more than once, twice nothing

6 September, 2026

Tahoe City, California

For the first time, a land-based Expedition with 5 Gyres is in the books out on the Lake Tahoe Rim Trail. In collaboration with the Tahoe Rim Trail Asssociation, I am blessed with an experience to monitor, conduct and document Macro and Microplastics. The global impact of plastic pollution relies heavily on the works of dedicated individuals such as this group. ~165-miles of thruhiking, sampling, and 'gear-audits' to raise awareness of potential plastic-free alternatives is a special endeavor. The feeling of accomplishment worth all of the rolled ankles, gnarly-looking blisters and new, everlasting friendships.

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Parthenope (2024)

Beautiful places & people. A modern day Italian Drama that's shot so eloquently, it will instantly place you in the 60's off the coast of Naples, savouring every minor detail. Though often referred by many critics as an extended cologne advertimsement, Paolo's work is expressed through a lens of love. Parthenope clearly has an emotionally disconnected relationship with her city, and the theme of the passing of time becomes sacred through it's entirety. It's an A24 release, so of course you can expect some disturbing content at times. However, I'm a sucker for lyrical-poetry and this flick is a dazzling reminder to always stop and stare at beautiful humans until it makes them super uncomfortable. Pro tip.

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Agustina Bazterrica's Tender is the Flesh (2020)

Disturbing imagery of a dystopian-like world it often feels like we are headed to. With the recent legalization of cannibalism by the Government, Marcos navigates the super-visceral environment, while many pages parallel the state of the world throughout Coronavirus. Oddly enough - published years prior to the pandemic. I truly thought meat-processing plants couldn't be any more terrifying, yet, this story paints in bloody detail just that. The metaphor highlights big pharma, and unequal societies that are structured to separate tiers of civilization. The moral of the story (my belief) is veganism rules!

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The Pretenders - Kid

I don't think I will ever get the image of Chrissie Hynde screaming at a couple of elderly ladies, front-row at a room the size of Sous Bas in Detroit years ago. Kid accepts the sorrow and levels the listener right down to the floor, and who better to understand the shattering of the heart than the mind of Hynde? Honeyman and Pete have a way of interacting with one another through iconic riffs and licks. Cry on, blue eyes.

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Begin Again and Again and Again - Alessandra Olanow

The fluid reminder that we all go through a resurgence of starting over, and to focus your mindset on the reality - we are human beings. Urge yourself to slow down in life and value each + every little detail along the way. I adore the segment on pushing against what won't budge, while we miss what's readily available. For we are often clouded with our needs and wants over what lies in plain sight. Expressing yourself in the truest form, and never fearing the ability to be too much. Olanow is a master of regeneration, and provides the poetry, illustrations, tools and guidelines to start over.

going away to college

3 July, 2026

Toronto, ON

Welcoming its massive geographic footprint across North America, one of the world's largest sporting events has finally come to town. After all of these years of mimicking lonesome plays in the park, participation trophies that head straight to the thrift stores, and celebrating with your people's nationality, our public transit system and roads become flooded with passionate, football supporters. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the legends with my family will be one of which that is never forgotten. I am very humble to have made my ancestors proud, and to exhange homemade bracelets with Panamanians shed light on a universal connection - coming together to watch VAR and Ai-chips ultimately determine the results. And yet, as stadium-goers purchase their Cutwaters and tinkle in scafolding urinals, I can't help but be mindful of the logistics of travelling these giant crews across the continent. The organization can predict carbon-neutral claims all they please, but the sheer amout of emissions that will unfold throughout this major event truly justifies a red card. That said, watching our childhood heroes formally step down from the game we love will forever hold a historic imapct on all of our lives.

I don't believe we can all turn our creative minds into a full-time living, but I think we should at least try. The recent projects I have been apart of have been informative, proactive, and technically challenging in many ways. I have been adjusting to new guidelines and maintaing focus throughout various practices. With a lot of incoming opportunitites, my biggest aspiration is to explore & avoid burnout. Navigating through administrative overhead with each and every task I take on can help me prioritize my life-lists. I take a great amount of pride in witholding multiple hobbies and interests, and I strive actively to keep conistent in participating in those things at least once per week. The older we get, it's clear to see how much dedication our folks, teachers, mentors and elders have put into this life. Take time to consider your path and appreciate others.

A world without James Van Der Beek is one I am still adjusting to.

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Youth in Revolt (2009)

Finding the one while out on the run. A sex-centric feature to avoid viewing with your parents, and will have you relating characters to those of your high school days. Fantasizing over one's alter-egos comes at a time where Cera had continued to play the same role throughout his films. Though, one can't help but admire his performance in a new light, and it maintains hope for the simp/nerd all the way to the finish line. A strong Indie soundtrack to top it off, and this movie will forever remain a youthful favorite.

It is critical you find your own log to call your home.

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Amil Niazi's Life After Ambition (2026)

Is it OK to be enough? Bi-coastal based author answers the universal concern through storytelling about her upbringing. She delves into the great details of child labour, and I mean DETAILS... and what exactly it's like to be a mom in these current, uncertain times. There is a candle to be held to all those millenial moms out there. And with the ongoing pressure of having to feel above average all of the time, this story will make you question it all (again). Honoring the fulfillment we all find within ourselves throughout life, and guiding our offspring along the same, healthy path.

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Dillon Warnek - Arkansas Waitress

Dillon's respect for his audience's time is explosive and concise. His Bob Dylan renditions ramble eloquently with lyrical brilliance, and throws you directly into the diner itself for you to experience. Accompanied by classic country licks, the Americana storytelling is in full swing, and very much paints the imagery that so many have been through, and yet, so few as well.

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On my gravestone write; - Lucas Jones

Every now & then, a piece of poetry is revealed and completely galvanizes the reader. Lucas has used his social media platforms to not only promote his talents, but brings together a massive audience of emotionally-fueled scrollers. Not each and every one of us will have a say in what will be written on our gravestones, and leaving behind a firm, fast marking will ultimately define who this person was, and what their relationship with the earth had looked like. Beyond the typical templates that are written on a stone, a special enscription could truly resonate with a random stranger in the distant life. How's that for poetry?

'till drama do us part

14 February, 2026

Victoria, BC

The year has just begun and the jet-lag remains in full effect.

Let's check in for a minute. Obviously, people should not be targeted down in the middle of the streets by government representatives. Folk should not be imprisoned based on the colour of their skin or political beliefs. Yet, it constantly feels repetitive and hopeless to hear of any positive progress accumulating these days. Being proactive seems like the only thing we can really do in times like such. Even though it doesn't feel like it, good things are still happening.

Discussion helps, but no matter how big or small we may feel our actions are impacting those around us, it's vital that we each do our part to protect our communities, and also remain reasonable in our voices. That's where the struggle exists. The dramatic fleet we humans place on one another from miscommunication, misunderstanding and sheer trauma is undoubtedly demoralizing to our fabric. Again, my opinion means nothing, it's just what I am experiencing throughout my travels over the last several years.

Staying online will inevitably do more harm than none. Like me, it's enticing and part of our culture to log-on every now & then, but remember, you always have a choice in the matter.

Think of being free.

On the other hand, there is much that still lives & blooms in Baja. The powerful sea that needs protecting from fossil gas companies, who wish to rob our bio-cultural wealth. I am in no-shape-or-form a man of a resort, but I could not recommend that property to lovers entwined, far and wide. Luxurious resorts are a thing of beauty, but please don't charge your residents 50 USD for a drop-in yoga class. Flow-tip!

And here, far up the coast, Victoria celebrates its victories. Last year, PVC pollution from nearby construction sites was identified across local beaches and storm drains. The City was approached with numerous hearings and backing data, and has now strengthened its construction standards to require more enforced containment of these shavings and debris. Preventing this constant pollution is an improvement that may seem small to some, but significant to the oceans and coasts. Let's pray the remaining municipalities of Canada follow suit.

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Secret Mall Apartment (2024)

The amount of effort and determination that can go into a project when a group really embodies the overall goal is astonishing. I have spent a great deal of time in Providence recently and when I had heard about this story, it was an added bonus to be accompanied by a visual representation. The documentary covers far and wide - utilizing underused space, breathtaking tape art, the notion of white privilege, shy of two quarters in a bank account and of course, trespassing. With a starring cameo of Lightning Bolt's loudest & finest, Secret Mall Apartment fulfills the concept we all had as children - fort building where we ruled our own little environment.

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Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness (1928)

Join a prolific part of Lesbian history, as we follow Stephen's journey from her girlhood to womanhood. Raised in an aristocratic, Worcestershire family, who pre-determined her 'boy name' prior to birth. The book's original publication provoked an obscenity trial, which is pretty damn rad. Twas a very long read to get through, with final climatic pages making the experience well worth it. After all this time, I think it remains a masterpiece of gay polemic with its central themes of social martyrdom. 'The loneliest place in this world is the no-man's land of sex.'

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Matt Maeson - Everlasting

People who make music like this have ultimately lived the most. It's rare for MM to avoid belting in his music, yet there is an emotional setting which elevates your sense of hope nonetheless. Utterly lyrical beauty in a string-filled environment, to comfort you on those lonely night drives in your car while the snow falls gently. Unlike the majority of mainstream media these days, it's bound to make you sad happy.

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So what do you say? - Joshua De Schutter

The young, aspiring poet who swept through viral markets with his insightful feelings and thoughts proves that shyness prevails. Throughout history, there have been an abundance of romance films that cling onto the mainstream realm, and elevate each of our emotions sky high. We tend to reflect on memories both good and bad when we are fully sunken in a movie. Joshua haves us all do what we neglect to do on so many occasions - fall in love. Lots of snaps for this.