Apologies

While I excused myself before my south-western adventure I returned a few days ago and seem to have pointedly avoided posting anything. Unfortunately, I can't post much as I have an assignment to do. Speaking of the assignment, it is for a course on intercultural communication through UBC's Centre for Intercultural Communication that is certainly stirring my thoughts. Needless to say, the tools, theories and models mentioned in the course apply to all sorts of communication which I'm finding quite interesting and will likely lead to future posts of greater depth.

In the meantime, "Congratulations Mom!" She has been selected to perform in a play that will be taking place next spring. The play will be put on by a renowned Canadian playright with the involvment of a major company. She worked hard and I'm proud of and happy for her.

Full Mind or Mindful?

I've been in a training program this past week looking at intercultural competency. Without really picking my wording apart let me say that cultures need not specifically be related to countries or regions of heritage. It need only represent a group with which we identify. Still, I couldn't help but go into things with the mindset that intercultural theory would be specifically applied in such circumstances. Imagine my surprise then when I identified communication models that I felt could be applicable with those who I believe to share my culture. I guess it comes down to being mindful. I hope I'm working in the right direction on that.

I'm heading on a wee work adventure so if I'm not around for the next week, at least I have an excuse.

How much are your pants worth?

Think the U.S. is too litigious? 'Nuf said.

"Less Gas, More Ass!"

It seems that the World Naked Bike Ride has passed us by. Here I am with a broken bike, missing the opportunity to bare it all to draw attention to the fact that the world is changing and our reliance on fossil fuels is part of the problem. As silly as it is, it gets the point across and may just inspire me to get my bike fixed, but not necessarily join in the fun.

Remember me?

It's been another long dry-spell where you may have come looking for Justin's perspective on those things around him but found nothing new. Well, finally I come to you with something new.

This week, the Globe and Mail newspaper had an article entitled: Welcome to Green U. It highlighted the interest in environmentally-themed employment and how universities are developing programs to suit that interest. That, is fine by me. What isn't fine, is the response of some parents. It appears that the "income model" is at the heart of it all and that maybe everyone should be growing up to be lawyers or doctors (no disrepsect meant to any lawyers or doctors reading my missive).

I feel as though the changes that are happening around us are going to necessitate the future revolving around an environmental conciousness. Businesses who disregard their influence on the environment will do so at their own peril. As such, employees will be dedicated to efforts to ameliorate their influence (even the lawyers and doctors).

Why is it that ostensibly-successful parents cannot have the vision of their kids? Why do they have to undermine their children's goals by blaming it on their unbridled optimisim? I hope that the necessary support will be there for those whose optimisim drives them to opportunities to save us all, rather than just save money.