Adoption - My Story, my fight, my rights

Growing up I would hear my mom and dad talk about how there is this and that in their families. Baldness, second toe bigger than the first, then more serious things, heart problems, high blood pressure, dementia. I had no background at all. Not that it didn't exist, just that I had no access to it. Being adopted, you don't get that right.

As a teenager my doctor would ask me "is there a history of..." and my answer was always "I don't know" So when I went to my doctor as a teen with horrible pain and no background, I was told it was something to do with my ovaries and it probably made me sterile.  This was my greatest sadness.

Thankfully I did become pregnant when I was 25 (I was also married - pay attention ladies).

The birth of my son in itself was interesting. My water broke first - which I have heard is unusual for first time pregnancies but whatever, I never have been one to follow rules well.  I knew though that they had 24 hours after that time to get the baby out, or so I thought. 32 hours later I realized I was not correct.

The doctor insisted the baby was stuck some how in the canal and gave me drugs to make me push harder.  By this time I have been awake for 2 days and am literally passing out between contractions. When he intensified the feeling I thought I was going to die.  My mother in law walked into the room and saw me and told him "ENOUGH!! She can't take any more"! God Love her, I think she saved both our lives.  He rushed us to the O.R.

I was knocked out and they tried to get Brent. They used forceps and found out that what they thought they had  been feeling, his head, was actually his shoulder and he was sideways. They had to push him backwards, turn him, then pull him out with forceps  He was non responsive. A.P.G.A.R. zero. For those of you who don't know. The "A.P.G.A.R." is a evaluation they do at the time of birth. It stands for Appearance,Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration. 

Larry was in the waiting room and heard them page the pediatrician to the OR STAT. He was terrified. His family was in there. No one told him what was happening he just saw a man run by like lightning.  Soon though he found we were all ok. Brent being as resistant as he is, decided he wanted to experience the world, took a breath on his own as the pediatrician was getting on his gown. That's my boy. I had missed the entire thing, still knocked out cold.  Turned out all the pushing I was doing I was bending his head and cutting off his air.

Now I had a ultrasound during my pregnancy, and he was locked into place as normal. Very rare cases babies will slip out of the desired position and slip sideways right at the end. This is common if the mother (grandmother etc) had it happen to them. Something had I had known was there, they would have watched for. Now I am realizing my blank slate is going to be a problem. For this moment however I am just loving my baby, glad he is ok and giving him lots of love and cuddles. Meanwhile thanking God we are both OK.

After the birth of my son I experienced tremendous pain. At first I thought this was normal. I had never had any children so I figured that this is just how it felt.  When the pain remained into month 3, I knew I had something else going on.  It was so bad that I could not sit, had problems with going to bathroom, and sex (sorry family reading this) was so painful it was impossible. So my gynecologist asked the all important questions "Any history of....". Of course, I have no idea and now I am scared of what I might have.

So began the testing, none of it pleasant.  It seems if you are experiencing tremendous pain, the test must be sure to at least equal or aggravate said pain.  Bladder, colon, etc etc, all showing nothing.  A year went by, no answers. By this time I am depressed beyond imagination. I have no intimacy with my husband and the pain makes my every day life horrible.

I went back to the gynecologist to continue with trying to find answers.  He met me in the room that day with a intern.  He went over my file and then preceded to tell me he thinks it is psychological   I have to tell you I almost went psychological on his ass! I sat there I am sure looking at him like I was seconds away from punching him when the intern piped up to talk to him.  They talked and the intern suggested "*endometriosis". They went over the file and then he turned to me and asked a few more questions about my symptoms, and prior health. The doctor agreed this is feasible.  Lucky for him, because I was getting pretty mad.

I underwent the surgery and when my Doctor came me to afterwards he said that I was so full of *endometriosis, it truly was amazing I even became pregnant. More of Brent's determination.  At least this mystery was solved. He told me to remain on birth control as it keeps the spread of it at bay and most likely when I went off birth control to get pregnant, it caused it to run rampant.  This is also a genetic disease. Something it would have been helpful to know. I noticed while the doctor is explaining this all to me, the pain is gone, and I cried in relief as he spoke. Yes, it was that bad before.

Afterwards I realized that I am not longer the only blank slate here when it comes to medical issues. Now not only do I get to tell the doctor "I don't know" with regards to my own background, I get to also tell him for part of my sons.  This was not acceptable.

It was then I decided it was time to solve this riddle, find the information I needed to fill in the blanks.  I began phone calls. The hospital I was born, the agency I was adopted through, and so on. I found out that I could get "non identifying information" which would tell me the known medical issues up until the time of the adoption but of course nothing afterwards. Why is that a "of course", why can't they be updated. This annoyed me but I will take what I can get.  There was a massive waiting list, could be years they said. Ok. I said, put me on the list.

Years is right. When Brent was 2 we had moved to Northern Alberta and again the "I don't knows"  showed up.  I find out I have pre-cancerous cells on my cervix.  Is there a history of.....?? The doctor asks. I am wondering, where is the information anyway?? The pre-cancer progressed fast. I went from stage 1 to 3 in weeks, worrying the doctor, and freaking me out. Thankfully they treat it and I am fine.

 The  I phoned back to the agency to find out about my information, and my file was not there, let's do this again. Ok great. I wait again, and I wait and I wait. When Brent is 4, we move back to Calgary after the death of my father. I am overcome with grief and have now forgotten about it (perhaps given up on it).  Then I find out I am pregnant with our second child,  when a big brown envelope arrives and there it is.

As I read I see a person in my mind. A person similar to me in many ways by description. Personality, likes, dislikes. Now I have gone from wanting medical to wanting to know her. Where is she, who is she, what is she doing now? Did they stay together, is she married, do I have half siblings or maybe full? Ok now I have more questions than I do answers and I want to know more.

I phone back and talk to the agency again, this time I want the identifying information. I am told there is a fee of 350 dollars for that and a waiting list of 6 months to a year before they will even get to the file at all unless she has requested to be found then they will match us at that time instantly or they will start looking for me and that could also take years. The wait time is bad enough but back then, asking for 350 dollars they might as well asked for a billion, I didn't have that. So I was left with my questions.

The year then was 1996/97 and the internet was still a new born. I went there first (and so begins my internet addiction lol). I found a newsgroup of adoptees and issues and people who were from Canada with very similar stories and concerns and needs. It was wonderful, they were exactly the outlet I needed at the time.  One of the members started a website that people who were adopted and searching could put their names on, and b.famlies searching could put their names on, in an effort to match people up. So of course, on I went.

As the years passed, I updated where I was living, email addresses, phone numbers. It just became part of the routine of moving. Call the cable company, gas company, change address on website, just another part of it. The years go on and soon we are in the year 2009 and my phone rings.

Of course this particular night my kids (who are now teenagers) are out and my husband is out and I am home by myself now talking to the lady who runs the website. She explains who she is and why she is calling and that she just got off the phone with my b.mother. I can't even tell you how I felt. I was shocked, excited, nervous, shocked - did I mention shocked?  Soon we hung up and my phone rang again, this time it was my b.mom. All my questions all my years of things to say, do, were gone. I don't even remember what I said actually, I was just - shocked (I think I mentioned that).

Since that phone call we have met and we do hit bumpy periods but who doesn't. I have met 2 of my 3 half brothers and some of my nieces and nephews.  I am glad I did it yes. It is quite something to look into the eyes of someone else and see your own eyes looking at you. Or look at a half brother and see parts of your son. These were new experiences for me and I do enjoy it.

My adopted family has also met my b.mom and her husband. My A. family is my family, that will never change. My a.mom is my mom, always will be, she is also my best friend. My a.brother, the same. I am a lucky girl to have 4 brothers! Is that luck? Probably a good thing I didn't have all of them during my teenage years my A.brother chased off enough of my boyfriends lol.  All kidding aside. My brother Kevin is my brother, 100% and my best friend and someone I admire more than I can tell you. That is another post all together.

Things happen and lately again the questions of medical have come up. There are still gaps and things I don't know.  This has me thinking about about the process and how it really puts the adoptees (and their new parents) at a serious disadvantage.

I started doing some research into the problem and found in parts (if not all) of the USA when a child is adopted and something is found AFTER adoption to be a genetic problem it is automatically updated to their file. This is a good idea. It does not mean a name needs to be attached to that information. Simply put, it says something like "On the mothers side, ___ was found" or whatever.

I also have found out that in parts of Canada your healthcare card is like a credit card. Picture on it and a swipe on the back. When swiped your medical information is shown. Here in Alberta we have a piece of paper that usually gets destroyed in the pocked of your pants when they are washed and tells nothing of you, other than your name. There is also no proof that is your name at all, no picture. Seems like we are a bit behind the times.

What I want to do is change things for adopted children. Why must we be blank slates? No one who was not adopted can understand what this is like. With all the technology we have why can't we have complete medical records? We consider Healthcare a right in Canada yet deny Adoptee's knowledge of their own health backgrounds. How does that even make sense. Why are we stripped of this because we are adopted? We deserve every advantage as anyone else. Things need to change.

This is my mission and what I aim to do. I know I am not alone in this fight and hope to get things changed. We are in a modern society, stop keeping adoption in the dark ages.

Thanks for reading! I look forward to your support. I will update the group as more information comes to me. Please feel free to share your thoughts, stories, or just say hello.

We are in this together, we can make a difference.

~Kristen

*Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus endometrium appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the membrane which lines the abdominal cavity. The uterine cavity is lined with endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are influenced by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells found inside the uterus. Genetic predisposition plays a role in endometriosis. Daughters or sisters of patients with endometriosis are at higher risk of developing endometriosis themselves; low progesterone levels may be genetic, and may contribute to a hormone imbalance. There is an about 6-fold increased incidence in women with an affected first-degree relative.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/adopteerightsca/

The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept~ George Carlin

Time passes so quickly and things can change even faster, sometimes good sometimes not.

Illness always seems to be around - and as family battles different things we find ourselves wishing the miles between us were not as many. Trying to find ways to bridge the gaps - it can be a challenge.

Today I took a step forward. I met with my b.mom. She asked if I would meet for lunch and I agreed. It went very well, good conversation, pleasant.  I did not bring up any old issues or ask any questions - at this point I don't think it would matter. It has been made clear to me that I am never to know the answers, so why keep harping on it. I am content with myself and knowing will not make me any better or any less of a person. I suppose I would be able to look for similarities,  or answer doctors when they ask specific questions (for example with my weak immune system and irregular heartbeat) if there is a history of.... (fill in the blank), with something, instead of a "I don't know". Oh well. I can't change that, it is out of my control, I am but a player but I didn't write the play, and I certainly do not direct it.

Putting a new spin on things is Larry finding and talking to his b.daughter. This has been most exciting for us! We have made a pact that anything she asks we will tell her. We have tried to contact her b.mom but haven't had much luck, so we gave her all her information and let her decide what to do. If she wants we can always try another way to get her, perhaps via her family.

It has been interesting for us both because being I am on the same side as his daughter I really get her mindset here.  The fact that I had known Larry for years before she was born is a cool thing, so I can also tell her about him, and her b.mom, as I knew them both before her conception and after her birth. I lost contact with her b.mom after Larry and I started dating. It clearly didn't sit well with her but it was a year after the child's birth and sixth months after they had broken up.

Anyways, I digress. I look forward to meeting her (hopefully in the next month or so?) she seems like a wonderful young woman. Also, beautiful!

I found a note tonight on someone's facebook page associated with my b.mom. At first it got my guard all up again but I took a minute and decided - what is the point. Why keep on about something that is obviously never going to go anywhere. It will just get me upset, and frustrated, for what? So I just let it be. This is how my life goes it seems lol if there is something complicated to be, it will be to me. I swear sometimes I think I must be God's guinea pig lol. Between life drama and bizarre sicknesses, I really wonder. As I age I am trying to learn to take my stress and let it go, pick my battles, some times it just isn't worth the blood-pressure.

That's all for now - good night readers.

Time Keeps on Tickin'

I thought a update might be in order. Been so long since I posted anything, quite a bit of life has happened in the meantime!

I was flipping though my previous posts and I will update ones that seem to have the most attention. Yes Jason Fillion is in fact still garbage, and my bio mom and I are still not talking.

I have no update on either of them. I am still waiting for the day Jason gets jail time, and as for my bio-mom, what she did to me was hurtful and I didn't deserve it. I thought that I wasn't good enough for a while but now I realize the problem is her not me. In the big picture of life, not knowing the entire story really doesn't matter. It does not change who I am either way. The man she said is my b.father is sterile - can't have children, never had any. So where does that leave me? The same place I was before. To know would be interesting but would make me no different. So time to move ahead and leave it be.

As for the rest of the world - Things are going pretty good. Family is doing well after battling serious illness's. I think 2010 will forever be remembered as the year of sickness. It will also be remembered as the year of strength and overcoming it. Two brave men in my family suffering similar illness's at the same time and fighting their way back. It was a hard year. Both doing well now and I am very thankful or that!

It's been a struggle since Jason-gate happened in our lives. We have had to fight our way through what I can only say is similar to feeling like wading through thick oatmeal with a parka and boots on. The good news is the wading isn't as difficult anymore and things are starting to get back to normal again. There is a light, I can see it and I am fairly certain this time it isn't a train.  I am working again so that is helping too!

My Mom is doing pretty good, she is actually on vacation right now in Mexico.  She went on a cruise last year and fell, breaking her wrist. The idiot doctor here decided to just leave it (saying it was healing nicely) only to find out it healed crooked (quite obviously crooked) and in order to fix it, she would have to have major surgery including taking bone from her hip. So she has decided to live her life with a crooked wrist (she wears bracelets) with limited use. Nothing much will stop my mom! lol

I still have the same goal - get in shape! I am going to do it! I start tomorrow. I will see how it goes and if it goes well I will share with you how I am doing it, maybe make a different blog for just that - what do you think?

Blogging Dogs and Cats!

So I have both a a cat and a dog and was thinking today about how they differ. Some of the things I realized were funny, some interesting and some kind of silly. I thought enough of the serious side of life on my blog - lets have some fun!

First up - Cats

A cat will not chew up your shoes, remotes, phones, toilet paper, - well you see where I am going with this

A cat will give you cuddles, on their terms.

A cat will claw up your furniture

A cat is self reliant, they do not need to be walked, praised, taken for car rides or baths. Although those last two if done, can be pretty funny.

If a cat decides you are theirs, they mean it - devoted and unconditional love.

A cat will not shout at the neighbors, mailman, people at the door or in general. Although they may meow (especially if Siamese).

Cats will keep your house rid of mice - big plus

Cats will wander and run a high risk of being hit by cars. Although here where I live they are not allowed to wander around - which mean no cat poop in my yard. This can be a problem in other places.

Cats typically do not do tricks and only come when called - if it suits them.

Cats can be left on their own at home over a weekend if given food/water and a literbox. They will not trash the house or lose their minds.

Cats (typically) will not walk with a leash.

Cats do not want to go swimming with you - although again - when this does happen can be amusing - at least for you, not the cat.

Now about Dogs

Dogs want your attention and will want to go where you go and be where you are.

Dogs will have irrational fears of strange things, depending on the breed. Could be lights, could be sounds (thunder for example) could be various things.

Dogs feed off being praised so be sure to give them lots.

Dogs will chew up your shoes, remote, phone, toilet paper - you see where I am going. Usually they outgrow this but still people will find it pop out later in life. Try leaving your garbage bag around and leave for a couple of hours - NOT PRETTY!

Dogs are not self reliant and can not be left for any length of time. Actually some people put their dogs in a dog daycare while they do go to work.

Dogs love to go for car rides (mostly) and swimming and going for walks. In-fact you can convince your dog anything is great if you sound really excited about it.

Dogs can be trained to do tricks, be obedient and to be service dogs.

Dogs will give you unconditional love and come when called (if trained and not a beagle).

Dogs will bark at the neighbors, mailmen, people at the door and in general. It's a dog, they have a lot to say.

What I have observed having both a cat and a dog. The cat runs the house. Today the cat ran into the room, smacked the dog and ran out to a place he knew the dog could not follow. Then stood there and meowed at him (Like Nanaananana). Drives the dog nuts. I am sure the cat is laughing in his own cat way. I laughed too.

The dog goes out for walks and the cat stands at the door and cries. I am unsure if he is crying because he wants to go for a walk or if he wants the dog to come back. Perhaps a bit of both.

The cat and dog will curl up on the sofa together and the cat will lick the dogs head and then they go to sleep. This is adorable and the reason I will always love to have both a cat and a dog.

They will play tag, the cat usually starts this by running sideways into the room and looking funny at the dog. He will chase the cat - then the cat will chase the dog. It's literally better than TV.

Do you have a cat or dog or both? What are some of the funny things you have noticed? Love to hear all about it!

Never Forget

I am a firm believer that when we get lax and dismiss actions of the past, because time has gone by, or whatever reason, we are doomed to repeat the same patterns. I would and could never dismiss the actions of Charles Manson and his "family", any more than I could dismiss and ignore the actions of Hitler, Goring or Eichmann.

I have mentioned before of my not listening to or supporting the band Guns N Roses. The reason is simple, they support Charles Manson. Not just support but wear t-shirts, sing his songs and have been directly involved in him (Manson) making hundreds of thousands of dollars while in prison for murder. I find that disgusting and a terrible slap in the face to the family and friends of the victims who are alive today, having to live without their loved one with them, and the horrific way they were taken.

I found this article tonight and I couldn't have covered it any better myself.
***********
Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N' Roses, has introduced
convicted mass murderer Charlie Manson to a generation of young
fans. Over the objections of other members of G N'R, Rose included
a version of a song by Manson, _Look at Your Game, Girl_, on their
new album, _The Spaghetti Incident?_ Audible on the album after
the unlisted song is Axl heaving a sigh and saying, "Thanks,
Chazz." Manson stands to earn $62,000 for every million copies of
the album sold. Thankfully, the album seems to be sinking swiftly
in sales.

Most of the controversy over the recording has focused on
Manson's leadership of the group that killed actress Sharon Tate,
then pregnant, and six others in 1969. He was convicted of seven
counts of murder, and separately found guilty of murdering a stunt
man and a musician. The Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau, named for
the actress's mother, has called for a boycott of Geffen Records.

But did you know about Manson's nazi beliefs and practices
both prior to and after his arrest for the Tate mass murder?
Manson has often been photographed with a self-inscribed swastika
tattoo. His avowed purpose in planning the killings was to blame
them on blacks and try to foment an apocalyptic race war. Even
inside prison, Manson continued to associate with neo-nazis.

In 1982, Manson was visited repeatedly at Vacaville prison by
northern California nazi leader Perry "Red" Warthan. Warthan
shortly thereafter killed one of his own teen-age followers, Joe
Hoover, after Hoover admitted that he and other members of
Warthan's band had stuffed racist flyers into lockers at Oroville,
CA High School. Support for Manson was part of Warthan's program
in seeking to organize a group of youthful neo-nazis. In June,
1983 Warthan was sentenced to prison for murdering Hoover, whom he
called a race traitor and informant who deserved to die.

Manson's earnings from the G N'R song are supposed to go to
the son of one of his victims, under the terms of a 1971 court
order. But Manson has pocketed most of the money he made over his
years in prison, including tens of thousands of dollars for
interviews and cash sent in by supporters and fans.

Ignoring his nazism, "Satanism" and mass murders--or perhaps
glorifying him because of it--young fans have made Manson a cult
figure, and exploitative entrepreneurs have rushed in to make a
quick buck. Manson shirts, dresses, and children's clothes are
available. Some are bootlegged, but at least one, which Axl Rose
popularized by wearing on Guns N' Roses last tour, is officially
licensed by Manson himself.

The T-shirt is produced in southern California by the Lemmons
brothers of Zooport Riot Gear in Newport Beach and pays Manson ten
cents for each shirt. Dan Lemmons of Zooport told the press,

"There's a good side to Charlie that hasn't gotton out...Kids
today don't look at Charlie Manson as a mass murderer. He's
like a rebellious figure."

Perhaps it is the neo-nazi nature of Manson's rebelliousness that
makes him such an appealing figure to the Lemmons brothers. They
are giving "a good chunk of the proceeds" from the Manson shirt---
they won't say exactly how much--- to Randall Terry's anti-
abortion group ["Opperation 'Rescue'"].

In defending the shirt, which shows Manson and the slogan "Charlie
Don't Surf", Lemmons said to the _San Francisco Examiner_,

"People get all worked up over some murders that happened almost
25 years ago. Why not be concerned with the babies who are
murdered in the U.S. every year."

This comment was made in reference to his anti-abortion beliefs.
The Lemmons also referred to Manson as a philanthropist and
environmentalist. Manson's "environmentalism" is probably akin
to the anti-immigrant, preserve the white-man's land variety
preached by neo-nazi Tom Metzger.

Axl Rose and Guns N'Roses were promoted heavily by Metzger and
WAR when, on an early album, they recorded lyrics attacking gays
and immigrants. Rose claimed at the time that he was only singing,
and that his views were not racist. But with the flap over Manson,
and his promotion of the shirt which is benefitting both neo-nazi
murderer Manson and the Christian-fascistic Operation Rescue, Axl
Rose's true colors are showing through.

What is the justification for a musician glorifying a man who
killed a musician? What is the hypocrisy of abortion opponents
promoting a man whose followers stabbed a pregnant woman to death,
killing her after she pleaded for the life of her unborn child,
stabbing her in the abdomen with a fork? What is the popularity
among young rock fans of a man whose nazi associate murdered a
teenaged band member for confessing to circulating racist flyers?

This is the sinister appeal of the irrational that promotes
what Wilhelm Reich referred to as "the mass psychology of fascism."
It is rooted in racism, hatred of women's independence, and a
desire for fascist authority disguised as "rebelliousness." Only
an intense cultural and social struggle among young white people
will overcome these unhealthy tendencies.

___--

Reprinted from Turning the Tide, a bi-monthly journal of anti-
racist activism, research, and education available from P.A.R.T.
(People Against Racist Terror), PO Box 1990 Burbank, CA 91507

My View on the Election

I really don't want to have to go back to polls but thanks again to the political greed of a few, I will have no choice. Given that, I am going to say my view on the candidates.
 
 
Michael Ignatieff  
 
Where to start with Mikey. There are so many things for me to not like about him I am finding it hard to find things that I do.
 
 
He was born in Canada yet went to University in the USA. He held a position in 2000 at John F. Kennedy School of Government (gee wonder if that gave him an American Slant on politics), not coming back to Canada until 2005 at which time he decided to become a Liberal candidate in the federal election. Odd thing to give up a position at Harvard and be part of their political scene to run to Canada to try to get a leader position. Reeks of nothing more than opportunism to me.
 
 
He took a stab at Ukrainian Canadians by stating ""I have reasons to take the Ukraine seriously indeed. But, to be honest, I'm having trouble. Ukrainian independence conjures up images of peasants in embroidered shirts, the nasal whine of ethnic instruments, phony Cossacks in cloaks and boots...".
 
 
He wants us to remain at war. The reason Harper couldn't just let us leave Afghanistan is because of this. Harper has a minority government, Iggy didn't support the pull out of the troops.
 
 
He has lived outside of Canada for over 30 years.
 
 
Final judgement - Iggy is wrong for Canadians and is barely even "Canadian" at all.
 
 
Jack Layton  
 
Born in Canada, specifically in Quebec. He comes from a long line of politicians and has been part of Canadian politics (in Canada not the USA) since his school years.
 
Layton and his wife lived in Cooperative Housing in 1990, meanwhile making $120,000. Then in 2004 he accused the Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin of being responsible for the deaths of homeless people, because he failed to provide funding for affordable housing.
 
He opposed the 1996 Olympic Bid. Layton planned the coalition prior to the fiscal update and then persuaded Dion to sign on Layton was hellbent on ousting the Harper government, pledging that the NDP would vote against the Conservative budget regardless of what it contained. So it makes no difference to him if Harpers budget was good he wasn't even going to look, just wanted to take over.
 
 
Layton urged Ignatieff's Liberals to topple to Conservatives before the shelf life of the coalition expired; constitutional experts said that four months after the last election, if the government fell, the Governor General would likely grant the Prime Minister's request to dissolve parliament instead of inviting the coalition. On January 28, 2009, the Liberals agreed to support the Conservative budget with an amendment, ending the possibility of the coalition, so Layton said "Today we have learned that you can't trust Mr. Ignatieff to oppose Mr. Harper. If you oppose Mr. Harper and you want a new government, I urge you to support the NDP."
 
 
His recent campaign speech stated he will punish the "Polluter's" by finding "new sources of energy". Which translates to - Alberta is screwed.
 
 
Final Judgement: Jack Layton is for Jack Layton.
 
 
As for the Green Party, they are not even in the running. The two big wigs here are really Liberal or Conservative.
 
 
Now I will talk Stephen Harper.
 
 
He was born and raised Canadian, and better yet, a MP in Calgary. Yeah so I am a bit biased there I will admit. He has a long political career. During the recession we remained afloat. Unlike our American neighbors who are still struggling and seem to be getting worse, we survived and are starting to come back. I am wondering what he would be capable of if he wasn't a minority government.
 
 
Final Judgement Finally someone who really does seem to have our best interests.
 
I want Harper to have a majority and really get to make some changes. That's how I see it.

Let me start from the begining, no there is too much.. let me sum up..

The past year was a whirlwind of (for lack of a better analogy) complete crap! People I loved were sick and suffering, work was non existent and to top it all off, I did not win the lotto! That last part was of course a joke the rest of it painfully true, unfortunately.

So we begin a new year with new possibilities. So far things have been not too bad. Mostly people around me are doing better. Job situation is improving as well.

Well then what do I talk about? I have some venting to do. So I will just tell you my top pet peeves - lately.

I can't stand people that do not clean up after themselves. When you make food put your cups, bowls, dishes, pots, pans in the dishwasher! If the dishwasher has clean dishes in it - hey here is a thought - EMPTY IT!  It drives me nuts how dirty and inconsiderate people can be and how they just assume I will be their maid and clean up after them - NOT doing THAT anymore!

People who do not take responsibility for their own actions. Wow what is people who just think the world is at fault and they do no wrong? They are usually the argumentative ones who will argue over anything and everything and never admit they are mistaken or in error. Rude and obnoxious are two words that come to mind. Just a bit of advice for you - the world owes you NOTHING, least of all me, stop taking and start doing some giving. What makes me really laugh is they can usually spot his quality in other people but not in themselves.

Immaturity. If you are over 18 - grow the hell up! Stop whining, stop acting like a child stop expecting people to bend over backwards for you while you take, take, take, - GROW UP! You are not a child you are an adult - ACT IT! I am so sick of today's whiney, no direction, egocentric, self involved, ridiculous youth. This is the world - take a good look around you. Open your damn eyes, and start behaving like a adult.

The Customer is always right. Remember that old rule? When did this stop being common practice? I am sick of service people being jerks. I have even said to a waitress once (after she argued with me about the menu they had posted outside the door, she even went to check, to find I was right) "What ever happened to the customer is always right?" she just looked at me. Much like my beagle looks at me when you try to have difficult conversations with him ... blink...blink....blink...

Well that's all at the moment that I can think of. I am sure I will have more venting later but those are today's biggies!   Thanks for reading :)

******Addition***

Thought of something else! Being taken for granted. This year I am not going to be a doormat. THIS year I will stop the give give give gravy train. It ends right now. I am sick of giving and giving and being totally taken for grated. People who respect you do not do that. Thankfully this isn't a major issue in my life but there is enough that it bothers and upsets and hurts me. So it ends - now.