1. Connectivity: We leaped into the 231st Century in January when an entreprising technology company from Trois Rivieres completed installation of the 85 household highspeed network in our little corner of rural Québec – I spent much of that month working in my pajamas. Here in India on the road we are blessed with an AIRTEL data modem that brings us internet over the cell network – less than 20 bucks a month Canadian for all you can eat at dialup speed – heh there are ways to make that faster .
It is a cute little piece of technology that blends right in with the placemats.
2. Intellectual stimulation: Each of us has our own hallelulah here. Suffice to say that I have been able to research Alice Munro interviews for a struggling piece of theatre, and sit back and relax with some of the very best on-line journalism. Today I recommend that you check out the Sidney Awards from David Brooks (honouring the philospher Sidney Hooks).
3. Chatting: This is my opportunity to pay tribute to my two favourite chatters. Firstly Wahl - who lives on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia so he has all the news three hours later than i do. When I lived in Kabul he kindly joined me on-line for Canucks playoff hockey. Wahl puts his technical genius to work to bail me out from time to time – most recently he recovered my ten year collection of online poetry. The following sample – inspired by a dharma class in Dharamsala in 1985 – is meant to remind us all to get practical about giving ...
Practice
Get used to letting go.
Practice by giving from one hand to the other
without hesitation
My second favourite chatter is my daughter Lex. We don’t talk as often as I would like – so why not Peter? But when she comes on line there is from the heart wondering about the world and food news and Toronto culture tidbits and ... well ... daughterly warmth. It has always been that way - the following poem describes my perspective way back in summer 2000
No spaghetti with the tigers (You left me with a nice farewell boarding the train in Québec City for Toronto … )
I miss your spaghetti
After a few days without any -
And of course I miss you.
Let’s jump in the car
To hunt junk food afar -
And a tiger or two.
When we get home
You’ll take off alone -
And I’ll miss you anew.
Thanks to you - Wahl and Lex. And everyone else who has stayed connected and been generous with their support and advice this challenging year.
Merry Xmas
