First things first

First off dear reader, I encourage you read of to listen to the classic Abbott and Costello routine Who’s on first.

Abbott: Who is on first!
Costello: I’m asking YOU who’s on first.
Abbott: That’s the man’s name.
Costello: That’s who’s name?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.
Abbott: That’s it.
Costello: That’s who?
Abbott: Yes . . .

[Wiki] “‘Who’s on First?’ is a comedy routine made famous by American comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The premise of the sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello. However, the players’ names can simultaneously serve as the basis for questions (e.g., ‘Who is the first baseman?’) and responses (e.g., ‘The first baseman’s name is Who.’), leading to reciprocal misunderstanding and growing frustration between the performers.”

Beyond the sketch—and in other contexts—the word “first” enjoys a wide variety of usage in English. First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number 1. For some reason, first is preferred to second, except in the words of Jesus where the first is last, and the last, first. (Gospel according to Matthew 19:30) The first book of the bible commences with the first day of creation, and we have ourselves recently bid adieu to the first of the twelve days of Christmas. We all know the first line of the song: “On the first day of Christmas”; other verses, not so well. Six geese or seven swans?  But who is counting?

In most communities there is a First United or First Methodist church. Never, however, a first Anglican or Catholic church. (They all think they are first.) Catholics are content with First Communion. Do the Baptists celebrate first communion; that’d be a first.

Just down the street from the churches you often find a first credit union or financial services hub. Never however a first bowling alley or a first casino.

When travelling, it is best to go first class, though who can afford the same luxury in th air.  (And what does first class train travel look like in India or Pakistan?) Here in Canada, the Rocky Mountaineer is all first class, sadly, financially inaccessible for this Marco Polo traveller.

Now that Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to resign he has once again returned to musing about electoral reform. His alternating support or distain for revision of first-past-the-post electoral processes—first, he praised it; next he claimed to never support it; now as he moves toward the exit door, he wishes he had adopted it—too bad, so sad, Justin; you could have done something great, something historically memorable. But you didn’t. Could’ve been a first for Canadian politics.

I remember watching the moon landing on July 20, 1969, when Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. He was first over the finish line as the competition between Russia and the US was finally won, as Jack Kennedy first predicted in May of 1961.

Last year I completed my first academic publication, Partnership as Mission, an accomplishment almost as memorable as my first day at St. Michael’s School in Victoria as I entered grade three. I remember meeting Don Williams and Robin Sherwin who remained first and best friends through to grade twelve. I wonder where they are now. Fifty years ago we graduated together; from what I can tell, I am the first graduate to suggest a reunion.

Last year (2024) for the first time that average global temperature rose above 1.5 degrees C., a dangerous precedent, contrary to The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.

Finally, US politics, and the knowledge that Melania Trump will again be First Lady, and her husband who should now be named: “First Felon” to be elected to the US presidency. “First felon”; has a nice ring to it. A fitting first for sure. Sure wish I could change the channel on this global reality-TV show. More to come; you heard it here . . . first.