Open-mindedness
What is "it" that I'm talking about? Well, I rather not say and put it on the spot. It's controversial enough already and I think most people can figure out what I'm talking about.
I was once told to keep an open mind to "something". But I find it hard to keep an open mind to it when everything I've seen and unfortunately experienced contradicts keeping an open mind. I've seen people separated and kept at arm's length on this basis alone. I want to believe giving my all would be possible for me but it's hard when bearing witness to the prejudices (no matter how big or small) around me and the world - prejudices that have been the root of many wars.
For many, it is a moral compass and a way of finding inner peace. In some ways, it is that way for me. In other ways, it clashes with my more liberal views. However, I am fearful that by committing myself, I will be forced to be hypocritical and commit the type of discrimination I tried so hard to avoid. I am afraid that if I open my mind to this, I am actually closing it. The world is so diverse and I am so fascinated it has lasted this long. And I want to see it all with clear open eyes.
I've spent a lot of time learning and I hope it doesn't seem suspicious or like I have an ulterior motive. I am just trying to seek understanding but ultimately, I know it is the right of the individuals to freely choose. Because of this, the world will remain divided.
In a more comedic (but with cruel undertones) way of putting it, it is okay to "lemon law" (HIMYM reference) someone on this basis alone and in some cases, you should do this. Right or not - it doesn't matter because it remains your right to choose your "associations".
Well, this is something I have to figure out for myself. The way I am now, it is literally impossible for me to give it my "all". This is such a huge can of worms (that I'd rather not continue opening here) and I really should know where I stand. This kind of instability and flip-flopping isn't healthy for anyone.
Recent TV
House this week was amazing. Hugh Laurie really knows how to convey emotions. His facial expression a couple episodes back where he looked as if he had seen a ghost made me feel that same creepiness. And this week, his expression of shock and dismay at the end made me feel the same feeling of the walls crashing down. House's happiness denied. It's so depressing and the contrast between the two scenes at the end really showed how alone he is in all this. Hugh Laurie, I hope you get an Emmy for this. An actor who can make me feel what the character is feeling is good in my books.
24. Well. 24 and Kim Bauer. Yeah. It seems that no matter what, she always gets herself in trouble. I knew the moment she appeared on the show she'd do something stupid later. I think the whole "daughter in distress = Jack under duress" is a played out now. Try harder writers. And Chloe is supposed to be the master of all that is computers and she's outdone!? Haha.
How I Met Your Mother was hilarious. That whole bit of Stinson trying (and failing) to talk his way out of a speeding ticket was awesome and it tied well into the sweet metaphor of "The One" trying her fastest to get to Ted while Ted is told to not give up waiting on her.
Heroes Volume 4 was in a way further subdivided into two volumes. The first being written by incompetent writers who fail to keep characters consistent and the second written with Bryan Fuller, who worked on the awesomeness that is first season, at the helm. In a way, they killed off a main character or combined two into one. It's going to be weird and I'm interested in how this all plays out. Nonetheless, Heroes still has quite a mess to clean up. That Volume 5 preview was just blah.
Dollhouse is a show created by Joss Whedon and has a lot of Buffy alumni. I think this show has a lot of potential and it explores what identity really is. What makes us us. What is the soul? If that kind of technology exists, lengthy education would cease to have meaning. People/personalities can theoretically live forever on a hard drive. That latest episode really explores the idea of the soul and if it can really be separated from the body. Anyway, the show's fate lies in the hands of FOX and you know their track record with new shows. Look at what they did to Firefly. Sigh.
Grey's Anatomy. I'm sure a lot of girls (and sensitive guys) cried in that one.
Last show to finish its season is Smallville. After 8 seasons, yes, I am still watching it. Only to see how it ends. I must say that the whole Chloe Sullivan and Doomsday storyline is absurd. But the moral dilemma Clark faces now is essential for him to become Superman. And I think it's time for the cape and tights to finally come out next year. A ninth season! Haha.
Flashpoint is a show I recently got into and I like how it's not your typical cop/SWAT TV shows where you see cops breach entrances, spam flashbangs, and gun everything that moves down. This show is different and looks at what drives people to do what they do and how the job impacts the families of the unit. I like how it's shot in Toronto. Some locations I recognized are the TD building, Eaton Centre, Wonderland, City Hall, and the Royal York Hotel and it's great seeing Toronto's identity on TV. According to Wiki, they also shot in Riverdale CI and University of Toronto. Riverdale CI has some really nice hi-tech looking classrooms and it's huge according to the episode I saw.
I'm looking forward to Entourage over the summer. Mythbusters has been entertaining with its explosions as usual.
Looks like I have more free time this summer. Hmmm... add on another show or two? Or do other things... hmm...
Scope of Practice, Part II
Remember that post I wrote a couple of months ago about talks within the government to expand the role of various health professionals? Well, it's been made public as the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009 Bill.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/632768 -- (don't mind the "flattering" picture of David Caplan)
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/05/11/ontario-health.html
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_34464.aspx
(among many other news sources...)
These changes are widely welcomed in Ontario while many say it's not enough. Reading through some of the uninformed comments, people need to remember it is their right (it's autonomy, stupid!) to decide who and what care they receive (unless deemed incompetent).
It seems British Columbia is a pioneer or "guinea pig" province in health care reforms as they started the idea with pharmacists renewing prescriptions. It's nice to see that pilot program succeed and makes its way over here.
Some nurses are disappointed that they still cannot discharge patients. I welcome the notion of freeing up beds quicker if the doc is away performing surgery or on a long lunch break or whatever. Still, the concern of prematurely discharging someone and having them die on the street is very real but that can be fixed with a little more training and guidelines.
I personally think this bill is a step in the right direction. I think it's time we build and improve upon the teamwork and collaboration and move away from the "territory marking" that ultimately hurts us all in the end.
Now imagine on the night I first heard about this, a visionary raised his or her hand and spoke up with such a brilliant idea. This bill could have turned out to be revolutionary and affected the lives of millions! Wait times forever solved! Haha. That didn't happen. From papers on a desk at the top to the "street-level bureaucrats", it's nice seeing the big picture and seeing real world change.