Things I've Noticed...

I purchased a stamp today in order to mail a sympathy card...I was given the one in the top right corner...and said to the clerk, "this is probably the ugliest stamp I've ever seen..." and she agreed. We're hosting the 2010 Summer Olympics in Vancouver...and these are the best we can do? Created by children I'd expect...and I love that we promote the art of our youth, however, I find these stamps extremely unattractive...and when these go outside the country what do others think of us? True...they are only stamps. But I thought how sad that I was decorating the envelope of a sympathy card with something so unappealing. Perhaps others don't look at the postage stamp.

I noticed language and barriers while in the post office. I live in a suburban area of a very large urban centre. There are many people living here who come from other countries, other worlds, other cultures and they have chosen to make Canada their home. This is not about whether or not this is "appropriate" or whether or not I approve. This is the world. We all inhabit it. We all share it. I was struck by the older woman who was obviously from India. She was trying to pick up a package that had been delivered to her while she was not at home. In order to pick up a package you must show ID that includes your name and your address. This woman did not have that. The post office clerk was very patient in asking for what she needed. The other woman was at a loss. Over and over the clerk politely told her that she would need to show some ID that included her address. Eventually the woman was given a pamphlet that explained it and told to come back after having someone explain this in her own language. One man in the lineup tried but they obviously speak different dialects as the woman was still confused. I noticed the woman approach a young woman who went through it with her. I was struck by how difficult everyday life is for those who come from other worlds and don't have English as their first language. It's easy to say "learn the language" but I believe it is probably difficult for older people to learn. That isn't to say that it isn't important to try and as I don't know this woman's story, I can't speak to that. Luckily there is a large enough population of so many cultures that newcomers are bound to bump into someone who can help. As I stood there I thought how difficult it would be for me if I was in a different country and didn't speak the language. I suppose there would be fewer of my culture, my countrymen to help me and I realized how diverse my own country has become, even in the last 5 years. I also realized that communication is much more than just words.

I noticed the other day that David Caruso is a very bad actor. I was watching old episodes of "CSI Miami" and laughing with my son about how comic he is...the lines he is given, how he delivers them -- he is almost a caricature of himself. And I noticed how good it was to laugh at that -- not at him, at what he does, what he says. And yet the programme is still enjoyable even with his one liners and those insidious sunglasses. He even holds them in his hands when he shoots his gun. Now THAT my friends is talent!!! lol!!