CBC About to Become a Meaningless Acronymn

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is in trouble. With a budget that has been slowly shrinking away, it has been for awhile. The proposed bill C-60 would give Cabinet power to control collective bargaining mandates of the CBC and essentially nullify their own powers as an independent media outlet.

Petitions like this "Free CBC" or this one by Avaaz argue that losing power of how employees get paid and relinquishing that power to Prime Minister Stephen Harper would be the death of independent news and media in Canada.

Please write your MP, help spread the word (as we might not have a radio, TV or online news source to do it soon!).

Perhaps remind the Conservative government of the following:

One of the pledges you made before your government was elected was that you would lead an accountable government. Independent media helps governments remain accountable to its constituents by allowing independent thoughts to be aired nationally -it's valuable feedback to your politics! Please don't take that away from us after 80 years of cultural dialogue. Inspire us to support you by supporting independent media and an independent CBC!

Thanks!

Politics

A Caesium-137 Story

Caesium-137 is an interesting element because it's anthropogenic which means that it doesn't occur naturally anywhere on earth. Unlike uranium, which you can mine for, caesium-137 is 100% human made. Until we started testing nuclear weapons, it is believed not to have occurred on earth for billions of years. The result of fission, radioactive materials can be made and used for power generation and weapons. And as a result of our scientific ambitiousness, we have tonnes of nuclear waste, spent fuel rods and failed power plants emitting a range of radioactive materials, including caesium-137, the "most problematic of the short-to-medium-lifetime fission products" and each of us has a little plutonium in us. 

We're constantly told that nuclear energy is a "clean" alternative to coal or gas etc. but considering the accidents (disasters) at Fukushima, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, etc. etc. do you feel like you might have enough caesium-137?

Yes, us humans are ingenious. We will always come up with some way to fix things. Like how we figured out how to safely store radioactive wastes or even transform uranium into plutonium -Great! More nuclear weapons supplies! Wait...We didn't figure out how to safely store nuclear waste...

It's above my pay-grade to suggest we stop producing it altogether but here's another guy who believes that might actually make sense. Could it be true that we would account for all the cancer and mutation and contamination by making it too costly or illegal to process radioactive materials the way GE does right in my neighbourhood? His optimistic view that the nuclear industry is dead is worth watching:

PS-Germany is phasing out nuclear. Why aren't we?

Environment

Labour Day is AWESOME (For Teachers) and 5 Cool Things

Happy post Labour Day weekend! I won't even comment on the battle between the government and teachers that's currently taking place in Ontario. Just focus on the word "AWESOME" in my title, think of people who were actually in labour on Labour Day, like the wife of the waiter that served me breakfast on Sunday but had to rush home and ignore everything else and pretend this paragraph never happened.

Someone asked me what they should get for a couple that's getting married. Since I would be attending their wedding but I had never met them before in my life, it put me in a difficult position. A Hallmark card? Lots of money? A hand-made card maybe? Something that would show the thought that counts? But what? "You're not much help" they observed. I tried to be. "What's their symbol?" I asked. Not like their horoscope-averaged-out-over-the-months-between-the-two-of-their-birthdays-symbol -like: Is there anything particularly that brought them together? A sign? A memory of where they met, hung out or had their love bloom?

That would probably be too easy. These days, the detective work has been intentionally taken out of the wedding process. You KNOW what they want. The couple just gets a registry online and people pay the $$$ to get the right gift. There's no more fussing, buyers remorse or envy. With the click of the button, gifting has never become easier. But what if you just want to give something personal, and well,...cool?

"Just text me 5 cool things" I was told.

Just five cool things for the bride and groom that I hope will make sighs on their honeymoon!

In the spirit of The Book(s) of Awesome (and the blog of 1000 things count-down) here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

unicorns
tai chi
frisbee golf
Jesus Christ lizards
"gangnam style"

Without over-thinking it too much (there's no context), what are your five cool things?

Queen is Back!

When I first heard this Marc Martel video on YouTube a few months ago, I thought he looked and sounded uncannily like Freddie Mercury. However, I had no idea he had been making a name for himself on American Idol and just now, when I checked back in, I realize that he's just launching a North American tour!

I'm impressed that this fellow Canadian (who recently relocated to Nashville, Tennessee) is now touring with the Queen Extravaganza, a band formed as a tribute to the original Queen.

Starting in Detroit then working their way back to Canada in a few days; too bad they're not coming to Toronto any time soon!

Check out this press release.

My Heart Goes Out to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Here's a little video I created confessing my love for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Happy Valentine's Day! Although the Fair finished on November 10, 2011 it has taken until now for me to recover my video files from my old computer, which unfortunately died. Now, with my refurbished mac, I was able to compile footage and pictures together with a narrative that explains how the Royal has claimed a piece of my heart.

I look forward to the 90th anniversary of the Fair coming November 2012!

Click here to view it on YouTube.com

Small Things Matter to the Human Spirit

The TV screens in the subway station update me on how occupy protesters are being evicted and arrested, about the slipping Canadian dollar and the negative global economic forecasts for the future. I think to myself: "in another week, you too will be unemployed."

I pick up the Metro paper and read about how Canada is slipping behind other countries in terms of education. Countries like India are getting ahead because the adult population takes at least one new course a year on average. How do they find time? There are pages marketing different universities and colleges as options to escape the work and make you a better employee if you can afford it, or take a course online while you keep working if you can't.

I look through the window of space between crowded bodies on the subway to notice that the girl in front of me is crying. Her earphones are on, preventing communication with the outside world. Yet her eyes, closing to squeeze out the crystals of anguish, say so much. She is such a beautiful girl -beautiful and sad. I wonder what could possibly be wrong for her. Then I think about it again. I think about the teens who commit suicide, thinking as their last thought that it's a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Then I realize the opportunities for depression are endless.

I hate it when others suffer and there's nothing you can do about it. We're all strangers. Do we just shut it out with earphones and closed eyes and go on with life, treading lightly, taking the easy way out, always anonymous? I often think of things I could do to help people but then the moment just passes me by. To think that all of those people that I never changed who will go on hurting makes me feel even more defeated. But then a light turns on over my head and I remember a fortune from a fortune cookie that I kept in my wallet, for no apparent reason other than that I liked what it said.

It's a silly urge: I want to give her a hug because by now she really looks like she could use one. But not knowing whether she will think I'm weird or be annoyed at me or even how I could get her attention, I decide to tap her on the shoulder. She looks up with tears in her eyes, then down to accept the small piece of paper I'm trying to hand her.

A few moments pass and I worry that now things are going to get awkward. Then she smiles and whole-heartedly says "Thank you!" while brushing the tears away. We're deep under ground but it's as if the sun just came out.

Later she gets off the subway. I never find out what was bothering her but I don't care.

The fortune reads: "The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it."

A Musing #2

Being aware of your greatest weakness could be your greatest strength.

A Musing #1

In thinking that through thinking one could never arrive at a conclusion, the thinker once again proved himself wrong.

Condolences for Jack

I was on the bus on the way to work when I first heard it. A Jamaican lady was talking on her cellphone. "What?! Oh no! That's horrible!" then through her thick accent I could make out her repeating: "Is it breaking news?"

I wondered what was considered "breaking news." Did her son just win a scholarship? Then: "I feel bad for Olivia" and "he had been fightin' his other cancer." By then some bells started going off. I put it together but just to make sure, once she got off the phone I had to confirm my fears: "Did I overhear you say that Jack Layton is dead?"

"It's very sad" she said. She didn't need to say anything more. We had one of those moments strangers rarely share, of taking pause and simply understanding what it's like not to understand -that something would change for everyone, albeit a little bit differently for each person. For some, it's just an ordinary day. But it's sad that the NDP leader of Canada passed away and ended his long battle with multiple cancers, one through which he continued, and no doubt will continue, to inspire optimism. Or is that "sad"?

It was only about a month ago when Jack Layton stepped down as leader of the NDP to focus on his health. He had fought prostate cancer so most figured he would do it again. It's hard to think of him as simply a human. His death came as an eventual expectation but also a devastating surprise. Yet cancer increasingly makes mortals of us all.

Not only is it sad for both Liberal and Bloc Quebecois who watched the way he charmed the country in this last election. Canadian politics were so long dominated by an almost tiring bandying back and forth between the Liberals and the Conservatives, with too many weak and confused minority governments, too many vague promises or partisan political trickery. People wanted an alternative, and suddenly they gained an "orange crush" for Jack Layton, who inspired an "orange wave" which rippled across the country, crested with the white whiskers of his whimsical smile, a smile and spine to back it up, which gained his party a spot as the official opposition to the Tories for the first time.

It will be sad for the NDP party, although I am sure it will only fill them with more determination. New leader Nycole Turmel will have a lot to live up to. Gaping shoes. They need someone whose disgust with the broken political system was matched by such a practical will to do something about it, even as rivals led smear campaigns against him.

He continued to fight for the country he saw Canadians wanting to see. Without disclosing what type of cancer had spread from his fight against prostate cancer, he wrote us a letter -to those battling cancer, to political parties, to young Canadians. The style of his letters are a reflection of the man himself, who didn't address himself to a select few behind closed doors but took the time to empathize with the regular man and the business woman and the struggling family member, the seniors and the poor.

Although I couldn't make it to the memorial at Queen's Park in Toronto today at 4pm, I thought of how far Jack took us ahead. Here's the last letter that he left behind:

August 20, 2011
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Feel free to express your condolences here

Or instead of sending flowers, donate to the Broadbent Institute

Politics

Ace of Base Up In My Face!

What a sign of resurgence! Since going on hiatus and splitting from their lead singer Jenny Berggren in 2003, Swedish band Ace of Base had fresh faces Clara Hagman and Julia Williamson in Toronto last night, performing at Queer Beerfest at Exhibition Place.

The energy was infectious and there was so much love to be shared! Julia kept forming her hands into a heart shape symbol sharing conceptual hearts with raucous fans, who reached and clambered over fences for a chance to literally connect with the stars. I was close to the front where I felt satisfactorily touched, just making occasional eye contact.

Since flipping the tape over in my walkman back when cassettes were the mode-d'ecouter, I have to admit I hadn't given Ace of Base much thought. Had the singer committed suicide? Where were they now? I was completely surprised by the fact that I would have ever gotten the chance to see them perform! But what is it about them and other Swedish bands like the Cardigans that I love so much? Original members Ulf and Jonas were rockin' out and there were amazing and hilarious doppelganger b-boy dancers to back them up. On top of that, the band was generous enough to do three encores, including an emotional moment where a fan was called up to help rally voices for Don't Turn Around, which was an fitting anthem to wind down to, considering nobody wanted them going anywhere.

It was a surprising end to a taxing week. Despite the global economic meltdown we're experiencing post US debt ceiling disaster, the song glossed over my petty worries with positive reminders like "no one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong. But where do you belong?" Perhaps that's a question we should ask AND prepare for more often. But in the mean (and I mean MEAN) time, you really did see and feel the love. It was a good sign. :)

Events

On Aging, Friends and Surviving Heat Waves Based on the Latter

I have a friend who shall go nameless because he is rather modest, but we have the same birthday and we met years ago via blogging.

He's a great mentor to have, being a sapient eleven year older version of myself (if I manage to turn out alright, that is). With age comes experience. I feel that we have had similar experiences but he is someone who has had more and come out on top. Of course, he still has problems to complain about. We all do.

If we didn't life would be boring. If life were boring we would invent something. If we invented something it would have new problems. Back to square one!

Through his rapier-witted humour and tell-it-like-it-is-ness but also his friendliness and hospitality, I've come to value his opinions and appreciate his company. I think everyone needs a couple people that are always there for them, no matter what but who won't sugarcoat the truth when you need a lesson about the hard knocks of life. He's that for me.

Originally, he encouraged me to move to the city and he has continued to help me build contacts so that I can really be a success! In a way, I don't know if I would have decided that it were possible to come here if it weren't for him. He's a fantastic support and his encouragement just made it seem easy. Finally by my late twenties I moved to the city that always called to me and I haven't looked back. Well, ok, I have looked back. I enjoy my memories now and then. :)

Now that it is coming up to my first year anniversary of making it in this city (and the day after the anniversary of both our births), I realize how important it is to keep looking forward. Just before I do though, let me explain a bit more and I would like to share some of the banter we txt and email back and forth, to get each others goat.

We always do this thing where we call each other random things. He will say that "you're" whatever he happens to be thinking or seeing at that time, things overheard from others in public or something to make you roll your eyes, as in: you're "blame storming" or whatever cliche phrase or issues reporters happen to be throwing around at any given time; things people say that may have some truth but seem to cause more stress merely by thinking of them than being blissfully ignorant like: you're "you know, drinking from an old Brita filter is actually worse for your overall health than not using a filter at all" or "you know, bananas are going to be extinct soon", you're "fracking", "we couldn't have done it without all our wonderful volunteers" etc.

There's also a "that's me" joke that is often used for self-deprecating and hilarious purposes. It's something not everyone understands. I could point at an old, balding man carrying rubber chicken and say "that's you" and my friend would understand and laugh. You, my reader, might not. It is kinda a "had to be there" kind of thing. Fair enough. We find it funny. Moving on.

He told me straight up yesterday: "See, but now the thing is, when you're thirty, [my real or fictional age in this post] it's like you really have to get things together. You don't want to be forty [my friend's real or imagined age] then thinking about changing jobs." I don't know if I agree with that —these days we're projected to have six or seven careers in our lifetimes, not necessarily one teaching career, one career as a businessman or a doctor and a pension after retiring at sixty-five like our folks but I have been a little worried about being able to retire, being able to be responsible, to support for a family —a family I still haven't had time to start or really work on because I am not a doctor, lawyer or teacher. Most of all I hate the uncertainty: will I ever have a stable, engaging, worthwhile profession to hold onto? However, if the 30s are really "the new 20s" then maybe I can still dream? One thing is for sure: I can't stop working hard to find something I love to do! On the other hand, I need to take care of myself and rest so that I have enough energy to work hard.

My friend jokes about how people start to mention that he's not "that old" they will say. But then you realize that "that old" is relative: "You look like you could be my father's age"...Ouch. As you get older, you may want to be experienced and wise, but it's not so much fun when it's the bags under your eyes and salt n' pepper hair that gives it away. You can't go out all night and roll out of bed the next day ready to take the world by storm like you did in college. I still want to think we can change our minds and get another chance, that "every day is a winding road" -Sheryl Crow. We still dream for immortality! But responsibility sets in...

For me, advancing my career and being stable enough to settle down at thirty five seems challenging at this point. I could have a job and a get-er-done attitude and pull it off, but will I be happy? To be a plumber or to get a PHD. On the other hand, some things can't wait forever. I am considering going back to school for the third time since high school. I used to think I would be married and have three kids by the time I was in my mid twenties!

So, we share our experience of aging together. We watch our weight. We nag each other about whether we made it to that interview or remembered to cut down on the carbs. He shows me tricks on how to save money. I learn to comparative shop. I learn not to be reckless. I learn to be subtle. We ply each other whether there are any budding new life opportunities or leads that could prove prosperous. We pat each other on the back when we've made a proverbial score.

Last night we went out and polished off some wine on patios in kensington market for our birthday and then we went over to a friend's house where we were served copious amounts of ice cream and popcorn. I couldn't resist. My friend couldn't either. He resisted better than I did though after a few spoon scoops. I almost finished the carton!

Today I am sitting in my room in a shared house where I pay rent. There are multiple fans on and I am shirtless as I type this (not to make you picture something you don't want to). It's been a week long heat wave where with the humidity, it feels like 45 degrees. You never stop sweating. You wake up in puddles. I realize there are others in this world who are starving and dying of drought. This is not quite as bad as that. Meanwhile, my friend sleeps soundly in his air conditioned condo. I am in a muggy and self-loathing mood, only regretting last night's regalia for the physical consequences that have transpired (I had very little sleep and ate too much). I have started working out in the last few years to keep off the pounds. I have had to start working in the last few years. But today working out would simply not be feasible. I have just enough energy to txt my friend something similar to what he has already told me:

"The worst thing about 30 is you eat some ice cream one night, you see the fat the very next day. It's like it just fills some cream pocket in your stomach and pops up to say hello! What you never thought you'd see me again? I never left! I came to stick around. Here in this hot sticy muggy hell. But I guess you don't care about silly 30 year old problems what with your established 41 year old condo with constant air conditioning to keep your waifish body from exhausting trying to heat itself"

"LOL"

(I am goading him by ridiculing that he's worried about his figure when he's actually quite fit and boosting him with the fact that he has things together —something I envy). He appreciates it. We always talk to each other this way. It might read aggressive and hostile but that's the way we joke.

There is a pause of several minutes, then my friend texts (txts) back:

"I'm scared to see how hot and humid it's going to be tomorrow"

I am more so. The threat is imminent.

But what does he have to be scared of? He doesn't even need to go outside. It will be air conditioned in his office once he gets there. Is he pushing my buttons cause he knows I don't have air conditioning once we're both off work? It's hard to decipher tone through text. But no, because he offered to let me sleep on his couch so that I can actually sleep. My apartment will be sweltering as they are predicting the pinnacle of the heat wave tomorrow. I will be safe in his condo, protected from the devastating effects of the climate, shielded within a comfortable cool.

What are friends for? For keeping each other from going insane.

Polynesian Bride

Uh-huh, Polynesian Bride. That's right. I caught this short clip of you a few weeks ago when I went to see you at Sneaky Dee's and now it's unleashed.

Since it was the week after NXNE, it seems most hipsters were too hungover to make it out. Still, this colossal band was able to get those who were there swaying and then dancing more fervently. I came to see my friends band (she's also a math guru) but ended up staying for this multitudinous marriage of many instruments and voices. Just watching them set up was interesting, as I counted over a dozen band members. Luckily, they all fit on stage!

Events

New Dinosaur Species Found

It's amazing what you can find on the internet if you look hard enough. Look at it as a metaphor for looking for things in real life. Sometimes you find something amazing without even looking!

New dinosaur species have been unearthed in and around California. Discovering a whole trove of discoveries rocked my consciousness with wonder! How had this not shook the rest of the world and if so, why hadn't I heard about it?? Everyone knows that they've found new pyramids but really this? After 65,000,000,000 years?! For anyone who grew up making plasticine dinosaurs, who perfected sculpting every known species of dinosaur into figurines and who now has a whole new challenge ahead of them, this is simply amazing.

How it happened was that I was sitting at my computer not doing too much when I wondered whether Tyrannosaurus Rex's were particularly fast runners or not. Random question, infinite access to the internet. One would assume that they are a predator ergo they would have to be, but I was just doing some cautious fact-checking when I came across this not-so-secret archive of paleontology finds and boy was I excited! I was so excited I didn't even care how fast Tyrannosaurus Rexes could run, my thoughts were racing even faster!

Perhaps I have just been in an archeoillogical bubble, going to my 9-5 job listening to democracynow.org and the good old CBC rather than digging my heels into underground paleontology -the grit of the distant past, but let me ask you, have you heard of a cocketetielosaurus? You have heard of a cocketielosaurus! What does it look like? WRONG!

In fact the cocketetielosaurus is covered in feathers. There are a lot of theories that dinosaurs weren't naked lizards as they are commonly portrayed to us by our mainstream paleontologists but actually fully clothed. This is the proposed theory of renegade paleontologist "Jillian". The cocketetielosaurus very name means "nice bird". But every "nice" smiley face has a hidden frown, the cockotielosaurus is definitely one bird, or sorry, excuse me, one dinosaur(?), not to mess with. If you want to gloat about your trip to Paris, don't do it to the cocketeilosaurus. It's been there done that. It had been all over the world and survived in every climate. "It flew everywhere." Not like the stripeosaurus who despite having a pretty cool stripey coat, went nowhere. There's some joy (albeit vicarious bordering on envious) knowing that the cocketetielosaurus was probably a very light-hearted species. "It played a lot."

There are other dinosaurs whom evolution did not treat them so kindly. Take the cheeasaurus for example. "It was mad because a long neck ran into him." I would be too! Wouldn't you? Funny thing those long necks. They never seem to be attached to a brain! Always running around everywhere without even looking where they're going! Thank goodness Brandon discovered him so that he could share his troubled history with us so that we can gain a better appreciation of the hardship he had to endured to surv...er, get extinct by.

Whichever story you choose to believe, whether humans and dinosaurs co-existed, whether knights of the stone henge were commissioned by dinosaur kings to build them impenetrable armour or that throwing virgins into volcanoes was in fact the causal beginning of the ice age, this is a goldmine of discovery by extremely ambitious young paleontologists who deserve recognition! It tells us a very different story about dinosaurs that we don't often get to see. Perhaps by learning about a vast array of species it can help us better understand our own.

Some of these dinosaurs may still be surviving according to students in the field. The pinkosaurus is one such species. It can be tough to spot because it hides under Brentwood Bus seats but that doesn't make it any less plausible that it could still be unphased out of existence. It's related to, but quite different in appearance than the blueasaurus. Like it's name suggests, it's blue. It's discovery has caused many critics in various fields to quit their jobs immediately.

Probably the most exciting and frightening of these discoveries are the species of killosaurus. Its pictured here with its characteristic "mean" look, smeared in the blood of its prey, its friends and its mate. Paleontologist Justin summed it up best with these three points when he said:

It looked mean.

It liked to eat meat.

It killed other dinosaurs very well.

Thanks to the teachers at Brentwood for supplying shovels.

Silly

Wish

I am sorry I have been so quiet lately
I had no words even
to explain it to myself

I had forgotten
or maybe I just didn't believe
that the last word has yet to be written

Dwelling in the rain and gloom
can make one feel like the man on the moon
we are not alone

My life sentence
is like an outstretched hand
extended
like the spring buds
you begin to see on trees in May,
There, revivification

And I am just starting to remember
that you always get another chance
But these things take time
the first step is utterance
calling on the natural powers of the universe

I clasp my hands together as a flower, hoping

Something good will blossom