Happy Birthday Gwen!

I want to thank you Gwen for such a wicked party. I know that a great time was had by all. Also, I want to thank "my coaches" who were patient enough to teach me the basic pool fundamentals. You guys are the best, and I am afraid that I might now be hooked!

I have photos from last night, and though I am still kicking myself for bringing out my cam so late, I will post the photos on my flickr site.

Gwen, I hope that you have a wicked B-Day and I know that you have many celebrations!

Happy Birthdays

I am once again behind in my posts but want to wish some people a Wonderful Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday goes out (In order of their B-Days) to Taras/Chris/Gwen.

I Joined Facebook!

The Wilds of Public Transit

Why oh why does the general public insist on using public transit as if they were in the privacy of their own homes?

In the last few months of my travels, on what can only be described as sardines in a jar during rush hour, I have seen many things that I hope to never experience again.

I have seen…

A woman who was not only putting on her full-make up on the subway, but also tweezing her eyebrows and discarding the unwanted hairs on the poor souls beside her

Several drunk men usually on a Friday evening, who I have no idea of how these guys even remember their own name less alone where they live, and lucky me always gets blessed to have them sit down beside me (and people wonder why my face is almost always stuck in a book on the subway)…I tell you that “weirdo attraction beacon" on my head is real because I always attract them without fail…

A woman who had bent her head over and was brushing her hair quite vigorously as if she almost wanted to share her dead hair with those around her

More people arguing on a mobile phone (between those unfortunate few stops where they can get a signal) than I can shake a stick at (no, I do not want to hear your point of view, and more importantly I do not want to hear theirs…the person who invented mobile speaker phones should be thrown into a room and forced to listen to people on speaker phones for the rest of their natural lives)

A few people who will ask one person for directions on a car, and then that same person will ignore those directions, and then start asking more people for the same information on the same car…..if you are going to ignore the directions of the first person, and then the second person – you automatically give up the right to ask anyone further on the same car…where they can all hear you ignore those directions and ask for the same answer from someone else

Too many people to count whom will not let the people get off the car first before attempting to push their way on…and then complain about how they almost missed the train….to all of these people I say that they are banned from the transit period…I was going to force them to endure someone always pushing them but that is too lenient

Also, what is up with the people that charge the doors, and then complain when their packages and such get stuck in the door ways….people you are the number one reason why trains get delayed and as such…you should be forced to endure nothing but delays on your travel to and from work everyday….

A teenager whom thought he was tough and a gentleman whom just had to keep pushing his buttons….This is definitely one time that I was considering pushing that little yellow strip on the subway…the more the guy pushed the teenager’s buttons…the more violent his outbursts became… isn’t it funny how one never sees the transit police when you need them…in fact, has anyone every seem them stop a situation before it became out of hand, I for one have not. I always see them after the fact…Hmmm…a very interesting fact that I may further explore at a later day…

I truly compare daily transit travel with the unknown wilds of rural wilderness…you just never know what to expect and you must always be prepared…

Air Canada - It is time to cancel your Aeroplan Miles Program

During a recent episode of the CBC show, “Underdogs”, it reminded me of my concerns with most (not all) company customer Loyalty Programs.

For those of you that believe that loyalty cards were created to benefit the customer, you could not be farther from the truth. Not all Loyalty programs take advantage of the unsuspecting consumer, but several do and provide poor service in the process.

The one example that this particular episode showed was the Air Canada, “Aeroplan” program. For this particular customer’s issue, I will say that I sided with Air Canada on their stance, but I did not agree with the way that they treated their customer.

This particular customer amassed over several years, more than 30, 000 miles but during a consecutive 5-year span, he allowed his account to become inactive. Thus, according to the guidelines laid out in their program, he lost all of his airmiles much to the glee of Air Canada. I will say glee, because Air Canada depends on customers forfeiting their miles, and in turn, they make money (they actually list the amount of money made from inactive status accounts in their Public Financial Reports).

To be fair, Air Canada was willing to re-instate this customer’s airmiles, but of course, they wanted a fee for clicking a mouse button and re-activating his account.

The customer was not willing to pay any more money to Air Canada for what he determined was his rightful airmiles. He wanted his airmiles back without any further fees.

(I agree with Air Canada strictly on the fact that he allowed his account to be inactive for this amount of time, and I believe that they had the right to clear his account. However, they could have placated this man without showing the reality of the fact that simply do not care about their customers)

Air Canada refused to give back the Airmiles. He escalated this issue until it reached the CBC. To make this story short, they had arranged for him to a face to face meeting with one of their representatives if they agreed (of course they refused). The person with whom the CBC spoke with on Camera was Liz Graham VP Operations, and she absolutely refused to meet with one of her customers. Liz Graham had the nerve to refuse (on camera on a national program) to meet with a customer who had been loyalty to Air Canada for more than 20 years. Her refusal says more about the state of Air Canada than any media campaigns they have done in the past.

Simply, Air Canada is so out of touch with their customers, that they consider them as an annoyance factor. Air Canada is now completely and only about itself and just how greedy they can become. Another fact that become clear to me, by viewing her refusal, is that she should move on to a position in Air Canada that do dealings with their customers. At best, the very least that this company could have done to put them in the minds of their customers as a company that cares about the service it provides was to agree to meet with this one persistent customer.

Do they not realise that a 5-minute face-to-face meeting would have done more for their image, than whatever their decision would be.

Then, again this is the same Air Canada who when I was flying home because of a relative’s passing, refused to allow me to board my flight. I was at the airport a little more than 60 minutes (due to traffic) before my flight. Air Canada told me that I was too late to board the flight (yet, they were pulling people out of the line to rush them through the gate 20 minutes before the flight departed), and I had to wait 24 hours to board another flight to return home. This would not have been a huge deal except for the fact, that one of my dear relatives had died and I was trying to fly home.

Air Canada also refused to apologise to me.

Air Canada under the direction of Robert Milton has definitely not only lost touch with their clientele, but treat them as nothing more than an annoyance factor.

Robert Milton, your company provides a service for customers, and they are doing you a favour by using Air Canada. It is time that Air Canada stops its money grabbing Aeroplan program, and Robert Milton steps down as CEO. Air Canada is in desperate need of revamping, and must understand that they need to survive, and the only way for them to do this is to understand their customer base and meet their needs.

Nothing annoys me faster than a service provider who treats their customers as if the company is doing them a favour by providing the service. The customers are the ones doing you a favour by using your services, and in this very competitive world you had better treat them as such otherwise you will never survive in your current model.

Heartbroken Over James (aka 007)

For those that know me very well, they also know one of my weaknesses...And that would be Bond, James Bond. But, alas my heart is now broken in two at the replacement of Pierce Bronsan. Who I might add was the best Bond ever!!!! But I still have a soft spot for Sean and Roger.

Why would the producers of the most successful Bond movie ever, decide that for some reason they want to do a complete turnaround and strip away everything that has made James Bond last for 20 movies!

They took away the Quartermaster, they took away the gadgets, they took away the dashing and sophisticated Bond, and in his place what do we have? An ordinary guy who looks like he should be on the other side of MI-6. There is nothing special about his talents, except (ho hum) he is like any other Spy in any other Spy movie.

If they wanted to create a regular Spy movie, they could have branched off instead of ruining the longest running movie franchise in history.

I have nothing against the actor Daniel Craig, but he is no Bond.

It is a very sad day when I realise that until James is restored to former glory, I have watched my last 007 movie.

Injustices of Today

The World is crumbling around us, and my heart breaks for all human loss. Yet, my brain is angry and crys out for justice. Justice for those who cannot defend themselves, justice for the innocents whom have turned to dust, and justice for the children of the world who cannot understand why greed and power have destroyed their childhoods forever.

I Have Neglected Musings For Far Too Long

But, I am back and there is so much in the world to write about. I also have to catch up on my friends blogs and will do so this weekend.

At the time of this writing, I am still appalled that the Airlines have still not fully relaxed the liquids restrictions for their passengers. In essence, forcing their passengers to purchase their overprice offerings on the plane. Are they really so naive that by forcing their paying customers to give up their chapstick, and water this will stop those that want to cause harm to innocents from doing damage.

Are the Corporate heads of the Airlines so arrogant to believe that they can install confidence in the general public, by trying to maintain a false sense of security by something so ludicrious as forcing passengers to remove their shoes? The Airlines do not have the equipment to test the shoes for explosives, they simply have not spent the money to do so. Yet, they contine to allow most to believe that this is the reason for this procedure.

It is time that the entire Airline Industry wakes up to the reality of today.

Airlines Benefit From Latest Terrorism Scare

I have not written in a while but with the new alleged Terrorism plot in the news; how can I not resist voicing my opinion on this "quick fix to appease passengers who travel by air". I am outraged by a great deal of the facts as we know them, but I am attempting to create a partial (mimimum)non-biased opinion. Hence, here is only a small taste of my latest rant. I will post the rest sometimes in the very near future.

In the latest alleged Terrorism plot to blow up airlines over the United States, the revised Security Features that took effect benefit only the Airlines.

If one truly thinks about the latest changes to what one can bring with them on a plane, it appears to be superficially a public relations scheme to provide a façade to the general public to appease their need to believe that the Government is protecting them.

If these changes were truly meant to protect the safety of the general public, why were they only implemented on a last minute basis (and disorganised) after the arrests of the Sleeper Cell in the U.K. Yet, the Metropolitan Police have been watching this particular group for months. How long have officials known that these particular items could be easily made into a weapon that could cause devastating effects? It is not information that is kept out of public knowledge. This information can be easily obtained on the Internet, and therefore widely known in the appropriate circles.

Things I Have Learned While Living In The City

Next month, is the anniversary of another year that I have been living in the big city. I was reviewing the changes that I have gone through, and the adjustments of living in a big city (there are some things that I will never get used to) - One truly can take the country mouse of the country - but the country will never be taken out of the mouse - Or perhaps I should say in my case - the Ocean!

Therefore, I have decided to post my list (by all means this is not complete):

I have learned that I continue to be shy, though I have come a long way. (I seem to have only two outlets for when I am nervous - I either will giggle almost non-stop or lose the ability to communicate in an articulate manner and just simply ramble - and speak of things that make not a bit of sense to even myself)

I have learned that when I inform someone not to take my picture - they take my picture anyways (seriously folks - In all my life I have never enjoyed having my photo taken)

I have learned that the people in this city do not know the meaning of a queue (why is it that there are so many whom believe that they have the right to be first in a line and simply move to the front or side when the rest of the people wait as they should)

I have learned that on Public Transit if there is a strange person onboard that person will sit down beside me (I must have a beacon on my head that I am unable to detect)

I have learned that if I sit down in a movie theatre (no matter the number of seats available), someone will sit beside me, and in front of me, and behind me (even if the theatre only has a few people) {I am thankful for stadium seating everytime I set foot in a theatre}

I have learned that if one is short, then cashiers for some apparent reason seem not to be able to see you and chose instead to serve the person behind you (occasionally I still dream that I am 5ft or taller but I realise that I will always be under 5ft tall or three apples high in Smurf Language)

I have learned that I have a young voice, and will continue to fight with telemarketers whom insist on speaking to my parents and refuse to believe that I am of age (this has happened now on a few occasions, and I fight the urge to tell them that yes I am that young and my parents abandoned me but now that I think about it what a perfect excuse for me to get rid of them on the phone)

I have learned that the African Lion Safari is not located in Africa (do not even ask)

I have learned that when I go to bars with a group of friends that they will always push me (not literally) to the last of the group otherwise we all end up getting carded (this has been proven on numerous occasions)

I have learned that there are many people who use the Subway on a daily basis but they still fail to comprehend that it truly does work to one's advantage - if you let the people off the car first (this still amazes me that people try to board the train before the others have off-loaded)

That is it for now as it is way past my bedtime!

Good Night

The Collapse of Our Society

This past week, there was a column in the Toronto Star (I will add the full column at the end of this post) describing how a neighbourhood in Toronto - allowed a Teenager to be beaten to death and did nothing about it. There were several witnesses and this boy's death could have easily been prevented. Yet, they stood and watched, or simply listened to the beating and did nothing. One woman's comment was that others would not understand because they do not live in the neighbourhood. My response to that is "thank goodness" I do not live in a neighbourhood where people ignore their fellow man. Who would want to live in such a heartless area, where people who could have been that one shining light in the darkness of that boy's last hours on earth - failed him and failed society as a whole.

What kind of society have we become when we can turn a blind eye to the suffering of others? How can we live with ourselves knowing that we allowed a senseless death to take place right under our soul bearing windows (eyes)? If one lives in fear, then that fear overtakes that person as a whole. Is a life worth living when you know that you are responsible for allowing a person to die? (You may not have provided the actual beating but you participated in the murder by allowing it to take place).

When will people realise that they are responsible for society as a collective, and only when they stand up as a whole - will crime decrease? When will people realise that Law Enforcement does just that - they enforce the laws that have been set down in written word and no amount of policing will impact crime if we continue to turn a blind eye? When will people realise that they are the ones who makes things happen? When will people realise that they have the power to make change? When will people realise that if they stand up to crime; then they take back the streets and they give their children a safer place in which to live?

When will people realise?


Here is the column from the Toronto Star:

No 911 call in beating death
Teens always fighting: woman `I just wish I had done something'
Jul. 18, 2006. 08:35 AM
ROBYN DOOLITTLE
STAFF REPORTER

Several residents of a North York housing complex watched as a teenage boy was stripped down to his underwear and slowly beaten to death Friday night, but they say they didn't intervene because it didn't look that serious and violence is so common in the area.
The teen's disfigured body was found in a nearby Flemingdon Park ravine at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday. He collapsed in a wooded area behind an apartment building on Don Mills Rd., near Eglinton Ave. E.
Police have identified the teen but have not released his name because next of kin have not been notified. "They're always play fighting down there, but they play rough. I didn't think anything of it. He looked okay when I went out to see. Now I just wish I would have done something," said a mother of two teenage boys who did not want her name used.
Police say they're unsure why residents didn't contact them when they noticed the clash but say it may have been because they didn't think the boy was seriously injured.
"It's not really that bad of an area at all ... and we're getting a lot of help from residents," Sgt. Peter Churcher said. "(The most common problem) is kids end up getting in fights."
The woman, who lives in the complex on Grenoble Dr., said a neighbour called Friday night to say a group of about 15 teenagers had stripped a boy naked and were now "beating the hell out of him."
News of the beating spread quickly as neighbours went door to door to warn each other that they should bring their children inside and lock their doors — but no one called the police.
One man, who was walking by, saw the fight and pulled out his cellphone to call 911, but several of the assailants threatened him so he put his phone away and went home.
As the woman left her apartment about 8:30 p.m., she noticed that the teen was standing alone away from the group in his underwear. He did not appear in distress.
"He looked like he was composing himself. I don't know why he didn't just run away if he wasn't okay," she said.
Churcher said the Flemingdon Park area is no more dangerous than other parts of the city and suggested that violence is often correlated with rising temperatures.
An elderly woman who refused to give her name had another theory.
"We have to live here — that's why nobody ever sees anything.... No one wants to get shot for something they weren't part of," she said. "And people may not understand that, but it's because they don't live here."

Darn Knee

Back in March, I injured my left knee. I either pulled the tendons or ligaments (of course I did not go to the Doctor), and have been suffering since. See previous post (6 weeks and counting) for more information.

I stopped limping a while back, but I am still unable to put pressure on my knee. Kneeling is very painful, and it feels like something is going to snap. The knee is still swollen after 4 months, and tender to the touch. I started wrapping it once again (should have done it earlier in the injury phase), but I need to keep it wrapped now I believe. Drat, drat, drat...do you know how itchy a tensor bandage can be in the hot weather? Of course, now that I think about it perhaps a mobile brace would be better. Maybe, I should finally just go to the Doctor. But, who has time to wait for more than an hour to see your General MD, for perhaps ten minutes. Patience was never one of my virtues, and as time goes on...what little paitence I have left...wears even thinner...Though I like my Family Doctor, I do not like playing the waiting game.

And do not worry - Rants are coming (I am way overdue for a Political One) - Look Out Stephen Harper.

Blogroll and Profile Have Returned

I have restored both the Blogroll, and Profile. But, I have decided that "Pip" needed a well deserved rest (so have decided to remove my pet bunny from the site). In addition, I have made the Blogroll stand out more than the links.

And, courtesy of Malice (thank you very much) - there is now theme music to listen to if you so choose. This is the last link under the Blogroll. It plays in an endless loop so that you can listen to it while reading throughout the various postings.

Blogroll Will Return Shortly

Title states it all!

New and Improved "Musings of the Sea"

I have finally updated the look of my Blog. I also had to change all the font colours of my postings, which I have done for 2006. At some point, I will change the 2005 ones as well. Some of you may notice that there are different shades of blues that I used in the fonts, this was not an error. I am testing shades of blue to see what is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I will also finish the Hospital post this week-end but for now - back to cleaning and sorting....oh the joys of housework on a Hot Week-end! Thank Goodness for Central Air!

For even though I long for the sea in the summer, I am not a fan of humidity and melt very easily...

Afraid Hospital Post Will Have To Wait To Be Finished

Had another migraine this week-end...These things are becoming more common for me than I have ever had in my life...

Back to the ICE pack and bed...

Good Night, and have a Great Monday!

What is Wrong With Blogger?

I just posted (and yes folks it did post) one very long story about my 8 hour ordeal in Emergency (my friend was the patient and not I)at NY General Hospital and...lo and behold...it disappeared......................

It was one of my better rants ... *sigh* and normally *as was suggested to me a while back* to create my blogs in word and then post...and until tonight I have been doing that...but tonight it started flowing out and I did not wish to stop...

Now I am disheartened and have lost it all...well that about surmises in a nutshell the week I am having...so why would I even presume that it would stay on the site...and not disappear into a puff of smoke...

Good Night....*sniff sniff*

Stay Away From North York General Hospital

Unless you have nothing better to do but sit on uncomfortable chairs, freezing to the point of shivering (and at the same time watching the Nurses wrapping blankets around themselves to keep warm - who cares about the patients from the look on their faces).

I spent 8 hours of my life, in the Emergency room of this hospital with a friend. From 9 PM on Tuesday (July 4th) until Wednesday Morning at 5 AM (July 5th).

I do not think that I have ever seen such a disorganised emergency room. The Nurses would make you wait in line behind that infamous sign that said "If you have a cough or cold, wear a mask" - in my mind when the Hospital starts pulling out the masks and alcohol cleanser for your hands, you know something is up but they will never let you know (this thinking was re-enforced later when the registration nurse asked my friend if he has been in any hospital in the last 3 weeks - and the lightbulb went off in my head and Bingo...Something happened or something is spreading...Now one just has to find out what is airborne in our breathing air now). Do you realise that there is such a high risk of catching something in the hospital now, that a great deal of patients when being discharged actually come down with something that they caught in the hospital! (I could be more gruesome and outlay specifics but I will restrain myself).

After waiting in this line, with other patients who are hacking on you, someone finally speaks to us. The patient then has to recite why they are there, with particular symptoms and then you get directed to a waiting room. And you wait, and wait (and there is not truly that many people there and for a hospital of that size - it has such a tiny Emergency area) and you wait. Then, you pray that your name gets called. And when it does (and the shock wears off your face) you go back to that same person who took your information the first round, and you repeat it all over again (fascinating isn't it). Then, lo and behold - you are sent back to the waiting area to wait to be called to the Registration area where your health card is swiped a 2nd time (as the first person has already swiped it twice).
Your name is called again (and you are starting to be in the mindset of you have been blessed (yes, this is how long you have to wait between the second and third time you give your details)...then this person swipes your card again and asks if you are indeed the same person as the picture on your health card (though I am aware that some of the old red and white ones (w/o photo) still exist...

And what is your reward for confirming that you are indeed the true self, and not an identity theft criminal - Why you get told to go back to your seat again...where you have the luxury of listening to a woman on a mobile phone in the emergency room - fighting with whomever is on the other end of the line (and yes, this part of the hospital - some bean counter decided that mobile phones were a good idea in this part of the Emergency Room). Finally, she gets so loud in the heated argument that some man in scrubs tells her to "keep it down". She was stunned but did not lower her voice.

Oh could it be, *as you listen more intently* why no, it possibly cannot be....but it is true...it is true....3.5 hours after you have been waiting to be pulled into triage, your name is called again. You cry out with glee, and your face cracks a smile..."Finally, you think to yourself this is it - I am finally going to be brought before some" but alas it is not so...and your heart breaks off in pieces once more as you realise that they are only going to take your blood. You try and try and try to "think think think" why could they have not taken blood work when you were there ONE of the previous times providing your repeated information as - wait for it...

The same person again (repeated info)is the one taking your blood. This is starting to impact one's state of mind at this ungodly hour. Then, brace yourself...you must truly brace yourself for your luck is about to chance....YOUR NAME IS CALLED OVER THE SPEAKER SYSTEM...and one musters all their strength in case rejection rears its ugly head once more...but no....you find out that you indeed have won a prize...

and what prize have you won after more than 4 hours of waiting in a small area with uncomfortable chairs...and with strangers whom are ill all around you....why you win the first prize of...

*Hope that you are sitting down* - going to another Waiting Room...yes folks that is right...you eyes are not deceiving you...you get to go to a smaller and more confined Waiting room with even more uncomfortable seating and you are now even closer to those who are hacking up a storm (without a mask on). Holy Smoke, you cannot believe that this lovely prize was more than 4 hours in the making...and boy does it show!

(and as a side note my sleep is completely off kilter hence why I am awake at this ungodly hour) and I am going to finish this tomorrow night... ( I know the suspense is killing you but alas another night of sheer depravity never hurt anyone - and if you do not believe me - just ask those whom have moved into Emergency still waiting for their information to be taken)
*

The Strange Things One Sees On Public Transit

It is incredible to me the things that one does out in public. Not only in public, but on public transit no less. Where you are fully aware that there is no privacy.

If you ride public transit long enough, you become accustomed to see the ones who have their fingers so far in their nose - I do not know how they release them (gag reflex here).

Then there are those women who insist upon putting on their full make-up on in view of other onlookers (most of the onlookers have a frozen state of disbelief on their face).

Well this week, I have seen two new performances that I have never witnessed before.

The first occurred on Monday, when I sat down in the seat next to a man. I was sitting on the side seat, and he was sitting on the seats that face forward (or backward depending on the direction of the train). I am reading my book (I find that the less eye contact one makes, the fewer weird ones come your way) - and this man stands up. Nothing out of the ordinary yet, and he is dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. He opens up his gym bag, and the next thing I realise is that I am hearing the clanking of a belt buckle (in addition that he is now closer to my personal self). This man has actually changed into a business suit - right there on the train. What I missed (thankfully) was the changing or adding (I am not quite sure which) his dress shirt. When I heard the clanking of his belt, he had started to tuck his shirt into his pants. Then, he fastens his pants (and we all hear the sound of his zipper), and then he hooks up his belt. I was dumbfounded, and unfortunately for me it was probably written all over my face. I could never be a poker player for one would see the type of cards I have on my face (shhh, but do not tell anyone in case I start to play). I just could not believe both the sight before my eyes, and the sounds that were picked up by my ears.

Next day, again I was sitting in the same type of seat. Only this time, a woman was sitting where the man was the previous day. When I saw odd movements coming from the person in this seat. The woman was not only putting on her full make-up, but she was doing the full skin care routine (and making the oddest faces). She must have used at least 2-3 different types of creams on her face, not to mention lip balm (and this is only what I caught glimpses of..Who knows what I missed). Then, she starts blowing her nose and it is making my stomach turn by the way that she was not using a tissue properly.

On Wednesday, there was this man who got on the subway for one full stop (thank goodness it was only one). He begins to look around as if to see that no one was watching (and we all were) and proceeds to go exploring with his fingers. I think that he was trying to locate the brain within.

Of course, all eyes are on what areas of the train he touches when he leaves - so we can all avoid them.

And this is why I now carry hand sanitizer wherever I go.

The Digital World

Me
Originally uploaded by musingsofthesea.

Well, I have finally entered the World of the Digital Camera. I have also created a profile on Flickr, and a big thanks goes out to Taras for the suggestion. :D

Now, you can view in person from the comfort of your own home (or wherever your PC is located) all the trials of my learning how to use a digital camera for the first time.

Enjoy the ride!