Walden Cabin: Observations typed on an old Underwood

Thursday, March 28, 2002

Imagine the New Jerusalem

The sun rose from behind the Mount of Olives, licking orange the peaks of cedars against an inky dawn sky. Even the birds were startled awake by the glorious din of a thousand voices in unison, singing: "Jesus Christ is risen today! Allelulia!”

It was Easter Sunday in Old Jerusalem. 1995.

Rabin was still alive. And so were hopes for a lasting peace. The interfaith service included Muslim and Jewish leaders who addressed the crowd of pilgrims with a simple message: Easter’s rebirth can be a metaphor for hope, understanding and lasting peace.

It was tough to resist the symbolism and the power of this appeal. Maybe the Rock, the Wall and the Empty Tomb were really all the same – and that this City of Cities was to be the flucrum of a new awakening to a more inclusive and global view of God. The crowd was buzzing. The possible implications were endless.

The quest for God is universal. Its expression is cultural. The secret to human survival in an interconnected world is simple: Mutual respect. To do this, however, we all have to admit that we’re not exclusively right. This sounds simple. The fact that it is and yet peace remains elusive may explain the disconnect we feel with every new casualty of war. I suspect the mood in Jerusalem will be more sombre this Easter. Yet there will still be people gathered, singing. God bless (and protect) them.

posted by Stuart Hickox | 8:11 PM

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

An end to summer's frosted tips

“Thank God, I’m no longer a blonde.” Darlene turned from the mirror and swooshed her waist-length (and now carrot-red) mane -- all in one dramatic motion. Apparently, this hairdresser was only a blonde for a week, hated it, and opted for something new. I was afraid to ask what her natural colour was – in case she couldn’t remember. As she stood by the mirror in her low-rider jeans and tank top, warming herself with a hair dryer this snowy Ottawa day, I thought: True, blonde would be a disadvantage for you.

Thankfully, she doesn’t cut my hair. I was in Zahia’s shop on Clarence for my usual clip. Zahia’s a true brunette, she's got brains, and loves to chit-chat. I've been going to Hair by Zahia since Mulroney was popular. She asked me if I had watched the Academy Awards.

“No, I don’t do that anymore,” I quipped. “I’ve been married for three years and I no longer feel like I have to do that. Frankly, I don’t care how bad Gweneth Paltrow looked on Sunday night.”

I surprised myself with this outburst. Zahia abruptly stopped cutting. Then I felt a surge of energy, like a window to the outside had been opened in a steamy bathroom. I didn’t have to do dorky dating stuff anymore! Like watching figure skating! Sure, I’ll admit it: I had a crush on Josée Chouinard for a while there when she skated (and inevitably fell) to Moon River, but other than that, I hated it.

The promise of cuddles on the couch during long Sundays in early relationship years will make a man do anything. But who wants to think of sow cows when you’re makin’ the moves. Now that we’re married, and settled, those days are over. If you're married, you know what I mean. Besides, turnabout is fair play. Suzy refuses to watch Wrath of Khan with me ever again. You gotta wonder why. In that (classic!) Star Trek movie, Ricardo Montalban plays the leader of an exiled race who seeks revenge on Captain Kirk. And he was dressed better than Gweneth at the Oscars.

posted by Stuart Hickox | 7:37 PM



	Thursday, March 28, 2002 Imagine the New Jerusalem The sun rose from behind the Mount of Olives, licking orange the peaks of cedars against an inky dawn sky. Even the birds were startled awake by the glorious din of a thousand voices in unison, singing: "Jesus Christ is risen today! Allelulia!” It was Easter Sunday in Old Jerusalem. 1995. Rabin was still alive. And so were hopes for a lasting peace. The interfaith service included Muslim and Jewish leaders who addressed the crowd of pilgrims with a simple message: Easter’s rebirth can be a metaphor for hope, understanding and lasting peace. It was tough to resist the symbolism and the power of this appeal. Maybe the Rock, the Wall and the Empty Tomb were really all the same – and that this City of Cities was to be the flucrum of a new awakening to a more inclusive and global view of God. The crowd was buzzing. The possible implications were endless. The quest for God is universal. Its expression is cultural. The secret to human survival in an interconnected world is simple: Mutual respect. To do this, however, we all have to admit that we’re not exclusively right. This sounds simple. The fact that it is and yet peace remains elusive may explain the disconnect we feel with every new casualty of war. I suspect the mood in Jerusalem will be more sombre this Easter. Yet there will still be people gathered, singing. God bless (and protect) them. posted by Stuart Hickox \| 8:11 PM Tuesday, March 26, 2002 An end to summer's frosted tips “Thank God, I’m no longer a blonde.” Darlene turned from the mirror and swooshed her waist-length (and now carrot-red) mane -- all in one dramatic motion. Apparently, this hairdresser was only a blonde for a week, hated it, and opted for something new. I was afraid to ask what her natural colour was – in case she couldn’t remember. As she stood by the mirror in her low-rider jeans and tank top, warming herself with a hair dryer this snowy Ottawa day, I thought: True, blonde would be a disadvantage for you. Thankfully, she doesn’t cut my hair. I was in Zahia’s shop on Clarence for my usual clip. Zahia’s a true brunette, she's got brains, and loves to chit-chat. I've been going to Hair by Zahia since Mulroney was popular. She asked me if I had watched the Academy Awards. “No, I don’t do that anymore,” I quipped. “I’ve been married for three years and I no longer feel like I have to do that. Frankly, I don’t care how bad Gweneth Paltrow looked on Sunday night.” I surprised myself with this outburst. Zahia abruptly stopped cutting. Then I felt a surge of energy, like a window to the outside had been opened in a steamy bathroom. I didn’t have to do dorky dating stuff anymore! Like watching figure skating! Sure, I’ll admit it: I had a crush on Josée Chouinard for a while there when she skated (and inevitably fell) to Moon River, but other than that, I hated it. The promise of cuddles on the couch during long Sundays in early relationship years will make a man do anything. But who wants to think of sow cows when you’re makin’ the moves. Now that we’re married, and settled, those days are over. If you're married, you know what I mean. Besides, turnabout is fair play. Suzy refuses to watch Wrath of Khan with me ever again. You gotta wonder why. In that (classic!) Star Trek movie, Ricardo Montalban plays the leader of an exiled race who seeks revenge on Captain Kirk. And he was dressed better than Gweneth at the Oscars. posted by Stuart Hickox \| 7:37 PM				(03.28.2002) Find out more about renting Walden Cabin. (02.26.2002) Mohamad Mohamad: Ready for winter. >> See the photos from our Mid-East dinner party. >> Read the article. >> Have a Middle East dinner party: Recipes here. Turning 20 was a gas. In 1987, Canada mingled in Nice, to mixed effect. >> See the Revealing full photo. >> Read the article. >> See the cover photo archive. (01.15.2002) Digging in. Walden tree day 1995 Chestnuts and crazy volunteers at the top of the hill. >> Read the article. See the Walden Tree Day Photo Album. (01.07.2002) Jasper: Don't label me. None required, son. Critical observations of early '02. (11.19.2001) Walden Cabin 1996 See the photos. Updated - September 12, 2001 Head for the Hills of Prince Edward Island Walden Cabin >> "I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life and to see if I could learn what they had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) Walden; Or Life in the Woods (08.21) Walden Cabin is a publishing creation of Accolade Intermedia, an Ottawa-based communications company that specializes in content-rich Web products. www.accolade.ca >>
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