It is far more desirable and civilized to make friends than to defeat enemies.
~ 7 March, 2013
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 (Kashi, China, 29 April, 2013).
I've just noticed on Google Earth that I'm now farther west than New Deli, India. I'm hoping that I can carry my belongings back to Canada. I've added 10.75 Kg of Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan (smallest piece about the area of my hand, right) to my luggage to take home.
Traveling by train from Pyongyang, DPRK, sure gives perspective to the length of the journey which includes a couple of days crossing the Gobi Desert. I've heard that China Rail will soon provide high speed service all the way so that one may travel between any 2 places in China within a day. Probably not true but the planned extent of the high speed rail system appears to be vast.
I've enjoyed the most extensive philosophical discourses in my life during the past 3 days in Kashi. It brings to mind the delight a sage must feel in visualizing the benefits of sharing truths.
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 (Beijing, China, 11 April, 2013).
2 Girls miming a tea ceremony in a tea shop window in Beijing near the Forbidden City.
See .MP4 video.
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 (Kelowna, BC, Canada, 19 March, 2013).
My attempt to build a web site for displaying China Rail passenger routes in Google Maps has finally succeeded.
You can view the maps by entering a train number at rail.assistanceinchina.com.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 3 March, 2013).
Lindea and I have been working together to finish the hardwood floors in Juhlie's and Patrick's new house.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 9 February, 2013, Year of the Snake).
Lindea and I enjoyed the Chinese New Year celebration presented by the Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association at the Parkinson Center.
Young dancers at the New Year Celebration.
Norm Letnick, Provincial Minister of Agriculture and I enjoy the social atmosphere at the Chinese New Year celebration in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Ladies dancing group at the New Year celebration.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 22 January, 2013).
My wife Lindea was honoured with a lifetime membership in the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association for her outstanding service during her career as a teacher for School District #23.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 7 January, 2013).
I have booked a tour to North Korea 13 April.
I am planning to be in Beijing for 2
days before the trip to the DPRK to confer on business possibilities.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 3 January, 2013).
I have booked a trip to China for 3 April until 3 June, 2013. I'll likely book a tour to North Korea in April.
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(Kelowna, BC, Canada, 1 January, 2013).
I have started the year of 2013 at home in Kelowna.
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Error is not defeated by violence, but rather with the truth.
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The greatness of a country can be seen in the living conditions of the poor and the greatness of a person can be seen in one's relationships with poor people.
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Wealth is the product of social relationships and effort. It is not the sole result of any individual. Those who accumulate wealth should understand that the wealth they possess comes from society and therefore they must be made to understand their responsibility to ensure that the health of society is not compromised by the degree of wealth they accumulate. Even the poor can participate in establishing this principle as common knowledge.
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As the obviousness of the failure of the world's economic systems becomes more acute and the living conditions of the masses becomes more dire, I dwell on the issue of the changing of hearts and minds that is required to inspire the wealthy and powerful to establish global relationships that will lead to an agreement to create a more just balance between rich and poor. The poor are powerless to do this! It can only be done by people of means.
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The present economic state reminds me of these lines from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
":
"Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink."
or
Money, money, every where,
Nor any penny to spend.
~... David Ellsworth
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My wonderful wife Lindea and me during our Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Carnival ship Liberty,
17-24 July, 2010.
Lindea took the trip to take part in an onboard program for music in education.
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