Wake up to the Internet lies

Shout, shout, let it all out, these are the things I can do without. – Tears for Fears

Written by Roland Orzabel and Ian Stanley in 1984, Shout is an encouragement to political protest. It encourages people not to simply accept things without questioning them. Now, a quarter of a century later, is anyone taking this advice?

The Internet can be a great source of information, but it’s also a cesspool of nonsense, slander and ignorance. And, for some reason, good people allow themselves to sink into this quagmire without questioning the legitimacy of what they have embraced.

You’ll see it in some of the e-mails they forward to you. E-mails that make some kind of outrageous statement you know can’t possibly be true, even though whoever wrote the original tripe claims it’s all been verified. Often all it takes is a quick check at Snopes.com or another myth-busting site to discover the truth behind the crap. But today, 25 years after Tears for Fears urged us ‘let it all out’, people seem all to willing to swallow slop spewed out by anyone seeking to share their warped sense of reality or to commit character assassination.

That’s one of “the things I can do without.”

A frequent target of the vitriol has been U.S. President Barack Obama. I guess when you’re trying to bring a positive perspective to the ugly game of politics there will be those who will do anything to fight the change.

Last night I had a brief conversation with some folks I’ve known for quite a few years. And they are terrific people. They asked if I’d heard that Obama had cancelled the National Day of Prayer in the U.S., but had endorsed a national event for Muslims.

Okay, then. Where to start?

Of course Obama did not cancel the National Day of Prayer, although he probably should. There is supposed to be a separation of state and church that helps keep the U.S. from becoming a theocracy and allows absolute freedom of or from religion. But there isn’t room to get into depth about that here.

Obama simply did not host an ecumenical service in the White House, as Bush had before him. Instead, he continued a tradition of issuing a presidential proclamation designating the National Day of Prayer and observed the occasion privately. In fact, Obama was actually the defendant in a suit brought by the Freedom from Religion Foundation that held the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. The Obama administration was arguing in favour of retaining the day.

And by the way, a federal judge ruled in favor of the challenge, saying the National Day of Prayer actually is unconstitutional. So, it’s not Obama working to prevent the event, it’s a group of concerned people who see religion starting to take on a role in U.S. politics it was never supposed to adopt.

As to Obama’s support of a special day for Muslims . . .nope, it’s just part of the lie. Remember back before the election? Opponents were trying to scare American voters with claims of Obama being a Muslim and not a Christian. The scare tactics continue. There is even a photo claiming to show Obama at an Islamic Prayer Day session in the White House. Info spread with the photo claims that Obama is an insult to the founding fathers in the U.S.

It’s also interesting to note that among the founding fathers are some prominent figures who were anti-clerical, or vocal about their opposition to organized religion. This included Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Hardly lightweights in U.S. history. Several others considered themselves deists. That’s not something that squares with the beliefs of many of Obama’s critics. But I guess if actual history doesn’t support their stand, they can choose to ignore it.

Of course, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana.

The photo actually shows Obama visiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul while on an official visit. He was observing protocol as a visitor. What’s insulting to the found fathers is the campaign of lies spread by those who are still fighting the last election and trying to defame Barack Obama. I don’t imagine they’d be too impressed by the willingness of the American public to simply accept without question the nonsense directed their way.

Maybe it’s time more people stood up and said, “these are the things I can do without.”

I'd do it all again

Beautiful day today in southern Alberta. Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 20s. That’s not the way it was 29 years ago today. On May 16, 1981, it was overcast and raining. In fact, it had been pouring rain for almost a week leading up to that date. How would I possible know that? Easy. On that day 29 years ago Lynda and I were married.

Yes, it is our 29th anniversary today. And that astounds me. OK, let me clarify. It’s the passage of time that astounds me, not that we’re still married. We’ve been married for longer than some of my Facebook friends have been alive! Of course, there are other Facebook friends who were actually at the wedding and reception. How are you feeling today?

Our plan had been for a wedding at Henderson Lake, but the rain killed that plan. We went out to check the ground that morning and realize women’s heels would sink into the wet soil, so we had to settle for the court house … always have a Plan B in life!

At one time, there was a hotel in downtown Lethbridge called the Marquis Hotel. And everyone pronounced it Mar-kwiss. Just so Western Canada! Anyway, the dining room had been renovated shortly before we married and it was our choice for the reception.

The hotel had a ton of character . . . and more than a few characters! Dinner was excellent. Trust me to remember the food! We had prime rib that was cooked to perfection.The service was a little different. One waitress was little ditzy. She came by and took Lynda’s sister’s plate before she’d finished eating.

At the time, Lynda worked at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veteran’s club, which was just down the block from the hotel. We had to put in an appearance, so Lynda and I walked down the street in our finery and popped into the club. The nice folks there ended up giving us money as a wedding gift. Gotta love that.

I remember the last dance of the evening. Remember, this was 1981. The final song was from only three years earlier, but it would seem ancient today. Last Dance by Donna Summer seemed perfect to wrap up the evening. Some of the older folks in attendance were unfamiliar with the song, so when it started they came up onto the dance floor for that wonderfully romantic slow introduction. They left promptly when Donna cut loose! How do you NOT get up to dance to this song?!?

Ah, good times.

The next day there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the temperature was quite comfortable. We flew to Victoria for our honeymoon and stayed in the Empress Hotel.

The Marquis Hotel, despite it’s renovations, had too many other problems and too much competition from newer and more boring establishments. It was demolished seven years later in 1988. Thankfully, our marriage has lasted longer than just seven years!

Today, we spent the day relaxing for the most part, but Lynda made me dinner tonight and that is unusual. I’m the chief cook around here. But Lynda is great when she wants to be. Tonight we had pinwheel salmon. That’s salmon fillets wrapped around crab meat. Quite excellent. Keeping it simple to savour the flavour, Lynda did a mix of steamed asparagus, fresh carrots and red peppers with dill and rosemary seasonings. I also had a couple of glasses of Sawmill Creek chardonnay.

I guess next year it will be my turn to cook!

Photos: Lynda and I cutting the cake at the reception, and our first dance. We really boogied to the last one, though.

Is it All About the Money?

Friday was amazing. Day off from work. Sun shining. Temperatures at that perfect not-to-hot, not-too-cold stage. Max and I exploring around Nicholas Sheran lake in West Lethbridge. That’s when it hit me. It really doesn’t get much better than this. And then I thought about Michael Taylor’s show on Unity.fm this week with the subject “Is It All About the Money?”

Why that show? Simple. If that is the lifestyle I’d like, meaning having time off when I want to do what I want whenever I want, it will take money. If I have a goal to achieve that lifestyle, is that all about the money?

Michael Taylor’s show is part of his effort to create a new paradigm of masculinity. Too many men find their justification for being in things, money and the career. But our real purpose lies within and many men are completely out of touch with what’s important. Michael talked about his own struggle with a desire to be rich and how he was constantly pursuing investments and business opportunities until he reached a point where he questioned what he was doing with his life.

Is it really all about the money? No. Not that there’s anything wrong with acquiring it. But that shouldn’t be the sole purpose or goal.

I can relate to Michael’s story about his early struggles with money. I’ve pursued more than one opportunity for the potential income, not for a deeper purpose. Why would I do that? Being unhappy with a job situation and some financial struggles were usually the key factors. I could pursue an opportunity strictly for monetary reasons and not because it touched something deeper within me.

If you’ve ever tried this, you know it often leads to an unsuccessful venture.

But what if the pursuit of the goal, in my case the desire to have more independence and freedom in life, actually lines up a truth that is at the core of your being? In other words, what if you are pursuing something that has meaning for you on a deeper level? Something you really believe in.

Hmmmmm. Maybe then your financial gain and how you define yourself as a person isn’t all about the money. The money is just a side benefit.

Something to think about.

Photos from Friday at Nicholas Sheran: Top - Yellow-headed blackbird. Top right - Red-winged blackbird. Above - Max looking proud while sitting on rock.

Shawna Sings the Blues

I have this amazing friend. Her name is Shawna Romolliwa. I’ve known Shawna for maybe five or six years. We don’t hang out or anything, but we’re still friends. I still get a heartfelt hug when we meet. As if her beauty, intelligence and compassion weren’t enough, she also has this incredible voice.

Many of my friends in Lethbridge know Shawna and can attest to her amazing singing talent. If you do not live in southern Alberta, I feel sorry for you. You are living a life deprived of a great musical experience. Just check out The Shawna Romolliwa Band.

The first time I heard Shawna sing, I thought of her style and voice as a cross between Sade and Enya. That’s all changed since she started singing blues. Now there is a raw, edgy sexiness to her music. When you go to The Shawna Romolliwa Band, click on Hound Dog. You’ll never think of Elvis again.

This afternoon I was listening to a ’70s station at work and a particular song came on. Suddenly, I realized that, in fact, Shawna’s style now reminds me of someone else who has a raw, edgy sexiness. That’s the amazing Tina Turner. Tina rocks. If you think today’s cookie-cutter fabricated ‘stars’ are hot, let this video open your eyes to what was happening way back when. And that ain’t no lame-ass lip synching, kiddies! Would love to see today’s pop tarts tackle this kind of energy and still have something left for singing rather than mouthing the words while they prance around.

I don’t know if Shawna will read this, but if so, I hope she also checks out the Tina video. I hear her vocals now; I think she could do a kick-ass version of Proud Mary. In fact, I’d love to see her band take it on. Not an exact copy, but adapted to her own style.

I can just imagine this rockin' The Slice some night, and I bet some of my Lethbridge friends and picture it, too!

Sure, The Shawna Romolliwa band plays the blues. Maybe this doesn’t fit exactly. But it’s a powerful song that requires a powerful voice and a singer with real stage presence to pull it off.

I think Shawna could do it and I’d love to see it.

2010: Begin Again - Springtime, chocolate and true colours

I know many people in Alberta are wishing spring would begin again . . . and stick around rather than letting winter cling to us with its icy fingers. Mark Twain is credited with saying, “everyone complains about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it.” Ain’t that the truth! Still, it’s hard to be frustrated with it. Especially when the wind chimes we put out for spring look more like Christmas ornaments!

Wellness Week

Despite days that look more like the beginning of December than May, there is still plenty to appreciate. For me, I’ve been enjoying Wellness Week at the college. There have been some excellent workshops to attend and I’m practicing the college form of ‘jean therapy.’ So far I’ve worn a couple of pairs of Calvin Klein’s and my favourite black pair. I still have a pair of Tommy Hilfiger’s and Pepe 73’s to get me through the week.

Today I took part in the chocolate tasting session. Oh, and don’t you be thinking this was just a bunch of people sitting around noshing on O Henry bars or a big box of bon-bons. Dr. Jennifer Davis (sorry if I have the spelling wrong, my bad) scheduled us in between her classes at the college to share her extensive knowledge about chocolate. Jennifer used to have a chocolate business and she really knows her stuff. Chocolate tasting can be as sophisticated as wine tasting . . . but without the alcohol.

After a brief discussion of the benefits of eating chocolate – and please note we are talking about high quality, real chocolate; not stuff you’d buy at the gas bar while paying for your fill-up – we got down to the sampling. Health benefits? Oh, yes, indeed. Dark chocolate is loaded with flavonoids – antioxidants that help maintain heart and circulatory health among other things. It can also help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Tasting the chocolate was enjoyable, to say the least. Jennifer had us try six different chocolates from the Michel Cluizel company of Paris. This included Maralumi Milk, Maralumi Dark, Mangaro Noir, Concepcion, Los Ancones and Vila Gracinda. The selection pretty much covered the world, coming from Papau New Guinea, Madagascar, Venezuela and Santa Domingo. It really was like a wine tasting. Each sense was involved. We smelled the chocolate, looked at it, snapped into pieces and tasted it – letting it melt on the tongue, please, no chewing allowed.

We recorded our perceptions of its fragrance and taste in much the same way as you would wine. But we didn’t have to spit it out, as in a wine tasting! Jennifer provided us with a list of descriptions often used for chocolate . . . and wine. We could note a chocolate had hints of berry fragrance, or leather, or tobacco and so on. Tastes were also considered in this fashion. With some chocolate, the taste was on the tongue and gone as fast as it melted. Others lingered on the palate. Flavours evolved as the chocolate melted. It was quite extraordinary to experience. Usually I snarf down chocolate to fast to appreciate it. Of course, it’s rare that I would have some of such high quality.

It was an educational and enjoyable session.

On Monday I took in the True Colours session offered by Judy Frank, the chair of counseling services on campus. Judy is always great in her presentations and this was no exception.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to learn about the True Colours method of classifying personality types, you owe it to yourself to check it out. If you interact with people at all, this will help you understand why we don’t always see eye-to-eye and to be more effective in your communications and relationships.

Each participant in the session received a Keys to Personal Success booklet with four cards in it. The cards featured different images on the front with backgrounds in blue, green, gold and orange. Judy had us arrange the cards in order based on how the images appealed to us. Then we turned the cards over and read the descriptions on the back. We could then rearrange the cards in order of the descriptions we felt suited us.

In the booklet we then rated the images from 4 down to 1 in order of preference. Rating a series of word clusters listed under each colour provided more information about our personality preferences. When all was said and down, we had a better understanding of ourselves and how we interact with others most effectively.

Adding up the scores, my preference has me as a Blue followed extremely closely by Green. So, what does that mean? As a Blue, value authenticity and honesty above all other characteristics. I possess a strong spirituality in my nature. I like to cultivate the potential in myself and in others. I am idealistic, sincere and a nurturer. I enjoy doing thoughtful things for others, I’m affectionate, supportive and a good listener.

With Green being so strong – only one point less than Blue – I also feel good about myself when solving problems. I seek knowledge and understanding and live life by my own standard. I value intelligence, insight, fairness and justice. This means I’m also a natural non-conformist, a visionary and a problem solver.

So there you have it. I think that’s fairly accurate, but I would leave it up to those who know be best to agree or disagree.

And that’s what’s been cool in my life so far this week.

Photo: One of our wind chimes looking remarkably like a Christmas decoration! Taken on May 5, 2010.

2010: Begin Again - Finding meaning in strife

So you think you've got it rough . . .

In the 21st century it seems many of us are still pondering the meaning of life. It’s a spiritual conundrum whose answer can confound the best of intensions. As part of spiritual journey, I have borrowed an amazing book from a friend of mine. “Man’s Search for Meaning” was written by Viktor E. Frankl. If anyone can question the meaning of life, it’s Frankl. He writes from the perspective of a man who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps.

I’m only halfway through the book, but I’ve found his insights captivating. He’s not writing from some airy-fairy perspective. He addresses things based on questions he and other raised while being starved, beaten, forced to work in winter weather wearing nothing more than rags. It was an existence that destroyed individuality and any belief or hope in a future.

From his experiences Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, developed logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy. The last half of the book is dedicated to an examination of logotherapy. I’m looking forward to reading that part, but I’ve already been impressed.

Frankl addresses how some prisoners gave up on life while others were able to find meaning in the struggle to survive. What follows is a brief quote from the book that really speaks to the meaning of life.

“Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks, which it constantly sets for each individual.

“These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way. Questions about the meaning of life can never be answered by sweeping statements. ‘Life’ does not mean something vague, but something very real and concrete, just as life’s tasks are also very real and concrete. They form man’s destiny, which is different and unique for each individual. No man and no destiny can be compared with any other man or any other destiny.”

When we think we have it tough, Frankl brings the reality of true challenge to light.

See you next time.

Photo: Viktor E. Frankl - 1905-1997

2010: Begin Again Replay + Fashion for Fun

2010: Begin Again - First Period Analysis

As the first period comes to a close, it’s time for Coach’s Corner and an assessment of how the game’s going so far. It started January 1, 2010 with the idea of skipping the resolution and shooting for the revolution. Make it a make-over year with big changes. How’s it going?

Ups and downs usually accompany all projects. That’s OK as long as you keep getting back up after the down! So, here’s a quick score.

Blogging. I started with the intent to blog something everyday. Well, that didn’t last longer than a couple of weeks. I think I started feeling that to blog I needed something important to say. And that’s not what I wanted. My first thought was to simply blog for the discipline of it. Writing everyday would keep me writing. That’s what I should be doing.

Can’t say I’m going to blog everyday, but I am going to commit to it on a more regular basis. Sharing small things, ideas and some favourite quotes.

Health. Another up and down. Shed some pounds early on, but gained it back. You see, I have a problem. I love food! Good food. Bad food. Almost any food. Some people like art that stimulates the visual senses. Some love music that teases and pleases the auditory sense. Me? I like to tantalize my taste buds! It’s my downfall.

But having released weight early in the year, I do know I can do it. So for the next two periods of this game, it’s back to playing defence. I am also committing to taking up Nordic, or pole, walking. Yes, walking with what looks like cross-country ski poles customized for a snowless landscape. It provides an almost total body workout. Getting active and watching what I eat will see the shedding of weight that will be healthy for me.

Spirituality. He shoots. He scores! One of the big things for me this year was spiritual growth. I feel growth in this area has been tremendous. I’m working through The Quest with my friend Darren. This exploration from Unity Church is an eye-opener for anyone who thinks the study of spirituality is going to be boring. The chapters and associated work book are challenging. If you don’t have an open mind to new concepts, it may not be for you. But if you’re willing to consider new ideas and seriously examine your beliefs, find a copy of The Quest, hook up with a friend or two and prepare for the ride.

I’ve also been listening to Conversations with God on CD, reading different books and taking in some outstanding information sessions online. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a church or group that provides just what I’m looking for in a spiritual home. The traditional Christian approach to spirituality is not for me. I’m a New Thought kind of guy. Until I get something started in Lethbridge, I have returned to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Their kind of open acceptance of different beliefs suits me fine for now.

Finally, there’s finances. Moving to a different position at the college helped save my sanity and you can’t put a price on that. But the accompanying reduction in salary is a challenge. I do need to get serious about supplementing my income. I have been researching options and I’m confident of a positive road ahead. So I’m counting this one as an assist if not a goal.

Two more periods to go in the game this year. The second period wraps up at the end of August and the third on Dec. 31. It’ll be interesting to see how the game shapes up. Stay tuned.



We’re All Victims of Fashion
First, name the song from which I lifted the line above and the group that sang it. There’s the challenge.

I’m used to being the only guy in a room of women. Just ask my former colleagues at work. At one time I was the only guy working with nine women in the Advancement Office at Lethbridge College. Today I was among the few who braved the Spring Tea and Fashion show held at the Legion by the Ladies Auxiliary. There were a couple of reasons to attend.

First, Lynda and Kelsea volunteered to model clothes. When your wife and daughter are both taking part, going to support them is the right thing to do. Second, I thought it would be nice to take my mother-in-law, Sharon, to the event. After all, she’d want to support her daughter and granddaughter. Kelsea’s boyfriend, Taylor, also came in support of Kelsea. Whadda guy!

The strawberry shortcake was tasty. There were lots of give aways. And Lynda and Kelsea got to model some nice clothes. In fact, Lynda ended up buying one of the outfits for herself, and one of the dresses for Kelsea. All in all, a good day!

Photos: Top left, Lynda with Kelsea, who is wearing the dress we bought for her after the show. Top right, Kelsea relaxing after the show. Above left, Lynda in the brown suit she purchased. Above right, Kelsea with Dennis, who played the bagpipes at the show.