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.