Murray Wood: Who's scary... and who's scary good?
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week, in a specia...
Personal details. Name, age, hometown
Trevor Kent Wowk, age 58. I was raised from birth until age 17 in Inglis, Man. The closest town for shopping and a McDonald’s burger run as a teenager was Yorkton.
Tell us about yourself
In my own words as modified from my heroes … A classic example of the archetypal Meyers Briggs ENFP. My heroes (role models) are Shelly Wright (Drake Worthington), Gandhi, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, and Adam Sandler. Do not read further if you don’t find that last sentence funny!
I have loved, I have dreamed, I have lost. So, I wish to know … I wish to know if people can appreciate that all the serious words below are not everything, only one layer of the onion so to speak.
I would love to hear the passions that drive people, so for now, here’s “The Invitation” to respond. This reflects my interest in people. Most of whom are absolutely wonderful when given a chance. I wish to know what folks ache for, if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. Since my own life is becoming re-established, the children are grown, the dreams I have for the future are huge.
I wish to know if like me, folks have touched the centre of their own sorrow, if they have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain. Having been through my own pain it has made my outlook more positive. Sometimes the training is harsh but I know my inner being is better evolved, and continues to evolve.
I wish to know if people can sit with pain, mine or theirs, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. Sometimes when the days are stressful it is relaxing for me to unwind in peaceful contemplation, preferably holding a glass of Remy Martin.
I wish to know if people can be with joy, mine or their own, if folks can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill them to the tips of their fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human. Even such an evolved male as I still has weakness and a tendency to fail and not meet expectations. I have learned to accept this aspect in myself and others.
I wish to know if people can see beauty, even when it’s not pretty, every day, and if they can source their own life from its presence. There are many opportunities to choose beauty and happiness over life’s trials and tribulations. Has become my observation that the worst times bring out the best in people is not just a cliché.
I wish to know if people can live with failure, theirs and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon. “Yes!” When I fail I hope my friends can stand there and help dust me off from falling as I always try to support them. Knowing this is not always easy my patience has greatly improved over the last several years.
I wish to know that people can have a serious discussion without running away. When emotions are charged it is more important to listen than react. We all “lose it” occasionally and it is critical to step back and not just lash back. It is way too easy to think you hear and judge rather than listen and mend. Usually harsh words result from poor communication and not really listening. This area I work to improve.
What’s a little-known fact about you?
Even though Meyers-Briggs usually classifies me as ENFP, I am quite introverted and shy. Sometimes, Meyers-Briggs tests say I am an INFP personality. With life’s evolution I am probably a blend as the result is determined by my interpretation of current events.
Why should voters hire you?
I firmly believe a Member of Parliament is a servant to the people living in the riding. False prophets and egos that believe they are leaders are what has created the political and cultural dangers Canada now faces. My integrity is unimpeachable and I have a distinct inability to lie.
Who should we call for a reference?
Kenneth (Phinehas) Gran.
What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
My greatest strength is resilience. My greatest weakness is an inability to comfortably ask for help.
Where do you stand on:
Gun laws? The current gun regulation regime is adequate. Any further government interference by way of stricter regulation is unwarranted interference in the lives of law-abiding Canadians.
The need for more pipelines? Resource industry is the lifeblood of Canada’s financial security. The pipelines, in consultation with First Nations, must be built.
Western alienation? Western alienation, although somewhat exists, is not the main concern. The root cause of Western alienation is restricting our economic development and all Canadians’ democratic freedoms. All Canadians are equal. It is the superiority, judgmental attitudes of some that are attacking Canada’s secular, democratic values and are at the heart of many Canadians’ feelings of alienation.
China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? Why would we even want to trade with a country’s leadership that shares close to zero commonality with traditional western civilization values? Canada should long ago have restricted trade to countries that share our values. Trade relations should not be just about money.
Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? No, we are not facing a climate change crisis. Climate of course changes year to year, decade to decade, century to century and over the millennia. Environmental responsibility is far more critical than any worry over a climate crisis.
It’s far more critical to address environmental issues like raw sewage being dumped into rivers, lakes and oceans by our major cities. It’s far more important to ensure Canada-specific environmental issues like all Canadians have good drinking water. These two examples are real environmental crisis.
There have been at least six climate crises announced over the last 40 years. Humanity always adapts and finds solutions.
Carbon taxes are simply one more tax burden on Canadians that limits economic growth and places those in current economically challenging situations over the edge. Carbon tax has zero impact on climate change and should be summarily eliminated. Impoverishing Canada’s economy to combat climate pollution that happens in other countries is short-sighted at best and very very stupid.
It’s a day off and you can do anything you want. What would it be?
Head off on a day trip to visit Saskatchewan places of interest. Probably with my kayak or bicycle and relax in quiet contemplation with my own thoughts.
Who inspires you?
Shelly Wright, Ron Swan, Tyler Reyes, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Dr. Scott Peck, Maxime Bernier … hundreds of others. I look everywhere for inspiration.
What is your hidden talent?
Sending evil people into spasms by speaking honest truth.
What do you wish you could do but can’t?
Debate philosophy with Shelly Wright or Ron Swan.
Who are the three people, dead or alive, that you’d love to have dinner with?
Shelly Wright, Ron Swan and my father.
How do you take your coffee?
I drink gallons of black coffee. Helps me sleep. 😀
What’s the one album you’d take with you on a desert island? What embarrassing song do you admit to on your playlist?
My favourite album is Ballerina by Styx. I have 35,000+ songs in my Google playlist. Most embarrassing is probably Berlioz. That I enjoy the darkness of his compositions frightens me a bit.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I feel no guilt towards any of my pleasures. 😊 My base pleasures are fine wine, fine company for conversation and wonderful tasting food.
What is the last book you read?
The Elections Canada Act. I believe it was close to 400 pages.
What is your favourite TV show? What are you binge watching?
My favourite TV show was Room 222. Currently, I am working my way through Timeless.
What is your all-time favourite movie?
A Walk in the Clouds.
