Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Killer Sidewalks
Most of us woke up this morning to find a nice sprinkling of snow outside. It is a remarkable thing to see untouched snow outside. I have a beef with side streets especially unplowed sidewalks.
This morning I noticed how some residents didn't bother to take the time to shovel out their snowy sidewalk so people could get by without injuring themselves. I am fully aware of the fact that your sideway is government property and that your local municipal work crew should be the ones coming to sweep and clean your side walk, but there are only a limited number of city work crews available for the whole municipality. Their main priority is getting major streets and intersections cleared for buses and cars.
It would be terrific if homeowners, could take just a couple of minutes to shovel out a pathway for pedestrians to use so, they do not slip and fall outside your home. Sometimes I think chivalry is dead, because a simple nice gesture such as snow shoveling is not being done by certain citizens in our society. There ought to be some sort of a bylaw created in my municipality, to make it mandatory for homeowners to do some simple snow shoveling for individuals like the mailman as they pop mail into your mailbox. Anyone who refuses to do so, should be fined for being lazy.
This morning I noticed how some residents didn't bother to take the time to shovel out their snowy sidewalk so people could get by without injuring themselves. I am fully aware of the fact that your sideway is government property and that your local municipal work crew should be the ones coming to sweep and clean your side walk, but there are only a limited number of city work crews available for the whole municipality. Their main priority is getting major streets and intersections cleared for buses and cars.
It would be terrific if homeowners, could take just a couple of minutes to shovel out a pathway for pedestrians to use so, they do not slip and fall outside your home. Sometimes I think chivalry is dead, because a simple nice gesture such as snow shoveling is not being done by certain citizens in our society. There ought to be some sort of a bylaw created in my municipality, to make it mandatory for homeowners to do some simple snow shoveling for individuals like the mailman as they pop mail into your mailbox. Anyone who refuses to do so, should be fined for being lazy.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Dieting For Dollars
Last weekend, CBC News Sunday featured an interesting story on weight loss. The number one New Year's resolution among individuals is to loose weight, eat less, and excercise. No wonder companies such as Jenny Craig, the South Beach Diet and Weight Watchers rake in millions with their weight loss businesses. One doctor in the United States is using money as an incentive to help his patients loose weight. Everytime someone looses weight, they will get money $$ from Dr. Chemplavil's glass cash jar.
Grace, is one of Dr. Chemplavil's patients, she managed to shed and keep off her weight with the help of Dr. Chemplavil's unique approach to weight loss.
After watching this remarkable story, I wondered whether government tax incentives would help encourage our obese society to become physically active?
If employers gave their staff a bonus for participating in a sport or physical activity, would their employees embrace the idea?
Grace, is one of Dr. Chemplavil's patients, she managed to shed and keep off her weight with the help of Dr. Chemplavil's unique approach to weight loss.
After watching this remarkable story, I wondered whether government tax incentives would help encourage our obese society to become physically active?
If employers gave their staff a bonus for participating in a sport or physical activity, would their employees embrace the idea?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Gie her a haggis!
This Friday was Robbie Burns Day. So to pay tribute to the famous late poets works I've cut and paste this wonderful address to the Haggis. Every year this poem is recited before the Haggis is consumed by Scots all around the world.
Address To A Haggis
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent lyke drums;Then auld Guidman,
maist like to rive,
"Bethankit!" 'hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spewWi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering,
scornfu' viewOn sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him ower his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank,
a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic,
haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whissle;
An' legs an' arms,
an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.
Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a haggis!
Address To A Haggis
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent lyke drums;Then auld Guidman,
maist like to rive,
"Bethankit!" 'hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spewWi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering,
scornfu' viewOn sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him ower his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank,
a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic,
haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whissle;
An' legs an' arms,
an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.
Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a haggis!
Sometimes I feel a little envious of our Southern Neighbours especially when is it about their Presidential selection process. As a Canadian, I wish our elections had the drama and high energy that our American neighbours manage to cook up every time an election takes place in their country.
There is a growing concern that less and less young people are getting involved in politics. I wonder if Canadian elections developed enough hype and drama like the USA ,would it help to encourage young voters to participate in politics?
Obama, according to the news reports, is successfully getting more youth involved in the Presidential election process. His solgan on "CHANGE" definately targets a common goal all youth and young adults have in life, the yearning to bring about some sort of change or to make the world a better place. Also, explains why they have a tendency to seek out positions with non-profit organizations such as Green Peace or World Vision. These organizations provide hands on opportunities for youth to bring about change in their world. I've read that youth have a tendency to be turned off with politics because politicians have a common habit of stating promises that they never manage to keep or fulfill once in office.
It will be interesting to see how Super Tuesday will work out as 20 states in the USA vote. Being someone who is passionate about seeing other young people become politically active, my hope is to see Barack win this presidential election. Because he is making an effort to get young Americans out into the polls voting for someone. Go Obama!
There is a growing concern that less and less young people are getting involved in politics. I wonder if Canadian elections developed enough hype and drama like the USA ,would it help to encourage young voters to participate in politics?
Obama, according to the news reports, is successfully getting more youth involved in the Presidential election process. His solgan on "CHANGE" definately targets a common goal all youth and young adults have in life, the yearning to bring about some sort of change or to make the world a better place. Also, explains why they have a tendency to seek out positions with non-profit organizations such as Green Peace or World Vision. These organizations provide hands on opportunities for youth to bring about change in their world. I've read that youth have a tendency to be turned off with politics because politicians have a common habit of stating promises that they never manage to keep or fulfill once in office.
It will be interesting to see how Super Tuesday will work out as 20 states in the USA vote. Being someone who is passionate about seeing other young people become politically active, my hope is to see Barack win this presidential election. Because he is making an effort to get young Americans out into the polls voting for someone. Go Obama!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Rambomania
Went to go see the final installment of the Rambo series yesterday. If you're a fan of action films, you better soak up this movie because it is filled with suspense. There wasn't a lot of dialogne just a lot of action. I couldn't help but flinch out of my seat, for the first couple of scenes where soliders released landmines into a crop field. The story unfolds in Thailand, where a group of missionaires seek out the help of John Rambo to get them to Burma by boat. The film was very disturbing at times when the Director shows human bodies being blown up, heads being chopped off and women being gang raped by soliders. At one point during the film, I wanted to turn away from the screen because, it showed prisoners being forced to run into a crop field littered with land mines by the Burmanese military. I thought the film provided a very extreme perspective of jungle like combat in Burma. The main character and hero, Rambo, is depicted as being a very, tough, rough, and edgy ex- Vietnam fighter.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Signing the Roof
Last Weekend, Richmond residents came out to sign their names on the last section of the 2010 Speed Skating Oval roof. The cold, damp, and cloudy weather didn't manage to deter many members of the public from this special occasion. Radio station Crave 95 was on site encouraging people in the line up to practice their throwing skills. HBC had a retail booth selling Olympic Mascot toys to attendees. Children and parents were entertained with music, games, and the chance to meet past Olympians at the roof signing.
When it had finally come time for me to make my mark on this historic building. I spent quite a bit of time trying to find an actually spot on the roof to sign on. I managed to squish in a blurry version of my signature near the edge of the roof. All of the volunteers on hand were very kind and helpful. Every participant got an Olympic pin and a hard copy record of Signatures were recorded by the greetings.
When it had finally come time for me to make my mark on this historic building. I spent quite a bit of time trying to find an actually spot on the roof to sign on. I managed to squish in a blurry version of my signature near the edge of the roof. All of the volunteers on hand were very kind and helpful. Every participant got an Olympic pin and a hard copy record of Signatures were recorded by the greetings.
Support the CBC
SUPPORT THE CBC SWITCH TO FM!!!The CRTC is currently reviewing CBC Radio's application request to move from AM to the FM Dial. There will be a public hearing on February 26, 2008 in Vancouver. In the mean time, the public and loyal listeners are being asked to submit their written comments via the CRTC website.
Check out the link for more details:
http://www.cbc.ca/bc/making-the-move-to-fm/
All written comments must be submitted into the CRTC before Wednesday, January 23, 2008.
Show some patriotism and send in your comments or appear at the upcoming public hear.
