the matches were all used over several years and were not just burned for this pic..
Monday, March 23, 2009
burned out flames
the matches were all used over several years and were not just burned for this pic..
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Pope's stance on AIDS
The Pope says condoms not answer to fighting AIDS
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wpope0317/BNStory/International/home
I am quite disturbed by this statement, not because of any personal views but because of the severe consequences this can have on the battle against AIDS. Progress can be seriously hindered and the situation could get potentially worse, all because of one religion’s biased interpretation of ethics. The statement that condoms “increase the problem” is downright false, and we already have far too much false sexual health information circulating around areas that are heavily infected with AIDS. Yes, maybe condoms are not THE solution, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t PART OF the solution, and we need as many mechanisms at work as possible to combat a disease as widespread as this.
I personally think the pope is a good person with good intentions, and of course he would not want to make a public statement that supports the use of something which the Catholic church has a general consensus against, but he must take into consideration the impact of his statements, and how powerful his voice is to those who take him seriously.
Abstinence only sex education clearly does not work, and I don’t know why the Catholic church can’t just get over itself and accept this. It is irresponsible to prepare youth with insufficient knowledge when you know that they may not accept and follow your teachings. To blindly teach the same ineffective curriculum year after year not only doesn’t make sense, but it shows that you clearly do not have the ability to evolve and keep up with current social situations, which means you are incompetent to be teaching youth.
It is positive that the Catholic Church is helping with the AIDS situation in Africa (although I am generally suspicious of all religious-based aid or development), but to really help, they must keep up with modern health standards rather than trying to impose their own moral standards on communities of people. Anyone can just go to Africa and tell people that if they don’t want to get aids they shouldn’t have sex, but that is a judgemental and unreasonable request that people aren’t likely going to follow through with. It doesn’t give people the knowledge or tools to make their own informed choices; it presents them with only one decision which has already been made for them, and if they don’t follow this decision, they don’t have the knowledge to protect themselves in other ways. I encourage abstinence to be taught alongside other alternatives, and can even be emphasized, but it should never be taught alone, as that does not fully educate the person and leaves them vulnerable and lacking in information.
This type of biased help is similar to conditional aid, in which a country or institution will lend money to another country in need, but in order to get the money they must follow a set of conditions, which often means making changes to their economic structures and government. This gives the lender power over them, and means that in order to get much needed money, they must give up some of their own independence and follow the rules of someone that doesn’t necessarily know what is best for them.
The pope is basically saying “I’ll help you, but we’re going to do it my way”, rather than looking at what would actually be best for the people of sub-Saharan Africa and have the most effective results to prevent AIDS.
I’m hopeful that the nurses, doctors and volunteers that are actually working directly with people will use their own common sense and make a far less selfish decision when directing help towards people.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wpope0317/BNStory/International/home
I am quite disturbed by this statement, not because of any personal views but because of the severe consequences this can have on the battle against AIDS. Progress can be seriously hindered and the situation could get potentially worse, all because of one religion’s biased interpretation of ethics. The statement that condoms “increase the problem” is downright false, and we already have far too much false sexual health information circulating around areas that are heavily infected with AIDS. Yes, maybe condoms are not THE solution, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t PART OF the solution, and we need as many mechanisms at work as possible to combat a disease as widespread as this.
I personally think the pope is a good person with good intentions, and of course he would not want to make a public statement that supports the use of something which the Catholic church has a general consensus against, but he must take into consideration the impact of his statements, and how powerful his voice is to those who take him seriously.
Abstinence only sex education clearly does not work, and I don’t know why the Catholic church can’t just get over itself and accept this. It is irresponsible to prepare youth with insufficient knowledge when you know that they may not accept and follow your teachings. To blindly teach the same ineffective curriculum year after year not only doesn’t make sense, but it shows that you clearly do not have the ability to evolve and keep up with current social situations, which means you are incompetent to be teaching youth.
It is positive that the Catholic Church is helping with the AIDS situation in Africa (although I am generally suspicious of all religious-based aid or development), but to really help, they must keep up with modern health standards rather than trying to impose their own moral standards on communities of people. Anyone can just go to Africa and tell people that if they don’t want to get aids they shouldn’t have sex, but that is a judgemental and unreasonable request that people aren’t likely going to follow through with. It doesn’t give people the knowledge or tools to make their own informed choices; it presents them with only one decision which has already been made for them, and if they don’t follow this decision, they don’t have the knowledge to protect themselves in other ways. I encourage abstinence to be taught alongside other alternatives, and can even be emphasized, but it should never be taught alone, as that does not fully educate the person and leaves them vulnerable and lacking in information.
This type of biased help is similar to conditional aid, in which a country or institution will lend money to another country in need, but in order to get the money they must follow a set of conditions, which often means making changes to their economic structures and government. This gives the lender power over them, and means that in order to get much needed money, they must give up some of their own independence and follow the rules of someone that doesn’t necessarily know what is best for them.
The pope is basically saying “I’ll help you, but we’re going to do it my way”, rather than looking at what would actually be best for the people of sub-Saharan Africa and have the most effective results to prevent AIDS.
I’m hopeful that the nurses, doctors and volunteers that are actually working directly with people will use their own common sense and make a far less selfish decision when directing help towards people.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Food Photography
This year I've started taking pictures of meals and snacks that I've made. I've done this for a couple of reasons:
-to take time to think about and appreciate what I am eating
-to have a visual reference to remember things I've made in the past (I don't generally use recipes)
-to try out a new type of photography (I've actually found it quite challenging to get suitable lighting, its hard with some types of lighting to get a shot where the food actually looks appetizing.)
I just noticed that all but one of these pictures feature chickpeas..strange, considering that I don't eat them all that often.
-to take time to think about and appreciate what I am eating
-to have a visual reference to remember things I've made in the past (I don't generally use recipes)
-to try out a new type of photography (I've actually found it quite challenging to get suitable lighting, its hard with some types of lighting to get a shot where the food actually looks appetizing.)
I just noticed that all but one of these pictures feature chickpeas..strange, considering that I don't eat them all that often.
Tomato Chickpea stew
A super easy meal I made yesterday and today. I wouldn't really call this a recipe, but just a meal idea I guess. It doesn't take long at all to make and is a complete meal. Couscous only takes 5 minutes to make, and the stew takes 10-15 minutes.
Simmer:
canned herbed tomatoes (with sauce)
fresh tomato (optional)
onion
olive oil
chickpeas (cooked or canned)
orange pepper
basil, any other herbs
garlic
ground flax (optional)
serve over whole wheat couscous (way quicker to make than rice)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Searching for Today
Trying to find something that is new,
I shift through crumbling rubble.
Wood creaks and cracks and moans,
I continue to search with much trouble.
Everything is old and comforting,
But I know it isn't safe.
It could fall apart at any moment,
But it might be my saving grace.
An old man wanders slowly by,
And pauses for a minute.
"Are you looking for something you lost" he asks
I could help you if you need it.
I stop and smile and think for a second
No, I reply, there isn't anything lost
But something that is waiting to be found
I can feel it now, it must be near.
Amidst this pile
Of rubble and rust
I have found what I was looking for
It isn't the past, nor is it the future
Its the present, loud and clear.
I shift through crumbling rubble.
Wood creaks and cracks and moans,
I continue to search with much trouble.
Everything is old and comforting,
But I know it isn't safe.
It could fall apart at any moment,
But it might be my saving grace.
An old man wanders slowly by,
And pauses for a minute.
"Are you looking for something you lost" he asks
I could help you if you need it.
I stop and smile and think for a second
No, I reply, there isn't anything lost
But something that is waiting to be found
I can feel it now, it must be near.
Amidst this pile
Of rubble and rust
I have found what I was looking for
It isn't the past, nor is it the future
Its the present, loud and clear.
taking chances
My stomach churns
Yet I am at peace
My heart is yearning
but I don't know what to do.
Why is sometimes what you want
The hardest thing to know
When your appetite is craving
But your mind says take it slow
People try to sell me rationale
I don't know what to do
I sometimes wish everything were easy
But then life would be boring too.
I'm ready to take chances
but what kind of chances should I take
A chance that isn't remotely safe
Isn't a choice I'm willing to make
So I just float on day by day
Waiting for something new
But everything always stays the same
Maybe this time will be different too
I hope I wish I deny I don't know
How far this life is willing to go
I want to do amazing things
So I take chances, I spread my wings
Sometimes nothing is ever enough
But I dive in, jump off the bridge
The water is icy
But the shore's not too far.
Yet I am at peace
My heart is yearning
but I don't know what to do.
Why is sometimes what you want
The hardest thing to know
When your appetite is craving
But your mind says take it slow
People try to sell me rationale
I don't know what to do
I sometimes wish everything were easy
But then life would be boring too.
I'm ready to take chances
but what kind of chances should I take
A chance that isn't remotely safe
Isn't a choice I'm willing to make
So I just float on day by day
Waiting for something new
But everything always stays the same
Maybe this time will be different too
I hope I wish I deny I don't know
How far this life is willing to go
I want to do amazing things
So I take chances, I spread my wings
Sometimes nothing is ever enough
But I dive in, jump off the bridge
The water is icy
But the shore's not too far.
Kensington
Went to Kensington again on Tuesday..love the health food stores there. Aren't these colourful houses just great?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
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