Colin Easton & The Stranger Project

         This morning Colin Easton took the time to video chat with our class about his personal project named “The Stranger Project”. In 2013, Colin was diagnosed with clinical depression and he needed motivation to break the cycle he was stuck in. He had an idea that would involve strangers for 365 days, but he wasn’t sure what would come from this idea. Through the Stranger Project Colin has not only motivated himself to step outside of his comfort zone but he has also inspired others to speak out and deal with their own challenges.

Unsure of what was going to happen, Colin would go out to the streets to speak with people about their lives and then would write about what they shared. Simple conversations turned into connections within the community and a way for strangers to vent on their struggles. Colin says, “Once you speak about what is trapped in your head, it is no longer trapped.”. He started this project for himself to help him deal with his illness but after the response the project received he continues to write for his invested followers. Talking to people allowed him to get out of his own head and even though it was hard at times it helped him overcome the weight of his depression.

This project has been extremely rewarding for Colin as it has created not only a community but it has started a conversation on mental health, to not be quick to judge, and taking the time to get to know those around you. Colin says that he does not regret any of the stories that he has written but deeply regrets not standing up to the people who write negative comments on his posts. Colin is not going out every day anymore but he is exploring other ways he can advocate for mental health. 

Tweeting exercise

Tweeting Exercise

President Andy Bryce announced this morning that 200 employees will be laid off. 50 employees are from the main plant in Victoria.

We are sad to say that 200 hundred employees will be laid off across Canada. HR will be available for effected employees.

The National Widget Company announced this morning that 200 employees will be laid off. Human resources will be available for those effected.

The 200 employees laid off in June, 2016, will be entirely rehired. They will be called in as needed over the next few weeks.

Due to a rise in widget sales employees laid off in June will be rehired.  The plant is to be running at full capacity within the next 6 weeks

After an increase in widget sales, all employees laid off in June will be rehired over the next few weeks.

They will be adding a manufacturing facility in Regina SK. Another 100 will be added to the company.

After success with the Chinese market the National Widget company will be expanding. A facility will be added in Regina SK

Success in the Chinese market allows 100 to be added to the National Widget company at a facility being opened in Regina SK.

Post 2 Assignment: Adopting a pet from a shelter vs.purchasing from a breeder

Animal Adoption Owens Mar 11/17

Millions of animals across Canada end up in shelters each year. A lot of times they are purchased and, because circumstances have changed, they are given up or simply abandoned. There are multiple organizations available to help these animals, however, they are competing with ruthless breeders looking for a profit. People should adopt their pets because it reduces the current overpopulation in shelters.

Most reasons why pets are given up include that their owners are moving, there is an sudden onset of allergies, or simply because the small puppy they bought turned into a large responsibility. The CFHS statistics for 2015 shows that 33% of dogs and 30% of cats were surrendered by their owners. Therefore, an option like fostering to adopt is a great way to get to know an animal before making a life altering decision. This will give the potential adopter a chance to get to know the breed and personality of the animal and reduces the chances of it being returned.  

In 2014, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies reported that the average intake of cats was over 85,000 and the intake of dogs was over 38,000. According to the CFHS, even though these numbers have decreased by approximately 20% since 2013, and continue decrease each year, pet overpopulation is still an issue. Just one unfixed cat can give birth to approximately 25 kittens a year and dogs can give birth to approximately 21 puppies a year. Not to mention if each offspring had a litter of its own. Organizations such as the CFHS and SPCA are being proactive by spaying and neutering pets before adoption. Despite these efforts, the humane societies are up against breeders making it difficult to significantly reduce the number animals in shelters. As per the US Humane Society, 25% of shelter animals are pure bred; which means that people who are considering purchasing a specific breed can find the pet they are looking for in shelters.   

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies are giving animals a chance at a fulfilling life. Anyone who is considering getting a pet should do their research and visit a local animal shelter before deciding. Unfortunately, there will always be people putting profit before the well being of animals but the more people choosing adoption will eventually make that business obsolete.

 Sources:

http://cfhs.ca/athome/shelter_animal_statistics/ 

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/adopting_from_shelter_rescue.html?referrer=https://duckduckgo.com/

http://www.spca.bc.ca

Jason Motz interview

Motz Interview Owens Mar 14/17

    Jason Motz is a freelance writer and editor at Positive Living BC, a registered non-profit society aimed to provide support to the HIV community. With his extensive knowledge on the competitive field of journalism, Jason shares that you need to be accountable, curious, confident and proficient in your work to set yourself apart from your competition.

To transition from previous employment into free lancing can be tough but even though it comes with a lot of stress and pressure, there are upsides to it. If you are a curious person, you will never get bored of what you are doing. At least it would be “after several years, maybe a couple of decades.”, says Motz. There are always interesting stories and people to meet. If you decide to freelance as a writer, you should not only be able to deal with stress, you need to be able to hustle and juggle because everything is up to you; there isn’t an editor giving you assignments.  

Jason suggests to anyone who is just getting involved in the journalism field to read “widely and wildly”. It doesn’t matter how much experience someone has, Jason says, “It is easy to tell how often you read.”. It can be magazines, novels, or news papers. Read it all. In the competitive field of journalism, you need to expose yourself to as much as possible even if it is not what interests you.

You can always work on your writing skills but if you are already accountable, curious, passionate, and prepared to deliver what is expected, you will stand out.

A delicious way to add some excitement to your breakfast

I'm not normally one for cooked bananas, well unless they're fried and in chip form, but dang these caramelized bananas look delicious! Check this out if you're looking for ways to dress up your bland oatmeal!

http://joythebaker.com/2017/02/caramelized-banana-oatmeal-breakfast/

Free post-secondary education

   Over the past few decades post-secondary tuition fees have been on the rise and the thought of universal education has begun to decline. Students, especially from low income families, will choose not to go to college or university because they feel they cannot afford it. Creating bursaries to provide free education will attract more people to attend post-secondary institutions. Also, when the stress of paying off debt is removed students will be able to focus on their academics.  

Province’s such as Ontario and New Brunswick are proposing free tuition for people who are from low income families. New Brunswick’s premier said, “--We cannot continue to cripple future generations with huge debt loads.” Brian Gallant, alongside the Post-Secondary Education Minister Francine Landry, announced that bursaries for students whose households make less than $60,000 are eligible to receive bursaries. These people also see how many students are engulfed in debt and feel a higher education is out of their reach. Worrying about how their education is going to be paid for doesn’t only affect them but those whose parents are willing to put off retiring to help financially. 

Per Daniel McHardie, a reporter at CBC News, the president of the University of New Brunswick says, “This program will incentivise New Brunswickers to study here at home, thus helping our publicly funded universities and colleges.” Not only are students able to stay within their province to receive their education but these incentives will bring students from around the world to the institutes that are providing the incentives. 

People from all walks of life should have the opportunity to go to post-secondary, if they choose, that is why promoting universal education through fee dismissal is important. Students should be able to focus on their studies and pursuing a career rather than the stress of how they are going to make their next loan payment. 

References:

CBC News 2013 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/university-tuition-rising-to-record-levels-in-canada-1.1699103

CBC News 2016 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/free-tuition-low-income-1.3535261

The Globe and Mail 2017 - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/free-tuition-but-for-whom-charting-ontario-students-fiscallandscape/article28925277/ -

Vegan matcha donuts

I absolutely love baking and if there are healthy alternatives for the ingredients, I'm all ears. These cute little donuts look delicious and they are vegan!
http://blog.freepeople.com/2017/02/raw-cells-matcha-donuts/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freepeoplefeed+%28Free+People+Clothing+Boutique+Blog%29