I Went To A Fight And A Hockey Game Broke Out

Recently the debate over fighting in professional hockey has arisen again. The catalyst this time was the death of a player after he fell and hit his head on the ice during a fight. This debate has been going on probably since the first puck hit the ice. I don't imagine it will end anytime soon, but I do have a few thoughts on the subject (Surprise, Surprise right?).

I know I am inviting the wrath of most Canadians when I say I am not a big hockey fan. Wait before you throw something! The reason being is the fighting. I used to enjoy hockey. I liked reading about it, going to the games and even playing (badly) from time to time. But at some point I got tired of watching people punch each other in the head, when all I wanted, was to see a game played well by those who got paid well to do it. Do I hate hockey? No. I still watch from time to time. I particularly enjoy the Olympic Women's team. The games are fast. Skill levels are high and the games are exciting and there is no fighting. I'm afraid I can't say the same for the NHL.

The last NHL game I watched was like a bar brawl that was periodically interrupted by hockey. Plays were sloppy, action was slow and the game was continually interrupted by penalties and fighting. Why? From what I could see, there was no reason for most of the fighting that took place. Oh, yes, I know that the game is rough, lots of checking and pushing and running into one another. Tempers will undoubtedly get frayed. Frustration will increase and words will be exchanged. But why punch someone in the head because of that?

I often don't agree with my co-workers. Sometimes we argue. Tempers get frayed and frustration enters the picture. Do I haul off and paste them with a right cross? Nope. Unacceptable behaviour in the workplace right? Right. So my question is, are these grown men in the NHL playing a game or are they working? If they are working (and from the millions of dollars they make in salaries, it seems they are) and the arena is a workplace, then fighting should be just as unacceptable there as it is in any other place of business. Right?

If we are going to pay players outrageous amounts of money for their performances then they should perform. We shouldn't have to watch barbarians beat on one another. Failing that, then lets treat the sport like what it is—a game. Something you do to pass the time and have some fun while you're doing it. No need to pay them to do that is there?

Right or Left… You Decide.

It is not everyday that a new invention comes along that changes the way we do things. We can all think of the big ones of course, the water wheel, the printing press, the radio. Even, God forbid, the cell phone. But I think I have the next big thing. I know. That is quite a statement. What could possibly be as important as the printing press? What possible difference could a new invention make to enter the pantheon of these other great inventions? Well here it is…

Directional blinkers for cars.

Yep. Think about it. What would the world be like if suddenly there was a way to determine which direction the other drivers on the road were intending on going? Can you imagine that world? There would be no question on whether that car coming towards you was going to turn right or left to enter a driveway or another street. Perhaps we could tell if another car were about to pass on the highway. We ourselves, with the simple flick of a lever could signal to others our own intentions. The potential is almost limitless! I think I'll call them – Signal Lights!

What's that you say? They already exist? No! Impossible! Not from what I saw on the way to work today. You would think if they existed then people would use them more often!

I know, I know. Sarcasm -- the lowest form of humour. But what can I say. I find it amazing that people refuse to indicate which direction they intend on going. Not only that, but we now have a television show dedicated to those people who, it seems, skipped out on their driver's education classes. The producers of this show scour the country looking for the speeders, nervous Nellie's and the directionally challenged. They pull them all into a secluded location and try to teach them the proper way to drive. They then broadcast the ensuing insanity for all to see.

I have a better idea. Why not hold mandatory refresher testing at set intervals? Maybe people would pay more attention to their driving and the habits we all pick up. Think you don't need it? Great! Just challenge the test and if you pass fine. But what of those who don't pass the test? Well, at least they have a chance to become better drivers and perhaps our wallets, and insurance companies, will thank us.

Catch Me If You Can

There are two great rules in life, the one general and the other particular. The first rule is that everyone can, in the end, get what he wants if he only tries. The particular rule is that every individual is more or less an exception to the general rule.

-- Samuel Butler

What is it about human beings that we feel the need to break rules? If there is a rule against doing something we do it. If the rule is that we should do something, we find ways to avoid doing it. High school students especially, seem prone to this quirk. Why they feel the need, nay compulsion, to bring cell phones to class is beyond me. I will admit right off -- I don't have a cell phone. I did own one at one time, but I had no real need for it and got rid of it. In this age of high tech telecommunication I am a bit of a Luddite. I admit it. Most of my students, however, are not.

In our school the rule states 'cell phones are to be turned off and out of sight during class time'. If a student is caught with a cell phone out it (the phone, not the student) is to be taken to the office. If I had five dollars for every phone I have taken from students, I could make a car payment. No joke. In the last week alone I could have made $25. Twenty five dollars! Over the course of a month that's like having a low paying part-time job!

What really gets me is that they know the rule, they know the consequences and yet they still try and use them in class. The attitude is not one of "I should not do it because it is against the rule." The attitude is "I will continue to break the rule until you can catch me." There seems to be no regard for rules or simple respect for the person making the request. Did I bend rules when I was in school? Absolutely. But I knew how far I could go. I knew when to back off and do the work.

It is not only students who have this disrespect for the rules of the school. Parents expect to be able to text and even call their kids during class time! Not only do we have to try and keep students working and off the phone, but we have to deal with parents who apparently do not have the sense to not needlessly interfere in their children's education. I grieve for society. W hen a parent's own actions legitimize the urge to break the rules, what hope do the kids have?