An opening of one's knowledge,capabilities, vision and guidance. The Kenaz is about creating a relationship,learning and allowing room for interpretation. When you are in the darkness,an opening with light is the best and most gracious thing to have bestowed upon you. This is a great time for putting energies into new opportunities. Come share my world as I see it.
This is no joke, this was an actual response to my querry to why my garbage was tagged as "over the weight limit" from Hamilton Waste Management. It made no sense to me, see if it does to you.
Email sent yesterday,
Wednesday is my trash pick up day. I placed a bag out today that contained cat litter that was tagged as being over the weight limit. This was not the first time this has happened, nor do I believe the last time. The reason, is not because my garbage is over the limit. The reason is because the person picking up my trash, for what ever reason, chooses not to take any bag that is too heavy for him, regardless of actual weight.
Proof being, I weighed my bag this time and it only weighed 39 pounds. Well below the 50 that is allowed.
The last time a bag of similar bag was refused, I was able to call and state my case. I stated then the bag was under the limit, but was left. I was told to split the bag up and leave it out the next day and it would be picked up. It wasn't. I had to have smelly cat litter sit in my basement for another week.
My point is, if you have a fifty pound limit, that I can easily carry out of the basement to the curb, why can't a man who I have personally seen, who weighs more than me at 175lbs take my trash and lift it into the truck?
Furthermore, I personally overheard this man as I was getting ready to exit my house to go to work at 7:45am tell his co-worker not to pick up my bag even though he was capable of doing so.
If the City of Hamilton is unable to find capable sanitation workers, than its time to review their policies. I hope this matter can be cleaned up, I do not like my garbage not to be picked because of a lazy city worker.
I am curious as to how you are placing out your cat litter, can you please let me know if you are double bagging the material or are you mixing it in within your bags.I think the issue is more to do with the cat litter than anything.
What we ask is that you spread the cat litter in your bags, and double bag it so that the material is contained. If people put it out single bagged and separate then when the truck crushes the waste the feces, urine etc ends up spraying in their faces and they are breathing in this animal waste.
My email tonight, trying to make sense of this reply.
My litter is always first placed in kitchen bags then placed into two green garbage bags so that the odour is contained. I then sometimes place the bag(s) with my other garbage into a plastic can if it isn't too heavy. Odour has never been a reason given to refuse my garbage, as I said it was erroneously the weight. I work at Hotz Environmental so I'm well aware of the smell of ammonia as well as the precautions that should be taken to avoid getting a face full of it. I've had the same problem with this driver, and each time got a different excuse to why the trash was tagged or just left. The weight is fine and I'm sorry garbage smells. I pay city taxes and expect proper trash pick up, I hope this matter is settled.
Stay tuned to "Kenaz's Blog" because ur-in the bag to know the conclusion(?) of this odourific tale. I'm sorry I'm not very puny.
I've returned to my favourite Tarot and Rune reading sights to bring you a Summer reading. My Spring reading was accurate in a sense, I did leave a dead end job for something better.
For each reading I used the general question: What does the Summer have in store for me? As well for each the Celtic cross spread was used.
TAROT
Review of the ten card Celtic Spread.
The deck is first spread out face down in the middle of the table and mixed up thoroughly. The cards are then gathered and played out one card at a time, face up.
The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most common tarot spreads. There is a cross in the center, with a row of 4 cards along the side. This spread will provide a fairly in-depth look at a situation including past, present and external influences. Beginners may want to start with a spread with fewer cards.
This is a more advanced spread utilising ten cards. It is unusual as card number two is placed sideways across card number one. This card should be read as dignified when interpreting the meaning. The cards should be turned over one at a time and addressed individually before being brought together to present a unified reading.
1. The Question: This card relates to the question that is being asked and also the motives behind it. It also indicates the emotions or issues on the seeker's mind. 2. Possible Obstacles: This card has an important influence on the seeker or the question that is being asked. 3. The Past: The background to the need for the requested question to be answered. The history that produced the question itself 4. The Present: The here and now. Present emotional states and feelings 5. The Near Future: That which lies just around the corner. 6. The Far Future: That which can be anticipated but not yet seen. 7. Personal attitudes: The Seeker's attitudes towards the question that has been asked. Also an indicator of how they see themselves. 8. An Outside Perspective: How those around the Seeker see or interpret the issue at hand. 9. Hopes and Fears: The positive and negative connotations of the question. 10. The outcome: The final result or answer.
Here is the spread:
Quintessence:
Cover: General atmosphere
Knight of Swords SOMEONE UPSETS YOU BY CAUSING MISCHIEF WITH BAD INTENT.
Strength SHOW YOUR DESIRE AND APPROACH THINGS WITH PASSION.
RUNE READING
Introduction to Rune Readings
Rune readings are arrangements of the 24 runes (letters) of the old Futhark alphabet. The layout of the runes is known as a spread, and determines what each rune refers to. For example, in the Three Norns spread, the first rune represents the past, the second the present, and the third the future.
Sets: In addition to each rune having a meaning, the material in which the runes are carved can color the reading. Most people consistently use runes made of ceramic, stone, or wood. In order to broaden your experience, we offer readings with Gold Runes (for questions about business, career, and property), Jade Runes (for questions about love, friendship, and relationships), Ice Runes (for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement), Spirit Runes (for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion), and Stone Runes (for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control).
Spread:Cross(in order of reading) The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.
The left rune represents an important element of the past. Tyr is the symbol of the warrior. This rune most represents masculine force and potency, and frequently victory in battle. Beware though, for this rune represents directly the Norse god whose name it bears - Tyr stands out in legend for having sacrificed his hand that he might bind Fenrir, a monstrous wolf that threatens to swallow the world. As such, this rune is known to portend a great victory that can be bought with a terrible sacrifice. Tyr is also the god of law, frequently placed in such position above Odin. In this aspect, protection of justice may be had by this rune.
The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Inguz is the rune of completion and fertility. The presence of this rune suggests that tasks which have been initiated will come to fruition. This rune is associated with Ing and Frey, it is this connection that explains its connotations of both fertility and sexuality. The variant of this rune shown here is reminiscent of the twin strands of life, and of the challenge and rewards of bringing together things complimentary.
The top rune represents a force that works for you. Eoh refers to the Yew tree. The Yew does not go dormant and therefore represents endurance. Even the wood of the tree is strong, resilient, and pliable - the Yew bends, but does not break. The evergreen nature of the Yew is present even in the rune itself, as it cannot be changed even by reversal. This rune is historically symbolic of death, but, as in the Tarot and as suggested by the nature of the Yew tree itself, death is seen only as a transmutation of something eternal and unchanging - the spirit.
The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge, driving away darkness and ignorance and revealing hidden truth. This rune also brings forth images of friendship and comfort. Ken is the light of inspiration, the light of imagination, and a beacon in the darkest hours.
The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Berkana, the birch tree, is representative of rebirth, fertility, and a positive outcome to ventures undertaken. It is also the rune of families. Here the rune is reversed, warning you to be heedful of new beginnings, lest they sour. Rebirth is either delayed, or totally disrupted. There is also a warning of family troubles.
Hamilton's famous downtown eyesore the Lister Block has been under a dark cloud of pessimism for more than a decade. The plywood boards covering the grand buildings history from prying eyes have become home for every poster hanger and pigeon in the city. The gloom surrounding the building is so thick the only ones enjoying the site are the reported "spirits" from times past that are said to roam the interiors.
Some of the stale air was lifted yesterday, when Premier Dalton McGuinty made yet another election-campaign stop here to announce that the provincial government will give Hamilton $7 million toward redevelopment of the decaying landmark. The money will allow the city to relocate the public health department to the Lister, becoming an anchor tenant for phase one of the revitalization project.
The Liberal team insists this isn't an election scheme to buy support in a strategically important region where several key Liberal MPPs are stepping down, and their seats will be hotly contested. And if you believe that fish tale, you will buy that City Hall is a cute fixer upper that just needs a little paint.
Political "jockey shorts" adjusting aside, this is some welcoming news for Hamilton. There's no denying the Lister's symbolic and practical value to core revitalization. The salvaged relic will bring much needed rejuvenation to the campaign. This project is the start of Hamilton's field of dreams, build a keystone and the rest of the puzzle will fall into place.
Unless the current city council blows it that is. Now is not the time for squabbling and heel dragging, lets sit down and nail down all the loose ends and get this happening. The money is now available, and the developers are eager. So are neighbouring businesses and residents who've lived next door to a rotting hulk for too long. One owner of a coffee shop even showed off her "Lister Block Happy Dance" on the evening news, hopefully more business owners and customers alike will break out their dancing shoes.
God knows, Hamiltonian's are ready to see the scaffolding go up around the Lister and other key buildings in the downtown, cheers to our future!
It was inevitable that some day Hamilton Tiger Cat fans would no longer hear the names of two of their all time favourite players being called out over the loud speaker. Yesterday was that sad day, the Cats announced the release of linebacker Rob Hitchcock and wide receiver Mike Morreale. It wasn't a big shock, it was obvious that the best playing days where behind both players and it was best for both players to go while they where on top.
Like any loss of this calibre though, it will be extremely tough to fill the void left by these Canadian hero's. Hitchcock played 12 seasons, all with Hamilton, in 200 games he cemented his eventual place on the Ticats wall of fame by becoming the all-time leader in defensive tackles (482) as well as special teams tackles (122) and also recorded the third most interceptions in team history (36).
Hamilton's "Iron Man", Morreale played eight seasons in Hamilton, 12 in the CFL, and remarkably never missed a single game in that entire span. In 216 career games, Morreale recorded 509 receptions for 6,649 yards and 24 touchdowns. He captured two Grey Cups, one with Toronto in 1996 and one with Hamilton in which he was named the championship's Most Outstanding Canadian in 1999.
Canadian soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan will finally be treated with the same dignity as fallen RCMP officers when it comes to their funerals.
The Defence Department quietly tucked their tales between their collective legs and admitted their mistakes by more than doubling the burial money given to the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty, bringing the military in line with support the Mounties offer members.
The new rate of $12,700 came into effect amid a torrent of disbelief over unpaid funeral expenses. Better still, the money will be available to all service members killed since Canada began its involvement in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001.
The old rate of $4,675 had been the same for almost a decade and was no where near enough the $8,500 the average funeral costs today. Many financially strapped families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and elsewhere were forced to borrow to make up the difference.
One of those families where the parents of fallen soldier, Corporal Matthew Dinning, who came forward at a news conference on Parliament Hill to outline how they had asked for reimbursement twice in the year since their son had been killed only to receive the brush-off by Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor.
The new benefits package also pays for items not previously covered, such as obituary notices, flowers and receptions following the service. Comfort to the families of fifty-seven Canadian soldiers who have been killed in Afghanistan and a handful of others have died in training accidents.
Even if O'Conner won't show he has class and speak to these families and make amends at least Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier showed what kind of man he is when he phoned the Dinning family to apologize for not dealing with their concerns sooner.
Finally justice served even if it took embarrassing the Conservative Government and exposing just how deplorable they are.
Oops! They did it again. Like Britney, it seems like Hamilton City Council on a regular basis finds themselves exposing their vulnerabilities for everyone to see. They bickered for more than thirty years over Red Hill Creek; poured millions into changing directions of streets only to make downtown a traffic nightmare; squandered the Maple Leaf Foods deal that cost thousands of jobs; chased every millionaire who even whispered the hint of moving an NHL team without offering a shred of evidence Hamilton can even support a team and lost the bid to host the Commonwealth Games, twice.
Now, the "old guard", old in the sense of out of touch, have voted to put Band-Aids on our deteriorating, outdated and inefficient eyesore that is our City Hall. Hamilton is the only major city in Canada not to have a modern centre in which to conduct business. City Hall should be the jewell of Main Street, with an inviting entrance that beckons the average joe and multi-corporation alike to enter its hallow halls to conduct business and bring much needed revenue to the city coffers.
Instead an ugly box surrounded by a concrete deck devoid of any green is what we offer visitors. Pretty stomach turning if you ask me. So I totally don't understand the decision of councillors like Sam Merulla to not want to build a new city hall but instead renovate a dilapidated building. A decision that will not only be a more costly one in the long haul, but will permanently cast a myopia over Mayor Fred Eisenberger's "new vision" for Hamilton.
The old councillors weren't listening. They were more concerned with how they looked. City councillors are elected to show bold leadership and sometimes make unpopular decisions because they are the right decisions, not worry about their image and Mr. Merulla has the most bloated ego. The councillor needs to start seeing the trees for the forest even if it interferes in anyway with his individual political aspirations.
This dumb ass makes the guy who grabbed the cash box off a GO bus in Hamilton and was found by cops sitting in the bus shelter with the box and a bag of drugs last week, look like a rocket scientist.
In Gulfport, Florida investigators arrested a 14-year-old boy who dialed a wrong number. Th punk offered to sell drugs to the person on the other end, who happened to be a police detective.
After the call, the detective arranged to meet the teen in the parking lot of a school to buy an ounce of marijuana and some crack cocaine. When swifty showed up he was charged with possession of 18 grams of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school.
The detective's phone number is unlisted, and there were no similar numbers found in the boy's cell phone, police. Detectives said the boy, likely dialed a random number looking for a customer.
What ever happened to phoning people at random and asking if their fridge was running?
Tonights 6 o'clock news ended with this video from a group of 40 British seniors (average age: 78) called The Zimmers. The seniors are a YouTube sensation with their timely cover of The Who's My Generation. The video has been viewed by 1.5 million people since its posting April 2.
In it, the group get their message out that these old folk aren't ready for a rocking chair just yet. They smash guitars and over turn drum sets, ala Townshend and Moon. They re-create The Beatles' walk across Abbey Road. They hold up a sign stating the plight of many seniors, "I'm bored in old people's homes."
The group's name is a tongue and cheek reference to a British brand of walker. A whole new meaning of kicking it old school.
Or you will end up like the Toronto loser whom Hamilton cops charged with theft and drug charges after a strange series of events at the McMaster University GO TRANSIT complex.
Police say a GO bus driver had left his bus for a washroom break yesterday afternoon. When the driver returned, he found the bus' doors had been pried open and the cash box was missing. Several students pointed the finger of blame at a man sitting in nearby bus shelter. McMaster Security approached the 22 year-old, who admitted the theft. While making the arrest, officers noticed a bag next to the man who denied it was his. A search of the bag turned up a quantify of crystal meth, ecstasy and a suspected date-rape drug. Also in the bag (dum-de-dum-really dum) ... the Toronto man's I-D. Doh!
The Ontario Fire Marshall has confirmed arson as the key motive in a massive fire at a Recyling Service on Lottridge Street. The fire, spawned several alarms and sent some 100 fire fighters to the sight.
The fire had started shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday among about 1,000 empty plastic rain barrels and about 40 storage containers filled with old computer parts -- all stored behind the building, which backs on to CN rail tracks that bisect the neighbourhood bounded by Barton and Burlington streets and Gage and Sherman avenues.
The fire quickly moved up the wall and onto the roof of the sprawling 250,000 square-foot complex, which is vacant except for the recycling business -- called simply Recycling Service -- which occupies about 10,000 square feet. Several hours into the fire, the roof over the recycling business collapsed, igniting other computer parts stored inside. Though the fire had been contained to that area by yesterday afternoon, the fallen debris was making it hard to put out.
Samples of the smoke plume taken by the provincial environment ministry's mobile testing facility found no dangerous levels of styrene, toluene or xylene -- chemicals that would commonly be associated with such a fire. Hopefully quelling rumours of another Plastimet like catastrophe. In 1997, a warehouse filled with bales of scrap plastic -- just two kilometres west of yesterday's fire -- burned for four days, creating an environmental disaster and leaving a tragic medical legacy that would later be linked to the cancer death of Hamilton firefighter Bob Shaw.
Preliminary damage estimates are in the range of a quarter million dollars. The Fire Marshall says he'll wrap up his investigation some time later today and turn the building back over to the owner.
