freedom of speech

Greetings from the epicenter of climate change! The last few weeks of weather up here have been strange indeed. Radical temperature swings, higher then normal temps, freezing rain. Alot of folks are talking, and maybe finally accepting the onset of climate change in Northern Alberta. I wrote a shote post a few months ago about an early snowfall up here and my expectation of the last plus temp day for a while. Boy was I wrong. Many days have been warmer here than back home on Van Isl. To me, this is slghtly problematic as much of our business up here depends on freezing temps. We end up pushing through most of it and some of our best days have come during the worst of conditions, it says alot for the abilities of our operators to put out the production we do during adverse weather. I really do enjoy this work, I think every little boy at some time in his life wants to drive the big trucks, and for good reason, it truly is a fun job. That being said there are negative aspects to the industry that I am not very happy with at the present.I am a West Coaster, I consider myself to be a slight conservationist (not to be confused with conservative), and I rely on a spiritual relationship my surrounding environment to help me remain level headed. I believe in protection of sacred lands, and respect for those who we borrow this land from. We must leave some areas unspoiled to show appreciation for the land, water and air that we use and in some cases expliot on a daily basis. I beleive in a fine balance between nature and human necessities. Canada is losing this balance. We have a government that is blindly steering the ship into the rocks. I was going to say that I am shocked, but kind of predicted this during the last election. We are in the early stages of economic disaster, the government knows it and the only way they can right the ship is to sell the wind that pushes it forward. To them this cannot happen soon enough and they are willing to override any law, person or organization that stands in their way. I like to call this "oppression by legislation". Thay see anyone that is not in agreance with their agenda an extremist radical. The nation has never seen such a vulgar display of disrespsect to it's native people by a federal government since the residential schools. I am disgusted and ashamed to know that my tax dollars are funding this utter irresponsibilty shown by our leaders over the past days. I have written a letter to Premier Christy Clark explaining my stance on these issues and would like to ask of you all to follow suite. You can email her at premier.gov.bc.ca. Or go to the BC Liberal website and leave a comment there. She has stated that she wants accountability and openness in government and is the only leader with an election coming up. Her re-election depends on her stance on the Northern Gateway pipeline and the Oil Tanker Moritorium that is and has been serving the coastal BC waters for 30 years. This moritorium must stand and our first nations people must be respected. Our children deserve a clean, healthy environment as does the wildlife and the millions of people that travel from all edges of the earth to marvel in the pristine beauty and awe-inspiring ruggedness that so many of us take for granted. I cannot ask you enough, please get involved, educate yourselves, take a stand. This could be our last chance.

2012

A few days in to the new year and back to work after a good holiday break. As someone that lives life for today I was quick to nullify any notions of any new years resolutions, rather I strive to take the best out of the situations that can throw us off course from time to time. These little annoyances and things that slow us down are there to keep us in check really anyway. I almost reached my goal of running a mile in eight minutes, but fell short by 18 seconds, I am ok with that, I tried hard and managed to knock a whole minute of my first timed session in only a month. I will keep training, but have started to use the rowing machine more than the treadmill. I still find it tough to keep a regular gym schedule, the work day is long and rest sometimes takes precedent over exercise. I have recently learned a few things about the way we deal with certain foods and some that are much more damaging than I ever thought. I will now be avoiding grains, such as wheat, soy, barley and brown rice. These foods are rejected by up to 80% of us and contain many protiens that are linked to thyroid problems that can lead to obesity and diabetes. I have had stomach problems and discomfort in the past after comsuming most types of grains and cereals, so it only makes sense to omit them for a while and see if it helps out. The bonus to omitting these foods is you also drop most of your refined sugar intake at the same time, another major contributer to health issues down the road. I guess I have reached that stage in my life where I have to start caring more about my overall health, both mental and physical. I know you can't turn back the clock, but with a few of the choices I have made over the past few years I feel better today than I have in a long time. I look forward to some new adventures and life lessons that are sure to come in 2012. No resolutions, no regrets, may everyday be as good as it gets.