After an Ashley’s Furniture truck sped by our house:
Me: It will be nice when we have the garage with the deck over it; we could get one of those air-soft guns on a tripod and just shoot at the speeding vehicles.
Dave: Yeah, but I think I’d prefer a pellet gun, they have different bullets.
Me: I know air-soft guns have those round bullets
Dave: Exactly, I want something more solid. I want to be able to break a window or dent a car now and then.
Me: Hm… I’m worried about you.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Question
I have a 12 page paper to write for this upcoming Friday. 12 pages isn't much when you know what you want to write about but, if you're like me, knowing what to write about is the one of the hardest parts about writing a goddamn 12 page paper. Anyway, here's the question that I need to answer in the paper:
Is it possible to address the environmental crisis, in a reasonable, viable fashion, without taking into account its religious dimensions?
"without taking into account its religious dimensions"... this is where my brain hits a brick wall.
The last thing I want to do is take the "ease route" which would be to argue that "no, it is not possible to address the environmental crisis without taking into account its religious dimensions". I want to argue that it is absolutely possible to address the environmental crisis without religion, or religious traits (i.e. spirituality). I want to argue that if we, as humans, forget about religion, we'll be able to say to the earth "okay earth, it's just you and me. Let's figure this shit out". Religion, to me, has done nothing but impede out ability to accept that the earth is a living breathing organism and it is greater than us.
The Biblical perspective suggests that human hold dominion over the earth. That we, as God's precious creations, are above all other living things and they exist solely to serve us. This perspective gives humans the right to exploit, kill, slaughter, and destroy the earth and all its living things to serve our own needs. So, erase God = erase shitty attitude. Huh, weird how our shitty attitude comes from the belief in something that supposed to be anything but shitty.
Spirituality plays a large role is environmentalism because people who advocate for the environment believe in interconnectedness between humans and nature. There is a belief that people can and do communicate with nature, animals included. Now, I talk to my cat, usually to tell it to shut-the-fuck-up because it meows incessantly, but is my cat hearing "Felix, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"?? probably not. And does he shut up? No. never... fuckin' cat. So, am I engaged in spiritual relationship with my cat, or am I just telling him to shut his trap? I vote for the latter. therefore, how is it possible for people to be "one" with nature? It's not. No matter what, even if we try to respect nature as we respect ourselves, we will always use nature. We have basic physiological needs that need to be met in order for us to survive: shelter, food, water. We use trees to build shelter, animals for food, and we love water so much that we're willing to pay $2.50 for a bottle of the next province/state's tap water because we think it's better than our own tap water. What gets me the most are the people who claim to be one with nature and truly truly respect it. Bullshit! What fibre is your sweater made out of? How did you get to the protest to defend the environment? What tools do you use to "create awareness"? None of us really care about the environment to the point where we would give up our standard of living. So, spirituality = superficial relationship with the planet.
What can we do then?...
Is it possible to address the environmental crisis, in a reasonable, viable fashion, without taking into account its religious dimensions?
"without taking into account its religious dimensions"... this is where my brain hits a brick wall.
The last thing I want to do is take the "ease route" which would be to argue that "no, it is not possible to address the environmental crisis without taking into account its religious dimensions". I want to argue that it is absolutely possible to address the environmental crisis without religion, or religious traits (i.e. spirituality). I want to argue that if we, as humans, forget about religion, we'll be able to say to the earth "okay earth, it's just you and me. Let's figure this shit out". Religion, to me, has done nothing but impede out ability to accept that the earth is a living breathing organism and it is greater than us.
The Biblical perspective suggests that human hold dominion over the earth. That we, as God's precious creations, are above all other living things and they exist solely to serve us. This perspective gives humans the right to exploit, kill, slaughter, and destroy the earth and all its living things to serve our own needs. So, erase God = erase shitty attitude. Huh, weird how our shitty attitude comes from the belief in something that supposed to be anything but shitty.
Spirituality plays a large role is environmentalism because people who advocate for the environment believe in interconnectedness between humans and nature. There is a belief that people can and do communicate with nature, animals included. Now, I talk to my cat, usually to tell it to shut-the-fuck-up because it meows incessantly, but is my cat hearing "Felix, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"?? probably not. And does he shut up? No. never... fuckin' cat. So, am I engaged in spiritual relationship with my cat, or am I just telling him to shut his trap? I vote for the latter. therefore, how is it possible for people to be "one" with nature? It's not. No matter what, even if we try to respect nature as we respect ourselves, we will always use nature. We have basic physiological needs that need to be met in order for us to survive: shelter, food, water. We use trees to build shelter, animals for food, and we love water so much that we're willing to pay $2.50 for a bottle of the next province/state's tap water because we think it's better than our own tap water. What gets me the most are the people who claim to be one with nature and truly truly respect it. Bullshit! What fibre is your sweater made out of? How did you get to the protest to defend the environment? What tools do you use to "create awareness"? None of us really care about the environment to the point where we would give up our standard of living. So, spirituality = superficial relationship with the planet.
What can we do then?...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Just your average conversation/observation
Last night, Dave and I were watching TV when he made an excellent observation about the new Neutrogena Wave.
Context:
The Neutrogena Wave is a face cleansing tool and is apparently super popular. Here's an image so you don't have to Google what I'm talking about:
And here's the super clever observation:
Dave: Isn't that just a vibrator?
Me: Yes, Dave. It's a vibrator that doubles as a face cleansing tool.
Anyone who knows Dave, even a little, knows exactly what he means.
Conversations like this are not rare in our home... unfortunately.
Context:
The Neutrogena Wave is a face cleansing tool and is apparently super popular. Here's an image so you don't have to Google what I'm talking about:
And here's the super clever observation:
Dave: Isn't that just a vibrator?
Me: Yes, Dave. It's a vibrator that doubles as a face cleansing tool.
Anyone who knows Dave, even a little, knows exactly what he means.
Conversations like this are not rare in our home... unfortunately.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It's the most wonderful time of the year (if you like voting)
Anyone living in Canada knows that it is election season. I say "season" because it seems to happen on an annual basis, just like the four other seasons we experience in a year. This year I’ve decided to actually read up on all four political parties (the fifth – Green Party – is my cop-out option), find out what their platforms are, and make an educated and informed decision when I go to vote. I’ve decided to post my personal opinions of these contenders so that my fellow Canadians, who do not wish to do the research, can make an educated decision as well.
Before I get into the details though, I’d like to talk about why I vote. For me, it’s a duty and not a choice. I’ve been lucky enough to have been born in a country that seems to embrace democracy and I plan to fully participate in that democracy whenever I can, both on a federal and provincial level. It’s a right that I have been granted just by existing and I like it!
Now that that’s out of the way let’s get on with it shall we.
1. Stephen Harper
This guy is the current Prime Minister of the 5 year minority government we have here in good ol’ Canadia.
What he likes:
- Fighter jets. Who doesn’t like fighter jets? They’re cool and they fly and they shoot bombs and bullets and shit.
- Heterosexuals. He’s a big fan of heterosexual individuals, that’s OK.
- Babies. Who doesn’t like babies?
- Economy. He likes a thriving economy, and after the recent recession I do too!
What he doesn’t like:
- Homosexuals. I’m not really cool with this; I like gays and see nothing wrong with them getting married to other gays.
- Abortions. As a woman I find his position on this topic offensive. I think a woman has the right to do what she wants with her body. (This topic deserves a post of its own so I’ll save that for another day)
- Rich people paying tax. People keep telling me that Harper’s all about tax cuts for the rich. Well, I’m not rich so this doesn’t affect me.
2. Michael Ignatief
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, a party that I think has “fixed” all of the online quizzes that you can take to tell you who to vote for.
What he likes:
- Spending money. He’s all about spending. Spend spend spend spend spend.
- Health care: Something he wants to spend all sorts of money on. To me it’s an expenditure and not an investment. Like 85% of people who pass through the health care system are old and die. Why are we spending money on people who are going to die anyway?
What he doesn’t like:
- Anything that Harper likes.
3. Jack Layton(or who a friend of mine calls “E Jack U Layton”)
This guy’s a total fucking clown. He recently went through some health issues and I’m sympathetic towards them, but in general he’s a dork.
What he likes:
- Tanning. For someone who has recently battled cancer he has either spent a lot of time at the tanning salon, or he needs to fire his makeup artist… just saying.
-Pensions: One of his main concerns is how retired folk will survive. My mom’s already retired and she’s doing alright so I don’t care much for spending on pensions; again, not an investment but an expenditure
-People. He’s always going on about the people he spoke to in the shop and the guy on the bus and bla bla bla…
- Doctors and Nurses. He’s a big fan of getting more family doctors for people. I don’t have a family doctor and my sister told me it’s a 2 year waiting list just to get a gynaecologist… we could use more doctors.
- Attacking the other leaders. I’ve watched both debates, highlights included, and he seems to have a real knack for attacking the opposition without any real arguments to back up what he’s going off about.
What he doesn’t like:
- Competition. He’s constantly saying that Harper has obviously fallen subject to “Ottawa Culture” (Ottawa, by the way, is our nation’s capitol). He laughs at Ignatief for never having held office and brushes Gilles Duccep off like an unwanted house fly.
- Fighter jets. He’s 100% against buying fighter jets. Not cool.
4. Gilles Duccep
He only really has a presence in Quebec but he’s there (supposedly) for the good of the province. Whatever.
What he likes:
- Talking about Quebec. He starts off most of his argument with “government needs to stop interfering with Quebec”. I don’t really know what this means.
- Unions. Minus 2 points right there – I dislike unions.
What he doesn’t like:
- Anything that doesn’t revolve around Quebec.
And there you have it, people; these are our candidates for Prime Minister. I think they all suck but that Harper sucks the least. A lot of people would disagree with me but I don’t care, it’s my right to vote for whoever I want. *sticks out tongue and leaves room*
Before I get into the details though, I’d like to talk about why I vote. For me, it’s a duty and not a choice. I’ve been lucky enough to have been born in a country that seems to embrace democracy and I plan to fully participate in that democracy whenever I can, both on a federal and provincial level. It’s a right that I have been granted just by existing and I like it!
Now that that’s out of the way let’s get on with it shall we.
1. Stephen Harper
This guy is the current Prime Minister of the 5 year minority government we have here in good ol’ Canadia.
What he likes:
- Fighter jets. Who doesn’t like fighter jets? They’re cool and they fly and they shoot bombs and bullets and shit.
- Heterosexuals. He’s a big fan of heterosexual individuals, that’s OK.
- Babies. Who doesn’t like babies?
- Economy. He likes a thriving economy, and after the recent recession I do too!
What he doesn’t like:
- Homosexuals. I’m not really cool with this; I like gays and see nothing wrong with them getting married to other gays.
- Abortions. As a woman I find his position on this topic offensive. I think a woman has the right to do what she wants with her body. (This topic deserves a post of its own so I’ll save that for another day)
- Rich people paying tax. People keep telling me that Harper’s all about tax cuts for the rich. Well, I’m not rich so this doesn’t affect me.
2. Michael Ignatief
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, a party that I think has “fixed” all of the online quizzes that you can take to tell you who to vote for.
What he likes:
- Spending money. He’s all about spending. Spend spend spend spend spend.
- Health care: Something he wants to spend all sorts of money on. To me it’s an expenditure and not an investment. Like 85% of people who pass through the health care system are old and die. Why are we spending money on people who are going to die anyway?
What he doesn’t like:
- Anything that Harper likes.
3. Jack Layton(or who a friend of mine calls “E Jack U Layton”)
This guy’s a total fucking clown. He recently went through some health issues and I’m sympathetic towards them, but in general he’s a dork.
What he likes:
- Tanning. For someone who has recently battled cancer he has either spent a lot of time at the tanning salon, or he needs to fire his makeup artist… just saying.
-Pensions: One of his main concerns is how retired folk will survive. My mom’s already retired and she’s doing alright so I don’t care much for spending on pensions; again, not an investment but an expenditure
-People. He’s always going on about the people he spoke to in the shop and the guy on the bus and bla bla bla…
- Doctors and Nurses. He’s a big fan of getting more family doctors for people. I don’t have a family doctor and my sister told me it’s a 2 year waiting list just to get a gynaecologist… we could use more doctors.
- Attacking the other leaders. I’ve watched both debates, highlights included, and he seems to have a real knack for attacking the opposition without any real arguments to back up what he’s going off about.
What he doesn’t like:
- Competition. He’s constantly saying that Harper has obviously fallen subject to “Ottawa Culture” (Ottawa, by the way, is our nation’s capitol). He laughs at Ignatief for never having held office and brushes Gilles Duccep off like an unwanted house fly.
- Fighter jets. He’s 100% against buying fighter jets. Not cool.
4. Gilles Duccep
He only really has a presence in Quebec but he’s there (supposedly) for the good of the province. Whatever.
What he likes:
- Talking about Quebec. He starts off most of his argument with “government needs to stop interfering with Quebec”. I don’t really know what this means.
- Unions. Minus 2 points right there – I dislike unions.
What he doesn’t like:
- Anything that doesn’t revolve around Quebec.
And there you have it, people; these are our candidates for Prime Minister. I think they all suck but that Harper sucks the least. A lot of people would disagree with me but I don’t care, it’s my right to vote for whoever I want. *sticks out tongue and leaves room*
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
A Kind Stranger
I'm feeling anything but creative today, and have been for the past week or so – hence no blog posts. My studies won’t allow me to procrastinate and finding inspiration is difficult when you can’t surf the net aimlessly. I was thinking about writing about school but that’s been done on a few occasions and I’m bored of it. I’m bored of everything right now.
The only thing I’m looking forward to is baking a giant-sized cupcake this weekend to honour some very kind strangers who helped me reach, and surpass, my goal of accumulating 27 followers for my 27th birthday. I had given myself over a month to reach this goal (my Birthday is on April 25th) because not too many of my “real-life” friends are on Twitter, but regardless, the goal has been met and I should explain how.
My best friend sent me a message saying that I should “follow” one individual in particular for x reason. So I did. Then, this one follower followed me back and so I thanked him for being my 13th follower and told him about my plan. Then I logged off of Twitter to plough through some tedious and excruciating Greek exercises for school. Obviously, being the procrastinator that I am, I logged back on to Twitter about 10 minutes later. I had 29 followers. I tweeted “I think Twitter has a glitch…” then checked my “mentions” and saw that this individual had mentioned me in a post saying that he was the glitch. I scrolled down to find several “mentions” about me, one saying “I think she’s logged off, we’ll freak her out”. So, this one, very kind, stranger took the time to encourage others to follow me. I now have 39 followers, three of which I actually know in real life.
I had promised to bake an honorary cupcake for my 27th follower, but now I bake one for all of the people who helped me reach my goal including this kind stranger and my bestie.
I have been planning the giant cupcake in my head for a few days now and am really excited to bake it. I’ll be sure to take pictures of the process and the final product for my Cakes and Bakes page.
I know, this post is not funny at all, usually I at least giggle while I write my posts… obviously school is draining me. Hopefully I’ll be funnier by my next post.
Thanks for bearing with me.
P.S. I wrote this post in Word and now my internet is fucking with me, yet again. I hate this goddamn internet connection bullshit!
The only thing I’m looking forward to is baking a giant-sized cupcake this weekend to honour some very kind strangers who helped me reach, and surpass, my goal of accumulating 27 followers for my 27th birthday. I had given myself over a month to reach this goal (my Birthday is on April 25th) because not too many of my “real-life” friends are on Twitter, but regardless, the goal has been met and I should explain how.
My best friend sent me a message saying that I should “follow” one individual in particular for x reason. So I did. Then, this one follower followed me back and so I thanked him for being my 13th follower and told him about my plan. Then I logged off of Twitter to plough through some tedious and excruciating Greek exercises for school. Obviously, being the procrastinator that I am, I logged back on to Twitter about 10 minutes later. I had 29 followers. I tweeted “I think Twitter has a glitch…” then checked my “mentions” and saw that this individual had mentioned me in a post saying that he was the glitch. I scrolled down to find several “mentions” about me, one saying “I think she’s logged off, we’ll freak her out”. So, this one, very kind, stranger took the time to encourage others to follow me. I now have 39 followers, three of which I actually know in real life.
I had promised to bake an honorary cupcake for my 27th follower, but now I bake one for all of the people who helped me reach my goal including this kind stranger and my bestie.
I have been planning the giant cupcake in my head for a few days now and am really excited to bake it. I’ll be sure to take pictures of the process and the final product for my Cakes and Bakes page.
I know, this post is not funny at all, usually I at least giggle while I write my posts… obviously school is draining me. Hopefully I’ll be funnier by my next post.
Thanks for bearing with me.
P.S. I wrote this post in Word and now my internet is fucking with me, yet again. I hate this goddamn internet connection bullshit!
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