Nostalgia in other places

It's weird how we can feel nostalgic about TV shows. Everyone remembers how it was such a big deal when Seinfeld went off the air. Sometimes even commercials thrust their way deep into our psyche and evoke the deepest of emotions. What makes us feel such personal feelings about something so impersonal.

Television broadcasts shows, amongst other things, designed to keep thousands of viewers watching to sell advertisements. And, while they do entertain and delight, they would not exist if it wasn't for the money networks receive for ad time. Yet we seem to personalize TV to extreme ends.

Last week I was tense at the thought of "Twitch" loosing "So You Think You Can Dance". But that was a reality show with real people and real outcomes. What about the last episode of Friends. Where in that shows 10 years of time on air did it go from being 6 actors doing their job to 6 people I had come to know. Rachel, Ross, Joey and the rest aren't even real. Sure, Seinfeld is based on co-creators Jerry and Larry David, but the people on screen aren't real (or at least what I'm seeing). So why do I care so much?

I wonder what it specifically is that shows like these have tapped into. But even more, I wonder what deep-rooted memories they latch themselves onto so tightly, that when these characters go off the air my emotions go southward ever so noticeably.

A lot to tell from Alabama

I thought I would post earlier about my trip down South, but time has flown. I'm on the last full day of being at the Condo in Alabama and rather than playing in the waves, sun-tanning at the pool, I'm on my laptop posting. Now, I am doing all this from the 7th floor porch, listening to the waves.
Quickly, I can tell you about my trip.

Saturday
Basically the day consisted of swimming. Colin, Christina, and Cole (my cousins) and Brooke (my step cousin) went swimming in the ocean for awhile. Colin and I were throwing Christina around into the rolling waves. Finally we convinced Cole to let us throw him in the pool. We threw Cole so hard he rolled sideways into the Ocean, swallowed some salt water, and puked some pink bile into the ocean.
The day just continued relatively the same way.

Sunday
After waking up and doing the whole swimming thing everyone ate dinner and chilled out. Earlier in the day we were given some Ben & Jerry's ice cream by a family who were checking out from their condo. That day at lunch Christina, Brooke, and I, in a moment of weakness, almost ate some of the ice cream. However, after I decided it would be unfair, we all agreed to leave the ice cream until after dinner. At some point while Colin and I were in the other condo, everyone else ate the ice cream. Well, Colin and I felt that this injustice had to be rectified - especially after I showed such moral fortitude during lunch. So, we demanded (or rather nicely asked) for money to go buy ice cream at the late night ice cream parlour. My Uncle David, and Colin's dad, gave us the money. My parents lent the vehicle, and my Uncle Derek tried to get a free pint of ice cream (as if he hadn't had enough already). Well, we got money from him and some from Brooke to pick up some more ice cream for everyone.
Colin and I finally set out on our adventure. We headed up one road and then the other. Driving for what felt too long on the second road Colin decided to call the shop. The only response he got was "you've gone the wrong way" from, as Colin describes, a deep, raspy, thick, southern drawl. So, I decided to turn around and stop at a gas station. Once again, we faced adversity to receiving good directions. Quickly encountering a stoner attendant, who could only respond "....shit" to our questions, Colin and I knew we were doomed. Finally another patron of the gas bar told us to keep going down the road the way we were coming before we turned around for another 3 miles. So, we turned the car around and kept driving. Soon after I noticed zero increases in the number of stores, and felt a baron road meant we had been dooped again. So, I decided to call the ice cream parlour, but disguise my voice to sound like I was a local. I hoped that doing so would gain me some sentiments of camaraderie and thus would result in proper directions.
Lo and behold it did! Colin and I found the parlour, ordered a tone of ice cream, and returned home champions.
We felt so good from our triumph we decided to go on a late night beach walk. The mission we gave ourselves was to scout out the pool facilities of other condos along the beach. The entire strip is lined with awesome looking condos, and we wanted to see how our little Romar Towers compared. Well, based on the first condo we visited our pool was dismal. You see, we have a small, peanut shaped pool. This place had a huge infinity pool outside. Inside, there was an even bigger pool, a jacuzzi, a steam room, sauna, and work out centre. We continued up the beach and saw many other places. Nothing, however, quite compared to the first condo. Also, there were people hanging out on the beach and Colin and I later decided to shine a light on them from the balcony at our condo.
Monday
So, after visiting the condo with the infinity pool the night before, Colin and I decided to return to the pool. With Christina in tow, we decided to fully utilize all the facilities available to us at someone else's condo. So, we go into the pool, then the jacuzzi, and finally the steam room. The steam room freaked all of us out for a few reasons. When we got in there the place looked like a gas chamber. The steam dispenser made a horrible booming sound that scarred me when it went off every 5 minutes. The other things that was scary was how you couldn't see the other people in the room. Colin would go on the other side of the room and then jump out and scare me.
Finally we went back to the infinity pool and tried to get rid of the crabs that had crawled into the pool. After awhile a security guard came out and told us we couldn't be swimming after 10. Then he dropped the "wristband" bomb. He told us we were supposed to have wristbands. After throwing him a cock-and-bull story, which included him asking us what room we were in and who's name it was under, Colin got us out of there by asking for "help" to bring up "the chairs we left at the beach".

Tuesday
I woke up early on Tuesday for what felt like the longest day at the condo. Colin and I were staying up late every night, so getting up at 7:30 am for a golf game was difficult. I headed out to the Pensicola Navy Base with my dad, my grandfather, and my uncle. The first 9 holes were really rough, but after some sound advice from my grandfather, the back 9 went much better.
Afterwards we made plans to meet everyone in a famous Florida eatery called MacGuire's. The entire place has $1 bills stapled to the roof and walls. Each bill is signed, and some are in plaques because famous people like John McCain and Nascar drivers have signed them. The entire place has over $750,000 hanging on their walls!
After the early dinner my Aunt Karen and her children, Conner, Ashyln, Cole, and Ava, all headed back home to Mobile, AL. The rest of us all went to the local dive-bar, The Flora-Bama for some drinks and music. Brooke, Christina, Colin and I were getting restless so we wanted to go see a movie. However, before departing my Aunts, Uncles, Parents, and Grandparents I had to chat it up with my Aunt Joanne and have a dance with my Aunt Denise.

Wednesday
Wednesday I woke up to a beach and ocean filled with seaweed due to the storm the night before. I would have loved to swim in the giant waves with Colin, however the seaweed was too much for us. Instead, we just went to the pool, read books, and tanned. I actually got really dark from the sun.

The day was pretty uneventful after my Aunt Joanne, Uncle David left. That night we had a quiet dinner and I watched Step Up with Christina, Colin, Pat, my Mom, Brooke, and my aunt Denise. The only really funny part of the movie was when Colin snuck a piece of fudge and ate it in front of everyone without anyone noticing. I had to look away or my laughing would have given him up.

Thursday

Thursday was the last day at the condo and I decided to make the most of it. I got up early and decided not to go golfing with my Grandparents and father. Instead I hung out with Colin and Christina by the pool and tried to tan. The sun wasn't that great and Colin was reluctant to go swimming in the ocean. Eventually Christina and I convinced him to come out and swim in the big waves. Colin and I made a stipulation that Christina could not complain about jellyfish or sharks. Interestingly, while I was diving into the waves a jellyfish stung me both in the eye, and up inside my bathing suit. I flipped Colin over the waves like a high-jumper at the olympics and we threw Christina into a few. We spent hours playing in the waves and it was loads of fun.

After the day of swimming everyone went to dinner at this famous crab restaurant. The place was packed and seemed like the place to be. Inside there were two fish tanks, one with a Nemo and Dore fish (from Finding Nemo) and the other had two eels.

The dinner was great and all the parents and Grandparents drank a decent amount. My Aunt Denise and Mom got pretty toasted, which was sweet. The nice thing about my mom getting a little tipsy was that we didn't need to convince her at all to take the cousins out for ice cream. Upon returning home I watched Coach Carter with Brooke and Pat. The next morning I woke up really early to say goodbye to Colin, Christina, my Aunt-Denise and Uncle-David.

The entire trip was amazing and I will miss all my family. It was hard saying goodbye and I took every second of the two day drive to reminisce about what a great family I have.

I'm in the Gulf of Mexico

On Thursday I left early and towards the US border. At around 8pm I arrived at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Kentucky and had breakfast for dinner. Then, after a few more hours of driving myself and my parents stop in Nashville, TN to rest for the night. The next morning, and amazing continental breakfast, and 8 hours of driving later and we're pulling into my Grandparents condo in Orange Beach, AL. The condo is right on the Gulf of Mexico and is currently filled with 6 of my cousins, 2 aunts, 2 uncles and has resulted in renting a second condo. 

On my first day I was almost immediately in the water. Despite warnings of sharks I was swimming for a few hours and then eating a very late dinner. Michelle called me and we talked for a few hours. I got to hear about her iPhone and feel even more anxious for the arrival of my iPhone. 

Now I am writing this post after my second day. I began Day 2 with a long jog with my 15 year old cousin. Afterwards I swam in the pool and then the beach. I filmed my cousin Colin fishing for a bit and then swam with him. The best part of swimming today was when Colin and I threw our 8 year old cousin into a big wave and he puked in the ocean. I couldn't stop laughing as his pink bile floated in the ocean. 

3 Months and counting

So I haven't written anything on this page since the first day of my Convocation weekend. Basically my life has consisted of looking for work post-graduation. I am still with my girlfriend Michelle and have been hanging out with her a lot. I'm working on launching a website for my radio show Well Versed. I've been taking some photos and brainstorming for future photography ideas. Basically there has been a lot going on. I'm sorry to have left it all of this blog, but now I am back and writing.

Graduation Weekend - Day 1

I'll blow past the fact that I haven't updated you on my life for the past number of weeks. The hastiness to get to describing my graduation weekend is conducive of the speed at which it seems this weekend came. The last number of weeks seem a blur - end of classes, papers, exams, packing/cleaning. However, that is all in the past.
Now I am sitting in the Prince George Hotel in downtown Halifax, about to have breakfast with my Grandfather and Step-Grandmother. I picked the two of them up at the airport last night after dropping my friend Michelle off. We went right to the Hotel and then to the local jazz club (Stayner's) to listen to my friend's group - The Matt Thauvette Quintet. It was a great evening catching up with my grandparents.
I informed them of some of my more nostalgic thoughts that have purveyed my mind in the past week. Having a week to spend between exams and Grad-Weekend is both odd and delightful. It was relaxing and stressful. It was happy and sad. Walking around the campus, it felt like only last week I was cheering in the new students as an Executive of the Orientation Committee. I will try to keep those cherish memories close as I go through this week.

Arts & Crafts & Picture Postcards

So I've locked myself in an old high school building converted into classrooms on the StFX campus to finish writing my Accounting Theory paper. The rain is pouring outside, so even if I wanted to take a brake I couldn't. Rather, I have brought the two new CDs I recievied in the mail as part of my Arts&Crafts surprise pack. A&C is my favorite record label both because they host some of my favorite bands - including Stars, Broken Social Scene, and The Most Serene Republic - and because their business model is one of innovation and collaboration. There is sense of beauty I get when I listen to their music and a sense of community when I hear the various mixes the bands often produce. A&C bands are infamous with allowing their songs to be continually transformed as they pass through the patchwork of the Canadian Music scene. Stars have released an album entirely re-mixed "Do you Trust your Friends." Feist has released "Open Season". Broken Social Scene represents some connection to many of the bands that are famous in Canada, including Metric and Do Make Say Think.
As I listen to a cover of "Fairytale of New York" by Stars I am reminded of the small yet memorable moments of my life. I think of how what makes up a lot of my beauty is the life collaborations I have had over time. I get teary as I listen to this song from my past re-done by a band from my present. Much of my past lives in me today - Family, Friends, triumphs, mistakes. I am working on what will be my last paper at StFX. In writing this paper all the other papers I have written play effect. It is hard to think of those past moments that I will never get back.

And in those moments....

Today was a day of possible success and possible defeat. Many say that as one door closes a window opens. I would say things are more about perspective. I think all things are doors that swing both ways. While sometimes the goodness takes awhile to become apparent, when it does you can not argue that it's utility was always there.
As I said, today was a day where the door was swinging. Possibilities for triumph and joy metamorphosed in the re-vote for Senior Class Speaker. While yesterday things went haywire with the online system, today was the day for everyone's ballot to truly count. I tried to preoccupy myself by studying diligently. By 5pm the polls closed and so did my hopes. I lost the vote but decided to not let it affect me too much. Some dear friends helped me with conversations, text messages, and phone calls of support. The people who knew me and the situation well knew not to sympathize but rather put the situation in its true light - I did not represent the ideals and thoughts of the majority of the graduating class - which isn't a bad thing.
Despite this, the possibility for public acclamation and approval was not over. In just two hours I was sitting down to eat at the Student Union Awards Banquet. It is the only student nominated awards at StFX and it is a highlight of the year for many. There I was able to congratulate one of the two Senior Class Speakers - Tito - on her win. I was able to chat with many of the people who voted for me. I was able to eat a great meal and share conversation with some truly dedicated student leaders. I was also able to be sincerely delighted, honored, and humbled by winning a Gold X for continued support to student life and StFX, a Media X for continued support and involvement with the radio and the news paper, as well as the extreme honor of winning the Marcel Lussier Award for Outstanding Community Service over my life at StFX. Needless to say, this day has ended on a high note.

Well Versed Episode 18 part 1

My poetry show Well Versed for the week of March 31. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

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

The second episode during National Poetry Month. This episode I play poetry about poetry. Poets cover topics such as why they write and the power of poetry. Poems played include:

• Machine Poem -Billy Ruffian
  
• Vengeance - John Akpata
  
• The Mental Revolution - Bona
  
• Tree Of Knowledge - DJ Morales
  
• Hard To Choke Your Artichoke Heart - Nico Rogers
  
• Granite and Sarcasm - Nora Smithhisler
• Random Poem to the Electric Night - Phil Jagger
  
• My Confession - Q The Romantic Revolutionary
  
• Words - Squish
  
• Art - Tanya Davis
  
• This Sadness - Tanya Davis
  
• Meet Me (Live) - Nora Smithhisler
  

My last class

I just finished the last class I will ever have of my undergraduate career. 4 years went by fast. The last class didn't feel like much of anything. It went by painlessly much like my first day of classes here at StFX. The day is sunny and people walk around with the innocence of spring. Later I will go to the student bar to celebrate and shake off some of the stress that always comes with the end of the year. However, a lump of anxiety still rests in my stomach. Besides having to still hand in two papers and go through four exams, the thought of this all being over makes me hesitate. The feeling hasn't sunk in completely, but I know that with each passing day I come closer to leaving this place. Somehow I know I will always return to the captiavting magic of StFX, but I still feel sad every time I leave. As students part for the summer we give our tearful goodbyes. Two worlds exist for any student of StFX - the summer months and the school months. The two will always remain seperate and unknown to the other. To have never gone here is to never truly be able to know what every past and future Xaverian knows - we have lived in our own special world. So, as I prepare to say "goodbye" I can't help but feel like I will be leaving something behind.

Well Versed Episode 18 part 2

Part 2 of Episode 18.

The Last Week

So I'm heading into my last week of classes of my undergraduate degree! The reality of the issue hasn't completely sunk in yet. It has been an amazing ride thus far and there still is quite a lot of work left to be done. Last weekend I helped host a leadership conference at our school. It was amazing to see so many people come out for a day and learn many important skills and become even more motivated to make positive changes in the world.
Additionally, I have been nominated, interviewed, and now am awaiting a vote to be honored as the speaker at my graduation ceremonies. That element, to say the least, has been an ever-present occupation of my mind in the past while.
I am so passionate about the role that thoughts of what I could say to entertain and motivate my fellow classmates often distracts me from other work - other work that includes a 10 page paper due on the last day of classes. So, even in my last week, the feelings of stress, worry, and joy while doing it are all still pervasive.

Well Versed Episode 17

My poetry show Well Versed for the week of March 24. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

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

An episode to kick off National Poetry Month. I invite local poet, Doug Robertson, to spend the hour with me and read some of his work.

Easter!

So Easter weekend was amazing. Everything went off without a hitch and the whole event was as relaxing as it could be. Things started with my departure on the bus to the Halifax Airport. I got to spend the 2 hour ride with my friend Sara discussing matters of politics and computer programming. Then I got onto my flight quite quickly and without delay. Despite the horrible honey latte I had from Starbucks in the lobby, the flight was incredible. I flew Porter Air and was extremely pleased with the service. I was served complementary bottled water and two meals. I flew on a Bowing Q400, which had more leg room and lower emissions than a bus! I arrived on Toronto Island in the downtown core, rather than at cumbersome Pearson Airport in the North. My parents and little sister picked me up and we went to a rib joint for dinner. I had to get nachos due to my aversion to meat, and was sadly disappointed. The place used fake movie-theater cheese rather than anything real. Yet after having plenty of food on the plane I could not complain.
Once I got home I was picked up by Michelle to meet her friends. I had a good time meeting all of the people she has grown up with and was not surprised by the usual laid-back, casual atmosphere of any house party in my home-town area.
The next day was incredible as I got to go see the Darwin Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. Besides this exhibit just being incredible, it was also a treat to visit it on its only Canadian stop. Basically I got to walk through the life of Darwin and really see how his theory of evolution...well....evolved. Darwin lived a very dedicated and inspired life. He was passionate in a highly admirable way. His attention to detail which allowed for such a ground-breaking and important theory were things I was happy to explore and now, greater appreciate.
That night Michelle came over again and she hung out with myself, my sisters, and a bunch of our friends. I was happy to see some of my older sisters friends and my old roommate, Ron. It was also great for my long-time friends James and Simon to stop by. In a guest appearance my old high school friend, Marla, stopped in after not seeing her for many years.
On Easter Sunday I went to mass with my parents but was unable to sit (or stand) with them. Afterward they went to the Zoo with my little sister, while I stayed home to spend some quality time with my older sister. We had an incredible dinner and some good family discussion. I actually talked about taxes quite extensively with my parents, which was a treat as I do not normally get to discuss what I learn in class. We then got into quite a nostalgic discussion about how this would be the last time I "visited" home as an undergraduate. We talked about how my mother was sad that she could not go with me to University on my first day. We talked about me graduating in a month and what that means. I even read them my personal recommendation letter for Senior Class Speaker (which I have since gone on to be named one of three possible candidates for Senior students to vote on). Finally I went to a movie with Michelle and hung out with her for one last night.
The next morning my parents drove me to the airport and rode the ferry over to Toronto Island. I was surprised when the actually broke down in tears and acted as though they would not be seeing me for quite some time. I know this was more a display of the pride they feel for me now, and will soon be overwhelmed with when I graduate.
Finally I spent an hour in the cafe-style lounge of Porter, enjoying lattes and biscotti, before my comfortable flight and bus-ride back to the school I will soon say "goodbye" to.

I'm going home!

Since attending StFX I haven't gone home for Easter Weekend. This is mainly because Easter Weekend usually falls the weekend before the beginning of exams. Normally Easter Monday would be a holiday and I could travel at this time. For some reason StFX doesn't adopt this day as a holiday, despite being a school with Catholic foundations. 

This year is different. Now my decision to go home was very sudden and happened only a few hours ago, thus less than 24 hours before my flight. The reason is I got into a habit of never being able to go home for Easter.

Friends who have been alerted of my travels are shocked by the sudden decision. Some have cited my earlier comments of me making the weekend, "A Paper Weekend!" or "A Study Weekend." This will now have to take second to me spending time with family and friends. So while I think about the end of school, jobs, and life, I hopefully will gain some perspective over this weekend.

Back from Nationals

Last weekend were the National Debate Championships at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I went with my school, St. Francis Xavier, as one of 14 members. Some of us judged, most of us debated on two person teams. StFX was in a three-way tie for sending the most number of people (matching the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta). Achieving this status was the first of several accomplishments of the weekend that I am proud of. Now, while sending a large contingency does not necessarily entail high performance at the tournament, it does say something about the internal development and performance of your club. I, along with my debate partner, re-formed the StFX debate team 5 years ago. As this way my last debate I left the weekend extremely proud to know I had aided in developing the team to be such a presence in the Canadian University Debating Circuit.
The second achievement came in the form not of overall wins for myself, but of my individual performance. Having been scored on my speaking skills in all of the 6 rounds provided an indication of how I had developed over the past 5 years. I left the Nationals with a ranking of 2nd in Atlantic Canada (only to our current StFX Debate President) and 37 of 104. Having achieved this in the face of the best debaters in Canada (and some of the best in the world concurrently) makes me feel pride as well.
The third achievement I left with came after just finishing the movie Rocket Science. This quirky movie about a boy who tried to find himself in the world of high-school debate demonstrated the larger world of debating. Debate is something that has intrinsic and extrinsic values that go far beyond mere resolutions argued from the affirmative and negative. I am proud to say I was and will always be a part of that. I have learned valuable lessons from debate that will last lifetimes.
Debating is one of the few things that I can say has been with me at StFX since the beginning. Debate is like a loyal girlfriend. And while that sounds pathetic and disturbing, I would say that is not the point. Debate has been constant. It has provided. It has helped me grow and learn and heal. Like any relationship you get what you put in. I have given a lot to Debate and I am now getting all it has got to give.

Well Versed Episode 15

My poetry show Well Versed for the week of February 18. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

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

A very sexy episode of the show. In this episode I play poems all about sex, including:

• Last Night - Dwayne Morgan
  
• Three Pink Pills, So Beautiful - Corine Demas
  
• Aural Sex (Panafrotix Remix) - Dwayne Morgan
  
• Love Song Of Roy G. Biv - Kevin Matthews
  
• Inside Of You - Dwayne Morgan
  
• Nine Inch Marvin Gaye - Nora Smithhisler
  
• The Way To A Man's Heart - Dwayne Morgan
  

ECMAs - Day 4

The last day in Fredriction was less like a day and more like a scene out of a suspense-thriller movie. Soon after we set out on our departure of the city Xandi and I would begin to question if we had entered some sort of time-warp where the city would never let us leave.
We awoke at 7:30am and quickly packed. I woke Vanessa to say goodbye and thank her for her hospitality before setting out on the road. We filled up the car and I got a giant coffee and apple and a protein bar to get myself through the trip. Xandi and I got on what we thought was the highway going South. Soon enough the signs saying "South" began to say "North" and somehow we entered the first trap of what I now call The Fredericton Vortex. We turned around and once again headed back into Fredericton. We got on the south-ward highway and looked for signs directing us East towards Nova Scotia. Trap number 2 showed its form through signs that stopped labeling themselves with directions and started labeling the highway routes with the various New Brunswick town they went to. Xandi and I took the route we thought headed East but of course the FV got us once again and we realized we were headed West. Included in the marvelous package of confusing signs Fredericton highways also offer a complete lack of exits. So, 20 km headed in the wrong direction and Xandi and I think this city will never let us leave. Finally, the 3rd time through the city and we are on our way out.
The next trauma came in the form of an over-worked bladder. 1 large coffee and half an energy drink in and I was looking for a stop. At this point I didn't realize the abuse my system, more specifically my kidneys, had taken from days of multiple coffees and several caffeine loaded drinks but I was soon to find out. Even before I parked the car at the next gas station my body was calling it quits. Once I reached the stall and released the urine I was so happy to say "goodbye" to my kidneys started throbbing in a way that would give the worst migraine a run for its money. Because these were my kidneys and I don't drink alcohol things started freaking me out. I gave myself time to calm down and breathe through the pain. This, of course, all with my penis still out of my pants at a the gas station toilette.
I got back in the car and we headed on our way again. There were more stops of of bladder-stress-intensity and a break for Harvey's before we reached Antigonish in time for Xandi to get to dance class and me to take a nap before that night's episode of Well Versed.

ECMAs - Day 3

It was the first day Xandi and I awoke in a regular house and it felt great. I woke our host, Vanessa, with a big hug and then we prepared to go into the Farmers' Market. Three more people were staying at the house and we all worked together to prepare food, brew coffee, and just chttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifhat about the night before. Vanessa, Christina, Xandi and I went downtown and first got ourselves some falafel wraps and samosas. The two other ladies left for work while Xandi and I continued to browse the various stands of home-made candles, pastries, and clothing. I bought some purses for my sisters and Xandi got herself some more food as big as her face!
The two of us didn't have a lot planned for the day so things definitely felt more relaxed. I got a hold of Tanya Davis and we finally set a time to do our interview. I headed downtown to Nicky Z's where the PEI stage was being hosted. Tanya was there to here one of her friend's bands, who's name I forget, but I know they were awesome. We went into the green room and did our interview right after. Tanya really opened up and I had a great time talking to her. You can listen to the interview here. I ran into my old roommate Kent at the PEI stage as well and we made plans to meet up at the Two Hours Traffic show later that night.
Desperately in need of coffee Xandi took off to get some joe while I talked to a few other bands. Once we met back up we took off to Vanessa's house for dinner. Vanessa made Xandi some pasta while I ate a super-large Greek salad that I had. I started to hit the coffee and energy drinks in preparation for my last night at the ECMAs. A bunch of people came over and we all listened to the new Rebekah Higgs CD and danced around. After talking for awhile Xandi and I took off to the Back Nine for the NS stage where Jill Barber and Joel Plaskett were playing. Too bad that was the place to be, because by 9:15 it was already packed. We tried to go through the back entrance and even wait at the stage door but had no luck. I got pissed-off at the bouncer but that only made things worse.
Xandi and I decided to head over to the Crowne Plaza to see Down with the Butterfly play. The whole weekend I was trying to get an interview with them and I finally was able to talk to Kris and Dave about their views on success. Kris and I talked just outside the venue but Dave was jonzing for some coffee so him and I set off to find a coffee shop. I thought we would find someplace close so I walked without my coat. Well, 15 minutes later and a lot of freezing and we were above the Mexicala Rosa's. The atmosphere was incredible in this dimly lit haven. As we sat in a mahogany booth and talked quietly the both of us couldn't help but comment on the contrast between walls lined with wine bottles and fake stain-glass windows all over. The lighting was that of a cathedral and the ceiling above the tables were all different hightes, creating amazing acoustics. Dave and I talked for awhile and I was able to get another great interview. Dave lost track of time and we had to run back to the Plaza because he was right about to go on stage.
Once DWB was done playing Xandi and I took off back downtown to the PEI stage. Once again this venue was just as packed as the Back Nine and it looked like we weren't going to get in to see Two Hours Traffic or my friends. Luckily I knew where the band entrance was and we just followed a few people in. I ran into Tanya again and then I headed upstairs to see the band. I ran into my old roommates Kent and Pat. Xandi and I danced with them all night and it felt just like old times back in first year when THT would room with us. In-line with just about everything else that week I made a girl swear allegiance to my mustache before I finally took off for the evening.
Spending the last night listentining to a great band with a few of my closest friends was the prefect way to end my stay at the ECMAs.

ECMAs - Day 2

So after only 2 hours of sleep and a long night of typing online and listening to Xandi's sleep talking the both of us woke in need of coffee. We got dressed, paid our fees and went out to find a local coffee shop. Xandi and I found The Friendly Baker a European bakery that served many organic options. We both got a muffin and large coffee. On our way to the open panel discussion with Steven Page I realized that I was drinking the best coffee ever. We arrived at the Delta Hotel where The Divorcees were playing on stage. Afterwards Page come on to answer a few questions for the media. It was announced that a film crew would be following all 4 days of the ECMAs (instead of just the gala) and Page would host the TV-Special "Barenaked Music". I asked Page about the positive impact digital music has on environmental issues and whether that was a viable option for the industry. He said that we are past the days where youth enjoy shopping and are only concerned with consumption. For me it is true; I am an online consumer whore.
After the press conference Xandi and I booted it over to the Playhouse to see David Myles do his soundcheck for CBC radio. We did an interview with him that went really well. When we gave David a CFXU shirt he was very pleased. We watched the show and I saw Meaghan Smith play and it was amazing. She had such a beautiful presence on stage that really got the crowd feeling all warm and loving. I decided to go back stage and interview her when she was done playing. It was an enjoyable interview and Meaghan had a pleasant and soothing voice that made the interview extra-special. I also ran into X-alum Kim and chatted with him a bit.
After the show Xandi and I got some food at M & T Deli down the road. The food was amazing and the cookies, like much of the food in Fredericton, was as big as Xandi's face! It was really delicious and the owner was super nice.
After dinner we went back to the Hostel to change and get ready to go back to the Playhouse and then over to the Crowne Plaza to see some bands. At the Playhouse we watched Cape Breton fiddly star Ashley MacIssac. I had only seen him on TV and he was fantastic live. I actually ended up chatting with him later between sets at the Crowne Plaza. At the Crowne I ran into my long-time friend Vanessa and her possy of Freddy hoodlums. She invited us to stay at her place and said I was a jerk for not telling her I was coming. I felt bad for once again keeping her out of the loop and not staying in a real bed rather than a cheap cot. I got her info and proceeded to watch rock-duo The Superfantastics from Halifax. It was super sweet to see this band play again. We got an ID from them and their new CD. Before the end of the weekend Xandi and I listened to that thing about 15 times!
After The Superfantastics played we headed over to The Back Nine to see Wintersleep and The Tom Fun Orchestra. There is a reason Tom Fun is one of the must outrageous and ridiculous live bands in Canada. Seeing those 9 all rowdy on stage was one of the biggest highlights for me at the ECMAs.
After the bands Xandi and I packed up our stuff at the Hostel, headed over to Vanessa's and slept in some comfortable beds. Great Day 2.

ECMAs - Day 1

Today began my trip on a journey of musical discovery. Right now I post to you from a hostel in Fredericton, New Brunswick. However, my journey started a lot earlier and a lot more chaotic than this point in time. After waking up and finding out that my radio show had been snaked from me I was told that there were no cars in Antigonish to rent. With this dilema I proceeded to take care of other issues like printing business cards and packing. By the time the more controllable odds and ends were settled I received a call from one of the agencies and was able to procure myself a vehicle. I made arrangements to pick up the car and some much needed energy drinks before packing my luggage in the trunk and heading to my two classes of the day. After the classes I met my station manager and we headed off on the 4 hour journey.
With the energy drinks coursing through my body mine and Xandi's talks got off to a good start. However, my bladder eventually gave in and we were stopping every 45 minutes. Besides this we had a deadline to reach the hostel before 10pm. We were close to Fredericton by 9:30 but one wrong turn sent us into a panic. Missing the exit again resulted in a call requesting the manager to stay later. We finally made it to our lodging by 10:20, checked in, and set off to get our media passes at the local hotel. We arrived before their close of 11pm to receive the passes that would grant us both entrance into all the events and a pretty crummy bag ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.giff swag.
After unpacking and getting our bearings Xandi and I were off to see David Myles play at a club downtown. David was energetic on stage and a real delight to watch. After his show Old Man Luedeke came on stage.
The last time I saw him was at a Feist concert and he was amazing. The night continued to be amazing as I ran into some of the guys from Wintersleep and Down With the Butterfly and had some good conversations with them. They were able to introduce me to one of the poets I play on Well Versed - Tanya Davis. I got her number and we decided to set an interview for the next day.
I was overwhelmed with the sense of eagerness of these artists to just talk about the work. When Xandi and I left the Back Nine I was excited to just be a part of this entire event. I was also hungry.
Xandi and I drove around for a bit and eventually found a pizza place that wasn't far from where we originally were. With two joints side by side the deciding factor was which place had the fewest drunk and boisterous party-goers. Well, apparently it doesn't matter how vacant the venue, eventually you will run into a drunk and surly person in Fredericton. Besides a giant amount of ill-logical and ridiculous comments (albeit hilarious) the pizza slices themselves were giant. Xandi seemed to be getting massively full from the slice that was as big as her face and anxious from the increasingly loud yells from our new friend "Josh".
We left for the hostel and bunked down in our soft and thin cots. Xandi fell into slumber immediately while I stayed up writing this post.

**Eventually it got deleted and it took me until after the partying to finish up what I started**

Just when I thought things were begining to settle

At the time of my last post I was saying that I just got over the most stressful moments of 2008. Well, I will let you know that those days in January still hold their title. In close second is this current week. I have been covering a Presidential/Vice-Presidential campaign slate in my Students' Union election over at this site. If you read my posts, or just what I am about to say, you will see that I have been the recipient of much criticism. I didn't expect this reaction, but I do accept that I will have to receive these comments. I guess I was naive in thinking the process would be easy. Well, it isn't.
Besides that I have a lot of upcoming tests that I will have to study for. The only issue is that I don't know when I will study as I am going to the East Coast Music Awards this Thursday. This weekend will be amazing though. I will get to talk to some of Canada's best musicians including: Two Hours Traffic and The Tom Fun Orchestra. I plan on doing many interviews and getting lots of pictures. Look for some upcoming blog posts and potential podcasts.

Where have I been?

I literally ask that question from a geographical standpoint. The past while hasn't seen me move in too many places until last night. I was feeling extremely stressed from a packed weekend that I wanted to be relaxing and a week that wouldn't slow down. Tuesday I finished my 3rd and final LEAD workshop and hosted the first CFXU Poetry Open Mic. Now setting up for this event, finishing a 'zine for the FunDrive, selling T-Shirts, making a giant well out of CDs, and doing homework becomes a bit much. So by Tuesday night, after the 'zine was done, and the well was on its way, and the poetry night and LEAD session were complete I was ready to relax.
I originally thought this would be completed by baking Chai Tea Marathon Muffins. I was wrong. As soon as I finished putting the first batch in the oven my roommate stormed in with two other friends - 1 new to me, 1 an old friend. I met the new one with instant connection and we talked for a bit about various things. Than all of us were whisked away into the car and off to the ocean.
The ocean had a frozen beach, snow, and large ice-islands all over. The moon reflected off of everything making the scenery beautiful. We ran along the snow covered sand for awhile and then scaled and icy cliff. Later we drove to an abandoned park and had a snowball fight. I listened to the calming sounds of the river and thought about how this was exactly what I needed.

Well Versed Episode 11

My poetry show Well Versed for the week of January 7. Listen every Sunday at 9pm AST:

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

MY first episode of 2008! This one was about change and included these poems:

• Resurrection - John Akpata
• Keep It On My Fridge - Tanya
  
• Homebody/Homegirl - T.L. Cowan
  
• Little Brother - Dwayne Morgan
  
• To Be Or Not To Be - John Akpata
  
• Famous Five - Sheri-D Wilson
  
• Old School Medley: Why, Why Is This?, Back In Slavery, Men In Black - Dwayne Morgan
  
• Cultivating Peace with Le Chamanestrel [Special Thanks to Mobb Deep] - Free Will
  
• Forget The World - DJ Morales
  
• The Making Of A Man - Dwayne Morgan
  
• Apocalyptic After-Party - Bona
  
• In The Time Before - Barbara Adler
  
  

Wintersleep and more

So a lot has happened since Thursday. First, I not only got to go to a Wintersleep concert for free, but I also got to photograph them at the radio station and backstage. The concert was great even when a friend with a boyfriend was hitting on me. It was also great that I was supposed to be studying for an accounting exam but I chose to listen to great music instead.
Well I got up early and studied the next day before writing the test a bit later. I got to the gym and worked on a leadership workshop I was presenting starting on Saturday. I met my partner for the presentation and we prepared. That Friday night I stayed up 'till 6am working on the presentation and talking online to a very wonderful lady.
I was only able to sneak in 2 hours of sleep before it was time to get some photocopying done and set up the room for my first of 3 leadership workshops on public speaking and confidence building.
The first session went great and got wonderful reviews. I felt so good I went for a run in the -14 degree weather. All day I tried to do homework despite being overly tired from the lack of sleep. I was somewhat successful and will be better rested for my last day of the weekend. Listen to episode 12 of Well Versed tomorrow at 9pm Atlantic/8pm Eastern.

To love chaos

As the end of January approaches that feeling of established routine tends to settle. While I may be chaotically busy, my various responsibilities can be managed through an adherence to a fairly regimented schedule. I relish being engrossed in the many social and academic elements that make up University. As I start to think about how I am managing my classes, my job at the radio, debating, and everything else I can't help but contemplate how all of these elements have made my life happy over the past 5 years. I have built a surrounding of desired activities that I will have to let go in only a few months. Beyond activities are the people and the lifestyle. These to will go in some part if not in their entirety. A massive change is coming that, while expected, is completely unknown. I did not fear university and now I speak of my love for what has come of that fearlessness. I hope I am just as courageous now as I was then.

Back from debate

So I just got home after a 2 hour car ride, an 18 hour train ride, and three intense days of debating at the McGill Winter Carnival Debate Invitational. It was a crazy tournament with over 70 teams of 2 from schools all over Canada and the USA. Debating is a competitive process that takes a toll on you both mentally and physically. Beyond merely having to debate topics that range from Chinese laws on Tibetan Buddhism to the democratic injustices of rehabilitating prisoners the weekend is filled with various socials, meeting lots of people, and eating decent food. While you are constantly on the go you can still have a really good time.
I think all 6 debaters and 1 judge on the StFX team really gave it their all this weekend. Some of us had decent results, all of us improved, and we came back with some really great thoughts on debating.
Oh! It was also a hilariously entertaining time being with the team. We really let all the stress of the tournament go on the train ride back, and the jokes that started 4 days earlier just kept pouring out. I managed to sleep for 11 hours on the train and get the rest I really needed.

From the train - part 2

It is 10:30pm, I’ve been on this west-ward train for 8 hours and boredom is setting in. A few people are playing poker, some are reading, I just finished an offhand conversation on relationships that resulted in more personal insight than expected. I still do not have an adequate number of cases prepared for the upcoming tournament.
I’m running through Quebec as people sleep silently around me. The night’s rest allows the quiet and natural beauty of this province to awaken to my eyes. Little things like chilled rivers rushing over rocks. A small “salon de billiards”. A well lit mill that I can see from the train windows all delight me to a point of profound contemplation. I think about how I want to disappear amongst this landscape. How I would like to pack my bags and camera and go on an adventure of writing and photography that would push myself spiritually and creatively.

From the train - part 1

Here on my first Via Rail ride in Nova Scotia I write. I’m just over 2 hours into the trip and I’m listening to the passionate tunes of Kate Maki. Her romantic lyrics and soothing voice calm me as I prepare for the other 16 hours of this trip. I’ll probably take a lot of time to reflect and admire upon my life – in between preparing for the upcoming debate tournament – with this beautiful Canadian landscape as my companion.
Right now I’m thinking of how I got to this place. How I became an integral part of the debate team. How I developed a strong base of friends that I know I will always see at school. Just yesterday at the student bar I progressively found myself in a myriad of conversations with some great people. I am persistently falling in love with this sense of community that surrounds me.

What will you be when your grow up?

Proceeded by a call from my mother where we once again discussed what I will do when I graduate in a few months I have decided to write this post about just that. There is a poll on the left to check out as well.
I personally want to be a radio broadcaster. Yes: I am studying accounting and philosophy. No: I did not overdose on my new favorite snack - wasabi covered green peas. I am passionate about connecting with people, the import of communication, and the whole music/spoken word community in Canada. Aptly so I have chosen the highly coveted role of Radio Announcer as my future career. (OK, I don't know how coveted that position is besides myself and a few people I work with at 92.5 The Fox). I do a few shows (1 of which you can listen to on my Podcast.
So....tell me what you want to be. Reply below or check out that poll I mentioned.

What I could talk about

Tonight was my first night out in Antigonish for the year of 2008. It was a big night on campus as everyone was celebrating 2 Years Eve - a repeat of New Years. There were great bands, tons of people, and a whole lot of reuniting. This was amazing.
It was exactly what I needed. I got to connect with people I haven't seen in awhile. Dance with some beautiful women. Hug a lot of friends. And witness the drama that comes with alcohol and youth.
Overall the night was incredible, but there was one unfavorable moment. I had the unpleasantness of dealing with an acquaintance tell me that I am pretentious and self-centered. Now maybe other people may agree with her (I hope few to none) and I know that my own argument to the contrary caries only biased validity, but it was her audacity to say something like that to me.
I soon forgot this comment and went on to enjoy the night with people who made me feel happy and good. Overall it was a great night and I was glad to see so many familiar faces around me once again.

Am I still online??

YES I AM!!! I am sure many of you have been wondering what I've been up to in the past while. Well clearly it has been enough to distract me from this blog. Even though the break away from school was great I am sad that I did not post about it almost the entire time. Well I am back at school now, and hopefully can give you a brief update of my version of the holidays.
My family celebrates Christmas in a vary traditional, cookie-cutter kind-of-way. Grandpa flew in from Kansas. My mom's sister, her husband, and my three cousins flew in from Pennsylvania all in time for a Christmas eve filled with cooking, present wrapping, mass, and a special Christmas Presentation. Christmas morning was filled with pictures of the children on the stairs before opening all the presents.
Unconventionally we later trespassed onto a closed ski-hill and subsequently were kicked off. We went cross-country skiing through the woods, snowboarding the next day, and even had a full-on family jam with me on drums, dad and uncle on guitar, cousin on bass, sister on violin, other cousin on French horn, and everyone singing.
My mom's brother, his wife, and 4 kids from Alabama came just in time for the family jam.
Some additional memories include:

• Seeing We Will Rock You the musical
• Watching White Christmas by the fire
• A visit from my cousins Joanne, Simon, Lauren, and Rory from Boston
  
• Feeling accepted by my entire family