Historical Quotation

If you could be the author of any one quotation from history, what words would you like to have uttered?

I love quotes. Picking just one of the many, many favourites I have is a challenge. So I've picked two, one by Nietzsche and one by Dickens. First my all time favourite:

"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star" -Nietzsche

This quote hangs above my desk as a reminder that a little craziness is a good thing and the chaos that lives in my brain will contribute to the creation of something lovely. This quote inspires me to write.

And now the second, which i love for both the content and style:

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." -Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities)

For the longest time I thought this quote was just "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Apparently I skimmed through A Tale of Two Cities!) When I recently looked it up I was delighted by the entirety of this exquisitely written quote. And struck by how applicable these words are in today's world, 150 years after it was written in 1859.

A Map of The World

If you had to be represented by an object in your home, what would you choose?

My map and my globe. Yes two objects, but really the same thing. There are so many places and parts of the world, just as there are so many different places and parts of me. The world is complicated. I am complicated. There are so many possibilities, so many places to go, and so many dreams to dream. There are so many options, so many unknowns. It creates stress and excitement but also calm and peace, just as my life ebbs and flows in these sorts of peaks and valleys. It is open and welcoming; while at the same time closed and menacing. The expanse of ocean covering the planet alone reminds me of the power of nature and how it cannot be controlled. It can only be respected, just as I experience this myself at times. A map of the world is full of life, ecstatic, but also sometimes able to bring you to tears. The world is so large, so vast; you look at the map and know you could easily become anonymous. Then again you could easily become a headline I suppose.

The large map and globe I have are definitely representative of me - at least the way I see it! I’m a complicated woman full of different bit s and parts. I think getting to know me is like traveling somewhere a little foreign…you know you’ll like me but you’re not too totally sure what to expect. Just as we can point on the map and then talk about where we pointed to, one could probably do the same with me. No doubt I am complicated, just as the world is. But I am also the ultimate dreamer, believing one day my dreams will come true…how can one not dream with all the options, possibilities and unknowns that float around in this world? My map of the world provides me with infinite dreaming, and a dreamer I am.

And well, finally, it just so really inspires the heck out of me to look at the world all laid out on a huge map that takes up my living room wall! (thanks again Michelle!!!!)

Worst Experience

If you had to choose the worst experience you’ve ever had, what would you pick?

Well I can easily think of a whole bunch of bad experiences, some of them definitely ranking as possible number one worst experiences. One that stands out as surely as one of the worst is what I will just call “The Dead Body”. Now, I feel like I have seen my fair share of dead bodies, in different situations, for only being 37 years old. This one is definitely the worst of them all.

A number of years ago my friend Michelle was staying with me as she started a new job in Vancouver and was waiting to move into her own place downtown. I was off work on medical leave (yet again!). She left for her third day on the job while I watched morning TV. No sooner had she left and I received a hysterical call from her, saying I had to come down the 6th floor, she had met an old lady in the elevator who was saying she thought her son was dead. So down I go to find Michelle on the line with 911, a dead body face down in a pool of blood in the corner of the dining room and a very dazed old woman. One look and I knew this large man, was dead. I’ve seen dead bodies and I knew that the dark sticky blood and blue face meant this guy was not coming back.

However, 911 were telling us to roll him over and do CPR. Firstly, there was no way I was going to be able to turn this guy over on my own; Michelle was on the phone with 911 and freaking out about the whole situation and this guy’s poor mother (who looked tiny and frail) was in shock. Secondly I was really not inclined to give mouth to mouth with all that blood. However, since 911 were insisting, I tried to roll his dead weight body over, with no success. I relayed the situation to Michelle who relayed it to 911. I had no doubt this guy was dead and saw no point in continuing to try.

So now that we were there, we couldn’t just leave this poor lady who was starting to become upset, agitated and confused. 911 instructed us to stay until the paramedics arrived. It seemed like we were in that apartment forever before the paramedics arrived, dead body in the corner, trying to comfort his mother, who was now starting to believe he was still alive. At this point Michelle escaped off to work while I was left to look after this woman who had no family or friends nearby. So, on request of the paramedics (who confirmed immediately that yes, this guy was definitely no longer a part of the living) I was asked to take the lady to my place while they waited for the coroner and the emergency services crisis counselors or whatever they are called. So, up to my place we went where I made her some tea and provided what support I could until the counselors arrived. This whole scene lasted an entire morning.

The worst part of this experience wasn’t actually being in it in the moment (which was quite awful), but rather the image I was left with of this person, lying face down, blue face with that dark sticky blood pooled around his mouth and this woman who was in a state of shock and confusion. In the moment I can just react but afterwards the images of it all are what make it so horrible. This incident probably happened about 7 years ago, but to this day I can still see that lifeless body laying there, all the details of the scene intact in my memory as if it just happened yesterday.

Last Thing You'll Ever See

If you could choose the very last thing you see before you die, what would it be?

If I were to die this moment, I would like to have the ocean before my eyes. Wide open ocean, the sound of waves lapping against the shore, the smell of sea salt in the air. Not only is the ocean a world of stunning beauty, it is also an amazing force of Mother Nature. The ocean can evoke a sense of chaos and turmoil while at the same time produce feelings of peace and tranquility. I find the ocean to be a sort of proverbial rock in my life. It’s presence a necessity, knowing I can reach out to it for calm, relaxation, inspiration and stability. I can stare at the ocean for hours and never tire of its beauty. The rhythm of the waves - be they rough white caps or almost still as glass. The way the sun reflects off the water, giving the illusion of glitter shimmering atop the surface of the sea. Looking out into the horizon, seeing only a great expanse of water that is ultimately connected to every other body of water on earth. I find this all very peaceful and tranquil. It is a place that feeds my mind, body and soul. Yes, there is something incredibly calming to me about the ocean. I am drawn it and I can’t think of anything else I would rather see in the moments before I die.

A Life Lesson

If You Could Teach Your Children Only One Lesson in Life, What Would it Be?

Let’s all put aside the fact that I have no children, have no desire to have children and well, really don’t like them all that much (with the exception of my fabulous niece and nephew of course) before I answer this. Flipping through my “What If” book, there are a plethora of questions I could have chosen to answer, none of which have to do with children. So why choose a question that doesn’t technically pertain to me or my life? I guess I figure all children grow up to be adults and there are certainly lots of lessons that many adults out there could learn. Maybe I was drawn to this question after talking to my mom last night about the values that I believe she instilled in me growing up, values I possess today. Maybe this question intrigues me because I believe that what we learn in our childhood environment shapes us as adults. Maybe I just wish there was a little more good in humanity as a whole.

So, back to the question. I always have an initial response to these questions but then as I think about them they become harder to answer. There are many important lessons that a child should be taught…love, respect, responsibility, kindness, esteem, courage, strength, independence….the list goes on. But if I were to teach a child one thing I would teach him/her compassion. Compassion is defined as the “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it”. I think compassion goes even further than this. Having compassion requires the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes. It requires one to have respect for any human being based solely on the fact that they are human. It requires one to reserve all judgement. It requires the ability to accept and embrace differences. To have compassion one must have love in one’s heart. Having compassion can inspire action for change. It may educate. It may simply be a gift given to someone in need of love, respect and understanding. As someone who knows what it is like to perhaps be a little different than the general population, I know firsthand that compassion can be a very welcoming warm hug. It is something that everyone should consciously practice. Yes, I think the world could use a little more compassion.

A Permanent Stamp

If you had to go tonight to be tattooed, where on your body would you have it done and what image would you select?

I only wish I was getting a tattoo tonight!! I have played with the idea of getting a tattoo for about 10 years now. I finally became certain of the image I really wanted imprinted on my body forever a couple of years ago and knew I was ready to actually get it done. Getting a tattoo is something that I am doing for myself, and not something I want visible to the world. So...the word "Serendipity" will tattooed on my lower back (Call it a “tramp stamp” if you want, I don’t care!!!!). Serendipity because it is my favourite word, both for its meaning and how it rolls off my tongue. After much pestering to get Dave to design my tattoo, I finally vowed (in some sort of ultimatum to get Dave on designing my tattoo for me!!) last January that I would have said tattoo before my 37th birthday. As is Dave's style, I FINALLY received my design for Christmas. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to get it. Too bad I didn’t realize how bloody expensive it is to get a tattoo! So it will have to wait…hopefully it will be on my body before I turn 38.

Making The World A Better Place

If you could make the world a better place, how would you do so?

(This question comes in response to my posting “The Seven Deadly Sins”. One reader suggested I pose the question “How am I making the world better?” )

I felt compelled to answer this question not only because our world needs a little TLC, but because I think it is important to stop and think about how we can all contribute to making our world a better place. All sorts of issues arise here, but I believe making the world a better place begins with ourselves and extends out from there

So what would I do? I would continue to live my life as I do. Perhaps not perfectly, but with the good intention that my actions do contribute in some small way to the good in our world. I would continue to practice tolerance, kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect for all my fellow human beings. One cannot judge another until one knows where that persona has come from. All human beings are to be valued simply by virtue of the fact that they are human. Differences are to be respected and are what make our world a better place. I would try to educate those whose ignorance leaves them unable to practice those virtues mentioned above. I would pass out smiles freely. I would step less over the many homeless people I pass on the street and would instead more often meet their eyes. I would continue to practice random acts of kindness, not only because they give me pleasure, but because I think they give the receiver both pleasure and the idea to practice the idea themselves. I would hold myself accountable for my own actions, both good and bad, in hopes that by doing so others would follow. I would not hesitate to speak out against those things which I believe harm our society (ideas such as intolerance and disrespect, as well as larger issues such as violence and war). I would respect our earth and continue to do my very small part in reclaiming its greenness –not only by recycling, turn off my energy efficient lights etc. but by educating myself about what is happening to our planet. I would like to say that I would eradicate war, poverty, homelessness, genocides, disease and all other major afflictions occurring in our world today. But that is not the job of one person. No, making the world a better place starts with how we as individuals lead our lives and if we all choose to be kind, compassionate, respectful and value our fellow human beings the status of our world as it currently sits would increase tenfold.

You're The Next Contestant

If you could be the contestant on any game show, which would you like to be on?

Hands down, no questions, no doubt, I’d LOVE to be on the Amazing Race. I know it’s not the conventional game show, and maybe it’s really classified as a reality show, but since it does involve games and a big cash prize, I think it’s a fair choice.

This show is perfect for me – action, adventure, major competition. I know I’d be good on this show. First of all, I’d get to hop all over the world, seeing all kinds of new and exciting places. This game is one big adventure after another, and you never know where it’s going to take you. It’s a scavenger hunt on a global scale and who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? Not to mention all the wicked things you get to do! The unknown and spontaneity of it all is enough to make me sign up. And yes, I realize I do like planning and order, but not as much as I like the thrill of an unknown adventure! Second, I love a challenge and this game is full of them. Could I survive if I had all my money, clothes, and every other belonging taken away from me? Third, I would take Dave with me (hopefully the possibility of a huge cash prize would override his unwillingness to travel great distances with me) and while I’m sure I’d be doing a lot of yelling and freaking out in my over-competitive zealousness to win the game, he’s so damn calm we’d kick ass over the rest of the squabbling couples. We travel well together, make good decisions together and don’t spend a lot of time fighting about how to go about things. Well, I may be bossy about how to go about things but he knows how to handle me. Fourth, I can get along with just about anyone, so making friends with the enemies would be easy. This always seems to prove useful at certain points in this game. On the other hand, I’m a smart cookie and can be sneaky and devious if necessary, and wouldn’t hesitate to further my own future at the expense of others when it comes to winning the prize (we are talking about a lot of money here!) Finally, my highly competitive nature, drive and unwillingness to lose at anything would most certainly set me up for a real good chance to win.

Postscript…I once participated in a mini Amazing Race around the city put on by the Georgia Straight. It was only 4 hours, but I got totally mmersed in the game and it was an absolute blast.

The Seven Deadly Sins

If you could practice only one of the principle vices henceforth, what would it be?

First of all, what are the principle vices anyways? Sex, drugs and rock and roll? Or are we talking about the so called Seven Deadly Sins – lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.

Well, let’s see. I don’t like to practice Envy, so cross that one out immediately. Wrath isn’t all that pretty on me either. Nix that one. I am way too Type A for Sloth, so forget that. Gluttony. What does that even encompass? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary we’re talking about “excess in eating or drinking; greedy or excessive indulgence”. Hmmm. I do like that. Lust. Not sure I want to give up that. But is it the only vice I want to practice? Likewise with Pride. (Quite frankly, I don't even see how this is a vice!) And finally we have Greed. I personally think this is the way to go. Defined as “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed”, I figure Greed gives me the most leeway. Should I feel Envious, well, I think I’m covered by Greed. I definitely believe Greed will cover any Lust I may have. I feel I could stretch the meaning of Greed to include any Pride I may feel. Certainly it takes care of Gluttony – I mean that is pretty much defined by Greed. And I am fairly certain it covers Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. Yes, Greed seems to be the best principle vice to practice, should one have to choose only one. And quite frankly, I’m already known to be a little greedy so why try to change my major vice at this point in life?

Sir John A. MacDonald

This lovely question was sent in by my father (you do know this is not what I had in mind, right dad?!!!)

If you had the opportunity to meet and interview the great grandson of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada’s first prime minister, how would you proceed and what would you want to know?

Well, jeez, talk about a homework assignment here! Given that I’ve sort of blanked out much of my history lessons, I guess it would probably be prudent to brush up at little on Sir John before talking to his great grandson. I certainly wouldn’t want to look like I didn’t know much more than the fact that his great grandfather was our first Prime Minister, had a lot do with establishing the national railway, and I think was the key figure in our country’s confederation, although this is sadly about the extent of the knowledge I can conjure up off hand.

So, assuming I had done some research and had also figured out exactly how old this great grandson is himself (for the purposes of this exercise, using no calculations whatsoever, I am arbitrarily imputing an age of 80) I would suggest meeting at comfortable location of his choice. (Where does the 80-something crowd hang out these days?) After some pleasantries and trivial chit chat, I would get down to the questions. Which, by the way, were not easy to come up with. I mean, we’re not talking about a conversation with Sir John A. MacDonald himself, we’re talking about a chat with his great grandson. How much connection do any of us really have with our great grandparents, if any?

Anyways...Here are the questions I would pose:

Did you know him and if so, what memories do you have of him?

Is he your mother or father’s father? What kind of relationship did he/she have with him?

Were you curious about that part of your family history? What stories were passed down to you about your great grandfather by other members of your family?

What was it like to learn about your great grandfather through history books in school? Did the information taught in school match what you were told by your family?

Would you tell your classmates that you were related to him? Would they believe you?

Has being the great grandson of Sir John A. MacDonald impacted your life in any specific way?

Is there anything you can share about him that others can’t?

Whew! Back to answering the more important "what if" questions, like, "if you were granted one wish, what would it be?" (to be answered in a future post)

Burned Down House

If your home were to be destroyed by fire but you could save just one thing, what would it be?

Interesting question, as I know exactly what I would save and have actually recently been wanting to purchase a fireproof box for said items ( where do I go to buy said fireproof box anyways?) The most important and invaluable possession(s) I own are my journals. Containing my most private, innermost thoughts and feelings and providing a snapshot of sorts of my life to date…they are irreplaceable. Close to 15 years of writing is stored in a box, just waiting to be tied together into one ultimate journal – the best selling, award winning book I intend to pen. So, if I was going to survive the destruction of my home to fire, I would most definitely find it in me to haul out that box containing the stories of my life. Everything else is just stuff. Insurance covers that. Insurance cannot recreate the multitude of journals I have written. Yes, I would definitely get my journals out of my burned down home.


Now, i f I happen to die in said fire but my journals survive, I remind my friends (you know who you are) once again of their strict instructions to retrieve and burn journals first, mourn my death later.

Bye Bye Toothbrush

If you could cancel forever a single thing you have to do every day, other than your job, what would it be?

Okay, now I know this is going to disgust everyone, but it's a toss up between taking off my make up and brushing my teeth. And since I don't really HAVE to take off my make up, and I really do have to brush my teeth, and HATE teeth brushing the most, I'd have to give up teeth brushing. I hate the gag reflex I get every time I stick my toothbrush in my mouth, making me want to puke up the white foam building up between my cheeks. I hate the taste of toothpaste. (Can't they come up with something good for God's sake?) I hate the texture of toothpaste. And generally, it just feels like such a damn chore! I know, I know, it's gross, the thought of never brushing your teeth. It's gross to me too. (I'm not saying I don't brush, I just really don't like it). But I figure I could gurgle with mouth wash everyday instead. Maybe I wouldn't be scrubbing off plaque but at least my breath would be minty fresh!

Back in Time

If you could go back in history, as yourself, to live for one year at any point in history, what year would you choose and where would you go?

Oh so easy. I’d conjure up 1967 – the “Summer of Love” – put some flowers in my hair and head directly to San Francisco. I’d drop myself down at the corner of Haight and Ashbury. I’d seek out the Diggers, slip into the counterculture of that bohemian lifestyle, let myself be free, live communally, and join the fight for civil rights, women’s rights, free speech, free love, and the end of another shameful war. SO much was happening at that time. I've always wished that I could have been a young adult during that time. That if I could not have experienced it, that I could at least have been alive to witness it. So, I’d sit in; I’d smoke up; I’d dance in the park. I’d spend one blissful year living free and fighting to make the world a better place in an environment that fostered such total belief that change was possible. And that in reality did make a huge impact on so many of the freedoms we take for granted today. Yes, I would most definitely put some flowers in my hair and go to San Fransisco.

Bestseller Title

If you had to choose the title of your autobiography, what would it be?

Well, I’ve had the title of my bestselling book in my head for a long time now. I’ll share it but I’m calling dibs. I don’t want to see this title on someone else’s book!! And drum roll please………
The impending, bestselling, award-winning autobiography of Angela Simpson shall be entitled “Crazy in a Sane World”. Watch for it in book stores everywhere one day some day.