This April, just like every April since 1970, we will be celebrating Earth Day. A day we give thanks to this marvelous World we inhabit that, in its perfect balance, can support a plethora of life; the only place in the known universe that is able to support life.

We’ve all experienced it: the sensory shock that comes from someone who has applied an inordinate amount of Axe body spray. Your nose is bombarded with a disparate cacophony of engineered scents. In the case of more liberal applications, it’s possible that your eyes will water.

When people from outside of Canada think about this great nation they typically mention either hockey, snow, the maple tree (both its leaf and delicious syrup), beer, our apologetic nature and free health care. Free health care – it’s something that we are known for internationally, something many Canadians identify with as a part of their national identity and something that we can never get rid of.

“Mental health” is a burgeoning buzzword (or, I suppose, buzz-phrase). Through the past year’s incidents of unspeakable violence — namely, the Sandy Hook and Aurora shootings — the phrase has become more and more common, being held as a source of blame for these incidents.

Do you remember when McDonalds used to advertise how many billions of people the had served? While some found joy in the knowledge that they helped contribute to the ever massing total, others saw a tally keeping track of our shameful indulgence. Either way, when I was growing up there used to be a running total beneath the big golden arches outside every store, I guess they lost count.

Forewarning: this isn’t an accurate article about basketball. If you want to read about sports, head over to that section. This is, however, an article about you. I have to ask, are you okay bud? How’s March treating you? Or more importantly, how are you treating March? Are you over-caffeinated? Are you trying to function on a mere five hours of sleep per night? Do you not remember the last time you wore anything other than sweat pants? More importantly, do you feel like you’re drowning in work and can’t see even a glimpse of the light at the end of the allegorical tunnel? If you answered yes to more than one of these self-reflective questions, you may have a case of March Madness Syndrome: an all too common state of mind that is driven by stress.

It’s a jarring thing when satire and reality begin to blur together. When what you believe to be true and what you know to be ludicrous begin to look alike. Usually, it makes the reality seem incredulous, and the satire itself chillingly insightful. It’s off-putting in a base, subconscious way because above all else we know that it shouldn’t be happening.

I have to admit, when I heard the premise of The Hunger Games, I was somewhat horrified: one male child and one female child (chosen from each of twelve districts) battle to the death until one remains. Making the premise even more horrifying, the book was written for a tween audience.

This weekend, people all over the World will be embracing their Irish side, even if they don’t have one. March 17 is Saint Patrick’s Day, a day that has become synonymous with Ireland, the colour green, four leaf clovers, leprechauns and beer. A day that is celebrated across the country with parades, Masses, music and most often a couple pints at your local Irish pub.

Like most people, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my phone. Despite all that it can do for me, and the fact that a decade ago I would’ve thought Googling something on a handheld device was science fiction, it can still inevitably frustrate me to no end.

Last month, The Guardian ran an op-ed piece that sparked the attention of health and ethically-driven foodies internationally. Under the manipulative title “Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth about quinoa?”, contributor Joanna Blythman discusses the problematic nature of contemporary quinoa production in Bolivia which has been scrutinized for its negative encroachment on human rights, adequate labour standards and the sustainability of the local Bolivian food economy.

Last Fall, numerous news sources covered a story concerning privacy and consent. Yet again, the Internet was exploiting women without their expressed consent. This time, the culprit was Reddit. A popular social news and entertainment site, Reddit features thousands of subreddits, which allow for users to develop a personalized experience, only viewing content from the subreddits that they have subscribed to.

I’ve never been a fan of space exploration. I’ve always figured that we should get our act together here on our home planet before we start exporting our issues upwards. Sure enough that macho competition known as the “space race” has littered our skies with debris.

Having no reception, the Internet loading slowly, having to stand while riding the bus, missing a favourite television program and waiting in traffic or any extended waiting period. These all have two things in common; I hear people complain about them almost daily and they are all “first world problems”.

Among a few other things, Brock University is known for being a — relatively — small university. A campus that’s a 15 minute walk from one side to the other and a populous small enough that you really can’t go anywhere without seeing someone you know.