20 - Friday, March 6, 1992 - North Shore News NTs The inevitable year of mirrors THERE ARE three important years in a young man’s life, named respectively, the Year of the Automobile (16), the Year of the Club (19), and the inevitable Year of Mirrors. What am I talking about? It’s really very simple. Iam a week shy of turning 21. Pm not a kid any more, and it’s taken quite a while to figure that one out. Yes, the real world ap- proacheth, the pace is ac- celerating. Some have told me that 2! is @ year to be savored; that when one gets older one wishes one could be 21 forever. This is what I have to look forward to? A seemingly endless life wishing I was young again? I tend to be a little dramatic at times and fall into naming the years in- retrospect. The earlier labels shouldn’t be too surprising to those who have experienced them, But the Year of Mirrors? It simply means that this is the year I look back to see if there is anything worth remembering. I examine myself, my situation, I introspect. So where am I? Who am I? And most important, am I happy? Difficult questions with no clear answers. There is an old Chinese tale where an ancient philosopher sits on his perch high above the roll- ing hills of China. He sits all day and eventually falls asleep and dreams he is a butterfly soaring through the wild grass. He awakens to the question: “‘Am 1a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or am I a butterfly now dreaming that I am a man?” THE QUESTION last week was about Vancouver schools’ zero tolerance policy for alcohol or drugs and immediate transfer to another school if you’re caught. I thikk the person should be given another chance, but only one. If the kid’s constantly coming to school drunk or stoned then the teachers can’t put up with that. I support the zero tolerance on drugs but not un alcohol. Because, what are you gonna do, transfer a kid for having a beer at a dance? And then it’s on his permanent record? How many times is it gonna happen before they’re expelled? You're gonna ruin their school career. It's ridicutous, First of all, there should be no drugs or alcohol ai school. It’s a place fo learn, not to be AAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA! [GENERATION K@ By Rod Solar a a al al eal al al alll call cal | This sums up how I feel about life some days. A totally insignifi- cant story in your opinion? The mere wanderings of an insomniac mind? You decide. I know what you’re thinking. It’s very hard to detangle the false from the true in what I’m saying. What does it matter? Don’t lies eventually lead to the truth? And don’t all my stories, true or false, end to the same conclusion? Alas, I digress. But who is to say that life isn’t a mere digression? As I walk through the spring- scented garden of my life I see the paths unfold among the fertile ground, there are forks in the path, they divide again, and yet again. Perhaps I'll find my way, in my own time. Am I happy? I’m all fired up. My youth has been but a tiny spark, gone like a flash in the night, a falling star disappearing from the heavens. Out bursts the blaze as I unteash myself upon the world. high. But second of all, kids should be given a second chance, because what are they gonna do at the other school, just learn how io drink? I think the person should be fined or should be dealt with by the police, because if the person is under age or is not allowed to be drinking then I think the police should be get- ting involved. If we don’t do anything about it they’re gonna keep doing it and when they grow up they’ be even worse. Linda Medland’s Grade 9 English class at Carson Graham Secondary sent Zap some good feedback. Their responses tallied 6 (yes), 2 (yes and no) and 26 (no). Some highlights: No, I would not support the zero tolerance because no mat- ter how high the cansequences, no one is going to follow it. There are already too many laws for teenagers to follow. I think the policy is too harsh. There should be a first warning, then the second time a suspension, and the third time, expulsion. 1 don’t ihink alcohol should be allowed on school premises. But I don’t think students should be kicked out of school for breaking the no-alcohol rule. NORTH VANCOUVER City Library invites children aged five to 12 years to ‘attend a puppet show |: 6 This week's question: CANADIANS ARE being warned to reduce sun exposure now that the ozone layer is weakening. Are you worried what the world will be like in 20 years? Do you ever feel mad that, as the next genera- tion, you are inheriting a world with such environmental problems? “KIDS photo subenitied - this Saturday. Puppetry is often used to aid children’s sense of self-esteem and confidence. | . Here the group Reflektor Kids Team hams it up with participating puppets. The show begins. at). 10:30 a.m. Card guide gives. the inside track | MEJ. COHEN is a 48-year-old certified financial planner from Philadelphia. For years, Cohen said, his kids were ‘‘driving me crazy”’ going back and forth to sports card shows. Now, Cohen is selling a book, The Secret of the Pros, that describes how to invest wisely in the sports card business. Cohen hopes his book will help him and others profit from the growing industry. The 175-page book, which sells for $16.95 plus GST and shipping, explains when to buy and when not to buy, what to buy and what not to buy, and when to sell and when not to sell. The book tells ways for collec- tors to build a strong relationship with their local dealers, tracking and buying rookie cards, strategies of buying at card shows and pro- "OF ALL QUADRUPEDS, DOES ARE THE SUPERIOR SPECIES... per methods of card care. As for card shows, Cohen says collectors should buy very early or very late in the day. ‘‘The dealers are so tired after three days at a card show that they dread carry- ing the cards back out,’’. Cohen said. “And many dealers are short - of cash at the start of a show and are more willing to bargain.”’ . . To order’ the book, call Crosslink Corporation, the Cana-:: dian distributor, © at - 436-1128: : Mon- Fri, 9.a.m; to 5 p.m. : Make your music known. ZAP IS reviews about albums, music videos and the music scene. looking for short If you are a music buff from the North Shore between the ages of 12 and {9 send us a review (200-300 words typewritten, double spaced). This is not a paid position, so THAT'S NOT A , REQUEST! AN ORDER no resumes,eh? . Fax it to ZAP Editor, 985 3227 or 985-1435, mail to Zap Editor, North Shore News, 1138 Lonsdale, North’ Van-: couver, B.C. V7M 2H4 or. drop . Off at the News. For more info call the News editorial depart- ment at 985-2131 and ask for the Zap editor. SOMEHOW I THOUGHT MY FIRST COMMISSION WOULD Al BE More JOYOUS | EXPERIENCE... |.