beauty in the streets

Pulling myself away from reading the 6th Harry Potter book to refresh myself before the 7th comes out (I was a little hazy when I first read it, seeing as I had malaria at the time), and in between my bursts of research, I have still been managing to keep up with my photography. Between paid and amateur gigs, I am keeping busy thanks to friends and word of mouth. This latest shoot was done in the Old Port, just streets away from the cramped and touristy streets of old Montreal.


My subject this time was an extremely good sport, especially since I had her hanging off fire escapes and climbing fences, and in high quality clothing nonetheless!



I have several new photo projects on the go, and, if I am successful in talking my ballerina cousin into strapping on the old toe shoes for a shoot this weekend, I could have new stuff up very soon. Until then, I will be trying to research during the days, and guiltily sampling Montreal cuisine during the evenings, while trying to shake off the looming image of newly buff Hilary Duff on the cover of SHAPE magazine that shakes its finger at my poor late-night food habits.

More photos here.

my texistence (and its bane)

On more than one occasion over the last year, I have proclaimed texting, or more specifically, those who text incessantly, to be the bane of my existence. Text-a-holics are more than a slight annoyance, more than simply rude--they actually make my life worse. They suck joy out of my life, and are therefore a bane (or killer) of my happiness.

I love the ease, cheapness, efficiency and surreptitiousness of texting over phone calls. I can understand why people text. I text. But when I choose to do so, I ensure that it is not going to disturb my conversation with someone, or offend or endanger any other person. It is very simple to wait until a conversation, or other engaging task is over to decide to send or reply to a text message. People who choose not to wait, or are simply overwhelmed by the urge to reply to a friend's "wut u up to 2nite?" inquiry, to finish a conversation or other task are rude, stupid people.

I really cannot believe that people cut their companions off in mid conversation to tediously press a bunch of digits, only to reply, "not 2 much, just talking to some friends."

Imagine my disgust then, for moms who push baby strollers through crowded streets while texting, owners who don't notice that their chiuahua is relieving itself while they are busy texting (and consequently walk away leaving a steaming pile of rat-dog poo in their wake), or--the gravest offenders--those who text and drive.

Last week, 5 teenage girls were killed in a head-on collision that occurred in between text messages sent and received on the driver's phone. It is believed that the driver was sending messages to friends in the area, asking what they were up to that weekend. This has been well discussed in the news, but I still cannot believe how stupidly tragic this incident is. WHY would anyone possibly endanger the lives of her friends in order to send a text message?

It is a terrible tragedy, and I feel horrible speaking badly of the dead, but when I see friends, my younger relatives and strangers texting constantly, oblivious to their rudeness as well as to their immediate surroundings, I get very angry and very worried. Just WAIT! Wait 5 minutes until your conversation is over, or you can stop walking or, for god's sake driving. Life will wait for you.

This summer has just been flying by so far. I would have to attribute my inconsistent blogging to the inconsistencies in my own lifestyle right now. I have been back and forth between home, school, cottage weekends and family reunions. I have no regular sleep pattern, work "routine" or any kind of regimen right now, but I don't mind. This is my life as a grad student, and I am finally embracing it. The Montreal jazz festival has just come to a close, construction is choking up the streets, restaurants and bars are all open-air, and there's that mysterious summer smell in the air.

I am making plans as I go, and trying to make the best of this summer in many cities. I have a lot of catching up to do on this old blog, so stay tuned over the next while for lots more pictures and stories.

pond swimming








Fireworks in Meaford