Thoughts of an aspiring writer...

$9 Taxi fee for Arriving on Time?!

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:50:43 -0500

For the first time in months I feel compelled to write an opinion on one of the most ridiculous pieces of news. The West Australian did a story on the largest taxi company in Western Australia, namely Swan Taxis and their plans to start charging people an extra $7.50 plus the call out fee of $1.50 for advance bookings IF you want to taxi there on time.

Transport Minister Mr. Buswell states in the article that he believes it will be welcomed by taxi patrons who rely on taxis for transport.

Obviously, Mr. Buswell has a car of his own or is transported by private limo services.

I work in a hotel on the graveyard shift. One of my jobs, especially during the busy periods is to stand and take the abuse of irate guests who pre-order their taxis to the airport and which rarely arrive on time. This is then blamed on the hotel as if we control the drivers. I’ve never heard a taxi driver apologise for running late either.

Now, Mr. Buswell would like me to explain to already irate guests that if they want the taxi to arrive on time it’s another $7.50. Oh yea. I see that going down a treat with my guests.

Imagine for a moment what would happen if we did something similar in the hospitality industry. Our check in time is from 2pm. There are moments when we have been unable to provide our guests with a room at that time however compensation is often offered as we have, at that moment, failed the guest. But hey, if you want a room guaranteed at 2pm you just pay an extra $100 and we will make sure it’s ready for you on time!

Why is it that Swan Taxis believes it is okay to propose such a preposterous idea? I can tell you right now I will be speaking to the concierge at this hotel and others to see if we can come up with a new arrangement with the OTHER taxi companies in Perth.

The taxi industry isn’t just run down, it’s a laugh!

Raoul @ Regal Theatre - Perth Arts Festival 2012

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:05 -0500

The show of Raoul was something much anticipated here in Perth for the Arts Festival. Those who were most anxious for this show had already seen some of James Thiérrée’s work and were already raving about his newest show. The grandson of legendary Charlie Chaplin was in Perth to present his newest show.

Raoul is a one-man stage act which a most unique backdrop. There is little to no speaking on the part of Mr. Thiérrée who still manages to dominate the stage with dance and his comedic timing. It was unlike anything I had seen before.

The story begins with Raoul making his way through the seats and arriving on stage with a bag and little else. He attempts to make himself comfortable before noticing a dwelling, which he then starts to systematically attack. We finally receive a glimpse into the house and find Raoul (the other one) sitting quietly in his chair enjoying some classical music when this attack occurs. Raoul (the attacker) makes his way into the dwelling and a rather desperate fight ensues with Raoul (the other one).

I can already imagine your confusion. This is by all accounts a show with only one actor however Mr. Thiérrée receives assistance from stagehands at various intervals in the show though we rarely see them.

Thiérrée’s dance during the performance ranges from jerky to fluid to downright acrobatic as he utilizes the full length of the stage. It also often corresponds with his impeccable comedic timing that can only be described as slapstick and to which the audience responded enthusiastically.

Unlike the shows I have been to in Perth, Raoul was met with a full standing ovation, which lasted fully 10 minutes. This is I believe an indication of how Thiérrée captured and moved us without the use of speech as a medium, which I have found rare in such performances. He is no mime, it was not strictly a dance piece and perhaps there were moments where I had trouble grasping the full extent of the story however this made to no difference in how I interpreted it and how much I enjoyed it.

As Raoul is slowly stripped away he becomes more himself then when he started in his little nook, comfortable and secluded. By the end we watch as everything is taken from him, everything material, leaving naught but the man in what was a truly magnificent performance.

Family Ties

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:57:38 -0500

I’ve recently spent my days off catching up on my favorite TV shows and I noticed an interesting subject that has been recurring through these shows. Family.

I’ve always been a big fan of NCIS and so it pretty much went without saying that when NCIS LA popped up I was going to be a regular viewer. This show is all about family, or lack thereof. Callen’s journey to discover who he is and where is he is from has been the one of the main story points for the so far 3 seasons. It is also interesting that the show’s producers decided to create a story line with such philosophical significance. I mean, who hasn’t asked themselves the age-old question of who am I?

Another show that I’ve been really into recently is Hawaii 5-0 (the remake), yet another show that is essentially all about families. The pilot episode begins with the main character, McGarrett, losing his father to a vicious murder. Danno, who is McGarrett’s partner, has a story line that is often based on family. We have his daughter, ex-wife, her new husband and now a baby. Not to mention that we’ve even seen an episode with his brother. The last two characters, Kono and Chin are cousins thus completing the family ties circle. In fact the show began season 1 with the statement that the Hawaii 50 team were family and that they would do anything to take care of each other.

These are two different crime dramas we’re talking about here. When I think of these two shows my heart does not feel all warm and fuzzy and I’m not usually tempted by chocolate, a cup of tea, and snuggling on the couch when thinking of these shows. The reality, however, does tend to have me reaching for that chocolate and a tissue rather than a cold beer and pizza.

I’ve found this an interesting paradox. Shows that are meant more for guys, I suppose, rather than a female audience with explosions, gun fights, tough guys and beautiful women are filled with emotionally charged family issues. Is this the result of men being more in tune with their emotions? Or are the producers hoping that by jumping from a gunfight scene to a heart wrenching moment with Danno and his daughter that they’ll attract the female viewers?

Well, they got me and quite frankly, I’m hooked!

Deathly Hallows Part 2

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:28:48 -0500

Am I the only person who can’t bring themselves to watch the final Harry Potter movie? I hadn’t gotten around the buying the final two movies of the series until recently. I had started a little marathon of Harry Potter starting with the very first movie and continuing on from their over the period of a week or so. By the time I was watching movie number 4 (Goblet of Fire) I realized that I wanted to see how it ended.

I’ve read the books of course, long before I watched the first movie. I think that may actually be my issue. The final book had me sobbing. Of course I knew it could never end 100% well for my beloved characters but there were so many deaths during the final books/movies that I’ve been struggling to prepare myself for the final showdown.

I did recently watch The Deathly Hallows Part 1 and by the time I got to the end of the movie I realized I had forgotten certain scenes. The movie ends with the death of another beloved character and between my sobbing I decided I would not be watching the second movie anytime soon. It sits still in its plastic.

I’ve started with movie 1 again, in a pathetic attempt to work up the courage by the time I make my way to the end yet again.

I’m not a crazed Harry Potter fan though I admire the work of those young actors who have managed to replicate the books so beautifully. I had very specific ideas of how the movies should look and with the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Philosophers’ Stone I realized that my hopes would not be disappointed. Each represented their characters so well I could not imagine anyone else playing those roles. I also admit a crush on Rupert Grint who plays Ronald Weasley from the start.

Well back to movie no. 1. No guarantee but I’d like to think by this time next week I will have seen the final movie.

Just need to remember to buy tissues and perhaps some chocolate…..

Washington Post

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:22:57 -0500

Washington Post:

Fantastic article that highlights a lot of my issues with the Art Pope article I read in the New Yorker.

Very interesting as well. Brought some new facts to light for me.

Commentary on State for Sale

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:12:13 -0500

The New Yorker – Oct 10^th 2011

State for Sale by Jane Mayer

I read this article a couple of months ago and although it captured my attention I had been unable until this time to comment on it. I’d like to start by saying that I in no way understand all the dealings of politicians. I haven’t voted in years and luckily have the excuse that as I move so often I’m never sure of the political environment in which I currently live. Also I should mention that I am not American. I lived in Canada for a few years but not recently. I am simply commenting on what I have read in this particular article.

Ms Mayer’s article about Art Pope had me infuriated. I was constantly having to put it to one side and take a deep breath. Like I mentioned earlier I am not an expert in politics or in the way of life in the United States. I also happen to be a very emotionally charged person and react firstly with my emotions before using reason. It’s probably a good thing it took me this long to put this together.

There was a ruling in the Supreme courts which as I understand it allows for unlimited funds to be spent by corporations on campaigns. As far as I am concerned politics and money has never gone well together. When I think of people backed by copious amounts of money I think of recently toppled dictators and their palaces that are currently being ransacked. Didn’t President Bush come from money? Enough said.

I’m not completely against Republicans. I want to make that very clear. There are aspects of their campaign that I agree with. However, this article about Art Pope has soured me against Republicans, mainly because they are letting him buy a state. Ms Mayer quotes Mr. Pope as saying that “Most of the efforts that I or my company have supported have been to get the message out on the issues, so that voters can make an informed choice.” The only problem with this statement is that the money being given to those that Mr. Pope and his company support has been used in defamatory attacks on the characters of his rivals. I don’t mean the usual name calling, but genuine attacks that can be construed as exceptionally equivocated.

I appreciated the point that Ms. Mayer attempts to make in that is there then no worry that candidates who have more money would drown out their peer candidates? Mr. Pope’s response to this is that he has more ‘faith in the electors’ than that. With all due respect, people have in generalized terms a herd mentality. This is just the way it is. Even for those who want to make an informed choice and use newspapers, television and the internet as their medium will find themselves consistently confronted with the candidate who has the most to spend on such advertising. Unless someone were to make an effort to search out alternative information sources the everyday information that is provided can be easily manipulated to the fears of the common man. I am not saying that we all follow blindly, however even in my case I was not aware of the magnitude of influence that such people as Art Pope have on campaigns and politics. I can guarantee you it has been an eye opener.

Ms. Mayer continues the article mentioning Mr. Pope’s admiration of John Rawl’s “A Theory of Justice” (which I have personally never read), that argues “equality of opportunity”. However Mr. Pope does not agree with Rawl’s belief in redistributive justice. This would mean transferring wealth to the needier of society. Why does Mr. Pope disagree with this? Well apparently wealth is a just reward for talent and hard work and all Americans have a fair chance at success.

So basically, if you’re poor you just haven’t tried hard enough. I would also like to ask Mr. Pope which definition in the dictionary he would use to describe his use of the word fair. Would it be ample? Promising or likely? Or perhaps adequate? Did the world become a fair place while I was asleep? Is there no discrimination or prejudice left in the world? Until that time comes how can the perusal of wealth be fair?

The article also comments briefly on a study done by an institute favored by Mr. Pope saying that ‘the poor live better than the picture most liberals like to paint’ and that most people who are in that wealth bracket are there due to self-destructive behavior. I won’t even go into that last comment, because quite frankly it doesn’t even deserve a response it is so single mindedly characterizing the poor. I would just like to say that it is most likely true that the poor in the States have a roof over their heads, a microwave and even a TV. I don’t doubt that! What are they comparing the poor in the States to? India? Africa? Seriously? Do you want to be put in the third world bracket? I knew the economy was flailing but that seems a bit excessive. The fact that there is a roof over these people’s heads shows that the government is trying to care for these people and not leave them to send their children off the search through garbage dumps like in India. I’m certain that would not look well on the news.

After all this, I find out that Mr. Pope has basically inherited his money. I understand that his father worked hard to get where he was and that he was able to pass such a fine legacy to his children is wonderful, but how can someone who was born with a silver spoon sit back and say that if you’re not making enough money it’s because you aren’t working hard enough?

I had a discussion with a colleague of mine about this article to see what his view would be. When I mentioned Rawl’s theory and that Mr. Pope disagreed with the redistribution of wealth my colleague agreed with Mr. Pope. (I found out after the conversation that he is a Republican supporter). My colleague argued that what Mr. Pope is talking about is the very essence of capitalism. Everyone has a shot at the American Dream. You don’t make it, tough break. Try harder next time.

I’d be interested to hear what other people’s views on this are. Perhaps I am too liberal. I give to several charities but also understand there is only so much they can do. The world won’t change overnight. John Mayer had a point with his song, “Waiting on the World to Change”. I stand back and hope that when the time comes and I have the power to change something I will be able to. And that people like Art Pope won’t write another check and prevent it from changing to a view that isn’t his own.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:40:56 -0400

Book. No matter how inanimate, it still fills me with wonder everytime I pick one up!

Paid good chunk of cash for this. Didn’t realise it was a...

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:39:02 -0400

Paid good chunk of cash for this. Didn’t realise it was a designer (Saint Augustine Academy). Please ignore that it is on a guy and from their men’s collection 2011! I was told it was unisex…..

Canada Day (belated!)

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:44:18 -0400

It seems only right that this first blog should be written on the National Holiday of one of the countries I am a passport holder of. I’m sure it was absolute mayhem in Ottawa this year. My parents live right downtown so I’m waiting to hear how they experienced the madness that was William & Catherine.

I’ll admit I was sick to death of seeing about the nuptials of those two. Living in Australia we obviously saw a lot about it on every TV channel. Especially CNN! By the time the wedding day came around I could have cared less what the dress looked like or how the ceremony went. I think I was one of the few people at my work that didn’t watch it.

I did, of course, catch all the aftermath of it. I saw the dress (wasn’t all that special, but hey, I’m no fashionista!) and parts of the ceremony. The thing that really caught my eye was the moment when Kate Middleton took her father’s hand to be led into the church; she was trembling. I had a moment of sympathy for her but I wasn’t ready to forgive them just yet for the circus that had preceded their wedding. Another thing was that kiss. Now, I was living in the Netherlands when Prince William-Alexander married his Maxima, and if you watch the video of that kiss, well that was a KISS! I was so disappointed that this young couple didn’t push the boundaries a little and let loose. I suppose however I don’t give allowances for them being British.

It wasn’t until I saw an article with pictures depicting the newlywed Catherine grocery shopping at her local Sainsbury. She was pushing the cart and having a jolly good time of it too. It made me realize that I was perhaps a little too harsh on the girl. Maybe she’s actually in love with the guy! I guess I can be a bit pessimistic at times when it comes to true love and all that.

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!