Wal-Mart: The American Dream

I recently read on the Consumerist a story about a couple printing photos for the wife's father's funeral at Wal-Mart. The photo lab wouldn't give her several of her photos because the employee believed the photos may be copyrighted. The woman held back tears as she watched her deceased father's photos be shredded.

The article started whirling my brain to several other media stories I have read that cast a dark shadow on Wal-Mart's polices and practices. I do not shop at Wal-Mart because of all the employee labour laws it violates and all the pending class-action lawsuits.

However, even when Wal-Mart looses a class-action lawsuit for paying women less than men, or paying illegal immigrants less than minimum wage, it can pay the judgment easily because it makes $20,000 profit every minute, and a annual profit of $12 billion.



Articles:

Mother Charged by Police Courtesy of Wal-Mart for Child Pornography

Walmart To Pay $7,000 OSHA Fine In Worker Death

11 Things Banned By Walmart

 

Listening to: Crosby, Stills & Nash - American Dream

 

Meet Kami

Kami is a new 5 year old HIV-positive girl Muppet on Sesame Street South Africa. She also an orphan and is teaching her neighbours and friends some harsh realities of life. She is the new role model for 28,000 HIV-positive children and 1.4 million orphans in Africa.



Kami talks with President Clinton.

 

Colbert Report with Woody Harrelson.

I love Stephen Colbert's mock-journalism news show. Colbert is delightfully hilarious.

He recently started fundraising for the U.S. Speed Skating Team. His campaign raised over $40k. When the site crashed from overwhelming response, he blamed it on Canadian hackers.

 

Rick Mercer Report

Rick Mercer and Rick Hansen Bungee Jump



Listening to Trooper - Here For A Good Time

 

Happy 40th Sesame Street

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street! I was a huge fan of Sesame Street when I was a young kid.


Adam Sandler sings about Elmo




Feist sings 1, 2, 3, 4




Neil Patrick Harris




The Mad T Party




Yip Yip Martians




Pinball Number 4



 

A La Pink

Well, I have been going every weekend since the beginning of summer and I have finally hit the wall. What I mean to say is I have been socially engaged butterfly almost every weekend for four months straight. I am officially tired. Just in time for winter too. Tis the season for puzzles, good books, movies, board games and sheer lazy weekends.

About a month or so ago, I went to Victoria for the Slacktoria Family Reunion. We enjoyed reuniting over brunch and photographs of how we spent our summer vacation.

A few weekends, I went to the Pink Party. This party was also a Bon Voyage to Benj. I never would have thought that pink would be such a great theme for a party. The vibe was so juicy energetic, but serene.

The previous weekend, I went to Victoria for Halloween. I spent about a day helping decorate the house and had a blast staying up until dawn. Some really fantastic costumes. The house was way too crowded, deafening beats and blitzkrieg. I'm definitely not 20-something anymore. Unfortunately, most ghouls and witches only posted their photos on FaceCrack.


I just created a new Rain-themed playlist. I will add it to the sidebar.

Listening to: Bruce Hornsby & The Range - Mandolin Rain

 

Animals Are Amazing

Husky says "I Love You"




Thanks for JD for reminding me the cat zen of relaxing Maru style.




Silly Cats Video

Ideas For Change

William Kamkwamba’s Malawian parents couldn’t afford the $80 yearly tuition for their son’s school. He sneaked into classes anyway until he got caught. He continued his education by teaching himself through books from the school library. He found a Grade 5 Science textbook titled Using Energy. William harnessed the power of the wind by creating his own windmill from discarded items and scraps. His life changed forever.

My friend Dave is biking from Vancouver to Tijuana. He quit his job and sold almost all of his possessions. After two weeks, he has biked down through Washington, Oregon and is now in Northern California.

Everything Is Going to Be Alright

Apparently, artist Martin Creed's work is on display in Vancouver. Friends have mentioned seeing it over the rooftops from Chinatown.

Saturday is Earth Dance. Previously, it was at Stanley Park, but this year it is at Spannish Banks. The event usually features a lot of DJs, dancing, hugging and good vibes. I am hoping to attend, weather permitting.


I am still reeling in awe from an incredible Burn. One of my favourite art structures from the event is Holding Flame. I have been meaning to post about my Burn, but I had to think of all the things I did on my trip to the desert. It was chalk full of extraordinary fun.



Last weekend, I did nothing but relax. My sweetie dropped by my work last Friday with a surprise rose and mini cheesecake. We spent most of the weekend relaxing and watching movies, such as Get Smart. The movie was funny and entertaining, more so than I thought it would be.

On Sunday, we went over to Yv's for waffles and bacon. There was a lovely group of people gathered and we chilled over mimosas and great conversation. JD's dog Chester was there, so I got some doggy lovin'.


I spent most of this week nursing a mild cold and headaches. I think I have turned the corner though. I am not looking forward to flu season and all this chatter about H1N1.


I am loving the autumn season though. It finally feels like a good autumn with warm and cool weather, and changing leaves.

Listening to: Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock

 

Canadian, Please

 

Goodbye Patrick Swayze

I heard this afternoon Patrick Swayze passed away at age 57 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. It was a little eerie for me when I found out. I thought he had beat cancer and was on the road to recovery.

My mum passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 57.

I think of Robin, who is participating in a 3-day Breast Cancer Walk this weekend. She is 17 years cancer free. She walks for those who fought, survived and those who will battle cancer in the years to come.

Listening to: Patrick Swayze - She's Like the Wind

 

Cats Slice and Dice

From the Oatmeal, 8 Ways to Prepare Your Pets for War. I *love* the samurai kittens!

Today, I am off to the PNE with friends to watch the Superdogs, the Logging Show, eat mini donuts, maybe a corndog for JD, and see the Beatles Tribute show.

I made bacon, eggs and toast for my sweetie and I while I listened to the Across the Universe soundtrack.

I am still hooked on Miss Bunny Ruffles iced Angel Tea, from Silk Road in Victoria, with Santa Cruz Lemonade. The Angel Tea leaves have spearmint, lavender, rose petals and clove. It's so refreshing.

I sewed and cut a bunch of costumes for Burning Man: pink and purple star bra, panels for a skirt (still need to make arm bands); blue sequin bra, panels for a skirt; white fun fur boot covers, and Siberian Tiger boot covers (need to still sew a bra).

I still have to make a bunch of cyberlox hair pieces, but hopefully and orange and blue one with foams and ribbons, and a cotton candy pink and white one with foams and ribbons.



One week to go before departure!

Listening to: 311 - Love Song

 

The Cat's Meow

 

Best Friends Forever

I think the term BFF is so pop-cultured, but it's cute in this instance. I came across this photo album of a Corgi and Macaw who are BFFs. It just goes to show you that friendship is blind to size, colour and species.

Listening to: Earth, Wind & Fire - September

 

Photogenic Squirrel

It all started so innocently when an aspiring young ground squirrel stepped into the family photo of Melissa Brandts in Alberta, Canada’s Banff National Park, seeking fame and fortune. After showing up on National Geographic’s web site it was picked up by The Interwebs, and the rest, as they say, is internet history.



Top 10 Crasher Squirrel Pictures.

 

Countdown

In a few weeks, I will be heading to the desert with my sweetie.



My sweetie of 6 weeks. I met him at Otherworld. He rocks my world. I am still in awe I have a boyfriend. He's everything I have been looking for in my equal.

 

A Day In Vancouver

 

Wolfie

A video of Wolfman Shaun Ellis teaching a wee lil’ baby wolf how to howl.



 

E-Wasteland

Artist Sophie Gerrard has featured the growing E-wasteland problem in Indian in her new collection. Currently, the waste is approximately 20 to 50 million tonnes.



In western nations, a computer, cell phone or electronic equipment is thrown away every 2 years. Some major cities have recycling depots for E-waste, but most people dispose of it in landfills.

E-waste is highly toxic. It contains lead, cadmium, mercury, tin, gold, copper, PVC and brominated, chlorinated and phosphorus based flame retardants. Many of these heavy metals and contaminants are extremely harmful to humans as well as to animals and plants.

Listening to: Indio - Hard Sun

 

White Trash Party, Playland and B/IAS

A few weekends ago, I went to Disaster Area's White Trash Party. I did not think the crew could top last year's epic Family Reunion, but they did. Will It Smash and the Redneck Olympics triumphed last year's shenanigans.

Almost a month ago, some friends, my niece and I went to Playland. It was somewhat gray and rainy that day, but we still had lots of fun. It was my niece's first trip to the fair. She was very brave and rode most of the high, scary rides while my feet stayed firmly planted on the ground.



In April, while I was in Seattle, some friends and I visited the B/IAS Burien/Interim Arts Space. Ignition Northwest consisting of Seattle Regional Burners and lots of hard work by volunteers brought a stunning art installation from Burning Man.

Listening to: Underworld - Two Months Off