Opinions

 

 

 

Eve since I moved to this beautiful city some
months ago, I noticed a disturbing trend in my suburban
North Burnaby neighbourhood. I’m referring to the
overwhelming trend towards laziness. Don’t get me
wrong; I’m just as reluctant as the next night owl to throw
back the covers and pull myself out of bed when the
alarm goes off each morning. I really wish that a standard
work day began at 10 a.m., but then I guess our fast-
paced world wouldn’t be as productive, now would it?

By the time I do manage to propel myself out of
the house and onto my daily trudge to the SkyTrain, I notice
that I’m usually the only person who has chosen to actually
make use of my legs and — gasp — walk to catch the train!

It’s not that I’m the only one awake at
the ghastly hour of 6:30 am; I see my neighbours
getting up to commence their commutes as well
— but they prefer to sit at the bus stop and wait for
the bus that will take the same amount of time to
wait for as it does to walk to the station. I’m at a loss.

I can understand foregoing a trip to the station in
the pouring rain, but on a beautiful warm sunny morning,
what better way is there to wake up than strolling down
tree-lined streets and appreciating the stillness? The
whole thing is baffling to me. So I challenge you — get
out there and get walking — your butt will thank you.

 

oyna m=] pa (ate!

By Siavash Emamzadeh

How many men will it take to convert me to
another faith? I don’t know, but three is a good start.
My new faith? The NFL. The men? Jason Taylor,
Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

Now I’m a Vancouver Canucks fan first and
foremost, but I can’t deny that I sometimes watch games
with other teams as well. It’s rare, for instance, that I
will ever miss an NHL playoff game, no matter who is
playing. I also consider myself a somewhat casual NBA
fan, and I occasionally watch their postseason games.
Only now, however, is the NFL slowly beginning
to penetrate through my skin, gradually earning my
attention.

Until recently, the NFL just wasn’t that compelling
to watch; indeed, there wasn’t much appeal, if any, to
their promotions (remember, we are in Canada). But
on March 24 of last year, my skepticism of the NFL
was challenged by one of the league’s biggest names:
Peyton Manning. On that evening, the quarterback
starred on Saturday Night Live and lo and behold, by
the show’s end, I found myself thoroughly amused by
him and curious about the league. Manning began the
show by purposefully indicating his family’s presence

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and exposing every viewer to his embrace of benign
values. He was by far the best SNL guest I’ve ever seen
(in as long as I’ve watched) and was always able to
draw wild laughs. All in all, he represented the NFL
as a dignified, classy and leader-like individual and
player.

Then there’s the tremendous success of the New
England Patriots, led by the much beloved Tom Brady.
Brady, also a quarterback, surged the Patriots to victory
after victory after victory until his team emerged with
a 16-0 record at the regular season’s end. Regardless of
my essentially exclusive devotion to the NHL, I can’t
deny that perfection in the NFL is unexceptionally
sexy. So the Patriots continued to ride their undefeated
blaze into the playoffs and ultimately, arrived at the
championship game. I gave in to temptation, and
tuned in to watch the championship game between the
Patriots and the New York Giants. Even though the
Patriots ultimately conceded, the decision did not mar
my newly-conceived enthusiasm for the league.

Finally, who can forget the preening touchdown
dance that seemed to go on forever? Of course, it
wasn’t your traditional end zone celebration as it
involved a partner and didn’t occur on the field, but

 

if it’s any consolation, Jason Taylor still was central.
The defensive end dominated Dancing with the Stars
with his imposing presence, yet graced the floor with
a lax (perhaps often-concealed) side to his personality.
He, like Manning, exhibited unrivalled prestige and
accentuated charisma, both qualities that were often
obliterated by judge Bruno Tonioli’s “passionate”
ramblings. Taylor’s fervent moves propelled him to a
final two standoff, where he eventually lost to fellow
athlete Kristi Yamaguchi, who may I mention, is a
dancer on ice. After Yamaguchi was announced the
winner, Taylor, in a prominently transparent display of
sportsmanship, hoisted her on his shoulders and carried
her around the floor.

The three players have promoted their sport in
ways better than any advertisement can even dream
of. These dignified, fun and superior professionals
have tantalized the sport in front of my very eyes. If
that wasn’t enough, Peyton Manning and Jason Taylor
both have their own charitable foundations to give
back to those in need. While Michael Vick summons
my absolute apathy and abhorrence, these other players
endeavor to right wrongs and draw more supporters.
Very impressive.