CitizenShift
Updates from the basement, courtesy of the CITIZENShift team.
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2010 crystal winners
The Radio Marketing Bureau’s crystal awards 2010 was the place to be.
representing the best practices in the broadcast and advertising industries. The RMB presents Canada’s most prestigious competition for excellence in radio advertising, honoring radio stations and agencies with the following merits.
RMB Crystal Awards…
- Honour outstanding achievement in agency and station creative from across Canada
- Showcase innovation
- Celebrate creative from a broad range of industry sectors
This event was a fully catered-sit-down formal award show. In addition to various honorable mentions there were gold, silver and gold awards given in almost each category(11 to be exact). Categories ranged from “Best entry from a small market, Public Service Announcement, Creative use of Sound/Music, Station campaign and Agency campaign”. A total of 46 awards were announced making it a night to remember.
The Crystals were not the only ones however paying homage to the awesome benefits and fruits of the radio industry. The Canadian RAdio Music Awards also had a lot to celebrate. Taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week 2010, featuring performances by nominees Karl Wolf, Stereos, The New Cities, Arkells and Dean Brody.
The place was packed with all the presenters, guests, and hopeful nominees as listed below:
And the nominees are…
MAINSTREAM ADULT CONTEMPORARY
DALA - LEVI BLU
KARL WOLF - AFRICA
MELANIE FIONA - GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT
NADJA - HOUND DOG
THEO TAMS - SING
BEST NEW GROUP/SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR (HOT ADULT CONTEMPORARY)
KARL WOLF - AFRICA
THE LATENCY - TONIGHT I LOVE YOU
MIDWAY STATE - NEVER AGAIN
STEREOS - SUMMER GIRL
THE NEW CITIES - DEAD END COUNTDOWN
ROCK
ARKELLS - OH, THE BOSS IS COMING
METRIC - HELP I’M ALIVE
MOTHER MOTHER - BODY OF YEARS
THE ENDING - FREAKSHOW
VEER UNION - SEASONS
BEST NEW GROUP/SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR (CONTEMPORARY HIT RADIO)
CLASSIFIED - ANYBODY LISTENING
DRAKE - BEST I EVER HAD
MIDWAY STATE - NEVER AGAIN
STEREOS - SUMMER GIRL
THE NEW CITIES - DEAD END COUNTDOWN
DANCE/URBAN/RHYTHMIC
CLASSIFIED - ANYBODY LISTENING
DOMAN & GOODING – RUNNIN’
DRAKE - BEST I EVER HAD
EMMALYN ESTRADA – GET DOWN
MELANIE FIONA – GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT
COUNTRY
DARREN MCGINNIS - MORE THAN ME
DEAN BRODY - BROTHERS
ONE MORE GIRL - I CAN LOVE ANYONE
STEVEN LEE OLSEN - NOW
VICTORIA BANKS - THE WHEEL
SOCAN SONG OF THE YEAR
CHAD KROEGER
IF TODAY WAS YOUR LAST DAY
Recorded by NICKELBACK
CHAD KROEGER, RYAN PEAKE, JOE MOI
GOTTA BE SOMEBODY
Recorded by NICKELBACK
DIVINE BROWN, SLAKAH THE BEATCHILD, NELLY FURTADO, COREY HART
SUNGLASSES
Recorded by DIVINE BROWN
TYLER CONNOLLY, DEAN BACK, DAVE BRENNER, KARA DIOGUARDI
NOT MEANT TO BE
Recorded by THEORY OF A DEADMAN
CARLY RAE JEPSEN, RYAN STEWART
TUG OF WAR
Recorded by Carly Rae Jepsen
FANS’ CHOICE
HEDLEY
KARL WOLF
MARIANAS TRENCH
NICKELBACK
STATE OF SHOCK
THEORY OF A DEADMAN
Though so many great artists were present, only a select few could walk away with an award. Hedley proudley accepted the Fan’s choice award, 
Karl Wolf was given the HOT AC award as best New Solo artist of the year, whereas the Stereos after giving a high-energy performance on stage mounted it again to receive the CHR Best New Group of the Year.
The night was dedicated to awarding up and coming groups and solo artists, but ended it’s merits by recognizing Platinum Blonde and Rob Braide for receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award to commemorating their induction into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame.
A remarkable night for the artists, the nominees, the winners and even the staff and volunteers putting the show together can attests of how great and spectacular it was. As a volunteer I can say it all worked out well because everyone was in unity, celebrating each others achievements.
There are two artists who both presented for these awards but they themselves did not receive an award or trophy of their own, but their great attitude, personalities and humble-hearted souls and well-excercised sportmanship merits a note or two on ewhat they do and why they do it.
Stary tuned for much much more 
as I share how the Canadian Music Week closed its long list of events and seminars with the celebration of the Indie Awards, which I have Yet to discuss …
GO Canada, GO Musicians, Go Canadian Music Week !
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Category : Blogroll, events
Tags: Adult contemporary music, Arts, Award, best new group, best solo artist, broadcast industry, canada, Canadian Music Week, Canadian radio Music awards, Crystal awards, hall of fame, Karl Wolf, music, radio, royal york hotel, Toronto
Hey All! Music lovers, media and entertainment gurus and canadian patriots alike if you cannot make it to Toronto this week for the Candian Music Week starting March 10 to the 13th then have no worries or fears, for I will be there. This conference is great for media developers, artists, producers and business men alike.
This is one of the few places offering the chance to interact with the pros from all sectors of the industry and whether a musician, an audio-mixer, film maker, start-up company or current contributer and/or competitor needing to stay ahead in the game. This event also offers seminars to equipt you with everything you need to know to effectively market your products and services in the Digital Age. One of the largest canadian networking events around, it explodes with resourceful speakers, talents and professionals prepared to share their insights with the rest of the conference attendees. A few of these professionals asked to be key-note speakers, include: Vivian Barclay General Manager, Warner Chappell Musi, David Basskin President & CEO, The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency, Casey Chisick Entertainment Lawyer, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Denise Donlon Executive Director, CBC English Radio, JJ Johnston GM, Corus Radio, Donald Quarles Executive Director, Songwriters Association of Canada, and David Neale SVP, Strategic Content Services, Telus Mobility.
All events take place at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and I will be heading there to get the best out of what is being offered and get as much of the behind the scene scoop that makes this event so phenominal and resourceful! I’m excited because I’ll be taking Citizenshift with me and keeping you all up to date. If you have any questions about the event, how to get involved, how to prepare for the next year or how to learn more about the conference or perhaps the festival that follows it…ask and i will try to get those answers for you all.
To give you a better idea of what the event is all about, i have inserted below, a few of the seminar sessions in store for this week.
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CANADIAN RADIO STAR
Finals, Friday, March 12, 2010
Got a muse that needs to be heard? In this career making competition, aspiring songwriters compete through their local radio stations for fabulous prizes – including an all expense paid trip to Toronto, a chance to perform at the showcase, studio time, related music services and $10,000.00 in cash. Check www.radiostar.ca for details and participating radio stations |
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SONGWRITERS SUMMIT
The Music Creator & Publisher Conference
Saturday March 13, 2010
A freewheeling creative exchange between legendary songwriters, prolific hit-makers and some of the best up-and-comers in the global music market. Join CMW for a day long series of workshops, culminating in a special performance in-the-round by the songwriters as they share their stories behind the hits and debut songs in front of your very ears. |
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Film Festival
Saturday March 13, 2010
Canadian Music Week brings its newest component to the fold with the Music For The Screen film festival. Featuring a day long series of interviews, premieres and films spotlighting some of the industry’s hottest new directors and composers |
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Category : Blogroll, events
Tags: Arts, Canadian Music Week, entertainment, Film Festival, music, Music industry, networking, new media, professionals, technology, Toronto
Continuing the topic of bullying in our current youth culture, I wanted to specifically make a note of cyberbullying and the massive role it plays in the everyday lives of today’s young people.
Cyber-bullying, also known as “electronic bullying” or “online social cruelty”, is in essence being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technological means; an individual or group that uses information and communication involving electronic technologies to facilitate deliberate and repeated harassment or threat to an individual or group. (Barbara Trolley, Ph.D. CRC Connie Hanel, M.S.E.d & Linda Shields, M.S.E.d.)
They say that teasing is a normal childhood experience and can sometimes cross the line, but when it turns into bullying or even cyberbullying, it is right online. Its direct and hit home, literally. Cyberbullying has taken the classically known territories of the bully (classroom, school yard, park etc) and has given them expanded access to their victim at home. Cyberbullying is not only in effect via the house computer or personal laptop, but it includes cellphones, PDA, etc. In fact any communicative electronic device can be used as tool to harass, intimidate, belittle or embarrass another young person.
A cyber-bullies technologies include the following:
- E-mail
- Cell phones
- Pager text messages
- Instant messaging
- Defamatory personal web sites
- Defamatory online personal polling web sites
- Chat rooms
Tactics include, exclusion (in chat and game rooms, blocking user from group) harassment (mobile phone), defamation, and group bashing.
There are three issues that make cyberbullying attractive to bullies but also most harmful to victims:
- Anonymity (perpetrators never have to show their face or identify themselves when bullying online)
- 24/7 constant access (There is almost no end cyberbullies can access and/or harrass their victim any day and at any time. There is no rest or refuge from the cyberbullying activity)
- The entrance of private home space. (children leave school and return to the comfort of home but are still subject to the harmful remarks of bullies and perpetrators online, via text messaging. Home is no longer a safe and private space)
In the words of Parry Aftab, Called the “leading expert on cyber-crime in the United States,” by the Boston Herald paper, cyberbullying is “”Cyberbullying” is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying. The methods used are limited only by the child’s imagination and access to technology. And the cyberbully one moment may become the victim the next. The kids often change roles, going from victim to bully and back again.
Children have killed each other and committed suicide after having been involved in a cyberbullying incident. [This has now been called bullycide]
Cyberbullying is usually not a onetime communication, unless it involves a death threat or a credible threat of serious bodily harm. Kids usually know it when they see it, while parents may be more worried about the lewd language used by the kids than the hurtful effect of rude and embarrassing posts.
Cyberbullying may arise to the level of a misdemeanor cyberharassment charge, or if the child is young enough may result in the charge of juvenile delinquency. Most of the time, the cyberbullying does not go that far, although parents often try and pursue criminal charges. It typically can result in a child losing their ISP or IM accounts as a terms of service violation. And in some cases, if hacking or password and identity theft is involved, can be a serious criminal matter under state and federal law. ”
Cyber bullying is a serious issue today because many teens to not consider themselves bullies or doing anything wrong. Often enough, today’s youth are doing the same things kids have been doing for centuries, but through the internet, the world has become a smaller place. Youth today communicate and express themselves most frequently via technology. Youth today show their creativity, interests, passions and emotions through some sort of electrical medium. In years past, people wrote letters, got physical or spread rumors by word of mouth. Today kids attempt to do similar things, but their tools of communication, unlike those of old, are a lot more permanent and a lot more automated and realistic. A bully may get tired after while whereas if the action consist of simply pressing a button, the task is easier than ever. This also causes a disconnect between the actual action and the bully. They feel less liable and do not have to directly witness or deal with the reaction of their bullied victim. It is a practice that is desensitizing youth to many naturally or socially implemented feelings such as empathy, remorse and responsibility. Cyberbullying has taught kids to hide behind a mask and not take responsibility for their actions.
Nevertheless there are many resources available to educate parents and their kids in regards t o proper online practises and behaviour. It is good to discipline children and teach them proper manners like sharing, apologizing when necessary and how to practise common courtesy, but the same type of training is required to a degree when pertaining to online interactions. Teach kids to use emoticons to better clarify what they are saying in a message and teach them to use other forms of communication to back up or clarify their online statements. Finally because statements made online are accessible to the “world wide web” remind your children that online content is not private with or without a password. Once online, one can be made liable for whatever they say.
This is only a window into the subject, I invite you to get informed and involved, interact with your friends, your loved ones and be aware of bullying and cyberbullying tactics in order to be NETSMART!
For more great cyberbullying tips and info please check out the following links…
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Category : Blogroll
Tags: cyber-harassment, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, e-learning, Net alert, parry aftab, podcast
Ok so a few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about the name-calling experiences that can take place between kids and how it can affect them. In this I shared one of my own personal experiences from elementary school. So, was that bullying? Is it being called names or ridiculed or criticized for things one cannot control like the color of their skin, cultural origin, or height, weight etc.? In my case, the other child did not touch me or push me…could it still be considered an act of bullying on his end? What exactly is bullying? What forms can it take? Do all bullies consciously intend to be mean and hurtful?
I have been doing some research on the subject in hopes to answer some of these general questions. I have found that there are so many resources available to increase awareness and knowledge about bullying and its effects. There is also an increasing amount of information out there on cyberbulling in particular. With the ever increasing usage of technology and media, cyberbullying has become an increasing issue and topic of interest to many.
First I thought it would be valuable to break down the different types of bullies. Reading this may cause some to realize that they themselves have been a bully in their lifetime. I know when I read and learned about the different categories of bullying, the different types of bullying and the different forms bullying can take; I discovered that I have been bullied quite a bit in my lifetime. I guess your reactions to these acts are part of what can make or break you. I’ve also come to realize some kids in my family have some bully-like tendencies. I’ve wondered…what can I do to make a difference in their lives. How can I help them understand the effects of their words, their actions and take responsibility toward a change of character? Especially now that laws are being developed around this subject.
I will have a few segments on this subject. However for this first look into this issue, I would like to cover some of the general basics.
What is bullying by definition?
A blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.
What is Cyberbullying by definition?
“Cyberbullying” is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying.
What are the categories of Bullying?
- Physical Bullying
- Verbal Bullying
- Indirect Bullying
- Social Bullying
- Cyberbullying
NOTE: Both In-Person Bullying and Cyberbullying can be either direct or indirect. Direct meaning bullying acts are performed by the bully to the victim themselves and indirect meaning the bullying is mediated through third party individuals but instigated and planned by another. Indirect bullying includes spreading rumors or stories about someone, telling others about something that was told to you in private, and excluding others from groups. In the online world, this is called “Cyberbullying by proxy”. This is when a cyberbully gets someone else to do their dirty work. Most of the time they are unwitting accomplices and don’t know that they are being used by the cyberbully.
What Kind of Bullies are there?
Just like there is a wide range of personality types and characters in our social sphere, there are evidently different types of bullies. This section encompasses the bullying types of the in person & the cyberbully.
Read the rest of this entry »
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Category : Blogroll
Tags: bullying, cyberbullying, mean girls
The word is Mentorship. You know, deriving from the word mentor or the verb to mentor, to train, to develop, to instruct, to impart.
I hope your getting the idea. Nevertheless you are not to blame if this notion seems unfamiliar to you or if you have solely memories of a mentorfrom having been mentored in the past. But when does mentorship start and end in a lifetime? Is there a specific period for mentorship? I believe that is part of the misconception of the western society or at least here in Montreal. Many people feel when they have reached a certain age they do not need anyone telling them what to do or how to do it. Though both your boss and/or your parents may be mentors or role models in your life, a mentor is not meant to boss you around or parent you.
What is a Mentor & Who Needs One?
We all, young and old need a mentor and not just in a brief period of our lives like adolescence. Its a lifelong necessity. It does not mean that you will have the same mentor for the rest of your life, but we must be open to receive the gifts within a mentor that comes our way in life. Indeed a mentor can be considered someone who has a gift or a life treasure to hand you. This gift, skill, opportunity, lesson, training, tip, clue will help you, develop you, shape you, and possibly cause you to mature in areas of your life that are still blooming. Mentors come in handy when you are going through a rough period, when in need of counsel or simply when in need of a listening ear. A mentor is someone we
can trust and look up to. However, we do not always chose our mentors and many often take offense due to the efforts of some mentors who try to prune the gifts, talents, abilities and potential they see in you. That is why it is necessary that we be careful to keep our eyes peeled to who comes into and out of our lives and what role they may play. Some of the people who rub you the wrong way or annoy you with their constant corrections are really there to mentor you through something.
Do We Recognize Mentors in our day and age?
You know that person that you can go to for everything, maybe a best friend, a big sister or brother… that person may be your greatest confidant because of there ability to mentor, encourage and build you up. People often enjoy the time they spend with their mentor. Now the key to mentorship is relationship. There must be a relationship at the foundation of mentorship.
This may be long-term or short-term and it may not necessarily cover every area of your existence. One can have a mentor for different areas of their life. One for academic counseling and advice, one for career specific guidance, one for romantic issues, one for spiritual counsel and so on…
Further a mentorship can be direct or indirect. It can be direct as depicted through most of the examples I’ve already given, but it can also be indirect by means of the contact and basis of the relationship. Sometimes you have a mentor through an academic program and your relationship is primarily online or through e-mail. This is a common practice is post-secondary and higher Educational institutions where newer students or graduating students are peered-up with a more experienced person who can guide and encourage them on their transition in life. For instance Concordia University has a program that connects students with peer-to-peer mentoring associating them with a student-mentor in the same faculty or program to assist them with specific needs and demands pertinent to what they may experience within their specific fields, whereas some establishments, like Loyalist College have a place where students are peered with a non-student-mentor who can assist them on a general level through the different spectrum of their academic experience. Both are effective its just that they function differently because mentorship can be direct, indirect, specific or all-around. This is mainly because we communicate and understand each other in different ways according to our experiences. Sometimes we can relate in one area and sometimes not in an other. In the reverse mentoring situation for example, the mentee (person being mentored) has more overall experience (typically as a result of age) than the mentor (who is typically younger), but the mentor has more knowledge in a particular area, and as such, reverses the typical roles of mentorship. So it is wise to be mindful of who has a positive impact on your life and in which areas because mentors can shape our identities and in general we want to somewhat want to be like our
mentors or get what they have or greater. Sometimes you have a success mentor whose goal is to help you succeed in a certain realm, sometimes a financial mentor, a fitness mentor or coach. So would you necessarily bring your Linear algebra problems or better yet your relationship problems to your coach or trainer? Probably not, sometimes people are in our lives to mentor us with specific issues. You may want to consider concentrating discussion you share with an individual within the parameters of where you find they have been a great help, encouragement or influence. There are plenty others in your life that can assist in other area.
Community Outreach
Outside of school walls, there are also diverse mentorship programs set up in surroundings communities across Canada. Some noteworthy organizations, making a difference in the lives of individuals through mentorship are :
- IBM MentorPlace: Volunteer employees at IBM act as one-to-one e-mentors to students and provide academic assistance, career counseling, and caring support. In addition this program provides technical advice and assistance to teachers.
- Toronto Maple Leafs Professional Hockey Team (Toronto, Ontario)- Leafs players are involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
- Hewlett-Packard (On-Line) -Provides academic mentoring support from professionals of ITP sponsor companies. Creator David Neils says: “Mentoring is one of the best investments in the future that an adult can make.”
- Youth Assisting Youth (Toronto, Ontario)- A community-based program that matches youth volunteers,in a one-to-one relationship with at risk children Children are referred to YAY from community resources such as schools, social workers, doctors, community groups and child protection agencies and has been cost-effective in keeping children out of the criminal justice system.
- Ka Ni Kanichihk: ‘Restoring the Sacred’ Program (Winnipeg, MB)-A student buddy support service/youth mentorship program is a culturally based prevention and intervention program for Aboriginal youth
Moreover, on a national and global level, much is being done behind the scenes by The Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research. As a follow-up to two previous modules, their latest module explores applied examples of mentorship to stimulate dialogue on how such aspects can contribute to creating a culture of mentorship.
According to this document (CCGHR 3rd Module), mentorship plays a role in this cycle of sustainable capacity building by developing the skills, knowledge, experiences and capacities of emerging global health researches through creating environments of continuous learning and sharing. Within their document Audrey Newman reflects on what capacity building is, gives a wonderful example of what mentorship is and how it impacts more than one person at a time:
…highly effective capacity-building is about teaching
and learning; insights, behaviours, and skills; and more.
It is about creating an environment that encourages and
supports continuous learning and improvement in
individuals, organizations, networks, and eventually, the
communities and societies they seek to change. It is
about empowering passionate people to learn what they
need and share what they know. It is about consciously
creating conditions so that each success sparks many
others. It is about starting chain reactions for change…
Often enough, these programs are geared to the youth population due to the misconception that mentoring is only for the adolescent formation in life. I strongly concur with the notion that young-people need proper mentoring both by their peers and by positive and supporting role-models and leaders. Nevertheless the point I want to make is that we all need mentors throughout the stages of life. For instance, at work, the person who trains you and teaches you about the practices of that institution is somewhat of a mentor, then the person who may be appointed to prepare you for a new position when in light of a promotion can also be considered a mentor. This brings me back to our perception, reception and acknowledgment and appreciation of our mentors and if not for the individual themselves that at the least for the mentorship experiences.
Do We appreciate our mentors
Sometimes we may not want to acknowledge those who have mentored us because they were hard on us, we did not think it was worth it because we weren’t best-friends or anything or because they never explicitly stated: I AM YOUR MENTOR! Today I encourage you to look back on your life and take an
inventory to acknowledge those who have played an influential role in your life, who have helped to shape you, given you good advice and counsel, given a listening ear when needed and a shoulder to cry on, or even simply gave you the right steps to get something you needed just in time.
For Additional Stories, testimonies of inspirational mentorship experiences visit:
- Natural Born Learners
- Gerry Juzena Biography
For more information on mentorship programs or for mentoring tips please visit:
- A guide to the Mentor Program Listings
- Life Coaches. These people have turned mentorship into a career! (Recently discussed on CJADtalk radio800)
- Nettie Wild: Best tip for learning in the film industry
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Category : Uncategorized
Tags: appreciation, change, coach, community, community outreach, Culture, helping, impart, mentor, mentorship, role-model, teach
I love food! I love and appreciate food for its taste, smell and the overall pleasure derived from the satisfaction it gives. I admit, I may not cook or even eat it as regularly as I would like, but I am passionate
about it. Food is not just to be eaten in a glutenous fashion but it is to be interpreted and eaten in moderation and conscious awareness of its benefits risks and effects. Thus the phenomena inspiring many of today’s new health movements, diets and eating considerations. Granted food can be a tool in many trades.
In fact experts from little-known-food-facts.com say that…
“…although typically sprinkled on salad a radish also acts as a blood thinner, just like a “One a Day” medicine that is a big benefit of healthy eating. Lowering the cost of meds is big time right now!”
Speaking of cost, apparently beans are glorious now a days because of their diversity in types, cooking
options, and the economical advantages(savings) they bear on one’s finances. Beans can truly be cooked in so many ways and play a complimentary role as a side dish or ingredient or play the main role within a main dish. The Leader-Post, quotes the author of the bestselling cookbook ‘How to Cook Everything‘ in a discussion on how to save your health and save the planet.
He says: “it is by adding one simple ingredient to our menus.” Beans, he points out, are nutritious, delicious, versatile, inexpensive and surprisingly easy to cook. In fact, they might just be a true miracle food.
There is just so much to be said about food. Food I believe can be very inspirational and motivational. As much as we work for money to buy food, food can help us get money. Take Mark Bittman for example, he is the author of the book I was discussing above; he is considered a food writer. Then there are food critics, food testers, and nutritionists, and so much more. Don’t be fooled, Food is not just good at referring to itself but it is a trade that is very interdisciplinary. It enters the fields of science, biology, the arts, business and so much more. For example consider that some of the hottest chart-topping reality shows were recently
about food :”Hell’s Kitchen” . These people exert a passion for food whether in cooking it, serving it, breaking it down in molecules, studying it, writing about it, tasting it, critiquing it, or marketing it…food sells! The point I want to make is that once someone takes hold of their passion they will find a way to make it work for them or will take pleasure in working for it. I’ve discovered that food is not just a vital necessity to life, its a social need. It affects our minds, body and social aptitudes. They say eating with someone is one of the most intimate settings we can share with a person.
How are people’s passions making room for them?
Its a reality that the economy is facing some difficult times but putting your gifts and your passion can make a world of difference. It does not have to be food, but no matter how great or how small let the passion drive you. I’ve seen some great people do great things with lingerie, paper, ice, software, sound and yes food; all because they were passionate about these things and wanted to find a way to express or contribute to that thing through their own talent or skill.
Have you considered how your passion can make room for you? Write about it, sing about it, live for it and or sacrifice for it, regardless of how it has a toll on you, ensure you recognize the existence of your passion and capitalize on it. If you are struggling with the idea of finding a passion, try food… it has many benefits and can be useful in any domain of life.
For more inspiration on developing your passion or for facts about food and the dynamics of how food can make money for you instead of you solely making money for food…check out the following:
- Food Space (A young woman with a passion for food takes a political stand to expose local University campuses who mistreat the right of food choice)
- How project Media began (How a community is being transformed by an organization that started around the kitchen and benefits the kitchen tables and homes of others.)
- Pathways to your plate part1 & part2 (a podcast series depicting how some foreign families come to Canada to work with food in order to buy food)
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Category : Uncategorized
Tags: economy, food, inspiration, passion
When I was in the fourth grade, a kid called me chocolate because of my visible minority. Nevertheless, I was just a little girl in school like he was just a little boy in school. I did not see much difference between he and I, so i said:
“If I’m Chocolate, I guess that makes you white chocolate huh”.
Though I replied to my own defense fairly quickly, I always wondered…
What struck these remarks between two elementary children? Was it an inability to react to one’s shock or discomfort of a visual identity different from your own?
Are these difficulties in understanding differences in others innate in human culture but addressed differently according to one’s temperament? Or are they taught?
Well this now ties into the nature vs. nurture debate, so I will not elaborate too much on that but this whole experience makes me wonder, what percentage of children have also had this experience? What types of children growing up experience such realities? I wonder what would happen to my God-sister’s children for instance.
This issue is complicated and getting more complex as time goes by. If this is kind of treatment I got for the color of my skin; what happens to kids who are bi-racial? For instance, it is safe to say that my God-sister, having grown up in an Irish family with her blond blue-eyed mother, is a Caucasian woman. For the record, my God-sister is a beautiful brunette with green eyes. She is married to a Bajan (person from Barbados) man and together they have two beautiful sons. For the sake of my discussion, these kids are a perfect blend of “chocolate” and “white chocolate”. So what are they to be called? Will they ever be called chocolate as I was, growing up as a little black girl? Or will they ever be called “white chocolate” for having a lighter complexion? Its pretty hard to call them one or the other when they are mixed so well.
Now, what about kids who are not mixed so well but are indeed bi-racial or multiracial?
Will they bare the stereotypes or criticisms of one culture because of the color of their skin, the texture of their hair, the shape of their nose or any other attribute that is out of their control? This can become very confusing for any child, but for multiracial children this can be distressing and cause one to claim a tri-racial status.
So what kind of chocolate will these kids be? Will they ever receive such a remark or will this mixed culture of interracial relationships bring such name-calling to a halt(for some)?
I wonder…
Many people like chocolate, so how then is it such a hurtful insult?
We know this is an issue that is greater than black & white so keep in mind; sticks and stones may break your bones but words do hurt and they are powerful, defining and even prophetic tools of communication.
This was my take on an even greater issue but for more information on some of the issues surrounding this topic, check out the following:
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Category : Uncategorized
Tags: biracial, bullying, Children, multiculturalism, name-calling, racism, visible minorities
Then Dr. Marois said:
“There are severe neurological consequences leading to cerebral palsy and neuro-motor problems”.
And it hit me like a ton of bricks. Where do these risks come from?…Premature birth?!
Wow! To think I, like many other premature babies had the risk of being subject to trouble moving the upper body, arms & legs, or having an inability to walk or sit! The Early Childhood Development Report(ECD), published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) states that any child born under 37 weeks is considered premature. I was born somewhere between 22-26 weeks. They also account that the chances of severe problems increase when a child is born before 29 weeks.
Dr.Marois says “there is a 20-25% chance of neurological disorders, deafness, and/or visual impairment.”
Doctors also conclude that later in life, such children can develop health, pulmonary or neuro-sensory problems, developmental disorders, autism, dyslexia or dysphasia.
All these problems, mild or extreme, are apparently all linked to premature birth. As I mentioned, I was born premature and upon learning this information, I am personally in awe at these statistics and I have none of these illnesses today. I Thank God! I weighed just about a pound. According to The Hospital for Sick Kids, babies under 1000 g (2 lbs 3 oz) are called extremely low birth weight, which is the third degree of dangerous birth weight. Taking care of children who are this frail is a very scary and challenging task. It is also very hard to tell how the children are going to turn out. Recently, it has been granted to give parents the right to more of a choice in the longevity of treatment given to a premature children. Before, if the child can still be saved from death, the choice is up to the doctor to find the most adequate means to pursue this aim, but say the parents will be the ones taking care of the child and should chose if they would want their child to live under handicapped or debilitating circumstances (while the infant is still young). However there are some doctors who argue that with time, some infants can naturally recuperate beat the odds, but if the decision to terminate the life is made without that time and care, one may never know. I guess some are too afraid to know, but I thank God that with all the months I spent in an incubator, my mother chose to give me the love, attention and TIME necessary for me to pull through.
I may very well have been a miracle, but I think every child that is born is considered a miracle and a beautiful gift worth fighting for. I have never raised a handicap child or disable person so I do not know what it is like to face such a decision, but I do know it could have been me.
What do you think? How much choice should parents be given over doctors in the efforts to save, stabilize and treat premature infants?
For more on this topic check out the following:
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Category : Uncategorized
Tags: Babies, Doctors, Health, Health Rights, illnesses, Miracles, Parental decisions, Premature Babies, Statistics
Karl Wolf was given the HOT AC award as best New Solo artist of the year, whereas the Stereos after giving a high-energy performance on stage mounted it again to receive the CHR Best New Group of the Year.
The night was dedicated to awarding up and coming groups and solo artists, but ended it’s merits by recognizing Platinum Blonde and Rob Braide for receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award to commemorating their induction into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3d92c967-bba2-44eb-8e27-3ff001da1dbb)
