Confused by H1N1

Each year, the flu hits and takes a substantial amount of lives. This year, we have a new flu known as H1N1 that seems to be getting the spotlight. There are conflicting stories in the media about the vaccine, and whether or not it is really going to be effective. I saw a YouTube video involving several doctors who are dead against the H1N1 vaccine and vaccinations, in general. They feel that before anyone submits to getting vaccinated, they should research and educate themselves fully.

An article from the Globe and Mail November 5 is encouraging people to get the H1N1 shot. The shot is not readily available for all Canadians until Christmas time. The hype is strong surrounding this super flu and its supposed antidote. The more focus in the media of the spreading virus and the lack of vaccine availability, the more people are panicking. I know someone who stood in line for 3 hours this week to get their 2 children immunized. I also know 2 other people who received the H1N1 shot and they reported that they came down with mild symptoms of the flu the very next day.

We all know that the pharmaceutical companies are capitalizing each year through drug, and vaccine production. We are so trusting of the drugs they provide. Is the H1N1 virus really more harmful then other flu viruses, or is this an opportunity for our government to team up with the pharmaceutical companies and take the focus off another really big issue? After all, there has been a record amount of scandal in Parliament this year.

It's hard to know what to do with so much ambiguous information floating around. Because of this uncertainty, I will not be taking the H1N1 shot. I will practice good hand washing techniques, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and hope for a healthy winter.

Find the cartoon image featured in this blog here.

Sweat Lodge Experience Goes Severely Wrong

This article talks about the terrible "Spiritual Warrior" retreat tragedy.

I heard about this perilous journey that people paid up to $10,000 to experience. James Arthur Ray, a spiritual guru, was the leader of this retreat. Part of the journey was to fast for days before participating in the sweat lodge event.

Kirby Brown, 38, was one of the victims that passed away during the vigorous and extreme sweat lodge. How anyone would ignore pleas from people in the lodge when they started saying they could not handle the heat anymore, is beyond me. These people had fasted for days prior to this sweat lodge ceremony, and who knows if they had hydration during the 2-hour event. Ray did not force people to stay in the tent, but he strongly encouraged them to stay for the entire time. The situation is being investigated by authorities as a homicide. This could be the end of Ray, and his multi-million dollar spiritual empire.

I don't feel that there was any thought to the health and well-being for these followers of Ray. Because 3 people died and at least 18 were hospitalized for dehydration and organ failure, totally abolishes Ray's creditibility. He talks about obeying the laws of the universe because if you don't, you will never accomplish what you set out to do. Ray did not obey the laws of the universe in this sweat lodge incident, and there are many paying the price for his obvious carelessness. He ignored the warning signs around him. People were becoming distraught, unable to handle the intensity of the heat. Ray encouraged them to stay inside and this proved to be a tragic error.

Traditional sweat lodges are not intended to kill people, nor force them to endure more than they can physically handle. They are built very carefully and in a way that allows enough oxygen for the participants.

Time will unfold the destiny of James Arthur Ray. I have to question his intent in this sweat lodge, turned death lodge experience. Read more here and decide for yourself.

When Work Quits before You Do

This story touches on our failing economy.

This article really hits home on the generation gap that looms for many baby boomers. Technology has exploded and has taken over the market place, replacing many previously prestigious and sought after career paths. There is no longer a big need for help when creating photography, newsprint, social networking, and public relations. Through technology, virtually anyone can utilize the previous simply by learning a new software. Anyone who didn't jump on the technology bandwagon is certainly feeling the crunch now.

There are many people who have work quit them before they are ready to quit work. It could be because of sickness, or accident, as well as a failing economy. Life depends on money and one better hope they have planned for the unexpected. Unfortunately, there are many who never thought of that. There are also many who did, worked for 28 years toward a 30 year pension, and suddenly found themselves out of employment. Imagine paying into a pension for 28 years and losing that? It's hard to not envision a feeling of devastation in this particular case.

It must be difficult for an older person with so many years experience to submit to a younger boss that in most cases, knows very little about the fundamentals of the business. They have one thing that the older person does not, and that is called youth.

The good news is that all is not lost. There is always an opportunity to start from where you are. It's time to get on the technology band wagon so not to get lost in the dust.

Giving Global Warming the Cold Shoulder

The Globe and Mail had an interesting article recently about pessimistic views toward global warming.

Global warming has been a hot topic in the media for over a decade. Is this once thought of huge threat on our future, no longer a huge threat? Temperatures have levelled off over the past 10 years and people have become desensitized to the idea of global warming. The fight against global warming has raised taxes and and eyebrows amongst the masses. Are scientists, environmentalists, and governments capitalizing off the general population?

I believe in the old saying "Don't Fool with Mother Nature." For years, much of the earth's rainforest's was cut down and destroyed. I remember learning in school that rainforest's were responsible for about 60% to 70% of our oxygen (this number seems to be 40% now). Rainforest's once covered 14% of our earth, and now is reduced to only 6%. I am not a scientist, but common sense tells me that this is not a good thing for the earth. Why did our government allow this to happen, knowing the rainforest's are responsible for turning carbon dioxide into oxygen, as well as being a medicinal provider against deadly disease?

There is yet another statement I have heard many times that says,"we pay for the sins of our fathers." Global warming is the result of mere greed of the lumber industry. It's hard to turn back after the damage is done. The rainforest's are diminishing, and now future generations will pay personally, socially, and financially for this destruction. No one really knows what our future really holds.

A good start to helping the carbon dioxide problem would be to stop destroying the rainforest's and look for a way to replenish critical vegetation. This progress will only happen when the 'powers that be' actually admit their mistake.

Ontario Cuts Funds for Entrepreneurs

The Liberals are not helping the economy get back on its feet. Read this article and see why.

During these omnipresent troubled economical times, the Ontario government has now put a hold on further funding for two potentially stimulating programs. The future does not look bright for anyone in Ontario who is planning on starting their own business. In the past year, thousands of people have been laid off from their jobs because of businesses closing down. We have a financial crisis in our province and many people are not even eligible for employment insurance. The government seems to be turning a blind eye to the problem, shutting many Ontarians out in the cold.

Most job loss has occurred in the manufacturing sector. Certain communities have been hit harder than others. The provincial government has decided to pull the plug and stop accepting any further applications from anyone wanting to pursue education and create a new business. What are the unemployed supposed to do? Because of the funding cuts, there won't even be any research carried out to explore job creation. The unemployment stats are misleading because anyone who doesn't qualify for employment insurance fall off the radar. While the numbers continue to show a decrease in unemployment rates, the reality of it hardly compares.

In light of recent reports of government funded organizations wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that ultimately made zero headway in accomplishing what they started out to do, really is a slap in the face for the thousands of unemployed people of Ontario.
Perhaps we are in need of a change of government in this province, since it seems that their list of promises that remain unleashed keeps growing, and any hope of recovering from this economic downturn continues to diminish.
Anyone still working in Ontario should be very thankful for what they have. I feel badly for the one's who don't know how they are going to make ends meet, or how they are going to begin to start over.

Obama World Peace Prize?

Barack Obama wins a Nobel Peace Prize. There seemed to be much question from the media and public to this prestigious award going to Barack Obama. I have to admit that when I first heard this announcement, I too questioned the decision. My first instinct was that maybe this was just a little bit of grandstanding on the political front. Actually, there was a lot of people around me that said they were wondering what constituted Obama to be this year's winner.

My understanding of the Nobel Peace Prize is that the criteria baseline is grounded in peace attribution. It seems to me that the United States is involved in two wars going on in the middle east. Mr. Obama is actually Chief and Commander of two major wars. What an oxymoron to claims of world peace efforts. Perhaps it will take a little time to end these wars, and the President appears to have strong beliefs in ending war and creating solidified altruistic relationships between the US and the rest of the world.

I think it's great that Obama is using diplomacy as a strategy to achieve strong relationships and understanding within the nations. In reality, we should be living in peace, adapting to the natural order of ebb and flow of life.

Whether or not Obama winning a Nobel Peace Prize was premature, will obviously remain an issue of debate. All we can hope for is that the world does achieve the prize's ultimate goal of obtaining world peace.

The House of Pain

This is what I refer to my most recent undertaking of going to the gym. After many years of inactivity, I have signed up for personal training sessions and have done three so far. Might I mention that I purchased these sessions at a silent auction earlier this year. Not to add insult to injury, but there is nothing silent about the pain that I have endured in my short tenure of going to the gym.

My first session went pretty well. It was a light workout combined with a consultation with my trainer. We talked about diet, my goals, and what I expect to gain from these sessions. I was sore the next few days, but went on to my second session without reservation.

The second session included a full leg workout, which I felt instantaneously. I walked out of the gym feeling much like a gumby doll. The rest of the night was interesting. It was difficult to walk up and down stairs and my muscles seemed to have a mind of their own. The next two days can be described as "full and total pain." On a scale of one to ten, I give the experience an eight. I could not even get out of my car and wished I had a crane there to lift me to an upright position.

I was supposed to go in for another workout post second day and ended up calling and re-scheduling. My trainer told me to soak in a tub of Epsom salts and to come back the following day. He assured me that we would not be working on legs, but instead would focus on upper body. Today I feel stiff and sore, but nothing compares to that first leg workout.

Knowing that going to the gym will boost my energy level, improve wellness, and eventually make my clothes fit better will keep me motivated. As time marches on and the workouts add up, I know the soreness I feel now will lighten.

I will forge on and keep this routine going. I keep thinking of an old saying that I've heard many times before - "no pain, no gain."

Analysis: 'Blackface Jacksons' embarrassing to Australia

This article talks about racisim in Austrailia.

I've never been to Australia, but have always been intrigued by movies, pictures, and stories I have seen. I picture the men as rugged, strong, and ready to take on a crocidile in the outback. After reading this article, I am a bit embarrassed by the ignorance that seems to be prevelant in this nation. A former Prime Minister stated that, "Australians pride themselves for their egaltarianism", but apparently, this is for white people only. This statement seems ambiguous to me and should be disgarded.

Good for Harry Conick Jr. for rejecting racial slurs. I'm sure that the Jackson family would not feel this skit was funny, especially because of the recent loss of a dear loved one. It is too bad that Michael Jackson could not receive the respect he deserves, if only for what he gave mankind through his music, dance, creativity, and altruism. I don't understand this 'old school' behaviour of this group in Australia. This is disrespectful on so many levels, and I'm glad this act has been exposed. Conick Jr. is a native American and displays how much progress many Americans have made in the segregation of different race.

It is important to treat others with respect and dignity. The colour of our skin does not decide our class or worth. We are the same inside and no one is better than any one else, even though there are many who would beg to differ. There is nothing funny when we joke at the expense of others.

This situation only stresses that Australia is still a very young nation that needs to grow up.

CIBC "Run for the Cure"

On Sunday, October 4th, I had the pleasure of walking in my third ever "Run for the Cure" fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. This was my second year in a row walking for a team called "Ann's Army", a team made up of OPG employees, and their family, and friends. Both years, we have won the corporate award, rasing the most of any organization involved. One year I walked for a team called "Freshly Squeezed", a team sponsored by Norfolk General Hospital's Ontario Breast Sceening Program. The "Run for the Cure", is held all across Canada and has helped raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research. This event, started out small and has grown by leaps and bounds as the years have rolled by. Each year, many more people are affected by this horrible disease and we are all there for one reason or another, but most of all for wanting to help find a cure. In our location alone (Simcoe, ON), there were over 1,400 participants. It was amazing to see a sea of pink walking through the streets of Simcoe.

I've met so many lovely people through participating in this event. Last year, I brought my Bichon Poo Rosie, who stole many hearts there. A wonderful lady who walked with me wanted to walk Rosie. I have to say she did a fine job making Rosie heel. We all enjoyed our 5 km walk. This year, I brought Rosie again, along another addition to the family, another Bichon Poo who is called Lily. A friend of mine was at a dog show a few weeks back and picked up a pink doggie stroller for me. Since I had the two dogs to deal with, I brought the stroller along to make things a bit easier. What a conversation piece this was indeed. The local paper asked me if they could take our picture, it was great. As it turned out, the same lady from last year wanted to walk Rosie again (I think she really likes Rosie), and to top it all off, a girl I work with wanted to walk Lily. It was nice to see Lily heeling with her as well. There wasn't a dog for me to walk, so there I was walking an empty stroller for 4 km. We put the girls in the stroller for the last kilometer because they were tired, and they were as good as gold. I am so thankful to a co-worker who snapped the featured picture. I would not have had an epic picture if it wasn't for him.

I hope to be involved again next year, and I look forward to again witnessing the heartfelt spirit that is definitely a big part of this event. I'm proud to be a part of such a passionate group of supporters and survivors.

Sick Kids 'superstar' fundraiser under a spotlight

This blog is in reference to the following article:

Volunteers and Smoozeneers

After reading this article, I finish week 3 of my tenure as volunteer campaign coordinator for the organization I work for, heading up their internal charity campaign. I can't help but feel deflated in my efforts because it is stories like this that ruin it for the rest of us. The work I am doing is not compensated monetarily, but rather by fulfillment because of a deed from the goodness of my heart. All of the money raised through our campaign will go directly to charity. This does not seem the case for this donor generating giant.

Michael O'Mahoney recently resigned as head of Toronto's Sick Children Foundation. Since 2003, he has earned in most years $620K (U.S.) annually. This is more than your average specialist. Last year his annual income was slightly lower, only making $574K. The best part of this story is that O'Mahoney resigned and was given $2.4M as a severance. While O'Mahoney was in power at the foundation, expenses increased 31 per cent annually and donations increased 18 per cent. This does not sit well with your average volunteer or donor. O'Mahoney boasts raising $489M for the foundation while at the helm. The truth is that he did not do that alone. He oversaw a huge staff that executed large fundraising programs. It would be impossible for any one person to raise that kind of money alone.

A Lack of Transparency

The trust may well be broken for the people who support Sick Kids. This is mainly because these claims are coming out after a significant amount of money is spent on administrative costs. Charitable organizations strive for transparency. It is obvious this particular one has a deficit in that area.

It's not to say that a person working in the not for profit sector should not be paid for their hard work, but perhaps a more reasonable annual salary is in order. One can not go around asking people to donate their time and money and then pocket a substantial amount of the donations.

This is likely a wake up call for many organizations who are competing for charitable donations. It is typically thought that spending 20 percent of the donations is a reasonable amount, but depending on the circumstances, could be hard to achieve. An organization is lucky if they have a large 3rd party fundraising group that raises a ton of money for them and expecting very little in return. Sick Kids definitely would have opportunity to cultivate that with a donor database of 300,000.

Giving money to the right cause, used in the right way, is a very vital part of communities. Let us not get discouraged, let us learn from this.