OK…so I’m back to complain…well discuss something I think is very alarming…IMHO.

I’ve been living in Victoria BC for about a year and a half, and in that time I’ve seen several preventable accidents between cars and peddle bikes.

This area is very concious of our enviroment, and many people opt out of driving motor vehicles for biking to work, to school or where ever they need to go, which I think is awsome…however.

The laws here, as they are in many other cities around the world, is that you can not ride your bike on the side walk…no matter what…so you don’t have a choice but to use the streets.

Of course, where there is room, they have added biking lanes…basically two lines on the right hand side of the road, closest the curb that is about three foot wide…which is great…as long as no right turns are being made by motor cars.

Of course this is an island, and many of the roads are only wide enough to fit two cars, passing on opposit sides, which of course does not leave any real room for bikers, thus cars must swing out into the on coming lane to pass said bikers…or hit them.

This area actually has a great biking trail that has been constructed that can actually get you around pretty good….but still a biker must at some point deal with traffic…and or use side streets.

The alarming thing for me is that people ride there bikes in busy traffic on the main roads that are too narrow for a car and bike side by side, and many of them actually do end up getting injured or die doing so…what’s that about.

The scariest part for me is they take there children on those same roads…

Can you imagine a 10 year old riding his or her bike with only a lee way of 1 ft…I mean…kids don’t have the balance for the most part and end up swirving outside of that boundry way more then adults … who do as well.

Well and then there are the ones that are pulling a baby carrier behind them….and the same streets…OMG.

The thing is…that in almost all of these cases…there are alternative routes….but it would take an extra 10 min to use them.

The irony here is that recently the Government laid down a law that has forced 24 hr gas stations to lock there doors at 12 pm, and only serve customers thru a small window…for their saftey…and then they just laid down a law that all shops that sell cigarettes are to cover them up so that seeing them won’t entice people to smoke…(yes this has become a law)…for our safty.

But….they require young children and adults to ride thier bikes on roads that are extremly dangerous…and lives truly are lost.

In any event, it’s bad enough that adults won’t use alternative, safer routes for their own saftey, but to put a child’s life at risk should be illegal….IMHO.

OK, so it’s time for a change, well several changes, both here and in my life in general.

A new theme for the already new year, a new approach to a stale more sarcastic one, and a change in lifestyle, much needed for my family.

It’s hard sometimes to make such changes…well the theme for the blog much easier…LOL, but lifestyle changes and attitude changes can take some real time, and effort to achieve.

Both my husband and I turned 40 this past year, and when we reflected on our position in life, we realized that we didn’t have a lot going for us in the physical sense…I’ve been over weight and not in the greatest shape or health of my life, and having two little ones that isn’t a good place to be.  Also we are financially in a horrible place, one which we had hoped the move to Canada would alleviate, but alas it isn’t any better, perhaps in some ways even worse.

So I’ve started focusing on my health and well being and we are looking to make a move back to Washington State so we can both work and have our kids in good schools etc.

The cost of living down there is a sight better then here on the island, and there are more possibilities there.

Not to mention that we have not been able to get my step daughters up here for a visit…a lot of problems getting them over the border without their mom in tow, not to mention a bit expensive, where being in the states…it would be a manageable thing to have them fly out every few months.

So major changes on the horizon…I am in great hopes that we will finally find our place in this world as a family, and actually be able to build a better more stable environment for ourselves and our kids.

Peace/Love

Shannon

Hello Everyone,

I just finished watching this documentary  that truly needs to be watched by everyone IMO.

It is extremly disturbing and will go against many religious belief systems, and make you take a look at what is happening in the world, but especially in the USA and how it relates to the world.

The film starts out around religion, then goes into the 911 issue, then money and control etc etc…and honestly if you are not at least wondering about how our lives are going to be in the future, and wondering how to take back control, I’d be surprised.

I’m not sure everyone will be able to even make it past the first part of the film as it truly goes against all we’ve been taught on a social/religious level, and for many our beliefs will be challenged, and in a manner that is very simple…and provable…but even then I’d challenge you to try and get thru the whole thing.

This is not a film for children, if I were to rate it I’d say 14 up…and then I’d be watching it with an adult if I was a teen.

If nothing else I hope this will get some people thinking, asking questions about what is truly going on in our world, and stop being so compliant with it all.

Anyhow here it is…I hope you will appreciate it by the time it’s done.

http://zeitgeistmovie.com/index.html

Peace

Shannon

Well here I am to bitch about another interesting difference between Canada and the USA…and this has to do with Banking Practices.

OK…now I’m talking about Chartered Banks, not Credit Unions, because there is a huge difference between the two…especially in Canada.

My mother has Banked with The Royal Bank for years up here in Canada…in fact I can safely say it has been 20 plus years.

Originally she opened the account in Alberta where we lived for most of my life, but when she came out to the Coast banking became interesting.

First I should mention that the Royal Bank does in-fact consider itself as having an inter branch banking policy, which most do…however putting that into action is harder then you think!!

This is crazy to me actually, but she wrote my husband, who is a USA citizen so does not have a bank account here, a check for 100.00…and when he went into a branch to cash it, they would not because the branch where her account is was not thiers…it is in another province…?

She wrote me a check out of a different bank account that was based somewhere else and again…I could not cash it because for some reason…inter branch banking does not exist unless you fit a certain criteria…in other words…she can go to the branch and take the money out…but not if I go with a check written on the account????

Also…trying to deposit money into her account is insane…they really give you a hard time, if they let you at all…that is put money into someones account…it’s so bizzar.

In the USA an inter branch banking system is just that..you can access your account in all ways from any branch of that particular institution…and they will gladly cash a check written off an account from someone who banks at any of thier branch’s…and they certainly will take cash and place it into someones account if you ask…no matter where the branch is.

What’s more…and this is killer to me…is that when I’ve gone in to cash a check written to me…and I’ve not had too much trouble because I still use the same last name…but they charge ME a fee to cash the check!!!

It’s so backwards up here…and really expensive to have a regular bank account…and that is why I bank at a credit union…they really do have branch to branch banking, and they will let my husband or anyone else deposit money, and as far as I know they don’t charge someone to cash a check!!

Anyhow…just one more thing against or should I say that is a pain about living here…in Canada…although it’s not all bad…

Peace

Shannix

I’ve recently moved to Canada having spent the past few years in the USA I had forgotten just what the medical experience was like.

I was raised in Alberta, and back in the day when I was a young person, we had excellent health care compared to many countries, but then…the budget was slashed, and slashed and slashed…..so now days…it’s not all it’s chalked up to be.

I watched as my friends elderly parent/grandparent slowly lost hrs of support and in home care services, their much needed oxygen, and many of their prescription drugs.

My own grandfather went thru some of that when he lived with me…it was horrible.

We lost many or most of our world renowned surgeons and specialists, and many many good nurses to the USA because they were not getting the money or the hours they needed here any longer.

Also, having spoken with Dr’s and Nurses as well as physical theoropists that had relocated to the States, they all pretty much said the same thing.

The Canadian healthcare system does not allow for advancement in the area of medicine, in many cases the machinery is outdated so bad, and in the case of the physical theropist, she said when she went up to visit with the people she worked with 15 years before in Toronto, they were still doing things the same way they were then, and not advancing in any direction, while she had been given more education, and kept up to date on the new technics, new equiptment etc etc in the states…and it goes on and on.

Anyhow…this all came up as I had to visit a Dr Yesterday as I needed a perscription for Albuteral (rescue inhaler) for my asthma. I’ve been lazy and not applied for the health care yet, so I had to pay for the visit…58.00 to be exact. Well the price was amazing to me as the most I’d ever paid for a Dr Visit was around 35.00 without insurance in the states.

Well, the Dr came in…a women in her 60’s I’m sure (which is fine), and she sat down, asked what I wanted…I told her I was needing some albuteral for my asthma, and she eyed me like I perhaps was a criminal…LOL…looking for an adrenalin rush to pass the time.

Then she decided I was ok when I told her I only had to use it once or twice a week…and wrote out the perscription…in less then 5 min…no health questions, no health history taken, no concerns or suggestions around my asthma which can be fatal, a very serious ailment really.

OK…so I let that go, but had told her that for 58.00 I was going to ask her some other questions…and when she got up to go to the door…less then 5 minutes after she entered…I stopped her and proceeded to ask her about birth control alternatives…that had nothing to do with latex as I’m allergic…she was annoied.

You know it was almost to the point of her screaming out…why do you even need this…you are middle aged…this should not be a concern…(I guess we aren’t supposed to be having sex after 40?!)

Anyway…she started telling me no to the alternatives, and then walked out with me trailing while she went thru a list of contriceptive devices that were all latex based…in front of the waiting patients!!!

So for 58.00 in Canada…at a walk in clinic…I received approximatly 7 min time of a Dr. who in my opinion didn’t do her job…and got what I went in to get…still I was discusted.

The Pharmasist at the Shoppers Drug mart gave me a once over though…spent almost 10 min questioning me on why I was not using certain asthma medications for prevention, and making darn sure I knew how to use the Albuteral…and I only bought a 22.oo item from him…amazing.

In the USA on the other hand…with no insurance, I never spent less then 15 min with a Dr as he/she made sure they understood my history, and asked probing questions and administered appropriate tests for any ail ment I’d have…and it was cheaper too…sheesh.

Now saying all of that…the USA Healthcare system need some radical changes made to it…but my hope is that once that happens…the Dr’s will remain caring concerned individuals and not end up being lumps that hand out perscriptions with out a health history.

Anyhow…I can go on, but it’s late so I won’t.

Peace…Love

Shannix

Hello All…

My husband and I really like metal work, wrought iron work etc, especially when someone with a passion and truly artistic ability is behind it.

Well…about a year ago he found this wonderful site and we googled over the work that was being done, especially the fact that all of it was hand forged, no Lazar beams present…LOL.

Anyway…we recently found out that this small family owned company is not doing well…and honestly I think it would be a shame if they could not continue to work their passion.

So if anyone out there has a little energy, love or appreciation for their work, please send some of it out…and if you really like the stuff…maybe add a link to your own blogs etc .

I am a firm believer that when many people send positive supportive energy, whether thru prayer, meditation or by purchasing a piece to Adorne their own home, that that energy will find its way into anothers life, to help support them in many ways.

Anyhow…I do not know this person personally, and they have no idea I am sharing this information.

If nothing else I hope you all enjoy the art!!!

http://www.ihmetalworks.com/IHMW/mainpgs/index.html

Namaste

Shannon

Well as usual, I’ve neglected my blog, and well I suppose I’ve been neglecting my writing in general, not really finding the words these past few months.

Much change has been happening for one, and I suppose that is the bulk of it.

Moving to Victoria, BC Canada has been a major move, and a bit of a culture shock really…and while I was raised in Alberta, the BC thing is a little different, and the cost of living insane.

Chad and I and our two little ones moved in with my mom for a temp solution, and it looks like we will not be able to afford to get a place of our own for a few more months, even with me working again.

I got a job with Trail Appliances, which is a commission position with the average first year around 40,000.00…which in this neck of the woods isn’t much…basic living in fact!!!

Still, Chad is going to start building his play houses and hopefully they will start selling right away, then we can look at getting a house.

It is beatiful here, that is for sure, only being 5 to 10 min away from any number of beach’s, and my creative self is certainly finding a voice again…with such a lush enviroment that surrounds us.

We havn’t gotten a chance to look around up island staying in the Greater Victoria area so far, with gas prices so high and our car that guzzles it so much…LOL…but am looking forward to exploring more as time goes on.

Anyhow, I’m going to try a post a couple of pics of where we are so you can enjoy some of what we see everyday.

Chow for Now…Peace

Shannix

I’ve been on about racism towards whites for many years now, and frankly, it always seems that people are too afraid to admit it or talk about it openly, until yesterday.

Upon opening my email, I had one from my dad tittled “Someone Finally had the guts to say it.” and it is a very to the point email about racism against whites.

Being primarily white in background and color, (I have about and 8th native American), I have been the subject of much racial hatred, or at least the bunt of some off handed comments, and unfair treatment. Also having many friends Native, Hispanic, Chinese etc, decent, I’ve witnessed some racism that surrounds them as well.

Now I am telling you this because I don’t want someone to come along and not realize that as a person I’m pretty well rounded, and personally don’t see a persons skin color till well after I’ve talked with them, and in fact…LOL…sometimes well into the friendship that I realize they are anything different then human.

At any rate, this person that wrote the email made some really great points about racism towards white people that I think is worth mentioning.

We have created many holidays, or events around such things as Martin Luther King Day, Black awareness month, and have many special treatments for people, such as a fund that allows people of color, or different races that are not white to access our schools, and such that are not available to the white population.

The thing about it is simply if we had a White Awareness month, it would undoubtedly be considered racist, and if we were to set up a special school fund strictly for whites it would be considered racist, however these things are not considered so if it is a community of colored or ethnic people doing it.

Somehow that just seems to defeat the purpose of eliminating racism in our culture.

Also, we have to put up with racist comments such as being called whitey, or other not so pleasant terms, because if we were to defend ourselves and say something against it, we would be considered racist, yet those people that offer up those lowly sayings to us are not.

I think the thing that most offends me though, is that I’m being blamed for things that happened 200 years ago…and while I wish that racism were not even a part of our culture, it certainly was…WAS…past tense…and for me personally, it is not an issue…other then I am forced to endure it.

My question would be I suppose, how do we deal with this?  How do we even out the stakes concerning this issue, and not be put into a position of having to tip toe around the tulips everytime the issue comes up?

I am who I am, right or wrong, but the color of my skin, or my religious or non religious beliefs should not dictate whether a person would like me or not.

My hope is to one day see a world that does not look at such things in harsh judgment/condemnation and instead views the peoples of the world as Human beings.

Shannix

Yesterday my husband was watching an interview with Jimmy Carter around his new book ‘Palestine Peace Not Apartheid’.

Now I was born in the USA, but raised in Canada so I’m not completely up on the Presidents of the US,  but I remember that he was a good president and seemed to be a good man.

After watching the interview for an hour or so, I was struck by how this man is a truly great man, not loud and obnoxious, but quite and steadfast as it were.

In this his new book he is bringing light to many of the aspects of the Israeli / Palestinian dispute that we simply are not aware of, and that has not been brought to our attention via the media or through the government etc.

Description

Following his #1 New York Times bestseller, Our Endangered Values, the former president, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, offers an assessment of what must be done to bring permanent peace to Israel with dignity and justice to Palestine.

President Carter, who was able to negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, has remained deeply involved in Middle East affairs since leaving the White House. He has stayed in touch with the major players from all sides in the conflict and has made numerous trips to the Holy Land, most recently as an observer in the Palestinian elections of 2005 and 2006.

In this book President Carter shares his intimate knowledge of the history of the Middle East and his personal experiences with the principal actors, and he addresses sensitive political issues many American officials avoid. Pulling no punches, Carter prescribes steps that must be taken for the two states to share the Holy Land without a system of apartheid or the constant fear of terrorism.

The general parameters of a long-term, two-state agreement are well known, the president writes. There will be no substantive and permanent peace for any peoples in this troubled region as long as Israel is violating key U.N. resolutions, official American policy, and the international “road map” for peace by occupying Arab lands and oppressing the Palestinians. Except for mutually agreeable negotiated modifications, Israel’s official pre-1967 borders must be honored. As were all previous administrations since the founding of Israel, U.S. government leaders must be in the forefront of achieving this long-delayed goal of a just agreement that both sides can honor.

Palestine Peace Not Apartheid is a challenging, provocative, and courageous book.

Above Description from Simon & Schuster @ SimonSays.com

You can also read excerpts of this book at abc News:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=2680021&page=1

I was impressed enough by the interview to look forward to reading this book, and I really believe that we all need to be informed of the different angles in all conflicts.

Jimmy Carter is all about peace, and I really think he makes some good points, and while it may be somewhat horrifying to see what we or our government condones when it comes to civil rights in this case the treatment of the Palestinians, it is truly important for us to understand and change our policies around these things.

PLJG

Shannix

Well, another Thanks Giving Day come and gone, with all the fixins.

I have to say that late last week, with Thanks Giving looming, we were not even sure if we would be able to have a decent meal, never mind a whole dinner. It is amazing how things come to us, how we are taken care of in so many ways.

Monday came around and we had a Turkey, and the week provided for enough money to buy the rest…yippy!!!

It was a small group of us, my husband Chad and I, his two kids and our two kids, and Hope a friend that is staying with us at the moment. 

We had invited several people whom normally would not have had a place to go, however, they were all taken care of this year, which made it a little more intimate, compared to normal…it was kinda cool actually.

Today is a day of thanks, ending a season of growing, harvesting if you will, and looking forward to the winter months, when we can rest, until the spring when the fields are planted once more…or at least that is how it used to be…LOL…for the farmers around here anyhow, most of them have jobs outside farming anymore.

Still, the feeling is the same, so today I give thanks for my family, who have stood by me and have stuck together, growing closer and stronger everyday.  I’m thankful that we have a roof over our heads, and that we are generaly speaking very healthy.

I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am to my friends, whom I have not seen in many years, and whom still hold me dear to thier hearts, as I do with them…such support and Love can not be bought.

I am grateful and thankful that our world is truly becoming a better place, even though it is not evident thru the news services, and it seems often that it is becoming worse, however, when I talk to people around the world, I am seeing and hearing a different story…one person at a time.

There are so many things to be thankful for, that I can not begin to really address them, but one thing I can say is that everyday I am thankful for these many things, and more.

Everyday is Thanks Giving day for me and my family, and I hope for others as well, as I believe strongly that the more we are thankful for what we have, and positive in our Attitude, the better the world will be around us.

Love Peace Joy and Gratitude

Shannix