Remembrance Day

I don't like Remembrance Day.

It's not that I don't want to remember. It's that I wish I didn't have to remember.

To be more precise, I wish there was nothing to remember period.

I hate war. It's stupid and senseless and it is always the good people, the innocent people, who suffer the most. I wish, when bad people want to do bad things, people would just say no. I wish they would refuse to do evil things, refuse to fight for wrong, refuse to go to war.

Of course humans don't work that way. Most don't, at least. There are some anthropological accounts of pacifistic societies and there are some groups like the Amish who consistently shun war. Sadly those are the exceptions. Most societies - most people - aren't that evolved.

Still, I hope for the best, and I certainly pray there will never be anything like the two World Wars we've already seen. I didn't live through them, but I have enough of an imagination and have read and heard enough that I feel more acquainted with their horrors than I'd like. And I don't need a special day to remember; unfortunately I remember often.

So while I'm incredibly grateful for the peaceful world I live in, I feel terribly for those who paid the ultimate price and never got to benefit from the world their sacrifices made possible. I remember them ... but I wish so hard that I didn't have to.

Pages Not Pads

Although I'm well aware that it's more than a little ironic, I'm writing this post about using the iPad less ... on my iPad! It's not completely contradictory, however. I'm not advocating giving up my beloved Pearl; simply using her a little more judiciously. That's because it has come to my attention that I've been "padding" a bit too much and reading traditional pages - or even ebook pages - not quite enough.

Coincidentally, I've been a little grumpy of late. There hasn't been any cause for it, yet I've been testy. And I think it could very well be because I've been overdosing on Pearl. I've been using her at meals, when I have free time during the day, and now to write my evening NaNoWriMo blog entries. Correspondingly, my book reading stats have taken a marked dip. Instead of finishing a book every three or four days, it's over a week. That just isn't me.

It should be though. I am definitely far happier when I'm reading more. There is still nothing better in the world for me than curling up with a good book. I love everything about books: the smell, the feel, the way I get so totally immersed in them. Why wouldn't I be doing as much as I can of something that makes me feel so good?

I guess it's at least partially because the iPad makes me feel good too. But it's a deceptive kind of good, a time-sucking act that doesn't really deliver all the benefits I might think it does. (And that's totally ignoring the fact that the backlit screen may be doing strange things to my brain - at least if used too close to bedtime.) The iPad is wonderful for certain things, writing definitely being one of them. I have never enjoyed writing electronically as much as I do on Pearl (despite too many typos I can produce pretty quickly). It's also very handy for reference works and looking stuff up on the web. And I have genuine enjoyment using my photo apps to do creative things with my pictures. But ...

... I also end up browsing the web far longer than I need to. One thing leads to another and suddenly a half hour has simply vanished. Though fortunately I play them rarely, games suck time too - and many also have the added disincentive of making me feel stressed and grumpy when my performance isn't up to snuff. Even reading isn't the same because the net is right there and I jump right onto it at the slightest hint of something to look up ... and then end up not getting as much reading done as planned anyway.

I don't even like the iPad particularly for reading books - too bright and glare-y, though it's as good as it gets for magazines. (Given a choice I'd take the real thing, but I don't have that option in most cases.) And of course there's my app addiction to consider. I spend time watching for and downloading new apps, then more time trying them out and organising them - and yet more time when I start running out of space and have to purge them! (I had gotten down to around 800 a few weeks back, but now I'm back up to 906, with a paltry half gig free.) Suddenly it becomes work, another responsibility, another thing to be maintained.

So what's my prescription? Well, I definitely want to keep writing. I also read my daily devotionals and I want to have a little fun playing with graphics. But I need to seriously weed all those games I don't need to play. And I should try to maybe return to real books and real magazines at lunch. Certainly I shouldn't do anything other than my blog at night, and I should finish it as early as possible. The rest of the time? Books, books, books. The more I read, the better I think I'll feel. The real me is a reader above all, and it think it's time to get back to the real me as soon as possible.

Nuts About Squirrels

"Nuts About Squirrels" was the title of last evening's Nature of Things episode. It was an entertaining and enlightening look at the furry little friends I've heard called "rats with good PR". It's hard not to be amused by their acrobatic antics, although my appreciation of them does wane when they start stealing peaches from my tree. Yet even then I have to begrudgingly admire their ingenuity and persistence. And now I know a little bit more about what's going on inside their fuzzy little heads.

First off, they do remember where they bury their nuts. They actually use a triangulation process based on fixed objects/landmarks in their environment! In an experiment they showed, a squirrel was removed from his environment for a two week period. When they put him back, by the next day he had dug up some tracked acorns he had previously buried. Squirrels also engage in deceptive caching techniques if they think they are being watched by other squirrels. They will dig away and put their head down deep into their hole as if burying their nut ... but then carry away the nut hidden in their mouth and go bury it somewhere safer.

Squirrels also keep detailed mental maps of their environment and will spend less time in areas of greater perceived risk (ex. farther away from a tree, near a yard with a dog etc.) even if food is available there. They get to know the people in their world as well - when they get up, who leaves food, who will chase them away. They are smart about food too: when they roll a new nut around in their paws for twenty seconds or so, they are actually assessing its quality and determining whether it should be eaten immediately or would be good for caching.

And they do need to cache a lot of nuts to carry them through the winter since they don't hibernate. Fortunately they have their tails to wrap around themselves for warmth. Those same tails are also umbrellas in rainstorms and stabilisers for their acrobatic manoeuvres. Hind legs that can rotate 180 degrees help too, and mean they are actually hanging on when descending trees. (By the way, when going up a tree they are not climbing so much as bounding up it; all four feet leave the trunk, then regrasp it.) A final use I wasn't aware of for tails is air conditioners. In the summer heat their bodies push more blood into the tail, which helps them to cool off. I wouldn't mind having one of those myself! They're quite remarkable little creatures, really, and it was fascinating learning a bit more about them and getting a glimpse into their lives and world.

Vacuuming Day

You'd think with all of today's technological advances, somebody somewhere would have done something to improve the lowly vacuum. I know Mr. Dyson has done his part for suction with his "cyclonic action" machines, but suction isn't really my issue. Even the most basic vacuum works reasonably well - certainly much better than old-fashioned carpet sweepers or brooms. Given the choice, though, I'd actually prefer to use those older technologies because they are two things: light and quiet.

And those are my two complaints. We have lightweight plastics, not to mention aluminum. Why do vacuums weigh so much? Their motors aren't exactly running cars or motorcycles, but they feel as if they almost could be. Our vacuum is like a small tank and I just know it will go on forever. Then my second point: they're so loud! Would it really be that difficult to incorporate a muffler?

So can you guess today was vacuuming day? Not my favourite chore at the best of times, and especially not once we have the carpets back down for winter. I do like the look once I'm finished and don't see dust bunnies scurrying across the floor everywhere. And with two perpetually shedding pooches, it is a necessary evil. But pleasurable? I think not. I'm glad I have the time to do it; the house certainly is cleaner with me home and it is nice to be caring for the place you love. But I haven't yet come to the point where I actually enjoy the task. I doubt I ever will. In fact, it's the one chore that makes me feel downright angry. I'll do it when necessary ... but definitely not more often than that. A house that's "clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy" - that's an adage to live by, and that's my objective.

Obama Owns the Day

Yesterday was the U.S. election, and to my immense pleasure - and considerable relief - Barack Obama was granted a second term in office. I'm not alone in feeling that way either. A survey of Canadians prior to the election showed that some 90% of us would have voted for Obama given the opportunity; even more in Quebec where a mere 1% would have chosen Republican Mitt Romney. History has also shown that Democratic governments are generally better for Canadian interests.

What surprises me is that it was even a contest in the U.S., but it definitely was - and a very close one at that. Right until yesterday it was really too close to even predict, although there were indications that Obama had a slight edge. This turned out to be true; better than expected, in fact, as he won all the swing states. He still has to deal with a Republican congress, but that's nothing new for him.

So I'm very pleased with the result, but must admit I was a little worried for awhile. The first presidential debate was particularly concerning. Obama looked like a nervous little seventh grader who sort of knew his material, but obviously hadn't prepared for his oral. Subsequent performances were better, and he definitely delivered the best zinger of the campaign: Romney was complaining about how there aren't as many ships in the navy as there were back in 1916. Obama retorted that there also aren't as many horses and bayonets; things have been modernised now and we have things like nuclear submarine that Romney might have heard about. That was good!

Still, Romney didn't perform terribly. He looked and sounded quite presidential at times. The problem to me was that it was a little like the Emperor's New Clothes: there really wasn't much substance - or constancy - to his words. Over time I realised he would basically say anything to anybody to try to win a vote - sort of chameleon-like. But of course he didn't necessarily mean any of it. It got to the point where I felt like he was just lying through his teeth every time he spoke. If he said the sky was blue I'm not sure I would have believed him. But the casual observer who only saw him speak a few times could easily have been taken in.

I guess I don't get the Republican policies at all, really. To me they seem so heartless and uncaring. They don't believe in medicare; neither do they believe in the wealthy paying higher taxes. Romney himself, with some 14 million dollars of income, paid 13% - a lower rate than a very middle class person earning 50 thousand. How unjust is that! Of course nobody likes paying taxes, I suppose, but the rich should definitely do their share. To those who much has been given, much is expected - isn't that a basic tenet of a nation based on traditional values?

And what about being your brother's keeper and caring for the less fortunate? Shouldn't a person who's injured have access to medical care? And a person who has cancer shouldn't have to lose his home to pay for treatment. But those things happen and some people seem to think it's ok. When Naomi and Fred lived in California for a few years they saw that attitude first-hand. It's disgusting. To some, all people aren't created equal. They think they deserve better because they've been blessed with good jobs, intelligence, opportunities that others weren't fortunate enough to have. I wouldn't want to live in a place like that ... and I don't think Obama does either. That's why he's trying so hard to make things better for the average person. And I am very, very glad he's been given four more years to accomplish his objectives.

 

Earthquake. (Again.)

Just after four this morning, I was rather rudely awakened by an earthquake. It was moderate as they go - 4.2 on the Richter Scale - but still an experience I'd prefer not to have. That's especially true since it's our second quake in less than a month. We had a 4.5 one around midnight on October 10th. According to a seismologist I heard on the radio today, while two significant quakes so close together is somewhat unusual, it's not entirely unheard of either. And there didn't seem to be any talk of them being prequels to a major event. The CBC News site reports there are actually some 200 quakes annually in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone, which covers the regions of Montreal and Ottawa. How comforting.

The October one did feel worse to me. I happened to be awake because Dan had just come back from hockey. It felt as if someone was shaking the bed to try and wake you up. It seemed a lot longer too - about thirty seconds. Today's felt much shorter, but I might have been asleep for the first part of it. (Paisley, conversely, took more notice of this one, sitting up and looking around.) I woke up pretty groggy. My rational brain was telling me that yes, this is an earthquake. The sleepy part of me thought it was Hershey scratching - only a giant, Clifford the Big Red Dog sized Hershey thumping away on the floor. This time I noticed in particular the rattling of the light fixture over the bed ... and thinking how perhaps it isn't such a good idea to be sleeping right under it! Still, it didn't perturb me that much that I had trouble going back to sleep.

Of course I don't like earthquakes; I don't suppose anybody does - with the possible exception of seismologists. However, I'll write this blog entry and gradually forget about it. Earthquakes are one thing you can do absolutely nothing about. Even hurricanes are predicted these days; quakes, not so much yet. But there's no point spending life worrying all the time, particularly about things you have no control whatsoever over; I already do enough as it is. (And if I really did need any worries, I think a plane crash is probably far more likely than a huge earthquake, statistically speaking.)

I worry a bit though, because we don't have earthquake insurance. I did look into it a few years ago after a larger quake and even then it was well over $800 - and overall rates have gone up significantly since, so I suppose that figure would have too. (Living so close to the water doesn't help because we could be subject to flooding, although it's awfully difficult to imagine a tsunami rising from our placid little bay.) That's a lot of money for a slim chance. I do like peace of mind ... but I also like my bank account, and in this case the risk doesn't really offset the cost. Still, I fervently hope and pray that earthquakes will be fewer and farther between than ever in my future!

Teflon, Not Velcro

It would be nice to be a Teflon person, the sort that slights and stresses roll right off, but sadly I'm far more Velcro. A veritable bur, in fact: the big prickly kind that clings doggedly to absolutely everything. Not only do I cling tenaciously at the time, but I remember, regret and ruminate over things for ages - not just days or weeks, but years.

That's unfortunate ... and it could be unhealthy too according to a study I read recently. David Almeida (a professor of human development and family studies) claims the daily stresses of ten years ago can negatively impact your health - both physical and mental - today! In particular, people who have experienced a lot of stress tend to also experience greater pain from arthritis and cardiovascular issues. That doesn't bode so well for my future.

To be fair, I have had far more than my share of stresses compared to the average person. But apparently it's not so much the stresses themselves as your reactions to them that cause the problems. Just thinking about a stressful event can be almost as bad as experiencing it! So by reliving negative things over and over, I'm piling on more and more stress all the time. Distance does help somewhat, but I can still get myself pretty upset over bad things. I know it. I can feel it in me. And even the "positive" stresses of new experiences and activities can be damaging to someone like that.

However, I don't think it's in my nature to suddenly grow a hardy Teflon shell. I've always taken things too seriously, too hard, as far as I know. My best bet to mitigate against my Velcro tendencies is to use all the coping strategies and mechanisms I can muster ... and I try to read all the articles on positive psychology, managing stress disorders etc. that I can find.

One recommendation is focussing on happy events, and I do keep a daily gratitude record (at least three good things per day). I also force myself to list my blessings in my head when I'm moping over something (the more negative I'm feeling, the longer the list has to be). Fresh air, exercise, and deep breathing are other standard prescriptions, and fortunately I get plenty of the first two - and work on the third when I remember.

And since I won't ever be a Teflon person, it's probably best I keep my life fairly simple and my stresses fairly manageable. I'm lucky in the sense that it doesn't take that much to make me happy or excited. Little things mean a lot to me; I don't need to put myself in overwhelming situations. You can't completely change your nature, but you can do things to work with it, and hopefully past (or current) stresses won't mess up my future too much. Still, it would be awfully nice if I could become at least a little more Teflon than Velcro!

A Do Nothing Day

Today was kind of a "do nothing day". I'm not sure exactly why, but it was rather refreshing. I think we all need those from time to time.

• Maybe I was just plain tired; I actually slept in until 9:00! (Can't even remember the last time I did that.) Hershey has been scratchy and restless lately (itchy skin; we think his diet has been too dry and are adding a drizzle of olive oil at breakfast and a spoonful of Little Caesar meat at supper). So I guess I haven't been sleeping as deeply as I should for awhile.
• Maybe it was the weather. It was grey, wet and cold - in short, November - today. I wasn't a total sloth; I did go out with the dogs for three walks. But I can't say I really enjoyed any of them.
• Maybe it's the time changing tonight. Although I hate it and complain lustily about it every year, perhaps it's ingrained somewhere deep within me and my body has already adjusted itself.
• Maybe I haven't completely vanquished the cold I've been staving off all week. I'm not really sick ... but I didn't feel quite perfect either most days.
• Maybe it's just because I didn't plan anything to do. Usually I jot down three or more tasks to accomplish every day. But today my calendar was blank. There were a few things I thought about doing, but other than doggie detail, there was absolutely nothing I absolutely had to do. And that felt kind of nice. I wouldn't want every day to be so aimless, but it was awfully nice for today.

So anyway, whatever the reasons, not much productive got done. But I had a luxuriously long, hot shower. I finally got to finish the Alexander McCall-Smith book I've been reading ("A Conspiracy of Friends" - number three in the Corduroy Mansions series). I did a little research on wifi cameras (now that the iPod touch is no longer on my Christmas list, I'm looking for alternative ways to get photos to my iPad). We had an easy pizza supper, then I watched my beloved "As Time Goes By". And that's that: a pretty nice day, all in all. Now I'm about ready to head back to bed for another long autumn's nap. I think tomorrow will be more fruitful. But I also think we all need a "do nothing day" from time to time so that most of our days can be "do something days".

Hurricane Sandy Has Struck

Although I needed to get that rant off my chest yesterday (you know how it is in a breakup; you really have to talk about it), it was definitely a first-world complaint, and I am very aware there are far more important issues going on. The current big one is far too close to home, sadly; it is the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Sandy hit the U.S. East Coast on Monday, spiralled all the way up to Ontario, and is drifting off through Quebec and the Maritimes now. She was a "superstorm"; the most unfortunate convergence of at least three separate weather systems. And she unleashed devastation the likes of which has not been seen in the region for decades. Houses were washed away, others burned in uncontrollable fires. Streets, tunnels, and the New York City subway were flooded. Roads, bridges and boardwalks were washed out - or away. Millions were without power (still over four and a half million households as of yesterday evening), and some will be for a long time yet. There are gas shortages. And over a hundred people were killed - including a woman in Toronto hit by a falling store sign.

The pictures and videos you see are extraordinary. It's hard to believe water can do so much damage, though of course it can. The most iconic one for me is the fleet of cheery yellow NYC taxis sitting submerged in a parking lot. It sort of symbolises the storm bringing one of the world's greatest cities to a halt. The flooded subway station is sort of surreal too. And equally strange was the two feet of snow that fell in parts of West Virginia. Weather certainly can do extraordinary things. You have to respect and fear it.

All pics from nbcnews.com

It was all especially hard to believe when here, a mere six hours away, Monday and Tuesday were among the more beautiful fall days we'd had all month. There was the odd shower and a couple of pretty strong gusts of wind Monday afternoon and evening, but nothing near what had been predicted. The rest of the time it was sunny and warm - bordering on hot Tuesday. Short sleeves were the norm and shorts wouldn't have been out of place - in fact our mailman did have his shorts on. Incredible. We did get our share of rain and cold yesterday and today, but really nothing you don't expect in November either.

Back in the States, the cleanup is progressing. The Red Cross, FEMA, the National Guard and others are working tirelessly. Hydro crews from Quebec are down in Vermont. NBC is running a benefit concert tonight. And nightly there are stories on the news of just ordinary people doing extraordinary things - serving meals to relief workers around the clock, climbing twenty storeys in the dark to bring fresh water to apartment-bound seniors. It will take a little time, but Americans will emerge, as they always do, stronger and more resilient than ever. Sandy may have destroyed many things, but she could never break the indomitable American spirit. And that you have to admire.

The Lustre has left the Apple.

Yes, the rumours are true. It is official. After a year and a half affair, Apple and I have broken up. Hurt and betrayed, I will never feel the same passion again.

It happened last week, October 23rd. Watching the Apple keynote to see what was up with the iPad mini and if there were any other surprise goodies, I got a decidedly unpleasant surprise. Along with the mini and its computer brethren, guess what else was introduced? The iPad 4. Scarcely six months after purchasing my iPad 3, along comes an upstart model with processor and wifi speeds twice as fast, the new connector and a better front-facing camera.

My heart broke. The iPad 3 represented one of the only times in my life when I actually had the newest and best of anything. I felt so betrayed and cheated. Obviously this was what the iPad 3 was truly meant to be, but it either wasn't quite ready in spring or they didn't want to steal the iPhone 5's thunder. Instead of doing the responsible thing and delaying the release, however, Apple decided to dupe and milk their unsuspecting customers. I could have really used that extra power for my photo editing and the graphics-laden PDF's I love to read. And who wouldn't want faster internet?

I promptly wrote a heartfelt letter to Apple, suggesting a plan allowing iPad 3 owners to upgrade for a modest sum. I elaborated the next day, proposing the trade-ins go to underprivileged schools or other charitable organisations. I even called Apple when I didn't get any response after a few days. And guess what now? Their customer service is about as bad as their decision making. They couldn't tell me anyone at Apple Canada to contact, couldn't guarantee I would ever receive a response to my emails, didn't even know how to fix my non-functioning ID on their own forums. Pathetic!

And that's that. We're over, Apple and I. Of course I'll still use and enjoy Pearl, although I simply can't feel quite the same way about her just yet. It stabs me to the core when I read about the new and improved model. I will come around to appreciating her again ... but I won't be forgiving Apple any time soon. The iPod touch that was on my Christmas list? Scratched off permanently. Maybe - just maybe - I'll consider it when the 8 MP camera model comes out ... which could be in February or a year or more from now - who knows. (In fact, why should I ever buy a new Apple product knowing that the word "new" doesn't really mean anything to them.) I will be looking very closely at alternatives, however, before I do - and there are an ever-increasing number of them available.

So here I sit, a little sadder, a little wiser and very disillusioned. Like with any first love, I guess I was a little naive. I believed Apple actually cared about me as a customer when all they really care about is money. Thing is, though, if they keep treating their customers like that (and make no mistake, I am far from the only irate iPad 3 owner) they'll find they won't have quite so many customers - or quite so much money. It won't be tomorrow, next week, or next month, but people will start looking elsewhere. Nobody likes being taken for granted and pure greed isn't a viable long-term strategy. Too bad Apple. It was fun while it lasted, but we're through. You just can't stay in love with someone you don't trust and you've definitely lost your luster with me.