On jokes about suicide

This is a bit of a soapbox for me.  I welcome your comments on it however.  Jokes about suicide really bother me.  They trivialize something that is not funny nor trivial.  This is turn makes it harder for people who are thinking of suicide to talk to other people about it.  Fear of being marginalized, of not being taken seriously, of being the butt end of a joke.  Please, please watch what you say, it might matter a lot more than you think.

On gender roles

I can't say it any better so I will refer you to the Globe and Mail article.  In any society there are expectations around gender roles.  In theory Canada is one of the better places, but it seems like equality is not well understood.  In my view, it's not really about women having equality, it's about everyone.  Why should men be afraid to show emotion?  Why should women feel like they have to be really masculine to succeed in business?  Why should women be afraid to show that they can renovate a house or chop wood?  Why should men be afraid to hug a friend in need?  Why do we have so many programs for abused women and seemingly none for men?  The list of questions goes on and on for me.  I would love your comments on this issue.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/love/micah-toub/its-time-boys-learn-the-f-word/article2240127/

Labels

A friend of mine and I were talking about labels we put on other people.  My view is that they are not productive.  They allow us to expect certain behaviour of other people even when that might not be the way that person wants to react.  When we expect certain behaviour of others we deny them an opportunity to really be themselves.  This also then denies us the opportunity to really know them.

Your thoughts?

Winter

Ok, a bit of a rant.

What is it about the oncoming winter that makes drivers especially unaware of pedestrians?  In the last 2 days I have nearly been hit 3 times while in a cross walk.  Twice while crossing at a light when I had the walk signal.  And, at least 2 of those time, it was light out.  Once yesterday I could have banged on the hood of the car she was so close to getting me.  Good thing I was paying attention or I might not be writing this blog right now.  What is up?  Seriously, just because it is darker in the mornings doesn't mean there are any less pedestrians trying to cross the road.  Please pay attention.  Pedestrians don't want to be hit and I am sure you don't want to hit one.

Love

For this one, I'll start with the questions.  I don't have any good answers for now, but would love to hear your thoughts.

What is love?  What does love mean to you?  How do you know when you love someone?  How do you know when someone loves you?  How do you describe love?

In threes

There is a saying that things come in threes.  Today that was my experience.  Three coffee breaks and at all of them the same conversation.  Odd...  What is your experience?