Two Ends of Technology: Aviation and Inuit
March 17, 2011
What a delightful life. I am at the same time working on projects about the technology for the greening of the aviation industry, and carbon-neutral technology used by Inuit people in the 1830s. Both are amazing!
I have the good fortune to be working under contract with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on an exhibit about the ways in which the commercial aviation museum is flying towards the future. Green Skies Ahead! opens in Ottawa on June 16th, 2012 and it’s fun! Lots of talent is going into this exhibit that looks at the shape of planes to come, biofuels, new materials and ways in which air traffic will be directed and more. Not to give too much away, today I learned about Smart Wings, wings that respond to messages received from sensors in the plane’s nose and actually change shape as they meet gusts of wind! How cool is that!http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/about_us/
Pretty cool, but I think for innovation and flexibility the prize goes to the Inuit. I am also researching a book that starts on Baffin Island in the 1830s. One story I read was about improvised sled runners: frozen fish and caribou antlers wrapped up and lashed together with skins. When it thawed, the fish were eaten and the skins were slashed into pieces that became parts of tents.
Each skin was for a different type of clothing: fawn skin for baby clothes. Skins were used in different ways: eiderdown feathers turned inside for socks, perhaps outside for a park. Every part of the animal used: entrails might make sinew for sewing or be attached together to make waterproof garment. Jaw-dropping wonder comes from the ingenuity behind clothing design. Women crafted parkas with seams that did not sit on shoulders, or body parts that strained. A rip at -60 might mean death! The seams were offset: these clothes were made to take it. The book to get from your library on interlibrary loan is Sinews of Survival: Living Legacy of Inuit Clothingby Betty Kobayashi Issenman. I was humbled.
Interview with Author Alain Luc Paradis
February 8, 2011
Josh Gale interviewed Alain Luc Paradis
I have recently read The Very Able Quadriplegic in 140C (available at www.heritagezoo.com) by Alain Luc Paradis and was given the opportunity to interview the man behind the words. The book is a 140-page masterpiece of non-fiction. It tells the motivational and inspirational true story of Alain’s diagnosis of MS and the challenges that he has faced over the last 50 years. Also included are some childhood memories, anecdotes, his experiences with bogus parking tickets and weasel-like financial assistants, as well as his views on religion/atheism and dealing with death. It is deeply emotional, moving, uplifting, witty and humorous, all at the same time.
To quote the ex-computer consultant, “There is no use crying over spilt milk. I roll with the punches.” I think I speak perhaps for all readers when I say his optimism is enviable. He also says that his more difficult experiences helped him become a stronger person. “I imagine that I would be much less well prepared for impending adversity,” he said when questioned about his earlier familiarities. He is a self-motivated individual and accepts full responsibility for who he is. “I guess I was always an independent self-starter.”
His friends and family have obviously supported and encouraged Alain, and in some way or another influenced his attitude. “My siblings are all vehemently self-sufficient. I guess we get it from my father,” Alain explained. He also points out that, “I don’t believe I modelled myself based on others.”
Alain’s run ins with bogus parking tickets have had only a minimal, if any, effect on how he views law enforcement. When asked about this he responded; “…no more than anyone. Cops are just as lazy as the general public.” ‘Unpleasant’ is the only way to describe his experiences with financial planners. He had difficulties with one such individual, who remains nameless through the duration of the book and is referred to only as Weasel Skunk. Amazingly enough this did not affect his ability to trust other human beings in the slightest. “I trust people as much as I ever did, however that is the last time I sign anything without reading it first,” he said in answer to a question regarding a financial battle/ loophole involving a contract which was signed under false pretences.
Alain has a unique and refreshing perspective on religion and atheism that truly demonstrates his sense of humour and speaks to his strength of character. I found it surprising to know that someone who has endured what he has does not see any logic in religion, and yet this doesn’t seem to affect most people. “I don’t announce it to anyone unless queried. No one except my father tends to care much.” He also emphasizes the fact that he and his father “agree to disagree.” His father, though, has tried to convert him on several occasions but… Alain sticks to his guns!
In the 1980s, Alan worked as a computer programmer and consultant. I wondered how he got into this field of work. “I have always loved problem solving and my score on the CATB (Computer Aptitude Test Battery) was favourable,” he says. I was also curious as to what other career paths he might have followed under different circumstances. “Anything to do with animals (preferably veterinarian) or anything to do with computers.” The author also states that his childhood had nothing to do with his decision to get into this field of work.
He spent some time after diagnosis in Lyndhurst hospital but currently resides at Hallowell House. When confronted with a question pertaining to the service he received at these two institutions he had this to say: “Apples and oranges. The staffs at both are equally as wonderful however they have different mandates.” You might think that the amount of pain he has suffered would be hard to deal with, wouldn’t you? Alain Luc Paradis takes it all in stride, saying; “the pain is simply required.”
In conclusion, I rate this book five out of five stars. If you are a fan of medical stories, comedy, philosophy or good reading do yourself a favour and get your hands on a copy of The Very Able Quadriplegic in 140C!
Josh Gale
Josh Gale is a 21-year-old member of the editorial board for the Pembroke Daily Observer. He currently resides in Eganville Ontario. He is legally blind and is a former student of lian goodall and was awarded a certificate of successful completion of her course in publishing and children’s literature. He has always had a passion for reading and writing, and is currently working on a horror novel.
Josh is employed at the Community Resource Centre of Killaloe writing scripts to help raise awareness of community issues.
The Very Able Quadriplegic in 140C launches Jan 15, 2011
January 5, 2011
Alain at his computer.
The Very Able Quadriplegic in 140C by Alain Paradis
“I’m a bedridden quadriplegic. Would I rather have not been a bedridden quadriplegic? That’s a quandary from which there could be no response. I know I’d rather be me, and I certainly have MS.”—Alain Paradis
Alain Paradis. Paradis is currently a resident in Room 140, Bed C at Hallowell House, Picton, Ontario but his mind is not confined to his bed—nor is his sense of humour. In his warm and funny autobiography, Paradis has readers both hooting out loud and crying as he recounts instances related to his Multiple Sclerosis, his two battles with cancer and other health challenges that he meets with candid humanity, laughter and quiet courage.
General readers and healthcare professionals will gain insight about the lives and coping skills of physically challenged and critically ill people. They will share Paradis’ frustration over bogus parking tickets and insurance scams, and applaud when they read about the day he got mad and threw a rock through two bank doors — before going to prison.
An inspiring story, not to be missed!
$20 tax included (add $2.75 postage in Canada)
Cheques payable to:
Heritage Zoo
3 Queen St. Picton ON K0K 2T0
613.476.1327
Moving Day: Celebrating a Québécois Tradition
June 24, 2010
It’s a cool fact that July 1st has a long history in the province of Québec as Moving Day. As you will read below, leases in Quebec used to end on April 30th, much to the chagrin of parents of school-aged children. In 1974, a law made all leases signed on April 30th of that year valid until June 30. For many in la belle province Moving Day has been July 1st since that time. CBC cited that Hydro-Québec switched over 120,000 accounts for July 1st, 2004!
(See http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/features/movingday/ ).
A Wikipedia entry explains that Moving Day has its origins in the laws governing the seigneurial system. Seigneurs could not evict tenants before May 1st, around the time the snow melted (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Day_(Quebec)). Sounds kind almost thoughtful, doesn’t it?
Is it because I love Montréal that I am moving for the third summer in a row?
Moving is acknowledged as a major stressor in a human’s life. I’m thinking I could be a case study. If only we were back in the days of travois or ice sledge, I know I would very quickly have my belongings narrowed down to only the most useful and essential items (skins; tools of stone, wood or bone; and cooking utensils). Our household items have been in storage for two years, and guess what I’ve missed the most??? (No, I said guess… answer later). What you would miss, I wonder, if your goods and chattel were separated from you for a long period of time. Let me know!
I will soon be rejoined with my beloved X and I’ve got some cool help lined up, so maybe I’ll just be having a little fun on my Moving Day this July 1st.
I’m signing off for a little while, but Canadians I wish you a Happy Canada Day. And for those of you who, like me, are celebrating the day in a Québécois manner: Bonne chance avec vos déménagements et amusez-vous bien!
lian goodall
Moving Day 1930s, from the McCord Museum collection, Montreal
Murder on Paul Street: Plant a Tree
June 19, 2010
Photo by Alecs.y, Wiki Commons
I know trees have life cycles, and this one’s life expectancy was normally about sixty years. She had a big split in her massive trunk and so, for human safety she had to die. But she wasn’t ‘put down,’ drifting off in dreamy seconds like a beloved family pet. It took all day to kill her—sawing, slashing, severing and then grinding up her limbs—all noisy, painful (for me, at least) day.
She was a stunning Catalpa or ‘bean’ tree, half way through her blossom cycle. Her beautiful white, frilly-edged wide-mouthed blossoms were only starting to descend from her broad-leafed crown. Only yesterday, I had looked at them on the ground, velvet yellow and deep purple throats beckoning to pollinators only a short time before, just starting to melt into beige brown curls on the green lawn.
When I picked up the blossom and held it in my hand wondrously, there was not even an orange ‘X’ spray-painted on the tree’s trunk to warn me to prepare myself, to say good-bye, to say, “Thank you Lady Catalpa. Thank you for your shade, your beauty and your sheltering branches. You will be missed.”
Will she be replaced?
Since I moved to Picton, Ontario, Canada, I have seen more than a half dozen of these elegant elders lose their lives in our neighbourhood alone. And have they been replaced? Has one home owner set a seed or sapling in the earth? I don’t think so, but I hope I am wrong.
I grew up in a family of tree planters (fruit trees, hard wood, and a Christmas tree plantation), so naturally I am surprised that people do not often make this simple life-giving action.
Perhaps people just need a reminder. So here it is:
Plant a tree. Plant a tree today, a beautiful tree. Please.
lian goodall
Note: According to Wikipedia Catalpa or bean trees grow 12–18 metres (39–59 ft) tall and 6–12 metres (20–39 ft) wide. I (and many other children) used to have a lot of fun playing with their long beans pods.
My Son is Rich
June 15, 2010
My son is rich—in extruded and moulded plastic that is.
I have just spent the morning in sorting and cleaning his toys in preparation to move. As I have gone over his weighty and extensive stash I have come to the conclusion that something has got to change in the world —our love of plastic and plastic toys.
That is not to say that plastic is a bad thing. Some toys are only possible or affordable because they have plastic parts. Like sugar, it has its purpose. But like sugar today, plastic is easily overused. I have just packed two tubs, three laundry baskets, and two three-drawer units of mostly plastic. My son is only three, what riches will he have amassed in another two years?
My friends and family are kind and thoughtful. They wish to honour Amzie on special occasions. They (and I) go into stores and say, “That’s cool! Bet he could use that!” And he does, repeatedly. Plastic parts break-off easily. Most of his plastic baby toys are either landfill-fodder (the ones with easily broken pieces) or passed on to other children (the better made toys). You won’t be surprised to read that only a few wooden toys have survived to make it into his Baby Keepsake box.
Plastic is clever. It melts and twists into the most winsome forms: bug jars, binoculars, tools and other irresistible products. I need to ask myself (and suggest you ask yourself), “Does this exist in another material?” I wish I had given him a ‘real’ small-sized shovel rather than the plastic one that broke in two almost immediately. I need to learn to rethink too: especially when I’m in a store faced with a razzle-dazzle of colours. Perhaps I will prepare my list ahead of time.
Plastic is affordable and easily-available. I do not intend that anyone should spend money on my son’s birthday. One of the few persons who asks me what I would like Amzie to have as a present, is my sister. I suggested she give him something used. One of his favourite pastimes has been putting together the floor-puzzle his cousins used to play with. I’ll list a few ideas at the end of this post.
Plastic is often ’easy’ and soon boring. The ‘bells and whistles’ on an extruded plastic toy are flashy and wondrous—at first. However, they do everything and there is not much left for the child to add in play. Looking around the room this morning, my three-year-old son has played with an old telephone wire (his ‘rope’), five John Deere metal tractors and a small metal tow truck with which he slept. Over the long term, he seems to prefer the vehicles to which he adds the sounds and invents the actions they will do.
What does he want to offer as gifts? When I asked Amzie what he wanted to give a friend for her birthday, his answer was immediate, “A tree. A red one.”And what does he want to wrap up for his Daddy for Father’s Day? “A fish.”
My Kid Gift-giving Ideas
I’m sure others have ideas to add to this list.
Books
I became a children’s author because people gave me books. Good ones.
Used toys
Clay
Books
Amzie reads to himself every day. Perhaps that is because I have read to him every day.
Clay or homemade play dough
Museum/park passes
Homemade toys
These needn’t be elaborate (i.e., a clothespin parachute). An Internet search or a look at books at your library might yield some do-able ideas.
Time
Your time is the best. Spend a few hours showing him how to throw a baseball, ride his bike, reading stories, going fishing, playing music. It’s all good.
Magazines
Party help
Can you face paint? Tie balloons? Bake a cake? Birthday party help makes a cool present.
Books
Did I mention books? How about great Canadian books? Ask your bookseller or read reviews in Canadian Children’s Book News. Support the creators of our zesty, yet somehow fragile, industry. Oh yeah, buy my books and those of all my friends.
© lian goodall 2010
Moving!
June 12, 2010
We’re moving! An increasing excitement of boxes piled high and higher, towers for the three-year old to explore and topple.
Where to?
Just down the road. How could we leave gorgeous Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario.
Our hats will shortly hang at 3 Queen Street, Picton.
Haven’t been to PEC yet?
Come see why we can’t yet leave this place! Once here, you won’t want to leave!
lg
New Website
April 5, 2010
www.heritagezoo.com keeps up with what we’ve been doing. There have been a number of exciting heritage projects: among them working with Northwest Territories Parks Manager Stephanie Yuill and artist/designer Marilyn Koop on three pieces of non-personal interpretation to be given out to children visiting NT Parks. Those products: a bookmark, a set of playing cards featuring 13 Sensitive or At Risk NT animals. LOTS OF FUN!
We’re now in fantastically gorgeous Prince Edward County, ON (Picton to be exact). 800 km of shoreline, some of which we enjoyed today on a bird hike at Prince Edward Point nature preserve. Wonderful day for it.
Don’t forget: check out www.heritagezoo.com
Celebrating Mackenzie King
June 30, 2009
lian goodall, author of William Lyon Mackenzie King: Dreams and Shadows, will be speaking about Prime Minister King at 1pm on Sat. July 4th, 2009 at Woodside National Historic Site, 528 Wellington St. North, Kitchener as part of “History Under the Trees.”
She will talk about her views on King based on her book research and her years working for the three Mackenzie King historic sites. She will also let researchers know about some exciting technological changes at the Library and Archives Canada that will advance studies in areas such as King’s spiritualist beliefs.
The following week lian moves to Picton for the next year. Derek moved there a few weeks ago as he is filling a maternity-leave position as head curator of the five Prince Edward County museums. Fun!
First Canadian Citizenship Ceremony, Jan. 1947
June 9, 2009
Did you know that the first Canadian citizenship ceremony took place on January 3rd, 1947? Immigrant photographer Yousuf Karsh was granted certificate Number Ten, explains author of Photographing Greatness: The Story of Karsh, lian goodall, in an article about the first citizenship ceremony that will appear in the “Wayback Times” on June 23rd, 2009.
The personable and informative article looks at the historic event in 1947 through the eyes of Yousuf Karsh, and also from the point-of-view of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, recipient of Canadian citizenship certificate Number One. You can check it out at: http://www.waybacktimes.com/ after June 23, 2009.
The article speaks about the 14th Canada Day citizenship ceremony that will be held in King’s boyhood home in Kitchener on July 1, 2009. To find out more, contact Woodside National Historic Site of Canada at 528 Wellington St., North of Kitchener, 519-571-5684 or 1-888-773-888. Electronically, it’s on-woodside@pc.gc.ca or visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/woodside/contact_e.asp/
