Writer's Block

Well, today I truly have nothing to say. Perhaps, I should have saved part of my Sunday's rant for today ;). Ahh, I could have continued on (on Sunday) but wanted to go to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour.

Working downtown is wonderful, and I love being so close to Harbourfront. :) I cannot believe that I (a country mouse), missed downtown as much as I did. Perhaps, over the years I am becoming more of a city person that I realise.

Good Night

The Power of Why

Why?

Why is a question that we as a society lately seem to have forgotten even exists.

Why is a powerful word that we can use in all aspects of our dealings with each other on this planet but we do not… why is that?
Why do we as a society instill in our children fear of the unknown? Instead of teaching our children to be confident to face that which is different; we teach them to fear that which is different.

Why do we as a society allow criminals to not accept responsibility for their actions? Instead of stating that yes they robbed a store, instead they blame their environment and upbringing. What about the more than 90% of others in that were raised in the same type of upbringing but chose to respect the law.

Why do we as a society allow the Government to break their promises to us on a repeated basis, but not to demand recourse from them? We are in charge the Government, and they are not in charge of us. We have every right to hold them accountable for their actions. Instead we are passive, and allow them to continue in office.

Why do we demand more action from our local Law Enforcement when violent crime seems to be on the upswing? Instead of standing up to those which break the law, and having them fear that they will be reported, we cower behind our fear. How does one instill common sense into those who witness crime that if more people stood up and were truthful to what they saw, crime would go down.

Why do we allow our Government to tax us to death, and then even continue to stand by while this same Government taxes up to 60% of our income in the other taxation forms? We have tax on books, tax on certain food, tax on entertainment, tax on homes, tax upon tax. We complain about it but we never act upon it.

Why do we allow the media to manipulate the news in the form of ratings? Why do we now expect the news not to be reported facts, but for the media to speculate in which every way that they believe will garner more ratings?

Why do we not demand quality programming from the Television Industry? We complain that there is nothing on TV, yet we allow ourselves to watch the cheap, calculated reality shows which put dollars into the Executives pockets, but does not provide us with value?

Have we as a society forgotten our voice? Have we forgotten in this day and age of Technology that we have more avenues to us than ever before to stand up and make change?

Why do we listen to the Seal Hunters who claim that they kill those poor baby seals in a most humane way? So beating them over the head with a club until they bleed out is humane? (do not even get me started on this one)

We as a collective have the power to change the laws of our society. We have the power to enforce our Government by the rules that put them into office in the first place (and may they never forget that). We have the power to change the justice system. We have the power to change the world if we want. One voice at a time, if we so make that choice.

Never forget to stand up for your beliefs, and never forget the power of “Why”!

Completed My First Week!!

Well, I have now finished my first week on the new job. Everyone has been so great, and it is nice being able to see familiar faces on a regular basis once again. I am still not used to leaving the office in daylight, but I know that I will be able to adapt quickly. In addition, I cannot begin to tell you how much of a relief it is knowing that I no longer have to wait for a bus in the "no one can hear you scream" area of Brampton. I am pretty resilient to such things for the most part, but being in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a bus....knowing that there is no one around you to hear you scream can defeat that which is most brave inside one's self. Especially, when on more than once occasion I have had some guy by the bus stop trying to entice me in his car. I cannot tell you how much that spooked me. The location of the warehouse is truly in a lonely area for those of us without cars.

But alas, I am now back in civilization, and that part of my life is over.

Finally!

It has been two weeks, since my last post. How sad am I? But alas, there is always a new day to start to posting (back) on a daily basis. As well, since I am downtown once again (and cannot even begin to tell you how happy that makes me)and have more time to do things, I do not have an excuse. So, hopefully I will be able to discipline myself enough to start anew, and go back to regular posts. I was reminded tonight that I have not updated, so another thank you :D

Tonight, was "Games Night", and I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had. Everyone is so wonderful and it has been a long time since I have laughed that hard. So thank you all! I want to say a Big Thank You to Gwen for being such a great hostess.

I have to make this short, and sweet as I want to hit the hay now!

Good Night All!

Another Chapter Ends, and a New One Begins

Well, it is done! I am now saying good-bye to the world of IT, and entering the Business World. I will be working once again downtown, and will be able to see the light of day. I will have time to spare, time to read, time to reflect.

It is now time to turn the page, and allow the words of life to fill a new book in the Tale of a Fish Out of Water and Far Away From the Sea.

Pet Peeves On Public Transportation

Tonight, coming home from work on one of my 3 buses that I take to and from work(each way)...the person behind me was clipping their nails. Nothing makes me cringe like hearing a nail clipper in a public place. Whatever happened to manners? Have they truly gone the way of the Dodo Bird? Nail Clippers are only the first of my pet peeves.

People who spit while waiting for the bus, train and streetcar. My word, do you really find it necessary to expel whatever you imagine is in your mouth at that particular moment and believe that it needs to escape?

Women who put on their make-up in public, including moisturizer on their face. I am amazed at how one can put on mascara when one is going over a bump, and not end up with it all over the eye/face, but do you really need to show the world your morning routine? Could you not wake up a few minutes earlier, and do this in the privacy of your own home?

Oh what makes one's stomach do flops more than seeing a person flossing their teeth on the TTC, and not caring where those little pieces of plaque go? They must land somewhere, and it could you be they land on.

I could write several paragraphs on this subject alone, but I know that you clue into the idea. Now, I have a suggestion that would not only impede perhaps some of these most horrid habits, but bring some desperately needed funding to the TTC. I suggest that fines b levied against those who leave their manners at home. Those who commit their first offense, will be fined a paltry sum but you will be tracked. Your fines will then be based on the number of offenses that you incurred. After X number of fines, you will be banned from the TTC. This will result in making me one very happy person, and a life without cringing on the TTC.

Congrats Canada!!!

I just finished watching the Torino closing ceremonies. Canada has so much to be proud of with it's greatest ever showing at the Winter Olympics! 24 medals is quite a feat, and we are only one medal below the Americans! 3rd in the world! It truly makes one proud of their athletes, though I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I am with the Men's Hockey Team. *sigh oh well, four more years until home turf* How sweet would that be to win the Mens Hockey Gold on home turf!

Here is to 2010!!!

Vancouver 2010 - (<- Click This) Canada awaits you

RASC

We did it! Malice, and I are now official members of RASC. Now how wonderful is that! We are going to have an incredible year of learning, watching, and enjoying the beauty of what the sky beholds (and beyond of course).

Where is the Snow Tonight?

Sometimes, on days like this I believe that Toronto has a bubble over it. It has to be something like this for us to keep missing out on all of these Storms. Now, my friends will tell me "Shannon, we are on just the wrong side of the Lake". My response to that is, so is Oakville, Hamilton, and so on. Could we not just flip the Lake perhaps?

WHERE ARE THE SNOWSTORMS? I just want one honest to goodness snowstorm, just one and I do not think that is asking for a great deal. Do you know many times I hear from my family and friends in my hometown, wanting to inform me about their snowdays? That the storm is so bad that have had to pull the snowplows and salt trucks off the road. Does Toronto have that? Noooooooo Does Toronto truly know what a really bad snowstorm is? Not really! In Toronto, when there is a bad snowfall they call it a Storm. In Toronto, when there is a heavy continuous snowfall, they call it a snowstorm. Well City Folks, I have news for you - unless you remember the winter of 1999 then you do not know what a true snowstorm is. Actually, in 1999 it was not so much that they were snowstorms as it was just a great deal of snow in a relatively short time frame.

Now, I am not asking for the bitter cold where it gives one brain freeze in less than 60 seconds (because remember folks it needs to be a certain temperature to snow). All I am asking for is one very good blizzard.

But I am also torn when it comes to wanting a storm. For then I think about the homeless, and those who cannot afford heat. Then, I think about all the animals outdoors including domestic where people simply could not care less about their pets. The more I think about it, the more gulity I feel.

So perhaps, it is best that I do not get my wish after all.

Wrong Impressions

Not too long ago, someone told me that sometimes I come across as standoffish. I was stunned, though this is not the first time that I have been told this. The truth is that I am a painfully shy person, especially around those that I do not know very well (if at all). I have two reactions, I either will not say very much (hence where the standoffish comes into play), or I will talk excessively. Mostly, I will remain quiet, but there seems to be no middle ground for me. So now I wonder, how many of those whom we believe are unfriendly are in fact shy. It is written that first impressions count. In fact, I do not believe that this can be accurate. How can one person truly summarize someone in less than 60 seconds? What if that person is having a bad day, or is not feeling well. My belief is that until one gets to know someone then any impressions until that time are inaccurate.

Today I Am A Bug

Are you familiar at all with the expression?

Some Days You Are The
Bug
Some Days You Are The
Windshield

Well, today I am definitely a bug. Tomorrow, I will be a bug. But on Wednesday,

I AM THE WINDSHIELD!

and that is all that I am going to say :P

Coming Soon And It's About Time

It is almost complete, and what a beauty to behold...

Toronto finally, finally, (and did I say finally?) gets its very own Opera and Ballet House.

The Canadian Premiere of Wagner's 5 Rings begins this September...the Four Seaons Centre's Open House is in June, and I cannot wait.

This Centre is unlike any other in Canada, and will be among the best of the best in the world.

Every seat will have a full view of the stage, the acoustics will be exceptional, and the Ballet Performances will be intimate.

I cannot wait...

GO AVALANCHE!!!

I have been a very neglectful fan this season(for not mentioning my fav Hockey Team). But, oh how sweet it is to down the Flames 7-4!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

It's Over For Now

Well, it came...I voted, and it went. The Election is over for now. However, we all know that we will be back at the polls in about 2 years or less. All these weeks, of enduring Politicians making promises they have no intention of keeping. Just to get a glimpse of fleeting fame. We are basically in the same position we were 18 months ago. We have voted in a minority Government, that remains unstable. However, there are some changes...We have voted in a Government that we have no confidence in..but for some reason we thought we would take a chance on...We voted in a Government that have no real experience in governing, but wanting for some strange reason to cosy up to our neighbours to the South. In fact, repairing that relationship appears on the surface to be more important to them than our Health Care, our failing Public Transit systems just to name a few. I could truly go on for quite some time.

Let's just say that I am not satisfied with the party that we have voted in to rule our great Canada.

In fact, I am down right scared!

Here's to the next Election!

Anxiously Awaiting The Results

Well, here I am trying to find out the results of the Election. I have just discovered about an hour ago, that it is actually (now) against the law to discuss the results of the Election until 10:00 PM on a Blog(can you believe that this is the law). Yet, one can discuss the results over the phone and IM (hmmm, I cannot post it on a Blog, but I can IM everyone)...makes no sense... *confused*

So, I am scared...truly scared about who will be our next Leader ...and I have a feeling that whomever it is...we will be once again heading to the polls in the not too far future...

One of My Favourite Sites

It is now 2:30 in the morning, and I am not able to sleep. Even, though I have been trying since Midnight.

So far I have skimmed the latest "National Geographic", read some passages from 2 different books, tossed and turned countless times, and listened to the radio...all done to no avail...

Thus, I am currently surfing one of my favourite sites....and hoping that one day...they have a Canadian version.

I have managed to find a few items that they sell, here in Canada...but alas if only...

This site is an absolute delight for those of use who love to read, and who love books...

http://www.levenger.com

My wishlist for this site is huge, and continues to grow...perhaps it is best that it is an American site...

Alas, I am going back to bed...and toss and turn and toss some more...

Good Night

What Does Your Birthdate Mean?

You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature.Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas.People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life.You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone.
Your strength: Your thirst for adventure
Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures
Your power color: Hot pink
Your power symbol: Figure eight
Your power month: March

Enough Already!

I am going to probably be raked over the coals for this one. But, my belief in the goodwill of the Canadian Politician (and intelligence mind you) is failing by the minute. This is from me, someone whom has both loved and followed politics all of my life. Someone who feels very strongly about what we have accomplished in this Nation. Our history is what defines us, and our beliefs are what keeps us strong. However, our political parties are a mess right now and to be completely honest I would much rather vote for Snoopy (and yes, I know he is American). We have Paul Martin who seemed to be such a strong voice in Parliment until he butted heads with Jean. We will never know the true story, but it seems to have taken it's toll on him in a matter of months. We have Stephen Harper who does not know what he stands for, and who through the previous tough times in this country disappeared from view. Yet, he resurfaces when there is a chance that his party will win (And Stephen, your party is this strong because we are simply fed up with corruption and this has nothing to do with who you are because trust me, if we were voting based on character, you would not even be on the ballot). You can call it conservative all you like, but your beliefs are that of the reform party. Sometimes, I believe Stephen forgets he is from Ontario and not the west. Then, we come to Jack Layton - the man who is responsible for this mess....he is the one that agreed to bring down the Liberals and stated that they were not good for Canada....well, now he has completely flipped the other way and is trying to bring down what the Polls say will be a Conservative Minority....Jack, you cannot have it both ways. You obviously do not know what to stand behind, and you do not stand up to your own ideas...but flop every which way depending on where you see the most votes...that does not make a great Leader...

Oh, and to address all those various polls that the media keep pushing down our throats...remember they are only accurate based on the question...in otherwords, they mean nothing! Remember, the polls in the US declared Al Gore the winner in George Bush's first term...but that is another story altogether...

If the Conservatives are attempting to make believe that they are the former PC Conservative party and are using that reputation to base their campaign on...Should we remind Stephen of the history of the Mulroney Legacy....he brought in GST....he brought in Free Trade which has resulted in most of our goods no longer being made in Canada...even Roots no longer makes and produces all of their goods in Canada...the Taxpayers paid for the furnishing of Sussex House, and I could go on...but you get the idea...

Now on Monday, I will do my duty as a Canadian and vote but I do not have confidence in any of the current Leaders of any party at this time. How sad...

Site Trackers

In the past few days, I have discovered that apparently I am located somewhere in the States; at least when it comes to viewing Blogs. For those of you who use site tracking software, when I am on your site it will show me as a visitor from America. I know why it shows up that way, and I am wondering how truly accurate those tracking sites are.

Just a little tidbit for those whom do not realise I read your Blogs, or perhaps I have stopped.

I just want you to know I still read, and enjoy them faithfully! :)

I Think I Have Finally Found An Apt

I think that I have finally found an apartment where I want to live. Today, I went to see it and, it is in a great location. Everything (except work) is within walking distance. If I only was a coffee and tea drinker...the neighbourhood is certainly a mecca for those that do drink the stuff.
I have a cooking school just literally down the street (and for all of those whom truly know me very well, know that I am not a great cook...in fact, I am a really bad one). However, I love to bake (again, not great at it but better at baking than cooking). And...with a cooking school down the street...I have hope :)
I love the apt building, and it even has a Media Room with a Big Screen Projection TV that I can book for friends night...just imagine the movies..!
A library, 24 laundry room, indoor swimming pool on the top floor, and much more... Now, the only thing that I question is why would an apt building build their pool on the top floor? What happens if the thing started to leak? Would it not be easier to build the pool in the strongest part of the building (the basement)? Perhaps, I am just over thinking this. Actually, I woud say that one of my greatest flaws and strenghts is being analytical. The flaw is...I am over-analytical, and that is where my weakness comes into play. I always over -think things, and always have. I take something ... break it down into all different sections, analyse every one, and put it back together. I am the one whom always reads the manual even before I take something out of the box. One of my goals this year, is to learn how to break it into different sections, and put it back together (without inspecting every little space)...

So getting back to the apt...I will decide at the end of this week, but I think I have found my new home!

A new beginning.....