The lies we tell (My views on the global recession)

The financial meltdown that tipped to a boiling point when the housing market in the United States collapsed, has given rise to a whole new way of shopping.

Retail stores, restaurants, large scale corporations, automobiles.......to name a few are part of the industry wide recession that has resulted in a rollback of spending on behalf of consumers. In an article by the North Bay Journal, restaurant owners in particular have noted an up to 50% drop in revenue from last year.

Now many of us have possibly been feeling the squeeze as well. For those who live, or have family who live in toronto, there will be a 4% rise in property tax in the coming year. It is no doubt that graduating students are now considering further education at a record high to avoid the job hunt crunch now that companies are laying off employees in the thousands. However, with all of these implications, most of them I feel represent the greater good for society, particularly north american society, and the fall of consumerism.

Perhaps we can blame the media, or we can blame movies, but ultimately, the housing crisis that spun the recession out of control, was a direct result of people decieving themselves. People were buying homes from banks, and banks were so willing to take money, that they began to offer mortgages with almost $0 down. People were living out dreams and forgot about reality, watching television and being envious of the rich and affluent. They fell into the trap, that money was the solution, and were compensating for themselves through this belief and consumerism.

That lie had to end somewhere, and when these banks were unable to retrieve any of the money for these homes that they had sold, the system began to collapse because there wasn't enough capital to continue this rapid consumption, this onus on debt. It has shaken the very foundation of capitalism to a world audience and finally reminded people of their abusive ungrateful lifestyles. While we are afforded almost anything that a rational person would desire, people experience incredible hardships of an unfathomable magnitude. Thus our only way to appease this desire is to consume more, and soon enough it consumes ourselves.

The recession represents a shift in philosophy, that consuming is not the means to our happiness. When you consider that in 1995, Canada's ecological footprint was 4.3 in comparison to the world average of 1.8, you begin to see the bigger picture of global disparity.

Before we used to live in a society of wants, and now many of us are mainly concerned about our needs.The needs of the average person in most parts of the world are not only oppressed, but undermined, and it's about time we make a change.

Check my post tomorrow as I will lay out 10 everyday things you can do to limit your spending, and remain debt free!

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.......right??

So I went to the Campus Rec gym and hit the weights for the first time in ages yesterday! I felt like superman, breezing through set after set...invigorated and PUMPED...until I woke up the next morning and my body felt like it had been crushed by a wrecking ball. It's a good kinda pain though, you know?

There's TONS of machines to work with at the new rec centre, it's awesome, and even offers an indoor track! Nothing compares to a great workout, and especially considering exam season is creeping up for most of us it works well as a de-stresser as well.

It's really important to make sure you have a solid meal after a good workout to replenish your body and load it with nutrients to help it recuperate (might I suggest the Banana Bread Shake??)
and most of all.........REST! Resting is KEY!

And of course, I gotta leave you with some wise motivating words from the Governator himself

Happy (BELATED) Valentines!

So amidst all those who seek to demean this overly commercialized holiday, I prefer to appreciate the positive message it offers. When was the last time you sat down and REALLY spent time for the SAKE of spending it. Valentine's day is over done with chocolates, candies, flowers....take the time this year to just spend time with that significant other, or if you don't have one, get together with some friends and just kick back and relax......SPREAD THE LOVE!

So all that being said........my girlfriend and I spent valentine's yesterday at the extravagant (that about sums it up) Windermere Manor!

Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a romantic night, and great food!

It's a beautifulllll dayyyy!!

It is BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLL OUTSIDE! The sun bright rays seem to have brightened a lot more people today at work. People were coming in with big smiles on their faces, and I can't help but think that a lot of it is attributed to the weather!!

Studies have shown that warm weather boosts mood, and broadens minds. Although humans are warm blooded and thus regulate our body heat internally through increased heart rate for example. Here is what I think is going on. We rely more upon our environment to give us warmth, and in that sense in frigid conditions it becomes more difficult for our bodies to compensate in sub zero temperatures. As such, if our bodies aren't pumping as much blood as they should, then that means we're getting less blood pumped into our brains, and with an inadequate amount of blood going into the brain, our brains don't function appropriately.

Now that's not an empirical statement by any means, but it's worth a shot. However, even more importantly, and something I've always wondered about is the relation between good/bad days and the factors that underlying factors that affect them. Check out my response tomorrow

UWO Elections: People behind the scenes....

In class we had a thorough discussion about the campaigns of the numerous USC presidential candidates. From Tabitha to Stephen (WHO THE ****??), we explored the numerous mediums that these candidates have, and could have used. From facebook (the obvious favourite between the presidential candidates) to creating a campaign blog, viral videos (I love my western), question and answer forums, clearly the candidates have a lot more than their two hands can muster.

So where does all of that extra help come from? The selfless and tireless efforts of the campaign managers, hype teams, PR folks, results in an incredible display of tenacity, guts and the desire to allow someone to actualize their dreams. That's deep........that's profound, that's some serious love!

But I wanna take the time to give a shout out not only to the candidates for doing a phenomenal job (well most of them.......STEPHEN WHO THE ****???), but to ALL the people for making it happen. Kudos to the altruistic nature that is inherent in the spirit of competition, I'll be back tomorrow to round out this post with the results!

Relax........

I found an AWESOME video demonstrating the correct way to meditate. The narrator does a great job as well. Sure it may not seem like the "hip" thing to do, but I'm telling you, meditating for just 5 minutes a day can make a world of a difference in adjusting energy levels. Experts may suggest 15 minutes or more, but you can always work your way up.

10 Reasons Why Wal Mart costs more than it saves!!!

For anyone that knows me I HATE HATE HATE WAL MART. I refuse to shop there, and try my best to avoid the store like the plague. Sure dirt cheap prices are appealing, but not in exchange for slave labor.

Now before the critics jump in and argue that most products sold here are likely produced through slave labor and that Wal Mart is just "playing the game"....that simply isn't the case. Wal Mart systematically:

1. eliminates competition, in some cases ridding a city of 3 jobs for every person it employs
   
2. manipulates the world market to the point that it has a greater capital share than many countries
3. Utilizes government subsidies, which cost American tax payers over 1 billion dollars in medicaid to support its under-paid employees. That starkly contrasts the fact that the company has more capital and assets than many countries around the world, such as Saudi Arabia for example
4. Manipulating the media and infringing upon free speech
5. Preventing labor unionization
   
6. Intimidating and harassing its employees
7. Discriminating its labor force through unfair and non-arbitrary hiring processes
8. Forcing ma and pa stores out of business, unable to compete with their under-paid and under-privileged sweatshops where most of their products are distributed
9. Subjecting people in third world countries to working for less than 15 cents an hour
   
10. Eating babies

Okay........the 10th one might be pushing it, but you get the point.

WATCH THE MOVIE!!!