Yes, finally it's here! But only for a limited time. From the St. Catharines Transit Commission website:
"People traveling to St. Catharines and Niagara Falls will have another way to get there – by GO Train. GO Transit will run seasonal weekend and holiday train service to Niagara Region, starting this summer. This service will offer four train trips daily in each direction on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from Saturday, June 27 through to Thanksgiving weekend, Monday, October 12. For more information, including fare and schedule information go to www.gotransit.com."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Shocking Footage from Iran
Today will mark the fourth day of protests in Iran after supporters of opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, claim that Friday's election results were rigged. A recount may happen, which would be limited in scope and performed by the Guardian Council, comprised of clerics and Islamic law experts close to leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mousavi believes that this council is biased. If a recount produces the same results, it's possible that prostests will continue if the public doesn't trust the results. Foreign journalists have been banned from the streets of Iran and the government has blocked several websites from access, such as Facebook, Twitter, and many Pro-Mousavi websites. Gmail and Yahoo became difficult to connect to. These websites are vital sources of disseminating information for Iranians as well as a source of first hand information for those outside of Iran.
Here's a video from the streets of Iran, obviously shot in an area where protests were occuring. Although the footage isn't exactly grousome, it's certainly not easy to watch. The Toronto Star also has some riviting photos from the protests.
Here's a video from the streets of Iran, obviously shot in an area where protests were occuring. Although the footage isn't exactly grousome, it's certainly not easy to watch. The Toronto Star also has some riviting photos from the protests.
Obama's a Ninja
Here's a fun little piece that's been getting a lot of attention. Obama killed a fly with his bare hands, all stealth and ninja-like, while being interviewed at the White House. Watch the clip here. My favourite people, PETA were not pleased, calling it an "executive insect execution."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Links
I'm too lazy and uncreative to write about anything of substance. So here are some more links:
Dating Deal Breakers. Funny enough, as I was thinking of themes for a blog I thought I'd write about bad hook up experience where my friends and I could contribute. This blog isn't as good as mine could have been, but it's pretty alright as a time waster.
And this blog, I bang the worst dudes is significantly better than my blog would have been.
Then there's look at this fucking hipster, which features pictures of hipsters and hilarious pictures.
Dating Deal Breakers. Funny enough, as I was thinking of themes for a blog I thought I'd write about bad hook up experience where my friends and I could contribute. This blog isn't as good as mine could have been, but it's pretty alright as a time waster.
And this blog, I bang the worst dudes is significantly better than my blog would have been.
Then there's look at this fucking hipster, which features pictures of hipsters and hilarious pictures.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Great music, courtesy of youtube
I kind of have this obsession with youtube, particularly for finding young female singer songwriters who I can live vicariously though. Here are some of my favourites. You will not be disappointed.
Emily Elbert
Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Kelli Rae Powell
St. Vincent
Kiersten Holine
Lizzy Loeb
Kaki King
Emily Elbert
Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Kelli Rae Powell
St. Vincent
Kiersten Holine
Lizzy Loeb
Kaki King
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fear Mongering/Animal Cruelty
As mentioned before PETA aren't my favourite people in the world. I've done the vegetarian thing (and currently eat vegetarian about 5 days a week - meat is hard to give up!) and I'm not down with animal cruelty or the environmental detriment that the meat industry creates, but I can't support this group. However, I understand why they do the things they do.
Watch the news, read the newspaper. 90% of the stories propagate fear. Why? Because we're prone to fear. If we fear, we are naturally inclined to react. In the case of news media, fear is conducive to building an audience, which in turn creates good ratings, which in turn creates revenue.
I assume PETA isn't after profits. However, the organization wants to change peoples reaction to animal cruelty, and to create a world where everyone is vegan, testing on animals is abolished and no one wears fur. This is similar to the news media, which is often unfair and biased, which wants to create a world where we believe the propaganda which justifies wars and the actions of unscrupulous politicians.
As I mentioned before, I'm against animal cruelty. But, is it fair to scare people into believing something? Isn't it better to let people decide for themselves what they want to do by giving them accurate information? Fear mongering takes advantage of people and assumes that if we present information in a fair and just way people aren't smart enough to make the right decision, or that presenting both sides of a story creates ambivalence. It also assumes that people are desensitized, and that only the most shocking and disturbing portrayals of issues will illicit a reaction.
Moreover, I think a lot of people are naive to think that their choices as consumers will have an effect on anything. If you feel better about not eating meat, or not buying sweat-shop products, or buying organic, then by all means, do it. But if you think taking away a few measly bucks from a company will have any effect then I urge you to reconsider by which means you wish to make an oppositional stance.
This idea that we have agency through consumption is a myth created by the media. It is the same fallacy that tells you that you will be empowered (physically, sexually, socially) if you buy a Wonderbra or Axe deodorant! These corporations make millions and sometimes billions of dollars every year and they don't give a shit if you buy their product or not. A minuscule decrease in revenue perpetrated by a bunch of trustafarians is like a drop in the ocean to them.
So don't be naive. Let people know the facts, and if they agree with you, great. Rally those people together. Tackle the system from the inside. Use the medias love of sensational events to stage a protest in a visible area as bait. Spread your message. Be concise, and don't be pretentious. Don't use hate. Don't use fear. Because then you're lowering yourself to their level. And if you want to stage a protest, I'll join you with a sign, war paint, and a loud speaker.
And like my roommate James suggested, joining a facebook group isn't doing any good either.
Watch the news, read the newspaper. 90% of the stories propagate fear. Why? Because we're prone to fear. If we fear, we are naturally inclined to react. In the case of news media, fear is conducive to building an audience, which in turn creates good ratings, which in turn creates revenue.
I assume PETA isn't after profits. However, the organization wants to change peoples reaction to animal cruelty, and to create a world where everyone is vegan, testing on animals is abolished and no one wears fur. This is similar to the news media, which is often unfair and biased, which wants to create a world where we believe the propaganda which justifies wars and the actions of unscrupulous politicians.
As I mentioned before, I'm against animal cruelty. But, is it fair to scare people into believing something? Isn't it better to let people decide for themselves what they want to do by giving them accurate information? Fear mongering takes advantage of people and assumes that if we present information in a fair and just way people aren't smart enough to make the right decision, or that presenting both sides of a story creates ambivalence. It also assumes that people are desensitized, and that only the most shocking and disturbing portrayals of issues will illicit a reaction.
Moreover, I think a lot of people are naive to think that their choices as consumers will have an effect on anything. If you feel better about not eating meat, or not buying sweat-shop products, or buying organic, then by all means, do it. But if you think taking away a few measly bucks from a company will have any effect then I urge you to reconsider by which means you wish to make an oppositional stance.
This idea that we have agency through consumption is a myth created by the media. It is the same fallacy that tells you that you will be empowered (physically, sexually, socially) if you buy a Wonderbra or Axe deodorant! These corporations make millions and sometimes billions of dollars every year and they don't give a shit if you buy their product or not. A minuscule decrease in revenue perpetrated by a bunch of trustafarians is like a drop in the ocean to them.
So don't be naive. Let people know the facts, and if they agree with you, great. Rally those people together. Tackle the system from the inside. Use the medias love of sensational events to stage a protest in a visible area as bait. Spread your message. Be concise, and don't be pretentious. Don't use hate. Don't use fear. Because then you're lowering yourself to their level. And if you want to stage a protest, I'll join you with a sign, war paint, and a loud speaker.
And like my roommate James suggested, joining a facebook group isn't doing any good either.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Sociology
Right now I'm working on a seminar presentation for my sociology class about gender. One of the topics that I have to discuss and lead a discussion in is hegemonic masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity refers to the ideal of masculinity that our society upholds and promotes. While the majority of men cannot and do not fit into this ideal, they try to, because the closer you are to this ideal, the more power you have over other men and women.
This video is really well done and exemplifies how this hegemonic masculinity manifests itself in violence, which is often an acceptable expression of masculine power. Time constraints don't allow me to show this video, but I thought it was really good, so I wanted to share it with someone.
This one shows how mass media indoctrinates men and women from an early age about hegemonic masculinity so that it becomes normalized. Disney is evil!!!! (Okay, it's not all bad... I love the Lion King).
This video is really well done and exemplifies how this hegemonic masculinity manifests itself in violence, which is often an acceptable expression of masculine power. Time constraints don't allow me to show this video, but I thought it was really good, so I wanted to share it with someone.
This one shows how mass media indoctrinates men and women from an early age about hegemonic masculinity so that it becomes normalized. Disney is evil!!!! (Okay, it's not all bad... I love the Lion King).
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I hate goths...
...and so should you, because that's the right thing to do. Here's something to get you started: goths in hot weather.
Speaking of people you should hate: these guys. What the fuck. I couldn't even get through the video, I was laughing so hard I cried.
This guy on the other hand is awesome. "I fuck all day, that's why I stink."
Speaking of people you should hate: these guys. What the fuck. I couldn't even get through the video, I was laughing so hard I cried.
This guy on the other hand is awesome. "I fuck all day, that's why I stink."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dr. George Tiller
The death of Dr. George Tiller, provider of abortions, including late-term abortions, has received a lot of media attention. Tiller was killed by Scott Roeder, a mentally ill anti-abortion* activist. However, things like this have been going on for decades. I can't imagine the pain, embarrassment and guilt a woman must feel when she walks up to an abortion clinic, and has to face judgment from the screaming mobs of anti-abortion activists. If you're at all interested in abortion issues, I highly recommend the documentary Lake of Fire which is compelling, disturbing and eye opening.
*I don't use the term pro-life to describe these people, since people who are pro-choice are not pro-death; the terms should be parallel.
*I don't use the term pro-life to describe these people, since people who are pro-choice are not pro-death; the terms should be parallel.
Oh, Cosmo
This month's issue of Cosmo featured two really... um, interesting, cover stories. The first of which is titled "100 Sex Questions; We Answer Every Dirty Thing You Want To Know- in 20 Words or Less." As usual, Cosmo offers us nothing new and this feature is essentially a cumulative look at what Cosmo has advised for many years in many issues. And because of this, unless you're 14, it's not likely you're going to learn anything new from this article. But like all of Cosmo, it's good for a laugh. Here are some examples of questions and answers that made me laugh out loud:
Q: If I don't have lube, what should I use?
A: Saliva
[obviously]
Q: Why does my boyfriend want to ejaculate on me?
A: He probably saw it in a porno movie
Q: How can I get him to spank me?
A: Spank yourself and he'll follow suit
[awkward]
Q: How should semen taste and smell?
A: Slightly sweet and a bit chlorine-ish
[I disagree... there's no way to describe semen and everyone's different]
Q: What does being inside me feel like for him?
A: Stick your finger in your mouth and suck and you'll get an idea
[Oh, come on!]
The second cover story is a shocker - Virgins in Cosmo? Seven women, age 20 to 23, present their reasons for remaining virgins. Interestingly, none of the women reported staying virgins for religious reasons or staying 'pure' until marriage. My feeling is that Cosmo simply decided for forgo statements from religious women because of the negative view people may have of them. Or maybe religious virgins don't read Cosmo. I think a general sentiment about religious virgins is that they have a "holier than thou" attitude. I have nothing against people who are virgins by choice, religious or not. However, many of the girls in this story reaffirm the stereotype that virgins-by-choice think they're better than those who are not virgins.
Taylor, 20, says "the though of doing it with just anyone disgusts me... I don't understand how people can let so many random people get that close." I don't understand how people can be so disgusting is how that reads to me. Andrea, 20, is worse. She describes her five female roommates as "sex-crazed," as if there's something wrong with their enjoyment of sex. They tease her about her virgin status, which she believes is fueled by her roommates' insecurity and jealousy due to her being "stronger than they've been." Yet Andrea admits to fooling around with guys, as do most of the girls interviewed, as if other sexual acts (like oral sex) are any less intimate than sex. I think Andrea's friends tease her because she's so high and mighty about her virgin status, and they want revenge on her for judging their choices.
The other girls admit to wanting to lose their virginity soon, probably due to the pressures they face from boys and friends. Victoria, 23 admits her "virginity feels like a handicap... I might just settle for the next semidecent guy who comes around." Courtney, 20, says "I want to lose my virginity really bad." I'm really unimpressed with the two extremes presented here ("I really want to lose it" vs. "Sex is gross"). If you're a virgin, be proud of the choices you make. Emily, 23 waited for her first kiss until she was 16 and it was perfect. She wants losing her virginity to be the same. Unfortunately, according to Cosmo, 40% of women polled said that losing their virginity wasn't what they expected. Also, the average age to lose one's virginity is 16 (19%). It's no wonder why some of these girls are feeling pressure to lose their virginity.
If I had to tell these girls anything it would involve the following:
Q: If I don't have lube, what should I use?
A: Saliva
[obviously]
Q: Why does my boyfriend want to ejaculate on me?
A: He probably saw it in a porno movie
Q: How can I get him to spank me?
A: Spank yourself and he'll follow suit
[awkward]
Q: How should semen taste and smell?
A: Slightly sweet and a bit chlorine-ish
[I disagree... there's no way to describe semen and everyone's different]
Q: What does being inside me feel like for him?
A: Stick your finger in your mouth and suck and you'll get an idea
[Oh, come on!]
The second cover story is a shocker - Virgins in Cosmo? Seven women, age 20 to 23, present their reasons for remaining virgins. Interestingly, none of the women reported staying virgins for religious reasons or staying 'pure' until marriage. My feeling is that Cosmo simply decided for forgo statements from religious women because of the negative view people may have of them. Or maybe religious virgins don't read Cosmo. I think a general sentiment about religious virgins is that they have a "holier than thou" attitude. I have nothing against people who are virgins by choice, religious or not. However, many of the girls in this story reaffirm the stereotype that virgins-by-choice think they're better than those who are not virgins.
Taylor, 20, says "the though of doing it with just anyone disgusts me... I don't understand how people can let so many random people get that close." I don't understand how people can be so disgusting is how that reads to me. Andrea, 20, is worse. She describes her five female roommates as "sex-crazed," as if there's something wrong with their enjoyment of sex. They tease her about her virgin status, which she believes is fueled by her roommates' insecurity and jealousy due to her being "stronger than they've been." Yet Andrea admits to fooling around with guys, as do most of the girls interviewed, as if other sexual acts (like oral sex) are any less intimate than sex. I think Andrea's friends tease her because she's so high and mighty about her virgin status, and they want revenge on her for judging their choices.
The other girls admit to wanting to lose their virginity soon, probably due to the pressures they face from boys and friends. Victoria, 23 admits her "virginity feels like a handicap... I might just settle for the next semidecent guy who comes around." Courtney, 20, says "I want to lose my virginity really bad." I'm really unimpressed with the two extremes presented here ("I really want to lose it" vs. "Sex is gross"). If you're a virgin, be proud of the choices you make. Emily, 23 waited for her first kiss until she was 16 and it was perfect. She wants losing her virginity to be the same. Unfortunately, according to Cosmo, 40% of women polled said that losing their virginity wasn't what they expected. Also, the average age to lose one's virginity is 16 (19%). It's no wonder why some of these girls are feeling pressure to lose their virginity.
If I had to tell these girls anything it would involve the following:
- losing your virginity isn't a big deal because even if you plan for it to be perfect, it will probably hurt, you'll probably be nervous and, according to Cosmo, 88% of you won't orgasm. It won't be perfect
- I'm worried that there girls have too high expectations for the men they choose to have sex with. Men aren't perfect and just because a dude is a horn dog (which most guys in their late teens and early 20s are) doesn't mean he's not trust worthy, loving, and compassionate.
- you're not any better than anyone if you don't have sex, just like I'm not any better for having sex. If you're worried about getting pregnant or getting an STD, be smart and use protection. That's the true indicator of smart vs. dumb in the world of sex.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
If you're anything like me
you're an angry, disgruntled feminist and love Roseanne! Just kidding... sort of. She's a really cool lady and she blogs about things that are relevant and interesting. Check it out.
While I'm at it, I might as well share my love for Slow Children At Play. Apparently I'm a couple years too late, as this blog hasn't been updated in years, which puts me at a loss because I read through the entire thing in one day. The author writes about his daily ordeals as a councilor at a group home for boys who have severe emotional and behavioural problems, with a sense of humour.
While I'm at it, I might as well share my love for Slow Children At Play. Apparently I'm a couple years too late, as this blog hasn't been updated in years, which puts me at a loss because I read through the entire thing in one day. The author writes about his daily ordeals as a councilor at a group home for boys who have severe emotional and behavioural problems, with a sense of humour.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Morals vs Ethics
One of my biggest fans posed the query: "is it wrong to look up your TA on facebook and marvel at all his sexually attractive glory, knowing that it will never happen between you two?"
I must ask, however, if it's even wrong to pursue a relationship with a teaching assistant? Is there a moral code against that? Most TA's are only a couple years older than the students, if that, and if you're anything like me or my friends, you will understand the sexual prowess that comes from being intelligent. Problem: how would you even approach that situation? "Can we get together over coffee to discuss Foucault and how he might percieve the current discourse on the economic situation of..." *YAWN*. No one actually wants to discuss course work over coffee and if they do, well they're probably not that fun to be around anyway.
But back to the original question, I deem that this behaviour is legitimized through the TA's own decision to leave his profile open for public, and questionably stalker-like, viewing.
If anyone wants to inform me about the difference between morals and ethics, I'd enjoy a lively discussion about it. Maybe over coffee?
I must ask, however, if it's even wrong to pursue a relationship with a teaching assistant? Is there a moral code against that? Most TA's are only a couple years older than the students, if that, and if you're anything like me or my friends, you will understand the sexual prowess that comes from being intelligent. Problem: how would you even approach that situation? "Can we get together over coffee to discuss Foucault and how he might percieve the current discourse on the economic situation of..." *YAWN*. No one actually wants to discuss course work over coffee and if they do, well they're probably not that fun to be around anyway.
But back to the original question, I deem that this behaviour is legitimized through the TA's own decision to leave his profile open for public, and questionably stalker-like, viewing.
If anyone wants to inform me about the difference between morals and ethics, I'd enjoy a lively discussion about it. Maybe over coffee?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
