's a wonderful opportunity to pick their brains about musical experiences, stories and insights. It's also an opportunity to inspire and entertain.

In a sense I still deejay. My audiences are just much, much smaller. They may be people in my car or the guests at a pot luck dinner.

I can't help but want to share good things ...

Pancakes

July was a busy crazy wonderful month ... Jazz Festival / Blues Fest / Two trips to Toronto / A weekend in Picton ... Haven't blogged for a while ...

Janice and I had something for breakfast this morning that we've never eaten together before.

We've been together for three years, and this is the first time she's made pancakes for us. They were great ... whole wheat / ground flax /cinnamon / honey ... very yummy. We wouldn't have had pancakes had it not been for watching TV this morning. We had been watching a sit com that mentioned pancakes about 8 times, and next thing you know- we are having pancakes for breakfast.

Nutritious & Delicious!

August will be less hectic ... The Folk Festival is coming up / cycling / volleyball /hikes & walks / domestic projects ... before you know it, it will be September and we will be off to Saskatoon and Winnipeg for a visit

: )

Goals For The Upcoming Year

A week from now I will be celebrating another birthday.

What should I focus on for the next twelve months?

• To be a supportive, loving partner
• To be a positive role model / influence at every opportunity
• To honour my body with nutritious dietary choices
• To remain healthy, vibrant and active
• To be happy, positive, friendly and loving
• To be reliable, trustworthy and helpful
• To improve, learn, grow and explore
• To enjoy and appreciate the many good things in life
• To remain productive, prosperous and an asset to many
• To cultivate new friendships
• To strive for compassion, understanding and patience
• To seek out win - win situations

I believe that these goals are worthy and attainable

I look forward to the year to come ...
it will bring wonderful things

rules to be happy

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.

Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.

Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is
arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.

'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.
I am still depositing.

'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

two weeks in Europe

The world has so many wonderful places to visit. Recently, Janice and I went to The Mediterranean for a visit. It was Belissima!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

We drove to Montreal and hopped on a Swiss Air flight to Barcelona Spain, with a quick little stop in Zurich Switzerland. On the plane, we had a hint of what the next two weeks held in store, with chocolate filled croissants, and complimentary little bars of Swiss chocolate.

Janice and I took a cab from the airport to our hotel, checked in, and looked forward to exploring Barcelona over the next three days. The Barcelona airport, by the way ... awesome. Perhaps a recent Olympics or World's Fair must have infused the city with some beautiful new upgrades ...

Thursday

Janice and I walked down to Port Vell, taking in Colon Square and the Columbus statue. Jet Lag had me up around midnight, so I took advantage of the computer in the lobby to surf the net for a while. My first impressions of Barcelona and this part of Europe ... nice architecture. They seem to care more here about structures not only being useful, but appealing. One can tell that style is more of a priority here than than in North America.

Friday

We scouted out a bar for breakfast, and enjoyed some great espresso. Jan and I then purchased two day passes for the "Hop On - Hop Off" sightseeing bus. These busses had 3 or 4 routes around Barcelona that allowed you to get on and off anytime to see many of the city's best attractions. Montjuic is a large hill in Barcelona that has a castle at the top. We got off the bus and ventured up to take a look at the castle via a tram. It was a little rainy, but not too bad ... from the tram we had some nice views of the city.

Upon returning from the castle, we got back on the bus ... our next stop was Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. This huge unfinished church is amazing in it's design. Gaudi's creativity and imagination are truly showcased well here. Janice and I took an elevator to the top and then walked back down the spiral stairs. It was a wonderful excursion ... outstanding, unique and fantastic.

Later that day we enjoyed some pizza at one of the many outdoor cafes. That evening we took in the Magic Fountain. This event of water, music and light was first performed on May 19, 1929 during the Great Universal Exhibition. It was fun ... coloured lights, music and a fountain that danced ... nice!

Before we called it a night, we enjoyed some more pizza on our way back to the hotel.

In the lobby, we overheard a few British guests troubled by flight wrinkles ... a volcano in Iceland was wreaking havoc for many travelling by plane. We were actually pretty lucky with our timing ... we landed and made it to our destination before the volcano caused it's problems.

Saturday

Had a lovely breakfast at the hotel, then it was back on the bus, and a ride up to Mount Tibidabo. In this section of Barcelona is another wonderful find ... Parc Guell. This large park is a garden complex with architectural elements and wonderful mosaic tile works. Another great place to see work by Antoni Gaudi, this park was built between 1900 and 1914. We enjoyed lunch here before hopping back on the bus.

Our next Barcelona adventure was a stroll down La Rambla - a 1.2 kilometre pedestrian mall filled with vendors, performers, fruit stands, cafes and artists. Janice and I bought a picture as a reminder of our Barcelona visit ... The painting of one of Gaudi's famous buildings in the city.

A walk down this section is not complete without a visit to St. Joseph's Market ... one of the oldest and largest markets in Spain. This market has a plethora of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, and a few cafes as well.

After our walk down La Rambla, we headed back to the hotel, freshened up and ventured out for dinner. We came across a bar / cafe that was filled with photos all over the walls. These pictures were mostly of the owner with European celebrities ... and one was hard pressed to find a bit of wall that did not have pictures. On our way back from diner we stopped at another cafe / bakery and indulged in some chocolate pastries. Europeans and pastries ... they really know their stuff in this department.

In the lobby of the hotel, a couple of stranded tourists were on the computers trying to find another way to get home. I was thankful that tomorrow's travelling for us involved a ship and not a plane.

Sunday

This was a transitional day for us. We were leaving Barcelona behind and boarding The Norwegian Jade for a seven day cruise around The Mediterranean. Barcelona was fantastic. It has wonderful architecture, spirit and style. It was a truly wonderful way to start our two weeks in Europe.

We boarded in the early afternoon. Janice and I had lunch and spent the Sunday exploring the ship. At 5 pm the ship was underway to our first port of call ... Monaco.

Monday

As we enjoyed breakfast at the outdoor restaurant on The Jade, we marvelled in our surroundings. We had docked in the port of Monaco, and all around us was this beautiful marina. In the distance, nestled on the side of the countryside was the busy little Mediterranean playground.

After breakfast we took a ferry to the downtown area and began wandering through the town. We explored the shopping district and found the world famous casino at Monte Carlo; saw The Hotel Paris and wandered some more. We found a gourmet food shop and picked up a little something, then enjoyed lunch at an outdoor cafe. Throughout the city, they were preparing for their upcoming Formula One race, so there were many barriers being put in place and protective fencing in areas.

This place was obviously a playground for the rich. The yachts, gambling, high end shops and well manicured gardens all spelled M O N E Y.

Later in the evening, back on board, we ended the day with dinner in the formal dining room and a Flamenco show at the ship's theatre. By 7 pm we had weighed anchor and were sailing toward our next port ... Livorno Italy. Ships this large can't just dock anywhere, and Livorno would be where we jump on a bus to visit Lucca & Pisa.

Tuesday

Bonjourno! ... welcome to Florence. We had signed up for three excursions and here was our first. After

, we were bussed to Lucca. This village was formed in Medieval times, and is one of the few places in the area untouched by the destructive forces of WWII. It had survived through the turmoils of the Roman Empire & The Neo Classic Period, and turned out to be a hidden gem for us.

Napoleon's sister lived here for many years and had a big influence on how the city developed. The village had 99 churches ... building a church back then was a status symbol for the rich and powerful. The composer Puccini was also from here. Pinocchio - originated in Tuscany, so many shops in the area carry little souvenirs of the little wooden boy.

The many narrow cobblestone streets were wonderful. The main method of transportation here is bicycles, as cars are not allowed (other than electric delivery and service vehicles). The application process to live within the the town walls is apparently quite the process.

We had a lovely lunch in another outdoor cafe here ... I had pizza & Jan had ravioli. We meandered through the narrow streets and rejoined our tour group ... next stop - Pisa.

The buses are not allowed too close to the Field Of Miracles, so our group had a little 10 minute walk from the bus. There is definitely no shortage of souvenir stands here... but I guess that's to be expected at just about any world famous tourist attraction. The Basilica / Cathedral were beautifully adorned with marble and wonderful carvings. To see The Leaning Tower in person was pretty cool to say the least. The artistry and adornment of these structures blew me away ... truly beautiful.

Wednesday, April 21st

The Norwegian Jade is docked in Civitavecchia, Rome and we are in for another day of amazing sights.

We spent the morning with our tour group enjoying the spectacle of The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, and excavations of ancient ruins. We all were treated to a lovely lunch including pasta and wine at a cafe by The River Tiber, and then it was on to Vatican City.

St. Peter's Basilica was astounding. The largest church in the world ... the sculptures, paintings and marble ... Michelangelo's Pieta - fantastic. There is so much here to see ... Janice and I found ourselves in awe by the scale and artistry throughout this massive church. I searched high and low for a popesicle ... no luck ... a little disappointed.

Thursday

Naples - our itinerary today included Sorrento in the morning and Pompeii in the afternoon. It was going to be another incredible day of wonderful travel experiences...

Our tour group boarded a bus and we were off on a ride along the cliffs that took us to the other side of The Gulf of Naples. Our tour guide had a wonderful Italian accent, and we were informed that we were going to have a wonderful excretion today. I'm pretty sure she meant excursion.

The homes here cling to the mountainsides, and people make use of every little bit of space. Those who grow (oranges, olives, grapes) often utilize vertical space wisely, stacking nets and frames upon each other.

Arriving in Sorrento, our group was given a tour of a store that made beautiful hand crafted furniture. Afterwards, we enjoyed some time to explore the nearby shops and cafes. Janice and I wandered through the narrow streets and came upon a little store that sold beautiful painted tiles ... we found one that we liked and bought it as a memento of our visit here.

After our group hooked back up, we toured a working farm. We watched and listened as they showed us how they baked bread in a stone oven, and made mozzarella cheese. The group was then treated to lunch that included salami, bruschetta, wine, pasta, and a taste of limoncello ... a wonderful lemon based liquor made in the area.

Next on the agenda ... Pompeii. I'd seen pictures of these excavations and looked forward to seeing these astonishing finds in person.

The chariot tracks in the cobble stone streets, the two thousand year old marble columns, the tile and stone ... here was a city covered by an eruption a long, long time ago. Pompeii was much larger than I imagined. Our group was led through the streets and told of how excavations will continue to unearth treasures for a quite some time. The cobblestone wasn't always flat and even in places ... this excursion would probably not be suited for anyone not mobile and in reasonable shape.

After the amazing tour, our bus took us back to the ship ... we passed by Mount Vesuvius along the way. It had been an incredible day.

Friday

Sea day ... today was a day of straight travel aboard The Jade. We had enjoyed smooth sailing all this way, but after passing through the strait between Sardegna and Corsica, the ship was sailing in rougher waters. Today would be a good day to slow down, explore the ship some more, and take things at a slower pace.

Janice and I enjoyed a little scrabble, and later in the day I discovered The Bridge Viewing Room. On the other two cruises I have been on, being able to see the bridge was pretty tough for most passengers, due to security concerns. On the Jade, they had a room, just behind the bridge, with a window ... passengers could see how crew ran the bridge. This area included two screens that showed computer controls and navigation - live.

It was nice to have this low key day ... a chance to catch our breath, and recharge as we headed for Palma.

Saturday

Our final port of call - Palma de Mallorca. Palma is a small city on the Spanish island of Majorca. From the dock, Janice and I hopped on a shuttle bus that took us closer to the downtown area. We explored the narrow car-less streets, wandering among the shops and cafes. It was nice to not have a structured tour today, and to have the freedom to just wander on our own.

We came across an open square and decided to stop at a restaurant for a little rest. We must have been at the right place at the right time, because the next thing you know, we were being entertained by colorful folk dancing musicians and dancers. The sound of castanets and a local band were a pleasant surprise for us. We enjoyed the Spanish music for about an hour, then wandered back toward the shuttle bus area. On the way back we came across another cathedral that Antoni Gaudi had a hand in ... beautiful.

Later that afternoon, I enjoyed the warm mediterrainian sunshine on the upper deck, while Janice indulged a little nap. The view of the islands were wonderful, as the ship left the port. Tomorrow morning we'ed pull in to the port of Barcelona and end our cruise ... then it was off to Madrid for the last three days of our European adventure.

Sunday

It had been a nice week aboard The Jade, but now it was on to the final destination of our European tour. After breakfast onboard, we grabbed a taxi and headed for the airport.

We were in Madrid by early afternoon. From the airport we headed for our hotel via taxi, and found that our hotel was near a major street that was closed for a celebration. Gran Via (Spanish for "Great Way") was celebrating 100 years with a huge concert. They closed off the street, and crowds were beginning to gather for the celebration. Our taxi had to detour around the fiesta.

After checking in, Janice and I went exploring among the nearby markets and restaurants in the area. As we wandered around, we came upon the concert at Gran Via. The crowd here was energetic and vibrant, and the music was lively.

The area around our hotel was truly beautiful ... the architecture at every turn was stunning. We had really chosen an excellent location for our stay in Madrid.

For lunch (and a pitcher of Sangria), we stopped at an outdoor cafe a couple of blocks away from the hotel, and the rest of the day slipped away quickly as we got to know the neighbourhood.

Monday

After enjoying breakfast at another outdoor cafe, we boarded another "Hop on - Hop off" tour bus. The

route took us past several historic buildings and statues, and once again we found ourselves marvelling at the architecture.

For supper we dined at a wonderful outdoor cafe at Plaza Mayor ... a huge central plaza in Madrid with several shops and cafes. Janice and wandered through the surrounding neighbourhoods, taking it all in ... enjoying the vibe and the scenery. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped a little bakery / cafe and enjoyed some pastry.

Tuesday

Today was a day to sleep in ... and that's ok. For breakfast, it was a toasted ham and cheese sandwich and espresso. This morning we walked to The Botanical Gardens. Here we found a beautiful assortment of plant life in a huge, well laid out park. After popping into a little cafe for lunch, we took the metro to Lago de la Casa de Campo ... a lovely little lake Janice and I took a walk around.

We returned to the hotel by subway, and I dropped by a department store to purchase some chocolate souvenirs for the folks back home. Supper today would be at another outdoor cafe, in a lovely plaza. Olives, sangria, lasagne, salad, bread ... with accordion music, and later on flamenco ... this was to be our last dinner in Europe, and what a nice way to finish things off ...
The last couple of days in Madrid were warm ... twenty eight degrees Celsius, making it a little hard to sleep, but if that's our biggest problem - life is pretty good.

Wednesday

Time to go home. We were up before the sunrise and off to the airport, for a flight to Zurich, then on to Montreal. I didn't mind the drive back to Ottawa ... it was nice to be going home.

The last two weeks had been marvellous. Janice and I had seen sights that we would remember for a lifetime. We had been blessed with good weather, no travel snags, and a nice mix of organized tours and freedom to explore on our own. It was a wonderful trip ... but it was nice to come home ...

follow the link to view pics-

http://blip.tv/file/3628502

photographs and memories

Recently Janice and I created a "Friends and Family" photo gallery on a wall here at our place. We'ed been meaning to do it for a while, and finally rounded up the pictures and mounted them.

It's nice to have a gallery, in a prominent place where we can be reminded of people in our lives, past and present. Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, my step daughters, nieces, nephews, close friends and even a few reminders of ourselves from years ago.

Snapshots of special moments, and celebrations ... now every time we go upstairs, or come downstairs, these pictures bring us warmth and smiles. As time passes these captured moments become more precious.

We will add to the gallery as time goes on ... there is always room for more happy moments.

gone but not forgotten

This past week brought with it sad news. I received an email informing me that Joanna Burns had died suddenly.

I'd been fortunate enough to get to know Joanna through her partner Norm back in Winnipeg. It was unexpected and she will be missed.

Joanna was intelligent and graceful. On several occasions, we had enjoyed pot luck dinners together with friends, and she was always welcoming and a wonderful conversationalist.

Good partnerships can sometimes be easy to spot. Norm and Joanna complimented each other, and it was a pleasure to be with them. I know she was good for Norm, and I hope he will find a way to recover.

I've never been able to pinpoint exactly why death made me uncomfortable, but I suspect I'm not alone. It might be because it reminds us that we too will not live forever. It could be because I feel awkward, knowing that mere words may likely be of very little consolation.

I will phone Norm in the next day or two ... not really knowing what I'll say, but I want to touch base ... to at least let him know that he is in our thoughts.

I will remember Joanna fondly, and be happy that our paths crossed.

Rest in Peace Joanna.

opportunity

This week, the principal of the school that I have been working at on a temporary basis asked to see me in her office.

She told me that the school wanted to have me there for the balance of the year ... she'd had a lot of positive feedback, and hoped I could join the staff until the end of June.

This really made my day. I have been hopping around here and there ... substituting as an Educational Assistant for about a year now, and this was nice. This school has an awesome administration, excellent caring talented teachers, and wonderful kids. I love this school.

The class I work with is a great group of five / sixes. I spend much of my time with one student, but also assist with the rest of the class when possible.

I remember when I was that young ... I remember feeling lost, unsure ... confused and unfocussed. I remember - and that helps me a lot in my job.

These kids are at a wonderful age. They are exploring communication and relationships, learning and growing, and open in many ways to improving aspects of who they are.

This is a golden opportunity. Every day, I see little windows where I can help them in their journey. They are receptive and I will not let this chance go by.

Wherever possible I share as many positive aspects of interactions as possible. I often remind them that we are all brothers and sisters here ... we are all family. Treat each other with respect and consideration. When people see that you are caring and respectful, they respect you.

The class is a family ... part of a bigger family - the school; which is part of a larger family - the community; and the community is part of a bigger family - Ontario ... Canada ... The World ...

We are all brothers and sisters.

I hope that a little bit of some of the things I say get absorbed here and there. Occasionally I get little glimpses that they are listening.

It's really a beautiful, joyful experience ... like watering a garden, or adding your spices to a Sunday Morning omelette.

I love these kids, and see the potential in them ... they are the future, and are growing into their own strengths and knowledge. I will help them and care for them ... it is a wonderful thing.

spring is springing

Much of the snow is gone here, and we've sprung the clocks ahead an hour today. As winter fades I can't help but look forward to some fun things coming up ...

This week - March break ... a week off school ... a chance to do some much needed work on a new website for a charity volleyball tournament coming up in June. I will also be taking our bikes in for a spring tune up, many wonderful rides await in the not-too distant future.

In a few weeks - Destination Europe ... a couple of weeks in The Mediterranean. Janice and I will be visiting Barcelona Spain for a few days, then on a cruise for a week, then a few days in Madrid. It will be a wonderful trip!

June - The First Annual Love Volleyball tournament ... one of at least three tournaments I hope to enjoy this year ... and the 30th Annual TD Canada Ottawa Jazz Festival - It was a highlight of my summer last year, and this year I will also enjoy volunteering as a driver with Performer Transportation.

July & August - Beach volleyball, bike rides, music festivals, all kinds of wonderful hot fun in the summertime.

September - Janice and I will likely be visiting friends and family in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

Gotta love the shorter winters here in Ottawa : )

refocussing

The effort to stay positive is daily and ongoing. There are no shortage of distractions that can detract from positivity.

Pressures and expectations keep us running around, doing what we do ... but it's how we do it all that makes the difference. Take yesterday, for example ... Janice and I invited a few friends over for a pot luck dinner, to play some games and have a few laughs. It's nice to do entertaining occasionally ... an opportunity to socialize (and a good motivator to do some much needed cleaning around the house).

I had a to - do list to attend to before the guests arrived that included running around to get a haircut, picking up groceries and a prescription, and to get a few things from my car which is in the garage for service. Ah, yes - my car. Yesterday it was towed from the parking lot of the school I was working at out in Barhaven to the shop ... my brakes has seized. The shop has informed me that my car will be in the shop for a week, while parts are acquired from far away ... and the bill? About $1600 for new brakes all 'round. I am grateful we have two cars, and I have the resources to foot the bill. Hey - if you own a vehicle, it costs money. At least the tow was free ... thanks to my CAA membership.

Anyway, so I'm out and about ... watching the clock, because I also need to get back home to take care of a few other things on the to - do list at home before guests arrive. Saturdays are not the best days to go to get a haircut if you are in a hurry ... they are a little busier, and odds are pretty good you may have to wait a while.

Sure enough ... I did have a bit of a wait - about an hour. I chose to suck it up, and not be frustrated. I decided that I would not give in to pressure, let go and just chill until I was done here. I relaxed, read the paper, played a little sudoku on my PDA and refused to obsess about being without my car for a week and having to shell out all that cash for the brakes. I focussed on my goals for the day and decided that this was going to be an enjoyable, fun, happy and productive day.

That's such a powerful tool ... the carrot that dangles in front of us ... keeping us on track, motivated and headed to success. Little successes and big ones. Keep your eyes on the prize.

I got the haircut, grabbed my stuff from the car at the shop, popped by my favourite supermarket for groceries to find it overwhelmed with shoppers. The parking lot was jammed, and I decided to not accept any stress here, and go elsewhere for what I needed. Life is full of alternatives, and going somewhere else would be smarter.

In the end, I did my grocery shopping, got my haircut, grabbed my stuff from my car, picked up the prescription and made it home to take care of the rest of my to - do list. Janice did a great job of cleaning and setting things up, the guests came over, and the evening was a wonderful success.

Life has no shortage of opportunities to make us angry, unhappy, frustrated, pressured, anxious and stressed ... we have the power within us to refocus, and stay positive. Spending time frustrated, angry and stressed does nothing good. There are some things we have control over, and some things we don't, so there is no point in reacting negatively to events beyond our control ... all that does is make it worse.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

attitude adjustment

Once in a while I find myself a little short of patience.

I don't like being cranky, and sometimes have to make a bit of an effort to escape from that mind set.

Let's face it ... if we don't get a decent night's sleep, feel pressured by challenges and responsibilities, or are in a bit of a rut, most of us can find ourselves feeling frustrated.

Often we can't control what comes our way,

but we can control how we react to it.

Strategies I use to try when I want to improve my attitude:

• Get a little more exercise
• Contemplate the GOOD things in your life
• Seek more sunshine
• Force yourself to do something you've been putting off
• Listen to music
• Take a St. John's Wort
• Focus on happy events you are looking forward to in the future
• Treat yourself to a treat that you can be proud of, is healthy, and honours yourself
• Get out and get some fresh air
• Escape, and go see a "feel good" movie
• Think about your accomplishments, and take pride in your good work
• Use positive affirmations to remind yourself of good things
• Meet a friend for a coffee or tea
• Give people around you a heads up and warn them of your state of mind

It can be a challenge at this time of year for some of us Canadians to stay positive ... we can feel like we've had enough of winter and are ready for spring ... there can be a lack of sunshine, and at times we can feel a little stir crazy ...

Fight the blues!

We deserve to be healthy and happy,

and the people around us don't deserve to be exposed to our crankiness.

The choice is ours ... we can selfishly dwell in despair, frustration and anger, or we can spend more time feeling good about life and who we are ...

twenty years ago

I am celebrating an anniversary ... it was 20 years ago that I started working in Education.

It's a little weird in a way - I hated school. I floundered academically, and remember struggling, finding it all truly horrible. It was a fairly painful time in many ways.

After leaving school, I had no idea of what I wanted to do. I went from job to job trying different things, hoping to find my calling. I was a carpet cleaner for a while, vacuum cleaner salesman, taxi driver, courier, an assistant manager at a restaurant, newspaper sales regional representative, A Theatre Production Assistant ...

I have to admit ... I have never been too money hungry. I always believed that it was more important to enjoy what you did than to be doing a job because the pay was good.

When I saw the position for an Educational Assistant in the paper, I thought it would be worth exploring. I had experience as a youth help line volunteer, and felt good about the work I had done with that organization over the last couple of years, so I thought this might also be rewarding.

It was ... over the years I have enjoyed working with children and young adults, in many different capacities. My experiences have helped me grow and improve. Through the years I have been fortunate to learn much more, and become an effective, positive role model in the schools.

I have been an instructor for Continuing Education, teaching various computer courses; I have been a Computer Lab Administrator, helping to set up and maintain computers as their popularity increased throughout schools.

In many ways, my experiences as a student in school have ended up helping me be more effective in my job. I can relate to students that are struggling, troubled and feeling lost.

School is not for everyone. Sometimes it can be like trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. There are more important things than school ... character, intention, citizenship, perspective. Academics are only part of the picture.

I am proud to work in Education, and continue to grow and learn as the years pass. I look forward to the challenges ahead, whatever they may be ...

February fourteenth

One of my most vivid memories from my youth was on valentines day. I can't remember if it was kindergarten or grade 1, but I do remember how I was introduced to the concept. Kids in the class had little paper bags taped to their desks ... these were our mailboxes for valentines to be received from classmates.

On the day that children brought in their little cute cards, the classroom was abuzz with excitement ... when it was time to deliver the little paper hugs all the students went around and dropped them into the small baggies.

After all the children were back at their desks, they could look at all the valentines received. I was really looking forward to seeing all the wonderful little colourful cards from all my friends.

As the class emptied their bags in front of them, the room filled with the cheerful sound of children having fun, enjoying the wonderful gifts from their friends. For me, it would become my first clear memory of disappointment and pain.

I remember not understanding ... why did all the other children have a pile of little cards in front of them, and I only had two cards? I thought these were my friends, and kids liked me. I remember the empty feeling, and the painful thought - I was unpopular, unwanted and invisible.

From then on, that is how I thought of myself for years to come ... and every valentine's day would be a reminder of that.

It would be a long time before that would change. I was fortunate enough to meet some caring, wonderful people that helped me see things in a better light.

Of course childhood isn't that simple ... there are many other factors and activities that help shape our self esteem, and any one event isn't likely to be solely responsible for your entire persona ... but I do remember that as being my first clear introduction to popularity, and the feeling of being rejected.

Through the years partners have come and gone ... you cross paths with someone, dance with them for a while, and part ways. Some valentines days have been spent alone and some not. Some friends refer to the 14th as Singles Awareness Day ( S. A. D. ) ... and yes, if you're single, it's just another reminder that you are without a partner.

There are people in the world that say V day was created by the card makers, flower sellers and the chocolate manufacturers to make more money ... maybe.

Today, my idea of love, relationships and loneliness has matured. I came to realize that during the times when I was without a partner, I was just "between relationships". This idea brought me a calming peace, and helped to combat that feeling that I would be alone forever. Perhaps that is one of the most destructive and saddening notions ... to be alone forever.

I guess one of the other notions that might pop up here is do we need someone else in our lives to be happy? I believe that everyone is different, and some more independent ... but most people probably want to feel loved and wanted. I came to realize in later years that periods of solitude were a wonderful opportunity for freedom, and to do some serious soul searching, grow and improve. When one is alone, there are no distractions and no compromises ... it can be a great time for spiritual growth and to focus on inner strengths.

I am very lucky presently to have met someone who loving, caring, intelligent and fun. We are blessed to be sharing our lives together, and our lives are richer for it. Janice is truly a treasure, and she has brought me a wonderful joy that I hope I can also return to her.

If you are reading this and you are without that special someone in your life, I hope you know that even though it may not be as obvious as you would like, you are loved. There are people in the world that care for you, and think about you. Be strong, love yourself and celebrate happiness within you. Think about some of the people in your life, and remember the warmth and smiles that the world has to offer.

~ hugs ~

my former self

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that many people can't relate to me anymore ... I am not the man I used to be.

There was a time when I was aggressive and demanding. I am far from perfect, and at times still probably a little demanding, but I am a work in progress. I am not perfect, and expect I never will be. I have come a long way, but know that it is a never ending journey.

I have spent much of my life like many people ... a little misguided. My idea of success was to dominate and win. Anyone can live this way, but there is a price that comes with the lifestyle. Stress and unhappiness were side effects of the world I lived in then. I remember the pressure of the destructive nature of my life back then. It was taking it's toll on my health ... I knew it was no way to live, and that changes needed to be made.

There was a point when I enjoyed arguments, and could win most ... but it produced a lot of negative energy. I could feel the toxic juices flowing throughout my body during the heat of battles ... it was ugly, and in the end, wrong.

I decided that my lifestyle, the way I thought, my goals and intentions had to re - tuned to be healthier and more loving. I set out on a mission to improve my world, my future, my spirit and my health. It would be an upward spiral that involved daily efforts to tap into the positive forces within us all, and focus on what is good in our world.

Adversity can often be a wonderful catalyst for change, and for me it was a battle with Crohn's Disease and a failed marriage. I remember not liking who I was back then and knowing my life needed to change.

Setbacks happen. They are part of life, and we all stumble from time to time. If we can learn from them, forgive and move on, we can be richer for it.

I continue to try to grow and improve. I focus on love, joy and positivity. Life has improved and my world is filled with many good things I am grateful for. The journey continues, day by day, and I keep heading for that man I want to be.

the sights along the way

This week I have been working out in the country south of the city. It's a nice school with caring, talented staff and wonderful students. I worked mainly with kindergarten students this past week, and next week will be there to work with a special needs student as well.

I really enjoy my work. The students are fun and happy, and I often come home feeling very good about the day ... reflecting on moments of smiles and encouragement, learning and growth.

The trip to and from the school takes me away from the city and to a small town. It's a refreshing change of pace, and every time I do the trip it seems I notice something I hadn't before ... a small coffee shop in town, an old church, a rustic farmhouse ... little picturesque details than bring a smile to my face.

This reminds me once again that the journey is often just as much important as the destination. We owe it to ourselves to take the time and make the effort to seize the opportunity and enjoy anything and everything possible along the way. It's those joyful pleasures that can bring us happiness and an appreciation for the many good things in our lives. We owe it to ourselves to make a conscious effort to look for them.

I've got it pretty good right now, and I know it. I am blessed with a wonderful partner, enjoyable work and a good life, filled with many things to be thankful for.

nothing lasts forever

In our lives we can find many examples of devices that assist us, entertain us and give our modern world access to information in a variety of forms. These appliances can be wonderful tools of productivity, and can perform a variety of tasks much better than ever before.

I recognized the potentials of information technology long ago, and remember seeing the typewriter's demise. I have come to know that computers are excellent for managing information, but one never really knows when a computer may stop functioning.

This week my poor old IBM T30 Thinkpad Laptop died. It was not a devastating loss .... I know enough to store important data in other places, and I have more than one computer.

This was actually an opportunity.

I have been wanting to leave the world of Microsoft dominated machines behind, and explore the world of Apple for some time now, so I got a MacBook.

I have to say ... so far, I have no complaints. Right out of the box, it's easy to use, intuitive, slick, clean, speedy, quiet ...

I will be installing windows on it too, for the two or three programs that I will still need, but my goal is to phase out all things Windows based in time.

Nothing lasts forever, and I know enough not to let my possessions own me.

It's only stuff, and it should enhance and enrich our lives,

not be a source of frustration and annoyances.

I look forward to my new Apple adventure ...

it's been a good week for me

As a substitute Educational Assistant, work can be hit and miss ... but this last week not only have I been lucky enough to work every day, but I have been working at a couple of my favorite schools. These schools have caring, talented staff, and wonderful children.

I saw a poster in one of the staff rooms with the following:

Guidance

For our children,
the road to happiness and success
is usually paved by
our example

It would be wonderful to land a good job at one of these schools, but for now I am enjoying the variety and the experience.

I am open to opportunities and will rise to the challenges presented to me. I will surpass expectations and strive to be an asset to anyone who calls upon me.

resolutions

It's the start of a new year, and many people tend to make New Years Resolutions.

I tend not to do so for myself, and instead make resolutions when I feel they are needed throughout the year.

I have ongoing goals that I strive to achieve, and once in a while, when warranted, I sometimes also set sights on short term objectives for myself.


Some of my goals include:

-=|=- to honour my body with healthy choices

-=|=- to be a good role model for the students I work with

-=|=- to be centred and focused

-=|=- to endure when necessary, and thrive when possible

-=|=- to be supportive, reliable and encourage positive efforts in others

-=|=- to try to maintain balance in my life

-=|=- to remain passionate

-=|=- to appreciate, acknowledge and enjoy

-=|=- to be open mined

-=|=- to maintain a healthy perspective

-=|=- to be a better communicator

-=|=- to be strong, active and supportive of other's efforts

-=|=- to stay positive and constructive

-=|=- to laugh and be happy

-=|=- to recycle, use less energy and reduce my carbon footprint

-=|=- to improve, grow and learn

-=|=- to contribute and be helpful when needed

-=|=- to allow inspirations to help me do great things

-=|=- to be loving and considerate

-=|=- to be accepting, patient and understanding

-=|=- to stay healthy and vibrant


I strive to be at my best,
so I can then be helpful,
caring and supportive to others.


Happy New Year!

May it be healthy and happy, prosperous and filled with love.

Good luck with any goals you may have set for yourself.