Children will be children—unless of course you happen to live in a certain condo complex in Abbotsford, B.C., where a mom has been fined twice by her strata council because her two and five year-old kids are "too noisy."
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Kathryn Mackenzie and her family bought the upper floor of a supposedly "family-friendly" complex, which is fully carpeted but for the kitchen. Her youngsters are proving too rambunctious for the downstairs neighbour, though. (Where is that volume switch when you need it?)
Following complaints, the strata sent two $50 fines via her condo statement for the noise infraction. Mackenzie is so conscious of volume, she allows her kids to jump on a foam mattress.
"I have a two year-old. He does scream, he has tantrums … I know it’s really loud. He's supposed to be loud. He's two years old and there’s nothing I can do to stop that," said Mackenzie. "For a year and a half now I am not parenting the way I would want to because I have to put this virtual stranger's comfort before the well-being of my children."
Some families who headed to Disney over the holidays walked away from the Magical Kingdom with more than happy memories.
Seven visitors—all of them under the age of 21—to Disney theme parks in California contracted measles during visits between 15 to 20 December.
Three further residents are suspected of having the airborne virus, which is preventable by vaccine and had all but been eradicated in the U.S. since 2000.
Officials claim measles—which is seeing a comeback—can remain infectious for nine days, and speculate that it may have come from overseas visitors. Six of the seven sufferers weren't vaccinated (two of whom, presumably the 8-month-old baby, were too young). Two were from Utah, the rest from California.
Of course the Department of Public Health is now stating the obvious: Don't want measles? Get vaccinated. It's not rocket science.
As viruses go, measles spreads through highly contagious symptoms that resemble the common cold, such as coughing and sneezing, and is followed by an angry red rash on the infected person's face, eyes and body.
Jenny McCarthy Wants to Set the Vaccine Record Straight
Measles is bad for business, so Disney officials were quick to reassure the public that none of its staff has the virus and that "probably 90 to 95 per cent [of visitors] were vaccinated."
A bit of skepticism and critical thinking goes a long way.
While I don't have blind faith in modern medicine, it seems perverse to me not to protect our children against viruses we were lucky enough to avoid as kids.
Isn't it time to bury the McCarthy hatchet, and admit that some degree of vaccination just makes sense?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what's the creepiest new tech of all? Panasonic's "magic" digital mirror, that's what. Showed off at the Consumer Electronic Show, the only thing missing in the 'smart' mirror is the Evil Queen to cackle wickedly while shouting out all of your flaws.
The Japanese electronics company showcased a new gadget that digitally displays your reflection. Not only can it play with different hair styles and makeup trends, but it can readily detect your flaws. Yes, from the "tiny wrinkles to barely-perceptible pores" your mirror can then take it upon itself to recommend the beauty products and techniques you obviously need.
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“This is not a gimmick, it’s a serious technology solution,” said Panasonic's North American President, Julie Bauer. I say it's an innovation in depression—unless you happen to be Scarlett Johansson.
And it gets better (worse). This insidious mirror can also keep tabs of previous reflections, like quasi-screen shots, to see whether your skin/hair is improving thanks to all the dough you just dropped at the cosmetics counter in an insecure binge.
“So if she buys a very expensive new night cream and a month later has made no progress, goodbye night cream!" said sales rep Joey Liao as a daring volunteer sat pouting in front of the mirror. "You don’t need to invest in that anymore. You can use a different product.”
Other, apparently less "soul-crushing" uses for the mirror include trying out new looks before going under the hair stylist's scissors, or even the plastic surgeon's scalpel. *Shudders*
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Guys, you're not off the hook here. The mirror will happily shine the light on your dark circles and acne scars, too. It will reveal exactly what you'll look like with that 'tache before you commit, thus preventing much abuse at the office.
As if we need a mirror to torture us. Most are good enough at that on our own, thanks. Personally I'd be more inclined to purchase a mirror that white-lied to me (think of it more as the girlfriend who gently flatters you in the changing rooms).
Fortunately the 'smart' mirror is only in the prototype stage right now, but don't be too surprised if it pops up in department stores in the not-too-distant future. You've been warned.
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