Portland and Election Commentary

Dr. Hugh Tildesley

 Status Update: I am holding my own: weight, energy level and appetite are close to normal. Weight maintenance requires 4 times insulin daily in varying amounts according to dexamethasome dosages and at least 3,000 calories. The muscle mass is reappearing even without any special workouts, mathematically my body is seeking unity.Two games recently in the 80's, a critical sign.

 More poison next week, this will be my 8^th therapy and a CT will follow to objectively assess response.

Tesla titillations:

I trick myself with things to look forward to. The car clearly needed to make a substantial trip to assess the viability of long distance travel. 

Ginn enjoyed her first trip in the car with an unforseen side effect

 Accelerated aging unique to Australian Labradoodles exposed to Tesla G forces

Ginn Before her ride

We journeyed first to Seattle; Deborah is a closet baseball fan. We stayed at the Mayflower, a few blocks from the Public Market and convenient shopping. We took public transit to Safeco field, 4 stops, all underground, the tunnel uses both trains and buses, it all seems to work. The trains are clean and certainly up to European standards. The walk to field is a bit of a maze, once in the stadium, one cannot help but be impressed. 

Our view of the field

In the outfield stands there are convenient food outlets with seating and numerous food choices, it is the only place where liquor is served. The walk to our seats, 16 rows behind home plate revealed wide walking areas and the usual fare of stadium food choices, beer but no liquor. One quickly understands the US tendency to obesity; throughout the game the traffic to these venders was non-stop.

The program was the most unusual magazine I have ever read at a home game. The criticism of the team and some of its highly paid stars was unrelenting. At one level refreshing, if you are paid $ 24 million annually, you better be hitting, the writers took no prisoners. Predicting a managerial change, trades, non-renewal of contracts etc. I would hate to be on the receiving end of these comments.

The game had everything. Home runs, bean balls, runners hit on the head by a catcher’s pick off play, another pick off at first base over-ruled by video replay, wild pitches by the Angels which led to a myriad of Mariner runs, errors that were at a training camp level by both teams. The home team prevailed, 10-1, the fans were happy, we naturally took credit for bringing them a change in luck.

The Deluxe Lobby

The next day, after a leisurely breakfast we made our way to Portland, there was a supercharger in Centralia and we stopped for about 40 minutes. We checked in to the Hotel Deluxe, their garage was equipped with a Tesla charger (210 volts), very convenient. The theme of the hotel is old Hollywood, each floor as a theme, the lobby has vintage scenes as pictured here which change every 12 minutes.

Mucca Osteria

We dined at Mucca, our favourite Italian restaurant and caught up with Genevieve Metson, a post PhD student studying at the University. She is the niece of close friends Anne Marie and Jeff Rushen and we have known her since birth. A source of great pride and highly accomplished at age 27. As usual I was able to give unsolicited career advice of questionable usefulness. Diner did not disappoint and we closed the joint.

Liam Kent with doting relatives

The next day was shopping in the am, and a visit to George Fox University where Deb’s nephew is on a baseball scholarship. A small school, which looks like a great fit for this fine young man. He is training and studying hard. We had a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant followed by a tour of the campus. 

For trivia buffs, J. Edgar Hoover was born on campus and is a graduate. His family home still standing and part of the University.

The next day was the trip home, this time with no stops other than for electrons. The night previous, Elon decided to download to my car a new software update. This was quite handy as it told me precisely how much power I needed. I had been too cautious and was wasting too much time charging needlessly. The total driving time home was 7.5 hours, including stops. I estimated this to be 90 minutes longer than usual. Gas cost I estimated to be $150.00, Elon paid my electric bill.This photo shows a back passengers view of the stuff on the console. I think I drive more safely ( accident stats seem to back that up), Deborah is uneasy with how much the computer is doing the driving.

Happy Birthday Deborah

September 18 was Deb’s birthday, low key with dinner at home with Donovan. We will go out for a dual celebration next week, as I celebrate mine on September 28.

Election Observations and Predictions: My comments in this piece will be controversial and I hazard few will be in agreement.

A few definitions, and assumptions:

The polls are not to be believed. They are done superficially, and too frequently. It is well known that the results of polls influence future polls but not necessarily the final results. Canadian pollsters have had an abysmal record over the last 3 years, eg BC,ON,AB. These polls may be accurate regarding public opinion, but many who have answered do not vote! To get the right answer one needs to measure what a voter feels.

Secondly, and this is my assumption, new governments are formed based on anger towards the incumbents, their election is rarely related to new policies. (Alberta is the striking example here).

Thirdly, say what you will whether you like a particular leader, the election is won riding by riding and here the committed vote is key.

Some nicknames:

PMO

Mr. Harper: PMO- Prime Minister Obsessive. If he walked into my office that would be the diagnosis based on his hair. A personality that perseverates on details. (He would never have blood on his logbook if he had diabetes and there would rarely be a missed reading).

The Pretender

Mr. Mulclair: The Pretender.

A staunch Canadian, he also has French citizenship.

His major success has been political; he sure can get elected by whatever stripe, Liberal in Quebec from 1994-2006. He resigned rather than to be demoted (? Team player). His claims as a senior administrator in his CV may be true but were short lived.

He courted all 3 parties before landing with the NDP; given his malleability he would be a fit for any of them. Given his unbridled ambition rest assured this was his best choice in order to be a party leader.

The Dauphin

Mr. Trudeau: The Dauphin

A term used for the eldest son of the king of France (1349-1850), i.e. heir apparent but with no power.

He is the eldest son of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and is trying to regain his father's throne.

The Hugger

Elizabeth May: The Hugger

She hugs trees, fish, whales, and college kids, anything but business.

My Take:

The long campaign is not bad. Although designed to bankrupt the opposition an unintended consequence has been it has turned into a multitude of issues. I think this is a good thing. The voters will decide whether Duffy, Syrians, pipelines, create enough anger to roll the dice for an alternate government.

My opinion is that we have had good governance. I do not trust the Pretender, the Dauphin has maximized his name and hair recognition and the Hugger at 4% can be hugged with impunity.

When voters go into the polling booth, one hand is on the marking pencil, the other on their wallets.

At this juncture an important fact is the conservative base is solid and non migratory, the same cannot be said for the other parties.

The Conservatives will remain in power with a narrow majority.

The Arts Report: I have a seasons pass to the Vancouver International Film Festival and so recommendations will follow.

Rantage: During Mayor Robertson’s tenure we Vancouverites have paid out over 1 million dollars in severance to city managers. 

Sheila Rogers was dismissed without cause, ok, new administration, new management. Then Moonbeam hand picks Penny Ballem, no city managerial experience, paid greater than $300,000 per anum, a sum more than the premier of the province. (PMO earns about $390,000. Can). Is this reasonable? Her contract was open ended with an automatic 20-month payout no matter what the reason for her departure. Outrageous! Moonbeam claims to have been too busy to read her contract. Obviously there was legal and senior management advice. They have earned their dismissal… with cause (no eligibility for severance!)

Until next time..