This is where I get to rant and roar, let off some steam, and vent on life, society, and global issues. Maybe you'll agree with some of my points, maybe you'll disagree. In either case, here's my blog on life.
April 19/06 - Oil Crisis and
a need for a catastrophe?
As oil prices soar out of control, we find ourselves complaining about it
all of the time. Some people think there is a conspiracy around it,
and that the government is dictating the prices. Others think that
the oil companies are the ones with the red hand. Meanwhile, there
is room for the common person to do something to reduce the frustration at
the pump. It's plain and simple, and while not the most attractive
way to do it, the basic step forward is to go economic. Buy a
smaller car that's more fuel efficient. Do we really need a Hummer
to go down the street and get groceries, do we need an Escalade to commute
to work....NOPE. People need to get off this SUV kick. They've
proven to have sub-standard safety ratings, and drink gasoline like its
going out of style. Mind you, some people (and/or families) require
bigger vehicles, if they need to carry several people or products around,
and thus, I guess an SUV or a minivan (depending on the case) would be
suitable. Hummers though...the only purpose they serve is to look
cool, because lets face it, how many of us actually go off road on them?
Despite the
well known fact that SUV's suck down the fuel, people are still buying
them. Which brings me to the subject of this posting. Do we
need some sort of catastrophe to happen in order for people to learn a
lesson about the ongoing oil crisis. The problem doesn't appear to
be going away. The Middle East is nowhere close to being a
tolerable, civilized area yet, and until every suicide bomber blows
himself up, there will still be grief over there, and a unstable outlook
on the future of oil. What do I mean by catastrophe? Lets take
9/11 for example. 9/11 was a huge wakeup call for the Americans.
Though that day was horrible, tragic and devastating, it did serve as a
great lesson to be learned. It taught, not only the Americans, but
the citizens of the world, that we cannot take our freedoms for granted.
We now have to watch our own backs, undergo tedious security checks, and
tolerate a governing eye to our daily activities. This is what's
required to ensure our safety. This is what's required in order for
us to continue on with our daily lives. So what is required to bring
about change in the way we live our lives concerning oil consumption?
Perhaps we need a major catastrophe in the oil industry to open peoples
eyes and see beyond the price at the pumps. By no means am I
endorsing anything tragic, but what if the world had to do without oil for
a week, a month...a year? Lets say that due to terrorist attacks on
our oil deposits, the production and storage of oil became so depleted
that the world would temporarily run out of oil for a brief period of
time. That in itself is an outrageous long shot, but then again,
maybe not. However, if such a catastrophe took place, maybe car
companies would open eyes and say "We have a serious problem here, we need
to try to help remedy this problem by producing more fuel efficient
vehicles and put a stop the SUV production." Perhaps the common
person who is finding oil hard on the wallet would say "I can't handle
this anymore, I need a more fuel efficient car...or better yet, use public
transportation, or even a bike." The fact is, there are more
vehicles on the road today than ever before, and we can't keep on
escalating this rate without suffering consequences.
It would be naive for me to think that everybody could just switch to alternative methods of transportation without any problems, but it is definitely something to think about. For myself, starting this summer, I will be rollerblading to work a couple times per week, to cut down on our gas expenses. Not only will we be saving a little money, but we will be doing our part to help out the environment, and it will be great exercise. If this oil crisis is as serious as the experts say it is, then we need to open our eyes, seek some alternatives, promote change, and turn the page to a brighter future.
April 19/06 -
Obese Kids and Technology
When I was growing up as a youth, the most fun part of the day was not
sitting in front of a computer, chatting with friends on messenger,
playing video games all day, or listening to mp3's while taking silly
pictures with my camera phone. No. For me, the most fun part
of the day was to be able to go outside and play. Sounds simple, but
with the whole outdoors and an active imagination, there were many things
you could do to keep yourself busy, active and entertained. Some
afternoons we would play ball. Other days we would be in our
backyards building a village for our Tonka toys. And perhaps on the
weekends, we were beyond our backyards, building a small cabin in the
woods. We did everything. We got our feet wet, our clothes
dirty, and we got our share of cuts, scrapes and bruises...but all in a
productive sort of way. Of course, l am a little bias on the subject
as I grew up in Clarenville, Newfoundland, where our area of play was
virtually as large as the town itself. Now I am living in Edmonton,
and while kids can't exactly go behind the yards to build a cabin (behind
their yard is usually someone else's yard), there are still a number of
outdoor activities kids can do keep fit and have fun (sorry for the lame
Bodybreak plug). But what do we find our youth doing these days?
Chatting on MSN Messenger, playing video games, and chatting on their own
personal cell phones. Meanwhile, their bodies begin ballooning into
a regrettable shapes, through little physical activity and an endless
supply of junk food. Fortunately, not every kid is grouped into this
category, but the stats don't lie. More and more of our kids our
becoming obese which could lead to even worse problems down the road.
I fear that it is a hopeless battle. As more advanced technology
becomes available, the less likely our kids will want to go outdoors and
just play. Why play with ball in the park, when I can play baseball
on my xbox? Why go over to my friends house, when I can chat with
them on the computer? What it all boils down to is that advances in
technology is simply making people more lazy. And what do we get
from that? - An unhealthy lifestyle, which will have repercussions down
the road. Producers of the technology, only want to make money, so
they won't change, and I don't know if today's parents are strong enough
to not give in to their kids constant nagging to get the latest and
greatest gadget. I will admit to owning a playstation, a computer,
and cell phone (not one that plays mp3's or TV though!), but I also own
hockey equipment, a ball glove, and rollerblades. There can be a
balance. And a new attitude among today's parents and kids is needed
to meet this balance. So stop chatting, put down your controller,
hang up the phone and go outside and play. Don't forget your
sunblock.
April 19/06 -
My Hate for Reality TV
I know after talking to at least some of you that you and I share the same
opinion on this one. Where do I start? How about with me
saying that I hate reality television. And while I admit to watching
some here and there, overall it is generally crap on the screen. I
can't believe people aren't sick of Survivor yet. What are we on
now...Survivor 18 or something. Granted they go to a new location
every time, but geez, they play the same dumb games in every season.
Standing on a pole, putting puzzles together, doing something stupid in
the water...whatever. Aside from the 'awesome' games they play,
there are also storylines to follow with over dramatic scenes. Yup,
been on that train before...when it was called Wrestling. Don't even
get me started on the Bachelor/Bachlerette series....to watch a group of
girls/guys fight over one person they barely know and then throughout the
show say how much they are in love with them....give me a break! No
wonder the divorce rate is so high...if the world is full of dummies like
these people, its pretty clear why so many marriages end up in the
dumpster. You don't love someone because their famous, or have a
nice car, or have lots of money, or good looking for that matter.
You love someone because you feel that you want to be with that person
forever, and nobody else. You need to shop around for the right
personality, not the commodities they have. Hmmm, I thought I wasn't
going to get into the Bachelor/Bachelorette. Grrrr. I'm
not going to go much further with this. I think you can get the
picture. For the most part, reality shows are filled with crap, lots
of edited crap, and more crap. I'm not even in the mood to elaborate
on that. For the most part, I hate reality television and wish that
good ol' sitcoms and sci-fi/dramas can rule the screens again. The
Amazing Race is alright though.