The Duncan Fremlin Blog

Lessons Learned from The Dying!

Australian palliative care nurse (and avid blogger) Bronnie Ware recently published a new book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

The idea of dying with regrets is repugnant to begin with.  However, it's not too late for me and my readers to learn and enjoy these words of wisdom.   

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

 “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

“I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”

 “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

“I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

Wise Words From An Old Sage

Saturday, I read this from an 81 year old actor we all know and love, Gordon Pinsent.  He was talking about the feeling he gets when he returns to Toronto after being away for awhile.  It says a lot about the energy in this great city and the drive he has to be great.

"I feel as though it's imperative that I go to work immediately.  It's so tough in this country to get things going, you just have to keep at it at all times.  I foolishly think that I can't miss a day, you know?  I've got to keep going." 

At 81, I hope I feel the need to "keep going".  Go get 'em Gord.

 

There's snakes and then there's snakes

Karen and I saw some deadly snakes in Africa.  They seem to grow on trees (or at least hang out there).  But this one takes the cake.  

 

 

My Video Producer Interviews Lightfoot on Hockey

If you've received an email from me lately, you've maybe seen my new promotional video embedded in my signature.  It was produced by Tim Thompson, a young film maker who's making a mark for himself in Toronto and beyond.   His company is called Boundless Productions and he creates much of his work at Hockey Night in Canada (CBC).

He just recently sent me his latest project.  I'm not often envious but I sure wish I had been asked to come along and hold up a microphone or some other menial task that I'm barely qualified to perform.  

Check out Tim's interview with Gordon Lightfoot and his musings on hockey in Canada.

  

My American Cousin

I have a cousin from South Carolina (originally the Soo) who called me last night.  He reads this blog from time to time and has reacted to some of my left wing rants, he being a "Tea Party Type".  

We have sparred via email a little bit but never on the phone.  I enjoy his chats and wouldn't want to discourage them by challenging him and his views, particularly when he's paying the long distance charges.

He works in the Nascar industry  for a Texas oil executive so as far as his social life and work life is concerned, we don't have a lot in common.  He likes my music and has driven very long distances with his young sons to hear me play so I'll always love this big lug regardless of his misguided views on life.

Our differences really hit home during our chat last night.  As it turns out, unbeknownst to either of us, he was 1000 feet from me when I was playing banjo with the Barenaked Ladies earlier this month.  He was working a race in Vegas and he was staying not too far from the Mandalay Bay.

On one of his days off, he went to visit a buddy of his who is in the military.  During his visit, his army buddy allowed him to drive what he called a "77 ton Muslim killer".  I figured it was some kind of tank.  

I didn't have the heart to tell him that if we were ever to square off against what he perceives to be Muslims (I question whether he's even met one), I'm afraid we'd be on opposite sides.  After all, I live in a community surrounded by thousands of Muslims and they make terrific neighbours.  They pick up after their dogs, they don't vandalize the trees in the park and I've never seen a drunk Muslim.  Many are my friends.  We share many of the same peace loving values.

So, if you're reading this dear cousin, if you bring your 77 ton Muslim killer to town, I'll have to blow it up.  I haven't figured out how yet but I have a few neighbours who might be able of offer a few suggestions. 

Woodgreen Continues to Do Good Work

Karen and I met briefly with The Pas native Susan Melnick yesterday.  Her birthplace has nothing to do with this story but it's not every day you meet a The Pas native.  If you're wondering, The Pas is a company town in northern Manitoba.  It's one of those towns where the company whistle sounds a couple of times a day to indicate a change in shifts.  

Susan's title is Manager, Resource Development.  She's playing a major role in Woodgreen's annual Golf Tournament.  This is the primary fund raiser for the organization so it is very important indeed.  A lot of families are relying on the work she is doing over the next few weeks.  

 Karen and I are on the advisory committee, helping make decisions on how to make this a memorable event for all.   It's a small role but it's fun and we enjoy working with Susan.  She helped us immensely with our Toy Drive last December (see photo).

The Primary sponsor is our own company,  RE/MAX Hallmark.  The owners, Deb and Ken always pony up when they're needed and this is a big contribution on their part.

Our meeting was to discuss how to add to the auction items.  This usually brings in many thousands of dollars so it's important that we find items and services and pretty much anything of value to offer up for the auction.  

Might you have any thing to offer?  Do you know someone?

Joe Bodalai, 1948 - 2011

Maybe the most important blog entry I've ever read.  I didn't know the late Joe Bodalai well but he introduced me to a lot of pretty terrific people.  He wrote this shortly before he died.   http://qualityshows.wordpress.com/

Swooning Grandparents

Here I am approaching 62 and I'm only now having grand children.  Looks like many of my peers are also on the verge of experiencing this momentous event.   It's on par with my mid life crisis from a few years ago.  After all of our grandchildren are born within the next 5 months, our plan is to assemble and "swoon over our flocks" together.  It'll be eye rolling nausea time  for those non grand parents.  We all criticized others who did this before us.  

I never thought I'd be one to do that.  I'm a pretty cool guy, or at least that's what I thought.  As it turns out, when my son-in-law called me Saturday morning to tell me my first grand child, Lucas, was born a couple of hours before, I had to pull over to the curb.  I was overcome.  

I never expected that. 

This video is like a Led Zeppelin video... to be played loudly.

  

Jungian Dream Analysis on the news!

It's not every day, in fact it rarely happens, that a skilled Jungian Psychoanalyst is on a popular TV show talking about dreams and what they might mean.  

My friend Christina Becker did a stellar job on The Morning Show (Global) describing in a few words what normally would take a few books and a lifetime of analysis.  I'm not sure if the viewers actually understood much of what she was talking about but I think the audience is at least a bit better informed about this mysterious subject.

 

 

Toy Drive 2011

Karen and I have been promoting a toy drive in our community to help one of the important social service agencies in Toronto.  Woodgreen Child Care Centres support hundreds of families and they never have enough help.  These families need food and shelter.  These are the basics we all need to survive.  Our little event will perhaps give their children a bit of joy over an otherwise difficult holiday season.

We've done this before and each year are humbled by the generosity of people.  

We make it easy to donate.  Shamie at Silly Goose Kids Toy Store (647-341-4400) answers your call and they take your credit card information.  This takes 2 minutes, 23 seconds.  I've timed it.  $5.00 buys a pretty good toy, at least it appears to be good to the little kid who won't receive any other.  $20.00 buys a bunch of toys.  $50.00 buys a whole bunch of toys.  $100,000.00 would be ..... 

Each donation receives an entry to a draw which will be held on December 11th.  The winner receives an E-Bike.  You've seen them all over the city.  They're powered by a battery that recharges very easily and inexpensively.

What do you think?