1.45 The Holiday Issue

TORONTO, ONTARIO: I got nothing. I have struggled to find something meaningful to write about. What’s worse, I have nothing to complain about. Usually, complaining fueled by some sort of anger helps me write. The last thing I wanted with this blog was to have it be superfluous meanderings about my own life. Although it is infinitely interesting to me – most of the time. I don’t want to make the assumption that the people who actually read this need or want to know everything. First, I would like to acknowledge that I really tried. I spent the last week writing an article about WikiLeaks, the whistle blowing website and its controversial founder Julian Assange. I wanted to explore the larger arguments surrounding this issue – it was all very ambitious and shed new light on the statement: “Information is power.” But really, I didn’t add anything enlightening that every newspaper in the world hadn’t already said. I scraped it.

I have been writing this blog for almost a year and looked back at some earlier entries to see if I could find anything to expand on or at least recycle using updated information. Maybe in my own archives I could find something to complain about.

But we could start with the holidays, which are a time for reflection and for time off work. There seems to be three different camps in regards to the holiday season: People who insist on wearing Santa Clause hats, people who dislike anything remotely festive and those that are indifferent. It is a time where emotions run high and seem to operate in extremes. Mean people are nice and nice people get nicer. We are all so pleasant. I can’t seem to find much to complain about here.

I could complain about the state of American politics. I wanted to stay away from politics on this blog and have largely succeeded. Unfortunately, the disconnect between American politicians and the people they represent seems to be growing even further apart. But I don’t live there. I live in Toronto where we voted in a mayor who will surely make things more difficult for us all. He will most likely shoot himself in the foot sooner than later.

The construction in my neighbourhood has been going on for over a year. At a public information session, our city councilor for the area said that the construction is now on hiatus for the winter and will resume in April, to be completed by August. I feel bad for the local businesses who have seen a drop in sales of 30% and the 10 – 12 others that have had to close. I’m moving at the end of January to another part of the city, so it’s an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ kind of scenario. Harsh, I know.

The public transit system in this city is falling apart and our esteemed new mayor wants to add a subway out to Scarborough. Great idea! I don’t deny that the people who reside in Scarborough don’t need better transportation, but so does everyone. That’s what the whole Transit City thing was about. But let’s scrap that. Mr. Ford is right, one subway line is better. Just look at the success of the Sheppard Line. But last week, I had to go somewhere during rush hour and I have no idea how people do this on a daily basis. And besides, after I move, my commute will be twenty minutes as opposed to leaving my house an hour and a half early just to get anywhere on time. So, nothing to complain about here.

I actually like my job. I get to hang out with interesting kids everyday. Just last week, I had a conversation with a 5-year-old boy who explained to me how he prefers classic rock bands as opposed to contemporary music. Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bed [sic] Zeppelin. Plus, my job affords me the time to write fascinating entries like the one you are reading now – if you are still reading.

I write a lot but am not getting paid for it – yet. The novel is going well and I want it to hurry up because there’s an idea for another one. I’m working on an album – not of songs but of stories. So, no writer’s block here. I’m not worried about ‘success’ – the definition of this word is subjective. Everything comes with time.

Friends are getting married, having kids and moving on. Changes are occurring all over the place but we are at that age. I can’t say that this is a bad thing. And I am on my way to Ottawa tomorrow to visit with my wonderful and supportive parents and my brother’s growing family. I had a chance to visit with my newest nephew at Thanksgiving but perhaps this time he will be more conversational.

So, I fear I am becoming one of those people that have nothing to complain about. Nothing new to add. More than this, I loath to be one of those people that want to tell you all about how cool of a person I am and how great my life is – that’s what Facebook is for. My little life is working at the moment and perhaps that is what I’m worried about. I guess I can complain about having nothing to complain about. Now there’s something.