Culture

Gustav Mahler – Symphony No.9 in D-Major

The Symphony No. 9 by Gustav Mahler was written between 1908 and 1909, and was the last symphony that he completed.

Explanation of the Movements

The first movement embraces a loose sonata form; the work opens with a hesitant, syncopated motif which is to return at the height of the movement’s development as a sudden intrusion of “death in the midst of life”, announced by trombones and marked within the score “with the greatest force”.
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The second movement is a dance, a Ländler, but it has becomes distorted to the point that it no longer resembles a dance. The movement contains shades of the second movement of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, in the distortion of a traditional dance into a dance of death. For example, Mahler alters traditional chord sequences into near-unrecognizable variations, turning the rustic and mostly diatonic C major introductory Ländler into a vicious whole-tone waltz, saturated with accidentals and frantic rhythms.  Continue reading →

Labor Pains of a New Worldview

The Problem Is Not Political 

Humanity has reached a crossroad. Our species, the species of human beings is coming to a place where we are deciding about ourselves. We are making a huge decision about “Who are we?” and “Who do we really choose to be?”

We imagine that the issue is a political issue. Then we say, “Ah, well it must be a financial problem.” The problem is not political and it’s not financial. And it’s also, by the way, not military, …obviously.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n1p9P5ee3c&feature=player_embedded”]

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China Opportunities In Transition

CANADA – CHINA FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY OF OTTAWA
 
CONFERENCE: CANADA-CHINA OPPORTUNITIES IN TRANSITION

Followed by a reception at the Chinese Embassy

(By invitation of the Chinese Embassy)

This is a premier event in Canada on our evolving relationship with our second largest economic partner. Timely and informative, the conference looks at the opportunities and challenges from a Canadian perspective but also with significant Chinese participation. This year in our country there will not be a better opportunity to expose yourself to the opportunities in transition with China. A relationship which is imposing itself upon us, and which deserves serious consideration.

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The United Nations & Canada

 

The United Nations Association in Canada

A Better World Starts HERE.

It starts in our homes. In our schools and communities. In our country. It starts with you.

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is a national charitable organization established in 1946. Our mandate is to engage the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues which affect us all. We accomplish our goals through a dynamic staff team at the National Office and a network of volunteer-driven regional branches.

The United Nations Association in Canada strives for a better world through a variety of national projects focused on specific issues and audiences. We work closely with the educational communities in every province and territory to build their capacity to educate young people from a global perspective. We also work directly with youth, challenging them to develop the tools and skills necessary to confront some of the world’s most complex problems.

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MTA Mounties Football Playoff Update

It’s playoff time and your Mounties have been invited to the party!  For the 2nd time in 3 years and 3rd time in the last 5 years, the Mounties will be playing in the AUS Semi-Final with a chance to advance to our first AUS Championship game since 1998.

This Saturday, November 3rd at 1PM, the Mounties will play the Saint Mary’s Huskies at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.  The Mounties are 2-1 against the Huskies this year, with a 16-10 victory in exhibition, a 43-7 loss in week 5 and a 25-12 victory in week 6.  We like the matchup and one thing is for certain, our boys will be well prepared to leave it out on the field and make good things happen.

We need the support of everyone we can get for our trip to Halifax.  If you are in the area, we encourage you to make the trip to Saturday’s game, wearing your garnet and gold and with your noisemakers ready to support our Mounties.  If you can’t make it to the game, you can watch it live on EastlinkTV or you can catch the webcast at www.AUStv.ca.

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Let’s Talk About What We Are Fighting For

“In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.” – Bill Clinton

 

The Cause Is What Is Important  

The story dominating headlines  early this week in Canadian politics was Liberal MP Justin Trudeau’s victory in the boxing ring. Proving the odds makers wrong he beat up a younger perceived “stronger” opponent in Senator Patrick Brazeau. Justin had no need to rope-a-dope, as I had assumed might be his strategy. Instead the match was settled by a TKO in the 3rd round. Although the showmanship and games grabbed the headlines the cause it was for was very important.

Photo Curtousey: The National Post (Lockheed Martin)

The boxing match between Trudeau and Brazeau started to make me think about what we are fighting for as a country.  As individuals we all have our own unique interest, motivations, influences, dreams and ambitions that we fight for. We work towards our dreams because we were taught by our parents, mentors and heroes that our dreams could and would come true and to not let anyone stand in our way. From a political observer’s position this logic is clearly something that has been a rallying point amongst the Conservative Party of Canada. In 2011, after several minority parliaments, Canadians decided to elect what they were told was going to be a “a strong, majority, conservative, government” that would lead us through the economic crisis. Continue reading →

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

“I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism.And that’s how I operate my life. “
                                                                                                      – Oprah Winfrey

Ottawa, March 21, 2012 – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued

the following statement recognizing the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:

“March 21st marks the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“As Canadians join with people around the world in marking this day, we should be proud of our country’s success

in fostering a welcoming and peacefully pluralistic society in which citizens of many different backgrounds live together harmoniously.

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International Women’s Day

“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union…. Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”

                                  – Susan B. Anthony

International Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900’s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. Today marks the celebration and continuation of a long tradition of International Women’s Day.  It is a day when people across the world celebrate and recognize the contributions and amazing success of women all across the world. While in the office I have taken a moment to observe my surroundings.

Going back in history it was only in 1929 that Canada passed legislation that officially recognized women as equal persons in the name of the law.  So as a man I take pride in celebrating this amazing day. The political, business, and entrepreneurial strength of women have shaped all our lives especially mine and surely that worthy of at least one day of reflection out of 365. Continue reading →