Strange Bed Fellows!

It's Saturday morning. I slept well and arose at 7:00 My morning plan was to lounge in bed and continue reading Shaw's, "Man and Superman." I decided to go down to my computer and check my lottery ticket first. Much to my amazement, I hadn't won! I couldn't believe it – I felt so lucky about that one!
Oh, well! I thought I'd just check a few news headlines before going back to bed. I'm not an informed citizen of the planet and it's starting to gnaw away at my conscience. On CBC.ca I watched a video of Afghanistan's "New Year's" celebrations...

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/TV_Shows/ID=1447311138

Here you get a quick glimpse of normal people defying chaos in a brief but joyous and exuberant celebration. I find it very sad; very poignant.

{My caffeine level had become dangerously low at this time so I went to make a cup of coffee to bring to my desk and continue my digressions...}

The Middle East crisis swirls around in my head. I can't fix on the issues, the geography and the history. It seems an incredible tangle to unravel, but I tried to acquire a measure of insight on

Simon Fraser University's Human Security Report Project and then on to The International Crisis Group Web Page There I read about Afghanistan's Conflict history

With Peanut Butter – A “White” or a “Red?”

I'm too selfish with my time this week to cook for myself. I would make meals if Kyle were home but he won't be home for 4 more days. I ate horribly tonight; crackers, peanut butter, cheese, kiwis and something else I'm sure but I can't even remember now. On this crazy smorgasbord I dined with red wine by candlelight while I watched "A Farewell to Arms;" a wonderful film that wrung a few tears from me; or maybe I was just crying over my sad repast.
The film's 1920's hair and makeup styles are so old-time "vogue." They look artificial to me. That used to make it hard for me to relate to the female characters of that era; however a strong story line, artful direction and sensitive character portrayal transcend the dated style focus. The pin curl waves, pencil thin eyebrows and smouldering dark eyes were, instead, a reiteration of; and not detraction from the historical, romantic theme. I found myself susceptible to the romance of the story which might have appeared maudlin and melodramatic in the hands of less skilled artists – but such is Hemingway.

Contest Speech…

On Wednesday, March 10^th, I deliver the following speech in the second level of the Toastmaster's International speech contest, having won my own club contest on February 22^nd. Wish me luck!!

 

Salvation Through Tragedy

What is the pinnacle of every new toastmaster's goal? The achievement of their Competent Communicator designation. On September 21^st of last year I was poised for that achievement. I was as nervous as a bride but I was ready – or at least I thought I was! Madame Contest Chair and most honoured judges – nothing could have prepared me for the tragedy that would shortly see my world fall apart.
With minutes to go before the meeting I turned off my cell phone and any stray thoughts of children and work, blissfully ignorant of events that had just unfolded. Then, beckoned by our president, I found myself face to face with a police officer. In a moment macabre and surreal I listened to him deliver the dreaded speech of every mother's nightmare, "your son, Kyle, has been in a car accident!" By this time, my sister, Janis, was at my side. She clutched my arm and ordered, "Kyle is ok! You have to stay calm so you can see him!" "Stay Calm".... "See Kyle" - inward hysteria, outward calm – a walking contradiction!