November musings

November draws to a close, it has been a month for the ages.

Ottawa Red Blacks Grey Cup Champions. Great game, lived up to expectations.

After a highly divisive campaign with two disliked candidates the United States did the unthinkable. They elected a misogynist, bully blowhard with no political experience as President.

A result that will leave the country further divided. A result that has produced riots in big cities because the vote didn't go their way.

One of the best things about the election was Saturday Night Live's electoral parodies. Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon nailing their portrayals of the candidates. Even having the decency and integrity to break character and urge Americans to vote.

You know you have made an impact on society when Trump took exception to his portrayal. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. It may get worse for you Donald and Alec Baldwin's parody of you will not be the worst of it. If any one was to be offended it would be Hillary who was portrayed in a lesser light.

As Dave Chappelle said on the November 12/16 episode of SNL, let's give Trump a chance, see what he can do. In that same episode Kate McKinnon gave a stirring rendition on the piano of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah as a fitting tribute.

Leonard Cohen was one of the famous people to leave us this month. A great Canadian who left his mark in many fields as a poet, singer, songwriter, composer and activist whose haunting voice will be hard to forget.

Other greats to leave us this month include Dave Broadfoot long time regular on the Royal Canadian Air Farce who brought us legendary characters as Sgt Renfrew and Big Bobby Clobber. He parodied 2 great institutions The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Janet Reno, the first female Attorney General of the United States. Great actors such as Robert Vaughan (Man from Uncle and Law and Order), Florence Henderson (Mrs. Brady) who most teens like me in the 1970's had a crush on. Ron Glass who played Detective Harris on the classic police comedy Barney Miller. Fidel Castro Prime Minister and President of Cuba. A polarizing figure in many ways.

One of the lasting images I have of him was in 2000 watching the funeral of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, there was Fidel Castro seated beside Jimmy Carter.

I am pleased that President Barack Obama reestablished relations with Cuba. Obama will go down as a great President, no scandals in 8 years and encountered every criticism of him with grace, respect and dignity.

I was pleased to meet one of my heroes earlier this month Michael Landsberg. He was sharing his mental health story. A humble and blessed man. Two takeaways from his story that I can relate to when I am depressed. First " when I am having depressive moments, the first thing to go is self confidence". Second " depression robs us of the ability to experience joy".

No truer words are spoken about depression. Check out Michael's website www.sicknotweak.com

I am already looking forward to December and closing the year out on a high note.