'till drama do us part

14 February, 2026

Victoria, BC

The year has just begun and the jet-lag remains in full effect.

Let's check in for a minute. Obviously, people should not be targeted down in the middle of the streets by government representatives. Folk should not be imprisoned based on the colour of their skin or political beliefs. Yet, it constantly feels repetitive and hopeless to hear of any positive progress accumulating these days. Being proactive seems like the only thing we can really do in times like such. Even though it doesn't feel like it, good things are still happening.

Discussion helps, but no matter how big or small we may feel our actions are impacting those around us, it's vital that we each do our part to protect our communities, and also remain reasonable in our voices. That's where the struggle exists. The dramatic fleet we humans place on one another from miscommunication, misunderstanding and sheer trauma is undoubtedly demoralizing to our fabric. Again, my opinion means nothing, it's just what I am experiencing throughout my travels over the last several years.

Staying online will inevitably do more harm than none. Like me, it's enticing and part of our culture to log-on every now & then, but remember, you always have a choice in the matter.

Think of being free.

On the other hand, there is much that still lives & blooms in Baja. The powerful sea that needs protecting from fossil gas companies, who wish to rob our bio-cultural wealth. I am in no-shape-or-form a man of a resort, but I could not recommend that property to lovers entwined, far and wide. Luxurious resorts are a thing of beauty, but please don't charge your residents 50 USD for a drop-in yoga class. Flow-tip!

And here, far up the coast, Victoria celebrates its victories. Last year, PVC pollution from nearby construction sites was identified across local beaches and storm drains. The City was approached with numerous hearings and backing data, and has now strengthened its construction standards to require more enforced containment of these shavings and debris. Preventing this constant pollution is an improvement that may seem small to some, but significant to the oceans and coasts. Let's pray the remaining municipalities of Canada follow suit.

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Secret Mall Apartment (2024)

The amount of effort and determination that can go into a project when a group really embodies the overall goal is astonishing. I have spent a great deal of time in Providence recently and when I had heard about this story, it was an added bonus to be accompanied by a visual representation. The documentary covers far and wide - utilizing underused space, breathtaking tape art, the notion of white privilege, shy of two quarters in a bank account and of course, trespassing. With a starring cameo of Lightning Bolt's loudest & finest, Secret Mall Apartment fulfills the concept we all had as children - fort building where we ruled our own little environment.

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Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness (1928)

Join a prolific part of Lesbian history, as we follow Stephen's journey from her girlhood to womanhood. Raised in an aristocratic, Worcestershire family, who pre-determined her 'boy name' prior to birth. The book's original publication provoked an obscenity trial, which is pretty damn rad. Twas a very long read to get through, with final climatic pages making the experience well worth it. After all this time, I think it remains a masterpiece of gay polemic with its central themes of social martyrdom. 'The loneliest place in this world is the no-man's land of sex.'

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Matt Maeson - Everlasting

People who make music like this have ultimately lived the most. It's rare for MM to avoid belting in his music, yet there is an emotional setting which elevates your sense of hope nonetheless. Utterly lyrical beauty in a string-filled environment, to comfort you on those lonely night drives in your car while the snow falls gently. Unlike the majority of mainstream media these days, it's bound to make you sad happy.

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So what do you say? - Joshua De Schutter

The young, aspiring poet who swept through viral markets with his insightful feelings and thoughts proves that shyness prevails. Throughout history, there have been an abundance of romance films that cling onto the mainstream realm, and elevate each of our emotions sky high. We tend to reflect on memories both good and bad when we are fully sunken in a movie. Joshua haves us all do what we neglect to do on so many occasions - fall in love. Lots of snaps for this.