Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Do we push Mother Nature too far?

As we have heavy hearts thinking of the 8 men who lost their lives doing what they loved in the BC Rockies on Sunday afternoon. It is always hard to watch people anguish over the thought that their loved one(s) pushed Mother Nature just a bit too hard and she pushed back. We have all heard of, or maybe even experienced the wrath of Mother Nature. She has created various locations in our country that we can marvel at for her vast expertise that has such a beautiful project come to fruition. I think that one person interviewed in this last incident kind of said it all. People are buying bigger and bigger machines to go further. To the top of the world one might say they went that far. Well this trip someone forgot to tell them was a one way trip. So yes they died doing what they loved, but they left others longing for them for years to come. People could ask why would you knowingly put yourself in harms way? The thrill of the adventure could be an answer to that question. We all work very hard in our lives, and we seem to want to play even harder. When you work this hard it enables you to purchase toys that reflect your fruits of your labor. The manufacturers of these toys know that we as citizens of society buy the biggest, fastest, flashyist, piece of equipment to partake in what ever activity they enjoy. So as they say build it and they will come, or in this case build it and they will purchase it. People yearn to seek these far away vistas, experience that rush too get to this wild uninhabited place. Lets face it most people that get involved in this type of stuff are adrenaline junkies. We seem to be more stressed in our lives today, so by getting involved in such activities gives us such a feeling of still being alive! I admire that these people passed doing the think they loved so much. I do feel saddened for the loved ones that are left behind. The spouses that are left to go on without their soul mates. The children that will grow up without one of their parents. Now I know I can hear it now... that happens everyday suck it up! Your right, but sit in front of that child and listen to them weep longing for Mommy or Daddy to come home, and tell me that it does not tug at your heart strings. So when you push the envelope and test Mother Nature be prepared that she may push back, and have consequences for those actions. Be safe out their!!

Leonard Stier, and his son Michael Stier, Warren Rothel, Thomas Talarico, Kane Rusnak, Kurt Kabel, and Blaine Wilson, last but not least Danny Bjarnason.

Gone but never forgotten!!!!
God speed to those who passed, and prayers of strength and faith for those left behind.

From
The Big Ape

Monday, December 29, 2008

Why doesn't McDonald's sell hotdogs?

Well as we all push back from life's table from all the festivities, and realized that we have probably sent more then the GDP of a small African country we head towards New Years plump and happy, until our first credit card statements of 2009. Yep the big 2009! Now I must admit that New Years Eve is not so important for myself and the Mrs. She is finding it too hard to keep me on my leash in her old age lol. She finds it just easier to keep me in my cage. It is those banana daiquiris. I just go ape for them!!! That and Jack Daniels and Ice Tea...You gotta luv it!!!! I feel that Christmas is for kids, and we are kid-less so we decided to just relax, and spend Christmas at home this year. It was not with out saying we still had some great food, and goodies. The Ape Trainer can wrestle up a mean spread when put into action. We had friends in on Boxing day along with people popping in through out the holidays. So now we focus on the new year. So if you are a worry wort, and you buy into the; "are we going into another depression???" headlines. Then your 2009 is probably pretty bleak. Maybe it is because I have nothing to lose anymore other then life itself, and even that I feel I have lived a pretty rich life if I was going to die tomorrow I am ready. Now before someone calls 911 and thinks I should go vacation with the boys in the white suits...hold on!!! I said I am ready that does not mean I necessarily want to go, and yes given the opportunity there is things I would like to do yet, but looking at life as a place of opportunity rather then oh what have I missed has changed me for the better! I guess it is a case of a glass half full verses a glass half empty type situation. So now that I have found inner peace with myself, and what is around me; what about you? Now don't get me wrong stress is still present in my life, and I am far from being perfect in my zen attitude, but the new me is trying to find that balance in my life. So when it comes to this time of year people feel that we should buy into the whole idea of cleansing the body of the past year, and starting fresh for the new year. What ever blows your hair back I guess... I gave up on New Years resolutions a long time ago. Most of the time I never kept them for anymore then a month anyway. What is the top ten New Years commitments I hear the music and drum role now! lol :

10. Get organized
Well sparky you should not wait until January 1st to does this. If you are disorganized don't wait do it NOW!!! You will be happier and the world around you will be neater. Hey who knows it will be like December 25th all over again on all the stuff you find that you forgot you had!

9. Help others
Well if you were not so self centered and chipped in and helped others they might return the favor, and then you would not be so disorganized!

8. Learn Something new
Once again if you only wait until January 1st to do this no wonder the world is passing you by. You should try and learn something new everyday! It does not have to be life altering, but stimulating the brain matter keeps the seniors lodges from looking like a parking lot for the compost heap in heaven.

7. Get out of Debt
Well sunshine debt is one thing, but sinking yourself beyond your limits is another. Economics 101 states debt is not bad as along as it is controlled, and we live within our means. It is when we try keeping up with the Jone's that we cause the world to come crashing down. Just ask GM or Chrysler they will back me up!

6. Quit drinking
Have you heard the term moderation? Nothing is bad for you for maybe the exception of smoking as long as it is done in MODERATION!!!! That is what is wrong with people in this world nobody can do anything without going Ape! Now I am even guilty of this or I would not be called the 500 LB Gorilla! Even though I only weighed 98 LBS I think I would still carry the nick name. People just seem to listen to someone that is bigger then if you are tiny. The 98 LB gorilla just does not have the same impact! lol

5. Enjoy life more
Well that is a no brainer! DUH if you were not so busy worrying about all your faults you would enjoy life more. A very wise person passed on the secret of life to me recently. Live simply in the Now! Don't worry about the past as you cannot change it, Don't get hung up on the future as then you will miss what is going on in front of you, and that is the Now! Thanks Cesar I am truly in gratitude to you!!!

4. Quit Smoking
Again Don't wait until January 1st to do this NOW!!! It is a very bad habit, it is killing you, and it is also expensive! Now with that being said I it know it is an addiction, and it will not be easy if you fail once keep trying. You also have to quit for the right reason, and that is for YOU! If you are quitting to make someone else happy you are setting yourself up to fail. You have to buy into the idea to truly succeed. Now look at it this way. You are going to feel better, and save money all in the same resolution! Wow... I should sell this information! Do I smell a book deal??? Get Oprah on the phone...lol

3 and 2. Lose weight and get fitter
Every one thinks they should lose weight, and go to the gym more often. That is why you need to circle the gym parking lots like a buzzard looking for dinner for about 30 to 45 days after Christmas. Personally I thought losing weight would have been #1, but I stand corrected. This is also the time we go use all our gift cards to purchase gym equipment to have it as a stylish close hanger or rack in about 3 months time. (guilty as charged)!!

Now the drum role please.......

1. Spend more time with friends and family
Well again that is a very noble idea, but I feel that you should not be waiting until January1st to do this. If you are feeling that you are not spending enough time or eating properly or needing to change a behavior don't wait there is not better time then the present sparky!!

I know you want one last bash where you know you smoked way too much, and drank enough to make an Irishman green with a hangover just smelling you. So as you drag your sorry carcases around asking yourself why you did this to yourselves? We will be standing back, and counting how long it takes for you to break the promises to god if he just stopped the room from spinning you will quit drinking, or doing what ever else promised in order to feel better. Sound familiar?

Well I would be remissed If I and the Ape Trainer did not wish you and yours a very good new years and all the best for 2009!

In parting I have to share this little story with you. I understand this is true. I hope this was not you, and if it was I think some new years resolutions are in order!!!!

You gotta read this police report
Jacksonville, Fl., Police Dept.

A man goes to a party and has too much to drink. His friends plead with him to let them take him home. He says no he only lives a mile away.

About five blocks from party, the police pull him over for weaving and asks him to get out of the car and walk the line. Just as he starts, the police radio blares out a notice of a robbery taking place in a house just a block away. The police tell the man to stay put, they will be right back and they hop a fence and run down the street to the robbery.

The guy waits and waits and finally decides to drive home anyway. When he gets there, he tells his wife he is going to bed, and to tell anyone who might come looking for him that he has the flu and has been in bed all day.

A few hours later the police knock on the door. They ask if Mr. ????? is there, and his wife says yes. They ask to see him and she replies that he is in bed with the flu and has been so all day.

The police have his driver's license. They ask to see his car, and she asks why. They insist on seeing his car, so she takes them to the garage. She opens the door. There sitting in the garage is the police car, with all its lights still flashing.

True story: Told by the driver at his first AA meeting.





Thanks Diane H...

Remember don't go through life having regrets...face life finishing beaten and battered sliding into heaven with both feet saying woooooooo hoooooo that was fun!

Until Next Time
Cheers
From The Big Ape

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Are You a Digital Criminal?

As we settle into our warm homes frozen into an ice cube the government taxes us once again on the fact we MIGHT be guilty. I always thought we were innocent until proven guilty. Not in the government's eyes! Once again I am about to climb on my soap box and ask my readers to hold on as this is going to be a rant about our money grubbing government brethren! Well some might not feel this is the right way of looking at things, but here is how I take this thought process. If thought to be a thief why not do what they expect of you! Like they say while in Rome act like the Romans! I watched a DVD the other day, and at the start of the movie the film company is trying to guilt us into thinking that copying this DVD is stealing. They try and make you feel so dirty. Now don't get me wrong even the rebel that I am I even have some moral fiber. Do I think that backing up a movie that you may own is stealing well then Kojack guilty as charged! Going out and copying it and selling it 40 or 50 times that is wrong! We all work hard for our money, and if Mom or Dad want to preserve the classics because they know their bundles of joy are going to use it for floor hockey at least a couple of dozen times before it becomes so scratched even the best archivist in the world is not going to make sense of all those 1's and 0's. So why is it that Canada is one of the highest taxed countries in the world? With tongue in cheek the money collected is to be handed over to compensate the artists for their monies lost. If you believe that you also believe that fat kid is just going into the candy store just to look, and not buy anything. Wink, wink, nod, nod! So where does that money go you ask? Well the government is collecting it, and it is going some where. Well sparky your local political lackey just got a new pair of shoes! That's right... eaten up faster then a bucket of chicken at Opera's house! Administration is the new buzz word. That is just the new speak for Daddy's coming home with a new pair of shoes! So why is it that the movie and music companies have not clued in? Well some artists are actually getting smarter then the music companies. They are starting to weed out the music company or middle man and going straight to the fans by the way of the internet. Some producers are even jumping on the band wagon and doing the low budget sundance film festival type projects. Some are giving away some of their music and productions, and hope that people will go on line to some where like i-tunes or Napster and purchase more of what they hear or see. The other cool idea is giving their fans just what they want. Rather then putting out 2 good songs, and the rest of the album (do they call them albums anymore? OH NO I have just become uncool!!!) (Sorry monkey man...You can' t lose something you never had! SNAP) Anyway the point I am making is I think this debate is the same issues they had in the times when we were growing up. Whether it is the cassettes or the VHS tapes everyone is crying wolf and telling everyone if they buy into this the industry as they knew it is forever changed! Well maybe that might be the case, but is that necessarily a bad thing? I think that people have to keep up with the times. So does business! Keep up or get left behind is what the most innovative say. So rather then trying to tax us into submission try being innovative enough to build a better model, and get people to think it was their own idea, and jump all over it. So why is it that an old ape in Medicine Hat can figure it out, but the fat cats in Ottawa with new shoes have no clue? Lets go one step further and look at the digital cards for all your pictures. Once again you are going to be paying more for your own creativeness! So those memory cards or mini hard drives are going to rise in cost also. Now the bean counters are going to give it the spin it is only a few penny's extra. Well as my Grandmother use to say look after the penny's, and the dollars will look after themselves! So in lands of turbulent times when your dollars are probably the most important to you. We are squirreled out of your hard earned sheckles. So as this Christmas break rolls in, take a few minutes to contact your MLA and tell him that even though there is some pretty life changing matters before us politically these matters need to be addressed too! That is what our goofs in Government is counting on that because of the trying times this matter is going to fly right underneath the radar, and strip those dimes and nickles from us in the short term.

Remember:
The mint makes it first, it is up to you to make it last.
Evan Esar
Cheers:
From The Big Ape

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Day Of Congratulations

Well as we wake up this chilly day, and dust the snow from our belongings we can also see congratulations are in order times two. It is a special day for two people today. A dear friend of mine has accomplished a life long dream in the last couple of days. I remember growing up with Diana T she wanted to be a nurse. It was her life long ambition to help people. She started many years ago by helping take care of her Grand Father when he became ill. Then take care of her Grand Mother when she was terminally ill. I stood back at a far, and marveled how well she handled things. I had just went through my own time of experiencing sickness and loss, but I was not as good at the nurse duties as Diana T was I am sure. Not only that she looks better in a skirt! LOL There is a lasting image a big hairy ape in a white nurses uniform! Now talk about lasting images. That should be worth about 2 years worth of therapy. Anyway I digress... then Diana T went on to work in the area of special needs. I can say that she was one of the main reasons I joined the industry when I did. Then she took the next step and obtained her LPN. She worked as a very accomplished LPN for a few years, but that was still not enough. She had that desire to continue in her quest for her dream as a nurse. Well as we awake from our slumber once more a dream has come to be, and Diana T has realized that dream. She is now a nurse! For that I send out a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I am glad to see you accomplish your dream that you have always longed for. You are going to touch many lives over the years, and for that your patients are going to be better for that. The last time Diana and I talked she had not made a decision as to where she was heading for her first position, but I am sure where ever she heads the patients will be better for it, and the care center is going to have a top notched nurse joining their staff! Congratulations again my dear, and all the best in your new placement, and new career!

Now like I said there was two people that was very deserving of Congratulations. Well as promised the documentary of Ethiopia is in the can as they say in the industry. I would like to send CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle Bakx on a job well done. I have seen the 5 episode documentary on Ethiopia. Not only was it informative and entertaining it was touching. Kyle is a very good producer, and I am sure this is only 1 of many documentary's that he will produce in his career. Now he sat down and answered a few questions for the old Ape, but before we get to them as promised Kyle wanted me to tell you this:


The "Medicine Hat Magic" documentary is finished and ready to air.
The half-hour Chat TV special tracks the efforts of a group of
volunteers with relief organization Canadian Humanitarian. The
documentary will air on Chat TV on Tuesday, December 16, at 7:00.
Chat is on Shaw Cable channel 3 and Bell Expressvu channel 248.

We're just finishing up the covers for the DVDs. For those wishing
for a copy of the DVD, it is easy. Call the front desk of the station
at 403-548-8282. The cost is $25 and tax. For those living outside
the beautiful city of Medicine Hat, don't fret, we can mail the DVD to
your doorstep. We will only be taking orders till around Christmas
Day. The DVD's will then be ready to be picked up/mailed early in the
new year.

Enjoy the documentary!

Now as Kyle says don't forget to order your DVD as a keepsake of that documentary hi-lights Medicine Hat people making a difference in Ethiopia. Now as promised I was also lucky enough to get Kyle to sit down long enough to answer a questions as to who Kyle Bakx is, and what was it like doing something like this:

Q Who is Kyle Bakx tell me a bit about yourself?

A I went to school in Winnipeg, graduating with a journalism diploma at
Red River College and a communications degree at the University of
Winnipeg. While going to school, I worked as a radio news broadcaster
for a radio station in Steinbach, MB, then as a TV reporter/producer
for Global News in Winnipeg. After finishing college and university I
made the move to Chat TV as the municipal affairs reporter,
predominantly covering politics and business. Outside of reporting, I
have a strong passion for traveling and being in the great outdoors. I
enjoy athletics of all nature -- including being an active triathlete.
I volunteer for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in
Medicine Hat and at the Tongue on the Post folk music festival.

Q How did you first hear about what was going on Ethiopia?

A I completed my first triathlon in Okotoks, AB, this past summer.
After the event, I picked up a pamphlet and saw that a Medicine Hat
charity was the recipient. I thought it would make for a great news
story, so I met with the executive director. After learning that many
Medicine Hat residents were going to travel to Ethiopia on an
expedition with the organization, I pitched the idea to the TV station
and to the organization, to track the efforts of the volunteers by
filming a documentary. The organization loved the idea and so did
management at Chat TV.


Q Is there any more trips like this one that we can see from you?

A Hopefully, but nothing on the horizon for now. Although I seem to
always have side projects on the go...

Q What is the biggest message you would like to convey from a trip like this?

A The thing that stuck with me the most is the pride of the people in
Ethiopia. Most live in homes made of tin that are only the size of a
mini-van. Most Ethiopians are classified as living in either moderate
or extreme poverty. Almost 80 per cent live on less than 2 american
dollars a day, while, a quarter of the population earn less than a
single dollar. The situation in Ethiopia is conflicting -- on one
hand, a middle class has slowly begun to emerge over the last decade.
But on the other hand -- economy has made the situation worse for the
poor -- as inflation has doubled and tripled the cost of food. It's
financial pressure that's hard for many parents to burden.

But the people are so proud. We would visit their homes and they made
sure to sweep the dirt floors and make the beds. They couldn't
believe that a white-person would actually take the time to see their
home. The people are very happy as well, despite the hardships.

Q What can my readers do to help the cause over in Ethopia?

A Go on the next expedition -- there's two every year! The organization
is excellent and any contribution goes a long way. Visit the website
on ways to help out -- www.canadianhumanitarian.com

Q Walk me through a day that transpired on the trip?

A Everyday was completely different. One day in particular began with
us volunteers breaking up into small groups to conduct home visits --
where we would visit the homes of the children enrolled in programs
with Canadian Humanitarian. We would make sure that the children have
a safe home, where they are encouraged to go to school and do their
homework.

Q What is the biggest thing that the people of Ethiopia are missing?

A It's very hard to say, beyond the necessities. For many, food is the
main concern. Inflation has doubled and tripled the cost of food.
For others, clean water is a major concern -- not only for drinking,
but for washing and bathing.

Q If there was one wish for the people of Ethopia what would it be?

A It's as basic as food.

Q If you could compare the children of Ethiopia to the children of
Canada do they have any similarities? Differences?

A They are identical. They laugh at the same jokes, play the same games
and have the same potential as children in Canada, but don't have the
same opportunities (school, work, sports)

Q What role do you think our Gov't should have if any on trips like this?

A The Canadian government really lacks when it comes to foreign aid.
Not only do they not meet their funding goal -- but most of the money
is spent in Canada, not overseas.

Q How different is the media's role from there to here?

A The media is very well respected in Ethiopia -- but the majority are in jail.

Q You talked about a group of kids that we seen that were sponsered
compared to all the other children that were not. How were those
children picked to be sponsored?

A Canadian Humanitarian choses which children can be enrolled in their
programs based on the most need. That is where the biggest impact
will be made. Children in CH programs receive medical attention, a
hot lunch everyday, help with homework, and much more. But, the kids
must attend school and show commitment to their education.

Q What negative issues did you see from the people of Ethiopia?

A Aids has eradicated the social structure. So often we would see
families with only single mothers supporting the household. They are
then forced to work long hours to put food on the table. A
consequence is that the children don't receive enough attention.
That's why the children showed such great appreciation when us
Canadians would play games with them, or just simply help them read a
book.

Well I hope you enjoyed reading about what Kyle experienced n Ethiopia as much as I enjoyed writing about it. As Kyle reminded to you that special is tonight at 7PM. Again don't forget to place your order for your own copy of the special or better yet buy a few copies and give them away as stocking stuffers or gifts to someone special on your Christmas list.

So in closing Congratulations to Diana T and Kyle Bakx you are very special each in your own right!

Cheers
From The Big Ape


Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a
horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Monday, December 8, 2008

8 Christmas Myths

I was doing my regular reading today and came across this posting from a fellow blogger. Bret Burquest is the writer and Boldly Going Nowhere is the name of the blog. As once mentioned when I came across something of interest in the world of blogging I would pass it along. Well the vast Christmas Myths are ver humorous, and I could not pass up sending them on to you as my readers. Thanks Brett they are way too funny!

Christmas Myths....
According to Bret Burquest

Christmas, like many other holidays, has its share of historical inaccuracies and myths.

For example, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was not one of Santa's reindeer and didn't live on the North Pole. In fact, he was invented in 1939 by Robert L. May, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward department stores, as a promotional gimmick.

By 1946, a total of 6 million copies of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer booklet had been distributed to Montgomery Ward customers.

May's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, developed the lyrics and music for a Rudolph song which was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949. It sold 2 million copies that year alone and went on to become the second best-selling record of all time, second only to "White Christmas."

However, May's original story differs from the song lyrics.

According to May, Rudolph lived in an ordinary reindeer village considerably south of the North Pole. Even though he was taunted for having a shiny red nose, his parents were not embarrassed. They brought Rudolph up in a loving home and gave him a high sense of self-esteem. Santa delivered presents to their house one night during a thick fog. Impressed by the glow of Rudolph's shiny red nose, Santa chose him to lead his team of reindeer to complete his rounds.

This brings to mind other Christmas myths.

MYTH #1 -- Santa Claus is a fat man in a red suit. Not true. He's fairly thin and usually wears boxer shorts with a tank top around the house. He just dons multiple layers of clothing to keep warm in late December, when zipping around the night sky in an open sleigh. Santa's delivery outfit is bright red to protect him from trigger-happy sportsmen -- he doesn't want to be mistaken for a flock of geese.

MYTH #2 -- Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. Not true. He lives in Canada, halfway between Medicine Hat and Moose Jaw. The north pole is a large block of ice, populated by three polar bears and a wayward penguin. Canada is a lot like the North Pole -- it's cold and nobody ever goes there. (writers note: Does that mean he lives in Maple Creek???)

MYTH #3 -- Santa has a bunch of little helpers called elves. Not true. They're mostly vertically-challenged (short) Swedes.

MYTH #4 -- Santa Claus climbs down chimneys to deliver his presents. No longer true. He once did climb down chimneys but got stuck several times in Colorado where legislation in 1969 required all chimneys to contain filters. In 1970, Santa reverted to using doors and windows, but he was busted in 1972 in Hackensack, New Jersey, for breaking and entering. Ever since then, Santa has used the Star Trek method of teleportation whereby his molecular structure is disassembled on the rooftop and reassembled directly in front of the Christmas tree. This way he is guilty only of entering but not of breaking, usually a misdemeanor in most places.

MYTH #5 -- Santa Claus likes to have some cookies and milk waiting for his arrival. No longer true. In 1983, he developed a gastrointestinal infection while hovering over Thailand. Too much curry, causing a bad case of diarrhea, which can be quite a dilemma while flying through the air in an open sleigh. (not to make fun of the old boys plight, but that is a picture that I can see Tim Allen reenacting!)

MYTH #6 -- Kids will get presents that reflect the latest craze. Not true. There is no latest craze. Remember Cabbage Patch dolls, Teen-age Mutant Ninja Turtles and Tickle-Me Elmo? They were the latest craze for about fifteen minutes. By the time the kids open presents, the latest craze will become a closet relic. If you want to give your kids a gift that has some worth, give them something that will get them out of the house, like a bicycle or a chainsaw.

MYTH #7 -- Santa knows who has been naughty and nice. Not true. That's the CIA, FBI, NSA, NWO, DEA, IRS, ATF, CFR, KGB, MI6, MJ12 and the Jehovah Witnesses who are keeping tabs on everyone. Santa has enough to do without spying on you.

MYTH #8 -- Santa's reindeer are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Actually, those are only nicknames to make it easier to come up with Christmas jingles. Their real names are Fox Maulder, Elmer Fudd, Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Paycheck, Chester A. Arthur, Joe Sixpack, D. B. Cooper and Dweezle Zappa.

Now you are up to date on the latest 8 myths about Christmas. If you have any others that you as readers have heard of by all means pass them along.

Now I can't even take credit fo this statement, but I do like it....

"Myths die hard. We need them to overcome the paranoia of the narrow confines of our perceived reality."

Until next time...Be kind to one another as we are no longer sure who is a spy for Santa these days! Gee maybe I should have been nicer to that door to door salesperson that came to the door last week! LOL

Cheers

From The Big Ape





Friday, December 5, 2008

It Has Been A Tough Week

When one works in the media as I once did I can feel for all the reporters, and desk people who have had to endure this week, and all the news. We all waited with bated breath to see if we were going to be overturned, and run over by a bunch of bully's masked under the cloak of the coalition. The Governor General listened to us as tax payers and voters that made our decision some 7 weeks ago. I guess that is the reason why it is so important to get out and vote. This should be a lesson to all. We need to run with majority governments not minority's like we are limping along with now. Well hopefully this cooling off period, and some smart politicking between now and January 26 will save us from a major kerfuffle. As a reporter some of the assignments that have been generated from this has made the sale in coffee go up 10 fold I am sure.

Some of us that were following the Steinke trial the past 3 or so weeks have seen conclusion to a horrific tragedy. It took 12 peers 11 hours to find this person (I even have trouble calling this person a man) guilty. I am not sure how there could be any other decision, but it is like go to a decision in a prize fight. When it goes to the judges anything can happen. The only down side to this trial verses a prize fight.... in a fight you have the opportunity to TKO the vermin before the end of the match. Why can't we do that with people such as this. Now you might find me a bit twisted, I do feel sorry for this pukes mother. When women have kids they never imagine that their bundles of love are going to go down in history as one of the biggest murders in Alberta and possible one of the top 10 in Canada if not the World. She is going to beat herself up after each breath she takes until the end. That if she would only... things might have been different. Well I can say it is not your fault! In today's society there is enough stop gaps if the person really wanted to get help to change their ways there is help out there! Now on Dec. 15th the media circus will begin in Medicine Hat as that is where the final sentencing will take place. Can't we do the tax payers a favor and just exterminate him? He is going to be 48 before he see's the light of day. Where is he going to be other then at the Gov't Tit looking for support as no one will ever hire him! Not to mention that the world will be alot different then it is now. Lets do the tax payer song I owe, I owe it is off to work I go to support the people that thinks we owe them a living!

Now as a freelance writer I still have ties to the main stream media world. One of the daily papers that I enjoy reading, and occassionaly report dor is Brooks On-Line. They had a very interesting article one day earlier this week. Now as most of you know I was a long term resident of Brooks Alberta. Now as I have said I consider it my home town more or less. I will say it is not the same town I grew up in. I think that we all can say that due to the big boom especially in Western Canada their is not many towns that we grew up in are still the same. Especially towns located along the trans-canada hi-way. Change is not necessarily a bad thing at times though. Now having a fresh set of eyes looking at a situation is sometimes just what we need to get a new prospective on a situation. Recently Brooks did just that. They brought in FICE now that stands for Fresh Impressions Community Exchange. Now these folks come in and look at your town, talk to people, and then write a report based on their observations. Now sometimes things are pointed out that long term residents would not normally see. It is like living with a family memeber, and then if Grandma has not seen you for a long time says oh how you have changed since I last seen you. Well you might not notice because you see yourself every day. Though fresh eyes all sorts of new things can be brought to light. Now you have to be prepared for some constructive critisim. Again in order to grow to a better place you have to know what you need to change to make things better. Now I must admit I found this submission very intersting. If you live in Brooks the talk of the town is two things. 1. The smell of the city 2. Why is the crime rate so high. I would like to add a disclaimer. Crime is present in Brooks, but I will say I think the media has just picked up on it more. I am going to share part of the report with you, because of all the things that the outside group commented on about Brooks having a high crime rate was not one of them. Here is the report:
Much of the FICE (First Impressions
Community Exchange) report has been made public already after it was
reported in the weekly papers and to Brooks
Council on Monday. What the group from
Cochrane noticed when they came to Brooks
didn’t come as a surprise to many who live here.
We can see the short falls ourselves.

What the Cochrane group didn’t bring
up in either the written report or with the one on
one vocal presentation is how we think our crime
is a problem and a concern for outsiders. That
didn’t even show up on their radar.
Listed below are random comments from the FICE
report. The Brooks Economic Development
committee has the detailed report.

  • Industrial looking main drag, similar to that of
16th Aveneue in Calgary.

  • Older homes are nicely kept with big trees in
residential areas.
  • Hanging baskets and banners are very
noticeable.
  • The name says “City”, but it still very small town
in appearance.
  • While there are many signs promoting a range of
things, there will little in the way of consistency.
  • The Brooks sign was almost burred in grass.
  • Coming in from Cassils was a pleasant surprise
with the tree lined road.
  • Stunning tree lined streets in older parts of town.
  • For some on our team, the odour from the
packing plant would be a deterrent to move to
Brooks.
  • Quite a bit of low income housing appeared to be
grouped together.
  • The apartment blocks we noticed were not
terribly attractive.
  • Generally people were happy with the level of
education available and the proximity to the
schools.
  • The Global Friendship/Immigrant Centre is a
wonderful service to have available in a
community with so much ethnic diversity.
  • There appeared to be a strong presence of police
and bylaw officers.
  • There were numerous store fronts that were
closed or boarded up.
  • A variety of stores downtown, but really nothing
of a speciality nature that would serve to draw
visitors to downtown. Stores downtown were
weathered.
  • We found parking to be quite good, especially
with the parking lots.
  • The fact that Brooks has industrial land available
is a big plus these days when so many communities
are struggling.
  • There was signage that promoted Brooks was a
Communities in Bloom community, but the beds
were in poor condition.
  • Items such as drinking fountains and garbage
cans were not really visible.
  • As for tourism, it didn’t appear to be a strong
sector in the community.
  • Found some of the staff to be unsure of the
location of some facilities in town.
  • Brooks presents itself as a fairly clean
community. Low in litter.
  • The entrance sign from the west, the feedlots
(smell) and the very commercial strip gave a
negative first impression

Now all and all I thought it was a good honest report. Now you can walk around with blinders on, and say these points were not fair. I think every comment was very honest, and I hope the powers to be take heed of these comments and do something.

So next time you want a honest unbiased opinion use a total stranger that is willing to give you their opinion, you might be pleasently surprised of the out come.

Well it is weeks end all we can do is hope the next week is better then this one. The year end is coming in quickly. I will talk in the coming days about not getting caught up in the whole idea of the giant commercialism of Christmas.

Until then.....Be kind to your web footed friends as a duck may be somebodies mother...

As Red Green says if women can find you handsome, they better be able to find you handy..Oh No I am really in trouble! I am not handy or hansome...lol

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cheers
From The Big Ape

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

A Message Needs To Be Sent!

Well as we settle into our warm homes this evening our Prime Minister takes to the air waves tonight at 5PM MTN time to plead to us as Canadians for the sparing of his political life as he once knew it. Please remind me again whey we just voted 6 weeks ago? This coalition as we hear about in the media, and in our email in-box's is just a bullying tactic. I am not sure what you were taught when it came to bully's, but what I was taught is stand up to these spineless cowards and they will cower and run. Well that is the message I am empowering you as a reader to do... stand up, be heard! A good friend of mine that seems to be pretty savvy on life issues, sent me a few links that I would like to share with you. Before I pass these links on I would like you to ask yourself a few questions: 1. Why did our forefathers fight for our freedoms? Many of us have had fathers, grandfathers, uncles and various other important people in our lives fight for our freedoms FOR WHAT I ask? 2. What message does this send to our future leaders, and members of our country? Now as promised check out this site.
Our Governor General is returning home from a trip abroad to try and sit down and work out a peaceful solution between this band of misfits. I don't know about you, but this reminds me of a blended family that just cannot get along! We need you to send an email to the Governor General:

info@gg.ca


I will even go one step further to add what you can cut and paste into the email so you don't even have to think about what to write. Now this is not a scam this is the direct email to the Governor General so for this to be taken seriously you need to add your name, city or town where you reside, and phone number. Here is what you can cut and paste into the email:

Madam Governor General. If the Conservative Party is defeated on a non-confidence motion,and the Liberals and NDP approach your office requesting a coalition ,I would implore you to refuse their request.I strongly believe this would be a blueprint for disaster.

So if you believe in protecting our country from a political fire storm I cannot stress enough that your help is needed on this matter. Remember if you are not doing it for yourself do it for your kids and grand kids!

A wise man once told me... Stand for something or fall for everything. Lets stand up to these 3 clowns, and tell them if they wanted to be the Prime Minister they needed to campaign harder!

Cheers
From The Big Ape

I don't mean to hurry you, but there is some what of a urgency on this matter. Please do it as soon as you can as decisions are going to be made with in the next 48 hours.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.

I ask another question. Why is it that people can consume huge amounts of drugs and alcohol, and that seems to be an excuse for the pickle that they seem to have got themselves in? I watched the noon hour news today, and low and behold two different stories were explained as the reason they committed their life altering mistakes. One can add what ever horrific crime here; triple murder, hitting some one in the head with a pick axe, driving so drunk you mow five people into heaven... you get the picture. Why is it that people cannot take responsibility for there own actions? No one forced you to drink to the point of not knowing your name. Even better not only are breaking the law for possessing the drugs let alone doing them, and using that as an excuse. Case in point a young man that was at a house party about a year ago When a fight breaks out a clean cut kid trying to do what is right steps in to stop what hopefully will be just two young men exercising their hormones and dusting it up a bit. Add the alcohol and what ever recreational drug you want to insert here, and someone ends up dying. Then it becomes the great legal dance of your lawyer against the crown. 12 or 14 months later, and the little puke that took that life is made out to be the saint of your local church. His lawyer paints a picture that he never did drugs before. It was a one time event, and poof just when life was the picture of perfect for the puke in question this one time incident happened, and now his life has come before the courts. Well two things on that statement: 1. If that story is what happened, sorry buck wheat!!! You do the crime, you do the time! Responsibility for ones actions. 2. Call me a nay sayer, but I don't believe that this little saint is as golden that his public appointed lawyer is making him out to be.

Lets fast forward to another court room on the next floor. We are winding down to a the jury actually getting charged to find a verdict for that clown that sits in a Calgary Court room for his fateful actions one April night 2 years ago when he killed three members of a family here in Medicine Hat. Now I found it kind of humorous that our local television station had a computer pol asking if their viewers were following the trial of the Murder? Well DUH! You would have to live under a rock, not watch TV, or listen to a radio, lets add not read a news paper to be immune to this story! Just by breathing you are getting injected with news on this story not to mention next to the Governments follies, it is the most talked about story in local coffee shops, and public space. Now I have got to hand it to the Crown Prosecutor Miss Romona Robins. She did a stellar job! She is a very sharp lawyer. I had the privilege of watching her in action for 3.5 weeks on a trial I was covering on a freelance basis earlier this year. She has a gatling gun style when cross examining her adversary. That tends to give her victim enough rope to hang themselves. She just pokes holes in the words that you have already stated. I think between the Windsor trial earlier this year, and now this trial. She is going to send her career into a rock star status. I kind of got focused on a rant there...sorry, but my point was that Steinke's lawyer made him out to be this poor little abused, depressed, addicted young man that was not sure what he was doing. HELLO people this little puke laughed about what he did! He is not remorseful for what he did. He is remorseful that he got caught! Hopefully the jury has seen that poor me attitude is just a lawyer created role instead of the misfit role that he really is. Well I think enough time has been spent on these two, but remember next time you screw up be responsible for your own actions. If there is one skill that we can teach our kids of today. Do the crime, pay the time. You can't hate the player, you have to hate the game!

Remember opinions are like certain parts of the anatomy, everyone has one. Just some are bigger then others!

Cheers
From The Big Ape ;-)

Monday, December 1, 2008

This Just In...

Well as the title relates the Info. These stories relate to how up to date that the Pondering Thoughts tries to be.

From the friends over at the Blog Catalog they wanted us as bloggers to remind our reading public about today's special day. Today is National AIDS day. As we know AIDS is a medical condition that is so under published. There is many mis-conceptions about AIDS. Now there is many sites from your local Government sites to various education sites. Here is an education site
that I feel best relays up to date postings. There is many mis-conceptions about how some people can or think they can catch aids:

  • Casual, everyday contact;
  • Shaking hands, hugging, kissing;
  • Coughs, sneezes;
  • Giving blood;
  • Swimming pools, toilet seats;
  • Sharing eating utensils, water fountains; or
  • Mosquitoes, other insects, or animals.
Now it is important that we do know some ways as how you can contract AIDS:
  • Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral);
  • Shared needles or equipment for injecting drugs;
  • Unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing or acupuncture;
  • Pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding (from an HIV-infected mother to her infant); and
  • Occupational exposure in health care settings.
Now I do want to make light of the situation, but having the HIV virus is not a death sentence there is a lot of mis-conceptions about the disease. I encourage you to visit the posted site or in Canada maybe our Government site.
Now take a few minutes today and visit an AIDS site and get better informed.

From our friends over at the space weather site they wanted to remind our viewers to look into the south sky this evening. Here is why:

When the sun goes down tonight, step outside and look south. Beaming through the twilight is one of the prettiest things you'll ever see--a tight three-way conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the crescent Moon. The event is visible from all parts of the world, even from light-polluted cities. People in New York and Hong Kong will see it just as clearly as astronomers watching from remote mountaintops. Only cloudy weather or a midnight sun (sorry Antarctica!) can spoil the show.

The great conjunction offers something extra to Europeans. For more than an hour on Monday evening, the crescent Moon will actually eclipse Venus. Astronomers call such an event a "lunar occultation." Venus emerging from the dark edge of the Moon is a remarkably beautiful sight. Sky watchers across Europe will be able to see this happen.

So I hope you have clear skies, and the time to go out and take a peek tonight.


So consider yourself up to date. ;-)

Cheers
From the Big Ape

Thursday, November 27, 2008

News and Views

Well as the title reads we have a bit of news and I have some personal views when it comes to the news. A short posting as we know it. I may be back later today with more of my fun and frolic type stuff later on as I do more of my daily routine.

Well lets start with the news because we know once I get started on a rant I am done, and things kind of get left out in left field some where. I hav e started a new site called A Reflection Of Time. It is slow starting, but I encourage you to vist when I send out posting reminders. For two reasons you may find your photo up there. I am taking a lot more pics at functions now. If there is anything that you would like blown up to frame get a hold of me as that is the business side of the site. Check the site out again I must admit it is just in its infancy. Watch and grow as it grows. (and I get better in photography lol)

http://arefectionoftime.blogspot.com/



One may or may not know I lived in Brooks. When I reveal that little nugget of information people screw up their face if they have been past Brooks on the Trans Canada Hi-way and say how could you live with that smell? OMG it is nasty. Well I would like to say for the record now that I have been away for 10 or so years (man how time flies) I can ask that same question. Honestly though when you live there you really do not notice it as much. Now don't get me wrong if the wind was blowing just right on a summers day we smelt the sweet aroma of the feed lot. To be very honest I found the smell of the feed mill that was located in the East end of Brooks to be twice as nasty of a smell as the sweet fragrence of ODE to the Cow. Now before you guys bail on me thinking that I have totally flipped my lid and am just babbeling amously I am heading some where with this. Stay with me and climb aboard, and take a ride down memory lane. Some of you that read this can appreciate this more then others. Any way I digressed. Circa 1980 Darcy was transplaned into Brooks from a little hamelt called Duchess Not far from Brooks (google it if you are board sometime) Moving from Duchess I was a teen thinking I just had been catipulted into the likes of New York compared to Duchess. Before that I started my life in Gleichen. Now there is a happening little community!! (not) Anyway Brooks as I knew it was about 6000 or so people. Our idea of a big news story was who the mayor was going to have over for dinner this week. Now lets jump a head some 28 3/4 years (Man that sounds strange... I am really starting to think I am getting old. lol) If you picked up a news paper in Brooks today they are talking about their second murder in 3 months. It seems like at least once a month that some outside media source is talking trash about something in Brooks. In some ways that saddens me. That is my home town more or less you are bad mouthing buddy! I must face reality though the town that I grew up in is not the town or city (although I think that is a streach) is now. I still have some very good friends back there that I still go back and visit, heck my doctor is still in Brooks. The days of driving down the main street and waving at 3/4 of the traffic on the road is long since past. I hardly know anyone on the streets now. I was a home town kid, I worked in the Media I was known my many, and like by a few. (I did court reporting in Brooks for about 12 years let me say for the record I had a few people that were not real happy with me when they seen their name or one of their family members name in one of the papers or on the radio. lol I now you cannot see your name on the radio, but you get the hind) My motto was do the crime pay the time, and if that ment getting your 15 minutes of fame so be it. My point as some would ask is people have to understand that Brooks is not the quite little mayberry that we grew up knowing and loving. Now they have a very big drug community, gangs, and a general bad ass atmosphere. With that comes the same people that are as sweet as ever. They too admt with the influx of all people comes good and bad. It is sad to think that alot of the new commers come from places that crime is first had nature rather then second hand. One has to hope that the law enforcement that is employeed in town will do the job that they hired on for. Bust these bad asses, and send them back to where they come from. I will say that publicity like the murders are somewhat frustrating to hear about, but then again we have to understand this is not mayberry and I am not Opie and Miss B has long since passed. This is 2008 and we have to understand no matter where you live good and bad is going to happen. You can live in a community of 500 to a city of upwards of 1 million. People are people, and good and bad is going to happen no matter where you live. We just cannot get hung up on the bad, and recognize what is happening in our cities and towns for the good. Local community group raises 1.5 million for new arena, or community group domates coats for the under privledged. Every twon and city has that going on, now lets change our reference point from the bad and look at the world though a lighter shade of glasses. Instead of rose colored (as I don't think burying you head is good either) maybe a nice shade of pink!

This leads me to my next point. I am beginning to think that the bad news stuff seems to just follow me. You would have had to just crawled out from under a rock to not be smacked in the face with the recent trial that has been happening in Calgary that is being broadcast world wide, that reflects the triple murder in Medicine Hat. Now first and foremost I must say in some ways I am glad it is happening in Calgary rather than Medicine Hat, because the media circus has moved to Calgary rather then focusing it in the city that that terrible day happened. No matter where you lived that twisted tale that happened that night is just humanity gone wrong. Now I would like to go on the record and say. I think the young lady that was sentenced before this clown got away scott free. What a slap in the face 10 years. Wooped dee do! Everyone says she has to live with her actions. That makes her out to be a victim! HELLO she was the puppet master, and he was the poor sap that was her puppet. Now I think that he does not deserve to breath personally! He shoud have been exterminated long ago. Unfortunitly in our mamby pamby society that will never happen. We will sentence him at best to 25 years, and we as tax payers will have to be held hostiage by these two because they are going to be products of the system ever after.

Well I guess it is time to go face the day. Try and find some good news today. I know I plan to!

Remember opinions are just like certain parts of the anatomy every one has one just some are bigger then others.

Cheers
From the Big Ape

Monday, November 24, 2008

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Hidy Ho friends,neighbours,fellow country people, and primates too. It has been a bit since I last posted. It has been a bit crazy around the cage lately. I have been catching up on a few projects that I have been wanting to clear off the stove before winter sets in. I recently did a road trip to Calgary. When I travel anymore further then the Doctors it seems it take alot out of me. I must admit that this trip to Calgary was 2.5 years in the making so I was not going to miss this even if they had to wheel me in on a gurney strapped to a donkey. I will let you know more of the out come as the news comes in. I must admit I do not expect much, but my counsel did a steller job. So win, lose, or draw I left nothing on the table. We all know how insurance companies work though if they can weasel out they try and generally do so. I hope for the best, but do not holding my breath. Anyway what is knew with you?

I came across this little video called college trick to end hunger. If you know how he did this please enlighten me in the leave a comment section. I thought this was pretty cool. I hope you find it as interesting as I did. Mind you it does not take very much to amuse me. Give me something shiny, and I will be amused for at least 5 minutes lol.

Now I realize that up here in Canada we are listed as a very conservative country. Some might even call us up tight. In some cases I think conservative is not a bad thing, but there is somethings we need to relax on. I came across a commercial the other day that I know will never make it in Canada, and with the up roar on gays and the life style you would probably never see this in North America. Take a look at this little gem and you will see what I mean. Make sure when you view this funny ad to check out some of the other ones on the right. I think you will agree with me that there is some funny commercials out there that we have nor will we ever see. That is too bad, because I think the world needs to relax a bit, laugh more and just learn to like each other more. Ok there is my warm and fuzzy moment for today. lol

Well this next item of interest is something that I have been saying for over 20 years. I laugh now I guess because I have been off the market of love for that long. The Mrs. and I have been together 20 years this January 5th. Wow time flies when you are having fun, and even when you are not. I must say the last 20 years have just flew by though. Mellody has definitely been my Mrs. Right. Check this piece I found on craigslist as to why Geeks and Nerds are a worth while prospect. Comment as to what you think, whether a geek or Nerd are worth while catches. Lets hear some stories good or bad on your finds.

Now I have always said that we can, and do produce some real decent talent here in Alberta, Canada and I will even say Medicine Hat. We have Terry Clarke, Kaylen Porter, Camel Toe, Nickle Back and list goes on. Now the problem with these bands and artists until they gravitate to larger centers like Vancouver, Toronto or the USA they do not really have a chance of making it big. Now this next talent called Alpha Galates better known as the Hollow when they played around the Hat. These guys are pretty good. I must admit they are not totally my genre of music that I listen to, but I am open to new stuff and their video Standing is pretty good. That is the thing people have to be open to new talent, and understand them for who they are. Too many people say well they don't sound like the AC DC's or the Nickle Backs of the world so they can't be any good. Well just because there is strength in numbers, and we have too many rednecks up here in western Canada so these folks had to head to Toronto to actually make a promising living. So give them a listen, and check out their my space page. If you like what they are producing do one better go buy some Cd's and pass them out for the festive season. They actually sound pretty good. I hope they make it to the status like the Bare Naked Ladies or Wide Mouth Mason. Hey they are from Medicine Hat they can't be all bad. lol Rock On....

The Sky is Falling, The Sky is falling.... Well if you were out side this past thursday, and lived in Western Canada you probably seen this little piece of history. A meteor they say found the earths orbit and came tumbling down. Now I will say that it must have been a pretty good sized rock as the glow lasted for about 3 or 4 seconds. The running joke when we were talking about it at supper on Friday that maybe it was that tool bag that was dropped on that space walk earlier in the week. None the less what ever it was that came down it is going to keep some geeky people busy looking for the landing spot if there is one for some time. So if you live in the area of Lloydminister to Irvine and maybe as far as Saskatoon with a large hole in your back 40 that you did not have before Thursday afternoon you may want to get a hold Norad or Nasa. Happy hunting...

Now it is time to turn the page into a bit more of a serious place of reading. When one hears about Mental Illness we all think about people snapping and going on a killing spree. I will say there is those type of stories, but for the most part Mental Illness is something that people have that goes untreated, because of the stigma from work collegues or family and friends treating them differently. Did you realize 1 in 5 people suffer at different levels of mental illness sometime through out their life. Depression, SAD to true phycosis is all part of mental illness. I can say that I have and do have a mental illness. I suffer from extreme depression. Now people that know me knew me before my affliction. A life changing situation could cause it as it did for me. Various reasons can cause mental illness, but the reason I am even talking about this subject is two fold I don't think Mental illness is talked about enough. Everybody wants to sweep this under the rug, it seems like the taboo illness to get. It is funny when talking to some one about sickness. If you mention that you have cancer or diabetis people are wanting to know if they can be of any help. If you mention that you were in hospital for depression it is almost like you have a contagious disease. Mental heath problems is just like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. It is all treatable, and once it is under control one can go back to leading a normal life. People do not understand Mental illness so they assume alot. There is alot of myths out there too. If you or someone you love has a mental illness go here. I challenge people to educate themselves when it comes to something they don't know. Don't assume go get hard facts. Like I say to people if you had a heart attack you would get treatment. If you contracted cancer you would probably do as much reasearch as you could. Well Mental illness is no different. Now the reason I bring this all up is because this article I read. Mental illness needs more treatment in the community. That is the problem there is very little fail safes for mental illness once you leave the hospital. Now some people are very blessed with understanding family support to have a checks and balance system in place. Alot of times when one contracts the mental illness they push or scare the people around them away. So what about those people? Or lets talk about the people that just simply fall through the cracks of the system. Bottom line I know in my city our system is lacking to say the least. Part of the reason is lack of funding, lack of staff in conjunction to the lack of funds, and lastly the lack of education which again is do to lack of staff again. Whether it is volunteer or paid the staff is not there to take up the necessary role for people go from the safe confines of a hospital room to the big bad world head long. So I say next time you look at a person or better yet a group of people 1 in 5 are suffering with mental health issues.

Well last, but not least is the big story about where are we headed finanically? Some could use the term that I used earlier of The Sky is Falling! Well I am not sure what to make of it yet. It depends on who you talk to. Some say the country, and the world as we know it is in for a long resession. I think it is media driven to a point, and this is why. I feel we the people are the driving force in all of this mess. So when you hear consistently that the the country is in a resession we tend to hoard our money preparing for the worst. So with that happening it drives the economy even further down. Now I am not going to say that we should go out and spend like drunkin sailors, but I am saying to spend within your means, and enjoy your life to the fullest of your means. Now when I read this article that I am about to mention it makes me wonder is it greed or stupidity that makes people act like this. Now go check out the said article. Now after reading this I would tell this CEO go back and prove to me that you really deserve this bailout. I think if some these CEO's would turn back some of their $ and ask the staff to follow the same example maybe we would not be in the situation we are. i would like to ask you to look at the forigien car makers like Honda or Toyota you never see them asking for money for a bailout. Live within your means, run a tight ship the world would be better off for it. Comment what you think on this matter.

Well I think I have amused you enough for one day. Remember be kind to one another as a duck maybe someone's mother.

Cheers
From the Big Ape

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Lest We Forget



As some may just view this as a nice break in the middle of the week. We must sit back and acknowledge our fallen that have given their lives to fight for our freedom. It used to be that it was our elderly that we looked to hear stories of war, now we can look to our siblings, our neighbours, and our children to hear of the atrocities that has been cast upon our military of today. We need to say a silent prayer for our fallen and the ones that are still out their laying their lives on the line to see that when we get up each and every morning to live in the land of free. Thank you to the thousands of troops both men and women that are protecting our freedoms! Keep up the great work, and may each and everyone of you return home safe to your loved ones! Also a silent prayer for those that have friends and family over their fighting for our freedoms. May you stay strong , and I hope your people that are important to you return home safely!

A pondering thought occurred after reading this next blog. The Blog of the day I might add. (the rant is about 3/4 the way down the page) The banning of cell phones. Now check out the link I just added. This person that has this blog thinks a lot out side of the box. It is true they say using hands free is fine in some states and provinces, but how long is it before they are going to ban cell use in the car altogether? Then when do they go to that point of what is next? Like the fellow blogger states talking to passengers,thinking, eating... Are you going to need a special license to transport passengers of any number? Along with that license you will get special training to tune out a passenger who talks to you. Quite frankly my wife does not need that course. I think she could probably teach it! They say we have selective hearing, well my wife is the queen of selective hearing I am sure..lol So when people get in your face about voting, and rallying for all these do gooder bills, just remember to think out side of the box, and see where these little gems could lead you to in the future with our Gov't that needs to think for us and legislate bills for own good of course! Just be careful what you wish for my Grandmother use to say, you might get more then you bargained for! Wise words..God Rest Her Sole...

Now this next story is labeled Wow you can do what ever you want as long as you put your mind to it, and as long as you are crazy enough! This young man in the video is incredible! It just goes to show you as long as you have no fear, and perseverance you can do anything! I will do a few things in my chair, but mostly mine has to do with speed. I cannot wait until I can move from my manual chair to my power chair. Then my wheelie bars are going to be put to good use. lol anyway check the young lad out he is scary awesome!

Now speaking about crazy. How crazy are you? How far will you go to get an adrenaline rush? Do you live to push the limits? Nothing scares you? Well you need to check this place out.


Now if this gets your motor running you are certifiable crazy!!!!!

Ok here is why old people should not drive. How do you explain this to your insurance company.





Ok well I have just about found as much entertainment I can to amuse you for one day. Not only that I have run out of things to keep my interest more then two minutes. Again take 2 minutes today and think of our fallen and the comrades that are defending us from the evil in the world to make our country a safer place to live, and have our freedoms we experience everyday!

Cheers
From the Big Ape

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

If you're born again do you have two belly buttons?


Good day to men, women, and small farm animals. I thought it was about time to make another post to enlighten you once again with what is floating around in my big pumpkin. Some people might even find helpful if not entertaining information in. I think that our global warming summer is over now so we can move into late fall or early winter depending on what part of the planet you call home. They are forecasting some of that white stuff for this evening, and later on in the week. So if you don't hear from me for a few days I went out to take a pee, and froze my ape ass in the snow! lol Man winter has got to be the most depressing season out of the lot. It is pretty if you can sit in a nice warm enclosure and just look out side, and for some that is maybe what you think I do, but contrary to popular belief I do have to venture out on occasion, and that is when the old ape is not a happy camper. Snow is pretty to look at in pictures, but not so fun when you have to be out in it. So as you guessed I am not a skier or snow bunny that like skidooing or hiking in it.

Enough about me. I have a adventure that I want to share with all my readers. A good friend and colleague of mine (I use that last term loosely) as he is 10 fold better than I ever will be when it comes to media work. Kyle has just got back from a trip to Ethiopia. I think it would be cool to share an adventure that he spent nearly 2 weeks over there viewing how we Canadians are making a difference over there. Now if you live in the Medicine Hat area tune into Chat news casts either at 5:30pm or 6pm, and view all this week they will be running footage of Kyles adventure the first one aired last night. This will be a 5 part expose of the trip. It also airs at 11pm. Now if you have satellite I understand chat is there also, so surf your guide and check it out. It is interesting how every day people like Kyle and various people that you would meet at your local grocery store is making the trip on their own funds I might add to make a difference. It is amazing what we can do that to us is a pretty small gesture means the world to them over there. We really don't know how lucky we are until we watch something like this. I have put out the request to Kyle and his station to sell the DVD here on my site and various other places trying to create a fund to either do this again or maybe go some more some where else. Time will be the test on that one. Anyway check it out if you can. I know I have said in the past that Charity begins at home, and I still agree with that statement, but as I stated before these people used their own funds for this project. Good on them the big ape says with two opposing thumbs up!! LOL

So what's up with the gas prices? When does it appear that the provider of the product namely us in Alberta have to pay more then the folks in say Toronto? Now I know the goofs in suits are going to try and put a spin on this and say it is all about supply and demand. Well what ever the spin doctors come up with it is going to be crap. I heard last night that Ontario has been labeled one of the "have not provinces" well I am not sure what data you need to fall into a "have not province" label, but am sure there is places that are in rougher condition than Ontario. As I have said before and will say again. It is all about how the facts are skewed. I can say I am not fat, I am just short for my weight. So when there is an agenda to be had you can get what ever you want if you twist the information enough. I digressed though... can someone tell me why when I can open out my back window, and if the breeze is blowing the right way smell condensate (an oil by product). That goes to show we are pretty close to the product, and we are still paying 93 cents a freaking liter? Well I guess if you want to read more on this, check out this article.

Here is a good segway from above mentioned article to my point I am going to tell you about now. Science figures by 2011 we are going to be able to run cars on air and a bit of fuel or even salad oil. Now a car that runs mostly on air. Hmmmm that means I will never have to pay for fuel again, because I have got lots and it is hot so I should be able to go real fast then. (I figured I would say it before my readers emailed me with the comment! Grin) Now the down size to this is two fold. Have you seen these things? Check out the link they have a picture of it. It is butt ugly, not only that it is not much bigger then a roller skate on steroids! Thanks I'll wait until GMC brings out my hybrid pick-up thanks. I do pose one question though. What happened to our technowlogy of having fuel 100 miles to the gallon. You cannot tell me with todays information, and equipment we cannot have engines getting larger numbers then what we have now. Do I smell a conspericy with the oil companies? I think the hybrids are kinda the solution. There needs to be some tweaking of the system I am not sure they are spot on yet, but the growing pains are being worked out in a timely manor. In the USA fuel conservation seems to be an eaiser sell then up north. I guess our mentality is we make it we should be able to waste it. I think as time goes on Bio-fuels will be more of the norm then the exception. For now I think I am going to crank up the wheel chair and get a cup of coffee. Some people say my coffee is like drinking oil. My philsophy is there is no such thing as strong coffee just weak people. That also goes for mixed drinks.

Now I am going to switch gears (I kill me!!!), and would like to talk about these two individuals in two different situations died when being tasered in the last week. People are losing perspective on this situation! Poor Sam or Fred he died when he was acting like a jack ass so the local constablitory needed to rein him in, and god forbid they shoot him so they use a tool that is supposed to make you think twice of resisting. So you have a few wires that are crossed, and when zapped your main frame is not able to be rebooted and you become a door stop in the big place I like to call life. Now what are these law enforcement agents supposed to do if they cannot taser you? When you feel that you have the god given right to act like a jack ass then you have the right to be reined in like the floundering fish you are about to become. There is consequeses for your actions people!! Now for the record the last super star in the big picture called life was not actually tasered as one probe did not penetrate him. So he probably died of a drug over dose, or a fart gone cross wise who knows. My point is live by the sword die by the sword! Don't act like a jack ass when law enforcement is trying to question you, and I can pretty well assure you that you will not be tasered. They don't like using it any more then you like getting it. (well maybe a little bit. it would be nice just once if you had the opportunity to just zap one person that was pissing you off. your boss, your child???) You cannot imagine the paper work generated after an incident like this happens. So play nice with Mr. or Mrs policeperson next time, and you will not be laying on the ground wondering if you are ever going to pee normal again!

Now lets end this posting on a sweet note. Not only are we going to talk about donuts ah do-nuts... It is kind of lost in translation when you do it on paper. Hale to Homer!!! Anyway not only are you slightly amused when you read the pondering thoughts of the old ape, we are educational too! I am going to post the history of the donut. Now they talk about Crispy Cream donuts which for the record I have not tried yet. I have been told if I have a Crispy Cream I will never look at the average donut the same way. Is that like if you have had black you will never go back? Anyway I digressed I thought it was just one more useless fact that we can hang on to until we need to pull a Cliff Clavon or ever get challenged to a rousting game of Trivial Pursuit. I know I have just aged myself twice in this paragraph, but I am proud of the 80's and they are not going down with out a fight damn it!

Until next time while I go brush my teeth from all the talk of donuts.
Be kind to one another as a duck may be somebodys mother.

Cheers from the Big Ape... :-)


Sunday, November 2, 2008

Why are there 5 syllables in the word monosyllabic?


Hidy ho to friends, neighbours and small children. I hope that everyone got through Hallows eve relatively unscathed? May you got the booty you were looking for whether it was sweet nor savory your sweet tooth was satisfied or your itch got scratched. You found what you were looking for on the eve of ghouls and sugar rushes. It was a quite one here at the Kepke lair. We only had 11 kids this year, and the Mrs and I are getting too old to dress up anymore for what ever reason it may be. lol I am not sure if it is a case of the world is just getting too scary, and parents are not wanting to take the risk with their dear little off spring, or the idea of Halloween is just fading away like the dinosaurs. Either way it was an uneventful evening in our little world we call home. I must be getting old as the uneventful evenings are a good thing these days. lol


Well just as we put one scary event in the books for another year we come into a hole other event that is super scary with no costumes needed! What is that you ask? The Presidential elections are finally coming to a close November 4th. Now depending on what you think of these clowns (no pun intended here lol) will depend on how happy you will be on November 5th. A friend of mine sent me this, and I found it pretty interesting thanks Bill. Now who is behind this and why are they doing it?
Who is behind the site?
Just three guys from Iceland. The site is independent from all political
parties, companies or hidden agendas. It's just an idea a 22 year old
guy in Iceland came up with and executed with a little help from a
couple of friends.
Why are you doing this?
Just out of curiosity. The president of the United States is a powerful
man, probably the most powerful person on the planet. So everyone seems
to have an opinion on who should be the next president of the United
States. We thought it would be interesting to see who would be the next president
if the whole world could vote. It's also a challenge to try to beat the
number of voters in the last US elections. So spread the news.
Vote and then check out the results.

Now something that you may or may not know is one of my pet projects. That would be advocating for the special needs, and everything that will help them. Well I came across this site the other day, and just had to give this young guy some exposure. Now by the time I found this he had already been through my city, but you may be so fortunate to see him in yours before he is all wrapped up on the 31st of December.
Jonathan Howard is running across Canada to raise awareness for Autism Awareness. Now I am not sure what his motivation behind this is. Does he maybe have Autism, or have a family member that does, I am not sure. None the less awareness to this affliction along with various other areas of special needs, needs to be put to the forefront in society today. God speed to this young man, and may he be able make this journey safe and sound with as little discomfort as possible. Check the cause and Jonathan out.

Now lets close this posting off with the fact my fare city is kind of suffering from bad press syndrome. Now some might say that any press is good press if you are being noticed. Well maybe if you are an up coming presidential candidate, and looking for votes maybe. In this case I am not so sure this is or should be the case. What made news for Medicine Hat this week?
12 year old girl returns to court to ask for leniency in her sentence. As you all probably remember, and we would soon like to forget. The horrible day when it was announced that two adults and a small child were found brutally murdered in their home in a quite neighbourhood in Medicine Hat. Now after the huge media circus that it created back in 2006 it still shows up to haunt us in a couple of ways. The co-accused in this mess still waits his fate. His trial gets under way November 17th. One of the accessories to the fact still has not been sentenced yet. Then to add just a bit more bitter icing to this mess the 12 year old that remains nameless because she is a minor has the gall to ask to see if the courts will loosen the restraints on her so she has more freedoms in sentence. Before I go off on a huge tangent regarding this I will say this and leave it at that, and then let you read the story that further give Medicine Hat their black star. I think 10 years 6 of those being what they call closed custody or locked down to a pretty restrictive location, and then 4 years being supervised within the community is a gift in its self. Personally I don't think this little girl should see the light of day for anything less then 25 years. Personally I think that is being too generous, but as it is I think she will be a product of the system whether it be through counseling or on the government dole. There is going to be hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on this girl all for the fateful act back in 2006 that took her family and destroyed it for what we know it as. Here is the link that talks about this story.

Now continuing down that path of blackness yet another member past I will admit is charged with murder. The sadness I feel is for the children left behind, and also the families be left to nurse the media pummeling they will get. His family being from here in Medicine Hat and her's in Edmonton are left to be drug through the media mirth that will follow this story in the upcoming weeks. Here is the story that got my attention.

Now this next story is kind of humorous in all, but again a black cloud is cast over our fare city. Medicine Hat woman named as one of Canada's worst drivers. Now personally I think she is one of many in this city. I will say since this show has been airing this is the second person from Medicine Hat. Now yes we can say this is a city. Yes they have to be nominated. We are a small city in comparison to a Calgary or Toronto. I guess the bigger question is who would agree to let their name stand with such a title? I guess everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame regardless of how it makes you look. Again people don't look at the big picture as to what it does for the city or town or better yet it does for the family and their name it is fine that you want to be a jackass, but what about your parents or other siblings? That is like saying I am an idiot I am going to put on a glowing dunce cap, and ask everyone in the world to look at me. Regardless I guess everyone needs their fameless moment, here is hers!

Now this last note is kind of double edged. It says that Medicine Hat is bad enough to add 2 members of its police squad to a national squad for a drug task force. Like that is two fold. One it is saying that Medicine Hat is a drug infested city so we have a group of officers that are worthy enough to be added to the national squad. Now on the other hand it is a good thing that we are training our police force well enough to be good enough to be eligible for the squad. So this one is kind of a catch 22 post none the less it is a bigger crime that today's society has got that bad that we are needing national task forces to control anything. Now I will say the Provincial Government is just trying to make people feel safer by constructing these feel good type projects. I guess the proof will be in the stats whether or not it was a smart move or not. I guess you need to be the judge. Check out this article explaining how the task force is coming together.

Well I think I have spread enough doom and gloom for one day. Remember out there the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but how much bull shit did it need to create that green grass?

Until next time...
Cheers
From The Big Ape