The Struggle Between Justice and Mercy

Well, here I go again, taking a stand on an issue of morality in today's confusing world. What has prompted my little soapbox speech this time? One name that is becoming infamous: Brock Turner. You know, the privileged white boy at Stanford who found a girl passed out and took 20 minutes to rape her. The guy who has become social media's public enemy #1 when he was given a light 6 month jail sentence, and whose father had said that it was a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action. Yeah, that guy. It is not surprising that this story has gone viral and that people are outraged. I just finished reading an article that claims the father has tried to organize a fund raiser to help cover his son's legal fees. So while the court of law has dealt this rapist a slap on the wrist, he is receiving a much harsher sentence from the world of the internet. People are vowing to make his life as destroyed as the life of his victim, promising that he will not get a moment of peace. I have read a story of a young black man who was sentenced for 6 years for a rape he was accused of committing as a teenager and was eventually proven innocent, having served over 5 years of his sentence. The cries for justice are deafening. People are demanding justice, but do not seem content with what they are finding.

Now, before I continue, let me address my own opinion of Brock Turner. He sickens me. He is definitely privileged due to his skin color and socioeconomic status. To hear the judge say that a longer jail sentence would have been bad for the guy gets my blood boiling, and I wonder if this judge is up for re-election soon. I have read the victim's impact statement, and it is tough to read, but worth it. I cringed many times and fought back tears. I shudder to think of this happening to my own daughter, my nieces, my students. It angers me that this 20 year old entitled brat could think that he could bluff his way out of the crime that he had committed. This guy raped a woman and showed no remorse or accountability, and his parents (or at the very least, his father) supported him. And so on and so forth. So many times has this story played out, and the victims suffer more and more for the sins of others while the sinner gets off with a stern talking to or perhaps gets away with the whole crime. I wonder how many other women this piece of human filth has raped, how many other women have been re-traumatized by this story as their attackers walk free. I have spoken with the victim of rape, and it is not something that one easily "gets over". The father of Brock Turner says that 6 months is a steep price for 20 minutes of action, but compared to a lifetime of suffering that this young woman is enduring, 6 months is a trifle.

Normally in court cases I try to see all sides of the story. We often do not have the whole story to look at, and evidence may be withheld. I also advocate for mercy towards those who have committed crimes, especially if they have done their time and are trying to put their life back in order. People can be forgiven for their sins, and I believe that we are expected to find forgiveness for others. Yet in this case I admit freely that I struggle with showing such grace. Perhaps if the boy had shown remorse, or if his parents had not tried to brush things under the carpet. Maybe if his family showed a hint of the public outrage we see now, it would be easier. Forgiving others, I have often said, has more to do with helping the person who does the forgiving and nothing to do with excusing the grievous act, and yet I feel little desire to grant Brock this forgiveness. I also caution against public shaming of individuals because it can easily get out of hand and punish a person more than even they deserve. In this situation, I am inclined to let the faceless masses grab their pitchforks and torches and have at it. Maybe this means that I acknowledge my own limits in trying to be a good person, looking for the balance between justice and mercy.

When these situations arise, I feel powerless. I want to do more than just offer my opinion and voice, but I sadly know not what to do. Perhaps I should just continue on with my life. Sadly, experience has shown that this story will fade from the public's mind. People will get upset about something else, move on to a new cause, and Brock Turner will be able to move on with his life. He will likely con a young lady with his impressive swimming record into believing him that this was all a misunderstanding, and she will fall for it and him. He will get out early for "good behaviour" and end up having Daddy connect him with the right people to get him a future again. All this while his victim(s) will fight to recover, fight to regain a sense of normalcy, and fight to not allow this event to overwhelm them. As the public outcries change direction towards Trump vs Clinton or whatever else grabs the media's attention, she will find herself more alone and in need of support like never before. I may sound pessimistic, but is this not what happens over and over again? Is this not what history shows us will happen in rape cases? It boggles my mind.

So, I guess all I can do is keep doing what I already am doing. I keep telling the young men that come into my life the truth. I tell them that they must respect women, that girls are neither property nor conquests. Sex is something that is supposed to be special, shared between two individuals to both connect them to each other in wondrous ways and to bring wonderful children into this world. It is not something that is a "right" for the man. Sexual consent not only should but must be given, and it must be given freely, without impairment, collusion, or confusion. To take the virtue of anyone is selfish, vile, and criminal. It doesn't matter if her skirt is a bit short or her blouse is too low. If she is drunk or high it is not a good time to get her clothes off. EVER! Stop thinking with your penis. I get it, in the world there is pressure for you to be a stud. Music and movies and video games and celebrities all seem to make life about "getting some", but all they want from you is your attention and money. I get that when you buy into this philosophy you feel powerful and important, but I know that you understand it is wrong, even deep down. Whenever I talk to young men about this attitude they know it is wrong. They tell me! None have ever even tried to argue that this is the way it should be because they know it isn't. So I tell the young men in my life to be a real "man" and show respect to women.

I also talk to the young women that enter into my life. I tell them that they are of value and that they matter. I tell them that if their boyfriend uses the line "You would sleep with me if you really loved me" that they do not understand what real love is and that such nonsense disqualifies them being worthy of your love. I council these young women to be smart when they are socializing, to avoid being alone and to go easy on the drinking. I suggest they avoid places that increase the risk of being sexually assaulted. Never, not once, does it cross my mind that if they do not heed that advice that they are suddenly responsible for what happens. The fault of rape will always be with the rapist. Women have played it safe and still found themselves being sexually assaulted, and it is NOT THEIR FAULT! I only offer the advice because I know that no matter how hard I try to tell young men to respect women, some will not listen. I do not want any woman to experience life as a rape victim. I cannot think of anything that anyone can do that will justify rape as a consequence.

It pains me that when women come forward with allegations of sexual assault that their character gets questioned and attacked. There is no justice in that. It pains me to see how victims of sexual assault can take decades to fully recover from the incident, where their attacker is able to walk the street freely without any problem. There is no mercy in that. I get that there is a reason that guilt is to be determined with evidence, but when a sentence is given the impact on the victims must be accounted for. In the case of Brock Turner, neither justice nor mercy was provided for the victim. This is when the justice system fails.

The Problem With Zoos

Gorillas at Disney World's Animal Kingdom

Tragic news out of Cincinnati, Ohio last week. A four year old boy climbed into the gorilla enclosure and fell into the moat. A 17 year old sliver-back gorilla pulled the boy out of the water and began to drag the boy around. People freaked out. Zoo officials came in and the tough call was made to kill the gorilla to save the boy. The internet freaked out. Fingers were pointed at the boy's parents (particularly the mother), at the zoo staff, and zoos in general. Everyone has an opinion. Many look at this situation and say that this story highlights the problem with zoos. You know what? I agree. It does highlight the problem with zoos. It is part of a larger problem in our society that technology has seemed to exacerbate. The problem with zoos is simple to identify and very difficult to overcome. It will take people to have an honest look at themselves and challenge what may be deeply ingrained prejudices. The real problem with zoos is a severe lack of understanding.

I will state my bias honestly and openly. I love zoos. I love visiting them, seeing different species of animals for the first time, taking pictures of them, learning about them. I love volunteering at the Calgary Zoo and have been doing so for almost 8 years. When I moved to Calgary in 2008 one of the first things I did was buy a zoo membership and apply to be a volunteer. I spent one of my first summers assisting a zoo keeper in her duties. I got to know many of the staff and was never afraid to ask them questions. I even had breakfast with Dr. Clement Lanthier (CEO of the Calgary Zoo) and other volunteers. I know the passion that those who work in zoos have for animals, conservation, biodiversity, and protecting endangered species. I know that many species would not be here today if not for the excellent work that zoos do (case in point, the whooping crane going from 23 individuals to over 700 in 70 years). I see the value in zoos and aquariums. It is one thing to watch Planet Earth, it is another to see an animal in the wild. The days of going to the rain forests and grasslands of the world, catching animals, and putting them in small cages of iron bars and concrete are largely behind us. I know the hoops that zoos and aquariums have to jump through to become accredited. I also know that there are some zoos that give the rest a bad reputation, that do not treat their animals with respect and care, and deserve to be shut down. There are bad examples in all areas and fields, but as with all things they should not be the poster child for the entire community. Zoos educate, enlighten, and allow us to connect with mother nature in ways that we cannot otherwise do. 

So when something like this happens, there will always be those who will stand up and voice an uniformed opinion. I have lost track of those who have concluded that this one incident in the Cincinnati Zoo's history serves as proof that zoos should be shut down. Immediately. All animals returned to the wild. There are a fair share of well-intentioned but woefully ignorant individuals who suddenly present themselves as animal experts, knowing what the gorilla meant to do and what the perfect solution. On a similar vein, there are also the multitudes of perfect parents out there (some of whom have ironically never been a parent) that will point fingers at the mother of this four-year old fence climber and say she deserves to be brought up on criminal charges. From my own personal experience I know how quickly a toddler or young child can get away from their parents. Those who are quick to criticize the parents are foolish in their snap judgement and should consider a healthy dose of empathy before casting future scorn. I have seen bad parenting, and this does not seem to qualify. 

When I look at this story, I see much misinformation, hurt, and anger with people searching for an outlet to vent at. Whenever something like this happens, I turn to the experts to help me inform my opinion. This particular case, I came across Amanda O'Donoughue, a former gorilla zoo keeper. You can read her Facebook post here. Suffice it to say, her insight and expertise was instrumental in my understanding how something this tragic could have happened. I am grateful for her contribution, and hope more people will read and consider what she has to say. When I study this event, I find that there are many unknowns that make it impossible for us in the general public to fully evaluate what went down. What I can say is the following:

1. The only thing that I think could have been done differently at the time is that the onlookers had remained quiet and calm. Their noise seems to be the most likely source of the stress to the gorilla.

2. Those who chose to shoot the gorilla used it as a last and possibly only resort given that all other attempts to get the silverback away from the boy had failed. I also doubt that they did so gleefully or callously.

3. The mother is likely feeling a whole lot of hate right now. Let me remind us of the words of Christ: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

4. Zoos are good. Not perfect, but they do a whole lot of good. For those who are demanding that the zoo pay for this, please note that this is the first such incident since its opening almost 40 years ago for the Cincinnati Zoo. That has to count for something.

5. We all make mistakes. There is not a single one of us that can accurately predict every possible outcome. Compassion is a greater virtue than disdain.

6. Finally, not one thing I have mentioned is intended to minimize the loss of a magnificent animal that was an innocent victim of a tragedy that was neither predicted nor premeditated. Could it have been prevented? Likely, but that is with the wonders of hindsight. I will trust in the experts who will say that it would have been difficult to have averted this. 

As one final thought, I would like to share something that a friend posted on one of the articles I shared that is, in my opinion, the wisest of all statements made on this matter. He said: This is an unfortunate incident that society would be better off just accepting that it happened, instead of trying to lay blame.

As I said, wise council indeed. I mourn for the loss of Harambe. I sympathize with the boy and his family for finding themselves in the centre of a whirlwind frenzy of media attention and undeserved scorn and ridicule. I hope we will take time to learn the full story and be respectful. 

The problem with zoos is that people think they understand them without having done the research to truly understand the situation. The problem with zoos is that we think we know better than the experts. The problem with zoos and anything else is that we pridefully claim to know enough to strongly argue our opinion. 

The problem is that we are often lacking in humility to admit that our opinion is wrong.

The Rainbow Connection

Today marks a day of sadness for me. Twenty-six years ago, the world lost a great entertainer, a creative genius, and a childhood influence on me that still lingers to this day. Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, passed away on this day in 1990 from pneumonia. I remember where I was when this happened. I was home from school and heard it on the 6 o'clock news. I was shocked. He was only 53 years old. He left behind a legacy of wonder, creativity, fantasy, and happiness. For several days, I could not believe that he was gone. The man who had given me Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, the Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Fraggle Rock was gone. Who would voice Kermit, Ernie, Rowlf, Cantus, and the Swedish Chef?

As the years progressed I was happy that the work that Jim had done continued. Other puppeteers took over Jim's characters, other people took over his companies. Sesame Street is still going strong. Kermit and the gang were bought by Disney, giving them a great home. Three of the five seasons of the Muppet Show were released on DVD (come on Disney, where are the other two?!), all of Fraggle Rock is out, and I have introduced my children to the joys of Dinosaurs, Emmett Otter, and the Storyteller. We are waiting on the Dark Crystal because I am sure it is too scary for the girls. Ma Na Ma Na is still popular, the Muppets became big on YouTube, and there have been several new movies.

The Muppets even appeared on a new prime time TV show, although I must admit that it lacked the original magic and joy that was in the original Muppet Show. This, I fear, is a turn that I am not sure I enjoy. In this new show, the Muppets were more adult and edgy. They drank, did drugs, had sexual encounters, swore a bit, and were less like how they were shown in Jim's days. Don't get me wrong, Jim had plenty of adult themes in his work with the Muppets and other projects, but I cannot help but think that this latest incarnation had strayed a little too much from where they were when Jim passed away. I must admit that I was not upset when the newest show had been cancelled after one season, because I had already stopped watching it by then. Maybe I am tired of so many of the things I enjoyed as a child being "updated", "modernized", and made "relevant". Still, I hope they can recapture some of the magic they have lost.

As I grew older, I learned more about the life of Jim. He was truly a dreamer and a visionary man. He had feelings and worked hard. He believed in himself, even when he failed. He truly hoped that his work would help make the world a better place. He loved children and wonder. As it is with all of us, he was not perfect. Sometimes he would not listen to others. He was unfaithful to his wife, yet could not bring himself to fully break off and end their relationship. Learning about his faults might have been too much for me when I was younger, but I have learned that we all have weaknesses. Knowing he was imperfect is OK for me. It makes him more human, more real. Besides, we all have short comings. We can focus on the bad, or we can accept them and focus on the good. I will choose the latter, because I think Jim did the same.

So, in tribute to his work and legacy, I give you my Top Ten Things the Jim Henson Gave Us:

10. A joy of silly songs. I mentioned Ma Na Ma Na already, but that is but one example of a silly song that Jim enjoyed. It didn't matter if he wrote it or if someone else did, he would use it the only way his wacky characters did. Here is an example of one of my favourites:


9. Getting to know other entertainers. As a child, the Muppet Show introduced me to great stars like Rita Moreno, Harry Belafonte, and Peter Ustinov. Here is what I am talking about.


8. Loving nature. Jim had a special connection to nature and the Earth. Many times his silly shows had deeper meanings that stayed with me.


7. Crazy characters. Kermit may have been seen as the sane one on the show, but he is quick to point out that he hired the others.


6. A love of learning in fun ways. Sesame Street is, I think, the greatest educational show ever. It sticks with you.


5. It's OK to take a good thing and add a dash of silliness. So many times, Jim gave us a classic song and added a Muppet twist to it. It might have been a bit irreverent, but it was always in good spirits.


4. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Don't let it go to waste. Everything Jim did was about using his imagination.


3. Sometimes, you just gotta dance. There is magic in it.


2. Christmas is a little more special, especially with family.


1. Be a dreamer. There is a special place for you.


Thank you Jim.

Floods to Flames - the Strength of Alberta

Yesterday, Fort McMurray was hit with wildfires. The entire city has been evacuated, and much of it has been burnt. There are tens of thousands of displaced Albertans fleeing north and south for safety. Families had less than an hour in some cases to grab what they could and flee for their very lives. While the cars streamed out of the city, the images started flowing through social media. This is potentially Alberta's largest evacuation (the 2013 flood displaced 100 000 people), and is definitely the front runner for top news story of the year. In an area that was already hit hard from the economic downturn, it is a devastating blow to the area. Yes, I am reminded of the disaster that hit all too close to home three long (yet short) years ago when flood waters tore through the Calgary area. As the images of raging infernos and desperate people continue to stream on our news feeds, I cannot help but think back to that June, and see so many similarities.

The floods then, the flames now. I recall Slave Lake being gutted by fires as well. I can still see the images of the Edmonton tornado of 87. Every time a natural disaster hits this province, I am reminded of the strength of Alberta. That strength is being tested again now, and I am certain that the strength will endure. It will endure in the hearts of the countless people who will and are giving what they can to help out, and I salute each one. To the people who will give of their time and strength to fight the fires until they are out, and to those who will help rebuild. To the families who open their homes to those who just lost theirs, and to the businesses who are providing free room, gas, food, clothing, and comfort. To the believers who can do little more but send their prayers above for respite, and to the well-off who are freely giving of their excess without thought or desire for recognition. To the organizations that pledge millions of dollars in relief, and to the volunteers who will clock countless hours organizing food and toiletries. Even to the young children who will draw pictures and ask God to help the nice people of Fort Mac, every bit is strength.

However, there will always be a test of that strength. Some will seek to gain from this tragedy. There will be scam artists who will try to pick the pockets clean of those who are destitute, just to make the cheap buck. Already there are those who seek to take advantage of the situation to score political points. They are sprouting up on all sides of the spectrum to see if they can move their own agenda forward. There are those who are taking this moment to attack the government, claiming that if the other guy was in charge, things would have been better handled. There are those who take this moment to express glee that karma is kicking the evil oil workers in the collective nether regions and say that all this was coming as we pillage Mother Earth. Some will use this as a rallying cry to their tent. I say we all need to leave our respective tents and help those who need it. This is not the time to start using this real human tragedy to attack refugees and pipelines. This is not the strength of Alberta. Regardless of what side of the spectrum you vote on, or where you prefer to get your electricity from, or what type of car you drive, it is time to grow up, roll up, and step up. Put the nonsense of divisiveness in the trash where it belongs, and get out there and help. Forget climate change and work on changing your heart. Forget right wing and left wing ideologies and get going on right thing actions that will make sure the pettiness is left in the wings. Look out for your neighbours like it was 1950 because it's 2016. Stop tearing down people when the fires have torn down a whole city. If you cannot pick up a hammer or a water bottle to help the people of Fort McMurray rebuild, then drop the politics and mean tweets to help their souls rebuild.

As always, the situation will be front and center for a time, and then the long, difficult road of rebuilding will occur. Mistakes are going to be made by many people in the aftermath. The strength of Alberta will come in the fixing of those mistakes. We need to remember that we are all in this together. Let us give each other the benefit of the doubt for the time being, and chip in where we can. Donate money to the right places. Stand up with those we often stand against as we stand togther with our friends, family, and fellow Albertans in Fort McMurray. Give your spare change, give your spare time, and do a little more. The strength of Alberta will win out over this as it has in the past. Fort McMurray will again contribute to the well-being of this fair province and country. We can and will do this together.

After all, this is Alberta. It's what we do.

What I Learned at the Park

This evening, Heather and I took the girls to Bowness Park. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was shining brightly, there was a nice breeze that kept the temperature pleasant, and the playground was full of families, everyone enjoying the moment. Barbara was soon talking to other children and asking them to play with her made up games. Hope was happily trotting up and down the toddler structure, a big smile beaming on her face. Instead of hovering over my kids I decided instead to just hang back and watch the girls go.

Gradually, my focus started to shift to the other children and families in the park with us. As I looked around, I started to notice the people around me. There were people of all different kinds with us. A variety of ages and ethnicity. I heard four different languages being spoken (at least), and a number of accents that suggest native languages might have been more. I watched the children play and laugh, no rhyme or reason, just random play and laughter. The noise was almost musical, infectious, and enthralling all at once. I couldn't help but smile.

As the children played, I began to think about how our world is today. Perhaps I am being nostalgic and looking back at the past through rose-colored glasses, but I cannot help but feel that our society has gradually been losing something important. I feel that we are more divided than we ever have been before. I look at how politics, religion, social justice, and economics separates us from each other. We argue with each other more often than not. Technology that was supposed to connect us more seems to keep us apart as we fight and bicker about things that sometimes feel so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. How did we get this way? Have we always secretly been this way, and my eyes are only opening now? Quite frankly, I just don't know.

I thought that while I was in university, our world had bridged divides, removed the things that kept us apart. People could have faith and belief without having to justify it. Communities would come together in tragedies. People celebrated differences more, and compromises were easier to find. We found joy in positivity. Yes, we had problems. There were still some who were marginalized. There were still some who were outcasts. No, it was not a utopia a mere decade or so ago, but it feels like we have lost more ground than we gained. It seems as though we bring one group into inclusion by pushing another one out. We open the proverbial closet for one, and shove another in to fill the void. Many preach tolerance of all, but act as if it is only for those who agree with them. Debate has become who can get the bigger zingers in, and one-liners seems to have replaced rational thought.

And the children played on. I started yearning for a fresh start. Heather walked over, and I said "I wish the world was more like this playground". Heather agreed. Nobody was looking at each other with suspicion or mistrust. The children played with whoever they wanted, however they wanted, for as long as their parents were willing to push back bedtime. Barbara was asking any kid that came by if they wanted to pilot her spaceship (the play structure) while she checked the engines. Nobody talked about not playing with certain children, just to be mindful of everyone so that we all had fun. Soon, Barbara was on the spider web merry-go-round with about a dozen other kids, and she wanted me to make it spin really fast. Soon, all the kids were encouraging me to go faster and faster while their parents watched with smiles and laughs, no phones recording anything. We were a group of people from many backgrounds, just enjoying the nice weather and the time spent with family.

I wish the world could have seen us this evening. We were not necessarily becoming BFFs or anything, but we were united. We didn't know each other's names, but we were pleasantly chatting it up. We watched our own kids and watched out for everyone. For a brief moment, the problems of the world was replaced with the laughter of children. We could be whoever we wanted to be, not just the labels our society placed on us. We could enjoy our families without having to apologize for anything. We just watched our children play together. There were only tears when parents had to tell their kids it was time to go (for Barbara, even the promise of ice cream couldn't hold back the crying). As we left, there were more families coming with their kids, and I expect that they also had fun with everyone.

I climbed into the van, and when I turned the ignition on, the news emanated from the radio with stories of elections and refugees, of politics and economics, of fear and hatred. It did not take me long to replace it with a seemingly fitting Disney hit, "Let It Go", and I wish our world can simply let go of the divisions and intolerance. Next on the playlist was "Rainbow Connection", and I began to hope that we would have more real connections. As we pulled into McDonalds for some well deserved treats, I once again resolved that the only way to change the world is to be that which I want the world to change to. If I want the world to be kind, then I must be kinder. If I want the world to be more accepting, than I must be more accepting. If I want more love in the world, then I must show more love to the world I live in.

I look forward to going back to the park.

A Difference of 4 Years

Since I started writing this blog, I tried to keep the politics at a minimum. I have never felt myself allied with one particular political party over another, and tend to pride myself on being an independent voter. Politics has lately become quite interesting, and also a bit concerning for me. Within the last year, things I never would have thought to happen have happened. An NDP majority in Alberta, a three-way tie for the top in the last federal election for such a long period of time, and the rise of Donald Trump in the Republican nomination process. Several key issues seem to come up again and again, and this is where I find the compulsion to address current electorate issues in this blog. I look back to four years ago, and I find that things have definitely changed, and I am not sure if it is for better or for worse.

Four years ago, the big talk was the US election. Mitt Romney was taking on Barack Obama. I got into a bit of trouble on Facebook when I posted that I envied the Americans and their choice in president. I thought both men were men of integrity, honor, and had good character. While they differed in their ideology, I thought each party was putting forward a good man who had the essence of statesmanship to run one of the most powerful countries in the world. This time around, I feel as if the US has swung back in the opposite direction. While the primaries are far from over, there are two candidates that are looking very likely to be the nominees of the two parties. On the Democrat side we have former First Lady Hillary Clinton. On the Republican side, it is looking more and more likely that billionaire Donald Trump is the most likely to grab the spot on the ballot. Four years ago, I saw two candidates that were excellent choices. Now, it looks like we will see America choosing between the lesser of two evils.

On the side of Clinton, she has a history that leaves something to be desired. She has been caught in many lies, showing her actions to be a risk to national security, and represents a lot of what many see as the "establishment" in American politics that is rife with greed, scandal, and dishonesty. On the side of Trump, he has no political experience. He has at best vague and at worst impossible policy ideas. He is also bringing out the underbelly of American society with his rhetoric of racism, misogyny, rudeness, and vulgarity. The odd thing for me is that on paper, both look to be lesser candidates to become the President of the United States of America, and yet they each lead their party in delegates in the lead up to this summer's nominations conventions. Hillary Clinton I understand better. She is experienced, is making her second run at the White House, and has a vast army of supporters standing by her every step of the way that are easily looking over her past indiscretions. Trump, on the other hand, is a real head scratch scenario for me. He represents everything that I believe a US President should not be. He is greedy. He is a liar. He is racist. He demeans women. He is insulting. He is crude and vulgar. And he has people flocking to him in ever growing numbers. It is mind-boggling to me.

Now before I get too far ahead of myself, it is important to note that there are still several primaries left to go. Ted Cruz is going to be Trump's biggest opponent now (he seems to have the most momentum). Meanwhile Bernie Sanders is making a big push recently to gain ground on Clinton. I would be interested to see what actually happens, but as the title of my blog indicates, I am amazed what a difference four years can make. If it is Trump vs. Clinton in November, I am very uncertain as to who is the better candidate. Four years ago the USA had the best from both parties going toe-to-toe. Now, it looks like it's the opposite. This is where a third party candidate might actually make a big splash in the election, but in all honesty, I am not hopeful. When we look at the front-runners of each party, I worry for my neighbours to the south. I do not envy them their decision.

Early Spring Musings

Looks like the groundhog was right. We seem to be heading towards an early spring. I can't remember the last day we had highs in the double digits on the minus side or a significant dumpage of snow. I suspect we'll have winter give us one last hurrah or snap, but in the meantime I will enjoy what it is. 

Both of my last posts seem to have hit triple digits, which is cool, but I can't help but wonder if there is some little internet robot somewhere randomly clicking my page and giving me views. It looks as if I am getting some attention in India and Italy for some reason, which is cool if it is real. Hello to my international friends!

Currently life is going quite well for the Andrews clan. The girls are growing fast. Hope seems to be talking more and more each day, and Barbara is starting to read a few words. I think the most exciting thing abut being a parent at this stage is watching a child grow and learn things that we often take for granted. As the days progress I am sure that I will look back at this time with fondness, so I guess it is good that I recognize and appreciate what I have. So here is my first Early Spring Musing: be grateful for what is happening right now.

On the entertainment side of life, life is also progressing. Some things that I had hoped for have proven to be disappointing. The Shannara Chronicles that I had been so excited about has not met my hopes and expectations. To be fair, the show is good. Lots of excitement and fun. My issues have to do with the creative licence of the show in deviating from the story line given in the novel. Characters are being added and omitted and changed, and it presents a story that is very different from what I had read. I get that not everything can be kept the same, but when enough changes make you wonder if you are watching the same show, you lose something. The author is behind every change, and he has that right, but I also have the right to be disappointed. I had watched the first four or five episodes as they aired, but since then stopped. The rest is on my PVR and I'll watch it later, but it's not a big deal for me to stay up to date. Besides, the Flash and the Big Bang Theory continue to entertain, and DC's Legends of Tomorrow has been fun. Still, I wished that Shannara had been better. Second Early Spring Musing: life has disappointments, and that's OK. It also means that disappointments in life do not have to be "bad" things. 

Looking ahead, Heather and I are excited about taking a vacation together to Las Vegas for the 50th Anniversary Star Trek Convention. We will be gone in August for about a week. This has mixed feelings for me. I love spending time with Heather, and before the kids came going on a trip together was something really enjoyable. I miss those times, and it will be nice to do a trip again. What gives me any reservation is leaving the girls behind. Barbara and Hope are so wonderful, and I really look forward to the time when they are big enough to be able to come on such trips. We will miss them terribly, and I hope that as we are enjoying ourselves in Vegas we won't feel guilty over not having them with us, but that might be tough to do. I think trips like this are important for a couple, but it should not negate (or be interpreted to negate) how important our kids are. Third Early Spring Musing: enjoying one thing does not mean you don't miss out on other good things.

So there we go. Just some random stuff going through my head. In the meantime, getting back to one of my traditions, a Top Ten List. I think for this I'll do my Top 10 Favorite movies based on my Flickchart rankings. 

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Such a well made movie.

9. Star Trek: First Contact - whew! A Next Gen film made it!

8. The Lion King - most epic of all the Disney animated films

7. The Incredibles - the best of Pixar (I love the "where's my super suit" bit)

6. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - a classic movie from a classic novel

5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - the only Best Picture winner on the list

4. The Princess Bride - I think that this is the only non-franchise movie (Incredibles has a sequel coming out in the next couple years, I think)

3. Star Trek (2009) - a great reboot

2. The Avengers - so much fun!

1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - was there ever any doubt?