On honour and democracy

Where is the honour in cheating democracy to prove the system is broken?   Beating one's spouse to prove one's superior strength simply isn't acceptable; where is the moral difference?

Also

The Nigel/Novak affair proves that elections aren't just about choosing a prime minister- but all the people around him/her that influence his/her discourse.

rise and fall of civilizations

Interesting article. Not very surprising, but a little disconcerting for those of us living in the "new world". 
http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-us-dollar-and-bretton-woods-are-finished-the-bricssco-summits-in-ufa-marks-the-start-of-a-silk-world-order/5461828  

In case you missed it, (wouldn't be surprising since it barely gets any news coverage even here at home), our prime minister has been traveling the world signing a lot of free trade deals with seemingly random countries. I'm curious what the impact will be in the emerging world economic context... is he rearranging deck chairs on the titanic, inoculating us for the inevitable, or selling us out to our new masters?

purpose, character, aptitudes

being doing, nay obsessing over things recently.  my ambition is on hold, embarking on seemingly random mental jogs/startups, but i can feel something winding up (like the calm before a storm). Today i turned to astrology numerology and palm reading etc, to see if it provides any insight (but mostly for distraction).

Here then, (for my future reference/entertainment), is a mash of various results from various on-line tests (no warrant of applicability/accuracy/relevance implied) and how close they are.

head line: You have courage in voicing your opinion. You overcome your nervousness and are very determined in your work. If you are passionate for some cause, you fight till the end for it. You are a sensitive person. You approach new things with caution. Even though you may be capable, you lack self-confidence. You tend to undervalue your capabilities and talents.
Read more at http://www.wishafriend.com/palm-reading/headline/result.php?hand=2&q1=0#Ebld3v9qYFLKZBeP.99

(surprisingly accurate)

heart line: You are a very selfish lover. You live for yourself and care little for the people around you. When your partner commits a mistake, you can be very unforgiving. If you like someone, you stop at nothing to get that person in your life. But after winning your love, your devotion and attention level drops like a brick. You are emotional in love. You will have some sad moments of disappointment in your love life. You will have an inconsistent love life filled with casual flirtations here and there. You are likely to be cold and less passionate. You are calculating in all matters of love. Your head rules your heart.

Read more at http://www.wishafriend.com/palm-reading/heartline/result.php?hand=4&q1=0&q2=2&q3=0&q4=0&q5=0#kmIVx2z3GWl4vzts.99

(mostly rubbish)

life line: You have an inflexible nature. Your somewhat serious nature makes life difficult for you at times. At times, problems come later on in your life because you did not address them at first. A change in attitude will help you. You are likely to have some phases of ill health in your life. You have strong will power. Your body will show more resistance in times of ill health. You are more brainy than brawny. There were some restrictions on you in your childhood in school/home. You are likely to live two lives totally different from each other at the same time. You may face times of trials and tribulations during the course of your life.

Read more at http://www.wishafriend.com/palm-reading/lifeline/result.php?hand=1&q1=0&q2=0&q3=0&q4=0&q5=0#xwc5FE7FTRDto0m6.99

(somewhat)

marriage line: You will have a happy marriage. There will be lots of love between you and your life partner. You will get involved in serious relationships (before marriage) in which you will contemplate marriage. There will be some influence which will come into your life after marriage. You are not likely to get married early in life.

Read more at http://www.wishafriend.com/palm-reading/marriageline/result.php?hand=1&q1=0&q2=0&q3=1#vvQIEuedEPeM17Ca.99

(mostly rubbish)

Day of birth: exuberant and cheerful. deep thinker. Good sense of humor. Understanding nature.Faithful towards family, friends and your love. Easy going. Attractive personality. Generous. Amiable. Ambitious. (somewhat)

Birth date:  You live life to the fullest and don't worry about tomorrow.  You like to be as independent as possible.  You confront obstacles in life by giving your best.  You are a beautiful person.  You are fun to be with.  Someone will fall in love with you for the intimacy and affection you tend to show. (rubbish)

Birth month: Determined.  Hopeless romantic.  Industrious. Warm and compassionate. Patient and tolerant.  Wise and witty. Very intelligent. Do or die attitude. Inquisitive and intuitive. Faithful friend. Sharp thinker. Emotional lover. Secretive. Active. You like to enjoy life to the fullest. Easy going. Attractive personality.  (rubbish)

Birth flower: symbolizes cheerfulness, friendship, compassion, secret love and wealth.  Honest person. Kind and compassionate. Think with your mind and have a strong sixth sense.  Pleasing personality which helps make new friends.  (i can accept that)

Birth tree: signifies justice, honesty and patience.  vivacious personality.  understated sense of style makes you attractive.  a little sensitive at times.  diplomatic nature keeps your friendships healthy. Try to increase self-confidence to find satisfaction in romantic life.  (i agree with most)

Birthstone: signifies loyalty, stability, faith and companionship, increased when wearing it. good health and fortune, induces positive feelings in the wearer's mind, helps achieve a higher level spiritually after wearing it.  (maybe I should start wearing it)

Tarot, 3 card reading about dreams and ambition. nothing interesting here.

Chinese zodiac: authoritative, magnetic, courageous, warm-hearted, enthusiastic, adventurous, frank. (about two thirds ok).

ok i'm officially bored now and moving onto something else.

A case for Nomadism

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?

Swype logic

Bizarre and rather dangerous that Swype (gesture keyboard on my phone) keeps inserting the word "pussy" instead of  "post". 

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

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.’ ”
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

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.

“Hee hee hee.” AFP/Getty Images

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?

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.

posted from Bloggeroid

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)

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 

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

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

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

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.

Cuts to Environment Canada are a blow to science

Cuts to Environment Canada are a blow to science

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?

posted from Bloggeroid

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...

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

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.

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.

posted from Bloggeroid

things better left unsaid

Wonder if G+ allows you to "hide" specific posts from a specific person without them knowing...