Skunk!

Skunks like to eat salad

In the past, I've blabbed about how cool it would be if I had a skunk as a pet. It would have to have its stink-gland removed, but after that, I'd have the coolest critter at the end of a leash. We'd go for walks together, scare random passerby, and eat a lot of salad. Skunks like salad. My relationship with skunks has always been pleasant... but tonight a skunk did me wrong.

I was pumping out a Yiddish Cinema paper on my computer when I was forced to quickly vacate the room. A skunk had blasted out a huge stinker on the north side of my house, and now things are still smelling pretty raw. That little bugger!

Nah, I still love them though. They are adorable little creatures with stripes running down their backs. Some have spots instead. They have bushy tails and like to keep to themselves, but when you piss them off, they have the power to ruin your life. That's pretty cool.

Here are some interesting facts about skunks. Most were culled from VickiFox.com. One of them is from me:

- Skunks live for at least seven years in the wild. Eight to ten in captivity.

- Skunks are the chief carrier of rabies. Skunk spray is not known to carry rabies virus.

- Skunks are best known for their odorous defense. They are able to expel a fine spray of foul-smelling musk. The skunk's scent glands are mature at less than one month of age.

- Most species of skunk forewarn predators by stamping their front feet, raising their tail and walking stiff-legged. Spotted skunks will occasionally bluff by handstanding without spraying. If that fails, they will drop onto all fours and spray. The spray is aimed at the face and causes intense irritation, even temporary blindness, if it reaches the eyes.

- Most animals avoid skunks. However, a notable exception is the Great horned owl, which does not appear to be deterred by skunk spray while foraging at night.

- All skunks are largely carnivorous, with insects and small mammals as major prey, but they also eat grubs, birds' eggs and fruit seasonally.

- Skunks coexist with foxes, raccoons and coyotes, groups of skunks often using the same burrows as these species, but at different times of the year.

- Sophia got Avi a skunk doll last week since she knows Avi is a fan of these creatures. Avi appreciates the sentiment.

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Look at this photograph
Every time I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey’s head?

- from Photograph, by Nickelback

Every picture has a story

Some dried flowers on my grandmother's bathroom wall

We haven't seen a full-out photo blog post in a while, so this ought to tide you all over for now. I've had a bit of a backlog of pictures, so here is a mixed bag for your enjoyment. Below each image, you will find some identifying text. Still on the menu: Pictures of Joey and Eli (Snoopy) in Israel! Those shots are just around the corner... Really.



We had a short blackout tonight (Feb 16th), so I broke out a glowstick and got jiggy with it.


from left to right: Muslim, Atheist, Jew, and Christian - This was the interfaith panel, as part of the final round of "Know Radical Islam" programming. There was some great dialogue. Unfortunately, I had to cut out early.


Noam brought the ham to this year's Hillel Latke Cook-Off. He was the MC.


Coby and Soph on Boxing Day. Joey and Eli never showed!


My father found his old 8mm projector. We got a real kick out of projecting family movies from the 1960s on a bathroom wall.


Shaby at the latke cook-off. Her yam latkes were really tasty.


While everyone believed that Benji was still in B.C, Ben and I prepared a box to pack him into. Later that night, as everyone gathered to hang out before Boxing Day, a box showed up on the doorstep. Ben burst out, scaring the crap out of everyone. The looks on Moe and Sophia's faces were especially priceless. I believe Noam fell backwards over a couch.


A protest was held outside of Robarts Library last week. Shul of Rock was there.


My feet are off the ground! This is in the kitchen at my grandmother's house. I always used to do this in the mirror as a kid, kicking my leg out, making it look as if I was floating. The house will be put up for sale soon, so I thought I'd get one more float in for memory's sake.


Dan used his Bubbie's recipe when making his latkes. They came out great.


My classroom is in the basement of this place. It's called 'Emmanuel College' and is right across from the ROM.


The Fort Crew! See their award winning film here .

There's a lot more great stuff on the way, so stick around. Photos! Videos! Articles! Rants!

Bookmark Shul of Rock and add it to your favourites. It's good for you.

Doctor Love's Advice Column #3

Dr. Love is also an ordained rabbi. Here, he blesses S of R member Moe. Dr. Love is also a licensed vet, but that's another story for another time.

Dr. Love has returned with a third round of advice for his adoring fans! (Just in time for Feb. 14th day.) Strap yourselves in, because you are riding with the Love Doctor. I mean, he's got a PhD and everything! It's amazing what you can make with construction paper these days...

Some of these questions were culled from random locations spread out across the internet. Others were sent in by readers. In the future, if you have an anonymous question for Doc Love, just send it via Mr. T at the address listed near the bottom of this page. Please be advised that Dr. Love is not a licensed professional and his advice is mainly intended for entertainment purposes only. If you manage to get anything else out of it – well, good for you.

Sorry, but I’m washing my hair that night

Not sure why no girl will give me a first date. Not sure why certain girls are unwilling to give guys a chance. I guess this could also be reversed. Why would you say no to a first date? I’m asking this because it always seems like I get rejected. How do I make it impossible for a girl to say no?

Michael

Dr. Love Answers:

Dear Michael,
The question you ask is good one but there just is no answer. If you meet a girl who knows how you can make it impossible for her to say no then she isn’t the type of girl you want to be with. As the Kanye West song goes “She’s a gold digger”. Girls don’t give first dates for all kinds of reasons. Just like guys, sometimes girls are nervous and/or are afraid. Hey keep your head up and keep trying.

The Way to a Woman's Heart...

Hi

My girlfriend finishes work at 8pm tomorrow and we want to do something which is cool and a bit different.She'll be hungry so would have to include food of some sort?? We're not seeing each other for a couple of weeks so I want it to be special but we've only been going a couple of months so not too heavy!! Any suggestions?

Pete

Dr. Love Answers:

Dear Pete,
First off, make her favourite dish or go to her favourite restaurant. Second make sure to have a bottle of her favourite beverage i.e. juice, wine or beer. Last but not least, candles are always nice at the table as it adds a certain romantic element to the evening. Also, rent a movie she has wanted to see or take her to a movie she has been wanting to see for a while. Whatever you do try not to burp or pass gas during the meal. This doesn’t exactly help the mood and especially avoid the second one if there is an open flame.

Under the Influence

Okay I'm getting fed up. I've been with my guy for a year, and yeah, we've done the whole hanging out everyday bit, but i hadn't seen him since Sunday. We hung out last night (Friday) and his friend (who openly admits to cheating on his g/f, blows all his money on booze, and just has a bad attitude) called him up about 5ish. My boyfriend told him he didn't want to blow money last night at the bar, so that got me ecstatic, because I'd finally have a night with him. So my boyfriend had to pick this guy up later that night from his drunk driving class (I'm telling you this guy is a WINNER) and he said he wanted to get a beer, so my boyfriend drops me off and they go out. it seems as if my bf is easily influenced by this guy, and it gets me so frustrated. I feel like I'm a bad gf if I tell him I don't like his friend. Should I tell him how I feel or just leave it be?

janeiro21

Dr. Love Answers:

Dear Janerio,
Firstly your primary job is to like your boyfriend. If you like his friends, that’s a bonus. Are you dating your boyfriend or his friends? Secondly perhaps you should sit down and talk to your boyfriend about setting time just for the two of you and setting time for guys night out. Maybe he can guarantee you one day a week, (some private time) and still go out once a week with the guys. Don’t worry about your boyfriend’s friend. I am sure your boyfriend realizes what kind of person the guy is, so you don’t have to feel like he is blind. He is just being a good friend and sticking by him, just as friends do.

For Shul of Rock, I am Dr. Love saying “Love is like a hunting trip with Dick Cheney. Sometimes we hit what were not aiming for.”

P.S. - Dan the Man - You should speak to a medical doctor.

Previous Dr. Love columns:
1. Doctor Love is Ready to Operate
2. Doctor Love's Advice Column #2

R.I.P Phil Brown

From Aint It cool News:

"Phil Brown, who played the wonderful character of Uncle Owen in Star Wars, has passed away. He joins Aunt Beru (Shelagh Fraser) who passed away 6 years ago in the here after. His Uncle Owen was an absolute integral part in our understanding of Luke Skywalker. A tough, yet reasoned man that was afraid of what the boy he raised and loved as a son might find if he ever left "the farm"."

Paul McCartney's Grammy Surprise

When Jay-Z and Linkin Park were jamming at the Grammys, performing their winning song 'Numb/Encore', who should step out of the shadows but Sir Paul McCartney? Watch as the beat from a rap song turns into a duet of The Beatles' 'Yesterday'.

Click here, Moe

Hate and Awareness at U of T

This month at the University of Toronto, the Zionist group Betar-Tagar is launching "Know Radical Islam Week" while the Arab Student’s Collective pops open another can of "Israel Apartheid Week". The widely read campus paper "The Varsity" has drawn an equivalency between the two, not just in their printed words, but also in pictures. What you see here is the image that graces the cover of their latest issue. A Jew and a Muslim stand behind opposite sides of a red line which divides the campus.

What frustrates me is that the headline that accompanies Bruce Harpham’s article includes the text "Just what are 'Know Radical Islam Week' and 'Israeli Apartheid Week' fighting for? Zionist group kicks off a two-week ideological faceoff". Do they not understand? There is no ideological face-off! There can’t be when there is only one ideology.

The ASC’s "Israel Apartheid Week" promotes Islamic Fundamentalism while Betar’s "Know Radical Islam Week" explores it.

It’s one ideology – Islamic Fundamentalism/Islamo-Fascism/Abuse of the ‘Religion of Peace’/Whatever else you want to call it – but it is being explored through the lens of two very different philosophies.

The ASC’s "Israel Apartheid Week" philosophy upholds the belief that Israel should be wiped off the map (sound familiar?). Last year, in Sidney Smith Hall, as part of their demonstration, there was a mock refugee camp. Inside the hut I saw a glorious map of Palestine. No sign of them pesky Jews anywhere to be seen. On the outside of the hut, there were Islamic Jihad posters. This is in Sidney Smith Hall. At the University of Toronto. Is it a crime in Canada to promote terrorist activity? Yes. Is that the purpose of those posters? Yes. Are you as outraged as I am? I would assume so.

What is Betar’s philosophy concerning "Know Radical Islam Week"? Judging by their planned speakers and events, Betar seeks to spread awareness about the perversion of a noble faith. Speakers will include a former Sudanese slave, a gay rights activist, a women’s rights activist, as well as the Palestinian affairs correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. The "Israel Apartheid Week" speakers will include Jaggi Singh, who has been arrested for violent behaviour in the past, Ahmed Motiar, an individual who has been known to defend Holy War, as well as Professor Ward Churchill, who was quoted as calling 9/11 victims ‘little Eichmann’s’.

So, as you can see, there is one ideology that will be debated – not two. The ideology is Radical Islam, and the question is, are you for it or against it? Betar-Tagar wants to make the issues known, and the ASC seeks to wash over it with false accusations of ‘apartheid’ while promoting a hateful agenda. One can only hope that soon the day will come when "Know Radical Islam Week" won’t be necessary.

Perfect Situation

The Weezer song "Perfect Situation" was one of my faves from their latest album, Make Believe. When it was released as a radio single a few weeks ago, I could not have been happier. Until now. The music video just hit TV screens and it is great!

They've always been known for their vids, and this new one fits their ouevre well.

(Spoiler:)

It stars Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert as the lead singer of "Weeze". When she begins to lose it, and it looks like "Weeze" is about to fall apart, the band's trusty roadie takes the stage, as portrayed by Rivers Cuomo. By adding the 'R' to "Weeze", Weezer is born, and true to form, they rock out!

(End of Spoiler)

Click here to see "Perfect Situation"!

'Get on the Bus' Screening

Innis Town Hall, in co-operation with CINSSU will be providing a free screening of Spike Lee's Get on the Bus on February 1st at 7 PM. Head to 2 Sussex Avenue to see the story of a group of men who embark on a journey that extends from Washington to Angeles, on a chartered bus, to attend the Million Man March. It stars Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Bernie Mac, Isaiah Washington, Ossie Davis, Charles S. Dutton, and Richard Belzer.