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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
You ever been in one of those situations where you've been victimized by the verbal abuse of someone having a bad day? You know the one. The agitated single parent who is waiting for you to do something "wrong" and then bam, pounces! Kind of like a shark waiting for an opening and then attacking the bloodied prey The transgression could be something as minor as oh, say, washing your hands at the "wrong" sink. In reality, the abuse has nothing to do with the action in question. The truth of the matter is the verbal aggressor just needs to release some pent up frustration. The sooner I came to this realization, the easier it was for me not to respond in an equally spiteful manner. Whereas before, my response would be to sing "We're Not Going to Take It" loudly and obnoxiously. In fact, I've now reached the point where I register all the verbal diarrhea as an inconsequential inconvenience. In one ear and smoothly out the other in a fluid, painless manner.
On a brighter note, I got to touch the Grey Cup today!! I went to the Lions championship celebration at the Art Gallery. I caught one of those small, nerf footballs and then Otis Floyd, Paris Jackson, and Korey Banks all signed it. Very cool and exciting stuff. I particularly enjoyed Dave Dickenson's speech. His description of his job as involving sniffing another grown man's butt on a daily basis was priceless.
I realize my tagboard has gone kaput so really I wrote this more for myself than anything else. I mean, hey, evenings aren't as busy without schoolwork to worry about.
6:11pm
Sunday, September 24, 2006
It's been two hours since the end of the Lions-Riders game and I'm still at a lost to explain the coaching decision of Wally Buono to punt the ball on first down in OT. The thought process doesn't make any sense to me. McCallum is kicking from the 45-yard line, which means he needs to boot the ball at least 65 yards to get it through the end zone for the single point. Even with a strong wind, that's still a very long kick. Now I'm not going to presume I'm as smart as the second winningest coach in CFL history, but to me anyways the sensible thing to do in that situation would be to run the ball on first down, a safe screen pass on second down, THEN punt the ball having advanced downfield probably at least 8-9 yards. This way you're giving yourself a 55-yard punt for the win, which is much more of a sure bet than a 65-yard prayer. Let's not forget Buck Pierce had just engineered an 8-play 62-yard TD drive to tie the game in regulation. Clearly, momentum was on the Lions' side. Why not give the offence an opportunity to win the game? Forget punting. With the wind at their back, the Lions could have easily driven the ball downfield for at least a field goal that McCallum would most certainly not miss. The guy has been money on something like 94% of his field goal attempts.
But of course, Buono took conservative coaching to the extreme and chose to punt on first down. The ball doesn't even get 10 yards into the end zone, and the Lions eventually lose the game. Good job, Bunono! With decison-making like that, the Lions would be better off playing without a coach.
Anyways, I just needed to get that off my chest. It's one thing to be beat by another team, but to hand your opponents the win, that is just so frustrating to witness as a sports fan.
6:11pm
Sunday, August 13, 2006
With my first work term winding to an end in three weeks, I’m going to offer some brief reflections on my experiences at the federal government department Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
Initially, I was gravely concerned that because I was a co-op student and not an indeterminate employee, that I would be treated as an outsider. I need not have worried. From my very first day, I was welcomed with open arms. My co-workers were unfailing in their support and guidance for me. They understood my needs and concerns while treating me as a colleague of equal worth. The welcome I received immediately put me at ease and allowed me instantly to feel comfortable at my first “real” job.
I consider myself very fortunate to have worked at a place that never felt like work. I frequently stayed overtime because I found my work to be very challenging and rewarding. In addition, I got to work with some very great people – many of whom I have become close friends with.
Lastly, I need to say the abuse that students suffered at Indian Residential Schools needs to be recognized, not just by the Canadian government but by all Canadians. To ignore the contentious issue of government-aboriginal relations will not cause this topic to disappear from the socio-political landscape. The century-long inhumane treatment of the aboriginal population in residential schools must be resolved before this country can truly move forward into the 21st century. To do otherwise would be a disservice to the multicultural fabric of this country and dishonour the aboriginal people and communities that endured decades of hardships and institutional racism at the hands of the government.
It is promising that the federal government is finally beginning to take steps towards compensating former students of residential schools for the harms they endured. Of course, there are some significant flaws in the manner that compensation is awarded. A points-based system is used to quantify the abuse. What this means is that if a claimant suffered from "repeated, persistent incients" of a specific type of sexual abuse, then the claimant would receive more compensation points, and thus a larger amount of money than, say, if the claimant had been physically abused. You can see why some people label this points system as a dehumanizing and degrading process that revicitmizes the claimaint.
Thankfully, the federal government is now moving towards a common experience payment for all former students of Indian Residential Schools who were aged 65 or older as of May 30, 2005. This means that anybody over the age of 65 who attended residential school for even one day will receive a $10,000 lump sum payment. For each year of attednance, the claimant will receive an additional $3,000. Of course, these former students will still be able to seek further compensastion from the government for the specific abuses they suffered.
The process to healing and reconciliation is a long and winding path; this is an intergenerational problem that cannot be solved merely with money. The long-term solution will require an attitude of compassion, understanding and patience. The institutional discrimination inflicted on Canada’s aboriginal peoples and communities is a disgraceful and reprehensible epiosode of Canadian history. We must never forget the tragedy of Indian Residential Schools.
1:41am
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Does anyone else feel like the Canucks could have gotten more for Cloutier? Sure, he was injured for the better part of last season but this guy did win 30+ games two seasons ago. You'd think Cloutier would be worth more than a second-round draft pick. Here's hoping Cloutier doesn't come back to burn the Canucks.
And on a completely unrelated note, to what extent do you think growing up in a Communist country affects a person's parenting style and values?
7:41pm
Monday, May 22, 2006
Does anyone else find it befuddling that we celebrate Victoria day but we don't celebrate any other holidays named after British monarchs. I know Queen Victoria was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and that she presided over a period of undeniable wealth and success in the British Empire. I can see why she deserves her own holiday but why doesn't someone like King Edward get a holiday? February is bereft of a statutory holiday. Why don't we call February 22nd Edward day?
On another note, I'm participating in the 24 Hour Relay. It's this weekend fundraiser to raise money for special needs children. I was drawn in on my first day of work at my co-op job. If you would like to pledge me, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate any amount at all. Thanks a bucket!!
7:41pm
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Tim Horton's - the last place in the world I would expect to get into a confrontation with a complete stranger. But there I was standing in line when this Chinese guy (probably in his late 40's and significantly smaller than me,) who's with his son, cuts in front of me. So I kindly tell this guy that I'm in line and that the line-up starts behind me. He responds with, "No, you're not, you jerk." Obviously this is not the response I expected. I'm tired and sore from my two hockey games - in other words, not in the mood to yield my spot in line but definitely in the mood to sock him in the face. I see he's with his kid though, so I restrain myself but just roll my eyes and step in front of him. He then proceeds to swear at me in Cantonese and call me an idiot. All this while, the only thing I can think about is, "what kind of an example is this clown setting for his kid??" Nothing more comes of this. For the kid's sake, I sure hope his father doesn't consistently act like a doofus but was just having a bad day or something. Anybody can be a father, but it takes something altogether special to be a dad.
2:26am
Saturday, April 15, 2006
T-minus two hours until the Goat Mountain Grinders' first game this season, albeit an exhibition game. I'm really excited but at the same time very anxious as well. Memories of last season's pre-season opener continue to haunt me. However, my team has improved by leaps and bounds since that time. First and foremost, we all have jerseys now so we actually look like a team. Also, our skating and team defense are much better than this time last year. No way do I forsee another 14-1 thrashing, but of course, I didn't forsee the Canucks missing the playoffs either. That's another story for a more venomous, hate-filled time though.
On a different but related note, let's go Giants!!! Show that heartless, lazy Bertuzzi how hockey should be played! We all know hockey is a team game but I can't help but wonder if the Canucks would have made the playoffs without Todd Bertuzzi. You know, the ol' addition by subtraction school of thought? When Bertuzzi wasn't taking lazy undisciplined penalties, he was loafing around defensively. And when he wasn't doing his best impression of a pylon, he was making cheeky little drop passes that invariably ended up an opponent's stick. Let's not forget this guy was a -11 or something in the last several weeks of the season.
Yes, I was a Bertuzzi fan at one point in his career. That was before he stopped caring about this city, his teammates, and his fans. I can think of a number of reasons why the Canucks missed the playoffs - injuries, poor special teams, porous team defence, an absence of team leadership, etc. - but the biggest - literally and figuratively - reason is the poor showing of Todd Bertuzzi throughout the season. Sure, he had his flashes of brilliance (his hat trick against the Red Wings comes immediately to mind) but for way too much of the season, he was invisible. A guy with his size and skill should single-handedly be able to win games, yet post-Olympic break, all Bertuzzi did was single-handedly lose games on many nights. He should and will be dispatched far far away this off-season.
To borrow a line from a fellow Canucks fan, it really does like the Canucks have cheated on their devoted and committed relationship with this city and the fans. After serving up paintaking playoff exit after another, this year was exepcted to be different. Well, I suppose it was. They limped out of the playoff picture without even a whimper. It was almost as if the fans cared more about winning than the players, coaches, and management.
4:04pm
Sunday, April 2, 2006
In case nobody else caught on, my claim on the tag-board to possibly be moving to Prairies for a co-op job was an April Fools' Day joke. (Does anybody still particpate in April Fools' Day anymore?)
Isn't it odd how the #25 bus is the only one at the UBC Bus Loop where people don't line up to board the bus? Everybody sort of just mills around the bus doors and gradually collapses in on them. Unlike all the other buses, there is no norm in the proper procedure of boarding the 25, not that I mind of course since the lack of regulations means one less rule to follow at an institution renowned for its rules and bureaucracy.
Anyways, my parents are waking up to go to work now. I really hadn't intended to stay up so late. Annoying daylight savings time - made me sleep later than I had planned. I guess this means I should be heading off to sleep before my parents see I'm still awake ... zzzz
6:45am
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
For your amusment click on the following links to see some clips of me getting socred on during my ice hockey playoff games this past weekend. Some of the goals are more embarrassing than others, but I look ridiculous in all of them. Enjoy!
Cousins Breakaway
Tom picks top corner
Captain Pat backhand
Tom Rados goal off the board
4:26pm
Monday, March 27, 2006
According to the Government of Canada website, curling offically rocks!! (pun certainly intended) Okay, I'm lying about the first part, but you know the second part is nothing but the truth.
I went curling for the first time last Friday and I must say after hockey, it is by far the coolest and funnest sport imaginable. It requires lots of teamwork to play and there's plenty of fun to be had. Really funny too cuz so many people slip and fall flat on their butt, or in the case of a fellow UBC REC'er, smack dab on his face. In short, curling = fun times + plenty of laughs. I encourage you all to go, whether you've tried it before or not. It doesn't matter what your skill level is (or how poor your balance may or may not be, Cat). You'll still have a blast and leave the rink with interesting stories galore! Plus you get to yell as loud and as hoarsely as you want without anyone looking at you funny.
Alright, so that's all for my promotional campaign on curling. Seriously though, give some thought to taking up (or re-taking up) curling. It will be worth your while. If at least four people express interest, I will book some rink time whenever suits people best. The last day of term, Friday April 7, could work but we'll see what the consenus is. YOU CAN'T BEAT CURLING!!!
12:51am
Friday, March 3, 2006
So here I am sitting in the Kenny building browsing through my agenda when the realization suddenly hits me full on ... second year is ending in two months and very soon I'm going to have to give some serious thought to the FUTURE. Try as I might, I just can't envision myself as a independent, responsible adult with a full-time job.
It's a little overwhelming to one day discover that people's expectations of you have become dramatically different. To have lived a relatively sheltered life for more than 19 years and then have the roof collapse in around you, metaphorically speaking, is a frightening thought and not one I gave much consideration to until now. It really does feel like the beginning of a whole new mysterious life, completely separate from anything I've ever lived. Everything I've done up to this point in life seems so trivial and incconsequential. Starting soon, I'm going to have to make decisions that will have unalterable real life consequenc. It's a daunting prospect that I believe I'm not adequately prepared to confront.
Anyways, that's the end of my sleepily written ramble. Sorry if I got too dear diary on you there.
1:16pm
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Not really sure what happened here but apparently my old blog is no longer with us. It's horrible but I'll make do with this for now.
1:08pm
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