DECEMBER 7, 2006 right to edit sul and/or clarity. herein, exce! indicated othe The Cadre al Rob Walker Editor in Chief Well, it’s December, which means most of you are hunkered down studying, or partying it up because you’re done exams. Another semester here and gone, hard to believe I was just writing a welcome message. The Cadre is now fully staffed, and starting January should be out on a fairly regular two-week rotation. Our website, http://cadre.upei.ca, got a total overhaul this year and should be updated shortly after the new issue goes out. We’re still interested in contributions from volunteers, as well as selling advertising space. News-wise, other than k-os putting on a terrible show it’s been a pretty slow year. Speaking of k-os, how does this guy get through airport security? “What’s your name sir?” “k-os” “Oh, is that said like chaos?” “Uh, yeah.” “Really, and what is that I smell, pot?” THE CADRE @ 2 Right Here and Now Ui. NO. “Right, well why don’t you just step over here towards those large gentlemen with guns...” I suppose that after last year, I really shouldn’t complain about a lack of newsworthy events, but the newshound in me is hoping things heat up a little after Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, how bad is it that alongside all my memories of my family sitting around a tree giving gifts I remember the polar bear coca-cola commercial and Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown? Stupid holidays, bah- humbug! , I hate that people get into terrible moods around Christmas, and then blame the holiday like it’s the flu or something. “What’s wrong with hime” “Oh, it’s just Christmas, he’ll be fine in a few weeks.” I hate the fact that I’m always poor and can never afford gifts, and really hate that I feel guilty for not giving gifts, even though I don’t buy into this commercial crap anyway and my friends and family don’t care. I really, really hate how the city doesn’t plow the sidewalks (or the streets) until it stops snowing. Oh, I understand the logic behind it and how much money it saves, but when it snows for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT its time to re-think your strategies. Oh also, pushing all the snow from the streets into the MIDDLE of the street doesn’t make for a hurdle of death for pedestrians either. We’re an island for gods sake, just shove the snow into the water. I always love hearing about the 2-3 dump trucks that fall into the water every winter too. Speaking of what I actually like about this time of year...well I love snow, as long as I don’t have anywhere too important to go. A light dusting on everything in the morning can be gorgeous. Rosey cheeked women. Hot chocolate. Apple cider. Family and friends gathered together... Ok, I guess it’s not too bad. I won’t cancel it this year. Have a happy holidays people. Just a Little Something ... Mélanie Bernard Managing Editor I love Christmas. I decorate my apartment in November. I take out my 1.5 ft tree and decorate it with tiny ornaments and white lights. I have figurines and prints and garland and a bunch of other stuff hanging on shelves and from the walls. Christmas makes me happy. I don’t mind the music playing in the malls and stores in November, I actually love it. No matter how much people say they hate it, they still sing along in their heads or out loud. We all know the words. We all have memories around Christmas time and the music, decorations and big sales remind us of family, friends and presents. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the commercial Christmas. The only people who hate it are those who never seem to get their shopping done until the last minute and so the commercial Christmas is a reminder of that. Despite not being one of those people who gets shopping done early, I still enjoy the rush. I don’t enjoy the people at the malls who walk slow or those who make their own parking spaces, but those people are around all the time, we can’t blame Christmas! Those who hate commercial Christmas also seem to forget all the good things that come from it, like helping those families who are less fortunate. The food drives and present drives start good and early to make sure all the families on P.E.I. enjoy a little taste of the holiday spirit and the spirit of sharing. I encourage everyone to buy a few extra things at the grocery store and drop it off in the donation box on your way out. A few extra cans here and there and a few extra boxed goods don’t cost you that much, but the appreciation felt by someone else when Managing Editor Mél they receive it should be thanks enough. So let there be a commercial Christmas! There is nothing wrong with spreading a little more cheer in a world where stresses are high and everyone is in such a rush.