Stress Stress Stress

With Finals rapidly approaching, I thought this article would be an appropriate reminder of what stress is really doing to us. It also compliments this entry I wrote on the need to be "Top Dog".

Just remember to keep your mind relaxed. Stop and breathe, think about something nice for a few minutes before heading back to work. Or even take a 10 minute power nap. Before you know it, Christmas will be here and we'll all be with friends and families.

A Nation of Nations

Because I so thoroughly enjoy the randomness of politics, I've decided to tackle the latest controversy in the House of Commons: Quebec as a Nation.

A motion was introduced recently by the Bloc Quebecois to recognize Quebec as a nation, but does not add any further specifications or conditions. Prime Minister Harper replied yesterday that he would introduce his own motion to recognize Quebec as a nation "within a united Canada."

"Our position is clear. Do the Quebecois form a nation within Canada? The answer is yes. Do the Quebecois form an independent nation? The answer is no and will always be no."
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe fired back today that Quebec should be recognized as a nation "that is currently within Canada." He accused the PM of using "partisan tactics" to sway members of the House.

"Never should the existence of the Quebec nation be subjected to what your preferred option is."
- BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe

The Liberals have agreed to support Harper on his motion. However not all MPs agree with it. Some say this may open the door to other "nations," such as Acadia, Newfoundland, etc. Others are unsure this is the correct approach to the situation, stating that Canada is not a nation of nations.

"Are we in Canada to be a nation of nations?"
- Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis

Jack Leyton and his NDP party have agreed to support both motions. WTF?! Typical cop-out, neutral position and I suppose this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise.

I am of the opinion that while this is better than allowing Quebec to go off on its own sovereigntist ways, it is both politically motivated and altogether sad. Don't get me wrong, this is a brilliant move on Harper's part, giving him better access to Quebec seats as well as downplaying the possibility of another major sovereignty debate. Granted, it is a concession to even consider Quebec as anything other than just a part of Canada but a necessary one if he was to avoid outright disagreement with the BQ.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest was happy with the announcement and even encouraged the BQ and Quebecers to support Harper's motion. MP Belinda Stronach also voiced her support of Harper's motion stating that it's a move in the right direction if it helps Quebec to "protect its unique culture and identity." I agree, if this is what must be done to appease separatists (though I in no way believe that that's the feeling they have right now), then it must be done. And I recognize that Quebec has a very unique culture and identity having lived there for five years. But having a unique identity does not entitle it, or any other province for that matter, to special treatment as its own nation.

While it is still undetermined as to when Harper will introduce the motion, there will be debate and controversy, but this is really the least of our problems. C'mon now people, let's focus on more important matters like Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men.

A Weekend with Friends

Finally had a chance to go back to Montreal for a short visit with some Friends. To (in no particular order) Michael, Karen, Tim, Villie, Michelle, Jason, Tammy & the gang at the Treasury, THANK YOU for making this trip so much fun. Without all of you this would have been mostly just shopping and walking around, something I can do every day here in Calgary.

Highlights of the trip include: the Scintillating Cocktail Party (aka the MBSU semi-formal), long chats with everyone, a showing of the Playhouse Creatures, getting to see Casino Royale, bubble tea at L2, and a general re-introduction to the city’s free-flowing lifestyle.

Before arriving in Montreal, I sent out an itinerary with certain things I’d like to do as well as certain people I had to see. On a trip like this, you never expect to be able to accomplish all that you had planned. Unless you are extremely anal about timing, the chances of sticking to a rigidly structured plan are virtually impossible. Conversations will blend the hours, an hour-long rendezvous will become an afternoon of company, and then before you know it, you’re on a flight back to your hometown. And yet somehow, somehow I managed to get it all done.

I’m going to call this trip my Whirlwind Tour of Montreal. From the moment I landed at Trudeau International Airport, I was on the clock and on the go. In a few short hours, I was able to meet with all but four of the people who still remained in the city. Thursday night was very chill with a simple dinner and a few glasses of wine with Michael.

Friday was largely centered around the MBSU and my old Friends (no, none of y’all are “old” per se). Did a little shopping, walked around St-Catherine’s (all the while realizing just how little we walk in Calgary), and then it was off to Club Main for the semi-formal. Several, actually more like many, drinks later we strolled across the street to Club Orchid. I didn’t last too long, however, it seems I’m either out of practice or just plain gettin’ old.

Saturday I met up with Karen and Tim for brunch, did some window shopping, and had an afternoon of gaming (just like old times, eh?). After dinner, I rushed up to campus to catch a showing of the Playhouse Creatures with Michael. It’s very well done, and provided a chance to see something cultural.

My last day was spent in Chinatown for the morning and then downtown for the afternoon. For lunch, dim sum and then bubble tea at L2. I was worried, after hearing reports that they had watered down the tea, but it was still as good as I remember it to be. Karen and I caught Casino Royale at the Paramount theatre, and I must admit it surpassed my expectations by a long shot. Daniel Craig is excellent in his role as the indefatigable James Bond. We splurged on dinner at Isakaya, and ended the evening by catching up on some work at her place. (Yes, I did work on my vacation. For those of you who are still students, take note: you will carry your work with you always, if not physically then mentally.)

Four days goes by in a flash. It saddens me to know that I will not see many of my Friends for what might be several years, but alas we all have our own dreams and paths to pursue. Now that we are scattered across the globe, y’all are my excuses to travel (and I yours). Again, thanks to everyone for making this an exceptional trip. A special thank you to Karen and Michael for providing warm beds and extended company (and for saving me the trouble of renting a hotel room).

SSMU Did Right By Us For Once...

The Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) has done right by us for once. Instead of shying away from the issue, or deferring it on account of its contentiousness, they have chosen to take a stand for the rights of a minority.

Effective immediately, the Shatner Ballroom at McGill University will no longer be host to Hema-Quebec's blood drives until the policy, deemed discriminatory towards gay men, is changed. This, in turn, means that Health Canada must give Hema-Quebec permission to change its policies.

In January, Hema-Quebec shut down a blood drive because they misinterpreted a protest to mean that donors should lie about their sexual activity. The risk of infecting the blood supply meant shutting down the blood drive until such time as it could be determined that only donors with honest intentions could be accepted. That time never came, and the blood drive was cancelled altogether. The radical group which initiated the protest, calling themselves the Second Cumming, fired back that the posters were not ambiguous and that any "misrepresentation" that a protester might attempt would be so obvious that screeners would easily be able to turn them away. For example, the poster read that protesters should "act faggy, do drag...and cause a commotion."

The incident caused an uproar in the McGill community as many members of the student body give blood each time Hema-Quebec is there. Many of those same students also see donating blood as a "privilege", the same stance taken by the Hema-Quebec director, Pierre Julien. But it is also clear from the students that many do not agree with Hema-Quebec's discriminatory policy. Queer McGill sets up a table at the doors to Shatner Ballroom to ask that students not give blood in light of the policy which asks male donors, "have you had sexual contact with another man since 1977?" However, the Second Cumming's actions opened the door to a highly controversial issue which requires the attention of a major student group like the SSMU.

The SSMU council voted 20 to 6 in favour of banning Hema-Quebec from McGill until the policies change, but that vote was not easily come by. Many of the councillors felt that they had been sandbagged by the tabled motion, with no time to discuss with their respective communities. And while I don't generally agree with sandbagging committees (with the power to decide on such issues as this) because it prevents proper debate and discussion, this has been a fresh topic for nearly a year now. The SSMU has had plenty of time to debate and decide, and then to take a stance on the issue. Additionally, voting on the issue meant interpreting the constitution. According to the constitutions, endeavours undertaken by the SSMU must be done "with full respect for human dignity and without discrimination on the basis of irrelevant personal characteristics." Floh Herra-Vega, the SSMU's VP Clubs and Services, who tabled the motion, noted that Hema-Quebec's policy "singles out a single group of people, not a practice. That's why this motion is constitutional." She also noted that this is not simply a medical issue. "We shouldn't think of this as a blood drive; we should think of it like we would any other thing. We can't treat this differently because it's something that is crucial to life. I don't see how we can have blood drives and still respect ourselves as councillors."

During the January incident, the SSMU condemned the shutdown as "amateurish" and a "defamation of McGill students across Canada." They stood by us then, and they are doing so now. Thank you SSMU for doing what should have been done years ago. It's about time that someone stood up and said, enough is enough.

The Stories of Daisy Duke, Midnight, and Samus

I have a story to tell you. There once was a man who owned a kitten. The kitten needed a home where he could be given all the attention he desired. So the man put the kitten up for adoption and another man came to adopt him. This second man, seemingly nice, took the kitten that very night. The little kitten was never seen or heard from ever again. It is believed the adopting man either killed, tortured, or sold the kitten to a laboratory. That kitten was named Samus Aran. I was the owner.

While we have pursued the matter further with an investigation through the SPCA, nothing has come of it. We lack sufficient evidence to prove without a doubt that the adopter is a cat killer. There is, however, circumstantial evidence that indicates he has killed, tortured, and disposed of at least one cat that he adopted in the past 2 years. Without hard evidence against him, there is little we can do.

The problem is not so much our lack of evidence, as it is the minimal punishment this man will receive should he be charged with animal cruelty. The maximum penalty in Canada for animal abuse/cruelty is 6 months in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a ban on owning pets for 2 years. That's it. And keep in mind that it is 6 months in jail, JAIL NOT PRISON. Laws in Canada for the protection of animals are severely lacking. Not only haven't they been changed since 1982, but they are slaps on the wrist at best. There is nothing to stop such a person from waiting the 2 years and then doing it again.

Recently, there was a case in Didsbury, Alberta whereby 2 boys (one 19 and the other 17) duct taped a dog's muzzle and front and back paws, attached a tow-rope to her neck and then dragger her behind their car for at least 3 blocks. The damage was so severe that she was put down. That dog was Daisy Duke, and the boys are now being charged with animal abuse (see link below to CBC.ca).

In the U.S., laws against animal cruelty have much more fitting sentences. Fines can range between $250 and $100,000 (Colorado), and imprisonment can range from a couple of months to 15 years (Delaware). Some states have penalties that include community service, while other cases are left to the discretion of the court.

I have appended a link to a petition that is being sent to the Canadian government to lobby for the support of Bill C-373 (formerly known as C-50, C-17, C-15, C-15B, C-10, C-10B, C-22). Please sign it. The Canadian government is now in a position to make things right and to get this Bill moving along. Since its initial introduction in 1999, it has been bumped due to elections, and other Parliamentary obstacles. 7 years is too long to get a Bill passed! Way too long! Consider how many Canadians are pet owners. Now consider how many of them would be upset if someone else abused, tortured, or killed their pet. How many of you would be upset if someone abused your pet?

This means something to me, and I would appreciate it if y'all would sign. Should we ever get enough evidence to bust the guy who took Samus, we need these laws in place to make him pay for what he's done. So for Samus' sake, and for the sake of all pets, domestic and stray, please spread the word, sign the petition or write to your MP for support of Bill C-373.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2006/11/06/dog-courtapp.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/Midnite1/petition.html
http://cfhs.ca/law/federal_legislation/
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=89449

Awards Shows: 2 - Kanye West: 0

WARNING: This entry is loaded with expletives. Read at your own risk.

Can I just say, Kanye West is a total fuckin' idiot (sorry Phil, I know you like his music and all, but he is such a fuckin' whiner!). I was just reading, and then subsequently watching it on YouTube, about his tirade at the MTV Europe Awards where he claimed, "If I don't win, this show loses credibility!" What the FUCK is that?! Get the hell off your goddamned high horse, accept that someone else did a better fuckin' video than you, and move the fuck on!

And this ain't the first time he's been a sore loser. When he didn't win all of his nominations at the Grammys in 200-something, he went to his press conference and complained that he should have won. Oh, well that's awfully mature of you Mr. West. You're a sore fuckin' loser, that's what you are. Seriously, you are not the end-all, be-all of hip-hop music. There are hundreds of other musicians who can do what you do, and they're a helluva lot nicer and modest than you are. You're like a spoiled little kid who thinks he deserves the world on a silver fuckin' platter. Well guess what? That's not reality you fuckin' moron. Grow the fuck up and move on! You are NEVER, and I mean NEVER, going to win everything. That just ain't the way things work.

Because Kanye West is a big fuckin' cry-baby, I refuse to listen to his music, support his work, or even watch his "million-dollar" videos starring Pamela Anderson. I just won't. You win some, you lose some. Can't have everything Mr. West. You just can't.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15536834/

Renovations

The house is undergoing some major renovations right now, part of which is my new room in the basement. Yes, I've become the cliche twenty-year-old-bachelor living in his parents' basement, but it's only temporary until I'm off to Hong Kong.

The room has been painted, the carpet cleaned, and shelving for the massive closet purchased (from Ikea of course). Now we just need to assemble it all, buy a new bed, desk, and book cases, and then it will be complete. Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy it for more than a few weeks, depending on my departure date.

Other than that, my face is less swollen now than it was 3 days ago, and I will probably be back at work on Tuesday. But, I'll probably work from home tomorrow.

The Wars of Ivalice

This is probably my nerdiest entry yet, but I'm writin' it anyways. On November 2nd, I picked up a copy of Final Fantasy XII. I could probably stop here, and y'all would have a pretty good idea of how nerdy this kind of declaration is. But I'm not, because I'm just having so much goddamned fun playin' it that I feel like sharing.

It's been a long time in coming, since Final Fantasy X there has been a sufficient lack of FF games to keep hardcore Fantasy-ers satisfied. For those who can run FF XI, congratulations, you don't own a Dell which shuts itself down when running it. FF X-2 was a complete and total joke, with its "dress spheres" and all-around girly action (you really don't need to know what dress spheres are, just know that they are unbelievably lame).

Now that it's here, it is absolutely beautiful. And perfect timing too. With the eminent launch of the Playstation 3 (PS3) at its whopping $699 price tag, there is no better game to tide me over until I can afford said ridiculously over-priced toy. So it's a grand thing to know that I bought not only the Limited Edition version of the game, but also the game guide, which contains oodles (yes, oodles) of secrets and extra stuff to keep me occupied. The timing is also perfect because I've just spent the last 4 days with cheeks the size of cantaloupes.

The world of Ivalice is a strange one, and yet oddly familiar. It has the trademark Chocobos (large yellow birds which have featured in every Final Fantasy game since the beginning of time), Phoenix Downs and other such status items/effects, summons (known as "Espers"), and super abilities (now called "Quickenings"). Ivalice is plagued by war: the Archadian empire has launched a massive campaign to rule Ivalice, and now controls the middleground, also known as the nation of Dalmasca. Dalmasca's ruler has been murdered (apparently by the captain of the guards), the princess has supposedly committed suicide, and the people live in fear of the "Imperials" and "Judge Executors" (scary men in wildly impractical suits of armor, but which convey an adequate if not extreme sense of power).

Your lead character is Vaan, an orphan boy much like Aladdin of Agrabbah. With dreams of being a Sky Pirate, he joins a rag-tag group of people and off they go in search of adventures to save the nation of Dalmasca, and to put an end to Archadia's reign of terror over Ivalice.

The abilities are gained through "Licenses", much like experience points. They can be spent in any number of ways, giving each character access to your own choice of weapons, armor, magic, skills, Espers, and Quickenings. Espers must be found, fought, slain, and then unlocked via the License board. Quickenings are similar, except you can find them on the License board and don't need to search for them in the world of Ivalice. Magic is much like the other games, with spells like Cure-Cura-Curaga and trademark spells like Esuna and Firaga.

Unlike other Final Fantasy games, the battle system has been radically overhauled to reveal a system much like that of FF XI. Battles are no longer randomly fought, but rather you can see enemies on the screen and thus avoid unwanted fights. Characters have access to "Gambits", which are essentially a series of instructions given to each one that guide their actions. You can, of course, switch through the party-members of your team and micro-manage their actions if you so desire, but to do so is difficult and often impossible against larger foes.

For an "older-gen" console, the graphics are remarkably well done, and show little in the way of the PS2's age. Cut-scenes are rendered beautifully in CGI, and display SquareEnix's skill in capturing facial expressions. The world of Ivalice is massive, and often takes large amounts of time to traverse, but doing so gives you a glimpse of an entire world never-before-seen.

Side-quests and extras consist of hunts for special monsters and the hidden Espers. There are sub-quests that can be completed if you so choose, but to ignore them is to ignore valuable prizes and rewards, as well as experience. Achieving all the side-quests and unlocking every Esper is fun, generally difficult to almost impossible, but will tip the scales of battle at the end of the game ever so slightly in your favour.

Overall, it's a magnificent game with amazing gameplay, and is well worth the investment. I highly recommend it to anyone who isn't currently drowning in work. ;)