Christmas Time on the Clock

It's that time of year again! And what a wonderful time it is - that is, if you have the time to stop and smell the holly and the ivy.

Last year was my very first official working world Christmas, and boy did it fly by. Being in school and having the majority of December off for the past 16 years did nothing for my ability to really stop and enjoy the season. Last year came and went like a drop in the frying pan, and with Christmas being my favourite time of year, there was no way I was going to let it happen again. So here is my 12 Ways of Christmas that I've concocted to make sure I make the season bright!

12. Make your own christmas decorations - while rooting through some old boxes of christmas decorations, I found a plain green wreath with no decorations on it, stowed away. So I decided to hit up the dollar store to stock up on everything the glittered and jingled. After spending 3 hours staring intently at the placement of red, green and gold bells, pointsettas, pinecones and bows, I couldn't help but feel a little warmth of the ol' christmas spirit.

11. See the Santa Claus Parade in your town - Every year I make an effort to attend the Santa Clause Parade. In Toronto, we're spoiled to have one of the biggest and oldest parades in the world, but Santa makes sure to stop in, in every little town across the world. And so do a lot of cute kids dressed up as various fairy tale creatures, and marching bands to pump up the volume on the christmas carols. And if it snows - bonus!

10. Go downtown to see the decorations - particularily the mall windows and city hall - the Cavalade of Lights in Toronto is highly recommended by myself - the fireworks display was amazing (what doesn't say Christmas more than a rendition of "Thriller" with human torches running up the side of a massive building?). The trees all lit up and a night-lighed lap or two around the skating rink really sets the mood.

9. Watch every Christmas movie you catch on television - twice. - I will never, ever get tired of the classics like Home Alone (1 and 2. 3 was a disaster.), Charlie Brown's Christmas, A Christmas Story, and my favourite, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I can remember watching these movies as far back as elementary school (I saw Christmas Story for the first time in Grade 2 on the last day of class, and I sincerely reconsidered asking Santa for a BB Gun. Was it too late to change my mind?). Watching these movies definitely brings back fond Christmas memories.

8. Get that Christmas tree up, deck the halls, and the mantle, and the cat - Sure the Christmas tree can be a major hassle to assemble (or cut down, and drag home), each year (hello pine neetles EVERYWHERE), but once it's glittering with lights and decorations, it adds a very nice touch to any room. I also love pulling out the decorations one by one from storage, each one with a story from Christmases past attached. Add wrapped presents, and voila, you have Christmas excitement.

7. Bake Christmas cookies and cakes - Enough said.

6. Make a Christmas-themed cocktail - Ditto.

5. Attend every Christmas party you can - Even if you're not in the Christmas spirit, seeing old friends and singing a couple Christmas carols can really bring the spirits up.

4. Spend the time to find that great gift for that special someone - it might be hard to get something for that special someone who's very picky, or has everything, or even worse, you've known so long that you swear there's nothing left to surprise them with - but the greatest feeling is getting a gift that you know they will love, and you just can't wait to give it to them and see their face on Christmas day.

3. Give to charity - Those Salvation Army pots are not going to fill themselves! At Christmas it's especially important to remember those who need assistance, and are not in the position to have the luxuries of family, friends, presents, parties, etc. this time of year. Even if it's a few dollars, a toy or a just your donated time, every little bit helps to brighten the season for someone else who may need it. Remember, the true spirit of Christmas is of giving!

2. Attend a Christmas mass or service - Now I know this subject can be a little touchy for those who are not reglious (I'm not much one for religion myself), but the story of Jesus' birth and of the spirit of Christmas is very touching and I believe, still rings true in today's society. The Church service I attend each year is very open and rather than preaching damnnation, tells the story of Jesus' birth through carols, and modern-day tales of Christmas spirit in the city. I look forward to it every year!

1. ENJOY IT - Life is short, and even shorter are the days we are given to celebrate. Enjoy when you can, endure when you must.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010! May this year be the one where we finally get it right.

Not Eligible in the Province of Quebec

Do you think contests in Quebec are open to all Canadian citizens, excluding the Province of Quebec? Or does all contest small print read "Open to all Canadian citizens, excluding those outside of the Province of Quebec"?

While we don't have Language Police, cancelled historical re-enactments, or the refusal of service in stores if English is not spoken - we can hold a grudge too. Guess you won't be winning that new laptop or seeing Bon Jovi in Vegas this year. Unfortunate.

Convo Du Jour

Facebook Status: Karen just saw a very sad story on the news of the veteran who was largely ignored this year while selling poppies. I am very thankful for their sacrifices and my freedom; we should all take the time to remember and to show our support for our veterans

Richard

On the beach in Santa Monica, the US Armed Forces had planted 4, 000 + crosses in remembrance of Operation Get Oil And Quickly Establish Democracy In Iraq. There I was on a typically gorgeous day in California walking the beach with my friend - a juicy hot dog in one hand and a perspiring drink in the other and I couldn't help but be thankful that where we live, the shit is always in a place somewhere far, far away.

Yesterday at 12:51am · Delete

Richard

Also in regards to veterans: If they were forced to fight through conscription, then it's not their fault but if it was voluntary, then they were just propagating war mongering. Fuck taking sympathy on old people just because they are old.

Yesterday at 1:00am · Delete

Karen

I totally disagree - if someone voluntarily put themselves in the line of danger for your freedom, then they deserve even more praise and recognition for their courage, at any age.

Yesterday at 12:51pm · Delete

Richard

I am not disputing their bravery. I am dismayed at the fact that we commemorate murderers when the countries that have fought Canada, also celebrate theirs. People on both sides are killing people for things they strongly believe in. Oftentimes what they strongly believe in is misguided and gets a lot of people needlessly killed.

War is a choice.

We travel great distances to wage war in the name of freedom while the enemy thinks their cause is as important as ours. ... Read More

War is oftentimes ridiculously hypocritical and political. For example, in the 80's, America supported Al-qaeda and the Taliban financially to drive out the Russians in their invasion of Afghanistan. Now, because of a changing political climate (and putting noses into places they don't belong), North American and NATO forces are fighting people that they used to support. They allege that weapons of mass destruction exist where they do not as a veil for wanting control of oil resources and the like. They use words like 'democracy' as propaganda, as rallying cries. You can't invade a place that hasn't had democracy in forever (or at all for that matter) and expect them to adopt your culture's way of doing things.

Remembrance day isn't only about World War 2. If it was, thinks would be a bit more clear cut because North America was fighting a cowardly lunatic who committed suicide. Even then, it's not black and white because there were all these other fucked up countries involved. The Russian with the funny moustache. The Italian with the missing pizza sauce. The Japanese who have since become pacifists after radiation poisoning.

I'm gonna shut up and let you respond =).

Yesterday at 7:13pm · Delete

Karen

I totally understand your point, but I think what Rememberance Day is about is putting aside the politics and the right and wrong, and simply celebrating those who faught for a cause they believed in and put their own lives on the line for the good of their fellow man. And if that isn't worth spending a day remembering and being thankful for, I don't know what is.

Yesterday at 10:20pm · Delete

Jane

I agree with you completely, Karen.

Yesterday at 10:23pm · Delete

Lest We Forget

Every year I seem to write the same post in and around Remembrance Day. Last year I lamented at the number of people, or lack of, who I witnessed wearing poppies in and around the city. This year, I lamented not only a lack of poppies being worn, but a lack of veterans. In fact, I have not yet seen one veteran or even one box of poppies at a single store, street corner, or subway station as I usually do each year.

Then last night I saw a story on the news that literally brought tears to my eyes. A WWII Canadian Army vet who, each year, donates his days for one week leading up to Rememberance Day to stand in a Toronto mall with information on Canada's military history and the lives lost, and to raise money for Veterans programs through the sale of poppies. Throughout the years he has noticed a severe decline in the number of people stopping by to share a kind word and donate some change for a poppy. The camera ran idly as dozens of people walked by blank faced with not even a glance of recognition towards the elderly man in his suit and tie, army medals emblazed on his chest, standing in front of the Canadian flag.

I started to think once again about the freedoms that exist in this country, about the danger this man and thousands upon thousands of others voluntarily put themselves through to ensure a bright future for faceless people, many whome they would not live to see or know. I wonder at a society that does not largely recognize such feats; is it a lack of education, or lack of empathy on society's behalf? Do we live such privledged lives that we take for granted all that's given to us, as if it's owed? A common saying states that we can't have the good without the bad - we haven't had the bad in so many years that perhaps we have no idea what good feels and is anymore.

My boyfriend of many years has been involved with the army ever since I have known him. Initally I disagreed with the idea of his participation in the military, seeing it as a defunct arm of the Government which drains tax payer dollars. I am opposed to the our mission in Afganistan, believing that a Government and sect of people who do not want to be helped cannot be won over, at the cost of innocent lives on both sides. However, the more I consider the bravery of those willing to put their own lives and futures on the line for a cause in which they believe, the more the politics and the idea of right or wrong melts away. What's left there is a respect and a pride that there are people left in the world, particularily in Canada, that care enough about the well-being of others to put their own lives at risk. If I could only be so selfless.

This Rememberance Day, I will put aside the politics and my own concepts of right and wrong, and simply celebrate those who faught for a cause they believed in, and for which they put their own lives on the line for the good of their fellow man. And if that isn't worth spending a day remembering and being thankful for, I don't know what is. Now tackling the problem of showing the next generation the importance of this, something I don't know how to do. And that gives me a great sadness impossible to expel.

Oh, The Irony!

With the economy still in the pits (whether realistically or simply in the minds of the employers and their terrified minions, it's hard to tell), and the H1N1 flu scare ramping up, sometimes the irony of the situtation in the workplace gets to the point where it's so glaringly obvious, I have to fight the urge to say "Really??? Does no one see the irony here?!"

Take for example my lovely workplace, which at the inital outbreak of H1n1 back in April decided to be pro-active and post numerous public health signs about how to properly sneeze and to wash your hands (things that make me loose a little more faith in humanity, considering that we need signs of instruction for such behaviour in the first place), as well as installing hand sanitizer pumps at each corner of the room. We were also greeted with signage and verbalized warnings of "if you're feeling sick, don't come in, stay home." Great advice, except for the threat of "attendance issues" if you do not give 24 hours notice of not being able to attend that day, and requiring a doctor's note if you need to be away for 3 days or more. Who wants to risk loosing their job for getting sick within 24 hours of a shift, or having to cart your sick, flu-ridden butt to the doctor to pay 20 dollars for a doctor's note and risk putting other people in jeopardy by spreading your disease in public places? Oh yeah, and on top of that, our workplace does not offer sick days. Easy for someone on salary with benefits and sick days to spare; but when I don't come into work, I don't get paid. In this situation, who wouldn't feel inclined to just suck it up and go to work sick? No wonder over 25% of the population has said they would go to work with H1N1 symptoms. Perhaps it's not the employers who should be lecturing the employees, but rather the other way around.

Today another thing got me that made my skin just itch with hypocracy. After ramping up our anti-H1N1 campaign to making us wipe down our desks each day with lysol (great step, and once again something I've done personally since day one of working there), our work decides to make us take part in a mandatory potluck for Halloween. Meaning, here's a list of food, you have no choice but to pick an item, buy it to supply 20 people, and lug it to work on the TTC tomorrow. Great fun. Now not only can I not afford to stay home from work if sick, but with the crappy pay I'm getting due to a "poor economy", I have to bring in lunch for 20.

Well I opted for juice. Even though I don't drink it, it was cheap, give me a break ;)

Our potluck consisted of trays of veggies, bowls of chips, fruit and crackers. All served by our Anti H1N1-toting boss who provided no serving tongs. After watching several employees dig in using their hands to serve themselves, including Anti H1N1-toting boss, I quickly lost my appetite.

Timmy Horton's Etiquette 101

Tim Horton's may be Canadian's favourite joint on the block, but I fear a little bit of that American ownership rubbed off on us customers, unbeknownest to us. I visit the local Timmy's for my pre-work morning coffee nearly every morning of the week, like a good little Canadian, and I've recently noted a disturbing trend - simply put, Timmy's etiquette at my local has gone down the tube.

Take, for example, the day a co-worker and I were standing in line - nothing out of the ordinary, waiting for the next available cashier. At the sound of "next, please!", my co-worker and I halted our conversation and turned our attention to the cashiers' area. In the 1.7 seconds or less it took for natural reaction time, a woman behind us, who clearly possessed the reaction time of a puma, annoyingly whined "She saaaaid, YOU'RE NEXT". Thank you superwench. Wouldn't want to play against you in a video game, you'd probably whoop my delayed-reaction time butt.

Or again, the following morning. As I waited by myself in line, I removed my headphones so as to ensure being able to hear the cashier's call, considering that I too have been largely annoyed by those who stand oblivious to the call as they rock out to the latest German rock gem to hit this side of the Atlantic. When I finally heard the enviable "next!", I almost instantaneously felt a swift swipe across the back of my arm - one hard enough to cause a sharp sting. As I looked back in surprise, I was faced with large man glowering down at me, the kind of look I might have gotten if I had insulted his mother or favourite football team. What makes a stranger think he or she can lay a hand on another? Withdrawal symptoms via coffee deficiency, or no.

Or yesterday - as I left the restaurant, piping hot coffee in the right hand, newspaper and purse in the left, a young guy opened the door for me. I actually recall thinking "finally, a considerate Timmy's patron!" Well, the thought didn't last long - he had merely pushed it open, deeked in during the momentum of its closing, allowing for a quick test of my reaction time, juggling my coffee in my full hands and managing to free myself long enough to stop the door from hitting me smack dab in the face. I must have given him a visible enough dirty look, as he briely came out of his stupor long enough to mutter "oh, sorry..."

Timmy's is not a house of ill repute, and us Canadians are known for being polite. So when did this transition begin? Maybe it's just my little downtown Toronto location in the business area of the neighbourhood, or the time of the morning, or the weather, or the alignment of the stars - either way, I hope this isn't a trend that continues.

Car Free Day - You Ain't Ready Toronto

This morning as I was waiting for the good ol' 53 bus to take me to work, I scanned the front page of the Toronto Sun, as I usually do from its bright red box on the street corner. This morning's page displayed a picture of a gridlocked Toronto street with the headline "Car Free Day?". As I considered the irony of the situation, I began to think of the consequences of a car free day, if it was say, legislated by law, on the infrastructure of Toronto.

I recently visited London, England and was in awe of its public transit infrastructure. In addition to an underground subway system with multiple lines and several crossovers which extended out far into the suburbs (making any trip to any location within the city and the outskirts quick and painless), there were also extensive bus lines, light rails, and train services - all for one fee within the same system. Compare this to Toronto and...well it's a little easier to grasp the differences when it is visually represented:My point in this little rant is - Toronto's excuse for a public transit system simply couldn't hold the volume of riders it would absorb should even a small percentage of the people on the roads take transit on a regular basis. The system is deeply in debt, falling apart (weekly delays during rush hour due to failed signals among the most common), and its bus services can barely keep up with the current demand. It's often more than once a week that I'm forced to wait nearly 20 minutes for a bus during rush hour. When it finally arrives, it's a blessing if I can avoid being physically assaulted by the hordes trying to simultaneously board the bus, acting as if it will leave 2.7 seconds after it reaches the station. And that's a walk in the park compared to what occurs when the subway system is partially or entirely shut down: I have witnessed people push, trip, and even kick fellow riders in such situations.

For those of you who ride the TTC frequently, who get stuck in the tunnels and are horrendously late for work on a semi-frequent basis because there was a problem at ONE station in our ONE system and, due to the ONE line we have going in ONE direction, and have to wait until the all clear, you know one thing - Toronto, you ain't ready for a car free day.

Big Bang Theory

I can't believe it's been a year since the Sunrise Propane explosion in Toronto last year. I remember it like it was yesterday. I can honestly say I didn't experience half of what some of those did who lived in the neighbourhood where it took place, but yet it deeply affects me still.

I live about 20 minutes northeast of the site, and I remember the night it took place - we were outside wrapping up a birthday celebration we were having for my boyfriend, when all of the sudden the ground shook and the sky lit up bright as day, with a red/orange glow. We all looked at each other and I remember saying "Since when is lightening red?" Before anyone could respond, another explosion lit up the sky and we knew there was something up. I immediately panicked - all I could think of was "terrorists" over and over in my head. My immediate impulse was to get in the car and drive north. My friends laughed at me and said it was probably nothing, but I knew that something was terribly wrong.

For the next hour, the sounds of explosions shook the sky literally every 8 to 10 seconds. We tried to call the non-emergency police line and got a busy signal for over half an hour, until finally we got through. All they could tell us was that the lines had been inundated with calls and emergency crews were doing "all they could" - of course, the dispatchers had no information. By this time I was in tears, shaking as hard as the ground felt beneath my feet. I'd never heard or witnessed an explosion before, and still at this point had no idea what the cause was.

I remember that day I witnessed something even more horrible than the explosion itself, which was the reaction that one particular member of our party had. Everyone deals with an emergency differently, and some do it by laughing it off or trying to pretend it's nothing, which in itself can be considered healthy as a means to reduce stress or shock. However, one particular person was having the time of his life, saying "wow this is like fireworks! Look at that sky, so cool! And it's free!" and literally sat back and sipped a mixed drink. I remember him saying "Karen, why are you so upset, enjoy this!" I could barely see him through my blurred eyes, and remember screaming that people could be dead or dying, loosing their homes, their cars, their pets. And he was having a laugh at it! My other friends, while not taking enjoyment out of it, were cool as a cucumber.

Today I read in the paper that the company which was responsible has not yet been charged, and there are still people who have not been able to return to their homes and have not yet been financially compensated for their losses. For a few weeks after, and even to this day, I find myself fearing a fire or explosion at nearly every turn. I have these gruesome day dreams that seem to appear randomly and out of nowhere, when I'm in a car, on a train, walking in a mall, etc., of random explosions going off, and the damage, and all the people who would be involved. It's interesting to me how it's conscious thought, and never occurs in a nightmare.

That day I lost a little faith in humanity, but also realized how lucky we are to live in a country that isn't wartorn or a target for terrorism or combat. That one experience has scarred me, to the point where I can't imagine what it would be like for someone who lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. I have much more respect for the armed forces and the civilians of those countries as a result of this experience. It is definitely one I will not soon forget.

I Would Hire Me

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of my working at my current position. Looking back now, I remember this time last year still reaking of suntan lotion and mojitos from my trip to Cuba. I remember getting a call in regards to my resume just days after beginning to look for my first job right outta the old Alma Matter. It was supposed to be a part-time only deal, which gave me more than ample time the rest of the week to look for something a little meatier. Within a month, an employee left and I was bumped up to full-time with a whole new duty to learn and perform while I wasn't editing.

A year later and here I am, still wondering - was it worth it? You get sucked in sometimes with too many excuses - I need the money, it's an honest work, this will look good on my resume. I believed the old adage "Work at least one year at your first job out of school, it shows you have committment". This wasn't meant to be my first job, but I kind of got sucked in. Now, a year later, I'm still waiting to hear back on a few resumes I threw out into the fray that really tickle my fancy. Do you ever notice that the job applications you really think you did well on, the ones you really feel you'd honestly be the perfect candidate for, you never hear back from? Yet the ones you apply for in error (OOPS did I just hit the "apply" button?) call you back the very next day offering you an immediate interview. I don't even have any experience in the insurance industry! But I have three 3 years in media...

Whatever. I'd hire me.

Streek of Light

A day later, I am still greatly saddened and distressed upon hearing the news of the death of one of my favourite radio personalities, Martin Streek.

Martin Streek Dead at 45

Martin was a radio personality on 102.1 The Edge in Toronto up until May 2009, when he was very surprisingly laid off. Embarrassingly enough, I didn't notice his absence since I've basically stopped listening to the radio altogether since I graduated from university and listen to nothing but my ipod on the subway ride to work and back each day. Upon hearing of his suicide, I couldn't believe such a incredibly talented and passionate man would take his own life.

As difficult as it is as a mourning fan, I must say that following the initial upset, I began to ponder the selfishness of suicide and the legacy that leaves behind for friends, family and fans who are the ones who have the deal with the pain. Especially as someone who is an icon and role model to many, taking one's own life with so much potential and talent does not bode well for those who may have, and continue to, look up to him. As a public figure, I believe those who have the limelight also have a heightened responsibility to "do the right thing", for lack of a better term. I don't claim to know his personal life or the demons he may have faced in other areas of it, but from the outside looking in, if someone that talented and well-known feels suicide is the only solution following a layoff, there are thousands upon thousands of people in North America alone currently in the same boat; those with likely nowhere near the passion and talent of this man, and yet, still have the courage to keep working toward the future despite the obstacles they face.

That said, I will miss you Martin. I found myself surprised at how emotionally affected I was all day yesterday upon finding out the news. You were always such a pleasure to listen to, especially at the Phoenix on Saturdays. I will never forget how you made my 22nd birthday by playing "No One Knows" and giving me a happy birthday shout-out, and putting us all on your guestlist. All your effort to hand out free tickets to events by continued correspondence to your fans through e-mail was commendable, you really went above and beyond your duties at the station, and one could really see the passion you had for the industry and the listeners. I know you will find peace - good luck with wherever you're off to next. Console those who loved you - they will need it.

Hypocritical Oath

If there's one single bad attribute in a person that I absolutely cannot tolerate, it's hypocrisy. And within that broader category, the tendency to "forget" certain events/one's behaviors in the past for what's convenient at present. Every year around the time of my birthday, (this is how I know I'm getting old), I reflect on the past year through the people that I've spent it with, the good and bad. This time of year usually results in a cleansing of people who arn't a positive influence in my life (with New Years day coming in at a close second), and a realization that I put up with a lot of bullshit probably because I very much want to be a good friend to people who arn't a good friend to begin with.

I'm struggling with a depressing concept that I don't want to accept as truth, but seems to be proving itself time and again, at least within my own circle of acquaintances. People appear to be innately selfish, and when it comes down to it, only look out for number one. They also have a tendency to point out the behaviors in someone else that they displayed only moments, days, weeks or months ago. Not that I see myself as a Martyr, but I tend not to want to point out this hypocrisy at the risk of causing an argument. I'd rather take the blunt of it, all the while knowing that the situation will never get better until something is said.

Of all this, the saying "heavy is the head that wears the crown" repeats in my head - I suppose its well known that being "the bigger person" is the harder road to take. It seems I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't; if I cleanse myself of those negative influences, I'm left with the possibility of loneliness, anger and the resentment of another, or sit silent not being able to say what desperately needs to be said.

And when I do take the position of "I'm not gonna take it anymore!", a few days, weeks or months down the road, when that person is lonely and in need of a friend, I'll be there for them just like I always am, and the cycle will start all over again.

The Pig in the Room

If I never hear the words "Swine" or "Flu" again, it will be too soon. In the span of only a few days, the story has gone from backpage news page next to the picture of a kitty playing with a rabbit, to the front page of every newspaper, in every overheard conversation, and composes about 95% of news media content. Media sensationalism is not a new thing by any means; however, this is simply going above and beyond typical fearmongering paranoia.

Let's look at the facts of this so-called "killer pandemic". It is a virus that is new, so humans are likely to have little to no immunity. There is no vaccine, and it is highly contagious. The regular old boring flu is also a virus (the one you only hear about briefly in the pre-winter months), which mutates regularly, and as a result, never infects the same person in the same way twice. So once you get the flu and recover, you're still not safe. It can easily mutate and come back to kick you in the butt at a later date. Additionally, due to this constant mutation, the scientists who developed the seasonal flu vaccine each year can therefore only guess at the virus' composition based on last year's infections. As a result, the population is often just as vulnerable to the flu as if there was no vaccination available at all.
Perhaps the most important factor to remember is that this flu began in an area of the world that is, unfortunately, not as wealthy as our own, and without the standard of health care and hygiene to which we in Canada and the United States are accustomed. Naturally, people in this area may not have the nutrition/physical health or access to health treatments. AKA, less of an ability to ward off disease. It has already been said by many in the media that if you're generally healthy, swine flu will be a couple of days bed rest and you'll be ready to continue on with your life. Just like the regular old flu that's been kicking around since the dawn of human existence.

What I find most comical about this situation is the signs in my workplace's washroom advising people how to wash their hands "properly", to not touch food or their face without sanitizing, and to always "cover your mouth with your sleeve when you cough". As if this is a new concept! If people knew of half the bacteria and viruses, with the potential to make one very ill, that are on their hands on a daily basis, well, they'd probably never leave their house. I know my friends are keen to make fun of me for always carrying around bottles of One Step or Purell, and absolutely refusing to eat anything without washing or sanitizing my hands prior, or use my computer in the morning without wiping it down first. The difference is I've been sick maybe 2 or 3 times in the past year, and rarely enough to have to stay home from work.

And for a huge germaphobe like me, saying I'm not afraid of the big bad swine flu is saying something serious. Of course, no one wants to get sick, and its important to protect the very young, old, and those who are unhealthy from the disease by attempting to quell its spread. Relax - wash your hands and practice good hygiene like a big girl or boy, and you will be fine. Don't let paranoia take over logic - remember, the media is a business. It needs to make money too.

CTRL + ALT+ DELETE, you're gone

I was ironing a dress for a semi-formal I have on friday night, and got caught up in watching the latest episode of the Tudors. I guess in that 10 - 15 seconds, the iron developed and hot spot, and next thing I know, there is a singed circle about an inch in diameter smack dab in the centre of the skirt. I immediately think *SHIT..CTRL+Z..UNDO!

For that fraction of a second, I found myself reaching for an invisible keyboard. Then another fraction of a second later, I realized that in this situation, IRL, there's no such thing as an undo function. Working on a computer for 35 hours a week is really beginning to destort my sense of reality - as well as my expectations for my ability to control reality - someone REALLY needs to invent an undo function for everyday events.

In the mean time, I hope no one will notice the plasticy singe in the folds of my skirt on the dancefloor. Sigh.

4 Day Workweek!

It's not even Monday yet and there are only 4 days left till the weekend! Thank you Jesus (literally!) for your sacrifice. Oh man, I'm going to hell. Yep.

The Video Game Life

So among my many random theories, I've brought to life one that's sort of been milling around on the backburner of my mind ever since I got a credit card at 18, and particularly since I started having regular bills knocking at my virtual front door since the beginning of the year. I've never had a problem paying bills, unlike most people. Not that I look forward to them, but at the same time, I get a bit of a euphoric feeling when all my accounts blare "zero" from the computer screen. And whether or not I have an adequate surplus of disposable funds left over (I know my last post tells another story, but generally I don't worry about money), I feel like I've accomplished something, gotten that one step ahead, no matter how small.


I see credit and accounts like sub-levels in a video game - for example, World 1 in Mario 3 is the desert level, and within it are sub-stages until you reach the floating boat in the sky, defeat the koopa king, and restore the real King to his original human state before you can continue to world 2. Each world gets harder and harder, and each sub-level becomes more difficult, until finally, finally, you reach that princess that for SO long has been in another castle.


Each payment I make to my credit accounts, and every deposit I make in my high interest savings, is like beating one sub-level in the bigger world of life. Each payment made in full and on time to my Visa is equivalent to a 1-up green mushroom, giving me strength to get more credit in the future, obtain the trust of "the man", and to move on to bigger, higher worlds, eventually able to buy a car, rent or buy a condo, then on to a house, and all those consumerist things we aspire to in life.

Of course it doesn't have to be material goods we aspire to; one of my major goals, my castle which I must toil and trouble within and beat the fire-breathing dragon - the almighty dollar - before I can exit triumphant, is to tour the United Kingdom. For a year I've been scrimping, saving, forcing myself to open a savings and account and actually SAVE. With each deposit, I move closer and closer to that goal.

So whether your Princess is a car, a playstation, a university education, a trip to somewhere you've never been before, learning a new instrument...the list goes on. You get what I'm sayin.


Keep looking!! It's going to take a lot of castles until you find the right one, and it's not the destination, but how you got there!

Poor Piggy.

My stomach is in knots right now - I just budgeted my England/Scotland/Wales trip and it's going to cost me about $3000 buckeroonies. Being someone who's barely ever had more than a grand at one time in her bank account (and oh what a momentous day that was), this is gonna be a hard 5 months ahead.

It feels so weird having to live on a budget. I've had at least one job at all times since I was 16, except for a month or two here and there in those 7 years, and between high school and then University tuition and books, I've never struggled to pay the bills before. Hell, you could eat off of my credit score it's that squeaky clean.

I used to be able to live off $250 every two weeks, if that, all through university. And well too - never stopped myself from buying something I wanted, or going out for dinner or wherever. Now that number is just a fraction of my paycheck, and yet I'm finding myself having to limit and think about everything I do....when did this happen!? Well, rent and bills I never had before I worked full time suck, and it's going to take $250 per paycheck from this day forward to literally the day I leave to afford this trip. So I figure, all expenses accounted for, I'm going to have to live off of $100 a week for the next 5 months. Food, clothing, outages, misc....I feel like I'm on that till debt do us part show, dividing my megre change into little jars labelled "Food", "Entertainment", etc. I have to actually THINK about pulling out my credit card. I'm going to have to be a home body on the weekends. FML.

While I rant and rave, there's that little voice in my head that tells me I'm going to hell considering the economy and the number of people who WON'T be going on the trip of their dreams this year, in fact, may be wondering where their next meal is coming from or budgeting their life savings while they look for a job with no new income coming in. And here I am bitching about vacations. Don't worry, I'm not THAT heartless. I still spend that little second every day thanking God for my luck and situation that I do have a full time job and steady income. Knock on wood, it stays that way.

Still, it's going to be a change that's not going to be pleasant, and as the trip gets closer and becomes more real I know it will be worth it. Until then, anybody want to take me out, your treat? :)

(P.S. Thank the lordy for the forced savings of the tax return. I'm SO glad I didn't claim my education last year. Let's hope it's a fat one this year *fingers crossed*)

Earth Hour - Round Deux Results

For all those who said Earth Hour doesn't make a difference: Seeing is believing, and these pictures from downtown Toronto, before and during, prove it!


The differences between these shots is simply astounding. I am extremely proud to live in the City of Toronto and see so much concerted effort and action towards a cause that affects everyone all over the world. Check out http://www.earthhour.org/ for more pictures of Earth Hour from cities around the world.

My realization from this year's Earth Hour? I really don't need my DVD player or Nintendo Wii plugged in on standby when both are collecting dust in the corner. It's also a lot easier to get dressed for a saturday night by candlelight than I thought!

Earth Hour - Round Deux

Wow, I cannot believe it's already been a year since Earth Hour 2008! I remember hearing about it way back in October 2007, and having everyone look at me like I had two heads when I tried to explain the concept to them. This year, market research is showing that 75% of Canadians are planning to take part! That's AMAZING.

I've only been awake for an hour, but already the Interweb is buzzing with the (sadly, to be expected) few who make it known that they believe Earth Hour is a waste of time and won't accomplish anything. Yes, you're right. That is, if you choose to not do anything in the belief that it won't accomplish anything, then it won't. Because it can't.

Last year I attended the Nathan Phillip Square event that I promoted at York University, and it was an amazing experience. At 8:30, lights one by one in the sky scrapers around the city square began to turn off. The BMO building went down flight by flight, ending with the giant logo on the top of the building going out, the cherry on top of the cake. It was surreal walking through Toronto and seeing just how much light is unnecessary. Of course, that is the message that one should take from the whole event - not that one hour is going to make a difference, but that a whole lifetime of over/unnecessary use is the greater issue.

Earth Hour is meant to be a collective call to action, to show us that 75% or more of our energy consumption in the developed world is wasteful. This is one of my favourite images I have ever come across - an image from space of the world at night. Here you can clearly see the areas of the world which posess major cities, and where the developed vs. "undeveloped" world exist:



I find this image both beautiful and disturbing at the same time. It is physical evidence of our energy impact on Earth; so significant, it can be viewed easily from space. It also depicts discrepancies between the rich and poor of the world. But I think most importantly it reminds us that, while our individual use of energy appears insignificant, our collective use as a society is extremely impactful, and therefore needs to be addressed.

Last Earth Hour, Toronto's energy consumption was reported to have dropped 7% from the previous hour, and over 8% based on previous consumption patterns for that day and time by Ontario Hydro. If that isn't hard physical evidence that Earth Hour is "doing something", I don't know what is. On top of that, since Earth Hour 2008, I have personally noticed a proliferation of media content surrounding how to reduce one's environmental footprint, including energy consumption, and I really believe it's events such as these that are making even the most ignorant and complacent of society think twice.

I came across two articles that I really enjoyed today. The first being a list of how to celebrate Earth Hour this evening, and another on how to continue to lower your energy consumption (EASILY!) permanently.

http://green.sympatico.msn.ca/earthhour/article.aspx?cp-documentid=962109

http://green.sympatico.msn.ca/earthhour/green-living-online-article.aspx?cp-documentid=973542


Be the change you wish to see in the world!

Imagination Crunch Time

Well, this is my first march in years (4 to be exact, 8 if counting high school) that I haven't been ripping my hair out between work and finals at school. Everyone who graduated before me, and those who heard through the grapevine, promised me a splendiferious working life of coming home and having no homework/readings/papers/studying/etc. etc. to deal with. Ok, so it is pretty sweet - in theory.

But here I am, middle o March as a full-time working girl, bored and alone while all my school-workin friends are slaving away day and night. While I watch re-runs of Dog the Bounty Hunter and Jon and Kate plus 8 and contribute to the size of my ass.

Not having responsibilities ain't all it's cracked up to be. Remember having summer as a kid and by the end of it, being so bored out of your skull you actually looked forward to school starting again (keep in mind I'm the only child of a single mother who never went to summer camp or had the money to go out shopping every day with my friends. I hated those kids *grumble*). So now, those promised days of having freedom from the bonds of school work have become tedious hours thinking about how I should be doing something productive, but can't seem to wrap my head around what.

Just a warning to all those energetic, enthusiastic pre-gradutes out there: when you start working for a living 40 hours a week plus commuting time, you come home from work exhausted. I mean, any incling of energy you have left is spent making your dinner and thinking about what you you're going to wear/eat/do at work the next day. All you want to do is veg. And then the mind starts to go... you start to think thoughts like "what's the meaning of my life?", "Am I living life to the fullest?", and "did I use the last 3 hours playing video games and eating cheeze-its effciently?"

The answer to all is - damn. I miss school.

So while all of you bitch about having to write your papers, or study for your exams, think of me and all us working zombies who are slowly losing our minds in a state of endless lethargy.

I really need to get out more.

Revisitation and Results

Wow it's been a long time. I came to check up on my old dedication and saw that over 1000 people have viewed it. For a site I created as a class requirement that I put little to no faith in, not too shabby!

A year later I've learned quite a bit about the world of virtually anonymous Internet publishing and user-created content. The major discovery being that many people will pass by, very few will post a comment or interact with your page in a visible or quantifiable manner, and even fewer than that will repeatedly visit and contribute in any way. 1% or less, in fact, if I can recall from my portfolio research.

So the question is, why bother? My motivation has always been the same: I simply love to write. This weekend's spring cleaning activities have led me once again to the multiple journals from my childhood and teens, some chalk full and updated on a semi-regular basis, and others started and abandoned, or dotted with rare entries with the promise to write again tomorrow. Each time I browse through and experience the same astounded reaction of being immersed in very real, almost tangible memories and emotions. Things I definitely would have completely forgotten due to my goldfish-like memory.

I think that's sad. And right then and there I dedicate myself to the importance of contributing to a documentation of a life that would otherwise go forgotten and unnoticed.

There is an importance in every day activities and experience. The human body is quite a spectacular thing - it naturally tries to eradicate the negative emotions and memories and place those which are positive on a pedestal. But its those negative experiences that are life's greatest teachers, and one cannot appreciate the good without the bad as something to compare and contrast. Or else we're all doomed to a 2 steps forward, 1 (or even 2) steps backward life of near-static being. One of my greatest fears, perhaps.