Very famous Canadian(s)

One of the strangest parts of this job for me is that I'm now in an actual position of authority. I've spent most of my work time previous to this working in places where, technically I've been an authority figure simply by virtue of working behind a desk, but have never really had to act the role regularly. I've worked in places populated by adults and the most I've ever encountered was the odd 'Could you please keep the noise down?' or, 'We don't allow food here, you'll have to take that outside'. I've never been in a situation before where I was a true disciplinarian and it hasn't come easily to me. I think, though, that I've got it to a point where I've reached a good balance between strict and relaxed.

The school, particularly the Chinese half of the school, is adament that the computers are used for homework and nothing else. No gaming, no chatting, no Chinese websites. On the other hand, I've had enough social software classes to accept that chatting is an inherent part of the web for these kids; for that matter, I use it for work purposes as well. I've given up on policing the English only websites, since they do actually have Chinese homework and I sure can't tell if they're playing around or working.

The gaming is the only one that I have an issue with. My official policy is that if I catch them doing it, they leave immediately. My unofficial policy is that :
a) if the library is fairly empty, I don't check at all
b) if it's a little busy, as long as they have the sense to minimize the browser when I'm nearby, I let it slide
c) if the library is packed, I have a zero tolerence policy.

Another area where I differ from the homework hard line official policy is that I think libraries should be an inviting place. They should be somewhere that people feel comfortable in and if that means that sometimes kids are doing homework and sometimes they relax, I'm fine with it. To that end, when there aren't too many kids around and I know they're just messing around, I let them listen to music. The computers don't have speakers but they do have headphones; the kids crank the music as loud as it will go, and then prop the speakers on the monitor.

Lately, I've been hearing the same song over and over again. Since the 2nd week of November, in fact. Now, Chinese taste in music is different from Canadian musical interests. Backstreet Boys are still the greatest thing ever, and I think that R. Kelly's "I believe I can fly" might be the unofficial national anthem. Basically, the more overly sentimental the, the better. This song, which is starting to drive me nuts, fits the bill perfectly. Having listened to it over and over (and over and over...) again, I got curious.

"So, guys. Who are we listening to?"
"Very famous Canadian."
"Really? What is the name of this very famous Canadian?"
"Terry Kelly"

Uh? Who? Turns out that for Remembrance Day, the Social Studies teacher had played them a song called "A Pittance of Time" by Terry Kelly and it was a massive hit with them. To be fair, I've been out of the country for a few months now - things may have changed - but I certainly wouldn't classify this man, or his song, as very famous. In fact, I wouldn't even use the word famous. And, if played in a Canadian high school, I somehow doubt that he, and it, would become so. And, while I think it's a lovely sentiment, I'm in the Canadian camp. Once a year is plenty. It may time to re-think my (unofficial) music policy!

You can check out the video here :