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Get your own knuckles at the knuckle tattoo gun.

The Time For This Change Has Come

Dear Variable Interest readers – or those who happened to stumble upon this today…

I have started a new, eco-friendly, earth-loving blog at http://bustedresource.wordpress.com. Please update your readers and/or bookmark that new site.

It has been with absolute pleasure that I have started this new blog and AM CURRENTLY recruiting authors and contributors to help with upkeep. Contact me if you would like to join, or would at some point like to contribute; blogging alone, continually, while working and part-time schooling (and yes, having a life beyond the internet) is terribly difficult.

The decision to start a new blog – and phase out Variable Interest – was easy and strong. I asked myself ;
1) Do I want to quit writing? = No. Then, 2) ‘Would I put Variable Interest on a resume?’. The answer was probably not, as it had become – and always had been – very personal. Busted Resource is to remain personal, but hold a stronger focus on my work and interests; that being land and resource management, and ecological restoration. Also, 3) would I have have linked to V.I. at a professional level? Again, probably not.

The name was one I secured months ago when it popped into my head. It reflects the eco. restoration and environmentalist’s mindset, and the connotation is correct.

Lastly, I needed my currently strong internet (that being Google) presence to point in that direction. It’ll take more page views, comments and whatnot to materialize, but that is my goal.

It has been an excellent learning experience and I hope you follow and contribute to the continuation of my work and passion.

All hail the honourable BustedResource.

Voting For Real Change – and the Enviro!

Resisting the temptation to post – yet again – about financial shenanigans, let us comment briefly on the Environmental importance of the upcoming Canadian election.

Truly, the level of voter apathy may turn out to be stunning this year. Prime Minister Stephen Harper (and correct me if I’m wrong) has called a mid-term election in an attempt to win an overwhelming government election. This would be disastrous, and here’s why:

ONE: The Oil Industry is in his backyard – and is the heart of his voter group. He may quite literally be the driver of both the oil boom (new-boom circa 2004), as well as the housing overconfidence in Alberta – which by the way will make a sweet crack once it all comes tumbling down on exaggerated values. Here’s the problem – all the environmental damage that is being done now at an increasing rate because of our oil sands extraction (see: tailings up the wazoo) will be in vain as the industry is in the process of crumbling. I have read, and sorry, I am my own source, that our oil sands are only producing profitably at over $101/barrel oil. Watchout: we are approaching $50-60 oil according to some technical analysts. And, even if we don’t reach $50/barrel oil, the oil-sands projects could spend many a year trying to work towards profitability.

**On that note, when buying Canadian mutual equity you’re basically buying into oil/energy. Pffft! And my “advisor” keeps pushing me to buy-and-hold…can you say generational divergence? Mutual funds are out for me. Screw you all, bankers!!

TWO: To assist the struggling forest industry, Canada’s other economic heart, we need leadership that will, 1) recognize the ecological importance of protecting old-growth and original forest, and 2) assist the sector in both marketing and innovation for the use of second-growth timber. Forestry is a top employer in Canada and there’s no way the industry can be forcibly scaled down (free-markets take care of that) – our jobs need to be protected, and at the same time innovation and protection needs to keep jobs in Canada. For example; our top problem is the export (to U.S. and beyond) of raw logs. That leaves too many processes and jobs out of Canadian hands. In an upcoming recession – jobs need to be forcibly kept on Canuck soil.

In summary: Harper will continue to convince us that the Oil industry is Canada’s heart, but the truth is it must be scaled down before more irreversible damage is done. Stop damaging investing that will destroy our land and pocketbooks.

…and: if we don’t vote change into the Canadian federal system (VOTE GREEN!) – not enough is going to change. Liberal and Conservative agendas may speak for change, and show enough difference to convince us of a multi-party system…but what has the last 10 years given us besides the same thing, over and over again??

The same goes to American votes – vote real change!!!

Okay – and your reality’s not mine.

So my recent post resulted in two people close to me commenting that it was “kinda harsh”. Perhaps. And, well, that’s what I do. I’m just a guy with the internet who knows how to type and copy and paste and “save image as”. I also know very little about how badly some people are, and will be effected.

Also, maybe the fact that a schmo like me is only now commenting on the markets means that the turnaround is near. You know, like when your mailman or local grocer asks, “how ’bout that Wall St?!”. Time to slowly buy back in? Is the blood on the street clotting?

That’s it. Honestly, I hope all is well for all. I’m not a mean person – but perhaps somewhat cold.

Eye Of The Tornado – my late commentary

As the American public sits back – some reacting, some not – and wonders what their administration plans to do with their money, I set my sights on pounding out a new post on one of my all time favorite areas; investing and finance. I don’t write about it often, but it is a practical hobby of mine to swing-trade and invest, even in these sketchiest of times.

How does it feel, my friends, to have no power while your country may go another $700+ billion into debt? That China and the Middle East own massive amounts of your money? I’m actually asking, not just being rhetorical. Canada may see similar problems soon seeing as we mirror our neighbours down south eventually. That’s okay with me, as four years from now may be the perfect time to buy a house. I hope to buy one from a really depressed young couple with 1.5 children who jumped in too early for the sake of image and lifestyle. It would make me “the” happiest to buy a home in an aura of dark humour.

Here’s where I stand on the stock market: it will continue to shit and/or puke blood. Not all in a row – but until this sorts itself out.

Citibank Chart - which way is down again?

(chart from somewhere within Timing Logic)

My general thinking is that we have another 50% (value) more to fall before we reach 2002-2003 levels – which is when money, oh, sorry, CREDIT, really started to be snatched up out of thin air. The key is that this is not money money. This is money without the inflation (cheap credit) – and the inflation is yet to come. That comes when the bailout forces the hand of god to create more money out of again, nowhere. Something from nothing is still nothing.

Those who thought that being able to afford a house and or lifestyle that was clearly reserved for the actua-rich had this coming – now the other millions have to pay for it. Perhaps we could blame it all on Gen-Xers.

On Oil and Gas I feel the same. Their charts are looking mighty “sick” as some would say. The thin air between today’s (and especially 2007’s) levels is low pressure air looking to collapse. This chart covers the support/resistance points. He sees a short term bounce before we break that level at 140 which was set in 2007. It was all fake and trade – and we’re probably going to see it fail.

Basic trend - Oil and Gas

(chart stolen from Slope of Hope – Tim Knight)

I find it unfortunate that Natural Gas will follow suit in an Oil stock failure, but that’s how it’ll go as they’re linked in trade. Natural Gas may eventually trade as an alternative energy, as it’s better for the environment – but for now one cannot invest in Natural Gas under the impression that it is a clean alternative.

So as the stock market, economy, and world markets tremble like a flame-throwing lion with a bad case of the shits, I wish you the best. Be smart, and don’t buy in the “dips”, at least not yet. I’m short both the S&P and Oil/Gas using ETFs SDS and DUG. Don’t take my “advice” though, read-up or stay out of the markets. Oh yea, and if you own mutual funds try to go more conservative with them too – as low as 30% equity.

More to come…

A Job In This Sector Is Still About The Human Element

I highly recommend a career the environmental/ forest sector. If you think there’s no money or excitement in it you’d be dead wrong – if you’re good with people and have a strong business sense, you can literally consult in any direction.

Kissinger Lake - and cutblock on distant hill

As I looked out over Lake Kissinger – camping recently – I again realized how lucky I am to work in a sector (and region) that allows me to look around and see my job in everything. And I don’t mean that in a “prisoner of work” sense. I live in an area where I can drive twenty minutes from the city and be in the boonies, so why would I want to fetch a career in anything but the environmental sector? The more I travel, the more I see that I live and work in the environmental sector: I can look beyond the lake and see opportunity for solutions.

To consider whether you’re happy working in (or pursuing) something, try to find your ‘place at work’ surrounding you. For example:

**Do you see billboards in Times Square and think, ” They’ve got that wrong, I know how I could sell that better.”

**Do you look up to Steve Jobs and think, “I could take over from here, let me in old man”.

**Do you look around and see an uncomfortable, traffic-ridden and poorly planned business district?

**And, (not an ad for medication) does unprecedented urban sprawl sadden you?

When your passion has direction, whether you’re right or wrong is not the point. Ask yourself; did you make your way into your career (or will you) because of a series of problems you thought you could solve? Those who seek problems will come out ahead of their competition.

Then, once you’ve started, it takes time and experience to know where you “should be headed” in the career sense – which is often as frustrating as needing experience to gain experience (that resume debacle). Sometimes you’ll need a series of mistakes before you find your happy place. And then it’s not always a happy place. So when you’re in a position, take time to consider when and whether you should dive deeper. You should probably dive deeper when:

1) You seek change and improvement in observing what others do.
2) You see challenges, and want to face those challenges; and
3) You see opportunity to stand out, and offer a personal touch to your niche.

Working in forestry consulting was the first place I tried and – luckily – is a place I’m happy exploring challenging niches. It all started when I worked at the base of the industry (silviculture/treeplanting) while pursuing a degree in Poli-Sci and English and would get frustrated (and curious) when I saw the dinosaur that (still) is the forest industry headed right down the drain. I saw opportunity in a downturn – and things had to get better. There’s everything to explore from development planning, land management, and sustainability in the energy sector. Within the larger field I see forest operations planning, and community and stakeholder consulting. It is packed with constant change and opportunity – all opening before me as I dive deeper into my ecological restoration niche. Basically, if there’s something missing or changing – there’s a need for consulting.

In the end, there’s no doubt that your surroundings define you. So if you seek to define (or defend!) your surroundings, environmental work just might be your calling. Then, you can define it.

**If you’re curious about the current environment and opportunities in this sector around your home base, contact me and I’ll do some basic research to help you find resources to help you on your way.

For The Love Of Experience

If you’ve never done a hallucinogenic drug, perhaps it’s not too late.

Over the past two years, studying the effects of natural hallucinogens has been taken to a whole new level. Back in style, perhaps? That’s because… With further research, psilocybin (pronounced SILL-oh-SY-bin) may prove useful in helping to treat alcoholism and drug dependence, and in aiding seriously ill patients as they deal with psychological distress, said study lead author Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins.

As you know, the drug is illegal, but has been used in ceremonies for centuries. Life-changing and religious ceremonies. Coincidence? I think not.

A volunteer from the 2007 experiment vocalized that, “…then came brilliant colors and beautiful patterns, just stunningly gorgeous, more intense than normal reality.”

…and then, the sensation that her heart was tearing open…”It would come in waves,” she recalled. “I found myself doing Lamaze-type breathing as the pain came on.”

Yet, “it was a joyful, ecstatic thing at the same time, like the joy of being alive,” … “There was this sense of relief and joy and ecstasy when my heart was opened.”

That’s likely from a first-time user, so her response was rather vivid.

“…Scientists reported [that] when they surveyed volunteers 14 months after they took the drug, most said they were still feeling and behaving better because of the experience.”

I really liked that commentary; feeling and behaving better because of the experience.

This is good too: “Experts emphasize that people should not try psilocybin on their own because it could be harmful. Even in the controlled setting of the laboratory, nearly a third of participants felt significant fear under the effects of the drug. Without proper supervision, someone could be harmed, researchers said.”

Personally, if I were to do mushrooms again I wouldn’t do them in any sort of ‘controlled’ setting. Hah. In fact, doing mushrooms indoors is generally a bad idea. If you take them indoors, be sure to move outdoors to quiet surroundings ASAP, preferably a beach or forest. An open field does the trick. In my second year at university, 2001 or so, a friend called me long-distance, scared shitless. I had recently recommended mushrooms as a pretty sweet experience: so he did them in his dorm room. In Philadelphia. Shitty, shitty idea. He told me that he thought that not only were people trying to kill him, but that he was having suicidal thoughts. This could stem back to lingering personal problems – as it’s still your own brain in there.

Note: If you’ve done them, you may be having a minor flash back as you read this. That may come in the form of general nervousness, or uncontrollable grinning.

Personally, I think that when taken in a happy place, mushrooms can be an extremely positive experience. Weird thoughts and your strange imagination always provide grand realizations.

However (as with my Philly dorm room friend): more than 20% of the participants described their psilocybin sessions as dominated by negative feelings such as anxiety. [Griffith] stresses that the drug is no replacement for the mental health benefits of continuous personal reflection: “There’s all the difference in the world between a spiritual experience and a spiritual life.”

I say do both, the life and the experience – one should assist the other.

Here’s Why Bikers Get On Commuters’ Nerves:

Basically, we’re vulnerable – which should give us the upper hand. When you’re riding a frame with wheels and “sharing the road” with cars, we feel like these heavy metal things rolling around have a good chance of being bullies. Some (and I mean only some) of them are, and dangerously so. More on that later.

The most un-lazy. I think I can count on all my digits how many times I’ve taken the bus to work this year rather than bike – and I live in a super rainy part of Canada. So there. See, I love myself more than you already. With this, the fact that we’re “un-lazy”, we have more reason to act snobbish around potential bullies (see above).

We’re “greener”, and yes, many of us believe that. While not all road-bikers (exercise and pastime) may be workday bikers – most will have two bikes for that reason.

Stubborn – when we think that we should use the road “as if we were a car”, it is for our own safety. Drivers should understand that we wouldn’t risk losing limbs just because we’re stubborn. But if we’re in a 40k zone downtown, and safer away from the danger from parked car doors opening, we’ll use the middle of the road.

Which leads me to dangerous time stories. My girlfriend really hates it when I come home with stories like this, because she thinks I’m a douche who probably puts his life in danger. I’m not – I’m stubborn and un-lazy.

Stubborn story. Biking along a slow, downtown harbourside road. In a 40 zone and I’m doing 45, at least. I take the middle of the road because of its narrowness. Car behind honks once, I glance back and wave. Car honks again and revs engine. I shake my head, keep biking. Traffic light 100m ahead, so I keep going. Driver (two lane road) overtakes me on my left, gives me the finger – “pretends” to swerve into me (and that’s a fucknut move) accelerates last 20 metres and stops right ahead of me at the light. Lucky him.

Other story. The road en route to work each morning, never a problem in the past. At one point the bike lane ceases to exist and the road narrows as we come up to a stoplight where I would turn right. Huge truck overtakes me, leaving about three feet between me – himself – and the curb. Tight squeeze but I hold my ground. He’s raging a little and I can see him in the passenger side mirror (which is a method all bikers should use, on both sides of the car – IT MEANS THEY CAN SEE YOU). He’s stopped at the light and I pass the cabin to make my right turn as he yells out the window, “…get off the fucking road“. I call him a “ridiculous shithead” and roll away smirking. At this point I’m all worked up, and it’s probably a testosterone issue on both our parts. That, and it’s before 8 in the morning.

Truck vs. bike ?? C’mon! – THAT is why I hold my ground. While I will openly admit to some occasional snobbery, bullying a biker by using one’s vehicle as a tool is not cool. It’s like punching the kid with glasses; it’s common courtesy not to.

*disclaimer: I wear glasses too.

For The Love Of Balance

Being environmentally-friendly is often about the larger-picture balance, and reconsidering the things you take for granted. Maybe you see your ability to get around by car as a given freedom, even a fundamental right. Propose to yourself that perhaps you’re wrong – and that years of habitual culture and advertising have told you that. Perhaps environmentalism, for you, is about sacrifice.

How about trading in your car for a motorbike?

In my and their defence, when someone comes across as anti-car, chances are they’re simply anti-overkill.

This is overkill:

Hummer Overkill

This is not:

While I woulnd’t call motorcycles the “environmentalists choice”, it sure is a viable and efficient motorized way of getting around.

Generally, a ‘fuel-efficient’ car comes in at about 45 mpg at best (excluding hybrids). Motorcycles like this Yamaha average about 78 mpg. That means that if you’re riding it consciously you could probably do better. Like not accelerating up hills, for instance. A simple four-stroke (one cylinder) engine is all one needs to get around (for fair distances).

Some reasons you might not want to get a moto-bike is 1) safety, if that’s your concern, 2) bad weather discomfort, if that’s your concern, 4) inability to lug things around, and/or, 4) your girlfriend won’t let you (and wants to see you in a Hummer) – see above picture.

To conclude, motorcycles are neat (see also: “cool”), and don’t drag around extra weight. In my opinion that is the overkill factor; one person occupying a hollow metal machine, dragging ass around the city. Driving half a mile to the store for milk and beer isn’t overkill, but 30 million people doing the same thing is.

For The Love Of Biking

I took a roundabout route to work yesterday morning for the sake of this video. You guessed it; I’ve bought myself a new Canon digicam with a time-lapse video option. Shall we see how long that excitement lasts!!?

Long enough.

Enjoy the short vid:

(music is ‘New way new life’ by Asian Dub Foundation)