Apply to Keep from Burning Yet You’ll Catch Fire!

Over the weekend, sunscreen giant Banana Boat announced a recall of one of their popular sunscreen lotions because of the risk of fire.

You read that right – fire!

According to Banana Boat, the lotion in question doesn't dry fast enough, and if exposed to extreme heat, there is the risk of it – and the person wearing the sunscreen – of catching fire.

As of this writing, one person was seriously burned after the Banana Boat sunscreen he was wearing erupted into flames, after he applied the lotion, and then began to BBQ.

What a world to live in, where even the potions, lotions and creams we apply on a regular basis can ignite and cause serious injury.

The greater irony of a sunscreen, which is supposed to prevent you from burning your skin, that can actually cause third-degree burns is humours in a sense.

But the real issue here is quality control.

It wasn’t all that long ago, when quality products and services actually existed. The old adage was almost always true – you get what you pay for. However, even the lowest priced items were safe, and usually did the job.

These days, even when you spend money on what you think is a quality, brand name product, you take your chances, as corporations have cut corners to the point where you really just don’t know.

You really just don’t know if that juicy thick steak you’re about to bite into is going to give you food poisoning. You really just don’t know if the breaks in your car will keep you from rear-ending the guy in front. You really don’t know if the sunscreen you applied will keep your skin from burning – or in the case of Banana Boat’s recall – catching fire.

I miss the old days – which weren't that old and long ago – when you didn't have to second guess anything, because you really did know that the products sold on store shelves were at the very least, safe.

Big, greedy corporations – and small and medium sized ones too – are the primary offenders here, as they overlook obvious safety concerns to save a buck. But the ultimate scapegoat is our politicians for cutting back on government employees paid to look in and enforce the laws, which were originally put in place to keep us safe.

As governments cut costs and lay off enforcement officers in all sectors, or cut salaries to these support staffs as they often raise their own wages, we end up with zero to no quality controls in place, as big business doesn't see the need to obey the rules.

And as businesses continue to let quality controls go, we all suffer, as the goods and services we purchase which may actually cause us harm increase, yet the penalties for allowing these dangerous products in the marketplace decreases.

So we as a society become increasingly cynical, yet accepting of shoddy products and questionable services.

It’s a recipe for disaster as the longer companies are allowed to get away with inferior products, the greater the risk to us all.

Passing the Canadian Crown Royal

Canada is known far and wide for many things. We are a hockey-loving nation, with great beer, always friendly people, and we have kept the peace globally in many United Nation’s war-torn regions.

Some even know that our ultimate ruler is the Queen of England.

What? You didn't know?

Canada is officially a constitutional monarchy, which means Queen Elizabeth can overrule our parliament any time she wants too.

So far, we've been lucky that the Royals haven’t interfered with the Canadian political system – so far.

Actually, like many political figures, the Queen’s presence in Canada is mostly just that, a figure head roll. All pomp and no circumstance.

Every year, there is talk in Canada and many other countries where the Queen, or other Royally ruled nations, about the relevancy of a royal leader.

And we’re sure to hear about it again soon in this country, as one of the greatest Royal representatives Canada has had passed away today.

Former Lt. Governor Lincoln Alexander, passed away today at the age of 90. Alexander was the first black person to serve as a Member of Parliament (MP) and was Lt. Governor for Canada’s largest province, Ontario, from 1985 to 1991.

The Lt. Governor represents the Queen’s interests for the province he represents.

I remember Lincoln Alexander as being one of the last people in that post, that didn't use it to forward his own political causes and beliefs.

Others have since used the title to push forward their own political ideologies, and pet projects.

Regardless of who or what was represented in a provincial Lt. Governor role, they ultimately represent the British Royal family, and their interests.

Before the industrial revolution of the 1900’s, royalty really did rule. Kings and Queens sent their knights and soldiers out to raid other lands, to expand their territory.

It was the era of wooden sailing ships, horse-drawn carriages, and loyalty to one’s King or Queen above self.

Times have changed – yet many countries around the world still have a royal as their official head of state. These Royals – as with the British – are really more political eye candy than constructive contributors to the governance of a nation. 

They make the usual public appearances, do charity work, and announcements of good will and world peace around the end of the year.

But they don’t really serve any substantive purpose that greatly influences a nation’s growth or prosperity.

Back when Royal families ruled, they really were the leaders of a country. Making the decisions which affected how their citizens lived their lives.

These days, it’s usually the tabloid press capturing royals in uncompromising positions, which causes them to lose public faith, trust and respectability.

The Queen may have the final legal say in many countries, but she lacks the will of the people to achieve greatness for any nation she “governs.”

That’s because over the years, we've gone from dictator-like royals, which unilaterally made decisions for the whole nation, to democratically elected political systems where politicians are voted in – and out – of office based on the public’s perceptions of who should rule.

Former Lt. Governor Lincoln Alexander was a wonderful representative for the Queen. But as we remember him, maybe we should think towards the future, and remember that although Kings and Queens were important to our becoming the democratic states we live in today, they are outdated, archaic political structures that need to be eliminated.

It’s time we moved on from Kings and Queens, because today’s world leaders aren't any more or less royal than you or me.

Halloween is Hard – Even for Adults

Earlier this week, I posted a request for help on Twitter, as I try to figure out what to wear for Halloween – which is less than two weeks away.

NO! I’m not going trick or treating! I’m going to a Halloween party being held by my social meetup group. Although costumes are optional, it’s more fun if you dress up.

And how often do you really get to go out dressed as your favourite television character, movie star, or some evil demon, war lord or other fictional creature?

That’s part of the problem – or rather is the problem. There are so many possibilities, how does one choose?

I got some interesting responses to my Twitter request via posts and direct messages, including dressing up as a munk, Dracula, a 1970’s porn star, even a Smurf.

You can get costume ideas from junk mail too. Saw a flyer the other day for a major Canadian retailer, which had – of all things – a Ketchup packet costume. Not a whole bottle of the tomato-based condiment, nope – just a plastic packet.

Who’d want to dress up as a topping best served on greasy fries and burgers?

I’m struggling figuring out what to wear, but I’m not ridiculous.

Though I suppose that too makes part of the decision – a Halloween costume is a glimpse into a person’s personality, character as it is a visual representation of one’s imagination.

In a sense, you have to be brave to go incognito, because although you’re in costume, you’re showing off often unseen elements of who you are.

Though sometimes you can be too daring – or plain dumb. A few years ago I was working for a major Canadian bank, and woman who brought the sandwich cart every day dressed in practically nothing. To this day, I still haven’t a clue what she was supposed to be – I asked her, and she answered, but I was so astonished and distracted I didn't hear her.

After she had left our team’s area, I asked a fellow colleague what he thought of her costume. He said, it says she’s a young, beautiful, single, woman.

Yes, she was stunningly beautiful, but so very inappropriately dressed for the office. To me, it explained why she’ll be the sandwich lady forever.

Funny, I remember that Halloween story every time I start yacking about Halloween. And it would be nice to be memorable.

Maybe I should dress up as the sandwich lady for my Halloween party?

Then again, maybe not.

The Crazy World of Free Online Classified Buy and Selling

Thanks to the Internet, online shopping is as common as water these days. You can purchase just about anything online that you can in the real, physical world – from tech and toys, to even cars.

But ever try and sell used stuff on Craig’s List, Kijiji or a similar free online classified website?

Makes me wonder if you get what you pay for doesn't just extend to buyers, but to sellers too.

I did my research, scouted around the sites to see what my older stuff was selling for by others. Grabbed some good quality pictures of the items I had for sale. Got detailed descriptions, directly from the manufacturer’s websites for accuracy. I even made sure I was posting in the correct sections, and that I wasn't cross-posting or breaking any of the rules.

Then I waited. And waited. And – oh – wait a response.

“Cash price?”

Uh?

As I’m not a retail or big box store, I assumed everything for sale on these websites is listed for cash. I’m certainly not going to take a cheque from someone I don’t know. If you take the time to actually read the rules, and safety guidelines which are posted on these sites for safe buying and selling, they even warn you to only do business in person, in a public place, and for cash.

I responded: “Yes, I take cash.”

And I got back: “I know – nevah mind.”

WTF?

Maybe I’m missing something here, but I thought that’s what this person was asking? Perhaps if he, she or it wrote a complete sentence, clearly expressing their question, I’d be more able to answer!

Then I started getting ridiculous counter offers. I anticipated people wanting to barter, that’s often the nature of these things. But some were so bargain basement low, I might as well be giving it away for free.

Oh yeah, I got someone asking if they’d take a trade in fresh strawberries. Seriously! Here I am, selling off some old tech which is in excellent condition, just not currently in use, and I got someone offering fruit in exchange for it!

I did not even consider for a millisecond responding to the strawberry nut case. Actually I did, but because I was taught if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything, I restrained myself.

I did get some serious sounding interest, within a reasonable price range, and I responded asking for the usual information you’d expect to exchange with someone who you were about to engage in a business deal – their name, number and when they could pick it up.

None responded. Maybe it became to real for them and they suddenly realized their allowance, unemployment welfare cheques or food stamps wouldn't cover the cost they themselves had negotiated, because as soon as it was time to do business, they disappeared!

Maybe I should have taken the strawberry nut case up on his offer? Then at least I’d have something to munch on while I contemplate the craziness of these free online classified sites.

It Doesn’t Matter Whether Obama or Romney Get In, The World of Work Has Changed for the Worse

Every election, at all levels, and in both Canada and the States, the “j” word crops up as one of the key election issues.

That “j” word is “jobs.”

As Americans gear up for November’s presidential elections, more hype surrounding jobs and job creation creeps into the campaign, as both candidates claim they have a magical method to give the growing unemployed ranks of angry voters a gig.

Every election it’s the same political bullcrap, as global economies continue to falter, amid economic uncertain times.

It doesn't matter if you support President Barack Obama, or his opponent Mitt Romney, neither of their job platforms will work. They both are based on traditional means to stimulating the economy, which in turn usually creates job growth.

Stimulating the economy is important and need be done. But that’s NOT why America – and Canada – isn't working.

It’s because of recruitment firms stealing a piece of the employment pie, as they convince companies large and small that it’s better to hire consultants on a per-project-basis, rather than full-time, salaried, staff employees.

Of course it’s good – for the recruitment firms, which earn their keep by providing these temporary contract consultants. But it’s bad for the consultants, who eventually find themselves out of work and unemployed again when their contracts end.

And all contracts end – that’s the whole nature of contracting. Hiring permanent, salaried, staff employees have no end date to their jobs. However a contractual, temporary, or “term employee” is hired from a specific start date to a specific end date.

Contracts do get renewed, extended, even occasionally renegotiated. But none last forever. And most contractors don’t get complimentary benefits which are granted to salaried staff employees.

That’s part of the sales job which these recruitment firms pull over employer’s eyes to get them to do business with them.

Why pay someone benefits, through the good and the bad times, when you can hire someone hourly, without having to fork out benefits, just for the work that needs to be done?

It’s this lack of job security which has killed the middle class in North America. As the economy sours, and companies terminate or fail to extend or renew their contracted consultants, a mega-huge segment of the population suddenly finds themselves, unemployed, and without any means of providing a roof overhead, food in their tummies, and clothes on their backs.

And because this is such a mega-huge segment of our North American workforce – thanks to greedy recruitment firms more interested in making profits off the backs of hourly contractors than putting people into permanent work situations – as companies axe consultants, they no longer have any money to spend in the economy.

So it doesn't matter how many new products or services are introduced through government incentive programs for business innovation – no one is buying those new products or services. So the economy continues to spiral out of control.

It’s a catch-22 situation which politicians are aware of, but turn a blind eye towards because they don’t want to interfere in the rights of one company to make a buck.

However, they should be concerned, because these recruitment firms have a very negative impact on the economic engines of Canada and the States. Already both countries are less competitive internationally because of the shift in the economy from salaried, permanent staff towards hourly, contracted consultants.

For the past five years, there has been talk in economic circles of changing the international currency used to compare all other currencies. Since the start of the industrial revolution at the turn of the 1900’s, that currency has always been the American “Greenback” Dollar.

As America’s economy slumps lower with every full-time, salaried staff job lost to a recruitment firm’s contracted out consultant, the talk in economic circles is to replace the American dollar with an Asian currency as the new standard for measuring the currencies of the world, as many Asian countries economies are growing.

So wake up Obama, Romney and the rest of you politicos trying to sell voters on the “j” word with useless outdated and ineffective stimulus programs that don’t work.

We need government intervention and incentive programs to encourage companies to hire salaried, staff employees to grow and develop for the long-term. Not casual, contracted out consultants that are here one day, gone the next.

Or else one day, we all will be looking for work.

The Insanely Dangerous Things We Do to Get On TV

Yesterday, “Fearless” Felix Baumgartner became an instant television star after jumping over 38-kilometres (23.61 miles) above the Earth,on verge of space.

The Austrian dare-devil dropped about 1, 100 kilometres per hour (684 miles per hour) breaking several world records, while becoming the trending topics on most of the social networks, and having his space-suit-mug plastered on all media around the world.

This isn't the first – and it won’t be the last – insanely dangerous thing someone has done to garner instant fame. Remember this past June when Nik Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls on a tight rope?

Both dare-devils survived their crazy stunts, and both made the headlines for the next few days.

Maybe it’s the reality TV generation we unfortunately are in, but it appears the only way to get on television these days is to be doing insanely crazy stuff.

From shows which test people’s level of bravery like Survivor, to ones that test our patience like The Jersey Shore, you don’t have to be a talented actor or have any sense of real intellect or creativity these days to get on a major network.

Just being beautiful and allowing yourself to be humiliated for all to see appears to be the norm.

And if you aren't beautiful, or willing to be voted off the island, you can always jump out of a balloon high up near the barrier between space and Earth, or walk across Niagara Falls.

Why do television networks produce this puff? Whatever happened to shows which actually made us think, feel and laugh?

Truth is, broadcasters have always catered to the largest and widest possible audiences. That’s why they are called “broad” casters. It’s like fishing, they toss their net of shows out into the viewing ocean, and whatever people fall into their net they contain with mindless drivel, while the rest escape to their digital, on demand podcasts.

Perhaps that’s why television and radio are dying – because of the failure of broadcasters to keep pace with the competition from the on demand digital media.

Television and radio broadcasters on the major networks in both Canada and the States have reported significant drops in their viewing and listening audiences over the past decade.

Over a decade ago, on demand digital media didn't exist. We were forced to watch and listen to whatever television and radio programming network executives thought we wanted.

Now we the people are calling the shots. With on demand digital media, we the people are our own program directors. We may occasionally surf late night television, and tune into local radio shows for our morning commutes. However more of us are just saying no to the broadcasters stilted and stale programming choices, as we discover shows that actually mean something to us on our podcast catchers, and other digital media such as Netflix, Apple TV, and on demand networks and shows available through other similar systems.

Although watching someone free-fall from a low Earth orbit may entertain and amaze us for 15-seconds, that 15-seconds of fame is long gone almost as fast as it began.

To really have a successful television or radio show, you need a stable of steady, regular, dedicated viewers and listeners. Tossing out the old fishnet and hoping you catch something is very fleeting, and won’t build a dedicated fan-base to sell advertising.

And if you don’t continue to sell advertising, eventually you won’t be in business, because that’s what pays the bills.

But hey, look on the bright side – at least you can get your 15-seconds of fame. Well, so long as the broadcast television and radio stations continue to exist in the ever growing world of on demand digital media.

How much time is left?

Better hurry up.

Fifteen-seconds doesn't last long.

Nope.

Not long at all.

American Election Brings Out the Worst in America

Electioneering isn't a new thing – we all know how elections in much of the world are engineered by all sides so their candidate is in the end, the winner.

However, the American election this year seems to be hitting new lows.

Today there was an article trending on the social networks about Lindsey Lohan supporting Mitt Romney, highlighting her troubles with the law, drinking and spiralling out of control as reasons to support Romney’s campaign for the leadership of the free world. 

Obviously, it wasn't written by a Mitt Romney supporter – probably a Barack Obama campaign team member.

Though Romney’s campaign team isn't innocent either, often playing with the supporting press, running stories about the lies the current president of the United States tells to get re-elected.

With all the negative press both sides are dishing out about their competition, it’s impossible to really know what either politician thinks about anything of importance.

And that’s the real victim in all this negative electioneering, because all the other fluff is just that – fluff.

What really matters, isn't whether some washed-up alcoholic celebrity is supporting one candidate over another, or even who’s calling who out on lies.

What really matters is just what will either person do with the political power they are given, should they be elected?

Elections are a lot like hiring someone. I don’t know about you, but when I am sitting across my desk from someone who’s looking for work, the last thing I want to hear – or even expect to hear – is what the competition won’t do. Candidates for a job typically tell me what they WILL do should they get the job – and that’s important because I need to know that before I put someone on the payroll.

And elections are a lot like job interviews, only the candidates are vying for a gig with enormous responsibility.

However, if you follow all the hype both candidate’s political machines are spewing forth, you’d seriously wonder if either of them is really up to the task of tackling that responsibility.

Makes me proud to be Canadian – although our federal elections aren't as colourful  at least our Canadian politicians tell me what they’d do if elected.

And in the end, that’s all I really need and want to know.