Health Care ponderings.....

In light of the recent federal election, and the sore need that is our health care system, I wanted to ask you guys your opinions on Two-Tiered Health Care, and Private Health Care.

Here is what I am thinking;
-The current system is overworked and wait times for essential procedures are outrageous. If a person can afford to pay for an essential service, would that not effectively remove them from the queue? And considering they are paying their own way, wouldn't that free up thier tax money to pay for someone's procedure who is less fortunate?

-The current system is underfunded. This is only true since the Harris axe fell, but before that mandate took effect, the system was bloated with misuse and waste of funds. There needs to be a balance between the two at some point. In a true two-tiered medical system, funding for the public side of health care would continue to come from our tax money, but essentially, people would be 'paying' to use the private side twice, through taxation and user fees.

-The argument that a two-tiered health care system would see a flood of medical expertise to the private sector seems a little redundant to me. In a country where people are dictated to by the government all the time (overtaxation, by-laws, extortion.... oops, was that last one out loud?), wouldn't it be simple to just mandate that salaries in the private sector be capped at, or even slightly below that of the public sector. The choice for a prospective nurse or doctor, then, would be less clouded by monetary considerations, and more driven by the ideal that sends most people into medicine in the first place, 'Helping People'. And I'm sure that the private companies that are interested in building clinics wouldn't balk at the idea of capped salaries, therefore having to spend less on staffing costs, which in health-care are a massive expense.

These are a few of my thoughts.... what do you think?
Peace,
Shamus

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Bean-arific!

Friday Feb. 10 8-10pm at The Human Bean!
I reckon' you should be comin' on down, pardner....
And ya'll come back now, y'here....

Back at The Bean

The Bean! Sat. Jan. 28! 8ish-10ish P.M.!

Check..Check.... Is this thing on?

I have finally begun to pursue my dream of recording, albeit not in the conventional way....
I have purchased a Digital Multi-track Recording Studio from Zoom. Its basically a professional level recording studio in a box a little larger than a laptop. It Rocks! And I am so excited about the endless possibilities! Just think, perhaps a 'Live from the Bean' album....... :oP

For now just trying to get aquainted with the system and such, nothing else really going on!

Peace,
Shamus

To Bean... or Not to Bean....Dat's de Qestion

I am playing once again at The Human Bean this Saturday Jan. 7!!
Be there or be.....

Falla-la-la-laa-La-la-la-la!

My next appearence at The Human Bean has been booked for Fri. December 23/05!
Come on down for a good ole' time!

Nays and Dights....

Its 2:45 am....
I am awake....
Shift work Sucks...
But heres a couple of cool pics I found while surfin'.
Yawn,
Shamus

Back from blog hiatus!

Hello Everyone!
Sorry for the extremely long time between posts.... whats can I say, I am boring with nothing to say :oP. Please plan on stopping by more regularly if you have stopped coming, cause I plan on updating much more frequently than had been the case over the last little while.

Quick note- Thanks to all at The Human Bean.
Friday was a Blast!

This past month has gone, (dare I say it?).....fairly smoothly, so really not a whole lot to report.

I am planning on going into the studio in the very near future to record some stuff. I am trying to decide what the best route is, just a demo of 4 songs or a full CD at 8-10 songs. The issue really is capital..you know, cash, bread, dough, moola, dinero etc. etc.

If I could wish with no strings attached, I'd definently go for the full track. I 've tossed around the idea of preselling copies in hopes of raising some funds, but other than that I am stumped.
Any thoughts?

Peace, Shamus

At Da Bean.....

I will be playing once again at The Human Bean on Friday, November 25 from 8pm to 10pm.
Please spread the word to all your rednecked country music loving friends!

Peace,
Shamus

Ideas....Feedback......Abuse

Just thought I would ask you guys for some advice. I am wondering if you know of any places where I should be approaching about playing. Thought I would also open this thread up to allow for suggestions, song, abuse and such. So please tack on your thoughts! I would also like to thank everyone who made it out to my 2nd show at The Human Bean. It was great fun!
I will be playing sometime in November at The Bean.....so check back for a date!

Thanks,
Shamus

Sobering Moment

Colborne Chronicle Article

I found out yesterday that a guy I worked with at Horizon has killed himself. They found him in a tree, in Colborne. This is supremely disturbing to me..... I have found myself thinking of him and his family almost constantly. I wonder if there is something I could have said, you know? Something I could have done?

I don't believe that we are here, just to take this ride and get off. Our impact on others and vise versa is not only a by-product of this trip, but second only to trying to understand and live out the will of your Creator.

Today, I am not laughing.

Peace,
Shamus

Ta Da Dump, Ta Da Dump.....etc.

Here I come to save the DAY!!!

Emergency Update! I am playing at The Human Bean this Friday Oct. 21 at 8 PM!

The act that was scheduled to play canceled , so I was forced to slip into a phone booth and change into my costume....... wait, thats a different dream entirely.

Please spread the word!

Thanks,
Shamus

Happy Belated Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!........Better late than never, I suppose.

Hope you took the time to spend a moment with those that you care about most, and to thank God for his wonderful providence.

With Thanksgiving,

Shamus

Friday Night Fever

Thanks to all who made it to The Human Bean last night. A fun time was had by all, including me.
The kind folks at the Bean have been generous enough to invite me back next month, so check here for an announcement. See you guys soon,
Shamus

Have a McHappy Day!

Hope everyone (all the 2 people that come here :oP) is having a great day!

Peace,
Shamus

Confirmed Appearance

"Its confrimed! Friday Oct. 7 /05, 8 pm at The Human Bean! Shamus Hannah! The concert of a lifetime!"

Well, not quite.... Hope to see ya there.

Shamus

Brain Dead

Apparently I have forgotten the importance of thinking..... Thursday night, I set my alarm for work the next morning and never actually turned it on. I woke up, Friday morning, at 7:10 am..... I was suppose to start work at 7:00 am.... Just in case you were wondering, other than my lack of higher functioning motor-skills, the new job is going great. The people that I am working with are friendly and helpful , and the company seems to truly care about you as a person, not just another lug in some monolithic machine. And of course, the extra pay is nice. Sorry that I haven't updated lately , will try to be a little more consistent.

Peace,
Shamus

Booked at the Bean!

The date has been tentatively set for me to play at The Human Bean in Cobourg.......
Friday Oct. 7/05 from 8-10 pm

Come on out for a good time, good drinks, and of course.... good music!

Peace,
Shamus

Here I am, Turn the page...

It seems to me that life winds its merry way in chapters. That being said, I believe that perhaps this is a new one for me. New job, new outlook, as it may be. I am excited to be starting at Belden on Wednesday, but also quite nervous as well. Feels kinda like the first day of school, Christmas morning and a trip to the dentist all wrapped into one. Oh, only in work boots and safety glasses.

I also feel like I am getting a fresh start with my music. The worship band that I play in is moving into some opportunities to lead worship in a coffeehouse format, at 'Meet at 66 King St.' in Cobourg. This is awesome and daunting all at the same time. I am pursing some venues to play some solo gigs as well, and feel like I am developing as a musician in the process.

Quinn is growing like a bad weed, and everyday he seems to learn a new way to be adorable and annoying all at the same time. He is such an amazing part of my life.

Mary-Beth has returned to JHS, which really sucks. Here's the scoop. Her hours kept getting cut at Alpha House, due to funding policy, and I got the layoff notice. So we decided it would be best for her to go back, inspite of the high costy of travel, and the long hours. We have to put food on the table. So then I get the call from Belden and get the job, making higher pay, one frickin day after she tells JHS she is coming back, and tells Alpha House that she is only going to take relief hours. The folks at Alpha House were happy to help out, and found a replacement for her THAT DAY. Really, I can't complain too much though..... it certainly isn't a bad thing that my wife has two jobs. Some people can't even find one job..... I love you MB, and thanks for your willingness to take on extra work when we are in a pinch.

Well gotta run guys.... talk to ya soon...

Shamus

Got It!

I got the news today: I got the job at Belden!. I start next Wednesday. Spent tonight hanging out with my friends playing board games. Well off to bed with moi.

Peace,
Shamus