REPORT FROM THE OTHERSIDE - PART ONE
by Matthew Kennedy Man Aboot Town, Toronto, Canada
I initially wanted to find a cybercafe and start writing this thing as soon as I landed in Canada (or as the locals will rip you a new for calling it... North of America). However, that was clearly just stupid, so I've waited a week and now I have a laptop and several things to say.
Oh, yeah... totally forgot. In case you didn't know and hadn't already gathered, I'm spending a semester studying in Canada, at a place called Brock University. Yes, it's quite a bit nicer here than Keele, my bathroom here is at least as big as my actual room at that big pile of concrete crap I spent most of last year living in. There is a seat in the shower, I don't know what this means, but I feel there's a sequiter of social diversity here. Either way, it's cool.
Things here are so cheap it's enough to physically drive the air from your lungs. I got my laptop, carry case and other assorted bits for the equivalent of less than £400. Food is also inexpensive and everywhere. Seriously, walking down the streets of Toronto, every other shop is a coffee house or a bagel store or a weenie cart or something. The meal plan here on campus is all-you-can-eat per meal, which is quite clearly insane, especially since they don't mind you taking a bottle in with you and filling it with Dr Pepper or whatever.
This place rocks, are you getting the point yet?
Leaving England as it was reaching temperature of 25 degrees and above, I was bracing myself for a chill when we touched down in Mooseland. Instead, I find the tarmac in Toronto airport melting in heats topping out at 30 degrees. I mean, what the Hell? I've packed all my winter stuff and now I'm walking round in sandals and the skimpiest t-shirt I brought with me. I have NO shorts with me, and I can't seem to find anywhere that sells indecently short denim shorts. Apparently they're currently out of season, despite my best efforts to point out that indecently short denim shorts are NEVER out of season.
Everyone here is extremely friendly, and school spirit actually exists here, I mean, what? I haven't seen students being enthusiastic about their place of learning since primary school, and the was mainly because the school day consisted mainly of fitting a variety of objects into your mouth. But seriously, every floor of the student residences are grouped together in teams. For example, in my building, the five floors are represented by The Groundhogs, The Wizards (poof), The Dolphins, The Phoenix and us, The Team Titans. I shit you not, we are the Team Titans. Earlier in the week, there was a CheerComp, where each team creates their own cheer or chant, and then perform this in front of the rest of the student body. At first I thought the is was going to be the worst, most grating experience of my life, but it actually turned out to be pretty fun. Since everyone there was making a complete fool of themselves, it worked. For your viewing pleasure, here is our cheer:
(to the tune of The Addams Family)
duh-duh-da-duh *clap clap*
duh-duh-da-duh *stamp stamp*
duh-duh-da-duh TIT-ANS!
We're spirited and awesome,
We're gonna rock your bottom, (ass shakes)
Winning's not a problem
The Titans Family!
duh-duh-da-duh *clap clap*
duh-duh-da-duh *stamp stamp*
duh-duh-da-duh TIT-ANS!
Are you disturbed yet? I certainly the fuck am. Anyway, you haven't even heard the worst of it yet... We came third, out of twenty. I mean... what? Seriously...What the fucking fuck? It's also worth pointing out that I had NO creative input on this, since I was too busy weeping in the corner.
Well, that's about it for now, I'm off to a BBQ on the beach (well, shore since it's a lake) and then to Niagara Falls tomorrow. I may attempt to go over it in a barrel or my suitcase.
Sorted.