Awoke
Blind and dumb to the ways
Observed and listened
Witnessed hate, violence, indifference
Saw it all
Saw what we truly were
Felt hate
Felt the mercilessness
And resolved.....
Would end the potential
Would break the spine of the world
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Sleeping Dream
Awoke
Blind and dumb to the ways
Observed and listened
Witnessed love, tenderness, compassion
Saw it all
Saw what we could be if we only tried
Felt love
Felt loved
And resolved.....
Would fulfill the potential
Would save the soul of the world
Blind and dumb to the ways
Observed and listened
Witnessed love, tenderness, compassion
Saw it all
Saw what we could be if we only tried
Felt love
Felt loved
And resolved.....
Would fulfill the potential
Would save the soul of the world
Monday, December 5, 2011
Food For Thought
I've been debating for some time whether to wade into this. It's something of a charged topic and a little more serious than what's normally posted on this blog.
But since I'm here and since it's on my mind....
There's been a lot of flack directed towards folk who hunt, kill and eat animals. Certain members of PETA, Vegans, Vegetarians (no, not all of them) have been weighing in and not all of what's been fired off has been accurate, informed or above the belt.
First off, I am not an advocate of animal cruelty. It happens. We all know it happens. And not solely at the hands of faceless corporations. It's also being perpetrated by some of our neighbors towards their pets and the occasional small child who's got hold of some firecrackers. The latter, while not cool, could be chalked up to simply not knowing any better......and hopefully not moving on to larger explosives.
A friend of mine, an avid hunter, recently posted a photo of his son eating seal. He very quickly received a great deal of flack. Indeed, I believe one individual stated that as a result of this act, he had booked himself a place in hell.
What!?
This same individual had a photo of themselves with a young seal pup. Now, as I understand it, her scent is likely now all over that pup and as a result, the mother will abandon it. This will result in the pups death. Nice job.
Now, this is where I admit that I am not some beacon of enlightenment on the matter. But I've lived here for some time and I do know that many folk across the north depend on the spoils of their hunt to survive. And it's not only them. Many hunters will share much of their catch with folk in their communities, elders, for instance, who are no longer able to hunt. Some are unemployed for whom this is a large chunk of their livelihood and as I understand it, every bit of their kills that's usable, is used.
The simple fact is that I am tired of hearing misinformed, wrong, hurtful and occasionally racist remarks directed towards not just Inuit, but anyone who depends on such endeavors to survive.
If you wish to go about your life subsisting on plant life, that's your business. Fill your boots.
If you wish to berate those who eat meat, who kill animals to procure that meat. Well, I'm exceedingly less cool with that. I'm generally not a fan of anyone who attempts to shove their views down the throats of others and convert them to their way of doing things. But doing so while not in possession of all the facts, or worse, incorrect facts is foolish.
Educate yourselves!
If you still feel the same, that's fine. However, those of us who enjoy a good steak would appreciate it if you kept the judgemental remarks to yourselves.
Now, to those of you who live with blinders on, refuse to educate yourselves and continue to spout off with the holier than thou statements and racist comments.....
Piss off.
But since I'm here and since it's on my mind....
There's been a lot of flack directed towards folk who hunt, kill and eat animals. Certain members of PETA, Vegans, Vegetarians (no, not all of them) have been weighing in and not all of what's been fired off has been accurate, informed or above the belt.
First off, I am not an advocate of animal cruelty. It happens. We all know it happens. And not solely at the hands of faceless corporations. It's also being perpetrated by some of our neighbors towards their pets and the occasional small child who's got hold of some firecrackers. The latter, while not cool, could be chalked up to simply not knowing any better......and hopefully not moving on to larger explosives.
A friend of mine, an avid hunter, recently posted a photo of his son eating seal. He very quickly received a great deal of flack. Indeed, I believe one individual stated that as a result of this act, he had booked himself a place in hell.
What!?
This same individual had a photo of themselves with a young seal pup. Now, as I understand it, her scent is likely now all over that pup and as a result, the mother will abandon it. This will result in the pups death. Nice job.
Now, this is where I admit that I am not some beacon of enlightenment on the matter. But I've lived here for some time and I do know that many folk across the north depend on the spoils of their hunt to survive. And it's not only them. Many hunters will share much of their catch with folk in their communities, elders, for instance, who are no longer able to hunt. Some are unemployed for whom this is a large chunk of their livelihood and as I understand it, every bit of their kills that's usable, is used.
The simple fact is that I am tired of hearing misinformed, wrong, hurtful and occasionally racist remarks directed towards not just Inuit, but anyone who depends on such endeavors to survive.
If you wish to go about your life subsisting on plant life, that's your business. Fill your boots.
If you wish to berate those who eat meat, who kill animals to procure that meat. Well, I'm exceedingly less cool with that. I'm generally not a fan of anyone who attempts to shove their views down the throats of others and convert them to their way of doing things. But doing so while not in possession of all the facts, or worse, incorrect facts is foolish.
Educate yourselves!
If you still feel the same, that's fine. However, those of us who enjoy a good steak would appreciate it if you kept the judgemental remarks to yourselves.
Now, to those of you who live with blinders on, refuse to educate yourselves and continue to spout off with the holier than thou statements and racist comments.....
Piss off.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Giant Lizard
Health! Wellness!
You know what. Flying sucks. Why? Well, if you have to ask, go away.
A couple of weeks back (yeah, I should have posted sooner) I was scheduled to head on over to Yellowknife for a conference. I was looking forward to it. Not only that, but I had the opportunity to see some old friends who have left Iqaluit in their rear view mirror. Very sad. The fact that they left, not the fact that I would see them. The hell is wrong with you?
And so, around noonish, day of departure, the weather takes a direct route to "Fuck you airplane" territory. Much of the talk centered around whether flights would make it in and out. Well, the wind and snow didn't seem to be putting a damper on flights. They were coming and going as usual, though a little delayed here and there.
There was hope!
Myself and the other conference goers arrived at the airport close to 5 or 6 as our flight was slated to head out close to 7. Seemed reasonable.
And then the delays....
It always seemed to be about 30 to 40 minutes at a time so we couldn't actually leave. So we chatted amongst ourselves or read or got rip roaring plastered. Ok, maybe not that last part. Though in hindsight, we should have.
This went on......and on.....and on. A couple of flights came and went. Indeed, I don't think any of us had heard of any that were canceled that day, until later. After several more delays, they finally decided to cancel the flight.
Fuck you! Just......fuck you.
No, not the folk at the counter or the pilots or the baggage handlers. Well, the latter, not in this instance. I'm sure we've all had moments where they earned such vitriol. But not today. Yeah, yeah, runway conditions unsafe. No need to endanger life. Survival of the species at stake. I get it.
I suppose the reason I was particularly enervated were the ramifications of this decision. You see, the next flight out to Yellowknife was Wednesday evening. And the conference ended Thursday. This all happened on a Monday, in case you cared. Thus, the trip was scrapped as it didn't make sense to send us all over for a single day. Yeah, I understand the sense in that too, stop giving me that look. No, not that one, the other one.
So we all parted from the airport in a foul mood. Alia in particular as she had not been out of town in some months. If you lived here, you'd understand. It's good for your sanity to get out now and then. For some, it's so they can go on mega shopping excursions. For me, it's so I can get good beer, on tap, for cheap.
Priorities man!
Anyway, long story short, it sucked. Life goes on.
On the plus side......
This wine is delicious!
Leeches!
You know what. Flying sucks. Why? Well, if you have to ask, go away.
A couple of weeks back (yeah, I should have posted sooner) I was scheduled to head on over to Yellowknife for a conference. I was looking forward to it. Not only that, but I had the opportunity to see some old friends who have left Iqaluit in their rear view mirror. Very sad. The fact that they left, not the fact that I would see them. The hell is wrong with you?
And so, around noonish, day of departure, the weather takes a direct route to "Fuck you airplane" territory. Much of the talk centered around whether flights would make it in and out. Well, the wind and snow didn't seem to be putting a damper on flights. They were coming and going as usual, though a little delayed here and there.
There was hope!
Myself and the other conference goers arrived at the airport close to 5 or 6 as our flight was slated to head out close to 7. Seemed reasonable.
And then the delays....
It always seemed to be about 30 to 40 minutes at a time so we couldn't actually leave. So we chatted amongst ourselves or read or got rip roaring plastered. Ok, maybe not that last part. Though in hindsight, we should have.
This went on......and on.....and on. A couple of flights came and went. Indeed, I don't think any of us had heard of any that were canceled that day, until later. After several more delays, they finally decided to cancel the flight.
Fuck you! Just......fuck you.
No, not the folk at the counter or the pilots or the baggage handlers. Well, the latter, not in this instance. I'm sure we've all had moments where they earned such vitriol. But not today. Yeah, yeah, runway conditions unsafe. No need to endanger life. Survival of the species at stake. I get it.
I suppose the reason I was particularly enervated were the ramifications of this decision. You see, the next flight out to Yellowknife was Wednesday evening. And the conference ended Thursday. This all happened on a Monday, in case you cared. Thus, the trip was scrapped as it didn't make sense to send us all over for a single day. Yeah, I understand the sense in that too, stop giving me that look. No, not that one, the other one.
So we all parted from the airport in a foul mood. Alia in particular as she had not been out of town in some months. If you lived here, you'd understand. It's good for your sanity to get out now and then. For some, it's so they can go on mega shopping excursions. For me, it's so I can get good beer, on tap, for cheap.
Priorities man!
Anyway, long story short, it sucked. Life goes on.
On the plus side......
This wine is delicious!
Leeches!
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