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March 7, 2005
The Flu Pandemic Debate
What are you comments regarding the possible Flu Pandemic of H5M1?
The following three conditions must be satisfied to be considered an pandemic:
1. Flu must emerge from an animal, and has never previously affected humans
2. The Flu must make humans sick
3. The Flu must be highly contagious
So far, the first two conditions have been satisfied. The medical community awaits word on if the third condition also holds true for H5M1.
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 9:18 PM
March 4, 2005
Marijuana Grow Ops
My heart was saddened yesterday when I heard about the four RCMP officers killed during a raid (although it was hardly a raid)in Alberta. The assailant apparently comitted suicide.
Knowing what I know about the RCMP - how do four fully trained RCMP officers succomb to the deadly fire of one lowly individual? According to the reports the officers were simply staking out the operations -
On March 2, 2005, members of the RCMP attended a rural residence outside of Mayerthorpe, in the County of St. Anne, to assist with a court order seizure of property, with the intent of keeping the peace. As a result of our members attendance evidence was obtained which resulted in a search warrant being sworn and secured for a marihuana grow operation.
Later on March 2, 2005, members of Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt Detachments, in cooperation with a Joint RCMP/Edmonton Police Service Green Team, executed search warrants at the rural residential property. The occupant of the residence was not located at that time.
At approximately 04:30 a.m. on March 3, 2005, two uniform members were left to secure the property until Edmonton RCMP Auto Theft Unit members attended the location to conduct a search of the property for stolen goods. Just prior to 9:00 a.m., two additional uniform members attended the residence. At 9:15 a.m., two members of the Edmonton RCMP Auto Theft Unit arrived at the residence, and upon exiting the vehicle, heard shots being fired inside a quonset hut on the property. This last statement is somewhat 'vague'. WHat a coincidence that at the precise time of 9:15 members arrived "heard shots being fired inside a quonset hut"
WHat the hell is a quonset hut? And why does that particular description of the obvious external structure necessitate the need to describe it as a 'quonset hut'. Four people died. The media glazes over the lives of those four courageous men. The media attempts to portray an image of 'caring'. The media should follow what is made of this trajic event. The effect it is having on canadians, and the national policy which should be devised to deal with problems of a similar nature.
Although I'm a grassrooted liberal, I'm somewhat perplexed about their wish-washy stance/strategy on the decriminalization of marijuana. Obviously grow ops are a problem. What is the liberal party doing about it? Public policy should be created to deal with this 'hot topic issue'.
Congrats Mr. Martin on your refusal to wear a freakin PIN.
To be continued...another day
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 10:25 PM
March 3, 2005
Traffic, Hits, and Click Through Rates
Well it seems like my site is finally taking off. I seem to be averaging about 25 unique visitors a day. March 3-4 has been the best day yet. A whopping 55 unique visitors whose average time spent browsing is between 3-30 minutes.
Now that I've seen the numbers, I'm going to make it one of my daily tasks to ensure there is something new everyday for you to read. I'm also looking at having some less static content, i.e. pictures.
FYI, my aunt Diane Adams had her student's theatrical opening night with their take on the classic movie "Fried Green Tomatoes". The play is running tomorrow night starting @ 7:00 (I believe next Thrusday and Friday as well) at Sir Allan MacNab highschool in Hamilton. Tickets are $5.00 and proceeds go to support the ARTS.
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 9:44 PM
March 2, 2005
Trust, Respect and Ethics
Higher purpose in the workplace means creating an environment of trust, respect, and ethics where each individual can do his or her best work.
Employees are seeking a workplace based on trust and on the respect and responsibility that grows from trust. This type of workplace is made up of informed employees and emphasizes constant, open communication. It encourages the highest and best in each individual employee. Most importantly, the enlightened company lives these values and ethics every day-day in and day out.
Love it? Read more.
Work priorities are CHANGING:
The top three priorities now speak clearly of a shift toward fulfillment, which links to spirituality. The employee priorities for work are, in order:
1. The ability to realize my full potential
2. Working for a good and ethical organization
3. Performing interesting work
4. Making money
Critical to the success of an enlightened workplace are leaders who make upholding these values a priority. These leaders must champion trust, respect and ethics throughout all levels of the organization.
Here's to being the better person! By the way...I am for hire.
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 8:43 PM
Life - fill_in_the_blanks
Life - what a wonderful thing it is; To wake up every day and ponder its simple delicacies is such a powerful thing, and yet we don't often have the time to consider all of its implications and meanings.
I want to tell you something, I want to let you into a little secret. That little secret is ME, my life. I want you to know a side of me that all too often is hidden and locked away. You would be lying to yourself if you said that you really knew me.
Now that I've sparked your interest, let me begin.
I value honesty above all else. It is what moves us forward, and by us I am referring to the 'humankind'. False-truths, hidden-agendas, beauracracy and war-mongering politics are issues and ideals that I'd rather not associate my self with.
What am I about? I've been recently referred to as being a 'pseudo manager' - Definition - "Apparently similar". Thank you for bringing that to my attention, It's opened my mind to a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. Earning the right to work, to realize my full potential is what I'm about. Being open, honest, and forthrigh is what I'm about. Understanding that there is no better day than TODAY, this is what I'm about.
We often live our lives in a "bubble". What is this "bubble" that I talk about? A "bubble" is what happens when we close our minds to the world; it is what happens when we live life only for ourselves without the consideration of others, and, the impact that our choices (both positive and negative) may have on others. I know I understand what this is about. For those of you closest to me (Phil, Rachel, Mom and Dad) I'm sorry for not understanding this earlier.
Let me tell you about a woman who is strong, courageous, ethical, respectful, loving, and kind. This woman is my mother. My mother has taught me about life and its special powers. She has taught me to stand up for what I believe in. Through her parenting, she has taught me that this world of ours is beautiful, delicate and it is something to cherish every day that we alive. She has taught me things it would take a lifetime to document. I know and she knows that I am who I am today in large part because of her positive influence. I love you mom. You are truly the most selfless (definition - Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish) person I know.
Rachel - You are a STAR in the sky - so perfect. I look up to you everyday. I just want you to know that.
Phil - I need not say a word, because I know you know.
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 8:11 PM
Integrity, Passion and Ethics
So I'm at a pivotol moment in my life where change is all around me. For those of you still skeptical that positive change is good change, let me assure you that negative change is BAD; However, as human beings I'll leave it up to you to decide for yourself.
Here are some interesting definitions for you to consider(courtesy of www.dictionary.com):
Integrity:Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. 2: The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
Passion: strong feeling or emotion [syn: passionateness] 2: intense passion or emotion [syn: heat, warmth] 3: something that is desired intensely
Ethics:The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the conduct of the members of a profession
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 7:58 PM
Excerpt taken from "The New Workforce", Harriet Hankin AMACOM 2005 - I suggest you buy this book, use the chapters link at the top of this page.
Perhaps as a result of years of having coaches and head strong parents, the Echos are respectful of positions and titles and desire a relationship with their boss. This may not always sit well with Generation X, who are largely hands-off, independent workers. On the other hand, the Echo is the group that is expected to work very well the Seniors.
Want to read more about the Seven (7) attriubutes that characterize the Baby Boom echo? Read on my friends :)
1. Their supervisory style is not fixed. How closely they monitor and manage, for instance, is a product of each individual's track record and personal preferences. Control and autonomy are a continuum, not solitary options.
2. Their leadership style is situationally varied. Some decisions are consensually made; others are made by the manager, but with input and consultation.
3. They depend less on positional than on personal power
4. They know when and how to make personal policy exceptions, without causing a team riot
5. They are thoughtful when matching individuals to a team, or matching a team or individual to an assignment.
6. They balance concern for tasks and concern for people. They are neither slave drivers nor country club managers.
7. THEY UNDERSTAND THE ELEMENTS OF TRUST AND WORK TO GAIN IT FROM THEIR EMPLOYEES. They are perceived as fair, inclusive, good communicators, and competent in their own right.
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 7:36 PM
What Generation do you fall into?
The Baby Boomers (Born 1946 to 1964)
Key Influences:
-Vietnam War
-Putting a man on the moon
-Television
-Women's liberation
-Sexual revolution
-Environmental Concerns
Other names:
Boomers; "Me" Generation
Generation X (Born 1965 to 1976)
Key influences:
-Demoltion of the Berlin wall
-The abundant economy in the 1980s and 1990s
-The dot-com economy
Other names:
Baby Bust; Xers
Baby Boom Echo (Born 1977 to 2000)*
Key Influences:
-Rodney King beating
-Columbine High School Massacre
-911
-Y2K
-Internet
-Video games
-Instant messaging
Other names:
Generation Y; Nexters; Internet Generation; Millenials
*I fall into this generation
Excerpt taken from "The New Workforce", Harriet Hankin AMACOM 2005
"The Baby Boom Echo is entering the workforce and will be coming on in force through the first quarter of the 21st Century. Nearly 75 million strong, this generation is coming of age as powerful and positive. Their parents, the Boomers, are seen as the most child-centred caregivers in history."
"At any rate, the Baby Boom Echo is seen as a largely self-confident group, sometimes even cocky. They like to set goals and go for them. Since they have had to be good time management since day one, Echos are multitaskers and team players. In fact, they typically prefer to work in groups rather than alone."
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 7:17 PM
In the waiting line - Lyrics by Zero7 that I can relate to
Wait in line
'Till your time
Ticking clock
Everyone stop
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Woooohh
Do you believe
In what you see
There doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe in
What you see
Nine to five
Living lies
Everyday
Stealing time
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
Woooohh
Do you believe
In what you feel
It doesn't seem to be anybody else who agrees with me
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see
Ah and I'll shout and I'll scream
But I'd rather not have seen
And i'll hide away for another day
Do you believe
In what you see
Motionless wheel
Nothing is real
Wasting my time
In the waiting line
Do you believe
In what you see
Everyone's saying different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Different things to me
Everyone's taking everything they can
Everything they can
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 7:13 PM
March 1, 2005
Do you love it?
Spring is on its way!
Posted by Ralph A. Meiers at 11:11 AM