September 11 ~ 15 years of the War on Terrorism... and counting

Another September 11th. Another anniversary of a terrible day.

And we are now fifteen years into the war on terrorism. The great powers of the US, the UK, France and their "allies" managed to destroy the nation states of Afghanistan and Iraq, creating Islamic State in the process. The great powers, with additional help from Russia when needed, then went about the destruction of  Libya, Somalia and Syria. Almost weekly US drone missions continue to bomb targets in Pakistan, and other places we don't know about.

It's difficult to know who will be the next leading terrorist state. Iran? North Korea? Venezuela perhaps?

On the home front of this war, we have governments of otherwise democratic nations spying on their own citizens. Even in Canada our government collects and sifts through information it collects on virtually all of us, through our emails, phone calls and credit card transactions. All because of the war on terrorism.


Gore Vidal was an American writer of fiction, essays, screenplays, and stage plays. He was also a prominent intellectual known for his educated manner, wit, and a polished style of writing and speaking. We would do well to remember the words of Gore Vidal  from October 25, 2006:


You can’t have a war on terrorism because that’s not an actual enemy, it’s an abstract. It’s like having a war on dandruff. That war will be eternal and pointless. It’s idiotic.

That’s not a war that’s a slogan. It’s a lie. It’s advertising, which is the only art form we ever invented in America. And we can use it to sell soap, wars and presidential candidates in the same fashion.



As with most wars, somebody has made a great deal of money off this one. We should follow the money.

Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

A late summer sojourn to Salt Spring Island

Towards the end of summer we headed back to Salt Spring Island and Lakeside Gardens Resort, where Mark had reserved our favourite cabin for us. Lakeside Gardens is situated on St. Mary Lake, and Number 7 is literally on the water's edge.







The sound of shore birds greets us every morning, along with the brilliant sunrise colours on the western side of the lake.

Alas, this will be our last visit to Number 7 for another year, offering one last opportunity to enjoy the early mornings.













One last chance to walk along the north end of the island, where some people walk in the shade, and others celebrate the heat with additional layers of clothing and the direct sun.

It's our one last time to swim in the lake with the geese. With a straw hat on our head.

And one final time to view the ever-changing colours of the sun on the lake, the trees and the sky itself.

Until next spring of course.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

Commercial Street Cafe

No, it's not on The Drive. This is Commercial Street. Near The Drive but not. And that's a good thing. Less hassle, fewer cars and more people from the neighbourhood itself.

And it appears to be a neighbourhood in transition. Detached homes, apartments, new stuff going up and that light industrial thing happening too (and probably exiting due to the increase in land values).






At the heart of it all is the Commercial Street Cafe: less attitude, great  coffee and a nice sense of belonging to its neighbourhood.
















It's kind of deceiving, this coffee shop located in the refurbished and historic Gow Building: it's larger than it looks and would make a damn fine meeting place if only it were in the proper riding. But that's another story, and we already have Gigi Blin, the best coffee shop in Marpole.













Commercial Street Cafe is owned, and operated, by four young people who live and work in the area. The coffee is from Matchstick, the East Van coffee roaster,  and it's truly excellent.











There's lots of space inside, and some tables outside too. Friendly and inviting. Excellent coffee, good pastries and sandwiches, and nice people too.

The Commercial Street Cafe is well worth the visit. Why take The Drive when you can enjoy the coffee here? And on that point, it's worth the drive.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

A Playwright's reading... in Chilliwack

Recently we've made two trips down the Trans-Canada to Chilliwack. It's further away than it looks.

Sherry had a reading of one of her plays at the TheatreBC's annual Mainstage event in Chilliwack. One of her plays in progress had won an award, hence the reading.

The Chilliwack Cultural Centre is a large and impressive facility in a variety of ways. Jeem liked the piano.

The reading was an excellent opportunity to "hear" the words as spoken/performed by others, and your faithful correspondent was impressed by the reading and with the talk-back conversation with actors, audience members and the playwright that followed.

At times heated, the talk was indicative of the kind of reaction I suspect the play, when produced, will evoke.






Our second trip to Chilliwack took on a slightly gala turn, with awards and speeches of some description, and some toasting too. And another long drive home.







Sherry MacDonald's play, The Seduction Theory, will have its world premiere in Winnipeg this September at the nationally acclaimed FemFest by Sarasvàti Productions. Winnipeg is a wee bit east of Chilliwack and not too far from the Murray family tree. Jeem will be in Winnipeg too, if he gets his passport renewed in time.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

Idabel Lake's magic

After Jeem stumbled around TRU in Kamloops, becoming more politically activated with every speech he heard, and Sherry served as a calm and generous volunteer at the same event, they headed to the serenity of Idabel Lake. To reflect and relax.

We had been introduced to Idabel a few years earlier, and fell in love with the place. It's about a 40 minute drive south of Kelowna, and lacks adequate cell phone coverage. Not that we have cell phones mind you, but it's nice to know we'd be incommunicado if we did have the contraptions.















There is lodge accommodation at Idabel, along with a number of similarly shaped cabins available too; up a steep hill which can only be exited by driving in reverse. Jeem felt bad at first, but apparently everyone hits the tree at the bottom of the hill. Or another vehicle. But let's not go down that road, even though it is the only way out.











Our cabin was a self-contained utopia of sorts: two decks overlooking the lake, a hot tub, a gas barbecue, the usual amenities, and an old television from the last century with a VCR and an odd collection of movies! The TV was never turned on during our all-too-short sojourn.











We were awakened every morning by the call of a loon; its plaintive cry heard all round the lake. In the afternoons the sun was hot and the skies were never-ending. One night was full of the deep bass notes of thunder and the skies illuminated with sheets and bolts of lightning. Other evenings featured the Milky Way, shooting stars and satellites of unknown origin.





The "resort" offers a variety of watercraft for the enjoyment of its guests. Personal Flotation Devices are recommend, as is mosquito repellent, and sunscreen, though Jeem would never fall for that nonsense. Hence the peeling nose and the endless scratching.

Of special interest to many who come here in the summer is the year-round ice rink located under the lodge. Some days were given over to curling, others to friendly hockey matches, and the remainder to skating around in circles while the Carpenters, Gilbert O'Sullivan and the Captain and Tenille played on the PA system. It was refreshing to get out of the sun on those hot afternoons and cool off with a nice skate. The fact that the lake water is so horrendously cold, even in summer, helps the ice making process.
















Still, the reason Jeem and Sherry are here, and all the other visitors too, is the lake. A few days at Idabel is relaxing in a way that is difficult to explain, though once you're here, it's unforgettable.

Photos by Jeem. 

Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.