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Had a discussion with a friend the other day.  I’m not even sure what the topic was.  Regardless, for some reason I stated that I was quite happy being a middle-of-the-road or ‘MOR’ , kind of guy.  “I mean”, I said, “What’s wrong with that?” …

Today was Remembrance Day here in Canada. Incredible turnouts everywhere, although the fine weather and our involvement in Afghanistan are responsible for most of it. I would like to think that the history teachers of Canada’s public and private schools are responsible for the upswing, …

In contravention of all medical logic and H1N1 recommendations, I am prescribing ‘hugs’ as the cure-all. Yup. Hugs. Stare down that virus and hug somebody you love. Hell, hug somebody you don’t love! My father was the world’s best hugger. Even when he was elderly …

There are so many questions – questions I’m tempted to ask but also tempted to leave safely unanswered. Is the Sudanese government serving its people well? No. The Khartoum-based government has not put as much effort into making the comprehensive peace agreement function as it …

I was fortunate to serve with Lieutenant (Navy) Janan Sutherland. Janan is in his late 20s, originally from Windsor, Ontario and currently employed as an instructor at the Canadian Forces recruit school in St. Jean, Quebec. He is a reason you should be proud of …

Our joint monitoring teams always includes a national monitor from each side, a language assistant, patrol leader and two or more United Nations Military Observers. Our team is on patrol in our white 4 x 4s. We know it is going to rain and we …

I finally hand out school supplies today to impoverished elementary school girls, near Dilling University. It’s a dirty school that’s falling apart but smiling, laughing girls look at us from the windows and mill around us in the yard. I hope we can help them …

Wow! June already. A thought: Looking at the encroaching village tukols, I am reminded of the growth of Toronto towards Barrie, my home town, destroying and devouring everything in its path. These neighbourhoods look more benign because the tukols are made of straw, wood, dirt …

Well, three weeks have gone by and here I am in my UN trailer, still surviving. Let me introduce you to my fellow team members: Kay and Chat are from Thailand and are nice chaps who work hard and believe in “face.” (Face means to …

Officially known as Lieutenant (Navy) Jim Parker, I stand atop the plane’s stairs leading down to the baking tarmac at Khartoum International Airport and wonder whether to turn around, get back in the aircraft and return to Frankfurt. It is hot. The people look and …