All posts by karimkanji

New York

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today

For those of you in North America who have been living under a rock this summer, Yankee Stadium has hosted it’s last baseball game. If you’re keeping score, the Bronx Bombers beat the Baltimore Orioles.

Yankee Stadium has not only been the site of many World Series championships. It has also hosted concerts, political rallys as well as the Pope!

However, it will probably be best remembered as The House that Ruth Built. Babe Ruth was arguably the best baseball player who ever rounded the bases.

Many bloggers and media types have already highlighted the many events that have taken place at The Cathedral. So, I won’t even attempt to do that here.

What I bring to you are pictures of a trip I took this past summer with my brother and sister to Yankee Stadium to watch our beloved Toronto Blue Jays beat up on those pesky Yankees.

I hope you enjoy!

The Cathedral – I

The Cathedral – II

Want to share your thoughts or comments? Please visit the Original Post. Thanks!
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The truth

I don’t consider myself an expert in things financial. That said, things are very weird today.

Massive financial companies are teetering on extinction. Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Merrill Lynch and AIG. What is going on? All of this apparently brought on by irresponsible lending and greed.

And yet, today’s PROFIT magazine highlights Canada’s Hot 50. The #1 company with a two-year growth of almost 4,000%? www.MortgageBrokers.com.

What does all this mean for regular citizens like you and me?

What are the implications for homeowners, new and old?

The truth? Maybe we can’t handle the truth?

New York

New York City – 9/11/2008

I recently had the opportunity to visit New York City a couple of weeks ago.

I visited the former site of the World Trade Center as well as St. James Church where they have a memorial. Let’s just say that this weighed heavy on my heart.

What are your thoughts or memories?

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Election Dysfunction and Political Envy

Today, we will just ask questions rather than offer personal observations.

In the States (our elephant cousin to the south) they have Barack Obama and John McCain. Regardless of how you feel about their individual politics and parties they do offer one thing.

Personality.


Obama reminds my parents and their generation of JFK and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. McCain continues to tell his story about surviving a POW Camp.

Is this important? I’m not really sure in the grand scheme of things. However, it does make things a little more exciting. Just look at Canada.

Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion both lead the two BIG national parties. One of them will be our next prime minister. Notwithstanding their politics, they are both very boring. Personality? Nada.

Jack Layton of the NDP may be the most charismatic leader. Is this because he’s a socialist? Maybe. However, with the NDP he will be rendered silent. His personality will have little airtime. Gilles Duceppe, of the BQ – His party is only running in Quebec so who cares?

Elizabeth May of the Green Party seems to be the most interesting candidate. I think she needs a media advisor though as she seems to get a little careless. The Greens will need a larger popular vote, more elected MPs and maybe electoral reform before the media will start paying attention to them.

Then again maybe I’m getting this all wrong. Maybe not.

Who do you think Canada’s most interesting political leader or candidate? Leave your comments at the ORIGINAL POST.

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Fasting



As you may know this is the Muslim month of Ramadan. According to the Islamic faith Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during this holy month. (For a proper explanation please take some time to check out Wikipedia or other sources. My point today is to give you my perspective.)

Why am I fasting?

Well, that’s not as simple to answer as it is to ask. I could answer, because as a Muslim I am supposed to fast during Ramadan. But then again, there are lots of things I am supposed to do or not do. I’m not perfect. And I also don’t want to insinuate that if someone does not fast that they are not a proper Muslim. You see, I also believe that we have been given the power of choice.

That’s right, we get to choose what we do or don’t do. This does not make our choices correct, incorrect or otherwise. It just makes our choices our own.

Confused?

You asked.

Islam, at it’s core is both a pluralistic faith and a pluralistic culture. There are many traditions and interpretations about being a Muslim. The practice of fasting being one of them.

Why am I fasting? Because it’s a battle that I want to fight. And one that I am determined to win.

Are you fasting or know someone who is fasting? Share your thoughts on the ORIGINAL POST which can be found at http://InspirationbyKarim.blogspot.com.

Karim

blog

If you want something done, Do It Myself

I know what you’re thinking.

This post has nothing to do about fasting, New York or Elections. Duh. I know.

However, I came across a blog I just could not resist letting all of you know about. (If you already know of it, shame on you for not letting all of us know!)

Glenda Watson Hyatt’s doitmyselfblog.com is INSPIRational to say the least.

Please visit her. I hope you enjoy!

Are there any blogs or websites YOU find inspirational? Let us know by commenting on the original post. Thanks.

Karim

New York

Just dropped by to say “Hello!”

Yup.

Hello.

Well, actually, I realized it has been a while since I committed my thoughts to keyboard. However, I will promise you this: I will have a couple of topics to focus on in the near future.

First, Ramadan. This is considered to be the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. Many Muslims will observe this month by participating in a month long fast during the daytime hours. So, I will let you know how I’m doing in my fast. Today is day 2 and things are going well despite this cold that won’t go away.

I’ll also have some thoughts and observations about my recent “sibling” trip to New York City. Wow! What a city!

Finally, expect some election rambling. Not just for our cousins south of the 49th. In Canada, we expect to head to the polls mid-October. So, thoughts will be a-plenty for sure!

To everyone who is back in school – Thanks for the increased traffic!!!!

Karim

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A Good Cause, A Good Place

Surrey Place.

I know what you’re thinking, and no. I’m not being paid by the Economic Planning Board for Surrey, BC. This Surrey is not a place but is Surrey Place in Toronto.

Who are they?

Surrey Place “helps children and adults living with developmental disabilities reach their full potential.” For more information about Surrey Place please discover their Four Pillars HERE.

On August 17th I had the pleasure of helping my sister, Faiza Kanji (Manager, Volunteer Services) at the GetInLine.ca fundraiser at Woodbine Park in the Beaches area of Toronto.

The thing that struck me the most during this event was the sheer joy and excitement that the participants had for the cause and event. The participants? The vast majority of them were children and adults who use Surrey Place. Why were they happy? Because it was THEM who were making a difference in their own lives. Why was I so happy? Because they reminded me that if I want to make something happen, I better get off my ass and do something.

Here are a few pictures I took. I hope to have more soon.


By the way, donations are welcome at www.GetInLine.ca!

Cheers!

Karim Kanji

Toronto

Forget the NFL. Toronto has Monopoly!


And so it continues. Or maybe it has ended.

Toronto has always had this big city – small city syndrome. Are we world class or not? Do they love us or hate us?

Well, it seems that Toronto doesn’t need the NFL. The CFL and the NLL (lacrosse) will do just fine for the folks at Hasbro. Toronto, as well as Montreal and Vancouver will be featured on the new Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition.

Just don’t tell Torontonians that Montreal has the prestigious “Boardwalk” location…

Read the PRESS RELEASE HERE.

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Jack Johnson, allatonce.org, and TorontoGreen.ca

A couple of weeks ago I had the fortunate opportunity to participate at the Jack Johnson 2008 World Tour.

My role was to help Minaz’s organization, Toronto Green Community, at the Village Green. Village Green was created as an on-site community comprised of local, national and international non-profit groups with a focus on positive environmental action. All together, the event is known as All At Once.

An individual action, multiplied by millions, creates global change.

The All At Once campaign promotes community and individual action and participation, positive sustainable policies through institutional and governmental involvement, positive sustainable consumerism, and climate-conscious decision making. Furthermore, the tour promotes green-friendly actions during the concert festival such as carpooling, using mass transit, refilling water bottles, enabling concert-goers to purchase CO2 offsets and encouraging on site recycling.

In short, Jack Johnson is a man who not only talks the talk but walks the walk as well.

Which brings me to the point of this posting.

Jack Johnson’s new charity, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, will MATCH every dollar donated to the local non-profits who attended the show (up to $2500 CDN).
Furthermore, the Foundation will donate $1 for every complete view of the non-profits video.
ACTION:

So here’s what I’m asking you to do. First, PLEASE visit www.torontogreen.ca and make a donation. The Toronto Green Community is a grassroots organization engaging people where they live, work and play for a cleaner, greener Toronto. They are a worthwhile organization with some great people volunteering to help make a difference.

Second, whether you make an online donation or send in a cheque, please state that you are making this donation in cunjunction with the All At Once campaign. Note: The campaign ends September 15th 2008.

Third, please visit http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/allatonce/explore and watch the entire Toronto Green Community video. (The video is also posted below but PLEASE visit THIS site so Toronto Green Community gets credited. Thanks!)

Fourth, please forward and promote this posting to everybody that you know! Let’s make this the most popular and viral posting!

Your participation in this worthwhile cause will make a difference.

Want to leave a COMMENT? Please visit the ORIGINAL post.

Enjoy!

Karim