This is a powerful, moving and bang on TedX talk from Elizabeth White.
Back in the Saddle
Being a native Calgarian, I have always liked that phrase. It speaks to perseverance, persistence and desire for movement forward. Fresh out of cataract surgery, I’m loving the clarity of these spring days and I seem to have a clarified vision of where I want to go and who I want to be. One part that is real clear is I want to string some thoughts together in written form. So, I am back in the saddle with this blog.
iPhone 4S
Apple just released the latest iPhone today. They have named it iPhone 4S. My initial reading of the reviews indicate some new features focussing on increased speed of downloads, an improved camera, and an organizational assistant app. So far it still cannot cook Boeuf Bourguignon a la Julia Child, but I’m sure that is in the developmental pipeline in Cupertino.
Frankly, I find it tiresome and troublesome. All this frenzy around the latest tech buzz at a time when the notion of declining resources and unsustainable development should be firmly planted in every cranium on the globe. Yes, the new gadgets are shiny and bright and promise to make all of our lives easier. This is supposed to eclipse, and in fact blind, we Canadians to the inevitability and irrevocability of high priced 3 year plans. Does there really need to be a new and improved version of everything every 6.7 months? Today, I’m feeling a bit like I am in the bowels of the Coliseum in Rome.
Coincidentally, on the same day, Health Canada announces we should still not have major health concerns regarding cell phone use, while advising more limited use by children. How many of you are aware R.I.M. advises Blackberry users to hold the phone 1 inch away from the head while using and Apple advises 5/8 inch for iPhone users? Both recommendations are clearly articulated in the manuals accompanying both phones. With over 24 million cell phones in Canada, these corporate derrieres are comfortably covered.
Charter for Compassion
Thoughts on Turning 60
This is the day I hit the 60 mark. I seem to have arrived here remarkably quickly. I’m very happy to be here. Each day there are many new things to learn and each day there is much to contribute. There is a very satisfying balance between challenge, curiosity and contentment. I’m unbelievably healthy and mobile and count my blessings each day, as I have not always treated my body as a temple. I have excellent friends and family and am very appreciative to have them in my life.
I offered to help a lovely and elderly lady with her recycling and garbage the other day. She declined with a smile and said, “I do everything a little slower than I used to, but I still like to do everything.”
I chuckled and replied, “I’m on the same path. Just a few steps behind.”
She smiled even more broadly and quipped, “It sure beats the alternative.”
We both laughed, bid each other adieu and carried on with our days. I really enjoy those random moments of connection and laughter and look forward to actively seeking them out at every opportunity.
Let’s Take Back the Internet
In this powerful talk from TEDGlobal, Rebecca MacKinnon describes the expanding struggle for freedom and control in cyberspace, and asks: How do we design the next phase of the Internet with accountability and freedom at its core, rather than control? She believes the internet is headed for a “Magna Carta” moment when citizens around the world demand that their governments protect free speech and their right to connection.
Powerful Talk by Jim Gilliam
Watch this powerful speech by Jim Gilliam from the Personal Democracy Forum 2011.
East Kootenay Rendezvous #28
I recently returned from a 3 day rendezvous with 8 longtime friends. For 28 years, we have been gathering in the East Kootenays once a year to celebrate our friendship, catch up with each others lives, engage in divergent political, cultural and social debate, laugh and golf. The number of attendees over the years has ranged from 8 to 16. Our common bond is having been employed by the Calgary YMCA. Over the years there have been a couple of exceptions, but overall this is the root common denominator.
I have known all of these guys for a period of time ranging from 30 to 45 years. Knowing them, and continuing to know them, has cultivated and sustained both my resilience and my emotional intelligence. We have shared a multitude of life experiences and depending on our ages and stages, we have been able to articulate with varying degrees of clarity and depth what our current realities have been and where our dreams lay. There have been joinings and partings in our lives, births and deaths, successes and failures. Our lives have ebbed and flowed as lives do. We know a lot about each other and continue to learn more. We contribute to each others lifelong learning. I feel most fortunate indeed to have the continued pleasure to gather with these true life characters from my time on the planet. Each of the relationships and the sum total of our relationships is nurturing and empowering.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you and that includes those who could not attend this year. You were missed, but you know you were included in the laughter and the reminiscences. I already look forward to seeing you all next year.
Eli Pariser: Beware online “filter bubbles”
I have not been outstanding in keeping my blog contributions coming on a regular basis, and two videos in a row is not really good form. That being said, Eli Pariser raises some excellent points for all of us to ponder in this Ted talk.
Timely Perspective Changer
Seven minutes well spent in this election season in Canada. A rational look at apathy, leadership and necessary change.