At least I have my health

If there is one thing that we often take for granted, its our health. We are often guilty of believing that since all is well one day, that the next will be no different. We similarly are guilty of underestimating the importance of mental well being until it is often too late. Many psychological and mental health professionals often advocate moving away from situations that incur a higher stress level. So that's what I did. I had worked at hemisphere engineering for a year and a half, and was growing uneasy with the lack of flexibility they employed. With that in mind, I decided to put the brakes on my technologist career, for the time being at least. I am still working my part-time "McJob", but with a few more shifts to keep me out of poverty.
The future is once again open for discussion. School? Maybe. A different employer? Perhaps. Return to Hemisphere in the fall? Possibly, but only with much more favorable conditions. For now, I have exactly what I want, free time to unwind.

The Dog Days of Summer

Some of my fondest memories of my youth were spent with my dog. "Tar" first appeared when I was 10 years old and was with us until 12 years ago. I will never forget that cold January morning when he arrived, a 6-week-old purebred black lab pup, small enough to sleep in a shoe box. We had just had a significant snowfall, but Tar loved snow; he would try to jump his way through it. He was with us for some great times, and later on, some bad times; but he always was that one constant that never changed, despite the fact that everything else seemed to.
Meet Sammy. She is my newest attempt to rekindle my youth. A two month shih-tzu/havanese cross; Sammy has thankfully brought some well needed energy to a somewhat sedentary and reclusive lifestyle. In short, she's a chick magnet. Actually, she's an everything magnet. Chicks, guys, dogs, cats, you name it, she wants to meet it. The last two weeks have been a lesson on just the level of commitment that is needed to raise a dog. Some might suggest that I might have got her for an ulterior motive, to which i retort. If I did, I sure am spending a lot of time working on it. Which maybe says a little something about me. But since she is young and cute, I may as well make the most of it.
Sammy will never be another Tar. She will never be housebroken in one day. She will never be able to ring the door bell. Most importantly, I will never be 10 years old again. Sammy will be special because of the era of my life that she influenced.
I have never considered my self a subscriber of religion, instead opting for spiritual enlightenment. But I have to think, that for a brief moment, when Sammy was dropped in my lap, that Tar stopped chasing his tennis ball for a brief moment and wagged his tail.

-S-

Welcome

Welcome to the first post on The Daily Epiphany. I guess now is as good of a time as ever to introduce myself, explain the necessity of a blog, and what i hope to achieve with one.
My name is Shaun, I live and work in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. For those that may not call Edmonton home, Alberta is considered the conservative heartland of Canada. It is often a challenge to express a progressive viewpoint among many deaf ears: Hence the blog. I hope to attract and connect with a network of like-minded thinkers and perhaps a few respectful not so like-minded thinkers.
I currently have comments turned off, eventually that will change; as too will the format of the page itself. I apologize for the crude appearance, I am still a newbie to the blog world.
Like I mentioned earlier, I am considered a progressive thinker. Never one to shy away from expressing an opinion, I spend countless hours researching books, websites, podcasts and documentaries. I will often comment on issues that are geopolitical, environmental, or human and civil rights related. I may even comment on local issues.
As time goes by, I am hopeful that you take the opportunity to read my blog, and given the chance, comment. Hopefully, we can partake in many great discussions and debates.

Cheers
-S-