The Healthy Trend

Today's Topic: The Trend of Eating Healthy

Okay so I guess I've realized that I am being sort of a pessimist with some of my blogs now but this will be the last argumentative one for awhile, I promise. I'm sorry folks, but I have to do this and make the case for being healthy being nothing but a trend in the modern day world that North Americans live in. It's really starting to bother me that everywhere I go people are telling me to eat nothing but fruit and lettuce (I may be exaggerating a bit). I know I have readers from different countries so to those of you reading this from the other side of the world, I hope I can share some insight on why everyone feels like they have to go to the gym on this continent.

People, let's face it...thin is in. And it's everywhere. Everyone tells you to eat right. Everyone is telling you to exercise. Yes, people are stressing about salad. It's almost become a major food faux pas to being eating "garbage" not even all the time, but AT ALL. Please, don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a healthy lifestyle. To each their own, I understand that. I just want to point out a few flaws in this healthy eating society.

There is one thing that I am certain generations of people are going to look back on us and laugh about it. The treadmill. Seriously? You are wasting electricity by running on an object for minutes or even hours at a time, in a building, in front of a window or television. So you walk or run for what the machine tells you is "kilometres." There's only one problem, they aren't actually kilometres because YOU DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. What did you just accomplish? You were stationary that whole time, and you had to pay to do it! But boy, was it a good workout. This is something I like to call human stupidity. Try and tell me this makes sense to you and it's not just a trend.

I feel like a huge fatty at the grocery store. I do my very best to eat balanced meals by taking my trip around the food guide for most meals (especially supper which is my favourite meal of the day besides big breakfasts on weekends). This is why I feel like a blimp when I take my food to a checkout in a busy grocery store. The girl in front of me has everything blue menu, low in fat, and some of the foods she has in her cart, I have never even seen them on the store shelves. I'm sorry but I know that some of that food just doesn't taste good but people torcher themselves by buying it and eating it because they feel like they "need to be" healthy. So after she's done, the first item I put on is my guilty chocolate pleasure of Swiss Chocolate Rolls. Sometimes it's Haagen Dazs. I am automatically way less of a healthier eater then the girl who was just in front of me. Do you ever find yourself doing that at a grocery store...looking in other people's carts to see what they have? And then you feel slightly better about your groceries if you find that person with all the Hungry Man frozen dinners in their cart? I'm big time guilty of this.

Is it just me or does society have it COMPLETELY ass backwards. Why does healthy food cost more money? People already feel bad enough because they don't eat healthy enough and then when it comes time to pay the grocery tab, you break their hearts even more by emptying there wallets. If people were that concerned about eating healthy, wouldn't it make sense to make better food cheaper? Just saying.

But, there is still one place who doesn't care about your health. Meet The Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Arizona. Let me give you the restaurant experience. First of all, when you walk in the door, if you're over 350 lbs, you eat for free. You'll then be greeted by a very questionably dressed waitress who's posing as a nurse, takes your order and attaches a medical hospital style bracelet of your order onto your wrist. From this point on, you know you're doomed. Don't bother asking for a diet coke, the word "diet" is not spoken of in a restaurant like this. Grab your plate and load up at The Fry Bar, an all you can eat flat liner fry experience that are cooked in 100% pure lard. If you order the mighty burgers, don't go much bigger then a single or double bypass burger or you'll have nightmares about what you just ate. If you dare to order the quadruple bypass burger (seen here) get ready to ingest, wait for it, 8,000 calories. Holy Christmas. And I felt guilty about eating Haagen Dazs. Their motto serves them well with a "meal to die for" attitude. You have to give the guy who owns this restaurant credit though. In a society that counts the calories in a head of lettuce, he is a marketing genius.

I had a friend (your welcome in advance for the shout out) who wrote her thesis on how bigger people used to be the symbol for power and wealth, which I found to be completely fascinating. It used to be that the bigger person you were, the more money you had, the more powerful you were, the richer your foods were, the happier you were. So, what happened? Did one day a bunch of pissed off skinny people throw a riot somewhere demanding more people be like them? It's very interesting how some things come in full circle. Was it just ignorance? We didn't know what we were eating was supposedly "bad" for us? Somewhere the clouds came in, it got foggy and when it cleared up, there was the carrots and apples.

I think you yourself have to decide where to draw the line and I think it's like that for a lot of people. I don't have a craving for a quadruple bypass burger cooked in lard or the heart stopping double down from KFC. I do enjoy a good burger and fries from now and then and why not? I used to live with a personal trainer who told me that our bodies have a natural sort of way of telling us that we need those fatty acids in our body. So really it's our mind telling us that we crave these foods. Thank you brain for telling me that a McChicken from McDonalds still tastes delicious.

I am probably in no position to give advice, but I'm going to anyway because this is my blog and I stand behind my words. Eat what you want, when you want to. Do not let the person dressed in a muscle shirt or Lu Lu lemon outfit make your food buying decisions for you. Be happy with what you eat and make yourself comfortable. If you want a fresh crunchy salad, go for it. If you also want the chocolate bar, that's okay too. Too many people get caught up in what the person behind the mirror is going to think of them. You're only on this planet for a short time so eat what makes you happy. Take chances with food and don't always count the calories if you don't want to. On the other hand, if you want to make a change, then that's okay to. Just love the foods you have because no one should put their bodies through misery eating foods they don't like.

Don't get caught up in body image and eating healthy. I promise you, it's only a phase and a modern day trend. I still believe that one day, wealth and happiness will once again be the symbol for the biggest people around. And then I WILL SAY, I told you so.

TML...Toronto Makes me Laugh

Today's Topic: Why you shouldn't be a Leaf Fan

Before you start throwing stones, at least give me a chance to explain my reasoning behind such a statement. Yes, I am die hard Montreal Canadiens fan, so you might consider this post to a bias one. However, the evidence just stacks up on why Leaf fans are so miserable, so blind and in denial. If you truly consider yourself a fan of the sport and you appreciate hockey as much as I do, you will at least take this into consideration. This is my attempt at explaining why you shouldn't support a losing franchise the way you do. It's okay to still be a fan, but please, don't gloat. Your team has little to show for itself in the last 30+ years.

Before I get into the bad and the ugly, I'm going to start off with the good things Leafs nation has done in the past few years. You got rid of John Ferguson Jr. That was an excellent call. In his place, you went out and got Brian Burke, a man at the top who has brought Stanley Cups to franchises in the National Hockey League. This was an excellent call. You went out and got a coach who knows how to coach with Ron Wilson. That was another excellent call. So you were set, new coach, new GM, new philosophy but still, you were producing the same mistakes, same mental errors and the same poor effort. I realize that the leafs are young and growing. But how long do you keep using that excuse? So what exactly happened?

I blame the lockout on the Leafs stumble to failure. Before the NHL lockout, the Leafs had made the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. Since the lock out, they have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons. Now being one of the biggest cities in the world, one of the most expensive and "elite" franchises in the NHL, why can't they even pull it together for one playoff run? I'll tell you what it's NOT. It's NOT the coaching, Ron Wilson had great success with the San Jose Sharks with a much less talented team. It's NOT the GM, Burke has a proven track record. It's NOT the players, they have many promising prospects. I blame it on two things: 1. John Ferguson Jr. and 2. Fan Morale.

John Jr.; The man would struggle running the popcorn machine at games, let alone manage a professional hockey team. His mistakes, his unthinkable acquisitions, his head scratching tactics, his lack of knowledge about the sport and the team, his in ability to draft players, his little hope in turning anything around...his mistakes set the leafs nation back at least ten years. It all starts at the top and it trickles down from there. The question I have though is that if the Leafs were losing for so long while he was the GM, WHY didn't they get rid of him sooner?? If you are that bad at your job, don't you usually get fired? I don't even want to remark at the bonehead moves he has made, but John Ferguson Jr. should be a curse word to any devoted leafs fan. He is one of the single reasons why you are in the shape you are. You should tie him up in front of the ACC and declare a public stoning.

Next, fan morale. Year after year, you lose. Yet, year after year, you still buy tickets. The most expensive tickets in the NHL. Not only do you buy tickets, you support an enormous condominium building being built right in front of your arena. So that's great, you can't even park in front of the stadium anymore unless you are a VIP. So you go and pay AT LEAST $20 to PARK you vehicle, if you are thirsty at the game, you pay $6 for a drink or $9 for ONE beer, and you pay at least $5 for cold popcorn. Why? Please tell me that I am wrong with what I'm staying. STOP THE MADNESS. You're supporting a team that hasn't even made the playoffs for the past five years. If anything, the worse the Leafs get, the more expensive the tickets, the concessions, the souvenirs and the parking becomes! You are all loyal despite being treated poorly. That is retarded. It doesn't make sense to me.

In a 2008, ESPN The Magazine took a survey on sports teams rewarding fans. Teams were graded by stadium experience, ownership, player quality, ticket affordability, championships won and "bang for the buck"; The Leafs were ranked 121st out of the 122 professional teams in the Big Four Leagues (major professional sports teams in the United States and Canada). In particular, the Leafs came last in ticket affordability. This was not that long away. Nothing has changed. How about not buying tickets? Maybe boycott it? Won't that drop the price? Without fans, there is no game. Keep that in mind.

At the start of the season, I made a statement on Facebook that said: "The leafs win four games and all of a sudden every fan crawls out of their hole they have been in hiding in for the last five years while they stunk up the league. Wake up. You have 78 games left." A bunch of people agreed with me. Some didn't. Some used the excuse "You're just jealous the Leafs beat your Canadiens this year." No, MY Canadiens have treated me great as a fan, we almost went to the Stanley Cup Final last year. Since the lockout, we have only missed the playoffs once. I support a winning franchise. You should too. The Leafs fired out of the cannon this season with a 5-0 start and first place in the Eastern Conference. All hail the great and powerful Leafs. Now, they are 5-5-3, good for 11th in the Eastern Conference. Don't worry, I won't say I told you so.

I hope things only get better for the Leafs Nation. After all, they are a Canadian team and hockey really is a Canadian sport. I will admit, they show promise but until your team actually, performs, I stand by my reasoning. Don't support a bunch of losers. Support something that rewards you. Otherwise, you'll always be depressed and you'll just keep getting let down year after year. That's my evidence, but of course since I am a Habs fan, you better take it with a grain of salt.

The one great thing about being a Leafs fan though; if you ever want to see the Stanley Cup, it's right down the street from your arena. Some fans wait decades to see it in person. It's in Leafs fans backyard...curse? On the other hand, Leafs fans, you might want to go take a visit because trust me, it won't be in your arena anytime soon.

Make the most of Oct 31st

Today's Topic: Halloweens- Past and Present

I still remember my favourite costume: Donnie the Devil. I would post the picture but it would be within the tens of thousands of my mom's pictures (literally) and I probably wouldn't find it until next Halloween. The pitchfork, the drawn on moustache and that classic tail. I got two pillow bags of candy that year.

The greatest thing about trick or treating in the country was that you got almost double of everything because there were so few of us out there. It was because I had so much candy that my friends that lived in-town were quite jealous. I used to have so much that I turned it into a business. I would sit on the candy until about the end of November, take it to school, and sell it to my friends. Awesome Grade 5 business project and I was part of the black market of Halloween candy.

I love everything about Halloween. What's not to love about it? Candy, chips, chocolate and even discount chocolate on the shelves of Wal-Mart on November 1st, pumpkin carving's are always the bomb and the costumes light up the neighbourhood. As the years go by, I still don't lose the spirit and make the biggest effort I can to get out on the streets and dress up for Hal

loween. The great thing about dressing up is that people just seem so much friendlier. Everyone looking at each other, trying to figure what you are, people admiring your creativity, taking pictures with strangers and giving high fives because you love their costume; it just puts you in a better mood for the night. Last night some guy nailed the Alan costume from the hangover. Another bunch of guys nailed the Ghostbusters. And of course, most of the girls were wearing as little clothes as possible. Let's be real, you do see a lot of skin in the streets, gals and guys.

I think the greatest thing about Halloween is the ability to transform yourself. Be whoever or whatever you want without consequence. It's one of the only days of the year where people don't judge you negatively (at least not to your face). Costumes are powerful, especially if you really get in character. We all look at each other different, which I think is okay. It creates change and gives people something different to talk about. I wish I could find more excuses to dress up, anybody else feel like that? One of these years, I am going to go all out and really try to turn some heads.

Halloween is one of those holidays that goes in circles. At some point, 99% of us have dressed up and then when we have kids, we dress them up to. I had a trick or treater tonight who dressed up as Lindsay Lohan in a jail outfit. Wow. Hilarious. Kudos to those parents. And for years to come, it only continues without fail. It's a great tradition and a great holiday. Most would definitely agree. Including our beloved Simpsons. It's also one of those holidays that never gets old. New years bring out the newest outfits. But I urge you to all get out and get in the costume spirit. There's only one Oct. 31st and you're never too old to dress up. And don't forget to the enjoy candy apples.

The Great Cannabis Debate

Today's Topic: Legalizing Marijuana

Wouldn't it be funny if this picture became a reality? Could you not see the corporate fat cats drooling over the money they would make on selling marijuana, if it was legal? Could you not see the government thinking of all the money to be made if you were to TAX IT? Because I can.

I can still say I haven't tried it. There have been many, many opportunities where I could have, but I still have never smoked weed. It's not so much that I need to or wanted to, it's just a personal choice that I have made over the years not to smoke it. And I figure I have gotten through the worst of it now, what with high school, peer pressure and the everyone-is-doing-it attitude. I've gone this long without doing it that I don't really want to do it. However, never smoking a joint still makes me think that Marijuana should be legalized, especially in the culture we live in nowadays. That's right, a non-pot smoker wants pot to be legalized.

There is obviously negative impacts of putting through such a proposal but for now, I am going to stick to what appears to me as the "positive" side of legalizing hemp. Bare with me.

I think giving people the option to smoke weed will actually help a growing drug problem. It seems as though when something is deemed "illegal", for whatever reason, people are more likely to think about or actually do it. Making it acceptable would make people less ignorant to the fact that smoking pot is in fact not as bad as what you might think.

"Potheads" as we have so cleverly coined them (yes, I'm being sarcastic), have been labeled as trouble makers and a menace to society. But wouldn't it be just as plausible to label "alcoholics" in the same category? If you were too compare these two habits, you have Alcohol; a widely accepted hobby, a form of being social, a way to let loose, entertain yourself or forget about that 9-5 job. However, when abused, alcohol makes some people reveal there true self, endangers others and causes fatal deaths. I'm not gonna surround you with stats about how many people die from alcohol related accidents every day or every year because I know it is still a lot. BUT, when it comes to Marijuana; a widely unacceptable habit that is illegal, it doesn't have the negative impacts compared to a habit of say consuming alcohol and it is still a form of being social, a way to let loose, entertain yourself or forget about that 9-5 job. Now I am going to throw a fact at you that it hard to believe, but is true. Not one person died in a marijuana related accident last year. Not one. So remember, if you were comparing habits; alcohol kills thousands when behind a wheel, weed kills none. Alcohol is accepted, we have bars that serve people this substance and it makes for more people to be put in harms way. Weed is banned because society doesn't like "potheads" and it is not okay to get "high." Now I'm not a theorist or educated doctorate on the theory of law, cannabis or alcohol but this seems just a tad ridiculous when you look at it this way.

So say someday Marijuana does become legal and people can smoke it for other then just medicinal purposes. This is a completely untapped market that would have remarkable potential. Think of the imports and exports, the connections we make with countries, the branding of weed, smoke houses, smoke bars, etc. etc. I just don't think it's that crazy. You would create THOUSANDS of jobs. Importers, exporters, drivers, pilots, people who run smoke shops, people who build them, people who work at them...the list goes on and on. People could become pot harvesters, you could use wasted land to grow it. You would need machinery to harvest it, so more jobs here; people to sell the machinery, people to deliver it. And if people tried to steal your product, hire security to look after it. It would sure help the struggling society and unemployment rate. Would it not make sense to have something like a license to sell drugs? Ridiculous right? Sounds stupid right? Well, I'm sure the first time someone said "you have to have a license to sell alcohol" it was a stupid idea too...right? All I'm saying is that it would be a new business, a new product and it's there if you want to try it. It would be there for the people who always wanted to try it but never had the guts to actually do it.

You have a product, people pay for it, you have a tax on it and the greedy government makes millions. That is essentially what we do with all products on all store shelves anyway. Why is this not being taken advantage of? Why is this not an acceptable form of business? Capitalize people!! If anything, you would have LESS crime because people wouldn't be so pissed off all the time for having to sneak around and tip toe through the tulips to sell or smoke weed. The Utopian society places such a high monetary value on everything, why not do the same with pot? Why not?

I can already hear the do-gooders getting fired up about it: Don't legalize it because then everyone will be stoned. Kids will get exposed to it. It's not good for your health. Oh, I'm sorry, but Happy Meals are? Beer is? Rapidly consuming toys is? I think this is just as plausible. Is it not better to have it out in the open and let people decide for themselves if you want to accept it or not?

Think of the potential. In all honesty, we should practice what we preach. If we truly DO live in a democratic society, put it to a vote! It seems that we spend time voting on more ridiculous things then whether or not to legalize marijuana. I think it's going to take a charismatic power figure of authority to stand up, make a life changing speech and have it go viral for people to actually wake up and realize the potential this thing has. Perhaps then we can move forward on this issue. So let the people decide, have a massive vote, have someone who is pro smoking pot and someone who is against it. Let them state their cases and then let the people have their say. Have a strict policy on the product and set an age when it's acceptable for people to make then own decision if they want to sell it or smoke it.

Maybe then, I might try it.

Welcome to Your Second Life

Today's Topic: An Alternate Reality

People always feel like they fall short in their life. At some point, we might fail on what we set out to do. The Internet and user based programs

changed that. A man named Philip Linden and Linden Lab made it possible to have a do-over. A second chance. A second life.

Even though it doesn't fall under the traditional definition as "real," Second Life is an escape for people who are unsatisfied with their first life (or the one they were born into). Ever wanted to own a house by the water? Done. Ever wanted to have your dream car for a small amount of real dollars? Done. Ever wanted your dream body, your dream life and the ability to FLY? Yep, you guessed it, it's a done deal. All you have to do is spend your own money earned in the actual world and then spend it on Linden Dollars in Second Life, your number one destination for everything that is just your creative imagination. And the good news? Your basic membership is free.

Granted, I don't know what's more upsetting; the fact that you can have your dream life for a small amount of actual dollars or the fact that Philip Linden is making money off a currency and an alternate universe that he invented. Your initial start up is free (which is what I have) but for just $72 a year, you can take the form of a human, an animal, a vegetable, a mineral or a combination of all four. If you do sign up, you get a weekly income of L$300 (300 Linden dollars) to spend any way you want. Build a house for instance, or a restaurant where people come to eat pretend food. Buy some land or sell and trade pretend goods. The possibilities are truly endless.

I think the greatest thing Second Life offers is absolute control. You have control over everything in your own virtual world. You are put in the driver's seat and are able to customize everything about your life. It's very similar to James Cameron's "Avatar" concept where you plug into a virtual world. Except, with Second Life, you don't actually plug in. It's on a screen in front of you and unlike the real world, if you don't like what's happening in your life, you can just click on the Exit button and unplug yourself from your virtual world. Everything about your character is customizable. All of your body features and your clothing (or lack thereof) can be determined. And of course, you interact with everyone in the Second Life just like you would through a chat room. People from all over the world gather in the Second Life world and interact with each other through avatars. You can make all the human gestures you would in normal life and even get a bit "naughty" depending on where you go in the virtual world.

My name is Harold Kumaki. Again, you pick your own name. I'm bald, about 250 lbs, all muscle, with a handle bar

moustache. I wear a white shirt and pair of jeans with flip-flops on all the time. This is my attire every day, and it's how I fly around the world. No, this is not how I want to look in "real" life. I just thought what the hell, let's be completely different from who I am in my real life. I was absolutely floored by the concept of Second Life and the ability to have total freedom from everything. I could walk up to someone in Second Life, wave to them, and dance in front of them with my shirt off. I do it just because I can. Not that I have any desire to do that ANY day of my actual life, but just because I can. Why not? It's anonymous as you make it and it's free.

Now before you close the door on Second Life and think what is the point to all this, it isn't just all fun and games. Oh yes, there are ways to make money. By trading virtual goods and selling land, you can make actual dollars. If you collect enough Linden Dollars (or L$) you can turn that into real $. Buy and sell the right pieces of land or the right pretend commodities and you could make a profit just by spending some time in your alternate reality. Have nothing else better to do? Maybe this could be an option.

Second Life is a genius concept; taking a problem (people who are unhappy with their real life) and creating a solution (making it possible for someone to create the person, animal or vegetable they always wanted to be). When we are born into this world, you don't have the ability or choice to change your looks or who you are without spending money or having the change be permanent. We cannot modify who we are without some sort of repercussion. But with Second Life, you create whoever you want to be. Have a new hairstyle everyday, change your clothes or simply walk around naked, fly to someones house and just hang out. Drink and eat whatever you want. Be fat or skinny with just a click of the mouse. Didn't you ever want life to be THAT easy?

So maybe, Google it, make an account and log on. You'll be amazed at the freedom you have. I'm not supporting everything about this alternate reality (spending my hard earned money is a little too far for me because I have no desire to own "pretend land"). I'm just saying I support the concept and the idea. With so many people being so unhappy with who they are, you might just feel better about yourself if you could be someone or something else. And I think the 18 Million users of Second Life would agree with me. Maybe you could even have your own happily ever after.

Heroes in the Sky, on the Ground, and travelling down the Highway

Today's Topic: War and The Fallen Soldier

For years, there are those who pay the ultimate price for freedom. In different circumstances, boys become men, girls become women and the everyday citizen becomes the everyday hero. It seems as though humanity resorts to violence by creating war and the world, as a whole, is always involved. Whether we see it as our duty to step in when something doesn't seem right or when psychopaths, corrupt governments are trying to be the rulers, there are those who stand up to the injustice of humanity and become a name, a tombstone, a hero. Fallen soldiers are a symbol of bravery, an individual who rises to the call no matter what the cost. And they a honored in the simplest of terms: hero. A parent loses a child, a wife loses her husband, a child loses a parent, a brother loses a sibling or a soldier loses a friend, we all at some point can relate to a fallen soldier and the pain that war brings.

It's very easy to bury your head in the sand when a war is going on across the world; I realize that. But whether you view it as a war on terrorism, a war against Al-Qaeda, a war in Afghanistan, a war of injustice, a war against humanity or even a pointless war, it's still happening. Is it happening for so many reasons? Or no reason at all? The stated aim of the original invasion was to find Osama Bin Laden, and other high-ranking Al-Qaeda members to be put on trial, to destroy the organization of Al-Qaeda, and to remove the Taliban regime which supported and gave safe harbor to it. The question is have we lost sight of what it is we were fighting for? And in the meantime, sacrificed countless of lives for an unjust cause?

Nine years in the making. Nine years and we still have only brushed the surface of this mission. Yes, our troops have made a difference. They have improved the quality of living for some and have helped the villages and towns in need. They have helped countries build a better life and helped release them from a terrorist stronghold. But at what cost? At the cost of so many innocent lives, so many innocent soldiers who feel like it is their duty to serve their country. With over 35 countries involved worldwide, the fight rages on. Day after day, week after week, year after year. I remember having grade 10 history and learning about the wars from year past, something that was a part of our heritage and remembered in the textbooks of schools across the country. I wonder with this war going on, will it ever be in the textbooks? Will my children learn about the War in Afghanistan? Will they be tested on Osama Bin Laden? Or is it already happening? Modern Warfare classes are already being taken yes, but at what point do we say "kids, you have to grasp the knowledge of the war that took place for ten years." Or will it be more than that? I'm sure the kids in kindergarten today will learn all about 9/11 and how this war began, but how far do they take it? The battle in Kandahar? The capture of Al-Qaeda leaders? I wonder who decides how much of this information is "relevant and important." What do we put in or leave out? How do we decide what is the most crucial to learn about? How do we describe to our children of tomorrow about the ones we lost in the battle?

It was not long ago that I had a moment when I was proud to be Canadian. I live a short drive for CFB Trenton, the place where repatriation ceremonies take place. Our fallen soldiers return here and are then driven down the highway of heroes to their final resting place. I was driving home from a long weekend as the sun was fading. When I looked up at the overhead bridges and passes along the 401, there they were. The mothers, the fathers, the sibling, the children and the rest of the family friends and Canadian citizens showing their respects for the heroes. I got chills. After every overpass and every flag. I felt such pride as a Canadian and thought, how kind we are to our soldiers and how respectful people are to those who have lost. Cars pulled over to the side of the highway, police and firefighters all helping salute the soldier we have lost; it was just incredible. The pictures don't do it justice. My words don't do it justice. You simply have to see it for yourself.

For a brief moment, I remembered how kind people can be to each other, how we can work together and how we can pay tribute. What a shame that you only hear and see these unselfish acts when it involves death. Both The Trews and Bob Reid made a song entitled "Highway of Heroes" honouring those we have lost and those who have supported them. It makes for a fitting tribute to the casualties of war and if you haven't heard either song, it's a song you have to download.

I know for days to come there will probably be more casualties and more bloodshed. I am thankful everyday that I can go to work without worrying about carrying a gun for protection or wearing an Armour suit for fear that I may be shot at. For some, they make that their daily job. Traveling into a dessert, a desolate town or village, a scorching hot building or invading mountainous terrain. These people do it because they are doing their job and their duty that their country asks of them. They do it so we can all carry on with OUR normal lives and not be held back with the inconvenience of carrying a grenade in our purse or a AK-47 in our car. To those who are serving or those who have lost a friend or family member, I say thank you. Thank you for paying a sacrifice into a war that sometimes seems ridiculous in present, but logical in theory. I know I can't do much, but I pay my respect by writing about your cause, and telling you that you are unspoken heroes to so many. It is my hope that as the years pass on, we remember those who fought in a war to protect the lives of so many. With the flags flying low and true patriot love, there is never enough we could do for you.

The Animals We Love

Today's Topic: Pets

I think it's safe to say that some people love animals more than they love humans. The only logical reasoning behind this is plain and simple: pets will never judge you. Your dog, your cat, your hamster, your fish, your horse (and yes even your cows)...you have next to complete control over their lives.

I think it would be safe to say that 99% of people in this world have cared for something other than a human being at some point in their life. What really amazes me is how pets control our life. There are so many different degrees of responsibility and roles that pets play in a day-in day-out routine. Some families look at a cat or dog, the two most common pets worldwide, as a member of the family. And why not? They can be around for years, and some feel closer to a pet than some of their friends. I'm not making that up, and yes, that is sad for us as the species Homo sapiens. We often tend to care more about our animals than our own species. And the money they cost...let's face it, pets can be very, very pricey. Dogs are often referred to as having a second kid. After food, shots, toys, grooming, etc etc etc...return on investment? 0% Unless you are breeding them to sell, then you are in a whole new ball game. Cats can be the same, horses even more so. But its all for love, right? The need to feel some sort of acceptance or compassion. So money is usually not the issue with pets.

We always remember our "first" of everything, and the "first" pet is no exception. I want you to take a minute and think back to your very first pet. Something low maintenance probably, and something that you could maybe forget to feed for a few days. A goldfish (maybe even the one you won in a plastic bag in a ring toss game at the fair), a rabbit or even a gerbil. Think of the care and the love you probably gave it. The happiness and pride you must have took in "owning" something. My parents would never leave me with full responsibility for an animal (which was probably the right call) But for me, my first real pet was an exotic one. A pet duck named Fluffy. A little ball of fuzzy fur and a pet that I could call my own. He was just a baby duck when I got him at the age of 4. I thought I was on top of the world with this duck and to top it off, we were a team. The local Belleville Fair had a pet show that same year and Fluffy and I were entered. The competition was heavy (of course) as dozens of parents wanted to show off to the world how cute they thought there child was with their pet. The biggest challenge in the pet show was that you had to have something unique with your animal. My duck did a trick.

For two weeks, I trained Fluffy the duck to slowly waddle up a small ramp, stand at the top, and jump into a pool of water below. Yes folks, I was melting hearts. I remember it so vividly... practicing in the back room of my house with Fluffy, training him to walk up the ramp and jump into a pool of water, and hopefully even making a "quack" on the landing. When the competition day rolled around, Fluffy did his thing. Performed with grace, wowed the audience and smiles were a glow. A 4 year old kid had trained his pet duck to do a simple trick. It earned me Reserve Grand Champion Pet that year in 1991 and I can proudly say that I still have the trophy in my house to this day. In fact, I am looking at it as we speak. I lost out to a rat of some sort...not sure why but I did anyway. To be perfectly honest, it didn't matter. I still had to give an acceptance speech when I received my award at the year end banquet. A convincing 4-year-old approached the microphone and gave a subtle two word speech: "Thank you" to the cheering audience. Instant classic.

I wish I could tell you that Fluffy and I had many, long and happy days together; but sadly, like so many pet stories, the story ends in tragedy. After a winning performance, Fluffy left to stay with my Uncle Doug until we could build a bigger cage for him. Mistake number one. I asked my parents every day when Fluffy was coming back. Mistake number two. It was weeks later that they sat me down and told me that Fluffy flew away. Mistake number three. I found out from my siblings that a wolf broke into my Uncle Doug's duck shed and "cleaned out" the whole flock. I cried for days. And weeks.

When we lose something we love, we hurt. Animals become life friends; moments in time for happiness and love. I think it's the compassion that we love so much. That no matter what, we can play with our cat, watch our dog chase birds, and in my case, milk a cow or perform a trick for an audience. I think it's the "hands on" that makes us suckers for animals. When we see something cute, we just want to pet it, love it and show them that they can have a place to call home and be cared for. Pets can be hobby or a business. They can make us money or just make us memories. We can ride them, take them for a car ride, walk them, show them, and even make them do tricks. Dogs are friendly, cats are playful, rabbits are cute, horses are graceful and cows are smart. Reptiles are exotic and are always a topic of conversation and even sheep, pigs or lambs make their way into the pet circle.

Animals truly are amazing creatures. People often forget that animals have so much personality and oh, the stories they could tell if they could speak. Animation studios have made us believe anything is possible with the movies they push out every year, bringing animals to life and giving them a persona; and we love them for it. They give kids something to be excited for and they give parents a simple break from the daily grind.

Remember that simple interaction between animals and humans will always exist, in our homes and in nature. The moments we share with our pets may not always be free, but the moments and memories that they engrave in our heads last a lifetime. And if you can't help but feel just a bit of love for any sort of baby animal or they can't make you smile just once in your life, then you are not human. Yes, nothing lasts forever and that includes pets. Many will come and go from our lives, but it's the caring stages we go through that teach us life lessons. It's the puppy face moments and the cat chasing it's tail that gives us years of laughter. These things are unique to every one of us and are irreplacable.

The possibilities for a pet are endless. So if you haven't had a pet in awhile, take and chance and soak it all in. And if you already have a pet, really look at your animal and wonder in the magnificent magic of a brain other than that of a human. After all, you could stare at it all day, and it will never yell back or judge you. If that's not some sort of love, I don't know what is.