I want to share some information that I think is important. Some people know I have committed my professional and business background to help an amazing society as its Funds Development Manager. No; it is not one of those Government owned facilities that also has a foundation and pretends to be a charity. No - my work is humble and more vital in nature, and it is for one of those charities you don’t hear about a lot, but we fill an absolute vital need. We, serve adults with disabilities, and we try to help these individuals obtain the skills necessary to get employment. We help bring them and employers together so that both the employee and employer win. I think it is a basic and real right for everyone to have the opportunity to employment, and the ability to work towards the realization of their dreams.
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is, for years the culture of giving is: a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was.
Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait - we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio station's audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site.
I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts.
Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our government funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed $5000 in advertising they would not sponsor these charities anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer.
This method the radio station and many donors seem to be using to insure business, is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest, and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation, is the word partnership. I hope we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that when we have resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to a potential audience or customer of the donor, that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers.
“It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley used to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities' good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence. At least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
A Cowboy Says...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Bullying charities, why
I want to share some information that I think is important. Some people know I have committed my professional and business background to help an amazing society as its Funds Development Manager. No; it is not one of those Government owned facilities that also has a foundation and pretends to be a charity. No my work is humble and more vital in nature, and it is for one of those charities you don’t hear about a lot, but we fill an absolute vital need. We, at EmployAbilities Society serve adults with disabilities, and we try to help these individuals obtain the skills necessary to get employment. We help bring them and employers together so that both the employee and employer win. I think it is a basic and real right for everyone to have the opportunity to employment, and the ability to work towards the realization of their dreams.
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is for years the culture of giving is; a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was. Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait; we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio stations audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site. I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts. Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our governmental funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed 5000 dollars in advertising they would not sponsor them anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer. The method this station and many donors seem to be going this way are using to insure business is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I just think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation is the word partnership. I hope that we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that should we have allocated resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to potential audience or customer of the donor that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs if that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers. “It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley use to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence, at least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer.
He can be reached @crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is for years the culture of giving is; a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was. Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait; we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio stations audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site. I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts. Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our governmental funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed 5000 dollars in advertising they would not sponsor them anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer. The method this station and many donors seem to be going this way are using to insure business is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I just think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation is the word partnership. I hope that we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that should we have allocated resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to potential audience or customer of the donor that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs if that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers. “It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley use to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence, at least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer.
He can be reached @crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
selective law enforcement...
I can’t be that bright, no I must in fact be stupid, and I am sure that’s it. Let me tell you, I don’t even want to start in on the big brother nonsense that is photo radar. I can’t stand listening to the feeble at best; reasons that they spout and the diatribe they give as the reasons behind that so called law enforcement. I will save that for another day, but the thing I can’t understand and has me in a foul mood is dark limousine tinted drivers and passenger windows in vehicles. I don't care about the back windows of the vehicle, because many of those come directly from the factory. What we are talking about is the front windows next to the driver and passenger in the front seat. Now please tell me if I am wrong, but I thought they were illegal. I thought that there were actual laws on the books against it.
I think it’s funny that it seems the City, Province and every other political organization is going about shoving those ridiculous Big Brother red light cameras and red light with speed control cameras, even everywhere you turn someone is sitting behind the wheel of one of those vans taking your picture all in a so called speed deterrent campaign. I am sure they wouldn’t be bull manure when they say it is not an easy money maker for the coffers and is not attempt to pick Albertan’s pockets just one more time. If you believe that then you also believe there is not enough revenue in our coffers to properly support our health care, seniors or education system. So my question is, why then is it ok for those individuals that have their windows tinted in obvious violation to the laws aloud to flaunt it and the laws are not actively enforced? I wonder how hard it is to really enforce them.
Let me see; usually one would just have to listen for the amazing loud base, feel your windows vibrate then look over and there will be tinted windows. You could also listen for the rumble of some small cars mufflers, that sound more like an old Mercury outboard fishing motor than a customized sports car, and you look over and there will be the dark windows. Or you see someone my age trying to be young and cool and you will see that ridiculous tint. What are they trying to hide? Why hasn’t someone told our police officers in this city to enforce those laws? I don’t really care but something brought this to my attention that made me cringe. My son announced he was going to school to be a police officer. I am proud he wants to take on this noble occupation, but am also scared of the risks the police have to live with as an occupational hazard. So when I was driving by this loud base car with a whole bunch of young tough looking men piled in it and it had the dark tinted limousine windows. I started to think, that maybe these weren’t the bad guys but what if they were? How could the policeman coming up to the car on a routine or other stop know what was going on inside? What if that Policeman was my son?
I am praying I will never have to open up the paper to hear that an officer was shot in a routine traffic stop. I hope and pray that we will never have to bury one of those gallant people because they couldn’t see the driver or passenger was loaded and ready to kill. So I am mystified to understand why we allow people to go around in their automobiles where any illegal activities could be disguised behind limousine glass. It can’t be safe; it can’t even be safe for the driver as we are lowering their visibility. Have you ever tried driving with your sunglasses at night, who are we fooling? I am not saying those driving with the limousine tint are doing anything illegal. I just am saying driving with limousine tint is illegal so if they flaunt that law, then what other laws are they ignoring behind their tinted glass?
I know in some places officers carry scrapers and remove tint right at the scene of the traffic stop. I even know that in some places they seize the vehicle and won’t release it until the tint is removed; now there is a money maker. Heck that might be as good a money maker as photo radar and redlght cameras. No don’t be silly that money making scam can only be matched by lotteries and such. Anyway we could issue a ticket, charge for the towing and even make money on the vehicles storage. What a great idea the economy gets a boost and the tint shops can make back the lost revenue they would receive from tinting, in the removal end of the business, this has got to be a win for everybody. Then as a dad of a future police officer I can sleep a little better at night. I can’t even feel sorry for those with the tint, they know it is illegal and they continue to flaunt the law. If they can afford the expensive tint, they probably can afford the tickets, towing, and storage. I have friends in the automotive business and I am sure they that would love the extra business the removal of the tint would bring.
So why are we not enforcing this law, but are so excited about automated law enforcement, and photo radar. I don’t want to be the profit of what might happen; but I want the police to enforce the tint violation before something does happen. I want there to be some real concerned effort on stopping this stupidity before my son or anyone’s son has to pull over another of those silly vehicles. I think it is ridiculous to ignore them when it is just a matter of time before something terrible happens, at least that what it seems from where I sit.
I think it’s funny that it seems the City, Province and every other political organization is going about shoving those ridiculous Big Brother red light cameras and red light with speed control cameras, even everywhere you turn someone is sitting behind the wheel of one of those vans taking your picture all in a so called speed deterrent campaign. I am sure they wouldn’t be bull manure when they say it is not an easy money maker for the coffers and is not attempt to pick Albertan’s pockets just one more time. If you believe that then you also believe there is not enough revenue in our coffers to properly support our health care, seniors or education system. So my question is, why then is it ok for those individuals that have their windows tinted in obvious violation to the laws aloud to flaunt it and the laws are not actively enforced? I wonder how hard it is to really enforce them.
Let me see; usually one would just have to listen for the amazing loud base, feel your windows vibrate then look over and there will be tinted windows. You could also listen for the rumble of some small cars mufflers, that sound more like an old Mercury outboard fishing motor than a customized sports car, and you look over and there will be the dark windows. Or you see someone my age trying to be young and cool and you will see that ridiculous tint. What are they trying to hide? Why hasn’t someone told our police officers in this city to enforce those laws? I don’t really care but something brought this to my attention that made me cringe. My son announced he was going to school to be a police officer. I am proud he wants to take on this noble occupation, but am also scared of the risks the police have to live with as an occupational hazard. So when I was driving by this loud base car with a whole bunch of young tough looking men piled in it and it had the dark tinted limousine windows. I started to think, that maybe these weren’t the bad guys but what if they were? How could the policeman coming up to the car on a routine or other stop know what was going on inside? What if that Policeman was my son?
I am praying I will never have to open up the paper to hear that an officer was shot in a routine traffic stop. I hope and pray that we will never have to bury one of those gallant people because they couldn’t see the driver or passenger was loaded and ready to kill. So I am mystified to understand why we allow people to go around in their automobiles where any illegal activities could be disguised behind limousine glass. It can’t be safe; it can’t even be safe for the driver as we are lowering their visibility. Have you ever tried driving with your sunglasses at night, who are we fooling? I am not saying those driving with the limousine tint are doing anything illegal. I just am saying driving with limousine tint is illegal so if they flaunt that law, then what other laws are they ignoring behind their tinted glass?
I know in some places officers carry scrapers and remove tint right at the scene of the traffic stop. I even know that in some places they seize the vehicle and won’t release it until the tint is removed; now there is a money maker. Heck that might be as good a money maker as photo radar and redlght cameras. No don’t be silly that money making scam can only be matched by lotteries and such. Anyway we could issue a ticket, charge for the towing and even make money on the vehicles storage. What a great idea the economy gets a boost and the tint shops can make back the lost revenue they would receive from tinting, in the removal end of the business, this has got to be a win for everybody. Then as a dad of a future police officer I can sleep a little better at night. I can’t even feel sorry for those with the tint, they know it is illegal and they continue to flaunt the law. If they can afford the expensive tint, they probably can afford the tickets, towing, and storage. I have friends in the automotive business and I am sure they that would love the extra business the removal of the tint would bring.
So why are we not enforcing this law, but are so excited about automated law enforcement, and photo radar. I don’t want to be the profit of what might happen; but I want the police to enforce the tint violation before something does happen. I want there to be some real concerned effort on stopping this stupidity before my son or anyone’s son has to pull over another of those silly vehicles. I think it is ridiculous to ignore them when it is just a matter of time before something terrible happens, at least that what it seems from where I sit.
Monday, July 26, 2010
I think somethings get out of control
I met a Lady and shook her hand yesterday, visited for a few minutes and shared a couple of stories and laughs. Now that in and of itself is no big deal, in fact this wonderful Lady was polite and even put up with my humour; and God knows that would try anyone’s patience but she was an amazing Lady. The interesting sidebar to this is that the Lady is a hundred and four today, Happy Birthday. Wow to live that long is amazing, I know that unless there is some new miracle drug I won’t be around nearly that long, and with that my ex wives are sighing a collective sigh of relief.
Meeting this Lady got me to thinking what was the world like when she was a teen? Well I have adopted an eighty two year old as a surrogate mom, and she says “today is like living on another planet” from when she was growing up. Can you imagine from the time when cars were a novelty, and electricity in homes was for the rich and my goodness no phones to speak of. Can you even imagine the world without cell phones and instant everything? The world seems to be changing so very fast can you imagine watching this from one hundred and four year old eyes?
In this new and I guess exciting age I like to think that for the most part I embrace the changing world. I like to think I am up on the latest gadgets maybe not as a user but a passive observer. Maybe I do question the pace at which the changes are taking place but I am ok if people around me are excited about the newest techno toy. There is a side effect of this new technological world I am not sure is a positive thing though. As I look out my window there is a noticeable and peculiar change happening to the shape of human beings that I am certain it is caused by the new advances in technology. Yes I am sure there is a metamorphosis happening, and the human form is changing.
It was not that long ago that I remember when humans used to walk we were relatively upright eyes ahead scanning for danger or to browse the opposite sex. The arms swung freely at the sides, or in the rare instance tucked in the pockets for those wanting to be cool. In some cases especially in new love situations the arms were wrapped usually uncomfortably around the shoulders or the waste of the new acquisition. I always remembered how hard it was to walk in that position, because the girls pace and hips never moved in the same motion as mine and it was weird, but you hung on for dear life. It didn’t even matter if you were losing the feeling in your arm or your hand was going to sleep, you hung on to your prize, awe to be young.
Well what I noticed looking out my fourth floor office window; and I even phoned the university and offered the Anthropologists an opportunity to use it for capturing this event in some new digital format because I think this is that big of deal. The basic form has changed, a huge percentage of the human beings are reshaping into a newer version of biped. The head has started to droop slightly and the eyes are no longer scanning the objects in front of them. In fact instead of looking forward there are only a few quick darting looks then the eyes retreat to looking less than twenty inches in front of the human. The arms no longer swing, embrace, scratch or even point they have instead begun to curl inward and the hands almost clasp together. This position must throw off balance and perception of one’s environment as the humans that have taken on this form are constantly running into others, are far behind the crowd at walk lights and are constantly stumbling or tripping. The worse thing yet, and this scares this cowboy, is I that see these same creatures looking the same way about twenty inches in front of them an in the same position in moving vehicles, and not just cars, huge trucks and busses. I wonder if the one hundred and four year old Lady would find this change as scary as I do, I think she would?
So after I phoned the university, and I want to tell you they think you are a little off if you happen to be as observant as I was, they even went as far as to call me crazy. I think they are in denial or maybe the person I spoke to has got this infliction and was covering her tracks. Anyway the not so nice lady Anthropologist told me I was ridiculous she pointed out that the people I observed were not changing into an unrecognizable creature but were simply “texting”. She even suggested I should get into the twenty first century, and told me it was the newest way to communicate. Well so that solves that mystery. Texting not walking, not observing the world around you, not taking in the sights or sounds of your environment, just texting. This texting seems to be so vital and important that you could possibly put your life at risk or those around you because you are busy. Well she told me!
I don’t know though; as I look out and watch those zombies so tuned out and only tuned into their texting, nothing else seems to matter. I guess it’s hard for me to imagine that this texting is good for the human race collectively. To be so consumed with messaging that you can’t focus on your surroundings just doesn’t seem right. I know that I personally would rather do anything other than walking down a street oblivious to the world and be consumed with texting. I certainly would rather have a pretty girl with her arm wrapped around my waste or I would even like to be the cool one with his hands in his pockets as long as I got to notice all the pretty girls along with the interesting people and sights. I think that maybe, just maybe we have let technology run amok and we are becoming its slave and that can’t make us better people in the process, at least that’s the way it looks from where I sit.
Meeting this Lady got me to thinking what was the world like when she was a teen? Well I have adopted an eighty two year old as a surrogate mom, and she says “today is like living on another planet” from when she was growing up. Can you imagine from the time when cars were a novelty, and electricity in homes was for the rich and my goodness no phones to speak of. Can you even imagine the world without cell phones and instant everything? The world seems to be changing so very fast can you imagine watching this from one hundred and four year old eyes?
In this new and I guess exciting age I like to think that for the most part I embrace the changing world. I like to think I am up on the latest gadgets maybe not as a user but a passive observer. Maybe I do question the pace at which the changes are taking place but I am ok if people around me are excited about the newest techno toy. There is a side effect of this new technological world I am not sure is a positive thing though. As I look out my window there is a noticeable and peculiar change happening to the shape of human beings that I am certain it is caused by the new advances in technology. Yes I am sure there is a metamorphosis happening, and the human form is changing.
It was not that long ago that I remember when humans used to walk we were relatively upright eyes ahead scanning for danger or to browse the opposite sex. The arms swung freely at the sides, or in the rare instance tucked in the pockets for those wanting to be cool. In some cases especially in new love situations the arms were wrapped usually uncomfortably around the shoulders or the waste of the new acquisition. I always remembered how hard it was to walk in that position, because the girls pace and hips never moved in the same motion as mine and it was weird, but you hung on for dear life. It didn’t even matter if you were losing the feeling in your arm or your hand was going to sleep, you hung on to your prize, awe to be young.
Well what I noticed looking out my fourth floor office window; and I even phoned the university and offered the Anthropologists an opportunity to use it for capturing this event in some new digital format because I think this is that big of deal. The basic form has changed, a huge percentage of the human beings are reshaping into a newer version of biped. The head has started to droop slightly and the eyes are no longer scanning the objects in front of them. In fact instead of looking forward there are only a few quick darting looks then the eyes retreat to looking less than twenty inches in front of the human. The arms no longer swing, embrace, scratch or even point they have instead begun to curl inward and the hands almost clasp together. This position must throw off balance and perception of one’s environment as the humans that have taken on this form are constantly running into others, are far behind the crowd at walk lights and are constantly stumbling or tripping. The worse thing yet, and this scares this cowboy, is I that see these same creatures looking the same way about twenty inches in front of them an in the same position in moving vehicles, and not just cars, huge trucks and busses. I wonder if the one hundred and four year old Lady would find this change as scary as I do, I think she would?
So after I phoned the university, and I want to tell you they think you are a little off if you happen to be as observant as I was, they even went as far as to call me crazy. I think they are in denial or maybe the person I spoke to has got this infliction and was covering her tracks. Anyway the not so nice lady Anthropologist told me I was ridiculous she pointed out that the people I observed were not changing into an unrecognizable creature but were simply “texting”. She even suggested I should get into the twenty first century, and told me it was the newest way to communicate. Well so that solves that mystery. Texting not walking, not observing the world around you, not taking in the sights or sounds of your environment, just texting. This texting seems to be so vital and important that you could possibly put your life at risk or those around you because you are busy. Well she told me!
I don’t know though; as I look out and watch those zombies so tuned out and only tuned into their texting, nothing else seems to matter. I guess it’s hard for me to imagine that this texting is good for the human race collectively. To be so consumed with messaging that you can’t focus on your surroundings just doesn’t seem right. I know that I personally would rather do anything other than walking down a street oblivious to the world and be consumed with texting. I certainly would rather have a pretty girl with her arm wrapped around my waste or I would even like to be the cool one with his hands in his pockets as long as I got to notice all the pretty girls along with the interesting people and sights. I think that maybe, just maybe we have let technology run amok and we are becoming its slave and that can’t make us better people in the process, at least that’s the way it looks from where I sit.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Capital Ex
Every once in awhile I wonder about stupidity, and just to be sure I was not contributing to stupidity I looked up the word. First, I was surprised not to see my picture or those of some of my old friends. The Webster’s online dictionary’s first definition was “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” Man sounds like my life or maybe my lifestyle from time to time. For example my sons and many of those that care about me, think I am too old to break colts that buck. I despite the rods pins and various staples and surgeries continue to break colts that like to buck, so I guess I can fall into the stupidity category.
Every once in awhile and not often enough to be of note; the wheels and gears get stuck in my head. Usually they get stuck on things that I find fall into the stupidity category. One such thing that has been rattling around up there for years and kind of eating away at my cranium, is the destruction of Klondike days and it’s replacement event the big nothing, or should we say Capital X.
The other day I was sitting in my office on the corner of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street when all of a sudden three fighter jets flew over, very impressive. Then it hit me; Edmonton’s non event was beginning. The Capital Zero, no sorry the Capital X had started with the parade. Despite the millions spent by the Northlands folks to promote the event, when you ask anybody they say if they are being kind , that it is an absolute dud. Kids relate it to the midway, but beyond that ask anyone and you will get the same answer, “I don’t Know” sometimes added by it’s the fair. So what the heck happened?
In my opinion it was one of those classic control and greed stories. Growing up before the Klondike days was systematically dismantled, it was a well talked about and exciting event. I remember my Mom, Aunts and Grandmother working and planning for months as to their costumes and what events they would take in. As a kid there was always something to do, from the local malls, pancake breakfasts and all sorts of small events all over the city. The Sour Dough Raft Race was so exciting and was coupled with events like the Lumber Jack competition, and the Promenade all off the midway site. Now understand if a hotel has a daylong event in its parking lot, or a raft race is along a river and draws thousands of people picnicking and watching, or my goodness people are just milling about at a local cafe featuring honky-tonk music how are we ever going to get those people to our precious grounds so we can pick their pockets. It’s important for them to come to the grounds so we can sell them on our ten dollar beer, and eight dollar hot dogs, not to mention the gate charge.
I remember the Klondike days dismantling began by some key people saying the event isn’t a true to life event, we weren’t the gold rush. Maybe not but am I wrong the theme was fun and I thought all those people on route to the gold rush came through Edmonton, as gateway to north. Then the Klondike Association was scooped up and Northlands took over. I remember a fellow involved in one of the off midway events telling me that since the K-Days association was eliminated his hotel was discouraged from having an event. He said it was not seen as community spirited to promote what he had for years promoted which was a pancake breakfast and day long activities at his hotel.
Getting back to the stupid part; I believe the organizers of this nothing event have failed, and they have “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” So, unless you really like midways and Carnies and noise and all that, you probably won’t like the Capital X. The Northlands group are very much about control, they want everyone to be at that ridiculous fair ground. In my humble opinion they really should be removed of the control on the event, and new vibrant organizers should be installed for perhaps the rebirth of Klondike days. Makes me cringe when Calgary makes us look silly by the city wide involvement they get for the Stampede. We should never have let a facilities organization destroy a fun city wide event and all I want to know is; What the Heck is Capital X. At least that’s what it looks like from where I sit
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer. And can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Every once in awhile and not often enough to be of note; the wheels and gears get stuck in my head. Usually they get stuck on things that I find fall into the stupidity category. One such thing that has been rattling around up there for years and kind of eating away at my cranium, is the destruction of Klondike days and it’s replacement event the big nothing, or should we say Capital X.
The other day I was sitting in my office on the corner of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street when all of a sudden three fighter jets flew over, very impressive. Then it hit me; Edmonton’s non event was beginning. The Capital Zero, no sorry the Capital X had started with the parade. Despite the millions spent by the Northlands folks to promote the event, when you ask anybody they say if they are being kind , that it is an absolute dud. Kids relate it to the midway, but beyond that ask anyone and you will get the same answer, “I don’t Know” sometimes added by it’s the fair. So what the heck happened?
In my opinion it was one of those classic control and greed stories. Growing up before the Klondike days was systematically dismantled, it was a well talked about and exciting event. I remember my Mom, Aunts and Grandmother working and planning for months as to their costumes and what events they would take in. As a kid there was always something to do, from the local malls, pancake breakfasts and all sorts of small events all over the city. The Sour Dough Raft Race was so exciting and was coupled with events like the Lumber Jack competition, and the Promenade all off the midway site. Now understand if a hotel has a daylong event in its parking lot, or a raft race is along a river and draws thousands of people picnicking and watching, or my goodness people are just milling about at a local cafe featuring honky-tonk music how are we ever going to get those people to our precious grounds so we can pick their pockets. It’s important for them to come to the grounds so we can sell them on our ten dollar beer, and eight dollar hot dogs, not to mention the gate charge.
I remember the Klondike days dismantling began by some key people saying the event isn’t a true to life event, we weren’t the gold rush. Maybe not but am I wrong the theme was fun and I thought all those people on route to the gold rush came through Edmonton, as gateway to north. Then the Klondike Association was scooped up and Northlands took over. I remember a fellow involved in one of the off midway events telling me that since the K-Days association was eliminated his hotel was discouraged from having an event. He said it was not seen as community spirited to promote what he had for years promoted which was a pancake breakfast and day long activities at his hotel.
Getting back to the stupid part; I believe the organizers of this nothing event have failed, and they have “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” So, unless you really like midways and Carnies and noise and all that, you probably won’t like the Capital X. The Northlands group are very much about control, they want everyone to be at that ridiculous fair ground. In my humble opinion they really should be removed of the control on the event, and new vibrant organizers should be installed for perhaps the rebirth of Klondike days. Makes me cringe when Calgary makes us look silly by the city wide involvement they get for the Stampede. We should never have let a facilities organization destroy a fun city wide event and all I want to know is; What the Heck is Capital X. At least that’s what it looks like from where I sit
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer. And can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
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