7.15 and we're right in the middle of it. A multitude of snot nosed little humans are finding their way to our front door to get their greedy little hands on our fine Belgian chocolates and Jamin sour candy. Peace, tranquility and a wide assortment of Grolsch beverages are my usual companions but tonight is one of the few nights that I keep the dogs inside and leave the porch lights on and the little bastards know it. Just writing these few sentences took a while since every few minutes I have to get up because there's another little creep, dressed up like the devil or Dick Cheney, banging on the door screeching" trick or treat". Our own kids are in on the action and are terrorizing the neighbourhood with fervor. Lord have mercy on the poor granola character that is denying them their loot. Organic fruit is not the God we're worshipping tonight. We want, nay, we need candy and we will not be denied. Halloween. Refreshingly uncomplicated and governed by some very basic principles. No dark political motives or shady little shysters in expensive suits to contend with. God knows we've had more then our fair share of shitheads and hustlers find their way into our fair city lately. But not tonight. Tonight they're hiding in whatever sewer they came out of while the youngsters rule the streets.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Halloween
7.15 and we're right in the middle of it. A multitude of snot nosed little humans are finding their way to our front door to get their greedy little hands on our fine Belgian chocolates and Jamin sour candy. Peace, tranquility and a wide assortment of Grolsch beverages are my usual companions but tonight is one of the few nights that I keep the dogs inside and leave the porch lights on and the little bastards know it. Just writing these few sentences took a while since every few minutes I have to get up because there's another little creep, dressed up like the devil or Dick Cheney, banging on the door screeching" trick or treat". Our own kids are in on the action and are terrorizing the neighbourhood with fervor. Lord have mercy on the poor granola character that is denying them their loot. Organic fruit is not the God we're worshipping tonight. We want, nay, we need candy and we will not be denied. Halloween. Refreshingly uncomplicated and governed by some very basic principles. No dark political motives or shady little shysters in expensive suits to contend with. God knows we've had more then our fair share of shitheads and hustlers find their way into our fair city lately. But not tonight. Tonight they're hiding in whatever sewer they came out of while the youngsters rule the streets.
Friday, August 19, 2011
My son and sensei
Jan, my better half and a committed teacher, sometimes gets a bit flustered when the kids, in her view, are not delivering on the promise that each of them holds. However, as usual, there's another side to the story.
Absolutely, we need to help him along. He needs to improve on his organizational skills, make sure that he completes and hands in his assignments on time and does a better job of paying attention and not provoke his teacher's ire. However knowing him as we do, none of these issues come as a huge surprise. He is a person that appreciates friendship, cordial camaraderie and, in his view, innocent banter. He is still the same boy as he's always been and now we have the obscene duty of teaching him that he must make certain compromises if he wants to fully participate in this society and live a meaningful, rewarding life to be able to enjoy all the comforts that it holds.
Welcome to the machine.
Make no mistake, once he understands what needs to be done and why, and we will succeed in that endeavour because we have no choice, we will see another person emerge. For now, I like him just the way he is. His compassion and care for all living things never seizes to amaze me. He has taught me more regarding the depth of a righteous soul then any other person, past or present and as far as I'm concerned He sits on the right side of God with jesus bringing him warm chocolate milk and chippies. We have to find a way to allow him to continue on his journey and let him become the person that he's meant to be while at the same time acquire the skills and knowledge that will help him along in the future. I know you. I refuse to believe that the end is worth you losing that what makes him so special. The issues involved are manageable, he is doing his best but it needs work, fine tuning so to say. He takes pride in his accomplishments, he loves making you happy when he gets a good mark and he's deeply hurt when, again, in his view we disapprove of him. WE need to learn also and find a way to get through to him without resorting to the usual blame and punish game. He's getting enough unnecessary shit from his sisters without us terrorizing him. He'll be OK, maybe not exactly the way we'd like it to go, but he has all the makings of a good, no, great person. Saskia will be fine and allthough I would have liked a different dynamic guiding her choices, I'm happy for her. Moriah is also coming down the pipe and I'm convinced she'll have a few surprises in store that will have us climbing the proverbial wall. We don't own our kids, they're only with us for a short while. I want to hang on to whatever goodness I can get and let that comfort the rest of my days when they're off on their own.
Absolutely, we need to help him along. He needs to improve on his organizational skills, make sure that he completes and hands in his assignments on time and does a better job of paying attention and not provoke his teacher's ire. However knowing him as we do, none of these issues come as a huge surprise. He is a person that appreciates friendship, cordial camaraderie and, in his view, innocent banter. He is still the same boy as he's always been and now we have the obscene duty of teaching him that he must make certain compromises if he wants to fully participate in this society and live a meaningful, rewarding life to be able to enjoy all the comforts that it holds.
Welcome to the machine.
Make no mistake, once he understands what needs to be done and why, and we will succeed in that endeavour because we have no choice, we will see another person emerge. For now, I like him just the way he is. His compassion and care for all living things never seizes to amaze me. He has taught me more regarding the depth of a righteous soul then any other person, past or present and as far as I'm concerned He sits on the right side of God with jesus bringing him warm chocolate milk and chippies. We have to find a way to allow him to continue on his journey and let him become the person that he's meant to be while at the same time acquire the skills and knowledge that will help him along in the future. I know you. I refuse to believe that the end is worth you losing that what makes him so special. The issues involved are manageable, he is doing his best but it needs work, fine tuning so to say. He takes pride in his accomplishments, he loves making you happy when he gets a good mark and he's deeply hurt when, again, in his view we disapprove of him. WE need to learn also and find a way to get through to him without resorting to the usual blame and punish game. He's getting enough unnecessary shit from his sisters without us terrorizing him. He'll be OK, maybe not exactly the way we'd like it to go, but he has all the makings of a good, no, great person. Saskia will be fine and allthough I would have liked a different dynamic guiding her choices, I'm happy for her. Moriah is also coming down the pipe and I'm convinced she'll have a few surprises in store that will have us climbing the proverbial wall. We don't own our kids, they're only with us for a short while. I want to hang on to whatever goodness I can get and let that comfort the rest of my days when they're off on their own.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Kristy's time has come
Last week I was talking to ............., a regular at Jerry’s, who’s been working for the liberals for years and after a few cold one’s he no longer could help himself but let us in on what was about to happen.I went home, had a few more and wrote this. I liked it better when I wrote it at 2 am but then again, a lot of things make sense at that hour. Anyone else feel that way ? Any way of finding out? Maybe someone with a better grasp of the English language could look it over and put it out there, anywhere . What do you think??
Election time in BC.
Politicians in BC dance to their own little jig and so far we've not been dissapointed. While we’re in the middle of watching Iggie, Jackie and Harpo whooping it up, causing some of us to drink heavily having to put up with their hideous drivel and mind bending false promises, our new premier, Kristy “families first” Clark has decided that this just might be the opportune time to call a by-election . Holy mother of God, is there no limit to what these shady characters will do to get elected? Harassing those who work for a living in Price George, groping old women in Cape Breton and squeezing confused innocent toddlers at a childcare center on the outskirts of Thunderbay is at the order of the day. The federal liberals have us believe that the last 5 years have been a right wing conspiracy characterized by an unrelenting orgy of lust and greed, the Tories are passing themselves off as our saviours, safely guiding the upper and middle classes through a monstrous economic meltdown, full of treachery and imploding pensions while the NDP has a “plan” that has something for everyone, as usual. And if that wasn’t enough now we also have Kristy on our hands. I knew something was up a few days before the announcement was made because the lights were on for a change at Gordy’s place on 4th , just across from Banyen's bookstore. His constituency office, upgraded, or downgraded, depending on how one feels about the recent developments, is on route to Jerry’s, or the “Cove”, as some call it now, a comfortable place for those of us who enjoy a cold beverage or two right after lunch. A visit there is usually an uplifting and spirited affair but having to pass, what is now quickly becoming “Kristy’s headquarters”, has darkened the mood somewhat and ugly rumours are making the rounds. Although it might not seem that way considering the ever increasing frantic dynamic of live on the Westside, and Kitsilano and Point Grey in particular, there’s still a good many of us that enjoy living here. In various degrees we are active within our communities, we don’t give in to Wal-Mart, Home depot or Starbucks and try to shop locally, we participate in community events, Bayview is a “ community” school and contrary to popular belief, so far not to many are card carrying members of the botox/yoga crowd. High ideals, a sense of social justice and environmental awareness without the Big Brother attitude are not just slogans but seem like the right way to go for more than just a few of us. Yes, it makes sense that Gordy, who’s now looking for a way to fade into the background so he can hang out with his own posse on Howe street, should give up his seat. And although I never cranked it up to such a weird level that I could have voted for him, he did for many years represent my neighbourhood, shopped at the same places as I did and on many an occasion you’d see him on Broadway, enjoying a stroll in the sun and talking to people. Yes, I would have liked him better if he had found his way a few time’s to Jerry’s instead of going of his rocker in Hawaii. Ben, Barry or Bruce would have had no trouble shaming him into parting with some of his loot and support our midday boozing adventures but it was not meant to be. Like him or not he was one of us. But now we have to deal with an entirely different animal. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s up to the task. Believe me, anyone wearing the crown in this province has had their fair share of adversity and beastly ball breaking back room treachery. As the good doctor says: ”Getting elected is not about defeating your opponents, it’s about screwing your friends”. But I’m extremely uncomfortable with the whole notion of someone coming into our neighbourhood, babbling about families and communities while she doesn’t have a clue about the concerns that those of us have with regards to what is happening in OUR community. 10 years ago a young person with deep roots in this neighbourhood could still dream about owning a home here, a nightmare scenario nowadays. Our elders, who have lived their entire lives here having to sell because of obscene property tax increases, wild women driving around erratically in their overpriced European hybrids while frantically texting away on their blackberry’s, bright eyed shyster terrorizing our gentle tree lined trees looking for the next hustle, and the list goes on. What comforting words can we expect from you, Kristy? Or will the lights go off once again after you’re done here? Will we see you walking our streets, meeting our neighbours or just hanging out at Angus’s Bakery, having a coffee? Yes, you do volunteer at a community centre around hereand one of your kids is attending school on the West side, like so many others. Why is that by the way? Are the schools in your neck of the woods not up to par? Weren't you.........................................?
Regardless of the way I feel about his policies I was always happy for Gord that he could, and did walk through our and his neighbourhood. It says something about the people that make up this community and we’re all the better for it. Sure we have our fair share of bozo’s but hey, who doesn’t. There are still enough people that care about what’s going on here in our own backyard and are willing to make the effort. I’m sure that your “advisers” have a long list of whoop-ass directives handy to cram down our throats the moment you take your rightful place amongst your own kind in Victoria. Will you do something a bit more substantial besides this silly gibberish about families first, tax breaks for liberal cronies or a few foto ops on Jericho? What about it, eh?
Suspiciously, Willem
Election time in BC.
Politicians in BC dance to their own little jig and so far we've not been dissapointed. While we’re in the middle of watching Iggie, Jackie and Harpo whooping it up, causing some of us to drink heavily having to put up with their hideous drivel and mind bending false promises, our new premier, Kristy “families first” Clark has decided that this just might be the opportune time to call a by-election . Holy mother of God, is there no limit to what these shady characters will do to get elected? Harassing those who work for a living in Price George, groping old women in Cape Breton and squeezing confused innocent toddlers at a childcare center on the outskirts of Thunderbay is at the order of the day. The federal liberals have us believe that the last 5 years have been a right wing conspiracy characterized by an unrelenting orgy of lust and greed, the Tories are passing themselves off as our saviours, safely guiding the upper and middle classes through a monstrous economic meltdown, full of treachery and imploding pensions while the NDP has a “plan” that has something for everyone, as usual. And if that wasn’t enough now we also have Kristy on our hands. I knew something was up a few days before the announcement was made because the lights were on for a change at Gordy’s place on 4th , just across from Banyen's bookstore. His constituency office, upgraded, or downgraded, depending on how one feels about the recent developments, is on route to Jerry’s, or the “Cove”, as some call it now, a comfortable place for those of us who enjoy a cold beverage or two right after lunch. A visit there is usually an uplifting and spirited affair but having to pass, what is now quickly becoming “Kristy’s headquarters”, has darkened the mood somewhat and ugly rumours are making the rounds. Although it might not seem that way considering the ever increasing frantic dynamic of live on the Westside, and Kitsilano and Point Grey in particular, there’s still a good many of us that enjoy living here. In various degrees we are active within our communities, we don’t give in to Wal-Mart, Home depot or Starbucks and try to shop locally, we participate in community events, Bayview is a “ community” school and contrary to popular belief, so far not to many are card carrying members of the botox/yoga crowd. High ideals, a sense of social justice and environmental awareness without the Big Brother attitude are not just slogans but seem like the right way to go for more than just a few of us. Yes, it makes sense that Gordy, who’s now looking for a way to fade into the background so he can hang out with his own posse on Howe street, should give up his seat. And although I never cranked it up to such a weird level that I could have voted for him, he did for many years represent my neighbourhood, shopped at the same places as I did and on many an occasion you’d see him on Broadway, enjoying a stroll in the sun and talking to people. Yes, I would have liked him better if he had found his way a few time’s to Jerry’s instead of going of his rocker in Hawaii. Ben, Barry or Bruce would have had no trouble shaming him into parting with some of his loot and support our midday boozing adventures but it was not meant to be. Like him or not he was one of us. But now we have to deal with an entirely different animal. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s up to the task. Believe me, anyone wearing the crown in this province has had their fair share of adversity and beastly ball breaking back room treachery. As the good doctor says: ”Getting elected is not about defeating your opponents, it’s about screwing your friends”. But I’m extremely uncomfortable with the whole notion of someone coming into our neighbourhood, babbling about families and communities while she doesn’t have a clue about the concerns that those of us have with regards to what is happening in OUR community. 10 years ago a young person with deep roots in this neighbourhood could still dream about owning a home here, a nightmare scenario nowadays. Our elders, who have lived their entire lives here having to sell because of obscene property tax increases, wild women driving around erratically in their overpriced European hybrids while frantically texting away on their blackberry’s, bright eyed shyster terrorizing our gentle tree lined trees looking for the next hustle, and the list goes on. What comforting words can we expect from you, Kristy? Or will the lights go off once again after you’re done here? Will we see you walking our streets, meeting our neighbours or just hanging out at Angus’s Bakery, having a coffee? Yes, you do volunteer at a community centre around hereand one of your kids is attending school on the West side, like so many others. Why is that by the way? Are the schools in your neck of the woods not up to par? Weren't you.........................................?
Regardless of the way I feel about his policies I was always happy for Gord that he could, and did walk through our and his neighbourhood. It says something about the people that make up this community and we’re all the better for it. Sure we have our fair share of bozo’s but hey, who doesn’t. There are still enough people that care about what’s going on here in our own backyard and are willing to make the effort. I’m sure that your “advisers” have a long list of whoop-ass directives handy to cram down our throats the moment you take your rightful place amongst your own kind in Victoria. Will you do something a bit more substantial besides this silly gibberish about families first, tax breaks for liberal cronies or a few foto ops on Jericho? What about it, eh?
Suspiciously, Willem
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