When I went to University I thought that I was going to get a degree and to participate in the associated social activities that accompany this endeavour. After three years of arduous studying I graduated. It was my impression that once I graduated I would cease my relationship with this institution of higher learning. Alas, this was not the case. My former university was very interested in me and what I did for a living. Move after move and apartment after apartment, the alumni association would locate me. They would keep me updated about their activities through a school newsletter. They didn't only write but they would take the time to call me. On many occasions Brock University would call me like a jilted lover, “Hello Mr. Longley this is Brock University calling would you like to donate $100 to the new computer lab?”
No matter where I went they were able to find me. I thought that the school must want to keep tabs on me in case I achieved greatness. I am sure they have kept my papers entitled, “Socialization” or “Racism in Africa” or the groundbreaking, “Hypocrisy in Hip Hop” on file. Once a year they bring them out as examples to new students and as proof that my greatness originated at Brock University. This assertion appears to be false. I have consulted with friends and foes and they all have had the same experience. I have even heard of women changing their name and address and they are still found by their former university.

This leads me to wonder, why is it so hard to find Osama Bin Laden? I think the government should enrol Osama as an alumnus of Brock University. Give the association one month to do their magic and then follow the alumni newsletter to its destination and there will be one Osama Bin Laden.

Respect ??

I keep hearing that we live in an era that has lost respect for authority. People no longer trust police, teens talk back to teachers and parents, employees no longer respect their bosses and citizens no long trust or respect our politicians. This is a disturbing trend.

On my way to work I passed by a work site where there are construction men scurrying about. There is one police officer and about ten guys standing around wearing pinnies as if they were a part of an all couch potatoes basketball team. At a moments notice one of the pinnie wearing workers jumps up and stands in the middle of traffic with a sign with stop on the one side and slow on the other. He points at traffic and all cars stop. Drivers thoughtfully and politely take his direction. He directs some cars to stop, some to turn and others to turn around. Everyone listens to him and no one yells disparaging comments. This man’s authority to direct people has not been enshrined in legislation, he has not been indoctrinated with a traffic direction degree and he doesn’t belong to a fraternity or society of traffic directors. He does what he does and people listen and I am not entirely sure why.

This lead me to wonder if people who have been assigned with the respect designation such as teachers, police officers, parents and politicians wore a piny and garnered a pole with simple directions spelled out on it would they command more respect? Perhaps if the Prime Minister wore jeans a pinny and had a sign on a pole (with pay tax and don’t pay tax on it) he would restore respect of the electorate???

I think maybe Stephen Harpers advisors were on to something when they had him dress up in his pinnie.

RANT

I don't know what it was today but I am in one of those moods where I feel it is time for a good rant. So here goes,

• When I walk into work in the College/Bay area I notice that there are a lot of goofy looking people. There are people who wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and think, "Man I look good". Truth be told if they are looking to make a Goonies remake or maybe a Goonies 2 then the casting department can stand at the corner of Yonge and College and there are at least 12 candidates to play Lotney 'Sloth' Fratelli. Moreover, I think they wouldn't have a problem casting an adult version of Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen.
• On Bay Street they are building two condos that must 50 stories high. They have been building these condos for over three years. In order to build these condos they have put up fencing and barriers that take up one full lane of traffic. This company has expropriated the sidewalk and a lane of traffic for three years. When my car extends 3 inches out of my driveway I get a ticket.
• When we were negotiating our contract a year and a half ago the management board (Ontario Government) kept stating, "This is a 2% world". Sure enough we negotiated a raises in the realm of 2%. Since that time my property tax has increased 3% a year, gas has increased over 25% and now the Ontario Government announces that electricity rates are going up 17%. Based on my calculations, “it is at least at 15% world”.
• What is the difference between pants, slacks and trousers? It is a topic that worries me because if a car hits me or some other tragic incident befalls me I don't what to die wearing slacks.

John and George

From the day you enter this reality you spend your life meeting people and negotiating the complicated dance of human relationships. Initially your world is comprised of family. For some it is a very safe and nurturing place. The family is the jumping off spot for one to test the waters of life.

While growing up there are many people who become friends who will come and go in your life. The moments in time that you share are special. The memories, no matter how brief, are gifts that you get to keep forever.

Then there are those special people who are constants in your life. You may see them in brief interludes but they are there year after year. They are always around. Although they may reside in the periphery the knowledge that they are there is reassuring. The fact that they can always be called upon for a friendly conversation, camaraderie and moral support the fact that they are there makes you stronger. These special people combined with family and close friends act like support pillars that constitutes your base.

Time has a habit of changing things. The constants, the pillars in ones life start to disappear. Your base becomes smaller. With each loss you must shoulder more of the weight. Perhaps it is best stated by Trent Reznor, "What have I become my sweetest friend ever one I know goes away in the end". I now must become an "adult", be a father, be responsible. It is a challenge, I won't lie. I look in the mirror and I see I young kid who loves baseball, video games, music and wrestling. In my hart I feel young and at times immature. But with each friend that is lost I feel that I no longer have a right to feel that way. I now have young eyes looking at me expecting support; I now must be their pillar. It is an instant role reversal.

It is my hope that my children will grow up in a family were they feel loved and supported. It is my hope that they will experience the comfort of knowing that just up the street are a couple of good friends a John and a George two pillars in there base.


(When you read this post read it as if it is narrated by Daniel Stern the narrator voice of Kevin Arnold from the Wonder Years or by Morgan Freeman because he always sounds cool)

Fishing Anyone?

I watched Brokeback Montain just before the Oscars. I thought it to be a decent movie. But it left me wondering.

These two guys fall in love and go to the montains to concemate their relationship and to talk in depth about how they feel. They are there for a full weekend and they don't ever have time to fish? Not one time?