Random Edition

Sorry for the delay but life in the Great White North has been extremely busy of late. Firstly, I'm officially enrolled for the fall. *whew* I did not however get two of the classes that I wanted which left me rather pouty for the better part of the week but as is my custom (*eyeroll*) I rallied to regain my composure and found some suitable replacements...at least for the time being. I have embarked on a quest to share my love of old black and white classic films with my wife. She's been a great pupil. Thus far I've shown her The Maltese Falcon and The Manchurian Candidate. We made a run at Casablanca the other night but the arms of Morpheus were too strong for her and she was out before Ugarte showed up at Rick's Cafe (Peter Lorre rocks!!) Once we've tackled that masterpiece I'm going to try out The Thin Man (because after all these years I still have the hots for Myrna Loy), Shall We Dance (because Ginger Rogers is the only one to make me throw Myrna Low away), and then hopefully Duck Soup (because everyone should know the genius of the Marx Brothers). The list grows though and luckily I have the rest of my life to share these movies with her :) We had a houseguest of the four-legged variety last week as we took in Belle while Tim, Les, Quinn and Leah went on holiday. She seemed to have a good time and loved playing nightly (and loudly) with Willow in the basement after I would get home from work. Willow really misses her. To ease her separation anxiety, Shelley got her a few toys from the Value Village (which in typical Willow fashion were destroyed within a day). I call this one "No, I said bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia...NOT GARFIELD!!!" http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4519(1).jpg She and Dixie are pretty tuckered out from all the transition and constant renovations, though now that I have my office somewhat in order, they are given to flake out on the floor next to my desk when I come home in the morning. http://stamant.org/Albums/WillowandDixie/images/100_4460.JPG Speaking of those transitions, the kitchen is now mostly completed. At least enough that my wife has allowed me to share a few photos. Shell (and Dad Snyder and Tim) worked really hard over the course of a month or so to completely redo the kitchen. There are still a few minor touches to finish and you'll notice the old wallpaper is still up (in spots), but the bulk of the work is done. The Befores http://stamant.org/Albums/EwingHouse/images/100_4155.jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/EwingHouse/images/100_4156.jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/EwingHouse/images/100_4157.jpg The Durings http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4444(5).jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4445.jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4449.jpg The Afters http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4523.jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4520.jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4522.jpg A few closeups http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4524(9).jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4525(1).jpg http://stamant.org/Albums/Renovations/images/100_4531.jpg Quite a difference if you ask me! When I left you a few weeks ago I was heading out to play a marathon session of golf. I must admit that I likely played the best round ever in the morning round, winning my foursome and finishing second overall in the group. I played at a country club that had 2 18-hole courses, called Mill Run. A couple of the guys from work and there friends played and despite an overcast and somewhat chilly morning and afternoon I had a great time. Of course I after being awake over 36 hours, stopping in Toronto to pick up Belle, making it home and being wired from 36 holes of golf...I slept most of the day Saturday. Some of the photos from the outing are here http://stamant.org/Albums/GolfPictures/Image1.htm As the summer winds down, we are really trying to pack in a number of things before school starts so the next month and a half will be hectic (but fun). Next weekend is Civic Holiday weekend here, so Saturday we have a family picnic (my first summer time Snyder family event!) and then on Sunday I'm off work and the Hartraft family will just happen to be at the Falls! Hello Day Trip! Two weeks after that is our other anniversary (I'm taking to call it our Canadian Wedding Anniversary, as opposed to our American one...it's confusing but Shell gets double the presents so who is going to argue with her). As a treat I'm taking Shell to a live WWE event in the hopes that she will get to see her TV Boyfriend, The Rock. Apparently she'd throw me over for him if she could...but then she'd have to go around being known as Mrs. The Rock...and try getting them to take you seriously at the hair salon when you call in a reservation for Mrs. The Rock. Anyway, Tony from the studio is going with us and hey I haven't been to a live event in forever and it gives me a chance to hold up sign that says, "Triple H Fears The Boy Wonder" and a worldwide pay per view audience sees me give a poster board shout out to my kid brother, the former "Boy Wonder" of professional wrestling. Should be a hoot. *and yes I realize I just used the word "hoot" in a sentence* In other sibling news, the younger sister of the "Boy Wonder" and mine too, Essie, is 28 today. My baby sister- 28, married and a mom...where did the years slide on so? Christina is doing great at last check also, she had her first bath the other day...which sadly puts her one up on the squeegee kids who prowl the sidewalks of Toronto, but don't get me started on that. Back to the upcoming calendar. Late in August we'll be heading back down to The Beach, for Christina's dedication and some high quality American Southern Humidity!!! The kind of humidity that causes third degree burns when you touch the steering wheel of your car. I've literally seen people make s'mores over the hood of their cars in a deep Virginia summer day. Ahh Virginia in the summer...I love the smell of Thunderstorms in the afternoons...EVERY afternoon. Once we're back from the states it will be all about getting ready for book learnin'...wish me luck. This week's deeper thought- Convention(al) Wisdom. Next week in Boston, the Democratic Nominating Convention will take place over four days. For me it is the 8th one I've witnessed (though sadly this one will have to be on tape delay as I can't seem to convince people at work that I should get time off because of its importance to me...pah). 1976, I was 8 years old and was very much into politics (I was a strange child what can I tell you) and was fascinated by the campaign banners in our lunchroom at school (our school being a voting location). I remember my Dad waking me up the night he accepted the nomination, and then the night of the election when he won. Little did I know then that my father, the son of a loyal Louisiana Catholic Democrat who handed out flyers for Stevenson (go grandpa!) would give in to the dark side and be a Republican (the wrecked innocence of youth) and would thereafter leave my mother, brother and sister forever wishing the two of us would NEVER talk about politics in their presence. 1980 of course was a bad time for a now 12 year old Democrat (remember my birthday falls right around election day so it was in the stars I'd be this way), as the withering re-election of Carter ground to a halt in the Reagan Revolution. OF course the convention though had Ted Kennedy's great "The Dream Shall Never Die" speech. That's what makes conventions so compelling for me. Great speechmaking. 1984 was a nightmare...two words: Walter Mondale. Yeah, strikes at your very soul doesn't it? The convention though...the convention... Mario Cuomo's speech is still to me the greatest convention speech I've ever heard. 1988...Dukakis...I still can't believe he blew a 17 point lead! Of course the most memorable speech to come out of that convention was from the little known Governor of Arkansas William Jefferson Clinton...memorable because it had to be the longest nominating speech in history. So long that when he said "and in conclusion" he got a rousing ovation. But I think he rebounded just fine. 1992...the election was going to be on my birthday! In December of '91 I heard Clinton give a speech at Georgetown and knew at that moment he was my guy. The most memorable speech at the '92 convention was probably Elizabeth Glaser, wife of "Starsky and Hutch" star Paul Michael Glaser. She was dying of AIDS, contracted through a blood transfusion while giving birth. Both her children would contract the disease from her. Her daughter had already died, and Elizabeth would soon follow. I remember the camera panning around the hall, seeing the faces of people hearing her story for the first time, thousands of people wishing they could do something, hug her, make her well. It was a moment that I remember thinking that politics, and what people do in government isn't an abstract practice, it is real, effecting real lives everyday. 1996...Clinton's re-nomination. The bridge to the 21st century. The speech wasn't remarkable except that he just beat poor old Bob Dole with statistic after statistic...and he still believed in a place called Hope. 2000...okay face it...two images...Clinton's long walk through to the stage, like a rock star. Tell me you weren't waiting for him to suddenly get lost backstage and start shouting " 'ello Cleveland"...ok maybe just me but I've watched Spinal Tap one too many times. Other image...the kiss. Come on...you remember. Al kissing Tipper. At first you're thinking "aww...how sweet, a man and his soul mate sharing the ultimate moment for a public servant"...then a half minute later you're thinking "cripes, get a room already!" So 2004...what will be the memory? Will Kerry fire off another "Bring It On" at the president? Will Edwards give the speech of his life and give a "Tell Dick Cheney I'm coming for him"? Will the sight of Ron Reagan giving a speech at the DEMOCRATIC convention make Republicans hurl? We'll have to wait and see. The theme of the convention is "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World" Here's a primer on key speakers: Monday- Former President Jimmy Carter, Former President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, Former Vice President Al Gore Tuesday- Senator Tom Daschle, Howard Dean, Congressman Richard Gephardt, Ron Reagan Wednesday (Vice Presidential acceptance) Senator John Edwards also Governor Ed Rendell, Governor Bill Richardson Thursday (Presidential acceptance) Senator John Kerry also Governor Mark Warner of Virginia, Senator Joe Biden, General Wesley Clark Until next week, Cheers Ron

Sleepless Edition

Well it has been a mighty exhausting week and it's not quite over just yet. Monday and Tuesday I spent some time meeting with academic advisors and planning my school year. At the U of T, unlike Utah, you must register for both semesters at once, and most classes cover both periods. So, deciding on what classes is crucial since after the early drop period has ended, you're stuck. I'll be taking 5 classes, which is full time, and after meeting with my advisors I found that I'm a great deal closer to completing my chosen majors than I at first thought. I need only 1 and a half classes to finish my American Studies BA and only 4 classes for my History BA. Then of course I have to finish up a total of 10 classes to fulfill the residency requirement so I'm basically 2 years away unless I take some in the summer and finish after next fall. We shall see. Everyone I've dealt with at Toronto has been splendid. I first ventured to see my college- Trinity. As I explained before, the U of T is based on the British model of university so you are in a college within the university. They answered most of my questions and gave me the dreaded Course Calendar and Handbook which are 2 volumes of charts and tables that supposedly when combined together will either allow you to determine your schedule...or provide a map to Atlantis...it's a complicated book I tell ya. I've pretty much got a handle on most of what I'll be taking with a few exceptions. My American Studies program (oops I've got to get used to spelling it Canadian- programme) is an interdisciplinary one, so one takes classes in a wide ranging field of study. Luckily for me, I've fulfilled all the breadth requirements so I'm fairly free to choose what I want as long as it has a majority of 'American content' in the curriculum. I do have one required class- Thinking About the US- which should be interesting, as I think about the US all the time :) I'm also going to be taking an Independent Study course, in which I'll receive a sizable reading assignment, write papers, but no lecture session. For History, I've got some geographic diversity requirements left- most History degrees requirements so I'm still struggling to find something related to Asia/Africa/Middle East since that's the only region left for me that I haven't already completed. Other than that sticky wicket, as I said before, I'm pretty free to choose what I want. Pending class space availability, I'll be taking a class on Modern Espionage, one on US Foreign Relations, and hopefully a Constitutional Law class (though since I'm not technically a PoliSci major I have to wait to see if there is space). What I know for certain is that on Sept 9, I'm back in the grind and I couldn't be more pleased. Here are a few photos I took around campus: This is Trinity College where I'll spend a great deal of time: http://stamant.org/Albums/UniversityofToronto/images/trinity(1).jpg Trinity was actually a college of the Anglican Church that was eventually given to the University. The old Church, which was built in the 1850s, no longer exists but the stone gates are still standing at the site. The building that now houses Trinity was built in 1925. The Munk Centre: http://stamant.org/Albums/UniversityofToronto/images/munk2.jpg The Munk Centre for International Studies is actually located within Trinity College (one of the big reasons I made Trinity my first choice). The Centre for the Study of the United States, is the centre where my main programme is located. There is a beautiful and tranquil gardens area with a fountain: http://stamant.org/Albums/UniversityofToronto/images/munk3.jpg So those two places, and the Sid Smith (which is the History Department building that isn't very pretty to look at) are where I'll be the majority of my time. Across from Trinity is the Soldiers' Tower: http://stamant.org/Albums/UniversityofToronto/images/utoronto1.jpg The Soldiers' Tower was built originally to honour University of Toronto students and faculty who lost their lives in World War I. The cornerstone was laid on the Armistice Day 1919. Inside the walkway, the names of the 1200 plus students and faculty who died in World War I and World War II are engraved on the stone walls. It is a very beautiful building. In non university news, Shell has almost completed the major portion of the kitchen project. All counter tile has been laid and grouted and all that is left to do is to put in the new sink and taps, install the dishwasher, finish some trim work and paint and, as they say in Canada, Bob's your Uncle (no I don't know why they say that but they do). Christina is doing much better as well, getting stronger everyday. She should be home or shortly going home. Here's a new picture of her, she's so unbelievably cute I can't stand it: http://stamant.org/Albums/Variety/images/Christina%20055.jpg After this very hectic week I'm treating myself to a golf outing today, since I'll soon be a poor college student again with no free time, in danger of being crushed by the piles of books and essay assignments which shall be coming my way, so while I'm temporarily free...FORE!!! This week's deeper thought: Two Americas Redux As many of you know, the man I supported in his run for the nomination of the Democratic Party for President was Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. This week, the man who won that contest, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, chose Senator Edwards as his running mate. Edwards has spoken forcefully of his belief that there now exits two separate Americas within the US. One that benefits those at the elite levels of income and power, and another that the vast majority of Americans must fall within. The New Democrats wing of the party, with which I affiliate myself (go to http://ndol.org ) has long spoken to this issue. President Clinton's initial White House campaign theme was geared toward people he described as 'working hard and playing by the rules'. The middle class that is perpetually squeezed by the elite tax reductions of the conservatives, and the out of control spending of the liberals. Clinton and the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council which is the organizational name of the New Democrats) looked to remake this old paradigm, by challenging the entrenched positions of the far right and the far left that seemingly hold hostage the vast middle of moderate Democrats (and Republicans). This new paradigm would be dubbed "The Third Way". The Third Way sought to bring about new ideas, and a new progressive movement for the modern age. In short, the message is "opportunity for all, responsibility from all" and using government to empower people to act for themselves. The New Democrats believe that while government is not the answer for all the problems of society, it isn't without the ability to help solve some of those problems, if it is flexible enough to find new solutions. As a pragmatist, I was obviously drawn to this concept. Clearly, the welfare state did not solve the problems of poverty as was hoped, so welfare reform was born, not to punish the poor, but to end generational poverty that the old system had created. Rather than continue in a failed system (as liberals would have), or abandon assistance altogether (as conservatives would have), the Third Way 'invested' in job training, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other programs aimed at extending a helping hand, rather than granting a hand out. Under this new system, the welfare rolls reduced to record levels, job creation rose and unemployment fell, and the number of people in poverty declined- all historic achievements. Expanding the middle class, and investing in that expansion, was the cornerstone of the record economic boon of the Clinton years. While differing slightly on trade policy, Edwards seeks a return to that model of strong but not bureaucratic government. Edwards speaks of hope and opportunity, he brings a positive message and a fresh voice. Hopefully he can energize the ticket and bring Senator Kerry to a more moderate approach on some issues. I'm looking forward to hearing both acceptance speeches at the Democratic Convention is two weeks! Until next week Cheers, Ron

The Hello World Edition

Well in the words of Tiger Woods... "Hello World" http://stamant.org/Albums/Variety/images/Christina%200531.jpg For those who haven't seen and don't know (and there's quite a few on my little mailing list here who don't), we have a new member of the family Christina Haley Swartz was born June 19th at 3:35am. She was 5 weeks early so she weighed in at only 4lbs 9.3oz. She's had a rough go of it and sadly she's still in the hospital however the regular updates we've been getting say she's growing and will soon be home where she belongs. I was lucky enough to be home in Virginia Beach when she made her debut...I guess she knew her wandering uncle was in country and wanted to make sure she had a chance to say hi to me. Frankly while I appreciate the gesture, I'd just as soon had her stay put for the duration just because she seemed so fragile. As I sit here writing this I am filled with awe and a bit of sheer terror. My baby sister had a baby of her own. Essie is 8 years younger than me, so I well remember my mother being pregnant with her, my brother and I being shipped off to some friends house during the '76 Olympics while she was being born, then my parents bringing her home and introducing her. I must confess to you that I, embarrassingly, remember being a spoiled little brat and being jealous of the attention she received. I got over it quickly though and her's are the first diapers I ever changed...scaring me for life apparently as I've yet to have children of my own (so to my mom and Mom Snyder...blame it on her ok?) The key word in that paragraph by the way was yet in case you missed it. So anyway, I now have a grand total of 2 nephews and 3 nieces, in order in case you're scoring at home (Samantha, Leah, Quinn, Nicholas, and Christina)...whew...somewhere the guys at Toys R Us go "Chaching" Speaking of Quinn, it is with great sadness I report that he no longer wishes to be known as Harry Potter and will only answer to Peter Parker (or Spiderman). I wonder where kids get their immersion in stuff, but then after I took his aunt Shelley to see Spiderman 2 last night, she went around all day making sounds like she was shooting web out of her wrists...so now I know where HE gets it at least. Anyway, back to my trip to the Old Dominion... It went very well, if brief. I stayed at the Dave and Missy Andrews Bed & Breakfast (though, ahem, Melissa? where was my breakfast dude?). They are so wonderful to put me up/put up with me. I also got to play some poker with my boys at Scott's house...even Sir Phillip managed to make a rare public appearance! I was deeply honored. I returned to Canada to find that my wife had painted the bedroom and really made it look spectacular. We don't have pictures yet because it isn't completely finished, but wow! Settling back in, it was time we did the kitchen reno. Of course as The Dude says in The Big Lebowski "I'm using the royal 'we'" because my addition to the project was lifting things and taking out the garbage...I like to look at it as playing to my strengths! Wednesday of last week, Dad Snyder came over and he and Shell put in all the new plumbing, moved the electrical, and patched some of the holes. Friday night Shelley and I put together all the cabinets. Saturday Tim and Shell hung the cabinets and cupboards (while Les painted my office!!!!) and then on Sunday, Dad Snyder came over and he and Shell finished setting the lower cabinets and putting on the wood for the countertop. This weekend Shelley will be picking out the tile for the countertop (we went with tiled counter for various reasons) and then she'll be tiling and hooking up the sink and maybe the dishwasher. Then we have doors to affix, and paint to splatter on the walls and voila we shall have an almost completely new kitchen. When all is finished I will of course post photos. I can't say enough about how incredible my in-laws are. They can do just about any construction task and seem not to mind doing it...while I of course am mechanically reclined. Today (Thursday) was Canada Day, so I had Wednesday off (yeah I don't understand it either). Canada Day is Canadian Independence Day or Dominion Day, when Canada's Federal Government was formed via the British North America Act which united the provinces on July 1st, 1867. Obviously just to be different from America they had to wait 91 years and make it on the 1st instead of the 4th...whatever!?! I kid. If you're an American you can celebrate too of course. I recommend singing O Canada (because as National Anthems go it's a really good one to sing...and makes you feel like you're about to watch hockey), or you can take this quiz http://www.kidsturncentral.com/games/quiz/cdquiz.htm I was very proud that I got all 5 but then I realized it's aimed at kids...it's pretty tricky though so try it anyway! Smarties to any Americans (not named AJ) who get 5 out of 5. The week ahead looks busy. Monday I get my U of T ID and meet with an advisor!! Also I want to wish 2 very special people and one very special country a Happy Birthday on Sunday. My father in law Gerry, my best pal Scott, and my country America were all born on July 4. Scott is 37, America is 228...and Dad Snyder is somewhere in between <-- I'll pay for that joke, I assure you. This week's deeper thought: Minority Report Last month I wrote about the Canadian Federal Election. This past Monday millions of Canadians went to the polls (including, for the first time, my wife...you can't be married to me and not have the politics jones rub off on ya) and the Liberals retained control but with a minority of 135 seats-it took 155 to reach a majority. The Conservatives had taken a lead in the polls briefly a few weeks ago, but lost the momentum and, due mainly to Ontario, the Liberals stemmed the tide. So Paul Martin remains Prime Minister...for now. A minority government in a parliamentary system is an unsteady beast. If Martin and the Libs are unable to forge some sort of coalition, at least on key legislation, his government may collapse and a call for new elections will be made. Canada is as much divided as America is politically. But such division makes, in my opinion, for real choices. In a democratic system, be it parliamentary or representative republic, there is one fundamental question from which all others emanate- What is the role of government? We can sometimes get lost in the little details of single issues, without realizing that there is a bigger issue at work. How much control and the nature of that control the government has over our daily lives should be the debate before we get into the others. I'm currently reading (or rereading really) The Federalist papers, the collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, to encourage New York to ratify the Constitution. If anyone thinks that the problems either of our nations (or other democratic states) face are too difficult for the antiquated ideas of the American Founding Fathers, I challenge you to read these essays. Whether it be the separatist movement in Quebec, or the war in Iraq, the words these brilliant minds wrote over 200 years ago still ring true today. The argument for a strong Federal system may seem a moot point to you since both the US and Canada have centralized governments, but the ideas and scenarios they embraced and predicted are still vital to our societies. The preamble to the Constitution carries the phrase "in order to form a more perfect Union". These men knew that government, its responsibilities, and 'We The People' who create and mold it, are ever evolving. Since it is a government 'of the people', democracy is a living entity-our blood coursing though it in the leaders we elect to represent us, the laws that are enacted, and the allegiance we give to the idea that man shall be ruled not by monarch, but my himself through the collective wisdom of a peaceful society. Both nations that celebrate their 'independence' this week are founded on just such a proposition and we, their citizens, are guardians of those sacred compacts that sealed our liberty. Until next week, God Bless Canada and God Bless America.