Fish and Fishy

Barbara Woodford woke to discover Ginger missing from its bowl. Unable to find the fish before leaving for work, she feared the worst.

But when she returned home in the evening she spotted her pet on the floor behind a cupboard, alive and well.

"I picked him up with a spatula and his mouth started moving. I put him back into the water and off he went. He was swimming fabulously. I couldn't believe it - it was a real Christmas miracle," said Mrs Woodward, 61, of Gloucester.

2008 was the year man-made global warming was disproved, according to the Telegraph's Christopher Booker. Sceptics have long argued that there are other explanations for climate change other than man-made CO2

Rethinking Global Warming

I am reading Michael Crichton's State of Fear. I thought this was going to be a good adventure story with some science thrown in for verity...in fact, the book is all science with a story thrown in to tie together some very compelling arguments against global warming.

Crichton has peppered his novel with footnotes from various scientific journals, U.N. sources, and books from academia. The basic premise of his argument, and quite convincingly, is that global warming does not exist. That there is no empirical basis for thinking that it exists, and that certain socio-political forces have made it only the latest in a series of "crises" beneficial in harnessing money and political support for an idea which basically amounts to mass psychosis. At one point in the book, one of Crichton's characters compares the belief in global warming to the belief in witches in the Middle Ages.

On January 25, 2005, Crichton gave a speech to the National Press Club. The speech is a synopsis of the ideas presented in Crichton's State of Fear. If you don't have the time to read the book, this lecture will suffice to introduce you to all the main points made in the novel.

Here's an article from the Conservative minded Canada Free Press website in which Timothy Ball sets out his argument against the possible reality of global warming. Timothy Ball describes himself at the top of the above article as having a "Ph.D, (Doctor of Science) from the University of London, England and (as) a climatology professor at the University of Winnipeg."

Nota Bene: Dr. Ball's credentials have come under attack. In response he once sued the Calgary Herald.

In September, 2006, Ball filed suit against Johnson and four editors at the Calgary Herald newspaper for $325,000 for, among other things, “damages to his income earning capacity as a sought after speaker with respect to global warming”.[19]. In its response (point 50(d), p12), the Calgary Herald stated that “The Plaintiff (Dr. Ball) is viewed as a paid promoter of the agenda of the oil and gas industry rather than as a practicing scientist.”(Original statement of claim, Defendant Johnson's answer, Defendant Calgary Herald's answer). In June 2007, Ball abandoned the suit.

Crichton's own views on global warming have been criticized by the likes of Al Gore. The Popular Science website has a short biography on Crichton with some discussion on the reaction to his novel, State of Fear.

An article on foxnews.com reports on the opposition expressed by various scientist to an article by an Associated Press reporter. The article (Scientists Call AP Report on Global Warming 'Hysteria') presents various objections normally made by people who are not convinced that global warming is a man-made phenomenon. Sea levels, increased melting of glaciers, recent spikes in global temperatures, etc. are, the article states, not necessarily caused by greenhouse gases.

Lastly, Wikipedia has a lengthy article entitled, "Global Warming Controversy." The most interesting part of this article is a sub-section entitled "Controversy concerning the science."

I am now skeptical of both points of view. Like zoinks Scooby, looks like we're surrounded by uncertainty -- let's get outta here!

Rest Your Eyes - Naboo

Source: Naboo Pic. Click on picture for a larger view.

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

Just heard this recently on the radio and was mesmerized and had chills up my spine. The kind of thing that usually happens when I listen to the "I have a Dream" speech by King.

Banana Republics and Other Stories

'The Globe and Mail's award-winning correspondent Stephanie Nolen bids farewell to a place she's come to love, she reflects on how it has changed, and how it changed her' in this great article about her time on my home continent.

Friends, Lurkers, Countrymen - Send Me Your E-Mails

Before changing over to my new laptop, Marsh (the wife) had come across a deal to buy Microsoft's Office 2009 for Mac package for only $35.00. Being Indians, we jumped at the deal. Unfortunately, Word would not open and although I tried many different support sites, including the seller of the crapware, I couldn't resolve the issue. I finally un-installed the new software and re-installed the old Office 2004 package.

The old package works like a charm, BUT, I have lost all those precious e-mail addresses on my Mac and therefore can't transfer the addresses to my new laptop.

Could you please send me a quick e-mail so I can begin to collect e-mail addresses again.

Catching Up

I have been very busy lately with work, my new home business and, of course, familial duties.

I'm taking my fun where I can get it. Here are a few items of interest (perhaps only to me?)

1. Tarah (my 3 year old) wonders why all the Disney Princesses have white skin? Hmmm...I remind her that Pocahontas has brown skin and then let it go at that.

2. Need to take tutorial on QuickBooks...have found the Intuit website wholly unhelpful for a complete beginner like me. I did find a non-profit organization called the Malvern Rouge Valley Youth Services. They have online tutorials (for free!) for many popular programs including QuickBooks and some computer languages. I have put the link in above even though I am currently having trouble going to their home page.

3. The business of transportation brokerage is slow but I am hopeful that things will pick up as I make more contacts and flesh out my paucity of knowledge about this field.

4. Trying to go to sleep a little bit earlier each night as fatigue is my primary nemesis.

5. The computer and the Roger's Rocket allow me to operate completely without reliance on any wi-fi hotspots. Hooray for technology, boo for all the damn fees. Someday, I'm sure, we will all be flying to work in our own personal helicopters.

6. Work Christmas party is on this Friday. We have a baby-sitter that we trust and I am very much looking forward to kicking back with colleagues. Yes you....Marcee, Lauren, Pam, Chris, Val (hope you're there!) and of course, Terry. Some others too, but these are the ones that come readily to mind.

7. Finally put up the Christmas tree and am feeling the pressure to start buying gifts before it gets too crazy out there.

My New Laptop Has Arrived!

I found this little beauty at the local Staples store in the clearance section. And the sweetest thing about it was the price: $547.00!! For those of you so inclined find below the specific specifications specifying the details of my buy.

This HP Pavilion Entertainment PC features a powerful Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz processor and 2 GB of RAM to take on any workload.

The massive 250 GB hard drive offers ample storage space for all your applications, games, videos, music, data files and more. Plus, it comes with Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed.

Easily access the most popular forms of digital media with the built-in 5-in-1 card reader. Create your own CDs and DVDs to share with family and friends on the DVD±RW DL drive. Flip the disc over and burn professional labels directly onto the disc with LightScribe Technology. Keep all your important information safe with the built-in fingerprint reader!Whether you need the Internet for work or play, this HP Pavilion Entertainment PC has you covered.

Get online via the 56k modem, integrated Ethernet, or hit up local "hot spots" with the Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11a/b/g connection. Network all of your Bluetooth devices with ease with the integrated Bluetooth Technology. Spice up your instant messenger sessions with the built-in HP Webcam and microphone.View brilliant images and text on the 14.1-inch widescreen High-Definition LCD with BrightView Technology.

As a replacement to an antiquated desktop, or as a new travel companion, this HP Pavilion dv2715ca offers the ultimate experience in performance and reliability.

Features/Specifications:


HP Pavilion dv2715ca Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz 14.1-inch Notebook
General Features:
Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed w/COA
Intel Centrino Duo Technology
Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 1.66 GHz processor
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM (supports up to 4 GB)
250 GB hard drive
DVD±RW LightScribe drive with Double Layer support
No floppy drive
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Integrated audio with built-in Altec Lansing speakers
High speed 56k modem
Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
Bluetooth connectivity
5-in-1 Digital media card reader
Built-in HP Webcam and microphone
Built-in fingerprint reader
Keyboard with TouchPad
14.1-inch WXGA High-Definition BrightView widescreen LCD
Supported Media:
Secure Digital (SD)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick Pro (MS PRO)
MultiMedia Card (MMC)
xD-Picture Card (xD)
Expansion Slots:
One (1) ExpressCard slot
I/O Ports:
Three (3) USB 2.0
One (1) Expansion Port 3
One (1) S-Video
One (1) 15-pin VGA
One (1) 4-pin FireWire
One (1) RJ-11 Modem jack
One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet jack
One (1) Microphone jack
Two (2) Headphone jacks

Sir? Vidia

Yet another review of V. S. Naipaul's authorized biography by Patrick French confirming my initial impression of this man when I read his travelogue, India: A Wounded Civilization (1977).

Now it is clear, just as a Brahmin can smell a lower caste, or a Shia can spot a Sunni, like dogs sniffing each other to keep up the hierarchy, Naipaul is coloured so sadly and deeply that he can do nothing now but be himself -- hateful of his heritage, his pidgin culture and grateful to the western (read White) culture which has awarded him the Nobel Prize and even Knighted him.

His hatred for all things Indian, including himself, was only an inkling for me at the time I read A Wounded Civilization. What's more evident from his autobiography is that Naipaul has not only hated himself and his background but is caught in the chasm between the old and the new (read western) world. Unable to jump to one side or the other, perhaps unable to straddle as many of us do, he is a sad excuse for an Indian, a great writer and completely inhumane to those nearest to him.

So I send to Sir Vidia this poem by Derek Walcott and hope that he will find rest with recognition of who he is:

Love after Love

The time will come when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

I will end with an excerpt from the latest review to come to my attention on Naipaul's recent biography:

The woman's name was Margaret Gooding, and Naipaul met her in 1972 in Buenos Aires. French's new biography of Naipaul, The World Is What It Is, quotes extensively from her letters: unbearable scrawls that read like clinical case studies drawn from the pages of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. She begs, moans, despairs, and pleads for Naipaul's "cruel sexual desires." She calls him her "god," her "black master." Her multiple abortions of his children sicken her, but she offers them up to him as proof of her love and abasement.

And all this sex stuff is only the beginning. Throughout The World Is What It Is Naipaul shows himself arrogant beyond belief, and vile-tempered, and as self-obsessed as a man simpering while he looks at himself in the mirror. His letters and conversation are full of references to "niggers" and dismissals of Africans and dark-skinned Indians.

Found List

20 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on
and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don’t Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something,
Ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It “In.”

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks.
Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions,
Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks,
Write “For Smuggling Diamonds”

7. Finish All Your sentences with
“In Accordance With The Prophecy.”

8. Don t use any punctuation

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is “To Go.”

12. Sing Along At The Opera

13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don’t Rhyme

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends
You Can’t Attend Their Party Because You’re Not In The Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name,
“Rock Bottom”.

17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream “I Won!, I Won!”


18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling “Run For Your Lives, They’re Loose!!”

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. “Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.”

20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity….Send This Juvenille List To Someone in an E-Mail.

'A Transformational Figure'

Fatema's Wedding Reception

Fatema (my niece) looking beautiful at her wedding reception. Click each photograph to enlarge it.







Angelica, Nayla (sp?) and Tarah.

Losses

I have been working in the social service sector for a long time. I have often met clients whom I have found to be personally likable. Sometimes those clients who have given me the hardest time, the biggest challenges, are the ones I end up investing a lot of emotional energy in and working the hardest for.

About a month ago I met a lady who shuffled slowly with her dog on a leash. Her eyes were dull and her face was free from any
affect. When she spoke, she spoke quietly and cried at every one of our meetings. She had just moved into the area for which I am responsible and we naturally circled each other: Me, wondering if she could use my support; Her, eyeing me once in a while...not knowing who I was and why I was in the area so often.

I only knew "Barb" for all of a month....maybe 4-5 meetings. Her apartment lacked a bedroom, had a small kitchen and a small bath with the bed, kitchen table and love seat in the one main room -- a bachelor. A dreary, dark bachelor with virtually nothing to recommend it except that it had 4 walls and a roof and the rent was cheap.

"Barb" died last Friday. Alone. In her bathroom. Probably due to a fall.

I have known a few clients who have died sometime after I stopped working with them. Never have I felt a sense of loss as profound as today. Part of my job is to be able to engage with a client without becoming emotionally tangled in the client's concerns. Indeed, I am almost always working with the goal of discharging the client in mind. Helping but towards independence and not dependence.

"Barb" passed away under circumstances which are not as yet clear to me, and I can't help feeling that I did not do enough to brighten the few moments we had spent together. I can't help feeling that I was only case managing "Barb". We had made an appointment to find a new family doctor, we had made an appointment with her psychiatrist so I could get to know a little bit more about her particular illness. We had talked about accessing funding for a couple of more pieces of furniture. Aside from getting her to fill out a whole bunch of forms and getting to know her a little bit, I did not do much more for her.

"Barb" was sweet, intelligent and had a peculiar insight into her mental illness which made her different from many other clients. I don't think I could have changed the outcome of her passing away...I just regret that I did not show her more kindness.


Photo Credit

Thanksgiving 2008

JR and nieces Sharise (L) and Becky (R)


Brandon...happy, happy!


Sharise as Rihana (2 N's?)


Abdul and Noreen.


Tarah being entertained by Janelle ( who is studying to be a Vet.)


Best shot of the day: Tarah Noor taken by Janelle.


Naomi...couldn't be happier.


Marsh...runnin' tings. Aunty Kalimah and her faux hawk sporting son, Mathew.


Picture of Jordan taken while I stood on a high chair...is there an endocrinologist in the house?


The boys playing a video game on Janelle's new computer.


Rayne, who was awake the whole time (honest) and Kendra.


Becky, or should I say Booty? With Kalimah and Mathew.


Claude, a.k.a. McGyver.


Homer in dazzling yellow.


Pastor Dean (Marsh's brother) minus his signature pork pie hat.

Kendra (again!) with Johnnie.


Oh, Look! Kendra, again!


Abdul, looking relaxed and happy...the second best shot of the day.


Mom Richards, Emmanuel, Kendra (Again, again!) and Dad Richards.


Mom and Dad Richards with my very shy daughter -- Tarah.

The Unwashed Masses

The Wilson Quarterly has a great review of a couple of books which trace the history of cleanliness and ideas of ritual purity. Did you know that "according to one survey, half of the French still don’t bathe daily... but they continue to lead Europe in the consumption of perfumes and cosmetics?"

I wonder what historians of the future will think of all the signs in public washrooms imploring people to wash their hands after using the crapper (potty/throne) and even going so far as to teach people how to wash their hands! I've always found these signs annoyingly paternalistic.

Please remember to floss after reading this article. And no, you don't have to floss all your teeth...just the ones you want to keep.