Victorian Diorama as A Memorial And Do You Want To Run For Council

VICTORIAN DIORAMA IN ALL ITS SHELLED GLORY

     ABOVE IS A DIGITAL IMAGE OF THE MEMORIAL DIORAMA I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT IN TWO PREVIOUS BLOGS. IT IS THE ONE SUZANNE AND I PURCHASED AT THE AUTOMOTIVE FLEA MARKET, AT BURL'S CREEK, THIS PAST WEEKEND. I HAVE BEEN INSIDE THE CASE TO CLEAN AND REPLACE HUNDREDS OF SHELLS THAT HAD FALLEN OFF OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A MAGNIFICENT PIECE AT LEAST TO ME, BECAUSE I LIKE THIS KIND OF FOLK ART. THIS IS ONE OF THE PIECES I HAVE REFERRED TO PREVIOUSLY, POSSESSING A CERTAIN UNKNOWN ENERGY, WHICH WAS INVESTED IN IT BY THE PERSON WHO CREATED IT, THE PERSON OR PERSONS IT WAS CREATED TO MEMORIALIZE, AND FOR ALL THE FOLKS THEREAFTER, WHO STARED AT THIS IMPRESSIVE PIECE AND THOUGHT ABOUT THOSE LIVES IT HONORED. IF THERE IS AN ENERGY FORCE THAT COMES WITH MOURNING, THIS CROSS WAS BOMBARDED. IF IT ABSORBED ANY OF IT, WELL, JUST MAYBE IT IS CARRYING A LITTLE EXTRA ENERGY TO THIS DAY. THAT'S FOR THE PARANORMAL FOLKS TO DETERMINE. I JUST LIKE FUNERARY ART FOR ITS BARE HONESTY, AND DISPLAY OF ENDURING AFFECTION. IT'S NOT A PIECE YOU DRAG HOME AS A LARK. IT IS DARK AND REMINDS US OF THE END OF LIFE. SO IT MAY NOT WORK IN YOUR RECREATION ROOM, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING PRETTY FOR THE BEDROOM. IT IS INTENSE, AND IF YOU STUDY IT LONG ENOUGH, YOU'D APPRECIATE JUST HOW INTENSE. IT WOULD LOOK PERFECT IN A DARK, HEAVY FURNITURE-LADEN VICTORIAN PARLOR, WHERE IT PROBABLY WAS KEPT BY THE RESPECTIVE FAMILY. THERE'S NO WAY OF MAKING THIS DIORAMA LOOK CHEERFUL. IT IS DOING THE JOB IT WAS ORIGINALLY EMPLOYED TO HANDLE. THERE IS NO PROVENANCE ATTACHED, AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THIS. I LOOKED THROUGH THE BOX, INSIDE, OUT AND BENEATH, TO FIND SOME NAME, LOCATION OR DATE BUT THERE WASN'T A THING WRITTEN OR INSCRIBED. IT IS ONE OF THE PIECES IN OUR COLLECTION, THAT MAKES YOU PONDER ITS PAST…..BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT WAS CONNECTED TO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT……MAYBE A MARINE DISASTER, SOMEONE LOST AT SEA, A DROWNING. THERE'S A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY, THAT THIS EVENT WAS NEWSWORTHY, BUT BEING ABLE TO TRACE IT TO SUCH AN EVENT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAMILY ORIGIN.

     IF YOU GET A CHANCE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO OUR MUSKOKA ROAD SHOP FOR A CLOSER LOOK. THAT'S ALL IT TOOK FOR ME……AND IT NEARLY JUMPED INTO MY OUTSTRETCHED ARMS. WITHIN ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF FINDING IT AMONGST A SEA OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS, I WAS ALREADY ANALYZING HOW I WOULD TAKE IT APART TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, TO RESTORE ITS FULL AND HISTORIC INTEGRITY. WHAT A CRAZY PLACE TO FIND SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SPRING'S FLEA MARKET. THE WAGON WE PURCHASED TO CARRY THE DIORAMA BACK TO THE CAR, WILL BE DEPLOYED NEXT YEAR, JUST IN CASE I FIND ANOTHER TREASURE LIKE THIS.

IF THE PUBLIC HAS THE WILL TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT, IT MIGHT SURPRISE SOME, HOW FAST THE WALL WILL COME DOWN

     There is a lingering perception, that what governments in our country impose, is cast in stone. Never to be broken and torn away by a change of political direction. Honestly, there are people who get this idea in their heads, that the government of the day has some sort of divine privilege, to make us dance like puppets on a stage. They might make us run naked through the streets, or balance coins on our noses; forcing us to busker for our daily rations, and make the politicians laugh, because they want to be entertained. In the past five years, I feel I have lived through the theatre of the absurd. I am embarrassed generally by our elected officials, at all levels of government, and I truly feel the apathy of Canadians generally, has allowed our representatives to do whatever they want. Even the opposition parties seemed stunned and disorganized, and boy oh boy do I miss some of the political savvy of the past. I'm genuinely concerned about the well being of democracy. As for our town, geez, I swore off making any more comments about our council, so not wanting to be hypocritical about this, all I'll say is that controversy is good. Very good. Double banked, bold headlines, above the fold. What we are reading in the local press, despite the perception by some, that it is negative coverage, is exactly what is needed in this town to shake up status quo. We are like Council-light in calories. While we know there are differences of opinion constantly at town hall, you don't hear or read much at all, about dissension, fundamental disagreements, or the rage of politics in all its glory. It is, as far as I'm concerned, suppressed to maintain the image, that the ship is seaworthy. If I was asked an opinion about this, I would suggest the boat is only seaworthy because the holes at present are above the water line. As soon as there is rough water…..by golly, everything changes. This is what is happening at present, and we'll see just how much water rushes onboard.

     While arguably the headlines about council strife, new protocols regarding communication, and allegations of muzzling elected officials, is the kind of stuff I read…..and read thoroughly. The portrait of counter point, and disdain, protest and disillusionment, is the quality and quantity of profoundly needed undertow, that will foster the kind of critical dialogue in public, we have needed for years and years……but because of council's "good news" protocol, most of what we read about in press coverage, is what we could have written ourselves as a guesstimate of what council's been up to. "Everything is looking good…..and thanks for asking," press releases, that reduces concern amongst the citizenry that something's not right at town hall. What we're finding out, is what we knew anyway. Everything isn't all right. But darn it all, do you mean they haven't been telling all they know? Do you think?

     Hats off to the press for going after this latest debacle to come from town hall. It gives the press a clearer idea now, that there is serious disharmony about how the town should be run…..but because of this tight protocol, and the meagre questions from the press over the past two years, much has pooled without notice of the public……but you know what they say about still water. The fact that there is a current in that still water, is going to make some councillors look a little foolish, especially if they also refuse to respect freedom of the press……and democratic privilege of elected officials. Do any of these councillors know what's going on at Toronto City Hall. Now that's forced transparency, and it is showing up some gaping holes in the old underwear. We need transparency, not a muzzle. Now that the press has reason to pursue the issue of compliance and noncompliance at town hall, what else might be worth a little exploratory surgery. This is what reporters do. It's what news we deserve to read. But what does the town wish to diminish as a pressing issue first? Or are they pretty much aware, the door has been swung open, and protocol or not, they do have to answer questions…..even if they decide to utter that favorite line….."No comment."

     I am excited by all this commotion, and something positive, a little convoluted at present, will come out of the latest council debacle, and my hunch is that it will be awfully hard to stuff the genie back in the bottle. The press has their big shoe in the door. I hope they don't back away. Council has enough policies to drown in, and more bylaws that it can ever, ever, ever read through meaningfully, let alone enforce. The citizens know this. Having a new protocol for council communications is just another example of busy work, but not necessary work.

     I haven't returned to haunt council with cheap shots from the bleachers. I will remind them however, that the press knows stuff……and darn it all…..that makes me feel we're going to have a really good lead-up to the next municipal election. I'm willing to talk to any potential councillor, who may be interested in running for local government two years down the road. I have some advice I'd like to share……before the campaigning begins in earnest. I may even be willing to support some of these hopefuls, if they are willing to run the kind of transparent government citizens have been desiring for decades. I would like to see double or triple the number of candidates for the next election, and as many as five to ten running for mayor. You know what? It's time for the public to change what they don't like about their government. I think there are a few grievances to air, and a town to restore to its former glory. Getting our confidence back would be nice too. My advice to town council at this halfway point in their term, is to desist with this "good time was had by all" protocol, anchored without shame, by the many grip and grin photographs that are public relations extravagances……not the kind of necessary governance, and responsible, democratic representation we're paying for. So how many councillors are willing to follow their hearts, and talk openly to the press? Even after all the investigations are complete. My bet? None. Prove me wrong.

     Thank you for joining today's blog. Please join me again soon. Hey, think about this council thing will you! If you're mad as hell, and don't want to take it any more, then start planning ahead for a run at municipal office. I'll give you some pointers.