annual autumnal chromatic transformation

8 November, 2024

Bonita Springs, FLA

There is immense damage here. When a veteran meteorologist gets choked up on-air while reporting a modern, historic hurricane, it speaks to the climate struggle that we are all in right now. For those who actively fight towards it, and bang your head against the wall for the rest of your life just to make a tiny dent in all this, you're surely heard by those who share the same motivation. Several boats littered in bushes just to be left behind while the owners immediately purchase new crafts. Sorry, did I mention those are from Hurricane IAN? You heard that right. It's pretty uplifting to believe in a Government that supports climate change.

Place a wager on your greed, a wager on your pride. America's for sale via various sports betting sites. For me, I don't quite understand why tell anyone your vote. It's going to make some people happy, and others super angry. Republicans are set in stone, while Democrats have always been a working progress, but doesn't a potential for evolution seem interesting? Maybe that's why a massive number of citizens, clothing companies (Please, stop), and long-time followers endorse this route. In closing, yard signs are allowing good, kind folk to behave unreasonably, and it's never been so entertaining.

I loved returning to this place for many reasons. It holds precious memories of youthful travel. Shaking your piggybank erratically upside down just to afford a churro & a fast pass. The Sunshine State remains alive & well.

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Plastic People (2024)

Having the pleasure of hearing Ziya Tong speak at the most recent Sustainable Production Forum at CBC, this horror documentary quickly became a top priority. I caught a screening at the Elora Gorge Cinema, which I cannot recommend any higher. When a film has an in-person warning prior to start time, it gives the audience something to finally pay attention to, and open up the floor for a post-screening discussion. Scientists everywhere have been studying the impacts of microplastics on the human body, and how damaging they really are, for decades. To visually represent the health effects, declining fertility rates, the methods of washing your clothes for God's sake, and exactly how these compounds really infiltrate our systems is delving into an ever-debatable argument. Spoiler alert* (incase you weren't already aware) - They're everywhere. This flick will (might?) make you rethink the way you purchase plastics, integrate them into your life, recycle them, and how delicate our human bodies really are. Yet, all over there are deniers and non-believers. Won't there forever be? Processing a lot of the information in this doc can be challenging, it's best previewed with a buddy.

Let the fear mongering begin!

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Conor Kerr's Prairie Edge (2024)

A massive recommendation from The Giller Prize longlist. To learn about the Indigenous histories towards a true reconciliation, and the character's confusion & troublesome of trying to understand politics while growing up in the Metis territory. The descriptive painting of a plain that would normally be flooded with Bison, results in real-life struggles throughout the novel. There are many references that resonate with the Canadian lifestyle, which the writer reflects on tremendously. The highlight = The need to return to Indigenous government structures to preserve future generations.

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Sunday (1994) - TV Car Chase

An incredible new discovery. This band relishes a real, indie mood. Much eloquent form in the front-woman. The transition from dinner to her head in the oven, is haunting, and along high hopes for their endless recognition, parts of me wish they remain under the radar so we can sit in this enjoyment forever. My take being, this entire entity somehow pays respect to OJ's Bronco fiasco, but nonetheless, I'm looking forward to more of this brilliance.

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Ode by Charles Simic

The Serbian Pulitzer-winning Poet with tools of dark humour pertaining to his upbringing throughout the War in Yugoslavia. Ode's interpretation can be deemed in various perspectives, yet, one of which highlights the mutual respect of feeling invisible. Simic expresses hope in the light that continues to shine alongside you, even when experiencing doubt. Time Propitious - indicating the probability of success through simple speech. Meaning, you can maintain patience, often a challenge, but there is much to look forward to in the future. For many of us, it's easy to throw in the towel in all the things we're working towards. This poem is a tribute to practicing your inner-zen, and feeling the waves of nostalgia for all the little things that generate happiness within.

hail to the victors

18 September, 2024

Ann Arbor, Michigan

I recently asked a former colleague what they've been up to lately and they responded with, 'I'm evolving.' And I loved this answer. Ours, yours, theirs.. Every industry and area of study has gone through a substantial amount of change over the last few years. It's fascinating. Willing to adapt with the change appears to be one key ingredient to a successful career path. After all, it's my belief that if you truly don't wish to grow with it, you very much might as well pack up. In some sense, there are hundreds of potential applicants lined up ready to go in these confusing times. Sure, we all react to change as it's happening on impulse. But I think most of the time, we don't prepare ourselves enough in advance, on how to change. We all require a certain mindset to be aware of the ongoing advancements and adjustments all around us. Not everyone is capable. Some, more often and prosperous than others.

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The F Word (2013)

An immaculate representation of finding love in the big city. The familiar city. AKA 'What If,' this light, unique romance gives intercepting the girl from another guy in order to escape the friendzone (F as in Friend). Wallace tends to represent the moral majority in most cases here. Proving himself as totally normal, while coming fresh out of the wizarding world, it's uplifting to feel Radcliffe's performance as one of our own. For those who have ever strolled these roads in your prime, this film will really result in a pleasing experience. That, and I really need to input fool's gold into the cookbook.

Ginny Weasley is going to be so upset when she watches this... love is stupid.

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Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013)

A fantasy to enhance your imagination. Though the story is shadowing these children's epic tale through farmhouses and fields, I very much doubt it was ever intended for kids to read through. Stirring something terribly profound within the reader, as you allow yourself to see the smallest bodies of water as an unimaginable journey. There are some pages of terror, and I think I've faced a few Ursula Monktons in my day. When little, Lettie Hempstock travels to Oz through the ocean and gives you life, she teaches you to grow and try and be worth it ... 'The moon does shine as bright as day.'

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Honey Lung - Sophomore

A melodic anthem and ode to your friends.

Revisiting because the inactivity (as of lately) from this band is crushing me.

I remember hearing this and immediately categorizing it as one of the greatest album openers of all time. Intelligent tone featuring a Pumpkins-inspired solo that emits out a 90's house party subculture. Fingers have never been crossed more tightly. Huge fan, please notice me.

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Tulips by Sylvia Plath

Often defined as a brutal poet, Plath's form of delivery with its trails of depression, carry the reader through the halls of an institute, delivering flowers to this patient. Although the intention of a gift, they're received as dread, yet the only gateway to the outside world (reality). Confessional, which leads this poet to convey extraordinary depth and complexity within her writing. The tulips eat my oxygen can be inscribed on every stone in a graveyard forever & always.

I heard a great quote once; 'Be yourself, don't be Sylvia.'

flexible dieting

11 September, 2024

Quebec City, Quebec

Retaining information in our brains can be challenging. Several practices such as visual representation (painting an image), converting the information into some sort of a melodic tune, or

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Warrendale (1967)

Warrendale was an institution in Toronto that specialized in emotionally-distraught students. The staff-members and therapists would often use obscure, experimental methods to deal with the patients. Some accounts say, it was evident that the provoking of these children were just so that administrators could receive incentive to restrain them. Here, lies an actuality drama with no script, narration, and a very real look into the establishment. Regardless of how painful some of the scenes may look. It would be interesting to see a follow-up documentary featuring the individuals in this.

Irene... I hear you loud & clear.

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Elena Ferrante's The Story Of a New Name (2012)

I never read the first instalment of this Neapolitan, but I wanted to give haste to my heritage and the feminist, historical fiction in some regard. How sexist Italian literature can be. In times of family battle, sexual violence, telling your friend that you regret your marriage because your newborn is ugly - Elena has the inability to see herself on her own. In fairness, we still see this trait day-to-day in the modern world while some of us share the madness. The first half is quite dull but I'm glad I hung in there, I think that's what makes Ferrante a rare bird. I don't remember your name, but thank you for the reco!!

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The Gaslight Anthem - Here's Looking At You Kid

I was lucky enough to hear Fallon's confessional lyrics live, and the distinction from studio to performance is so eccentric. A sombre, melancholy song to bid you farewell when your heart finally retires. And a boy's journal of being rejected by every girl ever, spilled out to the masses. The world needed this, for I think we all know a Gayle, Janey, and Anna - cue consolation sigh.

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Fog by Carl Sandburg

I've spent quite some time scaling the coast over the past couple of years. And many of those morning runs can be instilled in dense, coastal fog. Formed over the ocean as a result of temperature differences between water and air, the fog is then advected inland through wind or air currents, and sets the mood in the scene it surrounds. Like an atmospheric watering can, misting forest canopies, plants and soils in moisture and nutrients. Sandburg compares this element to the stillness of a feline. It's interesting to imagine the likes of the fog seeping off the coast of Illinois in the late 1800's. What that must have felt like.