Oh Canada?

On my way to work today I heard the radio announce that there was another drive by shooting which would made it Calgary’s 5 gang related murder of the year. Today is January 14 which means 1 in every 3 days had a gang related murder. This statistic is worst than the rate of cancer people in our country deal with. Its worst than any dieses statistic faced by a Canadian.

Why are there so many charity walks for MS and Cancer and yet nothing is being done about the worst dieses which threatens us all, gang violence? In Calgary apparently the violence are cause mainly by non Canadians who have come here to enjoy the better life. My parent came here to enjoy the better life yet none of us has committee a crime. What is this better criminal life in Canada they want to come here for and should Canada really open the doors to these people?

I doubt Canada would allow hordes of people with an incurable dieses into our country and let them run around and infect us, so why let criminals come as threaten us? Sure it might be difficult to know in advance a refugee from a poser but once they are really why aren’t we quarantining them and kicking them out? Why risk our country and our people for those who don’t have our values?

Lets stop being nice and start protecting our citizen’s from these people. There are way too many times innocent Canadians at a gas station, restaurant or movie theater get injured for enjoying their freedom. If you’re not Canadian and you commit a crime in Canada it should be automatic deportation. No questions no trails, just deportation. If you want to be in Canada you need to follow the laws of Canada. If you don’t respect our laws we don’t respect you. Simple. Easy.

Another year, another adventure.

I know I have been absent from the blogging world for a while but I haven’t been short of stories, adventures or observations of this crazy world. Looking back at the past 12 months I feel a lot has changed not only with me but the world in general. Most things seem to have done a 180. Hitting all times oil price highs to dropping down to 1/5 of the value within months. Stocks hitting record highs then, tumbling to be worth pennies.

Personally I feel that 2008 was the opposite for me. Though I’m sure one could argue I had steady highs and lows I feel that the first three quarters of the year were full of chaos, arguments, change and stress. Luckily through that mess I did have some memorable moments but the part of 2008, which I enjoyed, the most, was the last quarter. People have steadied into their spots in my life, I have regulated the activities I will be participating in, and thoughts are in a peaceful place.

I never though I could compare personal turmoil to economic turmoil; however, these days it seems that they both have similarities. After all this economic troubles we see how well companies have managed their funds, how well they are diversified, which ones really have solid foundations. With regards to personal troubles, in difficult times you can see if you’ve picked the right friends, maintained and kept your relationships strong and if you can really depend and trust the people in your life. Its interesting that at these times its so clear which companies were all fluff similar to how you find out which friends were for real.

With the start of the New Year, I don’t think individually there is much we can do to change the state of the economy. But there is so much we can do for ourselves to make our lives happier despite whatever the world throws at us. These include, but are not limited to:

- Give someone a genuine smile everyday.
- Eat healthy food as much as possible but pick a day to indulge
- Do something, which will make your heart race everyday.
- Choose an activity or course that you’ve always wanted to do and just do it. There will never going to be a better time for it. Do it now
- Choose your friends and maintain your friendships with them no matter what life throws at you.
- Laugh everyday.
- When you hug people make sure its sincere
- Don’t use the word love unless you are 100% sure

Happy New Year!

Vote or Die

In North America politics have finally become regular water cooler talk for everyone on main street or bay/wall street. For those of you who are like me, proud Canadians you should know that within two weeks we have the privilege – yes I did say privilege, to choose our candidates of choice to run our country.

You may wonder why I say privilege; if this is the case then I urge you to check out world politics in Africa, the middle east, south America and even Asia. For those of you who may not care about being a part of the democratic process I hope you also understand why us voters don’t care if you whine about taxes or schools or the environment. Personally if you’re too lazy to take an active role in your country, either get out of this country and go to one who’s politics you do care about, or else sit in this country and don’t complain about anything related to the government.

I know that a large number of people feel that the English prime minister debating won’t be as entertaining to hear over the American presidential debates. Sure if you’re in the financial sector wall street directly affect bay street, or if you’re in the manufacturing industry you care more about the forecasting of ford over the oil sands. Maybe you are just super curious to see if Americans will actually vote for a black president. However at the end of the day, your taxes go to Canada, your passport says Canadian and any complaints you have about Canada should go to your MP. So Vote! Take the time to figure out what each party stands for, what they want to do with your dollar and vote.

It is soooo annoying to keep having lower and lower turnouts every election at the polls. It is even more annoying to keep having minority governments and have everyone complaining how there is too much traffic and crime…etc. So people you really only have 3 choices; it is simply: Vote, Run or shut up.

<3

Most days the majority of my smile is true
Most days through the clouds I can see blue
Same days are harder than others

How do I hide that you are missing
How do I hide that I am longing
Why has 2/3 of my heart has left me

I’ve never been one to wear my heart on my sleeve
Or to bother with people and grieve
So how did I allow this to happen?

Holidays remind us of the past
And remind us to keep things slow, not fast
So how do I let go and detach?

Is it fair to detach from you guys
As a method to deal with others’ lies
Can either of you understand my pain

Is it fair to hold back and be fake
To protect myself from crying a lake
Can anyone actually live with only 1/3 of a heart?

Ignorance is Strenght

The summer Olympics are now over and we are left with our first impression of China as an international power – Iron Curtin and all. From the documentaries of how citizens needed to be thought etiquette, to the singer being deemed too ugly to appear on stage, to questioning the actually competitors age in gymnastics and now recent news of rust being found in the steel of the birds nest, there is no doubt China is nowhere near the human rights and freedoms as the current dominating powers.

Though the games made a lasting impression for the athletes and the world. One would have to be extremely ignorant to think this was any different than watching a Hollywood style movie. Everything scripted and cleaned out. Lucky for us we can all move on and enjoy the next set of Olympics… Vancouver 2010. Every fan you see there will actually be cheering rather than “volunteering” to cheer. Bring out your red white and maple leafs, as we get ready to host the Olympics as the true North strong and free.

Olympic Fashion

As the countdown for the Olympics in Beijing winds down there are many aspects to watch, learn, cheer, question and enjoy. Of course this being the stage of the best athletes in the world they are the primary focus. Go Canada Go!! Unfortunately since I played in a similar style Olympic games this past June I’m not as interested this year in the actual sports but rather the secondary aspects of these games.

Athletic fashion is very specific and unique in each region. From the actual material, the colors, sizing, cuts every region has their own style. I’ve been extremely disappointed with HBC’s attempt of making Team Canada gear! The clothing has been extremely ugly, poor quality and is a shame on our country. Athletes don’t want to look homeless or like clowns. Our Canadian colors are red, white and black. Our symbol is the maple leaf and the Olympics symbol are the rings. Why is it that HBC has yellow and red everyone on the prints? Sure the Olympics are in China… and we have plenty of Chinese people in Canada. But really we are team Canada and our colors do not include yellow or this odd gold trim. Team gear is supposed to represent your country not the country you are going to. I assume I’m not the only person who feels this way solely based on the fact all Beijing Olympic gear is 50% before the games even start!! Even the golf shirt they ruined by having odd lettering and numbering, where in canada do we ever use this font? Maybe HBC didn’t make such crappy clothing people would buy it at regular price. Judge for yourself... from the items below the only one which is nice would be the Red hoodie.

My Dream JK (Place of Worship)

During my travel I have been fortunate enough to be able to see how many different cities and countries build their places of worship. While in Kenya for the Golden Jubilee Games I was fortunate enough to see and hear where follow Ismailis have their mosques I was sadden that even though we Ismailis live in a comparably richer country and even though we have a pretty large population in Canada that we are unfortunate and do not have the same amenities in our places of worship compared to the “less fortunate,”

I’m sure there are many logical reasons for this, some of which I have come up with while speaking to you all, including:
- we don’t need it
- we don’t have the $$$
- we should integrate in the community more
- land is too expensive

I have don’t have an exact answer and I’m not sure I will ever find someone that will give me the correct one (rather then their own opinion). What saddens me is that once in our religious class we were actually asked to make a mosque design. None of the groups though of non north American traditional amenities. Amenities that differ from:
- prayer hall
- social hall
- kitchen
- library
- place for shoes
- parking

Why is that? Personally I think its because we didn’t see anything that different. Now that we have the ability to communicate with others around the world my dream JK (mosque) is no longer Calgary’s Headquarters JK; but rather something similar but with a twist. As a base I think Calgary’s HQ is great. There is plenty of room and the layout in general I like. I have just added a lower level, 2 levels if parking (there is never enough parking at any mosques) and an athletic field. I will explain the design first then explain why I think this is feasible.

Level 2: Calgary’s HQ JK.
Amenities:
Prayer Hall: Paats, payer area, stage, sr sitting area, extra rooms on either side
Antiroom: nandi area, sr chairs, glass walls which let in sound and allow you to see
Foyer: Library, Kitchen, Literature Desk, Washrooms, Handicap and Baby Washroom (changing area), Shoe area
Social Hall: stage, extra large kitchen, storage area,



Level 3: Upper social hall Design Calgary’s HQ JK
Amenities:
4 Classrooms
1 Storage Room
3 Sound proof squash courts

Level 1: Sports level:
Gym: hardwood floors, good to play several sports/activities, includes spectator area. Good enough for 3 full length basketball courts
Arena: two full ice hockey rinks. Can be iced or not. Also in this area, large washroom and several change rooms and showers
Indoor field: Full size indoor soccer field and spectator area.

Outside:
In Front of JK: garden
Sides of JK: double level parking
Behind JK: Field (same side as deck out of social hall). Includes full size soccer pitch, running track around it and spectator area.


Feasability:

1. The main design structure (levels 2 and 3) are pretty much the same as the existing JK. The level one would be the same size as level 2, could be constructed to be soundproof and be either a basement level or a first level off the ground.


2. The overall symmetry and mosque like design is still intact. The only visible difference is the double layer parking (which can also be an underground and ground level parking) and an outside field.


3. If land is a major issue then take out the field and it will still be a great complex used not only during prayer time


4. If weather is a concern make the outdoor field into a bubble dome, or in the winter use the field as an outdoor skating rink


5. Maintenance/sustainability of the sports complex:
   
   
   
   • Staff: Volunteers. Hire Ismaili first, then the rest of the community
   
   
   • Have small fees for the Jamat to use it outside of special event days
   
   
   • Have all sports tournaments at this venue. This way the venue fee is less and you are paying to keep the facility open
   
   
   • Include this in the monthly cleaning
   
   
   • Rent out the space to businesses during work hours (have a maximum number of times a week the facilities can be rented)
   
   
   • Have leagues and classes where people pay small fees
   
   
6. If it can work in other countries there must be a way to make it work for us. Some of their tactics include selling advertising space around their fields and in their gyms. Selling refreshments (water, pop, juice, snacks). Having a club house restaurants, similar to Legends at Parkland Sports complex Nairobi


7. We always need more parking. Though I haven’t seen layered parking yet I think that the benefits of more parking on location without needed more space makes sense. Also underground parking could be place under the outdoor field as an option. Making the most out of that area.

Reason for adaptation of my dream JK:

1. It will bring more people to JK


2. It will make sure less people miss khane for sports (especially kids) because the league times will be around khane activities and ceremonies.


3. It will encourage us all to be healthier


4. Allow us to interact in a positive environment.


5. Classes run in these venues can target specific age groups. For example, seniors bollywood aerobic classes. Children’s soccer leagues, female bone building (anti-osteoporosis) classes, and maternity classes.


6. Venues are hard to find and expensive this is lower the individual costs of each project/tournaments...etc


7. Though the base cost to build this can be costly this is an investment for the future. Also there are ways to keep it sustainable with fees.


8. Will encourage the people to do activities after prayers rather than go out to eat or do less healthy activities. For example, according to this Pakistan athlete all the women after prayer ceremonies would go outside and play volleyball and the men would go play cricket. This is something they looked forward to and this was the post khane ritual. Much healthier than standing around drinking chai and cookies.


9. Camps and BUI classes will have venues to host physical activities


10. Will allow less fortunate and working families to enroll their kids in programs with subsidize costs.

Ishallah one day my dream might come true!