Focus on the Future

 

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

The last post: It was a bit verbose; in future I will try to be more succinct. My apologies, hopefully you fell asleep and the zoplicone can be used another night, consider the savings!!

How am I doing: Subjectively very well.

Objectively holding my own. The blood work is stable; the tumour marker is essentially stable. I am tending to agree to social commitments which may lead to fatigue, management (Deborah), is proroguing such behavior. As mentioned last time, the upcoming CT will help decide further therapy.

The Arts report

Disgraced: at the Stanley in Vancouver. Great play, beautifully acted. Vancouverites, go see it!! Playing until Oct 18.There was a scene of violence, 2 rows behind us a companion growled until the scene was concluded. Awesome, even sucked in a highly trained professional. No way that actor would get near his mistress. A first for me.

Black Mass: Not for those who deplore violence (Deb was observed staring at her shoes more than a few times. Johnny Depp will be nominated for best actor, totally sold me on his character, supporting cast very strong as well, may be more than 1 nominee.

VIFF: Sorry to be so parochial. Saw Brando: totally overrated, save your money see Amy (documentary on Amy Winehouse)

Opening night was Brooklyn, a beautiful movie with wonderful character development, excellent cinematography, a twist at the end as the audience sympathizes with the dilemma of the young Irish woman being torn to return to Brooklyn or pursue opportunities in her small home town.

 

Last night we saw the Paul Gross film " Hyena Road", an excellent flick and I was lucky enough to have just finished reading the story of Jody Mitic, a Canadian sniper, which complimented the movie beautifully and makes one understand how snipers can save troops live and respect their incredible skill and training.

Deborah and I remain very disciplined in staying true to our schedule as we have a season’s pass and have to deflect competing distractions.

The week has been a little busier than usual, entertaining some out of town golfers both from the UK and Australia.

The Canadian Seniors Golf Association arranged a fabulous tour for the Aussies, starting in Quebec (Royal Montreal, Beaconsfield, Mount Bruno), Toronto (Toronto Golf, Scarborough, Glen Abbey), Ottawa (Royal Ottawa, Ottawa Hunt), BC (Whistler, Chateau Whistler, Pemberton), Vancouver (Point Grey, Shaughnessy). I played with 3 very engaging men, Very solid players, and socially most interesting and interested. The reception after the game arranged by the Pope went off like clockwork.

 Our foursome, from left to right, Ross Bradfield(Barwon Heads GC),John Foulsham(Killara GC),yours truly,Bruce Wallis(Indooroopilly GC).

Their home courses are amongst the best in Australia, and their enthusiasm and skill reflected on their collective passion for the game. Always great to hang with the Aussies!

The Pope and the Butler surprised me with a presentation of a 65^th birthday present at the reception, unexpected, but much appreciated. I was able to tell the audience that coincidently I had received the notice of my first OAS cheque!

Something a little different, a mushroom with a seemingly mirror image:

Rantage: Ministry of Child and Families.

A tragic end to a young man’s life while under ministry care, as he jumped from a 4^thfloor hotel room that by Ministry policy he should never have been in. This adds to a long list of such incompetence within this ministry, the most recent high profile case in which a mother had her children removed and placed in the care of a pedophile husband. After years of legal battling in a David and Goliath setting, the court ordered the children released to their mother. This was never done and when caught out the ministry appealed the ruling. Naturally the buck stops with the minister but these 2 cases underline the fact that the inmates are running the asylum. Blatant contempt in the first case , misleading the court and arguably contempt of court In the second case total disregard of a very clear policy.

Not to diminish how hard these jobs are, but rules are rules, court orders are court orders. Heads need to role, the minister needs to persevere.

Election Update:

Please wait until next week’s polls, too much peeking skews your thinking.

To steal the Dauphin’s Father’s line “ The universe is unfolding as it should”

PMO

PMO: (Prime Minister Obsessive), staying on message, very disciplined, buoyed by recent budgetary reports showing surpluses.

The Pretender

The Pretender:(Tom Mulcair), the electorate is starting to get their calculators out, support in Quebec is weakening, in my view it was never that strong but based on Jack Layton’s energy. Quebec historically has been very strategic in seeking a say in the balance of power. The conservatives are actually making unexpected in roads in that province. Ontario will never support an NDP government, Rae days live forever.

The Dauphin

The Dauphin: Did very well in the French language debate, but these debates are watched by a handful of voters. Again the electorate is getting out their calculators, he cannot win the economic arguments he puts forward.

The Hugger

The Hugger: Not so gentle, it has been reported that she would condone violence as a means to a green agenda. Not a good week.

Take a look at the polls this Tuesday.