Opinions Fun with Shuttlecocks Sunny Side Up Sunny Park I remember the first time I ~ held a shuttlecock. It was small and soft, and fit nicely in the palm of my hand. I was just a Grade 11 student at the time, and I had little interest in anything that had to do with physical education. But my P.E. teacher, Mr. Brookes, a masculine, tattooed, intimidating man, was very insistent. So I grabbed that shuttlecock! From that moment it has remained an important part of my life. Badminton is the only sport that I play for three reasons. First, because badminton is a sport that requires a lot of running, it helps develop attractive legs. It is hard to find a badminton player who has unattractive legs. Second, badminton is a very exciting sport. I have lost five pounds in two weeks since I have started playing the sport, and instead of being tired, I feel more energetic. Third, badminton helps to develop personal relationships. The sport requires a partner, so players have to learn how to treat the partner respectfully. This is a skill that is not only helpful on the badminton court, but in real life as well. Badminton is the only sport that I do regularly because it gives me beautiful legs, provides me with entertainment, and helps me to develop strong relationships. That is why I think everyone should play badminton. Of course, my deep desire for the sport that I love caused me to want to learn more about it. Badminton has been around since ancient times; an early form of the sport was even played in ancient Greece and Egypt. In Japan, a related game called Hanetsuki was “My P.E. teacher, was very insistent. So I grabbed that shuttlecock!” played as early as the 16th century. In the west, badminton came from a game called “battledore and shuttlecock,” in which two or more players tried to keep a feathered shuttlecock in the air with small rackets. The game was called Poona in India during the 18th Century, and British Army Officers stationed there later took a competitive Indian version of the game back to England where it was played at country houses as an upper-class amusement. Isaac Spratt, a London toy dealer published a booklet, “Badminton Battledore —a new game” in 1860, but unfortunately no copy have survived. Still, this amazing game continued on. Until 1887 the sport was played in England under the rules that prevailed in India. That year saw the Bath Badminton Club standardized the rules and made the game more applicable to English ideas. in 1893, the Badminton Association of England finally published the first set of rules according to these new regulations, similar to those of today, and officially launched the new badminton in a house called “Dunbar” at 6 Waverley Grove, Portsmouth, England on September 13 of that year. They later started the All England Open Badminton Championships, the first badminton competition in the world, in 1899. My advice to all students at Douglas College is to grab a shuttlecock and never let go. It will take you to new heights of both physical and personal development. Yes, it can be quite addictive, but it’s a very healthy addiction. “Featuring Dr. Stephen Sex & Dr. Marilyn Fairchild Farting makes sex stink Dear Dr. Sex, Thave been with my boyfriend for just over a month, and he has began doing something that turns me off him and the relationship completely. Last week, while we were kissing in his room, my boyfriend farted into his hand and then shoved it in my face, blasting the warm shot of gas right up my nose. I was pretty grossed out. Since then, it has gotten worse, even going as far as him farting into my salad at dinner yesterday. But when I bring my concems up with him, he gets angry and says that farting is a natural process of the body and I shouldn’t be such a prude. Am I overreacting? I mean, he isn’t 12 years old—he’s 25! —Stinky Porthole Dr. Sex: SP, what you are experiencing are what we dudes call “cup-a-farts.” Usually this fragrant behaviour is reserved only for the eyes (and noses) of other men, but it seems your boyfriend has deemed you worthy take his toots. Dr. Fairchild: I don’t believe it’s a sign of worthiness at all, Dr. Sex. It sounds as though your guy is showing how comfortable he is around you. Dr. Sex: Or, he could be marking his territory! Dr. Fairchild: Nevertheless, farting on a female is not normal behaviour, and your guy needs a dose of reality and maturity. Honestly, Dr. Sex and I were married for years, and, as offensive as he can be, he never farted in front of me once! Dr. Sex: Well, there were some silent ones that I blamed on the dog, but besides that I do manage to keep my bodily functions to myself. Your boyfriend’s ‘brother brown mouth’ seems to be a bit too talkative—he could have gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Fairchild: SP, you bagged yourself a boy with a back-door trumpet, and whether it is caused by a mental or physical ailment, it is frustrating to be with someone that doesn’t listen to your concerns about the relationship. Dr. Sex: You’ve only been with him fora month! Kick his noisy crack to the curb and find yourself a real man that respects you. Dr. Fairchild: Dr. Sex talking about respect? Wow, that says a lot about your | situation! It’s true that you should definitely review the relationship if you are having so many problems so early on. If he is this smelly after a month... Dr. Sex: ...then who knows what is going to crawl up his gaping ass and die in a year!! Before you let him go, ask him if he has a fart fetish—that could be his vulgar problem. Dr. Fairchild: Fart fetishes are a valid turn-on for some, but if you are not into it | now, itis unlikely you will warm up to his wishes. Compatibility sounds like the underlying issue here, and moving on is the best thing for everyone. | Dr. Sex: Just remember—farts are funny, but there is a time and a place for them. - Search “fart” on www.pomotube.com if you wish to continue your own research on ! Thanks hz nks for your letter! 3 fart i