Never mind the homework, here's the Vegan Teacher

Masters app almost done! 2/3 references in the bag, letter of intent complete, all documents save for my curriculum vitae ready to go. Now I just need to get the online portion together. Yeesh.

I forget to mention that, according to my roommate (the illustrious M.), the cat reached a new low as it was witnessed licking a food-stain on the newspaper.

When I got to N’s place last night, he insisted we carve more pumpkins. So we went out, found ourselves a couple more gourdes and spent a good 3-4 hours carving them up. An interesting thing happened too: his tics (which usually occur in 5-10 second intervals) disappeared as he was carefully etching away. His Mom said she’d never really seen that before, and we were both surprised by his ability to concentrate for such a long period of time (ADHD remember).

I’m not discounting any of his diagnoses, but what does he really have wrong with him? If an art project can function better than various meds seem to, you can’t help but wonder.

When I was in Ghana, there were no kids with ADHD. Not that it didn’t exist there, some kids sure exhibited hyperactivity and inability to concentrate. But when I asked teachers what they do with students who are overwired in class, they would tell me that they would either deal with them by getting them to kneel on the ground or just wait it out so they could run around and play soccer during break (of which there were two that lasted 30 minutes). I donno, perhaps ADHD is just as much a social construct as it is a result of diet, genetics and environmental factors. I still can’t pay attention in class or retain most of the things I read in books and it makes me curious, what would I be diagnosed with if I was a kid today and my parents took my to a psychologist?

Anyways, I just added a picture feed to this website. Some of the photos I’ve got up right now are from Project: Gentrification, which was a stroll a friend and I took down a street downtown that is in the process of being revitalized. I don’t really know what I was looking for, but during our walk we talked to a few interesting people and heard some stories from the heart of the city. Urban exploration. Dig it.

So then, where are the bailouts or G7 meetings to address the ecological credit crisis?

Books that I’m currently in the process of “reading”.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, p. 37. (3 days)

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, p.211. (9 years)

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, p.106. (3 months)

Against the Steam by Noah Levine, p.67. (5 months)

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, p. 301. (9 months)

The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, p. 137. (1 year)

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, p.159. (1.5 years)

Monism, Atheism and the Naturalist Worldview: Perspectives from Evolutionary Biology by Greg Graffin, p. 42. (3 years)

Tonight N. and I carved pumpkins.

Alright, Henry Rollins is getting to the point where his spoken word shows are moving from humorous tales of band travels, to becoming fascinating and inspirational tales of what it means to be a global citizen. No kidding. Last night, he waxed on how everytime he hears his President remark on how such and such a place is bad and not a suitable place to visit, he gets a visa a checks it out for himself. Since the last time he rolled thorugh, this thinking has taken him Burma, Cambodia and Pakistan (during Benazir Bhutto’s assassination no less). Of course, his tales are full of funny anecdotes such as a guide in Laos greeting him at 6AM with “WHAT’S YOUR LIFE!” and telling him to get out of the car and head for the bushes to “make biologic against a tree” (ie. take a wizz). But the message is very clear: don’t buy into fear mongering, check the planet out for yourself and you will find that all people really want to do is party to the Ramones and Al Green. I can get behind that.

So after the show I did the fanboy thing, which I haven’t done for years. I stayed behind and let the autograph hounds so their thing so I could get a word in with the man. We talked for about 15 minutes, mostly about how poverty is the root of a lot of violence and environmental destruction in developing nations. But I also asked him fanboy questions about the Rollins Band reunion shows a few years back, that is; will there be more? He responded “it seemed like a good idea at the time, but it was like going for dinner with an ex girlfriend where after 15 minutes, all you can think about is leaving”. Not that the band didn’t enjoy each other’s company, but I guess they all realized after the third day of the tour that there was a reason they broke up 10 years ago. We also talked about X and the Bad Brains, specifically how much John Doe and H.R. have in common with Mr. Chi Pig. When all was said and done, and after thinking about how much of an impact Henry has had on my life, I got him to sign my teaching certificate.

I don’t have much to talk about this morning. I’ve spent it in my bed reminiscing about playing music for some reason. I think it all started when I found Declan de Barra’s blog. Declan used to sing in a band called Clann Zu. They were a fantastic band in their day, from Australia and Winnipeg’s G7 Welcoming Committee put out a couple of their records. This was the early 2000’s and for a while I ate up anything G7 would put out. From Greg MacPherson to the Weakerthans, there was a time when G7 had a solid run. Then a bunch of bands on their label either broke up or signed to bigger labels and I think the dudes who ran it just got tired of being on that side of the industry. Understandable of course. So G7 is no more.

But back to Clann Zu and the hay-day of G7. It was the summer of ‘04 I believe and the band I played in was gathering steam. We found out Clann Zu was touring Canada so we hopped on a few of their western dates. It was the first time any of us had been on a tour with a bigger band and it’s a neat experience after carving out your own niche. First off, you don’t have to worry about only having 2 people show up. The headliners have the draw so making enough money for gas isn’t an issue. Second, within a couple days you form a camaraderie with the other band which is neat, mostly because it breaks down rock and roll barriers (which I guess is what punk rock is all about, everyone is on the same plane). Making friends from other countries is always wicked. Occasionally, I still hear from other bands or people who’ve put us up or helped us out. There is no shortage of kindness on this continent for sure. Lastly, you get to swap rock and roll stories which is probably my favorite part of being in a band. When you’re on tour, you have all these crazy experiences that would never happen during day to day life. Some of mine include having people let me stay at their place and eat their food while they’re not even around (Santa Barbara). Having the van towed with our sleeping bass player still inside (Toronto). Hanging out with a crazy Vietnam vet (Fargo) and being in the middle of a gang brawl (Oakland Ca). Like any other form of traveling, it’s basically a self created choose your own adventure. Dig it.

Oh oh, here goes! Some of my fondest memories relate to playing with that band. Driving down the highway in California that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean still fills me with warmth. Crossing the border for the first time, the guitar player and I nearly blowing it by being so nervous, then being convinced that the van was bugged and that our deportation was impending. Playing shows with countless bands like Protest the Hero, Qui, Ampere, who are still going strong. Of course the food was always one of my favorite parts. $2 California burritos, man. The greatest. A place in Montreal called Spirit Lounge which, I’m convinced, probably serves the best vegan food in North America. Or the Triple Rock in Minneapolis, which is a vegan bar/venue.

Anyways, that’s probably enough reminiscing for one post. Time to get the rest of this teaching application in and check out Henry Rollins.

An eventful last day or so. To start off, ol’ Neil Young totally killed it last night. Dude’s 62 years old and almost played the rest of his hair off, hitting every note perfectly while wielding his axe not unlike a young Thurston Moore. The set was all over the map, and though he didn’t play anything off the album he wrote with Pearl Jam or Piece of Crap (a most excellent environmentalist anthem), he tore through Hey Hey My My, Old Man, Heart of Gold and closed the set with Rockin’ in a Free World. It was neat to experience the Neil Young rock-sway in real time as he effectively ended a summer show season that has bared many fruits. No wait, I still have Rollins tomorrow.

So I had my interview today, which I thought went really well. It was nice to have a bunch of experience to draw from this time around as I was able to talk about things I’ve done to make lessons interesting, how I’ve delt with disengaged students and what I think I can bring to the school community. I wasn’t even really nervous either. I think I must be getting better when it comes to performing in front of people I don’t know. That’s all it is, you know. Whether you’re playing a set, teaching a class or interviewing for a job, it’s all just a matter of acting the part with confidence. That’s what I’ve found anyways. People have asked me how you can get up in front of a class of teenagers and talk to them about whatever. I say it’s no different than playing a show, or talking some bro down from doing something dumb at a pub. Anyways, turns out that if my references come though, I should be able to start subbing in 3-4 weeks. How exciting is that?

But not so fast, because there are yet more hoops to jump through!

(Begin afternoon with $160 in the bank and $35 in pocket)

I was told that an evaluation of my qualifications (ie. teaching experience and years spent in post-secondary) is needed so they will place me on the payscale. But instead of them being able to go on my word, I have to pay 60 dollars for my experience to be certified by another board. Time to go back to the University and get a transcript to send in to complete this process. What? I can’t get one from the registrar because I owe $122 in overdue fees? Inquire about fees. Turns out, the U waved my bus pass fee last semester, then added it back on AFTER I paid my tuition. Realizing that I have no choice, and that screwing the system will screw me out of a job, gotta keep cool. Pay with my bank card and kiss grocery shopping goodbye for yet another week. Go back to registrar, pick up 3 transcripts incase I need more for any other hoops. Money order for 60 bucks. Coffee. Inquire with cat as to why it ate my earphones. Nap.

(End day with balance I’m uninterested in knowing)

But there it is! Hopefully in a few weeks, all of this crap will have been worth it and I will make rent in 3 days worth of work. Also, apparently they’re going to need some full time teachers and my name has been thrown in the maths and sciences pool. Exciting times ahead!

The universe works in mysterious ways. The day I started filling out applications to leave this country, I received a call from the central bureaucracy. Now I have a screening interview with Public Schools set for next Monday morning. How about that. But it gets better, because in true D. fashion, I’ve also got a Neil Young show to attend 3 hours away on Sunday night.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine gave me a Gogol Bordello record to check out. For years, I’ve heard nothing but good things about the band who dub themselves “gypsy punks”, and are mostly comprised of eastern European immigrants. When they came to town a few years back, everyone who braved the weather said the show they put on was the best of the year (apparently there was crowd surfing on top of bass drums). So I went to check them out last night and my goodness, did I ever have my mind (and ears) blown completely apart. Basically, they sound like a modernized version of the music your Ukrainian grandmother used to listen to. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed myself like that at a show for ages. A couple months back I commented on how shows are increasingly alienating to me and how I find myself often disengaged from the whole thing. You know the ritual, stand there, watch band you’ve never seen, maybe tap the foot, avoid cro-magnon circle pits if need be. But this band? Hola, what a party. I might be wrong, but I think they were one of the first north American bands I’ve seen who actually look like they’re playing for the sake of having a good time. Anyways, enough about this. But you should check them out.

Ok, election talk. Working the polls the other day was pretty interesting. Counting the ballots even more so. When I got home, I was pretty convinced there was going to be another conservative sweep in my tired province. But as the night went on, my roommate and I watched as the woman representing the left crept closer and closer to the conservative d-bag who for years has done nothing but fill my mailbox with fear-mongering propaganda. Wouldn’t you know, at about 10 o’clock she takes the lead. I couldn’t believe it. There was barely any vote splitting either, it looked as though the electorate had enough of this fratboy’s shenanigans and got organized. An hour later, the polls are finished reporting and she wins by nearly 500 votes. You know, there are reasons to celebrate like Stanley cup finals, graduating or marriages, but when you live in a province that can seem depressingly conservative and all of a sudden your riding shifts from blue to orange, hot damn. It’s time to party. Of course, the dude who lost has yet to concede. In fact, apparently he gave a victory speech (at a place that is notorious for its sexist advertisements) and was then told that he was no longer winning. So unless 500 magical special ballots materialize with his name on it, he’s outta there. Once again, I can’t state how much I love this neighbourhood.

But now onto some other matters. I just found out that my student loan repayments next month are going to start. I’ve been a bit panicy because I’m looking at $600/mo. So for the time being, I think I’m going to have to hit up a temp agency or something because there’s no way I can afford that given my current economic situation. Also, and this sucks, I think that if I’m not accepted into grad school I’m going to be forced to leave this place. I don’t really want to, but I have 40 grand worth of student debt and a teaching certificate that, for reasons I can’t understand (being that they’re building new schools and apparently need teachers), seems rather useless in this city. I’ve been in this here before. When I got my first degree, I couldn’t do anything with it and was forced to take a job that was completely dehumanizing. But this time I’m not going to just sit back and deal. This blog and the last two years of my life would be a complete waste of time if I did. So I’m going to start tossing resumes around to school boards in Sweden, Australia and anywhere else I see now hiring signs. I’m not going to bother with places that aren’t at least on par with what I’ve got here and there’s something enticing about warmer climates. Once again, we’ll see. I’ve given myself until NYE to  nail down the next phase of my life.

My riding: a little progressive haven in a sea of conservative blue. Have a little faith in the democratic process dear cynics because with effective organizing and a strong campaign, miracles can happen.

So I signed myself up to work 14 hours for Elections Canada tomorrow. Should be fun. If anything interesting goes down at the polls, I will be sure to let you know.

Also, tonight is the first rehearsal for the Halloween spectacular that will involve myself and 4 other dudes blasting our way through some AC/DC jams.

The turkey is a noble beast and (like all animals that are a shameful casualties of factory farming) does not deserve to be treated the way it is by an industry that puts profits above their well being. Be kind to animals this thanksgiving and give turkeys a break.

peace.

d

With the election less than a week away, it would appear that things are looking up. Maybe people are realizing that there are more important things to be concerned about than just the economy. Or that supporting the U.S. led war in Afghanistan will be twice as much as originally anticipated and that the war cannot be “won” using current strategies. Either way, I am fully prepared to deal with another minority government if it means Stephen Harper will not have free reign up in here. Who knows, maybe some politicians would see it as an opportunity to work together on modernizing our abhorrent environmental policy and addressing our energy woes.

A note on the arts cuts. Even though I have never received any of the funding I’ve applied for through programs like the Canadian Council for the Arts, I still think it and other programs like it are extremely important when it comes to artistic development in Canada. The main argument I hear in support of cuts implies that Canadian artists are lazy and various projects aren’t worth the money. I shutter to think of a situation wherein corporate music is the only option, existing solely as a thing to be bought and sold. A country of Nickelbacks and Avril Lavignes as opposed to one that helps support the John K.’s and independent labels like Three Gut spawning bands like the Constantines. I’ve also heard a lot of Conservative talk about how it’s bands like Holy F_ck and directors like Martin Gero and Aaron Abrams who are offensive and supporting them is not in the public interest. Obviously, these people have never heard the band or seen the movie. Cranky old curmudgeons who’ve probably laughed at Archie Bunker but aren’t willing to accept various reality checks that independent art offers Canadians. That being said, I found this little add on youtube which I thought was pretty funny and pertinent for the moment.

Last week I had a realization, an epiphany if you will. You see, I was working at the pub (a job I quit about a month ago but was somehow convinced to still occasionally work) when I had a bad night with a couple of the “higher ups”. At one point I was told to go clean up some vomit a drunken patron had deposited on the stairs to which I replied, “no, that’s gross”. For the last couple of months, I’ve seen the bottom of the humanity barrel, but I’ve always just perceived my job as one that keeps people safe and pleasant. Keep it posi, you know? But I was feeling pretty high up on my newly acquired certification horse and frankly, I consider myself an intelligent 27 year old and this is crap I do not need in my life. When one of the bosses told me that my efforts might “might someday be rewarded with (me) with being able to bartend” (golly-gee, really?!), something in my brain snapped. I did not put myself through 7 years of school to pay dues for drunks and I’m not down with being a cog in the machine that promotes badly behaved adults. The next day I quit and went in to see my prof about applying for a M.Ed.

So I have 3 weeks to get my application in to be able to start January 1st. The beauty of it is that it’s one of the only Masters degrees you can take part time so if I get some work, I will be able to do both at the same time.

All of the other areas in my life are great these days. My other jobs are fantastic. At the veg restaurant, the owner (a Buddhist gentleman that I have much respect for) recently returned from Indonesia where he was helping victims of the earthquake a few years back. He makes the place even more enjoyable. Also, working with N., is going really well. Last night I took my guitar and djembe over to his place and we played music for a couple hours, then went skateboarding, then played spongebob monopoly. Good times.

I think the most important thing right now is to keep moving forward. There have been times in my life where I’ve settled for putting up with B.S. dumb-dumb work because I knew it was an easy way out. But even though I’ve got no money, I’ve come too far to resign to that. Maybe a life of academia is in store for me, who knows! But things are happening which seem to be pointing me in another direction I never thought I’d head. Guess I might as well run with it.

Henry Rollins was recently interviewed on the CBC, commenting on the condition of our neighbours to the South as well as the upcoming election. Check it out.

Man Enslaved By Cats.

(EDM-AB) A 27 year old confesses that cats rule his life.

“It’s true”, says D, “and there’s nothing I can really do about it”. After sharing his home with the two animals for five years, D. has resigned himself to the fact that he is “basically working for (his) cats”. It began in the summer of ‘03 when D. was convinced to adopt a female Bombay (Gus) in order to save her from being declawed. Upon arrival, Gus was anything but indebted for the deed. In fact, it was not long after she moved in that she began making demands regarding the promptness of her food service, the hospitality arrangements and conditions of her sanitary services. “I don’t understand it. I used to think I had some control of the situation, now she manages to take up 80% of the bed and has me trained to feed her in irregular intervals”.

If that wasn’t bad enough, D’s life took a turn for the worst upon the departure of an ex-girlfriend. “The end of the relationship doesn’t bother me as much as the cat she left behind”. The cat D. refers to is a male Tuxedo named Bun Bun (Bunnington or Mr. Bun on occasion). In fact, it was Bun Bun who truly broke D’s spirit through a strict regiment of unprovoked midnight chirpings. This combined with eating anything from  bread products to live herbs, and scratching various smooth vertical surfaces in D’s apartment, ensured that D. quickly lost control of his home, income and life.

“They’re conspiring, I’ve known it for years”. Unfortunately this has been realized too late for D. who can no longer turn a blind eye to the animals, yet finds himself somewhat helpless in the situation. According to D., the cats refuse to get jobs, will not attend behavior rehabilitation programs, and constantly mock their companion’s vegan diet by leaving mutilated rodents at the foot of his bed.

On a positive note, winter should be better for D. who looks forward to the season every year so he can get out, shovel the walk and “throw the damn cats in the snowbank”.

Not much new. Went to the corn-maze with N., then he made me a paper dragon. It’s warm here, spending most of my time on the stoop working on some tunes. Attempting to write lyrics for a few jams for the first time. I find this makes reading more important because if I don’t put in a good amount of time daily, I end up using dumb-dumb words and bad rhymes.

What do you know, I found another modified Garfield comic site. This time the strip is translated into Chinese, then back to English. The result is here.

Also, I got my interm teaching certificate in the mail today!