On the heels of writing about not watching TV, I’ve been watching TV! I have been sitting on the couch, remote in hand, channel surfing. I surf because I am bored. I stopped on Oprah, briefly. Who are these chefs? Celebrity Chefs? What are those? Are these people I am suppose to know? I surf on.
I stop on Ellen. Ellen I know. I think one would have to be living under a rock not to know Ellen. However, she has a steady stream of guests that for some reason are worthy of TV airtime. Who is Zach? Why would I want to listen to what he has to say? Do I care that he has a funny hair do? Why would I? I don’t understand. I watched a little while longer because Ellen is funny. But who is Jonas and what has his brother done that he needs to be on TV? Am I supposed to know? I just don’t get it. I have enough trouble keeping track of my own friends and family. How do you people keep track of all these other people? I continue to watch and I must admit I do know who Clint Eastwood is and I would love to see his new movie Gran Torino. If you want to take me, let me know.
Later on in the evening I decided to have another go at it. I thought I would watch something intelligent, although I think that is an oxymoron, television and intelligent. I do discover a segment on CBC News World about lions in Africa. I stop and take in the mini documentary. I learn about Lion Guards and how one organization is attempting to save the lions. Now that was worthy of my time. Then I am slammed with commercials. Those major length advertisements are never ending. So I surf.
I stop on a show about overweight British women. Well, just two in particular. Some “Do Gooder” is helping these women to see the error of their ways. I am not sure why these women agree to examine their poop on international TV, but then I do not understand why anyone watches TV (with the exception of COPS and America’s Most Wanted – anyone want to start Canada’s Most Wanted with me?). Regardless, there they were, poop in a food container, discussing the output and what it might all mean. I would think after eating 26 slices of bread with jam and butter you would not need someone to point out to you what it means.
Despite my disdain for this misused invention I am not going to disconnect. By morning light I will have forgotten about the mystery Zach and the Jonas brother. I will avoid the TV for most of the day as I have some errands to do. I will, however, turn on the TV and briefly join the millions of you using the TV to avoid whatever it is we should be doing in that moment. Then a commercial will come on and I will forget why I am sitting on the couch and I will get up and leave. I will take The Baron out and feel better for it. I will not return to that comfy spot until Saturday night. Like I said the exception is COPS and AMW, which often makes me think of A&W, which in turn, makes me want a burger. Marketing at its finest!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Milestone Ahead
The end of the year is approaching. I would say fast approaching but time moves at the same speed all the time. Time is like that. The end of the year, or beginning of the New Year is a great place to drop a marker. Draw a line in the sand and set some expectations on what you may want to achieve in the coming months. I intend to do just that.
Of course, the fear, my fear, is that I will continue on as I am. Doing the things I do that lead me to the endless places of oblivion that have become my life. I say that without drama, it is simply the case of my being. I accomplish nothing and have the results to prove it. I talk the talk but I seldom get out and walk the walk.
It truly is a challenge, for me anyway, to change directions. I have come to believe that I need to force the change, as painful as that will be. Shear force of will to start the process and then as the change occurs the momentum will carry me.
So with the knowledge that the days of 2008 are numbered I race to beat the clock. I have a long list of things to move, change and discard by the eve of the 31st. I can see the top of my desk, however, my closets are still full. I’ll let you all know what the 1st holds.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.
Of course, the fear, my fear, is that I will continue on as I am. Doing the things I do that lead me to the endless places of oblivion that have become my life. I say that without drama, it is simply the case of my being. I accomplish nothing and have the results to prove it. I talk the talk but I seldom get out and walk the walk.
It truly is a challenge, for me anyway, to change directions. I have come to believe that I need to force the change, as painful as that will be. Shear force of will to start the process and then as the change occurs the momentum will carry me.
So with the knowledge that the days of 2008 are numbered I race to beat the clock. I have a long list of things to move, change and discard by the eve of the 31st. I can see the top of my desk, however, my closets are still full. I’ll let you all know what the 1st holds.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Mind Numbing TV
I do not understand television people. I am referring to those that watch it; those that make it I get completely. I have not had a TV hooked up in quite a while. A few months back I changed all that and plunged back in. However, for the most part I watch DVD’s.
The other day I decided to sit back and turn on the old tube, I lasted about 5 minutes. I was watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or so I thought. What I was really watching was advertising with clips of the Willy Wonka movie worked in. It drove me nuts, just as I was getting into the flow of the movie, more commercials. I shut it all off. I know where to go next time I find myself in the mood to watch commercials. How do you all do it?
That question is targeted to those of you that do not have PVR’s. I wonder how the advertisers that pay huge money for commercial spots feel about those things. All you PVR’ers fast forwarding through Tide commercials, how dare you! I predict a change for TV viewing in the coming years. Once we are all “digital” we will pay not for channels but for shows. If you like Two and Half Men then you will pay for that show. No commercials, just the show. How nice. A pay as you go sort of thing, turn on the tube, buy the show(s) you want to watch and off you go. No annoying commercials. I look forward to that day and when it comes I will hook back in. I must admit, however, that I will miss the Ikea commercials.
The other day I decided to sit back and turn on the old tube, I lasted about 5 minutes. I was watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or so I thought. What I was really watching was advertising with clips of the Willy Wonka movie worked in. It drove me nuts, just as I was getting into the flow of the movie, more commercials. I shut it all off. I know where to go next time I find myself in the mood to watch commercials. How do you all do it?
That question is targeted to those of you that do not have PVR’s. I wonder how the advertisers that pay huge money for commercial spots feel about those things. All you PVR’ers fast forwarding through Tide commercials, how dare you! I predict a change for TV viewing in the coming years. Once we are all “digital” we will pay not for channels but for shows. If you like Two and Half Men then you will pay for that show. No commercials, just the show. How nice. A pay as you go sort of thing, turn on the tube, buy the show(s) you want to watch and off you go. No annoying commercials. I look forward to that day and when it comes I will hook back in. I must admit, however, that I will miss the Ikea commercials.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
I need something new
I need to come up with a topic for this post. I have not put anything on this Blog for so long, it is getting crunchy. New, something new. Oh, I went to Metro about 2 hours ago after walking my dog and a friend's dog. I wanted some junk food; it is night time after all and I need my fix. I spotted new (well new to me) Ah Caramel cakes with a new flavour twist; Triple Chocolate! A new flavour of the Ah Caramel Cakes that I love so much. I was torn people. What was I to do? I wanted to try the new triple chocolate cakes, how could I resist? But the tried and true Ah Caramel, I new they would not disappoint. In a flash it came to me. Buy both. I did. I now have 24 Ah Caramel cakes in two flavours. If you want one, act fast, they are going quickly, only 16 left.
I do not think anything else is new. I do need a few new things. I need a new monitor for my PC. I need new jeans. I need a new approach. I also need to call the police about the drug dealers on the street. That, however, is not new.
Oh wait, this post is new!
I do not think anything else is new. I do need a few new things. I need a new monitor for my PC. I need new jeans. I need a new approach. I also need to call the police about the drug dealers on the street. That, however, is not new.
Oh wait, this post is new!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Creating Belief
Last night, while walking around Chinatown feeding feral cats, a friend of mine, tolerated my blindness and helped me see. We got talking about 9/11 and a comment I had made in an e-mail I had sent to her. I stated that I did not believe an airplane had flown into the Pentagon (I have to mention her comment as I am smiling at the memory…she said she did not respond to my e-mail because she did not know what to do with it…). Rondi, my friend, is someone that knows more about politics than I, and more about world happenings than I, so I usually ask questions and listen.
I listened again last night. What I discovered, aside from the evidence of the plane flying into the Pentagon, was something a little more interesting to me. I discovered that I wanted to believe that there was a conspiracy. I think I have come to find comfort in believing that the US government, and ours to a lesser degree, conspire on most things. If you look you can see evidence everywhere. All those documentaries cannot be wrong, right?
The reality is that they can be and some of them are way off base. Truth is something that is flexible and in order to determine what is and what isn’t, one needs to take the time to check the source. I noticed that I believe what I want to believe. Interesting, I thought I believed what made sense and was actually true. Which on some level I was, taking in the information, sorting out what made sense and then taking that to be true. My truth. However, what happened to checking it out?
I think, with the 9/11 incident I chose to take hold of the conspiracy theories because in some strange way it gave me some comfort. It was easier to accept that it was an “inside job” than believe that there is a real threat to my safety from some unknown unseen enemy. Interesting.
I read a long article printed in Popular Mechanics. It was very interesting and “debunked” most of the conspiracy claims. One by one, knocking them down with concrete facts about what happened on that day. So, now, I am over it.
I still believe, however, that Monsanto, the corporation that holds a GMO soybean patent is out of control. As were and still are to some extent, the tobacco companies. However, I think that conspiracies are not done on such grand scales and often what appears to be a conspiracy is simply bad judgement. Corporations, being money focused, tend to lose sight of what is good, It remains our responsibility to stay informed and when required, kick those companies back into line.
I guess the trick is to stay in the world of possibilities. Imagine what it would take to conspire and execute a 9/11 event. There would be so many people involved that it would fail before it got started. We may debate how it was handled; did Bush do a good job? Was the US response appropriate? How do we prevent such acts of terror in the future? But to distract ourselves with wild speculation and theories that simply do not fly do us all a disservice.
It is great to be able to look inside and see what had me believing. It was great to re-evaluate and be aware of the process I have been using to make decisions and create my beliefs. I feel humbled and with a new awareness. Believing does not make it true.
Thanks Rondi.
I listened again last night. What I discovered, aside from the evidence of the plane flying into the Pentagon, was something a little more interesting to me. I discovered that I wanted to believe that there was a conspiracy. I think I have come to find comfort in believing that the US government, and ours to a lesser degree, conspire on most things. If you look you can see evidence everywhere. All those documentaries cannot be wrong, right?
The reality is that they can be and some of them are way off base. Truth is something that is flexible and in order to determine what is and what isn’t, one needs to take the time to check the source. I noticed that I believe what I want to believe. Interesting, I thought I believed what made sense and was actually true. Which on some level I was, taking in the information, sorting out what made sense and then taking that to be true. My truth. However, what happened to checking it out?
I think, with the 9/11 incident I chose to take hold of the conspiracy theories because in some strange way it gave me some comfort. It was easier to accept that it was an “inside job” than believe that there is a real threat to my safety from some unknown unseen enemy. Interesting.
I read a long article printed in Popular Mechanics. It was very interesting and “debunked” most of the conspiracy claims. One by one, knocking them down with concrete facts about what happened on that day. So, now, I am over it.
I still believe, however, that Monsanto, the corporation that holds a GMO soybean patent is out of control. As were and still are to some extent, the tobacco companies. However, I think that conspiracies are not done on such grand scales and often what appears to be a conspiracy is simply bad judgement. Corporations, being money focused, tend to lose sight of what is good, It remains our responsibility to stay informed and when required, kick those companies back into line.
I guess the trick is to stay in the world of possibilities. Imagine what it would take to conspire and execute a 9/11 event. There would be so many people involved that it would fail before it got started. We may debate how it was handled; did Bush do a good job? Was the US response appropriate? How do we prevent such acts of terror in the future? But to distract ourselves with wild speculation and theories that simply do not fly do us all a disservice.
It is great to be able to look inside and see what had me believing. It was great to re-evaluate and be aware of the process I have been using to make decisions and create my beliefs. I feel humbled and with a new awareness. Believing does not make it true.
Thanks Rondi.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Bailout
The ones that made, the obviously bad choice, to loan money to people that cannot repay it are going to be bailed out. The US taxpayers are being set up to buy the bad assets from the financial institutions. Does this mean that they can stay in, or have their house back? No, of course not. However, the banker will have his pocket money given back to him. How nice to belong to that little club at the top. I had to smile at the part, in the video, that states they will ask for legislation to raise the ceiling for the debt. Why create a ceiling to begin with if you are just going to raise it? Right, my mistake, when something is no longer convenient you change it.
This comment, posted on the Star’s site, suggests an alternative to the bailout.
I attempted to source this via Harvard’s website but I had no luck. I do not doubt that there is a better alternative then the bailout suggested by the Bush administration. Why is it we always accept that the rich save the rich? Are we just to damn busy trying to find jobs, and another place to live, that we let the royalty up top get away with it time and time again?
I may not have much of an understanding of the economy, however, I do understand debt. The time comes when you are asked to pay. At 11.3 trillion I hope when that time comes, someone had the foresight to put a little bit aside.
This comment, posted on the Star’s site, suggests an alternative to the bailout.
the effect of the bail out is the taxpayer assumes the "toxic debt" created by Wall Street. Why not directly write down this debt, giving relief to the victims of these crimes, allowing them to remain in their homes, and a vital part of the economy. Harvard calculates this would cost only $150 to $200 billion, and the net result would be more favorable to everyone and the economy as a whole, except those who created this mess. It would in effect bail them out, but not reward them. Everyone wins, sort of. But alas, this makes too much sense, and the lobbyists would not be happy with anything less than Wall Street profiteering further from their own fraud.
I attempted to source this via Harvard’s website but I had no luck. I do not doubt that there is a better alternative then the bailout suggested by the Bush administration. Why is it we always accept that the rich save the rich? Are we just to damn busy trying to find jobs, and another place to live, that we let the royalty up top get away with it time and time again?
I may not have much of an understanding of the economy, however, I do understand debt. The time comes when you are asked to pay. At 11.3 trillion I hope when that time comes, someone had the foresight to put a little bit aside.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Musical Memories
I have been spending the evening watching music videos and writing. I have had different thoughts while working this process. One is I want to get out of here. Another is that only a music star can get arrested in a washroom for having sex and turn into a pretty damn good song (although I am not sure Mr. Michaels was actually having sex, however, I am sure it was his intent and what the hell you only live once).
I have Michael Jackson on at the moment. I am limited to Sony artists as I am on the Sony BMG site. It is pretty good, and easy way to watch videos. Not to say that I am not watching Michael Jackson videos because I am limited. I enjoy him. I have watched Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Beat it, and Billie Jean. I had a memory flash back, while watching Beat It, of my sister Chana commenting that Michael had “all the moves”. Maybe it was not in reference to MJ but I do recall such a comment. I also recall thinking; I have all the moves, what the hell is she talking about?
But I realize that I am like that dancer on Birdcage. The one that Robin Williams’s character is talking to during the rehearsal. I am fosse fosse fosse Madonna Madonna Madonna, but I am keeping it all inside. And I do, keep it all inside. However, not for very much longer, I’ve got to get control… I am applying for a bursary to the RCM. I am going to take, learn and play music.
Check out the site. See where it takes you. I leave you while listening to NSYNC.
I have Michael Jackson on at the moment. I am limited to Sony artists as I am on the Sony BMG site. It is pretty good, and easy way to watch videos. Not to say that I am not watching Michael Jackson videos because I am limited. I enjoy him. I have watched Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Beat it, and Billie Jean. I had a memory flash back, while watching Beat It, of my sister Chana commenting that Michael had “all the moves”. Maybe it was not in reference to MJ but I do recall such a comment. I also recall thinking; I have all the moves, what the hell is she talking about?
But I realize that I am like that dancer on Birdcage. The one that Robin Williams’s character is talking to during the rehearsal. I am fosse fosse fosse Madonna Madonna Madonna, but I am keeping it all inside. And I do, keep it all inside. However, not for very much longer, I’ve got to get control… I am applying for a bursary to the RCM. I am going to take, learn and play music.
Check out the site. See where it takes you. I leave you while listening to NSYNC.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Magenta Mauve Maroon Crows
I watched Maroon 5 last night at the Molson Amphitheatre and was enthralled. They are like a group of kids playing in their basement. The funny thing is when I checked out their site today I learned that they did just that. Of course they did. Playing guitar and experimenting with their sound. Developing into the great players they are today. The 3 of them on stage playing mean guitar it truly was a flashback experience. It felt like the 70’s and I could imagine these guys playing in their parent’s basement on some old orangie brown shag carpet.
The drummer of this group is also an amazing player. Tons of non-stop energy; I wonder if he collapses after the show. My view of the keyboard player was a bit obscured despite the 3rd row centre seats. It could have been because I was so close to the stage that I could not see him way up there. The band is a very well oiled machine with great songs and a great stage presence. I had a great time and as I write this I have Maroon 5 on my stereo, rather loud.
The concert was a double bill that opened with Sara Beralis. I did not catch much of her act but what I did hear was great. Adam from The Counting Crows came on stage and introduced her claming she would be touring on her own very soon. I share his belief; she will be there no doubt.
The reason I missed her (Sara) was we were backstage with the guitar player from The Crows. My friend Rondi is connected and invited me to the show. We went backstage and had a beer and a chat. About 10 minutes before the Crows hit the stage we came out and took our seats.
The Crows are also an amazing band. I enjoyed their set and I now need to hit the HMV or some of the second hand CD stores. I need to get the Crows into my collection.
Whoever came up with the idea of these 3 acts on one stage in one night knows what they are doing. The build up was perfect. Each act generated more energy for the next; they compliment each other perfectly. What a great night of music. I left a bit deaf and no doubt I have lost a portion of my hearing, but what a way to go!
Thank you Rondi for inviting me, I had a great time. Next time the latte’s are on me!
The drummer of this group is also an amazing player. Tons of non-stop energy; I wonder if he collapses after the show. My view of the keyboard player was a bit obscured despite the 3rd row centre seats. It could have been because I was so close to the stage that I could not see him way up there. The band is a very well oiled machine with great songs and a great stage presence. I had a great time and as I write this I have Maroon 5 on my stereo, rather loud.
The concert was a double bill that opened with Sara Beralis. I did not catch much of her act but what I did hear was great. Adam from The Counting Crows came on stage and introduced her claming she would be touring on her own very soon. I share his belief; she will be there no doubt.
The reason I missed her (Sara) was we were backstage with the guitar player from The Crows. My friend Rondi is connected and invited me to the show. We went backstage and had a beer and a chat. About 10 minutes before the Crows hit the stage we came out and took our seats.
The Crows are also an amazing band. I enjoyed their set and I now need to hit the HMV or some of the second hand CD stores. I need to get the Crows into my collection.
Whoever came up with the idea of these 3 acts on one stage in one night knows what they are doing. The build up was perfect. Each act generated more energy for the next; they compliment each other perfectly. What a great night of music. I left a bit deaf and no doubt I have lost a portion of my hearing, but what a way to go!
Thank you Rondi for inviting me, I had a great time. Next time the latte’s are on me!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I saw a pig
Yesterday, while walking home from work, I spotted a pig. This pig was in the scoop of a bobcat. As I watched, in a haze of disbelief, I realized I was seeing live what I had heard about from sources like Fast Food Nation and some of my friends. I watched and realized I cannot eat another pig.
As I stood there watching, with my dog, I noticed that there was at least 2 pigs in the scoop. I wondered how they got in there; it would be painful to just be scooped up by one of those machines. I cannot say for sure, however, I thought at least one of the pigs was alive. If it was I am sure it was terrified and in a great deal of pain. It was unnatural the way it was being bounced around. I reasoned that it was actually dead. Which lead me to wonder how it died. Was it on the truck on route to this slaughterhouse? I have learned, what should have been obvious after seeing a few truck loads of pigs, that the trucks are exposed to the elements. No heat in the winter, no cooling in the summer, no food no water....no wonder.
I think it is awful how we treat animals. On the surface I have no problem being a meat eater. I enjoy burgers, chicken and steaks. What makes me sick is seeing how we treat these animals before we kill them. We may be able to explain it away with economic reasons but truly there is no justification for the horrors we subject them too. I am left, as we all are, with a choice. Take the blue pill and all is ok, we return to the numb unknowing state we like to live in. Or take the red pill, take a stand and do something about it.
I hope you all take the red pill. If you need a little more to encourage you I defy you to watch this video and then tell me it’s all ok. Hell, they are just animals. Oh wait, so are we.
If you must eat meat, eat cruelty free meat. Free range grain fed chickens for example.
As I stood there watching, with my dog, I noticed that there was at least 2 pigs in the scoop. I wondered how they got in there; it would be painful to just be scooped up by one of those machines. I cannot say for sure, however, I thought at least one of the pigs was alive. If it was I am sure it was terrified and in a great deal of pain. It was unnatural the way it was being bounced around. I reasoned that it was actually dead. Which lead me to wonder how it died. Was it on the truck on route to this slaughterhouse? I have learned, what should have been obvious after seeing a few truck loads of pigs, that the trucks are exposed to the elements. No heat in the winter, no cooling in the summer, no food no water....no wonder.
I think it is awful how we treat animals. On the surface I have no problem being a meat eater. I enjoy burgers, chicken and steaks. What makes me sick is seeing how we treat these animals before we kill them. We may be able to explain it away with economic reasons but truly there is no justification for the horrors we subject them too. I am left, as we all are, with a choice. Take the blue pill and all is ok, we return to the numb unknowing state we like to live in. Or take the red pill, take a stand and do something about it.
I hope you all take the red pill. If you need a little more to encourage you I defy you to watch this video and then tell me it’s all ok. Hell, they are just animals. Oh wait, so are we.
If you must eat meat, eat cruelty free meat. Free range grain fed chickens for example.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Fire and Space
I walked on fire, literally; burning hot coals at 2400 degrees. I walked and I focused and I made it across and it transformed a part of me. I was discussing the experience today and I realized that most of life is the figurative of that literal experience. To transform (which is different than change) one must walk the coals and the coals lie in the space between:
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain…
This is the one side. The side I have been on for many years. It is the side of the space where we, I, cry and laugh and remain to “keep safe from the pain”. What I have learned is that when we step out onto the coals, with help from a soul that knows, we may leave some of what we are behind but we gain.
The Space Between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The Space Between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into...
The Space Between
Our wicked lies
Is where we hope to keep safe from pain…
Then there is that other side. And if we are hiding are waiting it is not truly in the space but on the far side. The truth about the space is that we can transverse it with focus commitment dedication and with someone who is willing to scream the truth into our face. Scream it and whisper as we scream and whisper to ourselves. The firefight, the falling rain the wicked lies are all things we do to ourselves in our failed attempts to protect ourselves from the pain.
When I crossed the coals I burned the arch of my right foot. I saw in my mind a flash of bright white light as the coal seared into my flesh. I kept on going. I moved forward and when I stepped into the cool grass on the other side I was awakened. I now know that I can step into that space again and again. I can even be burned and still move forward and reach the other side. Because of that literal experience I now look forward to more spaces.
I am truly grateful to my beautiful friend Barb for whispering into my ear.
The lyrics…Dave Matthews Band…Under the Table and Dreaming
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain…
This is the one side. The side I have been on for many years. It is the side of the space where we, I, cry and laugh and remain to “keep safe from the pain”. What I have learned is that when we step out onto the coals, with help from a soul that knows, we may leave some of what we are behind but we gain.
The Space Between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The Space Between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into...
The Space Between
Our wicked lies
Is where we hope to keep safe from pain…
Then there is that other side. And if we are hiding are waiting it is not truly in the space but on the far side. The truth about the space is that we can transverse it with focus commitment dedication and with someone who is willing to scream the truth into our face. Scream it and whisper as we scream and whisper to ourselves. The firefight, the falling rain the wicked lies are all things we do to ourselves in our failed attempts to protect ourselves from the pain.
When I crossed the coals I burned the arch of my right foot. I saw in my mind a flash of bright white light as the coal seared into my flesh. I kept on going. I moved forward and when I stepped into the cool grass on the other side I was awakened. I now know that I can step into that space again and again. I can even be burned and still move forward and reach the other side. Because of that literal experience I now look forward to more spaces.
I am truly grateful to my beautiful friend Barb for whispering into my ear.
The lyrics…Dave Matthews Band…Under the Table and Dreaming
Monday, March 10, 2008
Help I have done it again
I watched the final 9 minutes of the final episode of Six Feet Under on Youtube. I looked it up as I wanted to hear that haunting song again. Breathe Me by Sia. What an incredible show with an incredible ending. It slides into me and draws out so many feelings; loss, anxiety, hope and fear. It makes me still, and, really I find myself sad about life more so than happy. Perhaps it is my age.
“Help I have done it again, I have been here many times before". How I relate to that so clearly. How many times must I do this to myself? Lose track, repeat the same pattern, and make the same mistake. How many times before I will get it and choose a different path. Maybe there is no other path to choose.
“Ouch, I have lost myself again”, yes I do that as well. The upside here is that to know this one must discover oneself again. It is time to get caught up in the grandeur of that discovery instead of getting bogged down in the loss. The loss is, after all, in the past.
Then there is the xylophone, or at least what I believe to be a xylophone. On so many levels those notes speak to me. It plays in my bones and I hear it say “get to it Roy, time is running away from you. Now is the all that is and it’s fleeting.
The images that pass along the way as well, as Sia sings that soulful tune. Their lives play out and I have that sense of passing. Have I done the things I wanted? Will I have a chance tomorrow to say hello or goodbye? Will I have the love I long for?
I stop hearing the words of that song; I get lost in all the other experiences of it. I ride up and down and in the end I am just with the notes. The ending. The fading to white as the crescendo dies and I am left alone, longing. I wonder if I will ever have another face to touch. I wonder if I will ever look into his eyes and know the meaning of everything and nothing.
“Help I have done it again, I have been here many times before". How I relate to that so clearly. How many times must I do this to myself? Lose track, repeat the same pattern, and make the same mistake. How many times before I will get it and choose a different path. Maybe there is no other path to choose.
“Ouch, I have lost myself again”, yes I do that as well. The upside here is that to know this one must discover oneself again. It is time to get caught up in the grandeur of that discovery instead of getting bogged down in the loss. The loss is, after all, in the past.
Then there is the xylophone, or at least what I believe to be a xylophone. On so many levels those notes speak to me. It plays in my bones and I hear it say “get to it Roy, time is running away from you. Now is the all that is and it’s fleeting.
The images that pass along the way as well, as Sia sings that soulful tune. Their lives play out and I have that sense of passing. Have I done the things I wanted? Will I have a chance tomorrow to say hello or goodbye? Will I have the love I long for?
I stop hearing the words of that song; I get lost in all the other experiences of it. I ride up and down and in the end I am just with the notes. The ending. The fading to white as the crescendo dies and I am left alone, longing. I wonder if I will ever have another face to touch. I wonder if I will ever look into his eyes and know the meaning of everything and nothing.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Late Nights
I am up at 2:40am. I am tired but awake a situation I think I owe to my eldest sister. My phone rang at midnight and it woke me from my rather light sleep, I am guessing it was her calling. I was on the edge anyway, it was not a very good sleep. I had gone to bed without brushing my teeth. I don't usually do that but that's the way it worked out this evening. When the phone woke me up I realized I was having this very odd dream which I cannot explain. It involved a BMW SUV and my "unbrushed" teeth. I got up and brushed them, my teeth, and instead of getting back into bed I came up stairs. I started flipping TV channels, which doesn't take long when you only have basic cable. I now find myself online, surfing and blogging. The picture included here is what got me blogging. I was "googling" (what happened to all the other search engines???) random words. No, not sex or naked or lust words like "taken" which lead me to a documentary by Avi Lewis (I tried to find the link but this time around it did not come up. No big deal really. If you really want some interesting links about Avi check out Rondi's site and click around). Ironic because what got me started was Rondi's blog and an item she had about Avi Lewis. Anyway, I also "googled" "became" and read an interesting story about how Hitler got control of Germany. An interesting comment in the article about how scared populations easily give up their civil liberties. Things that make me go hmmmmmmm. The best thing I stumbled upon was this image, quite by accident when I "googled" "tired" and Google offered up some images. Maybe now I can get some sleep too.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Heart Stroke and Food Lables
I watched an episode of Market Place on the Heart and Stroke foundation's heart healthy logo. Big surprise, the logo is meaningless. It reflects products that may have reduced salt or fat content, however, it does not mean that product is the healthiest choice. Further, it does not rate all foods, only products from companies that are willing to pay for the use of the logo. Although this is a great way for H&S to raise funds, it does not provide meaningful information to consumers.
Two things struck me when I watched the program.
1) Does anyone really believe that anything made by Vachon is healthy? Further, when you pick up a bag of french fries do you think you are making a healthy choice? Tastes great and healthy are not one in the same. Even with a heart logo on a Vachon product I know that I am eating crap. High sugar content and lousy ingredients. It is a cake after all what would I expect?
2) Somewhere along the line the woman that Represented the H&S program lost her believe in said program. She was struggling to support and back it up and under fire she was shot down. Perhaps she did not have the knowledge of the program to answer the questions. It was, however, clear to me that she did not have the passion or the vision to be speaking for the Heart logo.
The rest of the piece discussed other food check systems. I fail to see why we need one. I think we all know that buying frozen dinners and bags of french fries is really not the way to go. If we want to be heart smart and healthy buying fresh line caught salmon and having a salad is the way to do it. I think if we are honest about it the issue would go away. I love junk food, I over eat junk food and that is why I am out of shape. No mystery to me and I do not need a logo or a food check system to figure it out. When I am ready I will buy that salmon and pick up some cucumbers and a couple of tomatoes. I will also hit the gym. I'll cut back on refined sugar and stop buying cookies and food that comes in cans and boxes. I wont rely on H&S or any other marketing machine to show me what is healthy. There are lots of unbiased sources to research to find the truth. Here is one: Dr. Oz's and Dr. Roizen's site There are others as well. If you want to eat well and feed your children a healthy diet pull yourself out of the world of brands and marketing and just get back to the basics.
Two things struck me when I watched the program.
1) Does anyone really believe that anything made by Vachon is healthy? Further, when you pick up a bag of french fries do you think you are making a healthy choice? Tastes great and healthy are not one in the same. Even with a heart logo on a Vachon product I know that I am eating crap. High sugar content and lousy ingredients. It is a cake after all what would I expect?
2) Somewhere along the line the woman that Represented the H&S program lost her believe in said program. She was struggling to support and back it up and under fire she was shot down. Perhaps she did not have the knowledge of the program to answer the questions. It was, however, clear to me that she did not have the passion or the vision to be speaking for the Heart logo.
The rest of the piece discussed other food check systems. I fail to see why we need one. I think we all know that buying frozen dinners and bags of french fries is really not the way to go. If we want to be heart smart and healthy buying fresh line caught salmon and having a salad is the way to do it. I think if we are honest about it the issue would go away. I love junk food, I over eat junk food and that is why I am out of shape. No mystery to me and I do not need a logo or a food check system to figure it out. When I am ready I will buy that salmon and pick up some cucumbers and a couple of tomatoes. I will also hit the gym. I'll cut back on refined sugar and stop buying cookies and food that comes in cans and boxes. I wont rely on H&S or any other marketing machine to show me what is healthy. There are lots of unbiased sources to research to find the truth. Here is one: Dr. Oz's and Dr. Roizen's site There are others as well. If you want to eat well and feed your children a healthy diet pull yourself out of the world of brands and marketing and just get back to the basics.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Pit Bull Ban
The Toronto Star ran a story today about a Pit Bull that escaped the yard of its home. This is what our city Politicians spend our tax dollars on. Killing dogs. What escapes me (and it is not my dog I have a shepherd and they like to stick close) is how anyone thinks banning an animal solves the problem. So once again for those of you that do not get it. it is not the dog, it is the owner. Dog's know exactly how to be dogs. It is us Humans that screw them all up.
Consider this as well. Those that have uncontrollable viscous Pit Bulls are most likely drug dealers (ok a stereo type perhaps but check it out). Why would a ban make any difference to someone that is actively breaking a federal law? The ban makes the situation worse. It drives people to hide their dogs which means the dogs are not socialized properly. Which means the dogs are more of a threat; which is of course not the dog's fault. If we truly want to improve the situation we need to licence dog owners, not the dogs. Before you can buy, own, breed or keep a dog you should have to write an exam on the topic of dogs. Then we can hold you accountable for the behaviour of your dog. It is pretty simple but I hazard a guess that passing a useless ban on an innocent animal gained more votes than doing something intelligent. Humans!
I hope that she wins the case and saves her dog. Not to mention all the other dogs her victory would save.
Consider this as well. Those that have uncontrollable viscous Pit Bulls are most likely drug dealers (ok a stereo type perhaps but check it out). Why would a ban make any difference to someone that is actively breaking a federal law? The ban makes the situation worse. It drives people to hide their dogs which means the dogs are not socialized properly. Which means the dogs are more of a threat; which is of course not the dog's fault. If we truly want to improve the situation we need to licence dog owners, not the dogs. Before you can buy, own, breed or keep a dog you should have to write an exam on the topic of dogs. Then we can hold you accountable for the behaviour of your dog. It is pretty simple but I hazard a guess that passing a useless ban on an innocent animal gained more votes than doing something intelligent. Humans!
I hope that she wins the case and saves her dog. Not to mention all the other dogs her victory would save.
These two songs...
I love to rock to these two songs. Timbaland is quite something. I have not taken the time to figure out who and what he is, but he brought together some great talent and produced a great album. As for Good Charlotte, I wonder why they do not get much radio play. Every time I tune in I am hearing about tears on my guitar and tattooed hearts. Blah blah blah. Apologize gets a lot of air play too. Being on Timbaland's album I am liking the song but why do we have to hear it every hour on the hour? I would like to start my own radio station. On the Internet so as to avoid all the rules that plague FM radio. I play all kinds of stuff, never a dull moment on radioroy!
Check out:
www.goodcharlotte.com You can play videos that pop up in another window. Play Dance Floor Anthem, loud, really loud. Check out The River as well, it is voted most popular song.
www.timbalandmusic.com Play all of it...
Check out:
www.goodcharlotte.com You can play videos that pop up in another window. Play Dance Floor Anthem, loud, really loud. Check out The River as well, it is voted most popular song.
www.timbalandmusic.com Play all of it...
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