Monday, April 11, 2005
Death day of Culture Shock.
Oh the drama of leaving this blog alone. I've determined that my analysis of culture, whether done through this blog or not, has only begun. I love to analyze culture, it may, in fact, be my primary addiction.
The truth of the matter is I'm addicted to culture. As a result, I love to travel, read, watch movies, eat spicy food, and examine peoples' thoughts and subsequent actions. I love stories that represent a specific culture - whether it demonstrates a positive outcome or not - because it tells us something about human nature. It tells us about a series of decisions that were made which bring about the essence of that specific culture. It tells us about moments of uncertainty, risk, and overwhelming comfort that override the ability to think any other way. The analysis of culture - ours and others, independent and collective, local and global - brings us closer to understanding ourselves, our nature, and ultimately, our values.
Dream great dreams. Live your dreams out despite how much they may seem impossible to realize. Above all, figure out what your culture is and share why with the rest of us. I'm interested. And obviously, you are too.
Thanks for your readership - I truly appreciate it.
Cheers!
Oh the drama of leaving this blog alone. I've determined that my analysis of culture, whether done through this blog or not, has only begun. I love to analyze culture, it may, in fact, be my primary addiction.
The truth of the matter is I'm addicted to culture. As a result, I love to travel, read, watch movies, eat spicy food, and examine peoples' thoughts and subsequent actions. I love stories that represent a specific culture - whether it demonstrates a positive outcome or not - because it tells us something about human nature. It tells us about a series of decisions that were made which bring about the essence of that specific culture. It tells us about moments of uncertainty, risk, and overwhelming comfort that override the ability to think any other way. The analysis of culture - ours and others, independent and collective, local and global - brings us closer to understanding ourselves, our nature, and ultimately, our values.
Dream great dreams. Live your dreams out despite how much they may seem impossible to realize. Above all, figure out what your culture is and share why with the rest of us. I'm interested. And obviously, you are too.
Thanks for your readership - I truly appreciate it.
Cheers!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
More on my reasons for boycotting Walmart:
Over 200 university intellectuals have signed a public petition to denounce Wal-Mart's labour practices. I have read several unbiased labour and economic studies written by Pradeep Kumar and as a result, I deeply respect and trust his analysis of work today. He has, notably, signed this petition.
Over 200 university intellectuals have signed a public petition to denounce Wal-Mart's labour practices. I have read several unbiased labour and economic studies written by Pradeep Kumar and as a result, I deeply respect and trust his analysis of work today. He has, notably, signed this petition.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
In studying Intro to Industrial Relations, I read an interesting paragraph in the study guide that describes trade union goals.
The text states the following:
"Goals must be realistic to be distinguished from "wishes". What is realistic is determined by the resources to achieve them. Goals and means are interrelated, and union goals have evolved as old goals were replaced by newer, more realistic ones. Herein likes the basis of the frequently voiced contention that today's union have betrayed their earlier radical promise, and that what were once "means" have become ends."
What I realized while reading about this version of trade union's goals, is how similar the union(s) is to that of the individual's struggle to realize dreams and goals. Despite the impactful observation about the primary issue facing the labour movement today, is the fact that as individuals, we get stumped in our ability to accomplish our goals (and wishes) because of the limited resources available to us to perpetuate them. I believe that this a merely a perception maybe even an excuse. I believe, rather, that the resources required to live our dreams and wishes are not necessarily immediately recognizable, and thus they appear unattainable. For me, this reinforces that it is vital to spell out what our goals and dreams are to others so that we can identify whom and what our resources, in fact, are.
Getting back to the attainment of trade union's goals - I'll go so far as to say that this statement demonstrates why the traditional approach to trade unionism is faltering. The labour movement in the USA is weak and has been dwindling for 20 years. The Canadian labour movement is steady, yet it needs infusion from that of its members and future members. Each Canadians' workplace goals, collectively woven together, can be realized because of shared knowledge of formerly-unknown resources in order to establish fantastic realities.
My goals and wishes are to infuse greater workplace gender equality, integrate purposeful yet innovative work solutions for work-life balance, and set up examples for the developing nations of the world for quality, job security, training-infused work environments. A tall order, but do-able. Imagine, if we all told another person what our goals and wishes for work are and correlating ideas as to how to accomplish them what resources we might discover and utilize!
The text states the following:
"Goals must be realistic to be distinguished from "wishes". What is realistic is determined by the resources to achieve them. Goals and means are interrelated, and union goals have evolved as old goals were replaced by newer, more realistic ones. Herein likes the basis of the frequently voiced contention that today's union have betrayed their earlier radical promise, and that what were once "means" have become ends."
What I realized while reading about this version of trade union's goals, is how similar the union(s) is to that of the individual's struggle to realize dreams and goals. Despite the impactful observation about the primary issue facing the labour movement today, is the fact that as individuals, we get stumped in our ability to accomplish our goals (and wishes) because of the limited resources available to us to perpetuate them. I believe that this a merely a perception maybe even an excuse. I believe, rather, that the resources required to live our dreams and wishes are not necessarily immediately recognizable, and thus they appear unattainable. For me, this reinforces that it is vital to spell out what our goals and dreams are to others so that we can identify whom and what our resources, in fact, are.
Getting back to the attainment of trade union's goals - I'll go so far as to say that this statement demonstrates why the traditional approach to trade unionism is faltering. The labour movement in the USA is weak and has been dwindling for 20 years. The Canadian labour movement is steady, yet it needs infusion from that of its members and future members. Each Canadians' workplace goals, collectively woven together, can be realized because of shared knowledge of formerly-unknown resources in order to establish fantastic realities.
My goals and wishes are to infuse greater workplace gender equality, integrate purposeful yet innovative work solutions for work-life balance, and set up examples for the developing nations of the world for quality, job security, training-infused work environments. A tall order, but do-able. Imagine, if we all told another person what our goals and wishes for work are and correlating ideas as to how to accomplish them what resources we might discover and utilize!
Thursday, March 31, 2005
I figure it's only fair to give you - my lovely, loyal readership - my blog's death date notice: April 11th. I've run outta steam (despite my latest Walmart rant) and feel it's only fair to tie it up one year after its beginning.
I've truly enjoyed the blog process. I may do it again sometime, but for now - I'm not doing it so well and that bugs me quite a bit. I'd rather do it well, stay true to its purpose and be consistent. So, with that, a few more posts to come and then I bid Culture Shock adieu.
Bear in mind, that this blog expires, it gives me the opportunity to respond to other blogs with greater regularity and thoughtfulness, my journal some action (paper journal - what a concept) and my eyes a break from the screen.
Cheers!
I've truly enjoyed the blog process. I may do it again sometime, but for now - I'm not doing it so well and that bugs me quite a bit. I'd rather do it well, stay true to its purpose and be consistent. So, with that, a few more posts to come and then I bid Culture Shock adieu.
Bear in mind, that this blog expires, it gives me the opportunity to respond to other blogs with greater regularity and thoughtfulness, my journal some action (paper journal - what a concept) and my eyes a break from the screen.
Cheers!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Over the past few months, several of you have heard my rambling rants about Wal-Mart. I am compelled state a counter-culture declaration that I do hereby, officially boycott any Wal-Mart shopping. Please, make every attempt to cease shopping there!
I found a decent website, titled Wal-Town, which exposes much in the same vein as that of SuperSize Me and McDonalds, the underlying and objectifying operations of Wal-Mart. It is absolutely frightening to me to comprehend the giant impact that Wal-Mart has on our global society. As the current, number one money-maker in the entire world, Wal-Mart is able to determine our social class, type of livelihood, 'freedom' of speech, and global work identity. Wow - that is one huge responsibility. Basically, Wal-Mart has the ability to rule the way the world works. Do we sincerely want to give that power, voluntarily mind you, to these few multi-billionaires?
I shudder at the thought *now* of the times I shopped at Wal-Mart, for that cheap, thirty-six roll toilet paper price, simply because it could save me a few bucks over their competitors. At least I only went there to wipe my butt with their great deals. Haha.
The mindset of those 'deals' have always and still do cause me to wonder:
How can this all be sustainable?
Can they really be making a profit off of these prices?
Isn't it nice of Wal-Mart to offer this great deal to little ol' me?
I found a decent website, titled Wal-Town, which exposes much in the same vein as that of SuperSize Me and McDonalds, the underlying and objectifying operations of Wal-Mart. It is absolutely frightening to me to comprehend the giant impact that Wal-Mart has on our global society. As the current, number one money-maker in the entire world, Wal-Mart is able to determine our social class, type of livelihood, 'freedom' of speech, and global work identity. Wow - that is one huge responsibility. Basically, Wal-Mart has the ability to rule the way the world works. Do we sincerely want to give that power, voluntarily mind you, to these few multi-billionaires?
I shudder at the thought *now* of the times I shopped at Wal-Mart, for that cheap, thirty-six roll toilet paper price, simply because it could save me a few bucks over their competitors. At least I only went there to wipe my butt with their great deals. Haha.
The mindset of those 'deals' have always and still do cause me to wonder:
How can this all be sustainable?
Can they really be making a profit off of these prices?
Isn't it nice of Wal-Mart to offer this great deal to little ol' me?
Thursday, March 24, 2005
I hear conflicting reports about what is of the utmost importance to people in relation to their work. For the most part, I hear that people need and want a satisfying, positive, reinforcing work environment. This goes on further to support the fact that people need to work in an environment that supports their work-life balance. The other side of that argument is pretty loud, and it states that people want ample remuneration for their work. Which argument rules? What is it our culture needs versus wants in terms of motivation and effort?
A recent article in the Globe and Mail further explores this. Though I do not subscribe to it, it is titled "Professionals Demanding a Work-life Balance", if you feel so inclined to find it. The article purports that the new era of professionals and managers work longer than ever and want to quit the habit and the trend it dictates upon others. In that, they want to see a re-evaluation of these types of demands from their clients and peers. It's an interesting dynamic of the workforce since they cannot be organized because of their sort of position and professional nature of work. So, what are their alternatives? I find myself asking this same question when I think about the high-tech sector of work and its infamous reputation for 12+ hour days.
So, what does our Canadian culture subscribe to: work hard for more (if that's even possible) money and status or work for a positive and reinforcing work environment which enhances one's work-life balance?
A recent article in the Globe and Mail further explores this. Though I do not subscribe to it, it is titled "Professionals Demanding a Work-life Balance", if you feel so inclined to find it. The article purports that the new era of professionals and managers work longer than ever and want to quit the habit and the trend it dictates upon others. In that, they want to see a re-evaluation of these types of demands from their clients and peers. It's an interesting dynamic of the workforce since they cannot be organized because of their sort of position and professional nature of work. So, what are their alternatives? I find myself asking this same question when I think about the high-tech sector of work and its infamous reputation for 12+ hour days.
So, what does our Canadian culture subscribe to: work hard for more (if that's even possible) money and status or work for a positive and reinforcing work environment which enhances one's work-life balance?
Sunday, March 20, 2005
A bit of a running update:
On April 17th, Angelo and I will be running the Vancouver Sun Run. It's his first running event and it's a big one.
I did the SunRun back in '92 with my high school P.E. class. As a class, we were a bunch of keeners of both grade 11 and 12 girls, since we chose to do P.E. as an elective while others took classes like Home Ec and variations of basket-weaving as their filler electives. For some reason, I thought we were hard core - maybe because our teacher was intrepid. She was the one to always kick our ass on a run, reminding us that if we were serious about grade 12 P.E., we better try to beat her. We never did. On that first SunRun, Val kicked all our butts and I'll never forget it. She is part of why I run today.
I just registered for the Vancouver Scotiabank 1/2 marathon. I'm hopeful it will reignite the training heart and mind. I love the training head, although I haven't tried it on yet with that of the work+commuter life. It'll be an interesting experiment.
I've started the morning runs. It isn't bad since the sun is up early and it energizes me for the remainder of the day. It makes getting into that car for fifty minutes a little less draining.
On April 17th, Angelo and I will be running the Vancouver Sun Run. It's his first running event and it's a big one.
I did the SunRun back in '92 with my high school P.E. class. As a class, we were a bunch of keeners of both grade 11 and 12 girls, since we chose to do P.E. as an elective while others took classes like Home Ec and variations of basket-weaving as their filler electives. For some reason, I thought we were hard core - maybe because our teacher was intrepid. She was the one to always kick our ass on a run, reminding us that if we were serious about grade 12 P.E., we better try to beat her. We never did. On that first SunRun, Val kicked all our butts and I'll never forget it. She is part of why I run today.
I just registered for the Vancouver Scotiabank 1/2 marathon. I'm hopeful it will reignite the training heart and mind. I love the training head, although I haven't tried it on yet with that of the work+commuter life. It'll be an interesting experiment.
I've started the morning runs. It isn't bad since the sun is up early and it energizes me for the remainder of the day. It makes getting into that car for fifty minutes a little less draining.
