An Interview (and, Quite Likely, a Job) Approacheth

Another job opportunity has come my way, this time with a guaranteed interview attached!

It's a part-time, three-month contract for some data entry and scanning. Great timing too, as I was starting to get a little impatient with the lack of results from the job organization I'm with.

Distance-wise, it's a bit longer of a haul than what I would've ideally wanted, but Para Transpo assured me they can pull it off. Longer bus ride just means I'll have to make a run to the bookstore for some new reading material!

Anyway, I'll know more when I go in this Thursday.

Cheers until then!

I Suck...Through A Straw

I'm seeing a lot of discussion lately about drinking straws and their potential affect on the environment. I've also recently read this article from Vancouver about how banning them could negatively affect people with disabilities. It's an issue I can relate to and wanted to briefly write about.

When I was little, after several bouts of pneumonia, doctors ran some tests on me and found that liquid would pool in a small j-shaped part of my throat after swallowing and eventually trickle into my lungs, causing the illness. The solution was to use a straw for anything thinner than pea soup. This has been the norm for a good portion of my life. Only within the last five to ten years have I gotten better at drinking without a straw, taking small sips or swallowing a few extra times. However, I still use straws on a pretty regular basis and couldn't see myself without at this point. I'm sure there are quite a few individuals out there with similar stories.

I'm aware of the risks posed by plastic and I completely agree with the desire to protect the planet. I'm also aware that there are probably plenty of alternatives to plastic straws. However, this is an issue with more angles to it than people realize, and I think all of those angles should be looked into before something is done.

Cheers

Fair Pay, Fair Play

This evening, I was watching the news which included a rather depressing segment. A centre in Renfrew that provides social, life skills, and some employment opportunities for residents with disabilities is being forced to end its employment program due to Ontario's recent changes with minimum wage.

The two families interviewed during the segment said that their sons, in their twenties and thirties, and who have been working for a while now, would not be able to work at minimum-wage level jobs (one man interviewed talked about sorting recycling materials) and have been happy where they've been, getting out, contributing to the community, and just being able to say they have jobs like anyone else.

The centre's operators expressed regret about having to end the program and the men's parents are now set to make this an issue in the coming provincial election.

While the details may be different, I can certainly relate to issues with being disabled and unemployed, and the frustration that can come with dealing with government organizations and programs. It really isn't fair. These young men, or anyone else in this kind of situation for that matter, should be able to do what they've been doing and enjoy a little independence and ego boost in the process! Surely some exceptions can be made given the circumstances.

For all our society goes on about inclusion, independence, etc. we sure don't do a good job of making it a reality. I'll stop there before I start to ramble. Maybe save that for another post??

I'll just end with saying I very much hope that the powers-that-be here in Ontario listen to this story and that some generous Renfrew business owners take it upon themselves to do good and employ these young men.

Cheers

United Shades of Disability

Last night I was watching United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell on CNN. I've seen it before. A pretty good show, funny host, but nothing I've ever been really in to.

This episode focused on people with disabilities, specifically individuals with visible physical disabilities, partial blindness, and hearing loss. It would've been great to see the show include rare genetic disorders with various developmental characteristics but, like Bell said in the intro, most people widely recognize the three types examined and it would've taken a nine-part mini-series to even try and include everything else.

Anyway, the program included bits about activism, terminology, and media representation of people with disabilities, among other topics. I won't break down everything in this one post, but I will say that the episode was very interesting, thought provoking, and gave me ideas for several future blog posts related to my experiences and opinions with/on some of the issues covered.

Overall, it was a good show to watch and I would recommend it to anyone who'd be interesting in watching it.

Cheers

TCAF 2018

It's been a week since I was at TCAF (Toronto Comic Art Fest) and now that several appointments are out of the way, I can get down to writing about it.

Two years ago, I had written that the event was getting too expensive and that year would be my last. Well, I was right on one count. It was indeed expensive, but 2015 would not be my last year attending TCAF.

After what seemed like an exceptionally long and depressing winter, I just felt like getting away for a bit. So I saved a bit extra and went for it! To save a bit of money, my Mom suggested taking some snacks with me, so that cut down on food costs a lot.

I left on the train last Friday morning and took business class, which is always fun and relaxing. Quick shout-out to VIA Rail Canada for always being accessible, friendly, and accommodating! I also got to try out the camera on my new phone.

Got to the hotel in Toronto mid-afternoon. I was in a room on the first floor, right next to the vending machines and just down from where a lot of TCAF's events were being held, which was super convenient! Got in the room, unpacked, relaxed, then went out exploring.

Only a few days before I left, it was calling for torrential rain on the Saturday, so I tried to get quite a bit done Friday evening just in case. With the exception of finding that a favourite burger joint had been closed down, it was a good first day. Went to a nearby market and Starbucks to supplement the food I brought with me which created a couple pretty good meals, shopped at a comic shop next to TCAF's venue and treated myself to a couple books before the main event, and then got some dinner. I went back to my room soon after and relaxed the rest of the night, which is when I got one amazing shot of the city at sunset from my window.

After sleeping in in a very relaxing hotel bed, I enjoyed some breakfast and went out to the big event. Turns out the forecast was way off, and the Saturday ended up being nice and sunny! Once in the library where TCAF is held, I hooked up with a couple friends I was meeting. We went around and got some books, then went for lunch. Not as crowded as the last time I attended, but still pretty packed.

While I was going around to the different vendors, I happened to find a book called Monsterology 101. I saw the title and the term cryptozoology on the back cover and immediately had to have it (monsters are kind of my thing)! I flipped through it briefly on my way out and immediately ran back to the hotel, grabbed some more money, then ran back and got the second volume.

My friends and I parted ways later and I went back to the hotel where I got the writing bug and got into a bit of a zone over dinner. This lead to the development of a social media plan for things I will definitely be writing about later.

Once my brain was sufficiently emptied, I decided to go out for one last trip to Starbucks, where I slunk into a corner and read comics until the sun set. My last TCAF weekend ended with many snacks, a couple movies on TV, and assessing that afternoon's spoils.

Left for the train station the following morning, where I nearly had a travel companion.

Pigeon in a train station because, why not?

Coming back wasn't nearly as enjoyable as going there, but I still made it home in time for dinner.

The entire weekend was great as usual and, who knows, I may decide to go back some day. For now though, I think it's time to call TCAF a win and move on to some new experiences and adventures.

Cheers!