The last two weeks, because my sore back prevented me from doing most of my normal must confess I like the experienced old man role who is on occasion allowed to.pontifciate on the history of his world.. ......talked about history of cnr and the destruction of a nationalized railroad system. Just in time delivery system.things, were boring. I had neither the capacity nor the energy to do very much. My mind, once I stopped taking the drugs, was reasonably alert but 10 minutes of walking around the house exhausted me. So I sat and watched TV and I read the news on my tablet far more than I would have normally done. Every once in awhile almost without any conscious thought on my part, different stories became connected.
For example Michael Enright from the CBC's radio program Sunday Morning was talking to a guest about the state of the media in Canada. As part of that discussion Enright presented a number of statistics that suggested that members of the media were demoralized, that they feel over worked, that they felt forced to do jobs that were not part of their job description, that they were under appreciated and that there is less a sense of job security than ever before. While I can't remember the actual percentages, (as I am writing this on the train I can't do what I would normally do - go on line and look up the report and give the actual numbers) in every category over half of the individuals felt that their profession was at risk and that the public did not understand their value to the community.
A few days later I was watching some program on TV - perhaps the Agenda on TVO and there was a discussion on the state of education and of teachers in particular. It struck me that in all of the categories mentioned above for the media, teachers, in about the same percentages felt about the same way. That is over half of them felt devalued, that they had to do jobs that were not part of the job description etc. I suspect that if I looked for a survey of social workers, civil servants or a whole range of professionals who work indirectly either for the government and/or work for the public good, I would find similar statistics.
It seems to me that this trend (if it is a new trend) is something that needs to be considered not on a case (profession) by case basis but rather as a phenomena across a large spectrum of society. Why are professionals who serve the public good feeling devalued? Do we value them less, are our expectations changing, are we jealous of these groups at least in part because they are the last of the white collar workers who are unionized. Or is it because in our great rush to make all peoples equal, we have forgotten that in some situations, some people, for at least brief periods of time are more important than others.
For example while I can write all of the blogs I want, and in some case 50-60 people may read one of them, that does not make me a reporter. While I can (and will) make a few comments on passengers on this train and perhaps the state of rail service in Canada, no one should ever assume that it is a in depth detailed examination of the state of all rail traffic in Canada. My comments may be interesting to a few, but they are not an unbiased and through examination of the issues. A professional reporter who knows how to write, has to demonstrate that his facts could be validated and who is supported by a professional editing team is for at least a brief moment in time, more important than me in this particular issue. My comments may be valid, they are not news.
Similarly while a teacher should never assume that they have the right to control information (including being the final determinators of right and wrong morally or academically) there are clearly large tracts of time when they know more ( or at least one hopes they do) than do their students. There are times when their education and experience makes them more important (not better) than me. Why do we seem to resent that?
There is a price that we, as society, need to pay to have experts. Part of that price is money. If we expect people to stand up and to provide opinions and knowledge that they have earned (please note I am not talking about people who just parrot back what their masters tell them to say) then we need to reward those people. But I don't think it is all about money - I think it is about valuing people for what they give society as a whole; I think it is about recognizing that civil leadership is a valued occupation and that both the practitioners and the recipients of those occupations need to recognize what is added to society when it is done well.
If teachers and reporters and social workers and civil servants want to feel better about their professions, than they will need to find ways about talking about what they do, and why it is important without whining about how unfair the system is (I have never heard a teacher discuss their profession without complaining about their bosses or the hours of work etc. etc.) And we the citizens who use those professions will need to accept that sometimes, just sometimes we are not all equal in skills or contributions.
And at least in a social democracy - that is ok. In a social democracy we give what we can and we take what we need.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
On the Road Again 2014 #1
"Sitting in a railroad station, got a ticket for my destination ".
How many times have I heard or sung those words - how many times have I sat in a train station (or bus station) just waiting for the train or the bus to arrive? Yet here I am once again, in the Sudbury Junction train station with a few other folks waiting for the train. The train that predictably is once again late. But I am not complaining....it is train travel in Canada and the trains, if they were on time something would feel wrong. What is nice about today is that the four or five about-to-be-passengers waiting for the train are all chatty. Those of us who are use to the train being late shared stories with those who were surprised at the reality. The guy working the station was very friendly and happy to throw in his two cents worth. Considering it was before 5:00 AM when we started to gather, we were all in a surprisingly good mood. The train was an hour and forty-five minutes late and then twenty minutes at the next station (Capreo) we had to wait another 15 minutes.
The person this morning who was the happiest was my daughter. As usual she had gotten up early to drive me to the train station. But this time she was not sending me off on the train knowing that 24 hours later I would be hitching - lost some where on the great Canadian plains. This year I would be safe all the way to the west coast. She would be much happier if I always travelled this way. I forget how she worries about me and I am grateful for her concern.
As I was driving up to Sudbury yesterday I was listening to On the Road by Kerorac. Within the first chapter or two he tells of a crazy ride on the back of a flat bed. His story reminded me of one of my rides some where just north of Sudbury. It was raining and I was not having a lot of luck getting a ride. Then a 3/4 ton flat bed stopped. There was no room for me inside but on the flat bed here was a van bench seat bolted to the floor. I buckled the seats belt and off we went. My hair was whipped around and I must have looked a crazy man. But it was a great ride and I laughed all of the way.
Reading Kerorc not only gets me mood to hitchhike (although I am a much better hitchhiker than he was) but also makes me want to write. I dream of being able to write as well as he did.
In spite of my disappointment of being on the train for the next three and a half days, in spite of the fact that I know I will arrive in Vancouver feeling as if I missed something - I am happy to be on my way
How many times have I heard or sung those words - how many times have I sat in a train station (or bus station) just waiting for the train or the bus to arrive? Yet here I am once again, in the Sudbury Junction train station with a few other folks waiting for the train. The train that predictably is once again late. But I am not complaining....it is train travel in Canada and the trains, if they were on time something would feel wrong. What is nice about today is that the four or five about-to-be-passengers waiting for the train are all chatty. Those of us who are use to the train being late shared stories with those who were surprised at the reality. The guy working the station was very friendly and happy to throw in his two cents worth. Considering it was before 5:00 AM when we started to gather, we were all in a surprisingly good mood. The train was an hour and forty-five minutes late and then twenty minutes at the next station (Capreo) we had to wait another 15 minutes.
The person this morning who was the happiest was my daughter. As usual she had gotten up early to drive me to the train station. But this time she was not sending me off on the train knowing that 24 hours later I would be hitching - lost some where on the great Canadian plains. This year I would be safe all the way to the west coast. She would be much happier if I always travelled this way. I forget how she worries about me and I am grateful for her concern.
As I was driving up to Sudbury yesterday I was listening to On the Road by Kerorac. Within the first chapter or two he tells of a crazy ride on the back of a flat bed. His story reminded me of one of my rides some where just north of Sudbury. It was raining and I was not having a lot of luck getting a ride. Then a 3/4 ton flat bed stopped. There was no room for me inside but on the flat bed here was a van bench seat bolted to the floor. I buckled the seats belt and off we went. My hair was whipped around and I must have looked a crazy man. But it was a great ride and I laughed all of the way.
Reading Kerorc not only gets me mood to hitchhike (although I am a much better hitchhiker than he was) but also makes me want to write. I dream of being able to write as well as he did.
In spite of my disappointment of being on the train for the next three and a half days, in spite of the fact that I know I will arrive in Vancouver feeling as if I missed something - I am happy to be on my way
On the Road Again 2014 # 4
Thursday afternoon - somewhere west of Winnipeg. We had two hours in Winnipeg which just enough time to have a really nice filling breakfast at The Forks - a delightful collection of food sellers, souvenirs stores all just a few minutes away from the train station. I think the Forks, especially in the evening is a culture centre for parts of Winnipeg. It is certainly a place I would hang out if I lived anywhere near that area.I also bought three sandwiches from an vegetarian bakery. They should get me through until tomorrow. On a side note while there was wifi in the train station, it was not exactly high speed and I did not get as much done as I would have liked. It is quite a beautiful old building undergoing renovations. It is also where new Canadians swear allegiance. Got chance to see some folks leave that part of the building carrying little Canadian flags. Once I got back on the train I realized that I could have/should have shaken their hands. I admire immigrants so much.
The train is really full. People who last night had four seats to them selves are now sitting with someone else. In fact I am one of the few people who is sitting alone. As usual there are some real advantages of looking hairy. While part of me would not mind the company, it is nice to be able to shift my bum around so that I don't get stiff staying in one position for too long
Normally I do much of my typing in the Dome car. It not only has a great view of the lakes and the fields as the train rolls pass, but the the seat and fold down table are just at the perfect height to type. The fold down table also does not move around or vibrate as much as the one that drops down from the seat in front of me. I can sit in the Dome car for a few hours, do a bit of typing and join in on the conversations around me. I must confess I like playing the experienced old man role. I get to pontifciate on various topics, just for a little bit. Last night we spent a fair amount of time talking about the history of the CNR and the destruction of the nationalized railroad system which of course lead to talking about trucking and the just-in-time delivery system. There are a handful of very bright, interesting young folks who hang out in the dome car. When they are talking amongst themselves, their language is polite and kind. By that I mean there is no swearing nor is there any sense of bragging or being competitive. It is quite a pleasure to hear them talk amongst themselves and for them to graciously allow me to briefly join their conversation.
One of the young guys who is about 24 has just started his own business. He for years attended a camp, then became a counsellor and is now taking his wilderness skills and teaching them to school age kids within the school board. He has a passion and has figured out how to make money at it. Good for him.
There was another young man hanging around the dome car who was not nearly as social skilled. He was perhaps two years younger than the others and was loud and brassy and did not know how to participate in a conversation. His bragging and his attempts to dominate the conversation were both irritating and embarrassing. The other folks were far kinder to him than I suspect I would have been at their age. At various Gatherings I have seen many like him, young people who are struggling to fit in and who have not had the opportunity to learn how to be part of a discussion; to be part of something without having to compete for dominance. I sometimes wonder if this inability to participate as an equal or perhaps not believing that they can be an equal is at least part of the reason that the world is in such a sad state.
I am not in the Dome car right now mainly because I can see how many people especially the young people are not sitting in this car...I assume they are all in the Dome car and that there would not be a lot of room for me. Perhaps later.
Maybe it is time for another nap.
The train is really full. People who last night had four seats to them selves are now sitting with someone else. In fact I am one of the few people who is sitting alone. As usual there are some real advantages of looking hairy. While part of me would not mind the company, it is nice to be able to shift my bum around so that I don't get stiff staying in one position for too long
Normally I do much of my typing in the Dome car. It not only has a great view of the lakes and the fields as the train rolls pass, but the the seat and fold down table are just at the perfect height to type. The fold down table also does not move around or vibrate as much as the one that drops down from the seat in front of me. I can sit in the Dome car for a few hours, do a bit of typing and join in on the conversations around me. I must confess I like playing the experienced old man role. I get to pontifciate on various topics, just for a little bit. Last night we spent a fair amount of time talking about the history of the CNR and the destruction of the nationalized railroad system which of course lead to talking about trucking and the just-in-time delivery system. There are a handful of very bright, interesting young folks who hang out in the dome car. When they are talking amongst themselves, their language is polite and kind. By that I mean there is no swearing nor is there any sense of bragging or being competitive. It is quite a pleasure to hear them talk amongst themselves and for them to graciously allow me to briefly join their conversation.
One of the young guys who is about 24 has just started his own business. He for years attended a camp, then became a counsellor and is now taking his wilderness skills and teaching them to school age kids within the school board. He has a passion and has figured out how to make money at it. Good for him.
There was another young man hanging around the dome car who was not nearly as social skilled. He was perhaps two years younger than the others and was loud and brassy and did not know how to participate in a conversation. His bragging and his attempts to dominate the conversation were both irritating and embarrassing. The other folks were far kinder to him than I suspect I would have been at their age. At various Gatherings I have seen many like him, young people who are struggling to fit in and who have not had the opportunity to learn how to be part of a discussion; to be part of something without having to compete for dominance. I sometimes wonder if this inability to participate as an equal or perhaps not believing that they can be an equal is at least part of the reason that the world is in such a sad state.
I am not in the Dome car right now mainly because I can see how many people especially the young people are not sitting in this car...I assume they are all in the Dome car and that there would not be a lot of room for me. Perhaps later.
Maybe it is time for another nap.
On the Road Again 2014 #3
Just about three hours late getting to Hornepayne and then only a fifteen minute stop there. I think people may be a bit grumpy. It has been a long day. Hornepayne now has wifi!!!! I wish I had realized that - would have sent a blog off.
The VIA staff are still doing their best to entertain us. Just a few minutes before we got to Hornpayne they, over the PA mentioned that it would be a very brief stop and that folks who decided to go up to the store should remember that if they didn't get back on this train - that there was another one in two days time! That was enough to keep me close to the train.
Children are also getting a bit cranky - while they can play in the aisle and there are at least two boys of a similar age who can play together - there is still not much for them to do. I am sure that it is all very boring for them, as well as challenging for the moms (almost never do dads seem to travel alone with their kids) . I have spent much of the day snoozing, trying to find a position where my tailbone does not hurt. I have been generally less than successful at finding that magical spot.
A bit about technology - I am using my new Asus 7" memopad tablet and a bluetooth Anker mini keyboard. Both are working well and I suspect for the first time since traveling with a tablet that I will be able to keep up with my travels. The Memopad has a pretty decent battery life and the keyboard while it is missing a few keys that a full size one has, generally it has a nice feel and all of the functions that I need.
Now if I only had something pithy to say.
The VIA staff are still doing their best to entertain us. Just a few minutes before we got to Hornpayne they, over the PA mentioned that it would be a very brief stop and that folks who decided to go up to the store should remember that if they didn't get back on this train - that there was another one in two days time! That was enough to keep me close to the train.
Children are also getting a bit cranky - while they can play in the aisle and there are at least two boys of a similar age who can play together - there is still not much for them to do. I am sure that it is all very boring for them, as well as challenging for the moms (almost never do dads seem to travel alone with their kids) . I have spent much of the day snoozing, trying to find a position where my tailbone does not hurt. I have been generally less than successful at finding that magical spot.
A bit about technology - I am using my new Asus 7" memopad tablet and a bluetooth Anker mini keyboard. Both are working well and I suspect for the first time since traveling with a tablet that I will be able to keep up with my travels. The Memopad has a pretty decent battery life and the keyboard while it is missing a few keys that a full size one has, generally it has a nice feel and all of the functions that I need.
Now if I only had something pithy to say.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
On the Road again 2014 #2
It is going to be an interesting ride.... one because the train crew are working fairly hard at sharing information..... just now, over the PA system a big deal was made of us going through Gogama, which truth be told is a rather small village on the shores of a nice lake, but unless one does a lot of fishing or lives here, there is really not too much to see. The train crew have also made announcements about things one can do in Winnipeg tomorrow. Which quite frankly may be a bit of wishful thinking as it feels as if we are spending more time sitting on side tracks waiting for a southward freight to pass us than moving forward. At the rate we are going I wonder if there is going to be much free time in Winnipeg.
The "station master" (for lack of a better description) at Sudbury Junction told me that the trains have been late a lot this year and it causes real problems for the train staff. Winnipeg is their home base - it is where they live. When they get into Toronto they have rooms they can use to shower and get some sleep and then after a day off they turn around and work the train back to Winnipeg. But if the train is late getting into Toronto, then those workers have less time to sleep and rebuild themselves. It makes their good humour all the more remarkable.
The other reason why this might be an interesting trip is that there are lots of children onboard. In my car there is a mom with two kids under three going right across the country to a least Edmonton; there is also mom, dad, grandma and eight year old boy who are either Indian or Pakistani as well as at least three other families of young kids. While it does make it all a bit noisy at times it does keep the aisles active.
The third reason why it is going to be a interesting is that because I am on for the duration of the trip across Canada - there is more reason for me to work a bit at being friendly. when I am only on for 24 hours it sometimes feels as if I am an outsider. But this time - I belong here. It is fun.
The "station master" (for lack of a better description) at Sudbury Junction told me that the trains have been late a lot this year and it causes real problems for the train staff. Winnipeg is their home base - it is where they live. When they get into Toronto they have rooms they can use to shower and get some sleep and then after a day off they turn around and work the train back to Winnipeg. But if the train is late getting into Toronto, then those workers have less time to sleep and rebuild themselves. It makes their good humour all the more remarkable.
The other reason why this might be an interesting trip is that there are lots of children onboard. In my car there is a mom with two kids under three going right across the country to a least Edmonton; there is also mom, dad, grandma and eight year old boy who are either Indian or Pakistani as well as at least three other families of young kids. While it does make it all a bit noisy at times it does keep the aisles active.
The third reason why it is going to be a interesting is that because I am on for the duration of the trip across Canada - there is more reason for me to work a bit at being friendly. when I am only on for 24 hours it sometimes feels as if I am an outsider. But this time - I belong here. It is fun.
Monday, June 23, 2014
mastercard
The day before I leave on a trip should be a bit crazy perhaps as I run around and get all of the things done that need to be done. On a good year the house is relatively clean, the weaving room especially is all ready for when I return, the floors are swept and the kitchen and bathroom are clean. Not this year. My back injury certainly has slowed me down ( as has the medication) but I have spent far too much energy dealing with my missing Mastercard.
When my wallet was lost by the ambulance service, the first thing that I did was to call the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and report it missing. I was informed that I would get a new card within 5-7 days. It has now been 13 days since I made the call. I still do not have a new card.
There are a few problems in not having a card. One is that I pay my auto and house insurance monthly through my credit card. I have twice called the insurance company to say that there is a problem with getting my new number. Beliar have been very gracious. The second problem is that it is very difficult to travel without a credit card . One can't reserve or get a hotel, motel, or hostel room without a card nor can one rent a car.
When I explained this to the nice folks at Mastercard both on Friday and today all I got was - "we said it might take ten working days - and it has not been that long - there is nothing that we can do" . While they know my new number they can't give it to me. When I mentioned that I might have to cancel my trip because I could not leave my house uninsured..... their only response was that I should wait and see if it came tomorrow (in spite of the fact that I had said that I was leaving tomorrow). Their only other solution was to cancel the card that was in the mail and courier out a new one to me...which would cost $25.00 and could not get here until Wednesday. I could not get them to explain to me how that would be a solution to anything.
Finally after asking to speak to a manager who was of no help in getting me a card ( I even offered to drive down and get it) it was suggested that it was not Mastercard's responsibility as to whether or not Canada Post did its job well or not and that even if it never got here , all that they would do is to issue me a new one and then I would have to wait another ten days. It is interesting to note that the reason why I could not go and get one is that it apparently is a complicated business to make and test a new credit card....... funny I don't think criminals have a hard time doing it nor does the bank when they charge extra for it.
What a crappy service. While I have arranged to pay Belair in a different fashion ( which was, to be fair, in part the manager's suggestion), the issue of getting a card remains unresolved. I suggested that they send a duplicate card out to my son in Duncan..... nope that is not allowed. I could have a new one couriered out there -at a cost of $25.00, in fact every suggestion I made was responded to by - "you are not listening - there is nothing we can do at this point because we warned you it would take up to ten days". The mention that I live two hours from Toronto was of course irrelevant. The bottom line is that it did not get mailed out in good time and no one will admit to that. It is enough to make one scream.
This is the second time in six or so weeks that BMO or companies that it is partnered with have make my life difficult..... after 35+ years of being with BMO - I think it is time for a change.
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