I should have known better than to try and predict anything about Trump’s presidency. A couple weeks ago, I wondered what his endgame might be. In foreign policy, Trump is too impatient to do the real work of diplomacy. He is also far too dimwitted to understand or care about the long-term implications of his actions. In just that time, … Read more
This isn’t actually a new thing for me; it happened fifteen years ago, in 2010. This most unpleasant stroll down memory lane is being caused by the things happening south of the border with respect to immigration, due process and personal rights and freedoms. To recap very briefly, at the time I had just finished my Masters degree. To celebrate, … Read more
So, tariffs went into effect March 4th at midnight. Now what? This, despite most rational people and virtually all non-MAGA economists claiming they’re a bad idea and will have dire economic consequences for both countries. This, despite Trump’s campaign promise to bring down the cost of living on day one in office. And, the 25% on all Canadian goods coming … Read more
In May 2021, ICBC (BC’s government-run car insurance crown corporation) made a major change to how they deal with injuries and vehicular damage resulting from car accidents. As a result of my April 2024 crash, I’ve experienced the full gamut of services provided by ICBC under their no-fault insurance scheme, which removes the ability to sue for vehicular and injury … Read more
On April 14, 2024, the author was involved in a severe crash while cycling, resulting in extensive injuries, including multiple strokes and cognitive deficits. Hospitalized for eight weeks, he underwent surgeries that left him immunocompromised and with lasting disabilities. Post-recovery, he documented his therapy progress, emphasizing improvements in physical and cognitive functioning, yet faced ongoing challenges with memory, motor skills, and the potential for returning to work. His experience has prompted reflections on life, safety, and living deliberately.
In 2023 we continued our quest to make up what we lost when the pandemic broke in 2020. Little did I know COVID would play a sizeable role in my experience this year too, but more on that a little later. We finally took the leap to hit the UK and Ireland last summer, but our original Europe plans in … Read more
We were originally going to spend a couple weeks in Ireland in spring 2020 to start nine weeks in Europe, but we all know what happened to travel in the early pandemic. As such, four nights in Dublin and a couple in Galway would have to suffice as our introduction to the Emerald Isle. This covers two nights in Galway … Read more
Being of Irish and Scottish descent, the Irish leg of this trip had always been my priority for coming to the British Isles. We were originally going to spend a couple weeks in Ireland in spring 2020 to start nine weeks in Europe, but we all know what happened to travel in the early pandemic. As such, four nights in … Read more
It was about two and a half years coming, but we finally got back a little of what COVID stole from us in 2020. This post covers six nights in Scotland, after stops in London and York, in early August 2022. The word that comes to mind when thinking about Edinburgh is simply rock. As in, the overriding and dominant thing … Read more
It was about two and a half years coming, but we finally got back a little of what COVID stole from us in 2020. This post covers a day trip we took to Cambridge from London, and two nights in York after we left London, in late July 2022. Less than an hour by train directly north of London is the … Read more