Thank you sir, for having a vision for Alberta.
Thank you sir, for believing in that vision, and for laying out a concrete, straight-talk plan to achieve it that you always reminded us of, and kept us updated on.
As I understand it sir, from research and what I can remember, the plan involved saving for a rainy day with the Heritage Fund. And of course sir, you also gave disabled Albertans the AISH program, which even in the beginning had a provision to allow those who could work the opportunity to do so. I think of you every day, Mr. Premier, as I go out to my job in the community four days a week, and I am grateful.
I also realize, Mr. Premier, that you were the one who modernized Alberta. Agriculture and rural living are a vital part of any resource-rich province and should never be discounted. But you marketed our resources in such a way that the rest of Canada noticed. And when they noticed, you were not content to let them stick us in a highchair with a bib, while patting us on the head for good measure. You believed that Alberta was just as important as Ottawa, and when Prime Minister Trudeau tried to severely curtail our resources with his National Energy Program, you fought like hell for our interests, but always in a gentlemanly manner. And he wound up respecting and admiring you for it. So did (and do) many other federal and provincial politicians, as we saw at your well-deserved state funeral.
That is the mark of a true statesman, sir, and a man in full.
I thank and salute you, Premier Lougheed.
Your Partner In Life
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Just Ridiculous!
http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/tyson-gay-becomess-tyson-homosexual
I would hope that this foolishness is a result of a text-editing program that automatically sanitizes and inserts words that are less objectionable to the folks at One News Now and their readers. Otherwise, these folks are just plain loopy, and shouldn't be practicing serious journalism. Mr. Gay should sue them for identity theft!
Your Partner in Life
I would hope that this foolishness is a result of a text-editing program that automatically sanitizes and inserts words that are less objectionable to the folks at One News Now and their readers. Otherwise, these folks are just plain loopy, and shouldn't be practicing serious journalism. Mr. Gay should sue them for identity theft!
Your Partner in Life
Friday, July 20, 2012
We All Need to Read This
Being an avid movie fan in my spare time, I was sickened to read of the early morning mass shooting at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Colorado that left 12 dead and 38 injured, some of them critically. My heart sincerely goes out to the friends and families of all the victims, as this tragedy is utterly, utterly senseless. I'm not going to name the sick and deranged person who carried out the shooting, because I figure his family is going through enough hell right now, and I'm not going to add to that.
But I would like to single out one of the 12 if I could. Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster who wrote and tweeted about hockey in Colorado under the name Jessica Redfield. In an eerie coincidence, Jessica narrowly avoided a similar tragedy during a visit to Toronto's Eaton Centre in June. Courtesy of The Daily Brew, here is her last post on her personal website (color choice mine):
"I can't get this odd feeling out of my chest. This empty, almost sickening feeling won't go away. I noticed this feeling when I was in the Eaton Center in Toronto just seconds before someone opened fire in the food court. An odd feeling which led me to go outside and unknowingly out of harm's way. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around how a weird feeling saved me from being in the middle of a deadly shooting.
What started off as a trip to the mall to get sushi and shop, ended up as a day that has forever changed my life. I was on a mission to eat sushi that day, and when I'm on a mission, nothing will deter me. When I arrived at the Eaton Center mall, I walked down to the food court and spotted a sushi restaurant. Instead of walking in, sitting down and enjoying sushi, I changed my mind, which is very unlike me, and decided that a greasy burger and poutine would do the trick. I rushed through my dinner. I found out after seeing a map of the scene, that minutes later a man was standing in the same spot I just ate at and opened fire in the food court full of people. Had I had sushi, I would've been in the same place where one of the victims was found.
My receipt shows my purchase was made at 6:20 pm. After that purchase I said I felt funny. It wasn't the kind of funny you feel after spending money you know you shouldn't have spent. It was almost a panicky feeling that left my chest feeling like something was missing. A feeling that was overwhelming enough to lead me to head outside in the rain to get fresh air instead of continuing back into the food court to go shopping at SportChek. The gunshots rung out at 6:23. Had I not gone outside, I would've been in the midst of gunfire.
I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders' faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath. For one man, it was in the middle of a busy food court on a Saturday evening.
I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.
I feel like I am overreacting about what I experienced. But I can't help but be thankful for whatever caused me to make the choices that I made that day. My mind keeps replaying what I saw over in my head. I hope the victims make a full recovery. I wish I could shake this odd feeling from my chest. The feeling that's reminding me how blessed I am. The same feeling that made me leave the Eaton Center. The feeling that may have potentially saved my life."
You weren't overreacting, Jessica. Your soul and spirit knew what needed to be said, and exactly when it needed to be said, even if it was just a nagging feeling on a conscious level. But by writing this Jessica, you have enriched many lives today, including mine. So though I am sickened by the way you and the other eleven people had to die, with these words you left us, a tiny sliver of good has come out of this senseless tragedy.
I salute you, Jessica Ghawi.
May you and the other eleven rest in peace.
Let's appreciate life today.
Your Partner in Life
But I would like to single out one of the 12 if I could. Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster who wrote and tweeted about hockey in Colorado under the name Jessica Redfield. In an eerie coincidence, Jessica narrowly avoided a similar tragedy during a visit to Toronto's Eaton Centre in June. Courtesy of The Daily Brew, here is her last post on her personal website (color choice mine):
"I can't get this odd feeling out of my chest. This empty, almost sickening feeling won't go away. I noticed this feeling when I was in the Eaton Center in Toronto just seconds before someone opened fire in the food court. An odd feeling which led me to go outside and unknowingly out of harm's way. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around how a weird feeling saved me from being in the middle of a deadly shooting.
What started off as a trip to the mall to get sushi and shop, ended up as a day that has forever changed my life. I was on a mission to eat sushi that day, and when I'm on a mission, nothing will deter me. When I arrived at the Eaton Center mall, I walked down to the food court and spotted a sushi restaurant. Instead of walking in, sitting down and enjoying sushi, I changed my mind, which is very unlike me, and decided that a greasy burger and poutine would do the trick. I rushed through my dinner. I found out after seeing a map of the scene, that minutes later a man was standing in the same spot I just ate at and opened fire in the food court full of people. Had I had sushi, I would've been in the same place where one of the victims was found.
My receipt shows my purchase was made at 6:20 pm. After that purchase I said I felt funny. It wasn't the kind of funny you feel after spending money you know you shouldn't have spent. It was almost a panicky feeling that left my chest feeling like something was missing. A feeling that was overwhelming enough to lead me to head outside in the rain to get fresh air instead of continuing back into the food court to go shopping at SportChek. The gunshots rung out at 6:23. Had I not gone outside, I would've been in the midst of gunfire.
I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders' faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on Earth will end. When or where we will breathe our last breath. For one man, it was in the middle of a busy food court on a Saturday evening.
I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.
I feel like I am overreacting about what I experienced. But I can't help but be thankful for whatever caused me to make the choices that I made that day. My mind keeps replaying what I saw over in my head. I hope the victims make a full recovery. I wish I could shake this odd feeling from my chest. The feeling that's reminding me how blessed I am. The same feeling that made me leave the Eaton Center. The feeling that may have potentially saved my life."
You weren't overreacting, Jessica. Your soul and spirit knew what needed to be said, and exactly when it needed to be said, even if it was just a nagging feeling on a conscious level. But by writing this Jessica, you have enriched many lives today, including mine. So though I am sickened by the way you and the other eleven people had to die, with these words you left us, a tiny sliver of good has come out of this senseless tragedy.
I salute you, Jessica Ghawi.
May you and the other eleven rest in peace.
Let's appreciate life today.
Your Partner in Life
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A Song For Penelope
Hello sweetheart,
You probably don't realize it yet, but you are about to embark on a great adventure, because the people your mom works for love her work so much that they decided to give her a bigger and better job in a city called Toronto (if you want to be cool you can call it T.O.)
The good news is that you all will have more interesting experiences than you can imagine. The not-so-good news is that Toronto is about 3000 kilometers from Edmonton, so our in-person visits won't be as often as they have been. But thanks to computer technology (which I'm sure you'll be into before long, if your adventures with your mom's iPhone are any indication), Auntie Shawna and I will never be that far away, whenever you need us.
And if you ever feel lonely, listen to the words of this song. As I've written to you before, although there are a lot of wonderful things about this world, sometimes things or people will let you down, and you might feel sad and frustrated. But if you're OK with you at the end of the day, you will make it through whatever challenge you face. Every time.
I love you hon.
Uncle Mike
You probably don't realize it yet, but you are about to embark on a great adventure, because the people your mom works for love her work so much that they decided to give her a bigger and better job in a city called Toronto (if you want to be cool you can call it T.O.)
The good news is that you all will have more interesting experiences than you can imagine. The not-so-good news is that Toronto is about 3000 kilometers from Edmonton, so our in-person visits won't be as often as they have been. But thanks to computer technology (which I'm sure you'll be into before long, if your adventures with your mom's iPhone are any indication), Auntie Shawna and I will never be that far away, whenever you need us.
And if you ever feel lonely, listen to the words of this song. As I've written to you before, although there are a lot of wonderful things about this world, sometimes things or people will let you down, and you might feel sad and frustrated. But if you're OK with you at the end of the day, you will make it through whatever challenge you face. Every time.
I love you hon.
Uncle Mike
Friday, February 17, 2012
Premier Redford's Promise Comes Through
In the Throne Speech delivered by outgoing MLA Ron Liepert, Alberta Premier Alison Redford listened to the needs of disabled Albertans. The $400 AISH increase, once in danger of being cut back to $100, remains intact. As is her promise to raise our allowable income by $400, to a total of $800.
Thank you very much, Premier Redford. We appreeciate it.
I am thinking that there are things we can do as disabled Albertans, to show our appreciation in a wider way.
If paid work is a possibility, then we should pursue it, free of oh-no-not-$401 number-crunching.
But the fact is, not all of us can pursue paid work, for physical or other reasons. There is nothing wrong with pursuing volunteering opportunities. Don't listen to the stigma that it's "only" volunteer work. As someone who has been fortunate enough to hold both volunteer and paid positions, I can tell you that that the volunteer positions can be just as challenging. And often, they can be just as rewarding.
At the end of the day, we still live in a damn good province, this Alberta of ours. So however we can, let's get out there and make a difference!
Have a great day everyone!
Your Partner In Life
Thank you very much, Premier Redford. We appreeciate it.
I am thinking that there are things we can do as disabled Albertans, to show our appreciation in a wider way.
If paid work is a possibility, then we should pursue it, free of oh-no-not-$401 number-crunching.
But the fact is, not all of us can pursue paid work, for physical or other reasons. There is nothing wrong with pursuing volunteering opportunities. Don't listen to the stigma that it's "only" volunteer work. As someone who has been fortunate enough to hold both volunteer and paid positions, I can tell you that that the volunteer positions can be just as challenging. And often, they can be just as rewarding.
At the end of the day, we still live in a damn good province, this Alberta of ours. So however we can, let's get out there and make a difference!
Have a great day everyone!
Your Partner In Life
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Premier Redford: Promise Breaker?
Alberta Premier campaigned on a promise of an extra $400 of AISH. So we thought we'd get a little breathing room.
Not much, but some.
Because the hard truth is, any time we get an increase in AISH, Alberta Health Services usually forces the hands of assisted living facilities, tellng them what to charge residents so that they (the assisted living providers) can continue to receive funding and services. The good people who run the institutions are therefore forced to don black hats and raise our rents.
If the AISH increase would be the $400 dollars Premier Redford promised us when she was running, we would have some breathing room if our rents were increased.
But yesterday the premier revealed that the increase would in fact be $100.
Again, enough left over for incidentals, a can of tomato soup, and maybe a box of Kraft Dinner.
But not much else.
Thankfully, some have friends and family they can turn to for a few bucks here and there, or help with food and transportation.
But not everybody has that option, Madam Premier.
By breaking your promise to Alberta's disabled community, you have alienated a significant portion of our province's population.
You are probably looking to stay on as premier through the next election, but I don't see how you will.
Unless you embrace the following four words:
Cost Of Living Increase.
That would mean you wouldn't be tied to a concrete number.
You probably won't take up the initiative, as tied up with corporate interests as you seem to be.
But I know that Danielle Smith has taken up a cost of living increase initiative regarding AISH, and plans to follow through should Wildrose be elected.
Not much, but some.
Because the hard truth is, any time we get an increase in AISH, Alberta Health Services usually forces the hands of assisted living facilities, tellng them what to charge residents so that they (the assisted living providers) can continue to receive funding and services. The good people who run the institutions are therefore forced to don black hats and raise our rents.
If the AISH increase would be the $400 dollars Premier Redford promised us when she was running, we would have some breathing room if our rents were increased.
But yesterday the premier revealed that the increase would in fact be $100.
Again, enough left over for incidentals, a can of tomato soup, and maybe a box of Kraft Dinner.
But not much else.
Thankfully, some have friends and family they can turn to for a few bucks here and there, or help with food and transportation.
But not everybody has that option, Madam Premier.
By breaking your promise to Alberta's disabled community, you have alienated a significant portion of our province's population.
You are probably looking to stay on as premier through the next election, but I don't see how you will.
Unless you embrace the following four words:
Cost Of Living Increase.
That would mean you wouldn't be tied to a concrete number.
You probably won't take up the initiative, as tied up with corporate interests as you seem to be.
But I know that Danielle Smith has taken up a cost of living increase initiative regarding AISH, and plans to follow through should Wildrose be elected.
I receive $2015 per month in modified AISH because I live in an assisted living facility. I pay just over $1700 in rent, which covers three meals in a cafeteria, as well as great care, three daily snacks, and recreational activities. So I don't mind paying that.
Except that leaves me about $315 for bills and incidentals. So a cost of living increase sounds good to me, as I'm sure it would to you if you were im my situation. Yes, I know a lot of our medical and dental is paid for, but some isn't.
You have the opportunity to bump the AISH increase back to $400 and become a hero to Alberta's disabled community and the country at large, by giving us a fair shake.
Or you can leave the increase at $100, in effect telling the disabled to eat cake and going down in history as Alberta's Marie Antoinette.
The choice is yours.
Your Partner In Life
Monday, January 2, 2012
Friends
A lifelong friend is a person to treasure
Who can bring enjoyment to your life
And you to theirs
Beyond measure
And though you may both agree
That it will last forever
Often this crazy world
Will give you
Something to weather
So my friends
If I have not seen you
In like, forever
No worries
Because
Whenever it was
You enriched my life
And I will remember
And thank you
Forever
Your Partner In Life
Who can bring enjoyment to your life
And you to theirs
Beyond measure
And though you may both agree
That it will last forever
Often this crazy world
Will give you
Something to weather
So my friends
If I have not seen you
In like, forever
No worries
Because
Whenever it was
You enriched my life
And I will remember
And thank you
Forever
Your Partner In Life
A KFC New Year's
Last year at Christmas, we didn't get our days straight for the big Hebert family get-together.
This year, we got the day straight a week in advance.
So today, sister and brother-in-law got KFC.
Dad and Aunt Louise also got KFC.
The result?
A very plentiful feast suitable for the combined casts of Immortals and Game of Thrones.
Chicken, chicken and more chicken.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love my chicken.
Little Penelope was the star.
She saw KFC red.
She saw Pepsi blue.
But alas, as she hits the cereal milestone next month...
...she could only look, not touch or (sigh) eat.
Poor Penelope!
She could only hungrily eye Auntie Shawna's coleslaw as she sat on Auntie Shawna's lap.
And I almost dipped a fry into my Pepsi, I was having so much fun.
The raging debate around the table:
Is there actual tea in iced tea?
We didn't think so.
I didn't take any pop home down my shirt or at my back.
Dad will be eating leftovers for a week.
Happy New Year everyone!
Your Partner In Life
This year, we got the day straight a week in advance.
So today, sister and brother-in-law got KFC.
Dad and Aunt Louise also got KFC.
The result?
A very plentiful feast suitable for the combined casts of Immortals and Game of Thrones.
Chicken, chicken and more chicken.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love my chicken.
Little Penelope was the star.
She saw KFC red.
She saw Pepsi blue.
But alas, as she hits the cereal milestone next month...
...she could only look, not touch or (sigh) eat.
Poor Penelope!
She could only hungrily eye Auntie Shawna's coleslaw as she sat on Auntie Shawna's lap.
And I almost dipped a fry into my Pepsi, I was having so much fun.
The raging debate around the table:
Is there actual tea in iced tea?
We didn't think so.
I didn't take any pop home down my shirt or at my back.
Dad will be eating leftovers for a week.
Happy New Year everyone!
Your Partner In Life
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