Who is the teacher - who is the student?

After completing my Certified Management Accounting (CMA) designation in 2010, I took care of a life goal that I had set out for myself. It was a nice feeling to have accomplished that task because it was the end goal that I told myself I needed to do when things were a little murkier back in my university days.

The next step is one that I must now identify. After enjoying 2011 with my family, it’s time that I move on to my next project for 2012. I have a few personal goals that I want to pursue regarding education and evolution…

I’ve cited learning languages as a big task on my personal agenda but the biggest challenge with this is being able to truly apply the linguistic skills once one is able to do so. If you’re not immersed in an environment where that language is spoken daily then it turns out to be a lot more challenging and useless. With no real social need for French or Arabic, two languages that I wish to learn, it may be difficult to really learn the language well enough to actually use it. Whatever I learn could quickly be lost.

This then begs the question of whether or not I should even pursue this goal and that’s where I stand now… is it worth pursuing something that won’t effectively be used? Is it worth pursuing something simply to fill time? Is it worth pursuing something to feel like an attempt at learning is being made? It’s a complicated question for one to answer because ultimately, anything can be challenged on that basis. Why do anything if it’s all fruitless in death anyways?

I now stand at a crossroads where I need to make a decision on where to go… the proverbial fork in the road… but suffice to say, Target Theory now comes to an end as I move on to the next chapter. Thank you to all my readers over the years…  it has truly been a pleasure.

“Oooh, I love you so, but why I love you I never know…”
- Cassius (I Love U So)

Thinking of how to emerge from the dark...

Life is a constant struggle to understand our place in the world. As we grow older, we grow wiser thanks to the experiences and circumstances in life that serve as learning opportunities for us. One can never profess to truly understanding life because it’s an evolving process. We may think we understand but it’ll be very short-lived as life evolves.

With my limited understanding of life, I’ve adopted a new philosophy for myself over the last couple of years. I’ve started to really appreciate the simple things in life and I’m trying to further simplify things where possible:

Minimization
Why must we allow ourselves to have so much of everything? Why do we allow ourselves to be a product of consumerism? Why do we let ourselves become a victim of a capitalist mindset? I believe it’s time for myself to step back and focus myself on the intrinsic rather than the extrinsic and only keep that which I need rather than that which I want. It’s time to become a minimalist.

Maximum Efficiency
I’ve always believed that it’s important to make the most out of as little as possible. However, I believe it’s now time I take that to another level. Time is a scarce commodity and it’s something that, as we grow older, we become less able to make more out of less with.

Centralization
One means to achieving maximum efficiency while being a minimalist is centralizing things so that synergies can be realized. Big businesses constantly do this through mergers and acquisitions in order to save costs, time and other resources. I’ve always been a big believer in centralization but now would be a good time to practice this tenet.

Sustainability
As consumerism has taken us by hold, we as a society have become adept at wasting resources and allowing a constant leak to permeate. The recent “green” movement suggests that we need to lessen our reliance on limited resources such as oil and gasoline and focus more on natural-renewable sources. It’s no different in life: I believe I need to be sustainable by reducing my reliance on things that sap my time and costs.

Mobility
Lastly,  with the constant growth and development of technology, the ability to be more mobile is greater now than it has ever been. The ability to access critical information from anywhere thanks to the Internet or through mobile phones makes us free to be untethered from a particular location.

By adopting these tenets and putting them into practice, I believe I’ll be better able to make the most out of my life.

“You’re so excited to breathe you’ve got me on my knees…”
- Seether (Desire For Need)

Making a difference on and off the floor!

I’ve been playing in ball hockey leagues for several years. What started out as an activity amongst friends grew into a community event bringing people together from far and away. Now, it’s been 7 years and I’m a vagabond – a player for hire with no particular allegiance because my “team” is disbanded.

The Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA), the primary organizer of organized ball hockey in the Greater Toronto Area, has various levels that take place each season. I enjoy playing OBHA hockey but my interest in recent times has started to wane because at the end of the day, I don’t have very much to show for my involvement in it. I register to play and I play; win or lose it comes to an end and then I restart the cycle. The money that I pay goes toward the coffers of OBHA management which is all well and dandy but ultimately, it’s fruitless for me. No matter the outcome of how my team does, it doesn’t result in any particular upgrade or decline in our status or competition level. Even if we did get upgraded to a higher tier, what benefit would it really serve? We can move up a tier if we want to right now as it is…

One friend said to me recently that he no particular enjoyment in playing in organized ball hockey leagues other than playing in I-Slam Hockey – a charity-hockey league started by myself and a group of friends – because of its charitable application and the positive-yet-competitive environment. I agreed with him because I’ve started to feel much the same way over the last couple of years too. Ultimately, my soul doesn’t feel fulfilled by playing OBHA hockey. The OBHA leagues are a good activity; I get exercise (and injuries) and I get to meet and play with friends but I don’t feel like I’m doing anymore than that.

Maybe that’s the beauty of I-Slam Hockey since it’s so much more than just the hockey… because at the end of the day, win or lose, we all can walk away knowing we did something for those less fortunate than ourselves and we will hopefully earn our reward with God once our lives come to an end. We might as well take a pastime or enjoyment and turn it into an opportunity to contribute to the greater good… both for ourselves and for society as a large.

“Swear to God I never shoot unless I’m shooting to kill…”
- Lil’ Wayne (Tunechi’s Back)

A tainted sport thanks to "juicing-up"...

Major League Baseball (MLB) has been ravaged over the years due to prolific steroid usage by some of the games biggest stars. Confessions only came after those individuals were caught and outed by investigations with some facing judicial inquiries for their actions. The ramifications have been harsh for some such as Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds who have seen their accomplishments nullified but for most others, their steroid usage has been ignored or shrugged away.

Some players “confessed” to using steroids for just one year and they claim that only one year of their careers were tainted by artificial means. However, steroids are not a one-time activity nor are its effects temporary. Once a steroid user, the benefits and harm of it can affect players for years to come. That means that their production was inflated for several years even if they only used steroids for a one-year period.

For example, Alex Rodriguez, famed third-basemen of the New York Yankees, claims to have only used steroids during his first season as part of the Texas Rangers. That season, Rodriguez belted out 52 home runs. He went on to claim that he never used steroids again after that season though there’s nothing to prove him accurate or incriminate him otherwise on that statement. What’s to say that his subsequent seasons of 57 home runs, 47 home runs, 36 home runs and 48 home runs were not the result of his bulked-up physique from steroid usage? It’s not like he went back immediately to being a product of natural means.

The sad reality is that steroid usage has tarnished and ruined the game of baseball as statistics are no longer comparable after such grotesquely-inflated performances were put up in recent years. No one is impressed anymore at what 40 home runs really means because we’ve seen seasons of 50+, 60+ and even 70+ home runs from cheaters who abused the system for so long. What’s worse is the unwillingness of the media to no longer criticize these individuals for their abuses to the game as its difficult to respect those same players now while they perform for their teams. They may not be using steroids now but the damage has been done to the sport as the accomplishments of “clean” players are no longer impressive it seems…

“Momma need a house, baby need some shoes, times are getting hard, guess what I’mma do: hustle, hustle, hustle, hard!”
- Ace Hood (Hustle Hard)

Carrying the weight of a broken puzzle...

One of the most frustrating things when it comes to BlackBerry is the lack of apps. Apple has made the iPhone a huge hit thanks to the App Store which boasts an impressive amount of applications and games. Research In Motion (RIM), on the other hand, was late to the game in releasing App World and possesses a fraction of the apps that the App Store does.

However, what’s really frustrating is the fact that those few apps that are worth getting for the Blackberry do not get timely updates. In some cases, they are often neglected by the developer because they choose to focus their efforts on apps for the iPhone or for the growing Android segment via the Android Market. Furthermore, BlackBerry apps that need updates to correct glitches or errors get left by the wayside because the developer does not regard it as a priority.

As a BlackBerry user, this becomes a severe annoyance. Using glitchy-apps on a system lacking other alternatives makes users disenchanted with the experience… and it makes them want to switch over to a competing phone or system such as the iPhone or Android.

Furthermore, a lot of developers don’t even bother making apps on the BlackBerry because they don’t regard it as a platform worth getting on to. One example is the popular game “Angry Birds” which is available on the iPhone and on Android phones but not on the BlackBerry. Is this an example of a developer essentially saying that the BlackBerry is not worth investing in as a long-term platform to support? It definitely doesn’t send a positive signal for BlackBerry users when a developer chooses to not make a BlackBerry app.

RIM needs to a better job in spurring development on the BlackBerry platform. One report suggests that RIM is looking at allowing Android apps to work on a BlackBerry which would open up the market significantly for BlackBerry users… but we’ll see how far in the future that may actually be.

“Your childs future was the first to go with budget cuts…”
- Lupe Fiasco (Words I Never Said)

The Book of Wisdom... so much insight...

Every time things seem bad or difficult, we tend to complain about the situation. “My life sucks”, “why me” and “it can’t get any worse” are some of the common phrases that we utter when things just don’t seem to be going our way. Faced with a little adversity, we moan and complain.

But why do we do that when we are so blessed? We fail to realize just how fortunate we really are and things can always get worse than we think. For as bad as things may seem, we have it pretty good.

For example, most anyone reading this article is gifted with sight and that alone is a precious commodity that not everyone has the luxury of. Most anyone reading this article is physically able to move the mouse to navigate to where they want to go. Again, that is a luxury that not everyone has. When was the last time that we were grateful for such basic things as sight and physical mobility?

For every time we thank our Lord for the bounties He has bestowed upon us, we make a small acknowledgement of gratitude that we should have. It can be as simple as thinking about the blessings that we’ve been given to actively engaging in prayer to thank the Lord. Whatever it is that we do, no matter what creed we may follow, a little gratitude can go a long way. We should be grateful for what we have before its taken away from us and given to those who will be grateful for it.

“Lo! these love fleeting life, and put behind them (the remembrance of) a grievous day.
We, even We, created them, and strengthened their frame.
And when We will, We can replace them, bringing others like them in their stead.”
- The Quran (Al- Insan – 78:27 – 78:28)

Guided by the angry birds or the greedy pigs?

The politics of fear and propaganda seem to be taking over once again in North America. The goodwill and hope that came with Barack Obama’s ascension as President of the United States has eroded while the ultra-right politicians have strengthened their fortifications.  From the newly-created Tea Party Movement to the incumbent Republican Party, the shift is taking place in the American political landscape.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party (Tories) in Canada now has a majority government which gives, for the first time under his watch, Stephen Harper the ability to do what he pleases unfettered and unrestricted. For a Prime Minister and political party moulded by the Republican Party south of the border, this could be an unwelcome change for vote-giving Canadians who misunderstood Harper’s intentions. There have been accusations of censorship, covert acts, bias and even deceit being leveled against the Tories but nothing has come of it.

Additionally, the plethora of right-wing commentators and hate-mongers that are sprouting up is rise for concern. Altering the media landscape, these right-wing commentators such as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanon and more take aim at anyone who doesn’t fall into the Anglo-American sphere. This raises flags for those who come from immigrant backgrounds or are visible minorities because much of what is said becomes an affront to the beliefs or practices of those who are not Anglo-American or Anglo-Canadian.

Is this really the kind of leadership that North Americans want? The politics of fear and hate being used to guide a continent? What happened to the world of hope and cohesive efforts? Divisiveness is being used to further the interests of those who have the means to prosper while ultimately, the rest of the populace will suffer under the guise of what’s right.

“It took me much too long to understand how it could be until you shared your secret with me…”
- Madonna (Secret)

This could go a long way...

I started working at the age of 12. It was never about getting that paper but being self-sufficient and being productive. My parents were opposed to me working at that age – my first job was a newspaper canvassing job with The Toronto Star – but I was adamant that I wanted to work and make myself into something even at that young of an age.

My parents eventually gave in and let me work but they warned me that wanting to get started on life at such a young age would come with consequences. Why lose your youth and innocence and be exposed to the everyday-reality that adults face? I didn’t believe that my youth would be lost and I didn’t really care at the time either since it didn’t seem to be all that important anyways. Now I look back and think if I jumped into the fray too early…

I’ve been working ever since then at a relatively consistent pace. With very few breaks between jobs, even for school, I managed to pay my way through university which freed me from the burdens of student financial assistance and loans. For that I’m grateful for adopting this approach but considering that I’ve now been working for 17 years, I feel like a grizzled veteran… and it’s taking its toll on me.

Perhaps some time off is necessary… a chance to step back and reflect on what’s important to me and do so without any constraints upon me. Unfortunately it’s not so easy to simply walk away from a career to find yourself. Life has too many obligations and commitments that require us to keep getting that paper…

“We toss our failures at the earth, stripped away from under…”
- Chevelle (Midnight to Midnight)

Cold and barren... welcome to the world.

In these times where darker horizons appear to be looming thanks to the fear-mongering created by some, I often wonder where are we headed. History has shown that those who create that level of fear and panic amongst others usually do so because they have something to gain for themselves. It may be power and the opportunity to become a leader due to the hysteria they create. It may be a monetary gain as some look to profit off the fear of others. It may even just be a method for the fear-creators to battle their own demons – by inciting hate against their own fears.

Whatever the reason, it’s become clear that there are certain tools in place that are used in order to effectively create that fear. Over the last 100 years, the power of the media has grown substantially and has become a powerful force in turning people towards whichever direction is required.  Radio was used successfully to generate fear and hatred against Germans and Japanese people before and during World War II with outrageous and unsubstantiated claims that the Nazi’s were creating mutants to serve as soldiers. Using the radio and television, the Soviet Union and communism became the target afterwards with hysteria building about nuclear arsenals resulting in the Cold War. The Iraqis became the favourite target on television thereafter with all sorts of claims made against them that never saw anything of substance to back them up.

Today’s media-directed hatred points squarely against Islam. The National Post, a Canadian national newspaper known for its right-wing views, seems to run a daily article denouncing Islam and Muslims. Often singling out Muslims for terrorist ambitions or quietly in support of them, the National Post has become a source of Islamophobia in the eyes of many Canadians. This has become so much so that many Muslims choose not to even read The National Post fully aware that their biased and slanted views only look to inflame situations against Islam and the Muslim community rather than provide balanced perspectives and coverage.

It’s no different on news channels such as CNN and Fox News. Both channels, also strong conduits of the right-wing political force, have made their names on creating a level of fear against Muslims that becomes laughable to many. Of course one can not fault these television channels when they were designed for that purpose – to convey the views of the political-right. Viewers looking for accurate news free of political connotations should know better than to visit channels that are political conduits as it is clear that they serve a particular agenda.

Fear levels become elevated by those who stand to benefit the most and in these sensitive political times it is no surprise that the political right pushes the agenda that they do. Those who manage to see past the propaganda and hatred will better understand the world around them. Those who fall victim to the fear factor that is imposed on them will get caught up in the tide and have to learn how to swim with it.

“Some people are so phony, nosy cause they’re lonely, aren’t you sick of the same thing?”
- Justin Timberlake (Like I Love You)

Year-round residents of Stanley Park

Marriage gives one the opportunity to have a partner to travel with. For my honeymoon, my wife and I decided to visit Belgium which was a choice we didn’t regret. I’m looking forward to travelling with my wife to other destinations but we’ll never forget Belgium because we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Within North America, while being young and single, I’ve gotten to visit some well-regarded major cities. The contrast between North America and Europe is heavy but each has its charms that make them attractive to visit.

Brussels, Belgium
The capital of Belgium is home to a metropolitan city that’s both diverse and historic. It also helps that Brussels is home to several important bodies: the European Union (EU), the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations (UN). Each body, being a major international presence, has resulted in many diplomats and foreign dignitaries immigrating to the city for work. Additionally, there’s a large population of people from Morocco and Turkey.

In terms of the city, there’s plenty to see. Le Grande Place (The Grand Place) is probably the best place to go because it offers the classic European experience in a setting that’s visually enjoyable and personally hospitable. There are several good cafés and restaurants in this area which is great seeing as how Belgium is known for its culinary delights. There are also several shopping galleries and locations around. French, Dutch and German design are prevalent around the city since each culture has historic roots in Brussels.

Boston, U.S.A.
A major city that’s regarded as a quiet behemoth, Boston brings life to New England. Academia, athletics and uber-suburbia is very present here as each has a presence. Within a stone’s throw, one can find themselves at several major colleges and universities (Harvard University, Cambridge University, Boston College, etc). However, what really makes Boston what it is is the beautiful New England suburbs. Spacious, green and different, the suburbs give a modern feel to a very natural area.

Additionally, sports are huge in the Boston area and it helps that the city is home to several championship teams. The New England Patriots (NFL), the Boston Celtics (NBA), the Boston Red Sox (MLB) and the Boston Bruins (NHL) all call this place home and the city’s residents stands firmly behind its teams.

Vancouver, Canada
Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vancouver lives up to that reputation with the mountainous landscape and Pacific Ocean at its doorstep. The third-largest city in Canada has become a focal point on the west coast as the natural beauty and the upscale population make it an attractive place to live.

One of the sights to see here in Vancouver is Stanley Park. Over 1,000 acres of natural parkland bordering downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is an urban park that’s even larger than New York’s Central Park. The mountains in the background only make the appeal even greater for the over 8,000,000+ visitors that come to Stanley Park each year.

Thanks to the provincial government’s commitment to the film industry, many prominent movies are shot in Vancouver which also makes it a destination-of-choice for many celebrities.

“If you are what you say you are, a superstar, then have no fear, the crowd is here…”
- Lupe Fiasco (Superstar)