side note..

It's a mystery of human chemistry, and I don't understand it. Some people, as far as your senses are concerned, just feel like home.

--high fidelity

0522 Kesler Place
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5W 7H9


May 25, 2011

123 Main Street
Sportsville, Birtish Columbia
V2A 1W3


Dear Mr. Kleats:

My name is Ariana Weston, and I am the mother of Linden Weston who plays on your U14 soccer team. I would like to express a couple of concerns about your coaching style. Due to my frequent attendance at all of Linden's practices and games, I have noticed a few problems that I would like to bring to your attention.

I understand the heavy load that you have to deal with, and the large time and effort it takes to run a high level team. It is a very demanding job, and it can be very discouraging at times. I pay a large sum in fees to put my son on this team, with all the travelling and equipment costs. Therefore you having a regular attendance is at the up most importance. It is necessary that you arrive on time to the practices so that the players have as much time to develop their skills as possible. Also, it would be productive to have very organized practices, so that drills run smoothly and there is no time wasted.

Songbird.

For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right

To you, I'll give the world
to you, I'll never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know it's right.

And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before.

And I wish you all the love in the world,
But most of all, I wish it from myself.

And the songbirds keep singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before, like never before.

"Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac is a softly toned song that describes the self-sacrifice needed for true love. It is written solely by Christine McVie and is said to be interpreting the turmoil that was within the band at that time. The overall mood of the song is best portrayed as bittersweet, which is indicated when "the songbirds keep singing, like they know the score." This demonstrates to the listener that even though there is happiness in a relationship, there will always be sadness too. This song is often categorized as a lullaby, but it is also full of poetic devices that add to the overall meaning. The first stanza uses alliteration, with the uplifting and jubilant words "the sun will be shining". It also posses consonance, stating simply with absolute certainty, "It's alright, I know it's right". That line is also utilized at the end of the second stanza, which is an exemplary example of parallel structure. The usage of a simile is the reason the chorus is so powerful and hard hitting. It adds softness to the song, and adds to the emotiuonal meaning because "the songbirds keep singing, like they know the score". This song invokes pure emotion and gets its tinge of sadness from the fact that pain is easily caused and one does not have much control over love after all.

Provincial Champions.

The junior basketball team at Princess Margaret Secondary is setting a high performance standard for athletic teams in the province. The team consists of 12 girls in grade 9 and 10 who are passing every one's expectations by miles. Their coaching in middle school is obviously the cause of this incredible physical ability. Watching one of their games, one would see how fortunate the senior team is going to be next year when receiving these new rookies.

As a shot goes up at the senior level; one would witness 90 degree form, a guide hand and following through with a flicked wrist. At the junior level, well that is beyond ridiculous. They much rather go the extra step and throw their whole bodies into the shot. It adds that extra sparkle to their performance as the ball ricochets off the backboard or lazily misses the net completely. Same goes for shooting foul shots, it is too remedial for them to have a basic routine that they follow every time they step up to the line. They much rather mix it up for show, keep the audience on their toes, and all of a sudden twist their body and the ball up is a quick jerky movement. For just shooting the ball, is way to commonplace for girls at such superior athletic standing.

A breakaway occurs; the bench goes crazy as the player wildly dribbles the ball down the court. Control is not a word in these girls vocabulary, they much prefer surprise the fans and believe in nonconformity. It is extremely mediocre to just dribble the ball at waist level like the professionals in the NBA do. They rather add the extra spurt of energy and pound the ball so intensely into the hardwood that it bounces all the way to their temples. This just adds the extra chance for the opponent back checking defending the basket to steal the ball from them with ease. Even though that occurs on a regular basis for them, they don't mind. They much rather have to fight angrily for a comeback and foul dramatically to try and win the game. Controlled dribbling is just too elementary for them to agonize about.

It is evident that this team is on their way to becoming the next Provincial Champions of British Columbia. With their undying need to put in the extraneous effort, and the natural born talent they clearly posses, these girls should surely conquer every team they meet. Simplicity is not crucial for this teams victory, for a thick coating of mascara and a perfect ponytail is obviously the reason behind their success.

The time where the Celtics and Lakers reigned..

As she slips under the heavy goose down quilt, a soft muffled cry erupts from her mouth . "Darling, the paper has yet to change since you read it this morning!"

He glares at her with a charmed look in his black eyes, "That may be correct, but I forget to check the NBA statistics this morning, the Celtics beat the Lakers last night!"

" Can you put it down please, it is starting to get late," She claims half heartedly. "We have to get up early and run tomorrow with the Johnson's."

" Yes my love, one more moment. I'm just finishing this article on the Lakers new offense."

He gives her a loving smile and returns his attention to the paper, a look of annoyance spreads across her dimly lit face.

"In a couple months basketball season will be over, and you won't have those stats to pour yourself over anymore. What are you going to do then?" She gently contests.

He laughs adoringly and grabs her petite hand, " Well then I'll put all my attention into loving you dear."

She glares at him with fiery rage, and then a smile slowly starts to grow. " Why did I marry a fool like you?"

As she turns off the lights, and they snuggle into the warm covers, all goes silent in the room. Suddenly a faint whisper escapes his tender lips.

" Because sweetheart, you love me too."

Mustangs on two.

A small town in British Columbia is setting a high standard for moral ethics and school togetherness. As one walks into Princess Margaret Secondary in Penticton BC, they will immediately notice that "Mustang Pride is in the AIR". It is undoubtedly a school where sportsmanship, friendly behaviour and school pride reigns. It isn't that bullying doesn't exist, anywhere you go there will be some form of bullying. Its more that it just isn't an issue kids deal with on a daily basis.

"We are a family, a big family that has one thing in common, we love this school" claims Chelsea McCutchan who is a senior at Maggie.

As a kid slowly walks down the hall, they could name ninety percent of the other students that pass them. The small student body, and the friendliness that all of the staff have created make it more than just a school.

"This school, this gym, its my second home, kids from other high schools might not understand why I love going to school so much, but everyone here does!" states the same senior student.

This school is one that breeds champions, where it is normal to get a 95% average in grade 12. Where its normal for a Senior boys basketball team to go to provincials and lose every game, but come back with the most sportsmanlike award.

"The difference between us, and everyone else is that we genuinely care about each other, we don't like to see one of our fellow classmates fall" remarks a grade 12 boy.

This school comes in no where near perfection. On occasion kids squabble. On occasion kids get detention, and fail to complete their homework. Those are minor exceptions though, at this school they are not the rule. That is what makes all the difference, that's what being a mustang means.

Memories.

I have lived a ordinary life, that I am certain. Though the standard rules of life have never applied to me, for I am not terrified of death. Death is not my end, for my memory never dies, my memory extends back all the way to my first life. I am no where near perfect, in most ways I am like every other person on this planet. When it comes to my memory though, I am unique, I am alone with a talent I am unable to share. I drink my tea with three sugars, no milk. Sometimes I still get scared of the dark. I paint with passion and intensity, the mystery of Atlantis still fascinates me, yet I lived in the time of the Trojan War. I do not boast, I am not brave and my courage has its limits. I have done nothing extraordinary with my memory, I have lived a common life. No monuments have ever been built for me, and after I die again, my name from this life will slowly be forgotten. I despise the colour orange. In some aspects one might say I have succeeded in every way a person can, that I would disagree with. For I still write with spelling mistakes. There are many things I wish I could forget, like the viking raids in Ireland that left my family killed or the smell of burning flesh. I have lost a lot, I have gained some more, and I have loved someone persistently for two thousand years. The secrets of the world are not mysteries to me, and the smell of still rain intoxicates me. I have lived an ordinary life, that I am certain. For me, that will always be enough.