| Christmas |
[Dec. 14th, 2009|09:29 am] |
Would you like something for the holidays this year? Do you know of someone who isn't having a good holiday and could use some cheering up? Please send your Christmas wishlist, or your friend's wishlist to my email inbox (patriotcriminal at gmail dot com), or leave a comment here (comments are screened). Thank you so much in advance.
I hope that you are all well and enjoying the holiday season. I have missed talking to you guys very much- I am always looking for email penpals if you're interested in chatting with me. |
|
|
| Fuckin' Facebook, I thought people had moved on to Twitter. |
[Dec. 13th, 2009|03:49 pm] |
People get offended when I write Facebook notes.
From Nations and Wick Family Christmas, I ended up with 4-7 angry messages in my inbox.
So it's back to livejournal, yeeeeaaaah.
My political jargon will continue to show up on facebook, We shall prevaaaaiiiillll, but my family rants can stay here, where I can e-vent unnoticed.
Wonderful old Livejournal, sometimes I'm so glad you're here. |
|
|
| 25 Things |
[Dec. 13th, 2009|03:45 pm] |
So, yer supposed to read this, re-post this... do twentyfive things about you. K'mann, I'm interested.
Tagging is scewed due to mass involvement in the twentyfive thing note garbaggggggee. Many people I'm interested in have already cranked this badboy out, and many more have made it clear that they are personally opposed to this 'project'. Tagged you anyway suckaaahs!
Don't worry. Mine is different. I'm creative. ahahhaha.
0.5. I don't know how to spell scewed. squewed? sqeued? oh dear.
1. I have the weirdest cat ever. His name is Charles "Fritz" Murphy (because he's black... darknessesdaarrrknesses... no? Dy-lan, DY-lan... dylandylandylan). He likes to stare at you, run away, come back, stare again, run away, meow pathetically at the door... stare s'more. I'm convinced he thinks this apartamente is the reincarnation of a bygone-Alcatraz. Yesterday he peed on Ian.
1.5. I hate socks.
2. I'm not an artist, but I love a little random pastel/collage in my life.
3. I also love blank canvii. On a related note, empty notebooks are also wonderful. Notebooks, sketchbooks, journals... they're just so full of promise. Once those little buddies are half-crammed with doodles and my lovely chickenscratch, I buy a new one (or seven) to motivate myself. This is why I love back to school. That's right, I'm single-handedly destroying a little grove somewhere. BUT
4. I love trees. I love 'em, love 'em, love 'em. When I came back from Europe, all my trip pictures turned out to be of trees (well, not all... but a hefty percentage). Some of me hugging trees, close ups of bark, the works. Delish. They're almost more human than humans. I dunno.
4.5. I also really enjoy board/card games. Silly ones. Ones where everyone is yelling at once: Qwelf... Pictionary... Cribbage. lol.
5. She's a killlllaaaahhhhh, Quee-een. Dynamite with a laser beam, guaranteed to blow your mind. Anytime.
6. I really hate lies for no reason. Lies with reason are at least understandable, but stupid lies that make no difference whatsoever (maybe make the person look slightly cooler - until their semi-transparent lies come to light) are irksome beyond all reason. stoppit.
7. I'm a total foodie and read cookbooks for fun.
7.5. Crosswords.
8. My school work is suffering because my apartment lacks a bathtub. Don't you find there are certain reads that are just bathtub reading? I'm taking popular fiction this semester and let me tell you. It's just easier in the tub: I've powered through three books in one sitting (soaking?), but sans tubbie it just seems... too frivolous.
8.6. My favourite movie of all time is probably Braveheart. I (expletive deleted)ing love William Wallace. I love that giant red-haired fellow that tosses a mean caber. I love that slutty queen and her gay husband and demon-letch of an inlaw. I love FREEDDDOOOMMMMMMMM! Besides Braveheat gotta give it to Wayne's World, Cool Runnings, Best in Show, Harold and Maude, Fish Called Wanda... the list goes on n' on. The Coen Brothers, Baz, Wes.
9. I like nerds, the candy.
10. I love nerds, the gents.
11. It's been my New Years resolution for several (7) years running to learn french and guitar. Both insanely useful skills. By now, however, my once fairtogood french has become pisspoor and I lack a knowledge foundation upon which to build. This becomes REALLY unfortunate when I realize I NEED this freakin' working knowledge to get into any respektabibble english masters program. le crap.
12. I have the biggest head you'll ever see. I disguise it well, but even dudes with mega-huge heads that LOOK mega-huge? ain't got nothin' on this noggin'. My mom once suggested I use a hollowed out watermelon as a bike helmet. The problem with this is that I really adore hats. Big hats, little hats, feathered hats, bowlers... but they all manage to avoid me quite adroitly. It's sad.
12.5. I tell my story through mediocre, cryptic poetry on livejournal.
13. Guilty pleasures: Simple Plan, the Hills, America's Next Top Model, chips and dip.
14. Self, by Yann Martel; Life is Elsewhere, by Milan Kundera.
14.8. A library card would be a joy. Unfortunately time constraints don't work so well for me. I think I had Gone with the Wind for a thousand years and still owe them a cool six mill.
15. I love the feeling of waking up and walking outside to sunshine. That delectable smell of baking earth and grass. Laundry swinging on the line. Tea, toast, peanut butter and fat fat fat book in hand. God, I miss summer.
15.5. Last night while tottering home in stupidly small heels (in the slush... uphill both ways), an entire street sang with crystalline, sparkling, sweet, ephemeral snow. It was like Bifrost, the rainbow bridge: flippin' Norse mythology on a Danger Bay side street. It reminded me of another night, but with a little more glitz, a little more glamour. Speaking of Bifrost, you should check out Erik the Viking (Tim Robbins).
15.6. I wanna dance/tampoline.
15.8. Oh snap! Speaking of trampolines, I really miss Kris.
16. My favourite place in all the world (at least so far) is old Avignon. Neys is maybe second.
17. I have four good luck charms that I must wear (at least one, but any combination thereof) to exams, tests, and quizzes. They're all necklaces or pendants that Mumsie has brought me from far far away.
17.7. I like comfy: hoodies and hugs.
18. This year, I'm renting out space to garden. From whom, I don't yet know. So if any of you all have a glorious little lawn space you want roto-tilled and then filled with a bountiful harvest of delishes veg, you've found your girl. All in the name of a years supply of pickled beets. I have qualifications, previous experience, all that jazz. I was the Old Fort's garden girl when they still had one. All I did was laugh with people all day... and feed them vegetables... come to think of it... that's kinda what I do now, enh?
19. I have the best job in the world: headfruitwench#2. Screw mown lawns and books in the sun, what I miss most about the summah is the fruit and the stand and the peeps. And the canoein'. I plan on canoein' a lot this summer. That and learning how to fish... ooh! that and so much wilderness and campfires... and folkfest... and swimming. ahhaha.
19.9. I even like to smell like fruit. Flowers, ick. Spices, ick. Muskies, ick. Fruit, mmmm.
20. Fireball is my favourite.
21. I'm a socialist because I believe in the good in people. I think we ALL deserve to be taken care of, and how can that happen without ALL of us doing the caring?
21.2 I hate not being able to understand. This usually applies to someone rather than some thing/concept.
22. Unforgivable... fo' FREE.
23. One of my favourite things is going to the PA curling club to watch Ian (and Jon) play, getting three pitchers at a very good price, and mao-in' some tasty chinese food. There's this team of old guys that rock the most amaaazing jackets "Thunder Bay Chainsaws." Yeah, they're in a gang. Whut.
23.9. I completely and utterly abhor this metalmouth. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
24. Mmmm... Finnish b-fast. Mmmmm... 'rogs 'n' sourcream 'n' borscht.
25. I don't call people. Well... sometimes I do, but only when I really have to. Even if I love the person who I'm thinking about calling but definitely not actually calling. Even if I miss them. Even if I'd like nothing more than to talk to that individual. I really think I'm just terrified that someone somewhere on the other end of the phone call is going to yell at me, this fear is intensified when people live with their parents. I do like it when people call me though, that's sometimes fun. Even better? send me an email then meet me in person. Oh phonephobia, so very inconvenient. So now, if I ever call you, just know it means a heckova lot.
26. I'd like to take a trip to the border. Come back with a little piece of beefy heaven and some politically incorrect child-size tomahawks.
26.6. Dissected a worm the other day. That was fun. Stank like science for the rest of the afternoon.
27. Although I harbour a mighty distaste for binaries, I'm fairly (read: incredibly) black and white about how I see the world. Notice this list o' stuff is heavily seasoned with hate and love.
28. I have this massive hardon for words. Words that feel like you're speaking smooth little pebbly manifestations of images... and they taste good. Ex. The Cremation of Sam McGee. You oughta read it, I don't know why you haven't already.
29. Garlic.
29.3. I love going fast. Nope, faster than that.
30. The coolest superpower would be shapeshifter. |
|
|
| Nations |
[Dec. 13th, 2009|03:43 pm] |
I've done a lot of research on nation vs. 'Nation' (the actual physical manifestations of nations versus the theoretical concept), and it is clear that neither actually exist. Allow me to elucidate: What does nation mean? A body of individuals united by some undefined, unrestricted common ground, usually (but not always) contained within certain geographical borders (of any size or area). Essentially, one might choose any definition of 'nation' they please, and still, it would be correct.
I am all for First Nation and Quebecquois sovereignty, but one must interrogate:
What does it mean to be a Nation within another Nation? What does it mean to (constantly) have to protect your system of government, culture, language? What is the significance of sovereignty when it is granted by another, much larger nation, whose geographical borders subsume one's own? Perhaps more importantly, what are the consequences?
HST has intrigued me. How did this proposal come to exist when it is so clearly problematic? What about those that are not governed by the province? Nor, theoretically, the country? What about those that currently do not pay 14%? What is going to happen at the point of sale? I contacted Liberal MPP and provincial Minister of Northern Development on the subject. Here is what he had to say:
"The largest aspect of the plan is to reduce costs to business and industry. Therefore, a temporary rise in the cost of some consumer products will eventually give way to market forces, as producers and retailers see opportunities to lower prices due to reduced overhead via the Single Sales Tax. As one business takes this step, competitors will naturally follow suit.
"This was a difficult move to make, and we anticipated a public outcry, as we tend to experience whenever the word "tax" comes up. There will be no significant increase in revenue collected by the province; this was not a decision made to enrich provincial coffers through taxpayers, so much as it was an urgent response to stimulate economic recovery and job creation. Tough times call for tough decisions, and I am proud that our government has adopted this straightforward strategy.
"Through close examination of the potential benefits of a single sales tax, I can say that I support this decision because I honestly believe that it will prove good for the province and good for Thunder Bay-Superior North."
He was unable to answer questions about my specific situation: Status Indian, student, individual-not-business. To be honest, I don't mind it for myself - sometimes I forget to be exempt. I can afford it. I'm lucky. A lot of people can't afford it though, and they shouldn't have to - based on legal and binding contracts and treaties signed by the government of Canada. CANADA. Not Stephen Harper Land. Based on the faith that these contracts would be upheld by EVER-changing cabinets.
My thoughts on taxes: Tax me to the hilt! If I agree with how you spend the money. Give it all to Northern Development, make me Minister, I will ACTUALLY DEVELOP THE ACTUAL NORTH. And I don't mean Thunder Bay. I don't want to pay to bailout privatized industry. If you wanted the government to have a hand in your business/service, then you should have left them public, or sold them back to the government in order to facilitate re-publicization. Canadian Parliament, why don't you realize this!?
Upon investigation on my own, I found a variety of band councils and movement leaders are protesting the tax. The CBC article (linked below) states that provincial government has been open to dialogue and respectful of these concerns, it is the feds that haven't given a damn.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/23/aboriginal-hst-tax-0923.html
WHAT THE HELL? We pay federal tax, are bound by federal labour law, are theoretically administered to (when needed) by the federal government. I assumed, perhaps, that federal members of parliament might organize a minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Oh wait, they have one. Chuck Strahl. Guess what his job is though:
Federal interlocuter for Metis and Non-Status Indians.
WHAT? So Status Indians have no representation in federal government, and clearly no representation in provincial government. And he's a conservative businessman from BC to boot.** Remember what Gravelle said, HST's motive is to build Canadian business/industry.
Apparently he has refused appeals to open a dialogue from both FN lobby groups AND the provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister. The following article portrays Strahl as the villain of the piece, and rightfully so, his douchebaggery is only eclipsed by that of Dalton McGuinty. Please, PLEASE, oust him.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7487
'The New Democrats said Ontario's Liberal government failed to even talk with First Nations before it signed a deal with the federal Conservative government to harmonize the eight per cent PST with the five per cent goods and services tax.
"Without consulting, the McGuinty Liberals have surrendered decision-making powers to the federal government, a move that could end the point-of-sale exemption for off-reserve purchases," complained NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.'
THANK you Andrea Howarth, you aren't complaining, you are stating a FACT.
http://media.knet.ca/node/7475
“The fact of the matter is that it is individuals and families that will bear the brunt of this new tax. Many of our citizens and families are already living at or below the poverty line; it is a well known fact that the First Nations population is one of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society” said Grand Chief Randall Phillips of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, adding his concern that this tax will add to the burden that many First Nation families are already experiencing. Phillips added that the September 18, 2009 Special Report prepared by Toronto-Dominion Economics on the impacts of sales tax harmonization is further evidence that ultimately it is the consumer that will carry a heavier burden in making up for the lost revenue.
“Ontario and Canada have publicly pledged their commitment to helping eradicate First Nations poverty, but this cash grab will contribute to it. We have been working with the province to help recover our rightful share of the resource wealth that we agreed to share in the Treaties; there was never any agreement that First Nations pay taxes to any other nation” said Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Mahdahbee, who represents 42 First Nations in Ontario.
It becomes clear: our system of government has ensured that our only power is lobby, and if you're short a couple billion, you can bet your lobby will not be heard. Deserved sovereignty has only been effective in ensuring we do not have a regular voice in dominant parliament.
Unless we ban together. Unless we sit on their doorstep. Unless we make ourselves known. Unless we are prepared to do whatever it takes to CHANGE the balance of power, not accept handouts and bend to Ottawa/Outaouais.
Unless we show them our strength. |
|
|
| Merry Fuckmas: Wick "Family" Christmas |
[Dec. 13th, 2009|03:42 pm] |
When I was growing up, we used to have weeks worth of Christmas: to the Ottes' around the eighteenth for Jess' birthday, a family dinner and one for friends; my annual Christmas party later; Christmas Eve at Auntie Marilyn's; Christmas Day at Grandma Minga and Grandpa Peter's; and on Boxing Day to Nipigon, my personal Winter Wonderland.
We would stay for days and nights with aunts, uncles, cousins, and lovely, lovely grandparents. It always felt like being snowed in, and it was always awesome. Not to mention countless hours of snow forts, skating, sledding, hot cocoa, and cookies. Together, always together.
It has been going downhill for quite sometime. As family members moved away and stayed away at Christmas for years on end, I began to question their meaning to the family... not really even question, they just sort of faded from my heart. Yes, thank you for the card and money, but I really would have preferred a little time with you. Christmas is/was supposed to be a time to be together. To put down everything, and come together in love and hope and gladness and kindness and laughter and FOOD!
Look, I understand that people have their own issues. That's fine. But things change. I understand that siblings will love each other no matter what, but please don't expect your sibling's children to. I have some family that are strangers to me. Actually, I have a whole lot of family that are strangers to me, BUT I have SOME family that used to be my family, that used to be my best friends, that I used to trust and love with my whole heart, that are strangers to me now. They have BECOME that way.
Last year was ok. Since the above-described Christmas, there have been deaths, departures and moves, but the people I cared about most, who could be there, were there. There were also, of course, some shitty additions to the Wick side of things: significant others of extended family whose behaviour towards the family bothers me, who I do not care for myself, but who are otherwise insignificant and pleasantly SILENT...
but I got to be with my Grampy and Gran. I got to not feel like I was the insignificant one, I got to feel not walked upon, I got to feel like my whole family cared about me... God, I sound like I'm referring to the mafia. The FAMILY. But seriously, there was nothing more important to me in my life.
My extended family, whom I loved so hard that I let them berate my boyfriend until he didn't want to be around anymore. My family, who I valued and respected above all else. My family, who I would have protected from anything if I could. My family, who I was so proud of. I learned from the best: my Grandpa was proud of them. My grandpa made fun of my Ian the most, Grandpa was worthy of all the love and respect I could give him, and he was them. But not anymore. and as it turns out, my Grandpa was also the only one of the lot that made me feel significant, valuable, and happy.
It becomes apparent that as one ages, the only event that brings everyone together is a funeral.
I refuse to believe that the people who JUST SHOW UP FOR A FUNERAL are family. They are certainly not MY family. Disappointing. Disgusting really, and wildly morbid. Tisk tisk.
Oh god, this year has been so, so, so bad. This year has been garbage. How on earth does anyone expect the holidays NOT to be SHIT?
I've been watching versions of the Christmas Carol over and over. This is the first year, the first time ever, in my life, that I identified with Scrooge. He's not a bad guy, he just regrets the loss of those he truly loved. His loving sister Fan, that brought joy to his life, took care of him, DIES. His lovely girlfriend Belle, whom he does also love, even into doddering old age, leaves him because of his gruff preoccupation. Why is Scrooge Scrooge? He wasn't beaten, he wasn't poor. Classically, one might believe that is just a rotten tomato, but I think he just lost people he loved the most.
Because really, BAH HUMBUG. Said in 100% honesty, I would rather be dead than love and lose like this again. I would rather lead a horrible, terrible, no good lonely life than to feel this way all over again. After all, who did Scrooge hurt, really, besides himself? Go bless everyone, except me.
I never before understood the idea of replacing family with friends, tight knit groups of people loathe to go home to their horrible feuding fams, instead lounging together in Punta Cana, congratulating themselves on their adroit avoidance of the whole damn thing.
"Whole damn thing!?" I would think, aghast "Avoid it??!? Good lord!" I loved my family with a capital L.
I wish I was in the Dominican. Death changes people more than I expected. Sometimes I don't feel like remotely the same human.
Now that I don't love everyone, and one that I loved a whole, whole lot won't be there, there doesn't seem to be a point to attending this stupid farce of a 'family' gathering. I'm not a hypocrite. I will not feel disregarded and heartbroken and grief-stricken and angry yet make nice for the holidays. I can't do that.
If I was to go and stick it out for the peace of mind of my Gran whom I love very very much, there would have to be no outsiders. I'm too distraught, I'm crying all the time. I don't want to break down sixty times in one night in front of some stupid people for whom I harbour a mighty distaste, who couldn't possibly share in the horrid gut-wrenching LONELINESS of the thing... and since that's not going to happen, I shall be abstaining from our traditional Christmas Day celebration.
Please don't think I'm indifferent. Please don't think I'm a bitch. I feel this loss acutely. I have been lamenting my lost family for months. I am broken with loss. All I want in the entire world is to be able to feel how good and safe and whole I felt in Nipigon years ago, and I know that will never happen. All it would take is Grandpa's hand, but we all know that's not happening.
Gran, Annie, Jared, Celine, if you're reading this, I would really, really like to see you soon. I would love to get together for New Year's Day dinner or similar. Call me anytime. You're important to me and I love you guys. Kenni, you should come. |
|
|
| Pink |
[Dec. 8th, 2009|01:15 am] |
Thank you for still using this thing!
(Pink Snow Bunny #9 was supposed to be making fun of 9 Chickweed Ln but apparently no one got it) |
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
cain_devera's Friends Page