Wednesday 23 November 2011

Downtown was once a very mystical place

When I was little, I used to think  downtown Toronto was a very mystical place.  I lived in Scarborough.  And while that is still considered Toronto, there was never much of a reason to go downtown.

But when I did go, it was always so magical. Especially during the Christmas season. I loved going to the Eaton Centre to look at the huge diamond Christmas tree and I always loved looking at the beautiful Christmas lights.  Once a year, I would go down to watch a Ross Petty production at the Elgin and Winter Theatre.

But the real treat was always the Santa Claus Parade.  There is only one or two other times I remember attending.  Maybe I attended when I was a little baby, but I don't recall any of it.  However, I got to relive that magic this weekend.  Seeing all the floats and Christmas cheer was amazing.  Even if it was cold, it was nice seeing everyone's face light up when Santa's float came sliding by.

I'm not going to lie though.  I thought the wait was quite long, especially since the temperatures were steadily dropping and getting colder.  I really could have used a nice hot drink at the moment.  But overall, I quite enjoyed myself.  It reminded me of old memories and the floats were quite nice!!

Besides, the buy one get one free holiday drinks at Starbucks afterwards was a treat!!  Because I had no one to share with, I ended up stocking up on caffeine.  WHOOPZ.

Even if I'm familiar with downtown Toronto now, it will still somewhat be that magical place I once thought it was.

But perhaps, London, England is that place for me now.

 Toronto Rock, our city's lacrosse team. 

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford throwing candy canes. I didn't get any by the way. 

 Creepy looking monkeys

 Extremely small-waisted Barbies.

 Mrs. Claus!!! Her first time at the parade!!!

 SANTA!!!!!!!!
Can you spot us?? 

Thursday 17 November 2011

Taking part in the 2011 YouTube Survey



Because I haven't video blogged in a while, I have decided to take part in the YouTube 2011 survey my friend Laura  took because I needed more ideas...

Here, I will answer some questions that will hopefully let you know more about me!! (Only if you want...)

Hopefully I don't bore you too much with my answers!!!

Sunday 13 November 2011

Living Vicariously through Tumblr...

A recent quote from hometown boy Drake really resonated with me:

"I'm really scared for my generation, you know. The thing that scares me most is Tumblr. I hate what Tumblr has become. Because it like, it reminds me of those clique-y girls in high school that used to make fun of everyone and define what was cool, but in five years, when you all graduate, that shit doesn't matter. No one gives a fuck about that shit. Instead of kids going out and making their own moments, they're just taking these images and living vicariously through other people's moments. It just kills me. Then you'll meet them and they're just the biggest turkey in the world. They don't actually embody any of those things. They just emulate. It's scary man, simulation life that we're living. It scares me."


As a Tumblr user, I started to think about why I actually had an account.  Sure the things posted there are hilarious as hell.  But when I see some  memes of why people are "single", "forever alone", and how "no one will ever appreciate my quirkiness or find it endearing!!", I start feeling miserable because I begin to think it's true. 


Now I don't want to sound like this is a pity post.  Because after reading Drake's quote up there, I started to wonder:  "Why?!"  Why do I spend my time on Tumblr looking at funny pictures and feeling sorry for myself?  Why do I have to watch such cute things on the internet and wish my life was different when it could very well be?!


Why do I have to live through other people's moments and pity myself when I could just go out and DO MORE to make myself proud.  Do more to go and get what I want instead of following it on the internet? 


I want to be more than just a copy cat. More than just an emulator on the internet.  More than just a sad sack wishing reality was better.  


I know I'm more than just a nobody on the internet.  And for that, I am going to go out and get what I want instead of wishing my life was better.  


(I know this post sounds lame, but Drake, thank you for saying something I actually agree with.) 

Tuesday 8 November 2011

REVAMP

By the end of this horrendous week of video editing and essay writing, I will be attempting to revamp this blog.

It will be edgier, a bit more colourful...and contain more pictures!!

Be excited.

Because I demand you to.

Honestly, just see how excited I am!!!

Sunday 6 November 2011

Being Jealous Gets You Nowhere. Nor Does Being Pretentious

I'm sorry if I don't make any sense here on this blog post.  But if you enjoy my rants, here goes:  

A couple of nights ago, I went out with some friends and started talking about a few people that grind my gears for the way the act or behave towards others.

Gossip is never a good thing, but at that point in time, I felt like I needed to address it.

And now I regret it.

No one's ever perfect, but the truth came out and will come out again (without specific names).

I cannot stand some of the pretentious d-bags in my program who constantly ask you whether or not you got published in the school paper or WILL get published in the near future.  It's great that you get published, but no need to rub it in my face that you're more successful than me.  

I will admit that I get a tiny bit jealous.  But getting jealous will not get me anywhere. Nor does complaining to your friends.  But that night, I felt like I needed to address it because I cannot stand people who shove their articles in my face.  

I'll admit that I have enthusiastically shown my articles to people only because it was something I was proud of.  But never do I do it for every single article I get a byline on.  There's nothing wrong with having pride in your work, I will say that.  But when you decide to act like you're better than everyone else and decide to communicate with a certain number of people, then there's a problem.  

Being jealous and a pretentious keener can get you places but can also become a hindrance. Being jealous can give you more drive to get published and accomplish other things.  Being a pretentious keener can allow you to stand by your work and get to your goal.  

But being jealous and not doing anything about it will get you nowhere.  And by being a pretentious keener and acting like you're better than everyone else will leave you with little or no friends at all. 

So why people? Why can't we all just be nice and be friends?  Do I really have to tell people they're being annoying and irritating? 

Okay, I for one, will admit that I am annoying.  There's no secret about that.

But I really don't mean to say bad things about people...most of the time.  
But perhaps, that's something I just need to work on.  Some things are just better left unsaid.      

Thursday 3 November 2011

November = Time to be busy month

November will be the month where I will get even fewer hours of sleep than I already get.  That's because I have an essay, midterm, critical analysis and feature due!!! To add to that, I also have broadcast assignments!! Whoopee!!

But nonetheless, I am thoroughly enjoying school particularly because I finally feel as if I'm getting used to the whole university groove without having to make first year mistakes.  But perhaps I'm talking too soon.  I don't really want to jinx anything.  But definitely, I feel like I'm actually accomplishing things that will help me get to my long-term goal:  becoming a journalist.

Wow, that sounds really corny.  Anyway...let me tell you about my Halloween.

I originally wanted to go as a Sim character from the game The Sims.  It's a cheap and low-budget costume but it did work quite well.



However, no one knew what I was...so I decided to make more of an effort and go the typical route of being a pirate.  But changing costume ideas meant I had to spend more money on my costume.  Not wanting to spend more than five dollars, I headed to the dollar store to buy a head piece and make-up.  That cost a total of $2.26.  What a big spender I am.  As for the rest of the costume, I just wore clothes I had in my closet.

The end result:

Photo creds:  Amber Hickson

And then it was party time!! Headed over to my friend's apartment and ate pasta and drank some wine.  So very classy... And if you're all wondering why I decided to pose with a wine bottle, it was because I didn't have a proper pirate prop (alliteration hehe).  Therefore, I pretended to be an alcoholic pirate. Is this even appropriate to post on this blog?  I really don't know.  Don't worry I was not crazy at all.

Just normal. :)


My First News Stand-up



Check it out peeps.

This is my first news piece with a voiceover and stand-up.

I'm particularly proud of this piece after the fiasco I went through with my last one.  This time around, my group got along just fine.

This particular story is about the radio referendum taking place at my university.  With the shut down of CKLN last year due to lack of diversity and student-operated shows, production ceased in April. But with heavy campaigning, students in related programs such as Radio and Television Arts and Journalism have been campaigning to bring in a new station.

So...that's really the gist of it!! Watch it!!

I also showed it to my parents today and instead of praising me (I'm so vain...), they offered me critiques such as: "You talk a bit too fast", "You only interviewed guys."

Well, they were the only ones that offered articulate enough answers that were relevant!!!

Anyways, my reporting teacher and class seemed really content with the piece, so I'm hoping I did a good job this time around!!