Jan 24, 2009
Occasionally you stumble acrose moments of athletic genius upon channel surfing late into the evening. TSN puts on its top ten hightlights of the night which oftentimes gives reason to pause. However; tonight the last half of the deciding set between Alize Cornet and Dinara Safina in the round of sixteen down under was raucous. With the favourite Safina down 5-2 and two breaks of serve, she came screaming back like a ferocious tiger. In no way shape or form did the nineteen year old Cornet wilt with fatigue because her ground strokes were matching in heaving power and topspin. The kid just out of juniors was simply the target of a rejuvenated Safina destined to step through to the finals and ultimately into the number one world ranking. We’ll see how things wind up with the rest of the draw.
In The Shadow of Others’ Dreams
Feb 3, 2008
Today at 6:30 pm EST, tens of millions from around the world will tune into watch men thrust themselves at each other at what’s called the “line of scrimmage”. It’s a place where two teams of 5-7 people exert physical pressure at this notional line with the goal of assisting the advancement of a ball carrier or defending against him. Nothwithstanding interceptions or fumbles, it’s a struggle where ball control and time of possession and the ability to convert field position into “touchdowns” can lead to victory. Meanwhile, the lives of desperate souls looking for meaning in an otherwise mundane world of shift work and routine throw their spirits into something that will mean nothing to them on the Monday after. Humankind’s ability to foster faith and hope in a sporting event where oftentimes none exists in a professional life is something to behold. A culture void of substance at the community level appears readily eager to become enraptured in the circus of a media driven football game heavily interrupted with station breaks. Theses commercials are carefully crafted with the aim of pilfering the pockets of beer chuggling men whose minds may be absent from concrete goals or aspirations but if fulfilled could someday put them on a similar centre stage.
Go West Young Man
Nov 2, 2007
I woke up this morning to a Canadian dollar, jobless rate, oil price, and gold price that have all flirted with all time records. The pace of Canadian currency ascent has absolutely shocked all. Recruiters are holding seminars in Toronto encouraging folks hit by the manufacturing sector to jump on the commodity boom and go west while shoppers boycott stores reluctant to match U.S prices. Suddenly, Canada is becoming something more of an economic footnote with expertise, capital markets, and reserves of energy and materials available for exploitation. Governments appear prudent and reliable notwithstanding some peculiar posturing on non-economic matters. Indeed, it’s a different kind of environment from the recession of 81-82 (my senior high school year). Young workers are walking from job to job nowadays with ever increasing rates of pay in the industrial parks of Calgary. Brand new commercial condo bays are under development in the vast city outskirts as are office towers downtown (twelve in all). Good luck finding parking in the cities’ core. Apparently, it’s among the richest parking spaces in North America. Last week’s news of a royalty rate increase in the oil patch is all but forgotten in lieu of awe inspiring economic indicators.
Hard Done By Auto Workers
Oct 6, 2007
Amaaazing. Oshawa couple are stunned that they are going to be losing their $70,000 per year jobs at the GM plant. Yes each. $70,000 each for unskilled assembly line labor work. How often have the smothering legacy costs of GM been reported in the financial news over the past two years? Too many to count on fingers and toes for certain but all of a sudden the McAuliffe’s are surprsised. Trish says, “but when you have based your life and your plans on having a certain income, it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under you.” Well, earth to Trish – we live in a global economy where capitalism has won out. You probably should have started retraining twenty years ago with the launch of the NAFTA free trade deal. Consider yourself lucky that your overpaid menial work has lasted this long. I suggest that you stand up straight, look into the mirror and start taking responsibility for your families welfare in the context of the global economic reality instead of laying blame at the feet of some entity that you thought was going to look after you throughout your adult years. Countries outside North America have simply done a better job at building cars more efficiently, more cost effectively, and with more sensitivity to the market place. Guess what Trish – capitalism produces winners and losers. GM is losing and must make decisions to adjust back to the winners circle. Had you spent some time and energy observing the trends in your industry, you may have forecasted your plight. It is people in your precise demographic that don’t seem to have enough “time” to examine a home business. Well perhaps, now you are better positioned. Unfortunately, you could have transitioned yourself nicely while still in the employ of GM.
Quiet Life of Desperation
Aug 30, 2007
Was out for a run this morning before sunrise and was shocked to see the major arteries filling with cars at such an early hour. Thankfully, my inspiration and guding light has paved the path of self determination instead of a quiet life of desperation. An associate and I were exchanging thoughts last night and she confirmed the depth of fear that she has been encountering in the lives of people holding jobs. Upon concurring with her assessment, I am comfortable exclaiming that for most, the prospect of plunging into a commitment based on resolve of the self in the spirit of ultimate entrepreneurial expression is too much of an undertaking. Most people have not brought themselves to the threshold of demanding change. Excuses have often worked so well over time that they continue to be a good crutch.
“If you are an employee and feel out of control, consider what you can do on a part-time basis (ie. start a part-time business) to change that. You will be amazed at how quickly your confidence increases, just from feeling more in control of your life.”
– Donald Trump –