Don't be a turkey, slow down and eat

I know it's not Canadian Thanksgiving, but I sure do love food. Here's a great little piece from the NYT for you to enjoy. Interesting to note how well the methods of food production would fit in Carleton County...

And take some time to savour these photographs. Metaphorically, of course. Next year's Dooryard Festival is going to be unreal!

I've changed my mind

I am reading a fantastic new book called "Evolve Your Brain." If you are are interested in brain science, how we learn or how our thoughts affect our bodies, you should read this book too. In it, Dr. Dispenza talks about how we create our personalities through habitual thoughts, and the biochemistry and physiology of how that works.

Repeated thought patterns lead to habits, and those are hard to change if we don't acknowledge that we have created them, that they are not innate. I think this has a lot to do with the NB Power deal, for a couple of reasons:

1. NB'ers historically have been a "have-not" province and we are used to that. By selling NB Power, the government is only reactivating that network in our brains that we can't have anything important or profitable.

2. We do not see ourselves as "fighters" so the public is hesitant to speak up and oppose the deal.
As opposed to our francophone neighbours, who probably would have rioted by now if Hydro Quebec was being sold to Ontario Hydro....

In the book, Dispenza talks about how people say they've "changed their mind" about things. What that really means is their brain has been rewired to consider things differently than before. Your mind has changed, along with your opinion.

Interesting to think about how our thoughts create our realities, isn't it?

In defense of faith

I have a small but rotating list of personal heroes. Feels cheesy to use that word, since we're all supposed to be cynical now, and believe only in the power of money and not the power of people. But nevertheless, some people are inspiring, and not because they have the letters after their names to prove it.

I love hearing about people who have triumphed over adversity. There was a book about Martin Luther King Jr. in my grade 6 classroom and I must have read that book once a week all year. Of course, it was the closest thing to my desk, and I was usually done my work early, but it was worth reading again and again because of the courage of the characters.

David Adams Richards is on my list of 'heroes,' mostly because he is an excellent writer, but also because he didn't follow the conventional path in life. He has a new book out called "God Is" and here's a great interview talking about it (fast forward 3/4 of the way, he's at the end). His honesty cuts to the bone. He can see people for who they are, flaws and all, and yet still sees them with such dignity.

I think New Brunswickers have a salt and a sophistication to them that most people will never comprehend (you gotta live here to get it, right...). Talking about hell being his drinking habit and sitting at bars with murderers and realizing that as the start of his faith. Although he doesn't claim to have answers, he gives a very dignified defense of people's right to choose a faith tradition for the right reasons. These dark months are good times to think about this stuff.

The Joy

... is about enabling other people's stories to be heard, at the same time.

Enjoy this video. Then think about what it means for your life.

And one final word of advice, from Ricard Strauss - "never look at the trombones, it only encourages them."

They're still dancing in Montreal

This comment was made yesterday by the leader of a Madawaska union local, outside the legislature.

It was an interesting event, fairly well-attended for a workday. New Brunwsickers are the most polite protesters ever. They don't want to yell because it's rude and they don't want to say mean things because it might hurt somebody's feelings. Which is good at the dinner table, but problematic when your own Premier is selling you down the river.

Apparently the protest could be heard inside the legislature, and everyone who spoke against the deal acknowledged that it's going to be a long battle. Take the time to email if you haven't already - Shawn Graham is going to pretent to consult people and let his PR spin team do the talking instead.

Our democracy at work

So, the legislature resumes tomorrow. The Graham government will introduce its agenda and outside the 'people's house' citizens will protest the proposed sale of NB Power.

Shawn Graham has made it very clear that he intends to proceed with this deal without a mandate, contrary to his own campaign promises, and over the objections of the auditor general and the owners of NB Power, the people of New Brunswick.

I will be going to Fredericton to show my opposition to this deal. Many people are uncomfortable with protests but in this case, your silence will be interpreted as support for the deal. Failure to speak up, either via email or in person, will lend support to this backroom deal.

It is tempting to let apathy take over at times like this, but if you are oppose to this deal it is your responsibility to speak up now. Complaining after the fact will do nothing to absolve our inaction when it counted most. Get in touch with me if you'd like a drive to Fredericton, the rally starts at noon. If you can't or won't go, you can contact all the provincial MLA's at the same time using these addresses:

Liberal MLA's - leglibmla@gnb.ca PC MLA's - legpcmla@gnb.ca

From the air

People out fishing and working in the woods are being sprayed with pesticides. Companies have admitted there are ways to clear brush from tree plantations without using chemicals, but it costs so much money and labour.