ignoring the grey skies

These leaves can tell you about the crazy paradox of fall better than I can.

Fall in Canada is wonderful and heartbreaking. Our surroundings are more vibrant than ever and yet the chilled air starts to creep up your sleeves.

It's every university student's time of year: midterms. The leaves are bright, the air is infused with the season's last barbeque smells and stuck in the library or staring at computer screens.


"Brutalasaurus wrecksyourface" at the OC cup ball hockey tournement

Halloween is just around the corner...









swans in stratford

It's time to think about fall cleaning, I think. Yeah, everyone tidies up in the springtime, but fall is the perfect time to clean your mind, your heart and your bedroom. Where does this mess come from?

oh man...

Owen sound is a lot of things, but it's not always the most posh place in Southern Ontario. My brothers are hilarious. Take a look at their photo documentary here.

two shining lights

'twas a full moon night...

I've spoken of The Danforth Music hall before and I still love that place. Catching music there makes me feel like I've slipped back many decades in time to an era more simple, more glamourous, more...

Ah, it's east Toronto in 2005, I know. But you would like it too. I spotted the words "holistic", "organic" and "rejuventated" on lots of coffeeshop cork board posters around the neighbourhood, and I get the feeling that the Danforth has a lot to offer on top of Greek delicacies.



Anyways, I didn't go to analyse the city culture. I went to see one of the most incredible, "organic" and talented vocalists in the world right now. In the WORLD.

I want to be Leslie Feist. Who wouldn't? She can cause an entire auditorium of fans to sit quietly in their seats and lean in to listen to her. The whisperless atmosphere was broken only when Feist insisted that the crowd do back-up vocals for several numbers. She mixed up her setlist, adding rougher edges to her soft songs and sweetening up her louder ones. She even charmingly requested that the lights be dimmed to hide her embarassment while singing "one evening", all about a one-night stand.

I've been waiting to see Feist ever since she re-emerged from that tiny, Parisian apartment where Let it Die was conceived. This show was enthralling and inspiring.



Oh yeah, back to the two light thing: So alongside the full moon, Feist brought out a few sentinels of her own. She crept out and illuminated her first acapella, vocal-loops number with the light of a single lantern. It was just as mystical and mysterious as one could ask. She was later joined by her band who brandished sparklers. I love those things. Much later she was joined by other guests including Jason Collett, Andrew Whiteman of Apostle of Hustle and Kevin "Ryan Gosling" Drew.





A truly fantastic show.



This next pic is just for fun and immaturity. What is he doing?

release valve for the overworked student

As you might have guessed from my last post, I've been feeling a little stressed. A million decisions to make, papers to hand in, future planning to consider and the unrelenting speed at which the days pass by: all of these factors have left me feeling frustrated and/or exhausted. It was time to remember that I am still a university student, and that I go to Western...

The answer should have come to me earlier, but I was so uncharacteristically caught up in stress that I overlooked one of the most wonderful, tested-and-true de-stress methods known to humankind:

Grab your friends and have a good, old-fashioned weekend of full out partying!
This week, I present to you:

Springasaurus Break -A hybrid theme created by Brian and Adam who had each chosen different themes when inviting friends (namely "dinosaurs" and "spring break!").

This party put any other party to shame. In a quiet, residential neighbourhood far outside the student ghetto, the epic festivities began. We all love eachother and decided last night was the perfect night to express our affection. Here's what happened...


my dino crown


and so it began











Now we will all be wearing turtlenecks to class. The forecast says it should be a crisp, autumn week so that shouldn't be a problem. Does anyone even have turtlenecks anymore?

And this was, literally, just a taste. If any wants more of the photos from last night, just ask. I've caught you all on film.

It is easy to get caught up in the rush and the pressure in the higher-learning environment. I am so grateful to my friends for helping me remember how to have a great, great time.

Now, back to work...

It's 3 a.m.

...but that might as well be 3p.m. when you're in university. Somehow, I have trained myself to completely ignore fatigue. It's a great skill we students aquire. I am preoccupied with trying to figure out what I would like (love) to do next year. Nothing feels right yet and I'm very, very frustrated. So far my dream options are:

-Grad school
-Career as a famous jazz singer
-Travel/culture journalism
-Philanthropist
-Culinary school/beauty school
-Ice cream flavour designer

I am not sure about any of this. I'm sleepy. I am also open to suggestions...anyone?