Jupiter.

And as I sit here with an open suitcase in front of me I think about the things I choose to keep with me. The memories don't ever leave me. They haunt me like a skeleton in my closet that I push aside everytime I go in. I still have that bottle of red wine that we finished. Our lips were stained crimson, and we felt so warm. We would watch movies and liken the people we knew to the fictional characters. Nobody was ever real to us, just hearts and blood. I made you smoke your cigarettes in my shower because I didn't want the basement to smell like nicotine and tar. I'm sorry.

I remember so many parking lots and you never knew how beautiful you truly were. You never listened to me.

I don't know if they cared about you. I still get angry when I think about all those nights and that day.

So many faces I knew. I knew they didn't know. I knew they didn't feel anything inside. Their tears were not for the right reasons. He stood at the back so your mom wouldn't see him.

I wish I could have saved your heart.

I'm 21

and I'm already hazy.

This is the end of the end

http://thesil.ca/?p=1645

If you float away.

Lets sail away
Find our own country
Well build a house and
Beds out of palm trees
Lets get away
Lets push our lives aside

Ill sport a smile
Take in some color
Under the stars
Ill be your lover
With no distractions
Im gonna treat you right

When it seems like things
Are only getting better
When it seems like
We could never catch a break

Just keep a hold of me
Dont let go
If you float away
Waiting too long
For a ship to come
Dont you float away

Lets go to bed
Lets stop debating
Look at the time
Were always waiting
But were in love
And that should be just fine

And If you like
Some other time
I would like to
Introduce you to finer things
If we survive
Get out alive
Id like to say how beautiful
I think you are

The Goods.

After proclaiming my new hobby of altering vintage and thrift clothing, I feel like I need to give some proof that I'm still motivated. First supply trip went so well, as it just so happened to be "50% of everything day." Ingenious idea.

Sadly the place was pretty picked over, but I did manage to grab a few great finds. I'll post again once stuff is altered to show how it looks. Not sure if I will be keeping stuff, giving it away, or selling. No care though.

xo.

Will go anywhere.

http://www.punknews.org/article/31355

Latest articles.

Latest editorial here http://thesil.ca/?p=1194

Article I wrote for InsideOut (lifestyle section) here http://thesil.ca/?p=1206

Wish you did.

Couple decent interviews up on the website.

Bad Brains (Weirdest interview I have ever done. So high.)
http://thesil.ca/?p=877

Shai Hulud
http://thesil.ca/?p=875

Another editorial up.

I'm jealous of your city.

http://thesil.ca/?p=862

Returning the favour.

Getting a reference in a blog by a person I don't know is really nice. Even better, this guy is a writer. I guess it is cool to know that people who I don't know about read my writing. Check out his blog.

http://chasemarch.blogspot.com/2008/10/why-blogs-suck.html

Transnational.

A girl in my Women's Studies tutorial commented that she had a hard time believing that Muslim women who wear the hijab can call themselves liberated. She explained that they have to cover their bodies from men, and strengthened her point by saying that the veil even causes various respiratory problems.

Without putting up my hand I asked her what she thought about Western women who wear mini skirts, belly tops, and low-cut shirts. To me, I have a hard time seeing this as liberation. Is it really a freedom, when you are dressing in a way which men have decided is apparently sexy? In some ways, isn't oppression culturally relative? Maybe covering your body can feel just as empowering as showing it.

Oh, and mini-skirts may not cause "respiratory problems" but cheap spandex, vinyl, and polyester blends can sure as hell leave a nasty rash.

If only you knew

You would all think I am an awful, awful person.

Text.

My room is the perfect analogy for my brain. Books piling up beside my bed, printed off articles beside my pillow, and various bags and purses left on my floor from switching around so much. My head is going at a million miles an hour, and I feel like the world just can't keep up with me. There has been some stuff on my mind that nobody knows about. I wish I could tell someone and get some sort of advice, but it's likely that they would just think I'm in a bad situation. The truth is, it isn't a bad situation...it's just a dangerous one and I need to make sure that I don't do something that I will regret.

Away from being completely ambigious, I have been working really hard lately. I've been doing a lot of interviewing, writing, and editing, as well as starting my t-college applications. I have a list of schools I am applying to, and it's a really exciting time in my life.

Here is my interview with The Human Astract.
http://www.punknews.org/article/30656

Upcoming interviews include:
-Shai Halud (talking to Matt Fox tomorrow)
-Emery (weird, I know)
-Mikoto (just submitted that to punknews)

fruits.

Check out The Sil for some of my articles this week. I wrote my editorial on what else but the blogging phenomenon. 

http://thesil.ca/?p=287

Also, the Canadian dollar is going up really high really soon. If you know me, you know that means I will be heading to Buffalo. Contact me if you think I would want you to come.

Short lived.

Whenever something particularly bad happens to me, instead of finding the words of my own to express myself, I just borrow from those who say it better. On that note, here is a true poet.

Whatever this becomes
Whatever words I say
We are the fortunate ones...
And when the days are done I won't forget
All I see in you and me
Is a light in the dark of humanity
And when the days are done I won't forget
Timid steps - come walk with me
And with your useless words
Come talk to me
There are broken hearts
Now on your stereo
But the broken beats are just too slow
You'll cry - it doesn't change a thing
Kill the lights - and let the rain fall
Recall - the memories
Of yesterdays and better ways
And know - the innocence is gone...
Move on - from this day on
We'll never be the same...The saddest songs
Make sense to me...So with your sunken eyes
Come look for me
Two hour drives
Are two hours alone
But two hour drives
Are better than home

Up on that pole.

defrag, reboot, restart.

Stay gold.

So, I guess I have been doing a good job at punknews as I am now a staff writer : D
http://www.punknews.org/about read it and be proud.

My upcoming interviews for punknews:
-The Human Abstract
-Mikoto (Round two with Ray Harkins)

My upcoming interviews for The Silhouette:
-Shai Halud
-Holy Fuck
-You Say Party! We Say Die!
-Young Rival

Sometimes I wonder why I'm not making this my career. So fun.

Faithful.

In times of strife or despair, why do people always turn to religion? Maybe it's a sense of false hope, but there is a comfort in knowing that you are being watched over by something greater than us all.

I really don't know what is happening to me, but I'm not stopping it.

No more crack

A bunch of crack heads smashed the window of my really good friend's car and stole a bunch of things. She just moved to Toronto, was supposed to start school today, and this was the first night in her place. I get really angry when people steal from other people. I have two solutions if you really feel like you have to do illegal shit:

1) steal from Walmart or some huge corporate store who won't even feel a 1% difference from pilferage

2) GET A JOB LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

Also, I have learned a couple things about East Toronto.

1) Church Street is not good unless you are a hooker

2) cheap rent is not a big enough sway to have crack heads offer you a bag of chips for 25 cents

Neat.

My Misery Signals interview is posted on punknews. New album is alright I guess, but nothing compared to Of Malice and Magnum Heart for obvious reasons.

Check it out.

http://www.punknews.org/article/30173

Ich Liebe Deutschland.

I will be living in a small village called Steinberg, about 1 hour from Munich, for the next two weeks. I will also be in the Black Forest for a couple nights, as well as Austria, and that's about all I know. Hopefully I will be able to figure some things out while I'm gone. There is something about fresh mountain air, and a lack of computers that brings me complete clarity.
Just making a playlist right now, which is the best part of going away as far as I'm concerned. Hoping to find a distressed leather jacket or vest, knee length flat boots, and vintage printed dresses. If I'm thinking about you, I will bring you a little gift.

Keep the punx alive,


-Sarah

Epiphany.

When you have to change yourself for something or someone, it's a really, really, bad sign. I think we're all so scared of failure to a point where we will stay with whatever it is we have as a kind of security. It's only when you let go, that you can do something really great. For the first time, I'm doing something which is completely illogical and irrational...and it feels fucking bad ass.

Truly, truly.

Mosh Your Way Out Of It.

http://www.spinner.com/2008/08/01/the-dl-h2o-mosh-your-way-out-of-it/


Can't wait to see these guys on Monday.

: D

Surprise, Surprise...

Break-ups: Be Your Own Pet (2004-2008)
Contributed by jimmyspudboy. Posted by adam on Friday, August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM (EDT)

Nashville's Be Your Own Pet are calling it quits. The band announced:
To all of our fans, we are sad to bring you the news that our upcoming shows in the UK are going to be our last as a band. We thank you for all your love and support these past few years. It's been a blast, but the time has come for the four of us to go our separate ways.

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Just another reason why girls should not front bands. It's always the same story: inter-band relationship, messy break-up, band over. Next is Paramore.

This is exactly what he wants.

Hang on...in order to do a shameless publicity stunt, don't people actually have to give a shit?

Up'd Da Punxxx

So I woke up today and got an email from Punknews. I got offered a position as an interviewer for more of the "hardcore/metal spectrum." Did I say yes? Hell yeah.

Exciting stuff! I'm emailing back and forth with them right now setting up my first interview. I will withdraw the details, because that way, you suckers will have to just keep checking back my blog.


See how I did that right there?

We hate

your hate.

Phoenix.

My friend Scott told me that Lambgoat put out a new interview with Jacob Bannon. This is great news. Here is a little taste, for more...check it out here http://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/converge2.aspx

LG: You know, there are some fans out there who might attest to the perfection of certain Converge albums -- Jane Doe, for instance, seems to be a fan favorite.

JB: Led Zeppelin wrote perfect albums; we don't write perfect albums [laughs]. You know, I listened to Jane a couple months ago, and I think it has some parts that I really appreciate, and some moments where I think we could've done better. It's a really emotional record for me. It's a really dark record for me. And all of our records have a certain amount of meaning to me -- Jane is one of them, You Fail Me is one of them, No Heroes is one of them. They all have a part of me in them, so I can't measure them against each other. We knew immediately when we put out You Fail Me that everyone was going to dislike [it] because, first of all, the visual aesthetic wasn't the same as Jane Doe, and we knew that any follow-up to a record that a lot of people are emotionally attached to is going to be looked at in a negative light. It's the history of music, it's the way it works.

Technocrax.

I was in Montreal for the past few days with nothing to do but shop, go out, and people watch. On my second day, my friend and I were shopping on Sainte Catherine Street and noticed that there were line ups in front of Fido, and Rogers stores. Likely because I do not care at all about iPhones, it completely slipped my mind that it was the first day they were available in stores in Canada. Once this dawned on me, I could not help but laugh.

From what I have read, the iPhone plans are less than satisfactory. The internet costs so much to use, and in order to have any speed or memory, you need to shell out more money than you probably expected. Now, I'm sure that all these people had their own reasons for wanting one, but is standing in an hour long line really worth it? Do we really need the newest piece of technology the first day it comes out? It's more of a status symbol than a useful phone at this point, and just like the Sidekick, I am pretty sure 50% of these little guys are going to be faulty.

Here is a quick picture I took outside the Rogers Store. Suckers.

That's how it goes, kid.

Question:

What's more important, talent or ambition?

To me, the answer is clearly ambition and this is something that has been plaguing me for awhile. Sure, talent is the proof in your pudding, but without that raw sense of determination nobody will see your work, and nobody will care. It gets me pretty angry when I see people putting themselves "out there" probably because I am full of myself enough to know that I may do a better job than them, but they are the ones succeeding. I always thought of myself as a go-getter, but the truth is, I'm really uncompetitive to a point where I just back off. I really dislike this about myself. I've decided that I'm going to start looking at writing as a hobby (I hate that word though) rather than a potential career path. Teaching has always been my "fall back" but the closer I get to graduating, the more I realize that I don't want to spend years struggling to land a coveted editorial position only to be on a contract basis half the time. Instead, I'm going to get excited about putting together the best high school reading list and maybe making a real impact on sombody's life (even if that's only for a year). I definitely respect those people who go into journalism without holding back, but I've always been such a realist. It's a blessing and a curse because although I know I'm going to do great things, maybe life is about failure just as much as it is about succeeding. The concept of failure has become blurry to me anyway. Is failure not giving up on something even if it isn't working out for you? Or is failure giving up on your dream? It will be interesting to see how much freelancing I will do now that I am retiring my portfolio. I really hope I wasn't doing all of it for selfish reasons, but time will tell.

I'm climbing out of the shark pool and I'm going to sit back and watch the feeding frenzy. I guess I'm going to be seeing my name less in print, unless it's on a report card.

Agyness Deyn

Freshest face on the runway with an undeniable sense of style.

Take notes, or something.

Prince

Went to this really nice steakhouse in Toronto last night. It was one of those places that has really big square counters with high chairs all around it, and in the centre of the table was a flat grill where this amazingly talented Japanese chef made your food. Due to the set-up, I ended up sitting near a group of eight business men who were trying desperately to use their chop sticks and not look inauthentic. Being the person I am, I could not not help but listen in on their conversation from time to time. It was so Patrick Batemen-esque. Talking about their business card designs, joking about their presentation tomorrow, and trying to one-up each other by naming the best Steakhouses they have been too. One yuppie even referenced L.A., and proceeded to tell the others that L.A. is like Scarborough, except just bigger. Sitting inside this expensive restaurant, they talked about a waste land and laughed. It's only funny because they know they are going back to their wives and their picket-fences (probably commute to Mississauga). On the way out, it occured to me that the whole parking lot was full of Bentley's. Not only do they look the same and talk the same, but they spend the same. Monkey see, monkey do.

I guess I have read American Psycho too many times, but I realized that it's these fat-cats who I am terrified of, not crack-heads, or inner-city gangs. It's the people who look normal, who are absolutely fucked.

destroying america

Blacklisted got denied at the border. Am I surprised? No. Am I upset? Yes.

I'm sick of borders, and the imaginary lines which we have divided up the world with. Did God sit down one day with a Sharpie and doodle along the Earth? Honestly, I know it's complicated and I'm being idealistic, but wouldn't it be great if you could go wherever you want, whenever you want?

Don't think about anything else, just answer that question with a "Yes."

Feels like home.

Just put out my Strike Anywhere interview. Thomas is probably the smartest musician I have interviewed in my past three years of music journalism.
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Often described as “no bullshit punk,” it’s not surprising that Strike Anywhere’s vocalist Thomas Barnett takes this term as a compliment. “That’s a very flattering statement, and I hope we can live up to its implications. It takes a lot of energy to suffer through a band's delusions, and I am sure we have our fair share, but we try to stay as honest and direct with our lives as a punk band, traveling the earth, sharing our songs with humility and a sense of friendship.” This sense of comradery is important for the band, as they explain that it is one of the many reasons why the enjoyed their recent European tour.
“We have a lot of old friends that we love to catch up with, lose time with, and see what they are building in the many countries of the E.U. and beyond. There is also this amazing, though recently embattled, world of squatted building which have art galleries, cafes, spaces for live music, libraries and info shops, kitchens , places to stay, and a lot of heart.” Barnett goes on to explain that the European culture has a lot to offer, despite its obvious differences from North America. “We also love the differences you can experience in language, culture and landscape, over short drives. It’s so different from the slow scale of changes in places and people, over days of driving, that our continent affords the touring band.”
Often labelled as a political band, Strike Anywhere do not hesitate to present solutions through their music both socially and psychologically. Barnett candidly explains that his writing is rooted within personal experience, and this seems to give Strike Anywhere’s lyrics the weight and depth that it has always had. “Many [songs] are inspired by real-life events, and stories of close family and friends. I definitely tried, and I hope succeeded in anchoring the political rage with a more continuous thread of living in this world, not proclaiming its disorder from some lofty academic distance.”
As far as being called political as opposed to socially conscious, Barnett does not see the difference nor care. More importantly, Strike Anywhere wants people to “just come out and feel something” with them. Barnett wisely explains that labelling a band as political is counteractive to the definition of punk. “It’s part of a larger trend toward compartmentalizing and pulling the depth out of all forms of protest speech and art. The entertainment product and general fashion absurdity of the average Warped Tour show, or other mainstream punk rock event in the U.S. will play into the hands of the focus-deprived, trend consuming youth stereotype, and politics often becomes a thin aesthetic, not a viable part of a creative counter-cultural communion.”
Always well-spoken, Barnett is a breath of fresh air into the music industry, and defies convention. “We realize that mainstream media/American culture tries its damndest to capture political punk and render it into a toothless cartoon of tired slogans and one dimensional rage. We will be happiest if we never give them this opportunity.”
Beyond just their music, perhaps the most admirable thing about Strike Anywhere, are their numerous contributions to communities and charitable organizations. In their hometown of Richmond, Virginia, the band supports Coalition for a Living Wage, which is an anti-poverty organization, in addition to numerous other causes including PETA, U.S. Vegan Action, Food Not Bombs, Iraq Veterans Against The War, Jobs Not Jails, Workers Of The World, and a list of many more non-profit organizations that could fill this entire article.
Not to mention, Strike Anywhere are always receptive to new organizations that they learn about when they meet new people on tour. Canada fans will have their own opportunity to meet the band as they will be beginning a cross-Canada tour starting in Kingston on June 9. When asked why Hamilton has always been a stop-off for the band, Barnett explains that Hamilton feels like home. “Hamilton is the city we've been to in Canada that reminds us most eerily of our hometown, Richmond, Virginia. The same atmosphere of economic tension, empty shops, and lost opportunity burn in the nostrils there, like the emptied downtown and municipal project follies of Richmond. It’s so fun to play in Hamilton, too, because the scene feels tightly knit, and thoughtful, with that satellite city's authenticity of belief that this thing can still be more than music.” While our downtown centre may not be the most visually appealing part of our city, there is an undeniably thriving music scene which keeps bands returning.
If you have not been to a Strike Anywhere show before, expect a high energy show with an enthusiastic audience. As he reveals, Barnett is just as excited for the Canadian dates as the fans are. “We are gonna be touring with some great Canadian bands, and playing a lot of our songs, old and new for y'all. Everyone in the Strike Anywhere camp is excited about this adventure, and we will also be bringing along Microcosm Publishing. A book and media table will be at all the shows with great documents of ideas, alternative histories and more to take you beyond the sound bites of resistance and into the revolution of everyday life.”
In a sea of over-marketed, over-produced, over-hyped bands, Strike Anywhere is keeping their heads high above the water. With a focus on charitable causes, fans, and of course, music, Barnett and the band know how to stay true to themselves. Whether you are a long-time listener, or just want to check out something new, head over to The Casbah on June 11 to see Strike Anywhere.
Sarah El-Hamzawi

Contemporary Critical Theory

Handed in my final essay for my summer school course. While the essay was easy to write, this class possibly has the most complicated material i have learned yet. Not that many people will care about Marxism versus Humanism in a novel, but here is my last paragraph.
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In Anne Patchett’s Bel Canto, the text moves from a Marxist ideology which looks at the failure of late capitalism, into a universalized humanistic ideal that love can effectively bring together opposing groups. There is a convincing shift from what we believe will be a novel filled with violence, into a novel that places the reader within a middle class fantasy that we are all familiar with—the belief that love will conquer all. By placing the novel within specific ideologies, it is undoubtedly a reduction of what it is to be human. Bel Canto seems to be asking whether humans are fated to be in a perpetual state of conflict, or if we are naturally “pure-hearted” and desire loving relationships with each other. The danger with each perspective is that they seem to be oversimplifying, universalizing, and reducing the history of the ways in which we interact. Although a novel is a representational narrative, in reality, perhaps there is more to human interaction than simply loving or fighting.

Punk is dead; it's just still bleeding.

MTV Live did a show dedicated to punk today. Kind of interesting, especially the segment on "black" punk, and the interview with Damien from Fucked Up. Damien gave a list of punk bands to watch for, and these are the ones I remember being mentioned.

-Minderaser
-Down and Outs
-Cold War
-Gallows
-Jay Reatard

I most agree with Minderaser, but as much as I enjoy listening to Gallows...I'm not totally convinced that they will continue to be relevant.

Anyways, Be Your Own Pet performed. Jemina Pearl is a complete asshole, but wow, I wish I were doing that.

[Insert a "Cursed" play on words here]

Break-ups: Cursed (2001-2008)
Contributed by superdude. Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 1:30 PM (EDT)

Toronto's Cursed have abruptly broken up. The band, who recently released their third full length, III, were robbed of their equipment, money and passports while on tour in Europe. According to the band's blog, it was the nail in the coffin. Cursed formed in 2001 and released three albums and two EPs.
"Yeah, you heard. Apparently, it gets even worse. That's all I know or even want to know for now. We got robbed at the very end of tour in a totally unreal, extremely sketchy series of events that still makes no sense at all, only leads to paranoia, anger and a total loss of faith. Passports, money, all the costs of the tour. Either way, whoever did it, it was a bullet in the head, the end of the line. A sudden and totally fucked up way for it to end, which I know will be fitting when I look back on it. All we could do was play the show, badly, and go our ways with whatever money we could muster. I hitched a ride back to Prague with Tomas. Since I can't do a fucking thing about it, I'm going to hang out with my girl, and friends, stare at some Czech mountains and try not to think about it. Needless to say, all outstanding plans are off. All this shit aside, thanks to everyone that helped out and travelled from all over for the shows on this tour, all the kids and bands we played and stayed with. Minus a few fucked up shows, it was probably the best tour we ever had. Thanks everyone for your good wishes. I'll elaborate when I'm home next week, for now - yes it's true, and yes it's over."

Passing.

Generally speaking, you cannot control your age, sex, or race, which are all traditional markers of one's identity. However, style is something you have complete control over and has become the most valued aspect of a person's identity. The thing about style is that it is completely constructed. Style is a conscious choice of everything from the clothes you wear, the language you use, the music you listen to, the places you eat, and the books you read. All these things are attempts to fit into a certain type, and we are constantly putting ourselves "out," so to speak. We are always wanting to portray ourselves in a specific way so people know we are "punk," or "artsy," or "mysterious," or whatever it is that we want to be.

I'm not seperating myself from this. I know that I take certain courses in school, and read certain books, and dress in a certain way that reflects an intended style. I guess this is always my problem. I know that I am not above anything, but I just know that I understand it. When I look at someone's profile (whether it be on Myspace or Facebook), I know exactly what they are trying to do. All I have to do is look at their interests, or favourite movies, or music, and I know exactly what they are trying to pass at. Some people, however, are better than others. Some people seem to be more genuine (or at least pass as that).

To be honest, as soon as I see Chuck Klosterman, or Chuck Palahniuck under anyone's favourite books, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as someone's favourite movie, my impression of them immediately drops, for reasons that most people will not understand.

I guess I have a choice in my life. I either need to accept the fact that we are all trying to transcend identities, or I need to have no relationships of any type. I guess I just wish that we made things a little bit harder. I wish that it took more to pass as an intellectual, and not just reading Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs.

Stuntin'

While I am happy to be doing my second year as The Silhouette's music editor, I think I owe it to myself to start branching out a little. I love music journalism, but next year I'm hoping to write for some other sections, specifically news as well as lifestyle. This is the work in progress of my first fashion piece that will be out on June 5th.
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What's Hot for the Summer '08 Season

Floral Prints
Floral isn’t just for your grandma anymore, and has made a major resurgence for the summer 2008 season. Inspired by lush gardens and fresh spring colours, this must-have print is flirty and ultra-feminine. The best way to incorporate this trend is in a fun sundress, not to mention it’s the easiest way to look good this summer. Instead of finding a top and a bottom, sundresses are a perfect way to be fashion-forward while still looking effortlessly chic. Pair it with a cardigan and ballerina flats for a casual day look, or try it out with a cinching waist belt and heels to bring you into the evening.

Gladiator Sandals
Introduced late last season, who knew Russel Crowe was such a trend-setter? Lame jokes aside, this shoe is not only the hottest summer sandal, but believe it or not, it’s actually practical. As comfortable as your favourite flats, and as eye-catching as your favourite stilettos, the gladiator is the perfect shoe if you’re bored with your usual flip-flops.

Bold Colours
Although black, white, and grey will never lose their functionality, bold colours have made their way from the runway to the malls. While violet was last season’s top pick, this season is all about citrus yellow. This bright colour works great for dresses and tunics, but if you want to be more daring, try it out in coloured denim. If you are a little hesitant, incorporating colour into your accessories is a fool proof way of trying out this trend. Whether its your wardrobe or your handbag, eye-catching neons will surely get you noticed this summer.

Straw Hats
Although it was slow to catch on last summer, it’s impossible to go shopping without coming across some kind of variation of the classic straw hat. If you are planning on spending a day by the pool or the beach, opt for a floppy hat with an oversized brim, but if you are out on the town, then try the ever-popular straw fedora. Brought into the spotlight by rockers like Pete Doherty and socialite fashionistas like Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, this hat is not particualry easy to wear unless you have the confidence to go with it.

Art Inspired Tunics
This trend looks like you painted on your clothes. No, I’m not making a metaphor for ultra-tight clothing; I literally mean that it looks like you took a paintbrush to whatever you are wearing. Whether it’s a collage of cubist patterns, or graphic inspired pop-art, you should look at this trend the same way you would look at an art project. The more colour and texture you have, the more you will stand out this summer. While tunics and leggings were a staple of last season, it’s beyond overdone, so try pairing your tunic with a pair of skinny jeans, or trouser shorts.

Vintage Sunglasses
The revival of seventies fashion has made its mark on clothing, so it is no surprise that this summer’s sunglasses are inspired by the past. Perhaps the most popular style this season is the vintage Ray-ban Wayfarer’s, which are known for their dark lenses and thick frames. Worn by everyone from Kate Moss to Sienna Miller, standard black frames are the most functional, but if you want to push the envelope, then try out a pair of bright coloured frames, or even the newly introduced duel-coloured frames. These sunglasses exude a mod-rocker look, and if you throw on a cropped leather jacket, you will be the hottest bad-ass in town.

Most importantly, make sure to put your own twist on this summer’s trends. You don’t want to look like you stepped right out of an H&M catalogue, so don’t be afraid to take some risks. Fashion is only as fun as you make it.

May Angels Lead You In.

I'm going to Toronto tomorrow morning to visit her. I can't believe it has been a year.
I still remember that phone call, and I still remember how I could feel my heart in my throat.

shock value

Unless there is sex or violence, we turn away.

It would depress me, but I have accepted the fact that people constantly disappoint me a long time ago.

I'm going to spin everything on its head.

Me right now.

I've probably become a ghost to most people. Just an internet screen name, or a name that is dropped during a story beginning with "Remember the time..."

I'm coming back to life again. A resurrection of some sorts. I am finished school for the year and am focusing on freelancing and volunteering. I sent some samples of my writing to a place which shall remain nameless, and I'm hoping that will work out. I'm really questioning grad school. Although it will get me a job, I kind of want that challenge of handing out my resume to 4998589 different places. Still got a year. We will see.

less talk

more action.

4 people, 8 seats.

I love how weird normative behaviour is. We are all so detached from each other and we would have it no other way. I mean, imagine a man sits next to you on the bus and starts talking about what he's doing this weekend. How dare he sit next to you. Clearly you need that empty seat beside you. Clearly he should know the unsaid rule of two seats per person until you have absolutely no other choice. You'll probably politely smile or awkwardly reply, but in your mind you will be counting down the minutes till he will shut up and leave you alone.
That's really what our ipods, books, cellphones, and magazines are for. They are introverted technologies which allow us to disconnect from what is going around behind us, beside us, and in front of us. We put in those little ear buds and feel a sense of security. Those small sound emitters protect us from outsiders.

"You can't talk to me because I can't hear you."

See, that's the problem half of the time--we simply don't hear (let alone listen to) anyone.

Summer

-Jimmy Eat World and Paramore
-Constantines
-Islands
-Deathcab
-Vegas/L.A./Boston/NYC (at least one locale)
-Germany
-Wild Water Works
-Wonderland
-Darien Lake
-Summer Silhouette Issues
-Freelance
-Biking/Jogging
-Smoothies
-Picnics
-BBQs and Pool Parties

-more TBA

This is not peace.

Today I wrote an exam for Conflict Transformation. It's a Peace Studies class, and completely unlike anything I have ever taken. To be honest, I took the course knowing it would boost my average, as it seemed straight-forward and my friend was the T.A.

The exam was supposed to place us in a position of a conflict worker, and after watching a film about the Israeli-Palestinian war, we were responsible for writing a conflict analysis, creating a conflict map, and proposing various strategies for peace. While watching the film, I was blown away by what I was seeing. It was a series of interviews with children from both Israel and Palestine, and it was disheartening to see and hear their thoughts on this territorial (and now religious) war. These kids were perhaps the only chance for change, yet they were so violent.

This one Palestinian boy, Faraj, made a big impact on me. He explained that he was fighting for for Allah, and he used the Qu'ran as a justification for his actions. While the Israeli's (who are allies of the U.S.) had advanced weaponry, Faraj and his friends were still willing to defend their land. He held a rock in his hand and explained that this was all he had.

I think that rock acts as a symbol for this all. That rock represents the unequal distribution of power that none of us care about as long as we aren't the ones getting short-handed. Why does one side always have shiny new grenades, while the other can only act by throwing the debris of their bombed houses? Their walls are crumbling, yet they are throwing the rocks instead of rebuilding.

"How could you, Mrs. Dick?"

This is the intro of one of my favourite essays I wrote this year. It's not a literature essay, but rather an elective law course I took. Mr. John Dick's body was found just a short walk from my house.
--------------------------------

On March 16, 1946, a group of school children made one of the most gruesome discoveries in Hamilton’s history. A headless, limbless torso was found cast aside on the Hamilton Mountain, which was soon identified to be the remains of Hamilton Street Railway worker, John Dick. Recently separated from his wife, Evelyn, if one were to judge by appearance, nobody would ever think the 26 year old woman would be capable of being a part of such a grizzly murder, however, after having a preliminary hearing, His Worship Magistrate Henry A. Burbidge committed Evelyn Dick along with William Bohuzuk and her father, Donald Maclean, for the trial of the murder of John Dick. Unsurprisingly, the jury found Evelyn guilty of murder, and it seemed inevitable that she would be executed. Not only was there an abundance of evidence proving she was a part of the crime, but there were also statements and confessions given to the police that led them to believe beyond a reasonable doubt that she had killed her husband. Known as one of the most famous, sensationalized cases in Canadian history, the trial of Evelyn Dick captivated the nation. Initially found guilty of murder, Evelyn Dick was at jeopardy of execution, and it still puzzles many people how she was able to win an appeal. Through the evidence presented, the Canadian legal system proves that as long as the defence is able to argue misdirection or wrongful admission of evidence, then there are indisputable grounds for a new trial, and in this case, Mrs. Dick really did get away with murder.

Aesthetic.

I seem to have an inherent problem with art. At least, I have a problem with the conventions of it. Art is a bourgeousie construct, and yet it's supposed to be avant-garde? I know there are different types, and I'm essentializing, but what the hell is the purpose of being graded on it, or selling it to middle-upper class white people? It's adhering to everything it tries to avoid. Another capitalist commodity coming out of the cultural shitter.

I was studying Dada recently, hoping to relate to something that classifies itself as 'anti-art.' But when I re-read that sentence, I used the word 'classify.' Even Dadaism cannot escape a dreaded label and at the end of the day, I would rather hang a cubist painting on my wall rather than a portrait of a dirty urinal.

Without the 'X'

New leaf.