Some emotional ranting...

I've only had a few reactions to my blogs so far. Most are saying nice things like "It's personal. It's more like NPR, and less like CNN". But a few have asked for more emotion and ranting. ...

I really don't have much to rant about right now, but if pushed, I'd rant about people who cause trouble for other people. Like the asshole in Armstrong, BC and the 18 year old punks who shot the police officer in Windsor.

Why do so many people have nothing better to do than to get in trouble?

Mostly I'd rant about all the people similar to these assholes, but who are living just below the surface. What can be done to preempt their crimes, protect their future victims and maybe get their lives in order? Better social programs, so all kids experience unconditional love and frequent hot breakfasts before school? Tougher young offender rules? And what am I supposed to do as a society member? I know about green living for the planet, but what should I do to make things right for the people living ON the planet? I personally know the childhoods of people who subsequently "went bad" and I can't remember anything that might have caused it to happen. My contemplation so far is leading me to believe that we're just too flippin affluent. Very few of us have to worry about getting eaten to death, or where our next meal is coming from, or whether we'll survive the winter. It's all about which button we CHOOSE to push to provide the instant gratification that has become our highest form of self-esteem. And don't even get me started on the sense of entitlement that's running amok in society. Everyone feels that they are entitled to sit at the front of the publicly-funded bus, and they're miffed if they have to walk the last 50 feet to their destination.
AAAARRRGG!!!!

Weddings and Funerals. And Baptisms

I attended two baptisms in two days this weekend. In addition to the very cute babies, it was good to see all the familes together. All dressed up and a little uncomfortable. Some hadn't seen each other since the wedding reception, others hadn't seen each other since the incident that drove them apart. But for the most part all were there with a common association, focused on the future of the child. Some were thinking about the eternal future of the child.

We were all reminded to contemplate our own eternal future. Remember that interesting part in a baptism when all present are asked to repeat their own commitment to God? "Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?". I'll have to get back to you on that, but I do believe in the power of family. The immediate family of mom, dad and child(ren)... the extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc... and the 'community' family of neighbours, class mates and church mates. It's better to belong. We all need, and we all want to be needed. Family fits that bill nicely. An example of that strength is when folks say how nice it would have been if others could have attended also, but couldn't because they're in Dallas TX, Vernon BC or only in our hearts and memories.

The beautiful baby in this pic is Sage Marie with parents Ami and Marc. The two ladies in the foreground are Sage's grandmother, Debbie, and great-grandmother, Eileen. On the far left is Sage's grandfather Tom. On the far right in white is one of Sage's godmothers, Janet.

Music

I found this picture of the original I-pod. It was just called a Pod in those days. (Children, this is a joke. Ha ha). Anyway, the picture got me thinking about Music.

This past weekend was full of music for me. Friday night was Windsor Folk's monthly Acoustic Stage night. Live, local, quality talent. And it's free! (Okay, donation). Saturday night I was fortunate enough to be part of a house concert with Dave & Sharon Light. I really enjoyed preparing and rehearsing with Dave & Sharon. It was great to finally share it with an audience. Sunday was the usual church choir activity. Most excellent.

I inherited an appreciation of music from both of my parents. Thank goodness for that! The world would be a much poorer place without music and humour. I was just thinking about 'memorable musical moments' I've experienced. It includes live concerts by Jose Feliciano, Anne Murray, Chicago, Jimmy Rankin, Sting, Annie Lennox, Phil Nimmons, Christine Lavin, Phil Collins and John Cougar/Mellencamp. It also includes church choirs, Lug-a-Mug song circle and two Windor Light Opera productions. (The Music Man in '70 and A Christmas Carol in '71).

Many great radio stations are streaming to the Internet now. Check out CKUA from Alberta, WDET from Detroit and CFIM from the Magdalen Islands.

Enjoy!

Derek got his Drivers Licence

Derek passed his road test yesterday, so he's got his G2 licence. Which means he can drive alone, and he can drive on 100 km/h highways. Yikes! We knew he'd have no problems passing because he's a very good driver. He was just a little nervous because of all the urban myths spread around at school. Anyway, he's already got about 20 kilometers of solo driving experience. Now all he needs to do is get a job so he can pay for his gas! One of his first solo outings was to drop off an application at Home Hardware. Smart kid, eh?

Peggy's Birthday

Today is Peggy's birthday. She and I are the first of 4 kids, and little more than a year apart, so it's not surprising that there's a special bond between us. Maybe the bond is stronger because we've lived 1000's of kilometers apart for so many years. I don't know that. But I do know that the special bond between us has little to do with me. Everyone I know who knows Peggy also feels a special bond with her. She's just naturally a friendly and personable person who cares about people and lives in the moment. It sounds simple but it's more than I can keep up. This picture has us together with my Mom, my brother Mark and our baby sister Mary. It was taken in the Fall of '04, (before we drove through the Rockies to see Sting and Annie Lennox at the Calgary Saddledome!)

I'm still going to be 1000's of kilometers away from Peggy today. If you see her in your travels please give her a hug from me. She's the beautiful one in the centre of the photo.