Last Night

Waking up to to nine cases of beer, red plastic cups scattered across the living room, and a floor soaked in beer (obviously beer pong was in full effect), was not what I wanted to wake up to this morning. However, this type of mess is always a sure sign of a great evening.

Since March Madness is in full effect, my boyfriend and his roommates threw their annual March Madness party last night. I walked into a room of twelve, eyes glued to the television, and the welcome I expected upon my arrival was lost due to the enthusiasm they were expressing over the game.

I quickly got caught up in the games, patiently waiting for the tipoff of the Duke game. After an intense game, and a more importantly happy boyfriend (after Duke won), we proceeded to Joe Kools for the duration of the night. I won't hash out all of the details, because most of you can imagine the night these guys had after having been drinking since lunch time.

Now returning back to reality after another great weekend, I begin my essays. After that, I will write- you guessed it- more essays. So long to my social life for another couple weeks. You will be missed.

Religious Solicitation: I'm Tired Of It

I usually just take it and put it in my bag, or house, depending on where I am.

Today however, for the first time out of many, I put my foot down and said "no thank-you."

I'm talking about religious solicitation. I can not even count on one hand how many times I have been approached walking, or worst of all, waiting at the bus stop. The worst thing about being approached at the bus stop is, you have no excuse to leave or walk away, and are awkwardly forced into accepting a persuasive pamphlet or book.

I have always been a strong believer of, if I want the information regarding religion, I will seek it. Ever since I got wrapped into a 25 minute conversation with an elderly Jehovah Witness woman on my doorstep when I was too young to young to understand it (and too nervous to politely excuse myself), I have been bothered by door-to-door preaching.

So please, religious solicitors, please do not be offended if I do not want to accept your books or pamphlets. I have a religion and am currently happy with it. If I want further information, I will seek it. Amen.

March Madness: Final Four Predictions

As promised yesterday, I am going to give you my predictions for the Final Four.

Final Four will include:

• Kansas
• Memphis
• Duke
• North Carolina

Do you think that my predictions have a chance? What are your predictions for the final four?

March Madness: Elite Eight Predictions

It’s here. The beginning of NCAA March Madness has arrived. So have bracket sheets, beer, and lovers of college basketball.

I finished filling out my bracket sheet earlier today, and here are a few of my personal predictions.

Elite Eight will include:

• Louisville
• Kansas
• Memphis
• Purdue
• Florida St.
• Duke
• N. Carolina
• Arizona St.

So far today Conneticut, Texas A&M, Purdue, Memphis, North Carolina, and LSU have won.

Look for my predictions for the Final Four tomorrow!

Found: Duke T-Shirt

After much searching, I was unable to find a Duke t-shirt that both fit my style, and fit me. I was also unable to find a company that would ship products to Canada. So I did what every desperate person would do- have a shirt made.

Following a little research, I discovered that Advanced Imagewerx in Masonville Mall was able to complete my request at a reasonable price, and in an incredible amount of time. For $25 dollars, you can have artwork or text scanned on to a t-shirt, in full colour. You get to choose the size, font, color and text, with the option of a white or black t-shirt. I supplied my own t-shirt because I wanted Duke blue, and received $2 off my order.

The best deal about Advanced Imagewerx is there is usually a 24-hour turn around at the most. I submitted my t-shirt at lunch time, and I was told it would be done at 6pm. Six hours later, I had my newly printed t-shirt completed.

I would highly recommend Advanced Imagewerx to anyone who is looking for fast and efficient service, at a reasonable cost. Now I don’t have to worry about having my shirt in time for the beginning of March Madness- Go Duke!

Update: Impaired Driving

Click here for an update on the charges against impaired driver Andrew Kummer, 25, in last Friday's impaired driving accident killing three.

After this past weekend's tragic events, the London Free Press reported five were arrested in London yesterday for impaired driving during St. Patrick's day festivities. This is so sad.

It makes me want to yell out: where are your brains?!

TD Canada Trust at the London Children's Museum

With the London Children's Museum's hopes of over 1000 vistor's passing through their establishment today, a variety of volunteers from TD Canada Trust put their best craft, face painting, and balloon making skills forward, while volunteering for the day.

As part of this community day, I began my day face stamping (or painting). Little did I know how popular this station was, until a mad rush of children came, and continued come, picking stamps out that they wanted on their face. They didn't only want one stamp, but two or three, quickly teaching me to become a face stamping pro. It was nice to see how happy they were when they looked at themselves in the mirror- all smiles.

From there I rotated to a new station where we made pinwheels and 'flip cups' (a ball is attached to a string, which is attached to a cup, and you try to flip it in). This station was a hit with the children, as my co-worker Sara and I ran out of cups! However, we had a little difficulty making the pinwheel actually spin on the straw (it is sad, but true). It did not matter though, because the children were just happy to see their creation.

Finally we ended our day in the "Arctic" room, where we assisted the children in making ski goggles- another hit.

The day was a rewarding one, as I could tell that it was truly the highlight for some children during their March Break. Their smiles and laughter could be seen and heard throughout the entire day, which was a nice beginning to my Tuesday!

London's Dundas Street: Is There Hope?

Spanning from London to Toronto, Dundas Street has had its fair share of criticism.

However, it does have more character than any other street in London.

This street, from Richmond Street to Wellington Road, was at one point the hub of the city. Shopping, restaurants and entertainment provided Londoner's with a true downtown experience.

Over the years, Dundas Street has deteriorated leaving vacant buildings and a scuzy exterior. Dundas Street east of Adelaide Street is practically a ghost-town at night, bringing waves of prostitution and drug exchange in the recent years.

There is potential for the downtown area of Dundas Street to become one of the centre spots of London again, but is London willing to make an investment in it?

Will there ever be any hope for Dundas Street?

Ravens Beat Mustangs, 66-65

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have not been following the Western Mustang's basketball team all season- until tonight that is.

In an edge-of-your-seat CIS Semi-Final game, the Mustangs were unable to stop Carleton Ravens guard Stuart Turnbull, hitting a shot from 12 feet with less than 4 seconds remaining in the game.

With back and forth baskets between both teams in the last three minutes, and with only a three point difference at the most, I was clapping, yelling, and off the couch cheering on my team.

Fifth year Mustang guard Matt Curtis went to the line with two foul shots, hitting both with only 4.1 seconds remaining. Curtis brought the score to 65-64 lead over the Ravens. In my mind, the game was over and the Mustangs were on their way to another victory. Of course there is always that slight possibility that anything can happen, but I refused to let that be an option.

Raven's Turnbull sunk the final shot bringing the final score to 66-65 for the Ravens. I felt so sorry for the players, who along with all their fans, thought they had the win. They put their best foot forward in an exciting and intense game, and should feel proud of the way they played. Congratulations on a great season and making it as far as you did- you represent our school well!

Three London, Ont. Men Killed in Impaired Driving Accident

Above: Devon Tinus, Mason Berube, and Dave Marshall, victims in an impaired driving accident last night.

When will it ever stop? What will it take for people to realize that drunk driving is not acceptable? Do you have to lose someone close to you to understand the risks of impaired driving?

Last night, three young men lost their lives in a situation that could have been avoided. In an accident that occured late Friday night just outside of London at Longwoods Road and Westdel Bourne, the crash between two pick up trucks has left David Marshall, 26, Mason Berube, 13, and Devon Tinus, 12, dead. The truck that Marshall was in was driven by his friend Andrew Kummer, 25. Both men had been drinking. It is to be believed that the other truck was driven by Berube's father, all three returning to Chatam from a London Knight's game.

The details can be found here in an article from the London Free Press.

One decision is all it takes. Don't drink and drive. Both Kummer and Marshall made immature decisions to enter a vehicle. Kummer's decision to start the ignition, and drive while drunk will forever be remembered through the loss of three lives.

This has been troubling the minds of many I know, including myself, as both Kummer and Marshall were former student's of my highschool.

Three young lives were lost with no chance to live out their dreams. It is a tragic situation that must be recognized, and sadly it serves as a reminder to many of the consequences of impaired driving.

Please encourage your family, friends, or anyone who is possibly considering driving after drinking, to NOT drive. Tell them how much it means to you that they, and others, arrive safely.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those involved.