Category Archives: Life

Top 10 Reasons to Think You Might Have Diabetes Insipidus

10. You don’t bother putting the toilet seat down after peeing because you’re certain you’ll be the next person using it. 9. You fill up a blue bag with recyclables from the backseat of your car. 8. You plan every trip by noting the destination’s access to clean public washrooms. If there isn’t a place [...]

Also posted in Humor, Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 8 Comments

21 Days in April

It’s frightfully amusing to watch people checking me out — and by that, I mean the folks who know that I’ve just had major neurosurgery to remove a huge pituitary tumor. They invariably search my face for scars, for swollen bits, for black eyes. Anything that might suggest trauma. Yet I look just the same [...]

Also posted in Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 8 Comments

Blessedness

A few hours after my operation, I wept. Yes, I was a simmering kettle of emotion. My neurosurgeon had recently informed me that my pituitary adenoma was massive, much bigger than expected, but he quickly added that the operation had gone well, so I was relieved. A few minutes later, I looked upon the faces [...]

Also posted in Author, Author, Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 17 Comments

Writers For Richard

Three lovely friends — Wendy Russ, Stephen Parrish, and J.A. Zobair — have been running a wonderful fundraiser to help me manage the next two months of my recovery without having to worry about making rent or purchasing costly medications. Their efforts have touched me more than I can say, and I’m usually quite good [...]

Also posted in Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 5 Comments

Show Time

Keep a good thought for me as I head to surgery today. Kristina and a few friends might provide updates on social media when there’s something to say. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you on the other side. Slainte!

Also posted in Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 4 Comments

The Nick Pick Solution

One of my young work colleagues, Nick Pick, has discovered the beauty of martial arts. In between calls, he’s full of questions and brimming with enthusiasm, so I occasionally teach him a few moves from Shotokan karate to help focus his mind, and drain some excess energy. Since I’m not likely to see him — [...]

Also posted in Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | Leave a comment

End Game

I am a patient man, but I wish I had a heavy bag to punch. I’ve grown tired of waiting. Wall-E, the little neuroendocrine tumor, has overstayed his welcome. Cheeky little devil. So, here’s how the Battle Royal of my life will play out. I’ve been lead to believe that my surgery will occur any [...]

Also posted in Wall-E—The Neuroendocrine Tumor | 9 Comments

Light a Candle

You’ve seen the Hollywood propaganda a dozen times. The intrepid hero is caught by the bad guys, tied and stripped, revealing a knotted chest and bulging biceps. He remains defiant, but then the sadistic torturer arrives, eyes gleaming with cruel delight. The camera cuts, but we hear sickening thuds, blood-curdling screams, and the brutal grind [...]

Also posted in High Horse, Politics | 4 Comments

Author Niki Jabbour Answers 25 Questions

I’m not sure why it’s always been there, but I have a soft, quiet spot in my heart for gardeners. And lately, for this gardener in particular. We’re friends. But, surprisingly, Niki Jabbour and I have never met. Niki and I both wrote for The Halifax Daily News in the 1990s, where I was a [...]

Also posted in 25 Questions, Author, Author, Books, Canada, Food & Wine, Global Warming, Nova Scotia, Sustainability | 3 Comments

My Most Memorable Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIX was my most memorable football championship. The game was played at Stanford Stadium on January 20, 1985 and pitted Joe Montana’s San Francisco 49ers against Dan Marino’s Miami Dolphins. I actually followed American football back then, so I had no doubt that the 49ers would prevail. Montana was just that good. It [...]

Also posted in Entertainment, Nova Scotia | 1 Comment