Obama Tweets Into a Brick Wall

Two days ago, in an effort to encourage a resolution of the US debt crisis, US President Barack Obama tweeted out to his followers, "ask them (Republican Congressmen) to support a bipartisan solution to the debt crisis." Using an #compromise hashtag, Obama hoped to energize Twitter-handy Americans to send out a message of cooperation to their congressmen hopelessly in deadlock over the debt crisis.

The result? Obama lost over 36,000 followers. Who knew politics could be so divisive...

Of Obama's more than 9 million followers I suppose this is merely a drop in the bucket, but if I lost 36,000 of anything I would still analyze why it happened and try to avoid it from happening again. But more than anything, I feel this latest debacle south of the border is more proof of the divide between Americans.

As I've learned that the US has raised its debt limit 78 times since 1960, I had to wonder why it's a big deal. By borrowing more money, the US would secure its AAA bond rating, but, of course, the decision would raise its debt higher. Since 2002, the debt limit has gone from $6.4 trillion to what it is now (page 14). To be fair, $14 trillion dollars is an unfathomable amount of money compared to the speck in the universe of money I will ever make in my lifetime. But being militarily involved overseas fighting two wars since Sept. 11 has accounted for nearly $1.3 trillion of US debt alone. That's a good chunk of change right there, but not the only issue the US has been forced to deal with in recent years. The mortgage crisis gave the US economy a permanent bruise, entitlements are on the rise as baby-boomers retire, and no one can foresee a complete US pull from the middle east any time soon.

The last thing President Obama wants to do is borrow more money. This crisis is political brinksmanship to make Obama look like he can't get anything done. As electioneering for the 2012 presidential election is already sputtering to life (the election is only 15 months away after all), the Republicans are simply looking to kick more sand in Obama's face.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, and they do it simply because they can.

As of this morning, there appears to be progress. There's only two days left to agree on a plan, but there had better be a solution before the stock markets in Asia open for business a few hours from now and especially before North American stock markets open on Monday morning. If the stock sell-offs late last week were any indication, beware the Ides of August could become a mantra.

Out With the Old, In With the New

One of my favourite things to do in the summer is cycling. In an earlier post, I showed you how my interest for cycling began at an early age with my little three-wheeler, Thistle. Even as an adult, I take every opportunity to go for a quick spin to get a breath of fresh air or work out a few cobwebs in my brain.

I'm a bit of a stickler for how my bike and I interact. Once I plant myself onto my seat, I need to feel secure in how all of the parts operate. I have to feel connected to it. So, when I realized about a week ago that I finally needed a new pair of shoes for cycling, I decided to go a different route and install a set of clipless pedals.

I quickly discovered that there are many different types of clipless pedal available. In the past, I've been a bit hesitant to have my foot locked to my bike. One of the real fears is that in a moment of surprise or panic I won't be able to quickly "un-clip" from the pedal. When this happens, gravity takes over and a rider will plunk to terra-firma and onto his or her side. In the least, it's embarrassing; at worst, a rider can fall into harm's way. When I built my bike over a decade ago, I chickened out and opted for a nylon strap toe clip for my pedal (though I still managed to fall over on at least two occasions during that learning curve).

So far, I love my new Shimano pedals. I've rolled out with them about four times now, and I will put them to the test again this afternoon at Birds Hill Provincial Park. As an added measure of safety, the tech who installed them on my bike at Bikes & Beyond–a store I would recommend to any cyclist (excellent customer service)–set up the tension on the pedal to unclip on the easiest setting. As my comfort level improves, I can tighten the tension on the pedal to hold my shoe tighter and thus eliminate any accidental un-clipping from my bike–this were to happen at all, it would only be on the upstroke as this adds to the downward force on the crank as I pull up on my shoe thus enhancing the mechanical advantage.

That was far too technical. I hope it made sense and I got it right.

So, if you're thinking about an upgrade to your current ride, I highly recommend this one. The only issue I've had so far was that I found more trouble getting my shoe into the clip than getting out of it. A reverse problem that likely won't find me laying on my side because I couldn't clip out of my pedal in time.

Ride safe (if you're so inclined), and enjoy your summer!

It's not Science Fiction, It's Just Flash CS5

So, as I boldly prepare to begin my new career on July 11, I've been keeping myself busy with non-profit volunteer work for The Winnipeg Humane Society and iDE Canada. I recently completed a 2'x4' banner for iDE that will be on display at Birds Hill Park during the Winnipeg Folk Festival. It's bright red with a cornucopia of images inside the outline of a treadle pump. If you're at the WFF, check it out. It turned out really well and iDE's staff appreciated the effort.

The project that I'm working on for The WHS has put me in unchartered territory (not TerriTori). As far back as last February, I offered to put together a cat spay and neuter video for the animal shelter. The Director of Communications & Public Affairs was happy to accept my offer, and she left me with an open deadline for its completion. One thing that slightly scared me about our discussion was when I asked her what type of content might be of the most help. One of the first sentences that came from her mouth was, "maybe something with a little animation."

Eek. It wasn't essential, but I like to give people what they ask for whenever possible.

Creative Communications taught me many things, but animation is not part of the program. If a student is so inclined, he or she can certainly use it in a project, but CreComm involves other essentials. But if CreComm has taught me anything, it was to be resourceful and maintain a desire to learn.

This is my first Adobe Flash CS5 effort (and I know there is better work out there), but I think The WHS will enjoy the end result. All of the more active scenes in the animation are complete, but now I am working to resolve a few "artifacting" issues that have cropped up when I export to QuickTime. As usual, the Internet has been my unfailing tutor during this experience; I couldn't have done it without you O' Knower of All Things! All I have left to compile are a few "call to action" scenes about how The WHS' Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) is there to help cat owners.

Above is a screenshot from one of the scenes in, "Spay and Neuter Is Better Sooner." I have yet to add audio, but my music choice will be excerpts from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." Narration will (hopefully) be supplied by my niece. Failing that, I'll offer any 9-12 year old kid ten bucks and a milkshake to read the copy whilst I record it for use in the animation. :)

When The WHS chooses a proper time to include my little nugget on its website, I'll tweet the link for you to check it out. Until then, take care, and happy Canada Day!

Food, Our Future, and Dessert

I take food for granted. The majority of people in the developed world likely do as well. Our next meal is as close as our kitchen refrigerator or a trip to a restaurant. If you are fortunate enough to receive a regular paycheque it's relatively easy to sustain yourself. In many cases the food you have consumed has traveled a great distance to enter your mouth. In Canada, it's easy to note that much of our fruit throughout the year comes from places on the other side of the continent or even the globe. It may not be long before this becomes the exception and not the rule.

There are expected to be 7 billion people on planet Earth in 2012; by 2050, over 9.2 billion. As many people in the world already subsist on very little to eat, humanity is going to need a lot more food, and fast.

A few weeks ago, I discovered what I consider a very sensible situation analysis regarding the subject of food scarcity and sustainable agriculture. The paper quite clearly explains our current situation but offers no single solution. This is no cop-out. World food production is an enormous subject to assess and there are unique challenges in each region. Those who are quick to dismiss GM-modified foods take note: they will find a place at our table if food production is to double in the next few decades. This research is incomplete, but it is a necessary avenue to explore. Science has enriched our lives in the past and we cannot discount its efforts, though any developments and discoveries must be closely monitored.

Due to the efforts of philanthropy, lending financial assistance to people in under-developed countries in order to develop local food production has also been met with success. This will hopefully increase in popularity. But climate change will be a wild card in all of this. If worldwide droughts and floods continue–or increase in regularity–as populations increase, the difficulties we feel today will worse in the future.

It's an easy argument that Canadians are eating more than our bodies need. The average adult needs about 2,000 calories per day in order to be healthy. I took this simple online calculator and it determined that I am consuming approximately 2600 calories per day for my current weight. I'm overweight for my height and age, so it suggested a minimum of 500 calories less per day in order to begin to reduce body fat. This was not an entire surprise, but knowing that excess food consumption is a factor in contributing to food scarcity, I have a new way of looking at things. It's almost prophetic.

Entrée's should be treated just like dessert. Small–if at all–for the sake of us all.

Finding Niche-land

Two years ago I chose to enrol in one of the most respected programs that Winnipeg has to offer. And as of last evening, I hold in my hand a hard-fought piece of paper that officially declares my achievement in Red River College's Creative Communications program. In the past month I've seen several online comments from my classmates about our impending graduation. We've worked tremendously hard. It's a bittersweet time, but for many of us a new reality begins and we are faced with one of the biggest questions in our lives. Where do we want to work?

I, and as I learned of many of my classmates, have a wide range of interests. We may not yet feel that the world is our oyster–more like freshly-hatched newborn turtles scrambling to the safety of the ocean–but we must never forget that we've been taught well, and with a little self-reflection we will find an area of interest where we will excel. In CreComm, I chose from a course list that reflected my own interests and what I felt would provide the most value to my future employer. I chose Public Relations as my major, but on top of the required courses such as Journalism, Advertising, Media Production, and Oral Presentation, I chose:

*electronic desktop publishing

*image editing

*advanced website design

*non-profit communications

*freelance business management

*television documentary production

*photography

*and to top it off, a 200-page sci-fantasy novel

So how well will my course decisions deliver work to me overall? It ultimately depends on where I focus my energy and how I pursue my plan for employment.

My strongest interests are in food and music. Before I entered CreComm, I came very close to entering RRC's Culinary Arts program such is my love for food. I am always cruising the web looking for new ways to prepare food, and I am not afraid to try something different in the kitchen. I've learned to play a wide variety of stringed instruments and I even took cello instruction for three years before I entered college. I am eager to spend more time doing these things I love, and my plan is to focus my career efforts in one of these areas. In the coming weeks I will be visiting companies and organizations that fall into my sphere of interest. It's an exciting time for me and for those I will approach; I have a lot to offer.

My official RRC transcript arrived in the mail a short while ago. Seeing how well I had performed validated my efforts and performance in a program that, at times, can foster a love-hate relationship. But always when the dust settled, the former emotion held true. I look forward to finding the right employer for me. I've worked for many years in other jobs, but the past two years in college have re-molded me for something more purposeful. The same is for all of 2011's graduating class of which I am a part of. Our talents will find the niche for what suits us best.

My Bicycle Life

It's easy to take for granted how much of an influence the wheel has had on modern civilization–it's only been around for over 6,000 years. But apart from all of the utilitarian uses that man has found for its simple, but revolutionary design, there is one recreational invention that has incorporated the wheel most admirably: the bicycle. Bicycling is also my most favorite recreational activity, and it's one that I've had a long association with.

Like any child, I was introduced to self-propelled transportation at an early age by way of a tricycle. Seen above, it's name is, Thistle–and yes, that's a red bunny rabbit painted on the seat. I still find it hard to believe that a toy that I once used to race around the house with, day after day from morning 'til night, now does not reach past my knees. It's hard, rubber tires left black streaks across the floor from "burn-outs" (before I even knew what the term meant) as I accelerated to breakneck speeds down the hallway from room to room with my three-wheeled companion. Had I seen, The Wild One, I likely would have fastened a trophy to my handlebars in honour of Marlon Brando such was the way that I rode my trike.

If you are fortunate, the size of your bicycle will graduate along with you as you age. I can recall no less than four bicycles that I rode from adolescence to my teens. I rode a BSA, a few CCM's, and a 12-speed Supercycle from Canadian Tire. Up until I chose the 12-speed, all were carefully considered for their "ramping" capability. The local bicycle dealer and repairman was my mom's cousin so he was always very helpful in choosing the right bike for me and making the necessary repairs and tune-ups that I needed. I have always had an interest for bicycles, and I quickly learned how to take care of my own equipment early on: chain repairs, flats, shifter adjustments, and all the necessary bolt-tightening I learned how to do myself. Once I was in my twenties, I built bicycles from the frame up to save money and to apply the knowledge I already had. I still ride the three bikes that I rebuilt years ago, and they are just as loyal and reliable as the day they were built.

My Cannondale Killer V900 has had several upgrades over the years and it's light, aluminum frame was a popular choice with riders before aluminum frames hit the mainstream. This is my favourite trail bike and it's seen trails all around Winnipeg, Grand Beach, Riding Mountain, Birds Hill, Hecla, the Epinette Creek trail, and many more. I've since retired my Bonelli Nakiska to the basement for the most part and attached it to a trainer. On rainy days and in the winter, this is the best way I've found to stay in shape and still enjoy one of my favorite past-times. This bike has also seen lot of trail-riding and many kilometres up and down Wellington Crescent to Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg–a trip best made on a Sunday when the road is closed to vehicular traffic.

My most recent acquisition I rescued from a storage shed out at my family's farm in Saskatchewan. I don't know for sure the year it was made, but I would guess it's around 40 years old. It's steel rims, frame, and fenders (well, it was all made from steel back then) make it heavy to ride and there are no quick take-offs. One gear is all you get, but this CCM tracks smooth and is a joy to ride. I've lost count how many heads turn when I pop onto this bike for a quick ride to the grocery store to grab a grocery item or two. Only in the past few years has chrome made a come-back on what retailers are selling as "classic bikes". I have to admit my bike is far from original though. The frame used to be painted gold, but rust had taken hold in many areas and it seriously needed a facelift. Now, my antique "blackie" catches the eyes of many passers-by when they see this bike coming down the road. The seat is real comfy too – hard to find these days.

It's hard to know exactly what the future may hold for the bicycle. It's had such a wide and rich history up to this point. There's some pretty radical designs and ideas out there, but even in our technologically advanced age I don't see the bicycle disappearing any time soon. A few years ago, I can recall a radio documentary piece about bicycles that argued that for its size, weight, speed, and efficiency, the bicycle is possibly the most environmentally sound form of transportation ever constructed.

One thing is for sure; it's a lot of fun and beats walking.

And now, the end is near...

For the past three weeks, I’ve had the good fortune of interning at a branding agency in Winnipeg called, Blacksheep Strategy. I first heard of Blacksheep through my wife. Her coworker has a close friend who works at the agency, and to her, it sounded like a very good environment for me to share in. Once I did a little research into Blacksheep, I had to agree, and my advisor, Kenton Larsen, arranged the placement for me.

Blacksheep Strategy works in an interesting environment. A separate asset within these walls is the agency, Coupland Jeffrey. Coupland Jeffrey, “is the only national advertising agency in Canada focused exclusively on agriculture.” The two principals, Derrick Coupland and Russell Jeffrey, run a very friendly environment for their employees to work in. They’ve found a great group of people to meet their stated goal of helping their clients, "solve their branding problems." I've really enjoyed my time with them, and I hope I made a helpful contribution in Blacksheep's day-to-day activities. I've assisted in projects with large companies such as Monsanto, DEKALB, and Viterra. I was fascinated with what I learned in the research about these companies and how they represent their products. Their similar mission of increasing the quality and quantity of the world's food supply is admirable, and the science that is involved in much of this is simply amazing.

Today marks the end of my internship with the people at Blacksheep, but it also represents the final checkmark to my college curriculum. It’s hard to believe that two years have come and gone and that in a few weeks I will hold my college diploma in my hands. It has been tough going at times, but with the support of the people around me – family, friends, and peers – I was able to meet my academic and personal goals.

I am excited for what my future will bring and the people in my life with which I will share it.