Whiskey Bouquet

The benefits of sleep - though much touted - are as frequently ignored.  For those of us who obsessively feel the necessity to keep busy, to do things, sleep is more often regarded disdainfully as something to which we succumb rather than something to cultivate as a healthful habit.

Misgivings

Generally I wouldn't say I have misgivings, remorsefulness about what I've done or said, neither about what I haven't done or haven't said.  This is not to say that I don't live in a world of apprehension and anxiety.  Sadly I do.  But confined to the limits of my own conduct I'm confident to say I seldom regret what has transpired; and certainly I don't normally characterize myself as contrite about anything I've done or said no matter what the outcome. I've always been able to cushion the logical effect with a plausible cause, what obviously I fashion as a relieving victory of the cerebrum over the viscera.

Counsel of Perfection

Honestly I can't say why I have always deferred to professionals for advice.  Perhaps it is a predilection cultivated contemporaneously with my own advancement as a legal professional.  That however isn't conclusive because at the age of 28 when I had only been practicing law for a year I eagerly retained the services of a chartered accountant to handle my income tax returns thenceforth. Never did I harbour the desire to do it myself; and I certainly did not flatter myself to imagine that I could do it myself.  By comparison my own father filed his returns until he was about 90 years of age. It is safe to say that he considered his competency sufficient or the task not insurmountable. I should note however that when I eventually succeeded to transfer carriage of his filings to a chartered accountant we subsequently discovered that my father's returns had been reassessed by Canada Revenue Agency on an annual basis, sometimes three times per year.

The Texture of Personality

What distinguishes people is the texture of their personality. It is often lableled their character and it is woven into them by birth, genetics, education, lifestyle and random events. Whatever the amalgam it is assured to inspire differences of opinion from others. As amused as we are in particular to study the character flaws of others, it is oddly an inclination to avoid examination of one's own texture perhaps because we assume its causality is self-explanatory or otherwise redeemable no matter what the appearance.  Besides it is far more entertaining to indulge our passion for reflecting upon others even though we'd likely admit if pressed that we're no better or worse than they.

The Law Society of Upper Canada

It is with undisguised pride that I share with others that I am a member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada.  Though the number of licensed lawyers in the Province of Ontario numbers in the many thousands, at my age (68) there is nonetheless some distinction involved. For reasons about which I am not clear, it is my understanding that if I had retired from the practice of law prior to attaining the age of 65 years I would have forfeited my entitlement to claim that membership. If one continues to practice law after age 65 and pays the mandatory Errors and Omissions insurance premiums through the Law Society or excess coverage through the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company, then of course one is entitled to maintain membership in the Law Society.

Night Work

Earlier this evening I renewed my interest in my Google Blogger site.  Actually I now have two blogs on Google.  They are conveniently summarized on one page.  The older blog is called "The Toy Box"; this blog - the more recent of the two - is called "Duffy St. James" (named after a silly nom de plume which I expropriated from some forgotten source years ago).  There may have been a time when I used the nom de plume for the purpose it is intended but this blog comes closest to fulfilling that objective.

Late Summer Reflections

We're languishing below the dome of a transparent cloudless sky.  There is an oppressive dry heat under a white desert-like sun. If the forecast can be relied upon, two days remain before the thermometer returns to seasonable levels.  For the time being socks, sweaters and shells are on hold. It is time for late summer reflections reminiscent of dies caniculares.