Black Cat Blues: Friday, December 13th

What is morally wrong can never be advantageous, even when it enables you to make some gain that you believe to be to your advantage. The mere act of believing that some wrongful course of action constitutes an advantage is pernicious. -Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman, orator, writer (106-43 BCE) 

Dear Corinne,

No one in my lifetime thought so deeply about the issues that mattered to him like Nelson Mandela did—and then lived his beliefs. To have survived with his dignity and mind intact after spending 27 of his best years in brutal conditions at Robben Island and other prisons is a tribute to an amazing man. I cannot imagine anyone else who, upon gaining freedom, would not have sought revenge on his oppressors. Yet he forgave and sought unity.

Although racism was particularly bad in South Africa throughout Mandela’s struggle for equality, it has been widespread throughout the world, including in my own country. During my early childhood, First Nations people in Canada faced conditions similar to apartheid. In many places, including B.C., they were barred from staying in most hotels, refused service in restaurants and forced to sit in designated sections of theatres. Those on reserves were not allowed to vote until 1960.

I felt the sting of Canada’s racist policies when the government took all my family’s possessions and exiled us to an internment camp in the B.C. Interior after invoking the War Measures Act in 1942—just because my grandparents came from Japan. My parents were born and raised here.

Canada boasts of its high ideals of democracy and all the rights guaranteed by its Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but many have been hard won—rights of visible minorities to vote, own property, attend university or even drink in a pub. Homosexuality was against the law until 1969 and same-sex marriage only recently recognized.

Nelson Mandela was an inspiring leader not only to the people of South Africa, but to anyone seeking justice and equality anywhere. His compassion, endurance, strength and ability to forgive after such harsh treatment at the hands of his government are an example to us all.
 

The struggle for justice continues around the world—even here in Canada, despite the gains we have made over the years. As David Suzuki Foundation scientist Faisal Moola, whose parents were members of Mandela’s African National Congress, recently wrote, “His death reminds us that we need to carry forward the struggle against injustice wherever it is found, including here in Canada where close to half of all aboriginal children live below the poverty line, and the dream of reconciliation with indigenous peoples remains unrealized as long as governments refuse to honour treaties and international agreements to protect indigenous rights.”

I am grateful to Nelson Mandela. He showed us what we are capable of, while setting an exceedingly high bar. His reward was to have lived to see his dreams come true.

David Suzuki

Fellow brave souls planning 2015 India sojourn,

Below is a link to a company based in BC that specializes in India tours.  Have a look.  The prices seem reasonable.  Perhaps combine two tours to experience south and north India?   We'll have to get together for a planning session.

Curries and chapattis, Peter

Dear Pete and Lynne,

Hope all is well with the Naramatians. We had a delivery yesterday from you – very exciting and will put it aside for under the tree. Thanks so much!

I am completely disorganized as usual, and so last minute on everything. Thankfully, Peter is getting the Christmas cards out.

I keep forgetting to send this to you, but here is the fellow that Cynthia used with her friends for a small group tour to India. I think they were 5 travelers plus Steve. They did the Southern India tour, and just loved it.

http://www.in2india.com/contact.html

Talk to you before you head off to warmer climates. Xx  Mary Spurr

P,

thanks for the bridge invite. I regret we must decline. The sisterhood has a thousand Xmas preparation plans of which I have only just learned. 

As to riding, unless there is a dramatic change in the weather in the next hour I will pass on the ride.

Thanks for the bridge dates. I will suggest them to the Unread.

Glad to know that Corinne is feeling better. Please give her our best. W

Stats for today's rides:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/415360232#.UqueEyuJtio.email

P,

we would love to join you for a visit tonight if that still works for you guys. Kerry estimates that we will be done our business on GI by about 7:30. 

As much as I would prefer to play cards tonight I best beg off in deference to the so-called festive activities planned by the sisterhood. 

You will be as pleased as me to learn that my prodigal daughter has not shown up yet for a lunch date -- nor has she sent word otherwise. We could have snuck in a ride to Squamish and back...W

http://www.flixxy.com/9-year-old-girl-sings-opera-on-hollands-got-talent.htm

This is pretty amazing singing!

Ooops! I hit "send" before I'd written anything …

In any case, Patrick, your trip log is very inspiring! I love the peaks and valleys in the graph … just looking at the high points brings back sweaty, breathless, memories of doing that hill heading up to the bridge!

Our summer and fall has been a whirlwind, partly due to the fantastic weather we had, but also owing - in no small measure - to a mild stroke that my father suffered on Labour Day and the consequent family issues that have arisen since (i.e., moving 84 year-old parents out of the house they built 40 years ago into a much smaller space and all the accompanying angst and drama).

'Not much cycling on my part (other than commuting to VCC from Kits - an easy jaunt), however a fair bit of paragliding - and lately some hike 'n fly adventures. 'Managed to get away to a library conference in Monterey, CA in Oct. (Internet Librarian 2013) and 'just got back from a 2 week vacation in Maui (lots of running and hiking), however am already looking forward to the lengthening of the days starting December 22 … Here's a link to a little video (just under 6 minutes) I stuck together of a Thanksgiving outing, when the daylight hours were still there and the weather not yet inclement: http://youtu.be/b82WQDl1aDY

Other than that, not much new here … 'would love to show you a few photos of recreational goings-on … 'not sure if you're a Facebook user, but if so - please look me up on FB and fire off a "friend request" and you'll get a peek at some visual representations of the flotsam and jetsam of my life.

In the meantime, I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season, with heaps of good cheer and many opportunities to get out and keep the wheels turning.
Cheers, Bill N.