Carpe Diem (seize the day)

Challenge

2012-02-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

As part of my preparation for RMC and ROTP, I have been doing several workouts. This challenge, for anyone who's interested, is as follows

Play this lovely song:

and do the following

Pushups: Feet, knees together, lying on your belly. Thumbs under chest. "Bring Sally up" is your cue for one pushup, likewise, on "bring sally down" lower yourself to the starting position. Straight back, none of those yoga moves here! DO NOT REST ON THE GROUND. Keep your body off the ground, but lower yourself until your nose is scraping the ground. If you can't pull off these proper pushups, or you find yourself loosing form as you struggle to finish the song, let your knees rest on the ground and preform "girl pushups". The goal here is to finish the song, without letting yourself rest on the ground. If you have to change position, go for it, work your way up to this, but do not stop, and do not allow yourself to rest on the ground. As well, don't even think about pulling off "half" pushups! ALL THE WAY DOWN. It's good for you!

Leg Raise: Lie on your back with your hands by your sides. On "bring sally up", lift your legs to a 45 degree angle. Lower to 6 inches off the ground on "bring sally down".

Situps: I find that situps don't work quite as well, but they're good for ya! Knees at a 90 degree angle, secure your feet under something if you have to. Keep your hands by your head, I find cupping my ears prevents me from trying to use my arms during the situps.

Planks: Knees, feet together, keep your body straight. Try to last until the chorus, "old miss lucy's dead and gone.." rest during that period, and then repeat.

Evil Squats: If you're still somewhat functional, I like to finish up the set with squats. Because of my place of employment, I just happen to have 80 lb bags of sand I throw over my shoulder (alternate, so do the song twice, switching shoulders) while I do squats. Keep your back straight on this one, especially if you're doing it with some sort of weight. If you don't have bags of sand, a bag of potatoes or rice works well too.

This is one complete set. Repeat this three times, with a 5 min rest between each set. Do not rest between each exercise, only once you've completed them all. This is my morning wakeup routine, the actual workout is.. much more fun. I'll post some of the workouts I like to do when I get the chance.

Oh, and a little motivational song to close out!

The Full Circle

2012-01-27T11:07:00.001-08:00

A year has passed. It's remarkable what one can do in a year, and how life throws curve balls in a never-ending game of dodgeball. To quote one of my favourite books,

“God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of His own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of the players, (ie everybody), to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch-dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a Dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.” -Good Omens, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Over the past year, I have come a long way. And I have quite a way to go yet. Looking back, it's interesting to see how one's goals change. Honestly, I firmly believed I would be out and away, exploring a different country. "Well. That's nice!" says Reality and Life. So, brief summery and all that! Last year, I was still under the impression I would be joining the Royal Navy. However, after plenty of thinking, I realized this wasn't the path for me. Why? Because Canada is my home. It is, and will always remain, the country I love best. I couldn't serve a country I'd only ever heard about, I am too proud of my own country to wear the flag of another when I could be wearing my own. My priories were out of line; I wanted (and still do) to emigrate to the UK, but after much thought, I realized that I didn't want to emigrate quite yet. Not until I'd explored my own country.

So in April, when I discovered my application was being put on hold due to the cutbacks in the British military, I chose to close it and walk away from that path. Instead, I began looking into my own nation's military. I know I can't be anything other than a CF member, it's in my blood, it's in my bones. Specifically, I can't be anything other than a sailor. In April I went to the local recruiting office to apply, in the process discovering I had another option: a) apply as a non-commissioned member or b) wait 4 months and try to apply as a ROTP candidate. I spent some more time thinking, and I decided to pursue the ROTP route for various reasons.

During the next four months, I focused on graduation, working, as well as volunteering and practicing Aikido. When September rolled around, I was prepared, I had filled out all the forms, received reference letters, found the five references who'd had known me since I was 16, and went down to get my application started. Upon arrival, I learned I was lacking several pre-reqs for admission, and my application could not begin processing until I had obtained them. So. Give up? Hell no!!

October and November were intense, I completed 5 distance education courses in two months, achieving marks higher than 70% for all of them. For those interested, I am trying to apply for an engineering degree, and I had none of the required grade twelve courses other than English 12 and Principles of Math 12. I had to take and complete Chem 11 and 12, Physics 11 and 12, and Calculus 12. I finished during the last week of November, and spent the first two weeks of December testing. Just before Christmas, I finally got to hand my application in and begin the process.

ROTP is a highly competitive program, and candidates compete against every other application received across Canada. Last year, there were over1000 applications for around 400 spaces at the Royal Military Collage of Canada Kingston and CMR St Jean. Applicants attend 1 year at CMR and 3 years at RMC, or 2 years at CMR and 3 years at RMC, or all 4 years at RMC, or are able to attend a civilian university of their choice from the RMC approved university. RMC is situated in Kingston, ON, and the First Year Orientation Period is quite intense. I have applied to attend either RMC or CMR.

If I do not get selected this year, I have applied to several universities in Ontario to attend in Sept 2012 as a first year engineering student. I intend to re-apply every year until I am selected, either as an ROTP candidate, or as a Direct Entry Officer if I have to. As of right now, I am currently attending college, to keep myself sharp (and not to forget everything!). As well, I have just managed to pass my 5th Kyu test for Aikido.

I've come a long way from a scared 15 year old; running away from home with no idea what to expect, other than whatever life threw at me, it was preferable to home. I have managed to keep my head above the water, and it was damn hard at times. I've learned to rely on myself, I am the only one stopping myself from succeeding. I've learned to appreciate a lot of what we take for granted in a first world country. I don't want to come off as sounding preachy, but until you are there, you have no idea and cannot truly comprehend what it is like to live off one meal a day, or how incredibly fantastic it is to have running hot water, or how wonderful an actual bed truly is.These experiences shaped me and pushed me to adapt, thrive, succeed. I learned how big of a family I really had; my friends looked out for me and without them, I most certainly wouldn't have survived. I did it on my own, for three years I worked to pay rent, buy food, take care of myself. And I remained in school, despite the fact that dropping out would've meant I could earn more, enough so that I didn't go hungry. I also don't want to sound like I'm bragging, "oh look at me! my life sucks!". That is not what I am trying to get across.

What I want you to take away from reading this is: you and you alone determine your path in life. My life is just proof that if you really want to survive, if you really want to do something, you will find a way. Your greatest obstacle is not where you came from, it's yourself. When I left home, I had (and this is not an exaggeration) a total of one backpack, and enough change to get on the bus. In that backpack? A sleeping bag, warm clothing, and my textbooks. I am now living on my own, eating three meals a day, and saving for retirement. The second thing I want you to understand is: Education. Education is not a waste of time, it is not worthless, and for me, it was more important than three meals a day. Education is the key to improving your situation, it is the key to success. There's a quote, "knowledge is power", and I feel this is extremely accurate. Without an education, you can never go further in life. You restrict yourself unnecessarily.

Lastly, to those who believe the homeless are just lazy bums? To those who claim runaway kids are just whiny brats? To everyone who thinks a minor is incapable of making any decisions, needs to be monitored and protected and looked after, needs mommy and daddy's "OK" to breathe? You are the reason I had it so tough. You are the reason I couldn't get assistance when I was starving. You are the reason that the Social Service system, designed to protect me, failed. You are the reason I had to work night shifts as well as attend school, and you are the reason I succeeded. I didn't take "No, you can't do it/you're too young/this is your own fault" for an answer; instead, I set out to prove everyone wrong. And that is why I am where I am. Because I refused to give up, because I made sacrifices to get by, because I was (and still am) determined to succeed. To show all those who told me no, that yes. Yes I can, and by god I will. And I am not alone

WHY

2011-09-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

to Protect

To die?

Or to live:

To love

to fight for this

WHY?

His life meant nothing, because there was no love in it! So, Listen to me! First of all in your life, fall in love!

2011-09-10T20:58:00.002-07:00

-Edith Piaf

2011-08-23T12:13:00.002-07:00

Wow, time has escaped on me! As per usual, I am slow on the whole UPDATE/PERIODICAL part of blogging. So never fear, gentle readers! This shall be a lovely long post about all the shenanigans in these last few months!

SCHOOL

I have graduated (yay me!) with excellent marks in English and Math, and acceptable marks in Calculus (I did pass however). This summer, I have been working on completing Physics and Chemistry, and retaking Calculus. Very very busy. I have 3 tests left in Physics, and I am halfway through Chem. Don't even speak to me about Calculus! Thank god for Khan Academy! After Physics and Chem are finished, I shall be taking the grade 12 Physics and Chem. Later on into January, I may or may not (still debating) enroll in the community collage for Math 100 and English 100.

WORK

These last few months have been death, I am working full time. Usual weeks are upwards of 60 hrs, so the pay is nice, but no time to spend it!

ATHLETICS

I am working out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gym with a few friends at 6 am. Rugby has started up again (YES!!) and I am taking Aikido as well. In June, I had the opportunity to compete in a 7s tournament, it was a lot of fun, and I hope to have more tournaments!

SO, NOW THAT SCHOOL'S OVER, NOW WHAT?

I am so glad you asked! Well, because I was too late to apply to the Royal Military Collage of Canada last year, I am spending a year working and preparing for the application deadline next January. What does this mean you ask? A killer schedule of volunteering, sports, music, school, and work! I am up at 5.30 everyday, and to bed at 10. Unfortunately, I am finding that 24 hrs is not enough time in the day! I'll make it work though! Once the recruiters began accepting applications for Sept 2012, I am going to take a wee walk down to the local office and get started. I am applying for the ROTP, hopefully I will get in. My choices are as a MARS officer, a Marine Systems Engineering officer, or as a Naval Combat Systems Engineering officer. I would like to go for a mechanical engineering degree, hence all the SIDES courses on physics, chem, and math!

SO ANYTHING NEW AND EXCITING?

I'm afraid to disappoint you all, but no. Not really. I spent 2 weeks at the beginning of August in Ontario visiting family, and that is about all the adventuring I have done thus far. However, I intend to spend thanksgiving in Montreal with my boy!

OOOOooOOO A BOY???!! DO TELL

Oh if you insist! Well, my boy is a very handsome guy (naturally!), we've been dating for just over a month now. He and I have been friends for at least 5 years, our timing has just been really crappy when it comes to affections and all that (he would like me for a few months while I was completely oblivious, and then just when he'd gotten over me or liked another girl, I'd fall for him). HOWEVER! It did finally work out to both of us falling for each other at the same bloody time! Seriously, it was the plot straight outta a romcom! Anyways, we finally worked up the nerve to approach the other person. However, life can't be that simple for us two numptys, we started dating only two weeks before he left for Quebec! So, now we are together, but separated by 3000 km. It could always be worse though! I miss him terribly of course, but I am looking forward to seeing him in October. In the words of Shakespeare, all's well that ends well!

The Tide is High

2011-05-24T15:13:00.003-07:00

But I'm not the kind of girl to give up just like that ;D

NEWS

Well, end of year is quickly approaching, and I'm left with my head spinning wondering where it's all gone. Due to the vast amount of illnesses, coursework, and just bloody life in general, I've not been able to update as periodically as I would've likes. However, quick News Of The Century here:

1. I have written and passed (with excellent marks may I add) my non restricted firearms exam, as well as my restricted firearms exam. Just waiting on paperwork and all, and I should have my license in the next few months

2. I have Vastly Improved my math mark over that of last semester. Well done, MEE

3. I have managed two concussions since we last spoke, as well as a week spent in and out of the hospital. I do try, really, I'm just very accident prone

4. I dropped 30 lbs of aluminum on my foot. To this I say : "MUTHA********* YOU SHALL BE CURSED FOR ALL ETERNITY, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE AND THE GRAVES OF YOUR ANCESTORS, YOU LOW BODIED BURLY-BONED RAMPALLION TICKLE-BRAINED KNAVE. I CURSE YOUR CLAY-BRAINED GUTS YOU WHORESON HALF-FACED COXCOMB. I SHALL OBLITERATE YOUR VERY NAME FROM THE ANNALS OF HISTORY, YOU SHALL CEASE TO EXIST AND YOUR SPIRIT SHALL BE FLUNG TO THE FURTHEST REACHES OF THE GALAXY, DARKNESS SHALL CONSUME IT AND THE BLOOD OF YOUR OFFSPRING WILL FLOW IN THE RIVERS. THE NINTH CIRCLE OF HELL SHALL SCORN AND REJECT YOU, YOUR SUFFERING SHALL NEVER ENDDDDDD AND MY RAGE SHALL KNOW NO BOUNDS"

5. I am now the proud new owner of a beautiful pair of Steel Toed Boots. That last news note shall not be repeated

6. For the first time in almost 6 months, I am able to play rugby again!! cue massive amounts of excitement

7. At Last My Torments Have Come To An End (working title: I have taken the english provincial)

WRITING

So's here's some English Knowledge for those who take an interest in reading my work

Form and Meaning: “Anthem for Doomed Youth”

“Anthem for Doomed Youth” is a poem written by Wilfred Owen condemning the slaughter of men during World War I. It is written as a Shakespearean sonnet with fourteen lines, however, only two quatrains have the same rhyming scheme as a Shakespearian sonnet; the third quatrain is effe, instead of reading efef. The sonnet closes with a rhyming couplet, and is written in iambic pentameter (“And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds” (ln 14)). This use of a seemingly typical Shakespearean sonnet brings to mind the Shakespearean tragedy, the young men marching off only to fall to “the monstrous anger of the guns” (ln 2). The connection between “Anthem for Doomed Youth” and a typical Shakespearean tragedy is fitting; it is a potentially fatal character trait in an otherwise heroic protagonist that brings about his downfall, however redemption of some sort is often available. “Anthem for Doomed Youth” uses alliteration to mimic the “stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle” (ln 3), and the lack of “passing-bells for those who die as cattle” (ln 1) suggest lack of redemption for the dead. The alteration of the rhyming scheme in the third quatrain is purposeful, representing the funeral given to those killed in war; the “shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells/.../bugles calling for them from sad shires/.../each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds” (ln 7-14). The “Anthem for Doomed Youth” uses poetic form to enhance and reveal its theme of war as a continuous funeral for the dead.

ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, –

The shrill, dementedchoirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

I wanna be in the Calvary..

2011-03-16T18:33:00.002-07:00

Just a brief update here on my progress on joining the military.

Recently, I've spent alot of time thinking. Why am I joining? Well, because it's something that I've always wanted to do. Well, why the Navy? Because I like boats. While this is obviously a very good reason for joining, I also want to help people. Well, how can I be of best service? What do I excel at? Well, I want to do something that will make a difference. And I want to help ordinary people. Which leads me to the largest part of this post... I'm considering joining the Army instead of the Navy. Anyone who knows me knows this is HUGE!!! Hang with me here..

Why the Army?

Because of something I watched on tv. Something I've tuned into on the news regularly. Something that has claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers. What, you ask? The death of another soldier isn't really that surprising in WAR. But what got me is how these things could be prevented, and the fact that it wasn't just soldiers that were hurt. IEDs, or Improvised Explosive Devices. They are preventable, but they take time to dismantle. And that's when I realized. That is what I want to do. I want to take those bombs apart, so that they won't blow up some young boy with his entire life ahead of them. I want to help, well, there are thousands of bombs and only a handful of people diffusing them. I want to join the never-ending battle to clear these things out. Bomb disposal technicians take these destructive things apart, often at the risk of their own lives. That's what I want to do. Someone has to do it, and that's how I want to help. I don't want to sit back and relax, I want to be on the front lines, I want to be combating the type of people that would leave a bomb in the middle of a busy road, that would plant a bomb in a farmer's field.

What about the Navy?

After I've served time in the army, if I'm still alive and not injured (not joking here.) I will join the navy. Spend some time relaxing on a cruise of the arctic maybe. The Canadian Forces have a maximum age of 57 for enlistment, so as long as I'm fit enough, I can join up until then. The British Army has an enlistment period of four years, so doing the math, I would only be 26 after I'm done, and that's still a pretty good stint of 8 years. Now, I may find the army so much fun I'll stay till I'm 55, the retiring age. That still leaves me five years with the Canadians if I so desire.

Either way, it'll be an adventure!

Training

2011-01-03T19:30:00.002-08:00

SO... today.. I started training for the navy. I intend to update every week or so with my progress. In case you've not learned, I'm currently applying to join the Royal Navy.

I started out with a brief little run, about 2.4 km (a walk around the block practically!). Well, by the end of that little walk, I was wheezing and turning a lovely grey/starved-for-oxygen-blue colour. My first thought out was "HOLY S#1T it is COLD!!". I did cheer up around the halfway mark, no worries. And then I realized it was halfway, which meant I had to run that distance all over again. By this point, I had progressed to "I'VE LOST MY MIND. Why? Why am I doing exercise? WHY AM I DOING IT? especially in the dead of winter?". If any other poor souls feel this way, this is a very good time to go over in your mind your reasons for joining. And, whatever you do, DO NOT STOP RUNNING. It will be twice as hard to start back up again. After I dragged my poor body across the finish line (the intersection right beside my house), I checked my time

TIME: 13:52:34

Hell yeah! I need a time of 14:35 to pass the pre-joining fitness test. I want a time of 11:00, so obviously I've got some work to do. But, I must say, not too bad for my first test, especially since my exercise level has been non-exsistant this last month (I'm trying to bulk up to be a prop OBVIOUSLY :P). Silly things called injuries.

After that, it was time for some push-ups, sit-ups, the whole 9 yards (wish it was 2 instead of 9). 3 sets of 10 later, I decided That I Am Certifiably Insane. Yes, you may quote me on this. No, this is not an excuse to stop giving me irn bru.

On that note, I'm seriously hungry right now. And for anyone who knows my appetite, just think. That is when I'm not so hungry. When I eat everything in sight? That's me a bit peckish. I'm REALLY hungry now. I strongly suggest you install padlocks on your fridges if you wish to keep any food. Also, I'm cutting out irn bru from my diet (SAAAADDDD PANNDAAA). I shall drink my hoarde as a celebratory gesture once I obtain the run time of 11:00.

I'm considering investing in a drop-in pass as well, seeing as I need to spend some time swimming. And my new year's resolution is to be up at 4:00 am. I sense a resolution that shall not be kept.....

The Insane Blogger

Why I Want To Join The Navy

2010-12-25T11:51:00.002-08:00

Contrary to popular rumours circling, no, I am not joining the navy to get cheap irn bru. My reasons are much deeper than that. Neither is it the lure of a bed and three meals a day; that's more of a benefit I'm looking forward to, instead of a reason I'm enlisting. No, the number one reason is this: I want to do something with my life. I want to improve the world with my life, I don't want to waste it.

Why the Navy? Because I feel that giving your life in service of your country and citizens is an honourable way to use your life. Unlike our past, soldiers do not spend as much time fighting as they did. They are instead used in peacekeeping, aid to developing countries, and policing (the ocean, for the Navy). They fight for ideals, things like democracy or freedom. Soldiers defend and protect us, so that we can go about living our life, free of dictatorship or oppression. And that's what I want to do with my life. I want to prevent humanity's tendency towards cruelty to each other. I want to join so that I can help prevent that. Personally, I want to ensure that I can stop at least one person from ruining the lives of others. How? by preventing human trafficking. pirating. the drug industry. If I can stop one person, even indirectly, from destroying someone's life, then I would have fulfilled my life.

Why the British Navy then? why not just join the Canadian Forces? While I'm extremely proud of the red and white, I want to forget my past. I want to start a new life, free from painful memories. I love Canada. But I want to forge my future out of the reach of my past, I want to leave my memories and my past here. And so I will go to another country, start over, and rise to the challenge. I want to test myself, to overcome great odds. To become the best I can be. And that's why I want to join the British Navy. Because they will challenge me in a way the Canadians cannot. I will have to work to improve my future, I will have to prove that I'm good enough to join them, that I'm better than any other recruits they have. And I do like a challenge.

Military Service, pt 1

2010-12-05T19:00:00.005-08:00

BACKGROUNDNESS

Thus begins the first of a series of posts on the military; this is sorta for me to figure out my brian as well as to explain to whoever reads this blog the reasons behind my support for the service that is employed through war. This first post is a short paragraph/mini essay on why I believe the military is important.

Benefits of Military Service

Military service in society and culture today is often considered to be a last resort. The prevalent view among many parents is that military service is for dropouts, the poor, young people in need of strong discipline, criminals, or the unemployed. However, military service can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a young person’s life. The military instills a set of morals within young people; the Canadian Forces operate on an ethos of integrity, commitment, honour, discipline, courage, duty, and responsibility. For those who assume the military is for young people unable to “make it” anywhere else, the question posed is: what other profession demands mental fitness as well as physical fitness? The military is capable of providing serving solders with world-class qualifications and those with aptitude are provided with the ability to study at prestigious universities without paying tuition or book fees. Finally, the most honorable and praiseworthy requirement uniting all serving personal, regardless of country, is the attitude that service for one’s country and people is more important than one’s own life. Service in the military, however brief, is not only rewarding, but it also instills values and morals required in a contributing citizen of any country.

Rosiette Turn

2010-12-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

GENERIC POST FTW FTW!!!

Lord of the Flies

Symbolism

Symbolism is the representation of complex thoughts or ideas through characters or objects within the story. Symbolism adds meaning and depth to a story. The novel “Lord of the Flies” is filled with symbolism, representing complex themes and ideas that enhance the story. The characters themselves are symbolistic, as William Golding portrays humanity stripped of its civilization. In this essay, I will focus on the main symbols within this text, both the characters and objects as symbols. “Lord of the Flies” provides a look into the struggle between primeval impulses and the civilized morals instilled into every human. The protagonist exemplified within this story is democracy and order, while the antagonist is the savage, evil, and brutal nature found within humanity, “mankind’s essential illness”.

The characters themselves represent the symbolism and conflict within the story. Ralph is a symbol of democracy; he is elected by the boys because of “a stillness about [him]… that marked him out” as well as being the first one to blow the conch. Jack is a symbol of the savagery within humanity, “tall, thin and boney…face crumpled and freckled, and ugly… out of [his] face stared two light blue eyes…ready to turn to anger”. Jack is “stained by all the vicissitudes of a day’s hunting”, while Ralph dislikes the “dirt and decay…perpetually flicking the tangled hair out of his eyes.” Other characters are represented as symbols; Piggy is “the intellectual daring” and “what intelligence [that] had been shown was traceable to [him]”, while Simon is the saint, “a small, skinny boy, his chin pointed”. Simon takes care of the younger children, “[finding] for them the fruit they could not reach, [pulling] off the choicest from up in the foliage.” While Jack represents humanity’s primeval nature, Roger is a symbol of the “essential illness” within humanity. Roger harasses the younger children, “[leading] the way straight through the [younger boys’] castles, kicking them over.” Roger “with a sense of delirious abandonment” is the one who releases the rock that “struck Piggy… [he] fell forty feet and landed on his back across [the] rock in the sea.”

Objects within the novel also represent symbolization within the story. The conch is a symbol of law, order, and authority, “the being that had blown [it]…was set apart.” The conch represents democracy, and when it is destroyed, symbolistically so is the last remnants of civilization on the island. Piggy’s glasses represent knowledge and discernment, as they slowly become cracked, scratched, and broken, the boys become more savage. The glasses also represent the ability to create fire, a symbol of power. Jack steals them from Piggy, becoming “a chief now in truth…from his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.” With the theft of the glasses, the signal fire is destroyed. The fire is a symbol of hope, without it, the boys will not be rescued. The “civilized” boys try to keep it going, but through the book, as the descent into savagery becomes complete, the fire wanes. The beast is a symbol of the fear and savagery within the boys, they personify it as a “beastie…in the dark”. Simon tries to explain it as “mankind’s essential illness”, and the boys later mistake the dead parachutist for the beast, “something like a great ape…[with] big black eyes.” The pig head left as a sacrifice is also a symbol, that of the tribal savagery and ritualism the boys on the island have succumbed to, the evil that is a “part of them… a blackness within”.

The symbols within this story represent the battle between good and evil occurring within the boys, the island acts as isolation to which this struggle occurs. The boys are removed from the control of the adults, and as such, must survive on their own. The resulting product is the regression to primeval instincts versus the conformation to enlightened morals and civilization. The conflict between Jack and Ralph can be seen as an allusion to the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union at the time this book was written; a struggle between democracy and totalitarianism, each side vying for control. William Golding wrote this book to symbolize the depths of evil humanity is capable of, to show that the difference between humans and other animals is how humanity reacts, and what could happen if humanity were to cease functioning based on logic and science as a civilization and deteriorate to a tribal or ritualistic society.

On the third day of Christmas....

2010-12-03T22:10:00.002-08:00

FEARS AND CONFESSIONS

Sometimes I fear I'll never be loved by anyone. My greatest fear is to die alone. Surprisingly, I don't feel any fear at the thought of dying. My view is that death will come for me when it is time, and worrying about it can do absolutely nothing. Saying that though, I am afraid of dying old and alone. I would rather go out in the prime of my life, fighting. I want to be remembered. My fear is that I'll be forgotten, that my life will be a waste and that I'll have done nothing to improve our world.

Even greater than my fear of not being loved is my fear of being hurt by those I love and trust. I wish I was invincible. That way, I could've defended those I loved. Instead, I was a coward. I hid in my room and buried my head under my pillows to block out the shouts. I wish I had stood up and stopped him. I wish I had shown an example to my brothers, I wish we had stood shoulder to shoulder to stop that hell. Every scream made for him to stop enraged me. My heart broke to hear what he said to you. I wish I had stood and fought instead of running. I wish you had the strength to see what a hell that you're in, how you deserve someone to worship you, to treat you like a queen. Not someone who beats up children. What does that have to do with being afraid to trust? When someone uses everything they have to hurt you, by hurting those you love, I think you'd be afraid to trust too.

I wish I could stop all the pain and hurt in the world. I know I can start by telling you that you're beautiful, just how you are. That you are gorgeous and I wish I looked half as good as you do. I wish you'd listen to me instead of putting yourself down. Stop reading those beauty magizines! They only make you feel inadequate and worthless. I want you to have the best guy in the world; you deserve it, and you shouldn't have to change to get a man worth your while. He would be a gentleman, a knight in shining armour to sweep you off your feet. He would bring you flowers, because every girl needs a fresh bouquet of flowers every now and then. He would tell you every day that you are the most beautiful girl in the world. I wish I could protect you from all harm until he came along; I hate seeing you hurt, it makes me feel like I've failed my job as a friend, as well as a sister. You've proven that family doesn't need to be genetic. I wish I could prove that beauty doesn't need to be a size 2.

We are going to pretend our last post occured yesterday >:D

2010-12-02T17:40:00.002-08:00

FOR THE VIEW OF ALL YOU EARTHLINGS

i.e: Basically I'm doing what ma sistra est doing for the month of december. I'm sorry, my originality is non-existant. Which is post every day for the month of december. I forgot it was december in my defence, so I'll make it up by posting an extra day Jan. 1st 2011

Welcome to the madness that is the brain of the Addy.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS BYATCH?

Hello world. My name is Addy. I was born some 17 (or so) years ago in a quaint little place called Victoria, BC, Canada. My birth was particularly memorable to my madre, due to my insistence that I didn't wish to be born. Three days later, I was christened in the salt water on the shores of my home, and since then, salt water has replaced the blood in my veins. My childhood was spent on the road between Victoria, BC and Calgary, Alberta, until finally settling down on a small island off the coast of BC. Here I was schooled along with my two siblings to fight for survival, and entered society at the age of 13. I am currently in my last year of high school. Afterwords, I intend to join the British Navy as a mechanical engineer. This is my ramblings and stories, my hopes, my FUCK YOU WORLD!!'s... Basically, my brain.

CRAZY RELIGION

I was baptized when I was 12 or 13, into the pentecostal christian church. I was raised with a atheist father and a strongly christian mother, so I am indeed an interesting mix. Being raised as such has brought about a LOT of confusion on my part. I still am working myself out, but I must admit, it is not easy. I still strongly believe that someone who claims to be christian should follow the etymology of that word: christianos, or "follower of Christ". This, in my view, is one who aspires to be like Jesus; one who will put aside judgement to love instead. A christian strives everyday to be like christ, a christian is not one who hates because someone is "wrong". A christian is one who looks past the "sin" to love the person. A christian is one who serves, not one who judges.

Over my journey as one striving to be christian, I have fought with this over and over. It is only when I stepped back and abandoned my faith for awhile that I was able to realize- I should love people because they're people, not because they're sinners in need of saving, not because it is right to do so (majour DURRR moment). I am ashamed to say that I've thought that gays and lesbians choose their sexuality. I'm ashamed to say that at one point, I believed that they were all sinners destined for hell, along with those who aborted their children, those who had sex before marriage, ect. Needless to say, I've gone on my own journey over the years. I am proud to say my sistra is queer, that one of my best friends is gay. I would do anything to protect them, and I strongly believe that they didn't "choose" this path. I believe that they were created this was for a reason; there's nothing wrong with them, and anyone who says so will be meeting my little friends, stomp and gore (rugby boots with 1 inch studs). At the same time, I still do not believe in the practicality of sex before marriage; call me a prude, but I'm thinking the one that'll stick around for a lifetime is the one that'll wait for however long to "get some".

I am a mix of atheist and christian principles; I strongly believe I am christian at my core, I can't abandon my religion. At the same time, I don't agree with some of the common arguments portrayed by the church. I don't believe you can condemn a person for being themselves. I don't believe society has that right. At the same time, I don't believe someone should have the right to end a life because of a stupid decision (this obviously excludes rape victims, those who will die due to the birth of a child). I don't think swearing is wrong, just dependant on the circumstances. I do think premarital sex isn't the brightest lightbulb in the shed. I cannot call myself christian; I don't read the bible, go to church, tithe, try to be like christ. At the same time, I am christian, abet a bad example of one.

My beliefs? Live and let live. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Honesty. Truthfulness. To strive to be a decent person, to treat others with respect. And most importantly, don't fix what ain't broke. Someone isn't broken just because they don't share the same views as you, so don't try to change them. They are them and you are you, and one of these things is not like the other!

Addy out!

Dies Irea

2010-11-25T19:31:00.002-08:00

Giuseppe Verdi composed Dies Irea as part of the Messa Da Requiem in 1874. Dies Irea is latin for Day of Wrath, and describes the day of judgement found in Revelation, where "the dead, small and great, stand before God... and the dead were judged... according to their works" (Rev 20: 12). The Dies Irea originated as a 13 century catholic hymn written by Thomas of Celano, and was used in the Catholic Requiem Mass up until 1969. Listening to the Dies Irea composed by Verdi, it is not too hard to imagine the day of atonement. Both the original 13 century hymn and the Dies Irea from Verdi's Requiem are beautiful. On another note (get it?? :P) Mozart also composed a version of the Dies Irea, in his Requiem Mass in D minor. Mozart's Requiem was composed in 1791, one of his last works. It is commonly believed he wrote it while on his death bed, whether it was for him or for someone else is unknown. He died before it was completed. While Verdi and Mozart are not the only ones to compose Requiems, their versions of the "day of wrath" are by far the most impressive in my view. Due to their length, I have only posted part of the lyrics here- The full lyrics in latin and english can be found here for those interested.

Latin Lyrics of the First Refrain:

Dies irae, dies illa
solvet saeclum in favilla
teste David cum Sybilla
Dies irae, dies illa
Quantus tremor est futurus,
quando judex est venturus
cuncta stricte discussurus.

English Translation:

Day of wrath and doom impending,
Heaven and earth in ashes ending
David's word with Sibyl's blending
Day of wrath and doom impending
Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth
When from heaven the judge descendeth
On whose sentence all dependeth.

Shakespeare, Shakespeare, why dost thou invade English class?

2010-11-10T22:08:00.001-08:00

The Temptation Scene

Iago schemes to plant doubt in Othello’s mind over the faithfulness of Desdemona; he manipulates the situation to cast doubt on Cassio’s intentions using five pieces of evidence against Cassio and Desdemona. The final piece of evidence Iago uses is the handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona as a first gift. Iago claims to have seen Cassio with the handkerchief, implying Desdemona gave it to Cassio as a gift. Coupled with the other evidence brought forth by Iago, Othello plots “some swift means of death/ For the fair devil” (Act 3.iii 477-478).

Iago uses five different “proofs” (Act 3.iii 441) to convince Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness. The first instance is when Othello and Iago come upon Desdemona and Cassio in the garden. Iago uses this encounter to warn Othello to “look to [his] wife…[and] observe her…with Cassio/ [wearing his] eye…not jealous nor secure” (Act 3.iii 197-198) and entreats Othello to “beware/…/the green-eyed monster [of jealousy]” (Act 3.iii 165-166). Iago uses Desdemona’s persistence in the case of Cassio against her; as Desdemona uses “all [her] abilities in [Cassio’s] behalf” (Act 3.iii 2), Iago encourages Othello to “note if [Desdemona] strain [Cassio’s] entertainment/ With any strong or vehement importunity” (Act 3.iii 250-251). Iago exploits Desdemona’s deception against “her father, marrying [Othello]” (Act 3.iii 206), that “she…so young, could give out such a seeming/…/ [that her father] thought ‘twas witchcraft” (Act 3.iii 209-211), to convince Othello that Desdemona could be deceiving him as well.

Iago creates two lies to aid his schemes, the handkerchief and Cassio speaking in his sleep. Iago spins a tale of sharing a room with Cassio, “and, being troubled with a raging tooth/…/[hearing] him say, “Sweet Desdemona/ Let us be wary, let us hide our loves”/…/ and then [crying] “Cursed fate that gave the to the Moor!” (Act 3.iii 414-426). This assures Othello of Cassio’s involvement and influences him to believe of Desdemona’s guilt too. The last and final piece of evidence that Iago uses to push Othello “over the edge” in his doubts about Desdemona’s devotion is the handkerchief. To Desdemona, it is “her first remembrance from the Moor/…/ [and] she so loves the token/…/ that she reserves it evermore about her/ To kiss and talk to.” (Act 3.iii 291-296). Othello holds the handkerchief highly, “to lose’t or give’t away were such perdition/ as nothing else could match” (Act 3.iv 62-63); the handkerchief was his mother’s, and is believed to have magical powers. Othello believes that as long as Desdemona has it, she will remain faithful to him. Iago implies that Desdemona gave the handkerchief to Cassio, “such a handkerchief/…/ did [Iago]/…/ see Cassio wipe his beard with”. This persuades Othello of his wife’s unfaithfulness, and Othello vows “a capable and wide revenge” (Act 3.iii 459) against Cassio and Desdemona. Iago’s plan works too well, and Othello demands the death of both Cassio and Desdemona.

Othello essay

2010-11-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

A Shakespearean tragedy presents a heroic protagonist, one with potential for greatness, yet is doomed to fail due to a fatal character flaw. The protagonist falls from a place of importance to disaster. Othello by William Shakespeare is a perfect example of this tragedy. Othello, “the valiant Moor” (Act 1.iii 47) is “of a free and open nature/…/tenderly [led] by the nose [like an] ass” (Act 1.iii 388-391). This fatal flaw allows Iago to manipulate Othello’s emotions into a “green-eyed monster” (Act 3.iii 166) of jealousy. Othello is consumed by suspicion and distrust about the faithfulness of his wife; he murders Desdemona after being convinced of her treachery. Overcome with remorse after the discovery of Iago’s lies, Othello stabs himself and dies next to Desdemona.

Othello’s flaw is exploited by Iago, he is made “egregiously an ass/…/ even to madness” (Act 2.i 297-299) by Iago’s manipulations. Iago wishes to put Othello in a “jealousy so strong/that judgment cannot cure [it]” (Act 2.i 289-290). Iago is careful not to make an open accusation against Desdemona and Cassio, instead allowing Othello to come to the conclusion himself of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness, “to abuse Othello’s ear/ that [Cassio] is too familiar with his wife” (Act 1.iii 384-385). The cause of Othello’s fall is his complete trust of Iago, Othello believes him to be “a man…of honesty and trust” (Act 1.iii 284); and as such, believes Cassio to be “in the rank garb” (Act 2.i 294).

Othello fulfills the Shakespearean tragic character; he is a renown general whose “services… done [for] the signiory/…/ and [his] demerits… speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune as /…/ the gentle Desdemona” (Act 1.ii 18-25). Because of his heroic actions, Othello is considered the “proper son” (Act 1.iii 68) to the Duke of Venice, and although he is a Moor, Brabantio “ oft invited [Othello]/ [to] question’d [Othello] the story of [his] life” (Act 1.iii 128-129). His great flaw of an “open nature” (Act 1.iii 388) reduces him to ruin as “one not easily jealous, but, being wrought/ perplex’d in the extreme [by] one whose hand… [was] like the base Judean” (Act 5.ii 345-347). He redeems himself though death, “no way but this, killing [himself], to die upon a kiss” (Act 5.ii 358-359).

The tragic movement of the play is seen from the beginning, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to illuminate the theme and add depth. Brabantio warns Othello to “look to [Desdemona]/…/ she has deceived her father, and may [Othello]” (Act 1.iii 292-293), and in a twist of ironic foreshadowing, Othello replies “[his] life upon her faith” (Act 1.iii 294). Foreshadowing also occurs whilst Othello affirms when “light-wing’d toys/ of… Cupid seel/…/ [his] speculative and officed instruments/…/ [and] corrupt and taint [his] business/…/ [may] indign and base adversities/ make head against [his] estimation” (Act 1.iii 268-274). This is contrasted with the ending of the play, “the tragic loading of [the] bed” (Act 5.ii 363) and the “demi-devil/…/ [that] ensnared [Othello’s] soul and body” (Act 5.ii 301-302).

Othello’s position as a genuine Shakespearean tragedy can be justified through the common characteristics found in other Shakespearean plays. The story of Othello leads to the death of the tragic hero and most major characters, much of Othello’s plot is based on chance, there is an inner conflict within Othello as to Desdemona’s faithfulness, and there is a struggle between good and evil. The evil in this play is symbolized by Iago, who disrupts the moral order, and through his actions, Othello succumbs to his jealousy and egocentric qualities. This destroys not only Othello, but those around him as well.

Through the fatal character flaw found in Othello, evil is able to cause chaos and death, but the redemption of Othello through his death restores the balance between good and evil. Othello is a tragic hero; through his downfall, the audience views the brutality and harm evil is capable of inflicting, and yet the triumph of good over all. Othello is a cautionary tale with the intention of showing the folly “of one that loved not wisely, but too well” (Act 5.ii 344).

Why Join the Army/Navy?

2010-10-25T22:18:00.002-07:00

So I can make sure my children are not worrying about how they will live when they're 17

So I can have a family

So I can have 3 meals a day, without any guilt or feeling of taking someone else's food

So I will have a bed to sleep on

So I will have a room to call my own

So I will have a better standard of living then I had growing up

So I will have an education

So I can break away and start over away from everything horrible

So I can feel like I belong somewhere, instead of being on the outside looking in

So I will never feel like I have no hope left

So I can make sure my life has a purpose

So I can make a difference in someone else's life

So I can stop hate

2010-09-09T22:06:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, SO glad its grad year ^.^

just thought I'd toss that out there :D

Cuz you think you're cooler than me

2010-09-09T21:43:00.002-07:00

YES! I AM ALIVVVEEEEEE

just incase ya'll were worried

PICTURE TIME

ignore repost, stupid spammers strike again

2010-05-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

Women’s Equality in Canada

Women have been fighting for equality with men since the 18^th century; the suffrage movement started in France with the writings of Olympe de Gouges and Antoine Condorcet. The first country to grant women the right to vote was New Zealand in 1893. In regards to Canadian women’s rights, the first steps of equality came in 1859; when a law was passed allowing married women in Upper Canada to own property. The first woman to obtain an university degree was Grace Annie Lockhart in 1875. Alberta was the first province to give unmarried women property owners the right to vote and run for office in school matters, whereas Manitoba first gave women the right to vote in provincial elections in 1916. Saskatchewan and Alberta soon followed; the Alberta Equal Suffrage Act gave women absolute equality with men in provincial, municipal, and school affairs, allowing them to vote and run for office. The first minimum wage law for women was introduced by Alberta in 1917. The federal right to vote was given to women over 21 who were British subjects, and the first female Member of Parliament was Agnes Macphail in 1921. By 1925, women were able to obtain a divorce on the same grounds as men, and in 1927, the ‘famous five’ went to the Supreme Court of Canada for a ruling as to whether women were considered persons under the law. The British Privy Council overturned the Supreme Court ruling in 1929, ruling that women were considered persons under the law, and as such, could hold public offices. The first woman appointed to the Senate was Cairine Wilson, in 1930. Equal pay legislation was passed first in Ontario, in 1952. This wasn’t enforced nationally until the implementation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in 1982. Contraption was made legal in 1969, although abortion wasn’t completely legalized until 1988. In 1970, women were given full equality in the military, without discrimination, able to serve in any role and reach any rank, with the exception of serving aboard a submarine. Women were given equality serving in combat roles and aboard submarines in 2002, and in 2006, the first Canadian woman was killed in combat, Captain Nichola Goddard. Women weren’t allowed to serve in the RCMP until 1974. The first female Prime Minister was Kim Campbell, in 1993, while the first female Governor General was Jeanne Sauve in 1984. The first Canadian female astronaut was Roberta Bondar (1992), who also was the first neurologist in space, and the second Canadian in space.

Although women’s equality and rights has come far in the last century, there is still a large pay gap between genders. In 2005, for every dollar a Canadian male made, his female counterpart made 70 cents. Senior company positions are predominantly male, males are employed in higher paying jobs, and males received promotions more often. The majourity of women between 25-54 make less than $12 an hour, and the average salary for women was $39,200 a year, compared to $55,700 for men. Legislation for pay equality applies to everyone, yet women with a university degree earn 68% compared to men with a university education. Over 75% of the armed forces are male, although 99 combat officers are female in the regular force. Women’s equality is not just a social issue; politically, women with the equal rights and responsibilities as men promote a better democracy. The definition of democracy is a government run by representatives elected by the people, and the two main principles of this system is equality and freedom. For a government to be truly democratic, there must be equality, including in the government itself. Economically, women’s equality benefits the economy; women on par with men in regards to pay and promotions contribute to a better economy. An example of this is Norway; a country with the lowest gap between genders and greatest equality worldwide, and the seventh richest country in the world. Socially, women have traditionally got married, raised a family, and stayed at home. Women were seen as the property of their fathers until they were married, and the property of their husbands for much of the millennia, useful to produce heirs. In many countries worldwide, women are still seen as inferior to men, and in some cases, are regarded as the property of their husband or father. The benefit of gender equality socially is that it allows both men and women to reach their full potential; male nurses are more accepted, as are female firefighters, male teachers, female truckers, female astronauts, or female pilots. The ability for someone to do whatever it is they enjoy, regardless of gender, improves the productivity and happiness of that person with their job, making them a more productive member of society.

To summarize, women have come far in gender equality over the last century, both economically and politically. The last change for women’s equality is social equality; socially, many jobs are still predominantly male- dominated, or seen as jobs for men. To promote equality, the social attitude needs to change, it needs to become more accepted for women to work high paying jobs, or to hold positions of power. Ways to promote social change would be:

· a higher minimum wage; many women working low paying jobs are at a higher poverty risk, unable to better their situation or to attend a university for qualifications to a better paying job.

· A free childcare system; this allows women to still pursue their careers instead of having to give up their jobs to care for their children, and having to accept a lower paying job on reentry into the workforce.

· The ability to unionize easier; provides a way for workers (women in particular) to bargain for better wages and equality in high paying jobs

· Incentives for women in predominantly male occupations such as scholarships, bonuses, and tax refunds; this would increase the presence of women in jobs often regarded as ‘men’s jobs’, which in turn would promote equality for women in these jobs as a minority.

· Tuition free education; education based on marks, and whether or not it is affordable, will encourage many people, both men and women, to obtain a university degree, regardless of financial state. The obtaining of university degrees will lead to higher paying jobs, providing better chances of equality. By creating competition based on overall marks, this encourages the economy, creating a wealthier and more literate nation. This in turn reduces the women stuck in minimum wage jobs, and promotes equality by giving a chance for education, regardless of social background.

Implemented nationally, these changes would affect the social view of women, which in turn would promote equality. As long as women are a minority, they risk being overlooked, and this occurs more often in high paying jobs. The best way to fully implement gender equality is to change the social view; if it is socially accepted, it becomes the norm. If women are socially seen the equal to men, in all aspects, then they will be.

Ae Fond Kiss

2010-04-21T22:18:00.002-07:00

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever

Ae farewell, and then forever

Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee

Ye'll break my heart, ye warbling birds,

That wanton through the flow'ry thorn

Ye 'mind me o' departed joys

Departed never to return

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face

Aboon them a' ye tak your place,

Weel are ye wordy o' a grace

Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?

But mark the rustic, haggis fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread

Clap in his walie nieve a blade

He'll mak it whissle;

An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned

And fare thee weel, my only love

And fare thee weel, a while!

And I will come again, my love

Tho' it were ten thousand mile

Water

2010-04-16T22:18:00.002-07:00

I have so many good shots like this. It's amazing what the water does when you're not looking. Or when you are. Reasoning to always have a camera on ye's! In other news, that boat's coming along well. Not as quickly as I want, running outta time and I'm gunna have ta start with after school and lunch hours ta get back on track. It's looking like I'll be continuing after summer too. Ah well. Help is always appreciated, the more hands, the merrier! Even if it's just doing measuring :D

What does it mean to be a civilized person in a civilized world? (also known as: ON HAGGISES)

2010-03-25T22:45:00.001-07:00

To be civilized lies within the view of those who consider themselves civilized. Those who believe they are civilized regard others as uncivilized. A great example of this injustice is the case of the wild haggis. The majestic and proud haggis grazed on the heather found throughout Scotland. It was the staple food of the Picts, ancestors to the Scots, scourge of the Romans. The Viking invaders, desiring to destroy the mighty Scots, declared a bounty on any wild haggis within the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. The proud haggis were hunted close to extinction as the Vikings, led by Thorstein Olafsson and Sigurd Eysteinsson, battled to civilize the Scots. King Constantín mac Cinàeda was forced to surrender half his kingdom to the Norse and pay tribute, to stop the slaughter and starvation of his people. Weakened by the disappearance of great herds of wild haggis, the Scots were subject to the Vikings for hundreds of years, not ridding themselves of the invaders until 1263. Later on, Edward I of England would resort to the killing of haggis to defeat the Scots in the Scottish Wars for Independence. Those who consider themselves civilized justify actions towards others by defining them as uncivilized. The Vikings justified the destruction of the wild haggis as a necessary measure to bring civility to Scotland, in just the same way, the Americans justified the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan as a necessary measure to defeat the “savage” and “uncivilized” terrorists. The definition of civilized rests with the group that has the most power to exert their views over the rest of the world; during the British empire, a civilized person was a white British citizen, one who attended church and had the proper manners as dictated by society. Throughout history, a civilized person has one thing in common across multiple empires and civilizations; they are not “savages”.

A new post to stop those spammers from posting random stuff on my comments

2010-02-23T18:53:00.002-08:00

English today, very productive

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:14:14 -0800
Subject: hello allana
From:Addy
To: Allana

why be you reading over my shoulder you freak? I am BOREDDDDDDE! I vant to go homeeeeeeee. I HATE school. ONe more year!!!! Then Japan! are you going to japan? you should! you can come with me and louise :) We're going to japan first, then through Europe back to scotland! then I'm enlisting in the Royal Navy! see how nicely that all pans out??? YAY!

Reasons Allana wants to go to JAPAN!!!

1. Japan is awesome

2. Japan has noodles

3. Japan has a really big mountain and lots of sand beaches to sunbathe on

4. that last one isn't actually true

11. It will make allana not racist against asians.

5. well the mountian bit is

6. it's called mount fuji!

7. OLé!!!

8. Japan has lots and lots and lots of malls

9. Japan is a nice little break before allana goes to collage and dooms herself to student loans and work and non-funness for the rest of her life

10. don't doom yourself allana. GO TO JAPAN!

I don't apreciate you calling me stupid. A CURSE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES!!

see that? I qouted shakespeare!

you're rich alright? don't question my logic or you go the vay ov the mammath. DED.

RIIICCHHHHHHH!!!

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

cha ching!

ewwww! no playboy poses!!! EWWWWWWWWWW

get back to work! slacker

I will now write you a beautiful poem to treasure forever!

allana is fun

she likes to eat ravioli

watch out for your cherry

a hiaku!!! invented in Japan! why you should go to Japan!

I will now write you another beautiful poem!

A wesome, but slightly annoying at times, she

L ikes to eat ravioli

L ast time she didn't watch her shirley temple cherry

A nd it was eaten by a invisible monster from Japan

N ow she blames addy!

A llana, go to Japan and save your poor cherry

See? I'm AMAZING! I should be a world famous poet!

NUM NUM NUM NUM NUM

I like to eat all my food

touch my food and die!

ALLANA'S RESPONSE

from Allana
to Addy
date Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 2:30 PM
subject hello smellier Nazi :)

Addy.... u rlly are as stupid as u look! oh waT dame caps.... okay wat did they call u at the butchers again????? A galic or something????do U C a R idiot!!!! I cant beleive u are smarter than me! It seizes to amaze me! thats right......... how bout that r u happy that i went back n correct my grammar. well im a lost cause go bugger somebody else on their grammar u grammar nazi!Blu Blah..... Ka-Pow! not going to answer it n im not talking to u! really/ REALLY? really really really??????(me tying on her keyboard) addy love to hit calgary flames players! n put them out of the season! of golf? yes! THAT means their in the stanley cup play offs!!!!(again, me) Golf wtf wat r u talking about that has nothing to do with hockey........ohhhh okay ya that one makes sense..................... ...hahaha!!!!! your talking to meeeeeee. Im not talking im typing there is a difference.... do u c me.......oh go f*** urself.... i know u would regardless of me saying no cause ur cruel crUEL I TELL U!!!!!!!!!!! I will give ur email to a the human society n they will Email u daily! (the last rant is where I say out loud "If allana disagrees with me eating seal meat, she will verbally respond. No? she doesn't? OK! If she condones the murder and violent slaughter of baby seal pups, she will stay silent and make no response. No response? Ok, she agrees with that too!")

My cousin...

2010-01-15T23:20:00.001-08:00

She would do something like this too

2010-01-02T21:57:00.002-08:00

funny... it's been over a month since I last posted.... in that time, I've picked up two jobs (same day, within an hour of each other), had a bit of christmas break, and celebrated the start of a new year. Here's to the hopes it'll be a bloody better year then this last. 2010 sounds so weird. I remember december 31, 1999... When we welcomed in a new millennium. And now, I've seen an entire decade. It makes you think about aging. I'm in the middle of my youth, watching the world revolve and change around me, myself changing with it. Never growing younger eh? I wonder where I'll be at the end of the next 10 years. I wonder what my life will look like. What the world will look like. Hell, even what the fashions and music will look like.

In two months I'll be 17. By the end of june, I'll be in grade 12. Where did my life go? It seems just a few weeks ago I was a frightened grade 8 kid, in awe of the big grade 12s, and proud of being in highschool. Highschool was so grown up! Not middle school! No, that was for kids. I was in highschool! And now, I'm halfway through grade 11. Scary.

This past year has been tough, to say the least. But I made it through. It changed me for the better. Every year will seem tough compared to the last. But looking in hindsight, they don't seem so bad.

Here's to the new year. And to many after it.

Today is the day I cease to be Canadian.

2009-11-12T20:37:00.002-08:00

How can I feel pride for a country that neglects its future? Kicks the dirt under the carpet?

Canada is not a multicultural, accepting country. This is a myth. Canada is a country filled with hypocrisy. From the Prime Minister's office down to the services meant to protect and support Canadians. I am ashamed to be called a citizen of a country that ignores its poor, a country catering to the rich and elderly. Do you know why Canada's population is aging? because its young citizens are disillusioned with this true north, strong and free. You can get an education. IF you can pay thousands for tuition. You can get help if you hit rock bottom. IF you were abused and have evidence that could be backed up in court. You're free to leave home at 16. BUT if you stay in school to finish your diploma, your parents have total control over your schooling. They sign everything. The other option is to drop out and work in minimum wage jobs. IF you don't mind living under the poverty line. If you don't meet the criteria, tough luck! they don't give a shit.

This definitely encroaches on some rights. But those affected don't have the money or the power to change it. They get downtrodden by the system.

I'm sure every country has similar situations. But there is NO help for 16 year olds trying to make a life. No one cares if they starve. No one cares if they die on the street. No one cares if they can't finish highschool and drop out. No one cares if they have no lunch to eat, no one cares if they live off of charity. No one CARES! they're nothing but failures, lazy, worthless. These failures are this country's FUTURE! This country doesn't even care about its own future.

I am ashamed to be Canadian.

The girl's a super freak

2009-11-02T22:02:00.003-08:00

She's alright, that girl's alright with meeeeeee... YEAH!

Just imagine Rick James- Super Freak mixing with Monty Python- Intermission music and MC Hammer- U Can't Touch this. That would be addy's brain hyped up on sugar.

On another note, I hate zombie movies. If anyone pretends to be a zombie around me, I WILL HIT YOU. I apologize in advance. Allana found this out the hard way. I'm sorry allana!

Scotty, BEAM ME UP!

I swear, a real post will come soon when I'm not swamped with homework and tests and other madness :|
Possibly some pictures of my halloween costume, which was awesome btw

Intermission

2009-10-22T22:13:00.002-07:00

The Epic of Addy, Pt 1

2009-10-07T20:04:00.002-07:00

*please note that these are memories, and there's been tons of stories how memories don't always match up with actual events.. just so's ya'll know*

Backstory:

The clock ticks slower and slower. Each second draws out longer then the one before, any slower and time would be going backwards. The students struggle to pay attention to their teacher. Trying to focus, to make sense of what he says.

"This is important information. You must know this! Why you do not know this?" The teacher frustratingly tries to communicate across a language barrier, to students in a foreign land, in a foreign tongue. He knows they have been taught this concept before. Blank looks echo around the room, it's obvious the lights are on. If only someone was home.

She glances down at her watch. Three seconds have passed. The teacher tries to explain a new concept. She doesn't understand what he's trying to explain, although she knows the lesson he's trying to teach. Being homeschooled did have it's advantages; she can teach herself from a textbook. The notes are down in the binder. There are still 30 min left in the class. Bouncing her pencil up and down, she searches for ways to amuse herself. A thought comes to her, grinning, she starts to write......

Actual storyness:

When I was 3 days old, my mom brought me home from the hospital. I'd been delievered by c-section, because I'd managed to turn myself the wrong way around, and wrap the umbillical chord around my neck. The doctors kept me there a couple of days, just to make sure everything was ok. When my mom got onto the boat to head to Piers, a wave rocked the boat, and caused my mom to loose balance. She dropped me (carseat and all) into the ocean, as she scrambled to keep from falling in herself. It was early March. Ever since then, I've been tied to the sea; there really is salt water running through my veins.

I spent my first year on the island. Because my dad moved about alot with his job, my mom usually accompnied him. On one such trip, returning to Victoria from Fort McMurry, I started to cry. I cried non-stop all the way, about eight hours. When my parents checked into a motel, mom took me for a walk. Two blocks away, my dad could still hear me clearly. They hit the road again. As soon as they drove into the ferry terminal, I stopped. The cause of my crying was an ear infection, but I like to think I just missed the ocean.

stay tuned for part II later, when I have time to type more up >: )

Techno and Stormtroopers

2009-10-04T15:58:00.002-07:00

Go well together, kinda like blackberries and ice cream.

Or irn bru and more irn bru.

Just irn bru.

I like irn bru.

*distracted at thought of irn bru*

I'm listening to The Final Countdown by Europe. Not nearly as badass as Mortal Kobat, but still good. Today, is a good day. Today is a day where I'd sail away into the sunset, and roam the seas. Today is a day where I'd sell my soul and my firstborn child for a sailboat. But not my irn bru. It's not THAT good of a day.

Today is also a bad day. Tomorrow is Monday, the worst day in the week. Monday, when I have five days of torture and agony in the name of schooling. No, I'm not being over-dramatic! I need new shoes. Maybe I'll get shoes Monday.

I need a job. Then I can get goodly shoes.

Tuesdays not such a bad day. Tuesday is kickboxing. That I'm looking forward to!

I'm going to go back to killing stormtroopers

Uptown girl/ you know I can't afford to buy her pearls

2009-09-13T13:13:00.002-07:00

But maybe someday when my ship comes in, she'll understand what kinda guy I've been..

Westlife is amazing. So is Girls Aloud.

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far away.....

Addy self combusted at the thought of school. I strongly dislike school. The administration and the student population mostly. I actually enjoy the learning part. I have Mr Newton for Socials, amazing teacher. Mr Hilton for Bio, he's pretty good. And Mr Roome. For Math. I like Mr Dawe better. Mr dawe explains it well. One week down, 10 months to go >:(

And then summer. And then my last year, possibly spent as a roomie with matt, stephan, and rachel. THAT I'm looking forward to. After highschool, FREEEEEDOOM!

watch out scotland

scientific proof! AT LAST

2009-08-24T19:31:00.008-07:00

SEEE?! and everyone just said I was a sore looser >:P

while we're at it! IRN BRUUUUUUUUUUU! <3

And Just for shannon.... >:)

Let Me Fish Off Cape St Mary's

2009-07-26T00:02:00.006-07:00

Take me back to my Western boat,
Let me fish off Cape St. Mary's
Where the hagdowns sail and the foghorns wail
With my friends the Browns and the Clearys.
Let me fish off Cape St. Mary's.

Let me feel my dory lift
To the broad Atlantic combers
Where the tide rips swirl and the wild ducks whirl
Where Old Neptune calls the number
'Neath the broad Atlantic combers

Let me sail up Golden Bay
With my oilskins all a streamin'
From the thunder squall when I hauled me trawl
And my old Cape Ann a gleamin'
With my oil skins all a streamin'

When I reach that last big shoal
Where the ground swells break asunder,
Where the wild sands roll to the surges toll.
Let me be a man and take it
When my dory fails to make it.

Take me back to that snug green cove
Where the seas roll up their thunder.
There let me rest in the earth's cool Breast
Where the stars shine out their wonder -
And the seas roll up their thunder

-Irish Descendants

That's freedom. The feel of a brisk breeze on your face as you cast off. The sails billowing, the wind singing in the rigging, the spray peppering your face, the strain of the tiller in your hand. The roaring surf, boom swinging past your head, the feel as you bring the boat up into the wind, flying across the water. Watch out if I ever get myself a boat. You land lubbers'll no see me on shore.

I'm getting a tattoo on my 18th birthday. A sparrow flying over an anchor. There's an old sea yarn, a sparrow signifies land. Having a sparrow tattoo is supposed to help lead you home. An anchor holds the ship fast in a gale, it holds you safe against any winds or currents that'll drive you onto the rocks. Never can have too much luck crossing the ocean. The one wild place left on Earth.

thoughts

2009-07-15T02:02:00.002-07:00

ever wonder why it is that you think of great things to say just before you go to sleep? In those moments where you're not awake, you're floating in between. I always think of things I wanted to say, could've said, wished I said. Ways something could've turned out differently. What if that car hadn't hit the brakes so fast? what if I'd lost my grip on that pole? Scenarios played out differently. My best thinking is in these moments. Figuring out a hard note. Visualizing kicking a ball. Shooting a hoop. Apologizing. Not apologizing. Speaking my mind, or holding my tongue. Thoughts whirling through my head, meandering along. Each one connect to the last.

I wish I didn't get so mad that time. But that's who I am. I would do anything to protect my friends. Especially if I think they're threatened. I should refrase that. I would do anything to protect family. I've learned, not all family is related through blood. Not all family is related. Family is a set of mind. I consider this person family, therefore I will treat them as family. Which sometimes includes being wrong. But I think that's the test of friends or family. Whether or not they'll stand by you, whether or not they put up with your crap, whether or not they're there when you need them the most. Friends go home at the end of the day, family is stuck with you 24/7. Family sees you when you're at your worst. Friends who can do that are closer then friends. They're family.

Death. I would die, even for a stranger. I'd put my life on the line, because I don't fear death. To die, is just another adventure. Everyone must die. But when, where, and how is what makes the difference. I used to fear death. Not to fear death so much as to fear what was beyond death. It's human nature to fear what we don't know. To fear the unknown. but death has lost it's sting.

Christianity. I don't consider myself a christian, by the definition of "read bible, pray, go to church". I am not good enough to compare myself to God. No one is. I am a sinner. As much as I joke, that's what I am. Do I have a problem? I don't know. I don't know what to believe. Which scares me even more than knowing full out what I am. My morals are based on christianity. I believe in helping your neighbour, sacrificing what you want for someone else's needs. I believe in love. Loving someone for who they are, not hating them for what they are. For example, I disagree with abortion. But I know people who've gotten abortions, I don't hate them. It's their choice, it's their life, not mine. I can voice my disagreement, but I won't try and force my views on them. Just because they've made a decision I don't like, it doesn't mean they're "bad" or they're "sinners". There's a saying, "hate the sin, love the sinner". What I see most christians doing is forgetting. Forgetting that to love the sinner, you have to think of them as human. As a person. Not as a sinner. That you need to actually KNOW the person. You're fucking up from the beginning if you go in with the intent to "save" someone. Striving to be like Christ is what a christian is supposed to do. Christ does not go in with the intention to save, I think he prefers for them to make their own mind up, he merely is there to help. To be a friend. To be there when someone needs it the most. If you really want to "save" people, the first thing to do is to love them. To love them as a person. God will do the rest. To strive to be like Christ in every way is what a christian is to me. This doesn't mean bashing gays, bis, people who are "different". In fact, it means going into the centre of the drug dealers, prostitutes, gamblers... Society's unwanted.. and loving them as people. THAT will change the world. Don't believe me? Look at mother teresa.

Life. I don't want my life to be a blip in time. To just pass. I don't want fame, or fortune, or to rule the world. What I want is to change lives. I want to be able to leave my mark on the world in how people were affected. How they were influenced. I have the superman complex.... I want to be able to protect everyone, give everyone a shot at life. What I want to do is to go to the darkest places in our world and bring a ray of light. I want to end slavery, to stop child hunger, to end abuse. I want to right the wrongs. Unfortionally, I'm not superman. But I will try my hardest. I dunno what I can do, I'm 16 for fuck's sake. But hey, if it's something as simple as giving spare change to a bum sitting outside of tanner's, it's something. I was born to impact the world, as was everyone else. If we could see the power we had for good, we'd live in a changed world. I'm a dreamer. I dream of a perfect world. But in the words of Obama, "Change".

Music. Music is the language of the soul. Music communicates to all. Music is a universal language. Everyone speaks it. If only they could get the notes out of their head, and on to the paper. That would be epic. It frustrates me so much. I hear the notes, but when I go to write them down, it's like I can't get a grasp on them. They take off in a flash of smoke and awesome pyrotechnics. Okay, maybe not so much the last one.

My art sucks. But only if you could hear the music. Music is merely painting with sound. I need to improve my painting skills. I need a job for that. With a job, I would get lessons. Lessons, and school supplies. Then if I had anything left, maybe new shoes. Although, I'm good for shoes right now, might be because I borrow everyone else's :).

Money. With money, life would be easier. Or so the saying goes. The thing is with money, the more you have, the more you want. And the more you find to spend it on. That's my problem with money, I tend to spend it on friends, or to give it away. Occasionally, I'll spend it on Irn Bru. But when you see how bad off other people are, you can't help but trying to help out even a bit. Really need to work on that. Especially with the no job situation.

I'm not even half done. But some things, aren't meant for public view. Which is exactly what the internet is.

It's two weeks away :(

2009-07-11T13:08:00.003-07:00

anyone feel like an adventure to Courtney?

It's fizzy, it's ginger, it's PHENOMENAL

2009-07-11T12:11:00.002-07:00

Listening to Switchfoot, Cooking Pie

2009-07-07T03:51:00.002-07:00

Well not anymore. But I was. At around 2-2:30. The crust was still gross and soft. I've got everything else right, it's just fully cooking the crust. I've noticed I tend to do that to things. I think it's my subconscious mind wanting steak. I must remember not to do that with pork, I could die from trictonosus. Or something like that.

I think I've figured it out. If I put the elements under the pie on, that'll bake the crust. Either way, pie doesn't like microwaves. Just sayin'. It's not a good thing if the pie is boiling.

Adventures in cooking. Yay.

I've become an irn bru addict. Forget coke. I'm a strange kid.

I wish education was free. I mean post-secondary education. I find it strange, they expect us to go on to university and collage, to be able to get a decent job, yet they make it a privilege. You can only go if you can pay the tuition. It makes me mad. Especially since I won't be able to pay tuition. Without working non-stop for a couple of years and taking out a bunch of loans. I want to avoid loans. They come back to bite you in the ass.

The house still smells like pie. We used chocolate milk in one crust, since the milk kinda went bad. It tastes like Playdough.

Weird, Laura gets up in about a half hour. To go work. I really need to sleep. But I'm not tired. It's weird.

listening to the beatles now. "And I love her". I think I'll go busking tomorrow. Torture some innocent people with my racket.

that was good pie

lol >:)

2009-07-05T06:05:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQf13B8epw

go. watch that now. happy late late late canada day

2009-06-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

I try to say what I feel
But it’s just ignored
Can’t they see the names hurt?

Can’t they see the damage words do?
Destroying any self esteem
Echoing over and over
Worthless.
Retard.

“You have no right to be emo”
You have no right
Your voice doesn’t matter

I try to trust
My greatest fear is betrayal
To be unwanted
Rejected.

I try to go forward
Instead I go back.

I try to break down the wall
Surrounding me
Blocking all out

Instead it is built higher
By those I trust
Their actions
Their words
Providing the cement and bricks in my fortress

I wish I could hide in my shell
Never get hurt again

I wish I could forgive
Let go of the past

I wish I could have armour
That protected from any harm
Instead of letting people’s words
Affect me.

I'ma take up step dancing

2009-06-30T14:50:00.002-07:00

It looks like fun! Best place ever to get really sweet clothes? thrift stores! That's what shannon and I did. Just before I went swimming! it wasn't too bad, in fact, I might be tempted to go swimming again. >:) it was refreshing. Until it got freezing cold :P.

Sitting at home on my lappy. Boredy bored bored. Hmm... Canada Day tomorrow. YAY! I get to paint my face red and white. And... do.... stuff.

Listening to fiddle music. Loudly. I'ma join rugby next year. It'll be a blast!

Black socks, they never get dirty....

2009-06-18T00:16:00.002-07:00

The Trapper

The snow fell gently in the early morning light. Through the trees, the sun was creeping slowly over the horizon. The silence was complete, not even birds stirred. It seemed another world. Through the thick drifts, a man struggled. Grunting with effort, he pulled a sled loaded with furs and pelts. On through the woods he pushed, fighting to get through to the clear road. His snowmobile had run out of gas, and he had left his spare fuel at his last campsite. Too far out to go back, he had pushed on. To stay in one spot was to invite certain death. The peaceful landscape hid a mask of death, coldness seeping into his bones at night, numbing his fingers during day.

At night, he could hear the wolves howling to the moon, their plaintive cries echoing through the night. He piled the fire higher on those nights, its comforting light and warmth spreading out in a circle. Today was the beginning of his sixth day out. They would be waiting for him now; they would think that the snow had delayed his arrival. Three more days, and they would start looking for his body. But in this wilderness, bodies were not always found. He thought about his family. His mother waiting for the call he promised her on his arrival to Fort McMurry. He was a trapper, like his father. His was the last generation to trap; every year there was less and less furs to be found. Every year he had to push further and further out.
It was foolish, an experienced trapper like him forgetting his most important item, worth more then the pelts that paid his rent. Caught in the snow with no fuel was a death sentence for most, but not this time. He would make it. He had to. He let his mind wander, anything to take it off of the cold. Slowly the sun crept up overhead, moved to the west. Still he pushed on, searching for a good spot to put up camp. Day turned to dusk, and as dusk deepened, the cold crept upon him. It numbed his face, his fingers. At last, he spotted a flat clearing. Pulling his sled to the middle, he searched for any dry wood. Fire first, and then he would deal with his tent. The cold made his fingers clumsy.

Too late, he realized he should have stopped much earlier. Struggling, he twisted the child lock off of the matches. The first one flickered, and died. Carefully, trying to shield it, he struck another. This one caught, flaring into life. He placed it among the kindling and watched the flames grow, spreading amongst the broken branches, casting a circle of light. He watched it, tending it until he was sure it wouldn’t die. Its death would be the death of him, he worried the cold would get to him before the warmth could. Clearing a space in the meadow, he set up his tent. As he drifted off to sleep, he could hear the wolves howling. It sounded closer then earlier nights.

The next morning, he awoke to find the fire burned down. All around his campsite were animal tracks, some as big as his hand. He packed up his tent quickly, and started pulling the sled. More snow had fallen overnight, at least a foot. It was falling steadily now, drifting down softly. Moving slowly, he pushed through the last of a dense forest, onto the logging road. It was not much better then the forest, flat, but with more snow. He fought harder and harder against the snow, coldness slowly seeping through his body. Tripping over his feet, he couldn’t rise. He wouldn’t die like this, so close. He pushed himself to his knees and pressed on, crawling through the snow. Time seemed to stand still, each step taking a lifetime. He couldn’t go on; he couldn’t make it another step. The snow felt soft, even the cold seemed welcome now. How easy it would be to surrender, to lie there for just a minute. His eyes closed. He could feel the cold numbing his body, inching through him. Blackness descended on him.

“Someone help! There’s a man in front of the gas station! Call an ambulance”
“Is he alive? Take his pulse”
“It’s just barely there, quick, get him inside.”
“10 minutes more and he’d have been gone.”

on another note, my best mate!! GLUMP!!! look at this kid! and she thinks she's not pretty, with her dimples and curly hair..

Do you know?

2009-06-15T16:38:00.010-07:00

If I could find a way to say
All that I wanted to say
To you to get what I mean in my brain
I'd start at the top (not at the end)
And remind you...

Sometimes people just need a hug
And a shoulder to cry on
Be patient.

Sometimes you've got to push
To find out what's wrong
Don't just give up
They'll tell you.
Be patient

Your words have a impact
More than you think
Some things still stick
Even if it wasn't meant
Even if you said sorry
Be patient.

If you're mad, don't hide it
If you're sad, don't hide it
talk. talk. talk. talk. talk!
Don't bottle it up
Listen and
Be patient.

Listen to the radio
Listen to the wind
Listen to your parents
Listen to your friend
Just listen

Dance! Laugh! Sing!
Shout at the top of your lungs
Kiss the boy you love
don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid of what people
think
say
do.

You are you
You are beautiful
individual
funny
loyal
confident
perfect.

Don't let anyone tell you different
Including you.

Be patient.
and always wear sunscreen.

What happens when addy is really bored and louise is busy? addy sends lots of random emails... like this

2009-06-10T21:33:00.001-07:00

ten minutes!!!! TYPE FASTER!!

I am bored
Bored I am.

That bored-I-am
That bored-I-am
I do not like that bored-I-am

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I DO NOT LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!!

Would you eat them here or there?

I Would not eat them here or there, I would not eat them anywhere
I do not like green eggs and ham
I do not like them Sam-I-am
*INTERMISSION*

We interupt your currently scheduled program to bring you breaking news. We go to our reporter on scene, Sam.

Hello, My name is Sam, Sam I Am. As you can tell, the country is in an uproar. Why?
HE DOES NOT LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM!! He will not eat them in a train, on a plane, in a box, with a fox, in a house or with a mouse, he will not eat them here or there, he will not eat them ANYWHERE!!!

And there you have it folks. I can hardly believe it myself. But it's true. He does not like green eggs and ham.

:P I'm really really really really bored right now... can you tell? :)

>:)

2009-06-09T15:52:00.002-07:00

I don't even have to say anything

troublemaker I am.. not?

2009-06-07T12:45:00.002-07:00

owe. my shin hurts. there's a nice black/brown bruise there. still. Mind you, this happened about two weeks ago. NEVER SING SLOW RIDE AROUND ME!!

bored I am. so's this'll be how I roll

interesting facts about addy
1. I walk like a duck
2. all the large scars on my arms and legs are from biking. not all at once, I collected them over two-three years
3.I'm shy as hell around people I don't know very well, even shyer if they're male
4. I hate talking more then nessary. I like it when my friends can finish my sentence without me having to speak it.
5. I have only ever cut myself with a knife once. Last christmas, cutting potatoes.
6. I can spin a knife around in the air and catch it by the handle. I practiced on sissors and cups first.. I'm on butter knives right now, I'll let you all know when I get to the steak knives :)
7. I skip 18 counting from 1-20, unless I am actually paying FULL attention to every number
8. I have to count on my fingers to add any numbers under 20
9.I can cook decently. I get really bossy when I'm cooking, (SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND LET ME BLOODY COOK! I DON'T CARE IF IT'S YOUR FUCKING KITCHEN)
10. I'm yellow. no, actually. I'm a yellowy white colour in the winter, and a light brown in the summer
11. my eyes change colour. They vary between blue and grey-green
12. my hair changes colour. In the winter, it's more brown, in the summer, the blonde streaks are bleached almost white.
13.I love music, but I hate having to practice. This is the same for soccer. I really wish I could just sit down and play amazingly.
14. I can go two days without eating. That said, I can consume everything in sight at anytime.
15. hockey is the one sport I'm actually good at. I wish there was more hockey games around.
16. I have to sing the alphabet song whenever I want to know the next letter. Yes, this includes A,B, and C
17. I crash three days after drinking anything with tourine in it
19. I like hugs, but I'm not very huggable.
20. I never forget. You piss me off today, I will still be just as pissed off 3 years from now. My memory is especially keen if I've been hurt.
21. Screw me over, and I'll forgive it. Screw my friend over, and you've just signed a death warrant. I don't have a fast temper, but get me mad, I WILL go mental.

Pure dead brilliant man!!

2009-05-31T19:59:00.002-07:00

two weeks till orr's is open again. ^.^

This is most definitely not sparta

2009-05-04T18:43:00.002-07:00

But it is madness.

stand by me!

2009-04-28T19:15:00.001-07:00

Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

O.O auto tuning!!!

2009-04-25T12:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0F4iXEzOqY&feature=channel_page

A quest! A quest!

2009-04-18T15:10:00.002-07:00

So today I went on a quest. I didn't know what to do, since all my friends seemed to be busy. Originally, I was gunna go into victoria to curious comics. But I was too lazy to actually get out there. So, I decided then I would head up to dean park and go to the huge garage sale there, stop by and say hello to Allana. But I didn't know where Allana lived.. and I didn't have her phone number. So that plan was destroyed. Then I had a brilliant idea! I would go to brentwood bay! and find some Irn Bru! That seemed like a good way to spend my day. So I walked into sidney with karen, she dropped off her resume, and we caught a bus to the saanichton exchage. This was at 1:00.. We checked, and the 75 (goes right by Orr's Butcher's) didn't come till 1:45.. I decided I didn't want to wait so long, so I convinced karen to walk from saanichton to brentwood bay. It was an adventure. At first, we were on the wrong road. After a nice, relaxing tour of central saanich, we arrived at Orr's Butcher's, only to find there was no Irn Bru! The scottish butcher there told us that they'd have more in 2 weeks.. Using my persuasive powers, I managed to make him feel sorry for us, and he gave us free scottish candy! it was the good kind too! We came outta the butcher shop to see our bus drive by. So, we headed over to the corner store to get something to drink, it was SO hot.. And we were both thirsty.. I got a coke and an energy drink, karen got an ice tea, and we headed outta the store.. Only to see a bus pulling up across the road.. Being the rebels we are, we jaywalked, and caught that bus.. Luckily for us, it was the 81 (heads right past our house). So, we didn't get Irn Bru, but we DID get free candy, met a cool scottish guy, donated money to charity, cheered on a bunch of little kids playing baseball, and had an epic adventure....

Guess where I'm going in two weeks?

I hate love poems

2009-04-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

I hate love poems.
I am sick to death with,
“How soft are his lips”,
“The curve of her hips”,
I don’t want to hear about these fallacies you build up in your head,
And write in your little black book to show your friends,
Pretending you’re some great poet.

The world is filled with billions of topics, and yet,
Nine times out of ten,
Amateurs, with their books of words
And rhyming dictionaries,
Chose to write about an emotion, a fear of loneliness.
“Her golden hair”,
“His chocolate stare”,
I can’t take it anymore

One at a time, you march onto stage, and squint in the glaring spotlight
As you smile at the faceless, dark audience
And pour out your thoughts on love
With bad rhyming and questionable syncopation.

Poem after poem after poem
“I feel his hands upon my neck”,
“When you’re gone I am a wreck”,
And I sit there, on that itchy green sofa and wish
With every single bone in my body,
Going past the bones and wishing with every inch of myself,
That I was anywhere but here.

The eye of the tiger

2009-04-10T13:45:00.002-07:00

It's the eye of the tiger
it's the thrill of the fight
rising up to the challenge of our rival
and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
and he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger

80's rock is epic.

One Week

2009-04-04T10:39:00.003-07:00

What would you do.. if you knew you only had one day, or one week, or one month to live? What lifeboat would you grab onto? What wish would you fulfil?

Go. Now. Watch that movie. I don't care if you've already seen it, go see it again. It's that good.

Some other movies everyone should watch..

Che Part One- "A real revolutionary goes where he's needed"
Snatch-"What's a gun doing in your trousers?" "Protection" "Protection from what? Ze Germans?".. Don't mess with the pikeys
The Blues Brothers- "We're on a mission from Gawd!"
Confessions of a shopacholic- chick flick!! yays!

You and me babe, how about it?

2009-04-04T08:26:00.001-07:00

A love-struck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made.
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me babe, how about it?"

Juliet says, "Hey, it's Romeo, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
He's underneath the window, she's singing, "Hey la, my boyfriend's back.
You shouldn't come around here singing up to people like that...
Anyway, what you gonna do about it?"

Juliet, when we made love you used to cry.
You said, "I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die".
There's a place for us, you know the movie song.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?

heavy metal thunder

2009-03-31T17:20:00.003-07:00

my brother is my hero... him and his chocolate...

Cuz I can lead a nation with a microphone..

2009-03-22T18:00:00.004-07:00

Do you know what's beautiful? sea glass. Blue sea glass. It's hard to find. But held up to a light, it's amazing.

You see, the blue glass came from these medicine bottles.. Now they don't make glass medicine bottles anymore, so's there's no more blue glass bottles being broken. And the ocean's a big place. You'd think something blue would stand out against the greens and browns of a beach. It doesn't. You have to REALLY look to be able to find it. And while you may find millions of green, white, and brown pieces of sea glass, you'll only ever find a handful of blue sea glass.

Good friends are like blue sea glass. You think they'd stand out, but they don't. You have to look hard for them, overturn a couple of logs, walk extra slow through the seaweed. You glace away just for a second, and you can lose sight of them among the sand. But when you find one, it's definitely worth the searching. Like friends, sometimes the ocean hasn't fully worn away the edges. And sometimes you cut yourself. But just because there's a chance you might get hurt, it doesn't mean you throw the piece away. It just means you've got to be careful. Glass has feelings too ya know..

Yes. I can lead a nation with a microphone. And I can hit a target through a telescope. But it's all worthless without a friend..

A Quiet Riot

2009-03-07T08:36:00.002-08:00

I went to a funeral the other day.
A funeral for a child
A child not much past her first birthday.
A birthday celebrated on Febuary 14.
For this little girl, Febuary 14 was the best time to be born.
A child that impacted people everywhere.
Just by living.

If a child less then a year can have such an effect on people, before she can even talk, how much bigger could our effect on the world be?
She never saw a sunset, danced in the rain, tackled her friends with hugs. Never graded. Never had a giant snowball fight. She still left her mark on people around her.

Going to funerals remind me of how close death is. For all of us. They make me think about how I want to be remembered. Make me think of my effect on my friends. On people I don't even know. Life is short. Don't waste it

OH MY GOODNESS!!

2009-02-23T18:44:00.003-08:00

this guy is my new hero!!

to the left?

2009-02-19T17:23:00.003-08:00

I met this girl when I was three years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She said, "Excuse me little homie, I know you don't know me - but,

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts

I’m talking about candle light dinners
Trips around the world
There’s nothing I wouldn’t give her,
If she was my girl
She’d never see the winter
Take a second and dream
I’ll show you things you’ll never believe

You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down
but-

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
and-
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we make up

You got a piece of me
And honestly
My life would suck without you

but that's just the word on the street, yo

Long words

2009-01-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

Are hard to say. I cut my thumb. Well, actually, I didn't cut it, I more of.. blistered it... and made the blister pop.. by accident. I was playing the guitar. Not very well, but that's all right. Defiance is a good movie. You should all go and see it. No really. Go. Now. Right Now. I think I'll have some chewy chocolate chip cookies. They were baked yesterday. By me. And I didn't set anything on fire or set the fire alarm off. Those Cafeteria classes pay off. Just for the record, pots really do burn if the water boils out of them, spashing hot butter near a gas stove causes an amazing fireball, pouring cold water into a hot pan of grease sends grease everywhere, throwing the cutting board into it's slot WILL knock the clock off the wall, cutting a bag of flour works better when the bag is over the bin, and juggling knives really scares Ms. Nudd, Betsy, and Ms. Hall. Especially when you can't juggle >: ). Wow, my room is actually neat. That's insane. It's never tidy. Oh Vell.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia- the fear of long words
Nucleomituphobia- the fear of nuclear weapons
Parthenophobia- the fear of young girls
Consecotaleophobia- fear of chopsticks
Arachibutyrophobia- the fear of peanut butter sticking to the top of your mouth.

Billy-bob is a Arachibutyrophobia Consecotaleophobia Parthenophobia Nucleomituphobia Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia type of person. He likes drapery

quote of the day:

Louise: "So the opposite of elevation would be deprivation?"

Louise is my hero. Next to liz and rachel and laura and shannon. Actually, she probly passes them all, just cuz she's that cool. If anyone were to break her heart, I would kill them... not just break their legs. They WOULD die. Come to think of it, I'd have the same reaction for any of my friends...

Yum. Chocolate

2009-01-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

So, lately, I've been messing around with my camera. And there's alot of picture moments right out of my bedroom window. So many, in fact, that I've had trouble picking my favourites. I gave up on that. and I just decided to post a whole bunch of pictures. That I liked.

Lions? TIgers? Bears? OH MY!

2009-01-28T16:43:00.000-08:00

Roger's chocolates. One day, I shall work in roger's chocolates. Yes, Canadians don't make very good chocolate, but that's only because the market is mainly US-owned, and they're too cheap to make any good chocolate. BUT roger's chocolates is an exception. They make amazing chocolate. It's really expensive, but it's good. It beats galaxy chocolate. Well, actually, it doesn't. But it comes close.

So, can you guess what I ate today?

2009-01-27T18:26:00.001-08:00

Head under water
And they tell me to breathe easy for a while
The breathing gets harder, even I know that

wind blowin in my face,
sidewalk flyin beneath my bike
a five year-old’s first taste,
of what freedom’s really like

And tomorrow, I know,
Will be rainy at best.
And the forecast, I know,
Is that I'll be depressed.

Flowers fades,
The fruits of summer fade,
They have their seasons, so do we

I hitched a ride, until the coast
To leave behind, all of my ghosts
Searching for something,
I couldn't find at home

If wishes were horses
I would ride, ride, ride

Take or leave it or just don't even bother.
Caught in a craze it's just a phase
or will this be around forever?

The choice is yours alone now
Tell me how this story ends

Shannon's poker face

2009-01-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

"The Mexican Scot"
Óle ach aye!

"Give me that chocolate milk, and no one gets hurt"
why you should never drink all of shannon's chocolate milk

"Drapery!!"
She's so purdy!!!

the mad ness known as addy.. is.. hungry?

2009-01-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

I never did get those pictures of snow. I got distracted building giant mutant snowmen from mars. And tobogganing. and texting my partner in crime (who was in frikin BANFF skiing.. at least I think it was banff). Then the day was over, and it was almost christmas eve, and I went shopping with rachel. I have your present btw, I just haven't remembered to bring it... anywhere...

Then christmas madness and boxing day family dinner, and shopping with my cousin and playing mario cart with louise and New year's eve and shooting .22's in the snow at a 100 yard target and loosing my glove and start of school. Then my best friend coming down with a random stomach illness, looking at the calander (OH CRAP!! 2 WEEKS TILL EXAMS AND I'VE DONE NOTHING!!!!) and skipping cafiteria to text louise. Then there was a week of school left, chilling with curly fries at louise's (still sick), playing brawl (and loosing), go to work, get home.. sleep. That gets us to today.

Today. Study from 10-7. My brain is gunna explode. there's only a week left in school. Then exams. then GO KARTS!!!. then scotland. Yes, I'm going to scotland. I still need my passport, but I'll get my L first. Piece of identification and such.

I wonders if anyone even bothers to look at this... I dunno, even then, it's still a good place to rant. Kinda like a journal. Guess that's WHY it's called blogging. Yup, I'm definitely blonde.

a stressed, tired, depressed blonde. maybe I'll start writing poetry. about my stressed, tired, boring blonde life.
then I could post it here, and maybe start taking pictures of myself from above, and dye my blonde hair black, and grow my bangs out, and wear black clothing.

or not.

by now, I can see people going "This can't be addy writing, she's always so happy and hyper". Ha. That's a laugh. Aye, I am hyper and happy and make jokes out of everything. Until I'm able to thunk. I dunno, it feels like there's two addys, the one at school, the one everyone sees, and the one that turns emo, the one at home would rather spew nonsense all over a blog then to actually do anything. I think everyone who knows me well, knows what I'm talking about. At least I hope they do.

do they?

maybe I'm just crazy, like my brother has been telling me for years. maybe.
but life isn't built on maybes. I hate life. Not that I hate to live, but I hate life.

I hate how people are catagorized, put in nice tidy boxes.
I hate how one word can hurt and destroy what thousands of words took to build up
I hate the fakeness of life, how much money you have to have, what school you've got to go to
I hate how you have to do so well, how everyone wants you to succeed
I hate the feeling you get after you fail, the feeling of not belonging
I hate the sense you get of always searching. Looking. For something
I hate people who have to destroy others to feel important
I hate cliques, groups
I hate the feeling you get walking down the hallway and realising. You know no one. Of seeing other people walk
by with their friends and their groups, and feeling. left out.

But I love the feeling you get when someone laughs at your joke, someone attacks you with a hug, someone yells out your
name as you walk down the hallway, some group opens up to let you join them. When someone shows you a little kindness
on a rough day, and your whole world changes.

While the first list makes me cry, the second makes me smile.
and when I am crying, I cry on the inside. And someone comes along.

and they change my world.
That's why I love rainbows

pretty pictures

2008-10-28T22:44:00.001-07:00

I must say, this picture's pretty sweet.. why you should always have a camera on you. A couple people I know say I'm obsessed with sailboats... I beg to differ. I'm not at all obsessed. You can't be if your blood is sea water. I love the ocean. Especially during a storm. whitecaps. blues. greens. gusting wind. and yes, sailboats. Nothing truely discribes the feeling you get. sitting in a tiny boat, having to lean over the side. You don't move fast enough on a trapeze, and you get a free bath. it's definitely worth it.

the brennan

2008-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

wow.. long time no post... good? bad? dunno.. soo.. the brennan.. a crazy kid I met last year, during Social Studies... We had a blast..

thanksgiving was good.. I had turkey and ham and mashed potatoes and squash and beans and brussel sprouts and pie.. It's a tradition in my crazy family to go around the table and say what we're thankful for. It made me think.. There are SO many things we take completely for granted in our country. Like the right to vote. The right to live. To be able to go to school, to worship freely, to have friends and to have a job. The freedom to walk down the street and not worry about being shot at. The privilege to be able to eat, three meals a day, or just one meal. Because of rising food prices, 100 million more people will be pushed into deep poverty. Hearing things like this makes me thankful. Thankful that I can live in a home where there is no lack of food. Where I have lots of clothes. Where I have both parents. In a country with amazing friends like Brittany, Rachel, Laura, Liz, Shannon.. the Brennan.. And I complain about homework, about cleaning my room. About my favourite team losing.

DaNCe

2007-05-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

DANCE to inspire, inspire to DANCE

So you can’t DANCE?
Not at all?
Not even one step?

How can you say that you’ve taken any trouble to live when you won’t even try to DANCE?

DANCE is music made visible
DANCE is the world’s most famous metaphor
DANCE is silent poetry
DANCE is the mother of all arts
DANCE is the hidden language of the soul
Nothing is more revealing the DANCING
DANCING is dreaming with your feet
DANCE to express, not to impress
DANCE first, think later, it’s the natural order
DANCE like nobody’s watching
Let the music move your body
All it takes is to convince your mind to move your feet
No one can arrive from talant alone. God gives talent, work transgresses talent
To touch, to move, to inspire, this is the true gift of DANCE
Everyone can DANCE
The only way to do it is to believe in yourself and DANCE

house..

2007-02-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

Just a little update on the house, I tried to send the top picture to some people, but it didn't work... oh well.. As you can see, we're doing some "minor" renovations...

This is what happens when there's leaks in the roof...

We've arranged it so that this whole area is more open to the air.. quite a plesent change.. Especially in the snow

A side fell out after the tornado came by

The tornado at work.. "HEY, that was my teddy bear!!" "What *italics here* are you talking about?"

Carpe Diem

2007-01-30T21:02:00.000-08:00

last time I updated this thing, our teacher had given this speech on how we could seize the day, and control our future. It gave alot to think about (amazing, addy thinking?), like how maybe we couldn't *italics here* control our life, or even our future, but we still could seize the day, not for ourselves, but for our world.. maybe then, we could really seize the day

2006-11-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

When colour fades away
And white then turns to gray
Then life seems like a haze
Cuz nothing gold can stay

The innocence that comes
With being new and young
Faded when gray couldn't stay away

But don't let it leave
Keep ahold of your Gold
And that white won't fade away
To prove that nothing gold can stay