Snow

Well, here on the West Coast, when snow arrives, chaos ensues.  Doesn't matter if it's 1/2 an inch or 30 inches.  The city just cannot function.

And today was an epic example.  I was extremely thankful that I was working from home today so I could miss all the craziness.  I didn't miss the previous day's chaos but one day of chaos is more than enough.  

From a billion dollar bridge that people couldn't cross, to traffic accidents galore, to cars off in the ditches...today was a bad day for commuting in the snow.  

If there is any more snow this winter...please, please, please...let it be up in the mountains where the snow buffs will enjoy it, where we can continue to get our water from when it melts, and it's in a place no where near the city for another day of chaos. 

Get Together

I got a chance to get together with my one group of great friends this weekend.  It was our annual Christmas get together.  It was small but as always, lots of fun.  Great food, great conversation and lots of laughs. 

It's a shame I don't see these people on a more regular basis.  But it's great that when we get together, we just pick up where we last left off.  

Perhaps my circle of friends isn't huge.  But it's perfect to me.  And I'm happy to be part of their lives.  

What Do We Do?

Everywhere you go, there is someone talking about the awful incident in Connecticut. There are a gamut of emotions.  From sheer sadness to pure anger to absolute disbelief.   Just a huge range of emotions...what more can I say? 

But then ultimately, the conversation swings to what needs to be done.  There are the strong believers that gun control is the answer.  I don't think it's so simple.  Of course, gun control would anger all those that couldn't have their access to guns for legitimate activities such as hunting.  

This next part is purely my opinion and I know some would disagree with me.  And that's ok.  But the reality is, our society keeps stripping resources from organizations and hospitals that deal with the mentally ill.  How can one even begin to be rational with an irrational person?  Their behaviours and actions are not predictable.  Gun control in itself is not the answer.  It's also about providing families with support to deal with the mentally ill.  If we had sane people in this society, the current gun laws we have would most likely be "enough."  

It's easy to strip resources from places that we don't see "big" outcomes.  It's easy to send these people to other organizations to deal with them, but the problem is, these other places don't have the resources or knowledge to deal with the mentally ill.  And so, many, many people who need help are not getting it.  

There could have been other factors such as bullying, etc.  But when a person isn't mentally ok, those actions that people have taken towards them are not easily handled and makes them easy to snap.  

Preventative medicine in itself, just as gun control is only part of the answer to a healthy society.  

Connecticut

There are days that I struggle with people's first world problems.  Really struggle.  

Like millions of others today, I'm wondering why in the world that one man would go into a school and kill so many innocent people.  And that includes 20 young children.  What was his issue that caused him to unleash such pain on others?  Something about the pain of a ex girlfriend.  Not to say that wouldn't be painful, but to bring about such hell on others?  Why?  Those innocent people did nothing to you...nothing.    

Unfathomable.  Tragic.  Heartbreaking. 

As a parent, this makes me cry and ache for those parents who will never see their children again.  All that joy...gone.  All the dreams...vanished.  A child should never leave before a parent.    

An event like this, regardless of what time of year, would be painful for bystanders and those impacted by this tragedy.   But so close to Christmas?  There are really are no words to explain or even justify this sad event.   Those left behind will never view life, community, school or Christmas ever the same again.  They have been forever tainted all because one man had a first world problem and he wanted someone to pay for it.  

May the community rally together behind one another.  Of those that left well before their time, may you rest in peace. 

Folders

Whenever I have to make some briefing note or some report to somebody, I wish I could go fancy on them.  I never get to do any presentation folder printing as I want something fancy.  

I can rarely do colour as the documents take forever to print and we don't have a colour photocopier.   I can only use certain colours of paper for certain pages.  And those colours suck.  Pastels are not my thing. 

I think next time, I'll just bring in my origami paper and fold stuff.  I'm sure our visitors would find that amusing.  

Calgary Stampede

I'd love to go to the Stampede one day.  Looks like a ton of fun. 

But I don't think I'd make a good cowgirl.   I look terrible in hats...so a cowboy hat too?  Yeesh.  Though someone did mention to me that Buckskin Cowboy Hats may be a good option.  

But I really don't think any cowboy hat would look good.  And I have to get boots too?  No way.  Give me my runners and chunky shoes anytime.  

What?  Cowboy vests and collar thingies too?  What the....?!  

I just want to go and party.  I'm not good at the dressing up part.  Maybe they have the Stampede with a section for those that don't want to dress up?  One could hope.  

Helmets

My brother rides a motorbike some of the time.  I worry about him as he's been in accidents before.  Thankfully, he does wear a helmet. 

But I think at one point, he said he was wearing one that didn't meet Canadian standards.  DUDE.  Get a real helmet!  There are a gazillion types out there that do meet standards of this country AND will probably save your life if you need it.  

How about a Shoei RF-1100 Glacier?  Actually, they do look really cool.  

So here's to hoping my brother gets a REAL helmet.