Hey everyone!
So I decided I would pull a
necro if you will and re-hash this thread as I've come out of the woodworks to (hopefully!) become active on these forums again! I've actually been lurking for quite some time and have always had CKA in my bookmarks but I guess I lost my incessant need to post all the time for awhile there!
Just to give you guys a little update on my life! I no longer live in rural Manitoba. I'm now living the dream (well MY dream that is
) here in Vancouver, BC. I'm in my 2nd year at UBC and will be declaring my major in the coming months in either International Relations or Political Science (hopefully Honours program). University has been an amazing experience for me and has expanded my horizons beyond my wildest expectations.
I know some of you may remember me for my more outlandish posts and various -- looking back -- crazy opinions I spouted out. Let's just say I have moderated out quite a bit. In my youth (well I'm only 19, but when I first became active on online forums I was in my early teens) I went through these radical idealogical leanings which I feel are actually quite common for politically engaged individuals. Trudeau had communist associations in his youth and Harper was a Young Liberal at one point! So I don't necessarily regret anything I said as it was part of my journey to getting to where I am today. The evolution is still not over I'm sure and my leanings could change once again. For the time being I'm still a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and the BC Liberal Party. But I've learned after many different experiences being involved in campaigns (I now have lots of election volunteering under my belt! Helped elect Christy Clark the Premier of BC!), I've realized how utterly detrimental ideologues are to the political process. At the end of the day, everyone on all sides needs to realize despite our differences in perspective all parties are working towards what they genuinely believe will make Canada a better place for Canadians. The basic level of respect needs to be there. I can't tell you how much I can't stand people who tar Harper with the 'dictator' label and claiming how Canadian democracy is 'under siege'. Hello people, this is a typical parliamentary majority government. They gots the power. Chrétien did it too. Also there's absolutely no surprises in the CWB or LGR policies so hidden agenda my ass. There! Got that rant out of the way.
Now let me be clear. I'm still a fan of the free market and still very much believe government is the problem, not the solution, and we need to decrease the size of the state. But I also am a strong believer in equality rights for minorities including all gay rights and I'm pro choice as well (I shudder at my once former ardent pro life views). I think our justice system is too skewed to the rights of criminals but I also believe the War on Drugs - in particular with marijuana and the drug trade here in the Lower Mainland - is futile and pot should be decriminalized or legalized/regulated. I'm also now agnostic. I'm still culturally Christian with Christmas and celebrations of that nature but I unlike my past views I generally believe nobody can know either way if there is a God or not and all religions are generally the same path to the same door we're all seeking. I don't know and its not some quest in my life I need to embark on because in reality the God question has now tangible impact on my life.
Hmm...what else is new. Went on a random political bio rant, my apologies. Oh I'm gay! But I think that was already hashed out when I used to be active. Also dating this really amazing guy who is an international student from the D.C. who is a dual American/Dutch citizen (a super sexy Dutch face too! P.S. Hey Brenda!!!)
Life is pretty great. University is hectic as hell, but that's expected (could go on some rants about the state of education in this country and the great need for reform in our ivory institutions but I'll save that for another day!), but I love the amount of diversity around me and living in such a laid back and amazing place like Vancouver. Parents moved out here too now and are a short visit away in Richmond. The prairie days are behind me and I'm looking forward to the future whether that'll be a graduate degree, embarking on a career, or whatever life throws my way.
Cheers!
(Also I'd love a brief update on how everyones lives have progressed over these past few years!)
CKA Moderator 
Forum Elite 
