Category — Politics

English countryside 2009

I’ve been thinking a lot in the middle of the night, in between the sheets of waking baby…

I have been thinking a great deal about life as story.

Each of our lives follows a narrative arc. Much of life can feel like one-offs. Like ‘why did THAT happen?’ But our lives are telling a story.

Take Jesus for example. Jesus was born as a baby. A little, fragile, pooping baby. He grew up in the family home, the family trade. He was a normal kid (except, of course, he was God.) He went to the temple in his teenage years and wowed the religious folk with his incredible knowledge of Scripture and inordinate wisdom. He did other stuff, but it probably all seemed random. He built a table with his dad, Joseph. He talked with his mom, Mary. He visited the neighbours. He went fishing. And then, when he was in his 30s, he started doing this crazy stuff like calling people to follow him. His ministry began. He healed people, cast out demons, taught a new kind of way — a way where all are equal under God, a way where compassion and love (not religiosity) win, a way where the weak are strong, the first last, the poor rich. And we all know the great ending…

Jesus’ life has an arc, a story line, and it still continues…

So will ours. 

I often look back at my life thus far and scratch my head. Why did that happen? Why did I date him? Why did that relationship end?  How come that career trajectory came to a sudden end?  Why’d I get involved in politics? Why’d I work for a Christian ministry? 

I look ahead and the question marks continue to lay like dominos. Where am I going? How will this all end up? Will I ever end up writing for audiences bigger than this blog, bigger than small periodicals? Will my voice matter? Will I have an impact on people’s lives, bigger than my immediate circle of family and friends?Will I be a good mother, wife, friend? Will I ever make something of myself in public life?

I am beginning to connect the dots, the positive dots. The good things that have happened. The steps I’ve taken. The path of rocks God has laid across the pond of my life. There is an arc to my story. There is a plan, there is a point, I am going somewhere.

Yes we are. We all are.

Warning: this post may will include partisan overtures.

 IGGY IS IN, and Rae is out for the leadership of the Liberal Party and it’s the best news I’ve heard all week.

In the fall of 2006 Michael and I travelled to Montreal to support Ignatieff at the 2006 Biennial Leadership Convention. Here we witnessed Dion’s unexpected win and Ignatieff’s gracious concession (even though he’d led in the race in all but the last vote.) The juxtaposition of Ignatieff’s concession and Dion’s befuddled acceptance speech revealed what promised to be a difficult road for the Canadian Reds.  

….

Here’s my original post from December 2, 2006:

tous ensemble .

many people have been sending me their regrets because michael ignatieff, my candidate at the 2006 biennial convention , lost the liberal leadership race. to be honest the melancholy didn’t kick-in until after going home saturday night and watching three hours of convention news coverage. watching ignatieff’s speeches again made me feel deep regret, that canadians were missing out on the leadership of one of the most passionate, inspiring and intelligent minds of our day.

* watch ignatieff’s candidate speech here.

in the words of my friend sarah , fellow liberal and soon-to-be new roommate: “this is not to say I am disappointed with dion. i am disappointed ignatieff lost. here is a man who had the charisma to inspire a nation , who is a fresh face in the Liberal party who itself is renewing, who has bold ideas and vision and is more than skilled in both official languages. dion just does not have the same presence.” (read her blog here ) 

dion and ignatieff’s shared commitment to the environment (dion is the former minister of environment and iggy’s policy on the environment, committing to lower emissions by 50% of 1990 levels by 2050, was unparallelled;) their history of academic acheivement (both are former professors, ignatieff teaching at cambridge, oxford, the london school of economics, and most recently harvard); as well as their desire to see canada lead as a middle-power on the international stage, brought them to the final ballot on saturday night.

in the end experience won out.  

the press may have been reporting that it was a done deal (in dion’s favour) but on the convention floor, at montreal’s palais de congres, no one knew which way it would go. delegates were scrambling, signs were swaying, buttons were flashing, people were texting…  it was madness and all 6000 delegates plus staffers and journalists, were holding their breath.

when the results were announced the green-clad dion camp went wild while us iggy-kids were left straining to hear how close the final vote had been. not by much, but dion had done it.

stephane dion has years of political experience, a man of integrity and a faithful public servant. he is a tried and tested member of parliament who has contended for canadian unity year after year. the election of this soft-spoken francophone was a definite surprise but i must concede, a good choice for canadians. dion will continue to gain the trust of canadians the nation over and will prove himself to be what he is: a man of integrity, conviction, intelligence and humility.

speaking of dion’s win, ignatieff himself said: “we have chosen a great leader. we have chosen a man of principles, a man with a vision, a man with courage, a man with conviction. and he will have my support.”

“tous ensemble… all together.”

here’s to fair, grass-roots, democratic politics.  i am glad to have been a part.

…….

Today you’ll find me smiling. 

Go Iggy Go!

BUY NOTHING DAY 2008
Friday, November 28 (North America)
Saturday, November 29 (International)

From our friends at Adbusters:

As we run out of money, resources and wilderness, and the planet keeps heating up, maybe it’s time to confront the root cause of our global crisis: overconsumption by the most affluent one billion people of the world. On November 28 why not confront your own consumption by going on a consumer fast for 24 hours? Like the millions of people who have done this fast before you, you may be rewarded with a life-changing epiphany. If you’re already an experienced Buy Nothing Day celebrant, check out the action pyramid at http://adbusters.org/bnd and take the BND message to the streets.

For more Buy Nothing Day ideas and a link to the events wiki, go to: http://adbusters.org/bnd

It’s been a busy week helping Michael prepare his entry for the CBC’s Next Great Prime Minister Contest.

His video entry is now up on the CBC website. Please check out his platform and, if you think he’s got what it takes, please comment on his video. The more comments and more *stars (5 is best) the more votes he gets.

Comments must be made on the CBC website. Here’s the link: www.cbc.ca/nextprimeminister/candidates/michaelcrook.html

You may be wondering what’s up for grabs? $50,000, the title, of course, and some amazing internships.

Thank you Everyone! And thanks to everyone who has already commented. With your help Michael has a real chance of winning this thing!

The poll numbers are in, and the first Crook has done it!

My father-in-law was just elected to the Mackenzie District Council.

Congratulations Dad. We’re so proud of you!

This Sunday my brother James and his wife Jocelyn came to visit. Michael and I spent the morning prepping for brunch and enjoying a brisk walk around Killarney Lake before picking J&J up from the ferry. While Michael and I cooked up bacon, omelets, bagels and a bodum of coffee, they explored the property. James loved the mini-orchard complete with leaning ladders, the stone fireplace, wooden bridge, brushed stainless and rough counter tops of the Cowper kitchen — a chef’s dream, he said.

After brunch we played Settlers and then went in search of Sicilian donkeys (!!) claimed to be raised at the farm up the road. We found some stray cats, but no donkeys.

Later James whipped us up a pot of butternut squash soup, flank steak, baked squash and risotto — topping it all off with home-canned peaches and vanilla ice cream. Oh the blessing of a brother/chef. ;)

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Jesse Fin Groot.

Yesterday I decided to cut out early, take advantage of the gorgeous Fall weather and my proximity to Whistler, and sped up the bumpy Sea-to-Sky to spend the afternoon with my adorable nephews, Jesse and Reuben. We picked out (what turned out to be a baking) pumpkin and played in the park while mom and dad got a mini-break.

I just adore my nephews. They are growing up far too fast.

Jesse, Reuben, and my big brother Mike.

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In other news,

• I may have landed a gig live-blogging for the JUNOS in Vancouver, March 26-29.
• And Michael is considering the Next Great Prime Ministership. Send him encouragement here.

To view the complete album click here.

We’re home from Ottawa. It’s been less than 24 hours and I’m ready for a return trip. This freezing rain is killing me.

More photos coming soon.

Michael is still in bed. I’m in my pajamas. We were up until 2 AM watching election results with friend, and fellow politico, John Voortman.

My question: was it worth it?

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I’m off to spend the afternoon reading Andy Crouch’s “Culture Making” with John at Bridgehead. It’s required reading for the two-day To Change the World Summit that starts tonight. Oh, and it’s sunny in Ottawa. Nice.

With beer.

We landed in Ottawa an hour ago. Just settled in at the Chateau Laurier (compliments of the WRF!) and we’re off for brew at Darcey Magees, a prototypical political pub a few steps from Parliament Hill, to watch the election results trickle in. With over 1/3 of Canadians undecided as of this morning, it’s anyone’s game.

Check out my better half’s seat projection. Here’s hoping he’s wrong.