The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes pronounces that “…there is nothing new under the sun.” Thankfully, however, there are idioms and aphorisms to provide new prisms through which to view today’s versions of conundrum and folly. Herewith a few.… Read the rest
I recently came across a promotional video for “The Canadian”, a showpiece passenger train running between Toronto and Vancouver with “personalized service from a dedicated Prestige Concierge”. That begged the question: “What’s in a name?”. The answer is: “What you make of it.”… Read the rest
Depressing as headlines shouting ad nauseum about Covid, the crisis in Ukraine and U.S. politics etc are, there is something in the world to celebrate — the anniversary of an accomplishment worthy of Hamlet’s famous line: “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!… Read the rest
To say I’m fed up to the teeth with the restrictions Covid has imposed on my life is an understatement pretty much everyone in the known world can make. But what irks me even more is the minority who, against all available scientific evidence and concern for the common good, oppose vaccinations.… Read the rest
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man” is a cliché of disputed origins. It is also an apt description of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He would no doubt have referred any who applied it to him to the Gospel of John (4:23): “But the hour is coming, and is now here…” — which begs the question: Where are his successors?… Read the rest
As a seasonal offering, I like most Christmas songs, although I could do without having to endure them being blared out of cheap, over-modulated speakers in stores for weeks before the event. What worries me more, however, is the opportunities they present to the eager tribe that seems to wake up every morning hoping for something to be offended or outraged by.… Read the rest
Given that it was defined by Covid, I doubt that anyone will mourn the passing of 2021, although many of us may experience a twinge or two of regret as we contemplate one less year in our allotted time. In the Monty Pythonesque spirit of “always look on the bright side of life”, herewith some musings on wasting time by trying to fight its passage.… Read the rest
The most brutally moving aid poster I’ve ever seen is of an emaciated child sitting with an empty food bowl. The caption reads: “I was hungry and you formed a committee to discuss the matter. Thank you.” Afghanistan calls for an update: “I am dying, and you imposed sanctions to solve the matter…’… Read the rest
The time has come to put Dr Seuss at the top of the reading list for university students, academics and administrators. Not the books, but one of his many intelligent and useful quotes: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”… Read the rest
A teacher escorting American teenagers on a “cultural immersion” trip to Rome once told me the hardest part of the job was ensuring the school’s “zero tolerance” policy was enforced. The smallest sip of wine at a meal…a quintessential element of Italian culture…could cost the teacher her job. I find it a bit difficult to square that with a teenager’s“right to bear arms” at a public protest.… Read the rest