Why do actions speak louder than words?

I feel this Baha'i quote is most timely, given the current state of world affairs:

"Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Baha'i. 

Put into practice the teachings of Baha'u'llah, that of kindness to all nations.  Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.

...

What profit is there is agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal?  Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.

The wrong of the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice.  If actions took the place of words, the world's misery would very soon be changed into comfort.

A man who does great good, and talks not of it, is on the way to perfection.

The man who has accomplished a small good and magnifies it in his speech is worth very little.

If I love you, I need not continually speak of my love - you will know without any words.  On the other hand if I love you not, that you will also know - and you would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand words, that I loved you.

People make such profession of goodness, multiplying fine words because they wish to be thought greater and better than their fellows, seeking fame in the eyes of the world.  Those who do the most good use fewest words concerning their actions.

The children of God do the works without boasting, obeying His laws.

My hope for you is that you will ever avoid tyranny and oppression; that you will work without ceasing till justice reigns in every land, that you will keep your hearts pure and your hands free from unrighteousness.

This is what the near approach to God requires from you, and this is what I expect of you.

The power and value of true thought depend upon its manifestation in action."

- Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

The Saskatchewan Swing-Step?

I went and visited a friend of mine in Wyoming last year at Christmastime, and he taught me what is lovingly referred to there as "the Wyoming Shuffle" - a preferred walking style for when it's snowy, icy, and generally super-slippery outside. 

Well, I have taken that shuffle and I have made it my own.  I have reworked it and am now doing what I like to call "the Saskatchewan Swing-Step".  Or "the Regina Processional"; I haven't really decided yet.  It's a combination glide/shuffle/stomp/swing/occasional two-step to avoid icy, angled driveways.  It ain't all that pretty, but it gets me where I need to go without ending up sliding on my butt.  (Which, coincidentally, is looking fabulous due to all this strenuous Swing-Stepping to and from work! I knew there had to be an upside to walking in the winter...)

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! DINOSAURS!!!

Here's a little visual tour of my work trip last week - I headed to the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend to help dismantle and move the Tylosaurus, Omaciw (pronounced O-mawch-ee-oh; it means "hunter" in Cree) to the museum in Swiftcurrent for exhibit.

Out at the T-Rex Discovery Centre! FINALLY!

A giant, terrifying mural inside the Discovery Centre.

Heeeeeeeeere's Omaciw!!

Omaciw on display with some of the text panels.

Wrapping the text panels so they don't get damaged in transit.

Getting ready to dismantle the behemoth.

Dismantling in progress.

The T-Rex Discovery Centre.

A beautiful moonrise as we pack up and get ready to leave.

Unpacking Omaciw in Swiftcurrent.

Setting him back up on the stands was way easier than taking him apart!

Putting Omaciw back together.

Making sure the stands are tight!

Taking a quick break to discuss how to get the head remounted.

A whole lot of ladders were needed to get Omaciw's head on straight.

The finished product, ready to strike terror into passersby!

So if you're in the area, be sure to check out the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend for more totally awesome dinosaur exhibits, and get to Swiftcurrent to visit Omaciw!

First snowfall of the season. Yay?

Ok, so technically the first snowfall was actually on Sunday but since the snow has decided to hang around until now, I wanted to put together a list of things for which I am thankful this winter season:

Winter tires - Rather, driving around with people who have already put on their winter tires.  Had no idea until I moved out here how big a difference snow tires can make vs. all-season ones.  I'm now a believer.

People who shovel their sidewalks - THANK YOU. I love you people.

Proper winter accoutrements - Down-filled ski jacket? Check.  Ear-muffins? Check.  Lo-Jo's? Check.  Gloves, scarf and toque?  Check, check and check.  Fantastic boots with amazing traction? Double-Check.  Awesome.

On the downside, I am NOT thankful for roads and sidewalks that are icy as all hell due to thawing and refreezing, and the fact that there's no daylight savings time in Saskatchewan (I walk to and from work in perpetual twilight now.) 

Now let's see if I survive the imminent -40 below temperature drop...

You know you're Canadian when...

You know you're Canadian when you're walking behind a complete stranger, and they go into a store just ahead of you and hold the door open behind them expectantly, and even though you weren't actually planning on going to that store, you have a moment of panic where you think, "If I don't go through that door, they're going to think me ungrateful" and you actually contemplate going through the door just to make them feel better.

Happy Hallowe'en

Ah, Hallowe'en!  It is quite possibly my favourite holiday of the year.  I like the promises that it brings.

Promises of little ghouls and goblins, princes and princesses, witches and warlocks, superheroes and supervillains, all parading around in the hopes of getting a piece of candy or two (or two hundred, totally depends on where you live and what kind of ground you can cover in one evening.)

Promises of Moms and Dads and older siblings diligently taking these young ones around the block, chatting with friends and neighbours, and generally having a spooky old time.  

Promises of porchlights being lit, creepy decorations lining the rows of houses down the street, and flickering jack-o'-lanterns grinning ghoulishly as you walk up to that next doorstep.

Some people may be all hum-buggish about this particular holiday, but I simply say, "Boo on you!"  (See what I did there? Mmwhahahaha!)  By the way, this time of year is not about dressing up as a sexy/slutty-fill-in-the-blank-profession-here; such a pet peeve of mine, ewwwww.  It's about coming up with creative and conversation-starting costumes and having a great time doing it!  "Why yes, I AM dressed up as the Doppler effect" (Oh Sheldon Cooper, how I admire those costumes of yours, even if they are written in by sitcom staff...)  

And for those of you who aren't planning on going out this eerie, and rainy, Hallowe'en evening, I suggest a spook-tacular movie night in.  Personally, I shall be watching Young Frankenstein and Dracula: Dead and Loving It. 

So happy Hallowe'en everyone!  Stay safe and be sure to grab lots of candy loot!!

Hookah!

Now that I am no longer ill, I have decided to go out and enjoy some Saskatchewanian nightlife.  

Tonight I accomplished this by chilling at the Baha'i Centre for a great devotional meeting, then heading out with some buddies to the hookah lounge located over this amazing Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Regina.  It was pretty fantastic - we may have been the only people in the place not drinking, but the grape-mint tobacco more than made up for that.  And since I'm half Persian, it's nice not to feel like a total wannabe when smoking.  It's part of my culture, man!  (Just minus the hashish.)

On a side note, I have determined that the use of a hair straightener and a whole lot of eyeliner really does bring all the boys to the yard.  I'm just sayin'...