Well, that sucked

Blah, today I went to school for almost no reason. You see, in my program I have to select 5 modules out of a wide variety of topics (such as "Sexuality in rehabilitation to Splinting). So I went to school thinking, "Yay I'm going to knock off another one of the 5." But then it got cancelled. Weee! The kicker is that I had an contact lens appointment scheduled for that time but I had to move it. By the way, I did have an appointment even before that one. I have to goto another one because I could not insert the stupid f*cking contacts into my eyes (why did I censor myself?). It was almost a waste but I ended up signing up for a module sometime in June.

Oh yeah, also saw Silent Hill. My impression of this movie actually goes against the title of this blog entry. I didn't think this movie was as bad as indicated by movie critics, but I can understand why they scored the movie they way they did. However, I am convinced that the director thought it would be a good idea to tell the actors to base their performances off the CGI scenes from the video game...

Okay, time to put this one to bed. I thought I'd finish with what I thought was an interesting quote...

Chris Martin on "The Scientist": "That's just about girls. It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone."

Movies suck!

Take a look at the top box office moneymakers at www.rottentomatoes.com. It is just astounding to see that of the top ten, only three of them collected generally positive reviews. Now granted, something like Scary Movie 4 is going to get panned by the critics but just wow, it is astonishing (but not suprising) the level of suck that is going on in the theaters.

I had been hoping that Silent Hill had gotten some positive reviews. While doing some quick reading, I also found something else interesting. I took this passage from Roger Ebert's review of Silent Hill.

"Dr. Shlain made the most interesting comment on the panel. He said they took some four and five year-olds and gave them video games and asked them to figure out how to play them without instructions. Then they watched their brain activity with real-time monitors. "At first, when they were figuring out the games," he said, "the whole brain lit up. But by the time they knew how to play the games, the brain went dark, except for one little point."

Kind of explains the whole too much video games makes your brain go dumb dumb thing...

But anyways.. about Silent Hill! Who wants to watch it Monday? Even though its gotten a bit crushed in the reviews, it apparently has a good atmosphere and setting to the movie. The visuals are supposed to be fairly impressive and that alone can set a really good mood. I'm hoping that reviews have some kind of negative video game bias and that affected the reviews. I would liken what I've read about the movie to something along seeing a really pretty girl's face and then being snapped back into reality when you actually hear what she sounds like. It would be like Jennifer Aniston with the voice of Fran Drescher (spelling?). Now that is a truly horrifying thought...

Alas, it is time for some more studying. Well, I've just got to power through and look for the light at the end of the tunnel...

Bellringer

I've got a bellringer test tomorrow, oh what fun that will be. For those that don't know what it is, I have an exam for my cadaver lab. There will be 50 stations where you have a minute and 15 seconds to identify muscles and such on various specimens. Well, after that I've got to start studying hardcore for my finals. Sigh, its that time of year where everything feels like its swamping you. Ah well, gotta work through it because I just have to. Good luck to everyone studying up for finals, and curse that awesome spring weather laughing at me...

Doesn't Even Deserve a Title

Check out this old interview with Mario Lemieux by Dan Patrick. Its an old one but funny. Even if you don't, my favorite part is the end:

DP: What's the best thing you did with the [Stanley] Cup?
ML: I slept with it.
DP: By yourself?
ML: My wife was beside me.
DP: So, you and your wife slept with the Cup?
ML: In between us.
DP: You spooned with the Cup?
ML: Just for a few minutes.

And another interesting link, I just have to say that the architecture of this building is amazing. =D

Jeez, I have nothing to say at the moment. I wish I was a great storyteller so I could type out something. In fact, I wonder how is it that other people can be such great storytellers. They can create such glorious narratives about the most inane events (One time, I ate food I microwaved by myself...!). But then again, I prefer having an easygoing life. Dramatics aren't a part of life I wish to have, but building Lego cities is...

Ichiro!

Can't believe I watched this baseball game, but Japan beat Cuba 10-6. Weeeeee... it defeated studying Anatomy. Now I go into the lab not knowing what is what. Again. Dammit. "Weeee... that is what you say when you are having fun. You refer to yourself and other people" (Mitch Hedburg, some year).

Go Heavy or Go Home!

That little saying comes from watching a UFC special on Rich Franklin. Its posted up on the wall at the gym he weight trains at. Yep, nothing like watching somebody else train their ass off. The video is here and is about 200 megs. If you've got a broadband connection, it can't take too long to download. For me it was about 25 minutes or so. Also, the first two minutes are awesome. You'll have to watch it to see what I mean. =D

Some other interesting stuff is that our OT class is trying to do a fundraiser for next year. Apperantly its quite a big deal, and what we're doing is setting up an all day cycling on a exercise bike marathon. Basically, a whole bunch of teams register for a fee (having 2-8 people) and have to keep the bike's wheels turning for 8 hours. For the registration fee, half goes to a charity and half goes to our class' grad.

As well, there is this pledge thing. Here is where I think this idea falls off a bit. If each person from the faculty can raise $100, multiply it by the number of students (90+) we can cover our whole grad. The only issue is, its a pledge and therefore we go around asking people to donate to our grad. I believe at least 90% of these pledges would go toward the grad. Really, I can't imagine doing that, "hey wanna donate to my grad? By the way, you probably won't be going." But I could still try to come up with pledges. The way I would do it is hold a Poker tournament with buy-ins, and give away prizes instead of having a prize pool of the buy ins. Or I can sell stuff, but the poker idea is more fun. I just can't think of stuff I already have that I can give away right now...

Alexander the Great!

So my favorite hockey player ends up burning Canada in mens hockey. Well, what are you gonna do? Everyone is going to become a hockey analyst and remark about the game and team that was put together. Me? It just means Smyth and The Six Million Dollar man can come home and get some rest for the Oiler playoff drive. Good luck to Russia now, since they're the ones to knock off Canada. I have to admit though, I felt good for the 'ole Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure, who was the previous most exciting player in the NHL! By the way, anyone ever feel that he sort of looks like Macauly (sp?)Caulkin (yes the kid from Home Alone!)? Except without those baggy drugged up looking eyes...

Anyways, let the hockey rants begin...

Weekend Update

Anyways, on to a relatively interesting weekend. I'll start with the most recent event, which was a very ruggish and daring outing to a beauty salon in Chinatown. Yeah... I'm serious. Continuing on, I was there for... I don't even know what its called. I just heard the word "Extraction" and understood it involved my face. This procedure also involved some sharp objects. Presumably this was all to smoothen out pimples and so on on my face. Now, I like to think I have a decent threshold for pain, but wtf? This is one of the few times my eyes started to water in response to some kind of physical impact on me. The other time being a punch in the face.

The day before, I helped out in moving some stuff from one house to another. This led to the usual surge of "growing up" thoughts, so naturally I kind of shut them out for the time being. I don't have any crazy stories from this, which is probably a good thing because that means nothing was destroyed.

Okay, enough of this post. I'm going back to the Somethingawful comedy goldmine. Now, some of that stuff is very funny, but also very offensive, hence the name somethingawful. Anyways, my favorite archives are the tales from the zoo... =D

Ahahaha...

Hopefully the link won't die right away but chcek out this headline.

Woman accused of being a condom bomber.

Waiting by the Door

I don't think I can really type out a relatively lengthy blog anymore. At least for this little while. I think I'll just pop in random comments for my own sake. Unless somebody want a blog about a cadaver lab...

Anyways, a sort of interesting thing happened today. Well, for some backstory, lets go flashback to my youth. Back in my elementary days the routine for me before I left school was to grab breakfast, watch tv, and than watch my mom drive off to work. As she drove off, I would stand at the screen door and keep waving until I couldn't see the car anymore. Than I'd bolt to the side window of the house and be able to catch a glimpse of the car before it rounded another corner.

I think its fairly undisputed that I'm a mommy's boy (whether I like it or not). So today I had to car as I needed to head back to the University for an evening class. Things have changed a bit, I don't stand at the door anymore to wave, but as I backed out and drove out of our neighbourhood, I could see my mom waiting by the screen door waiting until she couldn't see the car anymore. I don't know why I didn't today, but I know on Thursday I'll be waving back.

Traveling Tickle Trunk

Trunk does not actually travel or tickle people. Maybe I'll explain this later...

Anyways, Happy Chinese New Year weekend! (Though I'm a bit late)

Actually, this weekend should kick ass. I'm going to the Oilers/Canucks game, there is a very good UFC event going on, and its Superbowl weekend! Rock on! I'll try to actually blog later on.. because you know, its good for self reflection and stuff. =D

Nope!

I've been trying to blog but when I get down to it, I just blank out and decide that sleep is a much more enjoyable experience. I guess this blog will partly be a response to Dev's latest effort. Now, I'm fairly content with life and there is much positives to focus on than negatives. Actually, content might be the wrong word to use. Perhaps its more appropriate to say that I can accept what my life is at the moment. I can't say that I'm fully satisifed with myself.

Motivation has definitely been something I have struggled with for the past year. My work ethic seems to have flatlined somewhere. I think I might need some kind of book or guide for self organization and perhaps to get me inspired. My work has not been stellar and the "pile system" hasn't been all that great. It has really been the same old story for a long time. Its getting annoying, when I do set the time for schoolwork or whatever, I just would rather stare at the table than finish what needs to be done. Am I really that lazy that I just don't want to do any work? My sense of needing to do a good job or finishing tasks on time has dwindled away. Ah... fuck it...

In other news, I'm heading out to the Bryan Adams concert. I believe a number of other people are heading out there as well, but really I'm more going because my mom wants to. Well, for the concernt I will be looking toward the moment where everyone pulls out their lighter during the song "Everything I do." I'm sure that'll be one of the highlights of the show...

Ah man I'm tired... okay lets shut down one down...

Sick Day

Lately I've been very sick and have been stuck inside for a while. I'm not sure whats afflicting me, but the symptoms include the runny nose, sore throat, and a while ago headaches and fevers. All thats left is a slightly irritated throat so I'm still coughing quite a bit. I still need to just sit tight so that it doesn't get worse or flare up again.

In late November I had an allergy test and found out I had a similar ordeal with the people who are allergic to all kinds of things. Trees, dirt, grass, and for me, dogs. It is apperently a relatively severe allergy and one theory is that Ryan's dog and something else hit me...

Anyways, does anyone feel like hitting an ice rink on Friday? I talked with Kat a bit about heading to one of the outdoor rinks outside the North YMCA. Not sure about details, but I know I'm determined to get out there, I've been inside a little too much lately. >=(

Okay... thats all for now. Gotta rest up and get better.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hopefully everyone can take advantage of the holidays and cherish the time spent with your friends and family.

*Insert touching and heartfelt blog here*

Happy Holidays to everyone, have fun and be safe.

Nothing to do with school or writing structure!

So in very important Chris-related news, I broke my cell phone. So I now have a brand spankin' new fancy camera phone like everyone else does! Yippee kai yay mother... eh you know the rest. I wonder what else I can break and get replaced...

Quick question to everyone, any song recommendations for the iPod...?

Moving onto other news, I went to the Arashido Capital Classic Championship tournament. It was pretty cool because in addition to the "sport Karate" events (point sparring, forms) they also had events such as gi and no gi grappling, kickboxing, and pankration (amateur level). Anyways, I took this time to take part in judging forms and point sparring for the sport karate events. At first it was a bit nerve wracking because they were only going with three judges, and I didn't want to be the person who was way off base in giving scores. But overall I felt I was pretty spot on with my judgement and with what I was looking for.

As for the other events, it was cool to see a bit of the grappling. I didn't watch much of the pankration (basically strikes + grappling, but no strikes to the face on the ground and other modifcations). However, the kickboxing setup they had was hard to watch. Of course it was fairly amateur level, but there was practically no defense to be shown. It seemed like a toughman-style competition of swing your hands and hope your punches land. Now, my feeling on this kinda sport is you should either go full out and get KO'ed, or it stays like point sparring. Having a sport thats in the middle where you get sustained damage isn't worth it at a casual level. I'd rather be KO'ed then take repeated potshots to the face and body. It was hard to watch a match where someone was repeatedly turning around and getting chased out by shots to the head. Maybe its just the softie in me though...

That reminds me, I gotta start getting some more exercise. But thats hard, so screw it. =D

Anyways, is anyone else slightly disturbed that it hasn't snowed here in Edmonton? Then again, I don't want it to because I'm so miserable when its cold out. Not to mention its tough to drive the Mazda in winter conditions. Still, I'd like to paste Keith with one snowball this year...

Another rapid change of thought, I watched the recently released movie The Chronicles of Narnia (someone should make a book outta this movie!) and I enjoyed it. I thought the sets and imagery were done very well and really helped me get into the mood of the movie. I haven't read the books, but I think I will try to over the winter break.

Since its the holidays, I thought I'd try to look back and think of a memory to conjure up feelings of sentiment, or something like that. I don't remember how old I was, but I was at a BCAA (Borneo Cultural Association of Alberta) Christmas party and I came upon this little boy who was crying. (Hopefully I'm not making this memory up) I must have spent a lot of the evening trying to calm him down. It turns out he is terribly sad because all of a sudden his dad just disappeared. So yes, we looked all over the restaurant at which the party was being held at. I think we did some really retarded searching though, like under tables and the like. Eventually, we stop looking because "Santa Claus" has come out bearing gifts! I'm like, frick kid, I want to get my present, lets go, and maybe Santa will cheer you up. The kid reluctantly follows me, and then all of a sudden his face lights up! Thats right, it turns out that the person playing Santa Claus for that party was his dad.

Also, one year, they gave me pogs with a Power Rangers slammer. =D

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Just thought it was a funny title. Well, it makes me laugh...

I had originally started this blog on Monday, then saw something shiny and got distracted. Well, it more or less happened like that. Without further ado...

Bit of a sports busy weekend. I attended the Oilers home game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. The Oilers should have pounded them but alas, it was a 4-3 loss for the boys in blue. It was still an entertaining game, just would have been much sweeter to see a win. Then I got to watch the CFL Western Final on a 60+ inch big screen tv. It was a good, intense, and tight game. It was all tied up in the fourth quarter and it was the team that makes the first mistake that would lose. Thankfully, Dickenson throws an interception and the Eskies turn it into the winning touchdown. The last minute was still nerve-wracking because B.C. had the ball and could have won on a miracle touchdown. The Eskies coaches had to make some tough, somewhat questionable decisions with the football. Good thing they pulled it out because if B.C. somehow pulled it out, I cannot even think of what the backlash could be.

By the way, it must be near exams or something because the blogs have come back alive a bit. Sigh, in the meantime I've got some group projects to work on. I'm just trying to make it to Christmas. Than to summer. Than next Christmas, than graduation! Yay!

And speaking of Christmas, it is nearly December and hasn't snowed. I wish I can find this kind of toque somewhere for the winter. Looks spiffy to me =D. But to keep going, its not very cold at all! What up with the lack of white stuff on the ground? Remember when we had the Grey Cup in 2002? Or the Heritage Classic in 2003? Those were both late November games and it was FREEZING temperatures!! Now? The only sign of November is the fact that it gets dark really quickly.

In a completely different direction, I would like to try to do some kind of self reflection. I think its fairly evident I hardly practice that on here. Time to time while I'm sitting on the bus or whatever I think about what I've gone through or my opinion on certain topics and how I could blog about it. Oh, then I don't. Even right now I'm having lots of trouble deciding what I want to type. I think I need some help out here on this one...

Actually, does anyone have a topic I can try to think about for myself? Or ideas to just get started. When I first started having a blog, it was just fun to have my own little space on the net. At the time I was also looking at other people's blogs and saw what kind of thoughts would come out. I thought eventually that I could have similar types of things happen, that my writing could improve, that I could "grow". Oh you know... all the good stuff that comes with having a journal. Well, I don't think that has happened. So I'll try to get some kind of opinion piece at the least coming out.

"I walk alone... ", "no its I walk the road!"


The title comes from a small disagreement between my mom and my dad over a lyric in Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." In any case, my mom was right (like always? I really don't want to admit it). Yeah, and this came up because my mom's new favourite song is that Green Day single. Suddenly she has become a Green Day fan and wants to pick up their DVD "Bullet in a Bible." Thanks to my so deservedly won Best Buy coupon from McDonalds, we'll be doing that.

So my placement just ended. Really, I don't know where to start. It wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible. It was pretty good and it close to what I kind of expected. However, at times I felt that what I was doing could have been done by anybody. In regards to Ryan's blog, I feel that I enjoy the fact that my profession has a broad range of opportunities. I can enter mental health, work with kids, look at job safety and so on. However, this is also a weakness because I find there is some lack of direction for the profession of Occupational Therapy. Generally there are some things associated with OT, like splinting, but I still find it hard to come up with a simple explanation for what we really do. Um... we try to keep you functional!

I'm just continuing this draft that I started on Monday. I was thinking that I would try to blog weekly and have Monday entries. Well, I'll shoot for Monday or Tuesday as I missed it yesterday.

However, I have to cut this one short because I need to head to bed. There is potential that I might be up again at 2-3 am. To be clarified later...

There She Is!!!

Yay for blogs that just won't die! I find typing up entries really difficult, but I guess I'll keep plugging away at it. Its only been a few years. Supposedly keeping some sort of journal is good for self reflection, which is in turn good good for you because it allows you to something something. Whatever.

So a few days ago I started my first fieldwork placement. I have been placed in a long term care facility and so far its been a good experience. Hey wait a second, that sentence doesn't seem right. Well, you know what I mean. Anyways, my preceptor is super nice and I think I'm pretty lucky to have this person right off the bat. In general, the staff is great and add the fact that I got to stay in Edmonton I have a good situation. The only possible stressor for me at this moment is all my assignments that are based on this placement. My University courses thought it would be a good idea to give us assignments and have us work on it during placement.

As for the placement itself, I don't think I will go into much detail about it. However, I will list some observations real quick:
- Wow, the stuff you learn in school is important!
- It is a suprise how much consideration needs to be taken when getting a wheelchair for someone.
- I can't imagine having to worry about being still in one place too long because a pressure sore might occur. (Basically, sustained pressure on an area of the body can cause an ulcer to the skin.)This ties in with the previous point because this is something that can happen due to sitting still in a wheelchair for too long.
- Bowel and bladder control! An embarassing topic but a vital topic in a person's well being. In fact, I've come across a video of someone with a spinal cord injury who would prefer control over those things rather than be able to walk...
- There are lots of small victories that can mean so much to the client. Something like being able to comb your hair again can be a huge deal.

Okay, enough of that.

Now, onto something differet. Hm... oh crap! Just recalled that on Saturday there is a birthday party! Its kinda neat there is a theme to it. The theme is to.... rock out! Come out dressed as a rock star! Hehe, so far I've thought of stealing my brother's mask he has been working on, wearing a long wig, and throwing on a KFC bucket onto my head. Then voila! You've got Buckethead! Well, it would be pretty damn funny.

Lastly, while reading Maggie's blog I found the paragraph about her cousin Lewis absolutely hilarious. Maggie if you get to read this, first check out this flash called "There she is!!!." Click watch movie. Its probably the most enjoyable flash movie I've ever seen. Watch its sequel too. Now, if you choose to check out the rest of the site, well.... yeah.. your cousin could very easily have found something not suitable at all.

But yay for a flash movie about a rabbit and a cat...

Rock out!

Thats a Nice Story

Well, I haven't blogged for a while and so now is a good as time as any to post something. By the way, for the singles and singles of individuals that looked at my vacation pictures, I will finish putting them up on myspace sometime soon.

So far my program... sucks. It is different than my previous University years and a lot of people feel that we haven't done anything concrete yet. We've just got special words we like to throw around such as "enabling", "client centered", and "holistic." However, I remember being told by others to just wait for that first field placement. After that, you suddenly spring to life. Everything clicks and from there its a whole lot more smiles than before. Hm... I guess I better make sure I get all my requirements for that first placement. Oh yeah, I stay in Edmonton for my first one in October.

The most interesting classes I've had so far are when patients have visited. Actually, the first one was a standardized patient named "Millie." A standardized patient is actually just an actor or actress playing the role of a patient. Sort of like Kramer when he played the part of a ghonorhea (sp??) patient from Seinfeld. Anyways, she basically played the part of a stroke patient and came into the class so our instructor could perform an assessment. It was pretty neat and the actress did a really good job. she even cued our instructor to remember that in her stroke case she could only hear from the left ear.

The next visitors were a very nice, humourous couple. It is kind of a sweet story because they met in Rehab. One of them has Multiple Sclerosis and the other one has a brain injury after being struck head on by a vehicle. These events and their meeting occurred way back in the late 1980's. I'm not going to mention too much about them, other than that they seem to have a high zest for life. They love their independence and wouldn't trade their lives for anyone elses. For some reason all I could think is that Hollywood couldn't produce a script that could touch their story. There is no doubt in my mind that the whole class loved having their presence. I'll add one last thing that I really admired about their relationship. They seemed to be able to talk to each other about anything and I guess they've learned in their way of life not to take anything for granted.

It seems like a shame to just give them only a paragraph, but I think I may be seeing them in future classes. Alright, thats all for now. GG o_O

5 Quickies

So Chris, a question on your imminent future, how are you feeling about a whole new school year?

My mood right now is a bit of excitement. I'm crossing my fingers that I didn't forget to tie up any loose ends before I head into my new program. But there should be a lot of things to look forward to. Hopefully I'll meet some new people in my classes and get ot know them, learn something new, build a career, and have some fun while doing all that. I do have however this lingering doubt in the pit of my stomach that maybe what I'm going into won't be the best fit for me. ...Ahhh shut up. I can't really worry about that too much.

How was your vacation trip to Brunei?

I really enjoyed it, but I don't think I did as much or appreciated it as much as I could have. Seeing so many relatives back "home" was a treat, unfortunately I've never regretted being unable to speak Asian languages as much as when I was in Brunei. But I'm incredibly lucky to have had the chance to go and experience some travel like that. Now another question I'm wondering is whether or not to blog about it. I'm feeling that I should, but I will actually have to plan it out like an essay. I'm just not sure what to include and exclude, and whether I have too much to say or nothing at all.

How was your summer overall?

It was excellent! If I complained about it at all, I'd have to somehow roundhouse kick myself. In all likelihood I've probably had the most time available to be running around having fun. Now its time to prepare for the year and be ready to "hit the ground running" for school.

What are you looking forward to?

I don't really know. Since I'm kinda unsure of what the future holds for me, I have an optimistic "lets see where this takes me" kind of attitude. In sports however, I know that 68 Edmonton Oiler hockey games will be televised for free. Oh that might hurt the studying a little bit... hey anyone wanna know the cost of seasons tickets? For the best seating, season tickets will cost about pretty much the same as a year of going to University fulltime. Yay!

Any last comments?

Yeah, while the optimism meter is running high I just wanted to say to all my friends out there, good luck on the upcoming year in whatever your endeavour may be. Work hard, play hard, be safe, and have some fun. =D Heres to all the good times we've had, the crap we've waded through, and whatever it is that comes up this year. And just so you all know, whether you need somebody to cheerlead, celebrate with, need support or help, whatever, just ask and I'll show up.