Civic Duty

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-- John McCrae, In Flanders Fields

I voted today! It was easy and a touching experience. Though I probably could have voted in Canada from the US, I haven't voted in a federal election since 1993.

Democracy is fragile. I'm in a Toastmasters public-speaking club, and discovered the following while researching a talk:

(a) Canadian aboriginals were only able to vote, freely, in federal elections in 1960 (before that they had to give up "First Nations" status)

(b) Women won the vote in Switzerland in 1971

That is a surprisingly short time ago. (Not as poignant as the current struggles in Africa and the Middle East, but those issues are too obvious re: giving a talk).

In other political news, this rant by Rick Mercer laid down a challenge to the disillusioned youth of Canada (the 18-24 demographic turned out at 37% in 2008). Happily, the youth have responded with energetic, positive "vote mobs" as illustrated here.

CC

ps. For American readers, the vote is May 2. I was at an advance poll.

pps. Kudos to the Elections Canada website. I found it useful and user-friendly.

An Electric Week

I'm currently enthralled by the leaders' debate for the federal election, occasionally looking at the chirps from the riffraff on Twitter (which is hilarious and sometimes enlightening).

Later this week, the hockey playoffs start, with wall-to-wall TV coverage, as God intended.

Locally, the ECMA music festival will begin, with bands playing in 20+ venues late into the wee hours.

Heady stuff. These are great times.

Sunset

The last post was a minor meltdown, predicated by the search for documents and the lack of a decent office-service shop.

Little has changed (e.g. I have not yet received confirmation that I have filed for an extension in the US), but I have found a office centre. That's a relief. I uploaded megabytes of PDFs to My Accounting People in Washington State.

In other news, tonight, I drove up to Brackley Beach to watch the sunset. I hadn't thought of going up there in a long time. To my surprise, there were a few people there, even though the wind was chilly and the main walkway to the beach is closed for repair. I didn't stay long, but it was very tranquil and pretty.

Just Get Through This

The last major hurdle for The Big Move is taxes. Unfortunately, it is going to be pretty crazy.

I thought I found an accountant I could trust, and so I sailed through February and most of March, blissfully assuming I could pay for his expertise with a sense of comfort. Alas, I was dismayed when told that he is not licensed this year for US tax returns. Information that might have been useful in freaking February.

I spent 2-3 weeks trying to find another accountant, looking like an idiot who leaves things to the last minute. I finally found one who specializes in cross-border stuff, in Washington state (!). Now, it is so hectic that I am making basic mistakes.

I just ransacked two abodes whilst looking for a tax return from last year, thinking last year was 2010. Of course "last year's" documents are marked 2009. Heaven help me.

I remember thinking last summer, "if I can just get through June". Then, due to the writing assignment, "if I can just get through February".

Now, it's getting through April.

Kisses For Later

Many Islanders know this story better than I do, but I saw part of it last night on the news and was deeply moved by it.

As I understand it, Jenn Zahavich, young wife and mother, was diagnosed with cancer. She started a blog, and wrote about her battle and her new appreciation for life.

As her condition worsened, she wrote a children's story for her young son, and planned to publish it. The story is called Kisses For Later, and is about a mother who gives her son many, many kisses, which he can store in reserve. When he has "a hurt", he can take one and use it. She has read the story aloud many times to her son.

Jenn passed away 2 weeks ago.

I will be sure to provide a link to the book, once it becomes available.

CC

Update

Here is a quick life update for interested readers:

• I'm not out of the woods just yet, but my editor had high praise for the first draft of my article. I poured a lot into it, and the bar is high, so this is a relief. For those that will have me, my social calendar is open!
  
• This might not be obvious for a software developer, but from blogging, to articles, writing is one of the pillars of my career. Even silly satire opens a lot of doors.
• The plan for summer visitors is in continual flux. There were 4 separate probable visits; sadly, it's now down to a definite, a probable, and a maybe. I don't mind flexibility, but it is tricky to keep up! Esp. since I will be planning vacation around this.
  
• A big win for one friend is that she planned to come for the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, as she is a big country music fan. However, the artists were not yet announced. Bonus: the gamble paid off, as the headliner is Brad Paisley, who we both love. He is an unbelievable guitarist. A double-bonus was running into my sister whilst buying the tickets at the box office.
  
• A heavy day tomorrow for some dear relatives. I won't go into details here but it is a time for our family to come together.
  

And now we wait

I have been wrapped up in a writing assignment for about a month. I've been pretty anti-social, with exceptions for the Scotties (curling) and church. I've lived and breathed this article for several weekends in a row... the gym and the piano are vague memories.

This has been nerve-wracking because it is my first time writing for this outfit (it is the same as the Java conference series that I've mentioned in the past), and the peer pressure is high. The other authors are brilliant and monstrously prolific.

The good news: draft #1 has been submitted! Though I am not done, I can enjoy this weekend. At some point next week, I will receive the dreaded Editor's Feedback, which will be a renewed call to action.

Tonight, I celebrate by attacking a major pile of laundry with the resources only a Friday night can guarantee.

CC

Neighbour #3: Denied

It is 6 pm. Home from work and having just eaten, I am napping on my couch, wrapped in an afghan blanket, with the iconic local news show, Compass, on TV. This is a ritual.

There is a faint knock at the door. Guess who.

Of course, it is my neighbour. First thing he says is, "hey buddy, I know I owe you $10". Then he launches into a request to use my computer to download an MP3 off his iPod.

Bad move. First, it is generally unwise to disturb Nap Time, especially with something overt like knocking on the door. Second, now you want to escalate this budding friendship by entering my space and using my computer.

Negative. Thankfully, I was sufficiently irked that I didn't give in to country, folksy civility. Screw you, buddy. You aren't getting in my apartment and you aren't using my computer. I told him something about being concerned about viruses (not exactly plausible) and held my ground.

To his credit, my neighbour, a lumbering giant of a man, is kind-hearted. He backed off immediately and disappeared down the hall.

As I returned to my couch, I thought I heard him talking to someone else (did he knock on another door?). Heaven help us.

CC

Missed Opportunities

This is mostly a self-directed vent.

For a venture that remains shrouded in secrecy, I had a personal goal of being recognized by a local radio/TV station within 6 months.

This past week, at the 3 month mark, I scored an interview. I still can't believe it. It is really great news.

It has not aired yet but, alas, I didn't nail it. My voice will be ok, and I didn't say anything too crazy, but I missed a huge opportunity.

I wasn't funny or colourful in any way. I just answered questions earnestly, as though I was 8 years old. I didn't give myself the liberty to (a) take a chance and go "out there" or (b) ask permission beforehand if I could ham it up. Given the subject matter, the interviewer was probably mystified, since the topic involves humour. What's worse, is that I didn't give credit to some key happenings involving social media.

I was a smiling zombie.

As is well-documented on here, when I don't do well in public speaking, I brood for a very long time (months, years). It is vaguely similar to suffering a defeat by the nefarious Jim G.

In my defense, I have a lot going on. I am trying to finish a tech article, and on that day, I was supposed to be interviewed by a local magazine for some tech stuff. That interview evaporated but on that day it seems like I had to be in 4 places at once.

Small consolation, now. The interviewer even said (beforehand) that we could do multiple takes! I guess I clammed up when the microphone was on: 'tis a pity because that's when it counts.

Oh well. We'll see what happens.

CC

ps. More to come after the news comes out...

Neighbour Redux

My neighbour dropped by today, interrupting my train of thought while sequestered, writing an article.

The good news:

• He mentioned the $10 he owes me, even though said he would have it tomorrow. This shows a cognitive cohesion that spans conversations. I am impressed.
  

The bad news:

• He asked for a lift downtown. He was very friendly and polite, but essentially was asking "can you drop everything and give me a lift?". For some incredible reason, I complied.

The weird news:

• This guy claims to be a major Nascar fan, and has been down to a race in the USA (with his mother). However, he didn't seem to realize that he was visiting while the Daytona 500 was on TV. (It is the start of the season, and a big deal for fans.) I even asked him about it. His answer made no sense.
• In his defence, Nascar races last 4 hours. I've heard jokes that even rabid fans can go out and do errands/chores and come back for the ending. (Contrast this with F1's efficient 90 minute races)

I do not want this to be my latest Apartment Saga. I don't want a new friend, or at least not this guy. No more taxi rides. Just keep the $10.

Neighbours and Nutjobs

The new apartment is working out pretty well in the winter:

• the blast-furnace thermals of this building, pure torture in the summer, are now comforting, given a -25 C windchill
• someone else worries about the snow in the parking lot

Interestingly, a recent turn of events involves my next-door neighbour. I ran into him in the laundry room the other night. He rambled on many subjects, including a trivia night that he ran recently at a club. He asked me the final question:

Two goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP in the playoffs). Name them.

I guessed Ken Dryden and, after some thought, Chris Osgood. He beamed, "You got it!". Great! I haven't lost my hockey mojo.

Well. I looked up the answer later. Chris Osgood did not win the Conn Smythe and there a dozen goalies who have won the Conn Smythe award.

Our new friend is a few steps short of a staircase, I'm afraid.

All the more interesting: on Valentine's Day evening, he approached me in the hallway and asked me if he could borrow $10. He had a story about his stranded girlfriend. Though weird, he struck me as honest, so I lent him the cash. He promised to pay me back by Wednesday night.

I write this on Wednesday night. We'll see what happens. I am skeptical that he will remember but I am certain that he will try and mooch something else soon. I wonder what the look on his face will be when I remind him that the juice is already running on the $10 (a gambler's term for interest).

Today

I remember watching The National on CBC, about 3 weeks ago. Two pundits, from Egypt, were predicting the future in their country. The younger said that this would be their Berlin Wall; the older felt that things would change slowly, over years.

The younger woman was spot on, as it turns out.

Today, I think about the young street vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire, out of rage and humiliation. Tunisia is not Egypt, but one can draw a straight line from that act to today's stunning events.

Mohamed Bouazizi could not have had any idea of what he would start. I wonder if he does now.

CC

Peace

Lately, I have been thinking of relatives, M and G, who are cousins but more like an aunt and uncle. They have been suffered some truly tough times recently.

I send them wishes of peace in my thoughts and prayers.

CC

Christmas Gifts

I haven't mentioned a lot about Christmas, but it was lovely. A nice haul of stuff as well, without concerns about how to get it on an airplane.

Again this year, someone in Africa received a gift in my name, through World Vision. This year, it was a micro-loan. Perfect, sincerely.

I've also received several gift-cards to various eating establishments. I frequent these places often, but even more now that I'm covered.

Lots of books and clothes as well. I'm currently reading one: Bill Bryson's At Home. Highly recommended and I've just started.

Wheels

I have been in some interesting winter episodes with Herbie, the beloved Miata. With true winter tires, it was a good car, but definitely the pint-sized go-cart was not in the same weight class as Old Man Winter.

Today, Rowdy, the Honda Civic, was given a beat-down by winter, under comic circumstances. It was stuck in about 1 cm of snow. The Civic is no SUV or Subaru but certainly a step-up from the Miata: heavier, and front-wheel drive.

Alas, last night I parked in some divots in my local parking lot, and the poor car couldn't be extricated this morning (you would have to see the parking lot to understand -- imagine the front-wheels in an inverted speedbump).

Thankfully, a Salt Squad (assault squad?) scrambled to action tonight. The Honda greeted the team as liberators.

It is a concern, though. Winter has barely started, and this ain't Saint Louis, where it is 17 C / 65 F, once a week, by municipal law.

The first call to action is new tires, which is not going to be cheap or fun. The second call to action (though surely not this year?) is a new ride. There is a hot Subaru out there with my name on it. Old Man Winter would be in a fair fight.

CC

Happy New Year

Best wishes in 2011 to everyone!

I hope the holidays were peaceful for everyone. Mine were just great. Lots of visiting with family and no air travel. The latter item cannot be overstated in terms of relaxation.

I'm looking forward to the new year. I hope to set down some goals for myself and will probably post out of a sense of accountability. 2010 was a great year in terms of career, Big Decisions, and music. Fitness was pretty rough, though I salvaged the year in November and mid-December.

Any resolutions for you, dear readers?

peace
CC

Little Drummer Boy

Per last post, my computer is running out of juice. But I wanted to take a moment to share this.

I remember seeing something vaguely like this when I was about 7 years old. I'm almost sure this is the same one.

I was deeply moved by the song, and remember that I had a lump in my throat. It is my earliest memory of being deeply, profoundly moved by music.

Merry Christmas.

Power Outage

I believe my power adapter for my laptop has died. The computer is at 40% power right now, so I need to conserve energy.

I might be hard to contact until I get some juice on Boxing Day (hopefully somewhere on the Island has a Mac adapter). This will be my first attempt for serious hardware acquisition on PEI.

In happier news, have a Merry Christmas!

Silent Monks

I was struck by the creativity of this video. Though not a Christmas carol, it seems to fit the season:

Shipping on PEI

Here are some details about receiving courier shipments in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in case it helps anyone. This may be especially useful if you can't be at home to receive a shipment.

This info is accurate as of December 2010, but may not be when you read this. Please do your own homework!

DHL

Call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice. They will flag the shipment as "pick-up". On the next day, you can go to the DHL depot, which is at 7 Mount Edward Rd (near Longworth Ave). There is no service counter: you have to deal with the drivers, who are available only early and late (I believe 7-8 am and 4-5 pm).

UPS

Again, call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice to arrange your pick-up. Purolator Courier handles UPS on PEI. They are located at 502 Brackley Point Rd, and have a bona fide service desk. You will need photo id with a current address. (If you have trouble reaching the 1-800 number, you can probably drop by the service office, but expect to return for your item on the next day).

FedEx

Same deal: call the 1-800 number on the delivery notice to arrange your pick-up. FedEx is located at 3 (or 3-D?) McAleer Dr, and have a bona fide service desk open from approx. 3 pm to 5:30 pm. You will need photo id and your delivery notice.

Good luck!