Woke up and said Hallo

 Hey everybody.  I wanted to take this post to talk about an album that I really enjoyed.  David Usher's Wake Up And Say Goodbye.  This CD came out when I was in Grade 11 of high school and is one of few that I listen to all the way through.  I have many fond memories sitting in my room on a mild March day when the temperature felt warmer than it really was.  I would crack the window in my room to let in the fresh air while I poured over a book with a cup of Lady Grey tea to keep me company.  I still get a little tear eyed when I hear songs like "And So We Run" or "Everyday Things".  These songs still motivate me to read or do a little writing (I'm listening to the album even as I'm writing this very post.  These songs still remind me of those far off days when I was young and full of myself.  I can remember hurling insults at my friend Zach in food and nutrition class or walking out in the cold fall weather with friends after a trip to the movies.  To end this post, I'm gonna share one of my favourite songs from this album, "Secret Garden".

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hey everybody.  I know that there hasn't been many posts this week so I thought I would send out a message to show I'm alive and let you  know that there will still be posts.  I have one planned for July 1st as it's Canada Day and there maybe one tomorrow if I can get around to it.

We new return you to whatever it was you were doing.

Oh PokéSnap!

Hey You, Pikachu!

     So, how many of you grew up in the late 90s/ early 2000s with Pokémon?  I sure do.  The first game I had was Blue Version (started with a Squirtle and the game still works to this day) and used to watch the show at 4.30 on the Zone on YTV.  The games I remember wanting to play were Hey You, Pikachu and Pokémon Snap.  My mom managed to get me the former as a kid and I can still remember sitting in the basement shouting into the microphone different commands to Pikachu.

Pokemon Snap

     I first heard about Pokemon Snap in a Pokémon magazine that I had because it contained a walk through for Gold Version.  I always wanted the game, but never got a chance.  Just a few months ago I happened across Pokémon Snap at a used video game store in the town I moved to for school.  Since I still have my Nintendo 64, I thought this was chance to play the game I always wanted to try.  It's a bit dated but is just what I expected in regards to playability.

"I say good sir/madame!  Would you perchance like to play a game of Monsters that Live in Your Pocket?"

Bibliography
"Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander Wallpaper." Wallpaper Converter. Accessed June 23, 2015.

 "Don't Get a Reply in 24hrs to Win! (KingSam Memorial Game)." Don't Get a Reply in 24hrs to Win! (KingSam Memorial Game). Accessed June 23, 2015.

"Hey You, Pikachu!" Wikipedia. Accessed June 23, 2015.

"Pokémon Snap." Wikipedia. Accessed June 23, 2015.

Le Book! Sure, I guess...

     Hello all, today I wanted to talk about a book I had to read in History of North American Religion entitled La Guerre, Yes Sir! by Roch Carrier (author of the short story "The Hockey Sweater"). It is the darkly comedic story of when the body of a dead French Canadian soldier is returned to his home village in rural Quebec. Chaos is unleashed when Anglo soldiers arrive with the body the villagers arrive to pay their respects, bringing drinking, shouting and fighting in their wake. Carrier's novel lampoons the classic view of Quebec identity since of being largely rural and pious, something politicians like Maurice Duplessis had been emphasising during the 1930s and '50s under the power of the Union Nationale. La Guarre, Yes Sir! is not only a commentary of life during the reign on Maurice Duplessis, but is also a glimpse into Quebec society during the Quiet Revolution.

     The idea of rural Quebec being separate from its urban counter is quickly thrown away early in the beginning of La Guerre. The introduction of the railroad means the village is now dependent on the both the city and the rest of Canada by providing them with goods not normally found in in the country. It is also through the railroad that the body of the dead soldier Corriveau is brought home from the battle fields of Europe. Carrier is showing that the rural Quebec is dependent on industry as it assists the countryside by giving it the supplies that it has become reliant on and also serving as the only means to bring Corriveau's body home for burial. Despite this contact with the outside world. The village is still ignorant to what is really out there, even claiming at one point that young men would turn into homosexuals from visiting the city (149).

     Religion is seen as only casually observed by French Canadians. The finest examples of this can be found in the interactions between Arsène and his son Philibert, the two being constantly at odds due to Philibert being an atheist.  Throughout the book, Philibert makes blasphemous comments, prompting his father to beat him.  After hearing his son make a comment about the hard ground and Jesus Christ, Arsène proceeds to hit his son until he hears Philibert mention that kicking him will be pointless as he is just reminded how happy he will be to bury his father when Arsène dies. The two then go on to compare the ground to a knot in the crucifix and the Pope’s mattress. These scenes show the lose the influence of religion was in rural Quebec. Philibert is a staunch atheist, constantly rubbing against his father’s Catholic faith. But upon realizing that his son is now a grown man, Arsène becomes willing to join in with his son’s blasphemous remarks, showing that he too is not as serious in his faith as he had appeared.

     In conclusion, Roch Carrier's book is an excellent source on not only what life was like during the government of Maurice Duplessis, but also on the mind set of those viewing the past during the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s.  The growth of industry in the early twentieth century had opened access between rural and urban Quebec.  These two formerly separate worlds were now able to interact, though the rural part was still ever cautious of the urban.  In addition,  religion was not as strongly observed as believed as some villagers were willing to forsake their faith in the name of good humour.  The question that now remains is how does this all play into the Quiet Revolution's perception of the past.  It shows that 1960s Quebec was beginning to see its past as exactly what it was: the past.  Rather than trying to up hold values that their forefathers obviously couldn't do themselves.  Therefore, Carrier's books is an interesting read for how he uses dark humour to lampoon the past.

Maurice Duplessis (1890-1959)

Bibliography

Carrier, Roch. La Guerre, Yes Sir! In La Guerrer Trilogy, by Roch Carrier, trans. Sheila Fischman, 105-203. Toronto: House of Anansi Press Inc., 2013.

"La Guerre, Yes Sir!" Goodreads. Accessed June 22, 2015.

"Révolution Tranquille Et Démocratie Au Pluriel." - Articles. Accessed June 22, 2015.

Matter of Opinion

    Hey everybody.  I'm taking a break from the normal stuff (I think it's normal).  I'm wanting to know what you guys think of all this so far.  I want to post some more original stuff, like a weekly/bi-weekly serial of some sort but I want know what's been working.  So please, comment and let me know.

Welcome to Below the Fiftieth Wall and its Stream of Unconsciousness

     Today I wanted to talk about two web based programs that I've been watching for the past while.  These are Atop the Fourth Wall by Linkara and Suede's Stream of Conciousness/Suede XS by Suede of Channel Awesome fame.  The year 2014 had been a tough one for me and these two shows gave me something to escape to during that period.  To be honest I only happened to get into these shows because of my friend Brad, who is also a fan of Atop the Fourth Wall.  After watching a few episodes Linkara's show, I started exploring the rest of Channel Awesome and happened across some of the other personalities who  appeared in some of the cross over episodes, among them was Suede, whose Anime reviews and his opinion program Suede's Stream of Conciousness (later renamed Suede XS) I have found enjoyable.

Linkara - Atop The Fourth Wall
     Atop the Fourth Wall is a comic book review program that looks at (of course) bad comics.  These range from comics from Marvel and DC to lesser known publishers and obscure comics that you didn't know existed.  Throughout the show, Linkara has had a running story line parodying and honouring the insanity of comics.  With his trusty magic gun (where'd her purchase that?) and his companions the robot Pollo, 90s Kid, Harvey Finevoice, Doctor Linksaino amongh others (including an insaine yet endearing DC character named Snowflame), Linkara faces off against robot copies of himself, universe-eating entities and the dreaded Lord Vyce all from the comfort of his space ship Comicron 1.  In Atop the Fourth Wall, Linkara not only shows what works for sequential art and storytelling, but also celebrates why comics are still so endearing. An example of the humour found in Atop the Fourth Wall can be seen in his review of Superman At Earth's End.  If you like this and want to check out more, please visit him on Channel Awesome or on his own website, atopthefourthwall.com.

Suede - Suede's Stream of Consciousness/Suede XS

     The programs Suede's Stream of Consciousness and Suede SX are opinion pieces that look at various topics relating to anime and fandom.   In addition to this show, Suede also reviews anime on his Animenia program, where he looks at anime shows and movies such as his reviews of the Pokemon movie franchise, which also features Linkara.  His most resent review to date is of the film adaptation of Ace Attorney. What always put a smile on my face when watching Suede is the excitement he seems to have when discussing his topics, like it's something he really wants to put out there and contagiously make you excited for what's in store in return.  If you want to check out more by Suede you can find him on Channel Awesome.

Bibliography

Lovehaug, Lewis. "Welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall!" Welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall! Accessed June 16, 2015.

Suede. "Suede's Stream Of Consciousness: The Pros And Cons Of Patreons." Channel Awesome. Accessed June 16, 2015.

 Suede. "Watch Suede XS: Introduction | Suede Episodes | Comedy Videos | Blip." RSS. Accessed June 16, 2015.  

The Lord God Made Them All

     Hallo!  Recently I just got back into a show I used to watch on the local PBS when I was young called All Creatures Great and Small, a series based on the books by the late James Harriot chronicling his career as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales from the 1930s to as far forward as the early 70s (from what I can can gather but the show concentrates itself on the 1930s and 50s).  It not like Game of Thrones, with its political intrigue, violence and infamous episode 9 ready to give everyone a shock like clockwork.  Despite being the opposite, much like Game of Thrones, All Creatures Great and Small can also boast of some connection with Doctor Who, with Peter Davidson (the Fifth Doctor) playing Tristan, Patrick Troughton (the Second Doctor) making a guest appearance and the notorious John Nathan-Turner producing.  In addition, the program has a Harry Potter connection with Robert Hardy as Sigfried(who played the misguided Cornelius Fudge in the film series).

     These slice of life shows can be a nice change up from heroes fighting dragons, politicians stabbing each other in the back, maidens with hair long enough to climb, and more.  They help us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.  House of Cards, Games of Thrones, Sherlock, and Doctor Who are nice programs but sometimes a nice change is always good.  It's slices of life that make us laugh, cry, and relate with the world around us while making us find joy in the small things (while ignoring the trouble small things can cause).  Sure, those shows can due the same thing, but there is something about shows that are grounded in the realms of reality that are nice every now and again.

Cast from Left to Right: Christopher Timothy as James; Robert Hardy as Sigfried; Peter Davidson as Tristan; Mary Hignett as Mrs. Hall;Carol Drinkwater as Helen (series 1-3, replaced later by Lynda Billingham for series 4-7)

 Bibliography
"James Herriot Series." - Exodus Books. Accessed June 15, 2015.

Wikipedia. Accessed June 15, 2015.

The Puff Puff Parson

The Rev. W. Awdry (1911-1997) observing his self-made model of Thomas' Branch Line.

     Today marks the 104th birthday of the Rev. Wilbert Vere Awdry (1911-1997).  This clergy man had made many a childhood with his creation of a certain little blue tank engine.  Originally written as stories to entertain his son Christopher when he was sick with measles, the Rev. Awdry's Railway Series has since held strong for 70 years and continue in the form of the television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.  It has been very much a part of my life since I can remember and still is.  A lot of people like to think that the Awdry made a killing with his books, but all it really did was give him a new modest home and a proper pension for when retired from his service in the Church of England.

     He was more conserned with his role as a clergyman than a writer of children's books.  In Brian Sibley's biography of the reverand, The Thomas the Tank Engine Man, Awdry discribed his philosophy is that this is God's world.

He makes the rules.  We have free choice, we can obey or disobey; but we cannot choose to disobey him and live happily our way.  [...]  Like us humans, [Thomas and his friends] go their own way and, inevitably come to a sticky end.  Then offender has to show that he is sorry and accept his punishment.  But the point is, they are punished, they are never scrapped. (331) 

To put it simply, we mess up but we can be forgiven for it.  There is always a change to prove yourself.  It not a new thing, it can be found in the Bible.  The Rev. Awdry just made it easier to understand with his stories.  When asked how he wanted the remembered, the Rev. W. Awdry answered that he would want his epitaph to read: "He helped people to see God in the ordinary things of life, and he made children laugh." (Sibley, 331)  I certainly think he did.  Do you?

The original model of Thomas.

Bibliography
Sibley, Brian. The Thomas the Tank Engine Man: The Story of the Reverend W. Awdry and His Really Useful Engines. London: Heinemann, 1995.
 
"The Thin Clergyman." The Rev. Wilbert Vere Awdry. Accessed June 15, 2015.

 "Thomas the Tank Engine." Characters of the Railway Series:. Accessed June 15, 2015.

Sunday Sweetness: Running

     Today, I thought I would talk about something that I've been doing for the past few years, running.  I know this'll turn a lot of you away but I thought I would just like to mention about how I've found running helpful outside of a healthy routine.  I find when I go out I'm able to put all my stress and frustration into each step.  The idea is it's better to put all that pent up energy into something productive, whether it is running, cleaning, or even some hobby of sorts.  Does it always work?  Not really.  But it beats losing it on folk all the time.

     So, happy Sunday everybody!  I hope it's relaxing, what ever it is you do to spend it.

Bibliography

 "Cross Country Logo Clip Art." Cross Country Logo Clip Art. Accessed June 14, 2015.

 "Is Candy Really a Food?" Saloncom RSS. Accessed June 14, 2015.  

Labor omnia vincit

     Hey.  Sorry for the gap, work has been keeping me busy.  While on the topic I think I'll make this post about that very topic.  Without going into detail, I work in the retail industry.  You meet all kinds of folk in that world.  I've seen people in their sixties throw temper-tantrums and people just ask for help but ignore everything you have to say.  I've even had one customer lose it on me for telling him that he can't climb the shelves in the store.  Despite all these little things, there are those little things that pop up that make showing up to work just a little bit tolerable.  Example, I was walking down the aisles when an old woman came up to me beaming.  There had been a part to an old lamp that she was looking for everywhere and it wasn't until she came to the shop that she found it.  She was so happy, she was looking for an employee to tell about it.  It's those little things that help keep me going and I hope they do the same for you.  So to end this post, here's a memorable quote from my favourite sci-fi series, Doctor Who.

  

Bibliography
"Doctor Who." Pinterest. Accessed June 14, 2015.
 
"Industry Clip Art Free Vector." Industry Clip Art Free Vector / 4Vector. Accessed June 14, 2015.

I've got some locomotions

Comemortive Stamp of George Stephenson
(1781-1848)

     I have a great passion for railway history and today marks the 234th birthday of George Stephenson, the renowned innovator of the steam locomotive.  When I found out about this my mind was quickly thrown back to grade 12 in high school, when I took a general Western Civilization course.  Upon arriving at the Industrial Revolution, we were told that George Stephenson build the Rocket, the grandfather of modern steam engines.  In actual fact, George Stephenson's son, Robert, was the one behind the Rocket, though his father did build another engine known as Locomotion.  So determined was I to prove that this was wrong that I brought one of my train encyclopaedias to class to make my point!  This was rekindled when the text book for one of my classes said the same thing, so I wrote an entire essay for my final assignment outlining the history of the steam locomotive from Watt's steam engine to the Rainhill Trials.

An artist's rendering of Trevithick's famous wager along the Pen-y-Darren Tramway in 1804.

     Though Stephenson and his son are often remembered for bringing the steam locomotive to the forefront of public transport, few seem to remember Richard Trevithick the Cornish inventor and mining engineer.  Trevithick's Puffing Devil set the stage for people like Stephenson to get in on the railway game by proving that the steam engine had the power to pull goods and passengers.  This was cemented February 1804 when Trevithick was challenged to use his innovation to haul 11 tons across the 10 mile Pen-y-Darren Tramway to Glamorganshire Canal in Abercynon.
     Though not quite the epic that was Rainhill, Pen-y-Darren wager is something that too needs to be remembered and shood be noted as an important stepping stone in the evolution of railways.  I'm not trying to undermine George Stephenson's efforts, I'm merely showing that he wasn't the one who kicked off the railway boom.  Even Stephenson recognized the importance of Trevithick and supported his predocessor in his later years when Trevithick fell into hard times.

J. M. Turner's Rain, Steam, and Speed - The Great Western Railway (1839).

Bibliography
"Cifunderground." Cifunderground. Accessed June 9, 2015.

 "Rain, Steam, and Speed - The Great Western Railway." Joseph Mallord William Turner. Accessed June 9, 2015.
 
"Stamp Catalog : Stamp ‹ Industrial Revolution- George Stephenson, Railways." Stamp: Industrial Revolution- George Stephenson, Railways (United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland) (Pioneers of the Industrial Revolution) Mi:GB 2739,Sg:GB 2920,WAD:GB043.09,Un:GB 3255. Accessed June 9, 2015.

Sunday Sweetness: This ain't no cookie cutter world

     Happy Sunday everyone!   Sorry for the delay.  I didn't have much to say yesterday so I will try to make up for it.

     This morning, I woke up to go to church  (yes I'm a Christian, suck it up and move on) an as I sit and wait for my pick up, my mind starts to wonder over stuff from the past.  One of these things is about some bad patches a friend and I had about faith.  I won't go into details of what happened but I can say that we differ greatly from one another.  Though we do have our differences, we have been able to move on from this to greener pastures.  It's the fact that we can disagree and move on that gives me hope for society.  Don't get me wrong,  humanity has gone down hill in some points but I firmly believe that we will eventually find a way to climb out of the mess we're in and improve.

Always rememeber...

     I was going to wait 'til later to post something but I think now is a good time.

     A friend of mine messaged me this morning telling em that a friend of her's from high school passed away.  Her friend was our age and died in a car accident, I won't go into any further details than that.

    The reason I mention this is because it reminded me of my post from last night (I won't make a habit of it, I promise).  You know, we have people in our lives, some who are there for a short moment and others who remain for the rest of out lives.  The tragedy is, we never know which group the people we love fall under.  So remember, tell them that you love them and care and say thank you.  They may be snatched from us when we least expect it, whether it be natural or sudden.  So remember, don't be afraid to say thank you and I love you.

Works Cited

 "Snoopy & Friends ~." Pinterest. Web. 5 June 2015.  

Long distance run.

    Two in a row!?  My goodness I've got stuff to say!

    Continuing on my topic of school I thought I would share another observation.  There have been two important friends who have been there for me named Zach and Brad.  They been inspirations and rocks for me during my darkest points in university and have been forces in driving me to do better.

     I met Zach in grade nine in high school.  That day there had been a motivational speaker.  The speaker invited students to get up and mention what our goals in life were.  I mentioned that I wanted to be an author.  At the end of the day, I was walking home from school.  It was fall and there were leaves about.  Some guy no older than me with blonde hair came up the street corner next to me and said: "Hey!  You're the one who said he wanted to become a writer." (or something to that extent) and then asked what I was working on.  That's how it began.  Since then I've known Zach for nine years.  We have an interesting dynamic of making shots at each other for fun.  He has been there when my grandfather was hospitalized and eventually passed away by listening the stresses that were going on at the time.  He has also been there when I was dealing with a bad funk that lasted for several months.  Now, I live out in Peterborough as one of his room mates.

     Brad and I met in first year of university.  Just by randomly.  He and I both shared a few classes.  Much like Zach, Brad has been my support during some of my lowest points.  Not too long ago.  Brad and I got into an accident driving home from class one snowy day.  It was scary for the both of us.  While Brad suffered only a few scrapes, I was left suffering from a concussion.  That incident still bothers me to this day.  Despite all this, Brad and I have be come close as friends.  Though I now live out in Peterborough and not my home town of Barrie, Brad and I are still as close as ever.

     What does yammering about friends have to do with what I talked about yesterday.  Well, much like celebrating small achievements like getting a diploma despite the calamities that we're facing to day, friends are there to give us strength in times of trouble.  They can be are biggest allies and critics, always willing to lend a hand of kindness in times of trouble or to knock you down a peg when you get too uppity.  So for that reason, here's to good friends!  A source of comfort and joy!

Works Cited

 "Friendship Quotes, Friendship Quote Graphics, Friendship Sayings." Friendship Quotes, Friendship Quote Graphics, Friendship Sayings. Web. 5 June 2015.  

Where are the Places We Can Go?

     I just recently graduated from my program at Laurentian University and something just occurred to me. I know a lot of people who went out like me and went and got a university degree and I've heard them gripe about the debt they're now in and how there's little work for them 'cause of those bloomin' boomers. All I have to say is this. Look at that piece of paper. It is a symbol of three or four or more years of blood sweat toil and tears (emphasis on the toil and tears part) that had to be endured. And guess what? You did it. No one but you went out to up your knowledge for better things. To climb mountains and swim seas. You're going to get in debt in other ways anyroad and jobs are going to come and go but you get to say: "I [insert name here] went out and got by myself a [insert your degree here] and no one can take that away."

     We can get pretty bogged down with the way the world is going. I always like to remember Dr. Seuss' book Oh, the Places You'll Go!. Unlike New York Post writer Kyle Smith, who claims the poem to be "trite, shallow and (an occupational hazard that can accompany writing for children) childish" (Smith para. 13), I think this book still has relevance. Smith is missing the point. Seuss isn't trying to give a fluffy message. He is saying that life is hard and you are going to face challenges but you can persevere and that life is full of highs and lows.  We have become a world of pessimists and cynics, thinking that the world is a darker place so there is no point in having some level of hope, joy, or optimism.  I'm sure that if we all took a step back - ignoring the cynics and pessimists who prefer to drag everyone down - I'm sure this world could be a small bit better than before.


     To end this.  You did it!  Congratulations!  You've fought long and hard and have made it.  No one ever promised it would be an easy road, but you did it so be proud of that accomplishment and not let the debt and unemployment get you down.  Those things will always be there whether you continued school or not.  Celebrate what you've done and don't let the bad pull you down.

Works Cited:

 Shmoop Editorial Team. "Oh, the Places You'll Go! Images." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 3 June 2015.

Smith, Kyle. "Why This Dr. Seuss Book Should Never Again Be a Graduation Gift." Web. 3 June 2015.