I'm one of the few people I know that loathes his birthday. At best, it seems a meaningless milestone; at worst, it's a giant gong signifying one's overall declne and mortality.
Some co-workers wanted to take me out and I suggested no, let's celebrate the departue of a pathological OPS senior manager that's expected to leave (not have his contract renewed) in March instead...(Mr. Kurtz, he dead!)
Some Facebook friends have also written me, to which I responded in various ways...(it is also mingled with my self-annhilation from FB effective Jan 22/10, which is when the self-destruct sequence on my account takes effect)...
Paul Dowsett: Happy Birthday Mark !!
Mark Winston: Thanks, Paul. "There's no cure for the common birthday." -- John Glenn
Paul Dowsett: Yes there is ... but it's a very drastic (and final) cure ...
Mark Winston: Yeah, one can't discount all the options...
Ryan Mattingly: Happy birthday Mark!
Mark Winston: Thanks, Ryan. I'll miss you once I'm off FB. If you have a website lay it on me. Either way, you're one funny, dangerous dude and if there's any sense in this goofball world, you'll be noticed and lauded for it. Best, Mark.
Ryan Mattingly: Dude, I'm bummed I won't get your brilliant comments and film suggestions on a daily basis. I'm gonna send you all my contact info and sites right now. You're funny, smart, and let's keep it going, man.
Libby Kinghorne: Maybe we should start a petition or a FB Group to keep Mark on FB?!?
Mark Winston: Don't cry for me Facebooktina/The truth is I never left you/All through my wild days/My mad existence/I kept my promise/Don't keep your distance
Libby Kinghorne: Is it wrong to wish you a happy birthday on a site that you have pledged to abandon?!? If not - Happy Birthday, Mark.
There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know.
- Lewis Carroll
Krista Bruno: Eli thinks Mark is 100 -- no wonder...
Mark Winston I wasn't going to say this until I turned 50, but here goes: "Getting old ain't for sissies." -- Bette Davis
Ron Hernando: This sure beats addressing an envelope and going to the post office for a stamp, but will you survive without Facebook?! (Happy B-day).Ron posted an fCard to Mark's Wall
Mark Winston: "Age is a high price to pay for maturity."
- Tom Stoppard
Charlie Huisken: Hello Mark! Have a happy birthday! (The 16th of January is my Mom's birthday too.)
Mark Winston: Thanks, Charlie. "There's no cure for the common birthday." (John Glenn)
Jim Shedden: Happy birthday anyway!
Mark Winston: Thanks, Jim.
“The old believe everything; the middle aged suspect everything: the young know everything.” Oscar Wilde
Others who I thought might write, didn't...even with the ease and informality offered by FB. FB also reminds you when it's someones birthday...I also got no cake nor presents (as those around me dare not, as they are seized or exasperated by me)...writing about all this...just sounds churlish.
I'm just glad/relieved the day is over and I can go back to celebrating all my 364 un-birthdays!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Desultory December
I don't know why, but last month was desultory in nature.
I remember a critic once referred to Lynn Crosbie's poetry book "Liar" as desultory, and I found that very disheartening, as the book showed remarkable strength and vibrancy while confronting the betrayal of one's partner. I like to think of Lynn Crosbie as the 'Annie Oakley' of Canadian letters...
Anyway, "desultory" may be defined as:
–adjective 1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
Origin:
1575–85; < L dēsultōrius pertaining to a dēsultor (a circus rider who jumps from one horse to another), equiv. to dēsul-, var. s. of dēsilīre to jump down (dē- de- + -silīre, comb. form of salīre to leap) + -tōrius -tory 1
My feelings for this occurred on two levels: one physical, the other emotional. Physically, we were required to move out of our house by Nov 30th as it had been sold, but we hadn't found a new one.
We had a cat, a kid, lots of stuff etc. The stuff was put into storage and we found the only hotel in Toronto that had short term rentals (under 30 days), cooking facilities and allowed pets. It was a depression era hotel that had little heat, few amenities and had seen better days.
We eventually moved into a new house which is quite mavelous, though we did have to replace the furnace when we moved in, and add insulation to the attic, and other minor issues. But, it is still odd moving in to a strange place in winter...
Emotionally, I have felt disconnected at work, which has been coming to a head over the last couple years. Employee engagement surveys confirm that rank and file staff are highly dissatisfied with management in a number of areas. I particularly like the concept "quality of supervision" as a stand out one...To put it plainly, too many peckerheads have been hired, who have no respect for those who are more knowledgeable or experienced, and insist upon imposing arbitrary procedures that cause more problems then they solve. Oh, and staff were all moved to uniform, soul crushing cubicles too...This will eventually result in a Mexican stand-off, as the Ministry of Gov't Services desires improved employee engagement as a performance measure, and the agency I work likes the status quo. How will this play out?
Walking around and taking photos sometimes helps me process emotions somewhat. Here are some recent pics that may be desultory, but also possibly hopeful too...
I remember a critic once referred to Lynn Crosbie's poetry book "Liar" as desultory, and I found that very disheartening, as the book showed remarkable strength and vibrancy while confronting the betrayal of one's partner. I like to think of Lynn Crosbie as the 'Annie Oakley' of Canadian letters...
Anyway, "desultory" may be defined as:
–adjective 1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
Origin:
1575–85; < L dēsultōrius pertaining to a dēsultor (a circus rider who jumps from one horse to another), equiv. to dēsul-, var. s. of dēsilīre to jump down (dē- de- + -silīre, comb. form of salīre to leap) + -tōrius -tory 1
My feelings for this occurred on two levels: one physical, the other emotional. Physically, we were required to move out of our house by Nov 30th as it had been sold, but we hadn't found a new one.
We had a cat, a kid, lots of stuff etc. The stuff was put into storage and we found the only hotel in Toronto that had short term rentals (under 30 days), cooking facilities and allowed pets. It was a depression era hotel that had little heat, few amenities and had seen better days.
We eventually moved into a new house which is quite mavelous, though we did have to replace the furnace when we moved in, and add insulation to the attic, and other minor issues. But, it is still odd moving in to a strange place in winter...
Emotionally, I have felt disconnected at work, which has been coming to a head over the last couple years. Employee engagement surveys confirm that rank and file staff are highly dissatisfied with management in a number of areas. I particularly like the concept "quality of supervision" as a stand out one...To put it plainly, too many peckerheads have been hired, who have no respect for those who are more knowledgeable or experienced, and insist upon imposing arbitrary procedures that cause more problems then they solve. Oh, and staff were all moved to uniform, soul crushing cubicles too...This will eventually result in a Mexican stand-off, as the Ministry of Gov't Services desires improved employee engagement as a performance measure, and the agency I work likes the status quo. How will this play out?
Walking around and taking photos sometimes helps me process emotions somewhat. Here are some recent pics that may be desultory, but also possibly hopeful too...
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Fear of "The Bad List."
Last week, a curious thing happened.
My 4 1/2 year old was acting up, not listening to his mom or dad about putting away his toys, or interrupting his mother when she tried to talk, etc.
When dinner time came around, he refused to eat -- even though we had cleared it with him ahead of time what was for dinner (home made breaded fish, rice, some veg.). Apparently, this breaded fish was suspect because it lacked perfect uniformity as brand name ones have in the grocery store and which he was used to at Daycare.
Fair enough. Trying to move fish on a kid is difficult at the best of times. All that was asked that he try it, which was not happening. This further led to a 10 minute attack of scorn upon the cook, the dish and whatever related entity popped into his head.
I then picked up the phone, and said: "That's it. I'm callng the North Pole. I'm telling them what you've been up to and that maybe you should be put on "The Bad List."
The 4 1/2 year old froze, completely astonished. He then got hysterical: "No daddy, no daddy, no daddy!!!"
We'll, then try some of the fish. After some inner conflict he was able to overcome, some fish was tried. A minor miracle.
I wonder how long this "Bad List" thing will last.
Reminds me of Ionesco, an absurdist playwright, who said:
“Childhood is the world of miracle and wonder; as if creation rose, bathed in the light, out of the darkness, utterly new and fresh and astonishing. The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.”
My 4 1/2 year old was acting up, not listening to his mom or dad about putting away his toys, or interrupting his mother when she tried to talk, etc.
When dinner time came around, he refused to eat -- even though we had cleared it with him ahead of time what was for dinner (home made breaded fish, rice, some veg.). Apparently, this breaded fish was suspect because it lacked perfect uniformity as brand name ones have in the grocery store and which he was used to at Daycare.
Fair enough. Trying to move fish on a kid is difficult at the best of times. All that was asked that he try it, which was not happening. This further led to a 10 minute attack of scorn upon the cook, the dish and whatever related entity popped into his head.
I then picked up the phone, and said: "That's it. I'm callng the North Pole. I'm telling them what you've been up to and that maybe you should be put on "The Bad List."
The 4 1/2 year old froze, completely astonished. He then got hysterical: "No daddy, no daddy, no daddy!!!"
We'll, then try some of the fish. After some inner conflict he was able to overcome, some fish was tried. A minor miracle.
I wonder how long this "Bad List" thing will last.
Reminds me of Ionesco, an absurdist playwright, who said:
“Childhood is the world of miracle and wonder; as if creation rose, bathed in the light, out of the darkness, utterly new and fresh and astonishing. The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us.”
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Bad Words
My 4 1/2 year old wanted us to hurry with the grocery shopping today. He was anxious to play with a Christmas train ornament, "The Lionel Train Red Comet Set", that he had waited a number of months to get, and our shopping was holding him up.
During check-out, he asked me if "damn" was a bad word.
Yes, I answered.
(Pause)
What about "beaver dam", he asked.
No, I said, that's a different kind of dam.
Well, he said, let's move this beaver-dam shopping cart and get out of here!
He watched my reaction and then repeated it about 4 or 5 times.
I let his mother field that one. I think she called him a "trouble maker" which only made him happier.
Don't ask me why, but this parenting thing is stressing me out.
During check-out, he asked me if "damn" was a bad word.
Yes, I answered.
(Pause)
What about "beaver dam", he asked.
No, I said, that's a different kind of dam.
Well, he said, let's move this beaver-dam shopping cart and get out of here!
He watched my reaction and then repeated it about 4 or 5 times.
I let his mother field that one. I think she called him a "trouble maker" which only made him happier.
Don't ask me why, but this parenting thing is stressing me out.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Kindergarten Fears
My 4 1/2 year old was recently registered for junior kindergarten. With the help of his mom, he was expected to complete a form which identified his "kindergarten fears."
The fears recorded on the form included: "Dogs, Clowns, and Scary Rides."
Later, when I came home from work, he told me, he forgot to add: "Monsters, Ghosts, and Dark Places."
I asked him about "turnips" or "ghosts with turnips" but he just made a face at me.
I then thought about my current fears and why no one asks us about these so they can be better managed. These included: "Impression Management, Command and Control relationships, and Replacing group morale with 'Success Indicators'." I guess I also don't like scary rides too, but no one forces me to go on these...
The fears recorded on the form included: "Dogs, Clowns, and Scary Rides."
Later, when I came home from work, he told me, he forgot to add: "Monsters, Ghosts, and Dark Places."
I asked him about "turnips" or "ghosts with turnips" but he just made a face at me.
I then thought about my current fears and why no one asks us about these so they can be better managed. These included: "Impression Management, Command and Control relationships, and Replacing group morale with 'Success Indicators'." I guess I also don't like scary rides too, but no one forces me to go on these...
Saturday, July 4, 2009
100 Facebook Status Lines
I thought I would collect my past messages over time to see what they looked like:
Mark Winston worries that provincial political staffers with m.b.a.s have an impoverished view of civil society. Blue liberals can now split hairs with neocon tories. (June 30/09)
Mark Winston can use a Sidecar or a Bass ale right now. (June 30, 2009)
Mark Winston finds Facebook cacaphonic, many voices, dispersed noises. Sometimes a fun house, sometimes a hell.(June 29/09)
Mark Winston wonders whether a 4 year old's mother locking herself in the bathroom constitutes a surrender or just a disorderly retreat.(June 28/09)
Mark Winston thinks Toys R Us has prodigious influence over kids. I'm grateful they don't adopt the tactics of casinos --open 24 hours, black the windows, and remove all clocks too. (June 27/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old son has countered the threat of being read "The Wide World of Dolls" by agreeing to it. He stipulated though that Transformers constituted "dolls" and because they turn into vehicles, my book is really about this as well.(June 25/09)
Mark Winston wonders why vast numbers of managers micro-manage but few try macro-managing.(June 25//09)
Mark Winston learned he can antagonize his 4 year-old by offering to read him books such as: "The Wide World of Dolls"; "Turnips are Tremendous"; and "Consecutive Childrens' Chores."(June 24/09)
Mark Winston needs a dump truck to unload his head.(June 23/09)
Mark Winston is wondering about the new approach to Father's Day. Dad is tied to the stake, set on fire, and asked to give an account of his paternal failures over the last year. Oh, and there will be cake. (June 17/09)
Mark Winston is happy he made his 4 year-old laugh by exhorting him to "have a big fat day!"(June 12/09)
Mark Winston is enjoying the "pirate english" option on Facebook now. Me troubles begone, matey. (June 1/09)
Mark Winston prior to preparing dinner, tells his 4 year old that "children is practically chickens..." (May 31/09)
Mark Winston worries about misguided faith in "managerialism" in Ontario's Public Service over staff experience and expertise. This story always ends badly and the citizens become victims. When will this outfit ever learn? (May 31/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old was given some apple juice by a caregiver and told he could share it with his mom and dad. My 4 year old said, "oh, they don't drink apple juice. They only drink alcohol." (May 30/09)
Mark Winston likes "All the world's a stage and all the stage is morality." (Wendon Stone) (May28/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old directed his mother to open the hood of the car for inspection. I don't care if it passes or not, he is not driving down the Don Valley Parkway. (May 27 /09)
Mark Winston is reading "Warren Oates - A Wild Life" and enjoying it very much. (May 27/09)
Mark Winston , though not a superhero, could use some help with his nemesis problem...(May 24/09)
Mark Winston in the spirit of "eat or be eaten", Mark offered to eat his 4 year old's leg if he did not eat dinner. The 4 year old hrmpped this idea and indicated that even with one leg, he could get around on a pogo stick.(May 21/09)
Mark Winston is impressed that the UK has a "Children's Laureate" who sees the job "as being an ambassador for fun with books." (May 14/09)
Mark Winston is stocking up on booze in case the LCBO goes on strike. Lots of wine and Mojitos. I'm ok on the tequila front. (May 11/09)
Mark Winston thinks a nice scotch would go well now. (May 9/09)
Mark Winston can't hop a jet plane like he can a freight train. (May 9/09)
Mark Winston 's theory of child-rearing is based on two things: always keep them off-balanced, and never turn your back on them. (May 7/09)
Mark Winston thinks Tim Hudak symbolizes Common Sense Revolution Redux. Sort of like Apocalypse Now without the drama or special effects. (May 3/09)
Mark Winston is concerned about the gap between espoused and enacted organizational values. In past times, we called this gap "purgatory." (May 3/09)
Mark Winston could use a stiff drink, either a scotch, a tequila anejo, or a Sidecar. (April 28/09)
Mark Winston likes "An investigation into a particular physical, chemical, or biological process might not pay off...that's why the private sector underinvests in basic science - and why the public sector must..." (Obama). Stephen Harper...hello? Hello? (April 28/09)
Mark Winston has learned that the organization where he works is moving from a bureaucratic to a post-bureaucratic model. As such, it is not so concerned with what he does as with what he believes and identifies with(!). (April 26/09)
Mark Winston has been without power for 18 hours now. Thank-you Hydro One! Now I know what third-world living is like. (April 26/09)
Mark Winston , a civil servant, was asked by an acquaintance if he was "busy." The response that came to mind: Bureaucracy never sleeps... (April 23/09)
Mark Winston is concerned about the lawn company that left me a note advising that I'm under attack by crabgrass, thistle, clover and white grubs! Do I act or do I appease? Lawn peace in our time?! (April 19/09)
Mark Winston thanks Tiny Bill Cody for his admonition "Stranger, we have no leader." (April 2/09)
Mark Winston For the G20 Finance Ministers: “Gentleman, he said, I don’t need your organization, I’ve shined your shoes, moved your mountains and marked your cards…Either brace yourself for elimination or have the courage for the changing of the guards.” [Bob Dylan] (April 1/09)
Mark Winston likes the UK's "...wanting a market that is free, but not values free, a society that is fair but not laissez-faire." (Mar 31/09)
Mark Winston longs for a 'changing of the guards' in many places. (Mar 29/09)
Mark Winston is concerned that book clubs are set up solely for women and solely for men. I reject gender tribalism overall...(Mar 28/09)
Mark Winston is drowning in a sea of impression management...(Mar 26/09)
Mark Winston wonders what the remaining McGuffin of his personal arc will be. He wants to avoid any midlifecrises that may appear...(Mar 22/09)
Mark Winston posted the results of an idiosyncratic Kierkegaard name query on his blog. See www.CollectiveCafeCorrecto.blogspot.com.(Mar 21/09)
Mark Winston wonders about the state of children's literature after being asked to read "Walter the Farting Dog," first in a series...(Mar 19/09)
Mark Winston [on the Facebook new layout]It was created by a machine for other machines and not people. It's an April Fools joke that arrived early. Dead. Decaying. Disheartening. [Mar 18/09)
Mark Winston 's smoking a Romeo Y Julieta #2, Rodriguez Arguelles version and multi-tasking. He also does not think the cigar is compensating for anything...(Mar 17/09)
Mark Winston is smoking a Diplomatico #2 for the first time in three months and feels all is well with the world. (Mar 15/09)
Mark Winston 's own dream guns him down...[Bruce Springstein] (Mar 13/09)
Mark Winston is just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose. [Bruce Springstein] (Mar 13/09)
Mark Winston is soul engines running through a night so tender. [Bruce Springstein] Mar 11/08)
Mark Winston 's riding out tonight to case the promised land.[Bruce Springstein] (Mar 8/09)
Mark Winston 's 3 1/2 year old insists on watching "Horsepower TV" on Spike. I don't understand the appeal... (Mar 8/09)
Mark Winston is told by his 3 1/2 year old that if he has to go when outside, he can do it behind a tree. (Mar 7/09)
Remove Mark Winston 's taking in the poetic insights of ex-wrestler Rick Crilly. (Mar 5/09)
Mark Winston is at Harbourfront waiting for Jose Latour to read from his novel "Crime of Fashion." Go get 'em Jose! (Mar 4/09)
Mark Winston is show a little faith, there's magic in the night.[Bruce Springstein](Mar 1/09)
Mark Winston is on a highway jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive...[Bruce Springstein] (Feb 27/09)
Mark Winston is a togged-out, bullet-proof jazzbo (Feb 22/09)
Mark Winston is enjoying David McFadden's poetic documentary novel "A Trip Around Lake Erie." (1980)(Feb 20/09)
Mark Winston is reading Smith magazine's list of 6 words for love & heartbreak. (Feb 16/09)
Mark Winston is at Funnelz, a suburban commercial play area. Mark wonders where similar public spaces have gone. (Feb 16/09)
Mark Winston 's enjoying Jose Latour's new noir novel "Crime of Fashion" set in Toronto. (Feb 11/09)
Mark Winston recollects Tiny Bill Cody: "Stranger, we have no leader." (Feb 11/09)
Mark Winston 's preschooler insists upon repeated viewings of Buster Keaton's "The Railrodder" (1965). (Feb 7/09)
Mark Winston 's preschooler asks why no one can write a sonnet to a truck. (Feb 4/09)
Mark Winston is a melted-out half-stiffed grape cat. (Feb 1/09)
Mark Winston 's three year-old tells me he's going on an adventure. How is this different from any other day? (Jan 31/09)
Mark Winston is in a Carmen Miranda frame of mind. And no, it is not gay. (Jan 3/09)
Mark Winston finished throwing his three year-old into a snowbank. (Jan 28/09)
Mark Winston wonders if it is true, that to live in an undescribed world is too lonely (Nicole Krauss) (Jan 17/09)
Mark Winston As a left-handed 48 year old, I am grateful that I haven't incurred a mortal injury or the wrath of those who consider lefties sinister. Whew, knock on wood! (Jan 16/09)
Mark Winston is having Frank magazine withdrawal. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston is reading The Devil's Guide to Hollywood by Joe Eszterhas. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston just attended the first meeting of "The Honey & Hotsauce Bookclub" at This Ain't The Rosedale Library. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston is thinking about Hunter S. Thompson's workday: "violence, joy and constant Mexican music." (Jan 10/09)
Mark Winston enjoyed the book "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett. Very funny. (Jan 8/09)
Mark Winston is thinking about the recent death and heroism of Mark Felt (aka Deep Throat)(Jan 7/09)
Mark Winston is tired of all the opsimaths he is meeting...(Jan 6/09)
Mark Winston has advised his 3 year old that if he doesn't get out of the bath, he WILL turn into a fish. He is mulling this over. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston is thankful for Paul Seydor's "Peckinpah: The Western Films - A Reconsideration." (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston against his better judgement, has become saturated with the juggernaut of children's programming, ie Treehouse. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston is disarming and dissuading his 3 year old from being a pirate. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston wonders why there is no "Stan Rogers Day" in Canada (Jan 2/09)
Mark Winston is now reading "A G-Man's Life" by Mark Felt (aka Deep Throat). (Jan 2/09)
Mark Winston is lobbying to make gay marriage compulsory: holidays, inlaws, conflict, it's only fair!(Jan 1/09)
Mark Winston smoked a Ramone Allones "Gigantes," and is probably compensating for something. (Dec 30/08)
Mark Winston thinks about entering his house justified...(Sam Peckinpah)(Dec 29/09)
Mark Winston is told to sit on the group W bench, now!(Dec 29/09)
Mark Winston wonders why no one in this damn town knows how to make a Sidecar. (Dec 25/08)
Mark Winston is getting in touch with his inner yodeler. (Dec 23/08)
Mark Winston wonders when exactly Coronation Street all went wrong? (Dec 22/08
Mark Winston is scheduling some time next week to smoke a cuban cigar. (Dec 21/08)
Mark Winston is insomniatic. (Dec 21/08)
Mark Winston responding to his 3 year old, who wants to know why he has to get toys from santa when there is stuff available on the shelves.(Dec 20/08)
Mark Winston is trying to deal with his 3 year old's "pirate attitude." (Dec 18/08)
Mark Winston is reading "McMafia" by Misha Glenny. (Dec 17/08)
Mark Winston is cautioning his 3 year old to stay on Santa's "nice" list or else he'll only get "girl toys" for x-mas. (Dec 12/08)
Mark Winston is finishing his last two ounces of Abelour scotch, wondering what's next. (Dec 11/08)
Mark Winston is grooving on Tiny Bill Cody (Nov 23/08)
Mark Winston is arranging a telethon for satirists to save Frank magazine (Oct 29/08)
Mark Winston Considering Richard Rorty (Oct 20/08)
(Well, close to a 100...)
Mark Winston worries that provincial political staffers with m.b.a.s have an impoverished view of civil society. Blue liberals can now split hairs with neocon tories. (June 30/09)
Mark Winston can use a Sidecar or a Bass ale right now. (June 30, 2009)
Mark Winston finds Facebook cacaphonic, many voices, dispersed noises. Sometimes a fun house, sometimes a hell.(June 29/09)
Mark Winston wonders whether a 4 year old's mother locking herself in the bathroom constitutes a surrender or just a disorderly retreat.(June 28/09)
Mark Winston thinks Toys R Us has prodigious influence over kids. I'm grateful they don't adopt the tactics of casinos --open 24 hours, black the windows, and remove all clocks too. (June 27/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old son has countered the threat of being read "The Wide World of Dolls" by agreeing to it. He stipulated though that Transformers constituted "dolls" and because they turn into vehicles, my book is really about this as well.(June 25/09)
Mark Winston wonders why vast numbers of managers micro-manage but few try macro-managing.(June 25//09)
Mark Winston learned he can antagonize his 4 year-old by offering to read him books such as: "The Wide World of Dolls"; "Turnips are Tremendous"; and "Consecutive Childrens' Chores."(June 24/09)
Mark Winston needs a dump truck to unload his head.(June 23/09)
Mark Winston is wondering about the new approach to Father's Day. Dad is tied to the stake, set on fire, and asked to give an account of his paternal failures over the last year. Oh, and there will be cake. (June 17/09)
Mark Winston is happy he made his 4 year-old laugh by exhorting him to "have a big fat day!"(June 12/09)
Mark Winston is enjoying the "pirate english" option on Facebook now. Me troubles begone, matey. (June 1/09)
Mark Winston prior to preparing dinner, tells his 4 year old that "children is practically chickens..." (May 31/09)
Mark Winston worries about misguided faith in "managerialism" in Ontario's Public Service over staff experience and expertise. This story always ends badly and the citizens become victims. When will this outfit ever learn? (May 31/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old was given some apple juice by a caregiver and told he could share it with his mom and dad. My 4 year old said, "oh, they don't drink apple juice. They only drink alcohol." (May 30/09)
Mark Winston likes "All the world's a stage and all the stage is morality." (Wendon Stone) (May28/09)
Mark Winston 's 4 year old directed his mother to open the hood of the car for inspection. I don't care if it passes or not, he is not driving down the Don Valley Parkway. (May 27 /09)
Mark Winston is reading "Warren Oates - A Wild Life" and enjoying it very much. (May 27/09)
Mark Winston , though not a superhero, could use some help with his nemesis problem...(May 24/09)
Mark Winston in the spirit of "eat or be eaten", Mark offered to eat his 4 year old's leg if he did not eat dinner. The 4 year old hrmpped this idea and indicated that even with one leg, he could get around on a pogo stick.(May 21/09)
Mark Winston is impressed that the UK has a "Children's Laureate" who sees the job "as being an ambassador for fun with books." (May 14/09)
Mark Winston is stocking up on booze in case the LCBO goes on strike. Lots of wine and Mojitos. I'm ok on the tequila front. (May 11/09)
Mark Winston thinks a nice scotch would go well now. (May 9/09)
Mark Winston can't hop a jet plane like he can a freight train. (May 9/09)
Mark Winston 's theory of child-rearing is based on two things: always keep them off-balanced, and never turn your back on them. (May 7/09)
Mark Winston thinks Tim Hudak symbolizes Common Sense Revolution Redux. Sort of like Apocalypse Now without the drama or special effects. (May 3/09)
Mark Winston is concerned about the gap between espoused and enacted organizational values. In past times, we called this gap "purgatory." (May 3/09)
Mark Winston could use a stiff drink, either a scotch, a tequila anejo, or a Sidecar. (April 28/09)
Mark Winston likes "An investigation into a particular physical, chemical, or biological process might not pay off...that's why the private sector underinvests in basic science - and why the public sector must..." (Obama). Stephen Harper...hello? Hello? (April 28/09)
Mark Winston has learned that the organization where he works is moving from a bureaucratic to a post-bureaucratic model. As such, it is not so concerned with what he does as with what he believes and identifies with(!). (April 26/09)
Mark Winston has been without power for 18 hours now. Thank-you Hydro One! Now I know what third-world living is like. (April 26/09)
Mark Winston , a civil servant, was asked by an acquaintance if he was "busy." The response that came to mind: Bureaucracy never sleeps... (April 23/09)
Mark Winston is concerned about the lawn company that left me a note advising that I'm under attack by crabgrass, thistle, clover and white grubs! Do I act or do I appease? Lawn peace in our time?! (April 19/09)
Mark Winston thanks Tiny Bill Cody for his admonition "Stranger, we have no leader." (April 2/09)
Mark Winston For the G20 Finance Ministers: “Gentleman, he said, I don’t need your organization, I’ve shined your shoes, moved your mountains and marked your cards…Either brace yourself for elimination or have the courage for the changing of the guards.” [Bob Dylan] (April 1/09)
Mark Winston likes the UK's "...wanting a market that is free, but not values free, a society that is fair but not laissez-faire." (Mar 31/09)
Mark Winston longs for a 'changing of the guards' in many places. (Mar 29/09)
Mark Winston is concerned that book clubs are set up solely for women and solely for men. I reject gender tribalism overall...(Mar 28/09)
Mark Winston is drowning in a sea of impression management...(Mar 26/09)
Mark Winston wonders what the remaining McGuffin of his personal arc will be. He wants to avoid any midlifecrises that may appear...(Mar 22/09)
Mark Winston posted the results of an idiosyncratic Kierkegaard name query on his blog. See www.CollectiveCafeCorrecto.blogspot.com.(Mar 21/09)
Mark Winston wonders about the state of children's literature after being asked to read "Walter the Farting Dog," first in a series...(Mar 19/09)
Mark Winston [on the Facebook new layout]It was created by a machine for other machines and not people. It's an April Fools joke that arrived early. Dead. Decaying. Disheartening. [Mar 18/09)
Mark Winston 's smoking a Romeo Y Julieta #2, Rodriguez Arguelles version and multi-tasking. He also does not think the cigar is compensating for anything...(Mar 17/09)
Mark Winston is smoking a Diplomatico #2 for the first time in three months and feels all is well with the world. (Mar 15/09)
Mark Winston 's own dream guns him down...[Bruce Springstein] (Mar 13/09)
Mark Winston is just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose. [Bruce Springstein] (Mar 13/09)
Mark Winston is soul engines running through a night so tender. [Bruce Springstein] Mar 11/08)
Mark Winston 's riding out tonight to case the promised land.[Bruce Springstein] (Mar 8/09)
Mark Winston 's 3 1/2 year old insists on watching "Horsepower TV" on Spike. I don't understand the appeal... (Mar 8/09)
Mark Winston is told by his 3 1/2 year old that if he has to go when outside, he can do it behind a tree. (Mar 7/09)
Remove Mark Winston 's taking in the poetic insights of ex-wrestler Rick Crilly. (Mar 5/09)
Mark Winston is at Harbourfront waiting for Jose Latour to read from his novel "Crime of Fashion." Go get 'em Jose! (Mar 4/09)
Mark Winston is show a little faith, there's magic in the night.[Bruce Springstein](Mar 1/09)
Mark Winston is on a highway jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive...[Bruce Springstein] (Feb 27/09)
Mark Winston is a togged-out, bullet-proof jazzbo (Feb 22/09)
Mark Winston is enjoying David McFadden's poetic documentary novel "A Trip Around Lake Erie." (1980)(Feb 20/09)
Mark Winston is reading Smith magazine's list of 6 words for love & heartbreak. (Feb 16/09)
Mark Winston is at Funnelz, a suburban commercial play area. Mark wonders where similar public spaces have gone. (Feb 16/09)
Mark Winston 's enjoying Jose Latour's new noir novel "Crime of Fashion" set in Toronto. (Feb 11/09)
Mark Winston recollects Tiny Bill Cody: "Stranger, we have no leader." (Feb 11/09)
Mark Winston 's preschooler insists upon repeated viewings of Buster Keaton's "The Railrodder" (1965). (Feb 7/09)
Mark Winston 's preschooler asks why no one can write a sonnet to a truck. (Feb 4/09)
Mark Winston is a melted-out half-stiffed grape cat. (Feb 1/09)
Mark Winston 's three year-old tells me he's going on an adventure. How is this different from any other day? (Jan 31/09)
Mark Winston is in a Carmen Miranda frame of mind. And no, it is not gay. (Jan 3/09)
Mark Winston finished throwing his three year-old into a snowbank. (Jan 28/09)
Mark Winston wonders if it is true, that to live in an undescribed world is too lonely (Nicole Krauss) (Jan 17/09)
Mark Winston As a left-handed 48 year old, I am grateful that I haven't incurred a mortal injury or the wrath of those who consider lefties sinister. Whew, knock on wood! (Jan 16/09)
Mark Winston is having Frank magazine withdrawal. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston is reading The Devil's Guide to Hollywood by Joe Eszterhas. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston just attended the first meeting of "The Honey & Hotsauce Bookclub" at This Ain't The Rosedale Library. (Jan 11/09)
Mark Winston is thinking about Hunter S. Thompson's workday: "violence, joy and constant Mexican music." (Jan 10/09)
Mark Winston enjoyed the book "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett. Very funny. (Jan 8/09)
Mark Winston is thinking about the recent death and heroism of Mark Felt (aka Deep Throat)(Jan 7/09)
Mark Winston is tired of all the opsimaths he is meeting...(Jan 6/09)
Mark Winston has advised his 3 year old that if he doesn't get out of the bath, he WILL turn into a fish. He is mulling this over. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston is thankful for Paul Seydor's "Peckinpah: The Western Films - A Reconsideration." (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston against his better judgement, has become saturated with the juggernaut of children's programming, ie Treehouse. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston is disarming and dissuading his 3 year old from being a pirate. (Jan 4/09)
Mark Winston wonders why there is no "Stan Rogers Day" in Canada (Jan 2/09)
Mark Winston is now reading "A G-Man's Life" by Mark Felt (aka Deep Throat). (Jan 2/09)
Mark Winston is lobbying to make gay marriage compulsory: holidays, inlaws, conflict, it's only fair!(Jan 1/09)
Mark Winston smoked a Ramone Allones "Gigantes," and is probably compensating for something. (Dec 30/08)
Mark Winston thinks about entering his house justified...(Sam Peckinpah)(Dec 29/09)
Mark Winston is told to sit on the group W bench, now!(Dec 29/09)
Mark Winston wonders why no one in this damn town knows how to make a Sidecar. (Dec 25/08)
Mark Winston is getting in touch with his inner yodeler. (Dec 23/08)
Mark Winston wonders when exactly Coronation Street all went wrong? (Dec 22/08
Mark Winston is scheduling some time next week to smoke a cuban cigar. (Dec 21/08)
Mark Winston is insomniatic. (Dec 21/08)
Mark Winston responding to his 3 year old, who wants to know why he has to get toys from santa when there is stuff available on the shelves.(Dec 20/08)
Mark Winston is trying to deal with his 3 year old's "pirate attitude." (Dec 18/08)
Mark Winston is reading "McMafia" by Misha Glenny. (Dec 17/08)
Mark Winston is cautioning his 3 year old to stay on Santa's "nice" list or else he'll only get "girl toys" for x-mas. (Dec 12/08)
Mark Winston is finishing his last two ounces of Abelour scotch, wondering what's next. (Dec 11/08)
Mark Winston is grooving on Tiny Bill Cody (Nov 23/08)
Mark Winston is arranging a telethon for satirists to save Frank magazine (Oct 29/08)
Mark Winston Considering Richard Rorty (Oct 20/08)
(Well, close to a 100...)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day + The Politician
Some of my "friends" on Facebook are writers, artists and politicians.
One federal liberal politician,Bob Rae, gave the following admonition yesterday:
"Bob Rae is wishing mothers a happy mothers day and asking children everywhere to send flowers, chocolates, and MAKE THAT CALL."
21 people said they liked this.
Then I wrote: The greeting card industry thanks you.
Then a fellow named Barry Clark Simpson wrote:
Barry J Clark Simpson at 19:35 on 09 May
"this is a really disappointing response ... Mark
BR's comment is not a greeting card industry evocation for whatever reasons it seems you are not on the same page as his good intentions were
perhaps there are reasons why you can't understand that?
what do I know?"
------
I responded:
I didn't know this was a choir from which we all had to sing a part...We all have our perspectives. Bob's a great guy but also a politician...and you know politicians see babies, apple pie, mothers day as places where political capital can be generated. I guess I don't have perfect faith like others might have...
Mr. Simpson wrote again:
Interesting response
Mark there's no choir in my mind on this - that i know of
I just show up from time to time for activity and perhaps adjudication... Read more
there's no room for faith in politics it's like a very corrupt entertainment industry
in lots of ways
I like Bob though - he is thoughtful and available it's a big job - he has
I'm sort of glad he's not the leader that gives him all kinds of flexibility
And he's no Stephen Harper
he is also open to being human
I give him that
I really give him that
it's a mess in Ottawa
I just like to support human beings that seem to deserve support even though they are are in the industry of Politics
That Bob checks in every day on Face Book is to me endearing.
Then I indicated I agreed. Mr. Simpson then wanted to find out more about me - on Bob Rae's channel "Who are you?" "What is it like with your preschooler...etc"
I answered some of the questions (that I was nobody noteworthy, and that my preschooler sees me more like his valet than as a superhero...)
Finally, in the end, the great man writes in himself:
Glad I could help you work this out - lol - and sorry to hear Mark's rampant cynicism about "politicians". Oh well.
Postscript: On an earlier occasion, when Bob Rae said he was going to Washington, I said "Why does this remind me of Jimmy Stewart and Mr. Smith goes to Washington?"
I should have also mentioned that the movie "The Candidate" with Robert Redford in the 70s was very revealing about these questions.
One federal liberal politician,Bob Rae, gave the following admonition yesterday:
"Bob Rae is wishing mothers a happy mothers day and asking children everywhere to send flowers, chocolates, and MAKE THAT CALL."
21 people said they liked this.
Then I wrote: The greeting card industry thanks you.
Then a fellow named Barry Clark Simpson wrote:
Barry J Clark Simpson at 19:35 on 09 May
"this is a really disappointing response ... Mark
BR's comment is not a greeting card industry evocation for whatever reasons it seems you are not on the same page as his good intentions were
perhaps there are reasons why you can't understand that?
what do I know?"
------
I responded:
I didn't know this was a choir from which we all had to sing a part...We all have our perspectives. Bob's a great guy but also a politician...and you know politicians see babies, apple pie, mothers day as places where political capital can be generated. I guess I don't have perfect faith like others might have...
Mr. Simpson wrote again:
Interesting response
Mark there's no choir in my mind on this - that i know of
I just show up from time to time for activity and perhaps adjudication... Read more
there's no room for faith in politics it's like a very corrupt entertainment industry
in lots of ways
I like Bob though - he is thoughtful and available it's a big job - he has
I'm sort of glad he's not the leader that gives him all kinds of flexibility
And he's no Stephen Harper
he is also open to being human
I give him that
I really give him that
it's a mess in Ottawa
I just like to support human beings that seem to deserve support even though they are are in the industry of Politics
That Bob checks in every day on Face Book is to me endearing.
Then I indicated I agreed. Mr. Simpson then wanted to find out more about me - on Bob Rae's channel "Who are you?" "What is it like with your preschooler...etc"
I answered some of the questions (that I was nobody noteworthy, and that my preschooler sees me more like his valet than as a superhero...)
Finally, in the end, the great man writes in himself:
Glad I could help you work this out - lol - and sorry to hear Mark's rampant cynicism about "politicians". Oh well.
Postscript: On an earlier occasion, when Bob Rae said he was going to Washington, I said "Why does this remind me of Jimmy Stewart and Mr. Smith goes to Washington?"
I should have also mentioned that the movie "The Candidate" with Robert Redford in the 70s was very revealing about these questions.
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