NOW Magazine // News // Cultural faceoff

NOW Magazine // News // Cultural faceoff

Ode to eBay

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!


Happy 10th birthday to the website that has successfully:

•  convinced me to get my first credit
• allowed me to spend many a night worried about my next move in the "bidding wars"
• proven that what you see is NOT always what you get
• caused me to become obsessed with getting my hands on all sorts of goodies not available in Toronto
• diminished my ability to build a good credit
• taught me never to trust Chinese companies selling $45 iPod Touches
• lead me to mutter curses at fellow bidders I've never met before
• demonstrated that a North American size "Small" is not the same as a size "Small" from Hong Kong

So, HOORAY for eBay! May your legacy outlive your products, and may you continue allowing us consumers to "shop victoriously"™ for many more years to come!!

Quote Me

"I'm not a web designer, and am not at all trying to come across as one. In fact, I'm quite the opposite of a computer-sav.
I'm just a struggling writer. That is all I am attempting here..."

"What about Patriotism"

The other day a Facebook friend of mine posted up a video that has quickly become popular on the web. The video was first posted (to my knowledge) by www.worldstarhiphop.com, and was brought to public knowledge by www.wikileaks.org. It was crudely called "Disturbing: Footage of Innocent Civilians, Including Reuters Employees, Being Shot to Death by U.S. Military in Iraq is Released!..."

Now, I wont go into the specifics of the video, instead I will put the link up so you can see how the events unfolded for yourself. But, to put it mildly the clip demonstrated what many have feared for a long time: the U.S military seems to exhibit a collateral-damage ideology, similar to that of any popular videogame. Some of their tactics seem to go directly against the Rules of Engagement stipulated by the Geneva Convention. For example, "Any form of physical violence or degradation (against a civilian) is prohibited. An armed force may not attack civilians, nor use them as a "human shield" to render a location protected from attack" (Convention IV). The occurrences in this particular video instantly present a case against some of the military's procedures. For example, upon shooting at innocent civilians and learning that they have wounded two small children (clearly visible on camera), one officer says "Well it's their fault for bringing children to a battle". At this point I'm still confused about what his idea of a "battle" is:

Is it the part where you shoot at innocent Reuters employees for assuming their cameras are weapons? Or is it the part where you intentionally shoot at the van, packed with other defenceless witnesses, which has come to save the only person that survived the unprecedented attack?

Anyway, upon seeing that this video had been posted, I took the liberty to comment "I'm glad you posted this up so everyone can see that the American military is the largest organized terrorist network."

A few hours later, someone else decided to drop a comment:

"what about our patriotism to our country. right or wrong they are our family members being slaughtered by roadside bombs and suicide bomers... i think its calld WAR. innocent ppl are a casuality just like all the ppl in the first tower or on the planes.... we know that the ppl have declaired jihad.."

I have to admit, I didn't even know HOW to begin to reply to that comment. I instantly felt anger and indignation. That gave way to a sort of despair-pity combo: despair at the fact that these opinions were not exclusive to this one commentator, and pity at the fact that he (and those with the same ideologies) are almost forced into thinking this way. It is extremely difficult, nearly impossible to think outside of this "patriotism" belief when that is what is being thrown your way as the justification for the brutality that continues to transpire.

Now, my actual reply was:

"Your family members who are being slaughtered decided to WILLINGLY WAGE WAR on another nation state, who is retaliating with "roadside bombs". What about the faaar more fatal missles dropped by the US Military? They're designed with the specific intention of causing collateral damage... 

If you know anything about the events surrounding September 11, than you know not a single one of the hijackers was Iraqi. So 7 years later we're still left wondering (although the real reasons are clear enough) about the premise for ATTACKING Iraq. Your argument holds no logic. "People have declared jihad"?
NEWSFLASH: 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi Arabian. If that isn't a demonstration of jihad, than what is? Did the Saudi royal family receive any backlash? Did Bush or his survivor Obama retaliate in that country? Nope! Just sent billions of dollars worth of American business that continues to pour in...
Is that how you preserve the legacy of tIs that how you preserve the legacy of the September 11 victims? Is that patriotism?"

And that is exactly how I feel. I am by NO MEANS condoning any of the events revolving around the September 11, 2001. Nor do I wish (at this time, anyway) to delve into the real  reasons for the Iraq war. Al I am really trying to say is that in order to label any organization, legitimate or not, a "terrorist-inspired" one, we must first examine our own definition of what "terrorism" is. If we as a society are to condemn "Jihad" against a people as unacceptable, then by these same standards we must be heedful of employing the methods we have rejected.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhcx69Zw3sVcFLxM0c

[fash-uhn]

I’m just gonna put it out there. I feel like I’ve began to notice something- fashion is in style. It sounds almost oxymoronic at first, but think about that phrase. I come from an area, and have grown up with girls whose idea of fashion largely revolved around the latest thing Urban Behaviour told them to wear. There was really no such thing as experimenting with fashion, and your highest ambition when it came to your garb was being able to buy all the sneakers your tight budget could afford. The fashion sense of the rich and elite was something you could admire from afar, but not necessarily emulate. People would throw in references to “Ver-sa-cee”, and similar iconic labels because their favourite rapper was throwing it around in a music video…

But, before I knew it there was a sudden emergence of chic, fashionably aware and “in the know” individuals. Think back a few years- I’m sure you can name one of those people. They would jock on dudes for still wearing long tee’s, or act absolutely repulsed when a chick threw on a pair of flared jeans (what, you didn’t hear that skinny jeans are here to stay?).

This movement quickly began to pick up. I noticed some of the ladies in my life taking hues from Lauren Conrad et posse from the Hills. With this growing trend of being fashion-conscience came the label-savvy crowd. They were the ones screaming “death to all who don’t wear Nudies”, and trying to convince their friends that those 6-inch stiletto heels were the only way to go.

I think back to their fashion influences- Rihanna brought the bob-haircut and rocker-chic style to the mainstream, and Jay-Z’s Rayband shades definitely had them selling out quickly. Even Lil Wayne was in on the hipster action, with his fedora hat and skinny jeans.

Now, I’m not trying to knock anyone’s fashion sense. I'm speaking as someone who couldn’t even name the top 5 hottest designers, or bear to spend $500 on a belt. My style reflects my attitude- laid back and easy to stomach, with a "fun" theme popping up now and then. You can bet my closet and dressers are staaacked with apparel, outerwear, shoes, handbags and accessories, but boy is it impossible for me to keep up with the ever-evolving idea of what is "cool" to wear. I can only try to understand that “fashion comes first” mentality.

I do know one thing though. Fashion is not, and can never be an arbitrary thing. There are fads, trends, and what’s “in style”. But everyone who truly understands fashion understands that fashion, at its basic art form and beyond, is simply what you can get away with expressing

TaLENT IS SO ATTRACTIVE pt. II

Not tryna eat my words... I DID say talent was attractive right?
Go get 'em!

quote Me

"If I could, I would tell a younger me that it's okay if nobody understands you..."

This is not a love song

I guess it's only appropriate that I sit here writing this post alone in my room, sweatpants on, staring at the back of my Blackberry's Ed Hardy case: "Love Kills Slowly"...


I'm starting to notice a common motif floating around. I can't quite put my finger on this sudden influx of "love in the air". I donno if it's just spring (love-making season), the post-holiday rebound time, or the bombardment of recent romance-themed movies. Something is definitely up though, and I will sooner or later get to the bottom of it..Speaking as someone who has never been in love, I guess I'm able to gain more of a witness stance. I've watched, listened, and been present time and again for hook ups, break ups, and make ups and have often been (don't ask why) the source of advice for family and friends when it comes to matters of the heart. I think it has something to do with the fact that I can give them a no-nonesense, honest and unbiased opinion about which path to take. I don't know that I necessarily enjoy being the (all too often) bearer of bad news, or being the person who tells them what they subconsciously know but can't bear to hear- but I do it anyway. If these ears could talk, they would have tons of love stories- some ill-fated & some fairytale-esque- to share...


All of this is fine and dandy until I reflect back on my own love stories, or lack thereof. Anybody who knows me knows I don't spend too much of my time pursuing young men, or even falling for the cat-and-mouse game. I'm that chick you DON'T wanna bring to a romantic movie (tearjerkers, meet your match!), nor do I indulge myself in corny little romance novels. I never leave a "paper-trail" of my past, but every so often a guy comes around who woo's me- not that I would let them know. It's like I've increasingly become disillusioned by love, without even allowing myself to dip a toe in the river (so to speak). Which raises my dilemma.


While its true that I have been there to wrap the bandages of broken hearts, listen to gag-worthy anecdotes, and sit back and watch love triangles unfold in front of me, I feel ever more compelled to get in the game myself. Call me crazy, but is it okay to yearn for the feeling of a broken heart? Is it finally time for me to cave in? I say that thinking back to the dudes who have come and gone. The ones who thought they had the tightest game, and the ones who genuinely put all their feelings on the line, took a chance on me, and told me exactly how I made them feel.


I've long excused myself for being cynical about love, drawing attention to the failed fairy tales and time wasted. Maybe I should be looking at it another way. Perhaps, as an intuitive friend helpfully pointed out, I should look at what's to gain from love- or at least from a healthy relationship. I truly believe that ultimately we're all individual souls floating around and hoping to bump into our counterparts. Sometimes we're lucky enough to find them. Other times we settle for a special person who gives us that momentous feeling. Whatever the case is, I think it may be time for me to loose of my inhibitions and allow myself to be open to the possibilities. By no means am I suggesting that I will throw myself at any body- it takes a lot more to "wow" me than a well crafted selection of words. Instead, I will learn to embrace that "butterfly" feeling, rather than reject it with every fibre of my being.


Hey, you do know what they say, right- "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"
If worse comes to worse, there's nothing a few friend-provided "bandages"  can't fix...

Anti-Horoscope

So, I've never really bought into the whole horoscope thing. Something about my future being set among the stars and planets is a little unsettling... But sometimes while I'm doing my morning crosswords, I'll take a peek anyway. They often give me a good piece of advice for my day, directly from the stars or not...

Cloudy skies and & sags under the eyes

This morning I was ruuudely interrupted by the rain pouring in through my bedroom window, which I had SO cleverly left open, despite my habitual check up on the forecast last night. It wasn't the soft, gentle summer rain that you so graciously welcome after a hot weekend. No, this is "I'm gonna ruin your day", hike up those pants'n pull out the rainboots, thunder&lightening type of rain...
My first instinct is to let the raindrops continue permeating through the window screen and drip onto my face, rolling over every so often to let my pillows do the soaking.
Then I remember I have crap to do.
There's that research essay that's due tomorrow, which I have yet to select a topic for.
There's that test I should study for on Friday, which I haven't even read the multiple books for.
Gotta meet up with my writing centre for that 2:30 appointment I made a few weeks backs (why'd I do that?)
Though admittedly not high on the priority list, I promised a friend I would meet up with him downtown.
I should also stop neglecting my laundry, which has threatened to spill out of my closet's hamper and slowly take over my bedroom floor.
Then, of course there's that 7:00 Raptors/Celtics game I'm supposed to be attending with a couple of friends
(although after watching the news this morning and hearing about Chris Bosh's injury and subsequent sit-out from the game, I'm not sure if I should just take this one off the list all together)
Then, maaaybe I can work on a couple of posts...


Oh, how I love rainy Wednesday mornings! *eye rolling*

Quote Me

"Be on good terms with everybody, as far as possible without compromising yourself"

Nightmares of an Insomniac

So lately I've been having a ROUGH time trying to fall asleep at night. Sure, it could be my bumpy mattress that's been long over-due for an exchange. Could be the abnormal sleeping patterns that come with the job (of being a university student, that is). Ooor, as my Mama is quick to point out, all that candy and sugar I consume throughout the day have gotta be bad news. But maybe, just maybe, its something else...
I find that lately I've been utterly consumed by some recurring thoughts. Call them an insomniac's nightmare. They pop in throughout the day, but are quickly replaced (thanks to my unusually short attention span) by whatever's occupying my absorption at the time. It is only when I'm laying in my uncomfortable bed, in the pitch black emptiness all around me that they are given free reign, and thus are able to immerse me wholly, beckoning me into their dark world. I guess it should be quite obvious by now that these aren't the cutesy, "lemme mentally pick out tomorrow's outfit" thoughts, nor are they simple reflections on my day.
No, these are the ugly thoughts, full of doubt and despair. Their creator continues to agonize me, reminding me that there is plenty more where ever they came from. They're like an all-consuming smoke that drifts into my nose, up into my brain, and is able to pluck all the apprehension and distrust in myself and multiply it, while simultaneously spreading it like a plague. 
Sometimes they're ambiguous thoughts, filled with "what-ifs", and "maybe I wont do ---  after all", but no matter- they all lead back to that same ugly, repulsive creator. Sometimes they're more assertive, scolding me for things I have aspired to do, or dreams I have somehow created for myself. They prick and prod, and every so often I'm slapped by their distant cousin, reality. She's the real bitch, using the waking world to her advantage- images and words from real people in my life to ridicule me and "remind" me that beyond this, there lies nothing else.
Do they sell some sort of bottled cure for this kind of insomnia? Can they prescribe a medication for self-doubt?

TALENT IS SO ATTRACTIVE

Speaking as an ex-violin player, I can truly say I appreciate how well done this "remix" is. I think the "Over" beat is one of the hottest ones to come out recently, and there's something magical about taking something that is already well done and turning it into your own..
I'm all for genre-mixing in music!

I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine...

So ever since I heard this song, it quickly became #1 on my everyday playlist. I mean, Bruno Mars's voice is just so magical on it...it sounds uber soulful and melodic with the fun acoustic beat. Plus, Travis has been one of my biggest celeb crushes since Gym Class Heroes.
Beyond that, though, lays the overall message of the song. It's so easy nowadays for any of the mainstream artists to sing/rap/flaunt the millions of dollars they make from people like us buying their albums, ringtones, concert tickets, and latest product that they promote. But rarely do we hear them share their ambitions, the things that bring them back down to our level and help us realize that deep down we're all the same-we aspire for something bigger.
This song is my morning wake-up song. It just gives me a positive start and puts me in the mood to go out there and carpe diem. By the time I'm sinking into bed at night, I will have played it several times on the car stereo, iPod, and Macbook. Oh yea, not to mention it's my current ringtone. When I hear Bruno and Travie talk about what they want to do and what they hope to create and become, it makes me think of my own goals and dreams.
I'm certain that become a billionaire is one of the top "goals" on everyone's list, but beyond having all that money there are all the things you could do-the utter and complete freedom to "pull an Angelina and Brad Pitt, and adopt a bunch of babies that aint never had shit", "shake hands with Oprah and the Queen", "play basketball with the President", even "toss a couple mill in the air just for the hell of it"...


As for me? What would I do if when I become a billionaire? I guess those ambitions are locked up somewhere in my deep, innermost thoughts, patiently waiting to formulate in front of me. They have yet to become seen, but I swear, the world better prepare for when I'm a billionaire...

"God is Dead!"

After running on E (I'm operating on 4 hours of sleep, a night of partying and a long day at work) all day, the only thing I want to do is have my bath and hide under the covers, skipping my nightly reading and phone call returns and instead drifting away to the dream world... But, it's nearly 12 a.m and "something" (or someone?) has compelled me to put up this post before the clock strikes 12 and Easter Sunday is no more.
So where to begin? Or where to end...? I guess the first thing that strikes me is how vividly I can remember details of my childhood Easters. Waking up early to red-dyed eggs. Distractedly sitting through the 3 hour mass. Eating a huge meal, complete with roast lamb and sweet buns. Running around with kids and looking for plastic eggs around the church basement. The overall bombardment with furry bunnies, chocolate eggs and images of Christ. The same scene would replay year after year. 
Until the Easter Sundays became few and far between, in perfect accordance with my feelings of lost touch with religion, whatever that now is. It was like suddenly all the childhood illusions and smoky mirrors began to be revealed for what they were, and along with that came the infinitely tormenting questions that I perceive the average "doubter" is forced to confront. 
I felt betrayed. I felt hoodwinked. I felt as if everything I had come to "know" was being shown in a new light, and that light was about as flattering as the shaved-head look was for Britney... I felt forced to take up arms against this new enemy, religion, and thus began my personal vendetta...
It is only nowadays, as I find myself deep in thought on long, sleepless nights, or on those lonely rainy afternoons, or in situations of overwhelming despair do I look for that old, smug feeling. That "I don't care what happens because the The Big Guy will always be on my side" attitude. The overall sense of belonging to the bigger picture. It is in these events that I almost seem to lose hope in the battle, become disillusioned by the very idea that a battle necessarily exist. I guess in the end all I'm looking for is inner serenity...
This topic is by no means exhausted. And just as I find myself facing it regularly, so too do I think it is necessary to visit with it now and again. 
I'd like to think Nietzsche was right in his observation. But I guess it is my most deepest of self doubts that seem to work against his claims...


Oi! Look at that- I have 3 minutes to spare..

Quote Me

"Its pathetic what some skin exposure could do for a woman's self confidence..."

(insert sunglass smiley here)

Another B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day in Toronto! It's 19 right now, goin' up to 25. If you're like me and have been absolutely dying to see the warm weather return, then this is YOUR weekend.


Me? I'm gonna say Eff the cold I have, pack up a fun picnic and head out to the bluffs!
Summer, I'm waiting for you!

"I'm a work of art, I'm a Warhol already"

"Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. After a successful career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol became famous worldwide for his work as a painter,avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure known for his membership in wildly diverse social circles that included bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons."


If you don't know, you've actually been living deep under a rock buried in the sand of an abandoned island off the coast of Tahiti..
...and now you know.

'Till My Lungs Collapse

As I sit here hacking up my lungs and going through another box of tissues, I consider taking my sister's advice...
Maybe I really should roll up an L and let the herbal therapy work it's magic on me. I can almost begin to feel that elevating, consuming feeling- as if I'm slowly being lifted into the clouds. The realms of reality as we know it, and reality as it may exist in another universe will slowly begin to morph, drawing me into their binary...
And so my journey into the alluring world of Mary Jane begins. Pot. Cannibas. Weed. Mary J. Whacky Tobaccy. Piff. Dank. Call her what you'd like, but she is one matter that has my friends and I consumed. I guess my love-hate relationship began years back, in high school. Back then it was a rare experience, a chance to rebel and resist against conformity. It was almost like the more society, the law, authority figures and adults preached to us about the "evils" of smoking pot, the more I was drawn to it. I guess it also helped that some of my closest friends were doing it. But back then I was still living in the realm of the unknown. I would take heed to all the cautioning about how bad weed was, how it would ruin my life and turn me into some sort of societal degenerate. I think it was all those Public Service Announcements... *Drugs, drugs, drugs*..


Now fast forward to the present. I'll admit, while I still continued to smoke pot and it increasingly became a regular routine, the back of my head always told me to watch out. And that little feeling of shame that was instilled in me very early on continued. Now? Now its a different story. Maybe its all the happy memories I equate with being "ripped". Maybe it's the fact that at least 75% of the people I hang out with smoke pot. Or maybe it's the fact that I've taken an objective stance: how evil is it to seek out a natural plant's bud, crush and roll up, and smoke it with my dearest friends as I retain it's spiritual benefits? I mean, how many people have you heard about that cause legal trouble or mischief while being high? Naaah, man- we just wanna chill out, think in different ways, and laugh at stupid squirrels running around the car.


By no means am I suggesting that everyone should head out to their local dealer and roll up a doobie. On the contrary, I realize that smoking isn't for everybody. Just like getting drunk (a habit which statistically leads to more property damage, deaths and overall social degradation than weed ever has). I'm just saying that for those of us who want to roll an L in Queens Park before lecture, or have a Friday-night session before a movie marathon, or hot-box the car before goin' out for dinner, JUST LET US BE. 


Weed is as much a part of my personal life as surfing the internet, watching movies or doing "chores" is. I guess that's why I'm gonna keep smokin', 'till my lungs collapse...

Kickin' back and smokin' up in Cairo

Nothing says Session Time like a bag of your favourite munchies!!

A little love for the city that gives no love

Just cruising around downtown Toronto, and I snapped a few shots of the city on my BB. They say "aint no love, in the heart of the city". But we love it anyway.

Once, the tallest free-standing structure in the world- The CN Tower!

The best modes of transportation to take on a sunny day in the Dot: a streetcar, or your legs

Home to hundreds of shoe collections dating back over 4000 years.

visit: http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/

Along College St, the source of relief for generations of U of T students.

Multiculturalism at it's best:

you can choose btwn. a Thai, Spainsh, Italian or Persian meal all next door to one another!

Yes, we are a bike/pedestrian-friendly city!

Robart's Library, a critically acclaimed 16-storey piece of architecture said to 

resemble a peacock when view from it's southest side.

Well, here comes my ride! Toodles!