Doesn't Anybody Else See This?

Global Swarming is More Like It

2009-12-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

So there's a lot of talk about Global Warming these days. Like a lot of folks, or perhaps a bit more due to my nature of loving . . . nature and trying to be as responsible a lad as posssible, I've been paying attention to what's going on.

I'd like to think that I'm a bit ahead of the curve, actually. How, you ask?
Well, as a 12-year vegan with no kids and no car, who takes 3 minute showers (not daily), turns the lights off like a good boy, only heats the room he's in, etc. etc., I'm pretty comfortable with my conscious effort to not make more of a mess than I have to while I'm here.

And, of course, I've done my share of reading and research.
Funny thing is, the older I get, the less I believe what I read. By that, I probably mean that I trust what I read less and less every day. And believe me, I don't go looking for it very much. I don't watch (or own) a television or a radio and I don't read full-on newspapers because, honestly, there is simply too much information that does not pertain to 'my' world or that needs to be in my brain.
Why read about things that I have no intention of thinking or doing anything about? Seriously

So, global warming has become just another thing to pass the time with me. I'm really kind of apathetic towards it all.
The more I do read and see, the more I believe that there truly is more on an economic and political agenda driving this and any other 'major' issue. The environment will lag behind for a good while longer, I'm afraid.
And yet, I'm more optimistic than ever that the environment will outlast us all, not that she even cares.

With nearly 8 billion of us infesting the planet, cooking and creating heat, I still don't think it's all that likely that we are cooking the planet and I'll tell you why.
Again, I really don't care if the reason that the globe is warming is due to man-made causes or not. There are plenty of other man-made issues to clamor about: war, violence, abuse, rape, general inequalities, religion and politics of getting along being a few minor ones.
The main reason I don't care anymore is that I'm starting to not want to be part of the collective ego that IS humanity for thinking that every little (and big) thing that we do is the be-all and end-all of everything.
Newsflash, people - the earth was here before us and will be here after.
In 100 years, hardly any of you living now will be here.
So, I say this - relax, but be responsible about the things you do and the life you live. But live your life, for life's sake.

Human's didn't invent the earth or anything like it. We're just riding along and experiencing our lives, individually and together.
In the scale of the universe, we're a speck of dust and yet to one another we can be everything.
But I don't think I actually believe that we are the cause of every effect of what we see and have only been measuring for 100 short years. Check some 'real' stats and you'll see mini warm and cool periods worse than this just in the last 1000 years.

So what if it does warm up? Move north! Move away from the coast.
Humans aren't really that stupid as to not adapt. We have before and we will again.
And, if not, then we don't really deserve to live on this lovely planet and that's just the way it goes.

Enjoy yourself but be fair, with yourself, with others and with our planet.

Thanks

Has it been that long?

2009-07-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Since I've had something to complain about?
Hell no. Just been doing other things.

But, seeing as how I've started on the subject of complaining, I have a fine example of why I prefer Europe to North America (and perhaps the West Coast, specifically).

I take the bus to work almost daily, so I get to do something I enjoy doing (when I don't let it frustrate me) - observe humanity.

Now, to exit some busses from the back door requires little more than follow a simple step or two. On some, you step down and this activates the door. Simple - and most people get this one, even by default, as they instinctively step towards the door once the bus has stopped at their stop anyway.
BUT, some of the newer, low-profile busses with no step have another method of getting the door to open.
You see, on the doors (2) there is a long, yellow sticker.
On this sticker are the words (paraphrasing) - To Open Door Put Hand Here, above and below a picture of a hand which is shown to scale. This hand has an arrow pointing to it from above and below.

Here is where old world sensibility outshines the new world order.

9 times out of 10, and perhaps I'm being generous, I watch our local population enact the following scenarios:
- waiting at the back door after the bus has stopped for the door to open by itself
- staring at the door, then putting their hand anywhere BUT where it is shown
- growing impatient, many folks will start pushing on the door (and only with luck going over the designated location to activate it opening)
- growing even more impatient, yelling 'BACK DOOR, BACK DOOR!' as if the bus driver is secretly revelling in keeping them and their rude behaviour on the bus longer.

I watch some people do one or more of these things EVERY DAMN DAY.

A moment of magic and reassurance about humans greeted me the other day, however, courtesy of two elderly German tourists.
After the ride home, into downtown, the couple (who spoke German and some English - yes, I like to listen to people's conversations on the bus) rang the bell, then proceeded to the door as it approached the stop. Just before it reached the stop, they both looked at the door, understood their course of action and one of them placed a hand exactly over the graphic on the door indicating hand placemnt.
The door opened, and the left.
I was so proud of them and reminded once again as to why we have to get the hell out of here.

Honestly.
Without seeming hostile or bitter, but just observational, I am constantly reminded of how all of our 'individualism' and 'free spirit' attitude here is really just an excuse for egotism, greedy actions and plain old rude behaviour.
I long for a world where people are nice, polite, honest, hard-working and non-violent - and while that may never come to pass, I'll take a bit more maturity anytime.

Stay tuned for more fine examples of humanity showing that the 'me' generation is only growing stronger.

*sigh*

See . . . OH, two

2008-09-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I would sometimes sleep completely under the covers, for many reasons.
Of course, there's the everpresent boogey-man (or 'boogerman' as Mr. Burns so eloquently put it) hiding in the closet or the unknown hand ready to strike from under the bed.
Sometimes I was just cold and wanted to be all warm - your own warm breath can do that, if you've brushed your teeth before bed.
Every now and then I just wanted that feeling of quiet and solitude - of being in my own little world.

Whatever the reason, though, I ALWAYS wondered one thing - how, if I'm under this bed and every time I breathe in I use up a certain amount of oxygen and every time I breathe out I expel a certain amount of carbon dioxide, how is it that I don't just run out of air that is fit to breathe and succumb to the stale carbon dioxide-filled atmosphere I've created in there.
How . . . HOW???

Somehow, it just works out.
Now, if I could just stop thinking about the coat on the chair in the corner of the room . . .

No Misteriosis

2008-09-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

All kidding aside and condolences to those who have suffered . . . is it really a surprise that we are having yet another food crisis?
Seriously, if you actually knew how most of your food was made, preserved, transported, handled and all the rest, you probably wouldn't eat at all.
And, of course, if you're a meat-eater (a pox on you all *L*), then it gets even worse.

You can take your health into your own hands, though - not by demanding the government inspect food better or make super great labels to read, but by eating more simply.
Shop at the farmer's market. Buy local and organic produce.
Buy less processed and packaged foodstuffs.
Buy less food per shopping trip but shop more often.

I'm surprised that people are still surprised when these bacterial outbreaks happen, as if we live in a safe and sterile world - if only, then maybe we wouldn't have to many mouths to feed. HA!

I'm often at a crossroads with what to think about the whole situation anyway. On the one hand, we should all have access to safe food. On the other hand, how many of us know or care or take the time to make these decisions properly. On the other hand, maybe this is nature's way of balancing things out - after all, for those that know me, know that I advocate the reduction of the human population as an essential step towards overall world peace, health and safety. On the other hand . . .
Too many hands.

Survey Says!

2008-08-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your opinion counts!? Really!

I thought mine did, at least until I started taking surveys.
I like taking surveys and voicing my opinion.

Since I've signed up for and been involved with two national survey companies, however, it's making me feel like I'm still living very far outside 'the box' (while living inside this box apartment).

You see, I take a lot of surveys, but oftentimes don't even make it all the way to the end, or even past the first set of questions!

Sometimes, I'm too old.
Sometimes I'm in the wrong location.
Sometimes I'm the wrong sex.

But invariably, it has to do with the content itself.
The type of companies that commission surveys are invariably the type of companies I don't support in the first place - those that aggressively market useless, harmful or frivolous products to the masses.
I don't drink a lot, I don't smoke at all and I don't visit fast-food restaurants.
I don't watch TV, listen to the radio or read newspapers much.
(HOW the hell do I know what's going on, you ask?)

The surveys I do get to partake in are usually more general and all-encompassing.
I get excited when I get to have some input regarding the environment, recycyling, personal responsibility and options for using less.
It's amazing how you feel good about yourself when you're able to contribute to something and perhaps make a difference.
I long ago vowed to do that simply by being myself and letting everything else happen as it may.

Of course, every now and then I'd just like to make it past the first question.
As times change, which I think they are, I have a feeling that the first question is also going to change, thus opening the door for Steve to feel like he's an active part of society, once and for all.

Four Thousand Fifteen

2008-08-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Days.
That I've 'known' Nila in this lifetime.
Very shortly after we met, I had a dream of her and I (and her father, the shopkeeper) in an old general store in the wild west, so perhaps it's been a bit longer . . . ya think?

Today is the 11 year anniversary of the evening we met.
Today is therefore the 4015th day that I've woken up happier than the day before.
I still smile every time I see her, even if I just returned from going into the other room and back!
We still hold hands, sit on the same side of the bench at restaurants and walk down the street smiling and laughing as we entertain ourselves.
We fall asleep holding hands and often wake up the same way.

Nila is my best friend and my true love.

Below is the story of how we met . . .
___________________________
I met my true love, my soulmate, on the internet at 10:30 in the evening on the 21st day of August, 1997. I'll never forget - it was only the second or third time I had chatted on the 'net, and was just looking for someone to talk to, during a dark, lonely period in my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what was to happen.
It all started innocently enough, during an evening of conversation in an open chat room (the Canadian room at 'The Park'), when one of the people in the room asked everyone what their favourite movie was and why. So, being the open and honest person that I am, I replied to the room, using the nickname 'Scorpion', that I loved 'Dances With Wolves' because it spoke very deeply to me about what we, white people, have done to the native north americans, and it made me feel very ashamed of 'my' race from then on. I even said that I cried afterwards, and was unable to speak about the movie for a short time for all the emotions it brought up. That's when a fiesty girl chimed in, using the handle 'Alarum' (a song off the recent Tea Party CD, Transmission) and sent me a private message, saying simply, 'Scorpios don't cry!'. And I messaged her right back saying, 'Well this one does, and isn't the least bit ashamed'. From there, we kind of forgot about the chat 'room' we were in, and just talked to each other. I asked her what her name meant, and that led to talking about the Tea Party, and music in general. She asked if my handle alluded to the fact that I am a Scorpio, and I replied it did, and that led to us talking about us both being Scorpios, and what typical traits we shared. As the night went on we talked for over 3 hours about life, about music, about being Scorpio, about anything and everything, and didn't want to say good-bye, even that first time together. I didn't sleep much that night, but simply tossed our conversation around in my head, already anticipating hearing from her again. Something clicked. Something was not just a little bit right - no, something was exactly right, for the first time in both our lives.
Every day after that, we e-mailed or chatted online, asking each other every question we could think of, and stating our likes and dislikes, which always earned a positive reply of 'Me too!'. For weeks, we communicated this way, and not once did we disagree on anything about life or what interested us, both of us knowing and feeling that the other was being completely open and honest. It seemed surreal at the time How could anyone else be so perfect, we both thought!.
One topic we discussed a lot was music. We are both music lovers, and learned quickly that we shared most of the same interests in music. Although separated in age by 13 years, there didn't seem to be any music that one of us liked, that the other didn't know about. I was simply astounded by this circumstance, as I had just written a 'wish list' for the perfect partner, and a love of music was definately near the top of the list. Here she was.
So, as our talk of music continued, we would often put a quote from a lyric at the bottom of our e-mails to each other, or just use an appropriate lyric in conversation. We also got used to finishing each other's sentences with a lyric, or simply finishing each other's sentences! One day, at the bottom an e-mail, were the lines:
'confess what you crave
a life without pain
you'd kill for the taste
but the hurt still remains'

Surprising myself, I recognized the lines right away as being from the most recent Tea Party CD, Transmission. Nila, being a huge fan of the Tea Party at the time, had influenced me to buy this CD, as well as their first two CD's. In fact, I actually had one of their CD's, 'Alhambra', but had never really listened to it until I met her.
The song that the lines come from, is 'Emerald', and when I read the lyrics closely -felt the lyrics go through me - I cried for knowing exactly how she heard the song when she would listen to it. I replied to her the next day, explaining how I felt when I listened to the song as I know she did, and that I knew what it meant to her. She replied back right away, and said that before we had met, when she heard that song for the first time, she knew she would marry the man who fully understood the meaning of the lyrics to 'her' song, 'Emerald.'
Upon reading her reply, I knew 'I am that man', and so I asked her to marry me, the first time we met . . . and, of course, she said yes. We have now been together for 5 years and 63 days as of the hour of my writing this, without ever spending a day without talking, and then after living together, having never spent a night apart. Although not married 'on paper', we know we have been 'married' forever and always will be.
We are going to see the Tea Party one week from tonight - the fourth time we've seen them (3 of those, together) Sometimes, I wonder what it might mean to the writer of those lyrics, Jeff Martin, if he should know what his words meant that night to these 2 music-loving Scorpios. And sometimes I wonder what he meant by the words he wrote. Every time we see them perform, I look at him and smile, knowing that it doesn't really matter, because we know. And that is the power of music, the power of love. So, what did those lyrics mean? Well, that's a secret, our secret, and our connection, although if Jeff were to ask us, I think we'd tell him.

No Canadian Mettle

2008-08-15T13:19:00.001-07:00

I'll have to say that I'm not really surprised that Canada doesn't have any shining round rewards yet at these Olympic Games.
Actually, I don't really follow the Olympics anymore (I used to be a sports fanatic), but I do keep an eye on things.

You see, Canada is a nice country. With nice people. So, it would follow that we have nice athletes.
I've already read a comment from one of our athletes who finished fourth and was overwhelmingly pleased at the result.
I don't get that. If you're not there to win, why go?
Did they not see the video of the wrestler throwing down his silver medal in disgust?
Now that, I respect.

In watching sports during my youth, I was always nervous and apprehensive when it came time for a final including a Canadian. Of course, I was always cheering the 'home' team, but I was never truly confident.
I think this is fairly representative of our fair country, and I think we should own up to it a bit more.
We are a young nation with a young identity, built on peace rather than conflict.
By contrast, our American neighbours fought fiercely for their independance, freedoms and the rights that go with it, and to this day, they are still very competitive.
Back an American into a corner and s/he will probably come out fighting.
Back a Canadian into a corner and s/he will probably smile and ask what's wrong.

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong about our national disposition, I just think we should acknowledge it.
Instead of the government and others coming out partway through the Olympics and admitting that we need to pump more money into sports (to save future face?), it would be nice if we just admitted that that is the Canadian way, and if we win some medals, well then that's fine too.

Great athletes are born and are made. Nations with more people simply have more chances.
Nations with a focus on sports have more chances.
Athletes with a competitive spirit alongside natural talent have the best chances.

Canada will always have some chances and I'm fine with that.

If you ever despair about our Olympic plight, just remember . . . we still have hockey and we haven't declared war on anybody in a long, long time (even then, we were really just tagging along).

Oh yeah - and we have Rush! Heavy mettle, indeed.

Doppel-Craig'er

2008-07-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have always taken the time to notice people. Being brutally shy growing up was one excuse to watch folks, to see how they act, what makes them tick and in the case of girls, how cute they were!
Over the years I have evolved out of any real shyness, but I still do pay attention. Hopefully to everything, so that I can enjoy each moment for what it is.
In particular however, I have noticed that it is a rare thing these days for people to remember you.
So Nila and I were particularly surprised the other day when we were walking past a small park in Yaletown and saw a lovely couple waving at us! It took us just a moment, but then we remembered meeting them just a few days previously in a new fashion boutique - Oze - that they have opened up in Yaletown. We spoke with the lady for a few moments about their move from Paris to Vancouver and of course, with our current infatutation with Paris could not figure out why anybody would do that . . .
In any event, I'd just like to point out that this 'remembrance' happens so infrequently that I can count on one hand the number of times it has happened since moving to the west coast, where everyone is so *ahem* friendly.
I may not recognize everyone I meet, but I wave and smile at more people than recognize me back, by about 50 to 1 I reckon.

Which brings me to my next point, and a recent embarassment.

So, I'm walking down the street with Nila, just outside our apartment building, when I look up and see . . . Craig, purveyor of fine videos at The Screening Room on Seymour Street.
I say to Nila, 'Hey, it's Craig!' and get ready for the big hello. And, seeing him on the street instead of behind his desk is obviously a special occasion, so this isn't going to be any regular hello.
NO, I'm going for the big hello. So, I wind up, flap my left arm around and say 'HEYYYY!'
Then he gets closer . . .
He sort of says hello . . .
When he's 2 feet away, my eyes widen a bit . . .
He walks past.

That wasn't Craig.

In the old days I would have felt REALLY sheepish, and turned red and such.
I got over it pretty quickly and then thought about how much that guy really looked like Craig!!

Which brings me to my last point, in all of this.
During my life, I have been 'recognized' as someone else many times. Many, many times.
At least 3 times, people have insisted that I am someone else and the one time, regardless of all my truthful explanations, did not convince the person that I was not who they thought I was.
Ever happen to you??

My advice: Pay attention, folks.
I'll do the same, although I may wave at you and smile anyway, which is still not quite a crime last I've heard.

Let The Music Play

2008-07-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

I must be getting more sentimental as I grow older.
Actually, I wouldn't say getting more but actually expressing more.

I have to admit that I've always been easily affected by the mood of the world around me.
If someone is heartbroken and crying, I too become sad.
If someone is laughing uncontrollably, I'll have myself a little giggle.
Movies and programs that show true love being torn apart - I'm gone.

Of all mediums, the one I find the most surprising to get a sad reaction too is music.
I think we mostly listen to music to feel good, feel inspired, mellow out or party down. Somehow, I think we're missing an important part of the spectrum.

So, recently I've been listening to songs that inspire me and also those that simply move me. On the list:
Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven - could cry every time
Mission by Rush - very inspired and touching lyrics about finding your passion
Emerald by the Tea Party - a song that changed my life and connected me to Nila
Ohne Dich by Rammstein - yes, THE Rammstein made me cry
The End by the Doors - i get high without any help at all
Non Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf - Possibly the most heart-wrenching and beautiful song I know
Run To The Water by Live - inspires me to live in love with life

And, lastly as a tribute to my father who left this world under unhappy circumstances, I listen to Gordon Lightfoot with him in mind.

Let the music play, folks . . . let you heart be moved, let a smile set upon your lips and let tears escape your eyes if they must.
But let the music play.

13 or 87?

2008-07-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Who's to say?
Numbers have significance, even if we make up the meaning.
Some say the universe is all numbers. Kabbalists see numbers in letters and words.
I've done my share of reading and love mysterious number - pi, phi and so on.

After all these years, though, I still love the number 13 and it pops up all over the place.
Invariably, when I make a purchase the total is either **.13 or **.87 (13 from 100).
Now you can probably guess, I do like the movie 'The Number 23' - very very underrated, on many levels.

I'm sure many of you have experiences with numbers as well, some of which can't really be explained.
Do you ever look at a clock at the same time, all the time???
I usually look when the numbers are all the same, and most often at 4:44, especially in the a.m..
Why?
I dunno.

I do like numbers, though.
Now, to get more of them into my bank account . . .

Cars and Effect

2008-07-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

I don't own a car. Goes with not having a TV, or microwave and all that jazz.
I have owned a few cars over the last 20 years, however. Four to be exact, two of which were pick-up trucks to use for work.
I only ever loved one of those vehicles, though, and that was my 1970 Mustang Mach I. The colour was 'grabber blue' and it had rear louvres, black detailing and a nice little 302 engine. I paid way too much (I was in love, after all) and sold it for a huge loss. Why DID I sell that car?
Well, when I went to University at Guelph a few things affected my life forever.
1. I saw the animal labs in the veterinary medicine section of the school. Now I'm vegan.
2. I met a girl, got married for the wrong reasons. I'm re-married after figuring out who I really wanted.
3. I learned about the environment through various classes and awareness programs. I sold my mustang.

I remember the days when, on a balmy Friday evening in Ottawa, I would get into the car, plug in a Rush tape (Moving Pictures featuring 'Red Barchetta' most often) and drive. Around town, to the old neighbourhoods where I grew up, along the parkway. Anywhere, really, but just to drive. Of course, my foot dropped more than a few times to not only feel the car give 'er, but also to hear that sound that you just don't hear from today's tin cans that kids attempt to 'supe up'.

But I wouldn't go back or change any decisions I've made. I was still happy the day I sold her.

I haven't owned my own vehicle for about 7 years now, relying mostly on work vehicles and public transportation until about 6 months ago.
Now I use the Co-operative Auto Network in Vancouver and just drive as needed for work, groceries, or what have you.
Sometimes . . . just to drive.

You see, I really don't think that it is actually the number of cars on the road that is ultimately the problem (global warming, et. al.). It's how much you drive and each of us can control that.

Smell Phone

2008-07-11T21:57:00.001-07:00

I never really was much of a talker.
Then came the telephone - yes, old school. I never really did get the hang of it beyond just saying what needs to be said.
And, of course now everyone has a cell phone.

I got my first and only one nearly 3 years ago, mostly for work.
Well, that job no longer exists and the use I have for this phone is dwindling daily.

Now, we read about the new iphone controversy in Canada and I read about people lining up for it.
Crazy.
All I see daily is a sea of people driving badly while talking on their cell; bumping into you or meandering on the street while being distracted; cell phones going off at the movies, at the opera or wherever;kids staring at their cell on the bus instead of taking a deep breath and enjoying the world outside of technology. When I hear them talk, which they do less coherently than I can ever remember, it's usually meaningless and just occupying time. Half the time they are talking about the last 'text' they sent.

So, in keeping with my love of the direction of distractedness this world is coming to, I called to find out that my contract ends on October 23rd of this year.

They may have sold the rest of you on the 'need' for the technology, but I seem to be able to get by with a landline and a laptop with a DSL connection.

The cell still looks new, but I won't miss it. It can go in the imaginary pile beside my last television.

No, they can't 'cell' me.

Believe in Choice

2008-07-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about both belief and choice.

In your life you often believe one thing and choose another.
Beliefs change and the decision to make a choice isn't always acted upon.
I guess that's part of the challenge, especially when faced with so many daily life choices.
Definately part of the reason for me simplifying life and focusing on fewer things lately.
After all, being happy and having fun is assessed by each of us with everything we do.

A few things I'd like to throw out there about me and some of my beliefs and choices:

- I believe in Life and so I choose not to be scared of death
- I don't believe in religion but I have chosen to read about many of them
- I believe that everyone has an ingrained ability unique to them and I choose to take the time to find mine
- I don't use any drugs and never have but I believe in everyone's right to
- I believe in freedom of expression but I choose to listen to what I want to
- I don't believe monogomy is a natural human instinct but I choose to do it anyway
- I believe that world peace is a pipe-dream but I choose to take actions that theoretically support the idea
- I don't believe in politics so I choose to vote with my daily choices
- I believe in myself after a long, long search and I choose to act upon that belief

Believe in what you do and make your choices.
That's life.

You Can Always Leave

2008-07-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

Nila and I went to see the Bard on the Beach production of 'King Lear' tonight. After having been enraptured and wholly entertained by 'Twelfth Night' just a few evenings ago, we felt good about the prospect of another worthwhile show.
As it turned out, the first half was pretty lacklustre . . . but the good news is that the cab ride home was far more entertaining than the second half probably would have been, as we had to bypass the Burrard Street bridge in favour of Granville due to some filming going on.

A few years ago, despite front row seats, we also had to flee a showing of 'The King and I' at the Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park. The beautiful walk home with my lovely wife was a million times more rewarding and the simple time spent with her instead of beside her being pummelled with boredom made for a perfect decision.

You always have choices.
You can choose to do something. You can choose to get excited about it. You can choose to watch and interpret whether you are spending your time in a worthwhile manner. You can choose to leave.

Some would say this is a bit hasty and a waste of money, time or effort.

I say that any time I get to spend with Nila is my best choice, but especially so when our attention is not being used up on something we are both not enjoying. And we usually agree.

Life is too valuable a commodity to waste.
I spent 7 years in a relationship where time stood still, and not in the positive 'Power of Now' Tolle-ian kind of way. Eventually, I made the perfect choice and never looked back.

Choose wisely, my friend.

Carbon Based

2008-07-03T08:29:00.001-07:00

Carbon Tax - 2.4 cents/litre.

Solution without complaining - drive at least 2.4 cents/litre less.

Walk, run, skip, dance or catapult your way along.
Combine daily driving trips into one weekly one.
Don't idle.

A Few Simple Rules

2008-07-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

So I'm jogging this morning around B.C. Place and stop to do some stretches at a point where I can see the traffic below on Pacific Boulevard zipping by. And I mean zipping!
If you've ever driven there, past the Costco, it's a nice little series of turns that makes you feel like you're in the Molson Indy for just a second.

Now I've been watching this woman mosey, and I mean mosey along, toward the traffic light.
It's 6:30 a.m. and traffic is pretty light. I see her push the button to change the light. There appear to be no cars coming, although I can hear one in the distance.
Here we go . . . it's showtime.

Halfway across, she looks over, apparently surprised to see A CAR on the ROAD!
He honks at her, rightfully, and slows down only enough to be somewhat zippy in his approach to the next corner.
She scoots a little bit to get out of the way and he drives narrowly, and I mean narrowly by.

WHY?

I must see this same thing happen a hundred times a day - when I venture out for that long, that is.
Why can't people just obey the simplest little rules of everyday conduct (most of which are in fact laws, anyway):
- wait for the light to change before crossing
- walk on the right side of the sidewalk
- wait for folks to get out of the elevator before trying to get in
- if you can't exit an intersection with a traffic light, don't go in
(BUSES, please ignore all said rules, we all know you can do as you please)

Little things like that.

It's these little things, happening over and over and over all day that add up to a lot of frustration that nobody really needs.
Do your part. Behave when the situation calls for it.
You won't get there that much faster.
You won't be less of 'an individual' for having to conform to society's rules.
You'll have less to think about!

And you may live a little longer, although whether or not that's a good thing for everybody out there is still open to debate . . .

In Defense

2008-07-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

Of Women.

I'd like to commend Canada for bestowing upon Dr. Morgentaler the Order of Canada.
Not so much for the award itself, but for being progressive enough to realize that we don't live in the dark ages and someone needs to take a stand for women.

In case you don't know, Dr. Morgentaler fought the Supreme Court of Canada and won for the right to perform abortions back in the 80's. I don't know much more than that, you can look it up.

What I do know is this - I have a great admiration for anyone who helps out women.
In these 'modern' times, I can barely accept what I see in our 'civilized' society day in and day out, let alone the major atrocities that occur on a larger scale - violence towards women, rape, genital mutilation, unfair pay, and the list goes on.
If a man were EVER told what he could or could not do with his body, I don't even think we'd be talking about this.

I've recently struck upon the notion that I'd like to do more to help in what I consider to be one of the biggest flaws in society today - the treatment of women by their men.
We can all become happy, peaceful enlightened beings, living in green bliss on this little planet, but if we don't get along and live and love together, I don't really see the point all the time.

In researching just a little bit, I got nothing when i googled 'men helping women' and yet got page after page for 'women helping women'.
Come on guys, seriously, get over your damn selves, step up and act like real men.
The world is not about money or business or countries or politics or competing or any of the daily bullshit. That just keeps us busy.

It's about women. We love them, we want them, we need them and we cannot live without them.

To that end, and in honour and support of women everywhere I have started another blog, 'A Gentlemans Pursuit', aimed at being positive in its outlook as we move forward in our treatment of the fairer sex in our society.
I have A LOT to say about that, and I'm absolutely sure it will be beautifully controversial, but I'll leave here for now with this:
We're all brought into this world through a woman and it is only together that we can make great lives for ourselves.
We need to try harder.

Epiphany

2008-04-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

So, after many years of reflection, learning, unlearning and all the rest I've finally realized something and come to a conclusion about it:
Nothing anybody thinks about me really matters.
Honestly, absolutely nothing.
I've seen signs all around me over the years, and many very recently and am adopting this as one of my new mantras.
It's not that I don't care - in fact, I've always cared too much.
It's not that I want to change - I don't and don't see any need to try.

I've been the only one stifling me all along anywho, so now it's time to step up and buy into the hype that I've been ranting about for a long time. Maybe some of those philosophical texts rattling around in the old noodle are coming in handy. Time and place.

Now, back to the drawing (or photoshop) board, and let's see what fun we can have . . .

Please don't Tel Us

2008-03-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

I don't pay too much attention to advertising, in general.
I don't have a tv, rarely read a paper and get by quite well.
When I do see ads, it's sometimes fun to analyze them because I think you can tell a lot about the state of a society by their entertainment and consequently, the ads which are just another form thereof most times.
Some are fun, some are sarcastic, some are informative, some are confusing, some miss the mark and some are very serious about telling you something and some are all of the above.
Some recent Telus ads, though, have really got me irked.
As a moderate user of technology, their ads don't really apply to me. I use their phone and internet service and that's about it. One cellphone, which I use very infrequently. Have text messaged perhaps 5 times in 3 years.
Have you seen these classless ads??
The latest asks: 'How do you turn a sick day into a ski day?
Answers: 'Email work you're under the weather.'
'Text a friend to hit the Sea to Sky on the fly.'
'IM everyone the scoop on all the fresh powder.'
'Call your chiropractor from the chalet.'
While mildly creative, these ads to me are just a thinly veiled attempt to be hip while basically just prodding the already addicted young adult into spending more and more money. All the while flaking out on work - as if folks here in Vancouver actually put in a hard days work, day in and day out.
Their previous similar campaign was aimed at teens - who probably don't even foot the bill - to give them options for how to best break up with someone.

Great job Telus. Impeccable taste and class. Lets perpetuate society's ADD, which is growing to epic proportions) and lack of responsibility.

You're almost prodding me into looking into alternative sources for my communication needs (except that I have no real gripe about that).

Does anybody else see this?

What Would ET Do?

2008-03-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

Some days when I'm walking down the street and my peace is temporarily disturbed by some annoying distraction, I ask myself, 'What Would ET Do?'
Other days, when I'm troubled over what to do with my life, I ask myself, 'What Would ET Do?'
And still other times, when I'm just contemplating life and death, love and loss, I simply find my thoughts wandering to another time and another place, and remembering the book, ask myself, 'What Would ET Do?'
I read this book what seems like many many years ago, and yet it is still a part of me in some ways, as it must be for this question to invariably pop into my head.
What would he do?
Yes, ET is a he.
Eckhart Tolle.
His first book, 'The Power of Now' was very profound for me. It had so many 'aha' moments that I kind of lost track. I read it when I was going through a lot of soul-searching and self-discovery.
But there is something that has always niggled away inside me, as usually does, when I'm faced with what looks like a great answer to one of life's big questions.
I truly believe that ET hit a nail directly on the head.
Uncontrolled thought is definitely a disease that of epidemic proportions.
We have been 'bad, bad' boys for doing such terrible things to our Earth, ourselves.
We may be starting to realize this - individually and collectively.
But, for what it's worth, I'm not so sure that it's necessarily a good thing.
What I mean is this - although I would truly love to see everyone living in the moment, living with complete consciousness to what they say and do, I don't see how we would ultimately end up with a 'better world'.
More and more, I am becoming convinced that we are here to have a human experience, unique and individual, one lifetime or many, for better or for worse. Has it ever been any different?
I used to 'dream' of a time when everyone would be 'happy', at peace and enlightened, whatever that now means, but the more I ponder that, the more I realize that I would not necessarily want to live in such a time. Sounds a little boring.
So, whether we are on our way to destroying the planet or saving ourselves and our beautiful Earth, I have decided that I'm just along for the ride, no matter what form it takes.
I've been run over on the sidewalk by too many 'enlightened' folks not paying attention to where they are going to try anymore.
What would ET do if someone ran up to him on the sidewalk and kicked him?
What would he do if he was being attacked by a drunk on the street?
What would he do if the woman he loved didn't love him back?
Just wondering . . .

I am one of the world's richest people

2008-03-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

So, they just announced a bunch of billionaires today, and it seems that there are more rich folks than ever! WOW!
Not very surprising, though, as the world is currently in a state of growth on most levels.
Amazing how we can and do measure ourselves by monetary criteria - not just once a year to see who has the most, but also on a daily basis as we judge each other and put each other in our respective places.
Well, despite all of that, I am doing to declare, humbly, that I am indeed one of the richest people in the world, and have been for almost 10 years! HA!
You see, I gained an element of control over my life, my love, my peace and my happiness just over 10 years ago, and haven't really looked back. That's a story for another time, but if I were a betting man, I'd put some cash down on me as doing alright in the riches department.
Just don't check my bank balance, cuz you'd be looking in the wrong place.
Actually restrain from opening my skull or my chest as well - but if you'd like a good tale, just ask and I'll tell you what I know . . .

Talking about the Whether

2008-03-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

Pet Peeve.
I've got a few, we all do.
But do we really need to go on and on about whether the weather is going to be this way or that way?
It's one of the many wastes of brain cells that consume too many people's daily thoughts.
The weather is what it is folks, and there's nothing you can do about it.
(oh no, don't get me going on global warming)
Seriously, though - if you need to check the weather because it could actually affect you for the day or the very near future, then go for it. Adjust accordingly.
But please don't bore me with the mundane chit chat that happens all too often. I really don't care for it. When you see me staring into space - right through the weather, in fact - you've lost me.
As I am a polite listener, I realize I don't always help the situation, so I may have to try a few new strategies. Perhaps shouting obscenities or dozing off would be a good start, and very unlike me. I will have to ponder this a bit.
In the meantime, I'm working inside today - and not bemoaning the fact that it is sunny outside, for the first time in days.
I shall attempt to talk to no one today so that I don't have to hear what is right or wrong about the weather today.

Marilyn Monroe: One and Only

2008-02-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

Like a lot of things in life, there was only one Marilyn.
And I have to admit that I think she was gorgeous. My wife thinks she's gorgeous. A LOT of people think she's gorgeous.
Now along comes some 'actress' named Lindsay Lohan recreating a photo shoot with the same photographer who did the original with Marilyn.
Sounds like it could be a good idea, but once again, something is askew in this day and age.
Is it that everything is so contrived? Is it that Lindsay does not have the body or the sex appeal to pull this off? Is the photographer out to lunch for suggesting this?
All are probably contributing factors, but what it all adds up to is this generations lack of creativity, lack of respect for the past and the worst case of ADD ever.
Seriously, doesn't any body else see it? Daily, we are inundated with so much useless news - things which don't really affect our lives but which take up space in our brains nonetheless, because we let it.
I don't even own a tv (it's been 10 years) and I always know what's going on in most sectors of the newsworld, but it seems that the completely useless stuff is always at the top of the pile.
Heaven forbid we should all be reading news on being responsible citizens on the planet learning how to have a good time in life without wrecking everything.

Oh well. What's one person to do.

State of the World

2008-02-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

So I like to think about things . . . a lot.
A frequent undertone to everything that enters my mind is how we survive in this world and how this world survives us. There's a big battle going on out there, don'tcha know??

As a person who has decided not to have children, with a partner who is in complete agreement (we may not be partners, otherwise), I keep putting this perspective on where the world is headed and what solutions there may be. Of course, a solution can seem obvious in the head and still not be practicable. After all, when becoming vegan 10 years ago it seemed painfully obvious to me that if more people were vegan the world would be full of healthier people with less violence occuring in our everyday lives. Now . . .

Isn't it obvious that the world cannot continue to grow as it has??? We cannot feed, house or clothe everyone as it is, it seems, and our earth is taking a pounding in the process. Seems to me that we all just keep on procreating without thinking about the consequences.
Wouldn't it be simple if every couple on earth averaged just 1 child for a generation or two??? We could continually halve the population, ease up on the use of the earth's precious resources and have a more beautiful world to enjoy.
After all, we find it challenging enough to make ourselves happy (my parnter and I) on a daily basis, so why do we as a society and a culture heap so much more responsibility on ourselves continually??

The human race never ceases to amaze me, but someday it may simply cease . . . by our own doing, by mother natures or something else altogether.

I simply would like us each to think about our life, the lives of those closest to us and perhaps decide that quality is more important than quantity in every regard. Then I believe we'll be getting somewhere.

In Dreams

2008-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's crazy when I think about all the philosophical meandering I've taken in this life. In my head, in my heart and in my travels.
One thing remains fairly constant, however, and very telling about what I do in this life - and that is, my dreams.
I've always been a fairly vivid dreamer and have thought that dreams are a place where your subconscious either ponders or puts together things that you don't have the time or awareness to do during the waking hours.
So it seems fitting to me that after all these years that my dreams have come to be a very good reassurance of the life I'm choosing. Why?
Well, having made some tough decisions such as becoming vegan, being tough with family and friends and wanting to be with the one person who I enjoy being with beyond all others has brought me to a solid place. There are things I won't do that are even reflected in dreams.
I won't eat meat, I won't cheat on my partner and I won't back down from something I believe in. The 'me' in dreams feels exactly the same way as I do! YAY!
To me this is a good sign - that I'm living the way I ought to be or at least the way I truly want to.

No more scary monsters or anxiety attacks anymore.

It's onward and upward with high-flying adventures!