Shopaholic Takes the WWE

December 22, 2008 marked a special day for Torontonian wrestling fans. Kids from one to ninety-two joined in on the fun at the Air Canada Centre on a cold Monday night. For this "fan", it was the first wrestling show, and hopefully it would live up to its title of a "Super show", featuring both Smackdown and RAW. Fighting through the swarm of fans, though they prefer to be called marks, our crowd went to the box office, in hopes of securing the coveted tickets. After much patience, on our behalf and that of the ACC staff, we walked off smug and excited, clutching our prized fourth row ring side tickets, though not before rubbing it in the face of a scalper. Though seemingly steep, ticket prices went from under 20 and up to 80 dollars, yet for fans, this price was laughable for the four hours of entertainment waiting.
Though I have been known to watch an episode of Monday night RAW once in a blue moon, one would never be able to tell. Under the pink exterior, there is indeed a fan of this brutal, yet exhilarating sporting event. Toronto has proved in the past to be a loyal city to the WWE, and tonight was no different, as families and friends crowded the doors in anticipation of the 6:45 show. Neon green "Jeff Hardy" arm bands, Rey Mysterio masks and Jon Cena paraphernalia dotted the crowd, which was surprisingly younger than usual.
The 2000s have brought back the family era for the WWE, as this event became a pre-holiday must. Whether seated in the 300 section or close enough to touch the Superstars, children and adults seemed to enjoy themselves, though the night did have its highlights and disappointments.
The show opened up with Smackdown, a taped show which can be viewed on channel 53 on Friday nights. New comer, Kizarny, characterized by his creepy circus persona, was featured in a dark match, for the eyes of the live viewers only. High-flying Jeff Hardy pleased the crowd by retaining his status as the WWE champion against Big Show, the proclaimed world's biggest athlete. This segment of the show was overall uneventful, though fans were disappointed that Canada's own rated-R superstar, Edge did not make an appearance.
RAW, the live Monday night show, was taped afterwards at 9:15, leaving fans without an intermission and cramming in the action. Four matches left JBL, Randy Orton, HBK and Jericho in the fight to face John Cena for the World Heavy-weight Title at January's Royal Rumble. Clips from the Tribute to the Troops were heart-warming, yet appearances from US president, George W Bush, seemed unwelcome, telling by the hissing crowd. WWE Divas made an appearance in the show, though the male crowd appreciated them for their looks rather than their wrestling moves. At the close of the evening, fans were Stratus-fied, as retired Trish Stratus returned to pair up with John Cena to face Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix, the current Women's Champion.
One surprising factoid is that during the live show, audience members cannot hear the commentary as viewers at home do. While this made it difficult to understand what was going on, it would have likely been futile as the crowd's cheers and jeers were overpowering. Fans showed their appreciation and dissatisfaction with humourous signs, such as "Cena Enough" and chants like "Get a Haircut".
The crowd was energized and the evening was enjoyable for this shopaholic. Despite being unaware of much wrestling terminology, the fans was inviting. Chanting, jumping and being startled by the loud pyrotechnics were all a part of this great evening. Though not quite a full-fledged mark, this shopaholic can now call herself a WWE fan!

I've Seen What You Can Do

In my blind search of the Internet, I came across something interesting today. It was America's Time magazine's list of the top 200 influential people of 2007. Using a rating system of 1 to 100, Internet readers were to rank a pre-selected list of people according to their importance on today's society. Number One? Rain, the Korean pop sensation, who accumulated over 470 thousand votes. Behind by 100,000 is American funnyman Stephen Colbert.

1. Rain 2. Stephen Colbert 3. Sanjaya Malakar 4. Dane Cook 5. Sydney Crosby

Looking at the top 5, and even the top 10, there seems to be a real lack of global contributors. While I commend the accomplishments of those that grace the list, I wonder why politicians and peacemakers do not rank higher. Barack Obama fell short at 20, just below the likes of Brad Pitt and Perez Hilton (who surprisingly did better than his namesake Paris Hilton). Many of the chart toppers are vocal artists, authors, video game designers and comedians. This list is a clear reflection of what we as a society value. Rather than morals and giving back to the community, we are raised to value media. "Big Brother is watching you", could soon be replaced interchangeably with the newest pop star's name.
The average teenager consuming 20 hours of television a week, and pours more than 158 billion dollars a year into entertainment, fast food and clothing. With the focus on television, it is no wonder that "American Idol"-reject Sanjaya tops the list before those that we do not have easy access to on the boob tube. The importance of world leaders and those that change the world, not just our iPod play list, is crucial to cement in adolescents, as it will dictate what they place as important in their adult lives.

On this year's list, a range of super stars and millionaire moguls show their presence, though this is not surprising. Oprah Winfrey, talk-show host extraordinaire. Justin Timberlake, the bringer of sexy back to 2008. And even some considerable "no-names" such as Zaha Hadid (architect). Global presidents are among those up for debate as well. Let's see if this year's list will break the mould.

To check out the full list, go to: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1612457_1612464,00.html

Our Prayer, When We Lose Our Way

Mood: exhilarated
Loving: that school is done!
Hating: that I actually got homework to do over the break...

Can't Get You Outta My Head: "The Prayer" by Celine Dion http://www.lyrics007.com/Celine%20Dion%20Lyrics/The%20Prayer%20Lyrics.html

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Interestingly enough, the Chinese symbol for crisis is a combination of the two symbols for danger and opportunity. With every situation there is something to gain, and something to lose. In many cases, there is more to lose than there is to gain at stake. Keeping this in mind, it can still be quite difficult to diffuse situations when we are faced with strife.

On the walk of life, there are the inevitable people who we will butt heads with. Depending on the individual, we can revert to a more primitive side when this happens. After receiving a bad mark on a test, I came home cussing like a sailor, ranting that "this mockery of a teacher" would be the end of my 92 average, and therefore would be a sole reason for the loss of a potential scholarship. I pointed fingers, I cried, I ranted, I swore, I threw my work around the room, yet all this had no impact on anyone other than myself. I was working myself up for no reason, and achieving little results.

I felt like I was losing my sanity and got so enraged that someone else had the impact to do this to me. Yet the only one responsible was myself. I have the capable to determine how I respond to situations. Rather than use sweeping generalizations, often we as humansdo, we need to pause a moment and assess the situation. Often, it is easy to shift the guilt from ourselves to another, yet this method of scapegoating ultimately negates learning from the experience. While anger can be a useless and pathetic emotion, in dealing with it in a proper fashion, we can better ourselves as people.

In a Nutshell...

Mood: pooped out
Loving: that my Christmas shopping is done, Secret Santa is tomorrow at my work and school is ALMOST done
Hating: the crazy customers that I had to deal with at work
Want: to sleep (my mother fell asleep on the couch beside me, I envy her)
Need: a kleenex
I wish: that Survivor were still on and I didn't have to go to school tomorrow
Background track: some television show, I think its 30 Rock
Today: worked, slept in, went to the play school party, worked at the NY bake sale... so much, yet it seems so irrelevant now that I think about my day
One thing I wish I did today: was go to Second Cup for a London Fog
One thing I wish I hadn't done today: spoke to the vice principal and get confused about how I should handle a situation
Yesterday: I can barely remember, other than blogging in French with my friends
Tomorrow: last day of school :D
My Week: our poster got ripped down because they were "offensive", so we put them back up heehee sticking it to the man in action

What if you should decide...

Remember in grade 10 when you need to take Careers? This half-semester course devoted to making sure that all the students are set on the path for the future. Unfortunately, many of us did not know what we wanted to do. Some of us still don't.

Well it was finally this year, when I discovered that I wanted to be a journalist. Now it might seem rash, but this decision seemed to fit perfectly. Since I was young, I was always told that I was a great writer. Not that I want to fulfill my parents' dreams, but I honestly did love to write. Unlike most people, I don't mind sitting down for an hour and writing an essay (well, in English mind you). And the thing is I can crank out pieces in just a short time that actually sound good, and like I put lots of effect into them. This year, I decided to put my mouth into action, well rather set my fingers tapping on my laptop. In September I started to write for our school newpaper. It was something I always sneered at, but I realized heck, the people aren't that bad, and really its something that I want to do. The club has taught me about deadlines and researching. Today the second issue came out and two of my articles dominated the front page! This is a really exciting thing for an aspiring journalist and even someone who just wants to let others hear their voice.

Here are some of MY tips for aspiring writers:
- use the thesaurus, its great and adds variety to your writing
- look in the dictionary (the actual paper one) and use at least one word you do not yet know in each piece of writing. It surprisingly increases your vocabulary.
- Do your research first. Read other articles written on the same topic for inspiration and see how your opinion differs.
- Watch some videos on YouTube about the topic, you can get some great quotes.
- PROOF READ! So many people don't do it, and it makes your writing look unprofessional. And when proofreading, print it off. Surprisingly, it is easier to see errors and will give you an idea of what it will look like in the end.
- Read the newspaper often. It will give you an idea about whats going on in current events. You don't want to be writing about the high cost of gas when its 79 cents at the pump...

Boredom Buster

You could say I'm lame because sometimes I spend my lunches sitting on the disgusting drama room floor. Well today, here I am typing during my lunch in the dark (My friend Avery is sleeping, she is sick). So with nothing else to do and the inability to read due to the darkness, I have decided to make a masterpiece on paint. I have a Mac and I dont have the paint application, so its quite fun when you get to fiddle around with something you dont have access to everyday. Anyway, I am notorious for the phrase "Erin wuvs kitties" (dont ask it was a drama showcase thing) and now everything I do has to somehow link to kittens and cute things in general. So voila! And thanks to google for responding with a bizillion images when I keyed in the term cute. Who woulda thought?

Somewhere Between Unsure and 100

I will not even begin to try and tell you how many times I have asked what school I am going to and all the other small details that seem all so important. Its kind of like pregnancy. Just because you have a big belly even random strangers believe that they have a right to touch it. Creepy... So this comes to university applications, my oh so favourite topic. With the holidays around the corner, family gatherings have begun to consume my weekend. So when you get together with the people you haven't seen since last December, it is the topic of choice. I mean, what kind of stressed-out 17-year old wouldn't love to answer questions about the all to imminent future?

So in the last week of school, teachers love to cram in all those "last-minute" I.S. bloody U. essays and "minor" assignments. So while I write 1000 words in both English and French, I will also look at the future me? What would older, wiser and hopefully richer me be doing? The sad thing is what I see now could be startlingly different from what I actually do do. All it takes is one small diversion from the path, and bang your destination is completely altered. My problem is that some of the programs I am applying for have portfolios. So while I may have a 92 average, if my portfolio sucks, I'm not getting in. Its a sad reality, but if you have the smarts, but the wrong smarts, no one cares! I listen to everyone with their dream school, and their back-ups I realize that I don't have one. Not a single one! It worries me sometimes, but really why would I get my hopes up for something that can never be sure.

While some may say I'm crazy to have not picked a school, heck, maybe I'm the smart one.

It's Such a Beautiful Thing- Ka-Ching!

I understand that it may be considered lame to post more than once a day. Heck, many people spend their lives doing much more interesting and memorable things, but I need to vent. Sadly, my blog is a vent spot and the "ooh look at this cool thing" area of my life. Ok, so I watch "The Biggest Loser". And I am a bad person for it. Not because it may be considered a pathetic show, but because I watch it to feel better about me. Anyway, no more about what an immoral person I am. So there is a lovely commerical for the newest show "The Secret Millionaire", originally a British reality show. Secret my arse! The whole premise for this show is that rich people go live with poor people and are like "oh my god, not everyone spends a thousand dollars on a coat... for their dog!" WOW, newsflash! And at the end of this amazing revelation, the "secret" millionaire gives the family some money. Now I am all for charity. I love charity. But please, please do not publicize it. By doing this, it means that the only reason one would give charitable donations is so that everyone else knows how great they are. Humanity, where are you? Can people no longer just reach out to someone in need, or the less fortunate fellow man.
So now the average American will have millionaires knocking on their door. Please do not open it! (Ok, I'm joking) I know that many of these people could use the money. Heck, so many people live below the poverty line. But if it takes a television show for people to give back, I do not want to know where the world is going thank you very much.
Sorry Fox, but do not expect me to tune in. I know that one viewer will not alter their decision to air this mockery of a show, but morally I don't want it. I'll stick to the Biggest Loser for now. :)

I've been sitting here, staring at the clock on the wall

One of my greatest fears is needles. In fact, if I lived in the world of George Orwell's 1984, room 101 would be filled with hundreds of needles waiting to prick me. I cringe thinking about it now. So here I am with my little form filled with doctor scrawl (I swear they have their own script), unaware of what to do. Its not like I get blood work done every day. Really, other than the odd sore throat, I am not a sick person. After having the receptionist talk to me like I have idiot written on my forehead, I take a seat on the oddly comfortable chairs. They only do this in an attempt to soften the blow when the metal pierces your skin. Tad melodramatic, I know. And it's not like I resent the receptionists, I'm sure that they have to deal with a load of ridiculous people day to day. Usually the waiting room is filled with people, yet because it was early, I only had to wait 30 minutes for the torture. Finally they called my number. This was it. I walked up to the little desk and she took my form. She took it, and told me to sit down. It was a trick. They make you all jumpy, so that your blood flows faster. The time passes, as I watch it tick down on the generic clock. Nothing in the room is stimulating, other than the putrid scent of urine, which I hope is from the urine samples, but I am sure that the man beside me just smells. My name gets called and I sit in a little unclosed room, where there is yet another comfortable chair. A lady comes in and instructs me to do several things, and attempts to be nice. I bet she sees people like this all the time, however she is paid to smile. But I bet if she could, she would just jab that needle in me. The needle goes in, and at an attempt to distract me, she asks me what my name is. The pain is unbearable, but I still manage to utter my answer. Before I know it I'm done, and my arm is bandaged up. In case I lose any blood. On the drive home, I realize it really wasn't that bad. In fact, the wait was worse.

Everybody's Gotta Story

Its scholarship time. Yes, for some reason or another, the major scholarship organizations seem to believe that I have all the time in the world to write about my leadership and community involvement. So i sit down at my computer and attempt to embellish my achievements, but I can't. Its so hard! Which is sad. The simple thing of filling out my name and school is daunting!! Because I will be judged by strangers, and I want them to like me, because ultimately, if they like me, I get $4000 for being me. It was quite funny because today my two friends and I all asked the same teacher to be our academic sponsor. (Love you Legault :D ) Who doesn't love writing reference letters...

Now not every scholarship is alike. Some you have to write an essay, or fill out endless forms, or exhibit financial aid. I fill out each and every one of them. I may not match the requirement, but hey lets give it a shot. AND I will use this blog as an advertisement! PLEASE VOTE FOR ME!!!! http://www.crosslites.com/scholarship.aspx/Essay/5337147ecaf8050ebbd9a33e0d8554fd

So now I just sit and cross my fingers, waiting to see if I was up to the standards. Wish me luck <3

This isn't Hollywood

Procrastination. Yes, this is usually NOT a word to describe me, but today for some reason, there was no way I was going to be the unthinkable: study. Instead for the majority of the afternoon, I have plopped myself in front of the couch and got my brain sucked by my newest love MTV. My life is not nearly as big or exciting (it especially doesn't deserve a reality show). But in a way, I don't think I would like to be a celebrity. Which is a bit odd since we in the Western world are taught to seek fame and fortune. There is no doubt that these termed "reality shows" are scripted, but sometimes I sit on my couch, pondering how ridiculous a life like that would be.

Which brings me to the word persona, my personal word of the day. In life, I think that so many people put on a facade, and don this persona of someone bigger and better than who they really are. Sometimes the mask changes from person to person. In my grade 11 Drama course, our class had a long and heartfelt discussion about the masks we wear in everyday life. It was so interesting to see how people would open up and talk about the things that we try to keep hidden. But it poses another question, was that conversation still a facade? It is difficult for us humans to expose ourselves to the barest level, as there is a sense of vulnerability. Would someone like me for myself?

We are propagated that we are to be beautiful, perfect and happy at all times. But no one can ever be like that. I may not have a camera following me 24/7, yet there is still pressure to be bubbly, cheerful and "zany". People say that they have never seen me sad or angry. These raw emotions that they never see on my face, but they happen more often than not. I am me. I am raw. I am vulnerable. But I am not going to let you in. This is my problem with blogging. I find that I start a corny post about something generic and that is not me. So instead I will write whatever I feel like, not what my friends write about, or what people care about. Sorry if I disappoint, but you will just have to deal with me- Erin. <3

Song of the Day
Snow Patrol "Shut Your Eyes"
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/snowpatrol/shutyoureyes.html

I Can't Give You a Reason

This is an exercise from the grade 12 Writers Craft course. Though I have not taken it yet, many of my friends boast about how great it is. I can't wait until January!

I blog to fill me time.
I blog to heal.
I blog to help.
I blog to scream at the top of my lungs, knowing that no one will hear.
I blog so that I feel that people understand.
I blog because I don't know how else to say it.
I blog because I want to.
I blog because my friends do.
I blog because its natural.
I blog because I like typing random words that seem to make sense.
I blog because I can write.
I blog because I know that so many others can't.
I blog because I have a voice,
I blog because I hope someone will care.