Week 13

When I first started university in September, I have to admit that I was a little nervous about writing and English 1080 in general. I am happy to say that English was probably the most enjoyable course for me this semester. 

The english blogs seemed a little odd to me at first, but after writing a couple of them, I realized that they were actually fairly easy marks, and they were not all that complicated. I even enjoyed doing some of them. The poetry section was my least favourite portion of the course, because I never did enjoy poetry. I always found it complicated and at times, hard to understand. I feel that the poetry chosen for this course was fair, and the lectures helped me to actually understand. My favourite poem we have completed this semester has to be Ozymandias. Although, the sign language poetry was very interesting, and it did surprise me because I never knew such a thing existed. My favourite section of the course was the short stories. I found these to be entertaining, and again they were all fair. 

Overall, I think the course was very informative. I feel that my writing has improved in such little time, and I have learned essay writing skills that I will carry with me through my university career. 

Week 12

How to get ready for ice hockey:


1. Put on jock/jill. (Depending on gender)
2. You then put on your shin pads.
3. Followed by your socks.
4. Fourthly, you put your pants on.
5. Next comes the skates.

At this point you have your "lower gear" on.

6. Shoulder pads is the first step in the "upper gear".
7. Followed by the elbow pads.
8. You can then finally put on your jersey.

You now only have 2 more things to do.

9. Put on your helmet.
10. Lastly, your gloves.

Now grab your hockey stick and hit the ice!

Week 11

Need I say more? Go Leafs Go!

Week 10

Always strive to be better each and every day you are alive. Never settle. No one knows how long we have left to live so live with no regrets and never think twice about something if you want to do it, go out and do it. 

Learn from your mistakes. Never dwell on the past, no one can change it, you can however, learn from previous mistakes to better yourself for the present as well as the future. Lessons learned from mistakes help make you the person you are/will become. 

This quote is very important to me because while growing up I would always refer to it for a big upcoming hockey game. Also, it puts everything about life in perspective when you need it. Nothing comes easy to you in life, if you want something you have to work for it, things are going to try to knock you down but it is important to pick yourself up and move forward if you really want it. 

Week 9

Forgotten

He sits in his faded blue recliner, starring at the photograph mocking him from the fireplace. “We buried him last week, he only lived to be fifty, that little boy in front is now the father of three kids”, his wife listens to him name each player from his soccer team sixty years earlier. She fixes him his breakfast and listens to him as he recalls past events like it only happened the day before. Amazing. 

Earlier this week, he had managed to ask if his mother was in bed three nights in a row, even though she has been dead for years. He also managed to mistake the spare bedroom for the bathroom at least ten times, and never forgets to ask where the car is that he was forced to give up once he could no longer continue to drive it. When he snaps back to reality, the glistening of his eye seems to fade with shame. He forgot himself again. 

He will always light up when his grandchildren walks through the door, never forgetting their faces. He will continue to be grateful for the wife that saved him under many circumstances, and the children that have stood by him when everything took a turn for the worst. What happens when he no longer recognizes them?

She listens with hope, after asking, “What did I cook you for dinner yesterday?”, knowing his answer will be wrong, but never giving up hope. She then sits back silently as he tells her all about the day they met, their wedding, and the birth of their two children.

Any day at all he could forget the life he has built for himself. The family he fought to support years ago will mean nothing to him, they will just be faces that he sees on a regular basis, but sees everyday for the first time. When that time comes, what happens? He has been claimed by Alzheimer’s Disease just like many of the greatest people. 

It is inevitable: life will continue weather he is present or absent in mind. Stuck in the past, or praying for more time to live the life he fought so hard for. 

Week 8

Dear MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment), 

Where do I begin? First of all I think it is time for you guys to start focusing on the sport aspect of not only the Toronto Maple Leafs, but every other organization in Toronto as well and a little less on the business side. Lets take a look at the last time some of the teams have won the championship in their respected sports: Toronto Maple Leafs: 1967, Toronto Blue Jays: 1993, Toronto Raptors: Never, Toronto FC: Never. The only 2 teams to have some recent success would be the Toronto Rock who won the NLL Championship in 2011. Also the Toronto Argonauts won the Grey Cup in 2012. Other then that it has been quite some time since there has been a championship parade in the GTA. The Leafs have only made the playoffs once in the past 11 years, be it that was during a shortened season due to the lockout. My point is, why should fans continue to support a team that hasn’t won a cup in 47 years and hasn’t qualified for the playoffs in 11 years? Personally, I think until the fans make a statement that they are no longer going to support such a failing organization, winning wise, this team will only stay the way it is. If fans stop going to home games and show the owners that they truly are frustrated with the situation then this message may get across, until then I don’t think there will be little if any change at all. 

You guys really need to get your acts together and take all Toronto organizations seriously. Have as much heart and passion for the teams as the true fans have for them. I hate watching Leafs home games because at the start of every period the best seats in the house, centre ice, are always empty. Due to the fact that these seats are just gave away to businesses and they give them to people who they are trying to close a deal with or who they are trying to get on good terms with. It’s basically BlackBerry central, with businessmen on their BlackBerry’s the entire game. Also, even if those seats were available they would still go to people within the organization since the ticket prices are outrageous, plain and simple. The only people who can afford to get seats in the lower bowl at the Air Canada Centre are people in suits. So a question I have is how can tickets cost so much when the product on the ice hasn’t done anything in the past 11 years? I can tell you why, it’s because they know they are going to sell out regardless because Toronto fans are the most loyal and passionate fans in the world, win or lose Leafs home games will always sell out. Which brings me back to my point where the fans need to take a stand and stop going to the home games, it will help get the message across that we are all frustrated with the losing.

It also comes down to the people in charge of the organization, they are all business men sure, however they do not show heart and passion for the team and it translates to the product on the ice. This team, as well as all teams in the GTA, need someone who has heart, passion and enthusiasm for the teams. For example, a guy like Doug Gilmour could do wonders for the Leafs organization. He was the heart and soul of the Leafs for 6 years, he played with his heart on his sleeve. This team now lacks that both on the ice and in management. People always say you will never get a superstar player to sign with the Leafs. I wonder why? The media in Toronto is pathetic, players do not want to come to Toronto because of all the pressure that comes with it. An example of how poor the media is in Toronto would be how Phil Kessel is not in shape, it is a hot topic every single season. If the media thinks he isn’t in shape why don’t you take a look at his stats? This is his 6th season with the Leafs, in his first 5 seasons he had 333 points in 364 games. Not too bad for a guy who is “out of shape” if you ask me. 

Sincerely,

Mike Cumben 

Week 6

Student Prank Goes Viral 

University students across the country are taking a stand against ridiculous parking prices. It is no secret that most post-secondary institutions already lack in parking spaces, but the real problem lies in the price of those parking spaces. Students already spend $1500 a semester just for tuition, then you must account for books, rent, food, transportation, and bills in general. For students attending university full time, 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday, parking is another bill every month. Students have taken a stand in the only way they know how, starting with Memorial University.

After speaking with Campus Enforcement they feel that students have went too far this time, “We already deal with drunk students, smoking on campus, and complaints of food poi singing from dining hall, why must students go the extra mile just to make our job more difficult when it comes to parking?”

Students really have went the extra mile this time. It all started Monday morning when one student, whose name will remain confidential, did not have enough change for the parking meter after spending every last dime bribing someone to move out of the spot so he would have a place to park. In a panic, he threw every last parking stub he had on the dash hoping to buy himself sometime when campus enforcement made their rounds giving tickets to anything with wheels. The story has since went viral. 

The clever trick has spread like wild fire, not only throughout MUN, but outside of the province, and across the country. Students simply refuse to be robbed by parking meters any longer. How will Campus Enforcement reciprocate the cruel prank? Stay tuned to find out!