Year End Wrap-Up

So this was a big year for me in some ways. I am finishing the year in a different job and in a different home than I began it in, and generally, I am very happy with both of these things. 

Favorite Things 2012

- the London Olympics.  This was definitely my favorite thing of the year.
- that Barack Obama won the election.
- finally getting a smartphone.  That shit is life changing.
- the ribs at Swiss Chalet.  Who knew???
- Ikea coming to Winnipeg.  And Famous Dave's.

Favorite Songs 2012

- Some Nights: Fun.  Hands down my favorite.
- Call Me Maybe: Carly Rae Jepsen
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together: Taylor Swift (dammit that girl puts out some catchy stuff)
- Girl On Fire: Alicia Keys
- I Love It: Icona Pop
- Diamonds: Rihanna

Favorite Movies 2012

- Hunger Games
- Ted (I never expected to enjoy anything from Seth Macfarlane)
- 21 Jump Street
- Safety Not Guaranteed (kind of hipster, but definitely charming)

Favorite New Shows 2012

- New Girl
- Ben and Kate

Stuff I'm Looking Forward To

- Target!!
- Django Unchained, The Hobbit, This Is 40, the next Hunger Games movie


I guess I don't have as much to say about this year as I did about last year!  Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and fulfilling 2013.  All the best :)



Settling dust

So after a crazy, hectic, stressful, and expensive October, I am moved and basically settled into my new place.  And it's perfect.  There's still more furniture I need, and I have nothing up on the walls, but things are good.  I am left wishing I hadn't waited so long to move.

Ikea is going to open it's first store in Winnipeg this week, and though I am an enormous fan of cheap modular furniture, kooky wall art and kitchen gadgets, I just can't bring myself to consider going the first couple months.  Even though I actually need furniture.  In Vancouver, we used to love going to Ikea, either in Richmond or Coquitlam.  And they were both always packed to the gills, any time of the day, any day of the week.  In places that are NOT decidedly cheap and bargain crazy like Winnipeg.  This city gets on the novelty of a new chain like Lindsay Lohan on her car keys after a bottle of Jack and a half dozen Vicodin.  When Swiss Chalet opened back up here again last winter, people were lined up into the parking lot in -20 something weather on a Wednesday night at 9.  For chicken.  It's....kinda sad.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have partnered with the province to produce a media campaign this month for domestic violence awareness.  It's a series of videos (my favorite starring my imaginary boyfriend Glen January) aimed at men, encouraging them to look at domestic violence as a men's issue, and not to be passive bystanders where domestic violence exists.  I am always appreciative of awareness campaigns that are aimed at those who are the most common perpetrators of crime (usually, but not always, men), not the victims or potential victims (usually, but not always, women).  Domestic violence campaigns should be aimed at men and changing patterns of behaviour, not at women telling them how to make escape plans and how to find legal advice (these things are obviously important, but don't fix the root of the problem: a violent individual).  Rape campaigns should be aimed at men and recognizing when things have gone too far and consent hasn't been given, not at women telling them to dress like nuns and abstain from alcohol and never let on that they might enjoy their sexuality.  This government PSA from England is incredibly difficult to watch, but is also incredibly effective and properly targeted.  Accountability for one's own actions is something I think is sorely lacking from the public discourse in regards to these issues.

I love Anthony Bourdain.  I don't remember when it started, but it's been going on for years.  I've read nearly all his books, I'm an avid follower of his TV shows, both No Reservations and The Layover, and will likely follow him to CNN for his new show there.  He's arrogant and rude and often fairly drunk, but he's also earnest and respectful and I have never seen him turn up his nose at something offered to him, no matter what or where.  In the episode he spends in Northern Quebec, some Inuit men take him out seal hunting, and when they return with their kill, the whole family sits around the seal on the kitchen floor, they cut into it, and eat it raw.  They offer Tony the eyeball, as he is the guest, and he doesn't so much as hesitate.  He takes it, pops it in his mouth, swallows and manages not to barf.  I have huge admiration for this.  However, I was watching the episode he did from the Vietnam central highlands last year, and something about it has stuck right in my craw.  He goes to visit some remote hill tribes, still practicing a more traditional way of life.  He takes his cameras there, he films whatever he sees.  And then proceeds to take issue with the fact that there are other white people there doing the same thing.  It went something along the lines of "The American military invaders are long gone, having been replaced by another kind of invader."  He then cuts to a shot of white tourists sitting on the floor of a hut, listening to a couple play instruments and sing.  Evidently, this particular tribe has been courting the tourist dollar with cultural displays and shows.  Tony goes on to say "The tourists come, they spend, they leave.  But what do they take with them?", the implication being that tourism is intractably affecting traditional ways of life, and that what the tourists "take with them" is culture and identity.  Which it may be.  It may not be.  But it sounds as though this is a choice the locals have made.  They are not obliged to be hospitable or accomodating to tourists, but they are clearly taking steps to promote and solicit it.  And is that not their right?  Because their "traditional ways of life" have lasted longer than others, are they obligated to maintain them forever, never changing or adapting?  And if Mr. Bourdain were truly so concerned with the exposure to outsiders these people are enduring, he might consider doing something besides putting them and their community on international TV.  What is he doing besides "coming, spending and leaving"??  Get off your high horse, asshole.


Anyways, that's just about all the ranting I've got in me for tonight.  Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week :)

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

The home stretch

Between the ages of 18 and 23, I moved around a LOT.  Off the top of my head, I'd say....around.....12 times.  No joke.  I didn't even always have a home for all of that (those parts were spent traveling, not being tragic). Moving didn't seem like a big deal, and I never felt really settled anywhere, so I didn't mind.  Then about 6 and a half years ago, I leased my current apartment, and have spent the meantime becoming almost too settled in my own little corner of the world.  The apartment was dirt cheap when I moved in, much bigger than what I had moved from, I loved my neighbourhood, and my neighbours were wonderful.  But flash forward to now, and while I still love the neighbourhood, the apartment is smaller than I'd like, the rent has increased by 60%, and lots of the wonderful neighbours have moved out and been replaced by inconsiderate, obnoxious Beavis-es.  So that being said, it's time to move.  Which in this city (with it's approximately 0.7 percent apartment vacancy rate) means converting to a somewhat feral, honey-badger-like state.  There's no seeing an apartment, and then thinking a couple of days before applying, you have to be ready to move on it right then.  I'm going to see a few places this week that I'm hopeful about, but in the back of my head I have this feeling that everything will just turn out as it's meant to.  The place I'm meant to have is the place I'll get.  

I'm thus far underwhelmed with the new fall TV.  There were a bunch of shows I was excited to watch, and they've all turned out to be....shows I don't want to watch more than once (Mob Doctor, Partners, 666 Park Avenue, The Mindy Project-I had had particularly high hopes for that one.) Even the season premieres of shows I already love were disappointing (Parks & Rec, The Simpsons, New Girl).  I still have World Without End on the PVR, unwatched.  I'm afraid if I watch it, the whole fall season will be a wash.  Then I would have to like...read.  Or get hobbies.  Or something.

So, I have kind of a thing for older men.  I have as long as I can remember.  Sean Connery is a perennial favorite (pun intended?).  But Liam Neeson....oh my.  How he's 60 years old, I will never understand.  And it was for charity!  And he smells good!

 
Now for the political snippets!  Everyone's favorite!

- Justin Trudeau announced last week that he will run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.  I think he might be the only one who can bring them back from the brink of obscurity.  I also think a resurgence of the Liberals is in the Canadian political best interest.  The more we become an NDP/Conservative dichotomy, the more we risk an "us vs. them" mentality, and becoming a divided nation like our beloved neighbours to the south.  Some TV political analyst pointed out that older people will vote for him because they remember his dad, and that younger people will vote for him because he's young and smiley.  Win-win.

- Speaking of which, some plucky Conservative asshole decided to open up a large and unnecessary can of worms by proposing to study feasibility of changes to the Criminal Code regarding when a fetus can be considered a "person", which by extension, could obviously threaten a woman's right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.  It was struck down, fairly conclusively (203-91), but the fracking Minister for the Status of Women voted FOR it.  I'm frankly surprised this petition calling for her resignation only has 6100 signatures.

Anyways, I think that's about all.  For now.  Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous fall week :)




"That thing between your legs only turns into an elbow if you let it"

Post-Olympic Withdrawal (or How I Learned to Live Without a Constant Barrage of Sporting Events)

Deep breath.....big sigh.....So the London 2012 Olympics are officially over, and I'm a little bit heartbroken.  It's only been a day and I miss it soooooo much!  I woke up this morning and had zero reason to turn the TV on.  No excitement or news about medals or crashes or drama.  TSN was showing something about fishing, and a man appeared to be trying to make a fish ejaculate (he was rubbing it, stuff came spurting out, I don't wanna know).  I nearly cried.  It was awful.  The Olympics are such an inspiring, amazing, emotional, magical time (for me anyways.  I'm aware some people couldn't give a crap if they were paid to).  The following is just a collection of random reflections.  They don't tie together to form a cohesive whole.  I promise :)

I was disappointed with the selection of Christine Sinclair as Canada's flag bearer for the closing ceremonies.  I understand I am almost certainly in the minority here, but I just still feel her class and leadership were lacking after that loss to the U.S.  If I was Rosie MacLennan, Canada's LONE WINNER OF A GOLD MEDAL, who comported herself with nothing but sweetness and class throughout the Games (and incidentally, someone NOT under investigation and pending discipline from her governing body), I'd be pissed.  Except I think Rosie MacLennan is probably far nicer than me, and definitely too nice to think this way.

Speaking of lone gold medals, there has been speculation in the media about Canada's performance at the London games, and why there weren't more gold medals.  Well, it's likely because the most we've had at any single games in the past 20 years has been 3.  We're not a summer games nation, though apparently there are steps being taken to change this.  In the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Canada launched a program called "Own The Podium", an umbrella program intended to groom and develop athletes to get to the top of their respective sport, through greater funding and access to resources such as nutritionists, physical therapists, coaches and specialists, sports psychologists, etc.  It has received some credit for Canada's earning more gold medals than any other nation at Vancouver 2010.  It is now under some scrutiny for the lack of gold medals in London.  But I think some very important stories get lost in the disappointment about a lack of hardware.  All the athletes who set personal bests, or even defied the odds to merely compete in their events at all.  The women's gymnastics team finished 5th in the team competition, the highest ever, behind gymnastic powerhouse nations such as the U.S, China, Russia, and Romania.  Pretty amazing.  Damien Warner, Canada's entry into the men's decathlon, set personal bests in ALL TEN EVENTS.  He finished 5th overall, but what more could anyone possibly ask from him?  Paula Findlay, a triathlete who was a gold medal threat until an unfortunate injury last year, competed in London and despite being in obvious pain, completed the entire race.  She finished 52nd out of 52 competitors, but she finished.  On a bad hip.  No one watching her cross the finish line could be anything but inspired and amazed.  So the medal count most certainly doesn't reflect the performance of the Canadian Olympic team as a whole.  Nor will the medal count be hastily fixed by a quick injection of cash.  If Canada wants better results, they have to be prepared for a long term investment.

Something else I got to thinking about while watching the Olympics as the events wore on, was the idea of what constitutes a sport.  During both the synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics competitions, watching these smiling, sparkling, heavily made-up girls doing breathtaking and acrobatic feats, I started thinking, anything based so much on aesthetic, and that comprises an artistic score component, is likely not a sport.  Which is not to take away from the incredible athleticism and skill these girls possess, or to suggest what they do isn't unbelievably difficult.  Because it is.  But are they sports where you should be able to win a medal over someone else because you looked prettier displaying your incredible athleticism?  In a word, no.  They are not.  In the same way dance, or yoga, or cheerleading are not sports.  Are they difficult?  Of course!  Do you need to be super fit and skilled?  Absolutely.  But they're not sports.  Thus I'm not sure I agree with their inclusion in the Olympics.

I don't have a real talking point to what I'm about to say other than just to make mention of it.  Women accounted for fully 50% of Canada's medals at the Olympics this time, and I hope this in some way encourages little girls to get (and stay) involved with sports.  I was hugely involved in sports in high school, and it's just so hugely beneficial in the right environment.

In watching the opening ceremonies 2 weeks ago, there was a very, very small group that marched in under the Olympic, rather than a national, flag, and it sparked a great deal of curiousity.  They were termed "Independent Olympic Athletes", who came from nations whose Olympic Committees were either dissolved, or in the case of Guor Marial, a marathon runner from South Sudan, not yet formed.  It's a truly inspirational story amongst many at the Olympics, and is just such a shining example of perseverance and principle.  I had said to my mother while we were chatting about the Olympics that I have NO idea what constitutes a good marathon time, or if he had any chance of contending for a medal, but I said it would just be lovely if he was able to finish.  And he did, in 47th place, with a time of 2:19:32.  Awesome.

Also, I LOVED the Spice Girls at the closing ceremonies.  That was about all I loved, but I loved it a lot.

Hope you all have a wonderful week, and are dealing with your post-Olympic existence as best you can :)

Gasp! Olympic disappointment!

I realize what I'm about to say could be slightly polarizing, but here it is. As a Canadian, and a huge Olympic fan, obviously I was disappointed by the results of the women's soccer game against the U.S.  We're not known as a strong soccer nation (yes, yes hockey is more our thing), and the ladies scrapped their way all the way to that semi-final game.  What made it even worse was losing it to the U.S, which we kinda hate.  And unfortunately, we lost in concert with some questionable officiating.  What was even more disappointing than all of this, was the reaction of the Canadian team (and coach) in the media.  Anyone who watched that game or knows soccer knows some of the calls made against Canada were shady.  The players know they were shady.  Other officials I'm sure found them less than legitimate.  But there is nothing to be gained by alluding to the media that the game was fixed and the result soooooo unfair.  It's not how internationally competitive athletes deal with adversity, and it makes the team look like whining, sour-grapes, poor losers.  Bitching to the media will not get the result overturned, or suddenly move you forward to the gold medal game, or send a big neener-neener the way of the US.  If the questionable calls had gone the other way, would you be wondering out loud later if the match was rigged?  No.  You'd be saying you worked hard and earned your victory. Christine Sinclair even went so far as to sarcastically criticize the referee's conduct as being "real classy." Oh the irony is so delicious it must be fattening. Of course emotions were high, and the disappointment was huge.  We all felt it.  The team poured their heart into that game, and Christine Sinclair was masterful, scoring all 3 of Canada's goals.  But leave the naked speculation to people in the stands, or in their living rooms.  Members of the Canadian team now face possible discipline from FIFA, soccer's governing body, but after they play the bronze medal game against France.  It was a poor day for sportsmanship as it reflected on our country, the consequences of that remain to be seen I suppose.

 

Just like Christmas :)

We have come upon Miz Becca's very favorite time of year (well, technically every 2 years): The Olympics.  Summer or winter, I love them both, there are just more events I get excited about in the summer ones. My personal favorites are gymnastics, beach volleyball, synchronized diving, trampoline, water polo, and swimming (though towards the end of the week, one truly has had enough of it).  My least favorite stuff to watch includes boxing (my grandmother would be so disappointed), cycling of any variety, but particular the long distances, tennis, and equestrian (I'm sure just because I don't understand it).  Racewalking makes me want to wet my pants, it's so hilarious to watch.  Which is not to suggest I think there's not a HUGE amount of athleticism involved in it (these people walk MUCH faster than a lot of people jog), they just look like a cluster of Gumbies while doing it.  And the color commentary is to DIE for ("What a brilliant display of walking!!!!").  Anyways I'm currently too engrossed in the men's 10,000 metres to write something as involved as I would normally do in this circumstance, so I've elected to go with a bullet-point list (in no particular order) of things that have particularly plucked my Olympics heartstrings:

- watching the women's 10,000 metres and seeing the Ethiopians and Kenyans start to lap the white people (this was more amusing than heartwarming)

- the first gold won by a Canadian athlete, Rosie McLennan on the trampoline. Such a sweetheart.

- the amazing finish by the Canadian women's gymnastics team.  They've never qualified for a team final before, and they finished 5th. Amazing.

- the fact that there's a Chinese trampolinist named Dong Dong.  For real.

- Gabby Douglas winning the all around gold medal in women's gymnastics. A fierce competitor, and a smile that could light up the world.  

- This Ryan Lochte article.

- Jessica Zelinka's abs.  And arms.  Seriously.

 - the Canadian women's soccer team putting on such an amazing show, even knocking out the hosting British.


- the Royal family showing up at SO many events!  I love William and Kate, they've so put a new and improved face on the Royal institution.

- South African swimmer Chad Le Clos' father giving this interview to the media. It just really reminds you how many people support and love and sacrifice for the athletes who end up competing in the Olympics.


- CTV's Difference Maker video about Dylan Armstrong and his Russian coach Anatoly Bondarchuk.  They were making dinner together, Dylan making this huge plate of roasted vegetables, and his coach taking a steak, dousing it in vodka and cooking it almost black.  A little too Russian lol


- 80,000 people singing along to God Save The Queen as Jessica Ennis won her gold medal in women's heptathlon.  Goosebumps.

- South Africa's Oscar Pistorius not only competing, but advancing in, the men's 400 metres. It's so remarkable, and he's so patient and sweet continually answering the same bloody questions from the media over and over again.

 

- And perhaps my favorite of all, US swimmer Nathan Adrian.  I don't see what all the fuss about Ryan Lochte is.

 This is in no way everything amazing I've seen or read about, but it's the highlights so far.  I hope you are all enjoying the Olympics and getting swept up in your respective country's fervent nationalism for another week ;)

Sum-sum-summertime :)

So after a slow start to the summer, the sunshine and heat are finally here!  Time for the Ex (well it's passed now), and walks down Corydon, and trips to the beach, and Fringe plays, and Folklorama, and football games, and sunburns, and drinks on the patio, and flipping the bird to all those who rejoice when winter comes and the weather starts to suck.  Summer is my absolute favorite.  

Has anyone else seen these new Pizza Hut commercials for their new "signature pizzas" you can only have if you dine in?  Some guy in the back pretending they make their pizza dough from scratch, and some insufferable girl out front perpetrating the ruse that Pizza Hut is staffed exclusively by perkiness?  Firstly, who the hell goes to Pizza Hut anymore???  And secondly, does this commercial not give off a stink of desperation?  It centres around Pizza Hut trying to launch these new pizzas with "signature toppings" such as shrimp and BBQ chicken.  If I had to say what I thought Pizza Hut's "signature topping" was, I'd have gone with....trans fats.  And then perky server brings the pizza out and pretends to give a pizza to a kid saying "And YOU get the spicy one-just kidding! Heeheehee!".  I'm sure that family is sitting there lighting up and thinking "Jesus Murphy, we are going to tip the CRAP out of this one!"


True Blood is 4 episodes into season 4, and I have to say, I'm having a hard time getting into it (spoilers may appear from here on out).  Who cares what happened to Terry in Iraq??  Why is Lafayette turning into a Latin demon and casting spells??  Why haven't we seen Jesus again??  Why isn't Bill and Eric's search for Russell Edgington going any fricking faster??  I can't help but feel this show is on the downslide.  Which saddens me greatly.  I guess in a way that was what was great about when Sex & the City was on HBO, they could have gone on for years and done fine in terms of ratings, but they quit after 6 seasons while the show was still entertaining and fresh.


On Friday me and my best gal trotted off to see Magic Mike.  There were even fewer men in the audience than there are at Twilight movies.  Now I have seen my share of male strippers (and probably several other peoples' shares as well), but I was mainly going to see Joe Manganiello (aka Big Dick Richie aka Alcide from True Blood).  SPOILER: Much to my chagrin, he's barely in it.  I think he has one line :(  Channing Tatum though, holy Moses the man can dance.  What's surprised me though is that the movie has gotten surprisingly good reviews  Although I thought the dancing and sweaty naked male flesh were fantastic, I thought the plot/story were weak, and the female lead was even weaker.  Perhaps even Roger Ebert can be swayed by a 99% naked Matthew McConaughey ;)  Who I must say, at age 42, is still looking hot even by guys-in-their-20's standards.

But this is the REAL reason I've been waiting for this movie:

Anyways, I kept it pretty light and fluffy this go-round.  Hope you're all having a terrific start to your summer!

Tangerine skinny girls and rednecks.

I apologize for the huge lag time between posts.  I've had surprisingly few bees in my bonnet to speak of ;)

Vogue Magazine announced this week that it would "no longer work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder."  It's a decision being lauded by eating-disorder advocates as "a huge step forward" and to a point, it is.  Vogue is a hugely influential power in the fashion industry, and one might hope others would follow their lead, and reduce the amount of exposure the average young person has to unrealistic and unattainable standards of beauty.  And while it would encourage those in the modelling industry to maintain a minimum Body Mass Index (BMI), I wonder about the ethics of the industry itself creating such impossible standards in the first place, and then refusing to further employ those who to attempt to reach them.  Rather than shutting them out and dashing their dreams, should the underweight models previously employed by Vogue and its associates not be offered help they need to tackle the immense physical, mental, and emotional problems of eating disorders beset upon them by their employers' requirements?  It seems wrong to me to be publicly passing judgement on these young men and women for fulfilling an ideal that a few months ago was considered a non-negotiable to work in their chosen field.  Just this gal's opinion.


As anyone who knows me is aware, I'm a terrible, slavish devotee of Sephora.  I follow them on Facebook, I get weekly email updates, I have a Sephora app on my iPhone, and I get into the store at least a couple times a month.  But I really, really want them to stop trying to make this tangerine thing happen.  Calling it The Color of the Year doesn't make it that.  Tangerine is NOT the new pink, and it shouldn't be worn on your face.  Period.  The average person on the street can't pull off orange eyeshadow or orange lipstick, nor should they attempt to.  I'm usually a HUGE fan of people taking risks with their cosmetics, so my feelings on this must be fairly deep-seated....

Not. Pulling. It. Off.

I'm generally not a fan of reality television, and even less a fan of the low-budget, vaguely exploitative tone it's taken recently with shows like Swamp People, and the fantastically-named "Hillbilly Handfishin'".  There's sometimes a feeling watching these shows like they're attempting to portray their subjects as sideshow attractions "Look at these rednecks and how different they are from us!!  What a bunch of yokels!!"  But God help me if I don't frigging love Duck Dynasty on A&E.  It's about a family of men with beards (most of whom are married to normal, cute ladies), who made a huge amount of money making duck calls.  They now seem to spend a huge portion of their time (the men anyways) getting their camo gear on, and going out hunting and having misadventures.  Surprisingly, it is a truly joyful and hilarious thing to behold.  I hugely recommend it.

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful week :)

Presented without pithy title...

There was an article in the Winnipeg Sun on Wednesday this past week, and I don't know a single person that's read it that didn't finish it with a fairly strong opinion.  It was written by Floyd Perras, the director of Siloam Mission here in Winnipeg.  In it he refers to a situation that took place at the Health Sciences Centre in 2008, where a homeless, double amputee named Brian Sinclair died waiting for longer than 30 hours in the Emergency department.  Mr. Sinclair was sent alone by taxi from a community health centre to present himself at HSC concerning a blocked catheter that required changing.  On arrival he may or may not have presented himself to triage, as he was never registered as a patient waiting for medical attention.  After more than a day, unable to void his bladder, he died in his wheelchair in the ER waiting room of a bladder infection that spread to his bloodstream.  The resulting furor has been going on nearly 4 years.  His family has brought legal action against the Health Sciences Centre, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and the province of Manitoba, going so far as attempting to have the HSC ER declared a "public nuisance" and suggesting in their lawsuit it should be shut down (a move I felt stole an enormous amount of credibility from their grievance).  No final legal decisions have been made, but the province in now seeking to dismiss the lawsuit after paying Sinclair's family approximately $110,000 for "loss of care, guidance and companionship for his wrongful death."  They are still seeking $1.6 million.

There is no question that this incident warranted investigation and corrective measures.  As the only hospital in the core area of Winnipeg, HSC is presented with unique challenges and opportunities in its delivery of care, and must remain vigilant and consistent in providing it.  I am given to understand in the wake of Mr. Sinclair's death that the ER has taken measures to ensure this kind of oversight doesn't occur again, and has improved their triage process to ensure all who are waiting for care are accounted for. 

Many including myself, have found it somewhat baffling that his family have appeared to be such tireless champions for Mr. Sinclair and his cause following his death, given that he was homeless in life, and spent over a day in ER all alone.  Where were any of them when he was alive and really needed an advocate?  There's no way I would allow any of my loved ones to sit in an emergency room alone, and certainly not for anywhere near that length of time without exploring other options.  His family suggests that he had a speech impediment that made communication difficult.  Why was he put in a taxi alone from the community health centre then?  If they suspected he was incapable of triaging himself, they had no business sending him alone, without at least a telephoned report to the ER prior to his arrival.  The ball was dropped by many people in Mr. Sinclair's life it would seem, far before he turned up at the hospital.  Mr. Sinclair's family claim they persist in their legal efforts to "find out the truth about what happened to him" and that "he's going to leave something behind to this city, and that's a better health system".  I would ask how them getting a substantial pay day provides them with any further details about Mr. Sinclair's death than were provided to them by the medical examiner, or improves the health system by taking money out of it.  How does shutting down the only ER in the core area make for a "better health system"?  With many accessing ER for routine medical care, where does the family expect people to go instead?  Do they plan to donate the proceeds of the lawsuit (should they be awarded them) to aboriginal or homeless causes that would improve the health of these demographics?  If they do, they certainly haven't mentioned it publicly.  If changes have been made and processes improved, what more are they really hoping for in terms of "ensuring this never happens again"?

The article written by Mr. Perras was an incredibly glib, underinformed, and self-satisfied interpretation of these complex events, and attempts to lay blame solely at the feet of racism and discrimination.  While this would be an easy explanation, it in no way represents the truth.  Mr. Perras claims that "ER staff prioritize homeless people to the bottom of the list.  If they are aboriginal, they can be put even lower on the list.  They've learned that if you make a person wait and wait, they will eventually go away." Firstly, anyone who has so much as walked past the ER waiting room at HSC would find it easy to see that the majority of the people being served there are aboriginal, and many would appear to be homeless, or at least from less than ideal living situations.  It's a fair assumption that HSC provides care to more people of these demographics than any other hospital in Winnipeg.  Mr. Perras also takes issue with wait times. "A simple data base could remind intake staff of how long people have waited for help.  Perhaps after 6-8 hours, they automatically go to the front of the line."  Well Mr. Perras, HSC is designated as the trauma centre for Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and Nunavut.  This means that ER staff there deal with life-threatening injuries on a daily basis and prioritize their slate based on the seriousness of cases, not race or socioeconomic status.  This means that if you utilize the ER as a family doctor or walk-in clinic, you can expect to wait behind those who have been hit by cars, who've been stabbed, shot, assulted, or who have suffered major burns.  This is how it should be.  Imagine the hospital trying to explain to a family that their loved one bled to death while the staff tended to a headache simply because that headache waited longer.  Staff know how long people have been waiting, and they don't like it any better than the patients. The goal of ER staff is to see an empty waiting room, and patients receiving timely attention, not just outwaiting sick people in the hopes they'll "go away".  This is not why those who take on the massively stressful task of ER work do what they do.  They aren't in the back room drinking coffee and watching daytime TV thinking "20 more minutes and I'm sure they'll all give up."  They are on their feet for hours and hours, saving lives, and dealing with untenable situations every day that the rest of us couldn't even begin to imagine.

If Mr. Perras would like to take issue with how he believes aboriginals and homeless people are discriminated against by the health system, I say people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.  His own organization categorically refuses shelter to those who appear intoxicated or who may be under the influence of drugs.  As substance abuse and addiction are understood to be a prevalent issue amongst homeless and/or aboriginal people, and addiction undoubtedly makes them even more vulnerable, I would ask Mr. Perras who's really deprioritizing the homeless?  And according to the Siloam Mission website, every single one of their beliefs and values centres heavily on the Christian faith and emphasizes that "without a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, the future is one of eternal separation from God and all that is good", which I am given to understand is not a philosophy in line with traditional aboriginal spirituality.  If Siloam Mission disapproves of how one of the resources utilized by the aboriginal homeless is treating them, perhaps they as a resource should be making greater efforts to pick up the perceived slack and be more inclusive.  I certainly respect Siloam Mission's right to operate their organization as they see fit, but in doing so, they are alienating or outrightly barring a large percentage of those that need help, while criticizing HSC for allegedly the same thing.  Perhaps a little self-reflection and fact checking would have done Mr. Perras some good prior to writing his article, as it certainly wasn't a good vehicle for organizational promotion published as it was.

Thank you for reading and have a well-informed week :)

*none of the preceding represents the views or opinions of HSC, the WRHA or the province of Manitoba*

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

WCCNEP graduation was Friday, and I am pleased to report, lasted only an hour!  I spent most of the day with a strange, disbelieve-y feeling, like I couldn't believe it was finally over.  Sometimes at the end of a journey, people look back and talk about how the time flew by.  I will not be doing that.  This was the longest, unhappiest, most difficult 6 months of my life.  It caused me more self-doubt and anxiety than anything I've ever experienced in my life.  And it's over.  I made it.  And no one is more surprised about that than me.  I think it's easy (and nice!) for other people to say "Oh, I always knew you could do it", but from the inside, and as the person trying to do it, I wasn't so sure.  I had weeks where I was scheduled for 6 shifts, or 72 hours.  I had a stretch of 12 days where I only got 2 (non-consecutive) days off.  I just kept slagging through and eventually came out the other side.  I have truly no idea how.  I want to take a moment to recognize a few people, without whom I wouldn't have been able to make it.  Firstly to my parents, your faith in me and your willingness to listen through hours and hours of whining and crying....I couldn't have done without it.  Amber, your sympathy and attempts to share in my outrage in what was required to finish this monstrosity were a constant source of comfort.  Mike, your realism and listening skills will never be forgotten.  And for showing up for another of my graduations :)  Jaime, your constant positive reinforcement and enthusiasm got me through several hard days and weeks.  And my preceptors, Jill and Kevin.  Jill, your pragmatism, thoroughness and oodles of experience are things I will take with me the rest of my career.  And Kevin, you really fostered my independence and built my confidence when I needed that most.  I really appreciated that during the grad speeches that one of the speakers acknowledged our friends and families.  I can't imagine I (or any of us really) would have made it without them.

Needless to say, after this past week was over, and a celebratory dinner was had, I was thoroughly exhausted.  I spent the entirety of Saturday and Sunday at home, cleaning, crafting (I know right?!) and watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  I can't explain it outside of the fact that I'm a dog person, but I LOVE watching it every year.  I love that it's still this spectacle of good manners and refinement and that they haven't resorted to putting sunglasses on the dogs and having them trotted out by Hooters girls to improve ratings or some such hot nonsense.  It always leaves me feeling like I want another dog, we were always dog people growing up, and while I have a cat, I am in no way a "cat person".   Anyways, here are the ones that this year's show made me feel like I want:

And most of all......

I don't care what anyone says, I'm beyond excited we are in an Olympic year again :)  The Olympics are like my Christmas, or Super Bowl, or March Madness.  If I had enough seniority to take my holidays around the Olympics (summer or winter) that's what I'd do.  I'd so not wild about the logo they chose though, it looks kind of 80's.  Like if Jem and the Holograms were asked to commission a logo....

I can't help but notice that since Will Forte left SNL, he hasn't done a damn thing.  And SNL is worse off for him not being there.  If Bill Hader ever leaves, I might just give up on it altogether.

Sigh.

The longer I do the job that I do, and the longer I am around simply as a human being, the more I wonder how people can do such terrible things to each other.  I have not become desensitized to it like people assume you will be working in the medical field, and in some ways I find it harder to stomach now than I used to.  Maybe because I'm exposed to it more directly.  Maybe because I've been in ICU some weeks now, and I've seen people die from the brutality meted out to them by others, sometimes by their own flesh and blood. 

About 2 weeks ago, the 1st murder of the year in Winnipeg was committed.  Sadly, people were quite surprised it took til the 23rd of January for it to happen.  It happened 2 apartments directly below mine, when a man took it upon himself to beat and stab his wife to death.  They were new immigrants to Canada from Eritrea, and had only been here about 5 months.  The person this woman had been to hell and back with, who she had tried so long to build a new future with, who she should have been able to trust inherently, was the person that took everything from her.


Then last week, in Winnipeg's 2nd homicide of the year, a 29 year old man got into an argument with 3 other men at his residence.  2 of them left for a time, only to return with knives and stab him repeatedly, and ultimately, fatally.  According to news reports, the accused are only being charged with second-degree murder, not first.  While I've always been vaguely aware that first-degree murder entails an element of pre-meditation, I decided to find out the difference.  According to the Criminal Code of Canada, first-degree murder is "planned and deliberate" whereas second-degree is "more likely spur of the moment".  The 2 accused in this case left the home, giving themselves ample time to cool down and consider their course of action, and the course of action they chose was to return with knives.  In what way is this NOT "planned and deliberate"???  As someone pointed out to me today, perhaps the police feel their chance of getting a conviction on second-degree murder is better than taking their chances trying for first-degree.  If that is in fact the case, I guess some conviction is better than none at all, but it's unfortunate the legal system is so inefficient as to tie the police's hands this way.

Anyways, onto frothier things....

I love wearing scarves, and this girl is cute as a button.  Enjoy :)

My sister and I were discussing Paula Deen's announcing that she has type 2 diabetes a few weeks back, and how everyone seems to think she was obligated to announce this news sooner, and in some cases, that she should have completely overhauled her way of cooking the very minute she found out about her diagnosis.  She's also being criticized by many, (including a usual personal favorite of mine, Anthony Bourdain), for signing on with a drug company to represent an anti-diabetic medication.  Firstly, I think her health is her own damn business, and no one else's.  I don't think she has an obligation as a public figure to disclose what is very personal and life-changing information the moment she finds out.  If people who claim to be such huge fans of hers (who are now feeling SO betrayed that she kept this to herself) didn't realize the way she cooks isn't conducive to a long and healthy life, well perhaps they should have taken their heads out of their asses sooner.  Her high-fat, high-calorie cooking has been the butt of obvious jokes for years, and it's common knowledge it's not exactly good for you.  To the people who think she should change the cooking she presents on TV, in books and in magazines, I say B.S.  There are umpteen dozen food personalities out there who cook lighter, and make over high fat recipes, but Paula Deen built her brand on her particular style of cooking, and there are few others out there doing the same thing.  She's never come out and said her cooking is how people should be eating every meal of every day.  In terms of her representing a drug company, is anyone surprised in the least that a celebrity jumped at a timely opportunity to line their own pockets?  I think not.  At least it's a treatment she herself actually (allegedly) uses.  I doubt very much that Denis Leary actually drives a shitty Ford truck, or that Jennifer Lopez uses a drugstore razor.  As for Anthony Bourdain implying that she somehow is giving people diabetes and then profiting off of their requiring treatment for it, I call shenanigans on that too.  People should be accountable for their own decisions about what they feed themselves, and how they treat their bodies.  Paula Deen is not responsible for anyone else's health.  The American (and sadly frequently Canadian) mindset is to try to offload blame for any and all of life's ills onto someone/something/the government, claiming ignorance/naivety/etc.  This victimized way of thinking is underselling us as a free-thinking, free-willed people with open access to information.  We are all responsible for ourselves and our choices.

Now just to to finish off on a lighter note:

Oh and to those of you wondering, less than 2 weeks left in this 6 month nursing boot camp I voluntarily signed on for!!!  What was I thinking??!?!!  Hahahahahaha!!!

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful and well-informed week :)


"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within myself, an invincible summer" - Albert Camus

Trivial gripes of little substance

Dear Jennifer Hudson,

If there's something you're up to besides talking about your body and/or Weight Watchers, we would all love to see/hear it.   Otherwise.....ummmm.....we get it.  You weigh less now than you used to.  Good on you.  But you've won an Oscar and the top-of-mind thing anyone knows about you now is that you went on a diet.  It may be time to move on.

Sincerely,

Everyone routinely exposed to mainstream media

I was super sad to find out today that Heidi Klum and Seal are filing for divorce.  I mean yeeeeesh.  If there was ever a couple you were sure would make it, it was those 2.  He adopted one of her kids!  What happens to that now??

There's been chitter chatter going on here in Winnipeg about one of the Winnipeg Jets skipping out on his cheques at a number of city restaurants, and not tipping even when his bill IS comped.  If this is true, it's obviously an inexcusable dick move.  It seems like the people who expect/get the most for free are the people who least need it. However, this is not the point of what I want to say. In the backlash against this individual (on Facebook anyways), people are super pissed because it "shows a lack of respect for the city" and are continually pointing out that "he's the one who never wanted to come to Winnipeg in the first place" and "maybe he's trying to get traded since he hates this city so much" and "Teemu Selanne would never do anything like that!".  Ladies and gentleman, the kid is 20 years old, with clearly more money than brains, and enjoying a fairly high level of professional success.  He's only been playing a couple of years, and if he didn't want to come to Winnipeg, who could blame him??  Winnipegers bitch and complain about this city ALL the time but God forbid anyone else do it!  If I was a 20 year old kid making bank like that, I wouldn't want to leave Atlanta either!!  Nicer weather, bigger market, less scrutiny.  Winnipeg has a completely (and nearly insufferable at times) small town mentality.  Evander Kane isn't Teemu Selanne and never will be.  That glorious man (apart from being the only Finnish person I could ever like), is a once-in-a-lifetime find.  Trying to do a side-by-side comparison is silly.

I went to my first movie of 2012 today, and saw Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.  It was really, really good.  Really, really graphic, but tense and well done throughout (maaaaaybe a titch long?).  I find Rooney Mara vaguely unlikeable in interviews, but there's no denying this was a tour de force performance.  Even Daniel Craig, perhaps one of the most uneven and inconsistent actors working today, turns in something pretty great.  Go see it.  Apparently if it doesn't do a little better revenue-wise, they won't bother making the sequels :(

The Charles Barkley SNL a couple of weeks ago may very well be one of the best and most solid all the way through episodes of that show I've ever seen.  Barkley can't speak at a normal tempo or read a teleprompter and I for one find it hilarious.  The Daniel Radcliffe episode that followed the week after (the Lana del Rey performance notwithstanding) was one of the worst I've ever seen.  He's such a sweetie and tries so hard, but he was given nothing to work with.  The writing was just awful and uninspired.

Thus ends my collection of trivial gripes of little substance.  For now.


"Why you have 5 spare bedrooms???  You have 5 grandmas??" - Charles Barkley