Adventures in the Up-Side of Global Warming…

While I fully understand that climate change is a serious challenge, I still find it difficult to complain about such wonderful weather. As I check the weather reports from home (Moncton -17, Ottawa -17, Regina -27) I’m glad I chose to stay in Korea this winter (Daegu +17). These pictures were taken this afternoon during an impromptu BBQ down at the duck pond. The weather has been glorious for the past week, and even though we’ve all been having a good time and spending as much time outdoors as possible, there’s still a lingering uneasiness about such warmth in February. It’s similar to the feeling you get when you’re staring at that huge slice of French Chocolate Silk Pie on your plate: you’re going to enjoy it 100%, even though you know it can’t be good for you and you’re surely going to pay for it later.

Adventures in Time to Read…

I had thought that 4 1/2 weeks of vacation with no plans to go anywhere might get a little dull. Not at all! I’ve had some time to get some “Gee, I should do that sometime” things done, and I’ve had lots of time to read – with no pressure to put the book down and turn out the light at an appropriate bedtime. I polished off a paperback novel at 1:40 Monday morning – forgetting of course that I had committed to a Superbowl Breakfast at 7:30. Not to worry, I’m on vacation, and went back to bed after breakfast was over.

Having been immersed in entertaining rubbish for a couple of days, I switched to non-fiction. I now have 3 books on the go, and can’t decide which to focus on. I’m 1/2 way through Out of Poverty and Into Something More Comfortable by John Stackhouse. It’s an interesting read, looking at the remarkable difference in results between multi-million dollar aid schemes and grass-roots micro credit. It’s also nice to get a Canadian perspective on what some of CIDA’s money has funded. Hmm, describing it that way makes it seem a little heavy, but it’s not. It’s full of very human examples at each end of the spectrum; however, I’ve read it before, so I might put it aside until I’m done the others.

The others: The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, looks at a radical alternative for Christians seeking to live like Christ commanded; not like wealthy suburban churches suggest. I’m impressed by his compassion and fairness. It’s not a tirade against the rich for not sharing with the poor, it’s a compelling reminder that Christians were never expected to settle in and get comfortable with the status quo. The second book I’m working on is The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs. I just got it in the mail yesterday, so I’ve only read the forward (by Bono!), the introduction and a little bit of the first chapter. As a bigwig in the world of Economists (I can’t believe I bought a book about global economics) he says that it is possible to eliminate extreme poverty (ie put an end to 20,000 people dying EVERY DAY from extreme poverty) by the year 2025. I got the book because I agree with him that ending the war on terror would be a bi-product of ending extreme poverty. Since I have absolutely no evidence to back that up, I thought I’d read something credible that might provide some.

Well, I’ve rambled long enough, and it’s time to go to the gym. Enjoy your day, and if you happen to see any of those titles in your friendly neighbourhood library, bookstore or friend’s bookshelf, please look through them.

Adventures in….Adventures in…Adventures in…

For once, my lack of posts isn’t the result of plain laziness. This time, my lack of posts is the direct result of postus interruptus. I’ve sat down at least once a day to whip up something witty and amusing to write (that would be a change, wouldn’t it!?) and have been interrupted each time. Between people on the phone and at the door, I’ve gotten about 3 words written each time, and been called away from my computer. Now then, here is the post you’ve all been waiting for.

Thanks to everyone who suggested names for the car. After driving her around for awhile, and testing all the names as we went, she responded favourably to “Bridget”. Like Bridget Jones, she’s not-so-young, she’s not-so-tiny, and she has a few ‘wobbly bits’ and some rather interesting quirks. Even so, she’s solid and reliable – and if she can attract Mark Darcy, all the better. So, my dear, curious, readers (Ahem, Melanie), her name is Bridget. Also, to satisfy my dear, curious, parents, I took her to the mechanic yesterday for a “Please-don’t-tell-me-I-bought-a-lemon-waiting- to-happen” check-up. The good news is he said I didn’t get snowed. I paid a decent price for a decent car with a good engine. The not-so-good news is that the full 2-hour tune-up, complete fluid changes and a few replacement parts cost about $200. The nice thing is that the mechanic took a look at Bridget, made a list of what needed to be done, told me how much each thing would cost, and showed me where/why/how each thing was in need of fixin’. After the work was done, he showed me again where a shiny new part replaced the old one. He was very nice, and I’m hoping I won’t have to see him for another 10,000 km – when it’ll be time for an oil change.

Okay, enough about the car. She’s now purchased, insured, registered and tuned-up. Now all I have to do is take her to Costco on Friday, and her Jedi training will be complete.

One quick word about the weather and I’m off to give my house a good holiday scrub-down. When I went to register Bridget on Monday, I drove home with my jacket on the passenger seat and my window rolled down and the radio on. It was like spring!! It’s below freezing today (I think), but still not so bad.