Monthly Archives: February 2026
Ice Dreams II
Another photo essay, ice sculptures from the 2026 edition of Winterlude.
Ice Dreams I
Ottawa’s annual winter carnival, Winterlude, ends today. As usually happens, I wound up not taking part in very much. My wife and I did take in the ice sculptures in Confederation Park downtown. I didn’t find them as compelling as in some other years, but that may be because I usually have seen them when […]
Regime Change
After the Ayatollah, what next? Who rules Iran? What will the government look like? With internet and media blackout it is tough to get reliable information. The latest protests seem to have been mostly crushed, with the government killing at least 3,000 protestors. Some estimates I have seen put that number at 10,000. Does a […]
Words of Protest
I saw this installed in a Vienna transit station in 2019. Originally an American work, I wonder if it would be acceptable there today.
Feeling Old?
I don’t think I look my age. I certainly don’t act my age. Not that I know how my age is supposed to act – this is the first time I have been this old. So I was taken aback to be offered a seat on a crowded light rail train heading into downtown Ottawa. […]
The Ear Worm
This one’s been running through my head for a few weeks. It won’t leave. Steppenwolf’s “Monster” was released in 1969, a call for America to live up to its ideals. Almost fifty years later it is as if the song was written for today. Once the religious, the hunted and wearyChasing the promise of freedom […]
The New World Order
I wrote this post before Canadian Prime Minister Mark carney made his now famous speech last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It seems to me to be a worth addendum to what he said. We think the status quo will last forever. As humans we crave certainty and distrust instability. Yet instability […]
Resolutions
I don’t usually make New Years resolutions. This year I am making an exception. I’m promising myself I will read fewer books Don’t get me wrong. I still love to read. In 2025 I read 102 books. I’d never tracked my reading before. I’m not sure what the list says about me or my reading […]
How Boring Can It Be?
Super Bowl LX is tonight. I’m having some friends over. The email invitation was titled “It’s the most boring night of the year.” From that you can tell I’m nota big fan of American football. I only follow the NFL enough that I don’t sound completely ignorant if the topic comes up in conversation. I […]
Happy New Year!
I’m a bit late. I hope 2026 has started well for you. I’ve been taking a break from this space for the last couple of months, more or less. Partly because life has been busy (Christmas, guests, work and friends and family who needed some extra time) and partly because I have been wondering if […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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