RIP Moose (Eddie)

1990-2006

I Wish

I wish that in real life, everyone spontaneously broke out into choreographed song and dance.

It just looks like so much fun in the movies.

That's All Folks

I just walked out of my last class.

I am no longer Shanna Pilon. I am now...

Shanna Pilon, B. Comm.

I Always Suspected

Younger Brothers More Likely to be Gay

What's the #1 Way to Stay Healthy?

Wash your hands often!

He's Giving It Away!!

Billionaire Warren Buffett is giving his money away!!!

Now, I'm sure a lot of you don't know who the hell Warren Buffett is. The only reason I know him is because of my degree. Warren Buffett is like the investment guru. This guy has probably the most diversified portfolio in the world. He owns hundreds of stocks (by which I mean MILLIONS of shares) and this is how he mitigates his risk. He just owns stock in so many companies that if one goes belly up, he doesn't even feel it.

He's giving away 85% of his wealth...which let me remind you still leaves him with approximately $6.6 Billion. All the money is going to philanthropy. Five organizations are benefiting:

• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - world health programs and US education
  
• Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - reproductive health, family planning pro choice, anti-nuclear weapons (I don't get how that one fits in, but there it is!)
• Susan A. Buffett Foundation - education for children of low-income families
• Howard G. Buffett Foundation - covers 42 countries, protection of wildlife habitats, clean drinking water, food relief, the plight of children, other humanitarian areas
• NoVo Foundation - education, reverse environmental degradation, uphold human rights, improve understanding and respect among different cultures and ethnicities

I'm sure these organizations will enjoy splitting that $37.4 Billion. Each organization will begin receiving shares this year until all the money has been distributed. However, they also must follow certain criteria to continue receiving the money. I'm not going to bore you with how he's converting his shares, etc. You just won't know what the hell I'm talking about. Here's an example:

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been allotted 10 million shares. They will receive 5% of this each year until the foundation has received all 10 million. So, in year 1, they get 500,000 shares. In year 2, they get 475,000 shares. Etc, etc.

This is a huge deal. So much is said about the split between the rich and the poor. And it's great to see someone finally giving away their money. Warren Buffett is a smart guy. He knows that he doesn't need this money. And he's raised his family to know how to make their own money. They don't need $40 Billion.

Kudos to you Mr. Buffett.

Miscellaneous

So, I came home to a message on my answering machine on Friday. It was from Freedom 55. The hiring manager had read my Letter to the Editor and wanted me to phone him to discuss the opportunities at Freedom 55.

What the hell!!??? I spent like 4 months interviewing there last winter before finally deciding to quit because I didn't want the job anyway. Now, he wasn't the one interviewing me, as he moved into this position just this year. However, I did meet him during one of my interviews and spent some time talking to him. I know his sister from school and so some time was put aside for me to meet him.

I'm glad people are noticing my letter, but it kinda sucks that they don't remember who the fuck I am.

On other topics...I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I went for an interview with RBC last Monday. I was really expecting to hear back from them by the end of the week. Well, I didn't. So, I'm still sitting here wondering whether or not I'm getting the job. In the meantime, I have to CONTINUE applying for other jobs. So yeah, that sucks.

I spent yesterday giving tours for the Alumni reunion on campus. We had commerce students who graduated in 1956 and 1966. It was so much fun! We had such a great group and they were really enjoying themselves. It's so satisfying to bring someone into one of the old buildings, to convocation hall or the airplane room, and hear "Wow, this is why I came!" Makes it all worth it.

Anyway, I'll probably blog a bunch this weekend. I have a bunch of homework to do, including a take-home final. So, knowing me, I'll be procrastinating and blogging instead of doing my homework. Like I'm doing right now.

Published

I got published today!! My letter appeared in today's edition of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. On page A10. It was condensed a bit, but I like what they've presented.

I was in class and my professor came up to me "Great Letter to the Editor!" and I was just like "OMG, it got in!!!" Then he totally announced it to the entire class.

So yeah, I'm glad some people will see my opinion and acknowledge the problem that exists.

It's a Miracle!

Toby has been saved!!!!! If you don't know who Toby is, he's a little bunny rabbit. His owner found him cold and sick under his porch and nursed him back to health. However, if a certain amount of money wasn't raised, this owner was going to kill Toby and EAT him!! He was taking in donations to save Toby's life. Well, it seems the website Bored.com has saved Toby's life. The bunny shall live.

In the meanttime, another plight has come to my attention. You all remember Saved by the Bell? Yes, well then you also remember Screech!


Well, it seems Screech's house is being Foreclosed!!!!! Help Screech save his house by going here and buying a t-shirt!!!

World Refugee Day

Today is World Refugee Day. I don't know much about it, I'm assuming it's just another one of those "awareness" days. But whatever the reason, it's here to remind us of some realities in the world.

I'm just going to talk about one particular problem in one particular third world country, because I learned about it in my 3rd World Politics course.

Did you know that tens of thousands of children walk hundreds of miles each night just to have a safe place to sleep? In Northern Uganda, the Lord's Resistance Army kidnaps children at night and forces them to become members of this rebel movement, which is active also in the Congo and the Congo. To ensure the safety of their children, their parents send them on a Midnight Walk to Gulu. Gulu is a city where the children can sleep safely on the floors of schools and churches.

So tonight, be thankful that you have a safe place to sleep and that your children have a safe place to sleep.

All it takes to help children in third world countries is pennies...literally pennies. So, the next time you see a little box in front of a till at a store, put your change in there. It may seem like that money does not help, but I assure you, it does.

"Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can't be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people. "

-Lee Iaccoca-

Extra! Extra!

I got a phone call from the Leader Post today, to confirm that I wrote a Letter to the Editor before they ran it. So, unlike the Star Phoenix, it seems as though they are for sure going to run it. So, everyone down south, go buy a Leader Post and watch for my letter!

The Cracker Jack Saga

Tonight, I bought some Cracker Jacks. I like popcorn, and I like other flavours of Cracker Jacks, so I got a bag of "The Original Cracker Jack." Here I am with my Cracker Jacks. Quite happy that I have them.


Now, another reason why I got this bag was because I was promised a SURPRISE INSIDE!!!!! Wow! A surprise!! Now, I no longer buy cereal that comes with prizes. I just don't eat those kinds anymore. So, the possible surprise was quite exciting. Now, unlike cereal, they don't tell you what the prize is going to be. You just have to open up the bag and find out!


Now, I open the bag and soon I see this little paper book.

So, I grab it. I open it, and what is it?? Well, the title proclaims, "Yo-Yo Spinners". I am instructed to:

• Carefully pull out prize
• Peel off stickers; stick on sides of yo-yo or anywhere else

Now, the first instruction makes me thing, "wow, there must be a yo-yo in here somewhere!" Because why would they instruct me to pull the prize out carefully unless it was still in that bag somewhere. I already pulled out the little book thing...it's too late to be careful about it!

So, of course I can't wait and I start digging around in the bag for my yo-yo. Now, if you don't know...Cracker Jacks are covered in Caramel. So, digging around in the bag makes my hand quite sticky. Quite sticky indeed.

Problem is, I'm not finding a prize anywhere. It's not there!! That little booklet WAS my prize! Some shitty stickers! These stickers aren't even big enough to stick on the side of any respectable yo-yo. Needless to say, I'm pissed.

Here's a picture of my prize. It's kinda fuzzy, but if you see the circle directly above my finger, that's the sticker I'm supposed to put on a yo-yo. It's this happy little cartoon dog. My yo-yo is way too badass for this tiny ass little dog sticker.


Now, I'm pissed about the prize when I suddenly realize something. The bag says "Caramel Coated Popcorn and Peanuts." I have not seen any peanuts. So, I'm like, "maybe they're not there." But I read the ingredients and it says that they should be there. Well, I keep eating...and let me tell you..."The Original" flavour Cracker Jacks are not very good. So, I'm eating my way through this gross popcorn...I'm almost at the bottom when I finally spot some peanuts. They're all at the very bottom of the bag!!! How crappy. The other, newer flavours of Cracker Jack have the popcorn and peanuts all stuck together, so there's no way you can eat one and not the other.


Anyway, the moral of the story is that I had a very disappointing night due to my Cracker Jacks. The packaging is all nostalgic. They show the original picture of "Sailor Jack and Bingo." Well, I figure they do that because Sailor Jack looks like this:


And Bingo, well, this is him:

Breaking News!

I just got a call from the Star Phoenix. They just needed to confirm that I did indeed write a Letter to the Editor. They are "considering it for publication."

So, watch in your Star Phoenix papers!

I guess I'll have to start buying the paper.

Later that Night

So, I applied for some jobs. I have more to apply for. But my ass hurts. So, I'll come back tomorrow and do some more applying.

Remember that letter I wrote about the job?? Well, I just sent it to:

• CBC
• Mike Duffy (CTV)
• Jack Branswell (Global/Canada.com)
• StarPhoenix
• LeaderPost

And I'm not finished!

But as I said, my ass hurts, so I'll send out more tomorrow.

Why does my ass hurt?? Because I'm at school and these computer chairs just aren't as comfortable as my one at home.

Supposed to be Searching for Jobs

But instead I'm just messing around on the internet.

So, big news!!! I made the Dean's List!!! That's like Honour Roll, but in university. It's my first time, and I'm about to graduate. So, I suppose it was really my last chance to get on. And I did! Hahahaha!! Whooo!

So, you all know I got denied a job in Prince Albert. Well, this trip actually cost me no money. I have one of these STC Youth Passes, so I just used that to take the bus. Didn't cost me anything extra to take one more trip. However, the Conexus reimbursed me my expenses...$123!!! Whooo!! I should do THIS for a living. Apply for jobs far away. Find a way to travel there with little to no cost...then get reimbursed a whole lot more money than I spent on getting there!

Got a call from RBC today regarding a job that I applied for yesterday (wow, they're quick!). Of course, everyone HAS to phone me on Tuesday and Thursday between 1 and 4...because I'm in class then. All the rest of the time, no one phones me! So, I just get all these messages on my machine. Anyway, the girl wasn't in when I phoned her back, so I'll be phoning her in the morning.

I am now here at school planning on applying for a bunch more jobs tonight. Haven't applied for the ones in the newspaper yet as I was gone last weekend. So, I suppose I'll have to do that tonight. I'm just so SICK of writing cover letters. And making them all different. It just takes so damn LONG!!!!!!! Arggghhh!!!

Anyway, I'd better get started.

Killer Parents

Well, I can't believed I've lived so long. Because I just found out that my parents are MURDERERS!!!!!

Coming home to Saskatoon today, my mom hit a bird with the car and KILLED it!!! It was a little yellow bird. Smooshed forever.

And my dad...oh, him...he MURDERED two baby birds!! He found them in a nest and beat them to death!!!

Seriously, watch out Big Bird.

Blogging from Regina

Well, I'm in Regina. It rained the entire way here. I'm at my friend Cassandra's house. We have a SADD meeting Sunday morning, so I'm crashing at her place tonight. We're probably heading out to see a movie later because we have nothing else to do.

Anyway, I have nothing much to say. Just wanted to blog from a different city.

I'm too tired to think of a title

So, I'm definitely going to send out that letter. I'm going to tweak it a bit. Partially because I was super-pissed when I wrote it and I want to make sure that it all makes sense. Also, I'll change it dependent on who it's being sent to.

I'm going to keep a running tally somewhere on this webpage that says who I've sent it to. Any suggestions are welcome.

On another note...

E-mail is great and all, but I still LOVE getting mail. Just regular mail. Today I got TWO pieces of mail!! Yay!!

The first piece of mail was an invite to one of my old schoolfriend's wedding. This is my first friend to get married, so it's pretty cool!!

The second piece of mail was my official SaskParty Member Card. So, I'm officially now a card-carrying member of the Saskatchewan Party.

Job Woes

Well, you all know I was interviewing in PA at Conexus. Didn't get the job. Not pissed about that, but pissed about something. I wasn't home to take the phone call, but received the message on my answering machine. I was told that I interviewed "extremely well" and I had an "awful lot" of the skills they wanted. However, because I expressed an interest in getting involved in politics, I was passed over for the job.

What kind of fucking bullshit is that!? Seriously. If they had said that they thought I was a bitch and they didn't want to work with me, I think I would have been less pissed than I am now. (Maybe) I just don't get why it's such a bad thing to be interested in politics and the workings of government.

I am supremely pissed, so much that I wrote a letter that I'm in the mood to send out to, oh, media outlets, politicians, etc. But I'm posting it here first. Because sometimes I'm in the mood to do something, but once I calm down, the next day I'm not quite so in the mood to do something. So, I'm posting it here. If you think it's a bad idea for me to send it out, let me know. Or if you think I should send it out, but change something in it, let me know that too.

Anyway, here it is. It pretty much expresses the majority of my opinions. (Which we all know can be controversial)

*************************************************************************

Dear _____________,

I recently had an interview with one of Saskatchewan’s major financial institutions. During this interview, I was asked about my long term goals. I stated that my long term goal is to get involved with the government. I mentioned that I did not want to be a politician, because I felt that I fit better on the bureaucracy side of the government. The next week, I came home to a message on my answering machine from this institution. I was told that I interviewed “extremely well” and that I had an “awful lot” of the skills they were looking for. However, I was not offered the job due to the fact that I showed an interest in politics.

One would think that these institutions would be happy to be the starting point of a young Canadian’s career. I’m about to graduate with a 4-year Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in finance. I have little to no experience and am looking for a place where I can spend a few years learning about finance in a practical environment. I realize that saying my long term goal is in government makes it seem as if I’m not a long-term employee. But I did say that I was looking for stability and a place to settle for some time. For all they know, I might have ended up loving the job and never leaving the company. Also, what’s wrong with giving a young person a good view of a company from the inside? Even if I end up in government, at least I will have a working knowledge of that company, and will go to the government with a positive image of it. Now, I am coming out with a negative image of a company who does not support the interests of young Canadians.

This message went on to say that another branch of this institution would be opening up soon, in my area. If I were to “change my mind about the direction of my career” I was welcome to re-apply there. That’s a flat out insult! Why would they assume that I am suddenly going to stop liking politics and completely change my long term goals in life? This is who I am and that’s not going to change, especially for some close-minded institution.

I’m not upset about not being offered the job. I’m upset about the reason. If I had been told that I was too young, too inexperienced, or even that they just plain didn’t like me, that would have been fine. But to be told that I interviewed extremely well and that I have the skill set they are looking for, but because I have an interest in politics, I’m not welcome there is simply a slap in the face.

Here’s my question: When did it become a bad thing for young Canadians to show an interest in politics and the workings of their government?

Sincerely,

SMP

Unicorns with Dicks for Horns

OK, so I just put up a new post all of 5 minutes ago. But then I ran across this. Check out this thread on the NG BBS:

Unicorns with Dicks for Horns

Tom Fulp himself has already put up 2 pictures. And Dan Paladin has made his contribution too!!!

Nintendo

What do I do when my schedule slows down? I play Nintendo. Second year, February break, I had this awesome To Do list. I was going to get SOOOO much stuff done. What did I do? I beat Zelda for SuperNintendo.

So, right now, I'm working on Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. I finished a game I had started. Now, I'm trying to see how fast I can play the game and beat it. I've played for 2 hours and 46 minutes so far and I'm to the point where I just grabbed the Master Sword for the first time. I would estimate that at minimum 1 hour of that was just watching dumb movies. And listening to Navi.

The boss for this Zelda is ridiculously easy. I mean the boss at the very end. I beat it tonight. Now, I beat both Ganondorf AND Ganon and didn't even have to use a fairy. ME! Now, the fact is, for a girl, I kick ass at nintendo. But I still SUCK. How did I do all that without dying once!? The simple answer is that the boss is waaay too easy. Well, that and the fact that I've played this game from start to finish about 10 times. So I'm getting to be a pretty good expert at it.

Really though, what are my other options??

• Mario Party 3 - fun, but slow paced. Takes forever and there's no real goal. You play one game and it doesn't really lead to anything.
  
• Hexen - I don't think I've ever played this. It came with the thing when I bought it off the boy (we co-owned it, when I moved, I payed for his half of it)
• Star Wars: Shadow Empire - I played this once and was sooooo motion sick
• Pokemon Puzzle Party - I do like this game. It's the closest thing I have to Tetris on my 64. (By the way, that's what I have, a Nintendo 64) But anyway, I need to be in a tetris mood to play this one.
  
• Goldeneye - arguably one of the best nintendo games ever. But in terms of the solo missions, I've gotten as far as I can with my skill level. Also, I'm not a huge fan of "shoot 'em ups" That's why I kick so much ass at the taxi missions on GTA. And this game is only truly the most fun when you're playing with someone else. Especially when you're playing it with THREE someone elses. And I have no one. I'm all alone.
  

So yeah, that's what I've spent my night doing so far. I'm taking a break now, but will probably get back to it. My laundry won't be done for another hour anyway.

Cleaning

I just dusted my computer desk. Wow. Used up an entire Pledge cloth. And I didn't really move anything except my cords. Everything else (speakers, modem, etc.) I just dusted around. I only dust once every few months. Makes it seem like more of an accomplishment when I get rid of a really thick layer of dust.

I've also been slowly cleaning the rest of the place. Just as I watch TV, I clean. I need another bookshelf. I already have 2 large bookshelves and I'm pretty close to having every shelf on them full...and not only full, in double layers. I can't even see half my books because they're hidden by the other half!!

I thought about taking a webcam video of myself cleaning so that I could put it on the internet. But then I realized that no one would want to watch that. Not even me. How boring.

Haha, there's a pelican in PEI and they're all like "Ooooo, a pelican!" And I'm just like "it's a freakin' pelican people." We should send them some moose...they'd LOVE that.

Bit of a Disappointment

Well, what a whirlwind trip to Prince Albert. I had an interview at the Conexus Credit Union there. Got on a bus at 9am. I had printed out a bunch of stuff about the company and took the time to read it on the way up. I also had my Comm 402 book which has some interview tips, so I read through all that.

Got to PA and found everything very quickly. Unfortunately I was wearing a full suit and it was 31 degrees outside. Very hot. Fortunately there was a mall across the street. So, that was a good air conditioned place to wait until my interview.

Got to the interview in time, not a problem. I was interviewed by a panel of 3 people...the HR manager, the Sales Manager, and the Head Teller. Basic interview. They wanted me to start by summarizing my work and education experience. Then just behavioral questions. My only problem was that they limited my time frame to the last 18 months for answers. Well, the only thing I've done in the last 18 months is Subway and school. And so many of my awesome experiences were in Cadets and during high school. So, I had trouble coming up with some examples. Otherwise, the interview went smoothly enough.

The disappointment came in the position. I went in not knowing the exact position they were hiring for. Turns out the position guarantees part-time for the summer. They "anticipate" full time hours, but can't guarantee. And there's a "chance" of getting a full-time permanent job in September. Well, I'm not sure I want to move to PA for a bunch of "possibilities."

I obviously wasn't offered the job on the spot or anything. I know there were other applicants. As well, the three would need to discuss. They said they would get back to me sometime next week. So, if I don't get the offer, I'm not going to be too disappointed. If I do get it, I'll have some thinking to do. My aunt and uncle said I could live with them for the summer because they won't be there most of the time. And their house is about 6 blocks from the Conexus. So, I would basically have to store just my desk and dresser and stuff for a couple months. And this might be my only chance to get into a financial institution such as this. And if I work on getting my Canadian Securities Course, that greatly ups my chance of getting a permanent position.

So, I've done what I can. Maybe I have nothing to worry about and won't get offered the job. I can't do anything but sit and wait.

In the meantime, I've been sending out other applications. I spent tonight on a computer at school and filled out some applications. I applied for a job in La Ronge which I actually really want. I hope I could at least get an interview. It's for an administrative assistant to the Deputy Minister of Northern Affairs. An awesome opportunity for me to get into the government. So, we'll wait and see what happens there.

In conclusion, I hate looking for jobs.

Interview

So, I have one of my first big interviews tomorrow!!! I have to hop a bus to Prince Albert at 9am, have my interview at 1pm, and catch another bus home at 6pm. Fun times!! The interview is with the Conexus Credit Union there. My friend Holly's mom is the HR manager there, so that's who I am interviewing with. However, it may be a panel of people, I'm not entirely sure.

Wish me luck!!

Screen Names

When I was in about grade 6 I believe, I needed a screen name for the internet. I was in the computer room of our house with my friend Michelle and we decided to find a name. We grabbed the dictionary, opened it to a random page and pointed at a word. Soulfood was the word. It's been my online alias ever since.

How did you all get your screen names?

(Jeremy, I want to know the story about Fluffy, not just Pilot)