“Finally we are free.” That was the quote from a sixty year old Egyptian protester when their President stepped down after 18 days of protests demanding him to resign. Their President Hosni Muberak had been in power for 30 years and the citizens had seen enough of his rule over them. There were many unique factors of this protest and demand. The location was the Middle East, where uprisings are generally put to rest as soon as they occur. It was peaceful and with the sheer number of citizens involved, this was also an unheard of feat. However, this would be the most surprising; the Egyptian military was present the entire time of the protest and largely did not get involved with dispersing the crown.
We need to look at what brought this about. On the outside looking in, it is a classic case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. In the thirty years that President Hosni Muberak was in power, it was said that he amassed over $40 billion in assets and these were spread around the world while the majority of the citizens of Egypt were living at or below the poverty level.
This is in mind the Egyptian citizens took to the streets and fought with their voices the lock on power, government corruption and the large differences between the rich and the poor.
Since their voice was heard, the military has dissolved power and has promised elections to the citizens.
This is a brief summary compared to what really happened. This is the point in the future that will interest me. What happens if promises are not delivered? History of neighbouring African nations has proven that this may happen even if the world is watching. What will happen if other uprisings occur in neighbouring Middle Eastern countries? In the end, will the citizens be fully prepared for what may happen next? Not one person will be able to predict what may happen next.
In going back to the protestor that proclaimed, “Finally we are free!” I ask, are they?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I Cannot Read Properly
A little thing happened that I was told not to take personal but too late, I did and here we go.....
That is right folks; I have discovered that I do not know how to read properly. Actually, I will tell you why also. I, unfortunately, was sent a list of classic books that people should have read while alive. I know this was a made up list by someone who was just giving their opinion. However, I looked at this list and realized I was not read the proper books and that was the opinion of not one person but many. I had read three of the hundred that were listed. Now I will admit that I go through spurts on how much I read. I have read three great books in the last month and sometimes life takes hold and I do not get the time. Now I will attempt to read almost anything put in front of me. I like to learn and books do that for me. They also do something else. In a world and life where tons of everything can get to you, taking a break by putting on a CD and reading a book is a great escape. I turn off my phone and no one is allowed to contact me. That is just the way I am.
Now that I have explained this, I will explain my issue. Who has the right to tell me what I should escape too. In high school I had to the read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and hated it. It was not until later in life that I picked it up and read it again that I enjoyed it. Then my mind starts thinking like this. Does this mean the fine folks that do not enjoy reading what I read are not enjoying themselves when they pick up a romance novel, news paper, magazine or comic book? I know a lot of people like this and if it what makes them happy then why not. Who are we to say because what people read are not the “classics” then they are not worth it. If the end means is escape and it makes you happy, why not?
This may be a better example. I wrote poetry and working on a few other writing projects that will see the light of day soon. I have been told by family members that they do not enjoy them. However, they do enjoy this type of book and article. Good for them. Not everything written in for everyone and I understand that. Why others cannot I do not know.
I say this as I am sitting at my favourite coffee shop / bookstore looking at a book that I will be purchasing this week sometime after I am done reading the book I am reading. By the way, I am reading Thomas Harris – “Black Sunday” and the book I am looking at is has actually two stories in it. It is called “The Tale of Two Cities” and “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. I hear that these are classics but I will not be reading them because of that. I will be reading them because I want to.
Now that I have finished my rant about that, I have more. So here we go.....
I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people in my time. All of them have something they do as a hobby or fun. They like to challenge themselves and I think it is great and fully support them for it. It cleanses their souls we will say.
Some of these fine folks will actually put their work out for everyone to see. That takes gut and here is why I say this. A piece of that person is being revealed that has never been revealed before. I applaud you and your courage to do this. I will even go as far as saying that I may not even like it but I will encourage you to put it out there. So in saying this I have a message for those who criticize it. Back off!!! Just because you do not like, understand and you would not have done it that way, does not mean you have the right to say what is good or not. It is not a career, people are just sharing and it makes them happy. So why not encourage that.
I often wonder how much talent is hidden because of people who do not get it and decide to say negative things. Sad really.
That is right folks; I have discovered that I do not know how to read properly. Actually, I will tell you why also. I, unfortunately, was sent a list of classic books that people should have read while alive. I know this was a made up list by someone who was just giving their opinion. However, I looked at this list and realized I was not read the proper books and that was the opinion of not one person but many. I had read three of the hundred that were listed. Now I will admit that I go through spurts on how much I read. I have read three great books in the last month and sometimes life takes hold and I do not get the time. Now I will attempt to read almost anything put in front of me. I like to learn and books do that for me. They also do something else. In a world and life where tons of everything can get to you, taking a break by putting on a CD and reading a book is a great escape. I turn off my phone and no one is allowed to contact me. That is just the way I am.
Now that I have explained this, I will explain my issue. Who has the right to tell me what I should escape too. In high school I had to the read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and hated it. It was not until later in life that I picked it up and read it again that I enjoyed it. Then my mind starts thinking like this. Does this mean the fine folks that do not enjoy reading what I read are not enjoying themselves when they pick up a romance novel, news paper, magazine or comic book? I know a lot of people like this and if it what makes them happy then why not. Who are we to say because what people read are not the “classics” then they are not worth it. If the end means is escape and it makes you happy, why not?
This may be a better example. I wrote poetry and working on a few other writing projects that will see the light of day soon. I have been told by family members that they do not enjoy them. However, they do enjoy this type of book and article. Good for them. Not everything written in for everyone and I understand that. Why others cannot I do not know.
I say this as I am sitting at my favourite coffee shop / bookstore looking at a book that I will be purchasing this week sometime after I am done reading the book I am reading. By the way, I am reading Thomas Harris – “Black Sunday” and the book I am looking at is has actually two stories in it. It is called “The Tale of Two Cities” and “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. I hear that these are classics but I will not be reading them because of that. I will be reading them because I want to.
Now that I have finished my rant about that, I have more. So here we go.....
I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of people in my time. All of them have something they do as a hobby or fun. They like to challenge themselves and I think it is great and fully support them for it. It cleanses their souls we will say.
Some of these fine folks will actually put their work out for everyone to see. That takes gut and here is why I say this. A piece of that person is being revealed that has never been revealed before. I applaud you and your courage to do this. I will even go as far as saying that I may not even like it but I will encourage you to put it out there. So in saying this I have a message for those who criticize it. Back off!!! Just because you do not like, understand and you would not have done it that way, does not mean you have the right to say what is good or not. It is not a career, people are just sharing and it makes them happy. So why not encourage that.
I often wonder how much talent is hidden because of people who do not get it and decide to say negative things. Sad really.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Remembering Potential
I have never made it a secret that I like all kinds of music. To walk into a CD store and buy something new can be fun. One of these trips over this Christmas made me start thinking about how we look at human potential. I know what you are thinking. How could a simple walk into a CD store get that thought brewing? Well, walk with me and find out.
Since this occurred over Christmas, I picked up a specially package Jeff Buckley collection. Actually it was a studio and live CD. For those you do not know Jeff Buckley passed away after his first and only CD made in a studio. I was looking at this CD and then started thinking about how many times an artist has passed on and we hear how the person was never going to be given the opportunity to reach their potential. Let us think about that for a second. What if what the person gave us was all they were suppose to give us?
Most of the artists that have passed along during the years, early in their careers may have hit their peak when we discovered them. The list goes on and on; Jimi Hendrix, Gram Parsons, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley. What if their creations that were given to us as time went on were not anywhere close to what they already had? This has happened to many people that we listen to every day. That list would include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bon Jovi and Pearl Jam to list a few. So really we do not know what may or may not have happened if artists that have left us would have been the genius they portrayed themselves to be.
Now, let us take this one step further. Losses in each person’s life happen every day. Naturally, we mourn those people who have left us and do this for years. Deep down we are celebrating what each person has given to us such as memories and impact. Do we ever say that they did not reach their potential? We hold on to everything that one person gave us and thank them. The memories we have for those that are close to we are unselfish and we appreciate all of it. These people are the ones we know and love.
This is something to think about. As well as this, why do we celebrate and cherish our loved ones but want more from people we do not know and the only effect they had on us were some songs? Especially, when we know that they have families that have to feel what they have lost.
Since this occurred over Christmas, I picked up a specially package Jeff Buckley collection. Actually it was a studio and live CD. For those you do not know Jeff Buckley passed away after his first and only CD made in a studio. I was looking at this CD and then started thinking about how many times an artist has passed on and we hear how the person was never going to be given the opportunity to reach their potential. Let us think about that for a second. What if what the person gave us was all they were suppose to give us?
Most of the artists that have passed along during the years, early in their careers may have hit their peak when we discovered them. The list goes on and on; Jimi Hendrix, Gram Parsons, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley. What if their creations that were given to us as time went on were not anywhere close to what they already had? This has happened to many people that we listen to every day. That list would include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bon Jovi and Pearl Jam to list a few. So really we do not know what may or may not have happened if artists that have left us would have been the genius they portrayed themselves to be.
Now, let us take this one step further. Losses in each person’s life happen every day. Naturally, we mourn those people who have left us and do this for years. Deep down we are celebrating what each person has given to us such as memories and impact. Do we ever say that they did not reach their potential? We hold on to everything that one person gave us and thank them. The memories we have for those that are close to we are unselfish and we appreciate all of it. These people are the ones we know and love.
This is something to think about. As well as this, why do we celebrate and cherish our loved ones but want more from people we do not know and the only effect they had on us were some songs? Especially, when we know that they have families that have to feel what they have lost.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Vigilante or Hero?
Vigilante or Hero?
A lot has been made in these parts of the world about a very simple trespassing and firearms case. Nine months ago, in a small community nearby called Burton is where all of this took place. Around 2:30 in the morning, a neighbour of Lawrence Manzer heard trespassers going through his yard. Now in this community there had been vandalism being applied to homes, so naturally the owner wanted to get rid of these trespassers. As this gentleman was confronting the three trespassers, Lawrence Manzer decided to assist him like any good neighbour would. So, Lawrence Manzer grabbed his shotgun and shells and proceeded to assist his neighbour. The sixteen year old involved were sitting on the ground when police officers arrived. Lawrence Manzer’s neighbour asked him to put away the gun shortly before they arrived. The youths involved were ticketed for a liquor offense, the neighbour for assault (later dropped) and Mr. Manzer was charged also for “possessing a weapon for a dangerous to the public peace.” Here is where the whole case gets interesting. Follow me on this one.
There has been a huge public outcry that has actually hit the west coast of Canada. I live on the east coast and Canada is a very big country. This gentleman has been getting support and funds from all over. Now let us look at the facts of this.
1] The kids were drinking and no harm was done to the properties in question.
2] They were drinking and were ticketed for such by the police offers that finally did arrive.
3] Mr. Manzer did not call the police and decided to take matters in his own hands.
4] He brought a shotgun and in no way was his life even close to being threatened.
When a person just looks at the facts, what Mr. Manzer did was illegal. Instead of calling the police and letting them do their job, he took matters into his own hands. Once of the defense used was he was protecting his property. The kids were not on his property.
If this were me or anyone else, we would have been charged because what we did was illegal. For him, it was illegal too. The most frustrating part of this whole crime is that Mr. Manzer has gone on record as saying he has won the public opinion. Well I would like to know what percentage of the public actual supports him and are they going to be bringing out guns whenever something happens. I do not want to live there.
It reminded me of a huge legal case up here involving a gentleman called Robert Latimer. If you want look this one up but I will say he went to jail even though he had the full country’s support. He went to jail because euthanasia is illegal here in Canada.
Now you may think this is an extreme example however I think that he honestly believes he was in the right even though the law states he is not. In the end all he is going to get is a fine. The same as the kids that night who were breaking the law too. I bet they actually were very sober when the police were finally called in.
A lot has been made in these parts of the world about a very simple trespassing and firearms case. Nine months ago, in a small community nearby called Burton is where all of this took place. Around 2:30 in the morning, a neighbour of Lawrence Manzer heard trespassers going through his yard. Now in this community there had been vandalism being applied to homes, so naturally the owner wanted to get rid of these trespassers. As this gentleman was confronting the three trespassers, Lawrence Manzer decided to assist him like any good neighbour would. So, Lawrence Manzer grabbed his shotgun and shells and proceeded to assist his neighbour. The sixteen year old involved were sitting on the ground when police officers arrived. Lawrence Manzer’s neighbour asked him to put away the gun shortly before they arrived. The youths involved were ticketed for a liquor offense, the neighbour for assault (later dropped) and Mr. Manzer was charged also for “possessing a weapon for a dangerous to the public peace.” Here is where the whole case gets interesting. Follow me on this one.
There has been a huge public outcry that has actually hit the west coast of Canada. I live on the east coast and Canada is a very big country. This gentleman has been getting support and funds from all over. Now let us look at the facts of this.
1] The kids were drinking and no harm was done to the properties in question.
2] They were drinking and were ticketed for such by the police offers that finally did arrive.
3] Mr. Manzer did not call the police and decided to take matters in his own hands.
4] He brought a shotgun and in no way was his life even close to being threatened.
When a person just looks at the facts, what Mr. Manzer did was illegal. Instead of calling the police and letting them do their job, he took matters into his own hands. Once of the defense used was he was protecting his property. The kids were not on his property.
If this were me or anyone else, we would have been charged because what we did was illegal. For him, it was illegal too. The most frustrating part of this whole crime is that Mr. Manzer has gone on record as saying he has won the public opinion. Well I would like to know what percentage of the public actual supports him and are they going to be bringing out guns whenever something happens. I do not want to live there.
It reminded me of a huge legal case up here involving a gentleman called Robert Latimer. If you want look this one up but I will say he went to jail even though he had the full country’s support. He went to jail because euthanasia is illegal here in Canada.
Now you may think this is an extreme example however I think that he honestly believes he was in the right even though the law states he is not. In the end all he is going to get is a fine. The same as the kids that night who were breaking the law too. I bet they actually were very sober when the police were finally called in.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Changes
I do not know about you but I wake up every morning and I have to get a cup of coffee before the thoughts of speaking to anyone enters into the equation. It has been this way for over twenty years and I do not plan on changing that tomorrow. Can you imagine what it would be like if I had tea, cocoa or water? I shiver at the thought of that.
I think we all are programmed to do the same. Think about it. When you wake up in the morning, you kiss your partner, get in the same car and go to the same job.
Now what if it all was different for us?
The one reason that that sends a shiver down our spine is an old phrase, “The devil you know, not the devil you don’t”. A lot of us stay in places because we know what to expect when we arrive there. It does not matter if we want to be there or not.
A lot of us stay in relationships we do not want because we know what to expect. Same with our jobs and the things that make us unhappy or unfulfilled. It is easier than not know what to expect at all. This goes with anything that we do truly.
Now with this in mind, I have a friend who is trying to change her exceptional life. I have to say not only is she trying to change her mindset but she is documenting it on a blog also. EVERYDAY!!! Her name is Tilly Rivers and lend her support in doing something that most of us are too scared to do.
The blog address is this……. http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HUR33NJ3ZHEDUWGTCXOCJU2BYA
I read it in the morning while having my coffee.
I think we all are programmed to do the same. Think about it. When you wake up in the morning, you kiss your partner, get in the same car and go to the same job.
Now what if it all was different for us?
The one reason that that sends a shiver down our spine is an old phrase, “The devil you know, not the devil you don’t”. A lot of us stay in places because we know what to expect when we arrive there. It does not matter if we want to be there or not.
A lot of us stay in relationships we do not want because we know what to expect. Same with our jobs and the things that make us unhappy or unfulfilled. It is easier than not know what to expect at all. This goes with anything that we do truly.
Now with this in mind, I have a friend who is trying to change her exceptional life. I have to say not only is she trying to change her mindset but she is documenting it on a blog also. EVERYDAY!!! Her name is Tilly Rivers and lend her support in doing something that most of us are too scared to do.
The blog address is this……. http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HUR33NJ3ZHEDUWGTCXOCJU2BYA
I read it in the morning while having my coffee.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Musical Theory
Any person that knows me knows I am a huge fan of all types of music. I use it to relax, think and work at home. I believe most of us do. I have yet to meet a person that can not evolve a memory to a song or certain type of music. This is even true when you are planning your day. When you are relaxing it may be classical music, romance may be Motown or jazz and rock when you are working out.
I have been asked if I have ever bought a CD I did not like. The answer is “Yes”, and this happened very recently. You see I will purchase music from artists that I have never heard before and usually this has good results. However, we will revisit this later.
This is where my musical theory comes into play when it comes to people and how to discover their level of understanding about cultures and people, places and things that or who are different from them. Hear me out on this.
The passion a person will use to defend what they listen to and what they like does happen. Now here is the theory at work. I believe if a person will take the time to listen to something out of their normal music pattern they are willing to try and understand different things in life. You know they are open to understanding and listening.
When listening to all music, you will discover, African beats, Native rhythms and the social minds. More importantly you will understand what they are trying to say. I believe you will find that all people of this world have the same worries and concerns as you and I in every language and just want someone to listen. If this sounds familiar that is we do everyday.
I also believe that if we take these small steps at opening ourselves up to every experience in life that we will be more accepting of all of our differences. I think the world would be much more of a better place if this did happen. Just think if it did just because we would take the time to open ourselves to different styles of music and learn from that. Something to think about.
Oh by the way, that CD, “Lamb of God”. The music was great but the vocals not so much. At least I can say I gave it a try.
I have been asked if I have ever bought a CD I did not like. The answer is “Yes”, and this happened very recently. You see I will purchase music from artists that I have never heard before and usually this has good results. However, we will revisit this later.
This is where my musical theory comes into play when it comes to people and how to discover their level of understanding about cultures and people, places and things that or who are different from them. Hear me out on this.
The passion a person will use to defend what they listen to and what they like does happen. Now here is the theory at work. I believe if a person will take the time to listen to something out of their normal music pattern they are willing to try and understand different things in life. You know they are open to understanding and listening.
When listening to all music, you will discover, African beats, Native rhythms and the social minds. More importantly you will understand what they are trying to say. I believe you will find that all people of this world have the same worries and concerns as you and I in every language and just want someone to listen. If this sounds familiar that is we do everyday.
I also believe that if we take these small steps at opening ourselves up to every experience in life that we will be more accepting of all of our differences. I think the world would be much more of a better place if this did happen. Just think if it did just because we would take the time to open ourselves to different styles of music and learn from that. Something to think about.
Oh by the way, that CD, “Lamb of God”. The music was great but the vocals not so much. At least I can say I gave it a try.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Do We Really Look?
I have to say I saw quite a disturbing sight a few weeks ago that still bothers me a lot today. Usually I can just wipe something away as a “that’s life and it happens” moment. Not this time for some reason.
I was in a place of business the other day when there was a special customer in the store. This gentleman was older, a little weathered, and you could tell he had been through a lot in this life. When I spoke with him, he was nice and polite in a very meek voice.
This gentleman was purchasing a shopping cart of goods with the lady I will assume was his wife or partner. Like most customers, he went to the check out and pays for his goods. This is where things went incredibly wrong. An employee asked him about two other bags that he had in his cart. It should be pointed out that these bags were marked and from another store. I have no idea why this question was even asked. Needless to say, the customer freaked. He screamed at employees and yelled curse words at them. His anger was very apparent to all. Being an employee there, I was asked to come up from and when I did I just stood there. Once his goods were finally paid for, I asked him if he wanted help with the carts he had. This was taken with the same low, polite voice that he originally demonstrated,
Once he left the store, employees were talking about how rude he was and could not believe the way he acted. I just shook my head. I pointed out to more than one that he was disabled and mentally impaired. This was the part that bothered me.
In today’s world where we teach and scream inclusion and tolerance, absolutely no one demonstrated any that evening. Most of the people that I spoke to did not even realize that the person they were talking about was disabled in any way.
Now this is what I saw. This man was in his mid sixties; face completely weathered, arched back that looked painful, head off to the side or turned, and something different about his eyes. He spoke slowly unless enraged. When he was not enraged, he seemed like he did not know what had just happened.
I do not understand why no one else saw this at all and just completely judged a person without paying attention. Now most of the people involved would not want to be judged however had no issue in doing it. I have no idea what may have been wrong with this man. If could have been that he was abused and it wore on him. He could have been impaired in many ways. It was not for me to know exactly what may have been wrong. It was up to me to understand that I had no idea what had happened to him before he walked in the store. This part I will never know. It is also none of my business.
The biggest question I have is do we look at other people or do we just look at ourselves. I know most people want understanding when talking about themselves but I am trying to figure out why we cannot give the attention or respect to another person whose world we may know nothing about? We would want people to when it comes to us.
I was in a place of business the other day when there was a special customer in the store. This gentleman was older, a little weathered, and you could tell he had been through a lot in this life. When I spoke with him, he was nice and polite in a very meek voice.
This gentleman was purchasing a shopping cart of goods with the lady I will assume was his wife or partner. Like most customers, he went to the check out and pays for his goods. This is where things went incredibly wrong. An employee asked him about two other bags that he had in his cart. It should be pointed out that these bags were marked and from another store. I have no idea why this question was even asked. Needless to say, the customer freaked. He screamed at employees and yelled curse words at them. His anger was very apparent to all. Being an employee there, I was asked to come up from and when I did I just stood there. Once his goods were finally paid for, I asked him if he wanted help with the carts he had. This was taken with the same low, polite voice that he originally demonstrated,
Once he left the store, employees were talking about how rude he was and could not believe the way he acted. I just shook my head. I pointed out to more than one that he was disabled and mentally impaired. This was the part that bothered me.
In today’s world where we teach and scream inclusion and tolerance, absolutely no one demonstrated any that evening. Most of the people that I spoke to did not even realize that the person they were talking about was disabled in any way.
Now this is what I saw. This man was in his mid sixties; face completely weathered, arched back that looked painful, head off to the side or turned, and something different about his eyes. He spoke slowly unless enraged. When he was not enraged, he seemed like he did not know what had just happened.
I do not understand why no one else saw this at all and just completely judged a person without paying attention. Now most of the people involved would not want to be judged however had no issue in doing it. I have no idea what may have been wrong with this man. If could have been that he was abused and it wore on him. He could have been impaired in many ways. It was not for me to know exactly what may have been wrong. It was up to me to understand that I had no idea what had happened to him before he walked in the store. This part I will never know. It is also none of my business.
The biggest question I have is do we look at other people or do we just look at ourselves. I know most people want understanding when talking about themselves but I am trying to figure out why we cannot give the attention or respect to another person whose world we may know nothing about? We would want people to when it comes to us.
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