Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 21 October 2017 There are two distinct types of citizens in many countries: those who are native-born and those who are not. As formerly the former and of late the last two decades the latter, this change of status as a Canadian living in Canada and then as a Canadian living in Asia and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Canada Slim and the Undiscovered Country

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 20 October 2017 Captain Spock: Nature abhors a vacuum.  I intend for you to replace me. Lt. Valerus: I could never replace you.  I could only succeed you. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) Above: Poster for Star Trek VI It is a legitimate question. When we are gone, who replaces us? I know… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Undiscovered Country

Canada Slim and the Coming of the Fall

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 13 October 2017 There are some things that I don´t enjoy about working at Starbucks: shift work, impolite customers, how horribly messy the customers can be, how terrible things can become when things get insanely busy, especially with the arrival of autumn and the annual St. Gallen OLMA fair on now. No job is perfect. As… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Coming of the Fall

Canada Slim and the Isle of Silence

Landschlacht, Switzerland,  8 October 2017 It may be the greatest of romances, the strongest of friendships, the warmest of families…. Yet travelling together will put these bonds to the test, for there will come a time when the trip is not ideal for all the travellers simultaneously. For some travelling duos, these moments may be rare and short in duration. For other… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Isle of Silence

Canada Slim and the High Road to Anarchy

Landschalacht, Switzerland, 7 September 2017 Six nights ago the world was shocked and saddened when a lone gunman in a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Resort and Casino on Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, shot into a crowd of more than 20,000 people, killing 60 and injuring hundreds. The world has learned that… Continue reading Canada Slim and the High Road to Anarchy

Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Cernabbio, Lago di Como, Italia, 1 August 2017 We disembarked from the lake steamer, the wife and I on vacation, eager to visit the Villa d´Este and Villa Erba. The day would make me consider the role of women in the world and especially the role of my wife in my own. The Villa d´Este, originally called… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Canada Slim and the Bloodstained Ground

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 2 October 2017 I have returned, refreshed and revitalised, from a weekend away in Freiburg im Breisgau, in Germany´s Black Forest, ready to write. Above: Freiburg City Hall I had forgotten some of my own rules, some of my own motivations, for writing, which two of my best friends in Freiburg reminded me… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Bloodstained Ground

Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 28 September 2017 Celebrities ARE different. They get more public attention and media exposure than we do. They usually have far more wealth than we do. Some achieve celebrity status through their successful careers in sports or entertainment or politics. Some become famous due to media attention on their lifestyle, wealth or controversial actions,… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Canada Slim and the Evil Road

9 September 2017, Landschlacht, Switzerland I am determined to not write myself into too predictable a rut. There have been a number of themes running through the posts of this blog since I started it back on 18 May 2015. I have written of many things: my travels in Switzerland and abroad, topics currently relevant at the time… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Evil Road

Canada Slim and the Forgotten

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 May 2017 Marriage ain’t easy. “My successful marriage is built on mistakes. It may be founded on love, trust and a shared sense of purpose, but it runs on cowardice, impatience, ill-advised remarks and low cunning. But also: apologies, belated expressions of gratitude and frequent appeals for calm. Every day is a… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Forgotten