Welcome to the 21st Century!

It's been a sad week here in Ottawa after a gunman shot and killed a military officer and then made his way to Parliament Hill and inside the building where he opened fire on people there. Luckily no one else was injured, largely due to the efforts of sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers, who shot the gunman before he could do more harm. The gunman has now been identified, whose name I will not mention.

I can't believe that after 13 years, Parliament Hill wasn't better prepared for such an incident. It doesn't say much about our elected representatives if since 9/11 no one stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, the day would come when Parliament Hill would be attacked in some way, somehow. Are we that naive to think we're so "loved" on the international stage?

We're not living in the same world we lived in 20 years ago. Things have entirely changed. The days of "it only happens over there" or "that could never happen here" are long gone. It's ridiculous to think we're just clueing into these facts.

If one good thing could come out of recent incidents in Ottawa and Quebec, it will hopefully be that these potential threats will be taken much more seriously from now on. It doesn't mean we have to give up our way of life or our rights. Certainly goodness though, we can all be a bit more vigilant, and our elected officials can take a few more steps to protect themselves, our soldiers and the general public as a whole.......

Back to School 2014

It's back to school time again already! Some would say "it's the most wonderful time of the year!". I'm not so sure I would go as far as to say that, but it is nice to get back into the fall routine

This morning is a very busy day on our roads and highways. The school buses are out in full force carrying our kids to school. Also, many parents are seeing their kids off for their first day of school, or for their first day back to school. Quite a few kids don't take a bus and are being dropped off by their parents or walk to school. It's an all-around very busy day today.

As everyone heads back to the "grind", so-to-speak, I wish everyone a happy and safe day. Please remember to drive carefully and yield to all those buses. Please be especially careful in those school zones as well as near schools where you will find many kids walking to and from school. Let's make today a great, accident free day!

Labour Day Weekend

Labour Day weekend is here! This is considered by many the last camping weekend of the summer. It's three days to let loose before everyone (well mostly everyone) gets back into the Fall routine. Many people are finishing up their summer vacation. Also, many kids are returning to school this week (if they haven't already).

Many people take full advantage of this long weekend. Some people go to their cottage or cabin, while others go camping (in tent or RV/camper). There are many special events this weekend. For example, where we went camping they held a big corn roast. With a little research you can find some great places to go.

So hopefully everyone has a fun filled and safe weekend. There's nothing better than fun with family and friends. Make this weekend no exception as we see Summer 2014 off with a big bang!

The Middle East

As far back as I can remember there has been conflict in the Middle East. I'm not even sure there is a country in that area of the world that hasn't been at war. The hardest part for many of us in this country is that we just can't come to grips with why that part of the world is always at war.

Unlike for most of us, in the Middle East many people are raised with hatred, whether it is hatred toward certain religious beliefs or hatred toward a certain country. So how can we change this? To be very blunt, we can't. Short of taking all the children at birth and raising them in an open minded and tolerate society, and then letting them go back as young men and women, there's nothing we can do. Even then it's a bit of a stretch.

I've tried to understand, for years I've tried. There are many things I don't understand. That's a product of how we are raised. I can't imagine having to flee with my family in fear of a rocket attack or some kind of military invasion.

What I can understand though, is why there is so much hatred pointed towards western society. After all, every time there is a conflict, it's our interests in the Middle East that drive us to interfere. Maybe that is not the case so much with Canada, but that is definitely the case with the United States. While humanitarian aid is an absolute must, it's that appetite for oil that keeps the watchful eye of our neighbours to the south on the Middle East. I've often wondered if all the oil in the Middle East dried up, would anyone even care? Sure some would, but would there be enough interest to drive military action? I think not, but that's just my opinion.

So we'll just sit here, in our nice heated and sometimes air conditioned homes, and wave our finger of judgement at the Middle East. Most of us will never understand their conflicts. Rest assured though, as long as there is oil pumping out of the ground, western society will continue to poke it's nose where it don't belong.  I mean really, is it that big a mystery why some people in the Middle East hate us so much? I think not.

Now that was a heavy topic for a Saturday morning. I really hope that one day I'll live long enough to see true peace in the Middle East. I won't be holding my breath though, and I would recommend you do the same.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Complete!

http://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=user_uploads&list=tcard1972

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: The Rules

Over the past few weeks, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has went viral. So I just got challenged, but when I went online to try and find what the rules are, there's actually very little you can find. After an intense search I did manage to find the information I was looking for. Tonight I thought I would share this information with you.

Just a side note here. This is for a great cause.

"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord".

There is no cure. This is a disease that kills every one it affects. That in itself is good enough reason to support this cause.

So, today I'm going to clear up all the confusion and outline the basic rules of how the Ice Bucket Challenge is supposed to work. Here goes (in step form):

1. You have to be challenged by someone who has done it.

2. Once "challenged", you have 24 hrs to complete the challenge.

3. You have a choice.

a. You can accept the ice bucket challenge and complete it within 24 hrs, after which you must make a donation to ALS of $10.00 (really any amount under $100, but $10.00 is generally accepted as good).

b. If you do not accept the ice bucket challenge, you must make a donation of $100.00 to ALS.

4. Here's where some people get confused, you have to challenge  3 other people (not more, not less).

5. You have to make a video of you completing the challenge that contains the following information:

a. You have to mention your name

b. You have to mention who challenged you

c. You have to say you accept the challenge with the full name (ie: "I accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge").

d. You have to challenge 3 people to complete the challenge and that they have 24 hrs to complete it.

e. You have to mention the ALS website address where people can make a donation.

f. You have to mention that you will be donating money as well as completing the challenge.

6. Finally, you're supposed to post the video of you completing the challenge online via social media (most people are using Facebook).

So that's basically it. Good luck!

Matt's Green & The Arcade

Matt's Green, where can I start. I'll be first to admit that I didn't frequent it much, but I did end up there a few times. It was a pretty popular spot around 1987 - 1990. Now I'm not writing this to incriminate anyone in particular, but perhaps I should be incriminating everyone.

For anyone who doesn't already know, or may have forgotten, here's a Google Map of Matt's Green. I remember people hanging out all over that area. Now I won't get into what people did up there either, but let's just say many a "social event" took place there. It was a typical weekend hangout area on Friday and Saturday nights, that's for sure.

When all the "festivities" at Matt's Green were done, many people would stumble, I mean walk, to "The Arcade" or games room. Talk about a meet up place. I don't know of anyone who didn't hang out at the arcade at some point. I know you're not all loosing your memory or anything, but I took the liberty of getting a Google Map of "The Arcade" as well, see here. Now the Arcade still stands believe it or not, but last I heard it is the Tri Island Credit Union. That Arcade had a juke box, pool tables and of course video games. They used to sell a variety of fast food in the front part of the Arcade as well. I can't even begin to tell you how many nights everyone hung out there, all seasons I might add. It was "THE" hang out spot for young people in Twillingate back in the day.

Now that brings back memories, let me tell you. That was 23 or 24 years ago. Incredible. I don't remember when the Arcade shut down, but I think it was after 1991 (when I graduated from High School and left for St. John's for post secondary school). Wow!