Laura Stricker

Today is absolutely gorgeous out. It’s supposed to rain later, but I am so not complaining. Tomorrow the Weather Network is saying it’s going to be 27, 31 with the humidex. 31!! That’s beach weather for sure.

This is pretty much my favourite time of year. That time when the long, cold, miserable winter is over and spring is being ushered in. There’s a different smell in the air (and no I’m not talking about that air pollution smell). It smells like new beginnings. Clean and fresh. I love it!

I am going to see so many concerts this summer that I have officially decided to name this ‘the summer of the concert.’
Here they are. I am very excited.

David Usher, April 22
Black Black Heart
This show is in Brampton. My ticket was only $10 and I’m in the front row!

Hey Rosetta, April 24
Hey Rosetta
This vid is from the show where I first heard them, at the Horseshoe Tavern. If there was a ‘made of win’ award, these peeps from Newfoundland would for sure get it. I am super pumped for the show!

Keane, May 23
Perfect Symmetry
It’s been two years since Keane last graced Toronto with their presence, which is much too long! I catch these guys every time they come to town.

Coldplay, July 30
Violet Hill
I actually have never seen Coldplay live, which is about as criminal as a crime can be for me, seeing as how I’ve loved them ever since the days of Yellow.

U2, September 17
Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Hmm…maybe instead of the summer of concerts, this should be called the summer of epic concerts. Cause U2 is epic, and this’ll be my first time seeing them. Or maybe I should call it the Europe/Canada summer concert extravaganza! I think I like that.
Either way, I am SUPER thrilled for this show. Many thanks to Parv for scoring us such amazing seats.

Shows I’d like to go to (but really shouldn’t because I should not spend any more $$ on concerts!)

Midway State, April 17
Never Again
I really feel like I should go to this show. Tickets are only $12, plus I went to high school with two of the guys. Gotta support the homegrown talent, right? If I could find someone to go with, I’d be there in a heartbeat (AND YES THAT IS A HINT!)

Travis, April 21
Something Anything
I have a huge soft spot for these guys, and they put on great live shows. But tickets are $36! I’m so conflicted! Help?

All American Rejects, April 22
Womanizer (cover)
I love these guys too, and not just for this kickass cover of Womanizer. But David Usher is the same night, and David will ALWAYS win out.

Franz Ferdinand, May 4
The Fallen
It’s probably a good thing this show is sold out.
P.S. (random showing off time) I met the guys once, and they were all super cool. Alex (lead singer) is really gorgeous!

So I think that’s all the shows I am going to/want to go to. Someone please convince me why I should go to the ones on my maybe list!

To anyone who says, “It’s just a dog:”

You are the reason rescues exist, why thousands of dogs die everyday in shelters, homeless and unwanted.

You are the backyard breeder or puppy miller, who looks at a dog and sees dollar signs, who cares nothing for the inevitable decline in the dog’s health after having litter upon litter of puppies, nor for the countless dogs who will now die in shelters because the puppies you breed have taken up their homes.

You are the supporter of these backyard breeders and puppy mills, willing to pay $500 or more for a puppy rather than $90 for a rescued dog, because having a pedigree to show off to friends is more important than saving the life of a true and loyal companion.

You are the one who trains dogs to fight, whether for sport or protection, thus abusing your dog and bringing the call for the extermination of an entire breed of perfectly wonderful dogs.

You are the one who thinks nothing of putting your dog to sleep because it doesn’t go with the furniture, or it urinates on the carpet, while at the same time balking at the thought of spanking an unruly child.

You are the one who dumps your dog at the shelter when you move, because you’re too lazy to find pet-friendly housing.

You are the one who keeps your dog tied up outside, only bothering to provide the occasional bowls of food and water and possibly a tree for shade, because after all, it is just a dog, right?

To the 90 year old woman in the nursing home, abandoned by her family, yearning for companionship, stroking the fur of a new friend with the words “Therapy Dog” on its side, it’s not just a dog.

To the young child who has become literate by reading aloud to a dog in the classroom, it’s not just a dog.

To the person with skin cancer who had it detected by a dog when the doctors couldn’t, it’s not just a dog.

To the blind man who now can see through his companion, it’s not just a dog.

To anyone who has been in bed, sick with the flu, and has felt the warmth of that cold nose as he curls up between your legs to give you comfort, it’s not just a dog.

To anyone who comes home from a hard day of work to be greeted by someone who’s so happy to see you they can’t stop wiggling, it’s not just a dog.

To anyone who has cried at Old Yeller, because they know what it’s like to lose their best friend, to know that their friend is suffering and though it may be hard, the best thing to do is to help them go peacefully, it’s not just a dog.

When you say, “It’s just a dog,” you really mean, “Why should I care about it? Dogs aren’t important. They’re useless. They don’t give anything to us, so why should I give them anything in return? Why do I have to care about their feelings? They don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. It’s just a dog.

To everyone who says, “It’s just a dog,” I just have this to say to you:

You’re just a human.

I don’t think there is much I can say to adequately express my disgust, so I will just post a link.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=1453834

“There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.”
- Pierre Trudeau