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.

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.