I can't stay just now but I will be back right away. Gotta make sure trhe hay is in, cause for once it isn't raining and stuff has dried out.  Here's a little pic of one of the gals I am dating.
Gotta go work, so i can graze.
Angus

In January 2010, I posted a list of questions to see if people might be interested. It was a slow day in the pasture, so perhaps I needed to put more thought into the posting. But, lucky for me, someone did. 
I just noticed it, even though I do check for for comments, but now that I changed the page layout that is easier to do. So, here a comment from Stumpy to the January 2010 list, and as usual, what he advises is often worth repeating. 
Hey Angus, # 14 is the one that always puzzles me, (Me:  My dear friend, I was merely wondering why some people that I know and like very much earn $6,000 per day for work which is in my thinking not as valuable as the work of another friend, who I also know and like very much, who earns much much less. It is just one of those spiritual cerebral type thoughts I sometimes get while grazing.)  they are all excellent points (Me: what else did you expect?) and the answer to #21 is I'm a fan. 
My point to ponder is why, as human development and progress drives us towards the stars, most of the population of the developed world has forgotten about the ground we stand on and the value of that soil. The majority of the most advanced couldn't feed themselves but can explain quantum physics ??
My children are getting a high school education, love peanut butter and had no idea peanuts grew in the ground, so last summer I grew some in the garden. I'm trying to nurture their understanding of the soil as they reach for the stars, couldn't do that with broccoli!
Well, that's it. I agree.
Do you?
Gotta go graze,
Bad Angus

Thimk! 

May 3 is Canada’s Music Day, so last night we watched "Mr. Holland's Opus", a quality movie filled with great music and story telling.  It talks about the joy, improved brain activity, happiness, learning ability, love, self confidence, sense of accomplishment and other values which music and story telling provide all of us.
 
“Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water..." remember that old tag line from the first "Jaws" movie?  Richard Dreyfuss again, again in a movie which was effective because of music, effects and cinematic punch. Unfortunately, it also spread unfounded fear of sharks, though most of us knew nothing about them. l went and saw it. I even saw Jaws version 7 million. By then, I even knew better. Bread and Circuses syndrome, I guess. Now, mankind is near to wiping out both farmers and sharks, both species which have survived millennia and have much to teach us.

Flash back a couple of weeks to the Music festivals, where I learned participation has been cut drastically because school districts cut the early grades’ band participation.  “Those dumb b#@$%&*s”, I thought. Then yesterday, I was at U Moncton for the provincial finals in the French oratoricals. I learned participation has been reduced because some school districts have also cut the English and French public speaking programs. “Those stupid idiots." I said.

Then, early this morning, I got an email from some people I am extremely fond of. BUT, what was supposed to be a joke spewed prejudice, hatred, bad taste and blame all over my screen, on people who do not deserve it.  Why do we need someone else to blame? The answer is still where it always has been, in our mirrors.
 
I decided to post this, with love and determination from me to you.
STOP THAT CRAP! LOOK IN THE MIRROR. TAKE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNMENTS, ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOL BOARDS AND TELL THEM WE DESERVE BETTER.
Music helps people learn better and think more clearly. Public speaking helps people of all ages gain self confidence and important skills. Cowardice and hatred only hurt us. 

The children we love so much need a lot of help to get through all the obfuscation and prejudice and opinionated sons of guns and greedy fools they will face. We are better than that.  

“You can’t legislate against stupidity, but you can try”, my sainted mother used to say. 

Gotta graze,

Bad Angus

Sometimes, as the big bull in this pasture, I get busy and overlook important opportunities. Not this time. Take time to find out about DIRT...the Movie. This multi award winning film is a gift and a wake-up call all rolled into one.
Go to  http://www.dirtthemovie.org  to find out about this wonderful and informative work. 
Here is a quote from the website of DIRT! the movie: "DIRT! The Movie brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impacts of soil."
What does that have to do with you and me? Everything. The most fortunate people, like me, have had opportunities to fly high, travel pastures, roads, streets; anywhere I like to go. I get to do activities which contain a quality of life and allow me to create things which help me and others enjoy being here. 
Guess what?  We are a tiny minority, cannot keep using the majority of the world's resources and survive. Other civilizations have learned those lessons the hard way. We are now so skilled we are moving to self destruction faster than ever.
"Oh, Angus...You nutbar, you pessimist, you counter culture creep", I hear you say... No, I'm like most of you. My quality of life is slipping away, my children's lives are in jeapordy, and it just plain scares me. I'm not the only one. But, there are solutions. Together, we can make important differences.  If we want to.
A couple of years ago, I attended a conference of Farmers and food production specialists from many regions. I was seconds late taking my seat at the opening.  Everyone was introducing themselves, and just as I sat down, a person from a self described "safe food production group" pointed at me and said "I'm not one of them. I didn't have it all handed to me. I can't just destroy everything and reap huge profits and pretend I am a good person." 
What did I do? When my turn came, I said "I'm sorry I was a bit late sitting down. We were late because we had to keep stopping along the road to kill some trees." I'd like to tell you the discourse got better after the laughter died down, but it didn't. An opportunity was lost, despite a lot of preparation. Since that time, we have spoken at length and made progress. So, the good news is, we can do a lot of things which make our world better.  If we want to.
In my last posting, I mentioned I believe people are resilient and we can overcome anything. That's true, but we actually have to get busy and do a little bit. Watching this film, inviting people you care about to watch it with you, that's a great way to begin.
Gotta graze,
Bad Angus

There may well be more behind the Guergis stories, but is she just a sacrificial lamb? The issues surrounding her are tiny in proportion to what we need to focus on regionally and nationally. All elected parties are taking part in the game. It is very easy to provide mystifying reports in the current social media realities.
Based on a stronger Canadian dollar, many are happy, but we are losing even more as a country dependent on export.  People continue to flounder, to lose everything. Retirees retire still owing huge debt. Young and old alike cannot easily find careers which provide a decent lifestyle.
Are we very aware our Parliament is getting the figurative "finger" from government? Even though a court has ordered non-redacted reports be provided to Parliament re the way we handed over Afghani "pro-insurgent" prisoners, steps are used to slow that, reasoning they are a security risk.  Really? If Canada did hand over Afghani prisoners knowing they would likely be tortured, lets deal with that fact.  I am damn proud of our forces and hate to see stuff like this smear what they do and give their lives for.
We have a system to be proud of and should be wary of its misuse. I am an optimist, and do not believe all is lost. People are tremendously resilient and resourceful, given half a chance, and we are a good example. Let's get on with the work and stop posturing.  Do we need fun? You bet.  Do we need smiles? Yep. But, we need to find ways which ensure a quality way of life for all of Canada doesn't disappear.
As the CEO of Sobey's suggested recently at a regional economic meeting in Port Hawkesbury, NS, the jurisdictions in Pictou County should move quickly to act together, under one form of Regional Municipal government, or much will be lost. Parts of NB have recently done just such a thing.
Another important issue going unnoticed by many Canadians is that we are close to introducing representative government. Think we are falling behind right now? Wait until that happens.  Hard nosed economists would likely say it's about time we allow a more rational use of resources. It is also about time we used a more rational form of capitalism.  
Another real issue is the demise of journalism as we know it. Yesterday, I read that EVERY MINUTE, Facebook gets 24 hours worth of amateur videos submitted. What's next? There are many benefits to a wider array of outlets which media can use and carry information on, and even make the P word (profits) from quality and insightful journalism. 
But, let's not forget that there is merit also to a more well addressed and well focused perspective. Print, broadcast and all media are in the midst of great turmoil as they fight for their economic lives.  It seems obvious we have managed to train our audiences to believe  media does not need substance and depth. 
Wait now, oh gosh...if we lose all this, what will Family Guy focus on? Or Jon S? 
Hey wait. I may be on to something... maybe that will actually get someone scared. Yeah, forget Guergis, we are in true danger of losing Family Guy.  Aren't we?

I changed this posting because it was unclear. I am concerned because we are again blaming public sector employees for everything. That is a big mistake. 
I understand the frustration, and like most of you, have been hard hit by the lagging economy, which despite positive statements to the contrary, is still in the tank and may never recover to healthy status for primary and secondary industries and rural regions. We all should worry because the rural parts of our country are unable to generate sustainable wealth and the urban centres are unable to provide the support their staggering growth requires. But, these things are everyone's responsibility. That includes public and private sector employees, elected representatives, business leaders...all of us. 
Seizing upon public sector employees as fodder for our ire is not a helpful activity. Worse, when public servants stand up to be counted, we immediately hear cries of "off with their heads" from people looking to play political sleight of hand. I have had private and public battles with bureaucrats, politicians, and others.  I have had even more battles ON BEHALF of all of the above. I am concerned when I see civil service bashing take place, because it doesn't help resolve what needs to be resolved. For example:
Recently, Dan English, COO of the Halifax Regional Municipality, stood up for his staff and told the elected officials and their supporters he was fed up with the machinations and rhetoric surrounding how to meet the municipality's budget challenges. Media outlets featured a strong backlash aimed at Dan, telling the HRM to fire him, telling him if he doesn't like it he should quit, and so on.  Dan's job isn't supposed to be Mister Popularity. He was right to defend staff who are becoming demoralized, tagged with too many incorrect and unflattering statements. He is a tough person in a tough job. That's the kind of person you need when things get challenging. 
By the way, when he mentioned that many people would be retiring and attrition would be much more sensible than firings, he was right. It is cheaper and gives the organization time to be sensibly restructured. If you fire people, you have to give them a package of some sort anyway. Meanwhile, you will have already set in motion negative events which will affect every public servant and many private businesses and clients who rely on their services.  It is not as easy as it looks, and Dan English gave you all excellent advice. 
The NB, NL, NS governments and others are discussing how their public sector should be trimmed. I have witnessed parties get elected, largely based on a "murder the public sector" mentality.  A reasonable review of staffing levels, cost saving initiatives and other such methodologies would have been far less damaging. Don't let back room geniuses spin themselves into glory and out of trouble. 
You and me, the people who elect the politicians must be careful what we wish for. Many of the people I have had the most serious conflict with are still friends. Resolving important issues must be a sensible and principled activity.  Be prepared, understand the issues and do your best work.  
So go ahead, hug a public servant today.  OK, maybe that's not a great idea. Some of them carry guns. Instead, like the Madagascar Penguins, we perhaps should just  "smile and wave , boys, smile and wave".  Then, let us pursue more sensible options than witch hunting.
Gotta go graze,

Bad Angus

As a fair, reasonable and Canadian animal, I pride myself on having a fair, reasonable Bad Angus style blog. With of course a limited amount of bull.
I do think Ms. Guergis behaved poorly recently in Charlottetown and maybe even elsewhere, who knows?  I do think she should have at times comported herself better in public. But is it possible, do you think, that she is in the centre of this Parliamentary and perhaps un-important firestorm for the wrong reasons?
Meanwhile, do you think we should perhaps remind ourselves and our elected leaders that our economy is still in great trouble, many people continue to suffer true hardship, and that's what they ought to focus on?  Come on guys, this will all work itself out and perhaps some of the story behind the story will be evident.
Gotta go to the dentist so I can finally graze properly, so later dude,

Bad Angus

I was writing about the Helena Guergis mess to post here. Then I saw Geoff's excellent blog in the St. John's Telegram and sent a comment to him instead. I am unhappy to see this lady get so much attention by government leaders and media while serious problems remain unaddressed. People I know are losing everything, as the regional economy plummets. Let's get off our behinds and fix that, instead of worrying about HG.
Geoff's excellent piece points to the Toronto Sun referring to HG as a dog last Saturday. I love dogs, so it brought out the animal in me. Worse adjectives do come to mind. She seems to be a priviliged person who should know better. In the Star's defence, Dog is easy to spell and takes less space. But what if people mis-read it and think she is in fact a deity? A friend and I were discussing this. He did a spoof infomercial inspired by studies on Egypt and also my whining about HG: "How to Become A Deity for 3 payments of $33.33 plus S&H." Funnier and more deadly than the Sun article. But, such as it is, the Sun is one of many media outlets less concerned about ordinary lives and more about this matter. 
See the picture below of what our region will look like if we don't try to save it?  Look harder...  that empty spot is it, so get busy dude.
Gotta go graze,
Bad Angus

It's time for minor sport playoffs/tournaments. Those events, plus the Olympics are making glorius and inglorius elements more obvious. Once again this year, I've been to many arenas. In most arenas, most people behaved well. 
But, too often, I saw bad behavior supported by parents, coaches, officials and players. I saw a game sheet with every space for penalties filled and more added.  They played some great hockey too. 
Despite attempts to foster fair play and respect, I believe criticism, violence and antagonism is increasing. The trouble occurs even in early levels, with a few children and parents making others miserable. 
Board members, team personnel, players and many parents deal with such challenges. Minor sport boards need to upgrade the tools to address the problems. They need to help Coaches, players, parents and officials know and use rules of conduct. I don't just mean it's only in hockey. Many minor sports have these problems. 
One result is we are losing good board members, coaches, and officials.  Worse, we are failing the kids who just want to have fun, and also kids who think it's ok to be goons. In the end we are losing many children who could benefit most from being active in our sport.  
And, in the face of a continuing poor economy, we are making the sports so expensive and elitist that people cannot afford fiscally or emotionally to pay the price. My biggest concern is still that we are throwing away children. 
A high volume of the children feel "washed up" at a young age.  Some are left feeling not good enough, and go about their lives quietly, but very disappointed.  Add to that the ones who get into all kinds of trouble. I see kids who get kicked out of school, sports and jobs. God knows, some caused lots of grief. But they ALL have value, and deserve better choices, which enrich their lives. 
I'm not the only person who does this, but when I happen to see some of them, I talk to those I know, or once knew. I want them to know I still see them, they are not invisible. They are still important, even if they never score in any sport. We have a chance to let them know we, god or somebody else loves them. And, that they deserve it. Don't forget to tell the "stars" they are great for a lot of other reasons also.
Minor sports is an ideal way to show them good choices. When they lose that link, some lose a link which has greater value than they will tell us, or perhaps even realize. So let's try to do what we do better.  
Despite some anti Olympic views, it is the Special Olympics which show how very important and life changing doing your best is. 
Instead of giving up, think instead that although Minor League Sport needs some fixing, it sure beats the streets. Get involved.
Gotta go graze,

Bad Angus

My friend Linda Best, herself a person to be reckoned with, often wanders over to the pasture and waves an interesting thought to me. I am often impressed, and this is one of those times.  She just sent me the link to a You Tube video by WOW, which she got from her friend Kathy. 
If you are a man or a woman it doesn't matter. Take a look and you will feel empowered by many things.  Women especially will get this and not be in any way surprised by its power.  Men will even get this, I think.
This piece conveys a very important message, which we can easily support and participate in.  As I say in the intro box to this blog "your opinion matters".  This piece shows we can prevent the loss of the wonderful things our rural and urban Atlantic region has to offer. 
We CAN do something about our challenges. Many people, young and older, are doing just that. Look at how this group brings the importance of local food production, local business, and the huge strength we have, just by choosing to act together.
Enough bull, let's get rockin'! Visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxS3yWGRgYA
Gotta go graze, 

Bad Angus 

I have listened with great interest lately to events which seem to be happening despite or because of the larger problems our society is facing. I hear many people discussing these issues and saying "...what could they be thinking? They didn't seem that stupid before."
NB cabinet member Stuart Jameson, a McKenna Minister, until recently a Minister in Shawn Graham's cabinet, has resigned from cabinet to express his discontent with the Liberal government's decision to sell NB Power to Hydro Quebec. I listened with great interest as he managed to support his party and his Premier, while also saying he wants a plebscite on the issue and believes this issue could cause the party to lose the next election.  I believe he is an honest man, so I can only assume he really is telling the truth on this issue. It struck me how much better he must find it to just avoid the posturing and tell it as he see it. Pretty rare these days, and perhaps it will cause the public to gain a modecum of new respect for this very important political process which moves us relentlessly forward.
In NS, and in other jurisdictions as well, a furor has erupted over seemingly hypocritical purchases by sitting MLAs and some former MLAs.  We don't really know why, but we now know who the alleged offendors are, because the data was released for public scrutiny today.  I haven't seen it but will be taking a look overnight, as soon as I finish a call I am about to begin.  One person already named has resigned in NS, and perhaps others will follow, depending on just what was purchased and why. The result of course is that it stinks. People again haqve what they see as proof that all politicians are crooks, which of course is absurd.  Some may very well be stupid, but after all, you and I elected them.  But I know a great many politicians, and I believe most are there because they care, and are honorable women and men. 
Part of the problem is one which is little acknowledged or understood, and our media would do us a great service by addressing it.  The problem is that there is no easy way to really know what the heck to expect when you enter politics.  Even simple things like seating, offices, timing, process all need to be learned.  Those with the experience then find it easier to get things done. But, it is a rarified and unusual atmosphere, with many sets of written and unwritten rules.  A lot gets done, in many strange ways. As Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz is said to have exclaimed "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto."
Ordinary life becomes something foreign, and stupid behaviour sometimes results.  Those transgressions and disagreements permiate many aspects of our lives. Part of the solution is to encourage a big set of lights to be kept shining in those sometimes dark corners. Another solution is to look for positive opportunities to move things ahead with principled and focused leadership. Little decisions by each of us are much more powerful if we just do it.  
Stop yelling at coaches, referees and kids. Think of a way to do some small positive thing for someone.  Get off your butt and act. And remember, the only bull we all need more of is me.

Gotta graze,

Bad Angus 

HAITI NEEDS HELP.  I just heard on CBC Radio News that they have experienced ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE TODAY, JANUARY 20th, magnitude 6.1, which I think is definitely smaller but not what they need at any time, especially now.

Help Haiti through legitimate organizations only.  World Vision and the Red Cross for example.

Help those among us you are able to help.  Kindness, time, small support often means big things.

I live with two heroes, who do things for others every day.  I am trying to learn less bull and more power.

Gotta go graze,
Angus

Issues worth considering:

1.  Why are a few farmers taking cruises while most others take off-farm work?

2.  Why isn't there any difference left in the political parties we elect?

3.  Why am I fat when 25,000 children starve to death EVERY 1O MINUTES.

4.  If we haven't got any workers and need people, why can't anyone over 45 get a job?

5.  Why don't we appreciate trades training as much as degree training?

6.  Why do we still put up with the bullshit of bullies in our schools?

7.  Why don't the Atlantic Provinces grow up and work together?

8.  Why does it seem to us that bureaucrats and politicians are all lazy crooks?

9.  Why do bureaucrats and politicians see the rest of us as a group of disorganized people who give them 5,000 different viewpoints to solve each issue when they ask?

10.  Why don't we import more immigrants and welcome them?

11.  Why do we care if someone is a different color than us?

12.  If I care so much about the environment, why do I have four big containers of garbage, mostly plastic, every week at the curb?

13.  Why don't people think it's stealing to download music and films and other work and never pay for it?

14.  Why are some people making $6,000 a day and others making $60 a day, doing services which are actually reversed in importance from what they are paid?

15.  Why do we think every one of our kids playing hockey are going to the NHL?

16.  Why do we ask people to teach, to referee, to coach, to go on boards, to be CEO's of non-profits, then yell, scream and generally make their lives miserable?

17. Why do we all think we have the only real God just for our little religion?

18.  Why are caterpillar coats a bad business proposition but caterpillar tractors a good one?

19.  Why is the sky blue?

20.  Why don't you send me questions and we will discuss them?

Hey, this is just a short note to say hello. Thanks for the emails while we were down and out.  Took a few weeks to get up and running again, what with the holidays, extra grain to eat, people to see and all that.
The system had some challenges so in the end we just wiped it all and started over. Cleaner, quicker and safer.
Feel free to send your emails to me as usual, now that its all back and working. Alot has happened and here we go again.

Later, gotta get grazin again and remove that santa hat too!

Angus

I just spent three or four weeks finding out what it's like to work in a QSR. That's a "quick service restaurant" in real language. I did it because I wanted to see what it would take to run one of those places; I wanted the "inside scoop". I have run several stores at once, supervised a large number of foodservices and other services, even  delivered a paper route. I needed to find out for sure, for my own satisfaction and other reasons. So, I started at the bottom, worked very hard, did many levels of their training in a short time, then worked hard some more, and didn't get a whole lot further.  But, before i was done, I did accomplish my goal. I know for sure I can run one or a bunch of them, just like I thought. 
But more importantly, I have renewed my respect for the people who do most of the hardest work. They are great, and hard working even on a bad day. If they aren't, it is usually because they are overwhelmed by the volume of work which happens sometimes in these type of places, and is difficult to plan for. Sometimes, they are standing in for a person who is trained more then they are, in a certain job, and haven't come in for their shift. But every person I met there worked very hard the whole time they were onsite. And, they helped me out whenever I asked.
I agreed not to name the place or to tell any super secrets. Truth is, there really aren't many secrets to tell, but people deserve their privacy. It's  quite ingenious though: easily produced products, provided at a high rate of speed with friendly and efficient service. And people love what they sell. I wasn't very familiar with their line of products to start with, because I was one of the people who was not a customer. That made it harder, because almost everyone they hire already knows what they sell and what it looks like. 
Was it a gap in training or just me? I am working on that one. I'm sure it's not just one person, there are more like me.
The customers were also terrific and friendly, with few exceptions. Most treated the staff with respect and tipped often, and these servers deserve those tips, believe me. Most people got great service every time and products the way they like it.
Sometimes they didn't and it can be frustrating. I have been researching this for quite a while and have gone to all of the most popular ones during that time, before i decided to try this one out. The worst experience I had was waiting 15 minutes at one of the ones with a drive through window. People ahead of me had been asked to park and wait, and there were eight cars. Some people were standing and yelling at the people inside.  When they finally got to me, I knew enough to smile and say "just take it easy, you are doing great, and this little problem will be over soon" then I tipped the young lady five bucks.  On behalf of all of us.
As consumers, we are spoiled, expect instant gratification. That's not really who we are down deep. So take a deep breath and say thanks to these folks every time you go there.  And remember...during the time it took you to read this, ten children starved to death elsewhere on this planet.  
You are a very lucky person. Have a great day.
Now, I gotta go graze...slowly, man,slowly...

Bad Angus