happy new years

Another couple of hours and 2008 will be gone, it's events and memories will become our collective history, 2009 will dawn and the hope for new and better life will infuse us all with optimism, and celebration. Well if not all, then at least those of us with enough foresight to plan evening festivities. Some will look back and hope that the events of the waning year quickly recede into distant memory, others will wish that the events continue on, in an ever widening circle of joy. Some look ahead, hoping that the coming year will bring joy hitherto missing in one's life. While still others merely turn the page of a new and yet somehow familiar calendar. Many see the coming year with frightened eyes, hoping that the economic downturn turns out to be more bluster than substance. We are all of us fearful of the unknown, will our jobs be safe? Will my children? Will those we love, not fall too far? Almost universally we see this date as a time of assessment, and a time to reflect on new beginnings, a chance to correct errors in jugement and commission we have made. Many amongst us will resolve to change, our circumstances, our health, our station or our habits, we call these resolutions, and many amongst us make these, only to disappoint ourselves weeks or days or even hours later, when our resolve to change ourselves for the better, falls short once again Still others amongst us seek parties and celebrations in order to ring in the new year, as though time would stand still, were it not for the revellers. I wonder if the celebrants seek to deaden themselves from the realization that another year has passed, and little has changed. Despite resolutions to the contrary of only one year past I will watch another year pass in solitary contemplation, saddened that more time has escaped my grasp, that a year has passed and my accomplishments still are numbered by the birthdates of my children. That my writing, woeful as it is, has a smaller audience now than it did. That my loneliness seems more acute this year than last, one could almost rejoice that I am able to feel lonely, a feeling which has eluded me for many years. Save for the knowledge that knowing what one is missing, does nothing to make it easier. Happy New Year, and more to the point, happy new year

So it seems like much has been altered but little has changed, we remain in limbo, a country without direction, a people with nothing to hold onto. Prorogation is the order of the day. Is my llife also to be prorogued?

We have a new leader of the liberal party, a new leader of the heart of this country, of us. and he seems more interested in proving his intellect, his rightness than he does in engaging in discussion with us. I fear the lot of the country has been thrown to one for whom power is a battle of wits, and not an act of caring. One for whom cold reason replaces compassion and understanding. One who's self interest is paramount. We will see a person intent on outsmarting and out witting his opponent, not one who will demonstrate the power of love and caring.

At this time of year perhaps we should all remember the song written for the poor and unconsidered, which didn't include us at the time. Tears Are Not Enough.

On another note. Since we have all lost big on our RRSP's why not stimulate the economy by freeing up this money, by allowing us all to collapse or withdraw funds without any tax implications. Many of us have lost up to 40% of our monies, and given the opportunity, many would re-invest in short term growth options. many would just spend, maybe on new cars, maybe on North American cars. In any event, the percentage of people willing to spend their savings now might surprise, and might go a long way to stimulating the economy. Just a thought. We could all use something to look forward to. Post prorogation.

In the meantime I will retire to bedlam. Or at any rate my own method of lament.

Dec 06, the joy of knowing is replaced with the sadness of hoping. Those things we thought we knew shunted aside in favour of those we should have known. Melancholy reigns, the malaise that sweeps our country, also plays havoc with the individual. Those chosen to rule our land, flee when faced with criticism and recriminations, as those who rule our hearts follow the same path.
When the promise of a great land is abandoned it is painful, when hoped for endings prove themselves not worthy of struggle, it is heartbreaking. When futures are tossed about like so many dice, when so much is riding on the outcome, how much more painful is the game.
Canada I hope we share a future, where those who have made pledges to care and safeguard us, fulfill their promises, and that our promise for the future is bright.