Commentary
- Do no harm
- Be kind at all times
- Ask yourself, is this helpful? Whatever this is
- Don't put off difficult tasks
- Face your fears and understand them
- Try to learn new things
- Try to set yourself realistic goals
- Figure out your purpose
- Think before you react
- And always, always, listen first
It’s started …
It started sometime this week and I’ve only just noticed it. The Red Creep!
What, I hear you ask? The red creep is when the top tips of the trees start to turn, you know, announcing autumn’s on her way. When you start seeing those first few subtle changes and you’re left dreaming of pumpkin spiced lattes, cardigans (cue Taylor Swift) and where you hid last seasons long johns, socks, and that autumn puffer jacket with the zipper pockets.
Looks like I might have to grab one (or two) cameras and go for a walkabout later to take evidentiary pictures. No, no chalk outlines on the pavement, though, of course, I could sketch some out if you like.
It’s definitely a lot cooler in the mornings, another 12 degrees this morning. Still, beautiful, clear blue skies, so who’s complaining, not me, right?
Now, where did I put that sweater?
And, the Rules Are ...
While god may have handed down the Ten Commandments to the Israeli and, it’s usually accepted we should try and live our lives by them. Not all of us, whatever our religion, follow them for whatever reason. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have some sense of moral code to live our lives by based on these tenets. Especially as we all (well, mostly all) agree that, Thou Shalt Not Kill, should be up there in pole position.
So what rules do I try to live my life by? Good question.
First and foremost and in no particular order:
Of course, this is just the basic list, there are more I could and have added over the years but, following these has been a good start. And you, what rules, if any, do you try to live your life by?
Inspired by Lou Plummer's Rules for Me post.
Striking a Chord
Music has and will always been a huge part of my life. It’s been with me from such an early age, helping me escape (like books) into another world, where I could be myself. Away from others and, at times, with others. From huge venues with tens of thousands to small hall concerts in intimate settings that made the music all the more powerful and moving.
I’ve enjoyed it all. From nobodies starting out, to big name groups like Pink Floyd and Abba, to Emerson, Lake and Palmer, to the Rolling Stones before they were mega rock stars. Through the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, I’ve transitioned, changed and grown, along with my choice of music. But have never lost the love for all music be it classical, opera, or middle of the road pop to heavy death metal. I’ve listened to it all and found something that has touched me at every level, whatever the source. Be it the actual melodies, or lack thereof, to lyrics that struck a chord with my then sensibilities.
Music is always there. Be it playing a vinyl record on an old box player I have, to shoving a CD into an antiquated boombox, to these days, digitally on my iPhone. I don’t even shower without singing and yes, still whistle when I think on one is listening.
I can’t imagine a day without music playing. It is so ingrained in our every day lives. I think the colour would drain from my life if music were to stop playing tomorrow. And, like books, no only do I not want to live without music, I don’t think I can. Can you?
Footnote: A big thank you to Lou Plummer for the inspiration to write this one.
By Any Other Name
In a recent post Pete Moore asks us, What’s In A Name, in which he talked about his struggles with his first name. Wondering if, at this stage in life, he could start (legally or otherwise) using his middle name. A name he’s always preferred because of the brutalisation of his given name, while growing up.
So many of us suffer due to our parent’s name choices.
I knew a fellow military colleague that suffered daily at work from an insensitive form of bullying by a handful of sad minded people. His name was Denis Petrie, a name he despised because these particular bullies always referred to him as Penis Detrie. Childishly transposing the capital letters of each name, and finding it funny. He always swore that, when he left the military, he was going to change his name.
After reading Pete’s post, I wondered if Denis ever did. I know that I was subject to similar bullying during my own military service due to my then name at the time. One I changed several years after I left the military, and not because of the bullying per se, more but because I fell out with my family.
My change of name was the ultimate form of protest.
And while it started as a protest, it also became apparent that I should have done it long ago, when I realised how liberating it was to chose not only my own name, and identity, but the fact it freed me from a set of mental chains I never knew were there.
People change their names for any number of reasons. From personal reasons, like Pete, where his given name has never felt his to begin with. To those getting married (for legal reasons) or divorced, to those transitioning to the people they were always meant to be.
Maybe society needs to change the way we are all named at birth. And that, on the age of majority (whatever that age might be), we should be allowed to chose our own names.
What say you, have you changed your name to reflect the person you feel you are?
It's a Total Eclipse
It’s officially the day of the Total Eclipse for us here, in Quebec, where most will see either 100% to 98% of the eclipse … and?
The weather couldn’t be more cooperative. We have perfect clear blue skies with no cloud cover forecast. I mean, how often does that happen? Probably never given how a lot of places along today’s Path of Totality are facing mild to heavy cloud cover all the way up from Texas to Maine, but up here, in our quiet, quaint little corner of North America? Perfect weather.
What? I’m rubbing it in? Maybe, maybe not.
While we may have the perfect viewing weather (and yes, everyone south of the dotted line, there may be time—if you leave now—to get here in time) the rub is … we might not actually be viewing said phenomena.
Huh, I hear you say?
Yep. We spent a few days hunting for glasses, having left it a tad too long to source a pair each and … the OH is crazy that we not watch this afternoon as they are convinced I’m going to look directly into the sun. Or, more likely, they are. Either way, I was told over breakfast that I am not, repeat not to go out onto the balcony and attempt to watch, even through a pinhole device.
I was actually going to use a colander sieve and a piece of stiff card, keeping my back to the sun. But still, the OH is frantic that one of us will accidentally turn and ooops catch a glimpse of the sun.
Well, okay, it’s true. We can’t rule out a whoopsie, given we haven’t got the proper eye protection. But …but I hate being told I cannot do something. It just makes me want to do it more (blame my restrictive parents for that one.)
So, what’s a girl to do? Right, I mean, this is called a once in a life time for a reason. Most people will not get the chance again and look, we’re right in the path of totality.
Come on!
This morning I had to take the bus to go run errands and pick up some fresh produce at my favourite Halle. When I got to my stop I made to get out the bus but found my way blocked by a determine young woman who wanted to get on the bus.
Get on the bus without paying.
At first I was confused and asked her what she thought she was doing. Then, realising exactly what it was she was doing, I put out both arms to block her fraudulent entry to the bus. The look I got could have started world war three. And then … it happened.
I was assaulted. In as much she physically shoved me so that I took a step backwards and as I did so, she stepped past me swearing at me. I was more than startled. I was shocked at being pushed and that she actually went so far as to lay hands on me.
And the whole time this is going on, no one, not one person watching the scene unfold, came to my side, spoke up, or did anything. NOT. A. THING. They simply sat there and watched as she took a seat.
Let me point out. She was wearing an iWatch and carrying an iPhone. So obviously had enough money to pay the $3+ bus fare. But she chose not to. Just as half the bus occupants chose to do nothing. Like it was an everyday thing.
Me? I chose to step off the bus rather than further confront someone willing to resort to violence. I just stood on the sidewalk watching the bus depart wondering what else I could have done anyway, under the circumstances. And just why no one cared enough to get involved.
I don’t want to think that this is the kind of world we now live in, and that this is an every day event. I want to hope that there are still enough decent people out there, and that they just were not on the bus when this happened.
I live in hope.
Note: to clarify as there has been some confusion. The bus in question was a long caterpillar bus where riders enter at the drivers position to show their ticket/pass/phone to prove they are entitled to ride the bus. Because of the length of the bus, there are two (2) exits. One in the middle of the bus and one at the end. The woman boarded the bus at the rear exit, where there is a sign saying it is an exit only. She then proceeded to take a seat and made no attempt to show the driver her ticket to ride.