Oreogeek's space: Personal/Life

Healthy Lifestyle?

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:14:36 GMT

As the weather has improved and the sun has resurfaced in the city, I have finally awoken from my winter slumber. As a result Sarah and I decided to go for a walk in the Mid-Town(Yonge/Eglinton) Area. I am not a big fan of the suburban environment (I need to be less than 25 min. walking from a convenience store) at the same time areas that are solely high density are unappealing to me as well (Can anyone say personal space!). I really enjoy the way in which commercial, high residential (apartments and condos) and single housing units and blended together apparently seamlessly in this part of the city. While walking the streets I began to notice that this area was different from other parts of the city I have seen. Everywhere one looked there were people running, many gyms and fitness centres and a general sense people being active. I know that across a city like Toronto one can find these things but it just seemed that fitness and activity played a prominent role for the people in this area. I noticed something else. There appeared to be significantly fewer people smoking on the streets. When passing bars, pubs or other places with patios people were gathered smoking, and in front of office buildings people were gathered to smoke, but i still felt that the number of people smoking was lower. As a smoker myself (one of my many vices) I wondered if my observations were valid and if so could they be explained. Before I begin I want to say that my opinions will be formed on broad generalizations and I am aware of this and to remember that these are just my opinions. The Mid-Town in particular those not living in apartments represent those that would be considered middle to high income earners. This increased economic stability enables individuals to focus on other issues including the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. In contrast those struggling to meet the daily needs of life have less time, money and ability to focus an equal amount of time to these issues. I think that smoking, poor diet and a lack of emphasis on activity are the result. I am not suggesting the these issues can simply be divided along lines of class but to suggest that there is no connection at all to me would be wrong.

Keith and the Girl

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:54:04 GMT

I love to watch TV (sometimes too much). I'll watch anything from sports to documentaries. I also love the Internet and my computer. When the wave of podcasting hit a couple of years ago, I dismissed it as a fad and thought it wouldn't have any legs. While podcasting hasn't taken off as much as many thought it still is around. One podcast in particular has captured my attention. Keith and the Girl is comedy podcast revolving around the lives of a couple. The discuss about all things relevant to their lives. The show takes place in their house and they often bring in many colourful guests. The show has a very Howard Stern feel, as the pair do not hold back their strong opinions on everything. Let me warn you that the show is definitely not for everybody as no race, gender, political community etc. is fair game. But most importantly the show is extremely entertaining. Many a time have I looked crazy on the subway as I laughed out loud to something being said. The show is done live with podcasts being mad available every day. Instead of spending my time listening to music I now find myself waking up every morning to the voices of Keith and the Girl.

Personal Reflections

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:08:59 GMT

It has been over a month since I returned from my trip to Korea and therefore over a month that I have been staying by myself at home (Sarah stayed in Korea for an extra month and a half). I have come to realize a couple of things from my month alone. First, living alone is not so easy. While being alone has provided some much needed solitary time (I know i'm anti-social), having to shop, do laundry, cook, cleaning and all the other aspects of single life I had not really previously experienced and I don't really find them enjoyable. It's not that Sarah did all these things all the time but it's different when there is no one else to do some of these things and there is not the same sense of self-reliance. My fridge is barron and i've noticed that i'm eating out more often. I realize that I have come to rely on Sarah for a lot, and not that i'm lost being alone but it is definietly different having to survive on your own, especially when you've been a 'couple' for so long. This leads to my second point, i've realized that my closeness to Sarah has coincided with a distance with my friends. Not that this has occurred intentionally but I definietly do not keep in touch with my friends in the same way I previously did. I'm not sure if it's due to all us growing up and having our own new lives but a distance has been created. I'm not blaming anyone or complaining about this situation, i'm merely making an observation. I have never been a person with a wide circle of friends (for evidence check my facebook!) but I have always valued those friends I do have. Most of the people I truly consider friends I have known for the majority of my life and so no matter How infrequently we meet I am confident they will continue to be close to me but now after so much time without communication and with the demands of daily life I'm unsure it is possible to resume a friendship as previously experienced. I've tried recently to make an effort to maintain communication and hopefully things will change.

Random thoughts on Korea

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:06:49 GMT

It has been about three weeks since I returned from my trip to Korea. I have to say it was one of the best experiences in my life.

I'm not sure if it was that fact that Sarah was there or that I simply needed a break from the daily grind but the trip was so relaxing

and comforting. While only there two weeks I made some observations about Korea. I don't anyone to think that the what i'm about to say is meant to be offensive its simply my observations (if i'm off base let me know in comments).

1. Koreans have a strange fascination with English. Parents push their kids to take English classes. Aparently english tests are required for certain jobs. All of this is well and good except NOBODY uses english. I'm not complaining i'm just wondering why there is such a desire to learn english in a country where nobody uses it. Very strange to me.

2. I spent almost all my time in Seoul so my next point my be off base, but Koreans love fashion but this love of fashion is not limited to females. You would not catch me in any of the shirts that they were selling in the mens stores. I'm all for style but I think the obsession with comercial brand names even surpasses North America. Consumerism is almost a way of life for a lot of young people. While there are a lot of fakes there are also a lot of young people walking around with 1000s of dollars worth of clothing. How they can afford it is beyond me and why they need it is even more difficult for me to understand.

3. North Americans are much larger in size compared to Koreans but man can Koreans eat!. I have never felt so full in my life and oftenI was the first one to stop eating. Young, old, male or female it didn't matter they all out ate me. It wasn't that I didn't like the food (i've been eating Korean food for 4 years now), I simply couldn't keep up.

4. I saw my share of non-Koreans while in Seoul. I assumed that they probably were working as English teachers. (Let me preface my next observation by saying I not trying to sound arrogant). Many of these teachers appeared to be dating Koreans. Now I understand that a person while working in Korea would meet/date a Korean. But why did so many of the non-Koreans that I saw look so unattractive and a lot of them looked like they were small town country people. But most curious of all was that they were going out with girls that were definitely 'out of their league'. I just wondering if by simply being a foreigner they were more appealing to Koreans. *I'm now wondering if people are saying the same about Sarah and I, is she out of my league?*

5. Seoul is definately a congested city and it is inevitable that people are going to bump into each other. Perhaps that is why nobody uses the terms please, excuse me, or sorry. Now I know I am guilty of overusing all three of these terms on a daily basis but it was strange to go

through two weeks of people bumping, pushing and stepping into you and not hear it said once. I understand that its not part of the society, but it still felt wierd

Toronto the Good?

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:43:54 GMT

I have lived almost my entire life in the Toronto Area. I'm not sure if it's due to luck or not but I have never really experienced blatant racism in the city. This is not to say that I have never been in an uncomfortable situation (bad racial jokes) or received looks from employees when going shopping, but I think as a person of colour there are some things that come with the territory (like it or not). I am not naive enough to think that Toronto is somehow different from other areas when it comes to intolerance but I always felt that people in the city kept their own stereotypes and beliefs to themselves or their friends. In the past week there were two instances where I witnessed minorities involved in altercations with white men. In both instances the comment 'if you don't like it then leave MY COUNTRY!’ Initially I laughed off these comments as being purely anger induced. But after the second instance particularly I began to reflect on the comments and became increasingly upset. It made me realize that no matter how well-spoken I am and how much education I received or even the fact that I was born and raised in Canada; I will never be fully seen as a Canadian by some. At first I was able to accept this reality, because I attributed these views to ignorance and felt that it couldn't possibly reflect the views of a larger segment of the population. But why not? I will never know those who are of the opinion that this land belongs to 'them' and I should be somehow eternally indebted to the 'kindness' of those who 'allowed' my family to come to Canada (Ironically enough, both of my parents are from exploited former British colonies). But what can I do? I know this view does exist but if you try to keep this in mind you will only respond by spewing the some hate-filled comments making you no better. No solution here only more questions.