The Blame Game

I came across this news article today and it infuriated me. Why can't people take responsibility for their own damn actions?!?!

Here is an excerpt from the article. You can read it in its entirety here

She and her parents have filed a negligence lawsuit against the person she says sold her the drug, hoping it will make dealers think twice before they peddle a substance they know has the potential to ruin lives.

"It's not so much for the monetary gains,'' Bergen says from her home in Biggar, Sask. -- a small community west of Saskatoon.

"It's just to kind of take control. I think it's a good way to get the victim to have a voice in all of this.''

It's a suit that is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. In the U.S., several states have passed laws that allow for drug dealers to be held financially liable for their crimes, but there is no such legislation in this country.

Casino Culture

Well we've been in Northern Ontario for almost a week now and I've been to three different casinos already. That makes for a total of 5 casinos visited by moi. Needless to say it's not a facet of society I am familiar with. I definitely don't know what to make of the casino culture.

The first time I went into a Casino was in Niagara Falls Canada with a friend just for fun. We went on a trip to Niagara with our dorm house. We were in the casino for about 10 minutes....got rid of all our tokens as fast as possible (mainly due to boredom) and left promptly...I was 20. I didn't enter a casino again until last year (age 26). I had no desire to go to one. I don't get excited about gambling. I never even buy scratch tickets or other assorted lotto tickets because I just don't care. I don't believe a series of "special" numbers is my key to happiness and I'd rather hope for things I can possibly achieve instead of hoping for my numbers to "come up". That is not to say that I judge or begrudge those who do play - it's just that I don't get it.

Last year I went to a casino because I was in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and that's just what people do here. The first time I went I was very pouty because I didn't want to be there. I quickly lost $10 and waited while Myles played the slots. He ended up winning and I was happy for him. The second time I went to the same casino I won almost $50. I will admit that winning was fun and I sort of started to understand how people could enjoy this expensive past time. Speaking of expensive. I don't care how many people tell me "oh I only spend $20 every time I go and I usually win something" in the long run it's money down the tubes as far as I'm concerned. I guess that's where my feeling is different than others because some people point out that dinner out or a night at the movies or a bar would be just as expensive and money down the tubes......who knows.

The first few times I walked into a casino I felt like I was some sort of desperate poor person hoping for my lucky day....I felt sad. But as I've gone more I've learned to just see it as entertainment and not desperation. Regardless, I'm not one who will ever become part of the casino culture....but I think I've learned to understand it a bit more. This Thursday we will be heading back to a casino in Michigan (we were there last Thursday - but we mainly stuck around for the meal then left) because Myles' relatives go there. This will probably be my last foray into casino culture for a while as I only seem to go when I am in Northern Ontario. When in Rome.......

The hunt is on

So we've been back a week and we're looking for jobs and crossing our fingers. Right now we're in Sault Ste. Marie visiting Myles' parents. The weather is cool but nice and the fall colours are beautiful. It's so strange to be in a place with so few people milling about. It's nice actually. Bought a new wardrobe today. Otherwise not much happening but job searching. Getting antsy already......ah well....only time will tell.

Back Home

Well it's 8:04 Thursday morning here and I'm feeling pretty good. Better than I had expected to be feeling. Last night the jet lag was bad but today I'm looking forward to some shopping. The flights were good and I'm just glad to be back. When we flew into Vancouver airport I actually felt a sense of belonging - it was strange and unexpected...but nice.

We're In Seoul

Well it's Tuesday here in Seoul. I've had a cold since we got here and I finally feel better today. We've had a good time here but it is a city with over 10 million people and it feels like it. We could barely walk down one of the main streets last night because of the sheer volume of people. Regardless, this city is pretty interesting because there are temples and parks in the midst of high rises and hordes of people. We've got some great traditional presents for our families.
We're heading out to some palaces and parks today and then back to Canada tomorrow.