Life Coaching, Observations, Reflections, Things that make you go hmmmmm
Present tense, with willful consideration, a different state of usual
Remembering as reinforcement instead of making denial
Elixirs of pharmacology, self preservation tames self reservation
Every assist carries it’s own special enlightening twist
More is less but less is also more and the desirous state of being
Pragmatists, by all accounts, should partake of that they teach
Take that step or two outside the self and look well around
Instances repetitive, if you can call almost daily repetitive
Voyaging this damned derelict, course adjustment laid in
Escape by degrees, found in the enacting of the enlightenment
G.R. Hambley ©
May 12, 2018
I was visiting my Obelisk this week and got a little retrospective. I enjoy flipping through time and screwing with the “Temporal Prime Directive”, among other things.
I reiterate, “My Obelisk” so get your own. No, no I don’t share!
A pothole appears where there never was one and you lose your oil pan. A tear suddenly happens in the grocery bag you’re totting and your goods are falling out. You find yourself going the wrong way on a one way street and you tell the cop writing you up that you’d swear on the stack of burgers you got on the seat beside you that the arrow point the way you’re going.
These are all impositions brought upon you by time travellers. It’s a very good idea to watch whom you piss off cuz…. They could be a time traveller. They could have angelic friends who don’t mind handing out some comeuppance so to speak.
I was winging my way around and stopped in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame to admire, “The Players Bench”. While I was gazing on said sculpture my critical thinking decided the piece should be seen throughout history.
I like this “Players Bench” piece enough that I think those in the past and those in the future should be able to appreciate Canadian Culture at my desire.
A couple days back I went forward to next Thursday (check the posting date) and brought the sculpture with me inside my Obelisk where it shall remain forever, maybe.
If you’re located right beside the sculpture at oh, 3ish in the afternoon, don’t be leaning on the thing getting your picture taken. If you’re attached to the piece when it moves, you’re going in to my Obelisk and I aint letting you out!
In the future and past, I will be moving things around and when I do, it makes holes and tears in the fabric of time. If you should lose something or bottomed out, among other evil nasty things that you can’t disprove in court … I did warn you!
G.R. Hambley ©
May 06, 2018, maybe
Evolving and adapting ‘tisn’t so for every such thing
Maturation hasn’t taken what is desirously alive
Byways in sunset years, a life long constant smoulders
Eagerly and ambivalently skipping stones in this new old age
Relations and passing ships should they dock or not
Solely isn’t lonely, without young angst, this heart still seeks
G.R. Hambley ©
May 01, 2018
I came across a short learning modality questionnaire, “The VARK”.
I also did a second short questionnaire on, “Teachers and Trainers. My personal result and teaching style result don’t surprise me as I already knew I am of multimodality.
The way in which each of us learn best.
What I find interesting in my returns is that my learning method is different than my teaching method.
For me learning is “read/do” and teaching is “see/do”. This makes sense to me. I was in a trade where see/do is significant for the learning apprentice.
We are not always going to have what are learning delivered to us in the style we like it best. When that happens, is we have to pay closer attention to the material we are learning.
Do the questionnaire and find out what your modality is. Do it with your kids and discover what works best for them and where you’ll have to give or get help.
Temet Nosce, is Latin for “Know Thy Self”. Knowing what works best for you and doesn’t aint a bad thing at all.
G.R. Hambley ©
April 29, 2018
My news feed told me that Ontario’s Provincial Liberals are promising 800 Million dollars in health care spending on hospitals to acquire staff and reduce wait times.
The header probably should have also said “and among other things, be relevant“.
We know what tap that new gush in spending is coming from don’t we.
Recently and personally, since February 14 I’ve had a couple MRI’s and a couple x-rays. Something I saw when I was having those procedures really pissed me off.
Going back a number of years under Dalton McGuinty we had the eHealth scandal. Kathleen Wynne was a player in that debacle. That little liberal misadventure cost Ontarians 1 Billion dollars. Ontarians are paying about 1 Billion a month to service the Province’s current debt.
The dust settled and Doug Ford is the leader of the Ontario PC’s and is a blustery and well-known commodity, municipally. The Wicked Witch Wynne is in full blown pander mode, but when isn’t she. The Naturally Delusional Party’s Naturally Delusional Poobah showed her true colours when the ALLEGATION against Patrick Brown broke, invoked Ghomeshi to a Toronto Star Reporter, there by displaying her inner FemiNazi.
There is the cast of Leaders for the Ontario Election on or before June 7th, 2018.
Sorry Green Party of Ontario, I appreciate your tenacity but you’re a nonfactor.
Again, we find ourselves tilting hard to strategic voting.
This is a missive for whom ever forms Government.
As far as fiscal responsibility goes, who knows what either the Politically Cantankerous or the Naturally Delusional will do until they are empowered by the electorate to be doing it. Will both hold true to previous people empowered times when they formed the Government?
There is so much to drill Wynne and her contemptible cronies for over the course of their ruinous run on the empowered by the people track. The people empower all the parties to govern, so when you get right down to it, that “who’s the real fool” axiom is playing on a loop in my head.
I like many have a stake in the horse race that is the Ontario General Election.
It isn’t a simple matter of analyzing and predicting whom you think will be the Government when the polls close when you are invested in the result. It is difficult to be detached when you have a stake.
In fact, I have several stakes, just like all other Ontarians. Where health care is concerned, the stakes are high for all of us.
I spoke previously in my Practical Indignation piece about records and there being nothing attached to me. There isn’t anything really attached to you either and had a Billion dollars not been wasted, we would have had a real good start to easier access of the records that belong to us.
The records belong to you. Like a mechanics report on your car, your health mechanic doesn’t own the reports. You don’t leave the mechanics report on your vehicle behind when you leave the shop.
You should be able to leave with a report after you’ve had your own body in the shop. Sometimes the report is a prescription and you can keep record of that before giving it to your pharmacist.
That 1 Billion that belonged to you Ontario, it was supposed to be part of people being more involved and better able to manage their own health care. Easy access to information.
Great concept for something that we absolutely need in health care with piss poor implementation and oversight.
I had MRI’s and x-rays done recently and the MRI’s were in one place and the x-rays in another place. Different service providers if you like.
In the change rooms of both places there was the sign I’m showing you here.
The signs were pretty much identical except for the entity that is managing the access. Access for a fee.
That is your trickle down Liberal Health Care in a province that is spending 1 Billion a month to service debt. There is no central database for you and your doctors to draw on. No easier access to your personal history, Increased repetition of procedures which I speak to in my “Practical Indignancy” piece.
It falls to us across all generations to prod and probe those we elect to put the measures in place that have already been paid for.
It is up to we the electorate to make the changes when those we empowered fail.
Here in Ontario we must make change. We have no other option because the “No Wynne” Liberals have made it so that the electorate have no other reasonable choice but to remove their power.
Wynne’s promise of 800 million for hospitals to reduce wait times and add staff? I’m thinking with performance as the measuring stick, we’re gonna get Liberally stuck again.
When the time comes to cast your vote, please “Be Relevant“.
G.R. Hambley ©
April 10, 2018
Lyric
It’s a funny kind of time
trouble causing in so many minds
get no early warning signs
just keeps running on and on
This new age game of outrage
used to grab the front page
this way for all shout the sage
just keeps screaming on and on
Vices from the Kool-Aid choir
god… the things that they admire
not fun watching them conspire
just keeps tormenting on and on
Signaled loud and profanely proud
Glory glory halleluiah
not gonna hit you with a ruler
Glory glory halleluiah
we only want to rule yah
People being used, abused and shred
crocodile tears from media over the dead
doesn’t matter cuz it’s never on their head
just keep running the rhetoric on and on
Raising up above the signal voices
there’s so many other noises
making all the right choices
just keep counter screaming on and on
Free will in a death dive drop
don’t care, don’t share, don’t shop
fire’s gotten to big to stop
just keep willfully tormenting on and on
Signaled loud and righteously proud
Glory glory halleluiah
not gonna let you be a ruler
Glory glory halleluiah
we only want to school yah
G.R. Hambley ©
April 01, 2016
The time is March 04, 2018 and in in one of those favoured coffee spots I had a brief conversation with a couple of young women who are students in higher education. They were studying and doing schoolwork. They are articulate, concerned and conduct themselves well. Nice kids.
Yes, some of them kids are alright and other kids are perfect shits. This is about a couple of alright ones. Nothing different in that analysis as compared to my generation at that age.
Everybody was minding their own business and one of the girls lamented a lack of money. Having been a student and knowing what it’s like to be a financially depressed student, I can appreciate their laments.
We talked for a few minutes about school, getting the higher education and getting a job after graduation. These two women are cognizant of the fact that you don’t get big money when you start out. We talked about starting out and the current state of business and what you could well encounter in today’s business climate.
I was interested in hearing what they had to say. We can call that observational writing and professional development with me being both a writer and a teacher.
I did reveal to these 2 young ones of peoplekind* that I am a teacher and when asked by one of them, I copped to my field being English.
One of the young ladies emphatically stated I look like an English Teacher** and the other quickly agreed. As a point of information and I didn’t share it with the young ladies, my official title is, “Curmudgeonly Philosopher Poet”.
I thanked them and noted it must be my pony tail; we laughed.
I did not get in to the rest of my skill set, mostly. Starting out in a trade was spoken of but the Life Coach and Writer were left in the wings.
We talked about what they’re encountering with education. I did not go in to the higher education indoctrination as it wasn’t the place for it. One of the young ladies did state with some frustration and tone of resignation in her expression about the shoving of there being “one way and one way only” at them.
Yeah, I wanted to drop the indoctrination piece on them and didn’t do it. These two are already cognizant and aware.
I did show them the poster for an event promoted by George Brown College where they take the position of anti-trump and do not support him.
These two kids agreed that George Brown had no business interjecting their beliefs on a foreign election.
I would like to say that the frustration is from something other than higher education’s social sciences but I believe I would be wrong to say that and, well unlike the seats of higher learning, I’m never wrong.
We talked about what their generation is facing in the job quest as compared to what my generation encountered when starting out on the after school adult life. The two young women figured my generation had it tougher than theirs does starting out.
I believe their generation has a more difficult time than mine did and we talked about why from both our perspectives.
This would be a good time to identify the conversationalists. We have me, a Caucasian male who’ll be 60 in a few weeks. One young woman, whom if you were going to categorize based on her features and complexion, you would probably say Middle Eastern. The 2nd young woman, based on features, East Indian.
All of us with an above average vocabulary and the ability to convey our thoughts.
Whether they are first gen Canadian or not is irrelevant. What is relevant are the concerns and values.
Everyone the age of these women, male and female alike consider themselves to be so grown up. These 2 from my brief experience are on the right path but they are still kids. No, no I didn’t use the “Well you’re a kid and….” approach. That condescending and dismissive behaviour pissed me off when I was their age so why would I lay that trip on them?
At their age I was an apprentice and the 3 of us talked about the trades. Both of them related the “Stigma” of the trades. Both spoke on how (paraphrasing) the trades are manual labour and seen as being beneath so many other jobs.
I told them it was a trade I started in and yes, the trades are demanding and dirty. We touched a little on the fact that you can’t be stupid and be a good tradesman.
I can move my mouth, my hands and my mind on different things all at the same time.
The women agreed there just aren’t many who are working and or looking to be employed in the “White Collar Sector” can do what I and other tradesmen learned how to do.
I’m not going to have the pronoun gender debate either. If you make it you’re a mechanic or journeyman or as in my case, a Smithy.
Does the expression, “Less chatter more clatter” mean anything to anyone reading this tale? If yes, were you on the receiving or delivery end?
I asked the young ladies what they figured a union mechanic in my trade makes an hour. They missed it on the low side by about 50%.
Lets use the person who cuts, styles, blows your hair. This is a trade and if you’ve never thought about it, that person is most probably talking to you about something that isn’t hair related while they work on you. If their hands aren’t moving and their mouth is, that person needs to stop talking and just do the work. I chose a hair care because of the interaction that usually takes place between the parties in that industry.
We talked about starting out and the different dynamics for them now and for me then.
When I started out there was still quite a bit of “Find that one secure company”, get a job and put in your 40 years. A couple people I went to High school with went on to work for “Bell Canada”, the phone company.
The one company until you’re done days are long gone and I don’t see them coming back. These days if you spend more than about 10 years with any company your personal motivation is questioned.
Me and the kids talked about some of the factors that affect how business gets done these days and the conversation went to outsourcing which led in to taking care of your own first.
We agreed that there is far too much outsourcing.
For these kids, and they know it, working in the industry where their degree is may not happen. When I came out of my last session of trade school, those that went on to colleges and universities were finishing up their studies and looking to join the work force.
I’m certain some Free Range Globalist will object to what I relate now because it smacks of “POPULISM”. GASP!
Canadian values have been in and out of the social media spotlight.
Me and the women talked about values and they feel like I feel. You take care of your own first and then if you have extra, you can help others.
We have issues and infrastructures that must take precedent. Canadians without clean water and adequate housing take precedent over others in other countries.
People like to say charity starts at home. Taking care of our issues and matters is not charity and it is the correct thing to do.
Most Canadians feel this way. The number is probably right around 66%.
Them kids and me, we also agreed that the people must be more diligent with removing the old bad politicians for new good ones.
Canadian values are fine and being relayed to the kids. I was lucky enough to encounter a couple of good ones.
G.R. Hambley ©
March 20, 2018
*PEOPLEKIND
This is what we call a joke. Should someone care to pass it along to Canada’s Prime Minister, “Gerald Butts” and the Clown Prince, “Justin Trudeau”, please do.
** “Ray Barnes of the purple granny glasses, my grade 9 English Teacher would be so proud.
Lyric
Rainy Day Play
Rain clouds, big frowns
moping around all over town
Let a smile be my umbrella
now I’m damn near drowned
Tired of these hundred and
fifty thousand shades of grey
Come on wind, whip, whip, whip
whisk those pissing clouds away
Been running in a mood for days
don’t see it changing real soon
Not in any mood for anyone’s wit
tired of the puddle jumper waltz
Head down and going horizon bound
still thinking I’m gonna drown
Rain, rain go away come again
say about six months from June
trudging along under the pouring weather
cold rain soaking through the leather
trying hard to keep it all together
Found her down on the Carrillo shore
she’s not caring that the weather pours
Ankle deep in the breaking waves
head bowed and tilting at the wind
Hear her swearing she aint going
she’s not ever going back to that hotel
Catches me catching her crazy storm
Now I’ worry about her harping on me
Just gonna keep right on waltzing by
got my own crazy self to talk to
She’s got such a lovely face
she’s cries about that Camarillo place
Who ever stops for their hospitality
brillo pad scrubbed and scarred
Singing how people are so typical
the truth is the place aint mythical
trudged along under the pouring weather
cold rain soaked through the leather
tomorrow is already looking better
happy I got all mine sort of together
Today is the winter solstice and tomorrow the days start getting longer again. The world turns over and while some parts of this big old world have their winter sleep, other parts welcome the days of summer.
The winter solstice to me as a spiritual person, my greatest time of reflection while looking forward to what will come next year.
For me this day is also the day of giving thanks.
Out with the old and in with the new, it just aint that simple.
I’ve so much world open to me now that all the work I did to achieve something I wanted so badly is complete. When 2017 began, I had no idea that when the year ended I’d be an English Teacher and technically qualified to teach anywhere in the world. I may have had a few of my friends shaking their heads over my commitment to achieving the goal. Thankfully, I got good friends who understand what it means to be driven, in a good way.
“Good Friend” and “Pen Pal” heard much more than others of the education path I was on. My rants were over things that would piss anyone off and had nothing to do with my abilities or lack there of. If you follow those links, you’ll get a look at the regard I have for those two individuals I call friend.
Another community friend who has become friend in our discussions and meandering around, we help each other out. He’s gifted me with some terrific photographs.
Ara Sagherian Photograph ©
He is both happy and not that I’ll be leaving. He wishes me nothing but the best. This is what you call honouring friendship on a direct emotional level. You speak the words. He took this shot
Driven and committed are not bad things though I do think those two people a couple of times would have been okay with driving me somewhere to be committed. I’m thinking it’s a shame, “The Hotel California” aint what it used to be. That is a tale I will someday write, maybe.
I’m thankful and appreciative of all my community friendlies too. The relationship is different. I talk about relationship in some of my narratives. My belief is that it is important to recognize those in your community. Most of the people do but there are a couple who just won’t. We aren’t talking about a relationship where you’re kissing someone in the ear. Being aware and personable is all we are talking about here.
I’ve a note this morning from an artist I’m fond of asking about being ready for the season and putting up the tree. The person notes going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. I know all about those feelings and have suspected this person, like me, has some level of S.A.D., “Seasonal Affective Disorder”. I had noticed the mindset before and offered up some help.
This other artist doesn’t know what today means to means to me. I don’t know if this other artist knows where and what the “Christmas Tree” actually represents.
In this day and age, most people call it “Cultural Appropriation”. This tree thingy like any other thingy, I would hope you know the history and honour it. Simple stuff.
I’m pleased and thankful that more people from around the world visited me this year when I have published less new content than last year.
I’ve now opened my email this morning and I’m smiling big cuz someone special has gifted me a, “Happy New Year”. I love things like that. Another person special to me is thanking me for remembering their birthday. I’m blessed to know and have these people in my life. What goes around comes around folks so if ya want it ya gotta give it. I would suggest the adaptation of one of my favs, “Freely, Joyously, Willingly”.
I’m also doing grunt work as I write this at my year end. Backup, backup, backup. Losing the computer would be one thing but losing the content I’ve created would be a hell of a lot worse!
A stray thought gets triggered about days of birth as I meander along this morning. I share the same birth day as Jack Nicholson and I do tell people this should explain a lot. Those people ponder that statement, look at me and usually just nod. By that logic people born on the same day would have characteristics of others born on the same day. Not born in the same year and yes born on the same day. I have very good reason to think that.
All my life’s a circle, seasons spinning round again, the years keep rolling by. Then there is, “So off you go horizon bound”.
Thanks again Harry and I still miss you and I’m still angry with you all these years later. I can’t believe how much time has passed in my own circle of life since you left us.
My time in this place is about done and for how long I will be away, I do not know. There is no timetable beyond thinking that at age 65 I’ll have to be in Canada and teaching will be in Toronto and/or online.
I went out and got me something that goes well with what I already love and has the potential to be sustaining for a long time. I do have that 150-year plan, as some of you who read me know.
I have a couple things to put in their place including the current melancholy and wistfulness.
Do not misconstrue dear friends, I am excited to greet the future and I shall adapt to my life’s changes.
My heroes have all been story tellers and I have more stories to discover in this big beautiful world. Stories and my love for the word, that’s why I’m going.
Another friend set off a trigger, Damn drummers are almost as bad as bears for getting in to shit. This is for you and thanks man but how about Toronto California?!
And that Drummer’s trigger set this off… “I said to my reflection lets get out of this place“.
To all of you the best of this season and all seasons.
I am out of here!
G.R. Hambley ©
December 21, 2017 – New Year Eve
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