A Domestic Conundrum

     Mrs. Wells slumped on to the couch next to her husband. "Where have you been all day?" uttered Mrs. Wells anxiously.

     "I had to stay at work a little later today," exclaimed Mr. Wells. "There is an issue with the photocopying machine so I wasn't able to send out my report."

    Mrs. Wells replied, "What was so important about having to send your report today? I've been sitting here watching your roast chicken that I so tirelessly prepared for you get cold! Not to mention thinking about whether you got yourself wrapped around a telephone pole. I know how you like to drive that new convertible."

     “I’m sorry! I…I…” stuttered Mr. Wells, “Listen, the copying machine wasn’t actually broken.”

     "What are you on about?"

     "I...I..." Mr. Wells trailed off and stared blankly at the newspaper in his hands avoiding what he had to explain.

    "What is it Bill?"

   Mr. Wells sighed, "I got laid off today. The company couldn't afford to pay my salary. This damn economic crisis has ruined me!" Mrs. Wells sat speechless and emotionless, simply stunned at her husbands words. "What did I ever do to deserve this? What did I ever do?" preached Mr. Wells. "I was a good worker!"

     "What are we going to do Bill? I don't have a job to help pay for food!" spat Mrs. Wells. "What about the electricity bills? What about our mortgage? About...about...I can't live on the street!"

     "Listen Pam, if we’re going to get through this, I need you to be on my side." Mrs. Wells grabbed her hair with both hands and started to sob. "We need to stay calm. Let's just think this through, okay?" stammered Mr. Wells.

    Mrs. Wells choked, "How can I stay calm? How can I? What are we going to do?" She trailed off and suddenly stopped crying. "I have an idea." stated Mrs. Wells suddenly. "We can leave here. Never come back. The border is only 36 miles south of us!"

     "And we can start a new life!"

     "Exactly!" answered Mrs. Wells enthusiastically. "We'll live on the beach in Guaymas!"

     "That’s a great idea! Let's pack up right now! We can leave for the bus station in an hour!"

     In the distance a sound of multiple sirens echoed and drew closer. Mr. Wells looked up from his paper which he was pretending to read. "There's one thing I forgot to say."

     "What's that?" muttered Mrs. Wells.

     Mr. Wells looked down at the floor and pulled a matte black Heckler and Koch from his waist belt and held it loosely out in front of him. "I shot my boss." Mrs. Wells stood up with a new calm demeanor and cool headedness.

     "Let's go.”

     Mr. and Mrs. Wells quietly slipped out the back door moments before the tactical enforcement team broke down the front door.

    

The Purpose of the Individual, Is the Common Purpose of the Crowd

Bullying is an epidemic in our country, a blemish on our superior record of the upbringing of our youth. High school for many, is a place that represents an intolerable pit of doom with an endless stream of verbal abuse, physical mishaps and social conundrums. It has to stop.

Princess Margaret Secondary is an oasis on the brutal horizon of high school oppression. The palm trees of inclusion sway in a cool breeze of self confidence and high esteems. The spray of the lapping waves in the pool reflects the refreshing scene of a social model that all students should encourage.

A common undertaking at Princess Margaret Secondary is the well known, high-five. This gesture of affection and appreciation is a pandemic that has infested the school and the people who associate themselves with it. Despite the fact that there are certain cliques and social groups that keep to themselves, the local atmosphere within the school is positive and is stricken with a sense of optimism that everyone feeds ravenously off of. This entitles everyone to connect with one another. Like a crowd. It is harder to control an individual because they have a certain purpose but a crowd is different, it has a common purpose, the purpose of an individual. In this case, this purpose is to function as not as a school but as a family. A community. A living organism that dominates each of its movements with precise control.

There is much to learn from a school like Princess Margaret Secondary. Let every school catch the plague of positivity and optimism, for each and every one of us has a purpose. Why not find and establish a place where you can express your views without being judged? This is what schools everywhere should look up to, and hopefully one day, all schools will see each other as equals. Lets call them, extended family.

That Guy

You know me. I am “that guy”.

 I am that dude you see ambling down the dim drive. I am that kid who throws the newspaper on your roof every morning. My identity is a mystery. I move with meaning and strike with elegancy. I am Taurus burning bright on a clear night sky. Yeah. You know me. Dmitry Ivanovsky discovered the virus, the pathogen, the disease. I discovered the white blood cell, the remedy, the cure. I am the oil of oregano. I am organic and clean, sustainable and righteous. I am Batman’s butler, always giving advice and offering my loyal service. I am 24/7.

Who am I? I’m “that guy”.

You may ask what sets me apart, let me tell you. I am the strings to your guitar, the battery to your television remote, the service to your cell phone.

I am “that guy”.

I developed the first photograph. I saved the Titanic from sinking. I rode the last unicorn. When I was a young boy, I won the Nobel Prize for my scientific research in climate change. I invented the term wireless. I have the power to control the elements: earth, air, water and fire. I am the last Airbender. My inexplicable ability to enthral myself in colloquies and hold engaging conversation allows me to be triumphant over daily drowsiness and fatigue. Take that Redbull. Ka-Pow. I am unimaginable goodness like the secret ingredient in Dr. Pepper or the never ending questions over how the world was created. I am the smallest particle, the sub-sub-subatomic particles. I am the 27^th dimension. I’m that guy who’s going to college.

I’m the guy whose life has infinite possibilities.

You know me.  I’m “that guy”.

2011 - The Final Battle

As the dusk of grade 12 is approaching on the horizon, the high academic warriors prepare their broadswords and battleaxes for the university entrance wars, supplemental application brawls and the scholarship clashes. The written material is being fortified, edited, checked, and rechecked. The competition for the best references is tight and the pressure to be the top countryman and astute swordsman is at its peak. Lightning between the adversary's eyes are flashing wildly with the fire of a blacksmith's forge and for good reason. The fight for their future is about to begin. Light from the post-secondary sun ominously glows upon the barren and grim battlefield. For many, faltering in combat due to the might of their opponent is all too common. Although the experiences of these losses can be crushing, with a new mindset and sharp pencil, any man or woman can prevail. There will always be another future engagement, always another contested scholarship, and always another encounter with a new rival. These are what the mercenaries of each graduation class face and to the bitter end they will fight for their freedom to an education and ultimately for their goals to be a better gladiator in whatever field they end up in.