Just when I thought I was getting a handle on people, someone else does something and takes me completely off guard. Like a certain pet-store owner in town. He was supposed to have something done for us, and yet when I went in to get it, after my supervisor had just called to let him know I was coming, he didn’t have it done, which he tells me off-hand when I ask him if he had it for me. Somewhat confused, I ask him if he knows when he’ll have it done (confused because he knew the week before we needed it, and I was on a 4:30 deadline). He told me “whenever I get a change”. Wanting something more specific since I know inputting the forms he had was going to take me a really long time, I asked again if he had an idea of when that would be. I literally asked, “Do you have an idea when that would be?”

Which is about when he flipped out on me, telling me no and that was a ‘disgusting’ thing of me to ask. He actually called it disgusting. Then started ranting on about how I can tell my supervisor that, no, actually he’s going to call her right now, etc, etc.

I started walking out about then. I was terribly confused, because he was supposed to have it done and he knew it. And I didn’t understand how me asking when he would have the stuff ready, since I’m the one responsible for getting all this done, was such a big deal.

Well, apparently I was terribly rude, which is what he told my supervisor. It’s a good thing he’s done this sort of thing to her before, and she knows how he is. She told me not to worry about it. I was still upset, because 1) I hadn’t been rude and 2) my boss actually went to talk with him. I don’t really know what happened with that, but it still wasn’t really something I wanted to have against me.
So that was that episode. He eventually did get them in, but it was later and I didn’t get everything done on time. But everyone agreed that it wasn’t my fault.

This week I’m on parking, which is another whole can of worms altogether. Funny saying that. Anyway, I’ve actually been yelled at less than usual, partially due to my increasing ability to write quickly. All the regular downtown people know me pretty well by now, and they’ll come out to chat, or tease about giving parking tickets. It’s actually kind of nice to know not everyone hates me. Yet anyway.
And even some people who get tickets don’t mind, they understand that it’s my job, and they were there too long. Like one guy who came out just as I finished writing his ticket. He was really nice about it, said he’d go pay it right away. He possibly made my day.

Of course, there is the other side as well. Like the one business owner on my route who has gotten so many tickets from us it’s unreal. Yet he still insists on parking his truck out front. Almost every single day. I come every two hours. If you are going to be so stubborn about where you park, especially considering you have your own private lot right next door, then I really don’t have any sympathy for you. Especially when you get mad at me, tell me I need to give you a break. I do. If I haven’t written it, I let you move it. It’s that simple. And it’s not like you don’t know. Of course, the large amount of money you probably spent getting your truck covered in graphics/ads for your business might be part of the reason you want it out front. But really, you’ve been there forever. People know who you are by now. And soon it’s not going to be worth it with the amount you’re paying in parking tickets.

There was something new the other day though. Someone else decided they’d like to mark tires in between rounds. Just on the one section of the street, as far as I could tell. But I gave two tickets before I realized what had happened. I took them both back from very gracious and understanding owners, which was a nice change. But I know a lot of people who would not have been nearly so nice about it. Practical jokes are fun, but not when they cost other people money. Which this could have. Needless to say, I was not amused.

One of the business owners who always chats when I go by told me a little story yesterday (if it was from anyone else I might have felt threatened). A ticket officer was put in hospital the other day from a guy with ‘parking ticket rage’. Apparently the guy he gave a ticket to took it personally, and proceeded to hit the officer with the car that was just ticketed. Ironically enough, the first thing I thought was, well at least the hospital would be air conditioned… You know it’s hot when.

There are so many interesting things to see on a day to day basis. And some of them make you never want to drive again. Like the elderly man who was bent into a permanent seated position- while standing- and walked with a cane. It literally took him almost a full minute to walk from the sidewalk to the driver’s seat. And he got in to drive, while a younger man got in the passenger side. He. Could. Barely. Walk. And was partially crippled. What on earth made either of them think he could drive? I mean, there’s wanting to be able to take care of yourself, and then there’s full-on denial and putting other people at risk. If you can’t move, how can you turn to check your blink spots, or even your mirrors for that matter?

There was an incident in the parking garage where two elderly ladies got in their car and tried to pull out. The lady driving clearly had no sense of depth perception, because she couldn’t tell she had a good 3-4 feet of space to back out. I had to direct her so she could actually get out of the parking space. There is just no way someone who has that much trouble seeing should be on the road.

There are a lot of people I’ve seen who shouldn’t be. And in a town with a large elderly population, most of them are elderly. Driving too slow can be almost as dangerous as driving too fast. If you have to slow down to under 10km/hr to go around a corner, you are in trouble.

Then there are the people who think stop signs are just a suggestion. There are a lot of little alleys that come out onto the main streets, which cross over sidewalks. Buildings shield the alleys, making it almost impossible to see if someone is coming along the sidewalk. Yet people ignore the signs and just pull right through. I lost count of the number of times I’ve almost been hit, or seen someone almost get hit. Sometimes the drivers notice, and others they don’t at all, just go along their business like they own the roads. I’ve got news for you, you don’t. Yet it will probably take someone getting hurt before you take notice of everyone else around you. Which seems to be the way it always is. Preemptive measures would be much less painful for everyone, but people seem to think they’re invincible.

That and I really don’t want to get hit by a car.

One, I’m not particularly fond of having to go door to door, looking like a sales person. Well, technically I guess I am, but I like to think I’m legitimate since it’s a by-law. But either way. People have this tendency to answer the door as is. As in, men keep coming without shirts. Which really wouldn’t be that bad, if they were at least wearing pants. But quite often then don’t. Would it really take that much effort, honestly, to put some clothes on when answering the door? I think it’s just common courtesy, yes?

Or women who come to the door in their nightgowns, or whatever. At least a housecoat would be greatly appreciated.

And when it comes to apartments, people either have no clue just how not soundproof their apartments are, or they simply don’t care. One, I can hear you in there, so getting quiet as soon as I knock actually doesn’t make you not there. And two, I can also hear exactly what you say about me when you close the door. So joking around and being nice to me is kind of redundant when you’re just going to mock and make fun of me when you shut the door.

Also, I am very much a non smoker. So when someone comes to the door with a smoke in their hand, and blows their smoke in my face, am I allowed to say something? Like, also, just common courtesy. And I really, really don’t like going into a smokers apartment or house. But somehow I feel obligated because they have pets and most of the time they aren’t supposed to get out. So I go in. And have the stench attach itself to my clothes, hair, skin. Plus breath it in.

I haven’t decided what I’m going to do about ay of it, but I do know I need to work on the smoker thing. I have no plans of be exposed to it every day all summer. The over-exposure or strangers skin is not something I will likely be able to do something about. On the contrary, it’ll probably only get worse.

Haven’t quite resigned myself to that yet, but I’m working on it.

I’m the summer by-law enforcement officer in my town. Basically I go door to door and license cats and dogs. Or do parking tickets, haven’t got to that part yet though (thankfully).
So far we’ve (my supervisor and I) had one door shut in our face, been ‘attacked’ numerous small…dogs if you will. Apparently owners seem to think that since they’re so small it’s okay to let them come and jump all over whoever happens to be at the door. I don’t mind for the most part because I’m desperately pet deprived, but I know a lot of people who would not be impressed. Also, if they have sharp claws, feel free to hold on to them. I can’t afford to buy new work pants. I’ve already spent over 200 dollars to work.
Anyway. Wednesday, my third day on the job, we were at a house around three o’clock and the woman answers in her house coat. Didn’t think much of it until she started being incredibly rude, asking why there were two of us. We explained that I was being train. After asking how many day’s I’d been working, and being told this was my third she asks, what and you aren’t trained yet?
So many smart comments came to mind.
It’s 3 in the afternoon, and you’re still in your house coat. When was the last time you did anything even remotely productive?
When was the last time you even had a job? How long did it take you to get trained?
I’m a college student. I’ve paid in full for my first two years and am now working my butt off with a full-time job plus a part-time job, and you want to deny my right to be trained??
Well if we keep running into people like you, I’m always going to have to have someone with me!
Needless to say we didn’t say any of these things. But oh the temptation.
Oh and she was just asking because she’s a tax-payer. Sure, whatever makes you feel better. So are the rest of us, but we aren’t being rude about it.
Have a great day.
Wednesday night I was on my own, and it went really well. I got to meet some gorgeous dogs, and the only two who had complaints were really polite about them, and fully acknowledged that it was not my fault, and therefore didn’t get mad at me. They were very nice actually. Funny that.
One guy did come to the door in his boxers, picking up pants along the way and putting them on in front of the screen door while I stood there somewhat awkwardly. But I think I better get used to that as the weather gets warmer, or so I’ve been told.
Thursday was….interesting. I saw waaaaay more of an old boss then I EVER wanted to see when he answered the door with no shirt and fly wide open, proving he wasn’t wearing anything underneath. I really hope this doesn’t become a habit.
I found the only apartment building I’d ever consider living in here, cleanest by far. And pet friendly. Plus the building manager/owner/landlord had the most adorable kitten ever. He was renamed Turbo, much to the mother cat owners dismay. She originally had named him Brucy, and was not particularly impressed with his new name.
There are going to be some sad stories though. Lot’s of people literally live pay-check to pay-check, and what a way to live. My goal in life is to never have to live like that, I can’t even imagine the stress. And then we come and tell them they have to spend more money on their pets. Well sometimes their pets are all they have, but spending more money is so hard on them. It’s sad. I have so many names that I just want to go leave pet food for, or license for them. If I had the money I would. And the budgie lady, who’s almost always had budgies but can’t afford them right now. She’s such a happy, cheerful lady who loves her garden and is so full of life. It’s incredible the way some people just manage to stay so positive, no matter their situation. It gives hope, and makes me realize more and more that I have it so damn good. Hopefully this’ll make me complain less, because I really have nothing to complain about….

They’re worse then a bunch of kids out there, fighting over who gets to play in the sandbox today.

Worse because in a couple of hours, the kids will have forgotten what they were fighting about, and be friends again.

Politicians? Not so much.

Although in this case, the sandbox happens to be Canada, and they don’t just get to play for a year, but closer to four (theoretically, since that hasn’t been working out so well recently with four elections in seven years).

The upcoming election has turned every party into some sort of super-bully, with each focusing on how to best trash the other party they feel is their greatest opponents.

Current Prime Minister Stephen Harper is trashing Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who is denouncing the prime minister right back, as well as throwing off little bits and pieces about the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP to a lesser degree, since he may need their support in the future. Although he’s likely to gain seats from NDP losses, but still may need their help if me manages to get even a minority government.

The NDP’s Jack Layton is throwing stones in every direction, although again he’s treading a little softer around the Liberals, since likely the best he can hope for is to find a relationship with them if they are elected into office.

In the midst of the hailstorm is the rest of the Canadian population. They stand back a ways, scratch their heads and wonder how on earth they’re supposed to pick best who should run their country.

What Canadians are supposed to get out of all the name-calling, putting down and shredding of every other party’s policies is unknown.

What would be great is if each party could just focus on what they plan to do for Canada, ignore what everyone else is saying, and concentrate on making Canada better for Canadians.

Instead there are a bunch of wild dogs fighting over the bone that is Canada, and tearing it to shreds in the process.

It shouldn’t be about power. It should be about doing what’s best for the people. It should be about genuinely wanting to make Canada a better place.

But apparently none of the esteemed wanna-be prime ministers have figured that out yet, and still believe the way to Canadians hearts is through ripping apart everyone else’s policies except their own.

Maybe if for once they tried focusing more on Canada and less on power and fighting with each other, they might just find Canadians more willing to listen, more receptive to their ideas, and possibly even enough to drag people out to the polls to vote.

But from the looks of it right now, the Tories, Liberals, NDP and even Bloc Quebecois are all focused on themselves, what everyone else is doing wrong, and trying to convince Canadians that they’re a better pick because they aren’t going to do this or that like the other guy says he’s going to do.

How about you all go away for a while, and call us back up when you finally figure out the way to Canadians hearts, minds and political interest isn’t through your childish fighting, but through the strength, kindness, openness and dignity which Canadians are proud of, and once were world re-known for.

Then, just maybe, you’ll find most of Canada at your back.

The Toronto Star reported on a 48 year-old male ex-nurse from Minnesota who has been charged with two counts of aiding suicide.

A 32-year-old man in England and an 18-year-old girl in Ontario both committed suicide, apparently after encouragement from the ex-nurse.

This despite the fact prosecutors said he acknowledged talking online with up to 20 people about suicide, and made fake suicide pacts with about 10. Of those, the man believed 5 killed themselves.

The prosecution also said the ex-nurse looked for his victims on the internet, and when he found them, he posed as a compassionate female nurse and gave step-by step instructions how the people could go about killing themselves.

The Defence called his clients actions “sick” and “abhorrent”, but said he shouldn’t be charged because he wasn’t directly involved in the deaths.

Apparently providing step by step instructions doesn’t count as ‘directly involved’.

How do criminal lawyers even defend someone when they know they’re guilty? When the person has admitted what they did?

That aside, the Defence also said both the victims were already inclined to suicide, and the ‘babbling’ of his client had nothing to do with their choice.

Disgusting.

The ex-nurse agreed to the facts against him, but maintained a not guilty plea. He chose to have the verdict decided by a judge instead of a jury (the smartest thing he’s likely ever done since a jury would likely be horrified, while a judge would be more inclined to go with facts, which still proved him guilty anyway).

The verdict was read Tuesday, and sentencing is scheduled for May 4. In Minnesota, aiding suicide carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30, 000 fine.

Not nearly enough, especially since somehow he has been allowed to remain free (with conditions).

Morally they should be allowed.

Ethically they are allowed.

Unless you happen to be from a majority of Catholic schools in Ontario.

Catholic schools which are publicly funded, and therefore have to abide by the same laws as every other school board.

And those laws happen to say that no school boards, principles, teacher or students are allowed to discriminate based on race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Same as the rest of the population.

According to the Globe and Mail, Frances Jacques, principle of St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School decided to turn down a request from a 16-year-old girl who wanted to start a gay-straight alliance.

In the story Leanne Iskander says her principle told her a “GSA is premature at 16 and it would encourage other students to identify their sexuality when they are too young.”

That has to be one of the most ridiculous statements. Not only are they obviously not too young since there is a student asking about it (and by actually approaching the principle showing she’s serious), but identifying one’s sexuality starts around puberty, and high school students are well into that stage anyway. Plus the principle had no right to deny the request.

Yes there may be other resources in the school that the principle feels are adequate, but clearly the student did not, and the student has the right to start a group she feels is more supportive and appropriate.

It’s like people think by denying rights unwanted minorities will just go away. It doesn’t work that way.

People have rights, whether they be Catholic, Christian, black, white. In Canada we are lucky enough to have laws that protect us from discrimination.

And those laws apply to everyone, including and especially publicly funded schools. Like Catholic schools. If they want to rule outside Canadian anti-discrimination laws, then they should stop accepting tax-payers money.

Every single person should be able to feel comfortable, accepted and safe wherever they are. Especially in a school. So having a principle deny a student the chance to start a group to help other students is not only morally wrong, it’s illegal. And just because Premier Dalton McGuinty is Catholic shouldn’t mean Catholic school’s get a bi in violating basic human rights. Maybe it goes against church doctrine, and maybe it’s not in the Catholic curriculum, but once they receive public funding, it doesn’t matter anymore. It shouldn’t even matter in the first place. You can’t ‘cure’ someone of being homosexual.

A better goal would to try and cure people of racism, homophobia, and other discriminatory behavior.

And recently animal euthanasia was the topic of much debate when the slaughter of about a 100 sled dogs from a Whistler company came to light.

But slaughter and euthanasia are different. Euthanasia is supposed to be a humane way to end the suffering of a pet, not a means for monetary gain. There is no excuse, no way slaughter should be classified as euthanasia.

When an animal or pet is at the point where it is obvious they are suffering and in pain, euthanasia is generally used at the owners choice to end their suffering. Some people oppose this, for a number of reasons including religion, moral (or immoral) and ethics.

Animal euthanasia is not something to be taken lightly, and the best way to decide if it’s right is to ask what you’d want if you were in your pet’s condition.

Animal shelters use euthanasia to control population so they can keep accepting animals, putting down terminally ill animals and animals which are deemed overly aggressive and aren’t likely to change, among a few others.

Sometimes use euthanasia to save money too, which is not what a shelter is supposed to be about. For instance, there was a ringworm outbreak in a shelter north of Toronto where about 350 animals were to be euthanized.

Ringworm is treatable.

This is not how euthanasia should be used. Shelters are supposed to protect, not kill. Decisions like this should be seriously reviewed, and people need to know this is wrong.

Euthanasia should only be used to end the suffering of animals which are in serious pain. Not for financial, or because it’s the ‘easiest’ thing to do. People need to stand up for animals, since for the most part they can’t stand up for themselves. Animals deserve more then the ‘easy’ or cheapest way out. They can be compared to children in that they did not choose their situation, and have almost no control over their fates or future. That puts the responsibility in peoples hands, and it’s a responsibility that can not be taken likely.

Animals aren’t people too. They’re much much better. And they need to be treated as such.