Tuesday, June 16, 2009
late night, oh wait, no, early morning.
So I am the definition of procrastination. Happens way too often, and i gotta break the habit before college. Staying up all night sucks. My last full day of highschool will be spent either falling asleep or being completely hyper from being overtired, I have yet to find out. I wrote 2 essays last night and obviously writting journals now. Gonna do the movie review too, officially have 44 minutes left in my last full first period. I'm here in Mayer's new room, not too sure if the change is good or not, spent so much time in the last room, too many memories to count. This whole school has to many memories to even begin to start counting. I've had a blast with my elementary friends, people i met when I was little through soccer and such and new friends I've met along the way. We may have complained all the way through, but you gotta admit, Myer was pretty good to us. The staff was awesome, had some great classes and learned a ton. Europe trips with Harris were AMAZING. Definitely once in a lifetime experiences that will never be matched. Here I go getting side tracked again. Movie review time!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Library Fun :)
I'm listening to Lost Coastlines with my brotha from anotha motha Jahson. He's tapping along to the music and singing. We were apparently supposed to watch a movie but we got called down to the library. We just took some pretty sick pictures on Carissa's Macbook with all the effects because Brandon wanted new Facebbok pictures, they turned out really good. Sirianni even joined us :)Bryan is hitting Jason, it's funny because he's so skinny but he's got a mean punch. Jason is working on his data project right now. He procrastinated and didn't finish his slide show, but i'm not one to talk about procrastination. Brandon is wearing his awesome Watchmen shirt. The pictures are officially up on facebook! I'm gonna miss this class, Carm, you've been awesome. The content was great even though there wasn't much, you made it fun. Jason's singing again, he's super good. We're listening to For Real by Okkervil River, it's pretty ballin'. Well I have alot more to do, so I think this is all I have to say for now.
George, my love.
I'd just like to confess my love for George Strouboulopoulos. He is an ex-VJ for Much Music and has now moved on the hosting his own show The Hour on CBC. He interviews politicians, activists, celebrities and everyone in between. Unfortunately, you ahve to be 18 to attend the show, so I can't meet him until December :( He truly is amazing. His show airs at 11 pm and catches the attention of the youth in order to inform the of current world issues. Everything from the graphics, music, and even the style of his of his clothes attract the youth (his good looks help too). He makes sure that the mix of his guests are enough celebrities to even out politicians and such in order to keep their attention, however other more mature youth watch to see these politicians and activist yet the comedy is a nice touch. He introduces each guest with "The Bio", a short background on them. He alsodoes other segments such as "Best Story Ever" which is introduced by squeaky voiced clay people then his guests are taped telling their best story ever. He is very envolved with the audience, whether it be taking pictures after the show and taking time to talk, to his interactive website at CBC.ca, you can e-mail him, he has an updated blog and also has other seperate websites, facebook, myspace and all the other gizmos available today. I love watching this show. Keeping up to date with current issues is easy thanks to him and the awesome people at CBC.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Our Project - Same-Sex Marriage
So on Friday Brandon, Ashneet and I did our Friday Debate on same-sex marriage. After deciding on our topic randomly in class the day before and passing it by Mr. C, we got the go-ahead. We got together at Brandon's and got our work done over pizza and wings with his cute, hyper dog Brandy coming to visit every once in a while. Surprisingly we were very productive and got it done pretty quickly :)
The presentation went well and the discussion picked up at a good pace. We got into discussions on whether or not same-sex marriage should be allowed which was a pretty unanimous yes, although the discussion went into what is the definition of marriage and if the term belonged to the church. Because marriage was originally to unite a man and a woman in order to procreate, should the term "marriage" only belong to the church and all other marriages perhaps be called "civil unions" or something along those lines as would same sex marriage. I forget who but someone asked whether or not you would be insulted if someone said that the title of "marriage" would be stripped from you and be given another title. I really liked your answer that no matter what, you didn't even need the title of marriage as you planned to be with your wife forever anyway. I think alot of people are leaning towards that mindset lately due to the drop in religious practise and don't find it necessary anymore. Like my aunt, I've never met her first husband, the father of my cousins, maybe when I was little but i don't remember him. She now lives with her techinically Fiance Joe after almost 10 years I think. He proposed to her, yet they both decided that it isn't necessary to be married and they are perfectly content, probably happier than if they would be married.
Discussions always tend to get heated when it comes to issues involving religion and it didn't disappoint this time either. The class has been really good this semester for debates and I really enjoyed it. Good choice in assignment Mr. C!
The presentation went well and the discussion picked up at a good pace. We got into discussions on whether or not same-sex marriage should be allowed which was a pretty unanimous yes, although the discussion went into what is the definition of marriage and if the term belonged to the church. Because marriage was originally to unite a man and a woman in order to procreate, should the term "marriage" only belong to the church and all other marriages perhaps be called "civil unions" or something along those lines as would same sex marriage. I forget who but someone asked whether or not you would be insulted if someone said that the title of "marriage" would be stripped from you and be given another title. I really liked your answer that no matter what, you didn't even need the title of marriage as you planned to be with your wife forever anyway. I think alot of people are leaning towards that mindset lately due to the drop in religious practise and don't find it necessary anymore. Like my aunt, I've never met her first husband, the father of my cousins, maybe when I was little but i don't remember him. She now lives with her techinically Fiance Joe after almost 10 years I think. He proposed to her, yet they both decided that it isn't necessary to be married and they are perfectly content, probably happier than if they would be married.
Discussions always tend to get heated when it comes to issues involving religion and it didn't disappoint this time either. The class has been really good this semester for debates and I really enjoyed it. Good choice in assignment Mr. C!
Sicko
In class we watched Sicko, a documentary by Michael Moore regarding the American health system, or lack of one. They are capable of spending millions of dollars a day on keeping up the war in the east, yet they can't even, or won't, care for their people. It's truly tragic to watch and listen to the stories of the people profiled in the documentary. A mother lost her daughter because the insurance company wouldn't let her transfer hospitals when her daughter had a high fever, a wife lost her husband and her daughter was left without a father because the insurance companies said the treatments he needed were not needed. Heroes from 9/11 were not even allowed care for the illnesses that came along with breathing in the fumes and dust while helping, simply because they were volunteers and not city employees.
When Americans hear socialized health care, they are taught to think communism which is way far off. They are completely shocked that visiting hospitals and emergency rooms, surgeries, many medications and family doctors are all free services in Canada and other countries. France for example takes it much further. You are entitled to up to a year paid maternity leave and once the baby is born you get a government employee to come to the house a few hours twice a week to help with whatever needs to be done. You get many weeks of paid holidays, and even a week off for your honeymoon. Like Michael said, it's no wonder Americans are taught to hate the French, they may actually like their ways and want the same. England is also good to it's people. A good example for them is a single dispensing charge at pharmacies for any drug and any amount of it. Even Cuba has a great health system. When Michael brought the 9/11 volunteers there, they were openly greeted and were given the tests and treatments that they were denied in the States and got their normally 100$ medications for the equivalent of about 5 cents American. When they went to Cuba, their original stop was to Guantanamo Bay prison where high security prisoners, such as Al Quaeda terrorists are being held. Amazingly, they are receiving frequent checkups from doctors, are being given the medications they need, are having preventative tests done and are getting necessary surgeries all done for FREE in the onsite hospital. Does that sound fair to you? And to top it off, they have video games in their rooms and countless other luxuries. Some prison eh? They're living better in prison than they would be at home.
It's good to see that progress was trying to be made by Hilary Clinton who wanted to make government run health care, but of course the money hungry politicians made sure that she was beaten out. It's tragic to think of how many people are denied health care and unfortunately die because of it. It's also tragic to think of the people in the claims office knowing that they have to deny these patients, knowing that that is the likely outcome. It is not their decision, they are simply the messengers making a living and it's sad. The big shots that own the place are upstairs sitting in their Armani suits puffing on some Cubans as people are at home suffering.
The issue is that all of these countries that have government run health care have the mindset of helping those around you, because they would do the same for you. In the US, it is a very capitalist society and people are greedy, not wanting to pay extra taxes. Why should they if it isn't directly benefiting themselves right? They don't realize that paying those few extra tax dollars now will help them down the line to pay for that $100,000 surgery if they get hit by a bus. But it's not their faults. The government has taught them to think this way. If they were to give healthcare, the taxes would skyrocket like in Canada or France. They're made to think that we struggle to get by because our taxes are so high, which is not the case. Yeah, our taxes are quite high, but still not as high as some countries. Look at all of the services we have though, health care, schools, daycares, postal service. These services aren't free. We pay for them, but we all benefit. The higher the taxes, the more services are provided, making life easier for us all. What more can you ask for?
When Americans hear socialized health care, they are taught to think communism which is way far off. They are completely shocked that visiting hospitals and emergency rooms, surgeries, many medications and family doctors are all free services in Canada and other countries. France for example takes it much further. You are entitled to up to a year paid maternity leave and once the baby is born you get a government employee to come to the house a few hours twice a week to help with whatever needs to be done. You get many weeks of paid holidays, and even a week off for your honeymoon. Like Michael said, it's no wonder Americans are taught to hate the French, they may actually like their ways and want the same. England is also good to it's people. A good example for them is a single dispensing charge at pharmacies for any drug and any amount of it. Even Cuba has a great health system. When Michael brought the 9/11 volunteers there, they were openly greeted and were given the tests and treatments that they were denied in the States and got their normally 100$ medications for the equivalent of about 5 cents American. When they went to Cuba, their original stop was to Guantanamo Bay prison where high security prisoners, such as Al Quaeda terrorists are being held. Amazingly, they are receiving frequent checkups from doctors, are being given the medications they need, are having preventative tests done and are getting necessary surgeries all done for FREE in the onsite hospital. Does that sound fair to you? And to top it off, they have video games in their rooms and countless other luxuries. Some prison eh? They're living better in prison than they would be at home.
It's good to see that progress was trying to be made by Hilary Clinton who wanted to make government run health care, but of course the money hungry politicians made sure that she was beaten out. It's tragic to think of how many people are denied health care and unfortunately die because of it. It's also tragic to think of the people in the claims office knowing that they have to deny these patients, knowing that that is the likely outcome. It is not their decision, they are simply the messengers making a living and it's sad. The big shots that own the place are upstairs sitting in their Armani suits puffing on some Cubans as people are at home suffering.
The issue is that all of these countries that have government run health care have the mindset of helping those around you, because they would do the same for you. In the US, it is a very capitalist society and people are greedy, not wanting to pay extra taxes. Why should they if it isn't directly benefiting themselves right? They don't realize that paying those few extra tax dollars now will help them down the line to pay for that $100,000 surgery if they get hit by a bus. But it's not their faults. The government has taught them to think this way. If they were to give healthcare, the taxes would skyrocket like in Canada or France. They're made to think that we struggle to get by because our taxes are so high, which is not the case. Yeah, our taxes are quite high, but still not as high as some countries. Look at all of the services we have though, health care, schools, daycares, postal service. These services aren't free. We pay for them, but we all benefit. The higher the taxes, the more services are provided, making life easier for us all. What more can you ask for?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bagged Milk aha (revised)
So after our discussion on bagged milk, i found this website completely dedicated to these awesome creations. Which by the way has links to other awesome sites on the subject also.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~husky66/Milk/
This man (or woman's) sense of humour is amazing. It plays on the fact that other cultures (specifically Americans) are completely in awe that we have created such things. The creator of the site has become so frustrated with the ignorance towards milk bags that they felt it was necessary to make the information available. The site provides animated "milk bag operation" showing how to cut the corner off in order to be able to pour, but also as if that was not enough, detailed instructions with photographs to guide you through the entire process from package to pitcher. There are links leadingto discussions boards "the Brunching Shuttlecocks" being one of them. It is unfortunately almost all Americans bashing our amazing bagged milk, questioning it's practicality, and even safety towards children and the potential of cockraoches ntering the small hole!
The milk is typically sold in 1 or the more popular 1.33 litre bags in packages of 3 bags (4 litres). You will need to buy a pitcher to put the bags into to pour and cut off the corner of the bag. It was a great idea as it saves waste compared to the large jugs and containers that milk is sold in elsewhere. Also, the bags can be re-used for sandwiches for example. Us Canadians are good at reducing, reusing and recycling! I wasn't aware previous to our discussion in class at the significance of the bagged milk. It is ranked up in importance for Canadian trademarks with tuques and maple syrup!
Bagged milk is however available in Angentina, Hungary, Israel, India, Montenegro, Poland, South Africa and Uruguay. In Canada they are mostly available in Ontario, Maritimes and Quebec.
The problem is that people are not always open to change and believe that the way things are done in their area and their lives is the right way. it is important that we live our lives open to ideas others may have and give them a chance as they may possibly be more effective as the way things were being done before. In this case, bagged milk may seem odd and different, but in fact it reduces waste and the bags may be reused.
Long story short, bagged milk is awesome :)
http://home.cogeco.ca/~husky66/Milk/
This man (or woman's) sense of humour is amazing. It plays on the fact that other cultures (specifically Americans) are completely in awe that we have created such things. The creator of the site has become so frustrated with the ignorance towards milk bags that they felt it was necessary to make the information available. The site provides animated "milk bag operation" showing how to cut the corner off in order to be able to pour, but also as if that was not enough, detailed instructions with photographs to guide you through the entire process from package to pitcher. There are links leadingto discussions boards "the Brunching Shuttlecocks" being one of them. It is unfortunately almost all Americans bashing our amazing bagged milk, questioning it's practicality, and even safety towards children and the potential of cockraoches ntering the small hole!
The milk is typically sold in 1 or the more popular 1.33 litre bags in packages of 3 bags (4 litres). You will need to buy a pitcher to put the bags into to pour and cut off the corner of the bag. It was a great idea as it saves waste compared to the large jugs and containers that milk is sold in elsewhere. Also, the bags can be re-used for sandwiches for example. Us Canadians are good at reducing, reusing and recycling! I wasn't aware previous to our discussion in class at the significance of the bagged milk. It is ranked up in importance for Canadian trademarks with tuques and maple syrup!
Bagged milk is however available in Angentina, Hungary, Israel, India, Montenegro, Poland, South Africa and Uruguay. In Canada they are mostly available in Ontario, Maritimes and Quebec.
The problem is that people are not always open to change and believe that the way things are done in their area and their lives is the right way. it is important that we live our lives open to ideas others may have and give them a chance as they may possibly be more effective as the way things were being done before. In this case, bagged milk may seem odd and different, but in fact it reduces waste and the bags may be reused.
Long story short, bagged milk is awesome :)
Social Scientist Reflection - Max Weber
Ashneet and I did our presentation on Max Weber. He was a German sociologist born in 1864 and died in 1920. He taught before and during the first world war at the universities of Freiburg, Munich and Heidelberg. He was most famous for his theories on management and the bureaucratisation of society. In his lifetime he was mainly known for his political ideas and would probably be shocked that his theorie would have such an impact on the corporate world. His theory states that in order to function well, there should be many stages in management. Weber said that there were 3 types of leadership; charasmatic, hereditary and the beaurocratic. He believed that each type was capable of gaining obeidiency, but are suitable in different stages of the development of organizations. The charasmatic leader is best suited for the early stages as it relies on a single person's views to guide it towards it's goal. The hereditary leader is put in place by birth, replacing a family member usually, and is capable of continuing established practices. The beaurocratic is next, Weber's famous theory. There were several stages envolved and ideas passed through each stage. It was run in a very machine-like manner. Weber realised that the practices could become dehumanising and said that the only way to reverse this is to bring in a charasmatic leader to reform. The idea was that there is a hiearchy of career positions with possiblities of promotion, selected on terms of knowledge and qualifications, office space, pensions, however subject to control and discipline from the superiors.
This idea caught on as Weber was a major influence on major corporate leaders around that time, the inter-war period. Today mostly every company follows this structure. It maintains order, however must be controlled to a certain degree. Weber was right that it can become very dehumanising as major companies' salaries can go from millions to the CEO, to minimum wage to other workers who have no influence at all. It is vital to have employees of all fields in order to keep companies functioning, however it is unfortunate that the lesser known employees are practically forgotten about. For smaller businesses it is very good as everyone still knows oneanother and can communicate ideas successfully, yet still maintain the owner/boss, possibly supervisors to keep order and take care of major works. All in all this system is effective.
This idea caught on as Weber was a major influence on major corporate leaders around that time, the inter-war period. Today mostly every company follows this structure. It maintains order, however must be controlled to a certain degree. Weber was right that it can become very dehumanising as major companies' salaries can go from millions to the CEO, to minimum wage to other workers who have no influence at all. It is vital to have employees of all fields in order to keep companies functioning, however it is unfortunate that the lesser known employees are practically forgotten about. For smaller businesses it is very good as everyone still knows oneanother and can communicate ideas successfully, yet still maintain the owner/boss, possibly supervisors to keep order and take care of major works. All in all this system is effective.
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