I drove across the highlevel bridge in commuter traffic yesterday. I was to meet Karin at Sharyl’s digs, and trek out for another blog-worthy event. The assorted vehicles crawled impatiently across the black, steel behemoth, and I — in the little red truck — thanked the mighty zarquon that my own commute does not include such traffic anymore.

Climbing to the south side of the river valley, Strathcona awaited. In all it’s glory. In all it’s weirdness.

Five students, garbed in bright orange shirts, disturbing wigs, and with undercoatings of the latest in neo-gothic fashions wandered stoicly down the centre median, large posterboard signs heralding the downtrodden message:

www.whatisbeauty.ca

Simple. Clean. And by their “alternative” appearance, one’s first assumption is a call to action. “Visit our site.” “Read our literature.” “Feel our pain.” “We are outcast and sick of it.” “Please do not adjust your set: we have a message to slap in your face.”

For some reason, it stuck in my mind. Sort of. It lingered there, nearly forgotten until I saw a very similar message in this morning’s newspaper. Different, but similar.

So I checked.

I dared. I opened my web browser, and type in the mysterious URL.

And I was saddened. Disappointed. Slapped, rudely, in the face by yet another cheap attempt at advertisement. Go there. Visit. Whatever.

And the world takes another step down the ladder of good taste.