Hi Everyone,
This blog is three-fold. This is what I mean.
I have ZERO time and I hate it, is a text I sent yesterday and I am pretty sure that the person thinks I am avoiding them. I am not. Or not really. I can meet with them somewhere in the city, since I am all over Toronto this week and most of next. I just can’t meet where they would like. I am telling you this because there are times when I have to tell my mother a few times a week, I am in the middle of something, can I call you later? Or I will call her to remind her of something and say, And don’t call me back, I’ve got a lot to do today. And she understands and never asks what I am doing. I text my daughter, Can’t text now, ALL. THE. TIME. One morning I sent her that text twice–in a row. I am productive more than I am busy. So that is good, if you want to get ahead and not so great for people who have more time on their hands and feet. Or if people think you have nothing going on and drop a bomb thinking you will be there to detonate it. Like the other day when someone asked me to help them, Sorry, I can’t. Why doesn’t she just do ____, like a normal person? My answer was a shrug followed with, I don’t know. That was the first-fold. Here comes the second.
If I, someone who is simply managing their life doesn’t have any time, then could someone please try to explain to me, how Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Canada has time to go to the airport and escort an 18-year-old, Rahaf al-Qunun into Canada? For anyone who has forgotten, Rahaf is the woman who took to twitter and garnered international attention which got her asylum status into Canada. How could Chrystia Freeland do that? Was she free that day? Did she just “clear” her schedule? It must not have been that full. I get that. I have days during the week where I have a bit less to do, but not even I can drop everything-even if it is for a photo-op! Which brings me to my next pointed point. In a news interview, Chrystia Freeland said that Rahaf reminded her of her own “girls”, who are about the same age. Seriously? That was your excuse for going to meet an 18-year-old (barely) woman who just may be more than a bit hormonal? Like you couldn’t find any teenagers in Canada who could use your help? There have to be some needy people at the Good Sheppard on Queen Street East on Thanksgiving or how about any day of the week. You didn’t see any while you were there serving Thanksgiving dinner? I saw you on CITYTV news. They even mentioned your name right along side of John Tory, Toronto’s mayor. It’s great that you hand a fellow Canadian a plate of turkey. Now what are you going to do about the Canadian hostages in China? If that is too large a task, then why don’t you have a little sit down with Prime Minister Trudeau. Maybe you two could find a way to “….always stand up for human rights and women’s rights….” for Canadians right here in Canada. In the meantime, give Toronto more money for shelters.
So I got off the subway at College yesterday, walked out of the turnstile and saw a panhandler sitting on the wet floor with his hand out, literally. I didn’t say anything because that requires energy. I also didn’t give him any money because I don’t give panhandlers anything. Once up the steps and out the door, there was another panhandler standing on the corner. As I walked down Yonge Street, I saw a few more. Again I didn’t say anything. I just walked. That is until I got to this one guy. He annoys me every time I see him which isn’t a lot but it is enough. Spare some change, he asked as he raised a pop cup less than 10 centimetres from my face as I tried to walk by. What have you got for me? I am going to start being like everyone else. I’ve got my hand out, what do you have? Seriously. The guy beside him smiled and the panhandler turned his head. I kept walking to meet my friend. After a quick pit-stop a few more people had their hands out. I ignored all of them. One was trying to get my attention so badly that she began hollering, Miss, Miss, Miss, do you have some spare change? from a telephone pole, or 50 metres away. She even went as far as jumping in front of me and waving her arms like she was guiding a plane. In my head, I thought, not only am I carrying two white plastic bags and my knapsack is bursting at the seams, you think I am going to just stop, put everything down, and dig through my knapsack to give you money?
Not having time to text or talk isn’t always a bad thing. It can be great when you remember the saying, An emergency on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part.
I am still amazed though at how many people can stop their life for what they deem important and how many expect others to stop their life for them.
Thank you for reading, A. Rebel’s Rant! ;D
byby