Apr
30
2006
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TransGeneration – We got it easy!

I just finished watching the amazing documentary “TransGeneration” produced by Sundance Channel in association with Logo. I am a perfectly straight male who is very comfortable with his sexuality. I believe everybody should have the right to live their life the way THEY want.

Most people complain about how difficult it is to gain muscle, loose fat – you name it… imagine what a person has to go through emotionally, physically and with family to decide to completely change their gender. It puts into perspective how “easy” our relatively small transformations are in comparison.

My informal education about alternative lifestyles

My education about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered community has all been through documentaries and great TV shows such as “Queer as Folk”. Growing up as a kid, I never knew such a thing existed until I was well into high school, this is where many of my unfounded negative stereotypes originated and luckily stayed.

I believe you are born the way you are, if you fear hanging around or hearing about people with alternative lifestyles “converting” you, then you aren’t sure about your own sexuality to begin with.

What is trans-gendered?

Trans-gendered is simply somebody who is of one sex but in their heart and mind feel trapped in the body of another sex. For instance, if you are a male stuck in a females body (and vice versa) – that has got to be extremely difficult to deal with. This is very different then somebody who is gay (male attracted to males), lesbian (female attracted to females), bisexual (attracted to both sexes) and straight (attracted to the opposite sex).

As one of the cast member poignantly explains, sex is to the body what gender is to the mind.

Gender – your badge in society

I personally thing that the reason why so many people have such bad stereotypes about trans-gendered people especially, even within the GLB community of the past is because they challenge our very perception of gender within our society.

So much of who we are is defined by our gender, the thought of being trapped in the “wrong” gender is something nobody can really understand unless they experience it.

I also believe there is incredible resistance to trans-gendered people due to the idea of how fragile our own gender really is (insecurity), if you give a female testosterone injections, she will develop male attributes. Simply look at female bodybuilders as an extreme and you will see females with not only big muscles but Adams Apples, strong jaw lines, body hair. For males taking testosterone they actually become more feminine, developing breasts, shrinking testes, becoming infertile and much more.

Their reasons are completely different but the end result is the same, you can easily within a few months by alternating your hormones begin to change your physical body from one gender to the other. This is why hormones are rightfully controlled substances, you can really screw your body up for the rest of your life even if you do know what you are doing.

Back to the documentary

Watching the documentary “TransGeneration” you actually have to remind yourself that you are looking at somebody that is not the sex you perceive them to be… especially Raci the Filipino man who is transforming into a woman. She turns heads everywhere she goes which is very apparent when they film her in public and on campus… I think most people would be astounded that the plumbing doesn’t match the body.

Another interesting moment in the documentary is when Gabbie is welcomed whole-heartedly by her grandparents to their home, her grandfather is a retired Presbyterian Minister – his stance about the whole situation is that “religion is about acceptance”. This is the kind of open mindedness we need in our religious institutions! You are going to have to watch the show for yourself to see more very interesting rocks uncovered by the transformation of the cast.

The Bottom Line

Being secure about yourself and your beliefs is all that should matter as you live out your life, no matter the lifestyle you choose but you have to admit, most of us have life pretty easy in comparison.

Apr
25
2006
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I sincerely believe that drug addicts are no longer people, they are simply walking shells of who they once where

Drug addicts are but shells waiting to fade awayMy personal feelings about the events surrounding my sisters death. The 5th of May will mark my dead sisters birthday, she would have been 26 years old. I honestly cannot remember the last birthday of hers I attended, drugs seem to make family contact irrelevant to the user. Although the circumstances of her death on Christmas are still unknown thanks to the useless St. Catharines Police “Service”, I still find it hard to come to the realization that I will never see her again other then in photographs. I have no regrets of shunning her while she was hooked, I still believe that was the best thing for the both of us.


Christmas 2005

My parents being gone on a well deserved vacation, I was in charge of things until they got back. A few days after Christmas, the police drove to my parents house (nobody was there) and so they went to our neighbors to get our contact information. Later that night around 8 or 9pm, I got an e-mail and called my neighbor who told me to call my parents at their hotel… something was wrong in the family.

My biggest fear was that something happened to my nephew or my parents, I had long prepared myself for a call from the coroner regarding either of my sisters. When you are on drugs, it’s only a matter of time before they get you for good. I got a hold of my mom and she told me that Dominique had died and that I needed to make a few phone calls to take care of the arrangements. The news of her death hit me pretty hard but once I realized how she had decided to lead her life, I felt she was better off. Maybe this is selfish, but I don’t consider a drug addicted life one worth living – it’s simply a drain on love ones and is only a one way spiral to death. Am I happy that she is dead? Of course not – but she now has the peace she never had once drugs entered her life.

Useless St. Catharines Police Service

One of my first calls was to the police officer investigating the death, she was polite but completely indifferent. She told me very matter of fact way that they knew her boyfriend supplied her with the drugs, video taped his testimony at the scene and where essentially going to do NOTHING. The only difference between going out on the street and shooting somebody in the head vs getting somebody hooked on drugs leading to a slow death is only method. According to our justice system, only the shooting is considered a crime but in my mind, if the result is the same, so should the punishment.

The “boyfriend” drug dealer that killed my sister was given NO CHARGES, NO JAIL TIME OR EVEN ARRESTED… NOT EVEN A FINE! This is how screwed up our system is, if I don’t pay to park in St. Catharines, I get an immediate 15$ fine if I get caught. If I destroy somebodies life and help them to achieve their death, I get off without even a warning. What little respect I had for our justice system before my sisters death has long evaporated. Malaysia has an automatic swift death penalty for ANYBODY caught with drugs (be they foreign or locals), I am 100% behind this and think the western world should adopt the same approach.

Here is the ultimate irony. Her killer is well known as a drug pusher and user by the police, yet they do nothing to stop him as he destroys more lives and families. Me on the other hand, built myfoodcount.com out of my own pocket with a business partner, work every day to improve myself and other around me and guess what… I am the one getting arrested (just last week) for walking on a sidewalk. I think NWA was 100% correct with their attitudes towards authority.

Insult to Injury – the investigation is closed to the family!

After the St. Catharines Police did their blood tests, autopsy etc on my sister, we where told it would take 3 months to know what exactly lead to her death. Well, 3 months have past, they have all the paperwork finished up and guess what, my family would need a court order to simply review the material. My sister is dead and I have to go to court to find out what happened yet the guy who killed her never even sees the inside of a court room.

Cremation Hijinks – how low some people really are

My family decided that it would be best to cremate my sister and keep her ashes at home, we feel the best place for her is to be close to the family.

Well, her boyfriend/pusher got wind of the cremation and called the crematorium claiming that they got married and he wanted to take care of all the arrangements. When I heard this, I had no doubt how much of a loss cause her boyfriend was. Not only did he take away her life, cause her to loose her dog grooming business and tried to sell back her personal belongings to my parents after her death – but now even after her death, was trying to get a hold of any money she would get from the government. Thankfully the crematorium owner knew the circumstances of her death and told him that if they where married and he wanted to take care of everything, they should meet so he can pay for the service. To no surprise, after spending 15 minutes on the phone saying how much he loved my sister, he instantly backed off. What a great piece of work this “husband” was huh?

My other sisters reaction

My other sister, Melanie is also a drug addict, the first time she contacted me in several years was to confirm that I knew my sister Dominique had died. This was a few days after my family knew of her death. She was insulted that my sister was getting an autopsy and when I told her that Dominiques boyfriend supplied her with the drugs that killed her. She told me over the phone that it was Dominiques own fault for not knowing what she was doing – no sympathy whatsoever and she hung up the phone on me. Melanie wanted a big funeral for my sister (the works!) and my parents to come back immediately from their vacation to attend to things. I told her that Dominique chose to screw her own life up, that she was next to get a “call from God” and my parents where far better to stay on their vacation then to come back. I was more then happy to take care of things and save my parents the pain of dealing with all of these issues. I may have lost a sister (both actually) but the emotion is nothing compared to having lost a child.

My sisters “boyfriend”

I don’t remember his name nor do I care, don’t think anything of him and if I ever see him again, I will introduce him to a wheelchair. I take great solace in knowing how screwed up his life is and I hope he lives a very long, absolutely miserable life – full of pain, disappointment and loss. I was brought up a Christian where you are suppose to “turn the other cheek”… well, I hope there is an afterlife so I can be in charge of the button that sends him straight to hell for eternity. He was neither a man nor a friend to my sister. I would happily buy him a one way plane ticket straight to Malaysia if I could find him.

The Bottom Line

I hope my openness about the circumstances around my sisters death help addicts realize how cheap their lives are to their drug addicted friends, police and ultimately, the people they thought loved them. Lead a life of hurt and misery, and you will be forgotten as quickly as your last high.

Written by Jon in: dark side of health,death,drugs |
Apr
23
2006
3

Which body type are you?

Body types in 3 major categoriesHumans have three distinct body types, they are ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Before starting any exercise or diet regime, you should try to figure out what type you are, as different training methods will be required to reach your goals.

The definitions below are the extremes of each type, each has their advantages and disadvantages evolutionary speaking which is why we are usually composed of a mixture of the three.

Ectomorph – skinny

I have to admit, a big chunk of my composition is the classic ectomorph. My problem isn’t gaining weight, it’s keeping it on… if I do not workout, no matter what I eat or do, I begin to loose weight.

Ectomorphs are characterized with having a very delicate, fragile and lean build. They usually have small shoulders, are lightly muscled and it takes them a long period of time to gain muscle, which is easily lost. You can spot an ectomorph from a mile away with their slender and long twiggy body.

People who best represent the ectomorphs body are top model Kate Moss and actor Brad Pitt.

Mesomorph – muscled

Mesomorphs are characterized with a hard, athletic body with a muscular physique that responds very well to exercise. They gain fat and muscle far easier then ectomorphs due to their strong build.

Mesomorphs have broad shoulders and a narrow waist, giving them a triangular appearance for men and hourglass for woman. Their face is usually very angular with prominent features, unlike ectomorphs, mesomorphs also have well developed muscles even down to their fingers.

People who best represent the mesomorphs body are actor/bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Demi Moore.

Endomorphs – curvy

Endomorphs have bodies that are great fat storage machines. For them, loosing weight is difficult and sometimes say “I can gain weight just looking at food”. They have a soft, round body and need to watch what they eat.

While ectomorphs are long and slanky, endomorphs have short and stubby features. Their build tends to concentrate from the abdomen and up, their legs and general features are not very well defined.

Actor John Goodman and celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey are great examples of endomorphs in the media.

Changing your body type

Although there are extremes of each body type, most people are a combination of several builds, as a result, you can only “modify” your body type but it is heavily influenced by your diet, ethnic background and exercise routine. For example, people from Asian descent tend to have stronger ectomorphic characteristics while population from an African descent tend to be more endomorphic.

As for myself, I grew up very lean but with YEARS of exercise and eating a proper diet, I have been able to modify my body type from one being very ectomorphic to slightly mesomorphic. Will I ever be a true mesomorphic, not unless I start tweeking around with my endocrine system (ei: taking growth hormones, steroids etc.). Naturally speaking, you are stuck with what you where given. As I mentioned earlier, once I stop working out, my body begins to slide back into its natural ectomorphic mold.

No matter your body type, you are fighting your body all the way, it doesn’t want change, it wants things to stay put. Thankfully you have a brain and can decide to take actions that override temporarily your genetic predispositions.

The Bottom Line

Be happy with what you got but always strive for what you want.

Written by Jon in: internal workings |
Apr
21
2006
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I gets arrested!

What I looked like last night, I forgot I was wearing my myfoodcount.com t-shirt, maybe that was the dead giveaway!

Just about every night, I go out for a one to three hour walk, I tend to prefer walking around industrial parks and factories – sticking to the sidewalk when there is one. I have an affinity for the industrial sector and I feel more at home on a shop floor then a shopping mall. Nobody goes for walks around there so I am guaranteed to be alone, it is also the time when new ideas pop into my head. I would also love to own my own manufacturing plant one day.

Be careful what you think… it may happen!

Last night was like every other night except for one thing, apparently somebody saw me breaking & entering into a building and promptly called the police who sent two squad cars to get me.

It’s funny because just a few minutes before, I walked right in front of the police station wondering what it’s like to be arrested.

Nice Police… but quick to judge

I cannot say anything bad about the police, they pulled over and said they wanted to talk to me. First question they asked me was my name, I told them why they wanted my name. They said somebody matching my description broke into a place, “interacted” with somebody and was scoping out other buildings. I was wearing a white t-shirt and a white/red flannel jacket… more importantly, I was the ONLY GUY walking around outside a few blocks around.

They again asked my name, I told them I am walking down the street and politely declined to give them any of my personal information beyond my first name – I told them my last name was irrelevant as I felt I had done nothing wrong. If their case against me was solely based off my personal information, they they are fishing in the wrong pond. That is when they called for backup and told me to stop walking. About a minute later, another police car pulled over and before I knew it, I had 4 police officers around me (one in front, behind, to the left, right). Apparently, traffic stopped at the local intersection to see what was happening too.

My guess was they where trying to intimidate me… again, they asked my last name and I told them I have spent the last 2 hours walking around the block and I didn’t see what my last name had to do with “somebody lodging a complaint”. A few minutes later, they told me I was being put under arrest for breaking & entering and resisting arrest. On go the handcuffs and into the back of the police car I go.

Game over

They continued to ask me what I was doing walking around the industrial part of town at night, I told them I wanted peace and quiet. They then told me this can go one of two ways, I give them my last name or we go right to the police station for booking – apparently not giving your full name to a police officer who has suspicions about you is an automatic “go to jail” card. So, knowing I have no records for anything, I told them my last name and answered other personal questions they had. I have a busy day tomorrow and telling my clients I was in jail for the night for refusing to give my last name didn’t make much sense.

I think the whole ordeal lasted about 20 minutes, 15 of which was not telling them my personal information (still none of their business in my opinion) but answering all their other questions.

Freedom Gained

After I told them who I was, address and other personal info, they let me out of the handcuffs and the back of the police car. They told me they had lots of break-ins and that I looked suspicious. The officer then told me that I shouldn’t be walking around on side streets at night, only sticking to main roads for my own safety. I didn’t bother telling him I had a black belt in karate and am very aware of my surroundings.

They told me there will now be a record of my arrest tonight, I don’t believe that is true as I was never formally charged with anything nor booked.

Very tricky tactics

If I was in Iraq, I probably would have giving them my life story without being asked but this is Canada… I got rights. I realized soon into the conversation they where trying to get me for something. Their whole line of questioning was geared around “somebody”, the officer questioned all my assertions, played “good cop, bad cop” etc.. I make a living negotiating with businesses day in and day out… I saw all their tactics a mile away. But I never played along, police officers have no sense of humor when they are on the job.

It was interesting how they would slowly stretch the truth to my answers, I always promptly interrupted and corrected them – time and again.. If you are on drugs, drunk or not “all there”, I can now see how easy it is to be arrested. For example, I kept telling them that of course I am the guy they are looking for, I am the only guy around… apparently they saw people all over the place on the streets I had just walked. I know better then to crack a joke to a police officer but in my head I was thinking “so, your the grown up kid in The Six Sense”. I know if I would have told that to them I would be in jail right now acquiring a new boyfriend.

Another example of laying foundations to get me to crack was their entire approach. They wouldn’t ask one question and move on, they would ask the same question in a different way, over and over… to see if I gave different answers. Fifteen minutes of questioning by 2 main police officers with two others staring at me actually wears you down, if you only deviate slightly from your story, they got you. Four minds against one that is new to this whole thing isn’t fair. They where essentially trying to put words in my mouth and confirming I said such things.

Trust is earned, not given – without exception

I live by this motto, I don’t care if you are a police officer or a homeless person asking for a dime on the street, I NEVER give my trust unless somebody has “proven” to me that they are worthy of earning it.

Maybe I was tough on the police officers who where simply asking innocent questions but there are a lot of people in this world who shouldn’t be dead or in jail because they simply gave their trust away. Life isn’t fair, especially when dealing with people who are in positions of authority over you – don’t give simply because of a title.

What do I think of being arrested?

I guess there is a first time for everything, not that big a deal actually, I don’t think it is right to be arrested for simply walking down a sidewalk in an industrial area of town, nor do I believe they had probable cause which is why they eventually had to let me go. I believe even now that they where abusing their power and I was in the right – I gave in to simply avoid a night in jail.

Again, if your entire case is based off “somebody” “saying” you broke into a place and your the only guy around and the final decision to arrest a person or not is based off their last name, there is something wrong with your case.

I told the police officers that if I was going to break into a place at night, I would wear all black, have something hard to allow me to “break into” a place and sure as hell wouldn’t be on foot ;-) Did he expect me to steal something after a break-in and carry it on my back for a few kilometers to my home? I don’t mind being questioned but I don’t appreciate being taken for a fool.

The Bottom Line

It’s not every night I get arrested for walking on the sidewalk, I will try to not turn it into a habit

Written by Jon in: experiences |
Apr
16
2006
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Non-Prescription Xenical: Is 5lbs worth 1 200$/year?

Pills aren't the solutionThis has to be an April Fools Joke or something… a “prescription weight-loss pill” exists and not only that, Xenical will most likely be approved by the FDA for over the counter use. Please tell me this is a joke!

How does Xenical work & what is the difference?

Xenical works by simply blocking fat absorption during the digestive process. Xenical blocks 50% of fat consumed while the prescribed version blocks only 25% – it’s not a huge leap of faith that many people will simply double (or more) the dose to get “more results”.

I have three fundamental problems with turning a Xenical derivative into an “over the counter” medicine:

1) Fat is our friend: Fat is essential for your body, without it… you die a slow, heavily constipated death! If you are eating too much, don’t take a pill, change your diet!

2) Doesn’t address root problems: Obesity is rarely a clinical disease, it’s mostly a self-imposed condition caused by lack of exercise, education and will power (in other words, laziness)… a pill does NOTHING to solve this – and I think it will actually make things worse!

3) Habit Forming: Just like cigarettes being used for weight loss, as soon as you STOP taking the pills the “extra 5lbs” you lost and paid 25$ a week to keep off return.

FAT IS OUR FRIEND

Fat is our friend but like all friends, it requires respect and understanding.
Fat is ESSENTIAL for our survival, people do not get “fat” because they are eating fat, they become “fat” because they are consuming more calories then they burn. FAT is not the reason for obesity, over consumption of calories is. Fat is so important that if you ask any nutritionist or doctor (who studied in nutrition) what makes up a good diet, they will say
“Carbohydrates, Protein and FAT with plenty of Fiber from a non-processed food diet is what your body needs to keep running properly.”

If you are suffering from self-imposed obesity, you need to make changes in your mental and physical attitudes about life, not blame “fat”,”carbs” or whatever else for your bulges. You created what you look like right now, change your habits or be happy the way you are, either way, don’t take it out on my friend Mr. Fat!

Pills don’t solve root problems: The Obesity Culture

A large segment of our society still believes in doing NOTHING to improve their health and expect science to develop a pill that will give them an Olympic physique. They are so sure of this will happen in their lifetime they eat a poor diet and believe exercise is a disease to be avoided at all costs… rationalizing once the pill comes out, the HEALTH and body that has alluded them will happen overnight. WAKE UP!

If you are obese, you are slowly killing yourself by choice. Nobody is forcing or brainwashing you to be/stay overweight. YOUR CHOICE.

Habit Forming: Expect to become FATTER & POORER!

GlaxoSmithKline recommends an individual take the “non-prescription” version of Xenical for 6 months – a 650$ investment – WITH A SENSIBLE DIET AND EXERCISE PLAN. If you are obese due to laziness, I doubt taking a pill will make you want to get your butt in the Gym or cause you to change your diet plans.

After 6 months you know what GlaxoSmithKline has achieved? They have turned your pill popping into a HABBIT. Stop taking the pill, the weight comes back with a vengeance, keep taking it and you stay “5lbs” leaner for ONLY 1 200$/year. This is insidious because they have you HOOKED!

At least when prescribed, there is “some” supervision by a medical practitioner but over the counter… I expect that caveat fall on deaf ears. How do you know if it’s not the exercise and diet causing you to loose the weight? This simply covers GlaxoSmithKline ass if you GAIN or loose no weight while medicated – didn’t exercise or change your diet… then IT’S YOUR FAULT! This is the same trick used by just about every “weight loss” scam out there… put the blame on the consumer for not meeting expectations.

Now, how do you become fatter taking a weight loss pill? Easy, eat more then you did before… people suffering from anorexia, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder will now have access to a powerful drug that will only make their conditions worse.

The Bottom Line

As a businessman, I think this product is genius but as a human being, this product is deplorable.

Buzvia

ABC News Article

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=1819804

Written by Jon in: companies,dark side of health,drugs |

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