Terrorism is a Good Word

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/Ontario/article/537595

Who does this? Not only is this a living, breathing thing, Xia belonged to someone. Someone's pet. This is more than just animal cruelty; it's personal! Residential neighbourhood, cat with a collar; it's obvious. Whoever did was not just acting out their psychopathic fantasies (which often leads to the individual becoming a serial killer), but this act was done to hurt a family, a neighbourhood, the community.

There needs to be tougher laws on this type of crime. This needs to be taken serious by law enforcement. Stop this person, is possibly stopping a serial murderer.

RetroDiver

Ethics

What are ethics? Speaking from an employment perspective, I truly believe that the employer has as much of a responsibility to the employee as the employee does to the employer. When you sign a work agreement (contract in some senses), you are "agreeing" to perform the duties for the "pay" specified on the agreement. In turn, the employer agrees to compensate you for performing the duties as outlined in the agreement. If employers simply fulfill their parts of the agreement, that most often they themselves created the terms, labour boards and laws would be less complex and unions would not need to exist. If there is a problem with the employee's ability to perform the job, it is up the employer to effectively train to do the task(s). It is also in the best interests of the company to hire the "best" person for the job, which would minimize the employee's ability to do the job.

That being said, the employee has a responsibility to the company which they work for. Like the employer, you sign an agreement to work for said amount under said conditions. You may not like or be completely content with the terms of the agreement, but you established that you would work for the compensation and under the conditions stated in the agreement. As long as the employer fulfills their end of the agreement, you know what your responsibilities are, and it is your "job" to fulfill them. If you are completely unhappy with the terms and conditions of the agreement, and the employer is abiding by the contract (and not making and changing the "rules" as they go along), then you shouldn't have "signed" the agreement.

So what makes for good work ethics? The opinion of this is what vastly varies, and these differences will make for frustrated employees and employers: it is the responsibility of both parties to communicate what is expected, and what each view as good workplace ethics. My opinion of good workplace ethics is a combination of many things, not just the sole focus on one attribute. For example one would say that they have a good work ethic because they have perfect attendance. Good stuff! That is great because you need to be present to do your job. But if your attendance is perfect, and you "screw the pooch" every single day, is that good ethic? On the other end of that, one might say that they have excellent ethics because they are very productive or complete the most amount of work. Fantastic! But if your output is double of the average employee, but only show up 1/3 of the time, are you really more productive? I'll let the math answer that. Plus if you rubbing it in that you can produce more than someone else, you are demoralizing the rest of your team, and will decrease their productivity. Save the competitiveness for the competition, not within your own team. The only place it makes sense to out-do your fellow employees is in sales. Even then you don't need to rub it in. Also, talking shit about fellow employees brings down the group. Not all personalities are going to click, but they can work effectively (and productively) together if proper communication is executed. This means approaching those who you have an issue with, making that issue known, and both parties work on a solution. Bitching about someone behind their back and then pretending like there is nothing wrong to their face(s) is not effective communication, and not only will make the situation worse eventually, is also very immature.

What is ethical employee behaviour? I believe that is up to the individual, and the differences in the opinions of others of what makes good work ethic is understood. Everyone is different, and each case is unique. Not everyone on a team is going to a high-scorer, but they still have a place. If a fellow teammate works against his/her own team instead of with, even the "high-scorers" will be unable to hit net.

Cost of Living

Is it possible for a single person to get by on less than $1000 a month?

I created this very simple spreadsheet to prove a point, not my Excel skills, on how it is nearly impossible to survive on minimum wage (or $1000/month). This sheet illustrates the bare essentials one (or at least I) would need to survive. Keep in mind my vehicle is paid for, and $30 per week for fuel is more than conservative. My average cell phone costs may seem high, but note that there is no landline listed in there. Also, I estimated grocery costs for my skinny ass. I'm not a heavy consumer, so $100 is likely below average. Finally the rent cost was a guesstimate of what it would cost (utilities included) to live in the filthiest dive in the poorest slum in my city. Realistically, this is likely a HUGH low-ball.

Keep in mind these calculations are for the basic basics for survival. Extras such as home and vehicle maintenance, repairs, clothing and entertainment go above and beyond this.

Dublicate this spreadsheet and input your own values. This economy sucks!

RetroDiver

Clean Cut and Dapper, That’s What I’m About!

Is it just me, or are most "activists" in need of a haircut and shave?

I totally support animal and human rights. And I totally see where activists are coming from when fighting for their causes, like the slowing the Hanlon Creek development, any animal rights and educating society on the negative effects of capitalism.

My grandmother, of the very old school, always gave me grief as a child growing up for the baggy clothes I wore and how my hair was cut. She told me that I would never get a job or respect from anyone unless I was completely clean cut. When I got to the age where I needed respect from the adult society, I took this very seriously.

Maybe my upbringing has made me into a prude, but I wonder why people fighting for causes such as the environment, insist on resembling hippies from the 60's? As I said earlier, I support many of these causes, but seriously, the police, courts, and many of the passers by won't take you seriously, and view you as delinquents with "nothing better to do". It's too bad, because your fights are worthwhile and make perfect common sense. Call me narrow minded, but seldom do you see activists or protestors who are clean cut and clean shaven, wearing a suit & tie. I was going to stop and show my support for the fight against the Hanlon Creek Development, but I am trying to get a job working for the emergency and social services, and being labelled as an eccentric hippy would not help my cause.

You are doing a good thing, but may want to rethink your overall approach.

RetroDiver

My First Ever Blog Post

 

Late last night I was having a fantastic conversation with a good friend, and we reminisced. She is actually the inspiration to get this thing going. We talked about the days when I was in my early 20's. When I was at college in London, high-speed internet was a ritzy thing, and I was still contently using dial-up. My html experience was minimal, and back then you needed to have that knowledge to publish anything online. A friend of mine, had this knowledge, and he frequently posted, or "blogged" about his thoughts, feelings, etc. I wanted to do the same, but I didn't know how. Although I am sketchy on all the details, I asked him (Angelus) to post some text for me, and here it is: my first ever blog post (I am Screech):

 

Special Guest Writer Today Only! - September 7, 2000

Thursday, September 7th 2000 05:00AM

 

Here's A Thought.....

This is MY journal. My postings, my life, my feelings. It is my justified selfishness. There is, as we all know, an exception to every rule. This would be one of those exceptions. Screech, my brother, my boy, my bud, one of my nearest and dearest, to the death, wrote me with a small entry that he wrote after reading my last entry. I decided to post it for him on my journal, just so he can have a chance to be heard...he deserves it. Everything from this point is Screech's writing, untouched and unedited~

John Quin: I get the ocasional email from you, would rather talk on the phone. That is how we met. You taught me lots about the industry, as well as lots more. Wish you were back in Ontario.

Jon Slade: We had some good times, and even better life experiences. Damn we are good looking! You have missed quite a bit since Christmas, as have I. Use to talk to you frequently, but not since you were here for the Trial. Wondering where you are, and if I will be graced with presence again.

Sterling: I know you are going to be a father, and heard rumor that you moving back to the real Ontario in the next year. I know you are not a phone person, so that is why I don't call. I should once in a while, I'm sure you wouldn't mind.

Derek and Geoff: That intense summer at Better Beef. I am aware that you guys are here, and we have all been meaning to get together, we should.

Conestoga Boyz: Most of you are just a step away in Cambridge, but have only bumped into very few since my departure of College. What I really want to know is if yous went back after that year, graduated, and have good careers?

Ryan: It has been a good few years since I have seen you. You were the king of entertainment. I also learned about life a great deal from your mistakes, and made a few the same. Good luck in the east.

~Angelus

 

RetroDiver

1st Post & Disclaimer

Good day,

Obviously, this is my first post on this blog. I had a blog in the past, which I neglected, and more recently I have one that I keep geared to the industry I am trying to get into, and thus it stays professional as possible.

This new blog o'mine, is my thoughts and impressions on any number of topics; and will not always be so "professional". I have a mildly twisted sense of humour, and some of the material posted will not be for the faint-hearted. The purpose of this new blog is for me to express my opinions (ie: bitch) and share experiences with the online community.

Furthermore, the content of this blog will be very random; whatever comes to my mind at the time. So read, enjoy, share!

RetroDiver