Personal

I lost a friend this week.  He died sitting in his chair reading a book which, as his family points out, was typical of his low-keyed style. Even in death he didn’t create a fuss. You could perhaps describe him as contained, and he preferred to cheer his abundantly talented and fun-loving family from the side-lines rather than being in the middle of the fray. Make no mistake he also knew how to live well and his personal prescription for a damn good party was a bottle of scotch and his banjo. He knew hundreds of tunes – well – sort of knew them – at least well enough to get the party started.

Low-keyed perhaps but  well-loved and active in the community so much so that his memorial service had to be moved from his local church to the larger facility in the next town which has full to overflowing. To a person – his 4 children, his wife and his friends and other family members spoke about the legacy of his character and how the best of who he was as a man was now a part of them as a result of knowing and loving him.

I left the memorial service uplifted and deeply moved by the way the family opened their hearts and were in return carried by the outpouring of love from friends and loved ones.

No matter what gifts we may have been given – developing the kind of character that my friend lived and breathed is something to aspire to. It is the measure of a man.

From his obituary-

He will be greatly missed by his family, his banjo, and all the songs to which he knew half the lyrics.

Strongly committed to serving his community, his legacy is the strength of his kind and humble heart.

I have needed a new computer since last Spring but it was getting to the point where my indecision was nothing but SAD. I asked everyone everywhere – pc or mac? I finally made a decision to save money and the agony of a steep learning curve by committing to a pc. Then just before the trip to the store I simply HAD to ask on LinkedIn – pc or mac? Seventeen passionate mac users responded – enthusiastic, witty and articulate. The kind lone pc user didn’t have a chance against this chorus. It was as if the tribe had spoken.

This is my first post on Blanca – my new mac. I have included the image above named MISTY for three reasons. First, I am finally out of my fog of indecision. Second, I am learning how to do things without classes or reading my new 713 page OS-X for Dummies or calling the 1-800 number I paid to have access to. In part, perhaps, this is an ENFP thing but regardless why, my experiential approach leaves me wandering in the mist – finding my way. Third this is a celebration that I can finally add images again – on my old dinosaur- which shall remain nameless – it simply wouldn’t let me insert an image.

Grateful for the relief of action – indecision stifles creativity.

As an aside – I am open to best advice for Mac Lovers. Please leave your suggestions in the comments and I promise to read and apply what I can. Also I am curious if there is a type correlation with who uses what type of computer and why so if you comment and wish to include your MBTI type that would be interesting indeed. 

This invitation and announcement came to me just now from a friend, trapper, educator, activist and adoring grandmother Kaaren Dannenman.

Kaaren visited Australia this Fall and was telling me how the Australians understand that a one time apology for the policies surrounding residential schools is not sufficient. It is a beginning, but is only a part of the process to help the whole nation make meaning and begin healing.

In Canada, this is not something that has affected First Nations peoples alone. It is a Canadian issue and we need to be vigilant to keep this in our awareness as important to us all. I wanted to share this invitation in case you have an opportunity to attend.

Pelq’ílc: Coming Home Screening
Host: York University
Type: Music/Arts – Preview
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: Price Family Cinema
Street: Accolade East Rm. 102, York University, Toronto ON Canada

Join us for the Canadian launch of
a film about the regeneration of the
Secwepemc culture and language
with the children and grandchildren of
former students of the Kamloops Indian
Residential School.

The screening will be followed by a
Q & A with award winning film maker
Helen Haig-Brown (Tsilhqot’in Nation)
and collaborator Dr. Celia Haig-Brown
(York University).
Moderated by Jason Ryle, Chair of ImagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival.

Please RSVP by Friday, March 13th to Gina Kim, York Centre for Education and Community
via email at gina_kim@edu.yorku.ca or by telephone at 416-650-8458