Second chances
Mood:  lucky

Funny how life works.  I applied for a volunteer position with Netcorp to work overseas using my computer skills to develop IT infastructure in developing nations, and training the poeple in using that infrastructure.  But I also needed to work and so also applied for a position with a prestigious local IT firm.  Well, was interviewed by the local firm and was hired.  A month into the new job I am contacted by Netcorp for an interview, but in all good conscience I cannot abandon the firm that hired me. 

Life does offer second (and third or forth) chances.  Netcorp has contacted me again.  And the job with the local firm is stressing me to the max.  Helping corporate America is not quite as rewarding or valuable as helping developing nations overcome just one more divide we in the wealthy west have created  - the information technology divide, perhaps one of the most damaging in this age of a global economy based on information.

Perhaps this time I can get my priorities straight.

Happy Christmas - war is over
Mood:  sad

well, made it through another xmas.  did the usual, ate drank and tried to be merry.  this season just works to drive home the gap between those who have and those who don't.  walked to quebec side to get some beer (ontario not having yet entered the current century) and saw a native woman i know passed out on the bridge.  how sad is it that you spend xmas day, alone, drinking on a bridge over the ottawa river.  i watched others that i know from the homeless community slipping into the bushes by the river to drink there sherry, again by themselves.  i thank god the weather was warm - at least the cold wouldn't kill them. 

 i am glad this xmas season is over.  all of us who feel alienated, for whatever reason, can get back to pretending that we fit in.  i think about how jesus would have felt that day on the bridge.  i doubt he would have passed by and just left her.  and what's sad, is that my heart said to sit with her.  and i passed by.

Condi Rice
well, condi rice was in town last night, and a small number of us protested her presence here outside the prime minister's residence. the number, again, was small - but then it was a last minute plan.

here's a link to the ottawa sun story:

Ottawa Sun story

it was interesting to see two buses full of police in riot gear sitting on a back street. i wasn't aware of their presence until i headed home. they were strategically placed in behind those of protesting.

homeless
It's quite interesting. having chosen to chuck most of my material possesions and travel/write i spend a great deal of time in homeless shelters. in fact, sometimes (like now) i actually spend from 3 to 4 months in this community. now i recognize that is a deliberate choice, and certainly if you ar going to be a writer focsing onthe human condition and social issues the homeless cannot be ignored. and yet how to protect yourelf from the lot of this community.

the two biggest issues from a personal point of view are the malaise that permeates this cimmunity in which i find myself, and the prejudice of the rest of the city to those who are homeless. out of this i find it very easy to eventually succumb to this malaise and prejudice. it becomes a matter of perception vs realty, and the line between the two blurs.

it is a struggle to maintain everyday existence and not allow yourself to become a "victim." on the other hand, i have learned many of the requisite skills to survive the streets, and perhaps these will put me in good stead as i travel elsewhere in the world.

no to bush wars protest
well, we had about 200 people turn out for the march. it was good to know this was in conjunction with the protests in washington and elsewhere. i guess my only complaint is the march became a catch all for a number of issues, which i think tends to defuse the focus. however, all the issues are imprortant to address and certainly reveals the fallacy of canada as a natoin of peacekeepers.

tomorrow is the 24th of september and we have a march planned for downtown ottawa. this march will be in conjunction with marches around the world to protest bush's aggressive policies. we are protesting canada's complicity in the wars in afghanistan and iraq. and we want us war resistors to be able to stay in canada.

i hope the turnout is good. more tomorrow.