The other day at work, I was told polietly, descretely, and through unofficial channels (in other words, not face-to-face) to essentially "tone down" my personal sense of style. Those in the corporate hiarchy allege, that my appearance, complete with tattoos and jewelery, is "intimidating" to customers, and threatens their image as a "family business". Truth be told, I know EMPHATICALLY they've had ZERO complaints about me, my appearance, or work ethic. MANY compliments, but no complaints. I was told not to take it personally. But quite frankly, it's quite hard NOT to. Especially since I have always gone out of my way to be loyal, respectful, and to be a "company man". I know those at the upper levels or management, are conservative men in their 60's. And they are the REAL people who are put off by my asthetics. They are obviously from an entirely different generation, and were raised with a different set of values than myself. Which I can respect. However....I've been asked my opinion on the matter, so I'll state it here. In most facets of business, especially "white collar" business, I could totally understand maintaining a conservative approach to appearance. Having said that, the bike buisness, is not you atypical, white collar buisness. Even more than a business, it's a LIFESTYLE and a CULTURE. Complete with it's own asthetics, values, and way of thinking. It's existed for over one hundred years, and many who've propogated it for generations, have maintained an "avante garde" appearance. So within this context, it's become culturally acceptable to appear quasi-different. Not to mention, the finances generated from said persons, has essentially allowed the business to thrive to the point it has. So to descriminate against people, whom even remotely resemble your typical "biker", is akin to shooting yourself in the foot. I remember a wise man, who'd been in the business for over 30 years, once said to me (and I'm paraphrasing) "We're selling an image and a lifestyle. Just as much, as we're selling the products that go along with it. People WANT to see a REAL biker. Not just someone who is playing the part.". How true. Then there's the notion, that in 2006, we are supposed to be an "enlightened" society. Enlightened with the knowledge, that certain aspects of a culture, if not directly adverse to another's well-being, should be encouraged. Not condemned. Reagrdless if we agree with them, or go against our sense of personal taste. For example...In Samoan culture, there is a HIGH degree of tattooing. It's an intregal part of their culture, and has been for as long as history can trace back. Seeing a Samoan male with copious amounts of tattoos, is akin to see a North American in blue jeans. It's not given a second thought. So if the same goes for the "biker" culture, then why is it suddenly socially aceptable to descrimiate? We wouldn't hire a Samoan male, then ask him to "cover up". Now would we? So why a biker? So in the same sense, that we don't assault homosexuals for being homosexuals, we don't lynch blacks for being black, then we shouldn't descriminate against bikers, for perpetuating a culture that's been around longer than we've been alive. Something to think about. Now...For the greatest helmet sticker EVER made.... Gh0sT

 Now, we have this.....

 

 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060118/wl_canada_nm/canada_canada_drugs_col.

 

 In an attempt to crack down on meth use, many over the counter cold remedies, which contain the ingrediants used to manufacture meth, will no longer be available for sale. With the exception the your usual pharmacies.

 

 It seems that Canada, and more specifically Ontario, is becoming more and more fascist by the day. This is just another example. While I conceed, that meth can be fabricated using ovet the counter cold remedies, I am NOT able to conceed, that my health should suffer as a result of another's unlawful use, of an otherwise perfectly safe product. Think about the numerous hypocricies involved in this decision. Provincial physicians  for years, have shelled out antibiotics like candy, to any squeeky wheel with a headcold, who walks into their office or ER. This despite the warning of the C.D.C. NOT to do so. Now? You have to practically be on death's door to get them. I've had a chest infection with cough, for going on THREE WEEKS now. SO badly, I swear  they are constructing me my own, personal "TB Sanitorium" next door to my house. And despite the fact, they STILL won't perscribe me anything more than an Advil, and some "bed rest". Now, they want to eliminate the availability of medication that doesn't even cure the ailment. But merely, aliviate the symptoms of it. Allow me to remind you...This is the same, Provincial government, that complains about the millions in lost revenue every year, as a result of workers taking "sick days". But it's perfectly acceptable for them, to limit their access to simple medications, which might enable them to work through an illness? Um...WTF?

 

 Limiting the availability to phramacies, is also descriminatory. It descriminates against the grocery and convience store owners who sell the product, and rely on its subsequent income. And it also descriminates geographically as well. Because not eveyone lives within waking distance of a phramacy, and they're not a dime a dozen like grocery or convience stores are. Especially in the inner cities, where such stores, especially convienence stores, are located on almost every corner.

 

 But again. We just pay their overly-inflated salaries. So what do we know? Or why should we have a say?

 

 Never confuse a liberal with logic.

 

 Gh0st

"Never change from the person you are." I was told this as a child. But only now, am I beginning to see the absurdity of that statement. Born into impracticality, from it very inception. What a laughable concept it would be, were it not so damn tragic. That we could waltz though a physical, social, and psychological minefield, and come out on the other end unscathed. Where all the sins of this world would fall from us, like water from a duck's back, and nobody would be rendured a dependant drug addict, alcoholic, or habitually self-destructive. I can't begin to imagine the plausibility of such occuring. There's an age old saying in the sport of boxing. "Sometimes, a fighter's career can end, with just ONE punch". Apply that same notion to life, with each person being a combatant. It takes just one slanderous word, one felonious behaviour, one unavenged act against us, and we're changed for life. Our perceptions of ourselves, the world around us, and the core of our beliefs. All dramatically, and permanently altered. Sometimes, so pronounced and with such conviction, it makes us wonder how we could have ever believed otherwise in the first place. I had once such experience, that I will undoubtably never forget. I remember exactly when and where I was when I had it. As God is my witness, the aura of the experience was so devine and supernatural, it was almost as if time had completely stopped. Now, I simply refer to it, as my "What the F__K am I doing???" revelation. Looking back over the last four years, it's unbelivable I am the same human being that I was back then. Primairly due to the fact, that I'm clearly not. I don't resemble him physically, emotionally, or psychologically. Everything about me, was soft and plaible. Often, to all the wrong people and forces. The revelation spurned what was to follow. Thousands of hours in the gym, have streamlined my body. A body, which plays host to a newfound psychology, and sense of emotional stability. Both of which, are just as chisled as the physical. Now, there are very few dangers to being me. Primairly because, I've despensed with all aspects of concern, where it need NOT necessairly be. So "never say never". Because change is sometimes inevitable. And downright necessary. Gh0st

 Needless to say, it was an interesting evening. If I had to grade it, I wouldn't exactly say "thumbs up" OR "down" entirely. More like thumbs, "in the middle". Which, as far as I'm concerned, qualifies as a check, in the "win "column. As no disaster, man made or natural, occured.

 

 I spent New Years being the intoxicated wallflower I always am. And speaking of which, allow me to add this little tidbit of information: "Wallflowers", are rather observant creatures. It's a natural by-product of who we are, and we hone it like a sharpened Samuria sword. So don't discount the possibility, that the shy, timid guy in the dark receses of the club, just might be more in tune with human nature, and all its subsequent pitfalls, than the outgoing partygirl, who's attention everyone is clamouring for. I'll even go so far as to state that a wallflower, is probably less apt to be taken advantage of, because they see the ENTIRE picture for what it is. Not just a fraction of it. They observe factions aligning, and choose their battles wisely. Because, let's be honest: A night out on the town, is akin to a chess match. Except it's psychological in nature, and it takes place on the checkered dancefloor. As opposed to the checkered chessboard. We stratagize, to ensure we lose as few "pawns" as possible. The "pawns" we do sacrifice, can take a variety of forms. From the cash in your wallet, you'll inevitabley spend trying to impress someone else, to the precious seconds you spend trying to seduce them. Having said that, I again remind the reader I am a "wallflower". So henceforth, none of this applies to me. As I only observe the game. And do not participate in it directly. :) But allow me to cite you an example. Had I actually been "playing".

 

 I'm 4 drinks into the "game", and standing by the edge of the dancefloor (or chessboard...which seems more appropriate). A cute girl walks by, who's a regular at a bar I frequent. Not drop dead gorgeous, like in a "Charlize Theron" kinda way. But nonetheless, sufficiently cute to warrent said label. She smiles at me, and I assume she recognizes me from the aforementioned establishment. I wave, and say "hi". I approached the bar, and order a drink. Moments later, she follows suit. Turning to me, she says, in a voice I'm not quite sure was serious or not, "So are you like stalking me now? Or what?". Assuming she was being sarcastic (Because let's be honest: I'm at that bar maybe once a week. And even then, not always with regularity), I responded with matching sarcasm when I replied, "Um ya. I actually have a list of people I'm currently stalking. And you're number three on that list.". Apparently, this was a blow to her ego, and not the response she was anticipating. "Number THREE? F__k you, man!". Walking away in a huff, I could hear he actually hear her complaining about me to her friends. And the fact that I didn't come off antagonized by her response. Oh well. S__t happens, I guess.

 

 Now having said that, WERE I ACTUALLY COMPETING IN THE GAME, I could have suffered a serious setback, by sacrificing multiple "pawns", in order to appease this woman. In the hopes of getting back into her good graces. But again: A wallflower, is much more observant, and shrewed. As a direct result of being so, it allowed me, to observe the forces she was bringing up the rear. One of which, was male. As a result, feeling descretion being the better part of valour, I retreated into the adjacet room. Where I was subsequently accosted, by a shapely blonde. And from what I was told, the resulting show we put on, drew rave reviews, and compliments by the dozen. But again: This most likely occured, because I WAS NOT ACTUALLY COMPETING. :) Clearly, it was a case of being in the right place, at the right time.

 

 The moral of this story? CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES WISELY. And most definitely: Do NOT do battle with a wallflower. :) They are far, more cunning than they appear.

 

 And in the immortal words of Lestat De Lioncourt: "Don't give the game away, you fool!".

 

 Gh0sT xxx