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RANT/RAVE (Week of Jan. 14)
Rude awakening
Sorry, sorry, sorry to all the good people out there — especially the one who left the nasty note. I’m now wrought with guilt and embarrassment and can’t get back to sleep. Why my car decided to blow her horn in the middle of the night is anyone’s guess. I suppose she’s getting old and wanted attention. The horn woke me up, but I ignored it, as you learn to do in the West End, and I fell asleep. I was huddled under my blankets and didn’t want to get out of bed, because my building has no heat and won’t for another three days. Thank you to the police officer for waking me and bringing it to my attention — my first thought was that something bad has happened to my old mom. However, I believe the gods decided I didn’t have enough problems in my life, so they would get as many innocent people annoyed, and have them hurl as much abuse at me, as possible. Well, bring it on! I probably won’t like it and it will probably make me cry, but I can take it. Sigh... bring it on.
Richard
Share the road
I’d just like to say I’m fed up with motorized wheelchairs and scooters. You think you own the sidewalks, zooming around, expecting everyone to get out of your way? I’ve almost been run over a few times. Where’s their license, and why aren’t they being fined for speeding? You could be a bit more thoughtful — not just demand the sidewalks and the walkways in the malls and stores. We all share the walkways. Have some common courtesy and grow up.
Angela, Rantline caller
Gummed up
No wonder the B.C. government is urging people to leave up [their Christmas lights] downtown. They don’t want visitors looking down at the disgrace that is Vancouver’s roads and sidewalks. Ever notice the thousands of grey splotches? That’s thanks to the slack-jawed cretins who are too lazy to use our numerous trash cans and spit out their disgusting gobs of gum wherever they please. Singapore has the right idea in banning the stuff. And by the way, nobody looks good when they’re chewing. Cows chewing their cud look a helluva lot better. Take a few minutes to watch yourself in the mirror and see for yourself. Also ask your dentist about the damage you’re doing to your jaw. And for God’s sake, at least use a trash can if you must spew it out.
Judy, the anti-Gummite
Bad advice
[Voice poorly imitating Family Guy’s Mort Goldman] I was reading the paper and there was an article about a guide to “the good life,” and they had little Post-It notes with little ideas. One of them said, “Always ask a stranger a question.” Bullshit! You’re never supposed to talk to strangers. Never! Don’t you watch the Special Victims Unit (sic)? That’s a good way to end up dead, in a puddle of blood and semen, in some crummy basement.
Anonymous Rantline caller
Personal touch
I just wanted to pass on how wonderful I think A Loving Spoonful are. Every time I send them a donation, they send me a hand-made, handwritten thank-you note. Almost all the others send me requests and advertising for more money. It’s nice to know that there are still a few charities who take the time to acknowledge my donations. Keep up the excellent work. It makes me want to donate more to the ones who appreciate it.
Penny
One man’s art...
Just a note to Eric, who sent in a note about the public art piece near the Canada Line’s Georgia Street entrance [“I got your art right here,” Dec. 30]. Eric, I completely agree that there are some really bad pieces of public art in this city: the metal skyline/mountainscape thing in the park at 30-something and Knight Street; the stupid elevator thing that goes up and down on the corner of Burrard and West Hastings... This particular piece is actually quite interesting; not only its organic shape, but also the brilliant chrome finish. As an artist who is very pissed off about the money being spent on bad public art, I would say in defense of this particular piece: If you think that’s a piece of shit, I can show you other shit around this town that you would gag on. Study art, get educated, and develop a more worldly and intelligent view of what real art is. But don’t stop bitching, even if you’re wrong.
Glen
Profane in the brain
My rant today is how many fucking foulmouthed ranters there are writing in to complain... My rant is the expletives used in this column. Please stop using the word fuck. One day I counted 20 fuck words from different ranters! What the fuck! Why use this foul word to express yourself? Can you not use “flippin’’’ or “Oh, my gosh” or “sucks”? Please refrain from using this word or your mother will fucking wash your foul mouth out with soap.
Anonymous
A fond farewell
We’re writing to say how much we will dearly miss the West End legend that was Ed Green. We recently found out that Ed passed away a few days before Christmas, and just wanted to pay our respects. Ed was not one to put his hand out for a free gratuity; for a street “neighbour,” he earned his keep by always doing odd jobs and work around Denman Street. He always had a big smile, always had a good story, a big heart... and a big broom! He kept the streets cleaner, and made the West End a better place. On behalf of all his fellow friends, merchants, and neighbours, he will be sadly missed. The golden gates of heaven will be well swept and well hosed! R.I.P. Ed Green.
Michelle & Ken (a.k.a. “Jan & Dad”)
Angela: are you really so bereft of human compassion and respectful of diversity in humans that you could post such an obnoxius, self absorved rant? Really? Are you kidding me with your ignorance?
Sorry “Thinking”, but Angela has a very good point. She’s not suggesting they get off the sidewalk; she’s suggesting they slow the hell down, look where they’re going and, in general, show some consideration for others.
I have encountered rude people on these motorized chairs and there is no excuse for it. What, a motorized chair gives you permission to leave your manners on your kitchen counter, then block the aisle and refuse to move when someone says “Excuse me.”? Or barrel down the sidewalk at breakneck speed, blowing by people with mere inches to spare, cussing when someone is walking too slow or happens to step in your path (unaware you were behind them)? No, it does not.
I can assure you that the most compassionate person can get really tired of the inconsiderate and potentially dangerous behaviour that some (no one said all) people display.
You don’t have to be able-bodied to be an asshole.
To Anonymous who doesn’t like the word, ‘fuck’ in a rant. For fuck’s sake Anon. Grab a fucking brain ! It’s a fucking rant for fuck’s sake. The time for civility left the building at ‘friggin’ so lighten up and let ranters be ranters. We’re not trying to make friends or try to impress people with our great verbal skills. For crissake ! Let these small explosions of frustrations be and don’t get picky if we spell something wrong, be grammatically incorrect or use the word “fuck” every other word. It’s all therapeutic. So please get off your fucking high horse....and have a fucking nice day.
Apparently his tongue-in-cheek humor went flying right over your head Robert.
RE: A FOND FAREWELL:
Michelle & Ken (a.k.a. “Jan & Dad”) we are meeting with the Glenhaven Memorial Chapel on Thursday January 21 to arrange a memorial service for Ed. The Westender will be publishing the details as soon as we have them finalized.
The delay in arranging his memorial service was to allow time for family to be found. Unfortunately, no family has been located and so Ed’s West End family of friends is coming together to remember and honour him. Social services is covering the cost of his funeral arrangements but they will not cover the cost of a grave marker so we’ll be collecting donations to make sure that Ed does not end up in an unmarked grave.
Hey wardrobe malfunction, I wear shorts year round because they are comfortable. You probably wear jeans when it is 20 C. Go fuck youself.