Wrapping It Up

Today marks my last true day of freedom for a while. Classes start Monday morning, and from then until I drop the pen on my last exam I'm gonna be tied down with the wide assortment of academia that will get thrown at me with due dates. In there I also have to try to find a worthwhile co-op job for the 8 months following this term, and if nothing decent turns up (which is usually the case) I'm going to have to make a decision on whether to find myself something elsewhere, or just plug on and get the remaining courses I need done.

On a brighter note, we are now in prime time of the year for sports. The pennant races are coming around the final bend, the NFL and College Football seasons have opened, with the CFL being in the thick of the season. The european football leagues are all a couple weeks in, and adding to the excitement are the World Cup international qualifiers taking place. The NHL and NBA will follow in a month, along with all the junior hockey leagues, and suddenly we will go from watching the same baseball highlights package twice an hour, you'll get a taste of something new at every turn. I've embraced it with 12 Yahoo fantasy and pick em teams so far, as well as a couple fantasy european football teams elsewhere. I'll probably pick up a couple more yet, likely in hoops, just to fill the void that will be left by baseball in a month.

I should probably consider going out and involving myself in some of these sports on a field, court or diamond somewhere, but the issue these days is always getting people together with the random schedules most students have. And on that note, I have a ton of laundry and books to get shelved and washed irrespectively, or I'll start off my term poorly by using those as excuses not to do my 'learning'.

Once that's done, I'm gonna soak some sun and hope monday doesn't hurry along too quickly.

Boys and Their Toys

I ultimately had to turn down the amp stack that Matt Good was selling a couple weeks back after tossing it around in my head for a while, and eventually having my co-op job opportunity starting in January fall apart. Instead I went out today and bought myself a slightly cheaper toy. It sounds incredible, and I got it for 60 bucks cheaper than tag price. Its not a tube amp like I was hoping for, but its stereo and has a built in digital effects module that doesn't sound like ass like on more lower end stuff.

I went for a 5 hour trail ride yesterday, and today I'm having issues going up and down stairs cause of the muscle soreness. But then I didn't get hurt as bad as a buddy who took a couple spills yesterday and now has to refrain from eating solid foods for a week. I can tell you if that was me there'd be a lot of barley meals.

The rest of this week needs to consist of getting my remaining texts for school, putting my notes from two terms away in a box somewhere, and playing with the new amp. In a perfect world I'd find the time and good weather to hit the beach for a day too...

Here I Sit

Well, here I am again. Weekend. Cruising blogs. Chattin it up. And honestly, aside from bein on a beach somewhere, I'm not bothered by bein here. And I certainly have way less to bitch about than people elsewhere.

Everyone by now has seen the countless reports on CNN, CBC, BBC, et al. on New Orleans, and all the tragic circumstances taking those people victim. And more and more reports coming forward on the inadequacy of the governing power. I'm far too lazy right now to link some of the reports, they are easy enough to find. I listened to the interview with Ray Nagin, yesterday, and I have to say it was one of the most heartfelt, honest thing I've heard from a person in power. In no way was he concerned with the demographics of the next vote, or any of that bullshit, he just wants what is right for the people of his city. Even as a historical Republican, at times of crisis, natural leadership qualities should take over political posturing, and this guy seems to be true. Regardless of his beliefs, this is the kind of personality that should lead a nation. Not one preoccupied with money in the oil industry, or finishing what daddy couldn't, etc etc.

The fact is, the current administration turned down outside assistance from numerous nations/parties (see Tony Pierce for an abridged summary) out of what I can only understand as an issue of pride. The Bush administration could not take assistance from elsewhere before providing help themselves, even if that help was to come days after the fact. Studies have been done for decades on the vulnerability of New Orleans to high waters and storms, its the kind of thing that one learns in a low highschool level geography class....deltas are unstable and are guaranteed to settle under excess pressure...and even after declaring the area a disaster area it took days to get shit done. But they wouldn't accept outside help because, after all, they are all powerful and can take care of their own business. But all's fair in love and war....minus the love.

For more commentary seek:
Daily Kos
Tony Pierce
MBlog
Tony + Matt Podcast

For more news:
Google Is Your Friend

Masses Slow as Molasses

An article in the Washington Post today outlines President Bush's approval rating being down in the U.S. and some associated statistics. In reading through it blows my mind that people are only now catching on to things cause its hitting them in the wallet as opposed to striking them on a moral level:

"I supported him last year," said Gina Coleman, 29, a homemaker living in Camden County, N.J. "I wouldn't vote for him again. It's gas prices, the war -- just the way he has been handling things. The rise in gas is something that has been happening for a long time, and the prices are getting worse. This makes me feel more negative about him, definitely."

Nevermind all the other activities that go on that disappear in the face of oil worries. Further into the article are statistics on feelings about the opposition or lack thereof from the Democrats. They are the only people in a situation to do anything politically because lets face it, in as free and democratic a country as it claims to be, there are only two parties that will ever be elected into power. But the way things are now, you kind of have to wonder if its not just becoming a one party system, because it doesn't seem like anyone with any kind of backbone is willing to take any kind of stand for the Dems. I guess I'd be frustrated too though if the man leading the opposition party couldn't be forced to answer questions from the people of his own nation, from the media, or from opposing political parties on nearly frequent or open enough a basis.

Matt Good once again brings more U.S. hypocrisy to question. Its just another of those things that makes you go "WTF?". Its pretty amazing just how many things can instill that same feeling.

Back to School

I've had a bit of running around to do the past couple days, and its quite obvious that school's just around the corner again. You look around and see the cars of the second year and up students packed to overflowing with furniture and appliances any way it'll fit. You go into a store and see the first year kids with mom and dad buying said appliances and furniture to be stuffed in a car any way it will fit at a later date. Every store you walk into has packs of Hilroy lined paper and bic pens in your face at the door and checkout. And a couple of the leaves are starting to change colour. Yes, it is infact that time of season where those who aren't fortunate (or unfornate depending on your view) enough to be in co-op come back from their summers at home makin bank and chillin on the beach and plop themselves into the monotony of assignments, reports, quizzes, tests, and exams.

I'm doing the same, except that I have always stayed at home, and go to school at the same place I work. That's enough to drive me just slightly crazy, but this term should be good. I'll be taking a few courses that are actually related to my discipline for the first time since first year (i.e. 3 years ago). Its an issue that's been brought up with the advisors for our faculty on many occasions but nothing ever comes of, nothing really to be too concerned about.

In two weeks the renewed student population of this two university city will all have similar problems of their own. That's what university life is, dealing with little nuggets of crap that are flung your way, and mixing in a little bit of cramming here and there of mostly random material to humour a given prof, with the eventual outcome hopefully being letters after your name that will get you a job you can enjoy.

Drained

I got back from my camping excursion yesterday afternoon, but was far less than energetic enough to post anything. It ended up being a rough 3 and a half days due to some poor packing on my part, lots of retardation and very little rest and relaxation. First I get up there, and find out I've forgotten my brick of cheese. Clearly not a world ending situation, I just had to pay a stupid amount of money because the price of everything is jacked up north because obviously people are going to pay it, especially cause it costs so much to drive anywhere.

Then I'm standing around making dinner on the first evening and realize that in throwing everything together, I didn't grab ANY of my three sleeping bags. That would be, any of the three sleeping bags that are in the exact same closet as where I keep the hiking pack that I pulled out to put all my clothes, hygiene products, and assorted tools in. Well, being as I tend to sleep with my windows wide open at home with no blankets, I assumed that I'd be alright with jeans, socks, a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie. One would think that it was stupid enough of me not to have brought a sleeping bag, but I on the other hand must have been out on a mission, and had also not packed socks, figuring I'd be barefooting or in sandals most of the time, and not thinking about staying warm at night. And so, a night at 8 degrees, an extra hoodie, and 3 hours of sleep later I got my ass out of the tent, and spent the morning with a monopoly on the nearest outhouse.

Obviously after all that I wasn't going to allow for a sequel, so I killed my day Thursday driving into a town to try to find myself a decent blanket, and some socks....$50 dollar blanket, $12 pair of socks, $20 of gas at a buck-o-six a litre, 3 hours driving = plus de time and money killed.

After that though, at least I was sleeping well, and not sick as a dog in the mornings. Got a bit of the resting and relaxing done after that, and really nothing else exciting happened until a pack of coons decided they'd explore the back of my van, with the hatch open, and my food in there, as it had been every night previously without issue. The bastards better have enjoyed those pitas.

Its amazing how much life up there in what people take as a pristine, natural environment is due soley to the presence of stupid campers, voluntarily and involuntarily feeding the animals and allowing their populations to grow. The raccoons, red squirrels, chipmunks and ducks patroling the shoreline along the campsites says it all. I'm sure the same is true of the bear populations, although I didn't see or hear from any up there.

Aside from my own stupidity though, the gorgeous daytime weather, and the outdoors provided me with some relaxing views.

Gone Fishin'

Warning! R3 Ahead!

Yeah that's right, R3. You've seen it before, you'll likely see it again. You've likely seen it in pictures already.

Anyways...tomrrow's my last day in town before sledding off this berg into the great north....or at least driving out of this rolling glacial sediment slightly north into a more rocky, and slightly less populous area of Ontario. Any way the cards fall, it will be a good time....I haven't been out of the region since early May, and even that was only for academic purposes.

Out of the reflected glow of city life, I'll be able to watch the stars...the distant ones, not the ones on Inside Entertainment...and catch fish, and listen to wolf calls. But then, inevitably I'll have to come back. This is my fault...I am constantly looking too far ahead to enjoy the moment.