Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” The man was centuries ahead of his time with that meme-worthy nugget. He was Facebook before Facebook was cool. Or invented. He was also full of shit. Truth is, knowing yourself is the beginning of depression. And self-loathing. Knowing myself has never so much as […]
On the Matter of Voting in Alberta
Four years ago, I voted for the NDP in the Alberta provincial election that shocked the wor … country. Mine wasn’t a principled vote, born more out of mischief and curiosity. I certainly held no love for the splintered conservative party who had governed for 44 years but were now running as two entities. The […]
I Am Albertan and I Am Angry!
I am Albertan and I am angry! Really, really angry! Incredible Hulk in cowboy boots and white Stetson angry! The code of allegiance to the True Alberta Residents Syndicate and Social Society, or TARSandSS, requires that I say that. If I don’t, I risk being branded a traitor and hung, as some of my […]
The Unity We Don’t Know We Have
It’s election time in Alberta. Yay? You are forgiven for thinking election time is perpetual these days, what with the non-stop campaigning that goes on. There’s seemingly no end to the pep rallies, town halls, leadership contests, policy announcements, billboards, radio spots, and television commercials. And don’t get me started on the social media memes. […]
There’s No Vaccine for Layoffs
You think you’re immune, until you discover you aren’t. In February 1995, god that’s nearly thirty years ago, I grew up in a hurry. Or at least my budding work persona did. I was one of five wide-eyed geology students freshly fallen from the Ontario turnip truck in the early weeks of eight month, co-op, […]
A Rediscovered Bucket List
Another new year is upon us and with it comes the ritual making of resolutions. Unless you’re me and gave up doing resolutions after the twin failures of 2015 and 2016. I’ve been resolution free for two straight years and see no reason to alter this uninspiring path going forward. Spilling my guts to all […]
My Unpopular Opinion and My Comeuppance
We live in an era where the secret to popularity is being unpopular. Need I trot out the President of the United States as proof? The man is president precisely because he is unpopular. It’s what made him popular. There is a sizable portion of the electorate whose sole motivation for voting a particular way […]
Waisting Away
Much like one’s virginity, losing weight is an achievement best done late than never. Granted, you’re likely having more fun being fat than being a virgin. Celibacy, be it by self choice or others’ choice, doesn’t fall into the category of guilty pleasure. And I’m not knocking masturbation, but it remains a solitary and repetitious […]
At What Cost, Beauty?
Vanity is a devious flaw. You spend years, decades even, convinced of your belief in the sanctity of inner beauty, that physical blemishes don’t matter, that you see things beyond skin deep all while patting yourself on the back in smug recognition of your noble compassion as you recite lame platitudes to those struggling with […]
The Nostalgia Driven Mistake Calgary Wants to Make
The winter of 1988 was quite the momentous time. I was about to turn sixteen and was focused, albeit anxiously, on honing my driving skills in order to obtain a coveted driver’s licence. Hormones were wreaking havoc on my body and mind. Girls were a growing distraction, dare I say, obsession. My part time job […]