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?