New Year's Eve

What funny habits and rituals we humans have created. New Year's Even is just one of them. Why and how and when did we pick January 1 as the beginning of a New Year? Truth is, tomorrow is just another day in the earth's life - she cares not one whit what sorts of artificial time conventions we have created.

But we humans like to mark the cycles - and so it goes. The start of a new day, a new week, a new month, a new year.

It is the habit of media pundits to look back on the old and predict the new. It is the habit of most people to make resolutions - quickly broken of course. That's why I don't make any other than to continue being the best me I can be.

My friends and I create a word for the year instead of resolutions. I can't decide on my word. Is it "happiness?" Or is it "celebrate?"

Looking back - and after all I work in the media so I may as well look back - the big story of the year is Occupy. We the people have woken up. We have begun.

My prediction? Occupy will be the major force in the world this year.

And that is cause to celebrate.

Yup - guess my word for 2012 is celebrate.

Wedding

I attended a wedding last night. Needless to say it was wonderful.

I love weddings. I also love births. These are occasions where everyone is happy. The room is full of love and optimism and hope for the future. How could you not be happy at a wedding?

The hall was gorgeous, the couple (he especially) choked up with emotions when they said their vows. They both had to mop their faces more than once and once she even dabbed his eyes for him. Sweet!

Catering was by 24 Carrot Catering so it also goes without saying that the food was excellent!

So - it's a good day. I had an exciting interview and story to write this morning. The sun is shining. Every single detail that I needed to take care of this week is done.

Life is good.

Celebrate

It's a day to celebrate.

For many reasons - but let's start with the obvious one: my landlords' oldest daughter is getting married today. I am going to iron (yes iron for heaven's sake!) my dress - one of three that I own - and I'm going to put on my dancing shoes and I am going to celebrate their love, hope and optimism - and celebrate the fact that I believe they have reason to be happy, hopeful and optimistic.

There may be a struggle ahead of us, but I believe it is one we are going to win. Oh yes, let me elaborate: by "we" I mean all of us - humankind.

I am celebrating this declaration document: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=176025459156945

because it shows what truth, beauty and justice we are capable of - and I believe this truth, beauty and justice will prevail.

Love will always triumph over evil.

I celebrate life - every breath is a celebration.

I celebrate that the length of day has increased today over yesterday and tomorrow will be another 46 seconds longer.

I celebrate the big things and the small things. I know and understand that I am blessed. And I am grateful.

Random Thoughts

Hiked Cable Bay this morning - always a good time for random thoughts. In fact, sometimes I get so deeply involved in thought that I find myself hiking on a completely unintentional path.

And that's good too.

I thought more about the contributions I want to make in life. Some are small - more volunteering at care facilities next year. Some bigger - becoming a contributing writer with the Occupy movement.

Some very small - loving my dog. Some bigger - doing my best to forgive and love everyone. Some very large - trying in any way I can to make this world a better place.

It starts with my thoughts.

I am an activist - actively looking for ways to make a contribution.

False Security

"Those who would give up their liberty for security deserve neither and will lose both." -Benjamin Franklin


Sometimes I fear we may have already lost both. The American police have spent $34 Billion since 9/11 on what amounts to combat gear. We have seen what they did to peaceful protestors - and now the congress has passed the defense act that allows them to arrest any US citizen for any reason and detain them indefinitely without charge.


In Oxford England every cab is having cameras and surveillance equipment installed. Cameras are begin installed in public places at an alarming rate. And now the governments of so-called "free" countries want to spy on the Internet - on all our communications.


I remember when I was a science fiction buff in my early 20s and I would read stories about Big Brother societies and think smugly that it could never happen here. Big Brother is here and now - today. And we have allowed it to happen.


Everything Hitler did was legal. Never again can we ask how did the Germans allow him to happen. We are allowing something very similar right now. It happens one small step at a time.


I watched the movie Thrive yesterday. You can see the two hour feature free on Vimeo. I strongly urge everyone to see this - and then to think carefully. And then - to act in any way they can.


I was left breathless by the Torus and the matrix - I have been drawing these shapes since I was a child - very young. I recognize them. And I know I have memories of these shapes - especially the Torus - from some past forgotten time. The memory is very elusive. I'll find it eventually.


There is hope and it lies with us. But we cannot - CANNOT - sit back and think it doesn't matter. It does matter that Harper is building more jails - ask yourself, who does he plan to put in them? Who did the Germans think was going to be put in concentration camps? It matters that millions and billions are begin spent on fighter jets while transfers to provinces for health care are being cut. Why are we buying fighter jets? For fun?


We are the 99 percent.


But our power only means something if we wield it. Peacefully.

Boxing Day

I not only survived the Boxing Day sales, I got in and out like an expert - and got the deals!

First stop - Chapters. Among the four tomes (yes, big enough to be called tomes) I purchased was the Penguin History of Canada. Curious that I bought it but I came down with a sudden and uncontrollable urge to re-read the history I have not touched since high school. I'm sure I'll learn something and learning, for me, is the point.

Got my Wedding gift shopping done too - at two for the price of one! Whoopee - so I bought twice as much.

Came home and sat in front of my computer to find that my mouse was working very erratically. Was managing to just get by and then gave up. Rebooted the computer and Hallelujah! The mouse is fine.

Don't you simply adore it when that happens? Ah, yes, the simple things that can positively make my day.

Merry Christmas

I'm getting my second wind.

Spending the entire day at Travelers Lodge and Dufferin Place is far more exhausting than I would have thought. But so worthwhile and good.

A perfect way to spend Christmas. No matter how small a difference we made, I know we made a difference. From my personal perspective, I had the smallest role to play - Ed, Bill, Barbara - musicians and singers - wow! What a contribution. My Abby connected strongly with at least two real dog lovers - and that, I believe made my presence worthwhile. Who knew she would be such a great "therapy" dog!

A few photos for your enjoyment: