Although you are no longer with me in life, I still feel your love (Unknown).
We decided to take Richard and Laval out for breakfast on Tuesday the July 1st. As soon as we got table in the local restaurant and settled down, Lynda said today is our Independence Day. We Canadian call its Canada Day.
I remember saying that many of Canadians celebrate this annual July 1 holiday much the same way Americans approach Independence Day. We fly that gorgeous red maple leaf proudly and wear Canada-themed outfits. Some people paint their faces, too.
Lynda said unfortunately we don’t have anything red with us to wear but we thought we can have breakfast with our friends.
Richard and Loval were very impressed and said congratulations to you two.
I said we don’t want to bore you with details but as a summary the possibility of a confederation between the colonies of British North America was discussed throughout the mid-1800s. On July 1, 1867, a dominion was formed through the British North America Act as approved by the British Parliament. It consisted of territories then called Upper and Lower Canada of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The act divided Canada into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and it included provisions for other colonies and territories to join in the future, which made possible the growth of Canada into its present form. The act served as Canada’s constitution until 1982, and July 1 was celebrated as Dominion Day.
Richard and Loval were a kind of impressed with the information at the same time they were feeling as how come they didn’t know anything about Canada.
Richard said he had a practice in Idaho for forty years before he decided to retire five years back then they decided to purchase a huge RV (Recreational Vehicle) and traveled all over the map until they got tired. They sold the RV and decided to settle down here in Las Vegas.
I said I guess Idaho’s located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and is widely known for its potatoes, being a major producer of the crop, and its scenic natural landscapes including mountains, lakes, and rivers.
Richard said you got it, Mir.
I asked Richard what he was practicing in Idaho?
Richard said he was an ophthalmologist.
I said WOW!
I continued in other words you were a medical doctor who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including surgery. As I understand they have advanced training and can also perform more complex eye procedures than optometrists.
Richard said WOW! It was a very good summary of my profession which indicates to me that you must be highly educated.
I said not really. I did just this and that to make a living.
Richard said why don’t I believe that Mir.
Lynda said Mir is always like that. He doesn’t like to talk about what he did.
She continued – As a matter of fact he was living in Chicago in the 60’s and came to Canada in 1972 with extensive experience in computer field which qualified him to find decent jobs in Canada. For the last 25 years he had been working in various organizations in various provinces in numerous positions to help huge organizations like provincial and federal governments including bank.
Richard said what brought you folks to Las Vegas?
Lynda said we were on our way to Phoenix and just wanted to spend a couple of days here but ended up buying a house to live here.
He said it’s a very unusual move.
Lynda said we are known for doing unusual things and it worked out just fine.
Richar said WOW! He said do you mind if I asked you what you were doing in Ottawa?
I said we have a small consulting company in Ottawa, and we are helping the federal departments to use IT (Information Technology) in a meaningful way to maximize the potential in various functions across the organizations.
Ricard said that sounds an interesting challenge.
I said – you can say it again.
Richard said how did you get into this kind of business?
I said I had the basic education and training in the computers in the 60’s in Chicago which helped me to find some challenging positions in various places in Canada before we settled down in Ottawa in 1989.
Lynda said Mir had left Chicago in a hurry without completing his intended education and ended up doing his PhD in 1988 while working in Canada.
Richard said what was the area in which you did your research, Mir.
I said my PhD. Was in computer science by conducting in depth research and contributing new knowledge and the topic of my dissertation was Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Ricard said WOW! He asked if I had any opportunity to use AI?
I said unfortunately it almost appeared to be premature at this stage of the game to get any business in AI but I am sure one day there will be all kind of opportunities.
Richrd said I don’t know when but there’s a huge potential for AI and I am sure that will open lots of opportunities, Mir.
I said I don’t know, Richard. I decided to take an early retirement and spend some quality time here in Las Vegas with Lynda as she had always been accommodating to relocate and support me all along the line.
Richard said that’s seems to be an excellent plan, Mir. But I guess now we should get going as we were here for more than a couple of hours discussing all kind of things.
He said once again Laval and I welcome you two to our community and please let us know if we can be of any help to you folks.
Lynda said we need help and don’t be surprised if we call upon you.
The time we got back home, the telephone guy was waiting for us at our home.
Eventually we got all the deliveries, and Lynda managed to set up our new home exactly the way she wanted it.
The 4th of July turned out to be a very busy day. The festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
At the Mountain View, Lynda and Libby went to work early at the clubhouse and the time I got there they both were totally busy in the kitchen. Cliff was trying to setup tables and decided to help him.
Folks started coming around 5 O’clock and by the 6 O’clock we were all set to start eating and everybody enjoyed fish & chips. Lynda and Libby got lots of compliments from the folks.
The time we finished around 8 O’clock, Lynda was totally exhausted, and we decided to go home.
It took a week or so for me to set the routine for each morning. I started going to the clubhouse around 7:00 in the morning, did my exercise, spent a few minutes in sauna, went into the pool for a few minutes, and spend a few minutes in the jacuzzi. when I get home around 9:00 AM, Lynda either will have breakfast ready or we will go out for breakfast as we found out that it was cheaper to eat out in Vegas than cooking for ourselves.
Lynda started enjoying Vegas a lot when she started playing machines. She was smart not to take too much money with her when she was planning to play, and it didn’t bother her if she lost a few dollars. However, if she won any money, she would offer to buy lunch or coffee.
From time to time, I used to ask her where we can live like this for the money we spent on the house, our domestic expenditure reduced considerably, and we were enjoying every single day in the sunshine.
I remember her answer – No where.
I also used to ask her if she would ever get tired of living in Vegas?
Her answer was – Never.
Lynda started a routine, too. She used to go to the clubhouse in the afternoon and there were a bunch of ladies who regularly used to come in the afternoon to spend sit in the shallow part of the pool and chat away for hours.
It suited well to Lynda as she never learned how to swim even though she loved the water. One day Lynda expressed her concern about how I would be able to sustain my interest in Vegas while I don’t gamble or drink.
I remember saying that I don’t necessarily have to drink or gamble to have fun. I continued – when you play machines, I normally walk around to look at the other things including the people how they behave while gambling or not.
She said I know that but sooner or later it will run thin then what you will be doing?
I said I will do some other things, but I am not worried.
Lynda said all your adult life you have been working with the computers, and I never ever saw you reading any non-technical book or navel.
I said I neither had time nor interest in fiction, babe.
She said that’s my point. Vegas appears to be more fictional than the reality.
I said perhaps I should explore the possibilities of starting to read some novels.
She said that will not be a bad start.
