The Kids are Watching
I'm asking myself questions about how my wife and I teach our two boys about the current provincial election. What do they need to understand? How should they respond to flag-waving and partisan rhetoric? What's helpful regarding civic, regional, and national pride?
We Went to Portland: Part II
This is the second of a two-part series of travel blog posts on good reasons to visit Portland, Oregon. In this post, I want to talk about food. Now, I don't want to talk about food from the perspective of a food critic. Food critic blogs are legion, and I'm not interested in joining them anytime soon. I am, however, drawn to talk about food in the context of value and connection.
We Went to Portland: Part I
My wife and I recently spent a few days in Portland, Oregon. Our family stepped up to take care of the kids while we were away, and we had a great time. Why Portland, you ask? There are many great reasons to visit Portland, but here are the four reasons it made sense for us. This is a two-part blog and in this first part, I’m going to cover the first two reasons.
The Auditor: A Hotel Story
Late one afternoon, a nervous-looking guest services agent came to my office, "Jordan, our QA auditor has just checked in to the hotel and would like to see you." When I worked in a branded hotel, I could expect to receive two audits per year from the brand. There are two letters in our alphabet that will send a chill through the blood of any hotel general manager.
May 19, 1984: an Edmonton Story
I enjoy watching the games, but more than anything, I love when our city comes together to celebrate. You don't have to be a sports fan to get into the spirit of things. Perfect strangers high-five each other on the street, and businesses will let staff wear Oiler Jerseys to work.
Easter at the North Saskatchewan
If you live in Edmonton, each time you go to the tap and pour yourself a cold glass of water, you're tasting something that has come to us from the Columbia Icefield. A stream of water begins as a trickle and then starts a downward flow from the Saskatchewan Glacier.
Finding a New Church
Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, the first Palm Sunday of my life where I did not have a church home to be at on a Sunday morning. My family and I have been searching for a new church home since the beginning of the year. At the end of 2022, the church we were connected with closed, and we are trying to find our place.
Do you Trust You?
Let me ask you another related question. How good are you at keeping promises you've made to yourself?
The Stars We’ll Never Reach
There's a certain persistence required for hope. We might not see a peaceful present, but generations ahead of us will live in a better future.
A Day Off With No Fried Chicken
Imagine a world where everyone could afford to take a day off. The only way this future could come about is if those who can afford to take two days off make it possible for everyone to have one. We would need to take only what we need and relearn how to live life.
The Adventures of Jorg
The Barista misheard my name, but I admit it was nice to have someone assume a good version of me. Moreover, the assumption improved the interaction.
This Version of You
It's been said that every seven years, every cell in your body has died and regenerated, creating a completely different you. So physically, you and I are entirely other people than we were in 2016. I know the science of this idea is not 100% accurate, but it's a fun starting point when thinking about the future and what's next
Train Station on Fire!
…Through the dark, I focused my eyes to make sure I saw correctly, and sure enough, a group of people had lit a fire on the station platform. It wasn't a massive bonfire, but it was big enough that I could see large arcs of flame from about 50 yards away. I quickly scanned the area to see if a security officer could respond and take action. There was none present.
Book Review: Saving Us by Katharine Hayhoe
"Saving Us," is the first book I read this year. I'm glad I did because I found it inspiring on many different levels. As I mentioned earlier, this is a daunting subject for me, and I often feel like I've got little say on the issue of climate change.
Prepping for 50 Million
Generosity is not a superpower that comes to you after being stuck by lightning or bitten by a radioactive spider.
Good…And Lost
Good and lost are not words I would typically put together. They seem at odds with each other. For most people, feeling lost, displaced, and forgotten are not feelings we would seek out on our own. But inevitably, we all come to a place where the next steps are unknown. It could be the loss of a job, a loved one, a community, or even a dream.
Life of the Party
You may have already sent out your New Years' celebration, but let me encourage you to invite one more guest. My friend Grace, yes, the world's worst street preacher. While not a prominent guest, I assure you that she'll be the life of the party.
Santa Rides ETS
Believing good people surround you will help you take risks, speak honestly, and do the right thing.
Worf’s a Vegan
So I asked myself again with an added condition; could I switch to an entirely plant-based diet if my life depended on it? My answer to that is, I hope so. I sincerely hope that if confronted with the choice to either survive or die early, I'd do everything I can to choose life.
Waiting For The Lottery
For many of us, Christmas 2020 was rough. I remember writing this after having to shut down the hotel I managed just before Christmas. Thankfully, I’m in a much different place in 2022, but the need to be kind and gracious is still relevant today. If you’re going through a rough patch today, you’re not alone.