Saturday, December 29, 2007

Pee Wee's Playhouse Back On TV!

On Boxing Day at around 10:30 I was browsing through some channels on my mom and step-dad's Sasktel Max and on this channel called Razer, they had a marathon of Pee Wee's Playhouse. That's right Pee Wee's Playhouse is in syndication. So I decided to watch it. There was something that came over me. I was drawn into watching it for whatever odd reason. With WTF going through my mind I kept on watching it. Than WTF left my brain and turned into: "Why did I watch this as a kid?"

I watched Pee Wee's Playhouse as kid and liked it. But now I see the show as creepy and weird. Who is their right mind would put Pee Wee's Playhouse back on TV? But Razer is a crappy TV station anyways. Here is clip of Pee Wee's Playhouse to scar you for life!

The Materialistc Mindset Of People

On Boxing Day, my mom had to go to work for an hour or so and do somethings. My mom is the manager of jewelery at Wal-Mart in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. There was an announcement that the store would be opening. That is all fine and well, but when the doors where opened people lost all common sense and were running to wherever to see if there was any deals. My mom said there was nothing worth running for in Wal-Mart. I thought that people wanted Guitar Hero or various other games. but my mom said there was nothing much in for stock. My mom said: "Have people gone mad? They are running over materialistic things. It's not worth it. All we really have is a few Christmas stuff left."

After thinking about I do have to agree. It's not worth it. I am sure they will get in again whatever it is you want. Just because it's Boxing Day doesn't mean every place has something. Canada has become obsessed with Boxing Day. We have turned into this materialistic society that has gone stupid, as my mom put it, over materialistic items. Sure some items are essential for living, but others are luxury items we can live without. But some people would rather spend their money on luxury items then essentials. It's sad the mindset of people. I only go to a store on Boxing Day if I have to return something or if there is a good deal on something I can use. Otherwise I don't generally go to the stores on Boxing Day.

Apparently people were lined were lined up at 3;00 AM at Future Shop. Now that is beyond sad no matter how you look at it. Don't people have better things to do than to shop for stuff they don't necessarily need. I would love to buy stuff like a huge 48 inch flat screen TV or a Nintendo Wii. But I don't. I can't afford it, plus I don't really need it at this time.

I have come to accept that Canada has come to use Boxing Day as a way to get a mind boggling amount of sales. In 2006 there 26.7 billion dollars in sales. That is not including the automotive sector. I told you that is a mind boggling amount of sales. The 2007 figures are not out yet, but I can almost guarantee that they will mind bogglingly high as well.

A headline reads: "Boxing Day lineups likely to continue." Now that doesn't surprise me. As long as stores have Boxing Week sales or Boxing Day prices for a period of time, people will continue to buy. Sure people spend a lot on Christmas itself, but I wouldn't be surprised if people spent more on Boxing Day/Week sales in Canada.

Boxing Day/Week sales will never change and the people who wait in line for those sales will never change either.

Mr. C.C.

"Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment."
-Mark Twain
"What difference does it make how much you have? What you do not have amounts to much more."
-Epictetus, c 200 AD -Seneca
"Most people seek after what they do not possess and are thus enslaved by the very things they want to acquire."
-Anwar El-Sadat
"An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."
–Pliny the Younger

"Possessions are usually diminished by possession."
–Nietzsche

Friday, December 28, 2007

Can't We All Just Get Along?

I know this may sound cliche and all but lately this question/phrase is more appropriate than ever. All over the world there have been shootings and death. Why some for political gain, some out of their own sick and twisted mind, and police doing what they feel is right.

  1. Benazir Bhutto - Unless you have been living under a rock, by now you have heard about the shooting and death of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Bhutto was at a rally and she got up and poked her head out of the sunroof and was shot in the neck. She was taken to hospital and died. The person who killed her killed himself along with 15 others which injuring 56 others. I bet the killer got what he wanted and had no other reason to live hence why we was a suicide bomber. This situation proves the unstableness of that area of the work. Civil war, political war, etc. can break out at any time. I am thankful that Canada isn't like that. Sure we have our political war, but not to the extent of areas like Pakistan. This puts a damper on their efforts to bring western democracy over to Pakistan. I work with a guy from Pakistan and I wonder how he is handling the news of this. I thought of asking him, but thought that might a bad thing to ask about.
  2. Killings in Washington State - I heard about on the radio and this women and her boyfriend had this premeditated plan to kill her parents and four other family members. Basically she massacred her parents and other family members on Christmas Eve. What a way to go. I guess her own sick and twisted mind finally led her to do something I would never do and that is kill family especially parents. What drives a person to kill someone? I don't know. They must have some reason. But family of all things. That's what seems odd. Would you hatch a premeditated plan to kill your own family? Even you best reas... or I should I say excuse wouldn't be sufficiant enough to justify killing your own flesh and blood. But the two killers may get the death penalty. I have never been a fan of the death penalty, so I am really on the fence, so to speak, on this issue of the death sentence.
  3. Two Shootings In Saskatoon - One shooting happened on December 22 on Cumberland Ave.. The police killed the man they shot. The person was coming towards them with knives. The other shooting happened in Ghettoland aka Riversdale. This women in her thirties was shot but is in the hospital in stable condition. Did the police have to resort to using their gun? Or was it their last resort? I am sure they start out by trying to talk the person down. I guess in these two situations they had to draw their weapons. Even though police get a bad rap at times, they do have a hard job to do in situations like these.
I get that stuff like this happens all the time and well continue to happen, but it seems as though there has been more of this lately then in the last number of months. Can't we go a month without hearing some craptastic thing happening in the world? Is it so hard to ask? I guess it seems like it at times. Sometimes I feel like just shutting off things that give us media and live like a hermit, but I am too weak to do that. So I continue to listen to the radio, watch TV, read the newspaper, go on the Internet, etc.. But by hook or crook I will end up hearing about some craptastic thing happening in the world.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Chrismas Day... Or Is It?

It is Christmas Day and one of the few things that make it Christmas Day is the fact we are with family. Or at least you should be. Also you eat and drink a ton of food. You open presents to find things you don't want. But in the end realize it's the thought that counts even if for a fleeting moment. Than you go back to the stores on Boxing Day in Canada and return the crap you got the day before. But that's another tale for a time. You see people being nice because it's expected of them. Also people are grinning and bearing their immense debt. But if it's their credit card namely Capital One, than I get the pleasure or displeasure of calling them telling them to fork over some damn money to payoff their credit card. Oh the irony of talking about money during Christmas. Wait... corporate North America is laughing all the way to the bank because of people buying everything on store shelves.

Yes, it does seem like a lot of people are taking Christ out of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season as the old saying goes. So is Christmas becoming just another day? Is it just another excuse to eat and drink tons without any guilt? The questions should be about Jesus, his birth, and all that. But when you are bombarded with images thanks to corporate North America you are not necessarily thinking about that. Also, do atheists or non-believers celebrate Christmas? Just some things to think about.

All in all I have a nice quiet day. Did you? We don't do as much stuff with my cousins, aunts, uncles as we used to. But I still try to see them regularly.

Anyways, lets be cliche, but appropriate... to you and yours have a merry Christmas
Mr. C.C.

Monday, December 24, 2007

In Ghetto Prince Albert

I made it safe to Prince Albert. The highway was perfect for driving. I made it to Prince Albert at a great time. I got my haircut. I went with my sister shopping. Tonight I am going to church at Gateway Covenant Church, than the midnight mass at St. David's Anglican Church. It will be a good chance to see people I haven't seen in a long while. But before I do that, I will be going to my Grandma's to give her her Christmas present as she will not be at church. Tonight though I hope to see some friends as well.

Tomorrow I will be with my mom and stepdad. Than I will see some more family later on.

Merry Christmas eh!

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
-Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

"When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?"
-G.K. Chesterton

Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish.
-Benny Hill

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Kaylee Anne Gibson

That is the name of my niece. I wasn't too found of the name Kaylee. I getting to like it more. After hearing her middle name, her name sounds pretty gooda! I went and saw her on Saturday at the Victoria Union Hospital. I guess you can say she is cute. I have this thing about saying cute. Alas, I will get over it. I will post a picture when I get some. I believe my sister Heather is home now. She was supposed to go home on Sunday. Now my sister will have to get used to staying home more often now that she has a baby to take care of. My sister doesn't like to stay home much. This will be an adjustment for her.

Mr. C.C.

"A child is God's opinion that life should go on."
-Unknown

Saturday, December 15, 2007

It's A Great Day To Be Alive

You are probably wondering what's with the blog title. Well, my sister had her baby. She named her baby Kaylee or something like that. Apparently she was bleeding from her uterus and it wouldn't stop. I kind of cringed when my other sister told me that. But luckily everything is alright now. At Christmas I will see the baby for the first time. Oh and thanks to whoever prayed. I do appreciate it.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Money, Money, Money

Money is tight nowadays. Christmas doesn't help any. I have been waiting on another job. A government job for months. So if I could get a Friday and Saturday job, than I wouldn't care. As long as I can get extra money to pay my bills. At least my cable is paid for. My mom will be paying for my cable. Digital cable I might add. When it comes to making other money I have these hair-brained schemes and don't know if they will work. I mean look at the bills I have:

Cable
Rent
License Plates
Car Loan
Gas
Student Loan (I have to start paying on it)

So as you can see, I can use extra money. I am working, but my pay cheques are taken up by my bills. Or a good portion of it is. I hope my band works out and we can do some gigs making some pretty money. But that right now is a pipe dream.

Mr. C.C.

“If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can't buy”

“Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.”
-Benjamin Franklin

“The art is not in making money, but in keeping it”

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Married In Church, Divorced In Court

I have thought a lot about this over time and I wonder why people would get married in a church then get divorced in court. I some aspects I get the legal aspect of money, house, vehicles, etc.. But, it doesn't make sense otherwise. Shouldn't you repent for breaking the vow you solemly swore you would uphold? Till death do us part! Then other things like sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, etc. go along with it. But when the going gets tough, it seems as though some people bail out on the one they choose to spend the rest of their life with. There are various reasons for bailing out. But that is neither here nor there and that is not the issue I am bringing forth.

Going back to the issue of "till death do us part," that is something I have set in my mind as upholding if I ever get married. I have made up my mind that I will uphold as best as I can. I have come to the realization that if you say those words, than don't say them just because it is tradition. If you do, than who are you kidding? Marriage is something that should not be entered into lightly. Coming from a divorced family, I know that first hand. I have friends who know that first hand as well. If you are going to get married, than take those words "till death do us part" seriously. Use your grandparents as a guide for example. When they said "till death do us part" they meant it. Nowadays people say because they have to say it. Well, maybe that is a generalization of people. But you get what I am saying.

As I am looking for stats on divorce I come across some that are not surprising. These stats are from DivorceMag.com and are for the United States and Canada. These stats are based on the most recent stats availiable:

Canada:

About 48.5% of the adult population in Canada was married in 2006 (as opposed to single, separated, divorced, widowed or living in common law). This is the first known time in Canadian history that the percentage was under half; according to CanWest News Service, the figure was 50.1% in 2001 and more than 60% during the 1980s.

The number of marriages in the country was 149,236 in 2006 -- down nearly 2,000 from the previous year, but up from 148,585 in 2004.
In 2006, there were 1,629,490 divorced Canadians -- or about 5% of the population. 941,306 (well over half) of the divorcees were female.
As of 2006, there were 1,414,060 single-parent families in Canada -- or approximately 15.9% of all families. Of the lone-parent families, 1,132,290 were headed by the mother. In 1971, the number was approximately 476,300.

There were 70,828 divorces in 2003 -- down from 71,144 in 2000.
More than one-third of marriages in Canada will end in divorce before the thirtieth anniversary.
A recent study from the National Population Health Survey shows that men between the ages of 20 and 64 are six times as likely to suffer from depression if they were divorced or separated, than if they stayed married. For women, the figure is 3.5 times as likely for the divorced or separated.
According to the same NPHS survey, 43% of women who have undergone a marital breakup (divorce or separation) had a substantial decrease in household income, while 15% of separated or divorced men had a financial decline.

About 48.5% of the adult population in Canada was married in 2006 (as opposed to single, separated, divorced, widowed or living in common law). This is the first known time in Canadian history that the percentage was under half; according to CanWest News Service, the figure was 50.1% in 2001 and more than 60% during the 1980s.
The number of marriages in the country was 149,236 in 2006 -- down nearly 2,000 from the previous year, but up from 148,585 in 2004.
In 2006, there were 1,629,490 divorced Canadians -- or about 5% of the population. 941,306 (well over half) of the divorcees were female.
As of 2006, there were 1,414,060 single-parent families in Canada -- or approximately 15.9% of all families. Of the lone-parent families, 1,132,290 were headed by the mother. In 1971, the number was approximately 476,300.

There were 70,828 divorces in 2003 -- down from 71,144 in 2000.
More than one-third of marriages in Canada will end in divorce before the thirtieth anniversary.
A recent study from the National Population Health Survey shows that men between the ages of 20 and 64 are six times as likely to suffer from depression if they were divorced or separated, than if they stayed married. For women, the figure is 3.5 times as likely for the divorced or separated.
According to the same NPHS survey, 43% of women who have undergone a marital breakup (divorce or separation) had a substantial decrease in household income, while 15% of separated or divorced men had a financial decline.

United States:

There were approximately 2,230,000 marriages in 2005 -- down from 2,279,000 the previous year, despite a total population increase of 2.9 million over the same period.
The divorce rate in 2005 (per 1,000 people) was 3.6 -- the lowest rate since 1970, and down from 4.2 in 2000 and from 4.7 in 1990. (The peak was at 5.3 in 1981, according to the Associated Press.)
The marriage rate in 2005 (per 1,000) was 7.5, down from 7.8 the previous year.

In 2004, the state with the highest reported divorce rate was Nevada, at 6.4 (per 1,000). Arkansas was a close second, with a divorce rate of 6.3, followed by Wyoming at 5.3. The District of Columbia had the lowest reported divorce rate, at 1.7, followed by Massachusetts at 2.2 and Pennsylvania at 2.5. (Figures were not complete for California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, or Oklahoma.)
8.1% of coupled households consist of unmarried heterosexual partners, according to The State of Our Unions 2005, a report issued by the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. The same study said that only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents -- the lowest figure in the Western world.

As of 2003, 43.7% of custodial mothers and 56.2% of custodial fathers were either separated or divorced. And in 2002, 7.8 million Americans paid about $40 billion in child and/or spousal support (84% of the payers were male).

Americans tend to get married more between June and October than during the rest of the year. In 2005, August had the most marriages at about 235,000 or a rate of 9.3 per 1,000 people. The previous year, July was the highest month at 246,000, or a rate of 9.9; this doubled the lowest month in 2004, January.

So, do people really take marriage seriously? Read the stats and judge for yourself. If they end up getting divorced, should they get married? Holy matrimony is something that you should not enter into lightly. That's it boogles my mind why non-religious people get married in a church. Sure, there is the tradition factor. But I still am not wrapping my mind why they do it. Either way, they take those vows and not take them to heart if they end up getting married.

If I ever got divorced, then I would most likely never re-marry. I believe that you should be committed to one person. But, never say never. I never thought my mom would get re-married but she did. If I do get married, I hope that that marriage lasts as long as my grandparents. The only way I would think of getting re-married is if my spouse died. It might be an odd way to think, but this way I know I never let myself down by getting a divorce.

If you can make a marriage last, than all the more power to you. If you can't, then you should examine what went wrong. But always try to fix the problems first.. Also would you repent if you got a divorce?

Thanks for reading.
Mr. C.C.

Battling A Cold

For the first time in how long, I am battling a cold. It sucks as I constantly am having to blow my nose. I guess I will suck it up and get over it. But if I still have a cold next week by the time my sister has her baby, I will have to be careful around the baby. Let's hope that is not the case.

Here's hoping you don't have to battle a cold!
Mr. C.C.