Help...

I probably have to admit that I'm not one to reach out and ask for help.  I know all my friends would help me in a second. But I think I feel like I'm burdening them and not giving them a chance to say no.  But on the other hand I'd help any of my friends that I could.  Actually I'd be upset with them if they didn't ask me to help them.  So really I can probably assume that when I don't ask them, they might get upset at me.

One thing that I'm asking people to help out with, or just consider is to go to onematch.ca and read up on being a stem cell donor. It's not for me, so don't be concerned about me.  Obviously some one close to me requires some help and this is one small part that I can do to help them.  If you decide to join all you have to do is fill out a questionnaire and they then send you a kit that contains a swab that you send back to them.  In the event you are a match they will contact you and you still have the option of refusing if you don't feel like going through with it.  The website has information about the process and should address any questions you may have.

Thanks, I really appreciate it and even if you decide it's not for you could you please pass it on to your friends as every one person that signs up, is one step closer to saving my friend's life.

Tar Sands

Again it's been a while since I've written.  I been doing so soul searching and trying to figure out the next steps in my life.  Speaking of the future I just finished watching the "Nature of Things" on CBC and it was a story on the Alberta Tar Sands. 

When outsiders think of Canada I'm sure a lot of things come to mind.  Hockey, Eskimo's, igloo's, beautiful and picturesque scenary that consists of lakes, forests, and snow covered mountains. What do I think of when I hear Canada?? I probably think of the same things, multiculturalism, poutine!, cottage country, NO right to bare arms, and maybe the country that I was born and raised in and that I'm proud to represent through work and when I'm overseas.  I didn't mention any of our sports teams, as to be honest we haven't been doing so hot lately... these Leafs are killing me.... just like the Blue Jays.  I still remember that game when Joe Carter hit that HR to win the World Series, I was in the Home Run deck with my buddy.  It was a great moment!!

Sorry, back to this documentary I watched.  It's amazing how powerful these oil companies are.  These companies (Suncor) can take a landscape like this:

 

To this:

 

I guess what amazes me is that the province of Alberta back these oil sand projects and companies like Suncor because it's a huge boost into the local economy, but it's not like this oil is even destined to be used in Canada.  Most of this oil is sent south of the border to the United States.  The largest consumer of oil in the world.

You may also hear about the Gulf oil spill:

and the large ecological consequences of the spill that are still being felt by all the coastal communities.  Deep sea drilling, even with the gulf disaster, as large as it was, is less likely to have an environmental impact then the digging and processing or the oil sands in Alberta.  To process the oil in oil sands it creates 3 times as much hydrocarbons then drilling for crude oil.  As well the stripping of the land is a guaranteed environmental impact that will be felt for generations.

You're all probably wondering why I'm even writing about this, but some of you may know that I actually have a B.Sc in Environmental Science. I guess it was the one course that was interesting in first year University and I kept going with it.  I'm by no means a "tree hugger" or an environmentalist, but I think it interests me because it shows how one or two multinational corporations have the financial and political backing of the government to basically strip Canada of it's identity and for most of us in Canada, it seems to be okay.

Don't get me wrong it happens in the USA and countries all over.  Another good documentary that I enjoyed watching was Food Inc.  It's based on the farmers that grow food for America and the influences that the huge corporations have over the government regulations which ultimately effect the small farmers who are struggling just to break even.

I'm not blaming anyone or anybody in particular but sometimes I have to think the reason these companies are so powerful and wealthy is because of us, the end consumer.  Is it because we demand food for a dollar, or want to drive big SUV's that guzzle tonnes of gas, I don't know.  But I also look at all the drugs coming into the USA and even Canada which I believe is the root of a lot crimes being committed today.  If there was no one consuming the drug, would it even be worth importing any more?

2011.. the new year...

Sorry for not posting in such a long time.  The holidays got really busy.  I don't even know where to start.  Hmmm, some friends just found out they're pregnant.  I'm really excited for them.  They'll make amazing parents and have cute kids.  I played with a bunch of kids over the holidays.  They make me laugh, but I have to admit, it's great when they're not your kids.  I can always give them back when start to cry.  Got a new phone (thanks Bro!) that has a better camera so hopefully I can start taking more pictures of the new restaurants I've tried.  Speaking of new places.  When to a Afghani place that sells Kabobs.  I can't remember the name of it, Bamiyan Kabobs maybe? oh yeah it is, here's the link: http://www.bamiyankabob.com/

The food was really good.  The place was packed on a Sat night.  I got the Kofta Kabob which is ground beef I think.  But they have Lamb, chicken, and a few other things.  The prices were relatively cheap as well.  I think we were the only asians in there... and one or two white guys.  Other then that all middle eastern folk.  Oh yeah, this was the one at 14th and Markham road.

Hopefully I'll be able to post more in the next few days... or weeks, we'll see.