Manchester vs. Barcelona

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, will be a day to remember for soccer fans everywhere. Enthusiasts wait all year for this epic day; the European Union Football Club (EUFC) finals. This year, England’s best, Manchester United, will be facing off against Spain’s top team, Barcelona, in an intense display of “fluid and beautiful football.”
Many people believe that who wins will be decided by the team managers: Manchester United’s Sir Alec Ferguson and Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola. They think that the strategies outlined by these two important figures will be the determining factor. I, however, agree with the author of the article and believe that “it will be the players that will matter most.” A coach can outline as many strategies as he likes, but if the players cannot execute, it will not matter. Manchester may have the upper hand when it comes to execution because they have the dreaded Ronaldo, “this year’s Best Soccer Player.”
Many discussions have sprung up on the subject of the Manchester defense versus the Barcelona offense. Both teams are known for these aspects of the game. The defense of Manchester is described to be “as solid as a steel wall” and it will be difficult even for an “attacking team like Barcelona” to break it. Though Manchester is famous for “manhandling” their opponents, Barcelona does have an excellent ability to “[turn] things their way.” A matchup such as this is exactly what soccer fans hope for. This will be a game for the record books.
The last time Barcelona won the title was in 2006, but back then they had the notable Ronaldinho. This master of the game was one of the keys to Barcelona’s success. Now, the Catalan team will be as determined as ever to prove that they can win the title without him. Even so, Manchester has the ability to “spoil the attack.” Experts still agree that the current Spanish representatives are much better now than when they lost to “the red devils” last year. These same “red devils” are the current trophy holders and are looking to extend their winning streak for another year.
A lot of debate has surrounded this game and everyone is keen to add their predictions to the mix. While I am cheering for the boys in red (ManU), it is clear that whatever happens, it will “be a joy to watch these two teams fight for the trophy.”

http://ceblogger.com/2009/05/13/barcelona-vs-manchester-united-champions%E2%80%99-league-finals-results-predictions/

Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit

The Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, located right here in British Columbia, is one of the best kept secrets in the entire province. Encompassing 116km of pristine wilderness, “chain lakes, waterways, and connecting portages,” this is a true look at the beautiful forests that once covered the entirety of our stunning province. Located on the “western slopes of the Caribou Mountain Range,” I challenge everyone to take at least one trip to this idyllic wilderness at some point in their life.
Anyone who is in relatively good physical condition can complete the canoe circuit, but if one is not comfortable with their canoeing skill set, guided tours are available. On average, the entire trip usually takes somewhere between “6 to 10 days to complete.” However, if this going to be a first true “wilderness” experience, and one does not wish to go along with a guided tour, there is “a shorter trip” on the west side of the circuit that can be “paddled in 2 to 4 days.” Also, since items such as “bear bangers” are banned from the park, it is important to have an excellent sense of the natural wildlife of British Columbia. Basically, if a baby moose is wandering around, and yes visitors will most likely see moose, don’t approach it because mama is probably nearby.
In the winter, it is possible to cross-country ski the lake chain. This is another great way to enjoy BC provincial parks without having to worry about crossing paths with a 400 lb black bear. Though I have never personally experienced the circuit in the winter, it is described as a gorgeous winter wonderland. However, skiing in this park is not for novices because there are “no set trails.” One could very easily become lost in the “149 207 hectares” of land that make up Bowron Provincial Park.
I have never been more in awe of nature than when I was up at Bowron. From thunderstorms that dented the waterproof covering of my tent with their force to mind-blowing sun sets, it empowers me to keep our province green and healthy. We must take care of the breathtaking gift we have been given and look after the “moose, deer, mountain goat caribou, black bears, grizzly bears, waterfowl, beavers, and otters” that reside in the park. All backpackers are supposed to follow an unwritten code that states: one must leave all areas as good as or better than when they arrived. This could never be more important than at provincial parks such as Bowron where people from all over the world come to observe the beauty that is British Columbia. Bowron is truly one of the jewels that make British Columbia “the best place on Earth.”

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/bowron_lk/#WinterRecreation


Below is a montage of photos from the last time I was at Bowron Lakes Provincial Park in 2002. I will be returning this summer.

Attack on the Dutch Royal Family

The Dutch royal family is made up of some of the most beloved leaders in the world, and that is exactly why this story is making such big headlines. The Dutch people are famous for many things, often not so good, but one of their biggest claims to fame is their relatable monarchy. Most of the people are proud of their rulers because they are still willing to mingle with the commoners and do not spend ridiculous amounts of taxpayer dollars and huge security task forces; they are truly a monarchy for the citizens. However, one man recently decided to ignore the traditions of love and respect for the royal family and tried to drive his car into “the royal family’s bus.” This tragic event ended up injuring a dozen people, including five who are “seriously hurt,” and killing five. The driver of the “black hatchback” is among the five who are “badly injured.” When it comes time for “Queen’s Day” in Holland, everyone is exited. The streets line with people and the dedicated populace come out in droves to cheer on their leaders. Unfortunately, one of the onlookers was slightly crazy. He decided that it would be a good idea to drive through the crowds in a tiny black car in an effort to injure members of the royal family as they rode in their large motor bus. As any sane person would realize, this is not going to end well for the driver of the little car. The vehicle already appeared to be “heavily damaged” before it even came close to the royal family’s open-topped bus, but after it missed the bus completely and ran into a “low metal railing around a column on the side of the road” it became utterly undrivable. The royal family, who witnessed the crash, “gasped, [and] then quickly sat down as the bus continued driving.” Normally, “Queen’s Day” is a peacefully celebrated holiday “known for its free markets all over the country,” and “children’s games.” This day however, will remain a black mark on an otherwise sea of orange. People are worried that incidents such as this could change the attitude of the royal family and make them less likely to associate with the people. Being of Dutch heritage myself, I was horrified to think that someone would make an attempt on the life of any of the members of the “House of Orange-Nassau.” This family line has been ruling Holland since 1815 when the monarchy first came into power, and has never become one of the inflated dynasties that fairytales are based on. This adored family is a symbol of pride for everyone in Holland, and anyone who tries to kill them is asking to be murdered himself.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/30/netherlands.queen.car/index.html#cnnSTCText

K'Naan - The Dusty Foot Philosopher

How would you have spent a typical day in elementary school? I’m sure you weren’t that different from K’Naan, hanging out with your friends on “the neighbourhood street corner,” joking around, and maybe rapping a few lines by your favourite artists. There, however, is one rather important detail that sets you and K’Naan apart. While you grew up, most likely, in a safe, North American environment, K’Naan was standing “on the dusty streets of Mogadishu”, half a world away. Alright, you are thinking; so he grew up in Africa. What’s the big deal? Most rappers are black anyway. I’m sure they all were dropping verses by “Nas, and Rakim, and all the other great American MC’s.” Well, that’s where the second not so subtle detail comes in; while K’Naan was imitating the speech of his favourite artists “with an almost eerie attention to detail and pronunciation,” he could not speak a word of English.
By the time K’Naan was born, American rap had reached the far corners of the Earth. Recordings of the “great American MC’s” could be found in every bustling city in the world. K’Naan, “grandson of one of Somalia’s most famous poets,” could not help but gravitate to this new form of oral expression; it was in his blood. When it came time for his family to leave the country due to the brutal civil war and violence that plagues Africa, they came to North America on the very last commercial flight to ever leave Somalia, and that is where K’Naan began to flourish.
When rap is mentioned these days, what images come to your mind? I’m sure they are very similar to what I picture: big black men, with the occasional Eminem lookalike thrown in, covered in tattoos, singing about money, girls, and drugs. This, however, is the exact opposite of the likeness K’Naan portrays. This young lyricist is described as “a beacon for…those dedicated to global change” and he works tirelessly to improve to conditions for those less fortunate than him; those who didn’t make it onto a flight out of Africa.
In 2001, K’Naan travelled to Geneva to “perform a spoken word piece” at the 150th anniversary of the UN Commission for Refugees. His “music with a message” was heard by “some of the biggest suits in the world,” and earned him a standing ovation. K’Naan explained that he “basically called out the UN for its failed relief mission in Somalia.” He is considered a hero by many for his refusal to give up on his native peoples and his ability to bring real issues to the limelight. Personally, I am inspired by what he is doing. Every interview I watch and every song I listen to has the same message: things may not always be wonderful and happy, but with a lot of hard work and effort we can make a change. K’Naan’s music does not glorify life on the streets like the songs of many artists today, but rather he exposes it for what it truly is; a hard, dangerous existence. While I am nowhere near the same caliber of poet as K’Naan, I can identify with his desire to help those less fortunate than myself. Once I am finished with my education, I hope to travel, along with other aid workers from Doctors Without Borders, to Africa in order to help the people there. K’Naan is one of my inspirations, and I hope his “politically charged messages" with resonate with you as well.

"My long term goal is to use whatever fame I get to help change the situation in my region...not to own a clothing line like some of my rap peers" -K'Naan

Article
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/knaan/bio.jhtml

Videos of interest - and you should really check these out!

Getting to know K'Naan

Soobax

There is a reason for the Piracy...

Britain’s Speaker of the House Expected to Resign

By now, it is common knowledge that something fishy has been going on in British politics. Recently, Michael Martin, the “Speaker of the House,” has been made the “scapegoat” for the ridiculous spending of British MPs. In Canada, MPs are legally bound to publish all their spending records for public approval, but this is not the case on the other side of the Atlantic. There, MPs have been using government funds for everything from the “maintenance of swimming pools” to the purchase of second and third luxury homes across the country. This type of spending has gone unchecked for decades among British politicians, but was recently up for reform. Martin was seen as one of the key factors in blocking the reform, which would make all expenditures public. By covering up the MP’s “lavish spending” Martin has, in fact, committed a crime and all those who cheated the tax payers out of their money “could face charges.”
Many experts agree that “the situation [calls] for drastic action.” This action, however, is exactly what they are scared of. Politicians, who once were quite popular, are now worried that voters may turn to “extremist parties” out of anger at the current government. This sort of behavior is just another reason for the common people not to trust their elected representatives. Over the past several centuries of elected governments, politicians have not made a good name for themselves. They have exhibited behaviors just as low as any hardened criminal and have stolen millions from their citizens. They do their very best to hurt us and keep us in the dark for as long as possible, and then beg for our votes come election time. This is not right! When will we finally get a leader who is righteous enough to direct the people? I, for one, do not want to have to wait for the second coming for this, but if members of parliament continue to act in such heinous fashions, I do not see what other choices the voting public has. Martin has apologized for his actions, but really it is “too little too late.” He has lost the confidence of the public and will be “forced to step down” near the end of June.

http://news.sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/abc/world/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CBC-WORLD-V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=speaker-britain-martin019

Nitro Circus

As regular MTV viewers know, Nitro Circus is just about one of the best shows on the air today. The death defying stunts performed by a variety of professional action sport athletes create an adrenaline rush that is guaranteed to keep audiences glued to their televisions. From bouts of laughter to gut wrenching injuries, this show has it all.
People who do not understand the genius that is “Nitro Circus” think the program is only another brainchild of “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville. They think it is simply a “show about male bonding via masochistic pranks;” but they are wrong. First of all, the clips chosen to make up the show are not so much pranks as carefully calculated feats of athleticism and daring designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Secondly, all the people on the show have already proven themselves to be world class competitors, and do not need to prove their manhood by performing ludicrous dares like in “Jackass.” Also, Jolene, a pro motocross racer, adds a touch of estrogen to the group, keeping the idiocy in check, and the stunts amazing.
While awe-inspiring, the show makes no effort to glorify the daredevil lifestyle. During one episode filmed at the Grand Canyon “Travis Pastrana, one of the most decorated motorcyclists and action sports stars in the world,” added to “his many injuries” and “[blew] out [his] knee.” This of course, is bound to happen when you try to rodeo 720 into a giant yawning abyss, but that’s beside the point. Travis himself acknowledged that “as bad as [the trick] went, it couldn’t have gone any better;” he was still breathing. Show producer Johnny Knoxville admits that 12 episodes were filmed and there have “been about that many surgeries” too. In fact, they even had “three guys who went to the hospital in one day!” If broken pelvises and severed urethras are not your idea of fun, they show is pretty clear, stay off motorcycles! The same episode where Pastrana blew out his knee ended with a sad testament to the reckless lives these action sport idols live. The “closing credit line: “in loving memory” of Jeremy Lusk, a young rider who died performing a hazardous trick in competition” is a final punch line to viewers. The message is: if you try these stunts, you will get hurt; we are just the talented few who survive to ride again.
We can only draw one conclusion from watching these brilliant performers; “[they] are addicted to risk.” We, normal, average, sane individuals, will never have to choose between breaking our back or shattering our ankles when a trick goes wrong; we will also never get to feel the rush of jumping out of a plane without a parachute hoping that our friend will fly over to us in time to, literally, save our neck. Though I must admit, performing “an illegal base-jump off the palms” hotel in Los Vegas is, for lack of a better phrase, pretty damn cool, I will continue to enjoy my life with my feet firmly planted on solid ground.
Perhaps the reason that I love this show so much is my complete obsession with Travis Pastrana. To me, he is the epitome of a gifted athlete who is completely dedicated to his craft. He has endured more pain than most people can even imagine, but yet he still gets up everyday exited to ride a motorcycle, drive a rally car, or base-jump off some ridiculously tall structure. To action sport enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies everywhere, this is a show for you. However, one does not need to be searching for a way to break as many bones as possible to enjoy this program. I would recommend everyone, from the teenage lunatic to the high school English teacher (yes I am talking to you!), check out this show. A link is posted below.

Link to Nitro Circus pas episodes
http://www.mtv.ca/tvshows/nitro-circus/

Link to articles
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/71205-nitro-circus/
http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/eblah/m-1234748828/

The nitro crew after side-jumping a taxi in an effort to role it as many times as possible...

Somalia - Another African Civil War

Recently, everyone has heard about the Somali pirates that terrorize the seas around the country, but fewer people know about the brutal fighting that has stricken the entire region. Islamic extremists in the area have been joined by hundreds or foreigners, determined to overthrow the current government and establish a Muslim “haven on the Horn of Africa.” This kind of civil war has been raging for many years, but it is now coming to a head. Last Friday the UN released a statement demanding “that opposition groups immediately end their offensive, renounce the violence and join reconciliation efforts.” Though the UN has also lent strong support to the country’s western backed government, “concern that the government might fall is [still] mounting.”
The situation in this poor African country has not been stable for almost two decades; but now most of the population is reaching refugee status. “Residents have been fleeing for days, sleeping under trees and sheltering children under scraps of plastic.” It is a bleak state of affairs in this war torn nation. Locals describe, in news reports, how the Islamic insurgents careen “around the streets in pickup trucks bristling with weapons.” If it gets any worse, if that is even possible, more refugees will flee to Kenya where 250 000 have already taken up residence. Unfortunately, “there is no hope that the two sides will stop fighting,” and “no one has the upper hand.” Those who have managed to stay say that the conflict is “even worse” than when Ethiopian troops invaded almost three years ago.
Normally, people would not pay as much attention to fighting in Africa, which has been going on as long as anyone can remember, but the Somali coastline lies along an important sea-trade route just below the “oil rich Arabian peninsula.” This proximity to one of the world’s most important resources is what makes the fighting so unnerving for western style governments all over the world. If Islamic extremists take over Somalia, they could branch out taking other lands as well and cut off the oil supplies to anyone they deem necessary. It is disgusting really that we only choose to get involved with a crisis that would benefit us. Who are we to choose which humanitarian efforts are worth our while? Shouldn’t we be trying to help everyone possible? I’ll let you come to your own conclusion on that one, but I for one would like to see stronger measures taken by the UN on all fronts, not just when western powers call for them.

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=387&sid=1482587

"The Swine"

First bird (avian) flu, then mad cow disease, and now, the latest animal based infection has arrived! Beware the infamous swine flu!

When news reports first started coming out of Mexico that people were dying of a new version of the influenza virus, people went crazy. Kids started staying home from school, whole communities shut down, and the public was gripped with fear. Now, however, the initial shock of this discovery has worn off and people are starting to demand the truth.
Swine flu is actually only a new variation of the common flu, H1N1, and “cases are [usually] described as mild. It is nowhere near as dangerous as an avian flu, H5N1, outbreak would be. This being said, it is still highly contagious and has infected a total of 55 Canadians, the highest number of which live right here in BC. So far, 19 British Columbians have contracted the virus, and “two BC schools have been closed because of swine flu concerns.” Though this may seem like a lot, there is no great need for concern. “According to the World Health Organization,” there have been “at least 10” deaths resulting from this new strain of H1N1, which is a far cry from the thousands that are killed by seasonal flu each year. No Canadians have died from the virus, and all who contracted it either recovered fine on their own, or with minor hospital assistance. The premier of BC, Gordon Campbell, admits that the public has a “legitimate reason for concern,” but taking their fear too far would be a mistake. The WHO has yet to “declare a full-blown pandemic” and appears to have no plans to do so.
It is truly amazing to me how easily the media can twist something so minor into an incredible story. Swine Flu is nothing really to worry about. In all honesty, Canadians should be more concerned about cancer and heart disease than the flu. As clearly outlined above, there is nothing for healthy Canadians to be anxious about. As long as one washes his or her hands regularly and does not have contact with anyone who has recently travelled to Mexico, the likelihood of contracting H1N1 is very slight. By using language such as “potential [global] pandemic,” and “virus spreading” the media can whip the public into a terrified frenzy and keep people glued to their television screens in fear. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, relax, and go about their lives without trepidation.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/05/01/swine-flu.html