What Cause Today?

I’m not sure who dreams up these ‘National-Whatever-Day’ designations. And I suppose if it weren't for the Internet, we'd never hear about half of them.

Apparently today is Family Literacy Day in Canada. Although literacy was one of Gordon Campbell’s dearest causes and loudest promises, the government quietly slashed funds for that too. The announcement was tiny. All I ever saw was this eensy notice in the Vancouver Sun. Campbell's government must have rethought the funding when they realized a literate populace might speak out against too many of their policies.

In the U.S., it seems to be National Chocolate Cake Day. As if I need more calories; I'm still fighting the leftover flab roll from Christmas.

If you poke around further, you'll discover that it’s also Thomas Crapper Day, observing the 100th anniversary of the death of the man credited with inventing the toilet (or, at the very least, marketing it). Whatever his role, I’m glad this device caught on, and am especially grateful for this contribution when it’s raining or snowing.

But then in Surrey, where I live, it’s a Day of Caring for Right to Play. This is an organization I believe in. I even made a donation to them, using money I saved by not buying lottery tickets.Ironically, even though they do so much to encourage athleticism by bringing the gift of play to children around the world, Right to Play isn't permitted to have a presence at the coming Olympic games. Something’s not quite right with that picture, but then, so what else is new.

Most notably though, it’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day that requires all of us to pledge we’ll never forget. Unfortunately, I can’t give credit to the speaker, but I did hear a wonderful message regarding today’s observance. He said, “We must not be bystanders. We must be upstanders.” And to that I can only say, Amen.

Prorogue? No thanks.

The mood at yesterday's gathering was clear: prorogue is not in the best interests of Canadians.

We gathered at what's become the traditional spot, north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, and made our way through the downtown streets to Victory Square.
There were a few politicians in attendance, among them Adriane Carr and Hedy Fry (and it's worth clicking on the 30-second video posted at her site). But aside from this handful of NDP and Liberal MPs (and of course, the Green candidate), can you imagine? Not a single Conservative showed up. You'd think they'd have wanted the chance to enlighten us as to why they think proroguing is the right thing to do and not just the avoidance tactic it appears to be.

The mood of the day was positive, with lots of conversation among strangers. Even the police riding along on their bicycles were mellow and ready to chat. Funniest sign was the one that read "Canadians want perogies, not prorogues" with the best part being the fact she was handing out perogies to those who wanted a snack.

Now, if only the government could get the message that people do care about how we are governed -- and that we want our elected officials in Parliament to get back to work. If you feel like phoning Hunky Steve and reminding him that there's lots to do, his number is on the final photo on this post.

Travels of the Mind

I spent this afternoon leading a class of creative writing students. For me, that's not too out of the ordinary, though the students weren't the typical everyday ones. They were inmates at a nearby women's penitentiary.

One of the exercises we did meant imagining a place you'd like to visit. No credit card limits or lack of time -- or, as was pointed out, no restrictions on travel from having a criminal record.

We covered the globe, from Africa to Vienna, with Egypt and Mexico tossed in for balance.

It was a terrific stretch of the imagination and led everyone to employ all their senses in their writing -- hanging fruits, gritty sand underfoot, and even the sound of a bird calling coo-coo-roo.

A cheap way to travel, and one that may have even provided a brief escape for today's writers.

Gateway Project

Big plans are in store for a transportation mega-project, one that would link our southernmost port site to a major expansion of our highway system. Costs are projected in the billions. As with everything else, it's hard not to think they'll double before the end.

In reality, it would make more sense to develop port facilities at Prince Rupert. A rail system for cargo is well in place. Besides, Rupert is closer to Asia than Vancouver and that means lower fuel costs for transport ships.

It's all supposed to be part of a plan to alleviate traffic in Metro Vancouver. But, as the past seems to have shown, more roads tend to lead to more cars not fewer. One of the oddest parts of this project is its failure to consider where the new multi-lane highway will lead its army of commuters -- to a bottleneck intersection without room for expansion. When all those cars that zoomed over the bridge try to turn off at the Grandview exit, hmmm.

The ten-lane bridge that's part of this vision is planned as a toll bridge. It's used by many daily commuters -- ordinary folks who drive to their jobs, ones who currently lack a viable mode of public transit.

So, I can only ask again, Why isn't the new, improved Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler being tolled? Most people who use that road aren't daily commuters, but people heading north for recreation. Discretionary travel (especially when so many of the users are better off than your average Joe) seems a better justification for charging tolls.

Already, if you're driving on Highway 1, you can't ignore the torn-up medians -- bulldozed miles of what used to be mostly-green divider.

Where they've torn up all that centre section, why don't they install tracks and run public transit along that corridor? Chicago has a train that zips along between lanes of traffic. No doubt, other cities have found this a solution. Sure, there are 'future plans' for light rapid transit, but they're down the road, not part of any initial, necessary stage.

As with so many projects, environmental impact is a major issue. And with a project of this size, the magnitude of this impact is far-reaching. Sensitive river frontage will be affected; flooding and erosion would seem logical results, especially if climate change predictions are considered. But even more at risk is the currently protected Burns Bog, a sprawling peat bog. Campaigners are currently working to have it designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For all of our provincial government’s talk about decreasing our carbon footprint, cutting off part of the bog (often called the ‘lungs of the Lower Mainland’) seems contradictory. Is increasing truck traffic really a goal we should pursue?

Saturday was a public meeting on the Gateway Project, which incidentally, has not yet been officially approved. And no, I didn't attend. I'm realizing I can't go to every protest or information meeting I'd like to be part of. Instead, my Dear Man and I did our own gateway project. A homely little gate, built with all recycled materials, that blends in as if it had always been there.

If only the bigger Gateway Project could do so little harm.

What's wrong with Canada!

There's been a huge earthquake in Haiti, but Canada is still fiddling, trying to decide whether it should send DART, its emergency aid team.

This is the same thing that happened after the Boxing Day Tsunami.

You'd think they'd have figured out that the time to send help is immediately, not after dawdling and letting days go by.

Especially considering the fact that our Governor General, Michaelle Jean is Haitian, you'd think they'd have the DART guys on the first available plane. Oh, but I forgot, they'd have to be cleared by the ViewMasters at the airports. Besides, Parliament's on yet another prorogue holiday, so nothin's happenin' mon.

Sheesh.

Looking ahead

Soothsayers have long used crystal balls, tea leaves, ashes in the firepit.

But even though Harry Potter saw the face of Sirius in the fireplace, looking into the fire (especially when it’s 'the log’ on tv) isn’t one of the many methods of divination that I found.

Predictions are generally based on leaps from what is to what might be. The flying car juxtaposes the idea of the plane onto the automobile. Very few predictions anticipate something completely new. None of my predictions claim to be very new or even original, just ones I see as trends I think will pan into something more than they are now.

Wages:

I don’t believe that the gap between rich and poor can continue growing the way it has – at least not without dire consequences. When the average CEO makes 174 times the average worker’s wage, revolt seems bound to occur. Sure, CEO's have big responsibilities, but that much bigger? Lots of workers have big responsibilities, ones involving more than looking after financial dividends – bus drivers, teachers, electricians, caterers...

Celebrity:

In a similar vein, I can’t believe society will continue to endorse the kinds of wages given to film stars and athletes. Does someone who loves the game of golf as much as Tiger Woods (or at least as much as he once did) deserve that much compensation to spend his time out on the links?

Travel:

Back in his first book, Generation X, Douglas Coupland proposed ‘Use jets while you can.’ Travel is going to become much more difficult – both because of carbon footprint concerns and because of increasing security measures. A recent newspaper cartoon pictured travellers passing through the screening arch, wearing nothing but a puzzled expression. If that came about, I’d want to stay home (and the security workers would probably appreciate it if I did).

Resources:

The most worrisome resource concern won’t be oil or other fossil fuel, but water, the basis of life on this planet. My first inkling of this came when I lived in South Australia, the driest state in the driest country in the world. That’s where I learned to wash my car on the lawn, permitting the water to do double duty. The latest Christmas letter from a friend there said things had improved, that there’d been a bit of rain, but that car-washing was still restricted to the bucket method. I suspect meters will be required and that the 15-minute shower will be viewed as obscene, that it'll be a sin to flush when it's only pee. Even now, in places such as Mexico City, regulations aren’t enough to ensure secure supplies. Rain barrels, grey water collection - these ideas are sensible and will soon be commonplace.

Health:

The population bulge known as Boomers is approaching old age, and Alzheimer’s sounds as though it could be the next unofficial pandemic. The solution? Aside from legalizing euthanasia (which will likely happen too, though I hope it will be regulated very clearly), one can only wish that medication might be discovered. Aside from that (and a more likely solution) I believe we'll see more elders living in co-operative settings – small groups in great big houses or clusters of cabins – where peers can help each other and share the services of caregivers who will cook and help look after them.

Group meetings with physicians and other health care providers will also become more common. This would allow patients with similar symptoms (think, for example, people with fibromyalgia or diabetes) to spend more time with a professional, rather than their specified 10.2 minutes (or whatever the allotment might be). Besides, questions would likely overlap, so everyone would benefit from hearing the response. Support groups might also result from such encounters. Again, I see co-operative efforts as part of the answer.

Local Economy:

The economy? British Columbia could be well served by legalizing marijuana. According to many sources, it’s already a huge factor in the provincial economy.

Wouldn’t it make sense to tax and control it (like alcohol)? In truth, I’m surprised this didn’t happen back in the days following the LeDain Commission Report. And think how that might boost our not-so-hot tourism industry. Can you say 'Vansterdam'?

Fashion:

When it comes to fashion, I'm pretty much out on my own limb. My preferred garb, depending on the temp, is sweats or shorts with a hoodie or sweater and T-shirt. If the unisex coverall comes along, I'll want to sign up.

Technology/Personal Devices:

Smaller, faster, less expensive, with more and features. But there's no surprise in that. What will be different is that I think we're going to see these devices being surgically implanted -- a palm pilot becoming literally, a device in the palm of your hand. Finger tip or wrist implants to replace credit and debit cards. Cash? Wasn't that the name of some guy who did duets with Bob Dylan?

Other:

On an optimistic note, we seem to be becoming more honest. Maybe it's thanks to the group-mind of sites like FaceBook that let us join groups expressing outrage over political actions/inactions. So maybe there really is hope for change.

Whatever happens, it'll come about despite, not because of predictions. Still, it's fun to think about what might happen. Want to toss a thought or two into the mix?

If we all believe...

Not very original, I suppose. Still, I can't think of a better goal to believe in at this time of new beginnings -- new year, new decade, new hopes.

It's all bad

I don't think that's about to become the new catch phrase its opposite has. But considering today's news, it's hard to view the day as one with anything good about it. And really, just how much depressing news can fit into twenty-four hours?

Five Canadians -- four soldiers and a journalist -- died in Afghanistan today. It was a deadly day for Americans there too. Days like this, it's doubly hard not to think it's a mistake to be over there in the first place.

And to top things off, it looks as if we're back in 'prorogue' mode, with Steve Harper shutting down Parliament until March, after the Winter Olympics.

I'm not sure what kind of government this is -- walking out the door at will -- this time appearing to do so to avoid important questions about our country's possible complicity in torture. The shutdown also gives Harper a window to weasel out of reporting on our plans for climate change, an item we are supposed to give an accounting on by the end of January. But with government 'not in session', that won't happen.

I know this isn't news to anyone. It's been blaring all day. Still, it leaves me feeling shattered. This is where our taxes go? These are people we elected? And a question: if there's any sort of emergency between now and March, what happens? Or does Steve maybe expect we'll just call up Obama and he'll take over?

A bad way to end a year. A worse way to end a decade.

Too many to forget

If you’ve been hypnotized by the lights on the Christmas tree, maybe you haven’t heard or seen any news in the last day or so. If that’s the case you might not realize that today is the 5th anniversary of the largest natural disaster in living memory -- the tsunami that killed over 200,000 people on Boxing Day, 2004.

The scene above is from a beach in Thailand, but one that’s on the Gulf of Thailand, the opposite side from where the devastation took place, the shores of the Indian Ocean. Still, I suspect many beaches that looked much like it were among those destroyed.

As so often is the case, my life gets caught up in what seems to be coincidence. Last night I started reading one of my brand-new gifts, Douglas Coupland’s Generation A. The first character to appear in the book is a Sri Lankan survivor of the tsunami. Page 1 reads like one of the tsunami videos on YouTube, “Imagine walking to the window’s louvred shutters and looking out and seeing the entire contents of the world you know flow past you…palm fronds, donkeys, the local Fanta bottler’s Jeep, unlocked bicycles, dead dogs…”

Thinking of all those people killed in such a short burst of time, I’m brought back to part of a film I caught on TV the other night, Star Wars. When Alderaan is obliterated, Obi-Wan says, “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.”

I think many people felt the same kind of shock after the tsunami hit. How astounding that so much destruction could happen in the space of just a few minutes. Earlier tonight, I lit a candle, and am hoping for peace for those many lost souls.

And to all a good night!

With the reno still going on, this hasn't been a year for much in the way of Christmas baking around here. Despite that, I've still managed a few frantic moments.

Xmas Song

the singing of carols
is politically incorrect
so
i suppose
is this poem

the shopping frenzy virus
sends us frothing
to the malls

a spending fix to soothe
the fevered lists that grow
longer every day by ding-dong day

time for an assembly line
the oven is so hot
ribbons curl like earthworms
poking up from cookie dough

chop chop
bake bake
wrap wrap
swish
our lady of perpetual motion
have mercy on us

Do one less thing than you think you have to, and trust that all will work out. Have a Christmas that is fun and relaxing, one that allows you to enjoy the people you love.

Return of the Light

Sunset today was just about half an hour ago -- 16:16.

There's still a bit of light in the sky, a sign of things to come.

Diwali, Christmas, Hanukkah – so many autumn and winterfests are based in celebrating the Light.

The one I love best is Solstice. How remarkable that someone noticed this as the day the light would start coming back.

One of the first times I realized the power of the Solstice was in a hokey old movie, Journey to the Center of the Earth. That was the summer solstice, still. It mattered where the sun was.

Today has been a turning point on a couple of other fronts too. Looking forward to the Light coming back for all of us.

Embarrassing

I'm no pro at PhotoShop, so my altered flag might not quite do the job of expressing my shame and embarrassment over Canada's non-performance at Copenhagen.

Aside from 'winning' awards for Fossil of the Day and then Fossil of the Year, Canada didn't show an ounce of leadership. A single three-and-a-half minute speech by our Environment Minister, Jim Prentice and that just after midnight on Friday.

Locally, things weren't any better. About a dozen people carried awareness signs and walked outside our local Member of Parliament's office. The group caused enough concern among Russ Hiebert's staff that the office workers locked the doors to the place. The sight of a dozen men and women and children must have been terrifying.

Followers of this blog might be surprised with the contention made as the closing line in the news article above: "Hiebert’s staff in Ottawa have told Peace Arch News in the past that every submission received by his office is sent a response." That's simply not been the case.

What I'd like to know is what does Russ do in Ottawa anyway?? And while I'm wondering that, what about the rest of his Conservative pals? If their feeble showing in Copenhagen is any indication, I suspect they don't do a whole heck of a lot.

Surrey doesn't suck

The tagline from Love Story, a 1970 movie, was 'Love means never having to say you're sorry.'

White Rock residents played on that with the slogan, 'Living in White Rock means never having to say you're Surrey.'

Surrey's been home to more bad jokes than Poland, but I think things are starting to change.

Last week I went to a reading at one of Surrey's Kwantlen University campuses. Poet Matt Rader, an instructor there, had organized a reading featuring Elizabeth Bachinsky. Although it was great to hear both of these accomplished writers read from their work, I was most excited by what I heard at the Open Mic portion of the event.

This is Jill, reading from her detailed retelling of the Goldilocks tale, set to the rhythms and patterns of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" -- what an accomplishment!

The other photo shows Nick, who performed a most impressive rap -- a piece that employed exciting rhythms and language and presented a whack of meaningful political comment -- exactly what the best kind of rap is all about.

Both of these writers are clearly aware of poetic form, but are fulfilling its demands their own way. And if these two aren't exemplary of what contemporary poetry is, I don't know what might be.

Lots of hope here -- for poetry, for creativity, and for Surrey as a cultural centre worth bragging about.

White Rock cares about Climate Change

Despite freezing temps, a stalwart crew gathered for a candlelight vigil at the busy intersection marking the boundary of White Rock and Surrey. Our goal, to show solidarity with those working in Copenhagen to create meaningful policies that will bring positive results.

People here on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, an area which still boasts some of the best weather in Canada, care about how climate change is affecting our sisters and brothers around the world.

The message to Stephen Harper and the rest of our government is clear. Now is the time to get moving with real change – changes in action and changes in thinking that will address the climate changes occurring all over the face of our lovely planet.

No Fun City!

That's one of the names Vancouver's been called before, but now I see that the title is probably going to have to move further south.

Driving through Surrey this morning, I noticed a group of skaters with hockey sticks swirling over a frozen pond. To most Canadians, this wouldn't be worthy of note, but out here in supposed 'Lotus Land' the ponds don't usually freeze. I was glad I had my camera along, and planned to pull over to take the shot on my way home, when I'd be on the safer side of the highway.

Only when I came back that way, the ice stood vacant as you see in the shot above. I can only guess that the skaters had been shooed off, as there was a sign asking me to call my MLA if I wanted to 'free the ice'.

It's difficult to accept this as any kind of safety issue, as the site is a fen -- basically a marsh, and I can't imagine any part of it is deep enough for anyone to drown in. Besides, it's been cold for a week now and the water is most definitely frozen.

Off to phone my MLA, who's used to hearing from me, though not over anything as ridiculous as this.

PostScript: Today's local paper has a story on this, explaining that the issue isn't safety but 'concern for the environment' -- especially litter -- that sees the pond decreed off-limits. Considering that 'they' spent $2,000 erecting a fence to keep family skates from occurring, I am baffled. Didn't putting posts into the ground cause more disturbance to the site than skaters would have? And couldn't they have installed a litter bin for a tenth of that amount?

12 Days to Make a Difference

This first day of talks in Copenhagen didn't bode well for Canada.

Even at home, Canada took it in the teeth. Greenpeace protesters apparently caused the RCMP some 'embarrassment' by being able to climb Parliament buildings and hang banners. So much for tightened security.

But more embarrassing is the fact that Canada received the distinction of a 'fossil' award for its environmental track record, brought down specifically by the Tar Sands.

It will be interesting to see how many more embarrassments we will have to endure before our leaders grow the backbone for us to once again take our place in the world as leaders for change, for making hope a reality.

How does Vancouver say Welcome to the world...

...when all of the signs are in English?

Canada's official languages are English and French, but aside from the airport or other federal buildings, it's rare to see a sign en francais. Oh yes, there's Maillardville, a quiet little community that celebrated its centennial this year. Since it's not home to Olympic venues, it's doubtful it will be much help to francophone travellers.

Yesterday's announcement that Canada has joined the ranks of countries with ‘approved destination status’ suggests that we should expect a wave of tourists from China. As long as they visit the suburb of Richmond, especially Aberdeen Centre, those tourists will feel right at home, as much of the signage there is in Chinese characters.

Still, if they venture far beyond there, I fear they may get lost -- especially if they try to use the newest leg in Vancouver's rapid transit system, the Canada Line. I haven't yet seen a sign there in anything but English -- and even that signage doesn't seem to do a very good job of communicating.

I've always admired Toronto's subway system, with its colourful, distinctively tiled stations. Easy enough to show a person that they need to get off at the red station or the green one -- much harder to ask them to read a crawl sign or listen for the name of a station called out by a pre-recorded robotic voice, no matter how lifelike its tonality might be.

The last three times I've used the Canada Line, I've been approached by people (an older couple, a mother and her daughters, three teenaged girls) who couldn't figure out which train to take or which stop to get off at. And judging from their lack of accents, these were all people for whom English is their first language.

If they can't understand the signs that are posted, how are we to expect travellers from around the world to navigate their way around the city?

Rings? Or chains?

The last few days have seen the high-alert mentality around the 2010 Olympics go into a mode that only be called bizarre.

B.C. entrepreneur Wil Tarnasky was taken to task by Canadian Olympic Committee for an image on his heat product,Toasterz. Apparently, the flame on the packet looks altogether too much like the flame on the Olympic torch. This story sure makes it look as though these ad-police have altogether too much time on their hands.

And then, earlier today, American broadcaster Amy Goodman was detained at the Canadian border. Although she was scheduled to speak in Vancouver about health care, border guards apparently challenged her on whether she was going to talk about the Olympics.

If she hadn't planned on doing so, you can bet she will now, and likely will continue to do so once she gets home to her radio show, "Democracy Now!"

Today it was also reported that the City of Vancouver has, as a result of public pressure, backed down on some of its bylaws controlling protest during the Olympics.

Although I try to make a point of not picturing or promoting brand-name products, I'm wondering how much longer I'll be permitted to eat my favourite brand of yogourt.

Renovating -- a reality check

This is what happens when you have to move everything out of two rooms and into some other part of the house. One of the joys of renovating.

If you look above the top of the wicker chair, you'll spot an 'open' cardboard box that looks something like a dollhouse. That's our working/planning model for what will go where. Because I'm the more anal member of our pairing, I also have a to-scale version on graph paper, with the pieces of furniture on bits of sticky notes so I can move them around.

I bet you can guess what I want for Christmas this year -- for this to have magically gone back into its new space!

An anniversary

Rhona McAdam is one of my favourite poets. When it comes to turning ordinary words into something else, I think she's about the best.

Consider this, from her poem, "Anniversary"

It’s been a mother since my year has died,
a clutch of grey hairs, a loosening of skin.
Each day I move closer to you, the sound
of my own voice hums in my bones, a family sound.

And yes, today is the first anniversary of my own mother's death. When I thought about what to write today, I couldn't help thinking of Rhona's poem. There is nothing complicated about any one of the words. The biggest word in there is ‘loosening’. But put the words together, and they make up more than simple sentences. We know about the poet’s mother’s dementia, understand that the poet herself is dealing with aging, yet she never has to say these things directly. The arrangement of these simple words leads us to those understandings. To me, that is what constitutes the magic of poetry.

Being remembered by those who love us may be the truest immortality any of us has a right to. By honouring my mother today, I hope I'm giving a bit back to her. The little shrine I made includes treats I've pulled out of the freezer, ones I've saved for such an occasion as today -- Christmas cookies. Why? Because my mother, Carole, was born on December 25th, a date that sadly isn't even noted on the place where her body rests (rules -- but this isn't a time to get me going on bureaucracies).

In closing, one more stanza from Rhona's poem, which by the way is taken from Cartography (Oolichan Books, 2006):

It's been a mother since my year has died,
a hot, dry mother, a cold snow and rain
and now wind, wind as we've seldom seen it
tearing the leaves from the trees and howling.

Oddly, this has been a week of wild winds, ones that have made me concerned for all the trees that live in our yard. I hope, when those predicted winds rise again tonight, my mother will be amongst them, singing.