journal features

owing everything to your forebears

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2013.12.17

At a staff Christmas party today, the conversation turned to philosophical questions around having kids. Someone commented that we owed the continuation of the species to all those generations that came before.

I said, "For me, it's easier. My dad supported us, sending my brother and me to University and so on with a career built leading an R&D function in the oil patch, despite not possessing an official high school diploma let alone any degrees. And my mum worked part time while taking care of us and the home and the food, etc. To hell with the distant generations, I witnessed my parents' effort and sacrifice. Living it now just drives it home."

Lunch time conversations are more fun with fancy rye cocktails. Who knew you could use fernet in a mixed drink.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov