Author: Shawn

I am a practitioner of the martial arts and student of the Buddhist faith. I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since I was 4 years old and have been fighting the uphill battle it includes ever since. I enjoy fitness and health and looking for new ways to improve both, as well as examining the many questions of life. Although I have no formal medical training, I have amassed a wealth of knowledge regarding health, Diabetes, martial arts as well as Buddhism and philosophy. My goal is to share this information with the world, and perhaps provide some sarcastic humour along the way. Welcome!

A Little Perspective…

Throughout the course of my life, I’ve had to put up with a lot of misinformation and “helpful” suggestions from friends and family regarding how to better manage my Diabetes. Over the decades, I’ve had people try and tell me how to adjust my diet, my exercise regiment and even my insulin and medication dosages; all in the interest of trying to help. Surprisingly enough, 99% of the time, this unsolicited advice has come from folks who are neither Type-1 Diabetes themselves, nor do they have someone close to them who is (besides me, of course).

One of the big problems with how I’ve managed my Diabetes throughout the decades is that I almost have an invisible illness. People don’t assume I have Diabetes to look at me. I have sight in both my eyes, although the injections don’t make that easy, all my organs are clear and function normally and I have all my limbs and appendages without ever requiring amputation. Admittedly, this is pretty rare for someone who was diagnosed over 40 years ago and has suffered through some of the complications I have, as a child. This can make it pretty easy to assume that your granola-crunching ways may hold the key to healing me. But it doesn’t.

For example, quite some years ago I had someone I was associated with, who tried to convince me that if I switched to eating only vegetables (not becoming a vegetarian, mind you. Simply eating nothing BUT vegetables) I would no longer be Diabetic and would no longer require insulin injections. I can just read my tombstone now: “Here Lies The Blogging Buddhist. Died With A Turnip In His Hands…” Cue the sad music… This approach obviously wouldn’t work, for a wide variety of reasons. But it’s a good example of how I’ve often received “advice” from people who know nothing about the condition I live with. Here are a few more…

I Have This Diet That Will Heal You! First and most importantly, there is no diet that heals or reverses Type-1 Diabetes. This is often a common beliefs because in some rare cases, diet and lifestyle changes can help reverse the effects of Type-2 Diabetes. The problem is that Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes are significantly different conditions, basically only similar in name. My body’s own immune system is attacking my insulin-producing cells, resulting in my condition. There is no diet that can repair or reverse that. Keep your tofu, natural diet alternative shit off my plate! I’ve already taken insulin for the carbs.

Can’t You Just Exercise More And Eat Less? You Wouldn’t Need Insulin Then, Right? Ah, the age old question… If insulin reduces your blood sugar levels, can’t you just consume less sugar to keep it from rising and exercise more to balance it out? No. No, I can’t. There are many reasons why this can’t be a thing and why people who became Type-1 Diabetic usually never survived beyond two weeks, prior to the 1920’s. Insulin is hormone and it performs several functions within the body.

The main functions and the important ones, include controlling your body’s blood sugar levels by helping sugar enter your cells to be used for energy. Energy… You know, that shit you need in order to stay alive? Yeah, that. Insulin also helps the body to store the excess energy for later use and helps to balance out your body’s weight and metabolism. Without insulin, a whole mess of nasty shit starts happening inside your body, resulting in a slow, painful way to die. So, no, Karen! I can’t just exercise more and eat less.

It can be easy to misinterpret or misunderstand someone else’s condition, especially if you’ve never experienced it or had a family member who has. What’s important to realize is that most people with Type-1 Diabetes have received professional medical care for their condition and know what they need to do. Some random diet you’ve found in a magazine or fitness ideas without the benefit of how the condition actually affects the person’s body won’t be helpful. And believe me when I say, we’ve heard them all before. Food for thought… ☯️

On The Run Doesn’t Have To Mean Without Fun…

Growing up, my household had a bit of a wash, rinse and repeat approach to meals. For the most part and being raised by a French Acadian mother meant that feeding a group of people involved tossing meat, potatoes and veggies into a giant pot and boiling it until it became mush. usually served with dinner rolls and pickled beets, this was also the ONLY meal my grandmother ever served; a testament to a leaner time when wartime families had to feed a dozen people or more at every meal.

As grateful as I am for having had the opportunity for a warm plate on my table growing up, there’s no arguing that it seriously influenced how I choose to consume my meals now, as an adult. Throughout school, I was always burdened with the same ol’ peanut butter sandwich without the benefit of adding jelly, due to the sugar content. It became tedious and boring and i usually dreaded lunch time as something to get through as opposed to a period to sit, enjoy a meal and contemplate the events of the day. Things have changed…

As an adult, I find myself dealing with the same challenge of bringing lunch for myself that doesn’t involve something generic and won’t throw a significant curve ball against my blood sugars. I usually have breakfast AND lunch at work, which allows me to get to work a bit early so that I can get a jumpstart on my day. This morning for example, I had a leftover boiled egg from yesterday’s potato salad. carb-free and filling enough to get me through my morning, it was a good option.

So what about lunch? The big problem I had during my youth is that the classic sandwich poses logistic issues that, from a flavour standpoint, can’t be ignored. If one makes their sandwich first thing in the morning and includes all the constituent parts, t you run the risk of having things sit and meld together in a way that may cause your bread to get soggy or the flavours of certain ingredients to change, once they absorb some of the others. Refrigerating a sandwich over several hours will also tend to alter the flavour and let’s be honest, who really thinks a cold sandwich is tasty?

The alternative is simple; be willing to do some assembly DURING your lunch hour. I’ll use yesterday as an example. I packed a large, flour tortilla into a sandwich bag. provided they’re fresh, they’ll be plenty flexible and will fold nicely. Then, pack some shredded cheese and your preferred sauce in small, reusable containers. Then, I chose my meat, which on this occasion was some very lovely slow cooker chicken that my wife had prepared the day before. Keeping all these ingredients separated prevents the flavours from mixing with one another, come lunchtime. Another thing you prevent is needing to heat the meat portion of your meal with condiments that likely shouldn’t be nuked. Ever try reheating fries that already had ketchup on them? It usually doesn’t go well…

The benefit with allowing yourself some time to assemble your meal at lunch time is you’ll get a better, fresher tasting meal and you have the opportunity to heat up your protein without heating up your wrap or condiments and sauces. This can apply to a number of different meals. Today, for example, I’ve brought a small bowl of homemade chili with a container of cheese. Sprinkle a bit of buffalo sauce in that bad boy after heating it up, mix in the cheese and allow the heat of the chili to melt it just a bit and you’re off to the races.

So, this all rather feels like a first world problem and it begs the question, why am I bringing it up? Well, for a number of reasons. The first being that just because you’re having a meal at work doesn’t meal it should be an enjoyable experience. Fast meals intended to be jammed down your gullet so you don’t starve during your shift shouldn’t be the norm. I say this while fully acknowledging that some folks only have a brief window for meal breaks. I, myself, never had a scheduled meal break while I was a police officer.

That being said, and something I learned a long time ago, is that a rushed, stressed meal period will also affect one’s blood sugars. Although every meal can’t be a pageant, being able to take the time to actually consume your meal without rushing and having a hot alternative in front of you can have a significant impact on one’s blood sugars. Given everything else that’s affected by Type-1 Diabetes, it should be no surprise that event he way you consume your food can have an impact. Just something to consider. Food for thought, pun fully intended…☯️

Mellow Out With Some Melatonin…

This is one of those posts where I need to be very clear in that I am in no way a medical professional and everything outlined below is strictly my opinion and what I’ve noted from my own experiences. It’s important to consult and discuss any new supplementation with your doctor or medical practitioner before starting to take it. This is especially true of anyone with Type-1 Diabetes since, as you know, just about everything affects us in some given way, shape or form. Moving on…

I’ve had some recent experiences with Melatonin supplements and I thought I would share my personal findings, since it seems to be all the rage these days. I say these days, but Melatonin has been researched for decades and first started to be used as a nutritional supplement in the 1990’s, with it becoming licensed for use in Canada in the early 2000’s. You can find some at just about any pharmacy and many retail outlets and it will usually come in gummies or pill form.

So, let’s start with the basic question… What the fuck is Melatonin? Simply put, it’s a hormone that’s naturally produced by your oft. When it gets dark out, the body is triggered to produce Melatonin, which signals your body to sleep. This is why you read so many sources that tell you to stop staring at screens at least half an hour before bed; because light reduces your body’s Melatonin production. For the purposes of this post, I’ll be discussing my use of Melatonin supplements, which are artificially created and packaged.

I recently had the opportunity to try Melatonin after my wife purchased some from a local distributor. She had been having troubles falling asleep and thought to try them herself. One night, when I found myself wide awake and on a night off, I decided to give one a try. Hers were in gummy form and contained 2.5 milligrams of Melatonin. I took one about half an hour before I planned on going to bed and spent the majority of the night up. It had done nothing. The following night, I took two gummies, which gave me 5 milligrams of Melatonin. The difference was amazing. I fell asleep nicely and not only did I get a full, uninterrupted night’s sleep, I woke up refreshed and without any grogginess or sluggishness.

Being cognizant of my responsibilities during the day, I chose not to repeat the attempt the following night. That came later, during the next weekend. However, 5 milligrams now appeared to have no effect. I made my peace with the possibility that I had built up a resistance to it, which would be problematic of a hormone one’s body produces naturally. It wasn’t until some time later when I was shopping at a local retailer, that I found over-the-counter pills for 10 milligrams of Melatonin. I grabbed a bottle and brought it to a pharmacist to discuss. We went over the medications I was on and finding no complications or interactions, I bought the bottle and brought it home.

I took a single, 10 milligram pill about half an hour before bed and found myself once again drifting off to a solid night of uninterrupted sleep. It was glorious. As it was the weekend, I had the benefit of repeating the experiment the following night, with the same results. Apparently 10 milligrams is my sweet spot. I’ve made a point to stay away from taking some every night but it’s been very effective for me in helping to reset my proper sleep cycle and get a good night’s sleep. A couple of nights of taking it consistently at the same time and I now get tired and feel the need to go to sleep on my own, even without it.

The important thing to remember is the same as with all supplements. Be mindful of your uses, side effects and any possible interactions with other medications you may be on. WebMD, one of my favourite medical websites, has a great article that covers many of these aspects. You can read it here. Personally, none of the medications I take appear to interact with the Melatonin and my blood sugars have remained consistent. I haven’t experienced ANY of the possible side effects listed for short term or prolonged use. I will note that the instructions on the bottle recommend short-term use.

All in all, I’m reasonably satisfied that the supplement is doing its job; resetting my sleep cycle and allowing me to get a good night’s sleep. It’s also the first supplement I’ve ever taken that doesn’t appear to require continued use to enjoy the effects. I usually only take them on the weekends but my sleep during weeknights appear to be more consistent now. I don’t know. The rest of you will have to try and judge for yourself, considering every person is different. But I have to say that although I hadn’t even heard of this stuff before my wife brought it in the house, I’ll admit that I could have used it to help with sleep cycle years ago. Just remember to be cautious and check with your doctor before getting too far into it. ☯️

A Little Fur Therapy Never Hurt Anyone…

Last weekend, my wife and I took our boys to a local zoo. Local being a relative term… We travelled three hours to get there. but I digress. The point is that with some of the extreme heat we’ve been having in recent weeks, spending long periods of time outdoors has been difficult, given that everyone in our household is fair-skinned and burn like Canadian bacon. So we grabbed the opportunity on a day when the temperatures were a bit cooler.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about zoos. On the one hand, I’m not a believer of caging any living thing against its will. Although most domestic animals like dogs and cats have it way better than they probably realize, certain animals like birds, bears and large cats don’t belong in a pen, cut off from their natural habitats and relegated to a life of captivity. As a child, I never visited a zoo as my father very much shares those same beliefs. Now that I’m a father myself, I have to admit that there’s a certain benefit to showing all these different animals to my children in a relatively safe environment.

We left Regina early enough o reach Saskatoon around the time the zoo would begin to. Open to the public. Our thinking was to hit it up on a weekday so as to avoid some of the larger, weekend crowds. The boys were actually very quiet and composed on the way up. My wife and I had our coffees and breakfast sandwiches; the boys had their drinks and snack foods. It was a clear sunny day and we even enjoyed the entirety of the ride without music. Many would think that doesn’t sound great but it was nice to actually enjoy a quiet ride where there was no ambient noise.

When we arrived at the location, we were greeted at an entry gate where we were told there was a parking fee. This was curious, as one would think that an admission fee should usually include parking. But we were here and it wasn’t a hill to die on. I paid the parking fee. The parking lot was already quite packed but we managed to find a parking spot before making our way to the entrance kiosk. $40 later and we were in. After a long drive, we used a restroom inside a terrarium-style building, where the boys got to see fish, frogs, lizards and snakes. The day had begun quite nicely.

As were walking towards the inner paths of the zoo, I explained to the boys that there was a lot to see and experience and that they should take it all in and enjoy what they were seeing. As I was explaining this, I noticed a play park structure located in the middle of the zoo. I got a pit in my stomach as I realized that if my boys saw this park, all they’d want to do was go play in it. Why they would build one in the middle of a zoo, where the intention was to see animals, was beyond me. I strategically placed myself between the play structure and the boys and ushered them in a different direction.

I thin the boys enjoyed seeing the animals, for the most part. Everyone enjoyed the butterfly house the best, especially since some butterflies would actually land on people. We were less than an hour in when Alexander start pining to go home. I tried explaining that we still had plenty left to see and that we had just gotten there but he was adamant he wanted t leave. He changed his tune when we rounded the corner and walked right into the play structure. Fuck. Of course, now he wanted to go play…

I took Nathan to see a few more of the enclosures but as one can’t control the behaviour of animals, getting them out and visible isn’t exactly a possibility. But we did get to see two grizzly bears frolicking in the water, which was entertaining. We made our way back to the vehicle when we realized we had two hungry, cranky boys on our hands. We made our way back onto the highway for Regina, after handing everyone their respective sandwiches and snacks for lunch.

All in all, it was a good trip and a great experience for the family. Considering they could have gotten fresh air and played at a park at home, I probably could have done without using a full tank of gas and paying money just to have them to do it inside a zoo but at least they got to see some animals. The experience was there, and that’s a what mattered. Naps and a cool basement were certainly enjoyed, after a long day out in the sun. ☯️

Full Circle…

Alright so, as if it wasn’t bad enough that I only seem to be posting once a week in recent months, I’m going to use a post today to brag about something I’ve purchased. I know, I know, that’s not very Buddhist-like but what can I say; I am a product of my Western environment. Maybe there’s more work to be done in that area and may be this is the wake-up call I need in order to do it. For today, I’m simply going to enjoy the ride (you’ll see why that’s funny in a minute).

All the way back in 1995, I saved up all my money as well as some inheritance I had gotten from family, and purchased my first vehicle. My choices were few and far between, considering the amount of cash I had available, and I was adamant on purchasing that vehicle on my own. It didn’t prevent the fact that as a minor, my parents would still need to register the vehicle in their name. But the honour of paying for the vehicle itself was still mine and mine alone.

My parents were totally on board with me purchasing a vehicle for myself. Besides the fact that I had reached an age where I would be able to drive myself to school and start looking for more work, it also allowed for me to run errands for my parents when needed, which freed them up for their own work, as well. All Lin all, it would serve the entire family, which made it a smart choice and a good resource for the entire family. Still with me? Good. Moving on.

After a few weeks of searching, I finally found a used vehicle I could afford with my humble savings. And that vehicle was a 1983 Toyota Tercel hatchback. This bad boy was red, two-door and had an after-market tape deck with an amplifier and after-market speakers installed in the hatchback. They had turned the tires outwards so that the white stripe was showing, giving the car a sharp, racing look. It was also a piece of shit. There were rust stains, the seal around the windshield was curling up and the upholstery smelled like the previous owner must have owned a dog.

I gave up my savings to purchase the vehicle and had my father drive it home, since it was a manual transmission and I didn’t know how to operate a manual transmission. Once we had it home, I tore into that bad boy with the kind of fervour I reserved only for karate classes. I scrubbed and shampooed the interior until it glistened. I washed and polished the outside until I could see my face in it. I polished that red turd until even the most discerning of critics couldn’t dispute that it was hell on wheels. A veritable carriage for my shenanigans. The transport towards my future.

I absolutely loved that car and went everywhere with it. It had a very weak engine with a 3-gear manual transmission. That didn’t stop me from ripping all over town like a maniac. It only had a driver’s side mirror, which apparently wasn’t illegal at the time the car was sold. I also had to learn how to drive a manual transmission from scratch. I’m surprised I didn’t blow the transmission out of that bastard in the first week. But I learned. And I drove.

That car served me extremely well for several years, including getting me to college and back home for two years. I remember one year, the heater gave out and the windshield would frost on the inside, forcing my passengers and I to scrape the inside of the windshield every few minutes. It was a brutal act and it met a brutal end. One day while trying to overtake a vehicle on the highway, I blew out the engine. That’s what I get for red-lining the RPM’s on a dinky 4-cylinder engine. But I digress.

Over the years, I’ve held fond memories of that car. It was the first vehicle I ever owned. The first vehicle I went on a road trip on my own with, the first vehicle I travelled out of town, out of Province and out of control. It’s carried friends, family, loved ones and more burger wrappers and empty coffee cups than I can count. It brings up an important point regarding perspective. By my own standards today, I would never purchase such a dilapidated, trusted vehicle with unreliable parts and a danger to my family and I. But back then, that piece of shit was like a Rolls Royce to me…

That brings us to the here and now. As I’ve grown into adulthood, owning a vehicle has become more of a household necessity and convenience than the liberating tool of freedom it was considered in my teens and twenties. Throughout the majority of our relationship, my wife and I have pretty much always owned two vehicles. This has made it easy to have one of us at work and the other still capable of running errands and doing their own thing. However, once the COVID-19 pandemic kicked in and I found myself sitting at home for a significant period of time, paying for two vehicles seemed redundant, so I sold my car.

The new mirth mobile

However, recent events have prompted us to once again purchase a second, smaller vehicle for me to use to get to work and run errands (“recent events” meaning I backed our SUV and smashed out one of the mirrors). I purchased the used vehicle you see above. It’s clean, in perfect working condition and is new-to-me. Limited mileage and a smooth ride, it sits a bit lower to the ground and has some significant peppiness for a vehicle so easy on fuel. It’s bee great.

The irony is that my first car was a Toyota hatchback. And although it took effectively twenty five years, I appear to have come full circle with yet another Toyota hatchback. Some people need their muscle cars or sports cars, motorbikes or leisure vehicle. Me, I just need something easy on gas that lets me hug the road. The household is now adjusting to the fact that even if I’m work, my wife can still run errands, attend appointments and bring the boys on outings. Things have changed since I was a younger man. A car is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a bit of nostalgia in the process. Food for thought… ☯️

Stepping Out Of The Matrix…

As modern parents, trying to raise children in a way that lets them understand that negative actions can have negative consequences can be difficult. After all, the differences in how children are raised these days are significant and obvious. When I was a kid, being “bad” (and I use that term loosely as it’s pretty subjective) usually resulted in my being sent o my room. But these days, sending a kid to their room is the equivalent of sending them off to a spa day, with all the electronics and toys they have.

For our children, the easy solution is the removal of the electronic devices. My oldest, especially, has a Nintendo Switch, a used cell phone that I programmed with his school’s app, which now has a plethora of games and by virtue of our current renovations, his sleeping space even has a small flat-screen with a streaming stick. This means the boy can basically plug in when he wakes up and doesn’t need to unplug unless we force him (or cut the power). The worst part is having a large backyard with plenty of space but yet, getting him outside is a chore unto of itself.

Last Saturday, Nathan once did, or refused to do, one thing or another, which is not all that surprising. At only 8-years old, he’s already turned into an unruly teenager, shirking and refusing even the simplest of chores and tasks. Considering the previous few days saw him barely budge from his bed for food or the washroom and he rarely even bothers to get dressed, my wife indicated that he should get his juvenile butt outside and that the following day (Sunday) would be a device-free day.

Although a good idea on its face, since one should not spend ALL of one’s time on an electronic device, a thought occurred… I told my wife that we should ALL have a device free day. The boys, her and myself. No phones, no iPads, no television, no electronic devices of any sort until we’d had a full day without them. Although initially agreed to as a good idea, some apprehension began to bubble towards the surface. The realization that, as adults, we use our phones for almost everything imaginable, an alarm, a clock, reminders, calendar planner, looking up random information as needed and checking the hours of operation for any errands we need to run, came crashing down unceremoniously.

The idea behind my thinking was twofold. First, it’s difficult to expect children to do something if the adults don’t lead by example. Barking orders is easy. Practicing what you preach is a lot tougher. By virtue of this, joining the boys on a no device day would show them that we’re also capable of it and that it’s no big deal. Second, it would give us the opportunity to indulge in other forms of relaxation or distraction that many people seem to leave behind. We already had a couple of things planned for the Sunday that would take us through the majority of the day.

On Sunday morning, I woke up, checked the time then hid away all my devices and powered down my laptop. As he slept, I grabbed Nathan’s Nintendo Switch and hit cell phone and tucked them away. I powered down the television and headed upstairs. Our device free day had begun. I’ve taken the habit of sitting outside for the first hour of my days off. I find it helps me to start my day calmly, as I enjoy the birds, squirrels and rabbits that run around the neighbourhood. Within minutes, my toddler came outside and joined me. He actually played on some of the structures we’ve bought for the back yard, played with some toys and in the dirt and EVEN sat still for an entire ten minutes with me, which is a rarity.

Our morning saw all of us leave the house together for a Costco trip. All in all, it was a pretty uneventful trip and we stocked up on things we needed for some time. When we got home, we spent the afternoon in a combination of naps and time outdoors. I cleaned out the garage, the boys spent time building a fort and my wife spent some time reading. I even got to dip my nose in a couple of graphic novels I’ve been meaning to get through. It was a fun, calm afternoon. The weather was nice, we got pleasantry of fresh air and the boys got to see that they’re able to spend some time without necessarily being tethered to an electronic device.

Why am I writing all of this? Probably seems like a bit of a boring narrative, right? The point is that it was good for the adults, as well. It allowed our heads to cool and for us to do something other than allow a digital display to dictate our day. By the time everyone had eaten supper, we let the walls down and devices were permitted. As it was Sunday night, laundry and showers for everyone needed to happen and keeping the boys occupied and out from underfoot during this process can be a challenge. But it’s important to remember that there’s a great, big world out there that deserves your time. Once in a while, you just gotta step out of the matrix. Food for thought… ☯️

Time Enjoyed Is Never Time Wasted…

The modern world has made it difficult to simply sit back and enjoy silence. Between work, chores, family obligations and the constant need to be doing SOMETHING, the world has left the concept of simply knocking back and doing nothing behind. The advent of social media has also brought about a phenomenon where people seem to consider it more important ton make hobbies and past times about making money online as opposed to simply enjoying them for what they are.

In recent years, I’ve come to realize that at some point, one needs to step out of the rat race in order to allow the body to heal and recover from the stresses of daily life. As nice as it would be to live a live without stress, thinking that one could accomplish such a thing, especially in today’s climate, is pretty much a fool’s errand. Stress comes in many forms and can have many emotional, mental and physical effects on the body. This makes it all the more important to take time to simply let the silence sink in.

Finding a quiet environment has been difficult for me, considering my children are like two overloaded freight trains that feel it necessary to go head-to-head on the tracks. After a long day’s work, coming home to a constant barrage of noise can make it all the more difficult to relax and let one’s mind cool. That’s why I’ve started to partake of a new practice of sitting by myself, first thing in the morning. This is pretty straightforward, given that it’s the summer season but when I wake up in the morning, I usually grab my energy drink and go sit on the front step.

Despite the warmer weather, the front of my house doesn’t face the sunrise, so the front step is shaded and allows for a coool,m refreshing means of starting one’s morning in silence. If I’m smart enough to be silent myself, the amount of early morning wildlife that I see running around is wonderful. Between squirrels, rabbits, local cats and a variety of bird species, it’s basically like my own little nature retreat. That is, until the boys wake up and bring their loud, raucous voices outside to join me. Everybody wants a piece of daddy… First world problems.

It’s important to find ways to enjoy a bit of quiet. We get so tied up in the constant racket of our daily lives that we often forget that our bodies and minds need a bit of time to cool. Otherwise, the opportunity to burn out is very real and prevalent. Whether that means finding a private spot and taking the time to meditate, sitting quietly in the mornings like I do or even just taking an hour at a local coffee shop with a good book. It’s all good. you can’t miss. It’s all an important step of self-care that one must observe. After all, if you don’t take good care of yourself, you’ll never be able to help care for others. Food for thought… ☯️

Just The Tip…

No, despite the title, I’m not being lewd or perverted. of course, the fact i felt the need to clarify that starting out may suggest that there’s a bit of that sprinkled in. But I digress… I should start this post by pointing out that I don’t usually write about topics such as these. For the most part, I keep my posts limited to subjects I’m well-versed in, such as martial arts, Diabetes and Buddhism. I don’t often lend my opinion in such a way but I recently read an article online that got my wheels turning and the topic is so prevalent in the online environment these days, I find myself unable to help myself. So, please bear in mind that my opinion is simply that: my opinion. Let’s not all consider it necessary to overwhelm my comments section. Here we go.

For longer than I’ve been around, people have provided and/or accepted tips for providing goods or services. generally speaking and without buying in to some of the online rumours about what the origins of the word “tips” may be, a gratuity or “tip” is a monetary amount provided above the total cost of a good or service that one has purchased. Traditionally, one would provide a tip in order to thank a staff person or ton recognize the above-average service they may have provided you during your visit. Contrary to what some may believe, a tip or gratuity is not meant, nor was it ever intended to be mandatory or expected. Unfortunately, our modern society has groomed us to believe that it’s okay to expect a tip and in some cases, businesses consider it a part of their employees’ salary.

As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I recently read an online article about tipping that caught my attention. I unfortunately read it during a break at work and I wasn’t able to save the link and have been unable to relocate it. But the majority of the article focused on the fact that there are certain professions where tipping is not only NOT expected but also considered inappropriate. Certain jobs like doctors, lawyers, trades and medical professionals would be among those. in some cases, trying to offer a tip, even for great service, may be unexpected and awkward. In some other cases, a tip could even be construed as trying to curry favour or a bribe.

In some industries, employers will count a minimum tip percentage as part of the employee’s wage. This means that they’ll pay the employee less and expect members of the public to contribute a tip in order to make up the difference. This is especially prevalent in the Province of Quebec. I’ll always remember back in 2007 when I was living in the Capital Region and went out to a bar on the Quebec side with some friends. I ordered a first round with the expectation of having a few drinks and relaxing with friends. In any other normal environment, a patron would have their drinks, get a bill at the end and provide payment and potentially a tip at the end. On this occasion, the server returned with my drink and told me the price. I told her I’d pay at the end but she clarified that I had to pay as I went. Fair enough. I dug out some cash and paid for my drink. She glared at me and loudly exclaimed the following: “Uh, excuse me! The tip is not included in the price…” And stood there waiting. I was floored…

The worst part of this, was all the patrons staring at me in disbelief as though I was the asshole. I never had someone demand a tip from me before. Actually, I never had someone demand a tip from me, since. it wouldn’t be until after that the woman who would go on to become my ex-wife explained that the server’s salary was reduced and there was an expectation of a minimum tip after every round to make up the difference. She also called me rude and ignorant, which would be why she is now my ex-wife. I mean, besides all the other reasons… Fuck, I’m getting off track, here. But i will point out that between THAT culture and the tax system, there’s also a reason why I’m not living in Quebec.

The obvious solution in these circumstances is to avoid giving your business to places that feel it’s appropriate to pay an employee less and require the patron to pay a mandatory tip to make up part of their salary. Depending on the circumstances and one’s needs, this isn’t always possible. The other issue is that it isn’t always the employees fault and people have a tendency to take it out on them. In some cases, tips almost feel like they’re being demanded, even when they aren’t. A lot of retail locations request a tip on their point-of-sale systems when you’re working through payment. There’s nothing worse than walking the store, picking out and trying on your own clothing and when you walk up to the till to pay, the retail cashier who had nothing to do with you until that moment has a screen that pops up on the payment options, asking you what percentage you’d like to tip. WTF, indeed…

Tip culture has taken North America by storm, and it isn’t a good thing. Where tips were often considered a means of thanking someone or thanking them for exceptional service in an appropriate venue, it’s become an expectation. A social requirement. An obligation on the consumer’s behalf. It can cause unnecessary awkwardness and difficulty in navigating the marketplace. So be assertive in your purchases. Everyone gets their money the same way; by working and earning it. What you do with that money is up to you. You shouldn’t feel pressured to provide a tip, although in some instances it can be considered bad manners to forget to do so. So, make your choice and stand by it. If someone provided you with great customer service and you feel they deserve a tip, do the deed. But if you’re in an environment where a tip may not be appropriate or you got shitty service, always remember that a tip is voluntary. It’s your choice. And you shouldn’t feel bad for making your choice, even if it means NOT leaving as tip. Food for thought… ☯️

A White Gi Is Useless…

I chose this title carefully, as practitioners of traditional arts that use a white gi might take offence to such a statement. But it can apply to many things. White sneakers are also useless. Dusty weights serve no one. Take your pick, they’re basically all the same and have the same meaning. It basically refers to the purchase and/or use of equipment of any sort that usually just ends up sitting there and is neglected or rarely used. My biggest pet peeve is when someone buys a decent pair of training shoes and worries about using them for fear of the white parts becoming stained or coloured. To do so is to prevent the intended use of that equipment. This is especially true for a gi.

I have a karate gi from years ago that I purchased when I achieved my brown belt. I remember the odd comments I got from other students, asking why I would pay so much for a uniform when I had not yet achieved my black belt. Up until that point, my dojo usually purchased thin, loose-fitting gi from a Canadian company called GeneSport. Based in Montreal, Quebec and having opened in 1969, Sensei purchased everything from there; karate gi, punching bags, sparring gloves… you name it. Their equipment was an inexpensive option for beginners and intermediate students (a standard gi would cost you $40) and they were close enough to our Northern new Brunswick location that getting an order took only days. Unfortunately, they closed permanently in 2017.

My point is, my dedication and commitment to my training was as such that I felt I needed something thicker, stronger and of better quality. I ordered myself a Tokaido, which is a high-quality gi made of thick, sanforized cotton. I used that uniform for years. Over the course of those years, I sweat heavily into it, causing its pristine whiteness to slowly gain a light, yellowish hue. Further, several missed techniques resulted in bleeding noses or bleeding fingers and toes. For those who are not aware, blood does not come out of white cotton easily, especially if it’s left to sit there for the remainder of the class and well into getting home. Really seals in the colour. I still have that gi and occasionally use it. The crotch is worn out and the stitching has frayed. But those decades-old bloodstains certainly make for conversation starters when seen.

the same can be said of any and all fitness equipment, not only martial arts uniforms. I know so many people who purchased weight sets, exercise machines or equipment, only to have it sit for months, unused. The dust that gathers on them speaks volumes to their neglect of use and also speaks to the owner’s lack of commitment and dedication to what they’ve intended to accomplish. I feel the urge to get out on my bike as soon as the snow has left the ground, usually. I have weights and a variety of equipment that I have at home and usually LOVE incorporating them into my workout routines. Our recent renovations have forced most of my equipment into an unusable corner but once I can clear up some floor space, I can guarantee it’s all coming back out.

Staying on track can be difficult and tedious. Between keeping one’s motivation going and finding time (and having one’s children getting in the way), keeping the dust off one’s equipment can be difficult. It’s important not have goals but one should not bite off more than one can chew. There’s no point in paying thousands of dollars for an elliptical machine, for example, if you’re just going to use it to hang your sweatshirts on. And if you do take the opportunity to get some equipment or clothing, don’t be afraid to get it dirty. Use it, stain it, tear it, restitch it… All of this tells a story of one’s fitness journey. And that story should be yours to show and share. ☯️

The Toronto Odyssey, Day 4

Yes, I skipped a day. Yesterday was a mixed bag and Toronto has been something of an experience. While my first day here boasted lovely meals that were provided, a comprehensive and quasi-useful day of meetings and a lovely, arranged dinner with the other participants, my evening and carry over into the next day was a bit more difficult. Being in an unfamiliar city has its disadvantages, including having everything available but being certain of nothing.

Monday evening saw me walk to a local pharmacy to grab a couple of travel items I didn’t chance dragging onto the plane, including a razor and shaving cream. With the weather sitting at 25 degrees, I was a horrible, sweaty mess by the time I got back to my room. To make matters worse, the heat sapped the battery in my insulin pump and I needed a replacement. One good thing about the hotel I stay at when I go for my eye injections, is that they’ll bend over backwards to help. Such was not the case, here. Despite explaining my situation, they basically told me to go shopping. Oh, well.

Monday evening’s meal

Monday evening was fun, with stories and laughs shared by all with a certain commonality among all of us by virtue of working in the same industry. The next morning, however, was a bit rougher. It was tough getting out of bed yesterday morning, with my blood sugars askew from a late evening of food and drink. I made my way to the meeting venue for our second day, fully expecting some eggs and meat options for breakfast as we had received the previous morning. My hope was for a low carb but filling meal, so that I could limit the amount of insulin I needed to get through my morning. Instead, I found crescent rolls and fruit.

I know that despite the fact I try to keep things simple, I tend to have quite a number of first-world problems, which is why I was happy to hear I wasn’t the only one displeased with the lack of spread. One of the attendees commented that there wasn’t even enough to be considered a continental breakfast. had I known I’d be lacking food, I could have had breakfast at the hotel. When lunch came, they served dry sandwiches as opposed to the beef and chicken options we had the day before. Like I said, first-world problems. But I digress…

Our second day actually ended around noon, which posed a logistical issue since my flight home wouldn’t be until the following afternoon. Given that I was struggling to stay awake, was underfed and basically just wanted to go home, I had difficulty stomaching the couple of folks that every meeting has. You know the ones; those two or three people who, despite everyone wanting the meeting to close out, just won’t shut the fuck up and keep talking and posing questions? Those guys? Yeah, fuck those guys!

Monday night’s venue! A book lover’s wet dream!

Despite meetings closing out during the lunch hour, any earlier flights would have cost me nearly half a grand more. As much as I would have enjoyed getting home sooner, I didn’t think it was financially smart to spend the extra money. Instead, I indulged in a two hour nap, followed by a shower and visit to the movie theatre. Interestingly, I was able to book a ticket in a VIP theatre that had fully reclining seats, a full food menu and “adult” beverages. I watched the new Flash movie, which was reasonably good, despite some of the online negativity.

I woke up this morning at 5 am and couldn’t get back to sleep so I grabbed a shuttle and made my way to the airport, where I’ve been for the past two and a half hours. I’ve had some breakfast, streamed some Netflix and tried to change my seat to an earlier flight without success. I can’t wait to get home. Toronto is a beautiful city, in terms of the buildings and the history. But I have to admit that walking through the mass crowds on Yonge Street and inhaling the constant assault of weed fumes and the smell of urine was more than my PTSD-laden brain could handle. Suddenly, Regina doesn’t seem so bad at all.

I guess I’ll find a plug-in and patiently wait air out the next four hours. Patience is a virtue, right? Tomorrow is back to the grindstone and return to the office. I never realize how much I miss my routine until I find myself out of it. It’ll be good to sleep in my own bed, see my family and get back to my routine. ☯️