Apropos, no?

This all began when I signed up for Journalists for Human Rights at Clubs Night (which, unfortunately, forgot to attend the first meeting...). Anyways, Of course, Matt and I are joking about the fact I joined the club, casually mocking me, "but you're not a journalist, nor do you believe in human rights!" Ha Ha, I bet you're all laughing now. But it was funny to us.

Then we took the joke further and said, "We should come up with a club ourselves, something that's the complete antithesis of the Journalists for Human Rights." We began with "Club for censorship and Totalitarians" but that didn't quite fit. We talked a bit on the street and ended up with "Club for Censorship and Cruelty." In a moment of clarity, I quipped, "No, it should totally be the 'Club for Censorship, Cruelty and Punishment!"

For those who still aren't sure where I'm going with this, Our 'club' acronym becomes CCCP. It's funny how that worked out. I wonder if Khruschev will be our club's secretary?

In the afterglow

The Paralympics in Athens have recently come to an end and Canadian athletes have walked away with...70 Medals?! Did I write that correctly?

Indeed, I did. Our athletes ended fourth overall in the standings (70 medals), with a total of 27 golds, 10 of which are held by TWO athletes (Kirby Cote and Chantal Petitclerc with five each). I congratulate all the athletes there, regardless of where they placed in the standings.

While the scant coverage is regrettable, the IOC could've done a better job of promoting the Paralympics by allowing these athletes to enter the stadium with all the other athletes in the main opening ceremonies. Regardless of disabilities or not, they are athletes and deserve to enter the games cheered on by the thousands of people in the stands and millions watching at home.

While the Canadian public and our talking heads lament our poor medal showing and spend tons of newsprint and TV coverage on how to improve that number, let's not forget those returning home soon who'll be weighing down their flights with a lot of precious metals.

So here's my little bit of recognition to the athletes who are on their way home. Congratulations on a job well done!

World's Biggest Snowball Fight....LET'S GET IT ON!!!

For those of you who were at Queen's last year and knew me, you may have heard of our plan to host a mini-golf tournament in our house (9 holes running through most of the rooms, the backyard and the porch) to go out with the biggest bang as Queen's undergrads. You will have also heard because of landlord issues (i.e. them doing their jobs) it never came to fruition.

Like Hugh Dillon, Here's my chance for redemption.

My friend Matt was telling me how this American university held the record for the world's biggest snowball fight and how we as Canadians should be the ones with that title (not Anti-American, just the fact that we are more of a "snow culture" than they are, whatever that means...anyways, besides the point).

With a little research, we found out the actual Guinness Record is held by 2472 Swiss. As Matt says, "the Swiss of all people do not deserve a record that involves any type of fighting of any sort."

So, we figure, we could organize a campus-wide event at Queen's that will surpass the Swiss record. This will take a lot of work and a lot of cooperation and a lot of coordination. But we are willing to work our butts off to make this work. Imagine the picture of 3000 students facing off against each other. At a set time, all 3000 snowballs will be in the air towards a particular victim...err, target. What an epic battle would this be? Think of the campus legend this event could become? We could get a lot of media exposure and it would just be a fun event for all the students. We could even turn it into a charitable event. If it works this year, we could expand it and have cross-institution event (say, Queen's vs. RMC).

The Possibilities are Limitless. Give me this chance!

cool school

After hearing about school closings in the GTA for many years throughout high school and university, The Toronto District School Board's actually going to build a new elementary school for residents.

The best part for me was the inclusion of, in my view, common sense approaches to its design, though they've billed it as the most "technologically advanced school in Canada." A little hyperbole, I think.

What it means is the school is designed to provide generous natural lighting and ventilation. They will have windows that open (What a revolutionary idea!), radiant floor heating, harvest solar energy, recycle rainwater and other features.

This is a great step towards more environmentally sound building practices. Truly, I believe that it's just common sense to rely on natural light and air as much as you can.

Kudos to the TDSB. Let's see if other school boards will follow their lead if and when they build their next schools.

The Next Great Leap

A really interesting article appeared in the Toronto Star yesterday (I'd link it, but there's a shelf-life of 14 days anyways) by @Biz writer Tyler Hamilton discussing the credibility of the Hydrogen economy.

Geoffrey Ballard, father of Ballard Power, spoke at Queen's last year about how it would be economically unfeasible to set up the infrastructure required for the automobile industry to really get on board to mass produce hydrogen-fuelled cars and sell it to the public. Instead, his idea was to sell it to industry first (forklifts, etc.) and use existing node points (like a Walmart) to spread the infrastructure out. Really fascinating talk.

What really drew me to this article was the focus on China as the potential leader in the Hydrogen Economy for several reasons:

1) It's still facing an energy shortage even after the construction of the environmentally and culturally disastrous Three Gorges Dam. Therefore, the government's looking into various energy sources to make up that shortfall.

2) The size of the population itself is enough to cause the hydrogen industry to salivate all over each other. "If you can get mass adoption in China, you have economies of scale for selling elsewhere," was one person quoted. My concern would be how the labour used in setting this up would be treated

3) The most important point I found in the article: "China isn't tied down to an extensive, long-established fuelling infrastructure that oil incumbents in the West are determined to protect". That's right, no Ralph Klein, no Oil Lobby, none of that bullshit. Since they can build from scratch, they can leapfrog over our methodology/mistake (depending on how you look at it) and go straight into a cleaner driving environment (to make up for the current, absolutely lung scratching one).

Finally, the central government can dictate how fast this is adopted. Apparently, it took them three years to convert Beijing's taxis to use natural gas. Again, No G.W. Bush, no Chretien/Martin dithering, none of that political hand-sitting. Plus, if they start an energy race, maybe they could finally spur us North Americans to finally get our act together.

The ball's in the air. The question is, who's going to get to it first.

Ad this!

The first of many posts.

Coming soon to a subway tunnel near you: advertisements!

That's right, even in the deep bowels of the TTC subway system, companies have now devised a way to market their products to you as you glaze over your commuting ride to and from work. Awarded to Viacom Outdoor Canada, this multi-million dollar project is premised on the old idea of drawing static images and then flipping them to show motion. There will be static images all along the tunnels so while the subway goes by, the images will produce a full-motion ad. Another project will include installing flat screen monitors in subway cars to show ads and silent news, ala ones found on elevators in downtown Toronto.

Don't get me wrong. I understand the need to make up for revenue shortfall due to lack of government funding and it's better than hammering commuters with another fare hike. But is there no public space left where I won't be inundated with commercials or ads? Granted, I'd usually ignore the tunnels anyways, but it seems this is another step towards covering any blank space with ads. Next thing you know, there'll be permanent ads along the CN Tower for Viagra, or the Futurama scenario, where they beam ads directly into your dreams!

Meanwhile, Kingston's trying to uphold a ban on postering on telephone poles and such on University Ave. because it "detracts" from the aesthetics of the city," preventing local clubs and bands from advertising to the university audience the cheapest way they can. Instead, they've now forced these groups to change the way they budget for advertising and possibly contracting the audience they could've attracted otherwise.

As I write this, I've realized the disconnect between allowing small groups on campus to advertise on public space while railing against commercial ads in the subway tunnels. Is it my belief that cultural and local bands would enhance the culture of the city that makes it ok to put up ads in public space while viacom's just another company trying to market a product? Are all ads equal, or some more equal than others?

Further down the spiral

My friend Wesley first broke this story to me and I didn't believe it until I read through the story myself.

As a recent environmental studies graduate, I'm not a fan of the SUV, particularly the so-called "luxury SUV" since its intended purpose is to go off-road into the country but now that is no longer used for that purpose, I'll admit that I don't know what an SUV's purpose is.

Environmental problems aside (gas consumption, air pollution, the actual amount of material used to build one), and the safety and the traffic it adds, etc, etc ad nauseum, THIS to me is an indication of how unimaginative we've become and the lack of willingness to tackle the important issues.

I mean, what the FUCK? an SUV built from the platform of a truck cab? Are you kidding me? Does anyone actually need to drive something that size? It just looks like a truck cab with an added bed on the back and better interior. Have automobile designers run out of ideas that they've resorted to turning EVERYTHING into an SUV? What next, SUV motorcycles? golf carts? wheelchairs?

A spokesperson for Navistar, the maker, said, "We can see it as a vehicle for business people who want to make a distinct impression. For personal use, it's for people who want to make a statement." A statement of what? That I'm rich and I have a closet 18-wheeler fetish? I would make a compensation joke, but that's frankly too easy. As for business people driving it, I doubt I'll see Donald Trump driving such a garish vehicle. I'd like to think that business people have better tastes than that.

And I thought Americans were trying to reduce reliance on foreign oil? Or was that just a sound bite for the public? Isn't this type of vehicle a step backwards? What will it take for not only Americans, but the rest of western society as well to wake up to the cognitive dissonance between our comfortable living and our excessive resource consumption?

I've told some of my friends my theory that society won't learn to curb our excesses until some major freak environmental disaster force us to make those lifestyle changes. I don't want to be right, I really don't, but I've yet to see evidence that indicates otherwise.

"Monkeys. This world is run by monkeys."

End of week one

Thank god for the weekend!

The end of week one as a grad student has finally arrived and I'm much relieved. Information and reading overload was definitely the theme of the week. But it's over so I can regroup and form a new plan of attack. I also have much of next week to catch up on my readings so that will be handy (note to self: procrastination= BAD!).

Lots of events this week, with the re-opening of Alfie's as a classy lounge (which I hope to be patroning tonight) and the Terry Fox Run on Sunday, my weekend's filling up. Hopefully I'll be able to intersperse those moments with readings (though I think the way it's supposed to work effectively is have it the other way around...)

I've started to find connections with some of my classmates (some more than others) which is a good thing. It just means I've to work harder with all the rest.

It's also strange to be a TA. I've now to set up office hours and such and answering students' requests (look at me, students. I'm still one!)

All in all. A jam-packed week. Now to see what week 2 has in store...

Canadian culture, eh?

Matt wrote a post the other day about the Across the Causeway benefit concert and how it showcased Canadian culture that didn't involve Hockey, Health Care and Anti-Americanism (this last one's not so much relevant to my point).

I completely agree with him. Canadian culture is composed of many more facets than those three things.

But what did we do tonight (or last night, depending on how you look at it)? We sat on the couch, watched Team Canada defeat Finland in the World Cup of Hockey, watched CBC National news recap the Health Care summit, and to top it off, find out that the Prime Minister and Premiers had all gathered together tonight to watch the hockey game and discuss how they can finangle some sort of face-saving deal on Health Care that they can sell to their constituents.

Yeah, we may be more multi-faceted, but not tonight.

"We live to survive our paradoxes"

Lickin' them poles again

So...

Do you ever remember a time in your childhood, it was winter, you're playing with your friends and at one point they dare you to lick the metal pole in your schoolyard. Then a voice of reason pops into your head, usually your mom's, and reminds you not to do that, but never actually telling you why. Your friends are getting impatient, and bolder, as they begin taunting you and calling you chicken. Still that voice of reason is holding its own, warning you that no good could come of this. But you're a kid and you're not that strong. Your friends have now used the "I won't be your friend anymore" argument. Being a kid and completely naive, you believe them and you start licking that cold, cold aluminum. And your tongue's stuck. And your friend's laughing at you. And the recess bell just rang. And everyone's ran back inside.

You're left out in the cold waiting for someone to realize that you're still outside in your winter gear with your tongue firmly planted not in cheek, but on some basketball pole in some suburban school because you're a child who just didn't listen to that little voice inside your head.

So I've just licked a mighty big pole tonight. My tongue's stuck and it's in September. Welcome 2004-2005.

Oh well, at least the Hip's got it right: "We live to survive our paradoxes..."

I declare the blog open

Having slept the good sleep last night I feel slightly better enough to add a post this morning before having to figure out the rest of my courses and such.

The View From In Here is an experiment of sorts. Some who know me may not actually know me that well mainly because I'm a pretty private person even when I don't act like it (particularly when I've been drinking...). I've kept many thoughts to myself and while a lot of times that is probably a good thing, I've felt that may have narrowed my perspective more than it should be and stagnated my debating and critical thinking skills.

Thus, this is my outlet. It is time to expand the vantage point from where I'm standing. There is no particularly format I will be adhering to. I will post about anything of interest or controversy. At times, I will make my feeling about a topic plain, and it is up to you, the reader, to call me on it if I'm wrong (Matt, this is assumed with you).

While the Health care summit is currently under way, I've unfortunately been unable to keep up to speed on recent events. Some humourous analysis, though, is provided HERE and HERE

If I end up reading a lot on it, I may comment; otherwise, I may just jump over this hurdle and onto the next major political event: The Race for the American Presidency.

Now that I've used up too much time writing this blog, it's time to get down to some serious work.

Review from the Peanut Gallery

Kudos and thanks to the Hip for putting on a very fulfilling mini-festival for me. I’ve been looking forward to this event since I heard the rumours and I am quite satisfied. The weather could not have been better, with cool temperatures and a mix of sun and clouds. Everything ran very smoothly, though by the end of the show, too many pedestrians had clogged up the causeway to allow buses through. All in all, it was a fine way to end the summer and start off my first year in grad studies. Now, on to my non-professional comments on the set

Chris Koster: in transit. Therefore, no comment.

James McKenty and the Spades: Only caught the last two songs, but they seemed half decent so I wouldn’t mind checking out any show they play in Kingston.

The Sadies: what can I say, they played like the Sadies. A competent set, but I think their type of country/rock/surfing-esque music seemed ill suited for an outdoor venue. A smaller club where people can actually dance to their music seems more fitting.

The Trews: The first band to get most of their people on their feet with their hits. Having played in Sackville, N.B. the night before and having to travel to play in the afternoon, they get much respect for their willingness to drop everything to play this charity gig.

Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir: Hugh with a sunny disposition? What gives? True to the name, it seems a makeup-less Hugh in a nice suit has been redeemed in some way and is in a much more positive mood, ending each song with a “Nice!” or “Beautiful!” Although only eliciting modest applause, some of it probably had to do with the fact that the songs were new to everyone and probably should have gone before the Trews. I did enjoy the electric keyboard that sounded like an organ at times, which reminded me of being in a church. This was definitely not church music, though. When a fan suggested Hugh play Tweeter and the Monkeyman from his Headstone days, there was an immediate “no,” preferring to rip into the new material. Though most of my friends were a little disappointed, I’m eager to actually listen to the new material that’s been more appropriately mixed.

Matt Good: Matt was more accommodating, mixing in some songs from his solo effort (Weapon) with those of the Matt Good Band days (Everybody’s Automatic, Apparitions). Unsure of whether he meant it or not, he commended the Kingstonians for making out to the charity gig, saying that Vancouverites would never come out in such numbers. Really? In such an urban city? I’m really surprised. I particularly enjoyed his dedication of Alert Status Red to Tom Ridge and John Ashcroft, who in his mind were "two dicks." Nothing extraordinary, a good set with good response since most people came to see him and the Hip.

Das Hips: Again, The Hip I don’t think are known for their innovative musical skills but rather the ability to put out consistently solid records. Their concerts go much the same. This one was particularly more enjoyable because I was able to hear instrument and vocals, a first for me at one of their concerts. The acoustics for me were great for all the bands, but particularly the Hip. My friends and I tried to get closer to the stage to feed off the vibe of the compact crowd, but I don’t know whether it’s the fans themselves around me or the fact that there was so many of us, they didn’t seem alive and engaged (also possible they were stoned). Another thing I noticed was that nobody knew the lyrics to any song post-Fully Completely. What’s up with that? Do people not realize that they’ve since put out six albums? The only songs I heard people singing along to were Courage, New Orleans is Sinking, Blow at High Dough and finally Ahead by a Century. Even blistering renditions of Fireworks and At the Hundredth Meridian didn’t elicit the response I expected. Maybe I just have higher expectations from Hip fans but I definitely expected more people to know the lyrics to more songs.

At one point, Gord Downie got ahead of himself and started introducing Gus, the Polar Bear… when they were actually planning to play Mean Streak. The only regret I have was not having my lighter for Wheat Kings…there were definitely not enough lighters being waved around for that song. All in all, it was fantastic, but of course, my opinion’s biased on this matter…

Crossing the Causeway and other thoughts

The Hip concert's today! I can't wait, I'm so stoked. Semi-full review will be forthcoming, because I'm meeting people at 2pm so we'll likely miss Chris Koster and James McKenty and the Spades, which is too bad because I hear they're pretty good. I hope that I'll be able to make it before the Sadies start because I know they and the rest of the lineup will be very very good. The most anticipated band for me besides the Hip will be the Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir. I'm excited to see what kind of sound this band will put out and the quality of the music compared to his previous offering, the Headstones. As long as the rain gods hold off their party, this will be really fun.

Speaking of which, though this post would've sounded better had blogger not lost the original, but as I'm sitting comfortably in Kingston typing this, those in Kingston, Jamaica are reeling from the onslaught of Ivan and its category 4 to category 5 winds of up to 155mph. They're not the only ones though, as it's already passed through Grenada, on its way to the Caymans, Cuba and probably Florida, just they're picking up the pieces from Frances. So I think I need to help assist these people in some way.

Which also got me thinking this morning as I was originally typing this half-awake. I wondered about my motives behind this act insofar as why these people are more deserving of my help than any others? And are they? Is it just because of its timing with the Hip concert? Does it make the act any less worthwhile? I know where it begins but where does it end? Not a complaint but a question? I would trot out standard philosophical rebuttals, but I'm a bit rusty on those and who said it.

In any case, this way to help those being battered by
IVAN.

Me, a TA? That's unpossible!

So I got the call from Dr. Hodson and I'm officially a TA for ENSC 410. Part of me is relieved because I will be making enough to cover most of my expenses now and possibly have some saved over for my potential trip to BC. On the other hand, I've never TAed before so I could be one of the worst TAs EVER! The worry I have is that the TA is expected to ask questions and I'm not known for asking good questions. Silence will not be an asset in this case. Only time will tell how this pans out...or until I hear whispers behind my back from the 4th yrs...

Blogging and eloquence

It's 2:56 AM right now and I should be reading. Instead I find myself distracted by the blogs of my friends. I'm starting to notice a trend. The eloquence of those blogs is really something to behold. It seems to me that I'm out of practice such that blogging may improve my vocabulary. Let's not get too nerdy here. It is a blog after all.

And yes, I do realize I've just made several posts within an hour. Surprising the amount of discussion I can generate in the middle of the night when I'm bored.

Does Truth Matter?

An article on Truth and why it matters. Do you agree? That may be the point.

What The Deuce?

Were my first impressions being mislead? Did I just shift into some alternate universe. Here I thought, I was getting along fine with people the other night and now all of a sudden tonight...nothing! zilch. No vibe whatsoever. Did I miss something? Do I have verbal constipation? What's going on here?

If this keeps up for the rest of the year, I forecast trouble, with a capital "O" for, "Oh, Christ, this is gonna be a long year..."

Maybe it's just a phase. Maybe I just need some time. I'm not freaking out, but it's always good to watch for signs of danger.

zzzzzz........

If I stop yawning just long enough to attend my friend's BBQ and my school's potluck, that would be good. Also if it'll stop goddman raining so the window'll stop dripping water into my room would also be appreciated. Frances, or whatever's left of you...i'm looking in your direction.

Orientation, Day One

Today I met the rest of the students in my Planning program. Haven't met all of them yet so I've no complete impressions of them, though I'm sure they're all nice. I'm definitely still not ready to go back to school yet. I thought I was, but I realized I needed another week where I can just sit on my ass and read or go out and run or whatever without having to worry about my courses or meeting ppl, etc.

Me whining about it won't change things. So be it. Also, I need a job. stat.

5 more days until the Hip concert. The countdown begins.

Labour Day

Labour Day. A day to recognize the efforts of workers around the world. A day to allow said workers one days' reprieve from their arduous tasks, whatever they may be. For those who are unable to enjoy this day off, This post is to you. That your efforts do not go unnoticed and that your work is appreciated by someone out there.

What Can I Say?

So my friend is telling me about this personal situation she's going through and trying to be a good friend I try to console and comfort her and basically ending up with nothing to say. I tried, but there was nothing I could come up with that would make her feel at all better. I mean, I don't know what she's feeling and I can do my damndest, but it won't be good enough. I want to say it'll be alright and that everything will work out, but I don't know that. That's bordering on bullshit and I don't want to do that to a friend. So what do I say? Is there anything to say? I want to take all that she's feeling and shoot it out of a bottle rocket but I obviously can't. I want to help her get through this but it doesn't involve me at all. Where do I stand so I can move her Earth?

I spent my saturday afternoon by...

How would you complete this sentence? I completed it by building various vehicles and building out of Lego. And I'm not talking about the current sets with the all too specialized pieces. I'm talking about the original square and rectangular pieces that allowed you to build police stations and airports but also gave you the latitude to build wicked spaceships and robot invaders!

Pictures will be forthcoming, but needless to say, my friend Matt and I had a glorious time constructing these various vehicles. Granted we became 9-year old boys and built every vehicle with weapons and such, but still, it was a grand ol' time. It was nice to play with these old childhood toys of mine one last time before I give them away to a teacher friend (obviously there was a reason why they were out. I don't just bust out lego to play in my apartment when I'm going to be a Masters candidate).

It was nice to be nostalgic about these simple building blocks that gave me such joy then and still do now. I'll be more content letting them go now.

On a sidenote, Matt also did a nice cityscape on his etch-a-sketch. Definitely an 80's toy moment for us both on Saturday.

So I have a blog

So I have a blog.

Original idea, isn't it?
Now everyone and no one can be able to read whatever trivial or insightful thought I may have.

A scary thought indeed.

Enjoy!