I have been offline as I just haven't been able to find the time to write. I had to attend Duncan for two days of trial on short notice and, although, it was a change from my routine at the office, it was busy. Starting with the preparation the day before, attending court and then some further preparation, there seemed to be not enough hours in the day. Having said this, it is quite amazing at how much one can get done when the pressure is on.
I have never been to Duncan on business or otherwise and going there inspired me to think about a question that I have been getting for the past 15 years (that is since coming to Canada). At various times, I have thought about the question but never put my thoughts in writing. The question is - Where are you from? (or the WAUF? - sounds like a swear word eh !!! (a canadianism - is there such a word - when I put it into an acroynm). I am still struck by how curious people continue to be about my background. What is it about me that invites this question from strangers?
A couple of nights ago, I was at the Irish Times bidding goodbye to a co-worker and I read a sign: (and I may take some liberty here as I can't recall the exact wording) "There are no strangers here, just friends who haven't met." Certainly, there is a grain of truth to this, we are all strangers until we get to know a little about each other. Sometimes we continue to be strangers for various reasons. So, how do you break the "ice"? I find with some (I should keep a running total - it may be an interesting exercise) who meet me for the first time ask the WAUF? as the initial ice breaking question. I find that this is the question I get with professionals who I interact with on business matters. Maybe it has something to do with my name? What if I was Just Joe? The WAUF?, of course, is asked at varying stages of my initial contact - it could be at the first meeting or the next meeting after that or even months after meeting and dealing the various strangers. Some feel comfortable just asking this question right after they introduce themselves (i.e. just giving their name) and it seems to them (maybe I am mistaken here) that I should volunteer an answer to this loaded question without them having to volunteer and answer to the WAUF? So, does it go beyond curiousity or is there more? Does it matter? What if my response was I am from Earth? Does being here answer the question? or Does there have to be a more specific and detailed answer? The biography? I wonder if I am the only one who gets this question? It seems the issue of identity also exists in Africa - see BBC's feature on "Shades of Identity" - link here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6531043.stm Do you get it? And not because you are a tourist and, obviously, stick out or you are in a country that speaks another language. I have no answers just more questions. Anyway, back to the training for this week for you roadies - not the biking type.
Tuesday, I was out with Donald http://trainharder.com/weblog/jarhead_weblog.php. Now, here is a guy who is serious about training.
Wednesday, no training.
Thursday, easy 00:40:00 downtown
Friday, Good Friday - 00:20:00 tempo run
Saturday, no training except for 00:30:00 at the pool with the kids
Sunday - where is the bunny going to be? and not bugs !!!
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