faut dire que c'est plat, plat, plat

15 August, 2023

Quebec City, Quebec

Octane in the shower. Where do you find your most zen? Does it come in the form of travel? A walk? The coastline somewhere? All around us, an endless array of stress and worry is constantly dangling from the skies. Whenever I have an existential crisis, casually riding my bike around the cobblestone, listening to a variety of music always helps my mental clarity. Put me back into the present moment. *Add rain for an extra bonus.*

It feels fresh to connect with an existing cityscape, where memories flow so eloquently accompanied by the soothing harp from this Harpo lookalike. That may very much have been the best French Onion soup of my existence.

The island of Maui is on fire. My sincere best is thought upon all my pals that I have met from there, and that their friends & family remain strong. What's next in the world. There is such a dark energy pulling on the strings of humanity.

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The Adventure That Saved My Life. - BORDERLESS (2023)

Natalie Lynn documents her touching story through her lens of heartbreak, packing the van, and saying yes to adventure. With her internet, beefaroni-loving friend by her side, the two embark on what can only be described as the summer mission to joy. Say yes to strangers. Life can make you feel lost, lonely and disoriented. I believe for those who struggle with such impacts, can tune into this and relate. A filmmaker inspiring to let you into her world, gives you an experience you can only fantasize about being a part of and take the leap. Using Youtube to its absolute full-scale potential. Keep in mind, this is a video blog.

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Eric LaRocca's Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke (2021)

A collection of exchanged emails between two women in an internet chat room. A rapid turn of events into a dark spiral make for an impactful, quick quick read. This has been out of print for a while, and I was hyped to get my hands on a copy. There is a LOT of disturbing imagery in this, borrower beware. The author does a wicked job of portraying how wild an internet connection could become back in our MSN Messenger days. Oh, how I miss them.

Sadomasochism. Obsession. Death.

I wonder what would happen if you apple-peeled the soles of your feet.

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Cœur de pirate - Dans la nuit (feat. Loud)

The French Canadian goddess. For forever ago I've followed the pirate. Some of my fondest memories exist at her hometown gig when I knew none of the conversation her and the audience were having. Two hearts meet and share their boredem of the night. Loud instills a contrast vocal track that pairs well with the snappy beat. Let this be an introduction to French pop music if you've yet to let it in. The perfect voice doesn't exi... Beatrice, please keep singing forever.

I just want to cook and clean for you.

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how to be insecure by Shelby Leigh

Overthinking at its finest. When introverts of the world constantly doubt themselves, and fear of the surrounding judgement upon them. Shelby comes from a world which is so relatable. This poem identifies a list of components to demonstrate the perfect insecure individual. I've seen so many others with similar traits all my life. In school, we're surrounded by kids our own age, but entering adulthood, we're then immersed with so many different types and qualities of people. The social aspect can stress us out. Follow this guideline for appropriate tips and measures.

neck of the woods

28 July, 2023

Algonquin Highlands, Ontario

We out here. Studying various ecosystems and evaluating their behaviour is a humble experience. There are loads of people who fantasize about time in nature, and don't necesssarily take the time to breathe it in. At some point, we'll all find ourselves outdoors with an empty mind. Fantasize about the existence of an environemnt that's thriving. The stories I had the chance to listen to about wildlife were so pure and made of magic, it leads to you believe in a utopia that's all around us. Getting to embark on a full-blown portage trek through the pouring rain, sleeping in my beautiful one-person tent with my millions of mosquito amigos, and learning from the best - an absolute honor to have my photo taken by, and inhale a cigar with a true veteran wildlife photographer.

Time and working on yourself will alleviate the mental wound. Allow it to diminish and heal into a stronger, better version of yourself. If you're like me, the memories won't ever leave you. Some of us try too hard to rip out the pages in our book, and it shows. In time, you will learn to live with it. Even if you're filled with some layers of charm, existential dread and dark humour.

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Purple Noon (1960)

I've always been fascinated with foreign films. They are wildly accessible, yet astounding when you come up on one you've been after for a while. I've obsessed over how there isn't the need of use of CGI, or massive budgeting to captivate an audience. You can simply connect with real humans and real-life problems. It can pose a relatable experience. Purple Noon tells the story of identify fraud with Alain Delon giving us a performance of a lifetime - imagine what it would be like to age when you've experienced being that charming? Romance, and the lust to live the international playboy life regardless of the lengths one must go through. This picturesque piece is well-equipped with stunning European visuals and rich culture. I was so engaged in this flick, I really didn't see that coming neither... The ending was nuts.

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Elif Batuman's The Idiot (2017)

Ivy League gals navigating their journey through everyday settings at Harvard. Relatable to Selin's overthinking, and the way she deconstructs her environment almost every time she's asked a question. The scene where she speaks with her counsellor about the topic of emails had some powerful impact on the reality of the inter web. The agony of youth, and a coming of age story that may not be everybody's cup of tea, but enjoyable to follow along with the school calendar year. . Takeaway: Jump in a lake with your loved ones and recognize insignificant subtleties.

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Six Days At the Bottom of the Ocean - Explosions In the Sky

This album has hollowed out my ears for a few years now. There's a feeling of complete emptiness when it starts up, that draws you to your surroundings and being still in your present moment. I listen to this band on hikes a lot. Although I enjoy my silence in nature, there's something that this group offers that enhances the wilderness as you venture through it. The break in the middle of the song is so pure, and it feels like I'm falling into the abyss of my whole life in slow motion.

Each of us can experience this emotional track differently. Looking forward to the new record and tour this year. Thank you to the post-rock quartet for everything. Take me out of here.

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Give Me A Call Sometime by Andrew W.G. Rees

It was a treat to reconnect with Andrew after all these years. The last time I had seen him, I was bagging his groceries and glorifying his band at the time. A poem about trust and confidence to a desired entity. Putting thought into the mind of another, serving the opportunity of pure, genuine love. How insane the idea may be to some, all the while when a writer knows their lust is flourishing from within. To anybody who shouts out with sincere intentions, and to those who never read 'em - Prost.

reader, you are extraordinary

28 June, 2023

Vancouver, British Columbia

What's your opinion on all this?

The year continues to float on as I find myself feeling endlessly inspired. That specific inspired when it's challenging to sleep, to eat, and to socialize with the normies. We can't all feel as ambitious as we once were, but we can definitely still seek inspiration from many directions. It takes courage, and a ton of experience, but I assure your curiosity, hopefulness and creativity lies ahead. Go fetch it, and watch this world change before your very eyes.

I'm not entirely sure why the internet proceeds to poke fun at a national tragedy, but I've been convinced to refrain from politics for a while now. I suppose various people grieve and cope in many different ways. However, over the past couple of years I have felt that if you have an opinion, it may be best left to the walls of your friend's house? It's never really been a habit of mine to utilize the world-wide-web to voice my thought process - yet, here we are - but it's intriguing to open your phone to a complete bar-fight taking place across the land. For the most part, it's bananas. But remember, the media can provide us such insight, education and guidance. Keep learning through the mist.

Summer is in full-force. Make the best out of the weather, wherever the weather. There's a distant feeling of the rebirth of summer from when you were young, and how much joy came about when your final school bells rang. Can you rehash that in some sense today? Remember what it's like to be a kid? At ten years old, everything is so fascinating and anything is possible. There's still some value in embodying that sentiment, although it attacks in many more forms, and a much busier work schedule. Take time to lay in the grass and watch stars. Think of the albatrosses and attend a beach clean-up. Work on your tan, and grab hold of every passing scent of salt in the air, you can.

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Meatballs (1979)

A family household tradition since the early dawn. I remember being very little and finding a bootlegged VHS tape with this title written on the tag. I wasn't then, and still don't really know now writing this - why they named it that. But, this film captures the most traditional aesthetic of summer camp out there. This was the movie that introduced me to the legend that is, Bill Murray, and I still stay engaged from start to finish. Later in life, I find out it was shot a few hours away from home, and the writers hailed from a local University. Hell, the rival campground is a direct take on our local college! Fight me on that. From Spaz's moves on the dance floor, to Fink's hotdog eating contest, it's a picture to preserve.

I pray this tradition still remains constant in the right hands... But it just, doesn't, matter.

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Carl Watt's I Just Wrote This Five Minutes Ago (2022)

A guidance and reflection on some incredible and noteworthy poetry across the board. Carl Watts discusses his path through his career, and the various methods and practices taking place in surrounding poetry world. How valuable it is to create, regardless of experience and motive, and how it can be perceived from the peanut gallery. I enjoyed learning from a good pal, and getting heavily into different forms of poetry leads me to have hope in our neighboring artists.

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Hollow Coves - These Memories (2017)

The realest. Hug some type of body of water when you can. I find myself reflecting a lot. Sometimes that happens to occur during the sun while it sets... And maybe this track happens to be nursing my eardrums. When the two collaborate, it enhances a special moment in time. A feeling that won't quite flutter away. The calmness of this song captivates that one perfect memory in your life that just won't go away. Embrace that. For many of us, we couldn't care less and would happily hit that 'next track' button.