The Boulevard
May 16th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
While this isn’t part of my Happiness Project per se, this gave me the greatest joy this morning!
Last night I saw a tweet that caught my interest. Mainly as the handle said @twilightkiwifan. How interesting was it that a kid from the other side of the world was interested in the never ending dialectic about same sex marriage.
I read the report and I found it thorough as most are, but I felt an endorsement from a self professed Romney fan who does have a few tweets in her stream slagging off President Obama may not have been the best endorsement. I replied as such.
If the article had been about a quote Romney had was false and the retweet had been a President Obama supporter who streamed a million offensive epithets of Romney, I would have been affronted by the same bias.
This morning I woke up and found this in my ‘Mentions’:
Of which I thought was absolutely adorable. Firstly because she used her old account and secondly because she actually replied. Ah, the great Greek philosophers would have loved Twitter. Here we are debating in a great boulevard.
My statement about her was not an insult. We all have biases and she definitely has them. I am aware that I have my own biases. It’s important to understand that when we see something we like, that confirms our beliefs, that we look at it from the other perspective. I am more persuaded by any pundit who voices an opinion that goes against the grain of their own belief.
I have two friends, a couple, who are diametrically opposed in their political beliefs. While he does allow her the time and patience to voice her opinion, her not so much. The world will never progress unless we respect the debate. And listen.
Basically, if the Politifact report had found Romney lying about President Obama and she had been a fan of the President, I would have found the same bias. I wonder how she feels about Politifacts other reports on Romney?
I looked more into this person’s feed. It reminded me that I don’t have a lot of pundits from either side. I have Slate and Fox. Could I follow Glenn Beck like she does? Then I’d have to follow Rachel Maddow. Hmmm… I definitely am not sure about Trump. I mean respect for the business savvy, but his hyperbole and obfuscation is too much.
Ok, so as I follow President Obama, I’ll follow Mitt Romney. Thanks kid for helping me get my world view. Though, I probably won’t be watching Twilight from your recommendations. Saw the first one and that was enough. I’m ok with the books’ Mormonism and find it all too teen flight of fantasy, but hey… At least people are reading.
Anyway, this little tweet has provided more for my piece. Which reminds me that I have not been stellar with using this blog as a repository for all my articles. Must get on that!
But I leave you with the best bio ever:
Happiness: Geeks
May 9th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
What Made Me Happy: Just Embrace It
I love when I meet people with specialised knowledge. I don’t feel I have to explain it.
I especially love those geeks who know every nuance of comic books and other geekery. I just read Simon Pegg’s autobiography. Much respect.
And this guy is pretty awesome for taking off the helmet while the geeks lined up at the comic book store.
The State of Care
April 26th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
“Nurses suck!” exclaimed my friend. This took me by surprise as her mom is a nurse, a proud one at that.
But as my friend further commented, things have changed. Nurses are no longer patient care focused.
While I can’t say my circle of friends is a good cross section of the general public, I will say that many who had family members as nurses or once were one, have seen that profession become one of bitterness.
The anecdotal evidence indicates that long hours, little benefits, salaries (though some are more than comfortable) and a shift to clinical methods rather than patient care have contributed to a harsh mentality. Even I can understand that it is a tough job.
My grandma has been in the hospital. She really can’t wait to get out. Her physios have remarked she works so hard. And her mind is clear, when not drugged up by narcotics.
She has her comforts. And she has a small bladder. She does NOT like to pee in her diaper. She is not lazy, she has her dignities.
The nurses have told her not to get up by herself, to call. In the middle of the night she wants to pee. She rings. They don’t come. They have complained that she pees too much. That she should just use the diaper. The nurses have said it is not their job to help her to the toilet.
Then who’s is it? Is using her diaper just a convenience for them?
A friend who was once a nurse, was outraged by this. She said that nurses have been taught to observe and be clinical rather than caring. That there is something missing in our health care if we don’t nourish the patient with care. My friend states that she sees nurses fill out too much paperwork and not enough time with the patients.
And then there is the social worker. That is an experience that makes me so sad. I can’t even write about how that person made me feel shameful of the system.
I am very proud that we live in a society with public health care. I don’t think privatising it will make the care better for all. But I do believe, even in this system we get a say as to how our money is spent.
I am not entirely unhappy with the care my grandma eventually received.
But I think it could be better.
Happiness: Hockey
April 26th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
What made me happy: a night in with Lord Stanley
It’s been awhile since I’ve had one of these entries. Trying to remember what I did to bring some joy was a bit tough. I did some satiating of base instincts (eating all that candy, drinking too much, snapping back – ie not being the bigger person). Yeah, think I’d learn by now.
But then there are times that the only thing you can do is watch men bash each other in and try to get a tiny round object into a small net, all while skating. Ah yes, the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nothing better than some awesome intense violence and skill. So I made oatmeal, chocolate chip, Skor cookies. And had a few beers (yeah, Lemon Earl Tea beer – don’t knock it till you try). Awesome.
The Cost
April 21st, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Companies consume other companies. It’s what they do. While I can understand that people need to prove themselves.
And in an attempt to be humorous in the face of someone else’s condescending tone, I was told I was condescending.
Mr. Price has shown me the actual cost of takeovers. That people are insecure. Those that need to repeat their worth when unsolicited are afraid.
Maybe we all need to realise we aren’t saving lives. And need to have a laugh a bit.
Happiness: Wasting Resources
April 6th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
What made me happy today: using stuff when you shouldn’t, cause you’re just too loopy
I didn’t really waste stuff. We eventually used the bed pan (not me personally). But this cracked up Grandma and me for like 5 minutes, we laughed and laughed.
Happiness: Getting Caught Up
April 4th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
What made me happy: being too busy
Luckily with work I am doing lots of writing. Not the in depth political, spiritual or sociological pieces I crave, but it’s writing.
So what to mention… Well, firstly meeting up with friends. Even when you don’t want to. Studies do show that interacting with people (i.e. being social) does make you feel better. While I don’t subject my friends to photos, here are a few photo reminders…
A lovely day of brunch, intense conversation and shopping. And of course, stopping at one of the few places IN the downtown Toronto area for coffee – Bannock. Note: the restaurant is ok, but the dessert is worth it.
But sometimes, girly nights at fancy places with tequila cocktails is the only adequate enjoyment to partake in. A dinner at Wish and lots of drinks. And talking about how men are horrific. This drink is rimmed with Pop Rocks!
And of course getting visits from friends afar. How awesome is it that someone carried Pineapple Lumps for 3 weeks for me? Yay for Fee!
Trying new things and meeting new people. And not being so cynical. These are things that provide a rosier outlook. So in that spirit, I tried Dodgeball. It’s freakin’ hilarious and intense.
But of course, my grandma getting better has been the happiest moment of all. That is something out of my control, but I’ll take it. I don’t want to put too many photos of her up, so I present the teddy bear collection. While we have to leave each night, the teddy bear keeps her company. And that brings me comfort. And it brings comfort to a third of Britons, so it really isn’t that weird. In fact, it’s adorable.
And with that, hope you have a lovely night.
My giggle today
March 13th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
My giggle today
I’m a Habs fan.
But I would like the Leafs to at least do a bit better.
Something to Think About
March 12th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Having to deal with my elders recently…
My grandma is 97. We need to readjust.
Happiness: Temple of Bacchus
March 12th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
What made me happy today: the only religion I will adhere to… Thank you god of wine!
There are days where this project is very hard.
Family dramas, sick relatives, bad day at work, feeling stuck, feeling left out, and hocking home to your biggest pet peeve. That was today. No ‘adjustments in attitude’ or ‘smiling through it’ worked today.
But a wonderful glass of Cab Sav, does the trick 
