Sunday, May 30, 2010

What is going on?

The last little while has been a bit crazy, to say the least. I'm not that superstitious usually, but the events that unfolded in the last 48 hours have me freaked out.

First of all, let me say that it was a full moon on Friday. Weird shit happens during a full moon. Maybe it's myth, maybe it's lore, but a series of events that occurred on Friday and leading up to Friday have left me well spooked. Without going into too much detail, there were just some unpleasant reminders of the past popping up, a couple of high-profile deaths as well as a shooting in my neighbourhood. Yes, a freakin' shooting. I'm still majorly wigged out by all that's transpired.

As far as I know, the victim is going to be fine, but still. The whole feeling is unsettling.

The other thing I wanted to mention is I'm lucky. At the end of the day, I've surrounded myself with good people who are supportive, amazing, talented, creative, enthusiastic and genuine.

This was reinforced when I went back to Edmonton for a visit. Not only do I have good peeps here, I have good peeps there. Despite the problems I have with Edmonton, I'm so blessed to still have incredible friends there. So, so, so blessed. So, thanks.

Plain and simple...thanks.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Dear Diary

There was an interesting piece in the Globe and Mail this weekend about the demise of diary-writing in this age of Twitter and blogging.

I often talk about letters, and how they are an absolutely lovely medium for communication, but sadly, no one does it anymore. Journals and diaries are along the same lines -- even if they don't provide communication between individuals, they provide an outlet for emotions, experiences and observations that are private as well as a treasure chest of thought. To an extent, blogs offer a similar purpose, but the difference lies in the audience. Blogs are meant to be read by the public, friends and strangers alike. Diaries are for one set of eyes only. I'd say there's less hesitation nowadays to air grievances, fears and hopes publicly, but when you do, it's actually less honest.

In the article, Irving Finkel, curator at the British Museum and passionate diary collector puts it perfectly:

"Yes, there are blogs everywhere, but the blog is orientated toward everybody in the world reading it. Diaries are truthful, never corrupt, because there's no agenda. There's only one person reading."

Despite the popularity of revealing what is supposedly our innermost thoughts, I think people are still fascinated with secrets (or the illusion of secrets). Look at the popularity of Post Secret. Diaries are traditional keepers of secrets. If you can't tell your secret to anyone, you can always trust your diary.

It's a shame that diaries are going the same way as letters and handwriting. I guess as long as there are angst-y teenagers, there will still be a few diaries kicking around. Somehow Anne Frank's Blog doesn't have that same ring as Anne Frank's Diary.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

BINGO!

I am over TCAFfeinated! The Toronto Comic Arts Festival was this weekend at the Toronto Reference Library, and it was fun, fun, fun! I volunteered at the Broken Pencil table and got to people-watch and drool over all the amazing artwork and talent there. TCAF is one of the best literary arts festivals in the country, and this year it delivered with Daniel Clowes (eeee!!!!), Jim Woodring (eeee!!!!), James Sturn (eeee!!!!) and the Igor Kenk graphic novel not to mention a whole shit tonne of other amazing and talented local artists like Jeff Garcia, Koyama Press, Michael DeForge, Jesjit Gill and Free Drawings, Ryan Dodgson, Selena Wong, Wowee Zonk and so, so, so much more.


Today I feel as if I have a "social hangover." It was packed with so much good stuff and wonderful friends, it was overwhelming. Not to mention, I got an East Coast injection when I ran into Halifax pals, Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible and Laura Kenins!

Lindsay at the Broken Pencil table

Some goodies I picked up


TCAF made me realize how much I love small presses and independent publishing. There's something really lovely about limited runs of books and prints of zines. It's more about producing art than business.

Oh, yeah, and the other thing that made my weekend rule? I ended up winning a good chunk of change at Bingo. Yep, Bingo. Sara's birthday party + Delta bingo = me supporting TCAF artists and getting lots of goodies to boot! Yeah!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Words...

"Those three things -- autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward -- are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying...Work that fulfills those three criteria is meaningful."
-Malcolm Gladwell

"Sometimes it's better to fold than to keep on playing, even with a flush of hearts."
-Hooded Fang

"How do you get God to laugh? Tell him your plans."
-John Cleese

"Sometimes in life you just have to suffer."
-Dad

*Thanks, Dad. I guess it is what it is.*

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Like the perfume of a city

I finally saw Helvetica. Aside from loving all the typography and graphic design talk, I loved all the shots of Germany and Switzerland and Europe injected throughout the documentary.

Anyway, it's a been a "words" kind of day for me as I spent most of it reading, writing and mulling things over. Oh, and I got this amazing typewriter. I stumbled upon a street sale near Trinity Bellwoods. I've been looking for a typewriter for months and the price was reasonable, so I bought it.

It comes with a stylish case. Half of the zipper is broken, but I still felt like a lawyer carrying it around.

18 is my favourite number

Oh, and I finished a kite today!

Here are some other random shots of slide transparencies I picked up when I was in Montreal a few months ago.
Themes de vie!