Plugging into the Matrix

Ok, now I don't need to make this blog into a melting pot of paranoia and fear. Somehow it seems easy to go that way, and quite ironic considering my aim is to help people overcome fear. Although knowledge is power, I think there is a tendency to get overstimulated or overfed information and just turn off after a while. It's then important to mix things up.

Strangely I was just fantasizing about a memory I had back in Red Deer College in 1992. It was a Halloween party and I had shown up alone. It was a small city of 60,000 at the time, and a few friends would eventually show up by the end of the night. Nirvana was the band of the day, and Hi-Balls (liquor and pop) were being sold at $1.00 each most nights of the week. Despite them being severely watered down, they made many people extremely drunk. After walking into the bathroom to take a pee, I had noticed a couple guys off to the side talking. Never took much notice until I was walking out. One guy tapped me on the shoulder, I turned around, and he punched me hard in the nose. I don't remember how exactly, but I think I just walked out. When I walked out, I saw a casual acquaintance who was wearing a vampire's get up. As soon as I had told her I was hit in the face, a deep red drop of blood came out of my nose and plopped on her white dress. We were both shocked.

I went over to the bouncers and told them this, and they brought these two guys out. When I asked him why he did it he said, "You had an earring. Sorry, man". He was about as tall as he was wide, and was a known enforcer for the AJHL Olds Grizzlies. I have always been a thinker above a doer, but since then I've fantasized about taking him by the throat right then and there.

So, it comes to mind that, when we're younger, going through school, there seems to be so much violence, aggression, and competition but I can't say I've blatantly experienced that for awhile. Perhaps, as we age, it's just not that important anymore to beat someone, or show someone up. Maybe we're too scared of the consequences. Bill Vanderzalm, former Premier of B.C. from 1986 to 1991, has been tirelessly working on a campaign to protest the HST, a sales tax that will 'harmonize' the GST (Goods and Services Tax) and the Provincial Sales Tax by effectively combining them. I think it would be a safe bet to say most B.C.'ers are not aware of the implications of this move, and could really care less. It all makes me wonder what I would fight for. What would I be willing to get punched in the face for?