Hope, Wildflowers, Butterflies and Social Justice

Garden Dreams

2011-12-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

Before

After (Year 1)

Year 2....veggies!

Homes Update

2011-12-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

My House of Dream Requirements

~okay, Arne wants a shop with a beer fridge, how endearing
~a bay window (☺)
~a window seat that may or may not be under the bay window
~an attic with a sloping roof or a loft
~a real exposed brick wall
~ a wood burning fireplace (have gas, still not the same)
~a music room and craft room (under right circumstances may be the same room)(☺☺, but separate rooms)
~a swinging seat
~would like veranda or front porch or one of those vestibules
~real wood floors (☺ not as great as expected as they're not olllldddd)
~I've always wanted an ice option on the front of the fridge
~an enchanted garden (this means flowers running wild, yes wild)(somewhat ☺)
~a rose bush (☺)
~some sort of an arch over the entrance with clematis or ivy or roses growing over it, the ivy could alternately be growing over the walls or some sort of a bush could be on the roof
~I want some room that has a seashell curtain that you have to enter through, think the hanging rows of beads, very groovy 60s but only with seashells
~I want a park nearby, but a wild park, not grassy (☺ Friendship Park)
~now I'm just being greedy but I wouldn't mind some sort of a fruit tree (☺ but inedible plums)
~also greedy, but I've seen it in a real home is a sunken tub with a low roof with a skylight over it (I have a skylight in my craft room☺)

So overall, not everything I dreamed of, but still pretty good considering it is our first place! I am very happy in this little manor and it will only get better from here!

A Taste of Spring in Wintertime

2011-12-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

Oh, my love is like a red, red rose, that's newly sprung in June;
Oh, my love is like the melody, that's sweetly played in tune.
- Robbie Burns

Poetry Class

2011-11-09T08:17:00.001-08:00

On a whim, I decided to take a creative writing class at Douglas College. And I LOVE IT! I have always dabbled in poetry and always secretly felt that I had this hidden gift (I'm sure many others feel the same way). And now I've had the chance to explore and share my passion.

At first, I was pretty apprehensive because it is a workshop style class which means we don't study poetry, we write it. And we share and criticize. EeeK! Have people read my poetry and critique it! You have to be kidding me!

But I've done it! I've had two poems workshopped so far and several others commented on by the teacher. It's actually so enjoyable to read, write and think about poetry for several hours a day. And it's even more enjoyable to have a relative stranger say that they LOVE your poem.

So all in all, very enjoyable and I will likely be taking the next level in the Winter semester.

Back in the bloggosphere?

2011-07-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

I stopped bloggin a long time ago. I guess it was shortly after I got my new job which didn't require as much time staring aimlessly at a computer screen.

But reading back through my old posts, I still support my viewpoints. It's interesting to see where my head was at while I was writing.

My new issue: Transition Towns. I want to start one in New West. But how to go about doing it? Transition Towns are basically concerned with food security and peak oil. I want to use it to build community.

Step one: find other interested community members....

Sense of Touch

2010-10-26T20:51:00.001-07:00

Of all the 5 senses, I think touch is the most neglected.

Sight: we are completely overwhelmed with blinking and fluorescent lights, technocolours, 3D, advertisements, etc. Our poor eyes must be tired!

Smell: even our foods have extra scents added to make them seem more appealing! Go figure! Not even to mention colognes, scented body lotions, shampoos, etc.

Taste: like smell, our foods are bumped up! Chicken needs chicken flavouring!

Hearing: people have music pumping into theirs ears 24/7 these days. If you have ever read Farenheit451, you'll see a freaky similarity to the "shells". (If you haven't read it, go do that right now!)

That leaves lonely little touch. Yes, fabrics are soft. But we are so deprived of touch. We keep our hands to ourselves for fear of germs and of offending. People just touch don't each other nowadays. Nor do they touch anything else. Go rub a flower petal, hug a tree, get down and feel the dirt. It's really not dirty!

A Little Too Serious

2010-10-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

I think people take life (and themselves) a little too seriously. Nobody smiles, nobody laughs. In general, people march along looking pretty solemn. Nobody twirls nobody skips.

I really feel like if I flutter down the Quay wearing faery wings, I will be judged. People will not feel like it's a magical day, but will scowl and think "Who is that silly girl wearing wings? It's a little early for Halloween."

Yet why can't we wear costumes, dress up, have a good time?

And why cannot I not talk to the trees and flowers? Give them a wave as I walk by? Why cannot I not say hello to a special tree every time I pass?

I even feel like people take it the wrong way when I smile at their dogs (mostly retrievers, some labs, even some scrumpy dogs). No, there's nothing really wrong with me. I just enjoy a nice dog and have major dog envy. It's easier to enjoy cats because they are free roaming. Dogs are tethered and harder to approach. So if I smile and stare, I'm just being friendly!

Lighten up, wearing some bunny ears or a tutu. Pat a tree as you pass and stop to smell the autumn roses!

Web of Dew

2010-09-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

This morning, I got up and logged onto the computer to pay my bills. And then I happened to glance outside and see what a fabulouso morning was going on. It was so foggy or, as I like to say, mystical. But behind the fog, I could already see that a wonderful, blue sky was hiding.

So I promptly got dressed and ran outside to play.

And what did I see? All along the Quay, magic had happened. It became clear to me immediately that there was some sort of a party the night before. Thousands of spiders had chosen that very night to spin their beautiful and intricate webs that were glistening with morning dew. It was spectacular!

Every flower and bush was decorated with gossamar thread and in between the posts of the railings, spiders had competed for the best and biggest web.

The best part of all: the webs in the planters were linked together by threads of spiderwebbing as if one spider had decided that he was going to paint the town red. Or as it would have it (th)re(a)d.

Last Days of Summer

2010-09-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today is officially the last day of summer. And, where I am at least, Mother Nature is giving it one last hurrah. It is beautiful!

Summer wasn't so wonderful, not enough frolicking in the outdoors for my liking. But it marked a very large change in the direction of my life :)

I love autumn. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year. And I don't mind rainy days. In fact I love them! Few other people venture out and you have the areas that are swarming with people in the summertime all to yourself!

Dr. David Suzuki (aka D.S)

2010-09-21T20:15:00.001-07:00

So I finally got to see Dr. David Suzuki speak! At a small bookstore in New West I randomly happened to notice that he was speaking at a high school in South Surrey as part of his legacy tour. The tickets were $35 each and that included a copy of his book which retailed for $25. So all in all, $10 to go see such a well-respected (and well hated) and amazing public speaker.

I love David Suzuki because:

1. He is uncompromising in his beliefs. He has been challenged for this, and called impractical. But his focus is to speak on behalf of the environment. He does not argue for the economy or for single parents. He doesn't focus on the education system. He only cares about the environment.

2. He was singing this song long before anyone else. Okay, there were some who raised the alarm way back in the day. But he was one of the first mainstream environmentalists out there. Now it's all trendy. He was doing it before it was cool.

3. He is cute enough to put in your pocket. What I wouldn't do for a David Suzuki garden gnome!!! But my only complaint is that he stopped wearing the tinted square glasses from the 70s.

4. He chills with Wade Davis. What I wouldn't give to be the Moe to their Larry and Curly!

I don't agree with everything he says. But almost everything. I understand that what he is a proponent of is unrealistic. But the truth is that soon it will become a reality!

If we don't choose environment first, no matter what detriment it causes the economy, we won't have the choice to take action. Mother Nature will force us to cull our population, consume less and stop raping her for her resources.

I'm proud David Suzuki is Canadian. I'm proud he lives in Vancouver. And I'm glad he speaks so eloquently for a cause I believe in.

Cultural Sound

2010-09-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

Does anyone find it interesting how different cultures make different sounds. For example Japanese people make a kind of grunting sound back in their throat to acknowledge or show agreement/understanding with something someone has said. Somalian mom make a kind of "ha" (but more from the palate not sounding like a laugh but more airy) to tell their kids not to do/touch something/go somewhere, etc. Brits say "er" when they're thinking or unsure or feeling awkward whereas Canadians tend towards "um". Sound cultures clap, some snap, some make chipmunk sounds to show appreciation.

But perhaps most interesting of all is the noises that kids are taught for animals.
http://www.bzzzpeek.com/html/bzzzpeek.html

I personally think the sounds from South Korea are the best! The frog and rooster are pretty entertaining too!

Life Takes a lot of Time

2010-08-12T20:04:00.001-07:00

Somebody asked me the other day what I do with my spare time. What spare time?

Between work, commuting, house cleaning, trying to go to the gym, shopping and other necessities, spending time with kitty, and fanatically re-reading all the Harry Potters for the gazillionth time, I have no free time!

I would like to make some like-minded friends for some outings around town. They would also have to be like-scheduled friends as I work an -apparently- odd schedule.

But who has the time?

I have so many things I'd like to do: take more classes, learn languages, take a poetry and/or painting class, commune with nature, volunteer, meditate, take dance classes etc. But yet I can't fit any of that schtuff into my day.

Life just takes up a lot of time!

Me as PM

2010-07-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

I want to be Prime Minister. Yes of Canada. No I would not be the first (remember Kim Campbell?).

Why is this so hard to believe?

Someone has to do it, I figure. And we just keep electing lawyers and businessmen. Everyone hates lawyers. They are the least trusted profession around, next to used car salesmen. And do businessmen really represent the majority?

I heard the ridiculous comment of "I wouldn't vote for Party ___ because the candidate in my riding is a janitor."

Now why can a janitor not fairly represent the will of the people? Is he not intelligent enough? Honest enough? This riding was made up of fairly blue-collar people. I think a janitor was perfect representation!

So vote for me. I can't be worse than the guys who are in now!

Summer Where Art Thou

2010-07-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

My flowers are a sad echo of last year's display. Many of them are not blooming, partially due to the pests, partially due to my neglect, and partially due to the lack of sun!

Addiction Pt III

2010-05-26T09:44:00.001-07:00

Are we all addicts?

It seems that once you get into the realm of addiction, to both substances and behaviours, very quickly everyone becomes an addict. "Not only is she an alcoholic, but her husband is a workaholic who is co-dependent on her addiction" sort of thing.

I feel like I can be obsessive about things like reading. Once I have a book, I have to devour it all even if it's not very good. Is this an addiction to reading? Are we all really this messed up that we are unable to regulate our own behaviour?

I would argue YES!

I think that our society is so maladaptive that we have lost what it means to live. Obviously, everyone is alive (everyone that is living, anyways :) but as Eckhart Tolle writes, we are too busy focusing on our situations to focus on our lives (bad paraphrase).

So because of this, many of us have behaviours that could fall into the addiction realm. We all want a quick fix. We are lacking community, spirituality, balance, human relationships, etc. We have lost site of what is valuable and what is reasonable.

So are we all addicts? No necessarily. But we definitely all have some questionable behaviours and beliefs that make addiction treatments very very useful...

BP Oil Spill - Those Bozos

2010-05-19T10:49:00.001-07:00

What else is there to say? I love it! I had someone say this to me: "jeeez, have you heard about these bozos?" while holding up a newspaper which was covering the oil spill.

And it is so true. Oh oops, what we're doing isn't working. Oh oops the amount of oil being spilled per day is about 15x more than what we originally thought.

The environmental damage of this is unimaginable. But hopefully it is a wakeup call. A slap in the face which is leaving a handprint that reads: we cannot continue on this way. We have got to change the way we are acting. The environment cannot absorb this amount of toxins.

I try not to think of all the birdies, dolphins, known and unknown sea creatures. I try not to think that the actual damage being done will not really be known for generations.

I just try to think, I've got to remember to bring reusable bags to the store. I'll walk instead of driving. I don't need to buy that because it's encased in plastic.
ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC ETC

Seeking Friends - Could be Us or Equivalent

2010-05-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

I've been following a blog about Friendship. Which is interesting and timely because I too am looking for similar interest Friends in a new city (okay I've been here two years).

On Thursday night we went to a George Thorogood concert. I had to protect Hubby from cougar attacks! We were pretty much the youngest ones in there by about 20 years. But, wait! Maybe not!

We had moved up to the standing area in front of the stage because the sound quality at the table had left much to be desired. We are rocking out with a bunch of 40+ when I look over and I see us. No, I was not standing in front of a mirror. Standing smack dab next to us in a sea of babyboomers was our identical selves.

Well, not quite identical. But close enough to point it out to Hubby who then said, "them? ya I know."

Her: a curvaceous brunette with thick and luscious hair. Somewhat exotic looking and wearing a blue flowy shirt. She was wearing jeans and flip flops (I had pulled my flipflops out as we were about to leave the house and been given a fatherly look by Hubby. "Flipflops at a concert are not a good choice."). She had on a chunky ring and a brownish casual purse slung across her chest. She was casually bobbing her head to the music.

Him: tall and lean, one of the most underdressed in the place, wearing a black hoodie (it was a nice warm evening), a baseball hat and jeans. He had a scruffy face and obviously was not a fan of the razor.

They were a pretty nice looking couple, probably a few years younger than us, definitelya few years younger than Arne.

After the show, I followed them out. They probably thought, why is this weirdo chick - who doesn't look anything like us - following us? But I really wanted to point out to them that they were us. I even contemplated taking my hair out of its updo (updo - ha!) so the similarities would be more obvious. So I followed them outside. Hey, if they look like us, maybe they are like us too! Too bad I didn't have a business card to slip them!

So as I not-so-casually chased them outside, I was convincing myself of our soul-mate-friendship potential. But when I spotted them standing in front of the hotel, he was just lighting up a cigarette. And all my friendship dreams crumbled in front of my eyes.

Apparently, they are not us.

Addiction Pt. II

2010-05-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

I am still working on In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. It is not a book to be gobbled back, but must be savoured and contemplated.

I am a supporter of Harm Reduction and have been for some time. Towards the end of the book, Dr. Maté begins a impassioned argument in favour of both decriminalization and harm reduction. I am still rather ambivalent about decriminalization, not because I don't believe that criminalization is leading to drug cartels and danger to both society and the addict, because I am conscious of the US's reaction. They unabashedly continue their War on Drugs, desite the terrible consequences and less-than-satisfactory result. And they continue to pressure others to do the same.

Anyways, I have some pretty strong feelings about your local neighbourhood addict sitting on the street corner, begging for money, or scrounging through the garbage bin.

The feeling I have is sadness. And pity.

For a couple of weeks, on Fridays, Hubby and I headed to the DTES to hand out homemade sandwiches. We walked around and when we saw someone who looked like they could use a sandwich, we offered them one. We didn't go to the roughest areas of town, mind you, and we were somewhat selective in our sandwich offering. It can be difficult to tell if someone is homeless or just works a bit of a dirty job.

There seems to be a fairly popular sentiment of "Hey go out and get a job! I work hard for my money, why the hell can't you?"
Nevermind the logistical difficulties of this (Homeless person A hasn't showered in a while, doesn't have clean clothes, may not have eaten, may have an addiction to feed, can't brush their teeth, has no CV nor a way to print it out, doesn't have a telephone to be called on for interviews, has no bank account to cash a cheque and may or may not have a SIN), but there are deeper and darker issues at play.

One evening, after handing out sandwiches, I called my mom to say thank you. These people that I had just offered food to did not have a mom like that, it's almost guaranteed. They didn't grow up with all the things I did. Yes, I realize some of them came from wealthier families than mine. Some were given cars, had their education paid for and inherited large sums of money. But is that all there is to parenting? Of course not. I don't think anyone believes that.

According to Dr. Maté, nearly 100% of his clients have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused. Almost all the female sex trade workers admit to being sexually abused.

If the number is 75%, which apparently is an extremely safe estimate, then imagine how that must change our perception of these people. Anger, hostility and resentment must change to sympathy.

Now I realize that there are plenty of people who have been abused and have triumphed. They have become well-adjusted, successful contributors to our society. Congratulations to them! However, this marginalized population has not managed that. Is it their fault? Or were their circumstances more severe? Perhaps not, but nevertheless, they have not managed to integrate into society. Should we punish them for their shortcomings? Or is living on the streets or in a bed-bug ridden hotel, selling your body and soul in an attempt to escape pain, and being subjected to abuse and discrimination not punishment enough?

Dr. Maté writes an extremely passionate and in-depth argument about this that I would not dare try to emulate. But just a closing thought:

I have heard that "these people have failed society. We should just lock them all up. Screw their rights!" I think that is exactly backwards. Society has failed them. Shame on us.

Flowers

2010-05-05T09:14:00.001-07:00

I am going to take a little break from yapping about addiction and the depressing state of society to talk about...

Flowers!

Because of our warm winter, all the flowers poked their little colourful heads out prematurely. The cherry blossoms were out by the end of February and the Magnolia trees were not far behind. While this was refreshing and exciting, it was also disappointing because I enjoy looking forward to things. As Anne of Green Gables would say "the delights of anticipation".

But it does seem that every year I discover a new source of natural joy. This year is no exception. My new delight: rhododendrons.

I had a rhodo in my yard growing up and my Grandma had some pretty well established bushes. But I guess I never got up close and personal with the rhodos before. I remember the flowers leaving a sticky substance on your hands when you tried to pick them. But I don't remember each individual flower having a unique pattern. The most enjoyable are from the purple bush that I pass daily on my way to the train. They were shy and hesitant to come out. Then one morning, they were out. And they have the most beautiful darker purple pattern on the top petal.

Delights!

Addictions Pt.1

2010-05-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do a 3 part blog-a-thon about addiction. I'm currently reading Dr. Gabor Maté's amazing book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction. This book is great on so many levels. Maté personalizes the addicts on Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside. These are not soul-less, emtpy shells. They are people with hopes, dreams and feelings. He also candidly admits his own struggles with addiction (CD buying and workaholic). In that vein (no pun about addicts intended), I would like to address my own addictions.

Like Dr. Maté's CD buying addiction, I believe that I am addicted to buying books. I don't spend thousands at a time, but I do covet a new book. And it is more about finding that great book, "oh look, a Vonnegut I haven't read", than about the reading itself. I do read a lot, but I have many many books lining my shelves that I have never opened. And I have a strange tendency to read the same books over and over again rather than starting something different. But about the addiction, I pick up authors that I like and decide to buy all their books. Past favourites have been Vonnegut and Orwell, currently I am into Carol Shields and Anais Ninn (hello feminist authors!). The addiction part is that I get a rush from finding them and buying the new book that is unrelated to the written words themselves.

A new addiction that I have picked up is buying plants. Even though my deck is already overdeveloped for the beginning of May, I sit and think about all the plants I want. I must have. The most recent was brunnera. So I bought a pretty big pot of that, haven't yet transplanted it into a new home, and already have my eye on some apple-scented geraniums.

I think buying THINGS has become very addictive in our culture. A lot of people need the newest toy. Techies need the latest blackberry, newest operating system, GPS, ipad, etc. A lot of women (and men) have closets full of clothes with the price tags still attached. Obviously it is not about a need for clothes. It is about the rush that the person gets in searching, finding, and purchasing.

Another strange addiction that I have is constantly looking for opportunities. I already have a pretty full plate. I work full-time, I volunteer, I take dance classes, I go to the gym, I revel in nature, I have a partner and a kitty who need my attention. Yet I get a rush off of finding a new opportunity to get involved in. My latest is a Community Kitchen in New Westminster at one of the shelters. Do I really have time to commit to this? Not really. But I want to do it anyway. And still, I will begin looking for more. Some sort of gardening, volunteering with seniors or youth, all sorts of events through meetup.com. I just can't stop. I can't focus on now, I must keep looking forward.

Part of this is obviously dissatisfaction with my current position in life. But it is also an attempt to escape the present. As Dr. Maté says, "focusing too much on external things".

Now these may not sound like addictions, but I believe that I get the same dopamine rush off these activities that Dr. Maté gets off of working and buying CDS and an addict gets off of purchasing then injecting their substance of choice.

The World We Live In vs. Avatar

2010-04-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

I don't watch many movies in the theatre. Mostly because I don't really like movies. Most of them are pretty lame. I do have a set of movies that I watch over and over again. Sometimes with french dubbing and/or subtitles.

But I did venture out into the big world to see Avatar at the cinema. I think it is worth it for BIG movies like that. By BIG I don't mean popular, I mean in need of a big screen. Amelie, which I love, is small screen. The Matrix, while also popular, needs a big screen and big sound.

Avatar was totally all it was hyped up to be. The graphics were beautiful and the 3D was subtle. I could have done without the whole "disabled American army hero saves natives after recognizing that their way of life is beautiful" plot line, aka Dances With Wolves aka Pocohontas. I also could have done without the big fight/army scene at the end aka the last half of the movie. I could've just watched 3 hours of them leaping through the forest.

Friends of ours bought the movie on Blu-Ray and it, inexplicably, came with a DVD version. They lent it to us to watch again. First of all, watching on our computer (because we don't have a tv) really doesn't do it justice. It looks a lot more CGI without the 3D. And the glowing magical world isn't quite as magical on the desktop computer screen.

But while I was watching it again, I had a not-so-deep realization. Our world is just as beautiful as the world of Avatar. It is not so exotic because we are familiar with it. Granted, we can't ride on dragon-like creatures after forming a connection with them. But we do have a range of other creatures that we can form less physical bonds with, like kitties.

Although we as people do not sparkle in the dark, we do have forests with a wide range of biodiversity. We even have phosphorescence. Our trees certainly don't tower over the forest like Home Tree but many are giants in their own right.

James Cameron definitely confirmed that the environmental message was not a coincidence or incidental. He definitely set out to project that message.

The belief system of the Na'vi, while portrayed respectfully, would seem naive and uneducated in today's world. Those with nature worshipping beliefs are put down as primitive and unscientific. We know that there is no soul in nature. Everything can be explained through biology. But in my opinion, biology and science aren't enough. If we had a personal relationship with our environment, we could never treat it as we do. But because we are so detached and look at it only for its elements - wood, oil, water, soil - we have no trouble destroying our own "Home Tree".

There are those that see and have seen nature this way. But we do not listen. I felt real pain in my heart watching Home Tree be torn (bombed) down. But this is happening everywhere RIGHT NOW. An easy example is the ever growing oil spill near Louisiana. We are raping and pillaging (the environment and people) in Nigeria and Ecuador for oil. We are stripping the bio-diverse havens of Borneo and Madagascar, primarily for their wood which, in reality, is trees. We flood areas to make damns for hydroelectric power. In short: we don't need to go to Pandora to see a beautiful environment be burnt and destroyed.

Perhaps the people singing the song about Mother Nature aren't as beautiful as the Na'vi. They may not be 10 ft tall, blue, sparkling and beautiful. Most likely, they are unattractive by western standards. They smell bad, don't dress stylishly (unless you consider tire sandals stylish), may have bad hair and teeth, sagging breasts, etc. They don't glamorize the cause. But their point-of-view may be the only way to save the world as we know it.

Community

2010-03-25T09:41:00.003-07:00

All I can think about lately is community. Or I should say lackthereof.

I don't know why I am so obsessed with this idea lately. I had my sister over a couple of weekends ago. Over a bottle of wine, I brought up the big question. What is wrong with this world? Not the nature of the ills: addiction, homelessness, youth violence, crime, domestic violence, pollution, exploitation, power imbalance, and I could go on forever. What I meant is, what causes all of this. I had a ready answer. So did she apparently. Her answer to what is causes all the problems in this messed up world? Plastic.

Well I could certainly leave this blog entry there. It was a surpring and cute answer. And I don't mean that I disagree with her. But I had something totally different in mind. My answer: lack of community. Certainly a different perspective than the simplicity, or complexity, of plastic.

I really believe that a lack of community is the cause of and the potential solution to many of our problems. Children are being raised on television because parents are away working to pay the bills. If we had a better community, perhaps we could organize to have people we know and trust look after our children. Perhaps we could organize to work only 4 days a week and trade a favour for a favour. Why are so many seniors spiralling into addiction, both of alcohol and prescription drugs (and a surprising number into crystal meth)? Social isolation that could be remedied by a stronger community, both of seniors and of younger people. Instead we dump our parents and grandparents into a home. Often we think that they will be around people their own age and create their own community. But living inside homes that we rarely go outside of, knowing more about celebrities than our neighbours, being so suspicious and competitive that we don't get to know people has not made it easy to create a community of friends later in life.

Stronger support networks could prevent depression or at least cut it off before it becomes debilitating. We could be more tuned into signs of suicidal thoughts or domestic violence. I could go on, but I won't.

And plastic is trouble too....

Ann Coulter

2010-03-25T09:41:00.001-07:00

So I recently discovered Ann Coulter. Obviously, she has been a fairly mainstream (heaven-forbid) figure for a while now, unbeknownst to me. I've also just recently discovered Bill O'Reilly. Glen Beck I've known for a while.

Now I've never been a fan of CNN. During the lead up and beginning of the Afghanistan war and then Iraq war I found them to be gossiping war mongers. I found their constant following of the sniper in Washington (the last time I've ever really watched CNN, yes that was 2002) tedious and ridiculous. I feel like they were heavily contributing to an atmopshere of fear in the world and especially the US that was unrealistic and self-serving.

I've been hearing of the horrors of Fox News for some time now. I've never had the "pleasure" of really seeing what it's all about (no tv and all). But I really had trouble believing it was worse than CNN. I saw some stories on my google news feed about Ann Coulter. I proceeded to read a bit about her. Hmmmm, disturbing. I then happened to chance upon a video of Bill O'Reilly debating Bill Maher. Hmmmm. I then proceeded to watch a whole slew of Bill O'Reilly clips - vs. Michael Moore, vs. Jeremy Glick, etc.

Wow, uber disturbing! How infuriating. I don't know why I kept watching it. Especially the Jeremy Glick tape. He invites a guest on his show, cuts him off and repeatedly tells him to shut up. And says his views are extreme. Well, Bill O'Reilly, I consider your views extremely extreme.

I know that a bunch of students protested Ann Coulter speaking at a university out east. I respect them for it. What Coulter practices isn't free speech. It is racism. But the problem isn't that she is allowed to speak; it's that she's invited in the first place. I really think there is a simple solution to these extremist: IGNORE THEM!

Feminism Needs a New Handle

2010-03-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

I am a feminist. No, not a feminazi.

Why do many people recoil at that term?

It's hard to believe that it's still associated with bra-burning man-haters. Come on, that was 2nd wave. We're way past that (or most of us are!).

For me, feminism is about equality and rights. It is about recognizing that althought women have the equal right to all professions in Canada, there is a shocking lack of women at the "top". As SCWIST (Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology) acknowledges, affirmative action becomes impossible if there are no women in the pool of choices. There are a disproportionate number of male CEOs and a disproportionate number of female assistants and receptionists.

It is also pointing out that when people talk about great musicians, authors, journalists, politicians, thinkers, religious leaders, etc, etc, women are left out. Yes, I do understand that throughout history women did not have equal opportunities and this has lead to an imbalance in the Greats. For example, let's talk about classical music. The greats are Mozart, Wagner, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaichovsky, etc. There are no great female composers in history. This may be a fact, however imagine how it affects women and girls to be left out in this way. Great authors/poets: Shakespeare, Chaucer, Stephen King, Tolkien, Milton, Byron, Woodsworth, Rushdie, Dickens etc. Yes we could add Plath, Woolf, Austen and Rowling to this list. But often they are left off. So to remedy this imbalance, does more attention and funding need to go to female artists (in every meaning of the word artist)?

Carol Shields in her book Unless presents this same argument in a subtle and stirring fashion. And Unless strikes me as a hidden call to the feminist cause. Anyways,

Third-wave feminism included ethnicity and ability. It was the idea that if everyone man is created equal (ahem) then we could picture everyone lined up on the starting blocks. But if you are a women, then you should take three steps back. If you are black take another two steps back. And I would argue that here in Canada, if you are First Nations, take another six back. If your first language is anything other than English, take a step back. If you have a physical or mental disability, then another couple back.
So here we have white men reading to whip out of the starting blocks. And a First Nations woman who has FASD, and just for good measure is born in Quebec so doesn't speak English starting about 12 steps back. This idea is also presented by Peggy MacIntosh as being an invisible backpack that everyone is constantly carrying around. Most people are unaware of the backpack, especially those who have it filled with "tools".

http://www.uakron.edu/centers/conflict/docs/whitepriv.pdf

So being a feminist these days means that I am conscious of small signs and symbols that we still aren't living in a world that views men and women equally. And it also means being grateful that I have some tools in my invisible backpack, even if it isn't oversize luggage.

Insite

2010-03-01T09:42:00.001-08:00

The federal government wants Insite closed. Surprise, surprise. (No, not really)

The issue is, apparently, whether or not it falls under federal or provincial jurisdiction. The BC Supreme Court says provincial and we have yet to see what the Supreme Court of Canada says.

But what is the real issue with Insite? Is it an ideological problem? Is it a waste of taxpayers' money or does it save money in the long-term? Is it a human rights issue or is it a matter of legality? And do we support harm reduction or a zero tolerance approach?

It depends who you ask of course. Most "independent" studies have cast Insite in a positive light. They say that there have been no deaths by overdose at Insite which is well below the average in the DTES. And importantly, the cost to keep Insite open is less than what it costs in after-the-fact care: open wounds, HIV, Hep C, etc.

I say "independent" studies because I don't think that Insite has actually been studied enough. It seems that groups that have produced papers for peer reviewed journals seem to lean towards.... well, the left. But, for example, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV and AIDs obviously support initiatives that work to reduce HIV and AIDS infections. And they have come out fully on the side of Insite.

I support Insite. Mostly because I support harm reduction. But also because I believe it is a human rights issue. Closing Insite will not prevent people from injecting drugs. The causes of addiction are far deeper than access to a facility where one can do it safely. We need an entire paradigm shift. But until that happens, I think people who are going to use illegal substances should be able to do it without fear of contracting HIV.

Nothing but sad

2010-02-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

I've gone through different stages:

outraged

disappointed

excited

ambivalent

mad

angry

argumentative

And now, I am just plain sad. I don't even really feel like arguing about it. I don't support the Olympics. That's all there is to it.

I never got a vote. I lived on Vancouver Island and only Vancouver was allowed to vote on the Olympic bid.

I have three major problems:

1. The redistribution of public money into private coffers

2. That we choose to spend so much public money on sport rather than healthcare, affordable housing, education (including post-secondary), the environment, and etc x 1 million

3. That the Olympics are just one big advertising party

The third issue is perhaps the least serious. To me, the Olympics have given up (if they ever had it) the right to claim that they are about sport and culture. Give me a break. If anyone believes that, then I really have nothing more to say to them because they are steeped in naivity. The Olympics lost all meaning for me when professionals became allowed to play in the marquee events (1992 US Dream Team for example). If it was amateur athletes playing for love of sport, then I would have more support for the Olympics. But seeing Venus Williams win a gold medal in tennis and hearing Donovan Bailey complaining that he didn't get enough sponsorship money after winning gold really turns me off.

Issue #2: Every time that a dollar is spent, it is at the expense of spending it on something else. If I buy a candy for $1 then I can't spend that same $1 on a lottery ticket. This is obvious. So by spending an estimated $6 billion on the Olympics (not counting the $1billion Canada Line, the $885 million convention centre and the $800 million Sea to Sky highway that is not being tolled) that is $6 billion that is not being spent elsewhere. When we are dealing with so many school closures, increased tuition prices, long wait times for surgical procedures, increasing homelessness and cuts to general social services one could ask: is spending money on sport really a good use of public funds? Is a contest to see who goes down the hill fastest more important than investing in our citizens?

Some contend that you have to spend money to make money. Think of this as a big advertising party. Plus some Vancouverites get to attend free concerts and go to not-so-free events. But this all leads very nicely into

Issue #1: Make money for who???? The City of Vancouver? The province of BC? The country of Canada? Working class citizens? Public services? Coke? McDonalds? The Bay? Vanoc? IOC? Pan Pacific?

Tourism is overrated. The majority of the jobs it produces are low paying. If the Olympics does bring more people to Vancouver then people who are losing high-paying, skilled, often union jobs can get a job for $12 an hour in a hotel or kitchen instead. Is this really what they are trying to sell us?

Yes, housing prices may increase, but so are property taxes. And even though prices increase, we are losing social services. And if I sell my current place, then I have to buy into an inflated market. Not positive unless you are A) moving to a different market altogether or B) have an investment property. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the majority of working class families and individuals do not own investment properties in the Lower Mainland.

I have also heard the claim that it will entice more immigrants to Vancouver. Last time I checked, Vancouver does not have trouble attracting immigrants. Our problem is that we often don't recognize the training they have and they are relegated to crappy jobs. Now, I'm not anti-immigrant. I'm exactly the opposite. But if the Olympics are just to attract new immigrants then I say we are all crazy.

This is just another excuse to use public funds to help private enterprise. And no, not local small businesses. Large corporations.

Anti-corporate? yes
Anti-Olympics? yes

It's not just me:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/feb/12/vancouver-winter-olympics-protests

Only one last comment: an educated population is the best investment you can make.

Downtown Vancouver

2010-01-26T14:52:00.001-08:00

It sure is getting busy in downtown Vancouver. Seems like the Olympic hoardes are arriving earlier than expected. I think that it could be easy to get caught up in the Olympic excitement. But I will resist. It will be easy to see how Vancouver fares in the limelight. Will we choke under the pressure? Or will it be considered extra special and memorable?

Either way, I think that the artwork and lanterns on Granville St. leave quite a bit to be desired (sorry artists :(!)

Haitian Earthquake

2010-01-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

I wanted to write something about the upcoming Olympics today. But that's still just under a month away and can wait.
I decided instead to comment about the earthquake that hit Haiti and the ensuing destruction.

I have been interested in Haiti for quite a few years, ever since I read Wade Davis' excellent travel tale/anthropological analysis/ethnobotanical discovery The Serpent and the Rainbow. (It is absolutely excellent. Under no circumstances should you watch the movie.) Not only does Davis explore the pharmacology behind the zombie phenomena, but he looks at some of the underlying social factors that have lead to Haiti's tumultuous past. He looks at voodoo (or vodoun), not as a Hollywood horror story as depicted in the film based on his book, but as a legitimate religion and very strong culture unto itself. I won't go into detail about the book except to recommend it.

But it does point to a very interesting history that I don't think many people are aware of. Obviously, Haiti is a former slave destination controlled by the French. But it is also the location of the only successful slave revolt. Slaves, despite all being African, came from varying regions and disparate cultures. They more often than not would not speak the same language, thus the emergence of Creol, and would almost be as foreign to one another as the people enslaving them, with the exception of looks, and almost as multicultural as Canada. I think this is important to point out because class systems, marriage traditions and leadership would be issues of contention for the slaves within the plantations and after they had escaped. Eventually they united under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture and expelled the colonists.

In more recent history, they have been ruled by the dictatorship of Papa Doc then Baby Doc, Francois Duvalier and his son Jean-Claude Duvalier, respectively. Then the whole gong show with Aristide, what with him being removed from power or kidnapped, depending on who you ask. And the US has had a hand in it for a while.

But yet, at the end of the day, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Mismanagement and corruption, deforestation, natural disasters and a high HIV/AIDS infection rate have crippled Haiti's "progress".
On the same island as the Dominican Republic and close to Cuba, it is conceivable that Haiti has the potential to develop a beach-based tourist industry. Safety concerns have prevented this.

I feel badly for people living in Haiti. I feel like they have been dealt one bad blow after another: slavery, and colonialism, dictatorship, poverty, and now this: a 7.0 earthquake that has destroyed the majority of the infrastructure of the country including the airport, UN headquarters, World Bank office (probably a good thing) and the Medecins Sans Frontieres facilities. It may have left up to 100,000 people dead.

The good thing: Haiti is getting a lot of press. Hopefully people will donate generously as they did after the 2004 tsunami. It also brings attention to some of Haiti's problems and hopefully in the future people will care more about our impoverished neighbour.

The really really bad thing: besides the massive loss of life and destruction, it is important to note that the airport is damaged which will hinder aid operations. Also, Medecins Sans Frontieres is a truly amazing organization that goes into dangerous and remote areas to provide services that no one else will. (See James Orbinski's book An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action for the 21st Century or the documentary Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma) They provide these services on an everyday basis and not just in emergencies. If they are unable to assist, or are limited in their scope, then it is a major loss to the aid efforts.

Because I have been paying attention to Haiti for a long time and have wanted to travel there, I feel like I want to take this opportunity to rush there and help. But I am not a nurse or a doctor. Nor am I familiar with construction work. I speak a limited amount of quebecois style french that would probably not help much in Haiti. I am a set of hands, but I also am a body that needs food and water (most likely bottled). I think I will donate to a reputable organization like the Red Cross and hope that the money gets there in the most efficient means possible.

Hockey Games

2009-12-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

I went to the Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks last night. I enjoy a good hockey game as much as the next gal and have been a fan since I was 11 and probably before. I was 11 when the Canucks went to the finals so I remember that year above all others. I bet someone in my class 50 pushups that the Canucks would beat the Rangers. And of course they didn't.

I really dislike when it is assumed that women know nothing about hockey and are just play-off fans. Granted, there are many women who fit this mold, but there are equally a lot of semi-fans amongst the male sex as well. So if you hear me talk about players, teams, etc, don't assume that I'm just regurgitating what I heard on the Team 1040 or read in the Hockey News. I actually do have a (valid) opinion

Hockey, and all professional sports for that matter, have long been in bed with advertising companies. Athletes offset their paltry (ya right ) salaries by posing with a stick, a drink or a shoe. Sometimes when a player like Sidney Crosby is on 3/4 of the commercials during Hockey Night in Canada it gets to be a bit much. Sidney Crosby for Tim Hortons, Crosby for Reebok, oh look Crosby drinks Gatorade. Enough already. But in general, I don't really have a problem with athletes being supported by companies. Especially hockey players who, compared with other professional athletes, make relatively little. I think that athletes and celebrities in general should stand by what they sell (a professional athlete eats at McDonalds, I doubt it). But go ahead and be a walking billboard if it suits your fancy.

Ads have long ringed hockey arenas. This is nothing new. What is relatively new is during intermission having the ads changed. I know some arenas have rotating advertisements. But having a magnet or sticker put on top of an old ad seems strange. Are companies that desperate to be seen that they are willing to pay for 1 period? But this is all relatively innocent.
What I don't find innocent is commercial breaks in hockey. First of all, they have completely changed the game. They give players extra time to rest and change the momentum. And they definitely take the crowd out of it. During certain plays, a team will not be allowed a line change. This is important because their players may be tired and wanting off the ice. Now, if there is a 2 minute commercial break, that is sufficient rest and it gives that team an advantage that it wouldn't have otherwise had. Also, after a really hot play, the team may be wanting to keep going. If they are interrupted to show some advertising, they come back with less momentum. And in an arena such as GM Place, where half the crowd is having a business meeting, it is important to keep the crowd in it. Just as they (we) start to get excited and perhaps get the wave (!) going.....stop for a commercial.
Not only has that changed the live game, but now we are subject to commercials within the arena. Again, I don't have a problem with companies sponsoring certain events. I don't like to have a blaring nintendo commercial on the big screen while the televised game is showing commercials. We come to a game, and pay big money for tickets, to escape this type of interruption. It's even worse than watching on tv because fans are unable to change the channel or put it on mute. There's not even time to take a washroom break without having to wait on the steps for a break in play.

I really feel like the NHL should rectify this. Allow advertisements, but cut back the number of commercial breaks. If companies want to advertise more, show them in the corner of the screen like European football.

Advertising is permeating the media more than ever before. The Team 1040 can't talk for one minute without throwing in an ad. And marketing people are getting even more savvy. Rather than fixed commercial breaks, the commercials are put right into the dialogue. Let's talk about the most improved player brought to you by....... And now the save of the game brought to you by....... The scoreboard courtesy of........ The time is sponsored by.............. The TIME!!!!!! Come on, tell me this isn't getting carried away!!!!!

Another beef I have is with the music. I miss the old time hockey hits. Now they play rap, R&B, teen angst and nothing with staying power. Bring back the Classic Rock, especially Queen, the stomping shouting songs and anything on the organ!!!!

Joy

2009-12-08T14:45:00.001-08:00

With the holiday season fast approaching and politically correct greeting cards being sent out, I was thinking about the ever-popular holiday term "Joy". Now Joy isn't specifically Christmas/Hannukah, etc related, however it is a term that is often used in relation to the holiday. I wonder why..... but that is another rant altogether.
So I have been thinking about Joy. What is Joy? It is a term that we hear all our lives. We see it on slogans and on greeting cards. We write it in letters to happy parents and newly weds.

Obviously Joy is more than just simply happiness. It is more extreme, less controllable. It is a warming of the heart. This is my definition of course. Dictionary.com says:

1.the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.
2.a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated.
3.the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.
4.a state of happiness or felicity.

Interesting that "keen" was used in two of the definitions. But it seems empty, as defining emotions often does. How could you explain joy to someone from another culture or just learning English. What does it MEAN?

The first two definitions seem to imply that we need something to CAUSE us Joy. The last two and especially number 4 only describe it as a state or feeling.
But is that state brought on by an event, occurance or otherwise? Or can one just be in a state of Joy (perpetually)?

Well, perpetual Joy seems a little difficult and unlikely. I know that some people, such as Ekhart Tolle and maybe even the Dalai Lama, claim to be in a perpetual state of Joy. But this must be the absolute extreme. And wouldn't a constant state of Joy wear down to just plain happiness? I don't think Joy can exist without its antithesis.

What I would really like to focus on, though, is the the thought of something bringing us Joy. If I think what truly brings me Joy - and not just plain or even extreme happiness - and its synonyms of rapture and delight, I must pause. When does something become Joy? I believe, truly believe that feeding ducks brings me Joy. My cat Cleo, aka Pretty, definitely brings me Joy. Not constantly and certainly not when she meows in the morning. But there are times when her little furry face is close to mine and she is purring away or the one time when she was hiding under the corner of the quilt, stealthily attacking the feather on a string that passed by her, when that is heart-warming Joy. Gardening brings me happiness and Joy. I really like planting flowers and tending them, but seeing seeds sprout from the dirt and seeing a bud before it opens is true Joy for me. There is something magical about flowers, that their beautiful colours explode out of tiny little rock-like things. Anyways.....

Wild-flowers that seems to bloom for their own happiness causes me Joy, I think. A particularly beautiful sunrise causes me Joy. I would like to say travel, but I don't think that is true. A puppy and sometimes a grownup dog may bring me Joy, particularly one that likes to fetch a stick. Kittens are a given. But the Joy of such delights as puppies and kittens is extremely short-lived. The Joy does not last for long after I am away from them. Same for flower buds and sunrises. Can anything bring a longer-lasting Joy?

I don't believe that work can ever bring Joy unless you are in a sector that deals with humans or animals. A doctor may know Joy upon delivering a baby. A social worker may know Joy upon seeing a particularly difficult youth come around. That Joy may be longer lasting. But in my extremely humble opinion, I don't believe there is true Joy in completing a business deal or seeing your company's stock skyrocket. There is no Joy in a bonus, no matter how large or a promotion or a pay rise. Happiness and satisfaction, yes. Pride perhaps. But Joy. I really believe not. And I hope not. To believe that Joy can come from such things ruins my perspective of Joy. But if Joy is not to be found from such fields, do most people really experience Joy?

Maybe we need to spend more time in pursuit of Joy. If that means spending more time at home with kids rather than at the office, then so be it. The result may be less money but more Joy. We should spend more time in the outdoors. There is true Joy in nature and animals, especially since we have so little contact with them. Maybe Joy is in true relationships, understanding and friendship rather than in mutual respect.
And believe me, there is Joy in puppies, kittens and flowers.

H1N1 - The Swine Flu

2009-10-27T13:53:00.001-07:00

The flu formerly known as swine. What is left to say about it that the media hasn't broken down into eensy weensy pieces?

Not much.

My objection to the whole phenomena is not that I think the vaccine is unsafe. To me, it's the same argument as evolution. Huh? I know, they seem to have nothing in common. I see it like this: if you trust the doctors and scientists who make all the regular pharmaceuticals - aspirin, anti-depressants, regular flu vaccine, anti-retrovirals for HIV, antibiotics, cancer treatments, etc - then you should not have a problem with this vaccine AND you should believe in evolution. Yes evolution. It pertains to evolution because I don't understand how some die-hard religious types (the minority) still hold that human beings and all other animals and plants and the world itself for that matter are the product of creation but will take tylenol for a headache. The same science that has proved medicines has proved evolution and has created this vaccine. Yeesh.
Anyways, I believe in evolution.

My problem is the hype and poor reporting by the media. They are attempting to induce fear to sell papers. Which I find to be more than lazy reporting. One article stated that those who chose not to get the vaccine are being socially irresponsible. I charge newspapers and other media with being socially irresponsible for blowing this out of proportion and thus turning many who should have the shot against it, reporting inaccuracies and lies, and putting this relatively small issue ahead of many other important issues in the world.

I am not big on the pharmaceuticals. I don't take tylenol for a headache. Yes, if I happen to get really sick - ie. cancer - I would take the conventional treatment. But I believe that pharmaceutical companies have way too much power and should not be allowed to copyright life saving medicine. I have a whole pile of issues about the anti-depressant industry and am finding more and more issues with the health industry (diet pills etc). I worry about the implication of TRIPS. (Intellectual property right legislation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRIPS
I also think about the fact that thousands and thousands of kids and adults die of diarrhea, malaria, HIV & AIDS, have brain damage while in the womb because of iodine deficiency, suffer from tuberculosis, have a lack of clean drinking water, etc, etc, etc. Women die of fistulas and during childbirth. And yet these issues get relatively little attention from the world press or the populations of the rich countries. They only get attention from pharmaceutical companies if large organizations such as the Global Fund or Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are willing to spend copious amounts of money to buy expensive remedies in pill form to give to the teeming masses.

No I don't think that people should die of the H1N1 (spooky voice) flu because of the lack of a vaccine. But more than that, I think that our world is sadly mixed-up with all of our priorities in the wrong places.

Etiquette

2009-10-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

One of the problems with our society, in my humble opinion, is the lack of etiquette.

I feel like there is a lack of rules that dictate what appropriate (and inappropriate) behaviour is.
I don't want to go back to the Victorian era when women were highly oppressed and people were severely limited as to how they expressed themselves.

I just want people to realize that putting their feet on the skytrain seats is rude. Some people follow basic etiquette and others do not. The real problem begins to arise when those who do not follow rules of etiquette are completely oblivious to their gaffes.

I believe that is it partly related to class and upbringing. If your mom stayed at home and raised you, you may have better manners than someone who had two working parents. Maybe not, but I think that parents are not enforcing manners and etiquette like they used to. So maybe it should be highly emphasized in elementary school.

I also think that we are losing all forms of etiquette because people are oblivious to subtlety, but that is another rant....

Heroes

2009-10-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I reject the cult of personality almost wholesale. Yet in some cases, exceptions must be made. Wade Davis is one of my heroes. And I worship what he represents, not necessarily the man himself. As opposed to those who read everything about a famous person such as Britney Spears and memorize her favourite food, colour, city, book, song, etc; I try to remember all the valuable lessons that Dr. Davis teaches.

Wade Davis is not a university professor and his classroom is a little less conventional. He is currently explorer-in-residence for National Geographic. Talk about the coolest job in the world! He teaches through his documentary series "Light at the End of the World" and through books. The lessons he teaches are not direct and straightforward, like biology or physics (if they can be considered straightforward), but must be distilled through stories.

National Geographic describes him as "a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet, and passionate defender of all of life's diversity." That is never more true than as he presents his Massey Lecture book "The Wayfinders". "The Wayfinders" is a brilliant combination of stories and travel adventures mixed with a passionate and timely argument in favour of the use of ancient knowledge and other world perspectives to address current issues such as climate change.

All this is true, however Wade Davis is my hero mostly because he demonstrates how anthropology is useful in the world; indeed it is the most useful of the social science and pure science disciplines. In his opinion, and David Suzuki's as well, technology will not save the world. We must change our worldview to one that places the environment at the top of our priorities list. The natural world is not something to be utilized for monetary gain, but something to be sustained and reverred. Not, not all "ancient" cultures preserved their natural environment and lived in equilibrium (Rapa Nui, aka Easter Island is a perfect example). Yet many cultures throughout the history of humanity comprehended and still do comprehend, as we are unable to do, that the world is a beautiful and delicate thing. It is not ours to plunder, but ours to defend.

2009-10-09T11:54:00.001-07:00

I don't have cable. Which is understandable because I don't have a tv. In the past 7 years, ever since my family home broke up, I think I've had cable for about 2 years. About 9 months of that was not my choice. Our roommates/co-owners had a tv with cable which they utilized to the fullest extent. Another 6 months was a student deal which was cheaper than getting internet by itself.

I'm a big advocate of a tv-free home. I feel like my perspective on the world is different than that of "tv people". I know, I know, a lot of people say they don't watch it. But I know from experience that everyone watches more than they think they do and more than they want to. It is addicting. It sucks you in. I found myself watching the Pussycat Dolls show for no explicable reason. Without tv, one is forced to entertain oneself while at home. Yes I do have a computer, but that isn't as mindless as a tv. And I do watch movies, but they have a finite timeframe.

When I do watch tv, like when I go to the pub to watch a Canucks game, I find myself shocked by the advertisements. Not only are they offensive but they are irritating. What they are allowed to show, the subject matters and what they are selling shocks me. I find it hard to believe that they can actually convince people to buy their products, but I know it is so.

I believe that cable tv should be free. Not because everybody should have the right to it, but because people should not have to pay to consume advertisements. The bulk of funding is provided by the advertisers, so why should citizens pay? Since they want us to consume more, it should not cost. I think it should be either: 1) people can pay for channels or programs without advertising (like pay-per-view Canucks games, although I think that Canuck advertising should be prohibited as well) or 2) television with advertisements should be provided free of cost.

There. That's my 2 cents.

World Travel

2009-10-05T09:29:00.001-07:00

Travelling sure is a funny thing. It is definitely very popular amongst my generation. But the thing is, while I live to travel, I also hate it.

There are several aspects I hate:

1. The competition

2. The human zoo aspect

3. The enormous environmental impact

So let's start at the beginning.

1. I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me. I so often dislike people. Individuals are definitely better than a crowd. One would assume that while travelling I would be able to meet likable people. They would hypothetically be like-minded or at least we would have something in common: a love of travelling. Yet somehow, a lot of travellers get on my nerves.

First off, I hate the competition aspect. Travellers, both backpackers and resort dwellers, always have to country drop. For example, I say "ew our room has bedbugs." My fellow traveller responds, "when I was in India, every hostel had bed bugs." I say, "gosh those flowers are pretty." My fellow traveller comments, "in Australia I saw the most beautiful flowers." I say, "when we crossed the border from Belize, the border guards were extremely lax." My new acquaintance says, "when I crossed from Nigeria to Niger, blah blah blah."

In addition to the competition factor, I also get extremely tired of the same old script. Everyone should just make up a business card with the following information:
where from (originally and current)
dates of current trip
occupation
countries visited so far
next country to visit
previous travel experience

I am not interested in where people came from, where they are going next and how much longer they have to travel. Nor am I interested in explaining my experience. It is just another case of country dropping.

There are so many more interesting things to talk about. Why why WHY is this always the sole conversation topic?

2. An often unacknowledged aspect of travelling is that we treat other cultures like a human zoo. I studied cultural anthropology so I am as interested in other cultures as anyone. But also have a different view of what culture is (or so I think). Culture isn't just performance and handicrafts. Culture also isn't what people USED to do. Culture is what people do now. No it's not as interesting or as quaint. Culture in Guatemala, for instance, is not Mayans living in the jungle. Culture is people riding in the back of trucks and cramming 45 people into those minivans. It's eating beans and eggs, not maize and chili peppers. It's having cell phones.

But it seems like so often, we just assume that people are there for our amusement. One really obvious way of doing this is taking pictures of people without permission. I sometimes try to do it discreetly. But I will not ever pay for a picture of someone, especially not a child or baby. It's really a form of pornography; the pornography of poverty or the pornography of race. But I have been guilty of going to "cultural performances" like the kecak dance in Bali .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HL5P6wlQPU

This is not something that people do for their own religious or cultural purposes. This is something that people do to get money out of tourists. Some "real" cultural things do exist. We were in Guatemala during their independence day (week) and saw some really cool things. They do some marathon running with a torch which is not for tourists at all. We just happened to catch it.

Anyways, the point is: we should not treat other cultures, particularly those in the developing world and especially those in Africa, as if they were a tourist attraction. People are people and they do not go about their lives to be dissected by others.

One more point: if we examined our own lives and dissected the meaning of every act, we would find some pretty weird, annoying and utterly inexplicable things that we do too.

3. The frivolity of travelling by airlines is tremendous. Just one trip in two years and my carbon footprint skyrockets. But besides that, tourists need bottled water. Our sensitive stomachs and tastebuds cannot handle local water supplies. We also like things like bottles of coke and bags of chips. And foreign foods such as pasta which cannot be produced locally but have to be flown in. We often need hot water for showers. We also like to tromp all over the place in local parks and wilderness areas. Smokers often drop cigarette butts over the sides of boats or grind them into the pavement and dirt. We are major major consumers!! I am definitely someone who likes to travel to the environmentally beautiful areas of the world. I'm not as keen on cities as I am on wilderness. Yet in going to visit those places I speed their destruction.

Not even to mention snorkellers. Who else can destroy an entire ecosystem with one kick of the fins?

But, nonetheless I still do love to travel. There's some exhilaration in it that cannot be found elsewhere. I also like that I get nervous on the plane on the way there thinking that I will be scared and won't enjoy myself. Once you're on the ground, it's easier to survive because you have to. No more worrying about how to get to that remote city, you just go and do it.

But it's really a shame to live in British Columbia. I expect other places to be so breathtakingly beautiful and they really are, but never no more so than home!

Are Politicians Liars?

2009-09-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the common perception. I quite often find myself attempting to defend them, mostly because I want to be one myself (politician, not liar).
Yet, everytime I turn around, it seems that politicians are trying their hardest to prove me wrong. Lies about personal lives, lies about the budget, lies about their plans for the future. It seems that in an election platform you might as well just make up whatever sounds the best. It's not like any party plans on staying true to their word either way.
For example, in the paper this morning was a story about how Michael Ignatieff plans on increasing funding to something (healthcare?) without raising taxes. How will he do this? Ce n'est pas possible, declares the paper. Yet who cares how he will do it? Why bother making a plan? The best laid plans...
In fact, even if he laid out a plan, what is to say he would follow it. Election platforms are idealist at best, downright fallacy at worst (in reality?). The papers today also are saying how the BC Liberals knew that the deficit would be worse than they stated, yet still kept to their fake numbers. Why not? Let's just make it up as we go along.
Also, during the previous federal election, Harper repeated again and again in the leadership debates that Canada was not facing a recession. After he won again, the tune changed. We have to do ___________ because Canada is facing a recession.
How can we hold these politicians accountable?

Economics and People

2009-08-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

I am not an economist. Definitely not an economist. I understand some pretty basic concepts. Supply and demand may be the most misunderstood thing on the planet. Other than why, if there is a single piece of paper on the floor or on the bed, a kitty must lay upon that piece of paper.

Economists are much higher on the pecking order than anthropologists. They are even revered by some. Not many economists are household names, yet some make common appearances on the news and popular culture. Jeffrey Sachs, John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman (the bad guy in Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine"), Joseph Stiglitz, Alan Greenspan then Ben Bernanke, Adam Smith (perhaps the first), etc.

Many people, ahem, believe that economists and their lot are responsible for the "financial crisis". Quite often, the term spitefully used is "bankers" but that's a little vague. I don't think the bank managers and teller are responsible for much. But many of the higher-up bankers, aka the movers and shakers, are economists and economists seem to be in charge of the big picture. They are the clearcut, not the trees.

Somehow, the economists have been given the responsibility of fixing this mess. Or at the very least explaining it to the layperson (the taxpayer). Which, as surprisingly few have noted, seems odd since they are responsible for it. If a doctor prescribed you a treatment for general wellbeing and the treatment gave you cancer, would you go back to him/her to ask how to treat the cancer?

The point I actually wanted to get to was the economy. We must cut social services, healthcare, education and whatever else because of the bad economy. Lowering taxes for businesses is good for the economy. Getting rid of a minimum wage would be good for the economy. The Olympics will be good for the economy.

But what is the economy? Is it a concrete concept? Does it actually really exist?

I think it is intangible. We cannot touch or see it. Yet it seems to dictate how we run our lives, the choices we make. But what is the purpose of the economy? Is it absolutely necessary? Has it always existed? Of course I understand how the economy contracts and grows and how the GDP and all that work. But I do not believe in the laws of economics. These are not laws, but opinions. Opinions on how to best manage how money flows and changes hands.

I am not advocating laissez-faire governance. What I am in favour of is having the economy take a back-seat to social justice. Let's not manipulate the world to fit the needs of the economy, but rather mold the economy to make the world a better place.

Anthropology

2009-08-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

I did a major in anthropology. Anthropology is the study of people.
anthropos-humans
ology-study of
Yes, that may be a bit of a vague definition. The easiest way to describe it is the study of culture. And no, not culture like Van Gogh and the symphony. Culture like, what do people eat, who do they consider family, how do they name those family members, how do they perceive gender, etc, etc,etc. It also encompasses archaeology and physical anthropology which is primatology and evolution.
So how many professional anthropologists do you know?
Myself, I know several and they were all my profs in university. There are some other famous anthropologists like Kurt Vonnegut (counter-culture author), Margaret Mead, Jane Goodall, Wade Davis... However, try to find a position for a professional critique of culture. Doesn't really exist. I knew this. It's not like I felt that I would get a position directly in my field. But I thought maybe it would be slightly useful. I was wrong.
A lot of people have asked me if I regret my degree. If I could go back and do it differently, would I do something else? I've always answered in the negative. There's lots of things I would change, but not that. I may not have come out of university with a career, like a nurse or teacher, but it directed my mindset. Anthropology is not something you do, it's what you are. It's how you see the world. It's like ultimate third-wave feminism. It has coloured my perceptions.
But lately, I have been beginning to change my mind. I might go back and do engineering. Anyone have a time-machine?

Life or Something Like It

2009-08-18T15:55:00.001-07:00

We have moved from being community-based, outdoor creatures to those who hide away in the caves which we call homes (or condos). Where is the sense of community?
I really like to believe that if people had a sense that we were taking the food out of others' mouths by our overconsumption and realized exactly how we were affecting the rest of the world including flora and fauna, everyone would be more conscientious and most likely change their behaviour. Is this really naive?
I don't think that the majority of people are selfish enough to wish harm on others. I think it's just our style of life that allows us to not see the true results of our actions. That is one of the reasons why I am a supporter of the triple bottom line.
I am really trying to become conscientious. But it's so easy to use chemicals for cleaning the house, buy stuff made overseas rather than locally produced, save money by not buying organic, etc. But I think that if I don't make the effort, it is highly unlikely that others will either!

Non-profits and NGOs

2009-08-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

I am an idealist cynic.
i⋅de⋅al⋅ist /aɪˈdiəlɪst/ [ahy-dee-uh-list]
–noun
1. a person who cherishes or pursues high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.
2. a visionary or impractical person.
3. a person who represents things as they might or should be rather than as they are.
4. a writer or artist who treats subjects imaginatively.
5. a person who accepts the doctrines of idealism.

cyn⋅ic/ˈsɪnɪk/ [sin-ik]
–noun
1. a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.
2. (initial capital letter) one of a sect of Greek philosophers, 4th century b.c., who advocated the doctrines that virtue is the only good, that the essence of virtue is self-control, and that surrender to any external influence is beneath human dignity.
3. a person who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude.

I love how a idealist can be visionary (sounds very good!) or impractical!
Anyhoo, I am both. I want to work in the nonprofit sector or non-governmental sector and do work in international development. That is my ideal realm. Okay the faery realm is my ideal realm, but...
I believe that we can "save the world". I believe I am one of the ones to do it. As my sister would say "I know about the fish". It's a long story stemming from me trying to explain to my mom how I "know". What I know I can't explain. No it's not the matrix. It is the oh-too real world. However we were on the ferry, sitting by the kids area and my sis could see this funky fish and was thinking, does she know....
Again, anyhoo... I really believe the world can be changed for the better but not under this self-serving, bureaucratic, single-minded, selfish, ignorant, media-controlled model that we currently operate. I believe a complete paradigm shift is in order. It's not only highly recommended for human rights, etc but becoming neccesary because of environmental reasons. To me, all the "issues" are related and intertwined like a big tree with branches shooting out everywhere. (what is the root system made up of?)
But I am also doubtful. From volunteering with a range of nonprofits and looking at them during my field school in Tanzania, I have become cynical even of their motives. I liked to believe that people were motivated by philanthropic ideals. Which probably is true of the majority. However all too many are motivated by the massive funds that now pour into the nonprofit/NGO world especially in the fields of HIV, malaria and education. These are some of the biggies although there are others. I had an expat ask me whether I thought that he could raise more funds in education or HIV work. It was clearly not motivated by helping in either of those sectors. Also, if he had any experience or expertise to share in either field he wouldn't have to ask that quesiton.
I also think there are too many nonprofits. Many have overlapping mandates. And many of their mandates, in my humble opinion, are not that strong. While their mission statements may be bold, I think what many do in practice isn't that effective. There seems to be more and more springing up that simply deliver funds to various organization, but still eating up resources along the way. And some even seem to be involved in linking the orgs that work on the same issues. While obviously I think that is important, I also think that the funds should be just funnelled specifically to the purpose.
In other words, I am of the belief that we should put out less educational material regarding the environment and just get out there and pick up some garbage.
Instead of studying organizations that work on the downtown east side, go hand out some sandwiches and clean needles.

BC Lions Game and Heritage Homes

2009-08-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

I went to a BC Lions game on Friday night. They won. I'm not a huge fan (to say the least), being much more of a hockey fan. It can still be a good time.
But anyways, what I want to say is that a family can still go to a Lions game and not break the bank. Unlike the Canucks. That costs a fortune. You would have to remortgage your house to pay for your family to go. Actually, that's unlikely. Any homeowners in the lower mainland can afford it I'm sure (see rant below). But because it is a reasonable price (you can get two tickets from 7eleven for $44), football brings in a much more blue collar crowd. Unlike the Canucks which is a total corporate crew, I've seen people who are just itching to take out their laptops and start a powerpoint presentation. Look, a sporting event is not the place for a business meeting. Have a $7.50 beer and loosen your tie.

But I digress. Because it is cheap, people can actually afford to splurge for the beer and you get a lot more families and working-class people at the games. Which often leads to a bit of rowdiness. But at the same time, it's a lot more natural, people heckling fans of the other team, screaming, cheering, spilling beer and throwing popcorn. And while I'm definitely a Canucks-girl, I enjoy Lions games for a totally different reason. I may not know how many downs are in the CFL, but I can still rock out the Wave.

As I alluded to earlier, I can't seem to get Heritage Homes out of my mind. While I should be joyously planning my Central America trip (T- 1 month and 2 days), I can't stop thinking about owning a home. I'm a big believer in high-density housing, ie. condos, however I am really understanding how people want to own their own piece of home. There is just something so natural about it. Coming home. Having a yard. Possibly a garage. Possibly an enchanted garden. I live near some of the nicest Heritage Homes in the Lower Mainland and have been enjoying nightly walks past them. The gardens are absolutely to die for. But it makes my heart hurt. I will never own one of them. How has this happened? My partner and I make good money, apparently much above the average (but I guess we could afford to buy on Pender Island, in Campbell River, PEI, Grand Prairie) yet we will never afford one of those beautiful HOMES. Wages haven't really gone up that much from 10, 20 years ago. Stats (those liars) even support this. Yet home prices have skyrocketed. It used to be, family makes $60,000/year they buy a house for $95, 000. Now it is family makes $90,000 and has to pay for childcare because that is dual income and a house costs, oh maybe $650,000. And that is not even counting all the Singletons and single parents out there. And many people just want a nice job where they make a difference in the world rather than making tonnes of money and selling their soul to 10 hours in the office, maybe 8 on Saturdays plus 2 hours commute every day in rush hour traffic. And they are rewarded by old dingy condos hopefully with no bedbugs or new tiny boxes that are roomy at 550 sq feet. How has it come to this? Will there be a shift when the boomers start selling?
I want to note that many people blame it on immigration. Rich immigrants are coming and buying up property making it impossible for "canadians" (who are "canadians" if not immigrants I ask?) to afford anything but the aforementioned boxes. I simply don't buy this explanation.
It is our current system of debt. If it weren't for mortgages that you could buy several first-borns with or buy a poor country for as well as credit card debt and payment plans, we could never support this world of computer screen money.

My House of Dream Requirements

~okay, Arne wants a shop with a beer fridge, how endearing
~a bay window
~a window seat that may or may not be under the bay window
~an attic with a sloping roof or a loft
~a real exposed brick wall
~ a wood burning fireplace
~a music room and craft room (under right circumstances may be the same room)
~a swinging seat
~would like veranda or front porch or one of those vestibules
~real wood floors
~I've always wanted an ice option on the front of the fridge
~an enchanted garden (this means flowers running wild, yes wild)
~a rose bush
~some sort of an arch over the entrance with clematis or ivy or roses growing over it, the ivy could alternately be growing over the walls or some sort of a bush could be on the roof
~I want some room that has a seashell curtain that you have to enter through, think the hanging rows of beads, very groovy 60s but only with seashells
~I want a park nearby, but a wild park, not grassy
~now I'm just being greedy but I wouldn't mind some sort of a fruit tree
~also greedy, but I've seen it in a real home is a sunken tub with a low roof with a skylight over it
It's very clear that I will have to live in the country. But this is positive because the pig will be happy and so will Charles the Goat and Cecil the lamb. I would also like a cow. And of course Cleo would like it there and so would the Retrievers.

Becoming a blogger

2009-08-07T14:25:00.001-07:00

I can tend to be a bit behind the times. It took me forever to get on facebook and I'm still rejecting Twitter. Honestly, my life just isn't interesting enough to update on a moment to moment basis. I don't have a blackberry or an iphone. I also don't have a bluray player, but since I don't have a tv getting one would be pointless.
Anyways, I like blogs. I think they can be interesting. There are some pretty amazing and inspirational people in the world alongside all the frustrating and boring ones.
I want to be a (n honest) politican. I've always said I want to be an oxymoron. I'm worried that blogging and putting my bizness out there could inhibit that. But oh well. I believe in transparency. And apparently so do lots of young women in Vancouver. Only not the same type.
The point of this blog....maybe it could be self discovery. I want to explore some ideas and keep them organized. I also want to put them out there. And I want to document the beautiful natural world. I don't care if anybody follows this blog. But if anyone does I hope they are either

a. future voters
b. intelligent, thoughtful, discerning, interested people
c. unicorns or faeries