Hometown Hoedown

So I never really said what I've been up to over the break. Sure, I told you of my troubles at the airport; but what about what happened after? Well I did spend a few lovely days in Ottawa catching up with friends like Savanna, Stefan, and Barry. I did have a nice drive back to Whitby with my friend Nicole. After that holiday activities started to leave my control and subsequently result in the elations and disappointments of my heart.
Over the past three nights (not including last night) I have been attending a mini-festival of local and nearby music called Hometown Hoedown. It was three nights of great bands, old and new friends, and a lot of dancing. An atmosphere that I have to abandon when I head out East for school surrounded me on Wed-Sat night and I exuberantly celebrated the warm feelings that come from these types of holiday celebrations. Some people enjoy the office parties, or the family raunts on ice-skates or sleds. Personally I like artistic creation and appreciation for my yule tidings.
I love a building with warm colored walls, balloons, and streamers in adornment - with an even warmer atmosphere inside. I love people who talk and listen to each other rather than at each other. I love music that is edgy, un-tailored, and raw. I also love photography:

The Wooden Sky

The Magic

Colin Medley

After the storm

I never thought I would start my holiday break with a 23 hour stay in Halifax International Airport. Yet there I was, looking at the Air Canada website trying to book my second flight. Sunday December 16 was predicted as "White Sunday" by many weather networks for awhile. I had remained optimistic up to that point, and things weren't changing. After my first canceled flight I figured I could just book for later in the evening. After another cancellation and a re-booking for Air Canada's 8:50am flight to Ottawa my spirits were starting to droop. After I spoke with a few friend's on the same flight as me, some heading to London, England, and other too Newfoundland and realized no one was leaving the airport in the next while I knew something epically dismal was happening. Well I unpacked my external hard-drive, set up my laptop, and began to work on editing one of my most recent film projects.At midnight I was struck with how the airport was now starting to look like a makeshift hostel. From excessively long Tim Horton's lines to people sleeping on any free surface, I was witnessing something I'd never before seen.
Luckily I made it on to my plane at 8:50am and everything seemed to be going well. I was tired from not sleeping and feeding myself on Tim's and Starbucks (both things I am not proud of), so I instantly feel asleep. When I awoke to seeing airport ground I assumed I had slept the entire way. I felt elevated with joy until I noticed the gloomy faces surrounding me. Eventually I heard the end of an announcement that was apologizing for something. That was all I needed to hear to know that I was still in Halifax. Later I found out that the runway was frozen. After another hour long wait I was back on the plane and ready to leave. Finally I landed in Ottawa around 3pm.

Update on academia

So it has been awhile since I've posted. My apologies. The academic life at StFX took me as its prisoner and I just broke free. So in the beginning I was a slave to my courses doing papers and projects galore. Nicely the course masters let me free for an evening of celebration when I got my X ring. Once that was done I had to face the reality that in two days I would write my first exam of 2007 - Auditing. Well I studied hard and still feel like that exam took a little bit of my life without giving anything in return. However the next day brought kinder tidings in the form of my Ethics exam. This was a philosophy course (my minor) and thus even an exam could be delightful. The next day brought my Business Policy course. Probably the most ridiculous and misleading course I have ever taken at X I highly dreaded this exam. Luckily it was simply 89 multiple choice questions and thus not as unpleasant as possible. Sunday brought a day of break and the time to do my 10th episode of Well Versed. I wrote e-business the next day, which went better than anticipated. In between I had a 4 day break which allowed me to catch up with some friends and do some Christmas chores. Then I set in to two intense days of studying for Financial Accounting. This was the exam I was most concerned about and now feel as though I did relatively well.
The most pleasant part of exams were the moments in between writing (for less than obvious reasons). I spent my time in either the library or the Student Union Building among other hard-working students. The close proximity of many of the people I care for brought joy in distressing times. I made new friends in Erica, Samantha, Charlotte, and Kelsey. I became closer with my roommate Wil. I caught up with people I haven't seen - like Aaron. I got to be artistic with Pendle. I even had a great conversation with my dear friend Mark. Surprisingly this was the toughest yet most productive exam season ever!

Well Versed Episode 10

My poetry show Well Versed for the week of December 3. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

• 92.5 FM for those in Antigonish, NS
  
• CFXU Radio for those not in Antigonish, NS

10 episode anniversary! A holiday special and last episode until 2008. Holiday poems played included:

• A Child's Christmas in Wales -Dylan Thomas
  
• The Bells - Edgar Allen Poe
  

Across the Universe

Along with being named after my favorite Beatles song, this movie has found a way in to my heart for different reasons.Across the Universe reminded me of the beauty behind the music of The Beatles. As I watched the two main characters discover themselves, love, purpose, and independence I also watched how the music of The Beatles grew. Going from their casual and easy-going beginnings to a much harsher and more aggressive style the Beatles music always impressed in its varying subject matter. Equally, this movies characters and themes were diverse and ever-changing.
The visuals in Universe moved from traditional to psychedelic and appropriately depicted the way a generation viewed the United States. Including references to the Beatles that ranged from character names (the leads include Jude, Lucy, and Prudence) to a dance sequence featuring the Blue Meanies (remember The Yellow Submarine).
I was brought to tears by the love story in this movie that was carried by an excellent arrangement and medley of Beatles music that will move me until the day I die.

X-ring is over

It is odd that the magnitude of this moment didn't set in until it was all over. Yesterday was supposed to be the biggest day of my life here at StFX and I still don't know if that is true. Now I won't put it out of the running, but if X-ring was the most memorable day it would be because of what lead to that moment.
Even as I sit here and write this blog, mere hours past the last moment of celebratory bliss, I can't force myself not to think of the wonderful times I've spent at X. Last night little connections that I made over my 4 years on campus were appreciated. The ability to look someone in the eyes and understand a bit of their worries - without knowing their name - was realized. And an ability to fell comfortable hugging someone for drawn out moments in a crowd became more than touching. The whole thing was memorable.
Last night people let go. We reveled in our successes and applauded ourselves for a job well done. If it is possible I was one with StFX last night. Alumni talk about a spirit that surrounds this school and a family in which I am now apart. I think I am beginning to feel the effects of the meaning behind those words...and I like it.

Well Versed Episode 9

My radio show Well Versed for the week of November 26. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

• 92.5 FM for those in Antigonish, NS
  
• CFXU Radio for those not in Antigonish, NS

This show was more of a personal account of my thoughts and memories surrounding poetry. I played and read a variety of works meaningful to me that included:

• Waltz # 2 - Elliot Smith
  
• A Sunday Smile - Beirut
  
• A Light on in the Attic - Shel Silverstein
  
• Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost