What's on our mind?
March 15, 2010
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Paralympic sadness
I feel bad for the Paralympics as a whole. Not because of the obvious physical limitations of the athletes competing, but for the fact that NO ONE seems to care that they are on. The ratings are low and the coverage alone is almost non-existant. And yea whatever hate me for saying it but have you watched them?! Do YOU really care? I have not heard one person say “Hey Nick! Did you see that sledge hockey game last night?!”. I guess it can be partially attributed to the television networks themselves. Do they think that it will hurt them financially if they cover all of the events?
I guess whatever will be will be those who are determined to watch them will find a way.
February 24, 2010
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Tweedy going all out!
February 23, 2010
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Dial Up
I am a journalism student. Coming into this “prestigious” program we were assigned laptops that would be paid off throughout our program. That means our program is computer based. Being computer based you would assume that in class we would have adequate internet connection.
Not the case.
For colleges that seem to have a never ending list of demands in regards to salary increase for our teachers, the very resources in which we are supposed to use and have in abundance are tattered and non-existent. Before coming to Mohawk I attended the University of Ottawa for Psychology. Having more funding as Universities tend to means they have wireless hubs throughout the classrooms meaning high speed internet where ever you go. At Mohawk, there are virtually NO wireless hubs. The classrooms in which we are supposed to have class are brick-walled underground dug outs that struggle to find a signal be it wireless internet or cell phones.
To me, it’s unacceptable. To many, its unacceptable, but for good reason. We are paying a fair penny to be here, and when were in class being told to go onto F.R.E.D(First Class) to download assignments and we can barely connect to the internet a red flag is being raised. Hopefully with all the seemingly pointless rebuilding that mohawk is doing, they can take a look at their pathetic internet service and improve it for the greater good.
February 20, 2010
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I Believe
Now we have all heard that terrible song that a seemingly deaf person chose to represent our country at the 2010 Olympics. “I believe”, as it’s so aptly titled, is a slow moving soccer mom jam meant to reflect upon our deepest feelings towards holding these prestigious olympic games on home soil. Problem is, it sucks! See, the Olympic committee was too busy ogling over all of our athletes and how good they are, that they forgot that Canadians are also prolific musicians. I don’t know the decision making process involved with actually picking the song but I would think they could have put a little more into it.
Now surfacing are commercials advertising a DVD box set of the unfinished olympics! Accompanying these commercials is a compilation of footage from the olympics thus far starring “I Believe” as the background music. You think that they wouldn’t have picked such a soft song to try and rev up our athletes as it probably makes them more embarrassed than anything. I know I sure am.
I’m fairly confident we could have taken any Neil Young track and used that as a pump up jam rather then settling for less. For me to believe in our athletes any further I am denouncing our official Olympic song, and replacing it with a compilation of The Constantine’s and Tragically Hip.
Gord Downie for the win.
February 9, 2010
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Technically this blog is primarily my rants. However, I will add tidbits pertaining to music and I will share things that I have done. In this instance heres a music video I made for my band. enjoy!
February 5, 2010
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HSArgh Part: 1
Where to begin. I’ve been trying to compile my plethora of stories in my mind in order to submit a legitimate rant about the Hamilton Street Railway, formidably known as the HSR. As an introduction I’ve been riding for a number of years now. Through this time I have ridden about every single bus in the system from the lengthy Pirie and Governors to the short and sweet 6 Aberdeen.
That being said there have always been more rough times then smooth when partaking in public transit. I’ll start with my most recent discrepancy which some may have already heard about.
I finished school a few minutes before 3pm and was waiting for a bus transfer in hand. The bus arrived at 3 dead on coinciding with my transfer which was torn at the 3 right through the middle. Now in the past if the number is visible, even if only slightly, then you are allowed to get on and seeing as your already cramming 50 some odd students on the bus you would assume the driver would barely take a second look. For this lady it happened to be her day of reckoning and she proceeded to magnify her vision on the transfer eventually grabbing it from my hand as I walked by. I traditionally don’t give them my transfer but it was on the brink of expiry and was of no use to me so in this case she was doing me a favor. Not this time. “Excuse me!”, I heard being bellowed from the crotchety old driver, “This is expired”. I tried to plead my case, “Well it’s torn at the 3 and thats the time, so I am perfect”. “No this is expired you have to pay again.” Beginning to get disgruntled by her curt tone I fired back, “Why should I pay again? That’s a valid transfer!”. He anger was building as well. “You have to pay again or get off”. This greatly displeased me and I vocally expressed my discontent. “That’s Bullshit”. I was then told to get off the bus for using “inappropriate” language.
Infuriating, very. This is just one incidence in a million and I will surely follow this post with more cases as they come to fruition. But whether it’s a helpless old lady being driven by in the freezing cold, the driver accelerating like they are in a grand prix throwing people to and fro, or getting bitched at by a driver who is clearly unsatisfied with their lives even with their union providing full health and dental benefits. The HSR continues to create situations that cease to amaze me. Granted, there are some drivers who are saints, but for the most part for having such an laid back job, GET OVER YOURSELF, and try to be friendly your working with the public not inmates from pelican bay.
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Basement jam
February 2, 2010
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Learning to walk
Walking is an easy task. As we all know unless physical disabilities infer your ability for bipedal motion then you can walk from point A to point B with little difficulty. This is common among us all which brings me to my first point. Although we can all walk, we most certainly do not walk the same speed.
On my daily commute through the beautiful Jackson Square I am always being caught behind slow moving molasses like people walking at a snails pace. People walking in that mall seem to have NO sense of direction and NO purpose for being there except for the sole reason of getting in my way. Making random turns and stopping unexpectedly. I just don’t understand how so many people can walk so slow let alone want to walk so slow in such a place.
That being said why can’t people walk like they drive. Stay to the right. I’m constantly walking head on with people who look like a deer in headlights. Baffled as if I am about to run them down. Sometimes if the person is bold they might even throw you a shoulder which is just beyond me. It’s a simple concept, stay to the right and it will all work out.
Along with staying to the right, if you are walking 1 mph then stay to the FAR right. Get out of my way I don’t want to have to weave in and out of people like I’m part of real life Frogger. I am a fast walker and I am definitely not sight seeing especially in a place like Jackson Square(Well that may not be true some of the people down there, boy I tell ya).
One final note. People wheeling around in those electric wheel chairs really should have horns or whistles or something that they can beep to warn you of their approach. Sometimes they come flying around corners nearly missing passerby’s. What’s the max speed on those things anyways?
January 30, 2010
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Sub-What?
I am thoroughly confused. Why on earth has every subway ad in the past year focused on symbols that have NOTHING to do with subs.
The monkey? It baffles me because its completely irrelevant.
I have NO inclination to go to subway after seeing these pathetic commercials. STOP wasting your money subway. No one cares! Maybe it’s just me, and if it is could you PLEASE inform me as to what the hell they are trying to get across. I think the advertising staff have a personal grudge against the big wigs because they are really screwing business for subway.
Get another Jared! Prove he’s still skinny! Lay off the peyote subs because these commercials are seriously from another world.
January 29, 2010
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What’s What: Phoenix
So my first post was really just me venting which I will most certainly do as issues come up.
On a brighter note, I have been rocking to Phoenix lately. Damn they can really kick a jam so heres a wicked video of them doing a private show in New Yak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24kezBMpSqY
When I first heard these guys it was the track in the video “1901”. I was impressed by the drumming and especially the guitar licks that were tastefully playing off each other. I initially thought there were multiple keyboard or effects players in the band but it turned out to be only one. Pretty amazing but definitely catchy as s***.
