Taking Ownership…
High School was not a good place for me.
There are many sayings: “If I knew then, what I know now…,” “If I could go back and do it all again…” But I can’t, and besides, that’s not really the focus of what I wanted to address here… but it is a means to an end.
In High School, I didn’t know who I was, what I wanted, or where I thought I should “be.” When I was 15, like most teenagers, I got a job… Except it turned out, I got a career !
At 15, I went to work for John Lecky and Thunderbird Enterprises, who ran a variety of stores in different areas of Vancouver… Windmill Toys, Czar Nicholas & The Toad, Dig This, P.S. and The Thunderbird Shop at UBC… and my life changed. Work, even at that young age, afforded me a focus that High School did not. I still went to school, and on to University and Computer School… but I was more engaged and enraptured by the challenges and the opportunities, so I poured myself into working at, and then, years later, helping run and Manage a Store.
When I started, the money was negligible… (at that time, people under the age of 16 got paid a lower minimum wage) … so I started at $2.65 an hour. But I didn’t care ! Soon I was working 40+ hours a week… and loving it.
John, or as he was then, “Sir”…. let every member of his Teams contribute, and feel valued.
The skills and energy I offer today, are as a result of , and built on, the lessons I learned then.
On reviewing my resume, this week, I proudly read “Team Builder and Cheerleader,” alongside skills that are probably more often posted, but, in some ways, less necessary.
John allowed every member of his Team, the gift of being able to perform… As if they owned the Business.
Work hard… Support your team… Learn as much as you can… Look at things from an “outside” perspective… Always try to exceed the customers’ expectations… I could go on and on, but perhaps most importantly… Have fun and enjoy what you do !
Times changed, and the businesses closed… (the late 90’s was all about Malls, and not about Destination Retail) …but the lessons learned during those 21 years have laid a foundation for my work, and my work ethic.
High School was not a good place for me. I found my place at Windmill Toys, in Kerrisdale. And on the shelves there, amongst Lego sets, Fisher-Price Toys and Playmobil, I found hard work, diligence, self worth and a set of work ethic values that will carry me through the rest of my days.
Thank you for reading this, and have a great day !
H-D-L… L-D-L… M-O-U-S-E…
I got the call the other day.
I thought it might be coming, but I believed I had staved it off.
It was not to be.
My doctor says I have high cholesterol.
Despite having changed my diet over the last year, to include less red meat, and dairy.
Despite having lost 30 pounds.
Despite having for the last year, done everything I could to make my cholesterol numbers better… they got substantially worse !!!
My parents both took medecine to lower their cholesterol… and between my sisters and I… I was the lucky one !
So, here I sit on a Saturday morning, newly resolved… just after New Years… but that has NOTHING to do with it.
What it does have to do with, is the determination that I will take the pills… but I will also work harder… continue to eat better… and work out more.
So, as I’m sitting here, watching the Canucks game, I have eaten my oatmeal for breakfast, laden with cinnamon and anti-oxidant loaded unsweetened fruit. I’m sipping my Green Tea, and nibbling almonds.
I may not be able to defeat the genes that my cholesterol-challenged parents gifted me with… but my parents also gave me a dogged stubborn streak about a mile wide. I don’t acknowledge “cannot” as a word in my vocabulary.
I have suffered a setback.
But damned if I’m giving up !
I’d like to elaborate further, but it’s time for me to go take some flax and salmon oil.
See you at the Gym !!!
Happy New Year…
It seems a long time ago that we were all atwitter about Y2K.
Ten years on, it seems strange that we had people whose sole job it was, to prepare us for the Computer Cataclysm that was forth-coming ! Thanks, Al Gore !!!
Tonight, my sweetie wasn’t feeling well, so instead of heading out to a friend’s house, we opted to stay home, and have a quiet evening…
There were two exceptional Hockey Games on, and Twitter was buzzing with Friends and Acquaintances wishing each other well.
There seemed to be a consensus that by the mere act of the hands of a clock, clicking past midnight, that the slate would be cleaned, and some sort of demons expunged. Not sure how that works. I found it remarkable, the number of people who remarked upon their expectations, that with the turning of a calendar page, they would also turn a fresh page on what was apparently, a “bad” year !!!
I’m not saying, what with Wars waging, record unemployment, cutbacks and losses, that 2009 was a banner year for greatness… far from it. I guess I’m just marvelling at the Optimism, where someone can say, “That, was bad… but now we start fresh !!!”
Not sure what word I would use to describe myself… Realist and Pragmatist both look superior and condescending, to my over-tired eyes…
I believe that a fresh start is a good thing. To begin anew, with a refreshed sense of vigour, and a renewed purpose, totally admirable.
I guess I am of the belief that just because the Calendar turns a page, we cannot cast aside the lessons of 2009.
For if we know one thing, it is that when we are not mindful of our History, we are bound to repeat the mistakes.
So, I raise a virtual glass in toast to the Opportunities of the coming Year, while casting a respectful glance over my shoulder at the remnants of 2009.
I wonder 10 Years from now, how we shall reflect on the beginning of this new Decade ?
Will it be the point where things turned around ?
Or will it be like Y2K… much ado about nothing ?
As always… time will tell !!!
Happy New Year !!!
Prorogues Gallery…
I’m not sure what I thought I was going to write about on my Blog.
When I started it, I thought maybe it would be a way for me to “stretch” the writing muscle that had lain dormant for too many seasons, and give it a bit of a run !
As you can tell, the postings have been… eclectic, and far from serious, but today’s events change that, for today, Canada’s Parliament was Prorogued (suspended) until March 3rd.
This appears to have been done at a time in the news cycle when News Media are focused on Holiday Events, Team Canada annoucements, and Year End List compilation.
I was raised in a Household where politics were discussed, and my Dad and his colleagues from CBC Radio would embrace discussion of different points of view, and as my Dad worked the “Victoria beat” for many years, would often have discussions with members of different political parties, and then differences would be put aside, and a dram or two would be had.
Today, I questioned the timing and reason for the Prorogue on Twitter, and I was replied to by someone whom I neither follow, nor know… and called, amongst other things, a “Liberal Spinner” and a “Harper-Hating Dog” !
Apart from the fact that I am more of a Cat Guy… I think it is sad that questioning the actions of a politician, after that individual does something that seems to be extraordinary in nature, gets someone I don’t know, riled up enough, to the point where he calls me names ?!?
I’m not sure, in the age of Blogs and Social Media, where someone like me fits in. I still believe in the Golden Rule: “Treat others, as you would like to be treated”
I extend someone I don’t know, the same courtesy, that I give to someone I am friendly with. This includes Business People, and the folks on the other end of Twitter.
Just because someone doesn’t know me, they can afford to insult me ? Sounds like Anti-Social Media, to me.
But, I digress…
And, on that note, I shall probably also transgress, because I am now going to Post the e-mail I sent to Her Excellency, the Governor-General of Canada, today… (and I’m not sure if etiquette permits that… but I wrote it, and I stand behind it !!!
And so, My Blog becomes a politically-charged target, for all things mud !
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A1Excellency:
As a Canadian, I am deeply concerned by two events, which appear to have occurred today.
The first is that our Prime Minister apparently has made a request to Prorogue Parliament.
The second event, is actually the confluence of a number of events, ranging from the sad loss of five Canadians in Afghanistan, a car-jacking of some Hollywood Actors’ car in Vancouver, to the naming of the Hockey Players on our Olympic Team.
The second has impacted the first, so much, that there has been no discernable News coverage of the Prorogue.
I would suggest that in this time of uncertainty, where Countries are just beginning to see a glimmering of hope in the mists of our future… and we are already coming off an extended break for the Holiday Season… that this is an unfortunate choice of timing, and uncertain times demand strong, not absent, leadership.
As a Canadian, I am saddened by the loss of our Canadian Soldiers and a Canadian Journalist, although I believe that Canada should help, when oppression rears its head.
I am also saddened that, on this day, gamesmanship seems to have replaced ethics, and hard work and persistence have given way to time off and disinterest.
In the last 15 years, I have voted for Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Reform and Independent candidates. I have never held any affiliation with any political party. As each election arrives, I decide which Candidate will best represent me, and my Riding, and I don’t care what Party they represent… I want to know how they, as an individual will represent me. Yes, I am that naive. I am also foolish enough to believe that Leaders should lead, and when they grow tired of leading, should stand to the side, for another to take their place. Just because they are the leader, they do not get to call the journey off… whether they get scared, or are uncertain, or have doubts. They will have moments of pause, certainly, but by the nature of the Title… a Leader must lead.
I feel that this Prorogue is an extreme dis-service to the Citizens of Canada… and serves, from what I can see, no purpose, other than to prevent business from being done in the House of Commons, where questions can be asked, and answers given.
There is a Driving School, called Young Drivers of Canada… which teaches young drivers to always ensure that there is a gap beside them, in case they suddenly have to veer, when cut off. I believe that Canadian Politics should not be run by the “Young Drivers of Canada Brake & Avoid” system.
Best wishes to you, and your family, for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Most sincerely,
Bob Gray
Christmas…
Christmas, for me, has always been like New Year’s Eve for everyone else.
Christmas Day has always been rooted in traditions and family, and has only occasionally changed.
I was born, the first Canadian, in a family of Scottish heritage, where the presents were opened Christmas morning, and the primary meal was the Scottish Breakfast… (Another blog, another time !) When I first got married, my wife and I were fortunate enough that her Families’ Traditions were afternoon and evening based… With everyone in her Family going to Aunt Vi and Uncle Ron’s house in the afternoon, and gift opening was an event that followed Aunty Vi’s Turkey Dinner.
The Traditions and rituals stayed the same for many years, until the passing of my Parents, and my Wife’s Aunt & Uncle… all, within a few years.
Kindly, my sister-in-law invited us to share Christmas in their home, as they had two young children, and with them, we were able to adapt the Traditions of my Wife’s Family into a new set of Traditions.
As I say, only a few changes in my 47 years, and probably the most stable of all the Events on the Calendar, for on no other occassions do I know when, where or how I will be celebrating… but on Christmas, there is a plan, years in the design, and rigid in its’ Structure. (And we LIKE it like that !)New Years, is the Holiday when most people reflect upon the the passing of another year, and the events that have happened.
For me, because the New Year’s celebrations have included Parties, stay home sick-ins, responding to a Break in, quiet nights at home, and Scottish Hogmanay celebrations… and are usually too varied and often alcohol-laden to include much retrospection, beyond… “why did I drink so much ???”
So, it falls to Christmas, to be the time when I do my mental “inventory”. My review, of my life, and the interaction and impact my life has had on others.
This year was a tough one, emotionally. I found myself missing my Parents more than I have in a few years… and a sense of Melancholy was ever present, for me, throughout the Holidays.
I left a job I had worked at for over a decade, feeling that it was time for me to make a new start, despite the daunting times that many Businesses are facing. Although I am anticipating an uphill climb ahead, I am relishing facing a new series of challenges, and finding a new place where I can help a good team become better.
Around our House we completed a series of projects which were vast in their scope, and successful in their outcome… not the least of which was the completion of the Recording Studio and Black Cat Hockey Lounge/Games Room/Bar in our Basement.
I am blessed with wonderful friends, crazy cats and a couple of Families that we would be happy to have as friends, but are fortunate to have as Family !
And, as always, my wife is loving, supportive, giving, caring, and more beautiful than I deserve…
I think inventory this year has gone well, and I am excited to see what 2010 has in Store !!!
New career opportunities… new friendships being made… old friendships being deepened… The Olympics… and probably other things that I haven’t though about, or maybe don’t know about…
Whatever it is, I’m up for it, and looking forward to it !
Happy New Year !!!
A Matter Of Taste…
I like Single Malt Scotch.
Over the years, I have accumulated Scotches from a few different Distilleries.
It has largely been a hit or miss situation, where someone will recommend a Scotch that they like, and sometimes I do like it, and sometimes not so much.
Because I am a cheap drunk, I find it inherently difficult to taste test different Scotches, side by side.
And, because I am of Scottish descent, I would rather drown, than spit out a single drop of Single Malt.
I had always, as they say, relied on the kindness of Strangers, in terms of selecting my “next” choice.
I was thinking about the approach of Christmas, and the Holiday celebration, and wondered about tying the seasonal drinking binges, and trying to rationalize it in the context of the “12 Scotches of Christmas” but the more I think about this, the more I realize that, while I know when I taste it, what I don’t like… I have no idea WHY I don’t like it.
I have no ability to share with you, how to assess, quantify, or communicate the various aspects of this task… so I shall be doing research on this most serious matter, and shall report back, as soon as I feel appropriately enlightened.
In the past few hours, I have learned that some of the terms are “The Nose”, “The Tongue” and “Flavour”… I’m sure there are more, but I’m just starting to learn.
In the meantime, I will try to keep my “Spirits” up… and suggest you do the same !
Cheers !!!