Thoughts on the Occupy Protests (click on title to read the post)

Got into a bit of a facebook debate earlier this evening about the whole thing.  My question was "what are you really protesting?"  I'm not against it, and thoroughly support the whole "Occupy Wall St." movement, but we've got a history nearby (June Stanley Cup riots) of jumping on any excuse to smash and burn things.

A few things stand out about what I've read about what's going on in NYC.  First, it's obscene that CEO's of banks are still ridiculously overpaid and getting bonuses when they bear a lot of the blame for the mortgage mess.  Meanwhile, average folks don't get help with their personal mortgage crises, and are losing their homes.

The Republican obsession with protecting a system of tax breaks designed to maintain one of the largest disparities between the wealthy and the poor in the first world is reprehensible, and their propaganda against any sort of health care system to provide for those who don't have insurance is sad to watch.

But what's the protest about closer to home, on this side of the border?  It feels a lot like "We're angry and government sucks" but I don't hear specifics.  David Suzuki offers his perspective on it all and I agree with his take on wrongs that need to be righted.  But I'm not sure what the road map is for this change.

Maybe it's just that we need governments to be a little less comfortable; those in power should sweat a bit when they decide to take away yet another social program or cut funding to those in need just to give corporations a tax break so they won't move to some country with a corrupt government and lax environmental laws and no unions.

But it would be nice to have a manifesto, or some sort of list of demands.  Since I haven't seen one yet, I thought I'd offer a few suggestions:

1. Let's stop bullshitting ourselves that we're really working towards freedom from fossil fuels.  The percentage of the power grid that is supplied by solar, wind or other non-fossil fuel power is not growing fast enough.  Gas, oil and coal are still providing about 3/4 of our fuel needs, and non-fossil fuels are mostly nuclear and hydroelectric, neither of which is hugely friendly to the environment.

Less time fighting wars and building pipelines for oil and more time redesigning homes to use geothermal/wind/solar power would be a good start.

2. Stop stupid importing practices.  I realize I can't give up coffee so the 100-mile diet isn't for me entirely.  But it's stupid to use trucks and trains and ships to bring apples from California or other long distances when I can grow pretty decent apples in my yard, and there are many orchards nearby.  Same with potatoes and other fruit that will grow in this climate.

If I want oranges, they should come from California, not Florida--maybe draw a line along the Mississippi and buy from your own side.  You could argue that there is plenty of beef in Alberta so why should we be bringing it in from New Zealand or Argentina?

This flies in the face of free trade, I realize, and I don't want to destroy the economies of countries that rely on a few exports.  But we're killing all kinds of local industries by buying into the Walmartization of our economies.  In July my family got a tour of the last lace factory in England, and they doubt it will still be there in 20 years.

I still want to support ethical products in places where they're helping change lives, but there are some things I don't need to import.

3. Get involved in politics.  Putting on a George Bush or Steven Harper mask and marching is easier than going out and banging on doors and talking to people, or setting up a car pool system to get people to polling places.  If a movement is truly supported by the populace, you should be able to get them to vote for it.  If not, then you're less in touch with the common man and woman than you think.

4. Create/support alternate media.  At a time when newspapers are folding and Fox News is growing, we need to make a conscious effort to stay informed.  We can't rely on media conglomerates who want to keep corporate advertisers happy to challenge the status quo.

5. Stop making heroes out of assholes.  Why is "The Situation" getting rich and famous and going on talk shows while people who volunteer with inner-city youth or work to get food to the starving in Somalia toiling in obscurity?  Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, Charlie Sheen--do we really need to hear about their latest self-indulgence?  Don't watch shows, buy magazines or encourage the glorification of plastic orange people with disgusting values and maybe children won't try to emulate them.

If you're going home after your protest and watching Jersey Shore, you're part of the problem.

6. Turn the theoretical disadvantaged into real people.  It's one thing to say you support helping those in need; it's quite another to get to know them.  I've got a ton of time for the message of folks who walk their talk, and you don't have to have a lot of money to make people's lives better.  The first time you go to the homeless shelter might be a bit intimidating, but when you realize that people need whatever help you can give them, and many are interesting, engaging folks who could offer a lot if they could get past what's undermined their lives, you'll be more ready to get involved the next time.  I and my family have had the privilege to do this, and it's something I'd recommend.



There's a lot more, but it's late.  Feel free to add your contributions in the comments.  (If anyone reads this any more.)  Also feel free to criticize the new layout; Blogger pushed it on me in a weak moment.

Nottingham

The weather hasn't been spectacular, but the visit has been great.  We weren't sure how it would work out; we were offered lodging with some family friends, a retired couple, and I was a bit worried about how we'd all fit in their home, or just how we'd mesh with folks we barely knew.

Turned out amazingly--they had enough space to give the kids their own bedrooms, and this couple are great fun--witty, smartass repartee is the norm, and we got to see all sorts of cool places.

Sitting in the (left side) passenger front seat I'm now sure I was right not to plan on driving on this side of the channel--not just the confusion with the other side of the road, but compounded by double-lane roundabouts and trying to shift with my left hand while steering with my right.

We saw my mom's sister and her cousin, but my aunt told us that my mom's brother wasn't really up to coming out with us for a visit.  Fact is, neither he nor my aunt live in areas or homes that would be places they want to host us.  Also, this is the brother who is painfully shy.  When mom's oldest brother was still alive, he'd be the one who did most of the talking, while Fred wouldn't have to say much.

This was a disappointment--I never met George, who passed away a few years ago, and here was a chance to meet another uncle for the first time that didn't seem like it was going to happen.  I called my dad that night and he urged me to take another shot at getting together with him.  Dad suggested we offer to get together in the one place Fred my be comfortable--the pub.

He knew what he was talking about.  My aunt was surprised to hear we "drank beer" (mom and dad never touched alcohol) and that changed things.  So while wife and daughter were off with our hosts seeing the last lace factory in Britain, my son (still 17 at this point) got to join us for a couple of pints and a nice visit with family he'd never met.

Here are a few pics from the week:

This is the view from Nottingham Castle.


The kids and I with Mom's cousin (in blue) and my Aunt Iris.  After this it was just us with Iris and we learned that we were no match for this lady's energy and stamina in walking all over Nottingham.


Nottingham was a trendier city than we expected.  Rather than being a rather grim industrial urban center, the downtown area was nice, and filled with the sort of shops my kids love.



James and I tried archery in Sherwood Forrest.  (I did pretty well.) 


The "Trip to Jerusalem"--the oldest Inn (pub) in England.  It's an old crusader pub dating back to the late 1100s.



Wollaton Hall, near where we were staying in Trowell.  Here we are with our hosts.  It's a lovely spot, and since part of it is a natural history museum, it was filled with school tours that day.  (Did I mention that even in the third week in July the poor kids are still in school?)


Next stop:  London.

More France

We left Paris on Saturday morning in our rental car, thinking ourselves smart as the heavy traffic would've left town on Friday afternoon, and our starting out around 7 a.m. would make things easier.  We were wrong.  Bumper to bumper dead slow for long sections of the first couple of hours.  Surprising how many of the cars clogging the roads had Dutch plates--maybe a long weekend there?  

Adventures along the way included stopping in a small community off the highway and ordering Mcdonalds somewhere that nobody spoke any English.  Our French was tested more in this phase of the vacation as we moved away from the touristy areas of Paris.

The countryside is beautiful, and the village of Eymet is small but has a definite charm.  The house we stayed in for the week was great; lots of room and a nice private courtyard to sit and enjoy a glass of wine and relax.  

Yes, lots of wine this week, and such good wine for relatively little cost.  Will be hard to get used to paying the prices back home.  Now off to Nottingham.  Here are a few photos from the Eymet and nearby:

The first photo is not so nearby--this is the beach at Arcachon--beautiful 33 (91) degree day on the Atlantic.  Daughter was mildly traumatized by the number of topless females around, though.

The courtyard at the house we called home for a week

Countryside.  'nuff said.

A view of the village square in Eymet at dusk.

Paris

It's been five lovely days in Paris for us--my second visit in as many years.  This time, with family, allowed for a bit better taste of local life.  For instance, we had a kitchen in the hotel, so we shopped at a nearby grocery store and also stopped each day at a bakery to get our supply of baguettes and pain au chocolat. 

We stayed in Charenton, or Porte de Charenton, I think, and I liked it much better then the area around our hotel last spring with my school group.  We felt comfortable coming and going even after midnight, arriving at a nearby Metro station and walking the few blocks to the hotel.

Culture shock.  Hmm, not so much, although the constantly having to try to communicate in French is at times a challenge.  Some things are different.  For instance, the rules about alcohol.  Even on the flight from Vancouver, things changed.  My son, still 17, is given an glass of wine with his meal.

He enjoyed wine several times in Paris, and no doubt he'll sample beer in England.  But when we're back home, we do need him to respect the fact that our laws are different. 

Another difference--public washrooms.  There are hardly any of them in Paris.  I don't know what people do exactly, but it's a far cry from home where public places all are required to have them, as are any places that serve food.

Still, it's an amazing city.  We had a lot of fun, and loved the Latin Quarter in particular.  Crepes.  They are something I'll miss the most when we get home.  

There are photos on my facebook, but I'll add a few here as well.  Next stop:  Eymet, in the southwest.

Shut it all down

The province, I mean.  This is the first time since '94 that the Canucks have been in the finals--and they've only been there twice before now.  For the first time, they're the "favourite" with home ice advantage.

What does that mean?  On Wednesday, Game One started at 5:00 our time.  Everybody must have left work by 4:00 to get home or to the various bars, etc. where they were going to watch.  Traffic was stupid.  But at 5:30, normally still rush hour, things were pretty quiet.

Boston Pizza, with a lot of locations in BC, have temporarily changed all their signage in this part of the world to "Vancouver Pizza", and Tim Horton's have made a similar name change for Boston Creme donuts.

My school's graduation ceremony last weekend included several references to the Canucks, and there are a ridiculous number of car flags of all sizes everywhere.  You'll find employees wearing Canuck gear at most business outlets, and the elevator of my dad's senior's lodge has become a battleground of graffiti on the wall notice about the games.  (folks crossing out "Go Canucks" to replace it with "Go Bruins" followed by "Crying towels are available at the front desk")

My wife is finding this all a bit frustrating.  Not a fan herself, she doesn't appreciate how a simple game is messing up life.  It's not just traffic; I had deliberately scheduled my students' last evening of theatre presentation on June 16--one of two possible dates, the other being the 15th.  I'd avoided the 15th since that was my son and daughter's school awards night, and we've been informed they're both being honoured.

Now, earlier this week, we get an email informing us that the event has been shifted to the 16th, since the 15th is the night a seventh game will be played should the series go that long.

Ugh.  I already missed my son's last-ever high school music concert where he was in everything and featured in a bunch of solos, etc, simply because I had to buy and plan my own school field trip to Wicked in Vancouver eight months in advance.  (This happened two days ago.)

Fortunately, I have a pretty understanding administration and a cool group of senior kids.  All involved agree I should go to my kids' ceremony, and we're moving our event to the 15th--should a game 7 transpire, we'll probably have to change that plan, since we realize nobody would come.

Fingers crossed--Go Canucks Go! (In six games or quicker).

Really, Hollywood?

What two movies have I seen the most ads for in the past few days? "Sucker Punch" and "Hobo With a Shotgun".

Wow. They're not waiting until summer for these blockbusters. We are living in halcyon days.

Thrift

My parents didn't spend their money when I was a kid. My dad grew up during the depression, and like many of that generation, he never really felt quite comfortable that his financial situation could be trusted.

When I was in sixth grade, my dad finally succumbed to pressure and bought our first colour TV. It was a beautiful 26-inch model, and I remember getting up early the day after we got it and turning on anything--just to see TV in colour.

I also remember my grandmother's reaction. She basically told me we (the family) were selfish because we pressured my dad to waste his money on something as unnecessary.

Fast forward many years to this past week. My dad has a TV that's not much better than that one I was thrilled we got way back when. (a screen one whole inch larger). I decided he needed to join the 21st century and got him connected to HD and a new TV. He can easily afford it; there's no reason for him to be watching hockey or baseball on an old-school TV when he can see how amazingly clearer the hi-def broadcasts are.

(Plus now I'm more likely to go watch the big games at his place instead of trying to drag him over to our house where he can't really relax.)

I wonder what my grandmother would say?

Something funny for Saturday morning

Tom Clancy

Can anybody actually read his novels? Really?

I'm struggling with one I picked up somewhere a while back--it's a mindless read when I'm too tired to think much at the end of a long day--and really, it reminded me of the Simpson's episode when they mocked George Lucas for his boring fascination with politics in the more recently-made Star Wars movies.

Mr. Clancy loves his heroic politicians and lengthy descriptions of their good-guy heroicness (yes I know it isn't a word auto-correct) and how they aren't part of the mainstream bureaucracy...

Blah, blah, blah. Develop some sort of a plot line, soon. How has this guy made over a two hundred mil. from writing?

(He tried to put 200 million of his own money the Minnesota Vikings in the mid-90s but his divorce ended up costing too much.)

I just don't see the appeal. Then again, I thought the DaVinci Code was a terribly-written book.

They're not all prima donnas

Some athletes are jerks. Michael Vick is now among the NFL's elite even though a darker side was revealed a few years ago. Matt Cooke has been suspended yet again for recklessly endangering another hockey player. Bruins player Marc Savard's career is probably over after another recent concussion--a problem originating with a disgusting cheap hit from Cooke last season.

But there are scores of good people who appreciate their good fortune and haven't lost the common touch. A couple of examples are Mike Rupp of the Pittsburgh Penguins and yes, perhaps a little surprising to some, David Beckham, possibly the most famous active soccer player in the world.

I heard both of these stories while driving into work recently, and just thought I'd share.

Very busy--show in 3 weeks, marks due in 34 hours

But in the meantime--I believe this to be true

Some advice for TV exec types - Criminal Minds

As I said in the last post, there are at least two things that make Criminal Minds (a show we like in this household) ridiculous.

1. (and this is true of many similar shows) Every time there is a job opening, it just happens that the replacement is good-looking enough to be a model. Hmm, is there some sort of a perv conspiracy at the top of the FBI and every crime lab in every major US city? I realize that attractive people make us common folk more likely to watch a show, but are we so shallow that we can't have one normal looking person out in the field finding perps?

2. The delivery of the profile. This is ridiculous in the extreme. When the team has assembled the basic details they believe to be true of the "unsub" they will call all the local law enforcement folk together to share the profile. But here's the thing--they do it as a team; each member follows the sentence of the previous one with their next like some sort of well-rehearsed chorus. Even the new girl who's only been on the team for a couple of episodes pipes in.

I direct shows--if this were a scene in a play, it would need some rehearsal time to make sure everyone knew when to come in and who had each 'line'. But there they are, nobody talking over anyone else, each taking their turn, and nobody apparently reading from a script.

Are we to believe that just happens? Or as the clock ticks and the poor victim's chances are becoming slimmer and slimmer, does the team sneak off for an hour to run practices of this performance--each profiler's lines marked with different colored highlighter pens? This is the single most annoying feature of this show, and makes any pretense of realism a joke.

Well, that and the fact that Greg left Dharma and has become a super-serious never-smile FBI guy.

Some advice for TV exec types - The Office

The Office - So it seems Steve Carrell is going to be leaving the show earlier than expected. Originally, the buzz was that the Holly character would be taking over as "boss". Clearly some focus groups have squashed that ill-advised idea, and now they're looking at a variety of possibilities.

If you read the link article, you'll see options that all sound, well, like guarantees that the show will soon be gone. If you watch the show, the very idea that the Todd Packer character might be more of a regular will make you gag.

Meanwhile, the Golden Globes has once more shown us how Ricky Gervais can make us all squirm uncomfortably as he crosses several lines even in a short opening monologue. He may not have have as much name/face recognition on this side of the Atlantic as he does in Britain, but he's still far better and better-known than anyone they're looking at to try to replace Carrell.

So here's the plan: Get Ricky Gervais, who already is one of the show's producers, and who created the whole concept when he did the earlier British version, to take over as Michael Scott's replacement.

Then, go one step further. Gradually begin begin replacing the Dunder Mifflin employees with their counterparts from the original British show. Trust me, aside from Dwight, the rest of the current characters are done story-wise anyway. It's the only way this show will be around 18 months from now.

Next time: The two things that make Criminal Minds ridiculous.