Thursday, March 22, 2007

A Friend In Deed

I have come to the conclusion that running a business is similar to the game of Golf. Fortunately I am better at the former than the latter.

A business can give you tremendous highs and cause learning of true humility in the lows. In both, there is requirement to attain a certain Zen persistence and letting go, - a certain attainment of knowing when to go further and when to recede.

When it comes to the practice of enterprise development, especially in understanding what will make a business run -and run well, there is one man I know who, in my opinion is a Zen Master- he is like a golf pro of business. Like a tracker -he can read the ground, surroundings and know almost intuitively -not just a general direction, but specifically, which is the most effective way to go.

Yet he is comfortable not having all the answers all of the time. He knows better than that and surrounds himself with those who demonstrate results in their fields -be it law, finance, marketing, sales, investment, management and makes them into players on a team -all enjoying the game. He knows the secret, that while working hard will help, working smart, - is all.

He is approachable, jovial, always ready to laugh and enjoy life. And if you are lucky enough to get caught up in his day, you may discover his technique for asking questions -always asking questions. And boy, can he listen. ( It's all about detail right?)

He seems to be continually collecting pieces of the grater puzzle. To watch and listen to him in his quest, is really something- because before you know it, he will take two separate strands of thought -and come to a conclusion that will provide the essence of a new successful business.

That which is hidden or lost in plain site is taken in hand, held up for close inspection, loose assumptions discarded leaving opportunities to be found.

Whether you may have known him before or thought you had known him, if you do get the chance to bump into him at the reunion, make a point of establishing him as a future contact - friend or possible venture capitalist or adviser to a business problem. He is a man of charm, good taste and is well worth knowing.

He is Bob Houston.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Teachers Unsung Heroes

Can you imagine what it is like to teach?

How can you inspire someone to 'WANT to learn' ?



One becomes a student only after the curiosity to go forward has been awoken.

The awakening of that inner you or me needs a guide -a Merlin- who might make us "ready", for our own point of departure or flight, to new levels of awareness -to lead us to pull our own swords out of the mystic stone.

And what is a teacher? Surely not simply a nine to five dispenser of a given brand of information.

A high-school teacher unlike a University Professor, has the toughest job of all -competing with young adults' emerging raging hormones and testosterone fueled bravado. This is especially so in our entertainment oriented society where we must be entertained. How can the teacher compete?

The teacher has a daunting job in high school as a life guide who must be able make the young person aware that they have a mind first and then show how each, may reach inside and turn-on the motivational switch somehow.

But there are those of a different stripe, who are ready to learn. They have 'it'; the itch, the passion and the drive to aspire and acquire knowledge. They know life is like a giant screen upon which they can project their pure creativity and possibly become greater than who they are and take our world with them to a new place.

And just as there are students who have achieved this readiness, there are teachers who, by life experience or inherent qualities have touched the philosopher's stone and are gifted with 'IT' -wisdom, patience and the ability to recognize 'readiness-in-the rough' despite the rough.

Howard S.Billings has had many gifted teachers and probably still does. A high-school though, is sometime not the place for them and like fireflies or sparks on the night sky, their flame goes out all too soon in such an environment.

Sometimes systems do more harm than good; from head-count for budgetary reasons, new Provincial laws through the school board, to regimenting the mind at a time when it needs creative freedom.

A high-school is like a chariot being drawn by the horses of administration, teacher and adolescent; three distinctly different agendas pulling in different directions. The teacher's job is to somehow take hold of that harness and steer all to common direction -a higher level of learning, even when these forces work against him or her.

A teacher rarely receives recognition for a job well done. They do not receive production bonuses. Administration cannot be seen to side with teachers since this might tip the continual union/administration bargaining stance.

A good job is expected., through endless nights and days of preparation and marking, classes of those who would disrupt, distract and otherwise wreak havoc. There is also having to bear Provincial policy twists that would reform at the expense of the teacher's preparation hours and as a result lessen the quality of education.




At the end of the day, teachers are human, fraught with the same frailties, urges, temptations, guilt, ego, insecurities and life stages, potential for mistakes and learning as the rest of us. Yet do we hold them up to a higher standard -for after all, they are 'teachers' - they, who would mold our youth through their teaching and higher example. God help them should they show their emotion in a moment of stress or weakness.


Back in the seventies though, - there were some fine teachers - Mr.Mulahoo, Mr.Howes, Mr.Dawson, Mrs. Strike, Mr. Calder, Miss Laporte, Mr.Maynes, Mr.Freeman, Miss Green, Mr.Atkins, Mr.Goody Campbell, Mr.Duff, Mr.Guindi, Mr.Hall, Mr. Mahabir, Mr.Hutchings, Mr.Peterson, Mr.Meldrum, Mr.Rennie, Mr.Tomlinson, Mr.Herridge, Mr.Woods, Mr. Rossiter, Mr. Roberts, Mr.Royle, Mr.Simpkin, Sally Clark, Janice Turner, Mr.Hutchison,
Miss McCrudden, Mr.Munkittrik , Mr.Bush, Miss Westgate, Mr.Wells, Mr.Pellow, Father Victor Dionne, Mr.McKesey, Mr.Scott, John Elias, Mr.Falcon, Mme. Dubreuil, Mr.Ingram and many more.

They left their print on us in subtle and unique ways. They knew that we could think. They believed in us sometimes even when we could not. They gave of themselves.

What this reunion will be about, -beyond the nostalgic looking back, will be a recognition of your past efforts and a resounding Thank You.

Friday, March 16, 2007

What do we Get for $100?

-The cost of the school rental on Saturday May 19.
-The cost of the Moshure Auditorium on Saturday -which is a separate cost.
-The cost of the Ballroom and sound system of the Dorval Hilton.
-The Cost of the meal which includes a couple of glasses of wine.
-The cost of clean-up of the ballroom plus the service of being served -no volunteers.
-The cost of the music man who supplies - yes you guessed it - music.
-The cost of the Bar tenders at the cash bar.
-The service costs.

The Dorval Hilton have thrown in for Friday afternoon and evening a free Welcoming suite where the core organizing group can bring from the outside our own Beer, Wine, Tea, coffee, snacks etc. so we can greet all those coming in from out of town personally-those who will be staying over at the hotel or those who simply want to come and visit with out of towners and us .

The Dorval Hilton has also included the cost of Parking as a free item for anyone who has paid the $100 ticket price ($175 for spousal double). If we had used the Hilton downtown, it would have been $12.00 per day for parking or by the hour for less than the whole day usage.

Finally, the Dorval Hilton have reduced the prices of suites for the Victoria Day weekend- for us. Downtown would have been more than $200 per night. Our cost for a suite on each night (Friday-Saturday and Sunday -if you want to stick around) is $99.00 per night including free parking -if you are registered as a paid-up attendee. Naturally this allows us to stay over if we have had 'one too many'. Since many people will be staying over, I know there will be private suite visiting for those who want to link up afterwards. So the safety factor of not drinking and driving is a definite option.

We have eliminated various wish-list items from our budget to a "reasonable all-in" ticket cost.

One thing is very clear. We all want to enjoy the reunion, -including the organizers -so no one wants to spend the evening cleaning up or serving.

We all want to have a good time -and think we have arrived at a time in our lives where we can make a small investment in making that evening one to remember ...for all. As much as I like my memories of our brand new school from 1968-72, the school is a bit older now. Taking the tour will be nice on that weekend - and nostalgic, but eating dinner and having fun deserves to be in appropriate surroundings.

I and others have already put our own money and more important, time, into this thing voluntarily. We don't look to recouping our private cost of time and money other than to be allowed to enjoy the evening with you -rather than changing music tapes/cds, rather than serving beer and handing out drink tickets, rather than cleaning up after everyone is gone.

So what is in $100? -more than most people might think.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Fred Sailer, Bill Howes and Woodstock

Do you remember the traveling fair that used to stop by every year in the parking lot of the arena? There was a ride that would turn you upside down and all the change in your pockets would drop, but that was alright because girlfriends held on so tight!

It would be early fall, just as the leaves turned and the river got low with scummy muck. The dam and the island and the beach would lose all attraction since it stunk so. This small carnival provided an out and a diversion from the fact that we were back in the academic grind.

It was in grade nine for me when I began to sprout musical wings and play a blues harp to add to my attempts at singing. And it was one magic night when I wasn't hanging out at the YMCA Raja Mood with Diane Ranger trying to get past first base (- she was so cute and so was her older sister too!). I happened to have my harp in my pocket when I heard the chords of 'Season of The Witch' - and there he was, wiry haired with grimace smile and indian sandals that suited him just fine- doing 'his thing' with gravel voice but right on key. He had the magic! Mr. Fred Sailer.

Always friendly, instead of telling me to get lost (as I pulled out my harmonica) he just nodded -in his knowing, oh so cool way - not a word, just warmth and smile all telling me to just go right on ahead and bend some notes. Thank goodness the harp was in the right key. It was a lovely warm night, a good combination and good jam.

Fred was and -still is -one of those who, in my opinion -seeks the 'good', that which perhaps is hardest to pin down in life - the philosophic, and perhaps spiritual or transcendental element of our nature, with an eye to living it everyday. This quest is difficult since it's siren song will distract and blind you to time itself. But then, as I said - this is my opinion. He was always somewhere above me in the magical chase, grasping ladders of light aiming for the great beyond.

I am fortunate. He has chosen to stay in touch from decade to decade.

I recall meeting him one summer later, when he and Roddy McManus appeared just before the arrival of Scott Rogers at Bill Howse cottages on the very tip of the Gaspe peninsula. It was an artistic 'happening' with teachers Janice Turner, the late Mr. Eric Wesslow, his wife Tia and their son Steven. Romy Royko was there too.

I am reminded by Fred that this was the year of Woodstock. I do recall having the three way choice of entering into the musical Hair, or going to another music festival, this one in Woodstock County or going to Bill Howes place perched on Ships Head -the very final and pointy tip of the Gaspe cliff.

I had only just escaped the line-up auditions for the musical - HAIR at the Comdey Canadienne on Ste.Catherine Street.

I was deemed as acceptable for the auditions despite my 16 years of age since I had the longest hair in the place... Age of Aquarius indeed!

But, then I heard I would have to sing ...without my clothes.

By that time I had very limited exposure to audiences and was still coming to grips with the possibility of stage fright. The lack clothing issue did not help as far as my adolescent mind was concerned. If the cool water of swimming pools had a certain effect on my anatomy, God only knows what would happen in the case of mass scrutiny!

As for the festival in Woodstock, there had been so many already and with my limited budget, I figured it was a perfect time to take advantage of my family free pass with CN Rail and go out east with Romy Royko to visit Bill Howes. Who could have guessed that Woodstock would become such a historic event? It just goes to show you, we make decisions and have to live with them. This is one decision that perhaps I am fine with -one never knows what might have occurred at Woodstock -to me. Convesely, I do wonder where I might have gone had I had the gumption to stick out the process with the Musical Hair? Ah well -c'est la vie n'est pas?

I think I'll ask Fred if I could reprint part of his last e-mail to me. He brings up names of people from school I have not thought of in a long time. Lately he has been writing and his work is being heard on CBC Ontario.

Fred still has the magic and always will.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Notice to all

Notice to all:

Payment of the Reunion Ticket (via the web as opposed to sending me your cheques) is located at the http://www.hsbalumni.com. Click on the Reunion ’72 and friends sign up icon, in the lower right hand side of the website cover page.
You can see there those who are registered to attend.
You can register yourself to show your intent to attend
or you may simply pay for your attendance.

Remember payment at the door will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
In order to keep the administration of this event simple for our volunteers, you must be paid up in advance.

Be advised that:

(phase 1) of the option to pay in two installments- one by end Feb and the balance by Monday April 15 2007 has now passed deadline.
(phase 2) of the second installment of $50 per single ticket or $75 balance for Spousal double ticket is now in play.

If you did not use the phase 1 installment option, then your only option is to pay the full ticket price by April 15, 2007 – that is $100 per single ticket and $175 for a spousal couple ticket.

How To Pay :
You may pay either on-line as per above,
or
Send a cheque- pay to the order of HS BILLINGS HIGH SCHOOL :
Then address your envelope and send to:
HSB Reunion and Friends
C/O Les McConnell,
103 Ashmore,
Chateauguay, Qc.
J6J 4B7.

Note:
The deadline of receipt the chq at my residence or pay on-line is APRIL 15 2007.
So please send by post or courier no later than Wednesday April 11.

By web payment you can pay even as late as the deadline of April 15 since it is instantly in our PAYPAL account and received. (Cool eh!)

So you have 42 days. The money is rolling in nicely and there are people from all years committed. This is looking like a very nicely attended function.

Keep in mind the intent of the event is to be able to speak to everyone you have not seen in ages.
So this will not be a big dance party, yet- there will be music and dancing, there will be a pay bar, but the focus is upon ‘Reunion’ and party –but not trying to compete with the music to be heard. You and your old friends are the focus.

Costs of the event include:
-rental of the school for Saturday walk-about,
-rental of the High School Auditorium for the 1:00 Saturday kick off of the event with John Saunders and Colleen Hillock,
-rental of the Dorval Hilton Ball Room,
-Dinner,
-the music service
And various other elements.

I look forward to welcoming you – yes YOU too!

Keep a look out for other things like your picture appearing or stories on the blog.
http://www.hsbreunion72andfriends.blogspot.com.

Les