Our Clean House 5
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
There goes the neighbourhood...?
At some point on this past Tuesday, our house officially went "on the market." After ten years, we've made the decision to try to move closer to the city and to a larger home. The last month has been a blur of activity and progress towards that goal. We are fairly ready and have received good feedback from our realtor. She thinks the house is quite "sell-able" and that we should get offers soon. We'll see...
Here are the things we've done to get ready to sell (and then buy, but more about that later):
1) Mindset- we are a mean, lean get-this-place-cleaned-up-so-we-can-sell-it team,
2) We've worked together on this. Its nice to have a project (other than making a wonderful life together and producing a raising two human beings).
3) There has been a massive amount of stuff thrown out.
4) There has been a massive amount of stuff put in a self-storage locker (boxes, etc.)
5) I have done some touch-up painting in the bathroom and in the entryway.
6) Our septic tank has been emptied.
1) Mindset- we are a mean, lean get-this-place-cleaned-up-so-we-can-sell-it team,
2) We've worked together on this. Its nice to have a project (other than making a wonderful life together and producing a raising two human beings).
3) There has been a massive amount of stuff thrown out.
4) There has been a massive amount of stuff put in a self-storage locker (boxes, etc.)
5) I have done some touch-up painting in the bathroom and in the entryway.
6) Our septic tank has been emptied.
7) I pressure-washed the siding and windows.
On a really positive note, there was a family that asked for a private showing even before the sign was up (last Sunday). Nifty!
More later about where we'd like to go...
B.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Stranded Norwegian PM using iPad to govern | iLounge News
This is why I urgently need an iPad. How the heck am I ever going to govern Norway without an iPad to help me?
Stranded Norwegian PM using iPad to govern iLounge News
Stranded Norwegian PM using iPad to govern iLounge News
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Our life this April
April has so far been a busy but wonderful month. Last weekend we drove about four hours on Saturday to see my aunt before she moves to Ontario to live. At 93 years-old every visit with her is something very special. She’s my Dad’s older sister and has served as a de facto grandmother for his side of the family. Happily she’s lived the last seven years with her daughter and is going up to live with her son “because if I’m there for seven years, I’ll be 100!”
Last Saturday night held a delicious and meaningful dinner with cousins and their spouses, some whom I hadn’t seen in 15 years. It was great.
The next day (Sunday) we spent the day with Super Mom’s youngest brother, his wife, and their too cute to actually be real daughter- our one and only first cousin! She is the beautiful child who makes me Uncle Binky.
The only down side is that we over-estimated the feasibility of five of us stuffed into my dad’s Saturn Aura sedan. Oh well… Live and learn (easy for me to say- I wasn’t in the back seat!).
B.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
CBC News - Television - Seth Green to work on new Star Wars comedy
So... Lucasfilm wants to make an official Star Wars animated comedy.... Let me take each of those confusing words in turn... Yep. George Lucas wants to make a funny, animated Star Wars...
CBC News - Television - Seth Green to work on new Star Wars comedy
CBC News - Television - Seth Green to work on new Star Wars comedy
Saturday, April 03, 2010
BBC News - Outrage at anti-Semitism comparison by Pope preacher
This is absolutely outrageous and a good reminder of how likely we are to see any contrition from the Vatican...
B.
BBC News - Outrage at anti-Semitism comparison by Pope preacher
B.
BBC News - Outrage at anti-Semitism comparison by Pope preacher
Thursday, March 25, 2010
CBC News - Canada - Tories remain favourites in new poll
Strange days indeed... If the NDP, Greens, and the BQ pooled their support, in theory, it would exceed that of the Liberals OR the Conservatives. Wow.
B.
Link:
CBC News - Canada - Tories remain favourites in new poll
B.
Link:
CBC News - Canada - Tories remain favourites in new poll
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Facing Facts...
Two quick things:
1) To be perfectly honest, my reservation about buying something "bigger" like a Santa Fe has to do with (A) gas consumption for financial and environmental reasons (about 80%) and (B) not wanting the perception that I wastefully bought "more" vehicle than I needed.
2) Like I wrote earlier, it seems like it makes sense to wait to see how we get along listing our house and what we need to spend to do so before I rush to buy a new vehicle. I just had the inspection done on the old Corolla and the only thing it needed to be inspected until March 2011 was a new strut (about $260). Not bad...
B.
1) To be perfectly honest, my reservation about buying something "bigger" like a Santa Fe has to do with (A) gas consumption for financial and environmental reasons (about 80%) and (B) not wanting the perception that I wastefully bought "more" vehicle than I needed.
2) Like I wrote earlier, it seems like it makes sense to wait to see how we get along listing our house and what we need to spend to do so before I rush to buy a new vehicle. I just had the inspection done on the old Corolla and the only thing it needed to be inspected until March 2011 was a new strut (about $260). Not bad...
B.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Is it a Sign????
Weird... Just as I was starting to get serious about replacing my '98 Corolla, the check-engine light went off for the first time in about two years. Hmmmm...
Yes, I realize it was probably just the bulb burning out, but I can't help but attach some higher significance. :-)
That said, I've been really torn the last few days- every day I don't buy a new (to me) car, is another day without a payment (well, except for the other car we're still paying for...). And, with a new house hopefully in our future...
B.
Yes, I realize it was probably just the bulb burning out, but I can't help but attach some higher significance. :-)
That said, I've been really torn the last few days- every day I don't buy a new (to me) car, is another day without a payment (well, except for the other car we're still paying for...). And, with a new house hopefully in our future...
B.
Friday, March 12, 2010
CBC News - Consumer Life - Toyota gas pedal fix fails: U.S. reports
Okay, this is not good news... Our 2009 Corolla was "fixed" by the local dealership and is clearly our "good" car.
(Read the link below)
B.
CBC News - Consumer Life - Toyota gas pedal fix fails: U.S. reports
(Read the link below)
B.
CBC News - Consumer Life - Toyota gas pedal fix fails: U.S. reports
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
From My Mother: Her Typewriter
Its been three months since my mom passed away. One of the consequences of someone dying unexpectedly is that special possessions aren’t given to loved ones, or even given much thought. Ten years ago when my grandmother (mom’s mom) passed away, she had already put names on the back of many of her favourite things. Seeing her do that or at least knowing she had been assigning her possessions to that family was at the same time upsetting and comforting. When she was gone, we appreciated that much more.
With dad surviving mom, there is no rush to give things away or dispose of what we can’t give away. That said, my dad is intent upon purging the house. He’s not doing it in an unreasonable way- but is a reminder of how deeply her loss must have hit his own sense of mortality.
So, anyway, one of the things of my mom’s that I really wanted to have was her typewriter. Its a manual Brother Portable and my guess is that she bought it at some point between 1965 and 1970.
Here it is (now at our house):
Binky Buys a New Car: Maybe this one instead...
Here's a 2004 Matrix FWD with 112,000 kms for only $8900... I should test drive this one as well... Any and all feedback welcome!
B.
Binky Buys a New Car: I test drove this at lunch time
Test driving a SUV was a first for me. It certainly would be a different experience than a compact or sub-compact car. Its ride was surprisingly smooth and its really roomy. Mileage would be another issue, but for something this size it would be decent.
Its a 2004 with 130,000 kms on it. Its also a pretty good deal at $7995.
B.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
My '98 Corolla: The End is Nigh?
A few days after our oldest daughter was born, we bought a more appropriate car than the two sub-compacts we owned at the time, a barely used 1998 Toyota Corolla. After nine years and over 200,000 kms, it doesn't owe us anything and is closer to one end of ts journey than the other. True, it may last until 300,000 kms, but as my very wise other half pointed out recently it would be nice to NOT drive a car until parts were flying off of it (or it needs to be towed out of our driveway).
I have started to try to sort out what our next car purchase. We have a 2009 Corolla with which we’re very pleased (yes, it had a recall though). Its primarily Super Mom’s vehicle.
For me, its pretty clear that our next purchase will primarily be my car and will be used. We don’t want to get into two new car payments at once. I have been thinking that it might be nice to have something with a little more cargo space and utility without breaking the bank.
Option one seems to be a used Toyota Matrix hatchback/wagon.
Option two might be a small-ish SUV like a Hyundai Santa Fe. All-wheel drive would be nice, but in no way is it a priority (as it would come with a mileage penalty for the limited time I would actually use it).
Please post your comments on your thoughts on these two choices. I welcome the input/rebukes.
B.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Wow, I used to do this full-time…
So, I’m trying to study for a job interview… I can’t believe I used to study full-time. Even to someone whose job involves a lot of assessment and reflection, that seems strange… and a long time ago.
B.
How to Fix an iPod Nano (1st Gen)
I did it! A few months ago, I bought a used first generation iPod Nano on E-Bay for a a grand total of 10 bucks + about 15 bucks shipping. As advertised, it came with the older model Apple ear buds (which I prefer to the newer ones), a USB cord, a wall charger and a case. Its overall condition was great with no scratches on the screen at all. Unfortunately, the battery would hold a charge for only about two-three hours.
Not wanting to shy away from a challenge, I bought a replacement battery for $5 (including shipping and handling). I borrowed a soldering iron from my dad and proceeded to replace the old worn battery. The pictures tell the story:
Yep, it works and holds a much better charge.
B.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
"Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans"
This clip is generating a lot of buzz. Its far, far better than I'd imagined.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Work Thoughts...
As I close in on 40 (but not too close for a while), I'm starting to take a more serious look at my career. Its not that I'm all that unhappy with my present job, but I think its time to take a clear view of where I want and need to be by this point in my life.
I think I'm at or close to a crossroads of deciding to be a highly skilled specialist, or a leader. I'm not sure I can be both in the long run.
B.
Finally, I saw it...
Its taken forever, but I have finally seen Avatar. It was by far the best animated-Vietnam-meets-cowboys-and-"Indians" movie I've ever seen. :-)
All kidding about convention and genres aside, I really loved it and so did the three other adults with whom I saw it. I realize most of you who are going to have already watched it, so I'll spare you a full review. I will say if you're on the fence about seeing it in the theatre, go! It both warrants and deserves a big screen.
By convention it is a "Vietnam" movie. The main character is a soldier (Marine actually) and his cause in the jungle is far from just. Its a modern Western as well in the mold of Dances with Wolves (that explains the length) in that the First Nation (the big blue Na'vi) are noble and pure.
B.
Friday, February 19, 2010
CBC News - Canada - Canada's last WW I veteran dies
Sadly the last one of 650,000 Canadians to serve in the "war to end all wars" has passed away. John Babcock was 109 years old. I've read that he downplayed his service and his courage because he never faced combat. The fact is that at age 16 he volunteered for combat in World War One at a point where everyone had some idea of the medieval slaughter happening all over the Western Front. That's courage.
Boy hero,
Man of courage,
Bloodless warrior,
Thank you sir for your service.
CBC News - Canada - Canada's last WW I veteran dies
Boy hero,
Man of courage,
Bloodless warrior,
Thank you sir for your service.
CBC News - Canada - Canada's last WW I veteran dies
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
What We're Dancing To...
Super Girl (age 6) (A.K.A. she-who-is-not-having-a-birthday) just finished dancing around the living room to this:
I wish I was that cool when I was six...
I wish I was that cool when I was six...
Nine Years So Far!
Our oldest daughter, Action Girl, turns nine today. I'll save the usual cliches about how much our lives have changed and how wonderful our lives became when she joined us (valid as they all are!) and just say what a wonderful and interesting person she is becoming.
Action Girl is a talented, capable, and curious girl. She has a group of wonderful friends who appear to appreciate her. Recently, she figure-skated to second place finish in her club's competition and will be going net month to the provincial competition.
Most important she is a loving girl, who cares about family and friends, including herself. We really couldn't have hoped for more than that nine years ago today.
B.
Action Girl is a talented, capable, and curious girl. She has a group of wonderful friends who appear to appreciate her. Recently, she figure-skated to second place finish in her club's competition and will be going net month to the provincial competition.
Most important she is a loving girl, who cares about family and friends, including herself. We really couldn't have hoped for more than that nine years ago today.
B.
Friday, January 29, 2010
J.D. Salinger: January 1, 1919 – January 27, 2010
When I was 16 or 17, Cather in the Rye was the greatest book I could imagine anyone ever writing. Salinger inhabited the main character, Holden, in a personal, psychological, and accessible way. Holden's struggles with his own psyche compete with his contempt for the "phoniness" that consumes so many of his fellow teens and virtually every adult in his life. Despite writing in the late 1940's the themes
As Holden returns from the boarding school from which he has just been expelled, his descent to his breakdown is as riveting as the the journeys of the Odyssey or Heart of Darkness.
No, I no longer believe Cather in the Rye is the the greatest thing ever written. Its just as important to me to know that 20 years after I first met Holden, Salinger's story is just as raw and riveting. I spend a great deal of time with youth at their most vulnerable and angriest moments. There's a great deal of truth in that burgundy little book.
A hundred years from now, people will still be wondering about how much of Salinger is in Holden and vice versa. Incidentally, if Holden was even more "real" than he is, he'd be in his mid-seventies by now.
B.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
First Looks: Apple iPad (16GB/32GB/64GB) - With Full Interface Videos | iLounge
First Looks: Apple iPad (16GB/32GB/64GB) - With Full Interface Videos iLounge
Okay, at first I was pretty skeptical, but now the idea of being able to read the web like a book is really intriguing me!!
Click on the above link for great pics ad a review.
B.
Okay, at first I was pretty skeptical, but now the idea of being able to read the web like a book is really intriguing me!!
Click on the above link for great pics ad a review.
B.
First Looks: Apple iPad Keyboard Dock | iLounge
First Looks: Apple iPad Keyboard Dock iLounge
I want this! This ability makes an iPad a whole lot more appealing to me!!!
B.
I want this! This ability makes an iPad a whole lot more appealing to me!!!
B.
Friday, January 22, 2010
History I Remember....
Thirty-two years ago today, the remians of a Soviet satellitle, including its nuclear fuel source carshed into the Canadian Arctic. Yes, I was just a kid but I remember this for a couple of reasons. First, my dad was still in the Air Force and it made an impression that these were his people cleaning up this mess. Second, it was just the neatest thing in the world that toxic space junk was falling on OUR country. Well, I was very young... Keep that in mind.
Here's an intersting link to the story in the CBC Archives- Soviet nuclear satellite crashes in Canada.
B.
Friday, January 15, 2010
CBC News - World - A pariah history, some promising starts and now this
Haiti's modern history is one of the unfulfilled hope and dashed dreams of a vibrant people. This article taught me some things about Haitian history that make me even sadder. Here's an excerpt:
Haiti's on-going background level of poverty has been persistent. But understanding why one country stays poor while others grow rich is a surprisingly difficult task, even for development experts.
Fixing the problem is even more difficult.
It is not as if foreign donors haven't tried to set the country on the right track, says Yasmine Shamsie, a Wilfrid Laurier professor who specializes in international development and security efforts in Haiti.
"Yes, there have been true attempts," says Shamsie. "Countries like Canada and the United States really want to solve these problems."
Many development experts blame Haiti's problems on its long history as a pariah state, going back as far as the debt Napoleon forced onto the former French colony as the price of independence in 1803.
People had to pay for the land and the slaves they had "stolen." The stolen slaves, of course, were Haiti's own citizens. They had to buy themselves...
Read the rest here:
CBC News - World - A pariah history, some promising starts and now this
Haiti's on-going background level of poverty has been persistent. But understanding why one country stays poor while others grow rich is a surprisingly difficult task, even for development experts.
Fixing the problem is even more difficult.
It is not as if foreign donors haven't tried to set the country on the right track, says Yasmine Shamsie, a Wilfrid Laurier professor who specializes in international development and security efforts in Haiti.
"Yes, there have been true attempts," says Shamsie. "Countries like Canada and the United States really want to solve these problems."
Many development experts blame Haiti's problems on its long history as a pariah state, going back as far as the debt Napoleon forced onto the former French colony as the price of independence in 1803.
People had to pay for the land and the slaves they had "stolen." The stolen slaves, of course, were Haiti's own citizens. They had to buy themselves...
Read the rest here:
CBC News - World - A pariah history, some promising starts and now this
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
CBC News - Canada - Why our schools are failing boys
RE: the below link/article. I'll write some more about this later...
Its accurate to say that I have some strong thoughts about some of these issues as a male in a non-traditional role.
CBC News - Canada - Why our schools are failing boys
B.
Its accurate to say that I have some strong thoughts about some of these issues as a male in a non-traditional role.
CBC News - Canada - Why our schools are failing boys
B.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Magic Kingdom, Early on Christmas Day
The Magic Kingdom, Early on Christmas Day
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
That's rain in the air.
Walt Disney Worlding
On the 29th we returned from a wonderful (almost) week spend at Walt Disney World. As you can imagine this was a both a great year and a difficult year to be “away” for Christmas. Great because its been such a difficult time and difficult because it was my Dad’s first Christmas without Mom since the late 1960’s. He went to his sister’s home, about a four hour drive from here.
We had such a wonderful time, I’m not sure I can accurately describe it. When you travel with people you love and who love you so very much back, its hard not to have a pretty great time. I’ll let some pictures help with the story from here.
B.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Will 'Avatar' Keep Breaking Records? A Box-Office Analyst Weighs In
I planned on seeing Avatar tonight but it sold out before my buddy and I could get tickets. In a "have a cracker instaed of a cookie" move here's an article about its record-breaking status.
Monday, December 21, 2009
After a difficult fall and a December that's seemed like it was spinning by, we are about to leave on vacation for Christmas. I won't tell you where we're going by I'll happily give you a little hint:
Yep, we're off to see the mouse! We really need a vacation... This should be very special and a very welcome break from our wonderful but taxing routine. It'll be weired not being home for Christmas, but I think we'll manage!
B.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Australian scientists discover coconut-carrying octopus
This story was a topic of some discussion at our house last night:
Australian scientists discover coconut-carrying octopus
Australian scientists discover coconut-carrying octopus
CBC News - Film - Review: Invictus
The epic Anti-Apartheid struggle was just ending as I became an adult. It shaped my view of the world and both the evil and the courage that people are capable of in our worst and best moments.
I haven't seen Invictus yet but I'm relived that it appears to be a competent, respectful film. Its actually set after the fall of Apartheid but appears to honour that period of history (it feels weird talking that way about the 90's, though).
Here's a link to the CBC review:
CBC News - Film - Review: Invictus
I haven't seen Invictus yet but I'm relived that it appears to be a competent, respectful film. Its actually set after the fall of Apartheid but appears to honour that period of history (it feels weird talking that way about the 90's, though).
Here's a link to the CBC review:
CBC News - Film - Review: Invictus
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Star Wars Christmas Special (Recycled Post)
Here is my post about possibly the worst Christmas special ever made:
My Three Favorite Christmas Songs (Recycled Post)
From a post I made three years ago:
Thursday, December 14, 2006
My Three Favorite Christmas Songs
There are three Christmas songs that I'm comfortable listing as favorites:
(1) "Do they Know Its Christmas?" By Band-Aid (1984)
I actually got choked up trying to explain this song to the girls this morning on the way to daycare/kindergarten/work. Musically its strong and unique (as a mid-80s pop song). Whatever we've been able to say about celebrity musicians and activism, there was a desperate honesty to their desire to save lives with this song. Its earnest and haunting.
(2) "Go Tell it on the Mountain" (Traditional Spiritual)
Christianity is sometimes at its best when its faced with slavery. Its easy to imagine African-American slaves drawing hope from the Christmas story in face of horrible oppression. The message of the season can be that strong, despite millions of dollars spent trying to dilute it,
(3) "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (Victorian Carol?)
With or without the "Loo loo loo"s in a Charlie Brown Christmas, this is a great song. I love it in large part because of that program, though.
What are your favorites?
B
Thursday, December 14, 2006
My Three Favorite Christmas Songs
There are three Christmas songs that I'm comfortable listing as favorites:
(1) "Do they Know Its Christmas?" By Band-Aid (1984)
I actually got choked up trying to explain this song to the girls this morning on the way to daycare/kindergarten/work. Musically its strong and unique (as a mid-80s pop song). Whatever we've been able to say about celebrity musicians and activism, there was a desperate honesty to their desire to save lives with this song. Its earnest and haunting.
(2) "Go Tell it on the Mountain" (Traditional Spiritual)
Christianity is sometimes at its best when its faced with slavery. Its easy to imagine African-American slaves drawing hope from the Christmas story in face of horrible oppression. The message of the season can be that strong, despite millions of dollars spent trying to dilute it,
(3) "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (Victorian Carol?)
With or without the "Loo loo loo"s in a Charlie Brown Christmas, this is a great song. I love it in large part because of that program, though.
What are your favorites?
B
Monday, December 07, 2009
CBC News - Technology & Science - Virgin Galactic unveils commercial spaceship
Whatever our challenges and losses, every so often something comes in the news that serves to remind us that we really are living in the 21st Century and that's a pretty amazing thing:
CBC News - Technology & Science - Virgin Galactic unveils commercial spaceship
CBC News - Technology & Science - Virgin Galactic unveils commercial spaceship
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A Tough Day…
We buried my mom today. After a moving funeral, we laid her to rest about 80 feet from the church that she loved so much. The service was moving and saddening.
In keeping with her Free Church of Scotland roots, two of the hymns were actually unaccompanied sung Psalms (121 and 23) and that’s when I started to let loose with some tears. The church was packed and a friend of the family for 30 years read a eulogy. We had her interred and then went back in for a social time.
The wake was more physically exhausting, the funeral more emotionally exhausting. As Mom’s only living child I thanked everyone publically for coming to honour her and talked about how fitting it was that she was surrounded by people she loved in a place she loved, as we remembered both her many strengths and challenges. Many, many people came up to me and spoke about how kind Mom was to everyone she met and how she worked (so often behind the scenes) to make the community a better place. Children felt safe with her. She paid attention to kids with a patience that defies my abilities as a parent.
I’m dizzy at the thought that there are so many things she’ll never be able to tell me about herself and the her views of the world. My mom and I were alike in so many ways, different in so many others. I’m terrified that she won't be there for me, our kids, and my Dad.
I think I’m still in shock over what I’ve lost this week. I can’t yet my head around what life is going to be like without her. This was so sudden- it was last Sunday before we really knew that she was going to die, five days after she’d entered the hospital. I spoke to her on Wednesday night, but didn’t say goodbye. That’s unfortunate… More later.
B.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Mom passed away at about 10:51 PM on Tuesday. Her life ended peacefully, surrounded by her sister, Dad, and me. Her heart and breathing were slowing all evening and finally gave out.
Her illness progressed so quickly this past week... But she hasn't been in much pain and now no longer has to fight. Dad is doing okay.
B
Her illness progressed so quickly this past week... But she hasn't been in much pain and now no longer has to fight. Dad is doing okay.
B
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
“Its been the worst day, since yesterday.”
LA Irish Punk Band Flogging Molly
I had always pictured that I’d have some time to say a real good bye to those with whom I’m closest. My mom is dying and I don’t think I’m going to get that chance with her. That said, we part on the best of terms, loved and respected.
On Tuesday she entered the hospital after a prolonged illness at home. At first we thought she had H1N1, then some kind of bacterial infection, but it now looks like her old nemesis cancer has come back. No H1N1, no infection… The results of a CAT scan appear to show a number of signs pointing to cancer. We didn’t know, but I’m not sure there was much we could have done if we had.
Mom was last awake coherently Wednesday evening and I saw her then and we had some time alone. Right now, Mom is asleep all the time. She’s still being treated but nothing seems to be making a great deal of difference aside from keeping her stable. She is fading, though.
Sorry to just dump this news here, but I do try to write about what I’m going through.
B.
Monday, November 09, 2009
John Daley, My Great Great Uncle - Killed in Action Nov. 6, 1918
Private John Daley, Kings County, Prince Edward Island
Born March 23, 1891 Died in combat Nov. 6, 1918, age 27 years.
Born March 23, 1891 Died in combat Nov. 6, 1918, age 27 years.
John Daley was my maternal grandmother's uncle. He was killed five days before the end of the Great War. The army he fought as part of was ending the period known as "Canada's Hundred Days," a period during which it was at the forefront of some of the most decisive, important victories of the war. He's buried along with 881 other Commonwealth soldiers in the Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery in Northern France, close to the Belgian frontier.
He was killed 2-3 days after the Canadian Corps took the area from the German Army, who had held the area from the war's early days. Uncle John' s unit is listed is listed as the Nova Scotia Highlanders (or the 85th Battalion) although they may have been attached to the Manitoba Regiment at the time of his death. Many young men from Eastern Prince Edward Island had gone to Nova Scotia to enlist.
The tragedy in his death itself, in his death at 27, and in his death in the war's last days are obvious. Other suffering caused by his death is not so obvious. In 1917, his brother Abram drowned after falling from a vessel in the Northumberland Strait, leaving his widow and two daughters. They were my grandmother and her older sister (who had been blind from birth). The family's understanding has always been (in my life time) that John would have supported them after the war and they would have been spared the poverty that they had faced. In the end, my grandmother and her sister had full, happy lives. This was despite the poverty they faced as children- poverty they overcame but with some price. Specifically, the costs of school for the blind for my great aunt, meant less money for education and medical (dental) care for my grandmother. The math was that simple. These were not life-threatening deficits, but certainly life-shaping.
Save for the effect of a single shell or bullet in the cold November of 1918, I believe John Daley would have helped as he could.
B.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link for John Daley:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=577383
Canadian Department of Veteran's Affairs Link for John Daley: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=577383
He was killed 2-3 days after the Canadian Corps took the area from the German Army, who had held the area from the war's early days. Uncle John' s unit is listed is listed as the Nova Scotia Highlanders (or the 85th Battalion) although they may have been attached to the Manitoba Regiment at the time of his death. Many young men from Eastern Prince Edward Island had gone to Nova Scotia to enlist.
The tragedy in his death itself, in his death at 27, and in his death in the war's last days are obvious. Other suffering caused by his death is not so obvious. In 1917, his brother Abram drowned after falling from a vessel in the Northumberland Strait, leaving his widow and two daughters. They were my grandmother and her older sister (who had been blind from birth). The family's understanding has always been (in my life time) that John would have supported them after the war and they would have been spared the poverty that they had faced. In the end, my grandmother and her sister had full, happy lives. This was despite the poverty they faced as children- poverty they overcame but with some price. Specifically, the costs of school for the blind for my great aunt, meant less money for education and medical (dental) care for my grandmother. The math was that simple. These were not life-threatening deficits, but certainly life-shaping.
Save for the effect of a single shell or bullet in the cold November of 1918, I believe John Daley would have helped as he could.
B.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link for John Daley:
Canadian Department of Veteran's Affairs Link for John Daley:
Week of Remebrance Musing: War Plan Red and Defence Scheme No. 1
What if that wasn't the case? Fortunately, we will likely never know. But, such scenarios have been imagined by writers and thinkers. In fact, the United States developed a plan for a theoretical invasion of Canada, as part of a larger campaign against Great Britain. Called "War Plan Red," it was only a planning exercise, but for about five years it was an approved military plan. Here it is in detail on Wikipedia: War Plan Red. Sadly, it centred on the U.S. seizing the Maritimes
What's more surprising is that it had a Canadian counterpart. Yes, we had a plan to invade the U.S. in the event of a planned American invasion of Canada. It was called "Defence Scheme No. 1" (click for more info). The best part is that it pre-dated formal American plans to invade us.
Happily, what might have been shall never be...
B.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Unwanted News
I received a call tonight about 10:30 from the grandmother of a boy whom I’d mentored for the better part of five years. I had met him through a community agency (which is in no way connected to where I work now) and at their request basically hung out with him on weekends from 1993 until about 2000 (although I was out of province for two of those years).
I’m not sure I was the best of influences, but I wasn’t awful and he had a real lack of positive males in his life. Things petered out in 1999-2000 (I forget when exactly) and he and his family moved west. We didn’t really stay in touch, but I did here from his grandmother about 4 years ago to say that he was doing well and, I think, that she felt I’d been a good influence.
Tonight her message was more difficult to hear. My little buddy died this past July. Now over twenty, he died in an accident. I’m being vague because I want respect his privacy even now, but he died in a boating accident doing something that thousands of people do everyday.
Wow… I’d be a stretch to say that he was still a part of my life, but he was certainly part of my past. He was a nice kid, whose life could have gone either way. Apparently he was very well liked in the community and by his peers, was gainfully employed and still in meaningful relationships with those who cared about him. He was going to succeed and have fun doing it.
So, I’m a little stunned right now. The news was awful and felt like a blow to my head and soul at the same time. There’s not much more I can say. I may take tomorrow off to just do some thinking and remembering.
B.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Chinese air force commander calls for militarisation of space - dnaindia.com
Every once in a while, I'm reminded that I'm actually living in the future, errrr.. well the 21st Century at least. Here's a story that grabbed my attention"
Chinese air force commander calls for militarisation of space - dnaindia.com
Not awesome news, but with three nations now having human space programs, these issues will not go away. For all of the brutal craziness of the cold war, the treaty that banned space-based weapons programs made the Earth and its near space better places.
B.
Chinese air force commander calls for militarisation of space - dnaindia.com
Not awesome news, but with three nations now having human space programs, these issues will not go away. For all of the brutal craziness of the cold war, the treaty that banned space-based weapons programs made the Earth and its near space better places.
B.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
CBC News - World - Obama pledges to end 'don't ask, don't tell'
This is more important than him winning the Nobel Prize. Its a small but concrete step to increase Americans' human rights.
B.
CBC News - World - Obama pledges to end 'don't ask, don't tell'
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B.
CBC News - World - Obama pledges to end 'don't ask, don't tell'
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Zombie response exercise stripped from university site | Weird | News | Toronto Sun
Let us hope that this does not turn out to be a short-sighted measure on the U of F's part... Perhaps they feel adequately prepared and don't want to admit it...
Zombie response exercise stripped from university site | Weird | News | Toronto Sun
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Zombie response exercise stripped from university site | Weird | News | Toronto Sun
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