Recession Proof?

Well, about a week ago I was laid off. Although I understood the possibility was there working for a Canadian manufacturing company, I still didn't see it coming.
It seems to have set in this morning. I should have been busting out this blog when I had the chance. Hind sight always 20/20.
It has been a hurricane of emotions, not too worried to what the hell am I going to do. Not that I worried about finding employment, mostly trying to figure out what the heck I want to do.
The Information Technology (I.T.) industry was cool, but I am not sure it is for me. I haven't written it off, but I definitely need a much bigger challenge than I had. For me I need opportunity to be creative and to think outside the box. I am a proactive thinker always striving for a better way to do things. Sometimes there isn't that is cool too. But if there is a better way I will find it, given enough time.
For now I will try to bring some life back to my blog, re-read some of the blog building research I have and see what comes of it.
Today I cast out the lines and see what type of fish are biting. When one door closes many more always open, the trick is to be alert and notice them.

My Two Cents

Manitoba Challenge for Life 20 km Walk

In 2008 an estimated 6100 Manitobans were diagnosed with cancer. So many Manitoban lives are affected by cancer each year and in 2008 I too was touched by cancer. My family’s World was set on its ear when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer in early 2008. She battled through surgery and treatments through2008 and is now a survivor. I am proud of her for how she faced cancer head on and always kept a healthy attitude about the battle she was deeply rooted in. I know I can't truly understand how she felt, but her spirit was an inspiration to her family, friends and me. With her sister, who was fighting cancer for a second time in 2008, by her side, they walked the road to being survivors together.
That is why this year I’ve decided to join the fight! I’m taking the Challenge – CancerCare’s Challenge for Life! This walk will place an exclamation point at the end of that chapter and 2008 for me, with the caption reading "Cancer is no match for my Mom!”
The Challenge for Life is a 20k walk on June 13, 2009 to raise money for CancerCare Manitoba. By participating in this “made-in-Manitoba” event, I am committing to raise at least $1000 to support CancerCare’s work on behalf of all Manitobans. The Challenge for Life is more than just a walk. It’s a promise. It’s a promise to myself to continue to live a healthier lifestyle and build on lifestyle changes I have already made. It’s the commitment to taking the steps to improve my overall health and help reduce my own risk of cancer.
Last year over 500 Manitobans joined together for the first ever Challenge for Life. The $650,000 raised stayed within Manitoba and went towards patient care and support, early detection, research, and clinical trials. Take a stand and help me create hope for all Manitobans and their families living with cancer by either joining my team or making a generous donation. To learn more, please visit my personal webpage at www.challengeforlife.ca/netcommunity/jamiecm.
Take the challenge.

Together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,
Jamie Cinq-Mars

Memo From A Child To Their Parents

I don't know who the author of this list is, but it struck a cord with me. So much of it is true and so many parents need to wake up and listen. Print it out and post it up some where important to remind ourselves to step into our children's shoes from time to time. Understand the World from their side of the fence.

Enjoy!

Memo From
A Child To Parents

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it, it makes me feel secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly "big".
5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.
7. Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
8. Don't be too upset when I say "I hate you". Sometimes it isn't you I hate but your power to thwart me.
9. Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
10. Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
11. Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always accurate.
12. Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
13. Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
14. Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
15. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
16. Don't ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you.
17. Don't forget I love experimenting. I couldn't get along without it, so please put up with it.
18. Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please do try.
19. Don't forget that I don't thrive without lots of love and understanding, but I don't need to tell you, do I?
20. Please keep yourself fit and healthy. I need you.

Breaking Down Walls With Gusto!

I was a very different man once upon a time. I built some very high walls around myself during some very low times in my life. MANY tried to break them down, many fought to bring them down. I wanted everyone to tear them down, I was to afraid to help them. The walls remained. I asked myself why me, struggled to understand why I was so trapped. It wasn't until I realized NO ONE could tear the walls down for me that things began to happen. They were my walls and only I knew where the weak points were. I had to do all the hard work, while everyone watched and supported me. Sadly I kept the walls up so long that the man that emerged wasn't the same. Not as fun, not as full of life, not as willing to be himself. I now struggle everyday trying to reclaim the man that built the walls, which means there is still one wall left. I forget it is there, because it is behind me. I remember it, conveniently, just in time to hide behind it when I get scared to expose my emotions (aside from frustration) or to be myself. It is a wall that only I can remove and I am still working on it.
Once upon a time I was a crazy guy with no off switch. Not necessarily a good thing all the time, but most of the time it was good. Once I emerged from the ruble of the broken down walls a timid, shy and guarded man stood in the wake. I see the wonder in my children's eyes when I just let down the guard for a second. That is the man they want to see and know. Why is it so hard to be free? Man that wall is high! Perhaps I should have went in to the concrete business...my walls are indestructible. It is that final wall that holds back a portion of my life. The frustrating part of that is how obvious it is to me and yet, I can't remember where I worked in the emergency self destruct button to bring the wall crumbling down. Maybe there isn't one? Maybe I never expected to knock this over? I have been chipping away at the wall brick by brick. Hopefully I haven't missed everything by the time it is down.
Funny thought. I used to act in school. There I am...up in front of the school, exposed for everyone to see.....loving it. Today I find myself paralyzed to do anything remotely emotionally exposing even in a small group. Even around people who love me. People who will enjoy the fun of it. Some who have never seen this side of me and others who remember it like a deceased family member. Simple games where by you need to let loose your shyness and be goofy, fearfully proclaim "I'M OUT"! I give in. I am scared. Scared to be exposed. Scared to have someone see me enjoying myself....even I can't explain it. Sad.
During a recent board game with close friends; I was required to tell an embarrassing story about my childhood or pay a penalty (relax...it was only moving back a couple squares). I paid the penalty. My immediate and only thought was please don't make fun of me. Once upon a time I would have jumped on the chance to be the comedic butt of the joke. But, "Take the penalty", fear said. Fear won. A few rounds later I was required to say something complimentary about myself and then those around the table would do the same until someone repeated something others said or couldn't come up with one. WHAT?! I was petrified and fear froze my brain and I wasn't able to compliment myself. "What no one agrees with my compliment, what if I think I am something I am not, what if, what if, what if. Am I that uncomplimentary? I hope not. The timer was running out. Fear shouts, "Pay the penalty or face the next person in turn not being able to think of something! That will hurt!" I paid the penalty. Thankfully a friend was willing to point out my oversights. He mentioned some compliments I could have used. Thanks. I needed that. Unfortunately fear won again.
Since writing the above post awhile back I have come to re-visit some drafts and stumbled on this one. I needed to get that off my mind at the time, it weighed heavy; but I never could decide if I should post it. I think it is important for people to know that someone who can appear in control all the time, really is quite normal and has fears too. Many times I have caught people off guard by saying I am shy and sometimes insecure. I guess I hide it very well and portray an illusion of confidence. I am confident to a point and about certain things, but others not so much. Also since writing the above, I have broken down additional parts of that final wall. I am becoming more free and willing to be an openly fun guy who is a little goofy. Let's face it, I am a goofball and love to be the go to guy for laughs and entertainment. I know I have more work to do and slowly, but surely, the Jamie I once knew is on his way back to the forefront. It will be interesting to see how some react, mostly those who did not know the original version of me, friends I have made in the last 5 to 10 years. They are more familiar with the closed off version, that is very guarded. Look out people the show is back on!

I hope this is not a mistake by exposing myself to this degree. This post is a huge window into my insecurities. SCARY! Fear is screaming at me right now, but I am saying "Not this time my friend, not this time"

My Two Cents
Jamie

Proof Is In The Pup-Peroni?

The debate rages on. Is obesity and the alarming rate it has increased based on our reduced exercise or how much we eat?
It never fails, I find myself in a food discussion with someone; mostly those defending their own weight or that of someone close to them; and they will never yield to the concept of calories in being a problem, said of course as they chomp down on a fast food treat. How can anyone be so blind? Well, look no further than the advertising campaigns of Big Food and Big Fast Food. With all the bogus and I mean BOGUS advertising about how healthy all this fast food is or how healthy all these pre-portioned treats are and how they are going to save your waistline; it is no wonder people are blind to the truth. The blinders are on and working very, very well.

Here is what I find interesting. Dogs have their own website (no they aren't running the web site) about stopping canine obesity! www.stopcanineobesity.com

What's interesting is that dogs are suffering a similar fate of their masters. Even the Dog treat Pup-Peroni has released a new treat specifically geared at counting the calories you give your dog. WAIT A MINUTE! I thought obesity had nothing to do with calories taken in and everything to do with a distinct lack of exercise!?! Interesting.

How is it that dogs have seen an increase in obesity rates? Aren't we as the masters providing their food and lifestyle? Perhaps we should blame Fido's lack of gym membership as the cause of his extra pounds? Maybe fast-food? I suppose it is Fido's genetics? Living in an air conditioned World? I know, it has to be all that Big food/Big fast-food advertising brain washing our poor Fido? When was the last time you said NO to Fido when he was begging for a certain type of treat at the grocery store! Then there was the Air Bud product endorsements, how can dogs resist celebrity endorsements? Perhaps their sudden rise in obesity can be blamed on not being permitted to fidget, has anyone ever met a Border Collie? I knew putting a TV in Fido's dog house was a bad idea? Maybe it was the Video games? The Internet? High-fructose corn syrup? Artificial sweeteners? MSG? Social networks? Early weaning? Sleep deprivation? I think you get the picture!

It is simply a matter of us, the master, feeding them too much food. Calories in vs. calories out.

Yes of course, you MUST exercise your dog so it can be healthy, but if you don't monitor the calories in your dog will get fat. Most dogs are active enough to keep their weight a healthy level, some dogs will need a little more work. Of course older dogs have a naturally slowing metabolism and need more walking. Hey does any of this sound familiar?

Of course it does! It is us! Humans. We too need to be active, not go to the gym six times a week active, but active. But MOST importantly we need to be more aware of the calories we are are forcing our bodies to work with. We need to learn to cook less to avoid the concept of "finishing" the food. I know most of us do not like throwing food away, with all the people in the World having no food, but I think it is more important that we cook less NOT eat more to eliminate food waste.

The debate will rage on, mostly fueled by those unwilling to admit they consume too many calories when they stop on the way home from work to pick food 3 or 4 times a week because little Timmy has baseball practice, piano lessons and homework to do and we just don't have time! Well read this, if you don't make time for your health, time will be the least of your worries. You MUST make time or you will lose more time in the long run.

My Two Cents

Jamie