Archive - 2004

I was just talking to some people about the Cabbage Patch Kid incidents in stores way back in the mid-eighties. It looks like IKEA is having the same problem.

Three men were trampled to death in a rush to claim vouchers at the first IKEA furniture showroom in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, hospital officials said.

Sixteen shoppers were injured at the Sweden-based furniture store opening in Jeddah. Medics revived some 20 customers who had fainted in the crush. IKEA said two were killed.

The rush was triggered by an offer for the first 50 shoppers to receive $150 in vouchers. An IKEA statement said more than 20,000 people showed up.

And it looks like there was someone who really needed to get off while "hanging out" in a mall. I don't know about you, but sex is a pretty good thing but I think I could wait until I got home.

And, finally, it looks like Germany is taking a queue from Canadian politics. Getting in your leader's face appears to be catching on...

Tags: ikea, canada

Another week has gone by and will be marked by the next edition of ShaneWorld's Just When You Thought!

• Evolution is under attack from creationists.
• Violence in video games is one thing, but recreating real world violence and Kennedy's assasination is a little much.
• Don't piss off painters - whatever you do!
• Quotes from the famous.
• Elephant that stomped a keeper to death is innocent.
• Oldest man in the world has died.
• The guy who rode a Segway across America is done.
• Holy crap! Eight in ten Greeks have a cellular phone.

Enjoy!

Wow!

There is a new service out there called Private Matters.

Their services sound good. I know that some day I will pass on, so, I heard about them and thought I would check their website. They offer planning out wills, making a memory package for your loved ones, and they have you send out e-mails after you're dead.

Yes. After you die, your loved one's might receive an e-mail from you. A letter in the hand is one thing, but, an e-mail? This is what the website mentions about the e-mails:

Leave e-mail messages to be delivered up to a year after your death. Imagine what you would do if you could store private messages (Including pictures and video clips) to be delivered at any time up to a year after your death....Who would you write to first?...What would you say?

It beats sitting in the office of some lawyer you don't know, I suppose.

My sister sent me an e-mail today and asked the following question:

For my Philosophy and Education class I have been asked to do a survey of people asking their philosophy of education. I have some questions in particular that need to be answered and whatever ideas or answers you have would be greatly appreciated. If you could answer these questions as soon as possible it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much and here are the questions!

1) What, in your opinion, is the purpose of education?

2) How do you feel our schools are doing in fulfilling those ends?

3) Are there any suggestions as to how to maintain, or improve our education system?

4) Do you think there should be government funding of independent schools?

My Answers

1. The purpose of education is to prepare individuals for intellectual conversation and apply such intellectual learning to the world in which they inhabit. Development of mental skills which turn theory into practical skills.

2. Most educational programs do not provide this. It is evident in today's education system that emotional quotient of students is more important. The society that has developed in North America has had a rude effect upon school aged kids and the "pat the kid on the head and send them along the path" method appears to work better. Oh, who am I kidding - the education system in this country is horrible.

3. Suggestions. I believe there should be a better way to evaluate learning skills - before kids enter the system. The differences are profound and often ignored for the betterment of having an education system able to cater to all needs in a single setting. This is great for those who thrive upon lectures and non-practical methods but educational suicide for others. One could discuss this forever, so, in essence: train instructors and schools to provide different teaching method to kids who learn differently. A tall order.

4. No and yes. Independant schools fill a niche the public schools are unable to provide.

I found her e-mail timely as I had been discussing with two friends of mine, each are teachers in the public school system, about the current status of education. Apparently, many non-intelligent (or intellectual) teachers in the education are slacking off. Teachers show off the material but lack the ability to teach kids to process the information further than their reaction to it. Apparently, there is a fundamental swing teaching people to think to a "teach them to respect their own reactions" kind of system. The emotional quotient has become more important. I believe this does the education of a child a diservice. There should be a balance. Respect the reaction but tell me more. Tell me what you are thinking and how that applies to either the material being read and taught. This kind of teaching not only gets the information into fresh young minds but allows development of world-based skills.

I love Mary Walsh.

I think she is funny, intelligent - and hot! She is smart, funnier than hell, and loves to have a good time. People that I have mentioned this too seem not to agree with me about Mary Walsh's incredible level of "hotness". As I have said before, I am attracted more to intelligence and "spunk" than looks. So, now, bow and listen to my words.

Mary Walsh has come back with another season ofMary Walsh's Open Book. Yes, the funny woman from This Hour Has 22 Minutes has launched another season of her book discussion program

I love this program! It is the only thing that I watch on television aside from the news with Peter Mansbridge. It is Sunday night at 11:00pm and hosts a group of people (Walsh and three others) who talk about the book they have read. The talks can get downright nasty with disagreements flying everywhere or very warm and fuzzy.

It is a "comfortable" program. Very quiet and nothing loud of annoying jumps onto the screen. There is no theme music and commerical breaks are not started with: "When we come back..." The commercials just happen. People are still talking and the voices just fade out...and then I hit the mute button.

It is just people talking - period.

One doesn't find these kinds of shows too often. Television is more of an attack upon the senses. Graphics flying everywhere, music playing, hosts welcoming people back and forth from commercial breaks.

Augh.

Television formats make me unhappy with the Open Book exception, of course. Give it a try next Sunday. I am sure you will like it too as you drift off to sleep.

I am sorry. I didn't like the Molson Indy.

It was noisy. It kept the area where I live disgusting all year long.

And, topping it all off, while walking home during the Indy, I was yelled at by some official whom had, obviously, super-sized their ego.

I was walking along Quebec Street towards 2nd Avenue. I was on the sidewalk and horrified at the noise those cars make. It hurt my ears!

I was walking quite fast just to get away from the nosie, so, I was making my way on the sidewalk.

"Hey!"

Was that directed at me? I wondered. I continued walking. A lot of noise around here, must not be meant for me.

"Excuse me, asshole! Get over here!"

I turned and was confronted with some incredibly over weight and over tall, yellow jacketed individual. She was angry with me.

"Pardon?"

"Where the fuck is your ticket?"

I thought this was a little odd. Why was she swearing at me? I was just walking home.

"Sorry? Ticket for what?" I said.

"You can't just watch the cars whenever you want! Show me your ticket or I will have to take to to the security tent." She said.

She thought I was there to watch race cars. Not unheard of since it was the Indy. But, I was not in a pay zone. Perhaps I was too close?

"Ticket, please?"

I went from calm and pondering to pissed and loathing in a micro-second.

"A ticket for the cars? I didn't buy any fucking ticket for that fucking red-neck, wanking off, simple minded idiotic race? I hope the race planners run out of fucking money and die from inhaling all the stupidity that comes to watch this fucking race! Stick that in your ass, bitch!"

She started walking towards me.

"I live two blocks away and if you want to make an ass of yourself, just fucking try it you minimum-wage, walking pylon!"

She stopped and I turned to be on my way.

Later on, I realized what I jerk I had been but, at the time, I was angry. I hated the Indy and the noise and pollution it created every year. I can't wait for more Yaletown around False Creek.

The pollution and horrible things from development like that smells so much sweeter.

Take that, Vancouver Indy.

Canada's Government has selected their next poet laureate.

The poet laureate post was created in 2001 through a bill introduced by Senator Jerry Grafstein, who said he wanted to improve the level of debate in the House of Commons.

The selection committee was encouraged to alternate the position between English and French-language poets.

Inspired by the tradition of British and American poet laureates, Canada's poet laureate doesn't have any specific obligations, but Michel's new duties may include writing poetry for official ceremonies, hosting or sponsoring poetry readings and advising the parliamentary librarian, whose department oversees the poet laureate post.

I am forced to credit the Canadian government for having established this post. Much of what happens in this world happens because of money and politics. But, where is the art?

In 2003, the Canadian Government cut a whole lot of arts funding which resulted in a lot of theatre and live performance groups to scramble for money or close up shop. Some of what was cut has been restored since destroying the arts in a country is not a good move.

I find it quite sad that the arts are not able to survive financially. The arts are much more important than business in a lot of ways. We are not creatures of corporate culture - we are people who thrive on the world as a whole. It is a sad thing to know that some arts have been perverted and lifted above others.

Anyway, enough about that. You should all check out the Poet Laureatewebsite!