Well here’s the most anticipated sequel since Spiderman 2 and 3 hit the theatres (but hopefully this column won’t be as disappointing as they were).
Last week we took a seat in Kaiten’s classroom to learn about the rules to life following graduation, and routes to success through my “school of hard knock” (that’s what she said).
Quick refresher (in case my opening column was as forgettable at this season’s NBA and NHL playoff finals); Rule 1 encouraged everyone to let their hair grow while Rule 2 told people to be social and learn about life outside of school as well.
Here’s the rest of the rules certain to get every 2012 graduate to the top of their industry as they head to university, college, trades, or even paternal co-habitation (a.k.a. living in your parent’s house).
Rule 3: Get uncomfortable
Life can be boring if you let it be, so step “outside the box” and make it interesting.
Did Christopher Columbus find America in 1942 by staying in his Spanish villa? Nope, he found it by leading Pinta, Nina and Santa Maria (his three ships) from Europe over the ocean (how comfortable do you think he was when he landed in the Americas after intending to head to the East Indies).
Would Sir Isaac Newton have figured out gravity if he didn’t take the risk of walking near a hazardous tree which dropped apples.
 If Jim Carrey didn’t try his comedic act at Yuk Yuk’s, flop (likely uncomfortably) but work up the nerves to go again and get noticed by a Toronto Star writer, would he have become famous?
And how about Cheech and Chong. Could they have made their way to stardom by simply sitting around a table in their basement, mixing nonsensical and philosophical conversation whilst inhibriated? (Well, actually, that one may have happened; bad example).
Anyways, the point is there.
In the next few years try following a lifelong dream or two (sky dive, bungee jump, skinny dip) or maybe take that trip you’ve always wanted to (Africa, Asia, Europe, the Keyrock in Brandon) even if you have your hesitations (always leave with the information to a Canadian embassy though, just in case).
Or do something locally you normally wouldn’t.
Spend time volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, battered women’s shelter, with less privileged children, or during a community event (I’m sure the Lily Festival would take a couple more people) and always do so with an open mind.
Sometimes you can learn more about life by hearing about it from someone else, in a different position than you; anyone, no matter what the age, who already thinks they “know everything about life”, knows nothing (that got a lot more philosophical than expected; musta been inspired by the Cheech and Chong reference).
Rule 4: Sticks are your friend
If you’re ever in a tough situation always remember, sticks are your friend.
Whether you use one to get something out of a river, to ricochet a bad shot on the golf course back onto the fairway, to throw at someone trying to attack you, to entertain your pet or to leave a funny message in the sand, sticks always come in handy.
Rule 5: Spend wisely
Unless mommy and daddy, or the grandparents, are funding your education, housing and extra curricular activities, keep track of what you’re spending (on the contrary, if the aforementioned are fully funding your future with no conditions right up until you get into a career, spend to your heart’s content).
If you never look at the finances, and spend freely, you may have some great memories (or, on some nights, none at all) and end up writing about it in a column two years later.
While this rule may appear to go against previous rules, it doesn’t, still live life and be social. What it does mean is this:
-On a drinking night, consider that a 12-pack is similar in cost to five drinks at the bar (if you’re going to the Vivian, disregard this point)(and hopefully that free plug gets me a free beverage on my next visit; re: spending wisely).
-Two people going to a movie in Brandon on a Tuesday night is equivalent to the cost of about two drinks at a bar.
-Keeping a handful of frozen pizzas in a dorm freezer ready for use is much cheaper than buying a handful of delivered pizzas (relatedly, the cost of an ambulance to pick you up if you are too intoxicated to put them into the oven properly outweighs the cost of delivery).
Lastly,
-To men, women will take your money at a bar (to women, you can save money by taking it from men at a bar).
Well, there are five rules to go by.
If I happen to think of some better ones before the fall begins perhaps I’ll write them down in safekeeping and reinform you at a later date.
Until then, go out, have fun, be safe, try something new, and go about making some rules of your own.
    Thoughts of the week
The Filipino Voice by our lovely Adette Tripon was moved to Page 5 this week for extra photo space, so I have myself a little extra room to play with.
In sports, David Beckham, who was expected to be on the British Olympic soccer team when London hosts the Olympics this summer, was left off the squad’s roster.
The move outraged some Brits who had hoped Bekcham would be an ambassador for the games.
Seeing as how only 11 players make the field and Beckham would, at worst, be a decent sub for games, a great leader, and a mentor to younger players, the choice is somewhat intriguing. Although, I guess the guy is 37 years old (not quite as much bend in the Beckham anymore).
A video of students bullying a grandmother who acts as a bus supervisor for an American school went viral recently.
For 10 minutes straight, and on numerous occasions, the students threw profanities, sexual and terrible insults towards the lady.
First, it points to the fact bullying can happen to anyone from anyone; secondly, would this kind of stuff be happening if teachers were still allowed to pull out the odd strap; and thirdly, will reaction to this video, which was picked up and investigated by even CNN, really even change anything.
My guess is not, seeing as how people who were outraged by the students' treatment of the women have been calling their parents' homes offering ridicule, insults, judgment and the odd death threat (figure out the logic somewhere within the irony there; I couldn't).
Athletics in Canada may have gone down to a new low this week (although it may be getting some people up as well).
Canada’s women’s rugby team has taken photos for a 16-month 2013 calendar to raise money to head to fund their competition at the World Cup and 2016 Olympic qualifiers.
Ingenious, yes. The kicker? The photos are of all the athletes in the nude (I’ll pause for a second as I realize I just momentarily lost a handful of my male readers to Google searching).
There is no genitalia shown, and photos are (arguably) respectful and artful in how they depict the female body; it does also break a rugby stereotype of its females being unattractive (and now I’ve momentarily lost the rest of the male readership to Google).
But the idea that our national teams have to “sell sexuality” to get to represent our country seems like somewhat of a black mark on Canadian amateur athletics to me.
I’m not saying throw more taxpayer money into sports, but perhaps look for alternative fundraising measures (NACI and HMK tried a Talent Night for the Roxy; just one idea).
Anyways, until next week, keep a smile on your face and I'll do the same.