Mid-summer; already. Time flies whether you’re having fun or not. Yet another wild fire burst out near Port Alberni last evening. It appears that we have not escaped another vicious fire season and that once again the center of the island is drawing fire bugs. Keeping all people out of the summertime woods seems the only solution to me, drastic as that is. South of the border, as fire-ravished as they are as well, Jabba The Trump is mumbling about more tariffs on Canada because of our invasive smoke. There is a long list of natural disasters in the U.S. that Canadians have always helped with, without charge. Nothing like good neighbours eh Jab? Maybe we need a wall along our entire border, four hay bales high. It will help filter the smoke. Friends? You’re working on it Donny!
While in discussion about homelessness I had an epiphany. Our national economic system is based on debt mis-management. If the feds go on racking up billions more in national owings they are only participating in the culture which nearly every Canadian is following. Our personal finances are generally deep in the red. How can we expect our MPs and MLAs to do other than represent our lifestyles? Financial solvency now means covering minimum monthly payments. Clearly I qualify to run for office.
For all the help we discuss offering our poor and disenfranchised there is something which we do not consider. Their lifestyle clearly precludes accumulating any debt load. That is very clever because in today’s culture, if one is able to live debt-free, they are wealthy! Hmmmm! “Verily, the meek shall inherit the earth.” Just sayin’, ya know?
The last movie we’d been to see was way back before the mayhem of Covid; can’t remember what it was. Finally we were drawn to see ‘The Odyssey.’ The process of buying tickets online is horrific and fodder for a movie in itself. An IMAX high-tech three hour flop where Odysseus, with his gleaming Hollywood teeth, is constantly addressed by Telemachus his son, as Dad. This classic Greek myth is a cornerstone of all literature but this wonderful yarn has been looped, cut and added to. The script is an attempt to demonstrate AI miracles and clever special effects. To Christopher Nolan the producer, “YA MISSED!” I did love the portrayal of Cyclops but was dissappointed with the scene of all the good guys crammed inside the Trojan horse. Not one fart joke! Great imagery but this old geezer could have stood an intermission. Pee happens!
On this first morning of August I sit and look out on the harbour as vultures patrol the skies over my backyard. Either they are waiting for me or there is some more fresh roadkill on the highway below. Speaking of roadkill I must throw out a kudu to a local motorcycle shop. Mile Zero Motorsports is a local dealer and bike garage. They are not a Yamaha dealer but took my wee bike into their moto hospital. It was there for two months until I finally came up with the correct parts. They cured the problem by refusing to let the bike go until it ran right. Then they washed it, oiled the chain and checked the tires before presenting me with a minimal invoice. They lost money on this one. It is sad to shout out about being treated very well when all businesses could respect their clients like this. All they did was treat me like I mattered. I’ll be back to spend more money on gear and…. maybe even a new motorbike. I’ll market these people every chance I can.Thank you guys.
On that note, I’ve gone for a ride on my motorbike.
A few days later the Entire Okanogan Valley seems to be on fire. I have neither uninformed opinions or sage observations to provide. Soon evacuees will be sleeping under cardboard on the lake’s beaches. There is no place left to put them. I have some broad perspectives on why this is happening but this is no time for anything other than the immediate. Some folks are wondering when they can go home when the massive fire is not yet even contained and under control. That attitude goes a long way to explaining why we are in this mess. Enough said. Let’s be glad to live where we do and not in one of those other places.
If you’re not making someone elses life better, then you’re wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better.
Will Smith