Ce'Nedra

Remember a few days ago I posted about the pronunciation in fantasy novels being the biggest turn-off for breaking into the genre. I finished Queen of Sorcery last night and it happened... the first name with an apostrophe was introduced, Ce'Nedra. I saw it, I couldn't believe it, yet it happened. I guess it was only a matter of time. An interesting thing occurred, I wasn't upset. Maybe because the joke had already happened, maybe because the author had won my trust, maybe because out of all the names in fantasy encountered with an apostrophe this is actually pronounceable. Ce'Nedra, is a simple name, basic syllables, no harm no foul. I stand by my previous post, some fantasy authors are careless and egregious with their use of the apostrophe. Eddings delivered a high five with his simple and appropriate name choice for his character. Spot on my good fellow, spot on.

Celine Dion + Baking = Christmas

I grew up in the rank and file cluster of farming communities encircled by Indian reserves on the desolate Saskatchewan prairies. Many morning I walked to school, it wasn't a long stretch, it wasn't one of the up hill both ways kind of things your grandparents talked about from their childhood. The cold, however, was penetrating and a vile form of violation, no matter how many layers encompassed my frame, some poor appendage was grieved with the loss of feeling. Frequently, during these short treks, my eyelashes would freeze together preventing me from seeing where I was going. I would slip one hand out of its toasty glove to rip the lids apart and restore my site, not that was anything really to see, this was more a safety measure to avoid the moving trucks that obnoxiously backed up without any disregard for what poor ice-blinded child was behind them.

The days leading up to the holidays were filled with seasonal crafts, practices for the Christmas concert, and games. Specifically, my elementary school followed a tradition that roots back to the origin of the school. The last day of classes before the break we all file into the gymnasium, sit crossed-legged like good teacher abiding monkeys and belt carols from our tiny high pitched voices till our throats were ripped raw. My favourite was The Twelve Days of Christmas. We stood up and followed a ridiculous set of actions as the days counted up and back down. We shuffled back to our classrooms, the excitement causing us to be a little too giddy and jumpy. No one could sit still in their desks. I remember many kids just dancing around with anticipation of the break and what Santa would bring them. Teachers would open presents, I don't think I ever brought them anything. What could I possibly buy my teacher? "Here's a Lego pencil holder! Oh... you already have a gold one... Dang."

The real treat of the day was being released early at 2 rather than fight all the way to 3:30. I would run home back down the block and burst into the house...and every time I did the most amazing thing would be waiting for me. The porch was spotless, freshly mopped with a clean rug to absorb the melted snow, the whole house smelt like bread, cupcakes, peanut brittle, turtles, and vanilla candles. I jumped the three steps from the porch up the entry room and the smell hit me more powerfully. The kitchen was flooded with baked goods of varying levels of sweetness. The flood of baked goods would always escape the boundaries of the kitchen counters and overflow onto the kitchen table. And I survey the scene of gluten gloriousness a familiar and long lost sound fills my ears... from the living room comes the sound of Canada's jewel, no not Michael Buble, Celine Dion. Her voice at Christmas is the same as the angels who announced Christ's birth. She may have even been one, with the voice that she has I wouldn't doubt it in the slightest.

The combination of all these items, the cleaned house, the baked goods, and the musical selection equals, well it means my sister Tovah is home from university and sent my dad off to nap while she takes over the reins for a while, and it also means that it is Christmas. That is the equation for Christmas magic. I don't care how many presents I get, I don't really want physical things anyway. When my family was home and we packed around the table to fight over that last sausage, that is what I remember about Christmas. Grandma's caramel popcorn she brought in grocery bags, why were all her gifts signed from Grandma and Pup, did the dog have a say in what we got? That's why they were all shabby! The midnight snack spreads on Christmas Eve, Mother inhaling popcorn while Chevy Chase sleds to his death in Christmas Vacation, the fight to see who washes dishes after the Christmas Eve meal, hanging stockings, Dad reading Twas the Night Before Christmas, and most of all the magical and inexplicable feeling of walking into the living room Christmas morning and seeing what Santa left and the stamp of happiness and whimsy that marked our house.

After years and years, after spending two Christmases on a tropical island, after Christmas finally making sense that what the Grinch was saying all along is true, my search is no longer for the perfect gift, it is no longer about stacking my "Wish List" with as many expensive items as I can... It is to help others feel the love of their God, whichever religious paradigm they subscribe to, and to feel that humanity still has good in it.

If you are feeling alone, or unloved, or barren, or left behind, I offer you these words. May my memories of the happiest times of my childhood bring you a smile. May they motivate you to think outside yourself this season and reach out to others. As you strive to lift others and take away their worries, I promise you will find that same joy and happiness you feel vacant in your life.

Cheers!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
TSR

Top 5 Comics of 2014

Come one come all. Step right up. Feast your eyes upon the greatest comics of the year! Feel free to leave responses and you can find every book linked to Amazon.com.

5. Miles Morales Ultimate Spider-Man

I love Spider-Man. The ultimate universe is a really fun alternate reality to the traditional 616 universe. I was first introduced to Miles Morales in Bendis' Spider-Men. He isn't a Peter Parker, his background and youth contribute to a read that is different than what you will find in Amazing Spider-Man. Miles has a great supporting cast of family and friends. This volume has been dealing with some fallout from the previous volumes involving Peter Parker. The great nemesis, Norman Osborn, is back and with a threat that Yrl gna brn, (You're all gonna burn.) The great responsibility that comes with great power falls on Miles and he rushes to the scene. Let's jump back a bit, Miles' story is so different than that of Peter's. That's what makes this story interesting. Miles' family situation is the complete opposite of Peter's. No longer does an orphan run the show. Miles does live and study at a boarding school which allows him to sneak around at night but still have someone to go home to on the weekends for a home cooked meal. The villains that are introduced when Miles dons the suit are fresh and fun reinventions of classic Spider-Man villains. Most notably, Scorpion makes his way up from Mexico to deal with a matter in NYC, establishing a territory and give Kingpin a run for him money. Traditional Spider-Man fans will find enough common ground here to stay for the ride that Bendis crafts for his readers. Interested readers can begin the journey with Miles at the beginning.

4. Black Science

Rick Remender handles science fiction like a milk maid handles udders. Care, expertise, and finesse are evident with everything that Remender touches. From my early reads of Uncanny X-Force to Fear Agent and his Venom book that was my doorway to comics, I have enjoyed everything that Remender has put out. Black Science is a fresh take in science fiction. Protagonist Grant Mckay leads a team of Anarchist League of Scientist through a plethora of dimensions using a machine cleverly labeled the Onion. The real story is the characters. The situations they found themselves in draws out the personality of each. There is a few tales going on in this book. Grant has his tale, Grant's kids, Nathan and Pia, and the boss Kadir. Remender's writing is fast and gripping. Each issue is packed full of glorious story and the art work is amazingly complimentary. Matteo Scalera provides detailed illustrations of these great characters, not to mention the actual sci-fi worlds these people are transported to. I love the way that Scalera draws. His characters are unique and fun. They are expressive and vibrant. Each scene is packed with detail and little things to look at. In the first issue alone I spent more time scanning the art than reading the dialogue. This tale moves fast and once Remender establishes the norm, he quickly tips the boat and leaves everything clinging to the side. Black Science is an amazing read and just keeps on getting better.

3. Nailbiter

Nailbiter fills me with such joy. Joshua Williamson blends genres together with such talent that it makes the card Polymerization obsolete. Nailbiter melts horror and mystery together with a sense of thrill to form a delicious dish that is best read in the dark. Now, I hate horror movies, I was even scared of The Mummy when I was a kid. This book totally grips me. The mystery of Buckaroo Oregon starts the story off and more is piled on each issue. Buckaroo is the town where 16 of the worlds' most vile serial killers were born. What is it about this town that causes these people to become killers? That is the mystery! Williamson's characters are fun to read and when they die, still a joy. He crafts characters that you can connect with and an environment that feels like it is straight out of a Hollywood production. I haven't had this much fun reading a comic in a long time. Each issue flows well together and carries the story along well. The art is also beautiful and not gory in the slightest, yes, there are bodies and violence, yet I do not find it upsetting. Nailbiter is a really cool book that is doing some really awesome things with this medium. If you like horror or are even up for a good mystery check this book out!

2. Invincible

Before I use my words....take a look up there ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Just look at how beautiful that is. Imagine that beauty represented in story, art, colors, EVERYTHING about this comic. I started reading Invincible two summers ago. I devoured the ultimate collections like bags of peanuts. Robert Kirkman is a master of this trade. When it comes to writing, Kirkman is a genius. The amount of threads that lay dormant to be picked up issues and issues later shocks me. The trash bag still makes me crack up! I love this book. The art is fantastic! Ryan Ottley is a beast. I love his characters and the action he draws is so engaging. I love his fight scenes; fists, blood, guts, and gore fill the pages and it looks amazing. Everything in this book is just great. The twists and turns are like a waterslide and you get swept right along with the current. Don't hold back just go with the flow. Invincible truly is the only superhero comic you will ever need. Start the adventure here.

1. East of West

Speaking of glorious writers, Jonathan Hickman, am I right? This Image crafting genius brings forth the sci-fi western that is East of West. Imagine the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and then imagine Death is really Clint Eastwood. Now, with that idea picture an alternate USA with distinct territories divided up between different parties. Now imagine that a leader of each territory is part of a group trying to bring about the end of the world. The Chosen are these leaders and make up one side of the chess board while Death and those opposed to the Chosen are on the other side. The environment is an interesting reimagining of America. Politics play a huge part in this book and can be kind of confusing until you understand who all of the players are. I like that this comic jumps back and forth between all of the parties involved. I love stories where you get small snippets of everything all jumbled together. Hickman is joined by Nick Dragotta doing pencils. The mixture of sci-fi and western is really evident in the art. The horses of the horseman are so interesting! Technology is essential to the story and it is designed so well! Whether you are into sci-fi or into westerns this books is worth the read. Try it out. I guarantee that you will find something to grab ahold of. 

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or want to start a new hobby, any one of these books is a great choice. Have fun exploring these universes! There is something to love in each. Thanks for reading and happy comics!

TSR

Prayer.

What a divine gift we all, every one of us, may engage in to converse with our creator. Imagine that you have a cellular device, no requirement for credit, no monthly plan, and no roaming charges, service is better in the mornings and the evenings, though that should not limit your use. Prayer is this miraculous communication with the Maker of all. A fantastic forum opens when knees are placed on floor, hands resist the itch to text or type, and eyes shut out the continuous conflict of “which distraction will capture me next?” In reverence, hearts blossom with honesty and memories nourish the soul, while engaged in communion with The Most High.

Fantasy. What are ya gonna do?

Fantasy genre scared me like flu-shot day at school. I have not touched a fantasy book since the days I consumed Redwall novels like peanuts! I steer clear of high fantasy books because, mainly, I CANNOT PRONOUNCE ANYTHING!! Characters, cities, races, spells, weapons; everything is spelt too bizarrely to pronounce, let alone remember. K’tharyuli, how would you possible pronounce that? Worse, K’tharyuli is from the Gr’kzclao race. See what I mean? When the dreaded day came having read every comic I own, a respected and somewhat nerdy professor suggested to me some literary fruit to satisfy my taste. Pawn of Prophecy, by David Eddings, disappeared at the rate of a chocolate milkshake, a little lumpy at first, but later flowing and delicious. Make it known, I repent from my absence of fantasy and willingly reconvert with a fervent determination to remain faithful.

The Ongoing Debate Surrounding Creativity

The debates involving and surrounding creativity have been occurring for many years. Creativity refers to the originality or innovative thinking and expression of abilities, displayed by human beings. How are teachers to go about instructing students in order to aid their levels of creativity? How can researchers inspire teachers to break from the normal to change their teaching methods in order to develop a more creative environment? For years these have been some of the questions that researchers have delved further into. Certain breakthroughs in research have identified a separation of creative talents. Also, an effective test has been devised to measure the creative output of students. Advancements in music, business, and art have been influenced greatly by the creativity of individuals such as Albert Einstein, Miles Davies, and Martha Stewart and further progress depends upon the creativity of those currently in the field. The conversation surrounding creativity still continues, but is aided by the understandings gained by researchers of the past.

Creativity has a higher value in our current economy among the businesses than in the past, where the main focus was placed on the arts. Creativity is not limited to a writer or a painter. In every sphere of life there are opportunities to be creative. The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology defines creativity as, "The ability to juxtapose ideas in a new and unusual way to find solutions to problems, create new inventions, or produce works of art." (“Creativity”, 157) New equals creative, not different. While many individuals can take a dish and alter it to some degree, true creativity would be inventing an entirely new and distinct dish. Kandiko expresses that there are opportunities to be creative or 'innovative' in the business industries, "Businesses are increasingly looking to recruit, support and retain 'cleavers', the people who bring a unique strategic advantage to the firm." (Kandiko, 193) In order to keep industries progressing and expanding the need for new and better is a constant. Kandiko is expressing that businesses need individuals who are creative in a multitude of areas in order to keep up with the times. Stellan Ohlsson and Trina Kershaw add this insight about creativity, though they use the word innovation, "Towards the end of the twentieth century, the importance of innovation for economic production was widely recognized among business leaders." (Ohlsson et al, 507) Similar to Kandiko's statement, the future of many businesses depends on the creativity of those of the rising generation. Thus, we see, the expanse of creativity is reaching more strongly to business and industry, giving innovation that much more importance in our day and age.

Further understanding of what "creativity" really is, comes with familiarization of big-C and little-c creativity is important. These two fields are what make up the groupings in the realm of creativity. Gene Cohen mentions the distinguishing factors between big-C and little-c as found by Harvard Professor Howard Gardner. Cohen expresses that the impact this type of creativity has on society is large and sweeping, "These forms of creativity not only changed entire fields of thought…but also influenced other fields of thought and, in some ways, world history." (Cohen, 101) Those who employ this type of creativity change, not only their own sphere, but also the sphere of everyone. The scale to which big-C creativity extends essentially has no limit. On the other hand, little-c creativity is displayed in the common day-to-day tasks of life. For most, the capacity of their creativity will be limited by little-c. Camille Kandiko offers her insight about the commonality of little-c in the world, "…education focused on exceptional or big-C creativity has been overshadowed by conceptions of ordinary, 'everyday creativity' or 'little-c creativity'." (Kandiko, 193) This exhibits the current trend of the world, wanting solely big-C, but having to settle for little-c. Although big-C has a more wide-spread effect on the world, little-c has importance among those not classified as “genius” to influence their personal sphere of life.

In order to more fully understand how best to teach creativity, understanding what influences creativity is extremely important. Like the ingredients that make up a stew, there is a plethora of influences that act upon the development of creativity. One of the most important influences on creativity is motivation. Iain Maclaren stated that, "[It] does appear that intrinsic motivation is a more powerful indicator of creative commitment and output than, for example, purely monetary incentive." (Maclaren, 164) Rather than dangling a check in front of someone in order to come up with something new and different, Maclaren claims that simple genuine motivation can aid creative process in a more potent way. Along side Maclaren, Brinkman makes a claim as well involving the importance of motivation. He states, "Support for creativity from school administrators or a colleague is helpful, but such motivation is intrinsic." (Brinkman, 49) Both Maclaren and Brinkman state that motivation to create is essential. Maclaren quoted Hennessey and Amabile reasoning that, "… people are at their most creative when motivated by the interest, enjoyment, satisfaction and the challenge of the work itself." (Maclaren, 164) Clearly, if someone is interested in what they are doing, they are more likely to think harder and give the project more attention. As all of these influences come from individuals who are usually of higher authority than those creating, the main responsibility to influence creativity falls upon the superiors. Whether it is a work place, or school, those in leadership positions make or break the creative environment through the way motivation and incentives are offered or withheld.

Understanding the two types of creativity and what influences creativity aided researchers in the design of tests to measure creativity. Designs of these tests allow for creativity to be gauged based on output. Outputs meaning, the uniqueness of the answers to questions, as well as creations of unique items such as paintings or music. Brinkman offers an opinion of testing in the normal classroom routine, "Resist the notion that standardized tests will answer all our problems in education. The beauty of the arts is that more than one answer can be correct." (Brinkman, 50) Brinkman is saying that standard testing is an unclear indicator of how the student is progressing since these tests limit the possible correct answers to one. Thus, suggesting that an alternate way of testing is required for measuring creativity. Kandiko mentions tests that were developed since the 1950s to aid in the gauging of creativeness. The tests she mentions are "trait-based" without a firm foundation to test on. This presents the idea that perhaps creativity is difficult to teach because it is likewise difficult to test. (Kandiko, 192) However, in recent years a test has been devised that has proven to be more effective. The Torrance Test of Creative Thinking is a series of verbal and nonverbal components to view the way creativity is exhibited. Aspects of this test involve a verbal section that consist of six word-based activities, including devising alternate uses for common items, answering hypothetical what-would-happen-if questions, generating questions and improving products. The nonverbal sections require students to draw multiple pictures using a repeated shape, take forms and make them into pictures by adding lines and complete a picture through drawing. (White et al, 322) Jill White and Gregory Hanley state, "The Torrance Test has excellent content and construct validity compared with most other creativity tests." (White et al, 322) This opinion from these psychologists gives credit to the effectiveness of this test when compared to the other methods being exhibited to measure creativity levels of students around the world. The manner in which the Torrance Test measures creative levels allows the student to freely express their creativity while being free from generic answers and fill-in-the-bubble sheets. The Torrance Test, for now, will allow creativity to be measured and thus, help teachers and other educators assist students to maintain a desire to create.

Hand in hand with developing concepts on how to teach creativity, should be an understanding of what superiors do in halt creativeness in youth. There are many inhibiting factors that play a large part in the blocking of creativity that exist inside schools and businesses. Ronald A. Beghetto repeats a startling indicator from E. P. Torrance, which emphasizes where creativity is hindered, "We have seen many indications in our testing of first and second grade children that many… have been subjected to concerted efforts to eliminate fantasy from their thinking too early." (Beghetto, 448) Torrance refers to these youngsters as having "impoverished imaginations." (Beghetto, 448) Malpractices in the classroom are many. Beghetto observes, “[students]…wait for the teacher to ask a question… raise [their] hand… share [their] response (usually by trying to match [the] response with what [they] think the teacher expects to hear)…" Beghetto speaks against this practice stating that it is "a game of 'intellectual hide-and-seek'." (Beghetto, 450) This game of guessing does not offer any opportunity for the students to be creative because they are constantly trying to divine the contents of the teacher's head. On the same hand, these days, creative limitations are common in businesses. Kandiko, citing Fryer and Smith-Bingham, describes a workplace where employees are broken into groups and assigned a task. Instead of experiencing innovation, however, the level of creativity is crippled and drops off, “Rather than allow individuals to run free with their ideas, spewing creative genius, organizations shackle their creators down, burdening them with pre-assigned tasks.” (Kandiko, 196) Quoting Perutz, Kandiko gives a great insight into the thoughts of a creator, "Creativity in science, as in the arts, cannot be organized." (Kandiko, 196) This quote by Perutz perfectly illustrates the flaw in academia and business. In order to keep records, there needs to be organization. In order to track progress, there needs to be organization. Perutz, however, feels differently and claims that organization should not, and cannot be attached to creativity. Rather, "[creativity] arises spontaneously from individual talent." (Kandiko, 196) Freedom to create may be the most productive way to teach creativity. Limitations and inhibitors are many and too common among the institutions that claim to be the main sources of innovation. In order to break free of these restrictors, these facilities will have to evolve and establish fresh practices in order to allow individuals to display their creativity without deterrence.

The actual process of teaching creativity is a unique and important factor that individuals have examined for many years. Many concepts and ideas exist in the discussion of how to best teach creativity that can be put into practice in the classroom for the student’s benefit. Brinkman points out a specific style of teaching that is seeing results in the nurturing of creativity in the class. He divulges, "we devise new ways to accomplish the same goals, but we also leave room for unplanned and unpredictable goals to develop…" (Brinkman, 49) Brinkman, in a sense, warns that teachers can be too stale and too common with their teaching approach by following the same routine. But also, Brinkman is stating that teachers have room to breathe and experiment with the style in which they teach, allowing for more student participation. To emphasize this point, Brinkman explains how, in a musical setting, teaching creativity comes into play. He notes that a teacher is experiencing a problem with a band; too many percussionists and a shortage of trumpeters. In order to solve this Brinkman announces, "To encourage creativity in her students, the music teacher must get them involved in the solving of the problem." (Brinkman, 50) An important factor for nurturing creativity is allowing students to be creative. Brinkman’s band situation is a perfect example of how out of the box thinking on the teacher’s part can aid the students display their creativity. Beghetto, likewise views the main issue of teaching creativity as, “…the way teachers teach.” (Beghetto, 450) A possible solution that Livingston sees to this is to, "[turn] the technological expertise of our students into a greater asset." (Livingston, 49) A simple idea that could improve the way that classrooms cultivate creativity; allow the students to learn in and experiment with, mediums they are familiar with. Livingston adds this suggestion, "Making the curriculum about interpersonal exchange and exchange opens the experience for every student to express, share, and test his or her creative instincts." (Livingston, 50) Livingston’s ideas, for the moment suggestions, may require a slight alteration of current classroom trends, however, the affects would offer students more freedom of creative expression than exhibited in modern classrooms. Brinkman showed that incorporating the students in a new way did have a positive affect on the creativeness of those band students. For, we see, creativity is best taught through experimental and non-scheduled methods. Experts have pointed out aspects in the traditional classroom approaches that do function, yet, offer ideas on how to better create a creative environment for the student.

As expressed above, creativity is an attribute the world needs to be able to use. In the coming years there will be the need for more Einsteins and Van Goughs. In order to better harvest the creativity that exists within our youth and continue the development of it, drastic changes are needed. In the future, I predict there being a movement toward ideas suggested by Brinkman, Beghetto, and Livingston being implemented more in academia. Superiors will be more informed and taught that less control equals more freedom. I hope that Livingston’s idea altering classroom traditions in order to keep students engaged and interested will come to pass. Likewise, motivation will be more widespread in academia. I expect there to be a movement, a shifting, from the student’s side as well. If the students remain complacent with the education they are receiving and the numbing effects of teachers, there will never be true creativity nurtured inside of a classroom. Students have just as much a right to demand for change than the researchers who bring these points to like. In these articles there were multiple examples of flaws with the current practices in academia, although few did make mention of successes in the business sector. I imagine this will continue, for business will sputter and die, if there is not a creative individual that pushes innovation and imagination. These concepts are ones that I feel passionately about and can see myself becoming involved in. Though, for now, they have given me a better understanding about how to aid my own creativity and create situations for others to likewise maximize their educational experience.

Citations

Brinkman, David J. “Teaching Creatively and Teaching for Creativity.” Arts Education Policy Review 111 (2010): 48-50

Maclaren, Iain. “The contradictions of policy and practice: creativity in higher education.” London Review of Education Vol. 10 No. 2 (2012) 159-172

Beghetto, Ronald A. “Creativity in the Classroom.”

Kandiko, Camille B. “Leadership and creativity in higher education: the role of interdisciplinarity.” London Review of Education Vol. 10, No. 2 (2012) 191-200

Livingston, Larry. “Teaching Creativity in Higher Education.” Arts Education Policy Review 111 (2010) 59-62

Cohen, Gene “The Creative Age.” Aging Concepts and Controversies Ed 5, (2006) 100-102

White, Jill M., and Gregory P. Hanley. "Creativity." Encyclopedia of Human Development. Ed. Neil J. Salkind. Vol. 1. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Reference, 2006. 320-322. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

OHLSSON, STELLAN, and TRINA C. KERSHAW. "Creativity." Encyclopedia of Education. Ed. James W. Guthrie. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 505-507. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

"Creativity." The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. Ed. Bonnie Strickland. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 157-159. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

Sushi Rules

     It always feels this way. You always tell yourself that you won’t do this the next time, but always forget before you arrive. That great discomfort in your lower belly can be attributed to lack of discipline. You fill up on things that don’t get you your money’s worth and you walk away like bloated whale, bursting at the gills. If you follow the rules of the buffet, you will have a more enjoyable experience and leave satisfied with everything. No matter where you choose to dine, the same rules and strategies apply.

     You have visited many buffets before in your life but your first experience with all-you-can-eat sushi is as a quant little place called New Island. The anticipation of stuffing as much fish and rice and vegetables into your mouth makes you quiver as you step out of your car and towards the small sushi joint.

     When you first walk in, the antechamber of the restaurant hits you with a soft waft of fish and rice. Two twenty-five cent candy dispensers are crammed right next to the door, forcing all patrons to rush through. The carpets are old and worn down from anxious feet rushing overtop. The waiting area of the restaurant holds a much more appetizing scene. A fish tank, full of vacant water, stands against a bare wall in front of the cash register, making you wonder where the fish are. Soft plastic covers two benches for parties to wait until tables open up. A small oriental woman dressed in black steps forward to ask how many are dining. Two.

     She guides us to the table and the rest of the restaurant is visible. Many tables with red plastic covered booths are woven throughout the floor, like the twists and turns of an anthill. Above each is a light peeking out of a red paper decorative orb. You sit and notice the kitchen area. The kitchen is an open area with a glass case displaying layers of tuna, eel, salmon, red snapper, shrimp and cucumber, avocado, seaweed, and carrots, a barricade for three chefs who prepare all the dishes. Your stomach gives a small yelp of pleasure, anxiously awaiting all of the treats to be ingested.

     The waitress sets chopsticks, little plates, and two menus and a black crayon in front of us. The little plates have small dobbs of wasabi and a cluster of pickled ginger for use when the real meal begins. We decline the green tea they offer every visit. The scent is full of images of Chinese villages and landscapes. We decide to stick with water. Water is always the best choice. Soda fills your stomach with air and the sugar will only make you thirstier. Keep in mind the kind of food that you will be dining on. Especially at a sushi buffet, drinking too much causes the rice to absorb the liquid and swell. This permits less space for more sushi. The only time you need to drink is to rinse your mouth clean of the rice and fish that sticks to your teeth.

     The menu is a black one page bible, laminated and folded into thirds, full of little pictures of Asian delights to give explanation to lines of food titles that are mostly uncommon to non-regular sushi eaters sits before us on the table. Beside each title is a little box where you indicate the quantity of each item you desire. You pick up the crayon, its hard and smooth in your hand. With your elbows trap down the two side panels of the menu, with your left hand, skim the lines of items searching for the sushi that you desire, and with your right hand use the crayon to write the desired number of each item. As you scan you see words like California Roll, Unagi, a piece of bbq eel overtop of a small bundle of rice, White Snapper, Tamagi, and Smoked Salmon. A lot of these items scare you but don’t be afraid to try new things. The further down you read, after the Nigiri rolls is the chapter of the sacred Maki rolls, Spicy Tuna, Dynamite, and Rainbow, a roll with avocado and shrimp inside with strips of salmon, tuna, avocado, and shrimp on the outside of the rice. On the third page more common names are found, Teriyaki Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Tempura Shrimp: familiar things found at an oriental buffet.

     When you choose items to dine on, you need to consider certain pros and cons. Meats and proteins are where you eat your money. Avoid things like starches, breads, and vegetables because they are inexpensive and fill you up quickly. A sushi buffet is a double edge sword. Sushi involves a lot of rice and all-you-can-eat places put more rice in their buffet rolls to fill up the customer but the fish tastes so good. Therefore, when choosing rolls, the wise decision is to select rolls with many varieties of seafood. For example, the White Dragon Roll is a great selection because it is comprised of shrimp tempura, albacore tuna, cucumber avocado, and fried onions. In order to eat your money’s worth, stick to the meat. At a place like New Island, there are other great delights to be chosen in order to make the most of your money. All the teriyaki dishes, the tempura, and other fried offerings are great choices when you want a break from the rice and fish. Dim-sum items are available as well, which are great selections. After marking your menu with your first round selections, stand it up near the edge of your table for the waitress to collect and submit to the chefs.

     To prepare your instruments remove the chopsticks from their paper case. Don’t throw it out rather fold it as per the instructions to form a stand for the chopsticks when you are waiting for more sushi to arrive. Break the chopsticks apart at the base and rub them against eat other as if trying to start a fire. This will smooth out the edges and make the transfer of sushi to mouth that much more enjoyable.

     Before long, waitresses begin arriving with little plates of teriyaki chicken and deep fried scallops. Soon the real treasure arrives, a large brilliantly white plate dotted with the planets of sushi arranged in clusters. Nigiri, or single piece sushi, arrives with the rice under a thin strip of fish. These huddle together like homeless dogs trying to keep warm in winter. Maki rolls, a big roll that is cut up into multiple pieces of sushi, form small dragons roving and ranging overtop of the plates. Where do you begin? Wherever you please. There really is no real way to go about eating, no best place to start. Eat whatever you want in whichever order. Remember to breathe. Remember to chew. As you clear dishes, waitresses will return to carry away plates, be courteous and stack dishes in a manageable way. Always thank them for their service.

     You feel a slight pressure in your stomach after making your way through eight pieces of sweet and smoky taste of Unagi and two gloriously constructed White Dragons Rolls, as well as everything else that you ordered the first round. That is simply the soft hug of happiness around your stomach. There is more room left than you think. Upon placing a second order be aware that the kitchen will purposefully forget to make some of the desired items, which is always so vexing. This reduces their cost because they are certain that you will not be able to eat all that you have ordered. This lack of faith in stomach capacity is a slap in the face but the taste of their product is too good to become offended over something so menial and childish. Also, do not drink any water. None. Don’t even look at the glass. You will be tempted to keep your mouth busy by putting things into it. Do not do it.

     Conversation with your table guest about the weather, news, sports, or other current events is useful to occupy the time as you wait. The waitresses arrive with more rolls and other deep fried goodies and the assembly line from table to mouth will continue. All unfinished items must be paid for, unless you brought some type of tupper ware to smuggle tools away in, a possible option if you are really jonesing for some rolls. If that is not the case, everything must be eaten before departing. Remember to breathe. Remember to chew.

     When the dishes have been cleared and you lean back to allow your stomach to expand to make room for the rice baby that is developing inside, the waitress will return to check if you want anything for dessert. At most sushi places there are various flavours of ice cream to partake of. Cleanse your pallet with some in order to remove the salty taste from your mouth as well as calm your stomach down. It is in for a long night. Also, if there is fruit available, fill up a small bowl or plate with melons and other fruits that contain high amounts of fibre, anything to help out your stomach.

     Do you feel it now? That pressure and pleasurable pain that testifies of the great triumph that you have just succeeded in? The sweet taste of sushi rice lines the walls and roof of your mouth. The salty taste of soy sauce will fade from your tongue in about a half hour. Running your tongue along your gums to excavate any left over fish bits produces a piece of tuna that was hiding. Don’t feel rushed to leave. There is no time limit. Just sit and breathe. Don’t fall asleep; they don’t appreciate that. My brother once suggested sushi buffets need little beds or cots to go take naps on before starting another round of fish and rice. Sounds lovely. No, don’t laugh it will only upset the cemetery of fish buried under rice inside of your tummy. If you feel like repeating again soon that means you have followed the rules of the buffet. Congratulations. If you are groaning and moaning as you walk out to the car, remember to breathe, remember to chew.

     When paying, don’t feel too obliged to tip. The waitresses don’t really do anything besides carry the plates to your table and pick them up when their fishy offerings have been devoured. I tend to tip two to three dollars. Take a mint and waddle out the door.

     The art of buffet eating is one that has existed for ages. Throughout time rules and regulations have become unwritten but passed down among those who wish to perpetuate the skill of eating copious amounts of food for small amounts of money.

The Search

With all I have done, where do I really stand, 

where was my success, as an athlete, or drummer in a punk band, 

much time was spent, seeking audience on a stage,

play some music, sing some songs, my life written on a page,

but no one came, we tried too hard, it was a short lived dream,

for in the North, apathy is, the dominator of every scene,

I turned my back only to find, another great delight,

off the stage, still on the page, heroes fighting evil at night,

a childhood love, awoken with, a working adult’s wallet,

week to week the story builds and the pay check thankfully allowed it,

imaginative escapes from the cold bitter North,

wasn’t until my 19th that I finally headed South,

I found a new life in a foreign society

on an island full of strangers in the Caribbean Sea,

it was the time that changed my life - I finally grew up,

only to come home, start over, and return to my old love,

a sanctuary in, a city where, my heart had always lied,

I sought a change, and the freedom I, had always been denied,

the child I was, yes, I reflect upon, with a calm smile,

though never to revert, I hope, unless in memories compiled, 

so many memories of things that I have seen,

a sunset and shooting stars, or was it all make believe, 

but here I stand, in reality

with all that makes up me.