poverty

I have had the privilege of visiting various countries around the world. Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Burundi and on Sunday I am heading to India. One thing all of these countries have in common is there is unrelenting poverty while we North Americans continue to consume and increase in so many ways.

I think of this young boy often. I met him over a year ago for a few brief moments but his presence has marked me in a significant way. Because of poverty he is likely blind now. Because of poverty and it's claws he will likely not live a very long life. I'm sure this is the only shirt he ever wears and it will eventually fall apart around him.

Conversations at work often turn to poverty because I cannot keep my mouth shut when people complain in the midst of their wealth. To quote an old pastor of mine, "If you get to choose what you are going to wear each day, if you get to choose what you will eat, if you get to choose how you will spend your time, if you never worry about where you will lay your head, if you can find medicine to help with what ails you, you are wealthy beyond imagination." What will we do with that wealth in the midst of poverty that has taken hold of so many?

One way to help is to sponsor a child or organizations that help children. Over time I have had the privilege of seeing children I have sponsored come out of the cycle of poverty eventually attending university. Looking at pictures of 'my kids' over the years shows them growing and healthy. Although he or she is just one child among the millions, he or she is a child who will become an adult who hopefully changes the face of the nation they live in. Try sponsorship. It is worth every penny.

Here are a few links to take a look at:

child of mine

compassion

world vision

The Wrecking Crew and VIFF

This afternoon I went to see a Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) film called The Wrecking Crew. It is about approximately 20 musicians who transformed Rock 'n' Roll in the 50's, 60's and early 70's in L.A. Occasionally I found myself shaking my head at the sheer genius of some of these people. Tommy Tedesco is the inspiration for the film. His son, Denny, made the documentary to honour and remember his father. However one of the highlights of the movie is the one woman, Carol Kaye, who played some of the most incredible bass lines in history. She is quirky and brilliant. All of the musicians are inspirational. I sat in the theatre and thought, "I need to quit watching TV to practice piano and guitar and saxaphone ALL the time."

Kudos to my cousin, Alan Franey, President of VIFF. The Wrecking Crew was one of his recommendations. He organized an amazing festival this year. The theatre I was in this afternoon was chock a block full. 20 years ago the festival was practically nothing. Now it goes for 2 weeks showing films at 9 theatres. The festival is sponsored by Visa, Rogers, Telefilm Canada and The Vancouver Sun.

My cousin is many years older than me. I remember as a 6 or 7 year old being at my aunt and uncle's house and Alan would be in the basement watching films being played from an old projector onto a portable screen. I would go down there and watch some of those films with him mesmerized by the clicking sound of the projector. The most striking memory was a documentary on birth. Really, no 6 or 7 year old should watch an artsy film on birth with full on nakedness but I was not embarrassed or traumatized. I was fascinated. I think I asked him to let me watch it again. It's funny that the direction of someone's life is so clear when you look back. Alan was always meant to do what he's doing now. From watching and showing films in the basement of his parents house to watching around the world and showing in Vancouver. If you missed the festival this year, keep your eyes open for the festival next year. It is well worth it.

amusing political discovery

As passionate as I am about voting (see previous post) I do believe it's important to find some political things amusing. So it is with great pride that I announce that the Work Less Party's head office is about a 15 minute walk from my house. It's on Commercial Drive. Really, could it be anywhere else?

voting

Yesterday at work some people from Elections Canada went around the hospital and asked patients whether or not they would like to vote. First, I am very impressed that Elections Canada does this. The right to vote is taken very seriously by our fabulous country. Second, I cannot believe anyone would say 'no' but they did. Do these people not understand what a privilege it is to vote? Do they not get that they actually do make a difference with their one 'x'? Having met many people who come from countries where they line up for days to exercise this right, it frustrates me to no end that there are people I know who don't take this seriously. Please, if you are a functional adult who cares about what happens in our country, whether it be health care or the economy or stewardship of the environment, VOTE. It's amazing that your opinion matters and it does. Besides, if you don't vote, you can't complain. That's what my Grade 9 social studies teacher said and I've never forgotten it. If you don't know where to vote go to this website and it'll help you out.

http://www.elections.ca/home.asp

parking karma

I don't really like the word 'karma' but I can't think of another word that works. I mean I honestly have UNBELIEVABLE parking karma which is very valuable in Vancouver as parking tends to be difficult to come by. Or at least it can be very expensive. Take today for example. (Note it is only 11:15). This morning I go to my workplace to interview for a new job. I arrive in the general vicinity with about 7 minutes to spare. As I drive along I pray out loud, "oh please let there be a parking spot" as hospital zones tend to be a little busy. Sure enough there is an open metred spot right outside the door I need to go in. I park, dig out my wallet and go to the metre to discover there is still 1 hour and 7 minutes of parking left on this metre. AMAZING! Then I go pick something up from our church office. Parking spot right outside the door. This continues as I stop to do various errands this morning. Parking karma I tell you. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!