Sunday 31 October 2010

IF I HAD A COSTUME I WOULD BE....

 "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total sl-- and no other girls can say anything about it."
 -Mean Girls

Clearly I don't enjoy dressing that way, and clearly I wasn't invited to a Halloween party so that must mean that I'm a BIG FAT LONER.

But if I did have a Halloween party to go to, I don't think I would dress up in a revealing clothing either. Instead, I think I would dress up in something tacky, weird, or interesting...maybe that's why I don't have a boyfriend!! I'M TOO WEIRD!!!

JUST KIDDING., I'd rather be myself more than ever right?

BUT... if I DID have a Halloween party to go to..I would most likely dress up as Lady Gaga...since she is both weird, and tacky at the same time. Don't get me wrong though. I'm a big fan of GAGA.

RUN FAST, she's bleeding!!!!!! No wait, that's lace....
Okay so Lady Gaga isn't the most original idea, but since she has so many theatrical outfits that would be hard to dress up in the same thing at a party...right?  But I just have one question...isn't that lace itchy on her skin?
 Now how about the bird's nest hair? Sometimes with Gaga, the outfit can be normal, but it's all in the hair!! NOW, if I wanted any attention, all I would need would be some bird's nest hair....

but if I want a quick and easy solution......

What could be easier than sewing all of my stuffed animals onto a dress? BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE SEWING MY EEYORE!!!!!

So maybe I should opt for a......
SLUTTY EXCEPTION:  Because it's lady Gaga, I would give this revealing costume chance. But I can't help but think that people would be poking me all day because of these bubbles...And how about walking through doors? I had a similar experience when I was grapes for Halloween two years ago. it was one of the cheapest, last minute, and successful costumes I ever made. (THE REST WERE VERY FAIL LIKE THE TIME I WANTED TO BE HARRY POTTER....SO FAIL)
You can imagine how tough that was to get around school.  If you want to know how I did this, all I did was blow up the balloons and safety pinned the ends onto a purple cardigan so I could unbutton it anytime I wanted.

NOW FOR SIMPLE HAIR IDEAS.....
THE BOW TIE HAIR!!!

AND NOW FOR MY ATTEMPT AT IT...
AND NOW FOR SOME SHAMELESS CAMERA WHORING...
YEAH...I get that I look really stupid . But I think she would appreciate my effort!!! I AM ONE OF HER LITTLE MONSTERS!!!!

By the way, this took me a while to master. My hair is too short. 

Thursday 28 October 2010

J-skool adventures

I feel like I haven't posted in ages. Though if you click here, it is my interview with Rocco Rossi in which I have posted last night.

On Monday, I exercised my right as a Canadian citizen and voted for the first time.  I'm glad to say that I knew who I wanted to vote for, but unfortunately I am upset with the results.

I did not vote for Ford, and I will tell you why in a later vblog.

Tuesday classes have become my favourite. I know, everyone should dread going to an eight-hour class, but I find it quite fun. I have met several interesting people downtown, and I really enjoy networking.

I woke up super early yesterday to go downtown to interview people around the city on what they felt about the election. I probably arrived TOO early, but I headed down to City Hall anyways. I kind of regret going up to the first person, because he kind of scared me.

He called himself 'THE CAT' and he told me some pretty frightening things. I don't know if I should be revealing them here, so I won't. All I can say is that he kept me there for 10 minutes accusing City Hall of things that I don't even know if they are accurate or not. I was so glad that my friend Arti came along afterwards, to save me from talking with him. (When you're doing Streeters you have to be really careful!!)

I'm so glad I had someone to venture around downtown with. Arti and I ended up walking a huge square around the downtown core. We headed to Queen St. W., but there weren't a lot of people so we went to the Ontario College of Art and Design.  I didn't think students would really have a lot to say about the election, but it turns out they really did.

They were not pleased with Rob Ford being Toronto's new mayor, especially because he did not support funding for the arts. I really enjoyed their opinions and it was very nice to add their input.

Realizing that I finally had a focus to this story, my friend and I ventured to art scenes all around downtown. AND I HAD AN EPIPHANY. I LOVE ART AND I LOVE ARTISTS. They are some of the nicest people in Toronto.

I even went into Vtape, where our film class went last year.  I need to go to these indie film places more often, let alone the NFB... I think I should make that a priority no?

Another cool place I walked into was Next Models agency, where I met Glen, who is a booker. It was super awesome to walk into the studio as he has met such big names like Coco Rocha and Stacey McKenzie which is really exciting. MAN, I LOVE FASHION.

But of course, the highlight my day was when my friend and I met Matte Babel!!! Not only is he incredibly gorgeous, but he is also really chill and cool. I was taken aback for a little bit when Matte told us to get out of J-skool because we won't make much of a difference locally, which nearly crushed us of our dreams.

He told us that if we really wanted to make a difference, we needed to go big, and apply for overseas places as well as top news networks such as CNN.  That, I will try and do.

Alas, the wondering meet-and-greet had to end, and we had to go back to school to write an article.  Too bad I couldn't write about how awesome it was, but here's to hoping for a good mark to that article. (AND I REALLY HOPE I DID OKAY *crosses fingers*)


Matte Babel and I!!! <3 <3 <3

Friday 22 October 2010

Technology vs. No Technology



When I was told to give up technology for 24 hours for a school project, I was instantly a bit concerned.  It's not because I need to constantly check my Facebook and Twitter, it was because the day I chose to go without technology was at a very crucial time.  I had piles and piles of homework.  My WARD assignment (I had to interview people running for councillor in my WARD), an English essay, novel reading, (stupid french) and a lot more. The list goes on and on. Anyways, I made a video reenacting my day. And just do you know, landline phones and the radio were allowed!!

Also, this video wasn't mandatory. I decided to be really extra with this project in attempt to get better marks! I am so tired of getting these Bs and Cs...though I really shouldn't be complaining...

On another note, I wrote two articles for Ryerson's The Eyeopener. Please check them out if you want!

This ain't high school kids
Ryerson Aims to Battle Asbestos

Rocco Rossi is what Toronto Needs, despite non-political Background

Whether he has a political background or not, canvassers backing Rocco Rossi’s campaign think that he is what the city needs.                                                                            

Into the final weeks of the mayoral race, Rossi and his campaign team headed into a Rosedale neighbourhood in Ward 27 to talk with residents about their concerns for the city, or just to greet them hello.                

Rossi’s executive assistant, Radey Barrack, has been with the candidate since the beginning of the campaign.   As someone who has been in politics for most of his life, Barrack thinks that a candidate who hasn’t had a political background to be the mayor of Toronto is what the city needs.                 

“I’ve been in politics my whole life and I’ve seen every other candidate who has had political experience.  Too many mistakes have been made by career politicians.  We need a real change, not just another politician.” he says.
Rossi’s approach to his campaign can be traced back to the values he has learned from his parents.  “My parents taught me that above everything else, you’ve got to tell people the truth. And yes, it’s about family, the values I’ve learned from them, the hard work and living in your means and telling people the truth.  I’m happy to win or lose based on staying true to those values.”                                                                            
Canvassers of the campaign team have also enjoyed being part of Rossi’s road to being mayor because of what they call his genuine and wonderful personality.                                                         

Steven Swanson, who coordinates the canvassing and scheduling of the campaign, thinks Rossi is the best choice.  “Political, non-political, I don’t think it makes a difference other than the gentleman is a leader, a business man, and can lead a team.  And that’s what Toronto needs, a leader that can make Toronto important, the best that it can.”                                                     

Swanson believes that Rossi is a good leader because he listens. “He hears what everyone has to say. He doesn’t shut down ideas.  He’s open to ideas.  He thinks outside of the box and he encourages that from the people he works with or has worked with and not just to stick to the status quo.  He thinks of ways to make things better.”                                                                        

During the campaign trail, Rossi stops to speak with a local film crew taping for a show called Falling Skies.    
For many members of the crew, they plan to vote strategically in order  to get the right person to City Hall.                                                                                                                                                             

Mario Silva, who is a lighting technician, says he doesn’t follow the election, but would consider Rossi after having just talked to the mayoral candidate.                                                                                         

“He would seem like the person I would most likely to vote for,” he said.                             

Whether Rossi wins or loses is not a concern for the mayoral candidate.  For him, it is about making the right decision.                                                                                                                         

In obvious allusion to dwelling frontrunners Rob Ford and George Smitherman, he says, “If you’re elected just because you’re not someone else, what kind of mandate does that give you?  What kind of mandate does that give you to make decisions that will affect the lives of people who are going forward?”                                                                                                   

Having grown up in Toronto, the city is a family to Rossi.                                                    

“When people are suffering, when people are being left behind, we have a duty within our family to make sure everyone’s taken care of and everyone has that opportunity.  The city can’t be great, unless it’s great for everyone.  That’s the same values my parents and family have taught me.”  

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2010 Video

This is two weeks late, but I have put together a video of my experience at Nuit Blanche this year.  The video quality isn't very good because of the dark, but I am glad I got an interview with three very interesting artists.  One of which is John Notten, who is a teacher at my former high school.  Not to sound biased but his piece "Church Intent" was my favourite.  It's too bad it was really dark and I couldn't get very good shots of his piece. 

Enjoy the video!

Thursday 7 October 2010

Wellesley Street East Residents Left Frustrated After Fire


James Legge is confused and angry.  After a fire took place Friday at his Wellesley Street East highrise, he is unable to return to see his cats, let alone get inside his apartment. 
                                      
The 51-year-old had just returned from visiting his daughter when he discovered that he was not allowed into his apartment, forcing him to leave his two cats, his medication, his I.D., and several belongings behind.            

 
“I have over $3,000 worth of valuables in there, my collection of over 2,000 dinky cars and I have antique coins inside,” he said. 

The fire began around 5 p.m. on the 24th floor on the northwest side of the 200 Wellesley St. E. building and has affected 1,700 tenants.  At the time, 1,200 people were inside.                 

The exact cause is still being investigated, but  residents blame a hoarder.                                      

Legge, who also has a metal disc in his leg, had to go to the Wellesley Community Centre to get new medication and clothes.                                                                                                    

He has no insurance and he is concerned about the cost of replacing his belongings.  Now, he will stay with his daughter and three grandchildren at her home in the Danforth area.                        

“This is ridiculous.  Make sure your balconies are cleared,” Legge said.                              

Aissa Belloucif, 58, criticized the City of Toronto’s response to the emergency.  “Horrible.  If the majority of people that live here were white, there would be helicopters here.  But because of the people who live here, black, Asian, Indian, African, that’s why they don’t care.”                       

He says he hasn’t been able to get help for his medical needs.  “Nothing!  I have a head injury. I have been suffering.  I came from my doctor’s especially today and I’m going back to the hospital right now.  Nobody’s taking care of me.  Not at all. I have been living outside in the streets.  I have everything, but everything is in there (his apartment).”               

Several tenants such are also worried about pets that are being left inside the apartment building. 

Mary Kent, who lives four floors below the fire, left behind her two cats.  “They’re feeding them, I hope.  I got updates yesterday and they fed them at 1 o’clock.  So they are checking on them.” she said.                                                                                                                                
Kent, 70,  wants to know more about what officials are doing to deal with the situation.  “I know that there’s so much security and all that around, but everything is so frustrating.  You don’t know when you can go up and get something like clothes, which frustrates me the most,” she said.                                                                                                                              
Residents are getting some compensation, they won’t be charged rent for the month of October. However, Kent says that  people need their money now to buy necessities such as clothes.                                                                                                                                                 
Kent is luckier than most as she is staying with a friend who lives on the subway line.  “I’m just going by what the media says.  You just have to hope for the best.”                       

         
               

Monday 4 October 2010

High School Nostalgia

Class ended at 1 pm today so I decided to go home.  It turns out that I arrived quite early, so I decided to visit my high school on a whim. 

It's not until I walk through the doors of my high school that I realize how much I actually miss it. Crosscountry, Track, Yearbook, Newspaper, Film Class, J-Squad, seminars, Day 0's, WAC, hell..even units!!! I miss it all!

I know, I know. I was behaving like a moody, little bitch before graduation. How could I have not? I have been wronged by so many people towards the end that I just didn't know where I could turn. I vowed to never go back, forget about high school, and CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. 

Not to mention that deadlines and an endless amount of homework was piling up on me like no tomorrow at the time.

But now that it's all over, dare I say it...I miss Mary Ward. Going back today made me realize that I did have some sort of impact on the people. I was actually surprised how many were happy to see me, wanted to give me hugs, and willing to stop for a couple of minutes to ask me how I was doing. The sad thing was, the people I came to visit weren't even at school! Disappointing.

The one person who did make my day was when my grade 10 crush gave me a hug and said how much he missed me. OH MAN, he's so cute. I'm not going to lie. I will always have a little crush on him despite all the times he used to tease me about stupid things and I would get angry and pissed off about it.

Then there were others, who told me to visit more often.  Surprised they would say that, even though we never hung out that much outside of Crosscountry and Track.

So I guess moral of the story here is, never forget high school! It's a blur, and it can be a nightmare sometimes, but don't take it for granted. This sounds corny, but high school is where I learned many life lessons, more of which I hope to learn in university.

Now, all there is to do is to learn how to leave my mark in university. But first, I have to study for my midterms.           

Now here is a regurgitation of photos from grades 9-12.





















 You can really tell how lame and awkward I was back then haha!

Friday 1 October 2010

Happy October!

Hi friends and happy October! I have created yet another video blog for all of you bored, "have-nothing-better-to-do", procrastinating, "I should be doing homework" people.

I too, should have been getting some work done.  Instead, I have chosen to hold a conversation with my camera and spend a good 30 minutes editing this video...which no one will watch because I am not INTERWEBZ famous.

Please forgive me as I have made this video on a whim and said all these things from the top of my head as I was filming! YAY for improvising!

This video is about "Smoking on Campus" and my opinion towards it.  I realize I sound really unintelligent in this clip, but to get my point across...I APPRECIATE MY OXYGEN THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  Cigarette smoke may be the preferable choice for some, but please do a favour to non-smokers and smoke somewhere with fewer people.