Word of the Day:

pedant \PED-nt\, noun:
a person who makes a show of detailed knowledge, esp. relying on books; also, a narrow-minded teacher or scholar

All too often, science fiction provokes the pedant in professional scientists, for whom a beautiful story can be ruined by a single petty error.
-- Jerry A. Coyne, The Truth Is Way Out There, New York Times, October 10, 1999

Yet Eyton is no little pedant; he confesses frankly that for a boy of 9 he does not know much Greek, though his Latin is adequate.

On my mind...Mikhail Lennikov

A few of you may know that I did an internship at CKNW AM 980 (talk/news radio). I was helping produce the Bill Good Show. Most of that entailed tracking down politicians or going to court hearings, but there was one task that I had to do, something that I won't likely forget anytime soon....

I was asked by my producer to contact anyone and everyone regarding a documentary. More specifically, I had to find people that were unfairly facing deportation from Canada for a documentary that CKNW was doing. So I called a ton of lawyers and advocates, looking to compile a list of specific cases.

At one point a lawyer contacted me on behalf of his client, Mikhail Lennikov. Lennikov is From Russia and immigrated to Canada along with Wife and Son in the late eighties. His story is one that I find intriguing, and one that I have compassion for. This is a man that was working for the KGB in Russia- early eighties. For those that aren't too familiar with the KGB, it was most basically Russia's version of the CIA- except they were absolutely brutal in their practices. If you were drafted to work for the KGB, you really didn't have much choice. I don't want to necessarily compare them to Nazis..but that is the closest thing that comes to mind. To make a long story short-(er) Mikhail had to become a "traitor" and run with his family from Russia to escape the confines of the KGB. Hence his arrival in Canada.

The Canadian governement has now issued a final deportation notice to Lennikov and his family because of his involvment with the KGB (mandatory) over 20 years ago. Where is the compassion in this country? We will let armed robbers, abusive assholes, and convicted sex offenders roam our streets with the utmost freedom, but when a responsible, contributing person in our society is pleading for mercy, where is our compassion?

This man has done nothing but uphold his values and contribute the whole time he's been a resident of Canada, however simply because he had previous connections to the KGB, he is being "evicted". The main reason why this upsets me so much, his because of his son. His son is currenty a senior in highschool, and will not be able to graduate in Canada unless something is changed. To add upon that, his son cannot speak Russian at all. How will this boy finish his highschool if he cannot read or speak the language? This boy was raised almost completely in Canada. But I think the most pressing matter in this situation is the practice of Hazing that is rampant in Russia, right NOW.

Lennikov is known as a "traitor" in Russia because he fled from the KGB and Russia itself. Once a boy turns 18 in Russia, there is a mandatory military draft in which he very likely will have to join the army. The hazing and abuse that is afflicted on those even remotely related to "Traitors" is absolutely horrifying. Some reported examples include comlete amputation of limbs, other excrutiating tortures, and even death. These are the youth of Russia! These are not 40 year old ex convicts- or KGB assasins themselves, but merely those unfortunate enough to be associated with them.

Anyway, I'm doing all I can to get Lennikov's story out there more. He has been in some news articles and has had some interviews, but there needs to be more action to prevent his deportation of the Lennikov family and others like them. This is in-humanitarianism at it's finest.

Here is a link to Lennikov's story:
http://www.canada.com/burnabynow/news/story.html?id=032a4f88-185d-423e-8566-2d83d9e7dc48

Here is also a link for more information on the hazing problem throughout Russia right now:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/10/20/news/russia.php

-Desiree

Get a kick out of....

Those that know me would probably agree that I get on different kicks...I get reading kicks, drawing kicks, recently painting...but I now have a new one!

Saving.

I was watching Oprah today, I'm trying not be fearful or that person who believes everything on the tube, but this one is tough for me. I fear poverty. Oprah sent Lisa Ling out to suburban homes that were foreclosed on, and interviewed the families that this tough recession has affected. I know that there is a big difference between the United States and Canada, but face it people, while we're not that bad, YET, but we're not far behind. Just tonight I was watching the news, and whole companies are shutting down in the span of a day right here. Just today a prominent forestry company (Catalyst) has shut down all operations indefinitely on the Island, stating it could be even years until they will be operational again. 700 people were laid off. This is in our own backyard.

So I don't have much to spare after the daily grind of bills and what not, but I'm not unemployed yet, and I fully intend to take every opportunity I can to brace myself for the demise of my job if the time comes.

I did a little digging around and I've found that ING Direct (old guy in the orange commercials) is really good...not only do they provide a high interest (as high as they can possibly provide during economic downturn) savings account options, but there are no taxes being deducted either upon investing or taking out your money. Currently their interest rate is at 2.3%, but take it and run. I'm no financial guru, but this is the best I've come across.

It's super easy, you can open an account online in 2.5 and from there, you can invest and if you want to take your money OUT, simply make a transfer and it takes 1-2 days (your bank may hold it from there for about 5 days, but the good news is that it's still earning interest during transition).

Furthermore, ING is governed by the CDIC, which means that your money is insured under Canadian law for up to $100,000. So you're covered if the shit hits the fan at ING. PS...if you plan on investing more than $100,000, simply open multiple accounts so you're covered. DIVERSIFY DIVERSIFY! I always heard that and didn't fully comprehend what that meant. I do now.

So...my big plan is to save some money in ING, and when I have a substantial amount, I'll take it out and invest in a GIC for a shorter term. So for example I'll put my money in a 6 month GIC , it'll be locked for 6 months, but earning high interest at guaranteed returns.

Now my task is putting my fancy ideologies into action! I know, I can talk a lot of game, but doing is another thing. I'm dedicated to this one though, I don't think I can afford not to be dedicated during these delicate times.

I mentioned above that I'm afraid of poverty, and I realized today that if I keep going on the path that I am, I will have nothing to show for my work. I'm 22 as of two days ago, and by the time I'm thirty, I want, no, WILL have tangible evidence of my accomplishments. I don't need a rock on my hand or kids in my car, but I will have a house/property in my name and savings to boot.

Until next time!
Dez

Word of the Day

obstreperous

PRONUNCIATION:

(ob-STREP-uhr-uhs)

MEANING:

adjective: Noisy or unruly.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin obstreperus (clamorous), from ob- (against) + strepere (to make a noise).

USAGE:

"One email informs me of a friend's trepidation at having to undergo a stress test as recommended by her physician. And she is not referring to the stress associated with the presence of recalcitrant children and an obstreperous spouse."

Word of the Day...

interminable \in-TUR-muh-nuh-buhl\, adjective:
so long as to seem endless; never stopping

The mother-in-law's talking was interminable.

see? EDUMACATION!

This ones for you Jackie!

Okay so I know I haven't written in ages...I've been super busy, here's an update:

1. Work is busy busy, we had our "soft" launch today and it's a lot of thinking, but a challenge and I like it.
2. My Daddio came to visit me on Friday :) I was super excited to see him, he's someone I admire more than most anybody. (except Gdizzle and Breezy) He looks like a tough ass, but he's such a softy it's not even funny. Gotta love Dads.
3. I've been using almost all my downtime to catch up on movies, preferably the 0scar nominees. Matt and I have a weekly "lazy Sunday" session where we turn off all phones (goodbye world) and chill out, eat good food, and watch movies. Yesterday we watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon (exxcccellleent) and my favorite of the day, Milk. Watch these movies, they are powerful and educational. Side note: here's my gripe of the day... I don't care whether you're republican or a democrat, liberal or a hippy hater, anti-abortion, blue collar whatever...in the words of Guns and Roses..."LIVE AND LET LIVE." Who gives anyone the right to bash what anyone else does in their own lives? If truly loving someone of the same sex is a sin...well then I renounce religion. The heart wants what the heart wants...and by hating the personal choices of others to the extent of homophobia, you are committing a "sin" yourself. Do your homework. As long as it's not affecting you, mind your own business. (see Milk if you want more details as to what I'm griping about). Okay that's it! No more negativity I promise!
4. My body has decided to reject alcohol completely...it's really funny actually, and I don't mind one bit! I take a few sips and I feel ill..odd. I'm fine with water...really.
5. I have a new addiction in life...Stash brand chai green tea..heaven in a cup. Try it. (Do it Jackie! This is right up your alley!)
6. All my friends are getting married and having kids right now..'nuff said.
7. My birfday is on Monday! Wha hoo! but the thing is, 22 is a boring age. No one says, "ohhh the big 22!" and why the hell not? Can't I just skip this one? boo.

Anyway, that's about all I can think of that's on my mind right now, other than I miss the ones I love and I cannot see!! You know who you are. Come visit. soon. or somebody gunna geta hurt real bad.. (see The Terminal if you have no idea what I'm referencing with that)

Big Love Y'all!
Dez