Out in Left-Centre Field

It may be only a symbolic gesture, but my estimation of Stephen Harper just went up a bunch.

I don't agree with his policies, I don't like his political methods, and I can't conscionably support his party, but it's fantastic to see that he can be spontaneous once in a while and that he has some respect for the arts. Not to mention the fact that he can be a little self-deprecating too, in his choice of songs.

Besides, I've played the piano since I was four. So, even if it was intentional, he went somewhere that I -- and a lot of other people too, even if they play or have played different instruments -- can identify with and appreciate. Harper might be quiet and reserved, to the point of coldness at times, but I'm glad to see he can go beyond that.

And damn, he can sure as hell carry a tune.

All I can do
Is just pour some tea for two
And speak my point of view
But it's not sane

...

Now for an actual welcome.

For the many of you reading this who have no idea who I am, I am Adam Schneider. I live in Oakville, Ontario, and I attend the University of Waterloo, where I am in the midst of working towards a B.A.Sc. in Geological Engineering (think civil engineering meets earth science).

I first got involved with the CYA (and the ANDY) back in November 2007, when its original members were still part of the YPC. It's been a long odyssey since then -- I was even interim leader of the ANDY at one point, with the daunting task of succeeding the incomparable Matt Schaubroeck -- but I'm glad to still be around and be of help to the CYA as TS, his staff, my colleagues, and I work together towards getting things up and running for good.

When my life is not consumed by things relating to school and co-op jobs, I enjoy reading, cycling, classic rock, playing the piano, writing, and stuff that challenges my mind (like games of strategy). I'm not devoid of athletic skill either: I practised Taekwon-Do until I finished high school and I did achieve the lowest degree of Black Belt. I am a fan of both the Toronto Maple Leafs (yeah, I know) and the Toronto Blue Jays (Yankees and Red Sox suck!). Besides their games, the only current shows I really like are Lost, Battlestar Galactica (which just finished ... *sigh*), Bones (sort of), and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Anyways. To sum up for now, another quote:

"Oh, I'm not insane ... Indeed, I'm so far OUT of sane that you appear a tiny blip on the distant coast of sanity!" -- Bucky Katt, "Get Fuzzy"