I want to be fully transparent concerning the subject matter and inspiration for this blog. The title above comes from this precious work of fiction: Pirsig’s book was published in 1974 and I read it – digested it – the following year. A concise description of the book’s content and focus of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance can be found at the online encyclopedia of information, Wikipedia at this link. The lure to me at the time stemmed from my penchant for motorcycle riding combined with a passion for reading and deep curiosity regarding such an intriguing title. In 1966, at 16 years of age, I purchased my…

Throughout my life, I have been so fortunate to have so many mentors, people who taught me, guided me, supported me, constructively (mostly) criticized me, and greatest of all, inspired me. One of my earliest preceptors had a profound impact on my academic motivation, my career, and my burgeoning squash skills – John Russell Fairs, Jack, as we all know him. So much has been written about him in terms of his immense contributions to many sports, especially to the game of squash. Perhaps the best overall introduction to Jack is this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlqB6_Q0zjk So very apropos of the mastery aspect of Jack’s impeccable skill as a true student and…

At best, the legend revealed beneath this image is apocryphal; I prefer allegorical. Over the years, I have read and digested a lot of books on mythology and symbolism. Indeed, Joseph Campbell and I were on a first name basis, so familiar was I with his many books especially those on myth, mythology, and the hero with “a thousand faces.” At times, I have been drawn to works of art, toured museums, and have been privileged to have stared in awe at the magnificence of a Rembrandt or sculptures like The David, the latter’s majesty and beauty drawing tears from me each of the 3 times I have seen it…

Today, as I turn 71 years of age, I choose to look in my life’s rearview mirror. In particular, I have been thinking about my boyhood in the black and white 1950s.Television shows were in black and white; photographs were black and white – perhaps dreams were too. The 50s were and remain for me enigmatic, mysterious, and compelling all at the same time. Immediately, I think of Edwin Brock’s marvellous poem, Five Ways to Kill a Man… There are many cumbersome ways to kill a man.You can make him carry a plank of woodto the top of a hill and nail him to it.To do this properly you require…

On March 15th, I wrote a blog entitled, The Ides of Corona March. It was coincident with the beginning of Ontario’s Corona virus-induced shutdown with social-physical distancing regulations, the closing of most businesses (except those deemed “essential services”), and the beginning of what we term the “new normal” of living with the COVID-19 threat. Currently, decisions are being made all over the world about re-opening; how to re-open – in stages, all at once; what to expect, how best to protect oneself as well as others. Questions loom about very realistic concerns such as, is it too soon? Have we flattened the curve enough? Will there be a second wave…