Candace's cousin Robin emailed me asking my thoughts on Afghanistan. This is what I sent back to her. I typed it out over the last hour or so of spare.
You wanted to know what my opinions are on Parliament’s decision to extend the Canadian mission in Afghanistan and Cpt Nichola Goddard’s unfortunate death. My opinions are varied and confused, I truly don’t know what to think. I remember when I heard on Power 107 that the United States had started its invasion on Afghanistan in October 2001, in the parking lot of North Hill’s Safeway. I was an immature grade seven student and I guess I thought that it was the best thing the world community could do, to uproot the bases of the terrorists and the fundamentalist government that fostered them.
You could say I was a supporter of the war then.
I was interested when I heard my then new friend Kate’s sister was in the military, she was out in Roger’s Pass triggering avalanches with her artillery unit, then later on she was fighting forest fires in BC that next terrible summer.
I guess when I completely realized that Kate’s sister Nich was in the military and could go on missions in dangerous places around the world, I was concerned for her safety and wanted to make sure that she’d be okay so that Kate wouldn’t have to deal with the trauma of losing one of her beloved sisters. When Nich was told she was going to be deployed to Afghanistan from about February to August this year, Kate was so scared for her, and I for the both of them. I, along with all her friends, reassured her that Nich would be fine and come home safe.
I have become slightly more pacifistic over the years, in a selfish kind of way: I wanted Nich to be safe and not have to fight but I didn’t mourn the other soldiers as much as I now know I should have. I didn’t support the idea of going in and bombing the country further into an abyss of underdevelopment and destruction and anarchy, but I felt like I had to support it because Nich was there, as many of our friends did. I listened voraciously to all the news reports and cringed every time I heard a soldier had been injured or killed, afraid that it would be Nich but it never was; when the reporter said “he”, in a terrible way I was relieved, not my friends’ family, not as dire a problem.
But then Nich did die and I didn’t know what to think. Do I support Afghanistan for Nich’s memory? Do I change my mind and cut and run and let other people take care of the people of Afghanistan instead? Let other people die for our security and freedom or send our friends and family?
It’s tough. I don’t actually have a solid opinion. If I were asked if I was in favour of the motion in the House of Commons, I would probably vote for it. But would I still feel bad about it? Yes. It’s a really difficult decision to make and I don’t know if I could really support one side or another.
Anyways, that’s my opinion. I hope it gave you food for thought and something to write about in your editorial.
All the best,
Michael Maher.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
My favourites things right now: (in no particular order)
1. Spanish
2. Going outside during English on one of Rosella's adventures and signing people's yearbook
inserts
3. Reading people's yearbook inserts
4. Chocolate
5. THUMB!!!!! According to the crazy Menno people who taught Kelci's sister's Sunday school, THUMB is the acronym to remember the people who need to be converted-sortathing: T-tribal people (they worship spirits, etc, *shakes head*), H-Hindus (they have too many gods who are all false), U-unbelievers (they don't believe and they should or to hell they'll go), M-Muslims (they don't think as much as they should about Jesus *which is ridiculous because they think that Jesus was a martyr and prophet who was very important!!!*), and finally B is for Buddhists (like none believers)
6. French
7. The Republic of Nothing, my English book is soooo interesting and twisty-turny now and I'm really looking forward to our seminar tomorrow.
8. Lunch in the Debate room.
9. Stooping and chatting with Tania and Sally and people before getting lunch and that I'm going to eat with them on Thursday!
10. The Country Alphabet Game, but arg at the letters O and Q for each only having one country that commences with them in English (bloody Oman and Qatar...)
11. People in English.
12. Feeling useful during spare and actually working hard and feeling like I know what I'm talking about.
13. Functioning on ice, being damn sexy and my Pantene Pro-V hair, just for you Candace! :-)
14. Mum for being awesome and letting me babble about my day when I'm sure she doesn't really care too much, I described her as my alternate blog to people today.
15. Food in general.
16. The BBC
17. The CIA World Factbook, useful for the Alphabet Game, Country Edition
18. The Radio and CBC Radio for keeping me company and informing me while lounging and walking to school and waking up and getting ready in the morning.
19. The CBC booksale and all the wonderous books I bought.
20. The books Georgeanne bought from the booksale--Gee, I'm stealing the Canada book for a while I think, I'm on the third page of the intro and I'm thoroughly amused.
That's all for now folks, supper is wafting up the stairs and there needs to be a set table in order to each so hasta mañana,
Me.
2. Going outside during English on one of Rosella's adventures and signing people's yearbook
inserts
3. Reading people's yearbook inserts
4. Chocolate
5. THUMB!!!!! According to the crazy Menno people who taught Kelci's sister's Sunday school, THUMB is the acronym to remember the people who need to be converted-sortathing: T-tribal people (they worship spirits, etc, *shakes head*), H-Hindus (they have too many gods who are all false), U-unbelievers (they don't believe and they should or to hell they'll go), M-Muslims (they don't think as much as they should about Jesus *which is ridiculous because they think that Jesus was a martyr and prophet who was very important!!!*), and finally B is for Buddhists (like none believers)
6. French
7. The Republic of Nothing, my English book is soooo interesting and twisty-turny now and I'm really looking forward to our seminar tomorrow.
8. Lunch in the Debate room.
9. Stooping and chatting with Tania and Sally and people before getting lunch and that I'm going to eat with them on Thursday!
10. The Country Alphabet Game, but arg at the letters O and Q for each only having one country that commences with them in English (bloody Oman and Qatar...)
11. People in English.
12. Feeling useful during spare and actually working hard and feeling like I know what I'm talking about.
13. Functioning on ice, being damn sexy and my Pantene Pro-V hair, just for you Candace! :-)
14. Mum for being awesome and letting me babble about my day when I'm sure she doesn't really care too much, I described her as my alternate blog to people today.
15. Food in general.
16. The BBC
17. The CIA World Factbook, useful for the Alphabet Game, Country Edition
18. The Radio and CBC Radio for keeping me company and informing me while lounging and walking to school and waking up and getting ready in the morning.
19. The CBC booksale and all the wonderous books I bought.
20. The books Georgeanne bought from the booksale--Gee, I'm stealing the Canada book for a while I think, I'm on the third page of the intro and I'm thoroughly amused.
That's all for now folks, supper is wafting up the stairs and there needs to be a set table in order to each so hasta mañana,
Me.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Wednesday:
Gee and I went out with Kate to shop for her, shoes and a fancy top, out Market Mall and it was good fun. We talked and walked around and scrutinized the unbarable amount of shoes and tops. And Kate finally bought her shirt and cami then we went to CinneZone as a reward then we went back to the shoe store again because the bloody technology wouldn't work there, so Kate used her VISA.
Grad on Wednesday was so much fun. Kelci and Caitlin and I danced and the food was spectacular and Kelci and I had a good talk with Amlake. Then we all went over to Amy's and we played pool and talked and ate and about three Thursday morning Caitlin and Thomas and I left Amy's in a cab.
Thursday:
I went to bed at four. I was awoken at seven. I listened to a lot of music throughout the day. I went to the McInnis and Holloway funeral home in Crowfoot with Georgeanne. We met up with Kate and her cousins and fawned over the white SUV stretch limo. I went to Georgeanne's house after we spent our time with Kate and her family and we watched Josie and the Pussycats and played her "call out every brand name you see" game. Georgeanne's dad was incredible and drove me home in the driving rain.
Friday:
I got up around ten to eight and had my shower and had breakfast then got all dressed up. And I was a tie perfectionist. I had my tie fairly good but I managed to screw it up over and over because I needed to have it perfect. I tied it over and over, at least twelve or more times, twenty was the general figure today, in the car, in the bathroom in front of the mirror.
It was raining and I was glad to have my umbrella.
We were in the seventh row. I cried during the memorial video between ten thirty and eleven, not the whole time but whole body sobs and shakes. Jay and Tim were so composed and funny in spite of their overwhelming grief.
After the service when we were moving slowly towards the parking lot, we watched as Nich was moved out down the street and her coffin moving from the shoulders of her pallbearers to the artillery carriage to the white hearse. I was nearly at the entrance of the parking lot for the community center and I saw Anneliese standing by herself. And I walked towards her and I hugged her and she cried and I let her. We stood there together in the rain, my umbrella shielding us from it, and shortly after I moved towards her, a soldier with numerous medals on his chest checked to see we were alright and told Anneliese that it was the time to mourn. And we did. We drove her home.
We drove to the University for the reception where so many people were. Dad and Mum and I led some of the military people from the parking compound to Mac Hall. When we got there, I ran up the stairs to catch up with Georgeanne and Caitlin and Kelci and Lisa and Amlake. After some searching we found Kate and we barged into her biathalon friends' circle and took her over to get food. God I love Kate and Tim and Sally and everybody. We sat with Kate and talked about things with her.
Then nearly all of us, Kelci, Amlake, Lisa, Georgeanne, Caitlin, we all went to The House, driven by Mr Blue.
Then we went to Georgeanne's house, Caitlin and Amlake and I, and ate Gee's mum's amazing peanut butter cookies and talked and listened and bounced to music and played Twister.
When I was boring and wouldn't let Gee and Caitlin make my already product-filled hair into a faux-hawk, Gee evicted us and again Mr Blue drove Caitin home then me and Amlake here. We watched tv and chatted about the memorial and a good while later had supper.
Right near the end of dinner, my aunt Susan called, saying she'd been thinking of me all day. We talked about everything that has happened and how I'm a blogger and I write journals. This blog is for you all and for me, but my journals are a recapitulation of my day according to me for my eyes only. It's a good thing, to keep these seperate. To be true to you all but keep some things to myself but to see them on paper can get them out of my head or make me rethink them as the ink swirls onto the page. I enjoyed our conversation, I really did.
I waited at the bus stop with Amlake until her bus came around ten thirty.
I can back to the house and went upstairs and talked about things. I showed Mum the slideshow of what were the photos in the photobucket account we all set up for Grad.
Please just put up the Stars photos Kelci.
Mum and Dad and I re-interpreted some of our favourite stories from the eulogies and crazy Fire and Brimstone guy who you'll hear about later on.
Now I have to go to bed and have a good cry I think.
And Candace and Grey's people, Oh MY god.
We need to talk about that.
Gee, if you read this, or people who are interested for that matter, call me if you're interested in coming down to the CBC book sale at the CBC building tomorrow afternoon.
I can't wait to have nothing to worry about. I miss when I had nothing to worry about. Last year was so much simpler. Fewer things to worry about, I didn't feel as behind, I didn't feel as sad, I didn't... But I do now. And over the last year I've grown and admitted things to people and started working so many things out and lost my grandmother and we just lost Nich and things have gotten hard this year. I feel overwhelmed, even when I'm caught up I just can't bring myself to be caught up without being completely caught up.
So. I'll actually go now after that gush.
'Night all,
Me.
Gee and I went out with Kate to shop for her, shoes and a fancy top, out Market Mall and it was good fun. We talked and walked around and scrutinized the unbarable amount of shoes and tops. And Kate finally bought her shirt and cami then we went to CinneZone as a reward then we went back to the shoe store again because the bloody technology wouldn't work there, so Kate used her VISA.
Grad on Wednesday was so much fun. Kelci and Caitlin and I danced and the food was spectacular and Kelci and I had a good talk with Amlake. Then we all went over to Amy's and we played pool and talked and ate and about three Thursday morning Caitlin and Thomas and I left Amy's in a cab.
Thursday:
I went to bed at four. I was awoken at seven. I listened to a lot of music throughout the day. I went to the McInnis and Holloway funeral home in Crowfoot with Georgeanne. We met up with Kate and her cousins and fawned over the white SUV stretch limo. I went to Georgeanne's house after we spent our time with Kate and her family and we watched Josie and the Pussycats and played her "call out every brand name you see" game. Georgeanne's dad was incredible and drove me home in the driving rain.
Friday:
I got up around ten to eight and had my shower and had breakfast then got all dressed up. And I was a tie perfectionist. I had my tie fairly good but I managed to screw it up over and over because I needed to have it perfect. I tied it over and over, at least twelve or more times, twenty was the general figure today, in the car, in the bathroom in front of the mirror.
It was raining and I was glad to have my umbrella.
We were in the seventh row. I cried during the memorial video between ten thirty and eleven, not the whole time but whole body sobs and shakes. Jay and Tim were so composed and funny in spite of their overwhelming grief.
After the service when we were moving slowly towards the parking lot, we watched as Nich was moved out down the street and her coffin moving from the shoulders of her pallbearers to the artillery carriage to the white hearse. I was nearly at the entrance of the parking lot for the community center and I saw Anneliese standing by herself. And I walked towards her and I hugged her and she cried and I let her. We stood there together in the rain, my umbrella shielding us from it, and shortly after I moved towards her, a soldier with numerous medals on his chest checked to see we were alright and told Anneliese that it was the time to mourn. And we did. We drove her home.
We drove to the University for the reception where so many people were. Dad and Mum and I led some of the military people from the parking compound to Mac Hall. When we got there, I ran up the stairs to catch up with Georgeanne and Caitlin and Kelci and Lisa and Amlake. After some searching we found Kate and we barged into her biathalon friends' circle and took her over to get food. God I love Kate and Tim and Sally and everybody. We sat with Kate and talked about things with her.
Then nearly all of us, Kelci, Amlake, Lisa, Georgeanne, Caitlin, we all went to The House, driven by Mr Blue.
Then we went to Georgeanne's house, Caitlin and Amlake and I, and ate Gee's mum's amazing peanut butter cookies and talked and listened and bounced to music and played Twister.
When I was boring and wouldn't let Gee and Caitlin make my already product-filled hair into a faux-hawk, Gee evicted us and again Mr Blue drove Caitin home then me and Amlake here. We watched tv and chatted about the memorial and a good while later had supper.
Right near the end of dinner, my aunt Susan called, saying she'd been thinking of me all day. We talked about everything that has happened and how I'm a blogger and I write journals. This blog is for you all and for me, but my journals are a recapitulation of my day according to me for my eyes only. It's a good thing, to keep these seperate. To be true to you all but keep some things to myself but to see them on paper can get them out of my head or make me rethink them as the ink swirls onto the page. I enjoyed our conversation, I really did.
I waited at the bus stop with Amlake until her bus came around ten thirty.
I can back to the house and went upstairs and talked about things. I showed Mum the slideshow of what were the photos in the photobucket account we all set up for Grad.
Please just put up the Stars photos Kelci.
Mum and Dad and I re-interpreted some of our favourite stories from the eulogies and crazy Fire and Brimstone guy who you'll hear about later on.
Now I have to go to bed and have a good cry I think.
And Candace and Grey's people, Oh MY god.
We need to talk about that.
Gee, if you read this, or people who are interested for that matter, call me if you're interested in coming down to the CBC book sale at the CBC building tomorrow afternoon.
I can't wait to have nothing to worry about. I miss when I had nothing to worry about. Last year was so much simpler. Fewer things to worry about, I didn't feel as behind, I didn't feel as sad, I didn't... But I do now. And over the last year I've grown and admitted things to people and started working so many things out and lost my grandmother and we just lost Nich and things have gotten hard this year. I feel overwhelmed, even when I'm caught up I just can't bring myself to be caught up without being completely caught up.
So. I'll actually go now after that gush.
'Night all,
Me.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Ummmm...
Harper says he's finished with Ottawa press corps
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he'll no longer give news conferences for the national media, after a dispute led a number of journalists to walk away from an event when he refused to take their questions.
 |
| Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces Canada is increasing aid to Sudan's violence-plagued Darfur region as Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Mackay looks on in Ottawa, Tuesday May 23, 2006. It was during this news conference that some reporters left after being told they would not be allowed to ask questions. (CP PHOTO/Fred Chartrand) Canadian Press |
- INDEPTH: Stephen Harper
Speaking to A-Channel in London, Ont., Harper said "unfortunately the press gallery has taken the view they are going to be the opposition to the government."
"They don't ask questions at my press conferences now. We'll just take the message out on the road. There's lots of media who do want to ask questions and hear what the government is doing."
Since becoming prime minister in January, Harper has had a testy relationship with the national media in Ottawa. His staff has tried to manage news conferences by saying they will decide which reporters get to ask questions.
The press gallery has refused to play by those rules. "We can't accept that the Prime Minister's Office would decide who gets to ask questions," Yves Malo, a TVA reporter and president of the press gallery, told CP on Tuesday. "Does that mean that when there's a crisis they'll only call upon journalists they expect softball questions from?"
On Tuesday about two dozen Ottawa reporters walked out on a Harper event when he refused to take their questions.
That led Harper to say that from now on he will speak only to local media.
The CBC says it will continue to cover the prime minister. "If the prime minister chooses to take questions we will be there to ask them," said Ottawa managing editor George Hoff. "We will have a journalist there to ask questions," he said.
Harper's supporters said Wednesday they believed the conflict is being blown out of proportion.
"I think this will get sorted out over time," Conservative Geoff Norquay said during an interview on Politics on CBC Newsworld.
"I think both sides have an interest in sorting it out and I think they will over time. The reality is that every new government wants to keep a tight lid on its messages and this one in particular because it had the previous example of Mr. Martin who had so many priorities that they all turned to mush in the minds of the Canadian people. And that's why this government is tightly focused on its messages," he said.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
I just watched...
the final Will & Grace. It was good, I enjoyed it and it brought closure and revived old running themes and stuff. It was good. *nods in satisfaction*
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Montenegro secedes
Montenegro 'chooses independence'
Montenegro has narrowly voted for independence from its union with Serbia, unofficial projections show. Indications are that 55.3% of voters elected to secede from Serbia, just above the 55% required for victory.
Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic claimed early on Monday that his drive for independence had been successful.
But official results are not expected for several hours. If confirmed, the independence vote would erase the last vestige of the former Yugoslavia.
"Tonight, with the majority decision by the citizens of Montenegro, the independence of the country has been renewed," said Mr Djukanovic.
The question of independence has deeply divided Montenegro, with its opponents arguing that it will damage economic, family and political ties with Serbia.
The opposition leader who spearheaded the campaign against independence, Predrag Bulatovic, said his camp would not admit defeat based on an "arbitrary estimate by a monitoring group".
"The results are not final until they are confirmed by the state referendum commission," he said, urging the government to ask its supporters to leave the streets.
"Such a crucial decision must not be carried out by a trick," Mr Bulatovic said.
Serb politicians, Orthodox church leaders and Montenegrins from the mountainous inland regions bordering Serbia broadly opposed secession.
However, ethnic Montenegrins and Albanians from the coastal area largely back the prime minister and favoured independence.
Mr Djukanovic argued that an independent Montenegro will have a stronger economy and will be a better candidate for admission into the European Union.
Record turn-out
Indications that the pro-independence bloc may have won the vote prompted celebrations in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica.
The tooting of car horns filled the city and youths were seen waving the red and gold flag of the old Montenegrin monarchy. The country was last independent in 1918.
Guns and fireworks were let off in celebration.
Polls opened early on Sunday morning and turnout was said to have surpassed a record 85%.
Voters, some of them dressed in their Sunday best clothes, pondered the referendum question: "Do you want Montenegro to be an independent state with full international and legal legitimacy?"
In the days preceding the vote, thousands of Montenegrins living abroad were invited back to the country to cast their ballot.
The country has a population of fewer than 700,000 people, so the vote of the diaspora was considered as crucial by both camps.
Montenegro's loose union with Serbia was established in 2003, replacing what was left of the former Yugoslavia.
Both sides were given the option of electing to leave the union after three years.
The last time Montenegro was independent was nearly 90 years ago at the end of World War I, when it was absorbed into the newly-formed Yugoslavia.
In the days running up to the vote, thousands of Montenegrins living abroad have travelled home in order to cast their ballot.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/5003220.stm
Arg at Victoria Day closures of shops
So. The sushi place that I was meeting my friend Ty at was closed today. And he was, as is frequently the case, he was late, but I talked to Fiona quickly then he arrived and then when we went to another sushi place and looked at an Italian restaurant, they were closed. We ended up at Charly Chan's and it was damn good food. He had to run off because of his shift starting at 2, so I went over to JugoJuice and got a Summer Strawberry drink and talked with Oriana a bit.
I have math review to do so I'll go and do some of that. I've got a friend coming down from Edmonton who I'd like to have lunch with if I can but I need to have sufficient amounts of math done first.
Anywho, talk to you all later.
Me.
I have math review to do so I'll go and do some of that. I've got a friend coming down from Edmonton who I'd like to have lunch with if I can but I need to have sufficient amounts of math done first.
Anywho, talk to you all later.
Me.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Nich's home.
I just saw the live footage on NewsWorld of Nich coming off the plane and the repatriation ceremony and I could just about make out Tim and Sally and Kate.
She's home, nearly truly home.
She's home, nearly truly home.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Today wasn't as bad as it could have been.
I managed not to break down today. School wasn't completely terrible.
I went in late thanks to spare first and I saw Nich's procession onto the plane.
I spent a bit of time in the Security Council and was for a few short minutes semi-secretary/page (once).
Math test. I hate triangles and forgetting how to calculate the aire d'un triangle, even though I had the formula I couldn't remember how to find hauteur for bh/2.
Spanish test after lunch. Pretty easy. Then we worked on superlatives and I ran over to the library because I had forgotten the papers I printed off last night from the Wikipedia article on anarchism for the English seminar. So I printed them off again at school and ran back to the Spanish room then over to the doors to the court yard hopefully but people weren't there. So I went upstairs to see people almost on their way down to the courtyard, so I joined them and tried to put my Spanish books away so I wouldn't be trucking them around but my locker hated me so I kicked it but it still didn't work so I hurried down to the courtyard and the seminar wasn't bad.
I just found out that Nich's being called "the daughter of Canada."
Um, so yeah. Not too much else happened today. I came home and watched some tv, rediscovered The Weekenders. Gardened with Mum a bit. Chatted on MSN with people. Had supper, did dishes, more tv, more chatting.
Tada.
I'm gonna end this post now but if you're reading this Kate, love and support from everyone, Analu, Anneliese, all the regulars, people you don't know send their support. I hear there are 17 pages of condolensces on the Herald's site. Not that it's makes it any better, but it might help, who knows... Mum and Dad went over to your house to steal some empty pots and return them full of flowers but it seems other people got there first, but we did try. :-)
I'm glad you and your family will all be together and I hope that lessens the load a little for all of you and just remember that we're all thinking about you and hope you're doing well.
Yay for it being less hot today vs yesterday. It was raining a little for a while but it wasn't a very satisfying storm. There were like twelve drops in the courtyard and then a little after, as in recently, it rained slightly. But not enough for it to really count, just a few seconds of pitter-patter.
And it's so annoying to feel powerless and to have to try to explain for the umpteenth time to Mum about blogging but because she's so non-e-savvy when I said you type in someone's address she thought like 1202 90th Ave... and I said no...
So basically, the media sucks a lot but the Herald had really good articles about Nich and the press conference yesterday so they suck a little less.
But I'm actually going to end this post now so adios for now all.
Love ya Kate,
Me.
I went in late thanks to spare first and I saw Nich's procession onto the plane.
I spent a bit of time in the Security Council and was for a few short minutes semi-secretary/page (once).
Math test. I hate triangles and forgetting how to calculate the aire d'un triangle, even though I had the formula I couldn't remember how to find hauteur for bh/2.
Spanish test after lunch. Pretty easy. Then we worked on superlatives and I ran over to the library because I had forgotten the papers I printed off last night from the Wikipedia article on anarchism for the English seminar. So I printed them off again at school and ran back to the Spanish room then over to the doors to the court yard hopefully but people weren't there. So I went upstairs to see people almost on their way down to the courtyard, so I joined them and tried to put my Spanish books away so I wouldn't be trucking them around but my locker hated me so I kicked it but it still didn't work so I hurried down to the courtyard and the seminar wasn't bad.
I just found out that Nich's being called "the daughter of Canada."
Um, so yeah. Not too much else happened today. I came home and watched some tv, rediscovered The Weekenders. Gardened with Mum a bit. Chatted on MSN with people. Had supper, did dishes, more tv, more chatting.
Tada.
I'm gonna end this post now but if you're reading this Kate, love and support from everyone, Analu, Anneliese, all the regulars, people you don't know send their support. I hear there are 17 pages of condolensces on the Herald's site. Not that it's makes it any better, but it might help, who knows... Mum and Dad went over to your house to steal some empty pots and return them full of flowers but it seems other people got there first, but we did try. :-)
I'm glad you and your family will all be together and I hope that lessens the load a little for all of you and just remember that we're all thinking about you and hope you're doing well.
Yay for it being less hot today vs yesterday. It was raining a little for a while but it wasn't a very satisfying storm. There were like twelve drops in the courtyard and then a little after, as in recently, it rained slightly. But not enough for it to really count, just a few seconds of pitter-patter.
And it's so annoying to feel powerless and to have to try to explain for the umpteenth time to Mum about blogging but because she's so non-e-savvy when I said you type in someone's address she thought like 1202 90th Ave... and I said no...
So basically, the media sucks a lot but the Herald had really good articles about Nich and the press conference yesterday so they suck a little less.
But I'm actually going to end this post now so adios for now all.
Love ya Kate,
Me.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
I don't know if this is appropriate but I'm listening to Stars right now and this song is ringing so true for me right now.
Celebration Guns
So tomorrow there will be another number
For the one who had a name
Desert wind and a perverse desire to win
History buried in shame
So tomorrow there will be another number
For the one who had a name
Desert wind and a perverse desire to win
History buried in shame
Are the beating drums
Celebration guns
The thunder and the laughter
The last thing they remember
Are the beating drums
Celebration guns
The thunder and the laughter
The last thing they remember
Then the next day
How will you know your enemy
By their colour or your fear
One by one
We can cage them in your freedom
Make them all disappear
Six hundred sixty-six hundred sixty days
Two guards, one uncharged
This morning's paper's ink stains my fingers
My hands grow darker every day
Are the beating drums
Celebration guns
The thunder and the laughter
The last thing they remember
Are the beating drums
Celebration guns
The thunder and the laughter
The last thing they remember
Goodnight, sleep light, stranger
Goodnight, sleep light, stranger
I'm so sorry.
God, Kate. This is so unfair and overwhelming and all my love and support and thoughts and those of everyone I know and even people who don't know you are pouring towards you, you have to remember that. I can't imagine what this is like for you and if I've said it once I've said it a thousand times and I'll keep saying it for as long as need-be, I love you and I'll always be there for you, no matter what you want or need, I'll be there. Remember that.
Hugs from all the family to all of your's and hang tough Kate. We're all behind you whenever wherever.
And yes, I am putting this up on my blog for everyone to read. Put something like this up on all your blogs. The media needs to know that we're all behind Kate and they should put these kinds of things on the front page, not a personal message sent from her sister to her, posted for her friends to read. Fucking media.
That's all, I have to go to bed. I can't handle being awake, it's too stressful and tiresome. I'm not looking forward to my Math test or my Spanish test or my seminar in English. I can't handle it. My anger and grief and frustration ebbs and flows, resurfacing every now and then and this is one of those times. I can't be strong for anyone right now, I'm letting things pour out again. I have to get them out for all of you to see.
Every time I have to tell someone or explain it further or see Nich's face or read her name it becomes more and more real and harder and harder. I'm less emotional compared to yesterday but still... I can't imagine what it's like for you and your family to see her over and over. Like a stabbing pain over and over. I'm so, so sorry.
I have to make it clear that I never really met Nich. I saw her once down the hall in Grade 8 at Branton one day Kate and I had been working late in the library for debate. But I read her letters Kate sent and saw her photos from Afghanistan and she reminds me so much of Kate and I feel like even though I never met her I knew her. It's hard to explain but it's true.
I'm going to bed, all my love and sorrow and grief and all possible happiness that I can send to you all to make this easier.
Good-night all,
Michael.
Hugs from all the family to all of your's and hang tough Kate. We're all behind you whenever wherever.
And yes, I am putting this up on my blog for everyone to read. Put something like this up on all your blogs. The media needs to know that we're all behind Kate and they should put these kinds of things on the front page, not a personal message sent from her sister to her, posted for her friends to read. Fucking media.
That's all, I have to go to bed. I can't handle being awake, it's too stressful and tiresome. I'm not looking forward to my Math test or my Spanish test or my seminar in English. I can't handle it. My anger and grief and frustration ebbs and flows, resurfacing every now and then and this is one of those times. I can't be strong for anyone right now, I'm letting things pour out again. I have to get them out for all of you to see.
Every time I have to tell someone or explain it further or see Nich's face or read her name it becomes more and more real and harder and harder. I'm less emotional compared to yesterday but still... I can't imagine what it's like for you and your family to see her over and over. Like a stabbing pain over and over. I'm so, so sorry.
I have to make it clear that I never really met Nich. I saw her once down the hall in Grade 8 at Branton one day Kate and I had been working late in the library for debate. But I read her letters Kate sent and saw her photos from Afghanistan and she reminds me so much of Kate and I feel like even though I never met her I knew her. It's hard to explain but it's true.
I'm going to bed, all my love and sorrow and grief and all possible happiness that I can send to you all to make this easier.
Good-night all,
Michael.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Lalalala!!!!
Hello all. Not much to say right now. Just that aaaah English short stories tests and paragraph answers and yay being elected guy captain for debate and choosing to be Minister of External Affairs for Model UN!
Aaaaaaaaaaaand, I'm going to go home and work on math and read for English pretty soon. Voila, c'etait les informations nationales et internationales de Radio-Canada.
And I had a resurgence of a fraction of a song from James and the Giant Peach just a few minutes ago, it was a good time.
Bye for now,
Me.
Aaaaaaaaaaaand, I'm going to go home and work on math and read for English pretty soon. Voila, c'etait les informations nationales et internationales de Radio-Canada.
And I had a resurgence of a fraction of a song from James and the Giant Peach just a few minutes ago, it was a good time.
Bye for now,
Me.
Generally lazy weekends are always fun. :)
My weekend was splendidly unproductive:
Saturday:
Joseph's birthday and his registration at the U of C and his eventually being kicked out of Kilkenny's for using his new U of C id instead of another photo id and subsequent going over to Teale's for the night, I went to Meghan's almost-old birthday party (btw 17 = almost old, 18 = old) and relishing the innuendos in Disney's Robots and then watching the taped Desperate and West Wing and Grey's and going shopping for Joseph's birthday present and over at Home Depot to get perennials.
Sunday:
Waking up around 9 after 6 hours of sleep and managing not to cut myself while flaying and chopping up a pineapple to accompany Joseph's pancakes for Mum's breakfast on the deck, going back to sleep for an hour and a half and arising slightly more awake and lazing about then gardening and rediscovering FM radio. Ironically, the CRTC is having hearings to investigate the state of private radio and I heard CBC interviews about how teenagers are turning away from traditional radio, a la Jenna, in my English class, and myself to an extent, I turned away from private radio I guess...
Bell's ringing...English short stories test.
A plus tard,
Me.
Saturday:
Joseph's birthday and his registration at the U of C and his eventually being kicked out of Kilkenny's for using his new U of C id instead of another photo id and subsequent going over to Teale's for the night, I went to Meghan's almost-old birthday party (btw 17 = almost old, 18 = old) and relishing the innuendos in Disney's Robots and then watching the taped Desperate and West Wing and Grey's and going shopping for Joseph's birthday present and over at Home Depot to get perennials.
Sunday:
Waking up around 9 after 6 hours of sleep and managing not to cut myself while flaying and chopping up a pineapple to accompany Joseph's pancakes for Mum's breakfast on the deck, going back to sleep for an hour and a half and arising slightly more awake and lazing about then gardening and rediscovering FM radio. Ironically, the CRTC is having hearings to investigate the state of private radio and I heard CBC interviews about how teenagers are turning away from traditional radio, a la Jenna, in my English class, and myself to an extent, I turned away from private radio I guess...
Bell's ringing...English short stories test.
A plus tard,
Me.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
About that math test on raisonnement...
I got 26/35, 74%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am pleased with myself. Let's hope I can carry over this skill to le cercle.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
I have my math test for...
raisonnement in about an hour and nine minutes. Fun conjecture that M. Lam gave us yesterday that he said was his favourite énoncé from high school "Les poules n'ont pas de dents. Ma grand-mère n'a pas de dents." Conjecture: "Ma grand-mère est une poule."
Not looking forward to...
1. dentist appointment, I'm not crazy about them, but I don't really mind them, mostly because it'll take time out of my relaxation time this afternoon.
2. my report card, it won't be fun to bring home...
Bye now,
Me
2. my report card, it won't be fun to bring home...
Bye now,
Me
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Email back from Mr. Prentice's Office
Dear Mr. Maher,
Thank you for your message regarding Darfur.
Please be assured that Minister Prentice is aware of this sad and dreadful situation and will be continuing discussions with his caucus colleagues.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Hazeldene
Constituency Assistant
Office of Hon. Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., MP
Calgary Centre-North
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(Message I sent:
Dear Mr. Prentice
Today, the Calgary Herald contained an article mentioning a "take note"
Parliamentary debate to be held tomorrow on the genocide in Darfur. As one
of the Canadian citizens you are tasked to represent, I have a formal
request to make of you, sir.
Surely, your job obligates you to have some knowledge of world affairs. I
don't think I need to try and tell you that what is happening in Darfur
offends not only every Canadian value, but every human one. As my
representative, I encourage you attend this debate. Speak up if you can
about the need for your party, as government, to act.
The article I read this morning contained a very reasonable way for us to do
so. An all-party motion was described. It called simply for our government
to recognize the genocide for what it is, and for our ambassador to the UN
to join the many calling for an intervention. Signing on to this motion
simply asks us to ask, and can't possibly have a cost to Canada as a
country.
The "Responsibility to Protect" doctrine is a Canadian invention, and to
ignore it will destroy any claim (on our part) to being better than the
Janjaweid and their backers in Khartoum.
Thank you for having taken the time to read this.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Maher)
Thank you for your message regarding Darfur.
Please be assured that Minister Prentice is aware of this sad and dreadful situation and will be continuing discussions with his caucus colleagues.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Hazeldene
Constituency Assistant
Office of Hon. Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., MP
Calgary Centre-North
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(Message I sent:
Dear Mr. Prentice
Today, the Calgary Herald contained an article mentioning a "take note"
Parliamentary debate to be held tomorrow on the genocide in Darfur. As one
of the Canadian citizens you are tasked to represent, I have a formal
request to make of you, sir.
Surely, your job obligates you to have some knowledge of world affairs. I
don't think I need to try and tell you that what is happening in Darfur
offends not only every Canadian value, but every human one. As my
representative, I encourage you attend this debate. Speak up if you can
about the need for your party, as government, to act.
The article I read this morning contained a very reasonable way for us to do
so. An all-party motion was described. It called simply for our government
to recognize the genocide for what it is, and for our ambassador to the UN
to join the many calling for an intervention. Signing on to this motion
simply asks us to ask, and can't possibly have a cost to Canada as a
country.
The "Responsibility to Protect" doctrine is a Canadian invention, and to
ignore it will destroy any claim (on our part) to being better than the
Janjaweid and their backers in Khartoum.
Thank you for having taken the time to read this.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Maher)
Today hasn't been that bad...
I was reluctant to get up, as always, but English went well as did Spanish. Then Double Math but I got a confidence boost when M. Lam handed out a sheet that I did almost completely right, only three little things but nothing to get unhooked about. At lunch I went with Sean and Lisa and Oswell to watch the Grand Final for Film Fest but it wasn't as good as I thought it might've been. *shrugs*
So here I am in spare, not really doing much now. I did do math homework for the first half hour and I'm feeling really good about it.
My life today.
How are you all today?
So here I am in spare, not really doing much now. I did do math homework for the first half hour and I'm feeling really good about it.
My life today.
How are you all today?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
My confusion is now lessened...
I am right that Natalie Portman and Keira Knightley look remarkably similar. Turns out Keira was Sabe, the Amidala look-a-like in The Phantom Menace, and Natalie was Padme Amidala. I was searching around Wikipedia and clicked on Keira Knightley's name and in her bio it said her and Natalie's parents had trouble telling them apart when they were all made-up.
Random fact of the day. That is all for now.
Random fact of the day. That is all for now.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Stupid school schedule changes for grade twelve grad presentations that noone pays attention to...
So apparently the school changed the schedule today but because most teachers don't read the announcements, a hell of a lot of us thought we'd have a regular day with Period 1 first and a late start for me.
I'll continue this later.
Me.
I'll continue this later.
Me.
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