Chill...
Lately I’ve been able to pay more attention to the news than I have in a relatively long time. This is one of the positive side-affects of my job. So in turn, my posts will from time to time relate to what I’ve been reading. I’ll still post the occasional “what’s up with me today” blog, but I’m tryin’ to cut back.
This week Peel Catholic School board removed the book
Snow Falling on Cedars from their high school libraries based on one complaint from a parent. The reason was for its sexual content.
I’ve never read the book, but I absolutely do not condone the removal of any book from any library. They say they’ve taken it down from shelves until they can determine if they’ll take it down permanently when a committee decides. The book was a part of a reading exercise by one of the English teachers at one of the schools as well. It’s supposedly a book well-suited for teaching students, but now it won’t be available, at least for a month or so.
I have the belief that any book from Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs & Ham to Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf should be made available to anyone who chooses to read it. Just because I’m reading a book with some sort of popularly perceived negative content doesn’t mean I’ll start acting it out or behaving negatively. Any knowledge gained from books is valuable and should be embraced.
One of the arguments some are making is that with increased outlets, especially online (like blogs for example), for people to express their opinions, schools are getting a little paro when it comes to things like this. So when a single parent comes to them asking to ban a book for a particular reason they’d be more than happy to review it.
I find it funny how a book can so easily be banned but a (perceived) dangerous or violent show will have hit ratings on prime-time without people complaining so much.
Also, if parents took more time to actually look after their kids there wouldn’t be the issue of a book with supposed sexual content being such a problem. People are too rigid when it comes to talking about sex. It’s a natural thing we do! And nearly everyone does it at least once in their life! And another thing I’ve neglected to mention was the students affected by the ban are in HIGH SCHOOL! Reading a book with sex scenes was the least of my exposure to the act by the time I was 15. I’d already been bombarded with it all my life and a book was so not my avenue to explore that. I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale but I’ve heard, and some of you can attest perhaps, that there is atleast one sexual act in that, no? And it’s a part of nearly every English class’ curriculum (except mine apparently).
People need to really lighten up and fight their battles in areas that need it.
That’s my issue for the day.
Peace.
Living in a foreign land...
On television there has recently been a bombardment of advertisements showing immigrants to Canada not being able to get the jobs they were trained for. Back in their own country they were perhaps doctors or lawyers or micro-biologists, but here they’re taxi drivers, convenience store clerks or burger flippers. The problem isn’t a new one, all of us have heard about it I’m sure, you’ve definitely witnessed it, but it’s still a horrible problem, regardless.
The issue at hand is the cost and time it takes to validate their already learned craft. I’ve read there are only a certain amount of medical interns that can be accepted in Ontario and only a portion of them can be foreign-trained doctors. This puts highly qualified people at a significant disadvantage and many times they have families to support so they must continue, or begin, driving a taxi. For a position involving the lives of others I agree they must be proven in this country with our standards, but steps should be taken to make the process easier.
A report just released by StatsCan shows first year immigrants in 2004 were 3.2 times more likely to be of low income status; this compares to 3.5 times in 2002. While it has slightly lowered, the issue still remains that new immigrants are being lured here with the premise of receiving jobs they were trained for, but in actuality aren’t. The article also says back in 1993 when Canada shifted it’s focus to bringing in those with specialties in IT or engineering, there was a boom, but with the downturn in the sector the loss of jobs sky rocketed and left many who were unable to adjust to the culture.
I think if the country is to sincerely want these people to come in and work and support the economy then they should be willing to spend the damned money to help them adjust better. There should be language programs, outreach groups, whatever.
In countries where many immigrants come from, there should be a way that Canada can carefully advertise there what’s required of the new immigrants should they choose to come. I’m sure if many immigrants knew what they would have to go through, they would either not bother coming or they would go through the necessary steps to make sure they’re able to better adjust, should things not work out. Preference should then be given to those who’ve shown they can adjust to our way of life. It wouldn’t be an easy task but it’s our country and only the best should be accepted.
In the end, as much as I’m happy with attracting new people into the country, I’m not happy if they’re forced to mooch off the welfare system because they’re unable to get a job.
Peace.
Sensitivity training...
I read a question from a poll recently, asking people if they thought the media sensationalized gruesome trials like the one for Robert Pickton in British Columbia. Personally my answer to that question would be no. The media’s motives may be in the wrong place (aka more viewers equal more money from sponsors, etc.), but getting the message out that this man is being brought to justice serves a purpose.
People have become de-sensitized to violence and horrendous acts over the years. Maybe showing this case and all it entails will give people a little dose of reality. Murder and violence isn’t cool, or something to anticipate and laugh about when it happens. These were real women with real lives, not actors on a television or movie set. When most of us hear about the horrible things that monster did to those women we probably make a noise of disgust or cringe at the thought. Then after the news we’ll go out and rent Saw III.
I myself am not claiming to say that I don’t react that way, but I’m disgusted that it’s come to that for us as a society. Although when I think about it, it’s pretty much human nature to enjoy violent acts. We’ve even perhaps toned it down over the years to the point where our only vent to get off on that sort of thing is through TV and movies.
Where would we be as a society if the Pickton trial wasn’t being broadcast on every news channel? Wouldn’t we be asking people the exact opposite question in polls? It serves to remind us that we aren’t a perfect society of people. We have individuals who are horrible people.
Showing their real evil on television for everyone to view is necessary because like I said, they were real women, real lives that he took and we need to remember that.
Peace.
so this is what it's all about, eh?
Yesterday I started my placement and man what a lackluster time that was.
Because I'm basically in a corporate communications sort of dealy the guy had me reading articles dating back over the past couple weeks to get a feel of what's been said about the organization in the news of late. That's what I was essentially doing for the majority of my day. I had no computer access because it wasn't set up for me, and yeah, there was basically nothing to do at all. Luckily I get one hour for lunch so that makes a 6 hour work day for me every day. It went by quickly but it was still pretty boring.
Today was my second day on the job and I had a little more to do, but just a little. After arriving at 9am this morning, I proceded to not do anything for the next hour and a half or so. After that we managed to get my security pass taken care of, along with my computer and phone access. I also got to do some proof reading of some pages of the paper that they put out. I just looked for spelling errors or alignment issues with the layout. And finally I had a minor piece to write about a renovation to a building. I did that expecting it was needed soon, but I found out I essentially had the week to do it. Tough work.
I get the feeling my experience here isn't going to be too challenging. I could be wrong and I hope so, but right now it seems the tasks are going to be few and far between, and they're going to be just that, tasks. Things I can do pretty easily. I hope I'm wrong because I think i can enjoy my time there pretty easily although the tight access to the Internet kind of sucks. I can't even get onto hotmail to check my mail :( and apparently the site usage is monitored pretty heavily for new people such as myself. I guess new people have a high tendency to surf porn. Well they're idiots..they should be like me and stick to doing it at home!
Anyhoo that's the update. It's past my bed time, sadly.
Peace.
Experiencing "the office"
As many of you know already, tomorrow's my first day of work at my placement.
Up until I woke up today I wasn't the least bit nervous. In fact, last week I was excited and ready to get things started. I was a little suprised with myself that I didn't have any sign of anxiety or apprehension, but never fear, it's here now.
Outside of working in the newsroom for periods of time I've never really experienced an office-like environment. My only job has been at the factory and that's definitely not anything like what I'm going to be experiencing here.
What I'm going through right now is a little bit of fear of the unknown. I'm ready to experience it completely and I'm not scared in any sense. It's just an entirely foreign situation for me right now and I don't know what to expect.
The sad part is I've been watching every episode of "The Office" this past week or so because I finally cracked. I'd heard it was a great show a number of times so I decided I would give it a try. This is really what's stuck in my head as the perception of what an office would be like.
It also feels like yet another first day of school experience. I'll have to get to know everyone all over. Except this time they'll likely be much older than me and finding similarities might be a long shot.
This time though I think I see it as a challenge. I've been improving my "people skills" over the past while and I think I can hold up to the test. I'll go in and I'll be friendly. I wont make every social situation into an anxiety filled one. I'm just taking everything for what it is and I know I'll be out of there in 4-months, give or take.
Blogger is good for something because I'm excited to start again!
Peace.
Hold that thought...
So I was supposed to begin my placement on Wednesday but after heading down there on Tuesday to deliver my police letter, things changed.
It turns out they want me to begin this Monday coming so they can work out som HR issues and get everything setup for my arrival. That and it would be better to start on a Monday as opposed to a Wednesday.
I've been pretty anxious to get started because I've been doing nothing for the past few weeks. However, the delay couldn't have sounded sweeter to my ears. You see, on Monday I woke up really late after going to bed at a ridiculous hour and I had a headache and body cramps and such. I attributed this to too much sleep and my body paying me back. Later on in the afternoon I became extremely achey and cold. For two hours I lay on the couch in the living room writhing in pain and coldness. After that time I became significantly better, but I still had a cough and a bit of a runny nose and such.
Since then I've been sick with the aches but mostly the cough and extreme fatigue. I'm not a doctor type so I'll pill pop as I usually do and tonight I think I'll go get some multi-vitamins or something and see if that helps.
So yeah, this delay couldn't have come at a better time, even if I cant really enjoy my last week off properly!
Peace.
Let the Roller Coaster ride begin...
Starting on Wednesday I'll begin my 4-month internship which will allow me to graduate college and hopefully move on to bigger and better things.
Only one problem stands in my way at the moment and that would be the Toronto Police. No I'm not under investigation for a grow-op in my attic, nor am I wanted for the latest shooting or 20 in my neighbourhood. If either of these situations were affecting me at the moment then I can understand the delay. My issue is the fact that I haven't received my clearance letter, which I need at my placement to work, even though i applied for it on December 21.
If I don't get it by tomorrow morning I'm calling Police HQ and asking them what's up. I've given enough leeway I think with the "it's the holidays" excuse. Now I just want my damned letter.
After I get that I can fax it in and all will be well in the world once more.
Back to my placement! I can't wait to begin. This break has been far too long and the consistent hours of work appeals to me like you wouldn't believe. I'll be working from 8:30am-4:30pm, which is killer compared to my normal brain wasting time of 3pm-11pm at the factory.
Also I'll be working quite close to downtown, which is a new experience for me. Unfortunately, however this will not equal a lot of fun because the internship is unpaid. That's right. 4-months of no pay for me. My life will be like high school all over, except this time I'll have bills to pay. Since this is the case I'm still going to work at the candy factory on Saturday mornings for that 5 hour shift I normally do anyway. Also since my internship ends at 4:30pm I can try for the occasional shift at work. They've been pretty good over the last while of letting me go in whenever I felt like it so I don't see that changing now.
The lack of money means I'll have to cut back on my horrible spending habits. I'll also have to rework my Internet service and go for the slower speed as well as maybe change my cell plan to one that is way cheaper. It'll save me a good $10-20/mth which is amazing when it's like 1/8th my entire income :(
In the end I'll just be happy knowing that I'll be home around 6pm and be able to spend time with my family and even do something during the weekdays if the cheap opportunity arises.
After this 4 months I really have no clue where things will take me. Will I pursue journalism or will I take the PR/Corporate Communications route? Probably the latter, but whoever gives me a job is my hero in the end haha.
Peace.
Lately I’ve been able to pay more attention to the news than I have in a relatively long time. This is one of the positive side-affects of my job. So in turn, my posts will from time to time relate to what I’ve been reading. I’ll still post the occasional “what’s up with me today” blog, but I’m tryin’ to cut back.
