You're doing it wrong - Arm chair activists

I doubt there are many people left on the internet that haven't seen the Kony 2012 video - it has been viewed over 70 million times, and has jammed up Twitter and Facebook. I am not here to weigh in on that issue, I feel like most of the things that need to be said, have been said. I am, however, here to talk about this new trend of arm chair activism. We have all seen it, someone shares a link or a video, or updates their Facebook status to something foolish about the color of their bra, or cartoon characters. And then that person sits back feeling pretty damn good about themselves. The Kony video is just the latest in this trend, people keep remarking how powerful social media can be for affecting change or helping a cause. And yeah, this could be true, but let's not confuse sharing a link and actually taking action or making a donation. My friend Joel Kelly has a great post on this growing problem. 

Oh and before you say it, I know, I know, you sharing that video is helping to create awareness. Well done, look at you go. But here is the thing, most of time these issues don't need awareness, they need action or money. Clicking the like button, or retweeting something to your followers doesn't count as taking a stand or action. If you would like to make a difference here is what you need to do - 

Volunteer - that's right, this means you have to step away from Facebook and go outside

Make a donation - open up that wallet and dig deep, most of these organizations need financial support so they can keep doing their jobs

Take a look around your community there are so many organizations right here in Halifax that could use your support - so let's all ease up the like button and start making a contribution to the many organizations that need our help.

Dear America

I am going to talk politics today, yep, politics, so hold on to your hat.

Yesterday was Super Tuesday, which means our friends south of the border held a heck of a lot of primary elections yesterday, with each candidate hoping to get the most number of delegates. When all was said and done it looks like Mitt Romney came out ahead. Should we get excited about this, is he the lesser of the evils that are currently trying to make a run at the White House? I'll be honest, I can't be anything but terrified. Have you taken a look at the old dinosaurs that are in the race for the Republican nomination? We have good old Mitt, Newt Gingrich, any my personal fav Rick Santorum. And you thought Sarah Plain was something to fear (don't get my wrong, she is a train wreck and a great example of what's wrong with the world today) but this new crop of candidates is even more troubling. Let's start with my pal Rick, he is against birth control and same sex marriage. Good stuff, we are off to a great start. Oh and he thinks climate change is silly stuff that someone made up. But he is in favor of war.


Then we have Newt, that old guy is on Twitter these days and he has some gems - "Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity." Now for those of you who don't know, Andrew was quite the guys, big supporter of the Tea Party, not so big on gays or other races. 


Listen, I am not a political expert and I don't claim to be but it is very troubling the our closest neighbor could soon be controlled by one of these out of touch, old clowns. I am really starting to worry about things down there, last week we had Rush Limbaugh calling smart, young women sluts and our old pal Kirk Cameron announcing that being gay was unnatural. Come on now folks, let's smarten up and get these clowns off the air and we should not let them anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Jon Stewart hits the nail on the head, as usual.

Challenge accepted and completed

Cowboy boots are kind of a big deal in Nashville

I have been awful at posting lately, I don't meant to make lame excuses but I have been traveling the past few weeks for work and it has kept me from posting.

Let me share with you my travel tales to make up for my slacking.

The South - I had the chance to visit Nashville and South Carolina this month and I can't say enough good things about the South. The weather is amazing (makes me wonder why we struggle through months and months of cold weather), the people were so friendly and polite, and there is a lot of great food in America and I ate all of it.

I learned the hard way that a lot of BBQ joints in SC are only open Friday and Saturday. This caused a lot of heartache. But likely the Smoking Pig was open on Thursday and I was able to enjoy so BBQ and sweet tea.

I also got to see first hand the school spirit that lives at American University. Makes me wish I had gone to a US school.

I am in NYC this week, and gosh darn it I love this city.

And finally, I finished my 30 day challenge!! Despite a hectic travel schedule, I was able to cram 30 yoga classes into 22 days. I would like to thank everyone for the support and in particular my pal @MarthaGallagher for taking this on with me.

Dining at the Dwarf House Chik-fil-a in Atlanta

Hollywood is a mess

I am not here to report on celebrity news/gossip, I think that niche is more then covered. But I would like to talk about a few things that have got me bothered.

Chris Brown is performing at the Grammys, and before I say anything else, this should matter to you. I am not suggesting that people do not deserve a second chance, I believe the opposite, but that second chance only comes after it has been shown that this person actually deserves a second chance. And I have had to ask what did Chris Brown do to deserve a second chance? Is it because he keeps showing signs of rage and anger management issues? Or is he just getting another chance based on record sales? This post on HelloGiggles sums up the issue perfectly.

Celebrities are not regular people, we all get that, we see that they are not held to the same rules. Chris Brown is just one of many celebrities that has been forgiven for "good behaviour". Look at my old pal Michael Vick, he played a great season and suddenly I start seeing assholes walking around wearing a Vick jersey. I guess they forgot about the dogs that he killed and tortured, the funny thing is those dogs still haven't forgotten.

I believe in second chances, I believe that people can change, but I don't believe that playing a great season of football or releasing a new album is grounds to forgive or forget.

One final note, I am a child of the 80s and owned a number of Whitney Houston albums in my day and it made me very sad to hear that she has passed away. It also makes me sad to think about all the talented actors and musicians that have died so young, and all because they lived or are living a lifestyle of total excess. Because no one ever says "no", because for many of them (ie Ms Lohan) their fame whoring parents are in large part to blame. I hope that Whitney's passing will be a wake up a call but sadly that likely won't be the case.

Friday musings - live tweeting, the superbowl and a few other things

I have been super slack this week and I am sorry. I know that I dropped the ball and missed the chance to talk about how one of those awful girls on the Bachelor was running around Panama with her tits out. And we didn't even have a chance to talk about all the exciting Superbowl ads that are being shared, for the record I like the VW ad and the Budwiser Canadian Hockey ad is gold, try to show that to a Canadian and not have them swell/weep with national pride.

I just wanted to send out a friendly reminder on two topics, first and foremost, people need to stop making those "shit ___ says" videos, they are no longe funny or relevant. Please stop making them, stop sharing them and stop acting like you just need to share one more, you dont.
Second with Superbowl Sunday almost upon us I would like to talk about the concept of live tweeting, I hate it. I find it annoying and pointless, though it has been suggested that sharing sports updates is helpful and can be useful to some. Sure, I can make my peace with that, but do you know who is going to have a handle on sharing updates from the Superbowl? All of these people - @nfl, @nflnetwork, @Patriots and @Giants, so why don't we try this, if you want to make witty and clever comments about the game, halftime show or ads, go nuts. If you get the urge to live tweet the game, just don't.

Yoga update - just so you guys know, I have attended 6 classes in 4 days, I am on fire. I am determined to make this happen, despite my travel schedule. On that note, I will be in Nashville aka Dollywood next week so I will try and share some interesting Nashville highlights.

Yoga - 30 days is a long time

I have done the occasional yoga class over the past three years but was never a regular, until a few months ago. I started attending classes at least five times a week and I have just signed up for my first 30 day challenge. But before we get into that, let's back up. I assume at this point many of you are wondering, "isn't this chick too mean for yoga?" That is a great question and the answer is yes, I am, but all that aside I am actually really enjoying yoga and I think that is some small way it might be helping to reduce my rage. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to start drinking wheat grass and hugging everyone, but I am happy that I have found something I enjoy and if it cuts my rage blackouts from six a week to five then everyone is a winner.

Monday is the first day of my 30 day challenge, I predict it will not be easy. I also have the additional challenge of trying to make up the six classes I will miss due to work travel, so some days I will have to attend two classes. I will keep you posted on my progress, I also just found out that there are going to be prizes throughout the challenge, so once again in true non yogi fashion, I am driven by greed.

See, I am already getting so limber

30 Second Rant - The Boston Bruins visit the White House

In what sounds like the makings of a bad school trip, the Boston Bruins went to the White House with the Stanley Cup. This could have gone bad for some many reason, our hometown hero Marchand could have confused the Oval Office for a bathroom, or he could have used his sweet Ninja Turtle moves and knocked over the First Lady. It was however, Tim Thomas who acted like a clown and refused to attend in what can only be described as a sad and pathetic cry for attention. What's wrong Timmy, you wanted so desperately to share your savvy political insights with the world that you were forced to take your toys and stay home? Let's get serious for a second Tim, you don't like Obama, you aren't supporting him this election? No one actually gives a shit, quit acting like a child and attend the event with your team.