Dear London,
This I think is part 1 in an ongoing series of posts/articles about London Ontario and its development patterns, public spaces and the community in general. Perhaps this will grow into a more significant undertaking but that has more to do with my own personal search for meaningful employment (perhaps self-employment.)
Love sometimes means being tough. It means looking at truths square in the face and confronting them. It means telling it like it is and letting the consequences fall as they will.
I love my hometown. When I grew up, I remember watching the population gradually climb through the 200,000-300,000 plus mark. I left when I was 27, freshly graduated from Western and ready to tackle Toronto. I returned almost exactly a decade after I left it at the age of 37 - 2 weeks shy of a 10-year love affair with that big "Center of the Universe", Toronto. My time in Toronto included a 7 year stint working for a City Councillor (and being paid more than any sitting member of London City Council I might add.)
I love being back here save for one big fat factor (well, maybe 3.) The big fat factor is that I currently reside in Westmount. About a block away from Southdale Road and 5 away from Wonderland near Farnham Road. When I say blocks, I mean typical city blocks, not sets of traffic lights which in this case would be 1.
Moving from Toronto's west-end, High Park area has made for a significant cultural change. But its also made me quite angry about the way this City has been managed. More specifically, I'm angry at the way London has grown and continues to grow in the face of global trends.
Its often been said that cities grow organically. That is to say that they are naturally occurring phenomena and that density occurs quite naturally over time. However, the growth of the post-war period has been skewed by inexpensive gas, a change in farming techniques and food production and of course through globalization. Recently traditional types of employment, from manufacturing to book-selling to service jobs, such as those in banks have been moved around the globe, out-sourced or made redundant through technology.
A bigger, more potentially dangerous trend to our way of life comes from the loss of cheap, abundant non-renewable energy sources and our growing awareness to its damaging effects. We've become obese, in some cases isolated and in short, the 'Canadian dream' is not turning out the way many had hoped. Our taxes are high, our public debt is growing and our infrastructure is crumbling. In the face of these pressing problems we can chose two courses. We can continue to grow as we have or, we can make a decision to be smart about the way we use resources. From gas to water, from sidewalks to land, the choice is ours to continue to be wasters, the second largest consumers of energy in the world, and threaten our own sustainability, or we can learn from mistakes of the past and vow to change them through vision and action.
Our city covers an immense amount of Land. Threatened by greedy development practices and pro-development review, our city leaders have chosen in the past to gobble up surrounding communities through annexation. This practice, while topping-up current revenues through development charges, has created a vast city with very low densities.
It doesn't take a Jane Jacobs to understand the consequences of our growth patterns. At the same time as we've grown out, we've lost chances to increase the value of inner-City property and already-developed land. We now see city planners scrambling to intensify downtown through massive tower developments, suitable in a city like Toronto. This all-at-once development style threatens to create its own new problems.
The problems associated with London's post-war development patterns are apparent all over and not just in the residential sector of development. Residential sprawl has gone hand-in-hand with commercial sprawl, with a majority of London's arterial roads lined with low density housing and commercial development. In many cases, Londoners have little choice but to use their cars. However, the choices we make, about shopping, about where we new businesses are located, about the people we elect are everyone's responsibility; we can all make a difference as individuals.
Wharnecliffe and Wellington Roads in the south end are prime examples of how problematic poor development can be. The most obvious sign to us should be the number of curb-cuts providing access from properties fronting on these roads. This causes the need for further widening where possible or the need to simply learn how to live with traffic tie-ups and the resultant smog.
These types of low-density development, particularly on major arterial roads create the need for increased subsidies for public transit and worse, make us all car dependent. Low density has lead to unsafe neighbourhoods, including the downtown area and in the suburbs. News of muggings,'jumpings' and fights seem to be frequent leading City Council to consider closing public walkways in some cases or to install more cameras.
Another prime example of the unseen cost of sprawl is the vacant strip-plazas and malls, like Westmount which now are being re-purposed or changed to be more like their 'power' or 'smart' center cousins. If ever there were a reason for a law against misleading commercial nomenclature, its the 'smart center', possibly the dumbest style of commercial design we've yet to come up with.
But the big problems are right in front of your eyes anytime you get a property tax or water bill in your mailbox. Often people will complain about incompetence at City Hall without taking a look at where they live, how the shop, the problems we face as a city and the level of service we desire and need. We seem not to want to ask ourselves the tough questions, like 'how did we get here' or 'why are there problems when my taxes are as high as a Toronto homeowners on way less assessment?"
London's population density is somewhere in the low-to-mid 800's/km sq. Toronto's is about 5 times that number, just under 4,000 people per square kilometre. While in some instances, the number and cost of services will increase with density, the vast majority of a City's costs are related to hard infrastructure like roads and sidewalks, water and sewers, and costs that can increase by geography such as policing, garbage and fire services.
In the municipal context, sustainability is not just about the environment, though it's a nice and beneficial side-effect. In this context, it's about social, economic and fiscal responsibility and stewardship.
Put it in your own personal context to get a simpler understanding; If you own a home and can't afford to heat it, would you then build an addition to it?
So...who's with me to start making a more sustainable city by increasing the amount of information and providing voters, residents and consumers with the power of ideas.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Glut of Self-Help profits, er prophets.
It’s always occurred to me that $30.00 books that tell you how to save money probably should begin with “Lesson 1: Don’t buy $30.00 books that tell you how to save money.”
Similarly with ‘self-help’ books, life coaches and many of the one-line online gurus who spout off their quote of the day. I wonder sometimes what kind of hardships someone with a Masters and PHD has ever had to endure. That’s not to bemoan my own situation too much. No one likes self-pity, but there appears to be a new industry of people who just earn money off of relaying tidbits that can be found, rather, should be found in their original source materials.
A recent Twitter post sums it up: “Life attracts Life.” What the hell does that even mean? Even though it’s written out to be read, the Tao Te Ching must be lived, it cannot really be taught. So do these people who quote Lao Tzu even understand the Tao? One famed Buddhist monk gave a lesson of the path to enlightenment by silently holding up a Lotus Leaf. Somehow one-liners fail to reflect this greater lesson: “The way to enlightenment is to watch my podcast.”
I find many of these self-helpers are probably helping themselves, to your money and time, as much as anything. But there’s something tawdry and seemingly somewhat fraudulent by peddling and re-packaging age-old wisdom in 140-character Tweets. Can you imagine Plato’s Republic written 140 characters at a time? Or read that way?
If I were to offer help to someone I’d honestly have to say that life is a process of learning. Just like working out, the failures, pushing oneself to the stressful results of testing one’s boundaries, tearing at the emotional muscles, is what gives way to true growth. I doubt that simply offering simple rubrics about life force, energy or ‘god’ (whatever that means to you), without truly understanding the underlying emotional pain that someone has felt can actually cut to the quick of solving someone’s troubles. So it’s either, go into therapy and counseling or engage yourself in a deeper search for meaning.
Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps there are Shamans walking amongst us? However, a quick review of LinkedIn shows a troubling number of ‘Life Coaches.’ There were never that many wizards in ancient societies. Perhaps that too indicates the source of some of my dilemma with today’s self-help industry. Going back to my opening statement, if I could offer one piece of advice to anyone seeking solutions to life’s questions it would be that there are no short-cuts. You have to read and think to grow. Don’t pay me. Spend money on a few good books that will lead you to the true great works of literature that others prostitute under their own Twitter identity. Better yet, take them out from the Library.
People have suggested and I’ve briefly considered this line of work. What else is an Arts major to do in these trying economic times where communications and government relations jobs, particularly in a small community like London with seemingly little interest in civic discourse? Helping others seems easy enough – particularly with some of the traumas and issues I’ve dealt with in my 38 years. That being said I’m no Plato. Or Freud. Or Jung. And those three really didn’t earn a living off anyone else’s thoughts repackaged as their own. Well, except for Plato but he was Socrates’ student so you get my drift.
Symbolic of my questioning of the field of life coaching, I recently started a blog about personal wellness. Unlike my political and urban-development focused blogs, this one was an attempt to create a living journal of my journey back to peak health. Perhaps it’s simply a symptom of my late 30’s career confusion that I haven’t posted anything to it very recently.
In the words of Neil Postman, celebrated media critic and writer, we are living in a time of information glut. Our culture is overwhelmed with information and yes there are people who can benefit from a little self-help without deeper analysis or thought. However, it seems to me from the reading I’ve been doing most lately, that bigger and more is not the solution to the issues that so many people face today. People are already overwhelmed. How long have there been “Thought of the Day” desk calendars. Twitter has made it "The Thought of the Half-Hour". The blogger's need to attract traffic makes it overwhelming.
Today’s Machiavellian Tweet: “Keep your enemies close and your Twitter followers closer.”
This all leads me to the thoughts I’ve been struggling with recently about how to earn a living and why I am on this earth. How does one make one’s way as a bit of a writer, critical thinker, contrarian and somewhat philosophical type? Is there a need for another amateur blogger who seeks incessant ‘traffic’ to generate money for large corporations that advertise online? I’ve thus far resisted ‘monetizing’ my blogs and I really would like to keep it that way but I guess that’s just a form of pious self-righteousness.
However, it’s also a comment that there is already too much advertising and part of my life’s desire is to reduce the commoditization of the world. We’re inundated in every part of our lives with ads, product placements and lifestyle-oriented sales pitches. The envy industry is everywhere, hoping we’ll find that the answers to life’s shortcomings are to be found in the next purchase. (and thanks to Mark Kingwell for pointing that out.)
Similarly with ‘self-help’ books, life coaches and many of the one-line online gurus who spout off their quote of the day. I wonder sometimes what kind of hardships someone with a Masters and PHD has ever had to endure. That’s not to bemoan my own situation too much. No one likes self-pity, but there appears to be a new industry of people who just earn money off of relaying tidbits that can be found, rather, should be found in their original source materials.
A recent Twitter post sums it up: “Life attracts Life.” What the hell does that even mean? Even though it’s written out to be read, the Tao Te Ching must be lived, it cannot really be taught. So do these people who quote Lao Tzu even understand the Tao? One famed Buddhist monk gave a lesson of the path to enlightenment by silently holding up a Lotus Leaf. Somehow one-liners fail to reflect this greater lesson: “The way to enlightenment is to watch my podcast.”
I find many of these self-helpers are probably helping themselves, to your money and time, as much as anything. But there’s something tawdry and seemingly somewhat fraudulent by peddling and re-packaging age-old wisdom in 140-character Tweets. Can you imagine Plato’s Republic written 140 characters at a time? Or read that way?
If I were to offer help to someone I’d honestly have to say that life is a process of learning. Just like working out, the failures, pushing oneself to the stressful results of testing one’s boundaries, tearing at the emotional muscles, is what gives way to true growth. I doubt that simply offering simple rubrics about life force, energy or ‘god’ (whatever that means to you), without truly understanding the underlying emotional pain that someone has felt can actually cut to the quick of solving someone’s troubles. So it’s either, go into therapy and counseling or engage yourself in a deeper search for meaning.
Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps there are Shamans walking amongst us? However, a quick review of LinkedIn shows a troubling number of ‘Life Coaches.’ There were never that many wizards in ancient societies. Perhaps that too indicates the source of some of my dilemma with today’s self-help industry. Going back to my opening statement, if I could offer one piece of advice to anyone seeking solutions to life’s questions it would be that there are no short-cuts. You have to read and think to grow. Don’t pay me. Spend money on a few good books that will lead you to the true great works of literature that others prostitute under their own Twitter identity. Better yet, take them out from the Library.
People have suggested and I’ve briefly considered this line of work. What else is an Arts major to do in these trying economic times where communications and government relations jobs, particularly in a small community like London with seemingly little interest in civic discourse? Helping others seems easy enough – particularly with some of the traumas and issues I’ve dealt with in my 38 years. That being said I’m no Plato. Or Freud. Or Jung. And those three really didn’t earn a living off anyone else’s thoughts repackaged as their own. Well, except for Plato but he was Socrates’ student so you get my drift.
Symbolic of my questioning of the field of life coaching, I recently started a blog about personal wellness. Unlike my political and urban-development focused blogs, this one was an attempt to create a living journal of my journey back to peak health. Perhaps it’s simply a symptom of my late 30’s career confusion that I haven’t posted anything to it very recently.
In the words of Neil Postman, celebrated media critic and writer, we are living in a time of information glut. Our culture is overwhelmed with information and yes there are people who can benefit from a little self-help without deeper analysis or thought. However, it seems to me from the reading I’ve been doing most lately, that bigger and more is not the solution to the issues that so many people face today. People are already overwhelmed. How long have there been “Thought of the Day” desk calendars. Twitter has made it "The Thought of the Half-Hour". The blogger's need to attract traffic makes it overwhelming.
Today’s Machiavellian Tweet: “Keep your enemies close and your Twitter followers closer.”
This all leads me to the thoughts I’ve been struggling with recently about how to earn a living and why I am on this earth. How does one make one’s way as a bit of a writer, critical thinker, contrarian and somewhat philosophical type? Is there a need for another amateur blogger who seeks incessant ‘traffic’ to generate money for large corporations that advertise online? I’ve thus far resisted ‘monetizing’ my blogs and I really would like to keep it that way but I guess that’s just a form of pious self-righteousness.
However, it’s also a comment that there is already too much advertising and part of my life’s desire is to reduce the commoditization of the world. We’re inundated in every part of our lives with ads, product placements and lifestyle-oriented sales pitches. The envy industry is everywhere, hoping we’ll find that the answers to life’s shortcomings are to be found in the next purchase. (and thanks to Mark Kingwell for pointing that out.)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Oh London. What do you think that button that says 'Reply' means anway?
A Contrarian by nature
I went to Western in the 90’s. I say 90’s because my career started in 91 and ended in 98. That’s a total of 6 years living around the world of Western students. I took the years between 93 and 96 off and worked in kitchens, partied a lot but also had a radio show at CHRW.
I enjoyed my time at Western if for no other reason it concreted my feelings about revolution and well, not quite fitting in. A friend once said she thought I was aloof while I was there. That’s probably accurate. In that instance it may have had to do with the fact that I thought she was quite attractive but had a girlfriend at the time. My aloofness at Western had more to do with my political views. Western’s always been a school of the privileged and that was particularly true in the 90’s.
I’ve never been poor (until now) but I’ve also had to work for every penny I’ve ever had. At the same time, my brain seems to not have an ability to turn off and work for means that I don’t totally agree with. I worked for Greenpeace for a time for instance. I enjoyed challenging people’s ideas and assumptions. Still do. I’m a contrarian. This hasn’t always made life easy – quite the opposite in fact.
For a time, I think I packed up my views about social justice. I worked for the richest of the rich in Canada, protecting their property values from the encroachment of development that in many cases would serve the larger purpose of adding to the supply of housing. Forest Hill, Lawrence Park and other wealthy neighbourhoods in Toronto were home to the constituents that I served. I recall a meeting at the foot of Avenue Road with residents opposed to a home for persons with depression and other psychiatric needs – not violent people by any means. In fact the President of the Ratepayer’s Association had a son who used the services of the group trying to establish the home.
While I enjoyed the work, former colleagues will relay the stories of me challenging, nay, shouting at constituents on the other end of the phone, testing their positions instead of being a good boy and simply agreeing with whatever heinous statement the person was making. I can’t say I slept well in those years – not that I sleep well now.
So that is what I deal with. I could probably go and get a job at any old place but there are a number of reasons I find this difficult. One – I’m not a fan of impersonal Chain stores that I have now begun to believe harm our culture, our City, our environment more than they help. Two – I feel as though I have a greater contribution to make than any old minimum wage job can enable. Perhaps this is some illusion or narcissistic view but I’ve had some significant mentors in the past who’ve praised my intelligence and need for a challenge. I’ve also met with a US Secretary of Transportation, a Washington State Governor and various other high-ranking officials and know that I am capable and intelligent.
Three – Many jobs serve purposes that I don’t agree with or don’t feel comfortable promoting. A luxury perhaps and I should keep this in mind when I’m complaining about not being employed or having money.
I’m committed to staying in London. I love my hometown. I’ve met a number of tremendously interesting and active people here already and look forward to making more new friends. It’s difficult though. The number of cool, empowering employment opportunities is definitely limited. I have some ideas for things I’d like to do but they require an entrepreneurial spirit that I admittedly sometimes lack. I don’t think its laziness. It might surprise some people but it’s mostly an issue of self-confidence.
So where does that leave me? Perhaps at this point I’m just a complainer, if I’m not an activist? If I could identify some way to ensure that I’ll eventually be able to pay bills – I don’t need a lot of stuff but a place of my own and food on the table would be great, then I’d be happy. I’m impatient. I’ve spent so long thinking and the best ideas I can come up with are related to doing what I love – raising awareness, raising consciousness and pointing out those things in our society that I, and many others, take issue with.
How do we fund that? London certainly has the population to support civic action. Does it have the willingness though? What is the vehicle in which to conduct this sort of activity? I’m certainly meeting lots of like-minded people. People who like me, don’t fit into any simple box – round pegs for square holes I suppose. Can we form some sort of collective? A non-profit. I like the idea of creating a BALLE network here in London. I’m stuck on the Business Plan though.
I’m also frustrated by what I’ve learned is a London communication style. Whether its’ a potential employer, an old friend or a potential lover, people here don’t answer e-mails it seems. They’ll get around to it when it suits them. WTF? Is it just me? Is it a Toronto thing to, at the very least, acknowledge receipt of an e-mail and say, I’ll get back to you when I’ve had some time to think? Do people in this City not really understand the purposes of social networking? Computers? E-mail? If I see another Private Facebook profile, it might make me snap!
I’ve wandered. That’s not unusual for me. I guess I need to light a firecracker; under my own butt and under the butts (and buts) of Londoners? Who’s with me?
Or do I just go back to Western and learn more, take out massive loans and figure out how to raise awareness through academic papers?
I went to Western in the 90’s. I say 90’s because my career started in 91 and ended in 98. That’s a total of 6 years living around the world of Western students. I took the years between 93 and 96 off and worked in kitchens, partied a lot but also had a radio show at CHRW.
I enjoyed my time at Western if for no other reason it concreted my feelings about revolution and well, not quite fitting in. A friend once said she thought I was aloof while I was there. That’s probably accurate. In that instance it may have had to do with the fact that I thought she was quite attractive but had a girlfriend at the time. My aloofness at Western had more to do with my political views. Western’s always been a school of the privileged and that was particularly true in the 90’s.
I’ve never been poor (until now) but I’ve also had to work for every penny I’ve ever had. At the same time, my brain seems to not have an ability to turn off and work for means that I don’t totally agree with. I worked for Greenpeace for a time for instance. I enjoyed challenging people’s ideas and assumptions. Still do. I’m a contrarian. This hasn’t always made life easy – quite the opposite in fact.
For a time, I think I packed up my views about social justice. I worked for the richest of the rich in Canada, protecting their property values from the encroachment of development that in many cases would serve the larger purpose of adding to the supply of housing. Forest Hill, Lawrence Park and other wealthy neighbourhoods in Toronto were home to the constituents that I served. I recall a meeting at the foot of Avenue Road with residents opposed to a home for persons with depression and other psychiatric needs – not violent people by any means. In fact the President of the Ratepayer’s Association had a son who used the services of the group trying to establish the home.
While I enjoyed the work, former colleagues will relay the stories of me challenging, nay, shouting at constituents on the other end of the phone, testing their positions instead of being a good boy and simply agreeing with whatever heinous statement the person was making. I can’t say I slept well in those years – not that I sleep well now.
So that is what I deal with. I could probably go and get a job at any old place but there are a number of reasons I find this difficult. One – I’m not a fan of impersonal Chain stores that I have now begun to believe harm our culture, our City, our environment more than they help. Two – I feel as though I have a greater contribution to make than any old minimum wage job can enable. Perhaps this is some illusion or narcissistic view but I’ve had some significant mentors in the past who’ve praised my intelligence and need for a challenge. I’ve also met with a US Secretary of Transportation, a Washington State Governor and various other high-ranking officials and know that I am capable and intelligent.
Three – Many jobs serve purposes that I don’t agree with or don’t feel comfortable promoting. A luxury perhaps and I should keep this in mind when I’m complaining about not being employed or having money.
I’m committed to staying in London. I love my hometown. I’ve met a number of tremendously interesting and active people here already and look forward to making more new friends. It’s difficult though. The number of cool, empowering employment opportunities is definitely limited. I have some ideas for things I’d like to do but they require an entrepreneurial spirit that I admittedly sometimes lack. I don’t think its laziness. It might surprise some people but it’s mostly an issue of self-confidence.
So where does that leave me? Perhaps at this point I’m just a complainer, if I’m not an activist? If I could identify some way to ensure that I’ll eventually be able to pay bills – I don’t need a lot of stuff but a place of my own and food on the table would be great, then I’d be happy. I’m impatient. I’ve spent so long thinking and the best ideas I can come up with are related to doing what I love – raising awareness, raising consciousness and pointing out those things in our society that I, and many others, take issue with.
How do we fund that? London certainly has the population to support civic action. Does it have the willingness though? What is the vehicle in which to conduct this sort of activity? I’m certainly meeting lots of like-minded people. People who like me, don’t fit into any simple box – round pegs for square holes I suppose. Can we form some sort of collective? A non-profit. I like the idea of creating a BALLE network here in London. I’m stuck on the Business Plan though.
I’m also frustrated by what I’ve learned is a London communication style. Whether its’ a potential employer, an old friend or a potential lover, people here don’t answer e-mails it seems. They’ll get around to it when it suits them. WTF? Is it just me? Is it a Toronto thing to, at the very least, acknowledge receipt of an e-mail and say, I’ll get back to you when I’ve had some time to think? Do people in this City not really understand the purposes of social networking? Computers? E-mail? If I see another Private Facebook profile, it might make me snap!
I’ve wandered. That’s not unusual for me. I guess I need to light a firecracker; under my own butt and under the butts (and buts) of Londoners? Who’s with me?
Or do I just go back to Western and learn more, take out massive loans and figure out how to raise awareness through academic papers?
Another New idea
Everything happens for a reason, right?
People keep telling me this but its often hard to believe it, particularly when you've endured a number of months of unemployment. However, last night's Beers with Jas (perhaps the title of an ongoing discussion) has given me faith once again in the marvels of our universe.
When I was 17, it was a very good year, but alas, that's a digression. Ahem, when I was 17, I had the good fortune to indicate positively in response to my Accounting Teacher's question: 'Who likes Baseball' and again to the question: 'who is looking for a part-time job this summer?' Turns out old Ken Hernimen knew Bob Eamon who would be leading the Ticket-selling efforts for the start-up Double A Eastern League Baseball Team, The London Tigers. Providence was smiling.
For the next 4 years, I would work for the London Tigers as a Ticket Seller and Parking Attendant at London's Labatt Park. Its how I met my ex-wife and while that didn't turn out so well (though there are many good memories too) it seems that fateful summer love may lead to something new and much greater.
While out with Jas, it came to mention that Jim Chapman, host of AM980's Jim Chapman News Hour, recently discussed his interest in hiring someone, or creating some entity that would provide Londoners with information about the activities at London City Hall. It's an idea I've had from time-to-time since returning to London in August.
For those of you unfamiliar with London History and currently scratching your head wondering how these two seemingly random events connect...Jim Chapman was also the bane of my existence for a number of years - but in a very jovial and positive way. Jim wrote a song that for years played on a constant loop in my brain. If you haven't already guessed, Jim wrote the famous lines..."Its the crack of the bat, the smack of the glove, the sounds of the game that everyone loves, it's London Tiger Baseball! Tear 'em up Tigers, Let's Go!"
21 years after that fateful summer, I am back in my hometown, with a head full of knowledge about City government, ideas about the causes of London's ills and ways to solve them. I've been wondering recently how to get Londoners informed about what is going on at City Hall.
For instance, my parents consistently wonder how Toronto taxpayers can complain when their City taxes are equivalent to London's and yet enjoy a multitude of services. This of course at the same time as all properties are taxed based on their Current Value Assessment. This means a house worth 300,000 in Toronto pays the same dollar in taxes as a 150,000 home in London.
The answer of course is obvious to anyone with a knowledge of Property Taxes and Urban Economics. The answer lies in the question of population density. Toronto packs 'em in. This is why Toronto residents can get an answer from their Councillor who represents a similar number of residents as a London Councillor while having a staff of 3 to assist her. The question is not "why are Toronto's taxes the same" but rather "Why are London's taxes so high relative to the services provided?" Simply put, urban sprawl costs more to service and London has urban sprawl like Horton's has donuts!
This is but one of the areas that I wish to educate Londoners about. We can choose to all live on cul-de-sacs in sprawling subdivisions but we have to understand the trade-offs of inefficient services, expensive taxes, poor air quality, poor transit, low quality jobs in car-oriented business places, un-walkable neighbourhoods, traffic gridlock, etc.. These problems only get worse as infrastructure ages without the density to pay for its replacement.
So...how do we get Londoners to care? How do we get behind the garage and into the living rooms? Civic Engagement. We can fight for a City that works or we can sit back and allow developers to continue to build highly profitable subdivisions further from the center of town, while 'brownfield' lots get skipped over. Or we can challenge our City's Mothers and Fathers to think of a post-carbon (its coming) future where driving is the last choice, not the first. We can redevelop existing lands within the City's boundaries while preserving valuable green space on the edge of town from being paved over. We can stop forcing deer to commit hari-kari off bridges in the Northwest end of town. Soon enough, the high costs of our wasteful energy use of the past 30 years will catch up, as resources are depleted and those green areas will prove valuable for small-scale farming and recreation.
There are, I'm sure, great things at work, fantastic ideas about London's future that we cannot even explore due to the costs of servicing our sprawling City. The deep thinkers, the Richard Floridas and Jane Jacobs of the world know that Cities are the future and that the successful ones are those that enable arts, culture, sport and creativity.
Its time to ask Londoners to think more deeply about how we grow. But they can only be expected to think wisely if they have the information necessary to do so. Current news media does a poor job of informing Londoners about their civic government. The London Free Press is run out of Toronto and carries little deep coverage of London City Hall. A Channel News, is run, more or less, out of Toronto and carries little deep coverage about London City Hall.
So...how do we grow City Think London. Jim? If you've got the funding, I've got the ideas.
We start with Civic Engagement 101. We cover City meetings of all kinds. We profile the existing Councillors. We profile City bureaucrats and let Londoners know who they are. We delve deeply into the issues about taxation and growth. We look at who funds election campaigns. We seriously look at the amount politicians are paid compared to what is asked of them, we ask how much they have at hand for staffing and serving constituents. And we track the votes and report them. We create transparency and accountability of politicians, developers and residents.
And we hold our own meetings. We engage the residents of this City by inviting guest lecturers to meetings that get us to think more deeply about the kinds of communities we'd like to live in. The London Urban Institute might be a name we use for that work.
So...Jim. I hope you'll remember me, 21 years after the year we met, in the Press Box above Labatt Park, that field of dreams that represented my hopes for a better future. And I hope, like me, you see Providence smiling as the sun rises on this day after Remembrance Day. Let's make London an engaged City.
People keep telling me this but its often hard to believe it, particularly when you've endured a number of months of unemployment. However, last night's Beers with Jas (perhaps the title of an ongoing discussion) has given me faith once again in the marvels of our universe.
When I was 17, it was a very good year, but alas, that's a digression. Ahem, when I was 17, I had the good fortune to indicate positively in response to my Accounting Teacher's question: 'Who likes Baseball' and again to the question: 'who is looking for a part-time job this summer?' Turns out old Ken Hernimen knew Bob Eamon who would be leading the Ticket-selling efforts for the start-up Double A Eastern League Baseball Team, The London Tigers. Providence was smiling.
For the next 4 years, I would work for the London Tigers as a Ticket Seller and Parking Attendant at London's Labatt Park. Its how I met my ex-wife and while that didn't turn out so well (though there are many good memories too) it seems that fateful summer love may lead to something new and much greater.
While out with Jas, it came to mention that Jim Chapman, host of AM980's Jim Chapman News Hour, recently discussed his interest in hiring someone, or creating some entity that would provide Londoners with information about the activities at London City Hall. It's an idea I've had from time-to-time since returning to London in August.
For those of you unfamiliar with London History and currently scratching your head wondering how these two seemingly random events connect...Jim Chapman was also the bane of my existence for a number of years - but in a very jovial and positive way. Jim wrote a song that for years played on a constant loop in my brain. If you haven't already guessed, Jim wrote the famous lines..."Its the crack of the bat, the smack of the glove, the sounds of the game that everyone loves, it's London Tiger Baseball! Tear 'em up Tigers, Let's Go!"
21 years after that fateful summer, I am back in my hometown, with a head full of knowledge about City government, ideas about the causes of London's ills and ways to solve them. I've been wondering recently how to get Londoners informed about what is going on at City Hall.
For instance, my parents consistently wonder how Toronto taxpayers can complain when their City taxes are equivalent to London's and yet enjoy a multitude of services. This of course at the same time as all properties are taxed based on their Current Value Assessment. This means a house worth 300,000 in Toronto pays the same dollar in taxes as a 150,000 home in London.
The answer of course is obvious to anyone with a knowledge of Property Taxes and Urban Economics. The answer lies in the question of population density. Toronto packs 'em in. This is why Toronto residents can get an answer from their Councillor who represents a similar number of residents as a London Councillor while having a staff of 3 to assist her. The question is not "why are Toronto's taxes the same" but rather "Why are London's taxes so high relative to the services provided?" Simply put, urban sprawl costs more to service and London has urban sprawl like Horton's has donuts!
This is but one of the areas that I wish to educate Londoners about. We can choose to all live on cul-de-sacs in sprawling subdivisions but we have to understand the trade-offs of inefficient services, expensive taxes, poor air quality, poor transit, low quality jobs in car-oriented business places, un-walkable neighbourhoods, traffic gridlock, etc.. These problems only get worse as infrastructure ages without the density to pay for its replacement.
So...how do we get Londoners to care? How do we get behind the garage and into the living rooms? Civic Engagement. We can fight for a City that works or we can sit back and allow developers to continue to build highly profitable subdivisions further from the center of town, while 'brownfield' lots get skipped over. Or we can challenge our City's Mothers and Fathers to think of a post-carbon (its coming) future where driving is the last choice, not the first. We can redevelop existing lands within the City's boundaries while preserving valuable green space on the edge of town from being paved over. We can stop forcing deer to commit hari-kari off bridges in the Northwest end of town. Soon enough, the high costs of our wasteful energy use of the past 30 years will catch up, as resources are depleted and those green areas will prove valuable for small-scale farming and recreation.
There are, I'm sure, great things at work, fantastic ideas about London's future that we cannot even explore due to the costs of servicing our sprawling City. The deep thinkers, the Richard Floridas and Jane Jacobs of the world know that Cities are the future and that the successful ones are those that enable arts, culture, sport and creativity.
Its time to ask Londoners to think more deeply about how we grow. But they can only be expected to think wisely if they have the information necessary to do so. Current news media does a poor job of informing Londoners about their civic government. The London Free Press is run out of Toronto and carries little deep coverage of London City Hall. A Channel News, is run, more or less, out of Toronto and carries little deep coverage about London City Hall.
So...how do we grow City Think London. Jim? If you've got the funding, I've got the ideas.
We start with Civic Engagement 101. We cover City meetings of all kinds. We profile the existing Councillors. We profile City bureaucrats and let Londoners know who they are. We delve deeply into the issues about taxation and growth. We look at who funds election campaigns. We seriously look at the amount politicians are paid compared to what is asked of them, we ask how much they have at hand for staffing and serving constituents. And we track the votes and report them. We create transparency and accountability of politicians, developers and residents.
And we hold our own meetings. We engage the residents of this City by inviting guest lecturers to meetings that get us to think more deeply about the kinds of communities we'd like to live in. The London Urban Institute might be a name we use for that work.
So...Jim. I hope you'll remember me, 21 years after the year we met, in the Press Box above Labatt Park, that field of dreams that represented my hopes for a better future. And I hope, like me, you see Providence smiling as the sun rises on this day after Remembrance Day. Let's make London an engaged City.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Determined to London
Odd title I know. However, this signals a new intention to be absolutely 100 percent satisfied and happy with my decision to relocate my life back to London Ontario and to make the most of my move and to help, if possible, better develop the most of my chosen City.
As I've previously written, I was born and raised here in London. My parents came here from England in the mid-60's. I was born in '71. We lived in Berkshire Village from the time I was born until I was 13, when we moved to Rington Crescent which sits delightfully under the glowing cross of the London Gospel Temple on Commissioners road west of Wharnecliffe. I attended Woodland Heights, one of 6 students to go all the way from K-8 at that school. I then went to Westminster, home of the Wildcats and one of the best (at the time) hockey schools in London - not a great esteem builder for someone who never played hockey and preferred basketball, but oh well, we won City Champs the year I was in Grade 13 (the first time.)
When I was 27, I got married and moved to Toronto. I was just happy to be with my ex-wife and to follow her there. It was good for me, though perhaps not a path I would have chosen for myself. Who knows?
I loved my life at Western. That's perhaps why I took two years off in the midst, while remaining a dedicated volunteer at the Campus Radio Station CHRW. I quite enjoyed the London music/punk/skate scene even if I was only an observer and commentator rather than a full-fledged participant (since I have the balance of, well, something with no balance.)
I took political science which has always been a natural interest of mine and something I've taken to quite intuitively. I think I either have a pretty large chip on my shoulder, a very sensitive bullshit detector and sense of fairness or a combination of all three. I am interested in economics and politics and where the two collide. My maternal grandfather probably has something to do with this inclination. He was a letter-writer and rabble-rouser, a mechanical engineer who joined the Union while at his firm in England (Douty-Rotol, Division of Rolls Royce and manufacturer of Spitfire Engines!) I recall attending NDP functions when I was young, seeing Bob Rae play piano at the Western Fairgrounds and campaigning door-to-door for David Winninger's election.
In High School I rather enjoyed the study of Social Sciences and the Arts (as well as the informal unmarked study of the rise of Nike, Air Jordans and girl-watching/swooning/crushing - if you were in High School with me, I no doubt had a crush on you for at least a week.) I shunned the sciences and maths even though I excelled in Accounting and kept the books for my Father's business. The life of an accountant didn't appeal to me though. Debits, Credits and depreciating Assets just didn't set my heart aflutter.
I'm also not a politician. Many have asked if I would run for office to which I normally reply "What kind of an asshole do you take me for?" While that is glib, it does tell you that I have no desire to seek the approval of people I don't know and am a bit too honest in saying that I don't have all the answers. I think someone who pretends to have all the answers, or even the lion's share of them, holds a lack of understanding about the study of politics, economics and law. There cannot by nature be absolutes. And absolutes are unfortunately, what most voters look for today. Nothing is worse than the flip-flopper, even if that's what is required most often to find pragmatic solutions.
I also have become quite agnostic and think that most people engaged in a deeper study of politics and economics, who puts thought rather than ego into the study, cannot help but become this way. Just like the study of religion, hence the use of the term agnostic, one can never know the answers to the big questions in absolute. For instance, Is Cuban communism bad? While one might rebuke the lack of freedom one might also wonder how successful any economy might be that relies solely on sugar cane, cigars and tourism. Does Honduras have universal Health Care?
And so, my wandering continues but I am thrilled to be able to do it. It is a luxury of our economy that today I can sit in bed while my mother goes to the hospital (with dad) for her meetings with Oncologists and I remain, unemployed. I am blessed indeed, even if I don't have a 'job' - though perhaps I'm just not meant to be a worker in the sense that today's global economy might require me to be. Things are changing in our world. Perhaps 30 years ago I would have chosen to pursue the path of journalism, but that world is shrinking and changing, the revenue model of the big paper broken.
So that is why I am simply determined to London. Maybe I'll go back to School and seek massive debt to enable that in hopes that some truer revenue model magically appears on the other side of more serious study than my 3 hazy years at the ages of 21-27. I can say, my last sets of marks were markedly better than my first sets, prior to my time off. Now with maturity, life experience and a host more knowledge and determination, enjoyment of reading to a greater degree, it might be quite enjoyable to delve deeper questions on my quest to be published.
I will gradually become more involved in the local political scene. I am looking forward to attending some up-coming events and public consultations. London has too much at stake to allow the dim-witted City Hall types to simply keep this car on cruise control. There are some who seem to get the challenges we face - the Killer B's as they're called and some of the City's staff. But it seems to me this town needs some serious questions answered.
Why are Big Boxes, Power Centers and House Farms being built on the edge of town while there's an apparent need to create good local employment and to be more inclusive to newcomers. Is London bound and determined to be a City of haves and have-nots, of a monoculture and lack of a creative economy? We shall see. These are the questions that interest me. How does public transit work in a City where apartment buildings are located in the middle of farmer's fields instead of on the edge of major roads, close to the public transit it uses?
One idea I am batting around at the moment is whether or not my next path lies in the development of a group that supports London-owned, independent business. Known as a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) such an endeavour would be a non-profit organization aimed at promoting all things local, from arts to small business to other non-profits. Think Local campaigns are being waged as part of the growing resistance to what many people see as the unfair tipping of scales towards the few ultra-rich globalizing forces. So far the response from those I've met in local business has been luke-warm, leading me to wonder if the Londonness of London is too much to overcome.
Perhaps 11 percent unemployment isn't a loud enough siren for people to understand that as it currently stands, our systems of Finance and local Economic Development, particularly in a City like London, are broken. Perhaps people want a beggar-thy-neighbour local economy where homeless people stand with cardboard signs begging for spare change? I doubt it and the significant contributions to local charities tells me that's not the case. Perhaps people aren't connecting the dots - between the house farms, the Mega-Stores and the high unemployment and working-poor? Guess I'll have to ask first to find out.
One thing I'm sure of. When the Mayor of London says "We need to do more to attract business to London" people should be very worried, grab their wallets and look out for new billboards and ribbon cuttings. This kind of short-sighted, jobs at any cost mentality has caused us to find ourselves where we currently are - talent leaves town, local farms sell to developers, people sit in their TV rooms wondering why crime is growing and Transit fares and Property Taxes are increasing.
Sounds like a challenge for a contrarian!
As I've previously written, I was born and raised here in London. My parents came here from England in the mid-60's. I was born in '71. We lived in Berkshire Village from the time I was born until I was 13, when we moved to Rington Crescent which sits delightfully under the glowing cross of the London Gospel Temple on Commissioners road west of Wharnecliffe. I attended Woodland Heights, one of 6 students to go all the way from K-8 at that school. I then went to Westminster, home of the Wildcats and one of the best (at the time) hockey schools in London - not a great esteem builder for someone who never played hockey and preferred basketball, but oh well, we won City Champs the year I was in Grade 13 (the first time.)
When I was 27, I got married and moved to Toronto. I was just happy to be with my ex-wife and to follow her there. It was good for me, though perhaps not a path I would have chosen for myself. Who knows?
I loved my life at Western. That's perhaps why I took two years off in the midst, while remaining a dedicated volunteer at the Campus Radio Station CHRW. I quite enjoyed the London music/punk/skate scene even if I was only an observer and commentator rather than a full-fledged participant (since I have the balance of, well, something with no balance.)
I took political science which has always been a natural interest of mine and something I've taken to quite intuitively. I think I either have a pretty large chip on my shoulder, a very sensitive bullshit detector and sense of fairness or a combination of all three. I am interested in economics and politics and where the two collide. My maternal grandfather probably has something to do with this inclination. He was a letter-writer and rabble-rouser, a mechanical engineer who joined the Union while at his firm in England (Douty-Rotol, Division of Rolls Royce and manufacturer of Spitfire Engines!) I recall attending NDP functions when I was young, seeing Bob Rae play piano at the Western Fairgrounds and campaigning door-to-door for David Winninger's election.
In High School I rather enjoyed the study of Social Sciences and the Arts (as well as the informal unmarked study of the rise of Nike, Air Jordans and girl-watching/swooning/crushing - if you were in High School with me, I no doubt had a crush on you for at least a week.) I shunned the sciences and maths even though I excelled in Accounting and kept the books for my Father's business. The life of an accountant didn't appeal to me though. Debits, Credits and depreciating Assets just didn't set my heart aflutter.
I'm also not a politician. Many have asked if I would run for office to which I normally reply "What kind of an asshole do you take me for?" While that is glib, it does tell you that I have no desire to seek the approval of people I don't know and am a bit too honest in saying that I don't have all the answers. I think someone who pretends to have all the answers, or even the lion's share of them, holds a lack of understanding about the study of politics, economics and law. There cannot by nature be absolutes. And absolutes are unfortunately, what most voters look for today. Nothing is worse than the flip-flopper, even if that's what is required most often to find pragmatic solutions.
I also have become quite agnostic and think that most people engaged in a deeper study of politics and economics, who puts thought rather than ego into the study, cannot help but become this way. Just like the study of religion, hence the use of the term agnostic, one can never know the answers to the big questions in absolute. For instance, Is Cuban communism bad? While one might rebuke the lack of freedom one might also wonder how successful any economy might be that relies solely on sugar cane, cigars and tourism. Does Honduras have universal Health Care?
And so, my wandering continues but I am thrilled to be able to do it. It is a luxury of our economy that today I can sit in bed while my mother goes to the hospital (with dad) for her meetings with Oncologists and I remain, unemployed. I am blessed indeed, even if I don't have a 'job' - though perhaps I'm just not meant to be a worker in the sense that today's global economy might require me to be. Things are changing in our world. Perhaps 30 years ago I would have chosen to pursue the path of journalism, but that world is shrinking and changing, the revenue model of the big paper broken.
So that is why I am simply determined to London. Maybe I'll go back to School and seek massive debt to enable that in hopes that some truer revenue model magically appears on the other side of more serious study than my 3 hazy years at the ages of 21-27. I can say, my last sets of marks were markedly better than my first sets, prior to my time off. Now with maturity, life experience and a host more knowledge and determination, enjoyment of reading to a greater degree, it might be quite enjoyable to delve deeper questions on my quest to be published.
I will gradually become more involved in the local political scene. I am looking forward to attending some up-coming events and public consultations. London has too much at stake to allow the dim-witted City Hall types to simply keep this car on cruise control. There are some who seem to get the challenges we face - the Killer B's as they're called and some of the City's staff. But it seems to me this town needs some serious questions answered.
Why are Big Boxes, Power Centers and House Farms being built on the edge of town while there's an apparent need to create good local employment and to be more inclusive to newcomers. Is London bound and determined to be a City of haves and have-nots, of a monoculture and lack of a creative economy? We shall see. These are the questions that interest me. How does public transit work in a City where apartment buildings are located in the middle of farmer's fields instead of on the edge of major roads, close to the public transit it uses?
One idea I am batting around at the moment is whether or not my next path lies in the development of a group that supports London-owned, independent business. Known as a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) such an endeavour would be a non-profit organization aimed at promoting all things local, from arts to small business to other non-profits. Think Local campaigns are being waged as part of the growing resistance to what many people see as the unfair tipping of scales towards the few ultra-rich globalizing forces. So far the response from those I've met in local business has been luke-warm, leading me to wonder if the Londonness of London is too much to overcome.
Perhaps 11 percent unemployment isn't a loud enough siren for people to understand that as it currently stands, our systems of Finance and local Economic Development, particularly in a City like London, are broken. Perhaps people want a beggar-thy-neighbour local economy where homeless people stand with cardboard signs begging for spare change? I doubt it and the significant contributions to local charities tells me that's not the case. Perhaps people aren't connecting the dots - between the house farms, the Mega-Stores and the high unemployment and working-poor? Guess I'll have to ask first to find out.
One thing I'm sure of. When the Mayor of London says "We need to do more to attract business to London" people should be very worried, grab their wallets and look out for new billboards and ribbon cuttings. This kind of short-sighted, jobs at any cost mentality has caused us to find ourselves where we currently are - talent leaves town, local farms sell to developers, people sit in their TV rooms wondering why crime is growing and Transit fares and Property Taxes are increasing.
Sounds like a challenge for a contrarian!
Back to life
It's time to get this blog going again. For those who don't know me, I am either an interesting person with crazy ideas or a crazy person with interesting ideas. I'm indecisive but I'm Libran so I'm okay with that. I'm a happy angry young man. One person said of me that I was full of opinion but lacked knowledge, though I think that's just fine too since it is the person who admits he doesn't know that truly knows.
My background.... born and raised in London Ontario. From Westminster I went to the University of Western Ontario. I took two years off in the midst of my degree, spent a lot of time working late nights in restaurants cooking short-order meals, then returned to University to complete my degree in Political Science. The 7-year 3 year degree. I studied politics due to my simple attraction to the field, not because I intended to ever run for office. I also figured it would develop my critical thinking skills and broaden my horizons; preparing me to work in nearly any field.
Soon after that, I got married to a girl I'd known since High School and dated on-and-off. My love for her was in retrospect, more like an addiction, covering up the pains caused by sibling abuse (not assigning blame, it was just boys being boys in the 70's) a dominant overbearing mother and a quiet father who acquiesced on most matters. I was a late bloomer - something very difficult for 13/14 year old boys is to be at the end of the line from 'smallest to tallest.' In the absence of strong male role models, I created troubles for myself that until later in life I did not fully understand the ramifications of. I still carry a lot of anger, self-doubt, low self esteem, etc., but I'm learning every day to appreciate that these events have created who I am and that in the end, I'm sure it will all be valuable. I'm probably the most sensitive, honest person you'll meet, even if at times my shell is hardened and my tongue biting.
I am, by nature, a contrarian. I resist. Until recently this caused me a great deal of anguish. However, having read numerous 'self-help' and spiritually enriching books, I have learned to accept what is and work to change it. You can watch that process unfold on the posts on www.jppersonalwellness.blogspot.com
I've had an interesting few years of self discovery, not all of which I have been comfortable about or at peace with. Working backwards, what brought me here today was a period of self-doubt, soul searching, couch riding, job searching, resume submitting that began in April after 2-job offers really didn't pan out. In March, I'd been offered a job as a Vice President Sales and Marketing with a Maryland firm who's technology senses bluetooth devices in passing vehicles to provide traffic flow information. Nerdy stuff.
Prior to that, I'd worked for a UK publisher that puts out Thinking Highways magazine - a periodical detailing the workings of gadgets related to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the public policy issues surrounding their deployment. This had come about as a result of my skills as a networker, my interests in transportation and my experience at Skymeter Corporation, a Toronto firm with a fascinating technology to charge vehicles for the roads they use, when they use them, thereby meting out road capacity in the fairest fashion possible.
Skymeter laid me off in September 2008, after about 20 months of sending me around North America to build their presence in the ITS world, to argue at industry conferences and Think Tanks for the rationalization of road payment systems and attempt to sell their wares to governments seeking to actually solve problems rather than place blame or make people feel badly about their limited transportation options. Guilt has never worked to get people to use public transit - they'd rather have their own music to listen to in a comfortable car if it's going to take forever to get anywhere anyway. Apparently we value money more than time.
I had started with Skymeter shortly after leaving the employ of Councillor Shelley Carroll in 2006 and after a lengthy discussion with a Toronto Law firm that had sought a lobbyist. These delays caused significant financial hardship due to the expensive lifestyle I 'enjoyed' in Toronto at that time. In retrospect, I might have given up the lease on My Nissan Altima a little sooner but hindsight as they say, is a jackasses game.
I split with my ex-wife in 2005 which was also around the time that I had moved from Councillor Michael Walker's office to Councillor Carroll's after a 6 year stint with Michael. I had a significant disagreement about the politicization of the issue of how the City of Toronto could best provide help in the relief of those who'd been faced with human tragedy in the Tsunami in South East Asia in Christmas 2004. Michael had been grooming me to run after he retired, though he ended up running again in 2006. I'd also passed up the opportunity to seek election with the support of various Ratepayer Associations against Anne Johnston in Eglinton Lawrence in the wake of the Minto Development at Yonge and Eglinton. All good things happen for a reason and I thank my lucky stars today for the decisions I've made in the past.
So...that is the story. Since April I have looked in vain for jobs, or rather for opportunities to build my career in a more fulfilling way. I suppose there are various reasons nothing has really worked out or that I sit here in my bed, at my parents house, avoiding the phone calls of collection agents seeking a pound of flesh. Those reasons have still not become clear to me but I am sure in good time, they will.
I wanted to quickly write a blog to hold a place and re-introduce myself or introduce myself whichever the case may be, to those I've not yet met or those that follow links from various pages that I have or will post my blog address on.
I will shortly post another blog about what my ideas are for the future. I live in the Now and believe that the universe will eventually provide me with answers to the deep questions I ask. Til then, my love and respect to you and thanks for reading and taking an interest!
My background.... born and raised in London Ontario. From Westminster I went to the University of Western Ontario. I took two years off in the midst of my degree, spent a lot of time working late nights in restaurants cooking short-order meals, then returned to University to complete my degree in Political Science. The 7-year 3 year degree. I studied politics due to my simple attraction to the field, not because I intended to ever run for office. I also figured it would develop my critical thinking skills and broaden my horizons; preparing me to work in nearly any field.
Soon after that, I got married to a girl I'd known since High School and dated on-and-off. My love for her was in retrospect, more like an addiction, covering up the pains caused by sibling abuse (not assigning blame, it was just boys being boys in the 70's) a dominant overbearing mother and a quiet father who acquiesced on most matters. I was a late bloomer - something very difficult for 13/14 year old boys is to be at the end of the line from 'smallest to tallest.' In the absence of strong male role models, I created troubles for myself that until later in life I did not fully understand the ramifications of. I still carry a lot of anger, self-doubt, low self esteem, etc., but I'm learning every day to appreciate that these events have created who I am and that in the end, I'm sure it will all be valuable. I'm probably the most sensitive, honest person you'll meet, even if at times my shell is hardened and my tongue biting.
I am, by nature, a contrarian. I resist. Until recently this caused me a great deal of anguish. However, having read numerous 'self-help' and spiritually enriching books, I have learned to accept what is and work to change it. You can watch that process unfold on the posts on www.jppersonalwellness.blogspot.com
I've had an interesting few years of self discovery, not all of which I have been comfortable about or at peace with. Working backwards, what brought me here today was a period of self-doubt, soul searching, couch riding, job searching, resume submitting that began in April after 2-job offers really didn't pan out. In March, I'd been offered a job as a Vice President Sales and Marketing with a Maryland firm who's technology senses bluetooth devices in passing vehicles to provide traffic flow information. Nerdy stuff.
Prior to that, I'd worked for a UK publisher that puts out Thinking Highways magazine - a periodical detailing the workings of gadgets related to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the public policy issues surrounding their deployment. This had come about as a result of my skills as a networker, my interests in transportation and my experience at Skymeter Corporation, a Toronto firm with a fascinating technology to charge vehicles for the roads they use, when they use them, thereby meting out road capacity in the fairest fashion possible.
Skymeter laid me off in September 2008, after about 20 months of sending me around North America to build their presence in the ITS world, to argue at industry conferences and Think Tanks for the rationalization of road payment systems and attempt to sell their wares to governments seeking to actually solve problems rather than place blame or make people feel badly about their limited transportation options. Guilt has never worked to get people to use public transit - they'd rather have their own music to listen to in a comfortable car if it's going to take forever to get anywhere anyway. Apparently we value money more than time.
I had started with Skymeter shortly after leaving the employ of Councillor Shelley Carroll in 2006 and after a lengthy discussion with a Toronto Law firm that had sought a lobbyist. These delays caused significant financial hardship due to the expensive lifestyle I 'enjoyed' in Toronto at that time. In retrospect, I might have given up the lease on My Nissan Altima a little sooner but hindsight as they say, is a jackasses game.
I split with my ex-wife in 2005 which was also around the time that I had moved from Councillor Michael Walker's office to Councillor Carroll's after a 6 year stint with Michael. I had a significant disagreement about the politicization of the issue of how the City of Toronto could best provide help in the relief of those who'd been faced with human tragedy in the Tsunami in South East Asia in Christmas 2004. Michael had been grooming me to run after he retired, though he ended up running again in 2006. I'd also passed up the opportunity to seek election with the support of various Ratepayer Associations against Anne Johnston in Eglinton Lawrence in the wake of the Minto Development at Yonge and Eglinton. All good things happen for a reason and I thank my lucky stars today for the decisions I've made in the past.
So...that is the story. Since April I have looked in vain for jobs, or rather for opportunities to build my career in a more fulfilling way. I suppose there are various reasons nothing has really worked out or that I sit here in my bed, at my parents house, avoiding the phone calls of collection agents seeking a pound of flesh. Those reasons have still not become clear to me but I am sure in good time, they will.
I wanted to quickly write a blog to hold a place and re-introduce myself or introduce myself whichever the case may be, to those I've not yet met or those that follow links from various pages that I have or will post my blog address on.
I will shortly post another blog about what my ideas are for the future. I live in the Now and believe that the universe will eventually provide me with answers to the deep questions I ask. Til then, my love and respect to you and thanks for reading and taking an interest!
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