Save A Monkey

Every two years I’m required to get re-certified as a personal trainer. The courses I take for this reflect my client’s needs and wants. Eighteen years ago I took the basic course from the International Sports Sciences Association. These are the people that make sure I now stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry. […]

Harper

Based on today’s public opinion, there’s only one thing worse you could do than hunt and kill a cherished lion… and it’s to vote for Harper. Proclaim you may have voted for Harper in the past and before you can log out of your Facebook account the abuse will start. The posts will be relentless. […]

Keep Your Promise

During the last few months I have discovered how rare it is for humans to keep a promise. It’s easy to make a promise but standing by your word is a lost art. I’ve learned this during the horrendous consequences of buying a car, but as I look around I realize the problem is everywhere. […]

Good Gossip

Haven’t we all been taught that gossip is bad? I love that even the Oxford Dictionary has it’s say about the word.This week I was reminded that gossip can be a good thing. Talking about people you know can be positive… And it all started off with another of my evening walks. I was strolling […]

Problems and Birthdays

Have you ever told someone about a problem you’re dealing with and they just give you a blank stare? Then they shift into polite compassion and say, “Oh wow, that’s terrible” but you know they don’t really mean it. It’s just lip service. I think we all do it. I do it and I know […]

In defense of the selfie

Let me speak on behalf of the “selfie”. When did it get such a negative connotation? Maybe it’s a lot easier to explain the annoyance of “selfies” by looking at the Kardashian Klan. Do we really need to see another picture Kim has taken of herself? No. But not all “selfies” are annoying. The “selfie” […]

Look Around

Maybe it’s just having a writer’s mind, but I’m always looking around. Or maybe I’m just curious and bored. I like to notice things and watch people. Usually all of this is done without prejudice or care. Just little bits on information noted in some remote place in my brain. Sometimes easily forgotten and sometimes […]

Who’s Your Favourite Canadian Hero?

“Anne Murray.” “Really, that’s your favourite Canadian hero? I would have thought maybe singer, but hero?” My reply could have and maybe should have been, “You stupid idiot, Anne Murray is no hero! She hasn’t even had a hit song for like 50 years!” And in that small exchange I demonstrate one of our Canadian […]

Reading

It is my habit to pay for the books I read. What better way to acknowledge the person for their talent and time? Cash is a good “thank you”. Yes, I also tend to send personal notes of praise but money allows authors to keep on writing. Writers give me hours of pleasure and it […]

My Interview

Around the time people started to suggest I write a book I started to fantasize on being interviewed about this yet unwritten novel. Yes, this is weird and terribly narcissistic. If you want to procrastinate, contemplating famous interviewers asking you questions is a great pastime. I am a prolific procrastinator. The habit started decades ago […]