These guys are hilarious and as cynical as I am.
www.threeguys.blogspot.com
Friday, November 26, 2004
Thursday, November 25, 2004
A Post Too Far
Well, it has been a while since I posted on here. So, here goes...
"The worth of a human being is only as much as their free time allows."
- Anders Alm (21st Century A.D.)
To what extent that statement holds true is up to conjecture. However, the basic premise of such a statement derives from the 'Western' concept of spare time and what we do with it.
This point hit me as I watched the upsetting story of the sweatshop workers of Bangladesh in a documentary last night. These people were working an average 14-20 hour shifts, 7 days a week. That doesn't leave a lot of time to yourself.
I'm not the most 'active' in terms of social 'activism'. In fact, I have a long-standing purchasing history at the Gap. However, I'm conscious of the consequences that my consuming Western lifestyle has on the markets of the world.
Be that as it may, I am a student, and a poor one. The irony is that I don't buy clothes very often, most times receiving second-hand items that my brother-in-law doesn't want anymore. The only clothes that are usually within my meager price-range are those that are being sold on the discount rack at the Gap (perhaps Old Navy too). Where else am I going to be able to purchase a pair of jeans for $20?
So who wins?
As a consumer, I'm stuck in the revolving doorway of generic clothing that places like the Gap offer. Hey, I can wear my make-believe vintage t-shirt (pick your American state or National Park name), with my 'loose-fit' jeans, and look like any other 'Joe Blow' at school. To be completely honest, I am tired of the clothing that these sweat shop mackin' multi-nationals are mass-producing. It's time to take a stand! Let's stop buying clothes and start making our own... ok, that's not going to work, considering I don't have a clue how to sew. However, I am seriously considering buying all my clothes at independent clothing companies from now on.
A lot of good that will do.
"The worth of a human being is only as much as their free time allows."
- Anders Alm (21st Century A.D.)
To what extent that statement holds true is up to conjecture. However, the basic premise of such a statement derives from the 'Western' concept of spare time and what we do with it.
This point hit me as I watched the upsetting story of the sweatshop workers of Bangladesh in a documentary last night. These people were working an average 14-20 hour shifts, 7 days a week. That doesn't leave a lot of time to yourself.
I'm not the most 'active' in terms of social 'activism'. In fact, I have a long-standing purchasing history at the Gap. However, I'm conscious of the consequences that my consuming Western lifestyle has on the markets of the world.
Be that as it may, I am a student, and a poor one. The irony is that I don't buy clothes very often, most times receiving second-hand items that my brother-in-law doesn't want anymore. The only clothes that are usually within my meager price-range are those that are being sold on the discount rack at the Gap (perhaps Old Navy too). Where else am I going to be able to purchase a pair of jeans for $20?
So who wins?
As a consumer, I'm stuck in the revolving doorway of generic clothing that places like the Gap offer. Hey, I can wear my make-believe vintage t-shirt (pick your American state or National Park name), with my 'loose-fit' jeans, and look like any other 'Joe Blow' at school. To be completely honest, I am tired of the clothing that these sweat shop mackin' multi-nationals are mass-producing. It's time to take a stand! Let's stop buying clothes and start making our own... ok, that's not going to work, considering I don't have a clue how to sew. However, I am seriously considering buying all my clothes at independent clothing companies from now on.
A lot of good that will do.
Friday, October 01, 2004
What an edit!
Well... I've statred my new job at the U of R. I'm wroknig in the Wrtiing Sevrices ofifce of Fisrt Yaer Seirvces. I am wokring 5 huros per week, "heilpng stdunets wiht tiher idaes." I am not an edotir in the tradiiotnal sense of the wrod. I am not a splel-chcek for anyone. I am the prsoen taht wlil craete "dialogue" wihtin yuor paepr... I am the vioce taht akss qusetoins from the reeadr's prespcetive. Do not assume anyhtnig... yuor peapr will be qeustinoed and then I'll hlep you anwser thoes qsuetions. I lkie tihs tyep of wrok. I haev my own oiffce wtih a pc for 5 huors per weke.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Star-Eyed Youth...
"Well, this simply will not due!", screached Allison, as she dabbed the tiny ketchup stain on her pink jean-skirt. "I am not going to be able to walk around here looking like this!"
The desparation in her voice was becoming increasingly apparent to her friend, Claire, sitting across the table from her in the University of Regina food court.
"I have just the trick to get rid of that. Don't worry," said Claire as she frantically tried to remember the trick the last time something like this had happened to her. What was it that she had done to get rid of that stain? Then, like a lightbulb lighting up, Claire remembered.
Taking a plastic knife, Claire explained what it was that she was going to do. Allison was not slow-witted, and soon saw the merit in the plan and agreed that it was the best option.
With the utmost care, Claire started to "shave" the stain on the pink jean-skirt, moving the knife back and forth over the material until the fabric started to "wisp". At this point, Claire cleared off the "wisps" of fabric, and amazingly the pink jean-skirt looked like it had just been bought out of the American Eagle in the local mall location!
With tears welling up in her eyes, Allison hugged Claire and said repeatedly, "I owe you so much! You are a miracle worker, Claire. If you ever need anything, just say it and I'll help you out."
Claire brushed it off, saying, "I have a class now, so we'll see you later. By the way, isn't university so much better than high school? I mean, the boys are so much better looking and there's such a mature atmosphere at the parties. I love it!"
"Yah, I totally agree with you," stated Allison. "I'm totally feeling positive that I'm going to get a boyfriend within the next week!"
The two of them left their table in the food court and started walking towards the classroom building where their next classes were.
Allison felt so relieved that the stain was gone. Her outfit was perfectly coordinated. She was the best-looking girl that graduated from her high school in Regina, with Claire running a close second. The world was her oyster... She was and IS a star...
There would be no second-place for her... Despite the near-fatal incident with the ketchup.
She would be the talk of the campus. She was going places.
The desparation in her voice was becoming increasingly apparent to her friend, Claire, sitting across the table from her in the University of Regina food court.
"I have just the trick to get rid of that. Don't worry," said Claire as she frantically tried to remember the trick the last time something like this had happened to her. What was it that she had done to get rid of that stain? Then, like a lightbulb lighting up, Claire remembered.
Taking a plastic knife, Claire explained what it was that she was going to do. Allison was not slow-witted, and soon saw the merit in the plan and agreed that it was the best option.
With the utmost care, Claire started to "shave" the stain on the pink jean-skirt, moving the knife back and forth over the material until the fabric started to "wisp". At this point, Claire cleared off the "wisps" of fabric, and amazingly the pink jean-skirt looked like it had just been bought out of the American Eagle in the local mall location!
With tears welling up in her eyes, Allison hugged Claire and said repeatedly, "I owe you so much! You are a miracle worker, Claire. If you ever need anything, just say it and I'll help you out."
Claire brushed it off, saying, "I have a class now, so we'll see you later. By the way, isn't university so much better than high school? I mean, the boys are so much better looking and there's such a mature atmosphere at the parties. I love it!"
"Yah, I totally agree with you," stated Allison. "I'm totally feeling positive that I'm going to get a boyfriend within the next week!"
The two of them left their table in the food court and started walking towards the classroom building where their next classes were.
Allison felt so relieved that the stain was gone. Her outfit was perfectly coordinated. She was the best-looking girl that graduated from her high school in Regina, with Claire running a close second. The world was her oyster... She was and IS a star...
There would be no second-place for her... Despite the near-fatal incident with the ketchup.
She would be the talk of the campus. She was going places.
Monday, September 06, 2004
This town's...
"...Not big enough for the both of us," said Humphrey with a rather down-in-the-dumps look on his face. To re-emphasize his point Humphrey continued, "You're going to have to pack your bag and clear out of here by tomorrow morning."
"Awww, come on now... you don't realize the drastic nature of what you're saying, Humphrey. You're forgetting who made you into what you are... a really big kahuna in a really small town," was the quick reply. "In fact, what could you really do without me? It seems to me that you've tried to 'go-it-alone' before... have you not?"
Humphrey's initial momentum had begun to waver... it was always obvious as soon as he began to go 'red as a Macintosh' and start to sputter incoherent drabble. "You little %^#@... Who do you think you are? When I picked you out of a garbage can three years ago, I had no idea that I would be in for so much of a bloody painful headache, dealing with your lies!!!" , retorted Humphrey, a little too late.
The battle had already been won.
Humphrey whacked his mushroom against the wall and stormed into the house.
The black sky started to let go of it's rain and the heat started to release it's hold on the earth.
The purple and pink Cheshire cat faded into the shade of the elm tree and things returned to the way they always seemed.
Until the growling of a rather large Irish Wolfhound created a situation that made Humphrey's words seem agreeably decent.
"Awww, come on now... you don't realize the drastic nature of what you're saying, Humphrey. You're forgetting who made you into what you are... a really big kahuna in a really small town," was the quick reply. "In fact, what could you really do without me? It seems to me that you've tried to 'go-it-alone' before... have you not?"
Humphrey's initial momentum had begun to waver... it was always obvious as soon as he began to go 'red as a Macintosh' and start to sputter incoherent drabble. "You little %^#@... Who do you think you are? When I picked you out of a garbage can three years ago, I had no idea that I would be in for so much of a bloody painful headache, dealing with your lies!!!" , retorted Humphrey, a little too late.
The battle had already been won.
Humphrey whacked his mushroom against the wall and stormed into the house.
The black sky started to let go of it's rain and the heat started to release it's hold on the earth.
The purple and pink Cheshire cat faded into the shade of the elm tree and things returned to the way they always seemed.
Until the growling of a rather large Irish Wolfhound created a situation that made Humphrey's words seem agreeably decent.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Student Number...
So, another twist of fate... and another hallway to walk that is filled with florescent lights and strange faces. It's closing time for this chapter of my CV and it's getting interesting now that I have no definate (concrete) way of making ends meet for the next little while. What's my situation? Well... I have a number that will "help" me find meaning to my life and perhaps, with a little motivation and recollection, I'll even "find" myself. There's irony, there's fears, there's financial hardship and tears, that in order to have what some people find naturally, I would have to write a sizable cheque made payable to the local academic establishment for which they will take me by the hand and guide me to my wisdom. To my "job". My place in life that will define me in what people through the generations will state is what I "am".
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)