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The Ruling Class
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Miscellany
- Hits: 2568
He was, for a time, the leader of the ruling class of Alberta. I don't mention sensitive names. His autographed picture hangs on the wall of the restaurant.
As a customer he was a disappointment, cheap, tightfisted, classic member of his "class".
They come in, bluff that they have a reservation "You can mark it off" his guest tells me, there's no reservation, and while usually I'd be open to the possibility we made a mistake, with these people I know better, still, I play along.
He has a haughty look, arrogant, dislikeable upon first glance, raises my back somehow, I think I recognize him, check the photos on the wall, sure enough...
He led the party, briefly, into flames and ruin. The Party, that had ruled Alberta for 40 years, he, the elected final leader, so personifying the party, the arrogance, corruption, he the face of privilege, ignorance, scorn, corruption, his was the face the party wore to their grave.
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Following the election, and his party's complete annihilation, he came for dinner. And one of our customers (all of our customers are party members) stood and told him what they thought, in front of his family, told him in no uncertain terms and with colorful adjectives what he thought of his leadership, what he'd done to the party. We moved them to the private room. He suffered it unfazed, true, he'd single-handedly brought down an empire, by single-handedly personifying every one of their corrupt influences...
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The second-last to leave table, 8:30, they ask "Is that so-and-so...former ..." and I apologize, yes, it is, we don't discriminate our customers, really, we should...
He stays another 2 and a half hours after close, tips 12%. Oblivious to every social clue that every nitwit, any nitwit would recognize, they don't care, we are open for them and them alone, and this ignorance, it's the perfect metaphor to his governance of the party, to the party itself...
Garbage Day
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Conversations
- Hits: 1880
On the phone with a friend, explaining that I'd forgotten it was Garbage day, Month end and all, and she says:
"Well don't you have a bin?" and I say "What do you mean?" and she explains "Well, it's not like you have to take out the garbage on a certain day..." and I clarify: "No, it's garbage day. Yesterday was month end...I have to go foraging through the Alleys for some furniture and other finds..." and she starts to laugh and tell me that to most people, garbage day means take it out, only to me does it mean bring it in...
Upon reflection, I can see how that might appear odd to people...
The Secret Life and Art of Henry Darger
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Other
- Hits: 2350
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BGA4wNTljY
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Read More Here: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/16/arts/he-was-crazy-like-genius-for-henry-darger-everything-began-ended-with-little.html?pagewanted=all
An interesting video, if it's your thing check out Emery Blagdon & Marwencol,
Treasure: Calgary, 1 Kilo Gold Brick
- Details
- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Found
- Hits: 2153
Of local interest, a 1 KG Gold Bar is found in Calgary by some plumbers renovating a bathroom.
Now think of how many finds there are that don't get reported...
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