I've been thinking! Blog #5 of 52

I have been thinking a lot lately - well actually procrastinating about a lot of the things I think about. Like this is my 5th blog out of my goal of 52 and my last one was written 3 months ago.

But it seems like it has been a busy 3 months. I've been to my Lodge meetings, helped with our DDGM's official visits, got elected as DDGM for the coming term and sorted through reams of papers and the like.

I have been busy preparing for my business launch but it is still in baby step mode.

I have been to every council meeting except one and most of the special meetings.

I have been on FaceBook - a procrastinators paradise and I bought a new computer that sits amongst the remnants of my old one that I still have to download 5 years of storage from.

I have been working 6 days a week until last weekend which has been a bit of a financial boost but it does wear you down a little and then there has been the weather. Snow does not seem to be enjoyable any more.

And of course we have an election here in Canada. I love politics or perhaps I should say I am interested in it and I love my country.

Which brings me to what I think about the most, Canada and where we are going or more like what the heck happened.

Even though our Prime Minister likes to toot that we are the best of a bad lot, I take little comfort in his words. Our premier in Ontario has a website called tough medicine for Ontario as if we are to blame for the situation we find ourselves in as a have-not province and locally we are being prepared for property tax increases as our leaders say they must or heaven forbid we cut some of the services most of us do not even use. It is an unacceptable mess and yet we are either too scared or complacent to do anything about it. I think that is wrong. We have the resources, we have engineers and designers that can match anything coming out of Japan or Germany. We are a lot closer to the largest consumer market in the world than China or India. I think it is time that we put the CAN back in CANada. We must be less fearful of the future and think our way in to it. Canada as a nation must not be a procrastiNATION.

Which brings me back to the election on May 2nd and a certain former US President that did more for his country than the media gives him credit for. Bill Clinton has a rule in politics - If one candidate is trying to scare you and another is trying to get you to think and if one candidate is appealing to your fears and the other candidate is appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the candidate who wants you to think and hope. Think about it and please vote on May 2nd.

Cheers
Mit

Bari, Boney M and Bolsheviks - # 4 of 52

 One month and 3 days in to my 52nd year I am reminded of Bari (my sister's dog when I grew up) - Boney M (The lead singer passed away yesterday) and Bolsheviks (Nothing like thinking about a revolution on the tail end of a thought provoking calendar year).

Bari: This large standard bred poodle came to our family via my two older brothers who rented a house in London Ontario when they were starving students. As I recall the owner of the house rented the place on condition that they look after the dog while he was away. Bari's name had some connection to the owners' Polish Roots. We somehow got this dog and it was adopted immediately by my sister. Bari and I had issues! 
I was the one designated to take Bari to his final trip to the vets because in my sister's eyes I hated Bari.

Bari hated thunderstorms and one day he was left in the garage and one of those mighty thunder cracks boomed and Bari came in to the basement via the window landing on my Boney M album that was perched to play on the stereo below. It was not a pretty scene as I prepared to send Bari to his maker while my sister pleaded for his life. Only my wise mother could bring the situation under control by saying Tim - It's only a record. That was probably 35 years ago and maybe that was the seed for my "Shit Happens, paydays on Thursday, whaa F'n whaaa " saying I use at times. Sometimes it is best to save your energy for real issues. I also found that Hate is a very strong word, I didn't hate Bari. Seeing his helpless eyes as I loaded him in the van I found strength to finish the ride and forgiveness I think.

Boney M: You see I loved the Boney M album - Rah Rah Rasputin was my favourite - to me it spoke of my heritage - My grandfather and his brothers came to Canada to escape either the revolution or the poverty in the Ukraine at the time. My Grandfather was on the Mount Temple the night the Titanic sunk (another story). I have always been more interested in my Ukrainian heritage than my 3/4 French Canadian mix. Ukrainian Easter eggs and peroghies are much more exciting than pea soup and tourtiere. Bobby Farrell the front man of Boney M passed away on Dec 30th. Apparently his voice was not on the albums and most of the concerts were lip-synced. Not to discredit his success but it serves to remind me that we meet many charlatans as we wind our way through life. "Beware of False Prophets" is mentioned many times in the Bible and it never hurts to be your own Devil's Advocate. Caution here - Beware of Paralysis by Analysis.

Bolsheviks: I remember visiting my Aunt Lupka in her small house by the tracks in Windsor - In her kitchen there was a wooden plaque with Lenin's face on it - Lenin's eyes would follow you in the room and they seemed to pierce your soul. Lenin's rise to power was in my opinion more due to the economic times than any ideological shift by the general populace. Change was what the people wanted and change is what they got and history has shown it was and continues to be a bloody mess. In my business experience when tasked with fixing a problem, I have found that most folks really do not like change and will settle for the discomforts of the status quo rather than embrace a new way of thinking and doing. Even the managers that hired me would question the things that need to be done. They understood why, but would rather await a magic wand, than a man on a white horse. There are no magic wands, only hard work and hard thinking can work the magic against the powerful force of the status quo. The secret is to engage people, trust them with the information they need to make their jobs better and to give them the tools to do it. Lenin's dream failed because he reached for the same quick fix that the Czar had used, being brute force. Our democratic system relies on votes and the brute force is the spin created in backrooms that build up the perception of the political leaders and works to tear down the opposition. Popularity beats Platform as I have found out in politics. I am sure that Lenin, Harper and McGuinty are really nice people but sometimes power corrupts actions. I am sure that there are more disgruntled folks than just me but maintaining the status quo can be more painful than the work required to make things right. Perhaps it is time for a revolution.

I'll end this blog with the words Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet over 400 years ago

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!


Cheers
Mit

The Church of the Nodding Angel - #3 of 52

Thinking of Christmas

Just got back from church. I think I'll add go to church more to my list of 52 things to do when I'm 52. I've been a Christmas Catholic the last few years and tonight at church I was thinking perhaps I have been missing something in my life.

Christmas growing up always meant going to midnight mass. The church in Wheatley was decorated to the nines and the pews were filled with folks in their finery. Baby Jesus was in the manger surrounded by statues depicting the Christmas miracle. But off to the side on the first step of the altar was a table with an angel on it. My favourite Christmas story as told by my younger brother is about this angel.

Each Christmas we would be given a quarter to give to the angel. This was a special angel because when you dropped your coin in the slot between her hands, the head would nod back and forth as if it was thanking you for your donation. Kids would line up to give their coins to the angel and the angel would silently give thanks by nodding it's head. When we were kids 25 cents could buy you some cool candy at Fudd's mini-mart, so my brother, as he tells the story, was thinking ahead. Hmmm, he thought, I wonder what would happen if I kept the quarter and put in a penny instead. So before church he put a penny in his pocket. Sure enough after mass, all the kids lined up to wait their turn. He saw the angel nod in thanks as the other kids in line deposited their alms for the poor. My brother slipped his hand in his pocket, dropping the quarter in and taking out the penny with no one the wiser (so he thought). He walked up to the angel and put the copper in the slot and waited. In what seemed like an eternity, the head remained motionless and then the angels' porcelain eyes caught his and the angel shook her head side to side in disapproval.

He never says if he put the quarter in and it doesn't really matter. The angel no longer adorns the altar at the Blessed Sacrament church, rumour has it that it was tossed during renovations along with some of the other statues in an attempt to modernize the church. I am reminded of this story every time I see the Salvation Army kettle and I reach into my pocket and think for a moment about how much change I should give and then grab whatever is in my pocket and plunk in it the slot. I never know if the person with the kettle is really that angel in disguise. You just don't mess with Angels as my brother says.

Now being Christmas Eve, I'd like to wish everyone the best of the season. I have to perform another Christmas tradition, which is wrapping my wife's presents now that she has gone to bed.

Cheers
Mit.

P.S. As I refilled my coffee I noticed one of our fridge magnets had an angel on it. It says "Cherish angels wherever you may find them and you will find them everywhere" Sort of sums it up nicely!

Size Matters - #2 of 52

The Mrs. and I went to a house party Friday night. Met one of our local Dentists and we got to talking about toilets. Seems the subject is fascinating to folks other than myself. Proves that either I am not eccentric or that there are others other like me.

Anyways I thought Blog #2 would be dedicated to #2. (Say Ewww!)

Since part of my list of 52 things to do is to reduce my utility bills, the main floor toilet was a natural target. I bought a 17.5" height, 3.8 litre/flush, 1000g rated American Standard Toilet "made in Mexico". It replaced a 16 litre/flush American Standard Toilet  "Made in Stratford Ontario" toilet that I gleaned from the roadside last spring. That replaced another Canadian made toilet "Crane" that I think used about 45 gallons per flush but it came with the house.

For toilets size matters - The 17.5 inch height should be the new standard - Not sure why 14 inches is the standard but perhaps the folks in England were a lot shorter when it was invented. According to my Dentist friend, his brother-in-law with bad knees could not thank him enough for recommending the extra height. In the Lobzun families our porcelin thrones have reading materials beside them as a mandatory accessory.

After hooking everything up, I anticipated the first flush. I thought the toilet was broken as the speed at which it emptied was almost at outhouse levels. This is in part to the 3 inch hole beneath the flapper. I had to wait for some contents but I will admit as a regular go-er I was impressed once again. I never weighed what I consider to be a good poop but the 1000gm rating took it with no problem. Comments from the other users can be summed up as "I love it". Can you love a toilet? I look forward to our open house on the 18th to hear what my friends think.

If you are wondering about the picture, it is called a Whiz and Wash. Another simple environmentally friendlier idea whose time has come. In the operation of urinals, the greatest enemy of the drain is urine sitting in the P-Trap (Shape not contents). Since good hygiene practice is to wash your hands after you go, this combines 2 functions in one as the sink above the urinal, drains in to the urinal below. Sadly this is an artists conception right now but I can see it becoming commercial soon. This is actually better than the waterless urinals as there are no special fluid discs to replace. Imagine if all commercial buildings converted over to the Whiz and Wash!

Since I am on the topic of bathrooms, I'll share a couple more observations. One is the new Dyson (Vacuum guy) hand dryers that use a band of concentrated air flow to dry your hands. This actually works and the new 401 service centres have some of these. The other is public washroom doors, new designs don't have them. I wonder how much disease could be prevented if we just didn't have doors on public washrooms. Having no door is wheelchair accessible - kid friendly (Somedoors require superhuman strength to open) - no maintenance on automatic closers or paint/graffitti. It would be cheap to retrofit (Take door off hinges - put sign on wall). Another benefit is an open doorway adds a level of security to public places by not being sealed off from the main area. I am sure that there is some consultant right now advising government at $1,000/day on how to do this.

Water is very precious and although governments have taken up the fight against bottled water, we can do much more by changing the way we use water. As an added bonus for business and residents on metered systems - every litre you save on water use you save on sewage costs.

It's a small thing but it's how you use it that matters ;)

Cheers
Mit

52 Weeks being 52 (Edition #1)

I turned 52 on November 28th. According to a British Study, 52 is the average age that people turn grumpy. I got thinking about the number 52 and wondered if it is of some significance to me. 52 weeks in a year, I spent my formulative years growing up at 52 Hillcrest Drive in Wheatley Ontario, B52's the band have a song "Rock Lobster" (Lobster was one of my nick names), B52's in a bottle were on sale at the liquor store, etc., etc..

So I am making a list of 52 things to do when I am 52. It will take me a while and if anyone wishes to give me some ideas please comment or send me a message on FaceBook.

1: Put $52 a week in a Mad Money account. (Started)
2: Put an extra $52 a week towards paying off my line of credit. (Started)
3: Quit Smoking
4: Take a night course (*signing up for an online course - Introduction to DownTown Revitalization)
5: Write 52 Blogs
6: Start a newspaper column.
7: Write a book on Management Techniques and get it published (*I've been planning this likely since Harper started his Hockey Book)
8: Help the Ingersoll Times (Hmmm)
9: Help Fusion Youth Centre reduce their tax burden on Ingersoll ratepayers (*An Eco Challenge may be a way)
10: Become involved in the Downtown (*See #4)
11: Get new members for my Lodge
12: Finish my Attic (Well it will never be finished but stairs and walls would make me happy)
13: Save another $52/month on my utility bills. (*Half way there - Now to change my Electricty provider)
14: Start an income producing business (* Met a web developer through Kijiji - Buy Local)
15:  Add a water feature to my garden (Accumulating Parts)
16:  Buy an EBike
17: Have no credit card debt - Starting at 0 this week (*Still 0)
18: Add a solar feature to my house.
19: Attend at least 13 live theatre or other cultural events. (13 is one fourth of 52)
20: Watch 13 movies in the theatre
21: Visit 13 places I have never been before
22: Visit 13 friends I haven't seen in a while.
24: Have an adventure with my girls
25: Have a weekend away with my wife
26: Get a passport

That's a good start - Stay tuned. Just for shits and giggles I challenge you to start your own list - Pick a number and do it.

Cheers
Mit
Dec 24 update:
#27: Try 52 different beers - (*35 more to go)
#28: Go to church more.

January 1st 2011 update - (*)
#29: Purge (Starting with my inbox)
#30: Plant a Tree
#31: Plant an Herb Garden  >>> One that I know what is in it ;)
#32: Start a Bonsai
#33: A Canoe Trip on the Thames
#34: Attempt to learn a musical instrument
#35: Make a change with my change
#36: Make a YouTube video
#37: Visit another province
#38: Go camping in a tent

The Status Quo has to go.

4 more hours until the polls close. This election has been interesting in many ways ; From the number of folks that want to be part of council  to the number of issues that are out there to solve. I think the next council needs to have a lot of new faces on it. Actually across the province of Ontario I would like to see a new face of democracy to show Toronto and Ottawa that the world does not revolve around the senior government centres. People Power will prevail beyong today's vote and in to the 2011 Ontario provincial election and at the Federal Level - "Whenever that will be"

I'm thinking that the next 2 senior government elections will see many Independant MPP's and MP's sent to parliament. No more towing the party line and patronage spending.

We just need to vote different. A simple act - Pays great dividends.

Cheers all!

Tim Lobzun (Mit)

One more day!

Monday night at 8pm the polls close and the counting begins. I have had an extraordinary busy week. Started a new job last Thursday, and finishing up on the closing of the Embro Hall building sale. Today I am installing a new to us stove. Leaves needed raking, girls need rides and other life things that happen when I made other plans. And of course Halloween is just around the corner. I've been too busy to think about the election this week other than getting my ballot in the box. Working steady days has also required me to share the computer with the homework needs of my daughters so pardon me for not blogging this week.  

It is really hard to answer the question "Do you think you have won?" I believe that regardless of the votes, I have won by just rising to the challenge and the experience and of course the folks I have met. Things I would have done different, include putting my name in the ring earlier. I think I would have liked to do a YouTube video and maybe posted a powerpoint slide show. Overall I am happy with the campaign and delighted that 20 folks have sought out to be a voice on council. Yes, I want to win and to be Mayor and represent Ingersoll on County Council. Yes I need your vote on Monday if you have not voted. 50% of residents did not vote in 2006 and hopefully more do this year but the last I checked we will be lucky to get the 50% that did to repeat the exercise of their democratic rights.

This election did set a tone for the next 4 years. Council will do well to keep folks in the loop beyond the minimal legislative requirements. We already see a change in the posting of the quarterly financials and the ERTH newsletter on the town website. Fusion presented their financials for the last 5 years and is making an effort to reduce the costs to the Ingersoll Taxpayers through social enterprises and I have pledged to help them if they wish. More people are watching what council does now and have found their voice.

For me though Monday night will be another decision night. If I win, there is so much to do. If I do not win, there will be even more. I have put my career on hold for several months awaiting Monday's decision. It has not been easy, from more than a financial aspect. Having a bigger paycheque does afford you more freedom to choose what you want to do with your money. I have learned that there were a lot of things I use to buy that I no longer miss but I miss the evenings out with friends at dinner and social events. We really need to look at how we spend our money and try to keep as much as possible out of the hands of government and large monopolies. We have been hit miscellaneous fees and charges that are promoted to us as only $5 a month or are hidden in our shrinking paycheques. Only consumers can help our economy locally and I want to contribute more. Will I start a side business? Will I go in to a career in Human Resources to match my recent training? Will I go back to being a manager of a business again? I await the decision of voters on Monday.

I do know one thing though, is that if I am not the next Mayor of Ingersoll, I am not going to stop pushing my platform of protecting our wallets. I am not going to sit idly by, hoping that the next generation will fix what us Baby Boomers have wreaked havoc on. We really need to start now fixing government and relying on our community instead of Toronto or Ottawa to decide what is best for us. But for now, I wait.

Cheers

Tim Lobzun

Get out and Vote Monday please!