It has taken me a while to write this blog about “What is a Progressive?” as I am not a fan of labels and I am reluctant to abet labeling. It took going to the Manning Centre for Democracy “Project Alberta” to help me develop my definition of Progressive. I thank the Manning Centre for putting on this event out of concern for Alberta’s future. I appreciate having had the opportunity to participate and hear presentations from very knowledgeable people and to meet other concerned Albertans.
It was made very clear that this was a conservative focused event and therein lies the problem if you are truly seeking solutions, whether they be policy or action, and not just trying to advance an agenda. By focusing only on the traditional conservative agenda the opportunities for solutions are restricted, like the saying “if you only have a hammer you see all problems as nails”. So here goes about Progressives, who have a much bigger toolbox.
Besides liking kittens and puppies, Progressives are solution focused rather than idealogues and are willing to pull ideas from everywhere and anyone. They look past labels to see what is really there. They were the annoying kids that were always asking “How come?”, “Why?” and “Why not?” and coloured outside the lines. There are a lot of people, like entrepreneurs, who don’t think of themselves as Progressives, but really they are. Progressives want to go to the “mountains behind the mountains”. They recognize that, as Clay Shirky puts it, “all solutions are temporary” and see this as an exciting challenge rather than something to bemoan. They know that, as comforting as the past may have been, there is no going back.
This is not to say that everyone should be Progressive. You have to be who you are and, like yin and yang, conservative thinking can bring a beneficial balance to Progressives, just as progressive thinking can benefit conservatives. For too long the politics of divisiveness has worked against the best interests of citizens. Everyone has something valuable to bring to the political table and it is in everyone’s best interest to take advantage of that.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
RebootAlberta - "Every new beginning is some other new beginning's end"
It has been a week since the RebootAlberta conference and I have had a chance to mull over the conversations that were had and read the various blogs and comments about it. The first thing I want to do is thank the organizers that pulled it together: Ken Chapman, David King, Michael Brechtel, and Don Schurman. This is not a formal organization or attached to any one political party, but four citizens concerned with the direction Alberta is travelling, particularly the lack of participation in the democratic process by its citizens and the apparent devolution of transparency and accountability in our provincial government.
What contributed to the succes of RebootAlberta was that it followed the ChangeCamp model, in that the issues for discussion were submitted by the conference participants. The list of topics was compiled and then distributed to participants prior to the meeting. At the start of the conference these issues were voted on so that the issues of most concern would be the ones discussed. There were several discussion groups going at the same time so you had to pick and choose.
My initial reaction to the conference was wow, it's been a long time since I've been around so many smart, accomplished, thoughtful people at one time. It was a very eclectic group and it worked very well. The level of respectful conversation and questions was impressive. The tenor of the discussions was positive. There were disagreements but these served as a basis to make one more thoughtful about one's own position and also recognize that not everyone is looking at an issue from the same point of view. There was a sense of finding the commonality within the disagreements and working from there. Everyone was willing to listen, there was no "Talk to the hand" attitude. When I attended Change Camp Edmonton one of the people there had made a comment about the difference in what can be accomplished being in a roomful of Learners, rather than in a roomful of Knowers. I get that now.
Although Reboot was called a meeting of Progressives, for me the label is just one of convenience, a tag line. There was a discussion group about what it means to be a Progressive. We were all over the map on this discussion, everything from working outside the system to inside the system, to implementing electoral reform or working with the current electoral system. The common thread I took away from this discussion is that as a group we recognize that there are serious issues facing Alberta because the fact that things have changed and are changing more rapidly has not been recognized (for whatever reason) by the government decision-making process or by the existing political models. Because of this blind spot Alberta has missed many opportunities and is eroding its legitimacy to make decisions. This has serious implications for the democratic process.
Progressives seem to be people that recognize that change is a fact of life (made me think of Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" and the need to understand transience) and that if Alberta is going take advantage of change for the benefit of its citizens, then citizens have to assume their responsibility to participate in the decision-making process by providing informed and thoughtful direction. So to my way of thinking Progressive is an adjective, not a noun. A Progressive (insert noun here) will probably not feel comfortable in any of the existing parties, except for maybe the Green Party, but a Progressive (insert noun here) is comfortable with change.
Because of the eclectic mix of people, out of the initial discussions four areas of implementing influence arose - developing a new political party, developing a new social movement, working within existing political parties, and working within existing social organizations. There are strengths to all these ideas and they are not mutually exclusive. The biggest group was a New Political Party and the next was a New Social Movement. A group of citizens that attended have started Renewal Alberta and are in the process of fulfilling the requirements of registering a political party. Playing significantly into all these possibilities is the role of social media.
Having been down the political party to implement change road a couple of times that did not turn out well I was interested in the New Social Movement. Two themes seemed to come out of this discussion; one of democratic renewal and one of values. An idea of No Party candidates, the endorsement and support of independent candidates who represent the Reboot model was put forth. This could also be extended to candidates from any existing political party that do the same, to encourage democratic accountability rather than party accountability. The idea of providing a framework for organizing disparate organizations over a common issue so they have a louder voice (I am thinking of the Saul Alinsky model used by the Industrial Areas Foundation) was also discussed. Not power, but the ability to influence power. Altogether an interesting and thought-provoking discussion.
The next steps will be exciting. There is work being done on a framework encompassing these four paths. One of the issues mentioned was that each path has to be accountable to the other paths - this was particularly directed at the new political party path as a mechanism to keep focussed on the purpose and values because as was expressed by several people "we don't want to become the people we want to change".
Everyone is welcome to join the conversation at http://www.rebootalberta.org/. If you want to be listened to and taken seriously the only stipulations are you have to be respectful and you have to be solution focussed.
What contributed to the succes of RebootAlberta was that it followed the ChangeCamp model, in that the issues for discussion were submitted by the conference participants. The list of topics was compiled and then distributed to participants prior to the meeting. At the start of the conference these issues were voted on so that the issues of most concern would be the ones discussed. There were several discussion groups going at the same time so you had to pick and choose.
My initial reaction to the conference was wow, it's been a long time since I've been around so many smart, accomplished, thoughtful people at one time. It was a very eclectic group and it worked very well. The level of respectful conversation and questions was impressive. The tenor of the discussions was positive. There were disagreements but these served as a basis to make one more thoughtful about one's own position and also recognize that not everyone is looking at an issue from the same point of view. There was a sense of finding the commonality within the disagreements and working from there. Everyone was willing to listen, there was no "Talk to the hand" attitude. When I attended Change Camp Edmonton one of the people there had made a comment about the difference in what can be accomplished being in a roomful of Learners, rather than in a roomful of Knowers. I get that now.
Although Reboot was called a meeting of Progressives, for me the label is just one of convenience, a tag line. There was a discussion group about what it means to be a Progressive. We were all over the map on this discussion, everything from working outside the system to inside the system, to implementing electoral reform or working with the current electoral system. The common thread I took away from this discussion is that as a group we recognize that there are serious issues facing Alberta because the fact that things have changed and are changing more rapidly has not been recognized (for whatever reason) by the government decision-making process or by the existing political models. Because of this blind spot Alberta has missed many opportunities and is eroding its legitimacy to make decisions. This has serious implications for the democratic process.
Progressives seem to be people that recognize that change is a fact of life (made me think of Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" and the need to understand transience) and that if Alberta is going take advantage of change for the benefit of its citizens, then citizens have to assume their responsibility to participate in the decision-making process by providing informed and thoughtful direction. So to my way of thinking Progressive is an adjective, not a noun. A Progressive (insert noun here) will probably not feel comfortable in any of the existing parties, except for maybe the Green Party, but a Progressive (insert noun here) is comfortable with change.
Because of the eclectic mix of people, out of the initial discussions four areas of implementing influence arose - developing a new political party, developing a new social movement, working within existing political parties, and working within existing social organizations. There are strengths to all these ideas and they are not mutually exclusive. The biggest group was a New Political Party and the next was a New Social Movement. A group of citizens that attended have started Renewal Alberta and are in the process of fulfilling the requirements of registering a political party. Playing significantly into all these possibilities is the role of social media.
Having been down the political party to implement change road a couple of times that did not turn out well I was interested in the New Social Movement. Two themes seemed to come out of this discussion; one of democratic renewal and one of values. An idea of No Party candidates, the endorsement and support of independent candidates who represent the Reboot model was put forth. This could also be extended to candidates from any existing political party that do the same, to encourage democratic accountability rather than party accountability. The idea of providing a framework for organizing disparate organizations over a common issue so they have a louder voice (I am thinking of the Saul Alinsky model used by the Industrial Areas Foundation) was also discussed. Not power, but the ability to influence power. Altogether an interesting and thought-provoking discussion.
The next steps will be exciting. There is work being done on a framework encompassing these four paths. One of the issues mentioned was that each path has to be accountable to the other paths - this was particularly directed at the new political party path as a mechanism to keep focussed on the purpose and values because as was expressed by several people "we don't want to become the people we want to change".
Everyone is welcome to join the conversation at http://www.rebootalberta.org/. If you want to be listened to and taken seriously the only stipulations are you have to be respectful and you have to be solution focussed.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
In a democracy people get the government they deserve
I just finished reading Rich Vivone's "Ralph Could have been a Super Star". It left me with a feeling of anger, sadness, but most of all the painful knowledge of how badly we screwed up. A better title may be "Alberta Could have been a Super Star".
The book made me realize three things: first, Alberta by virtue of its energy resources doesn't have to create wealth, but it has to manage it; second, that we Albertans are not as smart, creative, or innovative as we like to think we are; and third, citizens have to take responsibility for the actions of their political representatives.
The motto of Alberta is "Strong and Free" (which makes me wonder how the energy companies have interpreted "free"). A more accurate, but not as catchy, motto may be "Alberta, the province that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" (with thanks to Oscar Wilde).
What Alberta needs more than balancing a budget, more than doing away with the deficit (which incidentially does not put us in debt ), more than a higher price for oil and natural gas are vision, values, and courage. Vision is more than trying to guess what the future will bring and values determine conduct. But nothing happens without courage.
The book made me realize three things: first, Alberta by virtue of its energy resources doesn't have to create wealth, but it has to manage it; second, that we Albertans are not as smart, creative, or innovative as we like to think we are; and third, citizens have to take responsibility for the actions of their political representatives.
The motto of Alberta is "Strong and Free" (which makes me wonder how the energy companies have interpreted "free"). A more accurate, but not as catchy, motto may be "Alberta, the province that knows the price of everything and the value of nothing" (with thanks to Oscar Wilde).
What Alberta needs more than balancing a budget, more than doing away with the deficit (which incidentially does not put us in debt ), more than a higher price for oil and natural gas are vision, values, and courage. Vision is more than trying to guess what the future will bring and values determine conduct. But nothing happens without courage.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Eat your heart out Dragon's Den
I love being a venture capitalist. No, I am not in the same league, or even close, to having the business acumen or the financial resources that the members of the Dragon's Den have, but I too am a venture capitalist thanks to Kiva, a microfinancing organization. http://www.kiva.org/
The loans are small, $25.00 each with a very modest interest rate. But this adds up with my fellow venture capitalists that are all over the world. So far I have invested in 9 entrepeneurial ventures with an initial out lay of $100.00. I started with 3 businesses: a bakery in Iraq, a women's quarrying group in Uganda, and a women's health care group also in Uganda. When these loans were repaid I threw another $25.00 in my investment pot and invested in 5 more businesses: a fruit and vegetable peddler in Azerbajan, a vegetable seller in Palestine, a laundry in Mongolia, a women's food production group in Senegal, and a seamstress in Ghana.
As these business people repay their loans, I have been able to invest in yet another business, fruit sellers in Nicaragua. This is a riskier loan as there is a movement in Nicaragua to have legislation enacted that doesn't require loans to be repaid. This is in reaction to people being beggared by foreign lenders. But if no one takes a chance, and there are quite a few of us that have, then nothing improves. My only other risky loan was to the Iraqi baker, who did repay us all. Anyone who bakes bread in a war zone deserves all the help they can get. I consider them a hero because just getting a loan put his/her life in danger.
In the four years since Kiva was organized, a $100 million USD has been lent in microfinancing. The default rate is less than in first world countries despite the fact that many of these entrepreneurs are trying to start and maintain their businesses in poor, politically unstable and war-torn countries. Through this odd marriage of social justice and capitalism, microfinancing is giving people a hand up instead of a hand out and is the most effective way to promote development. You just won't see us in Fortune 500.
The loans are small, $25.00 each with a very modest interest rate. But this adds up with my fellow venture capitalists that are all over the world. So far I have invested in 9 entrepeneurial ventures with an initial out lay of $100.00. I started with 3 businesses: a bakery in Iraq, a women's quarrying group in Uganda, and a women's health care group also in Uganda. When these loans were repaid I threw another $25.00 in my investment pot and invested in 5 more businesses: a fruit and vegetable peddler in Azerbajan, a vegetable seller in Palestine, a laundry in Mongolia, a women's food production group in Senegal, and a seamstress in Ghana.
As these business people repay their loans, I have been able to invest in yet another business, fruit sellers in Nicaragua. This is a riskier loan as there is a movement in Nicaragua to have legislation enacted that doesn't require loans to be repaid. This is in reaction to people being beggared by foreign lenders. But if no one takes a chance, and there are quite a few of us that have, then nothing improves. My only other risky loan was to the Iraqi baker, who did repay us all. Anyone who bakes bread in a war zone deserves all the help they can get. I consider them a hero because just getting a loan put his/her life in danger.
In the four years since Kiva was organized, a $100 million USD has been lent in microfinancing. The default rate is less than in first world countries despite the fact that many of these entrepreneurs are trying to start and maintain their businesses in poor, politically unstable and war-torn countries. Through this odd marriage of social justice and capitalism, microfinancing is giving people a hand up instead of a hand out and is the most effective way to promote development. You just won't see us in Fortune 500.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
ChangeCampEdmonton
Yesterday I attended ChangeCampEdmonton http://www.changecampedmonton.ca/, an unconference to re-imagine governing and democracy in the context of technology. The citizen volunteers who pulled this together can be very proud of themselves - it was extremely well run. I can't thank them enough for their time and effort. There was no charge to the 150 people who attended thanks to the sponsors of the event and there was even coffee, treats, and lunch provided.
I had never been to an event where the topics of discussion were going to be determined by the people attending - that was kind of scary (who's in control?). But people stepped up with issues that concerned them and the agenda (called the grid) was filled. At the end there were 30 very interesting and timely topics slotted on the grid, each for a 45-minute discussion or what was referred to as a conversation. The only down side was that you had to choose which conversations to attend. However, as part of the Ground Rules established at the beginning of the unconference, it was made clear that no offense would be taken if you moved from conversation to conversation and that this event is non-political.
This was an opportunity to interact and have conversations with people who have similiar concerns about the state and quality of governance and democracy. People who pay attention to politics and governance are recognizing there is something seriously wrong with the structures of government and how they affect elected officials in governing and responding to their citizens. What worked passably in the 19th century is just not cutting it in the 21st century. The event in itself is evidence of the change technology is bringing to how citizens can interact with each other and the institutions that goven them.
My observation of the people involved in the conversations is that they are citizens attempting to find win-win solutions in the context of values. There were thought-provoking suggestions about considering issues from different perspectives (I liked the group where we determined we were having a conversation about how you have a conversation) and also demos on the newest ways of sharing ideas and information. I think a big obstacle is going to be communicating to those in power who have adopted the Us and Them mentality and view any criticism or questioning of their actions as a threat to their power that we are not the enemy. The enemy, like it has always been, is ignorance and fear.
I look forward to the Reunion.
I had never been to an event where the topics of discussion were going to be determined by the people attending - that was kind of scary (who's in control?). But people stepped up with issues that concerned them and the agenda (called the grid) was filled. At the end there were 30 very interesting and timely topics slotted on the grid, each for a 45-minute discussion or what was referred to as a conversation. The only down side was that you had to choose which conversations to attend. However, as part of the Ground Rules established at the beginning of the unconference, it was made clear that no offense would be taken if you moved from conversation to conversation and that this event is non-political.
This was an opportunity to interact and have conversations with people who have similiar concerns about the state and quality of governance and democracy. People who pay attention to politics and governance are recognizing there is something seriously wrong with the structures of government and how they affect elected officials in governing and responding to their citizens. What worked passably in the 19th century is just not cutting it in the 21st century. The event in itself is evidence of the change technology is bringing to how citizens can interact with each other and the institutions that goven them.
My observation of the people involved in the conversations is that they are citizens attempting to find win-win solutions in the context of values. There were thought-provoking suggestions about considering issues from different perspectives (I liked the group where we determined we were having a conversation about how you have a conversation) and also demos on the newest ways of sharing ideas and information. I think a big obstacle is going to be communicating to those in power who have adopted the Us and Them mentality and view any criticism or questioning of their actions as a threat to their power that we are not the enemy. The enemy, like it has always been, is ignorance and fear.
I look forward to the Reunion.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Rethink 1
Listening to the news the other day about the economy, one of the people being intereviewed was talking about how growth was important to the economy. I am not an economist and my financial experience has been keeping the bills paid, a roof over our heads, and food on the table. But I can't help wondering if depending on an economy totally focused on growth for its viability is naive and dangerous. The world is finite and so there is a built-in limit to growth. Growth depends on consumerism and that has taken us down a dark, dangerous road where we are consuming ourselves to death - the developed nations by greed and the under developed nations by deprivation.
In nature, growth is good in something young, but when it matures, then growth is usually cancerous. So maybe it is time to consider the economy as mature and work primarily at maintenance and sustainability and identify selected areas for growth. Humanity is facing serious issues and it may well be that we only have a couple of generations until all of our progress disappears, but in facing up to these issues it is good to remember the first rule of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" which is Don't Panic.
One thing that we don't realize is how much of what we accept as real is only a construct or someone else's flawed interpretation (either deliberate or through ignorance). This was brought home to me a few years back when our office had a team building event. I don't remember what the catch phrase at the time for this was, but it was basically identifying which group/tribe you belonged to and there were icons that were attached to these groups. I don't even remember which group I allegedly belonged to, but I do remember there was a group that was called conservative and two of the icons were Jesus and Mother Theresa. Now, who with any inkling of historical and theological knowledge would ever consider these two radicals as being conservative. (Individuals can only be judged in the context of their time.)
This same exercise pointed out the shallowness of understanding and knowledge in many of these psychology based exercises that have a desperate need to label and pigeon-hole people. Madonna was another icon they had for a group, based on her public personna, failing to recognize her business and marketing smarts, along with her incredible discpline that contributed significantly to her success. In other words these highly educated people who put together this presentation had the same concept of Madonna as a 14 year old fan.
My point to this ramble is that accepting conventional ideas and what passes for the status quo is endangering us all. We have been living as adolescents too long, consuming without question, and now it is time to be responsible for our lives and our place in this world. There is a vacuum of leadership and vision in the places we traditionally looked for guidance, so it is now up to us to be active participants in rethinking the beliefs, policies, and values that may have served most of us well in the past, but are now leading to our destruction.
This effort puts me in mind of 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 - "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
In nature, growth is good in something young, but when it matures, then growth is usually cancerous. So maybe it is time to consider the economy as mature and work primarily at maintenance and sustainability and identify selected areas for growth. Humanity is facing serious issues and it may well be that we only have a couple of generations until all of our progress disappears, but in facing up to these issues it is good to remember the first rule of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" which is Don't Panic.
One thing that we don't realize is how much of what we accept as real is only a construct or someone else's flawed interpretation (either deliberate or through ignorance). This was brought home to me a few years back when our office had a team building event. I don't remember what the catch phrase at the time for this was, but it was basically identifying which group/tribe you belonged to and there were icons that were attached to these groups. I don't even remember which group I allegedly belonged to, but I do remember there was a group that was called conservative and two of the icons were Jesus and Mother Theresa. Now, who with any inkling of historical and theological knowledge would ever consider these two radicals as being conservative. (Individuals can only be judged in the context of their time.)
This same exercise pointed out the shallowness of understanding and knowledge in many of these psychology based exercises that have a desperate need to label and pigeon-hole people. Madonna was another icon they had for a group, based on her public personna, failing to recognize her business and marketing smarts, along with her incredible discpline that contributed significantly to her success. In other words these highly educated people who put together this presentation had the same concept of Madonna as a 14 year old fan.
My point to this ramble is that accepting conventional ideas and what passes for the status quo is endangering us all. We have been living as adolescents too long, consuming without question, and now it is time to be responsible for our lives and our place in this world. There is a vacuum of leadership and vision in the places we traditionally looked for guidance, so it is now up to us to be active participants in rethinking the beliefs, policies, and values that may have served most of us well in the past, but are now leading to our destruction.
This effort puts me in mind of 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 - "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Killing my TV
If I had the choice of uninventing any invention that we have, it would be the television. Maybe at the beginning there was some hope - bringing world changing events as they happened into people's homes, original and brilliant dramatic and comedic writing - but not anymore. Television has just become a vehicle to dumb down citizens, set unrealistic and dangerous expectations as to what life is about, encourage bad behaviours such as voyeurism and gossip, and promote unbridled consumerism. I am convinced that television, like fast food, makes you stupid.
Television is just one huge marketing scam. There is nothing redeeming about it at all except maybe the Emergency Broadcasting System and the Weather Channel. One thing about watching commercials you get the demographics of a show's audience. When you are watching your favorite TV show or channel pay attention to the commercials and you will see how marketers perceive you. Marketers seem to see CNN viewers as older impotent males (hence all the viagra, cialis commercials) who have the financial status to buy a high end vehicle (perhaps to compensate for the impotence). For real obscene, barefaced, drooling consumerism promotion watch any of the kids channels (with the exception of Treehouse). It should be considered a form of child abuse if children are allowed to be exposed to this without supervision.
Just when I thought they couldn't think of anything worse to do on television (and that is including FOX news, Glenn Beck, and any soap opera)they are now running text messages across the bottom of some shows - the inane conversations (if they could even be called conversations) really add to the already inane show and makes me wonder how stupid am I watching this. So why am I.
Television watching is a form of addiction. Coming home from work, turning on the TV to catch the alleged news and it drones on all evening eating your life just as much as a drug can, except it doesn't give you any high. Just think of all the time we can never get back that we willingly give to television. In my previous attempt to kick this addiction I cut off my cable and was slowly weaning myself off the rabbit ears. Unfortunately I suffered an injury which limited my mobility and also my ability to focus on reading, so to pass the time I had the cable reconnected. I found that the show I watched the most was the Guide, in fact, in the past 4 months I have nearly worn out the up and down buttons on the TV remote. Well, all this will be coming to an end this week - my cable is being disconnected. I am well on my way to healing, back in the real world and don't want to spend anymore time in Cableland. I can get myself to the library and am now back to reading - I am working through a stack of books sitting by my chair. I feel like someone who was kept in a musty, dimly lit room emerging into sunlight and fresh air.
Thanks for reading and take care.
Television is just one huge marketing scam. There is nothing redeeming about it at all except maybe the Emergency Broadcasting System and the Weather Channel. One thing about watching commercials you get the demographics of a show's audience. When you are watching your favorite TV show or channel pay attention to the commercials and you will see how marketers perceive you. Marketers seem to see CNN viewers as older impotent males (hence all the viagra, cialis commercials) who have the financial status to buy a high end vehicle (perhaps to compensate for the impotence). For real obscene, barefaced, drooling consumerism promotion watch any of the kids channels (with the exception of Treehouse). It should be considered a form of child abuse if children are allowed to be exposed to this without supervision.
Just when I thought they couldn't think of anything worse to do on television (and that is including FOX news, Glenn Beck, and any soap opera)they are now running text messages across the bottom of some shows - the inane conversations (if they could even be called conversations) really add to the already inane show and makes me wonder how stupid am I watching this. So why am I.
Television watching is a form of addiction. Coming home from work, turning on the TV to catch the alleged news and it drones on all evening eating your life just as much as a drug can, except it doesn't give you any high. Just think of all the time we can never get back that we willingly give to television. In my previous attempt to kick this addiction I cut off my cable and was slowly weaning myself off the rabbit ears. Unfortunately I suffered an injury which limited my mobility and also my ability to focus on reading, so to pass the time I had the cable reconnected. I found that the show I watched the most was the Guide, in fact, in the past 4 months I have nearly worn out the up and down buttons on the TV remote. Well, all this will be coming to an end this week - my cable is being disconnected. I am well on my way to healing, back in the real world and don't want to spend anymore time in Cableland. I can get myself to the library and am now back to reading - I am working through a stack of books sitting by my chair. I feel like someone who was kept in a musty, dimly lit room emerging into sunlight and fresh air.
Thanks for reading and take care.
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