January 20 is upon us and I’m already missing the Obamas

Yes, yes, I know some of you may not feel the same way. More’s the pity. But before you start haranguing me, let me be clear.

Today is not about what he did or did not do as President of the United States. That discussion (debate) will have to wait for another day. Today is about the man, his wife and their children; and why they’ll be missed.

It’s probably fair to say his 2008 win was not predicted, at least not when he first announced his candidacy. How could it have been? The young, relative newcomer was hardly a household name, even after he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, although he did

When is enough, enough?

I really think we’ve sunk to depths we would once have thought unimaginable. 

It’s bad enough that the republican nominee for president of the United States has lied and cheated his entire life … that he has bent the rules to suit himself … that he has left countless people holding the bag … that the only words that come out of his mouth are vile, vicious and frankly, libelous … that he insults, bullies, threatens, taunts, incites violence and instills fear … that he advocates torture and the use of nuclear weapons … that he cozies

Well, that sure didn’t take long …

The Canadian election was a week ago yesterday.  Justin Trudeau was declared the winner at about 10:00, 10:30 p.m.  The Liberals, his party, won by a majority, unexpected by most Canadians I think it’s safe to say.  For that matter, it may very well have taken him by surprise.

Absolutely fascinated, swept along the wave of happiness that was permeating our country from coast to coast, relieved we’ll finally see the back

This isn’t gonna win me any popularity contests …

… because I know it’s not really any of my business, me being a Canadian and all, but I’m just too sad, and too shocked, to keep it to myself.  What in the world is going on?  This isn’t the America I grew up loving.  This isn’t the America I grew up envying.  This isn’t the America I wished Canada would be more like.  This isn’t the America where I wished I could live.

What the bloody hell!

Before ya’all get all up in arms (trust me, no pun intended), I know there are plenty of good guys in the U.S.  I truly believe there are more good guys than bad guys.  But I’ve gotta tell you, from where I’m sitting it looks like the bad guys are winning.

You elected a black President.  Twice.  Once by an absolute landslide.  But from the instant that man moved into the White House, probably before his personal belongings were even unpacked,

Day 240. What’s Realistic?

Yesterday’s post has made me think a lot about ‘expectations’.  Yes, I do believe hormones are responsible for some of the issues between men and women.  And really, what are we ever going to be able to do about that?

But the more I think about it, the more I realize there’s another culprit.  One we can do something about:  EXPECTATIONS.  And even when we factor the opposite sex out of the equation, I believe there are adjustments we can, and probably should, make to our own, individual expectations.  And not only as they relate to men or women, and our relationships with them.

To life in general.

So I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say we (men and women alike) are often our own worst enemies.  We are often the source of our own disappointment.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m one of the most positive human beings you’ll ever meet.  And confident.  I have always believed if you want something badly enough, and you set your mind to it, your hopes and dreams can come true.  Provided, of course, they are realistic.

Aha!  The caveat.

Day 193. Take Heed

I’d wanted to write about this the day after President Obama’s State of the Union address, but I got distracted.  Oh, don’t worry, this isn’t a ‘political’ post.  I’m not about to dissect every word he said.  The media has already done it.

Done it.  And done it.  And done it.  I just want to talk about two sentences in his speech :  “We were never sent here to be perfect.  We were sent here to make what difference we can.” 

Truer words were never spoken.  What struck me was, the sentiment applies to almost every human endeavour you can think of.  We are so obsessed with ‘getting it right’ all the time, sometimes we never get started.  We stay stuck.  We go nowhere.  And you know what?  We end up losing by default.

We’re so afraid we won’t be good enough, we never sign up for those art classes we’ve always wanted to take.  Or the dance lessons.  Or we don’t apply for a job we’d like for fear we wouldn’t get it. We’re afraid our low offer might be rejected, so we don’t bid on the house we like.   Or we don’t ask the pretty girl out.  Or start training for the marathon.  Or enter the golf tournament.

Because if we don’t think we can ace it, we’ve made ourselves believe it’s not worth trying.

The amount of money we have to raise seems like an impossible task so, instead, we do no fundraising at all.  

Day 181. Extraordinary Reunion

In 1965 a white, Jewish, twenty-one year old living in Toronto was sitting, in his family home, watching the news on television.  What he saw so moved him, so disgusted him, he was compelled to go to Greenwood, Mississippi.  To help.  To do something.  To get involved.  To join the fight for equal rights. To be part of the Civil Rights Movement.

To help black residents register to vote.

The twenty-one year old Canadian was Paul Saltzman; and, while on his way into a Greenwood courthouse, he was stopped, and chased, by three white youths.  Even though he ran for his life, they caught up with him.  One slugged him, knocking him to the ground.  In hindsight he was very lucky.  They might just as easily have shot

Day 108. Reflecting Time

I’m taking a big risk, here, you know.  By the time you finish reading this post, you may think I’m totally out of my mind.  But I wouldn’t be me, if I let that stop me from speaking my mind.  So here goes.

Have you ever wondered why so many ‘bad’ things seem to be happening, one on top of another?  The financial crisis that just won’t go away, for example.  And whenever we think there might be a little light at the end of that long, dark, terrifying tunnel, it rears its ugly head somewhere else in the world.  And what about all those absolutely bizarre, never-before-experienced weather patterns.

Tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, hail storms, dust storms and floods that are wiping out towns and villages and cities, states, islands and even parts of countries.  Leaving total devastation in their wake.

Terrible political unrest.  Civil disobedience.  Riots.  Looting.  Shooting.  Bombing.  Blasting.  Killing.  Maiming.  Mayhem.  Horrific acts of terrorism.  Senseless acts, committed by extremists who have no respect

Day 82. Hush Now

Honestly, I can’t take it any more. You cannot open a newspaper, or watch television, without being absolutely bombarded with political opinions. The pundits are dissecting every word, every nuance, every stance, every plan, every wink, every blink, every smile, every frown, every step, every misstep, every platform, every remark (snide and otherwise), every criticism, every accusation that is coming out of anyone’s mouth.

They’re commenting on the opinions of other pundits, other networks, former politicos, the candidates, members of congress, celebrities and businessmen and women. They’re even commenting on what Mr. and Mrs. average American citizen is saying, as they’re interviewed coming out of malls and movie theatres and parking lots.

No wonder people are confused. How are you supposed to think with all that noise?

This is not my country, I’m talking about. It’s not my election. Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are not my candidates. I can’t vote. But I do vote here, in Canada. So this I know.

Day 67. It’s Debatable

Did you watch the debate last night?  I wasn’t planning to.  The first of the 2012 Presidential debates did me in; and I didn’t think I could inflict another one on myself.  But then, by about 8:00 p.m. I thought, “Who are you kidding?  Of course you’re going to watch.”

It wasn’t essential that I watch.  I’m a political junkie, but I’m not an American.  I don’t have a vote.  I’m not one of the ‘undecideds’, still trying to find a candidate I can believe in, and relate to.  But living in Canada, as I do, does make us close neighbours.  Whoever gets elected will make decisions that impact us.  Plus, if the U.S. continues to ‘hurt’, so will the rest of the world, Canada included, despite the fact that so far, we’ve weathered the storm better than most.  Whither thou goest, in other words.

So, yes, I did watch.  I’m not going to dissect every word that was spoken, though.  First, I’m not qualified.  Second, every pundit on the planet will be doing it, ad nauseum.  But I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have something to say.  So here goes:

In my opinion, the clear winner last night was Martha Raddatz.  In case you didn’t watch,