Re-Hacktionary Report

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Leaders Of Tommorrow

Fairly eventful happenings since my last post. Helped break a world record on Monday.

Went to the airport on Tuesday to welcome former Councillor and current Edmonton City Council Candidate Paul Welke back from his peacekeeping tour in Bosnia. Good to see Paul back safe and sound. Also good to see that he's still ruffling feathers.

Yesterday night, went to a Law/Med party at the Iron Horse. Realistically, it was mainly a Med party that a few Law people (and the VPA) showed up to. Fun times nonetheless. I'm thinking there must be a swimsuit competition on the MCAT or something, as everyone in Med appears to be good looking. The party was beach-themed, so there were also a few guys running around wearing sarongs and coconut bras. Remember that next time you go to the Doctor's office. I wound up winning a gift certificate to Joey Tomato's, so the evening was quite profitable from that perspective. Sounds like there's going to be a few more inter-faculty events, so that should be pretty good as well.

Tonight, going out to the Black Dog. Former UADS President, Student Councillor and the last ever Director of Communications for the SU Kirsten Odynski if off to Ottawa Law and the combined MA in IR at the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs. Kirsten is probably my political mentor, as she got me involved with debate exec in the first place. She's also the reason I first got involved in Council (I was her proxy for a couple of meetings). It should definitely be a fun evening.


Next Big Thing

Well, looks like the Minesota Vikings have cut Brock Lesnar. Wonder if this means he's going back to the WWE. If so, I wonder who Vince will have him job to first.

Friday, August 27, 2004

I Don't Remember Hating Them This Much When They Were The Jets

So, apparently those weasels in Phoenix have signed Petr Nedved. I'm rather irate about all this, as I thought he may have been the missing piece. Sadly, it just means one more player to boo when Phoenix comes (the others of course being Brett Hull and Mike Comrie). Depending on how the new CBA works out, hopefully we can sign a good replacement.

Had a debate exec meeting today. There was quite a bit to get through, but I think we'll be ready for September. It should definitely be an interesting year on the debating front. I'll be TDing Grant Davy's (the beginning of the year Pro-Am) as well as likely playing a substantial role in Hugill (the BP tournament in November).

Going camping this weekend, so it should definitely be fun times. Can't be gone as long as I might have liked, as I've got to get back for the football game. This will probably be my last chance to get out this year as well. At any rate, I'm looking forward to it. Things are already starting to get busier and I only anticipate that increasing as the school year gets closer.

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

More Coffey Than Bourque

Well, last council meeting tonight. It wasn't my best meeting, but probably wasn't my worst either. Not alot of memorable stuff happened. I don't think I'll have as much difficulty moving on as I did the last time it was my last council meeting (When I thought I may also be leaving the University).

Vanessa also brought me a tape of the New Zealand-England Test from Dunedin this year, which I'm definitely looking forward to watching when I get a chance. (Plus, might be nice to see New Zealand win for a change. Sigh, I suppose there's hope for the Northern Hemisphere Tours). In related news, I'm glad that the Springboks won the Tri-Nations. In addition to the fact that I far prefer them to the Wallabies; out of the 3 Southern Hemisphere superpowers, they clearly had the worst year last year, so they probably needed it more.

After the meeting was over, we watched An Ideal Husband. I'd probably know what it was about had I actually paid attention to the movie (apart from the House of Commons scene, and the part at the beginning where the guy says "Perhaps you forget that you are talking to an English Gentleman"). Instead, I talked hockey and hack with Steve and Gary. We're in agreement that both the Mironov and Carson trades were good (the one that sent Carson to Detroit, not the one that sent him to Edmonton). Line of the conversation was probably Steve saying "No Kyle, we didn't have Kurri in '89, we traded him to L.A. the year before for Jimmy Carson, a bunch of draft picks and $18 million" (I'm elaborating slightly, Steve didn't mention the $18 million). There was also pizza. Apparently Council (or what was left of it) shares my taste in pizza, as the cheese one seemed to be the most popular. Can't go wrong with cheese pizza.

Friday, August 20, 2004

Vancouver

Well, Vancouver was quite eventful.

Our first night there, we went for Japanese food, which was excellent. Later, my cousins and my sister met up with some friends of theirs and hung out and had a few beers. It was quite fun. Apparently later in the evening we were in the same bar as Joshua Jackson, but I missed him (I was watching the Olympic highlights on the tv screen and only knew he was there after we left).

The next day, after some good BBQed Pork, we went to see Maria Full of Grace. I quite enjoyed it. I'd never seen a full length subtitled movie before. Also interesting to see that perspective on the whole issue of the drug trade.

I also got a chance to go to work with my Uncle and see what lawyers actually do. I found it really educational.

I also got a chance to go watch a Poetry Slam. A friend of one of my cousin's friends was competing, so we went to watch. It was really cool. Apparently the competitive Vancouver team had just come back from the National Poetry Slam in St. Louis. I'd never been to one before, but I found it quite interesting. You definitely could get the whole "sub culture" vibe. It was also quite "welcoming and touchy-feely" with an "always clap for the poet" type of thing going on. Nobody getting slow-clapped off (which was kind of nice).

Throughout the trip I also got some beaching in. It's always cool to see the Ocean. The weather was also fabulous, almost too hot at times.

I was also able to connect with some debating folks as well. I met up with Spencer, Tim and Monica my last night there. I probably should have briefed them on "stories not to tell Kyle's relatives" beforehand.

Saturday, August 14, 2004

We Be Clubbin'

Awesome time tonight. Gary's girlfriend Helen (who I'd actually met before through a mutual friend of the same name, and who I voted for in an ESA election) was in town, so a bunch of people went out to The Attic. I had alot of fun (and I actually can't remember the last time I danced that much). It was very hot, what with the weather and a lack of ventilation though. As well, the problem with dancing in a circle with a bunch of attractive girls is that occasionally you get random guys you don't know trying to bust up the circle. That aside, a very fun evening and it was good to see a good turnout.

After all the bar shenanigans, Roman and I went and rang Harlow's buzzer and woke him up. As Roman pointed out, he sure answered fast for someone that was supposedly sleeping. We're watching you Harlow.

My flight is in a few hours, I probably won't post until I get back, but I'm sure that you can all amuse yourselves until then.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should

Well, since everyone else seems to have given their review on the most recent Council meeting, I suppose I shall as well. This is the third time I've seen the SU/DFU fight up close. I was a proxy for one of the meetings where the "15% up or down after 6 years" compromise was brokered, and I was there front and centre for 6000/6600. I found this one to have less visceral animosity, but at the same time there was less opportunity for the other parties to speak. As well, this was different in that exec wasn't leading the charge against DFUs, it was more emerging from some Councillors. The beginning was quite exciting, with all the people there. Though, I personally found it embarassing that (once again) we had to wait about half an hour for council to get quorum. I'm sure this will do nothing to dispel the impression among some (which does not include me) of Council's strained legitimacy.

Anyways, as for the meeting itself, I think it sort of got bogged down towards the end. As well, I'm not sure how much a hearing all the amendments got, as everyone was trying to move their own amendments as well. Hopefully this is something that a committee dedicated to the issue can solve, though I would hope that they committee would approach the issue with an open mind. It's also looking like we may be able to make something useful out of the Administrative Committee (nee House Committee) so that's a good thing, as I was worried about whatever form that committee winds up taking running amok.

The movie we watched after Council, Igby Goes Down is perhaps the worst I've seen in quite some time, though maybe my standards for dramas is a bit more stringent than for comedies and action flicks. I did learn that Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese Microwave Dinner is quite good, however.

Another Volleyball game today. We did quite well, before losing the last one 45-21. At any rate it ensures that we won't get relegated, so hopefully we'll have a shot in the playoffs. I bumped into Haley Cleary, Bio-Chem Grad student, and member of the greatest committee in SU history who was playing for one of the other teams. Always nice to bump into people I haven't seen in a while. Off to Vancouver this weekend, so that should be good times as well.

Sunday, August 08, 2004

No Crews, Only Sets

Well, today was rather eventful.

I went to Crafts Day for Orientation, which basically involved cutting out lots of ballots and a few chloroplast signs. I also talked hack and Rugby with fellow geer groupie Vanessa Thomas. It was fun times. I'm really excited for Orientation this year. I'm a presenter now, so it's a bit different from being an OL, but it should be good experience regardless.

I then hit the Billiard Club with Chris Jones. Engineering bigshot Jesse Van Herk is apparently starting a job with Amazon in Seattle shortly, so it was sort of a going away thing. I played a bit of pool, and watched the football game. When it became obvious that Winnipeg wasn't going to win (i.e., at half time) Jones and I proceeded to the next stop.

We then hit up the Iron Horse for the stagette of former Fac Councillor (and almost one of my former debate partners) Lisa Clyburn. I had fun, though everything ended sort of early. I bumped into a bunch of people from my highschool there, so that was kind of cool. As well, after a certain hack turned my hat backwards, I was informed by security that I would have to keep in on frontwards. Dress code violation or something. Which is understandable, given that I am quite obviously in an Asian gang, and my backwards hat was clearly a threat to everyone in the establishment.

After things died down there, I proceeded to The Attic. I bumped into a bunch of my law buddies there, so that was pretty cool. I saw one guy put a beer bottle to his ear, making the beer come out his mouth. Ahhh, the leaders of tommorrow

Thursday, August 05, 2004

The Heartland of Hockey

So, I was watching Global tonight, and apparently some sporting magazine (the Hockey News or the Sporting News, I can't remember which) ranked Calgary as the best hockey city in Canada. What a bunch of crap! So, apparently 60,000 Edmontonians sitting out in -30C weather for 8 hours, watching their team lose was less impressive than a bunch of Calgarians crowding around their saddle shaped stadium, during a playoff run in spring, with additional distractions. Really, any Canadian hockey city should be able to draw a crowd for a winner. There's a reason why Rider fans are considered the best in Canada. Screw you and the horse you rode in on Calgary!

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Reviews

Ok, I thought I would take the time to review my earlier purchases from Best Buy (mostly, because there's not much to write about these days).

iPod Case
Excellent purchase. It was a bit pricier than some of the other ones, but it combines form and function very well. Also, since I've figured out how to use the belt clip, it's been even better.

Rugby 2004
This game has alot of features, and the visuals are very good. However, there are some sports that lend themselves well to video game adaptation and others that don't so much. I'm thinking rugby is one of the latter. While part of it may be getting familiarity with the controls, the game seems a little less responsive than others. And screaming "Ruck over!" at the screen while the computer images refuse to cooperate is rather problematic. It may be more responsive with a controller of some sort, but I'm not sure. In hindsight, maybe I should have shelled out a bit more for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, or Rise of Nations.

Madden 2004
This is a great game. Football, does lend itself well to a computer adaptation, and the play calling feature is good. Lots of different options, realistic graphics and even a catchy soundtrack. I think this one was cheap, as the new Madden is coming out rigth away. Really good purchase.

Monday, August 02, 2004

Do You Remember Me?

Well, this weekend was pretty fun. Went camping with a bunch of hacks. Well, camping is sort of a misnomer, as we were actually basically still within Lacombe city limits. At any rate, it was quite enjoyable. Much merriment and alcohol was had. Shortly after I got there, we got our asses kicked by a bunch of little kids in soccer, and I realised that I am ridiculously out of shape. I'm going to have to start running or something.

After I got home, I watched a tape of the Wallabies-Springboks game. It was really exciting, but the damn Wallabies won. Oh well, at least this means that the All Blacks can clinche the Tri-Nations if they beat the Wallabies in Sydney next week.

Tonight, I caught The Manchurian Candidate. I thought it was pretty good. I hadn't seen the original though. And I kept having to remind myself that the Shaw character was not in fact John Kerry.