A Catalytic Revival

As the Summer winds finally wind-down to a gentle murmur, I figured it high-time to dust of my trusty postmachine and give the old keyboard a pound or three.

My sexy sidekick Charlotte and I certainly had ourselves a lovely time basking in the British Columbian Sun. Most of our days were spent enjoying the Province’s many beaches and establishments of fine libation and munchmatter. All-in-all it was a wonderful trip. Growing up as an Albertan, I have always considered going to B.C. a real tropical adventure, which is a considerable advantage considering a trip to Vancouver Island is only about half the price of a vacation to any given equatorial paradise. Plus, I get the added benefit of knowing that my money gets re-imputed back into the Canadian Economy, for whatever that’s worth!

In a week or two, I will be returning to my Alma Mater for one final year of study in the field of political science. Then it’s off to Law School, methinks. Yep, another ambulance chaser in the making; what can I say?

In the mean time, it’ll be back too usual here at the Corral. But one day at a time, eh. One day at a time.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant;
for they to have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.


(Until very recently, it was my understanding that Desiderata was found, anonymously authored, in the library of Old Saint Paul's Church in Baltimore MA, dated 1692. Apparently, that is not true. In fact, Desiderata was composed by a man named Max Ehrmann, an Indiana lawyer who lived from 1872-1945. It is presumed that he wrote it in 1927, althoug there is still some dispute about that. The poem gained mythical status after the demise of Democratic Presidential candidate Adlai A. Stevenson in 1965. The story goes that a copy of the poem was found on the bedside table of Mr. Stevenson, who had intended to use it in his Christmas card. Afterward, the poem was adopted by the "flower power" crowd of the 1960s as a tool of peace, and later on, by shameless bloggers of the 21st Century looking for some mid-week filler material :)

If you prefer, you can also read it to the tune of "We are the Champions" or "MacArthur Park" or some such other pop hit (although I think it cheapens it, just a little.)

Alberta Separatists make me sick.

They do, they make me feel nauseous. They make me feel weak in the knees. And for some reason, they make me twice as sick as separatists from Quebec. I have spoken about my great disgust for Quebec Separatists before, and they, I hope we can all agree, are a fucking miserable lot.

But why is it that Canada-hating Albertans bug me so? Until very recently I’ve always found them to be a rather novel element to the mainstream variety of Ottawa-loathing Albertacrat. Good for a joke or two, you know. But the recent incline in support for the "movement" has obviously crawled under my skin (and got me fuming at the fingertips!)

I know it’s not a matter of which group’s complaining is more justified. That’s a dumb game. Quebec separatists argue that they have a "distinct culture" which cannot be understood or embraced by any English-speaking Canadian. Thus, they see separation as the only feasible solution to their situation; complete autonomy from the rest of us, to erase a couple centuries of perceived bad blood. Conversely, Albertan separatists argue that too much interference by the federal government has resulted in a huge money siphon from the bountiful plains to the filthy pits of Eastern Canada, where the money is then converted into banquet dinners and a big "fuck you" to the ROC.

Both myths, although based on fragments of truth and factoid, are bogus. They are bogus for reasons which have been enunciated elsewhere ad nauseam. And that is a good thing, for I would be ill-equipped to attempt to do so here again.

But getting back to my original target - separatist scumbags - and why I really, really hate them.

Even though there’s been a surge in this revolting sentiment as of late, I can remember when I saw my very first Alberta Separatist gathering. It happened in Red Deer (circa 2001) when a couple hundred nice young men decided to assemble in the spirit of tearing their country asunder. They were beautifully adorned in black leather swastika garb, and they chanted nifty little jingles that could only lead one to believe that the proposed "Republic of Alberta" would be as diverse and welcoming as its predecessor, with room for people of all shades and colors, from alabaster to albino. I’m telling you, this crowd of overweight, racist pricks really sold the message for me. And I have them to thank that I will forever make the association in my mind, for the rest of my life.

"But Senator, just because you support the wretched notion of Alberta separatism doesn’t mean you’re a racist."

No, it doesn’t. It means you are ready to align yourself with racists to validate some stupid idea you picked up from reading the Calgary Sun. It means that you’re ready to take reactionary steps against the State to which you are subject. It means, you’re prepared to stand against me, as a traitor who doesn’t deserve to take another breath in this country!

Well bring it on!

Resurection

I’m back in the sphere after a five day hiatus. I spent most of the weekend sweltering away in my girlfriend’s living room, drinking beer in my undershirt and eating peanuts. Class. It hadn’t been my preference to take the blogging sabbatical anyway, but my boss returns to work today and there was plenty that needed a doin’ before the inevitable. She's been gone for about a month. I pray that I did everything that I was supposed to do. I pray I pray I pray. As a matter of fact, perhaps it would be best if we all bowed our heads in a couple of seconds of lamentation.

GOD GRANT ME
THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT
THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE,
COURAGE
TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN,
AND WISDOM ALWAYS
TO TELL THE
DIFFERENCE.

Amen