The Happy Psychotic

Who we are

// March 30th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // ChriscloseAuthor: Chris Name: Chris Chartrand
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site:
About: Just a quick testSee Authors Posts (1)

The Babel Effect

// July 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn Chartrand
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (81)

I found another good book called “The Babel Effect“, after giving up on the last 2 books I started because I found them pointless and boring.

I suppose what I find most interesting about this book is how it makes me think about the causes of good and evil.  In the book, there are 2 half brothers who are very different - one is on death row because he is a mass murderer, the other has declined to accept honours from various groups that he has helped over the years including risking his life to save Jews during WWII, even though he had no personal connection with any Jews.  So the main character is trying to determine if there are any reasons behind why one person is “evil” and another is “good”.  Is there a genetic reason?  Is it due to environment?  Is it due to parental upbringing?  Is it a disease that you catch?

And the characters also struggle with the profound consequences of what the world would be like if one of these reasons were proven to be true.  For instance, if an “evil gene” was discovered, we shouldn’t incarcerate criminals, we should give them medical treatment, and we could screen everyone in the world to determine if they are good or evil and immediately segregate them until (or if) they are cured.  Another consequence would be the loss of “free will” - if you knew you were “evil”, you would probably get pretty depressed as you resigned yourself to a life in prison, or in a hospital or whatever, waiting to be cured.

Due to the fact that as far as I know, there have been no scientific discoveries as simple as “I found the gene that does X”, it is unlikely that we will find a “good” or “evil” gene.  And also due to the fact that we humans really do feel like we make our own choices in life (however illogical that may actually be), I’m thinking that all these things (genetics, environment, upbringing etc.) have an affect but are not ultimately responsible for our choices in life.  But I really don’t know why I (for instance) have a strong desire to help people that appear to need help, while others appear to think very little of others, and seem to only care about themselves.

Dear Dad,

// June 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn Chartrand
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (81)

Dear Dad,
(my father died this past February)

I had the best football practice of the year last night! I know how mad you were that I wasn’t getting any playing time as a running back, so now that that I’ve switched to defensive back, I’m really enjoying the defense coach and the rest of the guys on defense. The coach implied that I have the ability to get some real playing time soon if I keep working hard and showing improvement. I’m happy to say that I feel good about football again. It feels good to “feel” like I’m actually part of the team now. We play last year’s league champs this Friday so it will probably be a tough game.

It was funny hearing a guy say that he doesn’t go “hard” on every play during practice because he’s “old”…he’s 30…(I’m 36) and he’s already proven himself. I know I still have to prove myself, but you know I was never one to hold back in practice. I feel really good these days and am glad that I’m still living my life - having fun playing football, singing in the band and cruising around in my Mustang. Summer always feels good and I am saying “Pura Vida“!

I miss you dad.

Mustang Fishtail

// May 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn Chartrand
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (81)

mustang-fishtail

Tat2

// May 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // GlenncloseAuthor: Glenn Name: Glenn Chartrand
Email: happy99999@hotdogs.com
Site: http://www.happypsychotic.com
About: Glenn is 36 years old and now lives in a small town in Northern Ontario with his wife of 13 years and 2 kids. He has been a foster parent for 10 years in 3 different cities. He graduated from Radio College of Canada (Toronto) in 1993 as an Electronic Engineering Technologist and has been working in the electronics industry ever since with companies like Nortel. Glenn does a good amount of reading, studying and thinking about such topics as philosophy, psychology, physics (Quantum Mechanics), religion and science. Glenn does have an I.Q. of > 140 (as does Chris) which is categorized as genius but hasn't bothered joining any I.Q. type clubs. He is very logical and analytical and always looking for a way to make a better world - primarily through self-improvement and in helping others to improve themselves. Most importantly, he constantly re-evaluates his priorities and ensures his time is spent wisely - like working on this site.See Authors Posts (81)

Tat2

Well, I got another tattoo…”tat2″…I am living my life wild and free these days and having fun doing it.  I also bought a new (used) sportscar - a 1988 Mustang GT 5L, v8…I’ve added a little video clip of it to the home page.

Here’s the meaning of my tattoo.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura_Vida#Pura_Vida

Pura Vida (POO-rah VEE-dah), used by Costa Ricans since 1956 , literally translated means “Pure Life.” Contextually, it means “Full of Life” “Purified life”, “This is living!”, “Going great!” It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction. The expression was taken from the mexican movie “Pura Vida!”, which came out on February 29th 1956 (director: Gilberto Martínez Solares).

Some foreigners view the phrase as an expression of a leisurely lifestyle, of disregard for time and wanton friendliness. However, Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, good spirits, enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune, whether small or large.

Pura vida also means “I am doing alright”, “I’m doing perfect,” and “Thank you.”

Expats who adopt the expression properly get a big smile in return. It is an acknowledgment of the Costa Rican attitude towards life.