Our senses have been dulled.
We are satiated by fake foods that are engineered to satisfy us, movies that are engineered to emote us.
We are dissatisfied with our lives, not feeling we are living up to our potential, living life to its fullest. so we full (fool?) it with more stuff, more meds, more cars, and change our politicians every few years in desperate attempts to make it better, to give it some sense, to keep our hope for eventual change alive, so that we may pursue what we think are our quests.
We entice and bribe each other to stay alive with annual gifts and opportunities to make us feel special so that we have something else to look forward to, and to keep ourselves busy "paying it forward" in between.
We call for laws that bureaucrats can enforce to change the rules of the game when people start abusing their stations and the trust we have in them, then blame bureaucrats for infringing on our own freedoms.
But do not get me wrong, I do believe that people are good. Even those that aren't can be. The most significant question is where we can apply ourselves, to prove, to ourselves and others, what we're good at, and what we're good *for*.
Since we don't really know what we stand for, we mask ourselves with fashion brands, tribal stripes, political affiliations, gang colors; drawn by the power those images convey, and the hope those associations will give use allure we think will help us to accomplish our goals, all while rejecting the use of "labels" which somehow detract from our ability to accomplish those goals fit the same reasons.
We have a thirst for freedom, but a need for rule so we can long for it, exercise our ability to achieve it, and redefine it for the next group.
We get worked up over the little things, so we can remind ourselves not to sweat the petty things.
We have lots of ideas, as a society, and the means to carry them out. We just don't feel we have the conviction, or the need, because our senses have been dulled and we have too many birthday and other parties to busy ourselves with so we can make it through this mundane, self-conflicting inherently contradictory existence rationally. Isn't that right, my preciousss?
2013-01-14
A case for Nomadism
2012-07-15
Swype logic
Bizarre and rather dangerous that Swype (gesture keyboard on my phone) keeps inserting the word "pussy" instead of "post".
2011-11-05
Perfect mashup
Too funny. Lt-Gov makes controversial (and other less controversial) jokes that are really good. And this journalist nails the response quite appropriately.
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/full-comment/blog.html?b=fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/11/03/john-crosbies-suicide-bomber-joke-funny
Hand wringing has ensued. The Post’s Scott Stinson plays the role of the humour police:
1. Is it funny?
Politicians are rarely as funny as they believe themselves to be but you have to admit that, in a vacuum, this is a solid joke. There’s the topically relevant part about jobs being outsourced to the Third World, and the trouble that arises when cultures clash. The reference to suicide bombers is edgy enough to achieve what one U.K. study on humour last year called the “benign violation of the way the world ought to be.” (Though one suspects Mr. Crosbie just thought it was good for a chuckle.) The joke has been criticized as “shocking,” but that’s the idea.
2. OK, but is it inappropriate?
Given that Mr. Crosbie is 80 years old, it would be easy to assume that inappropriateness would stem from some kind of racial issue, like when Grandma lets slip at the dinner table that her purse is missing and she’s pretty sure that the cleaning lady took it because, you know. But this joke is actually not a comment on the Pakistani people, and instead takes a shot at the number of suicide bombings that take place in that country. Many, of course, are committed by foreigners. And you couldn’t make the same joke about Afghanistan or Iraq, because though they are riven by terrorism, neither is a hotbed of call centres.
3. So, that’s it? All’s well with the joke?
Not totally. If there’s a point to be made about inappropriateness, it’s that suicide is not the best of subjects for a joke. Mr. Crosbie, in his jag on the world economy, also cracked that the things were so bad that “Exxon Mobil laid off 25 congressmen.” Bam! There’s a joke that makes fun of the safest target for politicians: politicians.
4. What about the setting?
I’ll admit to being surprised that the swearing-in ceremony for the provincial cabinet is apparently a place for the lieutenant-governor to deliver a stand-up comedy routine. (In addition to explaining the humour of his joke, Mr. Crosbie told a local paper about the Exxon joke and the one he used about how the economy was so bad “a truckload of Americans were caught sneaking into Mexico.” He’ll be here all week, folks. Try the seal.
5. Is Mr. Crosbie backing down?
Kind of. He told the hometown Telegram that he meant no offence to Pakistanis, and went on to outline just who, exactly, the joke was about. ““It’s not that they’re associated with terrorists, the joke is that we’re using people like this to phone all over North America, Europe, etc., because it’s cheaper for the (companies) who use them to do that,” he said. “It’s got nothing to do with that they’re sympathetic with terrorists, but we know, of course, that in Pakistan there are a large number of terrorists, so that’s the joke.” That’s all true, but anytime you have been reduced to spelling out the humour in a joke, you have sadly killed it dead. Mr. Crosbie seems aware of this fact. He told the Globe and Mail that he would be “more circumspect and boring” in the future. Boo to that.
6. Why do you have your hand raised?
I just want to point out that a report on this Thursday from the wire service Agence France-Presse described Mr. Crosbie as “the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in the eastern province.” I think this marks the first time anyone ever told a suicide-bombing joke on her behalf.
7. What’s the final verdict of the humour police?
It’s understandable that the Premier’s office would issue a statement calling the joke “clearly inappropriate,” if only because she doesn’t want Mr. Crosbie to turn every official event into a Night at the Improv. But if you are going to get your knickers in a knot, to use a term of Mr. Crosbie’s vintage, every time someone utters a joke of this nature, then the only alternative is to have politicians tell the soporific kind. “The President says NASA has found intelligent life on Mars! [pause] Now he wants them to find it in Congress.” And we don’t want that. Do we?
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/full-comment/blog.html?b=fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/11/03/john-crosbies-suicide-bomber-joke-funny
posted from Bloggeroid
Scott Stinson, National Post
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011
John
Crosbie, the lieutenant-governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, told an
edgy joke at a ceremony last week. The joke: “This fellow said, ‘I was
so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my
savings, social security, retirement funds, etc., I called a suicide
hotline and got a call centre in Pakistan. When I told them I was
suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.’ ”Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011
Hand wringing has ensued. The Post’s Scott Stinson plays the role of the humour police:
1. Is it funny?
Politicians are rarely as funny as they believe themselves to be but you have to admit that, in a vacuum, this is a solid joke. There’s the topically relevant part about jobs being outsourced to the Third World, and the trouble that arises when cultures clash. The reference to suicide bombers is edgy enough to achieve what one U.K. study on humour last year called the “benign violation of the way the world ought to be.” (Though one suspects Mr. Crosbie just thought it was good for a chuckle.) The joke has been criticized as “shocking,” but that’s the idea.
“Sorry, please repeat that joke.” AFP/Getty Images
Given that Mr. Crosbie is 80 years old, it would be easy to assume that inappropriateness would stem from some kind of racial issue, like when Grandma lets slip at the dinner table that her purse is missing and she’s pretty sure that the cleaning lady took it because, you know. But this joke is actually not a comment on the Pakistani people, and instead takes a shot at the number of suicide bombings that take place in that country. Many, of course, are committed by foreigners. And you couldn’t make the same joke about Afghanistan or Iraq, because though they are riven by terrorism, neither is a hotbed of call centres.
3. So, that’s it? All’s well with the joke?
Not totally. If there’s a point to be made about inappropriateness, it’s that suicide is not the best of subjects for a joke. Mr. Crosbie, in his jag on the world economy, also cracked that the things were so bad that “Exxon Mobil laid off 25 congressmen.” Bam! There’s a joke that makes fun of the safest target for politicians: politicians.
4. What about the setting?
I’ll admit to being surprised that the swearing-in ceremony for the provincial cabinet is apparently a place for the lieutenant-governor to deliver a stand-up comedy routine. (In addition to explaining the humour of his joke, Mr. Crosbie told a local paper about the Exxon joke and the one he used about how the economy was so bad “a truckload of Americans were caught sneaking into Mexico.” He’ll be here all week, folks. Try the seal.
5. Is Mr. Crosbie backing down?
Kind of. He told the hometown Telegram that he meant no offence to Pakistanis, and went on to outline just who, exactly, the joke was about. ““It’s not that they’re associated with terrorists, the joke is that we’re using people like this to phone all over North America, Europe, etc., because it’s cheaper for the (companies) who use them to do that,” he said. “It’s got nothing to do with that they’re sympathetic with terrorists, but we know, of course, that in Pakistan there are a large number of terrorists, so that’s the joke.” That’s all true, but anytime you have been reduced to spelling out the humour in a joke, you have sadly killed it dead. Mr. Crosbie seems aware of this fact. He told the Globe and Mail that he would be “more circumspect and boring” in the future. Boo to that.
“Hee hee hee.” AFP/Getty Images
I just want to point out that a report on this Thursday from the wire service Agence France-Presse described Mr. Crosbie as “the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in the eastern province.” I think this marks the first time anyone ever told a suicide-bombing joke on her behalf.
7. What’s the final verdict of the humour police?
It’s understandable that the Premier’s office would issue a statement calling the joke “clearly inappropriate,” if only because she doesn’t want Mr. Crosbie to turn every official event into a Night at the Improv. But if you are going to get your knickers in a knot, to use a term of Mr. Crosbie’s vintage, every time someone utters a joke of this nature, then the only alternative is to have politicians tell the soporific kind. “The President says NASA has found intelligent life on Mars! [pause] Now he wants them to find it in Congress.” And we don’t want that. Do we?
2011-11-03
Birth order?
Had a thought provoking discussion with my mom last night. Apparently first born is supposed to be the hero, successful and achievement-oriented, second the rebel challenging authority and the way things are, third invisible quietly getting things done without undue drams or attention, fourth the clown. Apparently typical, but by no means a rule.
Being the older of two kids, those roles were not so clearly distributed. I have some of the characteristics of the hero and the rebel, seeing the potential for improvement everywhere and striving to implement it, while letting somebody else be the hero.
Armed with that awareness (and of related factors I won't publish), I can turn some of that energy inward and be even more effective (and I dare say maybe even more pleasant to some). But before wearing it outdoors, I have to decide how well this shoe fits.
Being the older of two kids, those roles were not so clearly distributed. I have some of the characteristics of the hero and the rebel, seeing the potential for improvement everywhere and striving to implement it, while letting somebody else be the hero.
Armed with that awareness (and of related factors I won't publish), I can turn some of that energy inward and be even more effective (and I dare say maybe even more pleasant to some). But before wearing it outdoors, I have to decide how well this shoe fits.
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-10-27
Time is relative
In admiration (and some jealousy) of long-term state planning:
"In 500 years you will see [that] history is on our side."
– December 10, 2010
– Tan Changliu (Chinese communist official)
"In 500 years you will see [that] history is on our side."
– December 10, 2010
– Tan Changliu (Chinese communist official)
2011-10-20
Generation Squeeze
yup, sometimes I too feel stuck between the boomers who wouldn't give us their jobs and don't want to look after our kids. Rebound effect still rippling from the WWII I suppose.
From The Globe and Mail: After the boomers, it's Generation Squeeze - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/after-the-boomers-its-generation-squeeze/article2205685/?utm_source=Shared+Article+Sent+to+User&utm_medium=E-mail:+Newsletters+/+E-Blasts+/+etc.&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links
2011-10-18
State of IT
Overheard in the office (presumably looking at a cellphone):
"That's soooo cool! I wish we could get apps on a computer."
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-09-29
Climate change could cost Canada billions: report
The report was produced by a panel appointed by the Harper government; interesting to see what the reaction will be...
Climate change could cost Canada billions: report
Climate change could cost Canada billions: report
2011-08-23
driving with eyes closed
Past successes in environmental monitoring demonstrate how policy informed by science can tackle daunting issues. Cuts to monitoring will deprive us of new data - data essential for improving models and accuracy of the predictions upon which public policy is forged.
Hidden cost of cuts to Environment Canada
http://www.thestar.com/iphone/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1043380--hidden-cost-of-cuts-to-environment-canada
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-08-21
the chattering mind
Woke up at 3am obsessing over a work issue.
Started writing it down, and had to compose it as an email to myself at work.
I hope that will put my mind at ease and I can go back to sleep. Then again, part of me feels like its time to go for a run (its 540am and the birds are starting to chirp). I'm going to overrule that impulse.
Now I'm getting hungry.
sigh.
The day ahead is not promising to be a good one.
Started writing it down, and had to compose it as an email to myself at work.
I hope that will put my mind at ease and I can go back to sleep. Then again, part of me feels like its time to go for a run (its 540am and the birds are starting to chirp). I'm going to overrule that impulse.
Now I'm getting hungry.
sigh.
The day ahead is not promising to be a good one.
2011-08-13
2011-08-05
I hope this is not a trend
I'm noticing in a draft bill proposing changes to legislation that instances of "the minister is satisfied that [X]" are slowly being replaced with "that, in the minister's opinion, is [X]" .
While the former creates an expectation that the minister has reviewed evidence impartially prepared by the department (which one can assume is largely science-based), the latter does not. So I wonder, what exactly will form the basis of the minister's "opinion" : Personal interests? Religious beliefs? Party lines? And how will the Opposition hold them to account? Where did this change come from: drafting team's own initiative, or party influence? And most importantly, how can any of this be the public interest?
While the former creates an expectation that the minister has reviewed evidence impartially prepared by the department (which one can assume is largely science-based), the latter does not. So I wonder, what exactly will form the basis of the minister's "opinion" : Personal interests? Religious beliefs? Party lines? And how will the Opposition hold them to account? Where did this change come from: drafting team's own initiative, or party influence? And most importantly, how can any of this be the public interest?
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-08-02
Change - or not (yet)
When I left the office, the earliest batches of project phase 1 were starting to be finalized, the final batches of phase 1 of the project were being launched, and phase 2 of the project was being planned.
When I left the office, our program funding was in its sunset year and a proposal had been submitted for another few years.
When I left the office, our enabling authority (the legislation that allows/mandates us to do what we do) was several years past its "mandatory" review date (rumour had it that the minority government at the time feared the legislative review process would become a can of worms).
When I left the office, we had a minority Conservative government.
...
Here I am now, nine months later, about to go back to work.
I'm not sure how reassuring it is, if at all, to have learned last week (at lunch with some of my office mates) that nothing, not a single thing, has changed. Except that we have a majority Conservative government and somehow we still had an operating budget.
Not sure though how long that funding (or our legislated requirement to do our work) will last, if this is any indication of the secretive governing mindset here...
When I left the office, our program funding was in its sunset year and a proposal had been submitted for another few years.
When I left the office, our enabling authority (the legislation that allows/mandates us to do what we do) was several years past its "mandatory" review date (rumour had it that the minority government at the time feared the legislative review process would become a can of worms).
When I left the office, we had a minority Conservative government.
...
Here I am now, nine months later, about to go back to work.
I'm not sure how reassuring it is, if at all, to have learned last week (at lunch with some of my office mates) that nothing, not a single thing, has changed. Except that we have a majority Conservative government and somehow we still had an operating budget.
Not sure though how long that funding (or our legislated requirement to do our work) will last, if this is any indication of the secretive governing mindset here...
2011-07-30
Reframing
I generally concentrate on doing things "right", which I've come to realize isn't easy to sell when people are more typically looking for (and consequently businesses needing to do) things that are first, faster, cheaper, and/or just a little bit better, than the competition.
I.e., too easily distracted by the potential to do what is actually needed.
Afterthought: in an effort to be honest and respectful of others, I'm also often overly self-critical. This is not particularly helpful or even appropriate in a milieu that expects/ assumes you are always trying to sell yourself. it usually passes as unnecessary self-pity, false modesty, or veiled criticism when really, all I am wanting to do its improve myself. recognizing that it is socially counterproductive, I'm going to be mindful of this going forward (except maybe on this blog of course).
posted from Bloggeroid
I.e., too easily distracted by the potential to do what is actually needed.
Afterthought: in an effort to be honest and respectful of others, I'm also often overly self-critical. This is not particularly helpful or even appropriate in a milieu that expects/ assumes you are always trying to sell yourself. it usually passes as unnecessary self-pity, false modesty, or veiled criticism when really, all I am wanting to do its improve myself. recognizing that it is socially counterproductive, I'm going to be mindful of this going forward (except maybe on this blog of course).
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-07-29
Money and power
I've always known that money is power. What I've only just realized (in discussions with my parents) is that money only gives you power to the extent that you can choose who it its worth spending on. If you don't spend it, you don't have power.
posted from Bloggeroid
Addendum: This gives the "debt ceiling impasse" in the USA an interesting angle.
2011-07-28
Random thoughts
I've been having a lot of interesting (to me) realizations this week. I think it's coming together under the pressure of looking after the (mostly) well behaved kids while trying to get pet projects completed before going back to work next week, while under the effects of sleep deprivation brought on by night terrors, a brief hospital stay, and family members succumbing to little viruses all at the same time.
Of course, now that I have time to write about them, I can't remember any of them.
Of course, now that I have time to write about them, I can't remember any of them.
posted from Bloggeroid
2011-07-10
things better left unsaid
Wonder if G+ allows you to "hide" specific posts from a specific person without them knowing...
2011-06-19
trapped by our possessions
Owning a house is kinda like owning a pet, housebreaking (ironically) and all:
There's always a chance of an "accident" requiring immediate attention, and you need to make arrangements for it when on vacation.
And the bigger it is, the more room for stuff and features; all the more trapped you are because something inevitably will break/not work as it is supposed to.
Which makes me think that to actually enjoy a fancy house, you need a custodian/gardener/housekeeper/maintenance guy 24/7.
There's always a chance of an "accident" requiring immediate attention, and you need to make arrangements for it when on vacation.
And the bigger it is, the more room for stuff and features; all the more trapped you are because something inevitably will break/not work as it is supposed to.
Which makes me think that to actually enjoy a fancy house, you need a custodian/gardener/housekeeper/maintenance guy 24/7.
outdoor faucet - great but busted < 1year
My review and experience with
MOEN SINGLE-HANDLE HOT/COLD SILL FAUCET
MODEL HC4005 series
I'm posting this here because I can't find any record of this type of failure or repair on Moen, Google or YouTube.
THE GOOD. It delivers hot, cold in a single-handle tap that Moen is so well known for. Fantastic for washing hands, filling kiddie pools and other water toys, etc.
THE BAD. Easy to waste warm/hot water on irrigation system if you aren't paying attention (or little ones have fun with the knob after the fact).
THE UGLY. In less than 10 months (3 months usage if you exclude winter), the anti-siphon (backflow preventer?) valve busted, and it sprays wildly all around the valve when the water is on, soaking the ground right at the foundation. Not good.
Repair?
Unfortunately, no DIY repair videos on youtube yet.
Moen website shows a vacuum breaker kit (Moen PN 140900) on the exploded parts diagram, but does not have any instructions.
The innards of the installed vacuum breaker don't quite look like the one on the diagram (design change/improvement?)...
I tried setting the o-ring down a few times to no avail.
It does have a lifetime warranty.
Summer is just starting and we have a pool party/BBQ next weekend...
Here's hoping (a) my contractor will have his plumber repair this right quick and/or (b) Moen will send a repair kit ASAFP.
UPDATE: The o-ring popped completely out, so I gave it a test try for the heck of it, and it worked more or less fine. I reset the o-ring firmly with a tiny rod, and so far so good.
2011-06-15
communication tools vs communication skills
The two young contrators painting my house are outside on their lunch break, casually minding the texting/surfing on their respective cell phones.
Makes me think that, with all the communication tools that technology has given us, we may be losing the ability to actually communicate.
Aside: And here I am, blogging about it rather than getting out there and getting to know them/anyone.
Or, communication tools have allowed us the luxury(?) of being able to be more specific about who and what we want to talk with and about (and listen to). If that's so, are we any further ahead?
Makes me think that, with all the communication tools that technology has given us, we may be losing the ability to actually communicate.
Aside: And here I am, blogging about it rather than getting out there and getting to know them/anyone.
Or, communication tools have allowed us the luxury(?) of being able to be more specific about who and what we want to talk with and about (and listen to). If that's so, are we any further ahead?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)