I know, the blog is so new there should be no valid reason for going on a hiatus. Except, I’m heading home early – back to Canada as of the wee hours of the morning – and doubt I’ll spend any time trying to connect to the net in order to post. Once I arrive in Canada, I’ll be shuttling from Alberta to New Brunswick and expect that I won’t be anywhere near an Internet connection for a few days. I’ll try to check in a few times next week just to let people know what’s rolling around in my little grey cells. Otherwise, consider this blog semi-dead until the end of the month.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading and commenting. It’s been a great two weeks.

I love to travel. Anyone who knows me knows my passport is at the ready. Throw in some business related work and a new culture I’ve never been exposed to and I’m drooling at the bit to go. There are downsides of travel – usually things like homesickness (when the trip is too long) or food processing issues (have I mentioned I miss the food in India this week?) – but usually they’re quickly silenced by the little voice in the back of my head that reminds me how amazing it is to meet new people, explore a new country or learn bits and pieces of a new language. When someone you love back home is ill though, the distance seems to stretch and the time seems to pass ten times as slowly. Today, I want to be home.

Technorati Tags: travel

It’s sunny today.  I don’t know how long the sun will stay out from behind the clouds, but I plan on basking in it for as much time as I can before the rain returns.

Yesterday morning I saw my first cockroach.  I was outside with Pau at lunchtime and saw a huge bug climb rapidly up the wall.  Of couse I had to ask her what it was.  Without batting an eye, I was informed that it was a cockroach.  Apparently they’re not all that uncommon of a sight in the area we were in.

I know, I’m a bit of a freak.  Making it into my third decade never having see one outside of movies before.  Mom kept a thoroughly clean (and sparkly) house when I was growing up and despite my own noticably lacking housekeeping skills, we’ve never lived anywhere where there was even a whisper of the big ugly bug.  Now I’ve seen one, the thrill is over.  You can all go back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I couldn’t sleep when I arrived back at the hotel today. This will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. So, after posting to my blog, I decided to surf some others. In my wanders, I came across a blog titled dropping knowledge. It’s an amazing concept. Gathering important questions for a period of time, then posing a total of 100 questions to 112 inspirational individuals in Berlin on September 9, 2006.

dropping knowledge is a global initiative to turn apathy into activity. By hosting an open conversation on the most pressing issues of our times, we will foster a worldwide exchange of viewpoints, ideas and people-powered solutions. However knowledge is definied, by dropping it free to others, we all gain wisdom.

I am certain I will be returning to this site again and again.

Technorati Tags: dropping knowledge

In an editor’s note on at Perceval Press, vm writes:

These are not signs of a modern, democratic society. The present situation, however, is as avoidable as it is barbaric. The remedies are willpower and integrity. If we do not demand a serious effort from our political representatives, nothing much will change anytime soon.

Specifically, the author is describing the current situation of the American Health Care system and the lack of a universal heath care program. As a Canadian, I can’t help but agree that universal health care is definitely something every country should have in place. No one should ever have to worry about having to choose between food, shelter, clothing or proper medical care. It’s discomforting to consider that our own health care system is degrading to the point where universal health care may no longer be provided to all Canadian citizens.

However, it strikes me that the passage I’ve highlighted above can refer to so many other ills in the US, Canada and on a global scale. Can the same not be said for addressing illiteracy and the cost and availablility of education? Shouldn’t we follow the same recommendations when attempting to resolve hunger? Can we not avoid a repeat of a situation such as the one that happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina by exercising our political will and voices? Is it not possible to erase poverty worldwide in our lifetime?

In Canada, the percentage of eligible voters taking the time to exercise their voting rights has been decreasing in past elections. In 1997, 67% voted in the Federal election. In 2000, the voting percentage decreased to 61%. This slid futher to 60.5% in 2004 before an unprecedented upswing to 64.9% in 2006.

If we want to see change the the world around us (both locally and globally) we need to start with participating in the voting process. Once this is complete, it’s not sufficient to sit back out our laurels for another 3-5 years. We must remain active in the process – holding our politicians accountable for their actions and policies, or lack thereof.

Note: I do not know how long the full editorial will appear on the page. The page updates regularly. To read the entire commentary, I recommend visiting the page soon.

Technorati Tags: perceval press, universal health care, voting