Nautical Nonsense

12 June, 2025

Providence, Rhode Island

There's a current study being conducted in the marina of Matunuck. These coastal areas, nearshore tidal zones and other water spaces represent where and how urban pollution, including microplastics and other contaminants, enter the marine ecosystems. Floating wetlands have been developed as a nature-based solution to support biodiversity and improve water quality. The study will provide data towards a filtration method for microplastics and heavy metals. This project also pioneers the use of biocompatible and plastic-free materials by using myco-buoys to construct the floating wetlands. These will be deployed in these environments and monitored regularly.

I can't thank the team at 5 Gyres enough for having me on this project, and I'm excited to share the visuals and representation in the near future. Engineering a pilot study for future sustainable design in ecological restoration is no easy task, and it's important to capture the story in a captivating manner. As fait would have it, the moment we called 'action,' it simply wouldn't stop down-pouring. The things done for science.

A huge shoutout to Roger Williams for finding Rhode Island.

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Your Tomorrow (2025)

Compiled of interviews, memoirs and standpoints during the redevelopment of Toronto's Ontario Place, Your Tomorrow demonstrates the evolution and impact this park had on the city. A perfect representation of how much the residents of this city admired nature space. A story to help the feeble-brain understand that we don't need a business plan for every backyard this place offers, and selling off pieces of Ontario to line your pockets isn't exactly a high praise. I had spent a great deal of my childhood at this park, and during it's abandoned stages, I would reflect heavily whether running or attending a movie at the Cinesphere. It's still an underrated piece of history that brought so many people together, and presently a shameful reality-check for the clueless.

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John Green's Everything is Tuberculosis (2025)

Excited for a new John Green. Deep diving into the current state of such a horrendous disease. Though curable in some parts of the world, it remains a devastating entity for other areas. John contemplates the 'why aren't we choosing to?' task for humanity to distribute the cure where it's needed the most. For many, TB seems like an ancient disease, yet millions die every year from it. I wrote a speech in elemntary about Tuberculosis and am horrified to learn how bad it still is today....

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Hamilton Leithauser - This Side of the Island

The Walkmen proved their legacy when I had finally caught them live a few years back. Hammy's comeback is a time capsule taking you back to your old friends. Written during some pretty tough times, Hamilton portrays themes of disillusionment, acceptance and resolve. A bonafide toe-tapper. With a voice that perfectly paints a memory accompanied by big-band instruments, there couldn't possibly be a better time like the present to inflict this on the music world.

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Somewhere, Someone is Thinking of You by Henry Rollins

The words and lyrics from this man have never not placed a stranglehold on me. From his early days in the DC punk scene, Rollins has existed in some form of car-ride, opening band's cover and even public-poetry - and has been a lyrical master for forever. Sure, by the time you find yourself in the back-half of this poem, there are some questionable thoughts on paper, but what's more punk than truly not giving a damn how people perceive your inner thoughts? The bluntness is shockingly emotional. I think at one point in another, throughout all of our lonely existence, it's moving to fantasize that somebody out there may in fact be thinking of you.

fundamentally unquantifiable

14 May, 2025

Pemberton, British Columbia

A country divided. After being more actively involved with this year's federal election, I've gained far more knowledge than ever before. I'm always eager to converse on any of these items in politics, but in a healthy way. Some, surely don't have the capacity. I believe there is a wicked energy that constantly separates us from one another, coming from the two party system. It is incredibly easy to lose sight of everyday needs when we are all force-fed news and headlines that aim to anger the herds.

Some takeaways? There is a liveable planet within our reach. There are issues that we need to continue to work with our MP's despite our political standpoints. I think it's also safe to claim that we urgently need electoral reform. The loss of the NDP party status is obviously a setback for progressive politics, but it then lies on the voices of all those who wish to build a sustained movement. We are all free to be loud and desperately passionate for a nation we've called home for decades, but just try and keep in mind of your familiar friends & faces? I'm beyond taken back by the countless hatred that spills out onto my screen on the regular. If you're this driven about the government and feel the need to thumb-grenade your words onto a digital cloud, can you imagine the productivity you could accomplish outdoors?

For some of you, and I'm guilty of it every now and then, we're fairly cooked. I learned that word at Easter dinner! In the widespread of things, there is a beautiful scenic view all around us. It takes your sense of adventure to set aside some differences and explore those regions. Inhale, and take it in. For me, it helps to reinstate that this is in fact, the whole point.

With patience, smiles are slowly coming back to faces. It feels good to be home.

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Kes (1969)

Within this pre-Thatcher, English, Northern, working-class motion picture, we grasp a true depiction of the time period. A masterpiece with a spineless ending. David Bradley plays a true Billy Elliot in the making, forming an emotional bond with a wild bird. I have always held the art of falconry in high regard, and intrigued by the experts and members who I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with. Though I hope the people of Barnsley never lose their accent, the dialogue is quite a thick struggle throughout - where even those from Lancashire had a tough time deciphering several scenes (rofl). The curiosity of childhood is portrayed properly, and the ominous wonder of a young lad in a rather intense school system is too real for comfort. Hailed as an all-time classic in British cinema.

'If she flies off, she flies off and can't be helped.'

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Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's What If We Get It Right? (2024)

It's no surprise of our surrounding crisis. If you spend even half a fraction of time with this book, you will get a sense of current climate warriors in an interview-style presentation, that illustrates the concept of refuse, repair and repurpose. Lean into possibility together. Though I don't know how I feel about climate poetry, the fact remains that we are all choking on mountains of plastic waste. It's not on the consumer to deal with the plastic distribution, and we need imaginative new stories to bridge the gap of what we know and what we need to know.

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Fucked Up - In The Company of Sisters

Powerful voices collide to represent lyrics of a vivid story that many women sadly face today. Julianna Riolino brings truth in every word sung in this devastatingly beautiful song. As you listen, the track's teeth surely sink deeper & deeper. What sort of world can we manifest moving forward? One that we would actually want to live in? There is kindness and regret in the seeds we can plant.

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ferry delay, terminal by Rob Mclennan

Must have been Blenz coffee... Of course, there's a notion of British Columbia being the scenic force it always stood out to be. Many of the more hidden and desolate sights discovered once hopping on a BCF. Sight unseen, there's a constant

beauty, sadness and the best of times

23 January, 2025

Toronto, ON

The holidays are through and so much has been integrated. The comedown from a holiday season may not often go as smooth as one had originally hoped for. The dawn of the new year offers much readiness, so much hope, but also many challenges in the face of the daily struggle. As is tradition - we plan ahead and adjust our habits accordingly, to intend on manufacturing a more enhanced version of ourselves to present to the (who?) world. Yet, with all the equipment, applications and motivation tips available, discipline remains absent at the head table when the cannolis finally arrive...

But with great gain, comes lamentable loss. After eighteen fulfilled years of joy, our beloved Himalayan feline crosses the rainbow bridge. Eighteen years of precious memories, not only with the blue-eyed kitten we long ago brought home, but being there while you grew into a completely different person over the span of nearly two decades. Their last breathe feels symbolic.

Meanwhile, on the PNW, newborn J61 enter the Pod, and met with complications, therefore unable to flourish. A mother orca who has suffered loss before, is once again faced with the devastating heartache.

Watching your parents go through a heartbreaking passing of a beloved friend applies much transition, and exposure to the world of numerous generations. Friends & family will gather and speak about the good times, yet, great shock, fear and the importance of connection floods the room.

Locally, our distant memories of youth-filled shenanigans fade, as small businesses feel the wrath of climbing interest rates and are forced to close at an alarming rate. The towns we once scaled are changing ever so rapidly, and it gives us much preparation to hang onto the people, places and things we all love.

Life continues to zip.

Cherish, protect & savour.

...and if you're one of the lucky ones who had the pleasure of experiencing Ontario Place in its prime - Know that I'm with you.

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Look Back In Anger (1959)

A play about angry-young-men. Burton rebelling against life & wife. It's gut-wrenching to watch the way he treats others throughout, but If you're after your dose of kitchen-sink realism with an immense twist, this pans out. Here, the monologues are so theatrical, they stick with you for hours after. The preparation that must have been put into place before shooting, is quite interesting. Performance outstanding, competently crafted, and it's well-written in true form. Sometimes, silence is the best weapon in these instances. The film still has a lot to say in this modern day.

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Sally Rooney's Intermezzo (2024)

When I read Beautiful World, Where Are You, I remember it being at a time in my life when I felt emotionally fulfilled. Enter, Intermezzo - a passionate tale of two brothers coping with their father's loss, struggling to deal with relationships and unspoken feelings. The lack of quotation marks throughout this book allow the reader to fully lock-in and try to keep up, just to be smacked around the bend with frequent, descriptive sex scenes. I often ponder why the dog's gender was never fully revealed? It's a fully, painted portrait of normal characters, unlike many of SR's previous work.

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Devendra Banhart - Shabop Shalom

I often tinkle with the idea that we are not worthy of Banhart's songwriting capabilities. His musical taste is so personal, that you feel like you get a one-way look into his life experiences and emotions through song, and this track specifically bringing you to your magical garden, when you're truly in need of it. A lyrical genius, and I still consider his Amoeba: What's In My Bag episode one of the all time greatest among the series.

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relocate by Catarine Hancock

There was a period of time where this book had spent many months in my travel bag for a number of reasons. It's provided me much insight into the storyline that Hancock has woven, her personal battle with healing, and more importantly, a representation of the way many people have been impacted by similar scenarios. Even if you can't necessarily relate to CH's writing, her vulnerability speaks beautiful volume. For a young writer to spill out their entire soul onto a page for all to witness, is immense bravery. Relocate is a story of new beginnings, but not in the way mainstream media has portrayed them to be so glorified. Don't believe the hype.