Marcus Nance as The Creature and Charlie Gallant as Doctor Victor Frankenstein with Laura Condlln as Mary Shelley in Frankenstein Revived. Photography by Cylla Von Tiedemann
I went to the theatre in Stratford, Ontario, this weekend. I saw Frankenstein Revived, Spamalot, and King Lear, to be exact. But I don’t intend to review them; they were all great. See them if you have the chance.
This weekend, I was reminded of how unique the live performance experience is. There is something genuinely different about live, in-person performance. There is the sense that the performers are without a safety net; there are no reshoots or edits. In the moment, there is a connection between the audience and the performers that does not happen while listening to an album or watching a screen. There is the fact that every performance will be different.
Go out and see a show; there is magic in seeing the arts live.
Firstly, let’s get the Canadian thing out of the way. I am a Canadian, born and bred, so why do I care about American politics? There are two significant reasons. One, I studied political science in university and have always found the combative nature of American politics interesting with its checks and balances. This fractious system also makes it entertaining in a way that Canadian politics is not, at least to me. I follow Canadian politics closely because I live here, not because it is fun. The other reason is that the States are still the world’s foremost power. While there are challengers, I am looking at you, China, and also-rans like Russia; the US is the world leader, and what they do has global impacts in a way that other nations do not. They shape foreign policy, technology and culture in a way that other countries do not. For this reason, their politics requires observation to understand what is happening in the world.
I am not anti-American and believe they have been a force for good and stability in the post-war era. Are they perfect? No. Have mistakes been made? Sure, lots of them. But overall, I hope they do well because it is best for their global order if they do.
With the long preamble about why I care about who will be the next President out of the way, let’s get on with why I am worried. Right now, both Former President Trump and current President Biden look like they are on the glide path to being their respective party nominees. Neither should be, and the states would be better off with someone else in charge.
Trump neither has the character nor intellect to be President again. I know that Trump people love him, and I understand why; they think he is a tribune of the people, fighting for them against a corrupt and immoral order. He is the wrong person to do this as he, himself, is a dishonest and immoral person. His election denials and actions on January 6th show him unworthy of the position. His narcissism and unpredictability make it dangerous to have him back in power. His tendency to admire thugs and strongmen is worrisome.
He needs to be defeated in the primaries as he and his followers will not believe any election result that does not put him in power. It will be dangerous if they feel they have been cheated a second time. Even more dangerous is if he is taken out through legal means. His supporters already believe the system is corrupt; what happens if they think the other side has removed their tribune and they have no electoral path to express their grievances? His being taken out in the primary is the safest way to move past the Trump era in politics.
Biden has been a foreign policy disaster. Leaving aside the current whiff of scandal with Hunter’s business deals, or the President’s age, he has overseen a disastrous foreign policy. The pullout from Afghanistan was a betrayal of those who served there, their allies who served alongside them, and the Afghan people. 158 Canadian soldiers never made it home; more carry physical and mental scars. Countless Afghans who sided with us were left behind to the tender mercies of the Taliban. Afghan women have been relegated to second-class status. It did not have to be like this. A small US presence in Afghanistan kept the Taliban in check, with the Afghan National Army doing most of the heavy lifting. It did not have to happen. Biden did it.
Afghanistan also was an embarrassment that emboldened the West’s enemies and competitors. This brings me to the second foreign policy disaster, Ukraine. Biden’s pullout and lack of firm statements on Ukraine’s sovereignty gave what Russia thought a green light to invade Ukraine. He has slow rolled military aid to support Ukraine. Approving tanks, long-range rockets, and F-16s took over a year, and these don’t just magically appear when approved. Training and supply take time. Biden gave the Russians time to build effective defensive positions, hindering the current offensive. We should have been pushing these systems to Ukraine at the start of the fighting, if not before. Biden’s approach may have caused the current round of fighting and has undoubtedly increased the length of the war and the cost in lives.
Biden’s Iran policy and desire to get a nuclear agreement on paper, regardless of the cost and effectiveness, has alienated allies and strengthened the Iranian’s position. We are entering a more dangerous world, and Biden has yet to show himself as a steady helmsman of the ship of state.
I will observe the political races, and I hope that something changes, giving Americans a better choice than Trump or Biden. The world needs someone else.
I spent last week in a cabin in the woods. One of the best things about that experience was enjoying the night sky. On a clear night, I could see the Milky Way and constellations normally concealed by city lights. It has been a while since I have seen the sky with such clarity. For me, the stars have always created a sense of wonder. We all should aim to get out where we can see the stars regularly. It can help to get perspective on what matters and what does not.
Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, is a 2022 award-winning novel which retells Dickens’ David Copperfield. It trades the poverty of industrial England for the deprivation of post-industrial Appalachia. It is a masterfully written book whose main character keeps his moral compass, thus remaining sympathetic even while making horrible choices.
Some, like Lorraine Berry (“Mountains of the damned”), who call the work poverty porn and ask, “Is it wrong to stare at the people of a doomed Appalachia?” seem to miss the point. I am from a poor rural area in Newfoundland, where the main industry failed; this is to say that I would be sensitive to text about poverty that felt exploitative. The institutional forces that create these broken families, generational poverty and drug and alcohol abuse made their presence known throughout the novel. The choices that lead the characters to various misfortunes make sense, given the world they inhabit. The characters never feel like they are there for us to gawk or laugh at. While having no experience in Appalachia, these characters feel real; they evolve and change throughout the novel. They felt like people I had known growing up. The book even captured the struggle of leaving the place where you have all your social connections to get an education or a better job and the decision to return.
Demon Copperhead was a great read but not an easy one. Several times I stopped partway through a chapter and was reluctant to restart as I knew something terrible awaited the protagonist. Kingsolver is a giant of the American literary scene, and this work deserves the accolades it has received.
I started reading “change your questions, change your life” by Marilee Adams, and yes, it is all lowercase. I have yet to get far enough to have much of an opinion. Still, the title got me thinking about the quality of the questions I am asking myself.
We are an answer-driven society. But the answers depend on the questions, and maybe we don’t spend the time we should thinking about our questions. I, in the past, tended to ask unkind questions of myself. “What’s wrong with me?” or “how do I do everything I need to do?”. I think better questions would have been “how can I improve?” and “what really deserves my focus?’. The answers to the first two questions were “lots, let me make a list.”, and “I can’t, and I am going to fail.” The second set of questions seems more growth-minded and less limiting.
Are you asking good questions? If not, how can you upgrade them?
Just under 30 years ago, there was a Coup attempt in Russia. While the causes of the current Wagner situation are quite different than that event, it shows, along with the 1991 coup, that there are deep issues in the Russian nation, and the tectonic plates of the Russian power structure may be shifting once again.
I am not sure what the outcome of this will be, or even what I hope will happen. I am worried that it is going to get far more violent and dangerous than these previous events. I hope I am wrong, but fear I am not. I will be delighted to be wrong, but there is a history in Russia of unpopular wars causing revolts.
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
Bill Keane
I turned fifty today. I, in the last week, have done a lot of thinking about how fast the time has gone. It took forever to get through my teens. My twenties went by a little faster but not too bad. My thirties and forties flew by and here I am at fifty.
But I think I have figured out how to slow down time. The key is novelty. In your teens everything is new and novel. Somewhere in the twenties, people start falling into routines and time speeds up. And this trend continues for most people.
But my last year has seemed much longer because I decided to embrace trying new things, things that push me out of my comfort zone. Start a blog, travel, talk to strangers, sign up for something different, say yes to stuff that challenges you, try different music and you just might find time slowing down again.
I am actively trying to regain a sense of wonder in the world. There is a lot of amazing stuff going on, and I want to experience it.
What are you going to do today that slows down time?
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear” George Addair
My reworking is that everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of looking silly.
I went standup paddleboarding yesterday. I have horrible balance and no experience, but I went and did it anyway.
An earlier version of me would have avoided standup paddleboarding because I knew I would look silly. But I went and did it. Did I look silly, sure. Did I fall a bunch, you betcha. Did anyone care, no!
I have figured out that the fear of looking silly is the wrong approach. I am approaching trying new things with a learning mindset. Trying new things always risks looking silly but often you are the only one who cares.
I urge you to shed the fear of looking silly and take the leap into the unknown. Remember that the opinions of others matter far less than your own personal growth and fulfillment. By embracing the joy of looking silly, you’ll discover a world of endless possibilities and experiences waiting to be explored. So, go ahead, step onto that metaphorical paddleboard and navigate through the waters of life with an open mind and a heart unburdened by the fear of judgment
I am away this week with Soldier On, which provides veterans and serving members with opportunities for meaningful physical activity. I will be rafting and kayaking with them for the rest of the week.
Part of being retired for me has been trying to say yes to things I might want to do. In the past I let anxiety or negative thoughts stop me. But retirement is not for wimps and I am taking this as time to learn and grow.
Hey there! We live in a thrilling time where generative AI, like chat GPT, is changing the game. I can’t help but draw a comparison to the DJs of old, who skillfully mixed tracks to create unforgettable experiences. Now, being adept at using and recognizing the potential of generative AI is like being a DJ in the digital realm. So, let’s dive in and explore how we can ride this wave and separate the gems from the noise.
Riding the Generative AI Wave: Imagine having a personal assistant, a customer service chatbot, or even a writing companion that can generate human-like responses. That’s the power of generative AI! It opens up a world of possibilities for creativity and problem-solving. But here’s the thing: just like a DJ curates the best tracks, we need to understand the strengths and limitations of generative AI. The ability to iterate ideas is like the DJs’ ability to play with beat and tempo.
Finding the Beat: Generative AI models are impressive but have quirks. They might spit out biased or inaccurate information and need help understanding the context. So, we need to be discerning and not take everything at face value. Think of generative AI as a helpful sidekick, not an all-knowing oracle.
Fine-Tuning the Mix: As DJs refine their mixes, we must evaluate and refine the outputs of generative AI. It’s crucial to question the responses’ relevance, accuracy, and coherence. We can fact-check the information it provides and compare it with reliable sources. And hey, if we notice biases or ethical concerns, it’s on us to address them responsibly.
Unleashing Creativity and Innovation: Like DJs create unique experiences, we can tap into generative AI to boost our creativity. It can be a fantastic tool for brainstorming, story writing, or even pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Think of it as an assistant who sparks ideas, but remember, the magic is in how we weave those ideas together.
Riding Responsibly: In this wild ride, staying grounded and responsible is crucial. Generative AI isn’t a substitute for genuine human understanding and experience. So, let’s take its suggestions with a grain of salt, fact-check diligently, and ensure we’re using it ethically.
Ignore the Doubters: There will be many who claim that this new form of collaboration is all the machine or there is no real art or skill, just like those who dismiss the artistry of the DJs.
Conclusion: We live in an era where generative AI is transforming how we interact with technology. Just like the DJs of old, we can skillfully ride this wave, curating meaningful experiences. So, here’s to embracing the possibilities and letting our inner DJs shine as we navigate this exciting new world of generative AI. Let’s mix things up and make magic happen!
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