Donald Crowdis

Thanks to Lisa, I have started reading the writings of a Nonagenarian who "ponders life, the universe, and aging."

Don Crowdis even has a short entry on Wikipedia. An excerpt from his entry:

...the first host of the popular CBC Television series The Nature of Things. For 25 years he was Curator, then Director, of the Nova Scotia Museum (1940-1965). After World War II, Crowdis spearheaded an effort which led to the construction of the Halifax Memorial Library in 1951 (now the Spring Garden Road Memorial branch of the Halifax Public Libraries system). Beginning in 1965, Crowdis was a member of the executive team that oversaw the establishment of what is now the Ontario Science Centre.

Kapuscinski Dies At 74

The last time I reported on the death of a much loved writer it was Naguib Mahfouz.

This time, sadly, Ryszard Kapuscinski (pronounced 'Kah-poosh-CHIN-skee'), has passed away at the age of 74. Kapuscinski was a fabulous Polish journalist/travel writer/recorder of political upheavals of all sorts. See article on him on Wikipedia.

Here's an excerpt of an obituary from The Guardian's website at Guardian Unlimited. It will give readers unfamiliar with Kapuscinski a starting point to know him better. In the obituary, Frank Bajak, a friend of Kapuscinskis, recounts interviews he had conducted in the past.

Grab the author's "In the Shadow of the Sun'' (my personal favourite) for a fond appreciation of Africa - in sketches, for it would have been foolhardy to attempt to comprehend the continent as a whole, Kapuscinski told me.

Pick up "Imperium'' for a sympathetic portrait of "Homo Sovieticus,'' that paradigm of humanity beaten into submission by a heartless state.

Or marvel reading "Another Day of Life'' at Kapuscinski's derring-do and willingness to submit to physical depredation to chronicle the outbreak of Angola's civil war.

In his "Travels with Herodotus,'' due to be published in the United States this year, Kapuscinski offers tribute to the Greek historian he considered the world's first great reporter.

The Washington Post has a less fawning, much more linear obituary.

Mea Culpa

Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. Went out this weekend and bought a pack of cigarretes. Nevertheless, I press on towards the goal that is mine to achieve. I will not be resetting the Smoke-O-Meter, this is just a bump in the road to freedom! And I say, let freedom reign! At this point I find it necessary to quote Calvin Coolidge:

Press On

Nothing in the world can take the place of perseverance.

Talent will not;
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not;
Unrewarded genius is almost legendary;

Education will not;
The world is full of educated derelicts.

Perseverance and Determination alone are omnipotent.

- President Calvin Coolidge

Mike

Brother-in-law mugging for the camera: I was just looking through my Flickr account and came across Mike's picture from this summer's get together. Zanny!

What Am I Reading?

Just started reading "Overthrown by Stangers." The last book I read by Bennett was "The Catastrophist," set in post-colonial Congo with the political machinations of the "great" powers and Patrice Lumumba's rise to power as a backdrop.

This novel is described thusly by the Observer: "Impressive... Bennett is one of those rare novelists who gives thriller writing a good name."
Wish me luck...coming across a good novel is a rarity of late.

Freeport Here I Come

The first time I ever took a tropical holiday was to Freeport, Bahamas. And, being a nostalgic type to begin with, I am returning to Freeport this March to do a little diving and relaxing.

I was in my second year of university at Scarborough College (U. Of Toronto) and spent some of my student loan funds to finance this getaway. I stayed in a crummy little hotel with the nearest beach miles away. Cruised the island with a mini-bus driver who didn't mind me tagging along as he picked up and dropped off passengers. I won $400 (US no less) at the Princess Casino and bought an expensive bottle of perfume for my then girlfriend.

I also ended up seeing spots because I was foolish enough to walk around with no sunglasses for three days. My skin was peeling off and I couldn't figure out why until I got home and realized that packies can get sunburned too. And most fun of all, I rented a scooter and zipped about town for a day.

This time I am staying at the Sheraton

miscellany...

I'm still not smoking.

Deception Point by Dan Brown of Da Vinci Code fame was horrid. Absolutely horrid.

Am not reading anything and am desperate for something to read...any suggestions are welcome.

Taking a Toastmasters course known as SpeechCraft.

My caseload is at 13 clients...normally at 20 clients.

Took client to dental office. He forgot to bring dental insurance card. Booked another appointment and went to dental office, making sure he had his dental card. Registered and made appointment for initial check-up a week hence. A week later, picked client up, went to dental office, filled out more forms, waited, client went in to see dental hygienist. Five minutes later, hygienist comes out to waiting room and asks to speak to me in private. I follow her into hallway outside the examining room. Dental Hygienist says: "F.T. does not have any teeth." I say, "What...like, no teeth." Nope. "Not one?" None. "Ahh," I say. I did not think to ask my client if his teeth were real or dentures and he neglected to tell me he had no natural teeth. MORAL OF THE STORY: None really. Just a oopsy, I guess. (Zahir...ends with a weak chuckle).

Jellyfish

I was watching CTS late last night and came across an interview of Phil Vischer. The guy behind Big Ideas (makers of Veggie Tales). Turns out he went bankrupt and then sold his company to some firm in New York.

Now, he has started a new firm — Jellyfish. Love the name and the logo...bought a T-shirt from their website. Their present philosophy is to stay small and contract out work...so they don’t hire too too often. Nevertheless they do accept resumes for animators, illustrators and other kinds of traitors.

This guy is great! Down to earth...none of the church-speak so prevalent on CTS. His interviewer seemed stunned by his candid, down-to-earth demeanor. She is a vacuous numb skull — not very charitable, but true.

Here’s an excerpt from his website:

Through the experience (of losing his last company), Phil realized some interesting things. First, our relationships with God are much more important than our work for God. If we’re so wrapped up in the work we’re doing for God that we can’t even make eye contact with the person bagging our groceries, something in our lives is way out of whack.

Second, to be a Christian is to give Christ “lordship” of our lives. Where we are in 5 years is none of our business. What is our business, is what God has told us to do today, and whether or not we’re doing it. That’s it.

So now Phil is starting again, and he wanted the name for his new company to remind him every day of the lessons he’s learned. So he picked “Jellyfish.” Why? Because jellyfish can’t choose their own course. They can’t locomote. They can go up a little, they can go down a little. But overall, they’re completely dependent on the current to carry them. Phil and his new cohorts at Jellyfish are committed to seeking and following God’s direction, each and every day – committed to staying in the “current” of God’s will, and letting Him carry them where they need to be.”

Winterlicious

The wife and I are going to the Corner House Restaurant at the end of January. Corner House is participating in Winterlicious - An exciting culinary event where some of the best restaurants in town offer prix fixe menus ($25 - $35) to peasants like me.

Good deal. Good food. And Cheap. Yes sir, cheap, cheap, cheap...but the food is not for the birds! So come on in you lucky people and get lost in a carnival of food.

Reservations begin January 11, 2007 for seatings between January 26 - February 8, 2007. Find a list of restaurants here.

Tarah

A Touch of Ebola

I have spent the last 2 weeks suffering...yes, suffering, from Bronchitis. This is an infection and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

I did not go to the doctor thinking I had the flu -- which it very well could have been. But the coughing, the on-again-off-again fever and muscle aches (yes, I have muscles) finally drove me to a doctor at a walk-in and sit for hours clinic. This doctor was elderly and I suspect could only hear his own breathing. He said my chest was clear.

Four days later I decided to visit another walk-in and sit for hours clinic. Finally, Dr. Azmi says, "You have brochitis." Gave me a prescription for Biaxin (5 day course) and sent me on my way.

Ahh, Biaxin...Not enough attention and accolades can be festooned on the subject of Biaxin. Biaxin, Biaxin, Biaxin...you are my friend, indeed! Biaxin has its own home page and medicinet has a good an article on the uses, side effects, etc., etc.

Sign Petition to Save Darfur Now!

Fill out a short form to add your name to a petition urging President Bush and the UN Secretary-General to take immediate steps to stop the killing in Darfur.

Smoke-O-Meter

The Smoke-O-Meter is back in action. I am at two days and counting. See column on the right.