I find it completely understandable that these young lads envision a day when they will see their name in lights and hear their name being cheered by thousands of fans as they come up to the plate. However, I am still trying to figure out why so many women fall asleep each night, hoping that their prince charming… a man in cleats, carrying a baseball bat… will come rescue them.

However, many five-year-old girls fail to realize is the reality regarding baseball. The long season, the constant travel – one can only imagine how hard this would be on the princess waiting at home.

Let’s take the Toronto Blue Jays upcoming season, for example. If I can still add (it’s been a few years since high school math), the Blue Jays will spend approximately 88 days in Toronto during their 187 game season. Plus, that’s not everything…consider where they are right at this moment… in Florida – for six weeks!

That being the case, it doesn’t seem to leave much time for baseball players to actually be the prince charming their woman has longed for when they are younger.

And then there’s the aspect of relocation. Whether the baseball player is excitedly moving from farm team to the major leagues, or disappointedly being traded from his home team to another state, (or in the case of our Blue Jays – to another country), one can only imagine how heart-wrenching the experience is for the woman he is leaving at home. She is merely left behind to figure out their new living situation and forced to say goodbye to the house they made their own, to the friends they’ve grown attached to, and to the happy life they had

The reality of the artificial dream is acknowledged in a newspaper article from the Montreal Gazette. Although published over 25 years ago (1985). The reality still rings true today. Within the article, Bryn Smith, who had then been a pitcher for the Montreal Expos, stated: 

You can shag a fly as easily in Wrigley Field as the Big O. It’s the person at home cooking those meals whose world has really been turned around. While her husband is doing something he’s always dreamt of, she has been uprooted from friends and family to find herself in a position she probably never dreamed of being.

Evidently Smith realized the effects of falling in love with a baseball player.

For every game that has to be won, a birthday is missed.  For every RBI scored, an anniversary is missed.  For every loss that occurs, a player’s love says goodnight to an empty pillow. For every win that takes place, tears of happiness are shared by the male but tears of sadness are expressed knowing it won’t be long until her lover leaves again.

Kate Kilpatrick published an article highlighting the reality of it all in the Washington Post this past August. In the article, Rachel Dunn, wife of Adam Dunn, the first baseman for the Nationals, stated that a life of the significant other of a baseball player is “not even remotely as glamorous as people think – [as it] can be lonely, chaotic and uncertain.”

Abby Kearns, wife of Nationals right fielder Austin Kearns, reiterated Dunn’s statement claiming “I am lucky to be able to take a shower every day. I’m just so busy, honestly, trying to take care of the kids, without [Austin] here.”

Michael Schlact, who is presently playing for the Texas Rangers, discusses the hardship that arises from being in love with a woman and a sport with me through a direct message Twitter. Schlact indicated: “I’m blessed that my wife is able to travel with me [now]. [It] makes it much easier. We did long distance for 3 years. It was hard!”

Interestingly, when I asked Toronto Blue Jays, Dirk Hayhurst, (or otherwise known by his Twitter friends as “The Garfoose,” about the aspect of the dream women have of falling in love with a baseball player (and the affect that might have on him), Hayhurst merely indicated that “women that want to meet you because of what you do for a living are not the type worth meeting.”

Evidently, it seems the life that I dreamed of having at five-years-old now doesn’t seem to be as amazing as I had once thought. The dream house I dreamed of sharing, only hear the echo from movements, the dream kids I’d wish to have would be screaming through crowded airports, the dream job I wished to hold would be pushed aside due to her being given the roles of both a mother and a father, and the dream husband that I wished would always be there to protect me be my knight and shining armour…well he’s away, playing the dream sport.

Metro Transit bus #979, taken by Chris Grady in 2005

Don’t you just hate when you get on the bus and there are those ANNOYING people who think they are in their own car, or are the only person on the bus? Just like there are things you don’t do at a table or on a plane, there are things you just don’t do on a bus! Therefore, I have made this simple guide for those who do not understand proper bus etiquette.

(These are in no particular order)

15. The bus is not a playground, so don’t let your kids act like it is one – Don’t you just hate those parents who let their kids run around like they’re in their own home or on the school’s playground? Why? It’s a MOVING vehicle!!! Come on now, somebody is going to get hurt!

14. Don’t yell ‘INDOOR VOICES’ at your kids (especially when they aren’t even being that loud) – Set an example for your child. By yelling indoor voices, you totally defeat the purpose of them using their indoor voices. If mommy can yell, so can we!

13. Don’t pay with 100 coins – Now I understand if you have a bunch of coins, I’m a student, I totally understand. But come on… Jamming up the coin taker? Pleaseee. Put them in a few at a time if you have 100 coins!

12. Don’t stare at others – This one goes for ALL the time, not just on the bus. But seriously, it is so uncomfortable when you are sitting on the bus and you can feel the person across the isle just staring you down. So you look over at them and then they look away…. two seconds later they’re at it again!!

11. You can listen to your music, but the rest of us DO NOT want to hear it – It’s been a long day at school or work, you have a headache and you’re getting on the bus to go home. You sit down and at the next stop this guy (or girl) gets on the bus and sits behind you, 3 seats back. S/he has headphones on, but might as well have speakers, because everyone on the bus can hear the words perfectly!! I don’t mind if people listen to music, I do it myself sometimes, but I don’t want to listen to YOUR music!

10. Don’t sing aloud to your music – There is a time and a place for everything. You may think a bus is a great place to display your musical talents (or lack there of) but it’s not. Just that plain and simple, if we wanted to hear you sing, we would ask you.

9. Move to the back of the bus – When the bus is getting full and you are standing up, don’t stay at the front of the bus, move to the back! The people in the back don’t bite! I was on the bus the other day (luckily I had snagged a seat) but I noticed these people who were standing right before the step up to the back of the bus and they just wouldn’t go to the VERY back. More people were getting on and it was getting extremely squished near the front. The back of the bus had all that space! Just be courteous and move back! It’s not that difficult.

8. Give up your seat for the elderly – Shouldn’t this one be obvious? Yeah, you may be tired, but when an older lady or man get on the bus everyone should start to get up to give him/her a seat. It’s just not right to have an elderly person standing. I was on a bus one day (standing) and this older man got on the bus and NO ONE got up to give him a seat at first. I was mortified. There were all these people in their 20’s sitting and no one offered him a seat.

7. Talk to your friends not at them – I don’t want to hear your conversation about the crazy party you went to last night or the hotttttt dudee you almost had and I don’t think anyone else does either, so don’t talk to your friend who is on the opposite end of the bus. Enough said.

6. Wear deodorant please – Deodorant or soap, it’s not too expensive. If you can afford to ride the bus, you can afford to cleanse. I was on the bust one day and this guy about my age got on. He was standing near the back door, and I was sitting near it. He lifted his arm to hold onto the bar and I almost puked. I think the person next to me was feeling a bit queasy too! I hope he didn’t think that raunchy smell was me!

5. When you cough, cover your mouth – We learn this in primary! Don’t spread germs, we’re already too close to each other. If you have to cough just be polite and cover your mouth!

4. If the bus is full, don’t take up two seats – It’s just that simple! Put your bag on your lap or on the floor. Not so hard to do.

3. Talking on cell phones – I could go on for a while about this one. It’s okay to talk on your cell, we all do it. But no one wants to hear your conversation about the guy you slept with last night or how you just found out you can fit your entire fist (including most of your wrist) in your mouth.

2. If there are a lot of empty seats, don’t sit by a random person - There are empty seats everywhere but you get on the bus and just have to sit by me! Why????

1. If I’m listening to music, I don’t want to talk to you – I have my earphones in for a reason. A) I want to listen to my music. B) I am tired and had a long day. C) To avoid weird people who like to make small talk with me on the bus.

If you follow these rules I think everyone would enjoy their bus ride just a little bit more! I know I would. As students we’re often forced to take the bus because no one can afford to buy their own car let alone pay for the gas to make it drive! If we just all follow these simple 15 rules then everyone will be happier!

This is truly hilarious!

Tragic circumstance!

Don’t play innocent, we’ve all been there.  You met up with that cute guy or gal who you’ve been eyeing in class for a quick bite and everything’s going great.  The conversation is flowing and there’s smiles all around until that awkward lull when he or she pulls out their cellphone to read or answer a text message.  At this point you’re red in the face, fumbling to finish your sentence hoping that they’re still listening to you. Then you ask yourself things like, “Who are they texting?”, “Am I boring him/her?” and of course “Is he/she into me?”

Text messaging is a huge cultural phenomenon among teenagers and young adults, in which peers can keep in constant communication, anywhere at any time with the touch of a few buttons. It’s cheap. It’s convenient. It’s perfect.

With these points in mind, texting seems to be a great and inexpensive way to keep in touch with your pals. What you might not have considered though is the strain it can put on your personal relationships with others.

Texting allows couples and dates to keep in touch by connecting, flirting and of course “sexting”, many young adults seeing it as a necessary form of additional communcation aside from e-mails and phone calls.  It also provides singles the opportunity to feel out a potential match and can provide a quick getaway during a bad or awkward date (“My sister’s car broke down/is in the hospital/is in prison/etc.” Anything to get you out of there!).

As amazing as text messaging is, there are potential issues when texting and dating are combined. In an era where electronic forms of communication like e-mail, text and instant messaging are considered the norm, everyone is expected to be in constant contact with one another. It is because of this, a person’s texting habits can be translated into their persona and feelings, whether they’re glued to their QWERTY board or whether T9 is uncharted territory to them.

On the negative side of things, texting can be toxic for relationships and when pursuing potential romantic partners. Many second dates have been ruled out with the constant use of text messaging with friends or ex-partners during dates. For many, texting on a date is annoying and unnattractive. If you’re texting at a restaurant, your date will get the vibe you’re not interested in them and would rather communicate electronically with someone else than talking to you. A problem I have often encounted is the ambiguity of messages. What one perceives as sarcasm, another might take literally.

Now, you don’t have to chuck your cellphone into the garbage to assure a healthy romantic relationship. Simple little things can help, like, I don’t know, dialing their phone number? Just because texting is a norm doesn’t mean that you have to absolve all other more personal forms of communication. And besides, it makes people feel special, and you want to feel special, don’t you?

]]> http://campusintel.com/2010/03/09/textually-active/feed/ 4 http://campusintel.com/2010/03/09/brotherhood-of-broken-hearts-part-1/ http://campusintel.com/2010/03/09/brotherhood-of-broken-hearts-part-1/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:29:29 +0000 Andrew Martel http://campusintel.com/?p=1322

In a William Wallace (Braveheart) voice: “They can take our lives, but they can never take our FREEDOM!!”

Many have seen that movie, many have heard these words (probably even recited improperly), but no one realizes that these words are something to live by on a day–to-day basis. These words, along with other famous quotes, become the foundation to a good inner-strength. I will, throughout my BoBH (pronounced Bob) blogs, explain the importance of this quote and of the others, but for now, let’s start at the start. Start off on a good foot, with some rainbows, pixie dust and a bucket of sunshine.

Now that you’ve realized the point of these blogs, I want you to realize why I’m here. I, myself, have been through my fair share of relationships. From the best, long-term relationships, to the utterly terrible, short-term disasters, I’ve dealt with many situations. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m no guru; I’m no man whore or some “know-it-all”. Recently, I’ve come to notice that many boys, like me, go into relationships without realizing what they are doing, what they want and the changes that may need to be made.

That’s why I’m here. I’m that little voice inside your head, hopefully leading you to happiness with whoever that person may be.

Just like sports, video production, cooking, you need to have a pre-“game” plan:

Step 1:
Foundation for the Future.

The main thing is that both parties involved know what each other want and agree on it. Hell, sign a contract if you want (we all know how some women can alter the “understanding”). Choose your destiny is pretty appropriate to this topic. First off, figure out what you guys “are”. Is this relationship a serious one (long-term or just a short-term one)? The famous “friends with benefits”? The “no-friends, just benefits” combo? Feel free to create your own, individually or as a couple.

But wait! Don’t just think present, maybe even look into the future. Obviously no one is asking you to be like Nostradamus, but talk about the future with you guys. Do you see this “friend with benefits” deal become a serious relationship? How fast do you want to move in a relationship? Basic understanding is the foundation of this relationship.

Step 1.1:
1+1=1?

I only created this step recently; I’ve come to realize its key importance in a successful relationship. I’ve called it 1.1 because it belongs fundamentally with the foundation, yet is not necessary and can be watered-down if preferred.

This step, I believe, can be mainly used for the serious relationships, but can be changed for whatever plan you have created for the both of you. Now remember, this step doesn’t have to be a cannonball attack (all at once), it can be more like a grenade explosion, with several pieces hitting you at different times, and slowly letting the pieces sink in.

What I’m trying to get at is that you need to understand the other person’s likes, dislikes, hobbies, preferences, turn-ons, turn-offs, etc… Like mentioned before, feel free to sit down with each other and just let loose, telling everything, starting with a clean and open slate. Or just over time, mention something that you like or dislike. But for the love of all that is right…do not get mad at the other person if they did not know. They don’t read minds! Explain to the person why you like or hate that thing…make it clear and understandable.

This is why it’s 1+1=1. If you want to understand the other person, and for them to understand you, you will need to become “one” and share what is necessary to make the relationship fun, exciting and enjoyable.

This will be it for this blog. Those are just a few quick tips to start off. If there is anything you guys want me to talk about or discuss more in depth, feel free to ask/recommend. I’m open to all.

And remember: Stay good, stay strong, and stay out of trouble!

Peace.

Andrew

To begin with I need to explain the three different types of hangovers:

Level 1: throbbing headache either at the base of your skull or pounding just behind your eyes. Although this is really uncomfortable most people who have this hangover can function throughout the day (though it should be noted noises get louder and lights get brighter). I also like to call this the wine hangover (as this is how I get after drinking red wine).

Level 2: Nausea and intense head ache, vertigo, waves of selective amnesia about the previous night, inability to function at normal or half-par levels. This hangover results from drinking excessively only taking a couple of sips of water, NOT having carb laden foods and not taking anything like Tylonel or Advil before you hit the hay. **Note you will be exhausted because you have most likely passed out, this is NOT sleep and therefore you have a legitimate excuse to bitch, whine and complain all day about your poor, hung over body.

Level 3: Think migraine, your vision is blurred, your stomach is turning inside out, and the toilet seems to be your new best friend. Sadly when you are this hung over you are most likely going to realize that you do, in fact, really need to get onto cleaning your toilet and you can’t understand how you let it go so long…. STOP do not go there, that train of thought will guarantee to set you off up-chucking again. Your body will ache from head to toe (those muscles in your stomach get a really good work out though) and you will think you are dying… you are not, but it certainly feels close doesn’t it?

So now that you are all aware of the types of hangovers (and that they are no means set in stone) here are the top 9 ways to get rid of a hangover:

1. WATER! It’s not hard people, hangovers = your body dehydrated, so stop being stupid and drink some water BEFORE you go to bed. Not only can this minimize the morning effects but you just wont feel so gross.

2. Greasy foods: this is for the level two and three hangovers. If you get greasy foods into you it will help settle the nausea. But please, once again, do not be stupid! If you are having trouble sitting upright, splurge and get delivery on that pizza. Also take tiny little bites initially if you still are having trouble with your stomach.

3. Exercise!!!! My personal favourite. If your hangover is mild (level one or early stages level two) go for a jog, go for a bike (and if you are in Sackville take advantage of the WONDERFUL weather we appear to be having). Take a walk outside making sure to stay hydrated by drinking water, but at the same time getting your heart rate up. This will release endorphins making your headache go away and giving you a light fluffy feeling of satisfaction of working off all the booze from the night before.

4. Sex, yes sex. Sex does the same thing as exercise (plus the exercise part)! **NOTE** I am not endorsing going out and finding someone to sleep with you. I am just happening to say that if you are with somebody you are sleeping with or your one night stand stayed over, take advantage. Besides, trying something new sexually never hurt anybody… well depending on what exactly but moving on….

5. Indulge yourself, stay in bed with a good book or a movie… allow your body to rest and recover. As much as I dislike being told that time is the only way to make hangovers better, time will allow your body to recuperate even if your head is not feeling right.

6. DO NOT EAT CHOCOLATE. Hangovers are exactly like migraines, chocolate only makes head aches and migraines worse, your body doesn’t need that.

7. Now that your body is hydrated from all that water get your elctrolites back by drinking a sugary drink. My mum usually recommends Pepsi or something.

8. This is strictly for level 3 hangover; perscription migraine medication or “triptans”. (These can include zomig, imitrex, etc) although these drugs are used exclusively to treat migraines they do take hangovers away. **DISCLAIMER** this is obviously off-label use and I really do not endorse this particular method, but if you truly feel it is justified there is no way I can stop you.

9. The best thing known to university student-kind. GRAVOL. Takes away nausea and dizziness. You can sleep off your hangover.

I hope this helps even a little bit, stay tuned in for my next blog on the “Top Ten Ways to Please Your Man”… oh no… wait… that’s Cosmo…

The photos are a result of a pair of young punks’ do-it-yourself photojournalist tactics inspired by the early punk rock movement, around 1979. Nick and Simon White, brothers who grew up in Toronto, saw most of the shows that later went down in history as part of the beginnings of the new musical era. They got the idea to photograph these early performances, possibly foreseeing the nostalgic element they would later provide.

The mostly black and white photographs depict a youthful who’s who of 70s and early 80s rock: The Ramones, The Clash, Peter Tosh, The Specials, and U2 with a young Bono are among the legendary acts captured in the photos. Other rare performances like The Talking Heads, Johnny Rotten performing with post-Pistols band Public Image Ltd., and The Specials were also captured by the brothers.

For the past 30 years, the photos have been tucked away, and nearly forgotten about, by the brothers. They stopped photo-documenting the music scene when it became harder for them to obtain press passes for concerts. In the earlier days, they were just seeing shows and taking pictures from the crowd. They started a fanzine, Smash It Up, where many of the photos were printed. But the zine went out of production when the 70s underground went mainstream and being punk no longer meant being free to publicize your favourite bands.

Now, the White brothers’ extensive work is on display for all to appreciate. The event is free, on for all of March at The Steamwhistle Brewery in Toronto, and, I’m sure, pints will be on hand to help commemorate the wild moments. If you can’t make it in person, visit the CBC online gallery here: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/slideshows/PunkTorontoSlideshow2/project/ 

I am sure none of us students can disagree with the fact that, at some point in our lives, we wished we go back to the beginning of something and start over. This could be pertaining to the relationship that you recently found out would end; the paths you didn’t take in terms of education or work experience; or even those times when you wish you could go back to Friday, and maybe, just maybe, get some work done throughout the weekend this time.

Sometimes though, I know, the whole aspect of starting over scares us.

As I write this blog I frequently delete words here and there. But I don’t start over. I merely push CTRL and Z on my keyboard (or Edit -> Undo), and simply undo and get back on track. Could life function that way? Could I magically now hit my bellybutton (much like those two buttons on my keyboard) and get back on the path I am supposed to be on?

The unfortunate thing is that I realize we can’t go back to the beginning of our lives and relive our obsessions with Barbie and Tonka trucks… but wouldn’t that make life so much simpler? I’ve found out the hard way that skinned knees are a lot easier to heal than broken hearts. I still don’t know what I was thinking when I was 13, claiming that I could not wait to get older and have more responsibility.

I just feel that life doesn’t prepare you for the many paths out there. I feel that you only find out about the shortcut after you climbed 62,532 stairs, swam 24353 kilometers, and hiked 3,200 mountains. I did not know that there were other paths to education (guidance counselor gave me two options… Arts or Science) nor did I realize that there was other ways of getting to my final destination (what that is… I still don’t know).

So with that in mind, I shall continue to think about my “restart” button and my “undo” button… and finally realize why Staples’ Easy button may just be the way to go…