Category: General

Posted on

As the mission changes

With the end of combat operations for Canadian troops in Afghanistan, we are left to ask ourselves what was accomplished by this phase of our participation. There are probably a wide variety of answers to this question. My suspicion is that most of those answers are probably correct.

The human toll is easy to tally in terms of those who have been killed, injured or permanently changed by their service to the country. But, what of the benefits?

The common benefit we hear, girls going to school, is certainly an accomplishment. Actually sending more to schools in Afghanistan regardless of gender is an improvement. Remember that the aim of Canadian Forces trainers is to bring members of the Afghanistan Army and police forces to a Grade 3 level. Literacy in the country is at a dismal level and anything that increases that level is good. Also, at the beginning of the Afghan war, more than 4 million people were being fed by United Nations food development aid work. I heard an interview last year with Flora MacDonald who mentioned that there were now more than 1,100 NGO aid agencies working in the country. This is certainly a situation that would be impossible under the Taliban.

That being said, there is also a dark side to our participation. One of the more interesting items from the fall of the Taliban is that they were emphatically against the heroin trade and had drastically reduced the export of raw heroin. Now, no longer in power, the Taliban guerrillas are actively supporting heroin production for fundraising and Afghanistan is back to being the world leader in export of raw heroin. Also, it’s not like we are actively busy ensuring the survival of the “good guys.” Afghanistan has one of the most, if not the most, corrupt governments in the world. Most of the warlords whose support is a necessity to keep Hamid Kharzai in power are heroin producers and his own brother, a provincial governor, has been accused on numerous occasions to be active in the trade. Lastly, we can basically describe our participation to some extent as fighting someone else’s civil war for them.

So, after almost 10 years of combat operations and a horrendous human cost on all sides, the answer to the question of whether or not our participation in Afghanistan was worthwhile is probably impossible to determine. This is a question left to future generations and the application of hindsight. How the conflict will end, if it actually even does, will be seen by eyes younger than ours, and probably less biased by the currency of events…

Posted on

Steve Cardiff, MLA… but always “just Steve”

I am consistently learning to cherish each and every conversation I have with people. Last week, Steve Cardiff, MLA, former student and friend was killed in a car accident. It was a very sudden shock and suprise to all.

I started to think of the last time I had run into Steve. It was on Main Street within the last week or so, and both of us were running errands and didn’t have much time for a quick hello and apology for being rushed. I seriously regret that now and wished I’d had far more time for a quick gab on the side of the street as we often did.

I met Steve more than 15 years ago when he was taking an introductory computer course. The class ran in the evenings and I saw him in the hallway one morning talking with the Dean. We chatted for a bit and he left to do something and Aron, the Dean, pointed out that Steve was also, at the time, chair of the College Board of Governors. I have to admit being a bit gobsmacked over that, as the last impression you would have gotten from Steve is that he was anything other than just a regular person. He was a tradesman and proud of it. When he eventually took the plunge and ran for the MLA seat, and won, he was no different. He was always “just Steve,” and I will always continue to be impressed by that fact.

In the past few days, we have heard lots of stories about him. I’ll throw in one. Several years ago, we were both attending the same conference. During the first coffee break, when we were outside “checking the weather,” I asked Steve how things were going with his new job. He had just recently been elected for the first time. He said, “I have the greatest job in the world. I’m really amazed that people pay me to do this.” Since that job largely concerned helping people, I think that probably sums up what he was like more than anything else. Rest well, Steve. We will miss you…

Posted on

No word from the surgeon or the environment department

Not much new, I’m afraid. I see the surgeon tomorrow afternoon and should have a better idea of how my schedule will work out for the rest of the summer at that point. I know two people who have had similar things done and both were off work for three months after. I’m going to probably have to reschedule my classes for this.

On other fronts, it’s the same thing. I sent an e-mail to the department of the environment to see if they have made any headway with the neighbour across the street. I sent that last Wednesday. I did receive an out of office message saying they would be back Thursday and do hope to hear something, preferably something good, sometime soon. Given the few results, I have talked to a friend who produces the local CBC morning show and have rounded up some of the neighbours who are more than willing to talk to the press about our ongoing issues. They are, rightfully, incensed that someone would issue a permit to store hazardous wastes in the middle of a residential neighbourhood without checking, and this should become blatantly obvious rather quickly. The fact that more than a month has passed since this was brought to their attention and nothing seems to have been done has also been noted. Needless to say, someone is going to look rather bad over this one.

That’s all I have. I went back to work, even though I’m on vacation for the next few days, until I find out what’s happening. I’m not really up for work but there isn’t much choice as I have to get courses ready and will have no chance to get up to date if I don’t…

Posted on

Some thoughts for Canada Day

I’ll willingly admit that this is one of my favourite holidays. I know, nothing holds a candle to Hallowe’en but, this is close. Because, much as we are governed by idiots and often, our leaders aren’t sure of where we are going or what the handcart has to do with it, we still live in the greatest country in the world and the last 40 years of imbecilic governments at the Federal, Provincial/Territorial and Municipal levels have failed to destroy it, regardless of how hard they’ve tried.

Living in Canada:

  • I can e-mail my MP and tell him he’s an idiot and a liar.
  • I can get really pissed at my MP and run against him in the next election.
  • I can join a union.
  • I can join any political party I want to (and, when you consider how wing-y some of those parties are, that is really saying something).
  • I can choose to join the Armed Forces and serve my country, or not.
  • I can get an education in any discipline I choose and, while it helps, I don’t have to be rich to do it.
  • I can vote for whomever I want in an election.
  • I can marry anyone who will have me and don’t have to marry the person I’m told to.
  • I can practice any religion I choose, even Jedi. I can also choose not to believe in anything.

There are quite a few countries where this list is somewhat shorter. There are quite a few countries where this list doesn’t exist at all. The fact that it does exist, however, is what we celebrate on Canada Day. Remember, too, that this list was purchased by men and women who were willing to fight for it and many paid the highest price. and are still doing so, that you could have it.

So, enjoy the parade, the beer and the barbecue.  Enjoy the fireworks, if you don’t live in the Yukon (they’re kind of wasted here when it won’t get dark, but some of my neighbours will smuggle some for New Year’s Eve so it all works out). But remember to celebrate, because it really is worth the celebration…

Posted on

Warranty Curiosity

I bought a new Acer computer in February. It was a netbook, since it was inexpensive, I was curious about the portability factor and a small computer was really all I was looking for. It did fill that bill but had a minor problem from the very beginning. If you touched the bottom of the computer when the AC adapter was plugged in, you’d get shocked. Not a big one since the computer ran on low voltage DC, but a shock nonetheless.

I was in contact with the support department basically since March and finally, last week,  they asked me to return the computer and adapter for warranty service. It would be returned within 7 to 10 days after receipt.

However, here’s the rub. Packing materials to ship it cost about $35. Shipping it via courier with insurance would cost $140. The computer itself only cost $245 so I really didn’t see a great deal of sense in returning it. So I ordered a new one… yes, a different brand. I did turn around and send a note to the support department explaining that I would not be returning my computer for warranty service and why. Apparently, I’ll receive an answer in less than 24 hours. Or, not…

Posted on

Was it the good weather or the antibiotics?

I woke up this morning with about thirty seconds warning that Shawna was bringing Hanna and my Father’s Day present. I got a Toronto Maple Leafs condiment set. It is set in a stand with an umbrella and a salt, pepper, ketchup and mustard dispensers. This received in bed from a 14 month old, who immediately proceeded to open my present and play with the contents, is a fabulous way to start your morning.

I noticed that I’m feeling better today. After Shawna and Hanna left, after playing and two kisses for Poppie, I had a bit of lunch and sat around for a bit. Then, I watered the lawn and flowers, filled the feeder and did a few little lawn things. By that point, it was about 20° and sunny. I decided that I actually was in good enough shape for my first, unescorted road trip. This actually entailed going in to work to discuss my upcoming surgery woes, but it was a road trip, nonetheless.

I also got to see a few people, troubleshooted someone’s server issues and, generally, gabbed a bit. It was the first time in two weeks I’d driven by myself after the knee work, but yesterday was the first time I’d driven at all since then. I suddenly feel considerably better. Why? I’m not sure what the source is, but really don’t care either way…

Posted on

It never rains, but it pours… or, you have a tornado.

If I remember correctly, the tagline for Jaws II was, “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”

It seems that we have solved why I have been miserable all winter. I was not feeling very well late Friday night and all day Saturday, coming down with what I thought was a bladder infection, so I decided Saturday night that I was going to pop in to emergency Sunday and get some antibiotics for it. As I mentioned, I’ve had an ongoing colon infection all year too.

After discussing my symptoms, a urine test (damn, I hate the multiple choice questions) and blood work, the on call doctor handed me off to the on call surgeon who put two and two together and wrapped everything up into a nice little package. I’m supposed to go to a specialist in July to see if the current idea of what my colon issue was and she not only confirmed that was probably the case but also that the bladder problem was the same issue. Apparently, I have a fistula, a connection between the bladder and colon and not a good thing to have, by the way. Actually, I don’t think there really is a good colon problem to have.

I’m sure things could be worse. I’ll probably look far more cheery when it’s finally fixed and won’t have to answer people about why I look so different by saying, “Must be the new sweater” or “new glasses.” Remember to point your finger upwards when you use the last one…

Now bluntly, I’m actually happy that it’s finally figured out. One small part of my brain constantly reminded me that the last really healthy day I had, there was a cigarette in my hand and fixing the problem was probably very easy. I try not to listen to that part of my brain. 

The diagnosis, however, it means that I require surgery very, very shortly and I vaguely remember doing that two weeks ago. In short, this coming week, when I have a bit more mobility with my knee after the stitches come out tomorrow, will may well be my summer. It means that all the course prep work that I was looking forward to doing in August will probably be done the day before my courses start for all I know, although I have no real inkling if I will be back to work when that happens. I have to call the chair tomorrow and start looking at changing when my courses start and the length of time they run.

Daryl Stenson called me last week and asked if I want to go fishing on Saturday. I said that, in all probability, I’d like to go. The answer has now changed to “HELL, YAH!” It will probably be the only time I go this summer so I’m looking forward to it…

Posted on

One Week After Surgery

One week down and all’s well. Things have good as expected and I am moving around with no difficulties, other than I don’t really go very fast. I take my cane when I’m going on huge adventures, namely involving stairs and uneven ground, but don’t use it much indoors. My wild painkillers are Tylenol and Ibuprofen, and I still have half of my T-3s left over for a worthy occasion. I have a colon infection that’s been bugging me since February and, quite frankly, it’s been far more of an issue than my surgery.

I have been on several great adventures. Today, I went to the hospital for bloodwork and then downtown and for groceries. I’ve been upstairs several times and have decided that sleeping in my far more comfortable bed is tonight’s plan. I did some puttering in the yard today as well.

I will admit that this one has taken a little longer to recover from and I suspect he did far more grinding than he did last time. There were more than a dozen bone spurs to get rid of and one particular place where there wasn’t enough room for one piece to get past the other when I bent my knee which has been fixed.  Full recovery should take about six months. It’s just a question of time and now, it’s time for a nap, I think…

Posted on

Don’t You Eat That Yellow…. Pollen

For those of you not familiar with the lodgepole pine tree, it is a beautiful tree. The name comes from its long, straight, thin trunks. Even in high winds, when you think they were so flimsy, they bend and flex and stand tall at the end of the storm. OK, I like pine trees. I also have quite a few in my yard and, given the wilderness surrounding the city, am completely enclosed in them.

But, most of us here have a complete week-long hatred of the pine tree. That’s because of their pollen, a fine, yellow dust that covers everything, inside and out. Those who are allergic to pollen find it even more hateful,  as they put out vast quantities of the dust and there is really no escaping it. I’ve had my computer out on the deck with me for 15 minutes and I will have to use compressed air to blow out the fans.

With my lack of mobility, I don’t have my usual method of dealing with this available… or at least until tomorrow. During the week pine trees pollenate, I usually have to hose off the decks and verandas, and everything on them, daily. The same holds true with the vehicles.

windshield pollen

 

Note how much is on the windshield of my truck. Then consider that it rained yesterday so much of it washed off. And, then you have to keep in mind the fact that there will be as much the next day, and the next day, and so on.

But, we must take the bad with the good. Pollen time is definitely the bad part, but when you think of the wildlife that lives in my pine trees, it’s not so bad. We have lots of birds, squirrels, boreal and great horned owls and, of course, Dean, the pine marten who does hang out in the back yard from time to time. It’s certainly a tradeoff I’m willing to make…

Posted on

Recovery is Boring

Fortunately, I don’t have a lot of hair to pull out. Recovering from knee surgery, or any type I guess, is almost as exciting as watching grass grow. In fact, that’s one of the few different activities available to me at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about substantive things. My complaint lies with the time-honoured intangible. I know there’s something I’d like to do other than hanging around the house. I’m not totally sure what it is, though.

I know that there are things I’m just not capable of doing right now. I know I should mow the lawn and I should clean out the camper. Ç’est la vie. None of these is going to happen for a bit. But, I have this stupid feeling that I should be doing something particular and can’t figure out what it is I’m supposed to be doing. It’s very frustrating. I realize that it’s probably a side effect of being laid up, but knowing this doesn’t seem to help.

I guess, in this case, there’s only one thing to do and that is quote the classics. And, there is an appropriate quote that seems to work here: “Oh, bother.”

Sums it up for me….