Author Archives: Neena

Should you learn to ski or snowboard?

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It feels like being able to ski or snowboard is a right of passage to living in Vancouver. For the longest time, I avoided the mountains… I was embarrassed because I knew I’d fall on my face if I were to step into bindings.

In 2020, I decided it was time to take advantage of the beautiful city I live in, and learn to snowboard. I look up at these gorgeous towering mountains every day but I’m too scared to enjoy them!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZCaEMBOeUg/

Choosing between skiing and snowboarding can be difficult as a beginner. A lot of people just had their parents pick for them. But as an adult, it can feel like a daunting task.

I’m sure you’ve heard people warn that snowboarding is harder to learn than skiing, but I think there’s more to it when choosing between the two winter sports.

“Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master, whereas snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master.”

There are pros and cons to both, but there’s a lot of truth to the above quote.

Skiing is easier to pick up on the first few tries because the movement is more intuitive. You’ve got your legs separated as you do normally, so it’s easier to find control at lower speeds in the learning phase. You also are standing upright, facing straight-on in the direction you’re going, giving you great visibility. Having leg separation control and being able to see other skiers, boarders, and obstacles will make a beginner skier feel more comfortable than a beginner snowboarder.

Learning how to snowboard is a lot of trial and error. Since your feet are restricted and attached to the board, falling is inevitable. Figuring out how to take the falls and get back up again, is the most important part of learning. Snowboarding can feel very counter-intuitive. Your mind and body don’t want you to fall. Mastering your toe and heel edge is the hardest part of snowboarding. It’s not a natural feeling to lean forward onto your toes as you go downhill, but you have to teach your body to trust the process.

Snowboarding stances are side-to-side, so you’re also only seeing about 50% of what’s in front of you on the slopes. For a beginner, this is terrifying because the last thing you want to do is hit a person or a tree. It’s another case of trusting yourself and the process, and with practice, you get used to the limited vision, and constantly bending your knees.

The biggest obstacle to learning how to ski or snowboard in adulthood is the fear of failure. Once you can accept failure, the mountains can be a whole lot of fun. I can’t believe how many ski trips I missed out on through the years, because of my ego.

Whether you choose to ski or board, take advantage of beautiful British Columbia this winter and fall on your face before the snow melts!

Super Bowl Halftime and the hip-hop legacy

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It’s taken years for hip-hop and rap to be recognized by the mainstream. This year’s Super Bowl Halftime show, with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Mary J. Blige, is a milestone that’ll open doors for Hip-Hop artists to come.

In a 15-minute press conference this morning, Dr. Dre spoke on the halftime show and the cultural significance and legacy of the hip-hop genre.

“We’re going to open more doors for hip-hop artists in the future and making sure that the NFL understands that this is what it should have been long time ago,”

The five performers will take the stage Sunday, inside SoFi Stadium.

I, for one, couldn’t be more excited. As Dre mentioned, this is a long time coming. Hip-hop is frequently stereotyped as inappropriate or “hood.” All of these generalizations are rooted in systematic racism. The exact same things were said about African-American blues artists in the early 1900s, who paved the way for modern music.

We’d like to think that society has changed since then, and it has, but not enough. Hip-hop is the biggest genre of music, yet it’s still considered taboo to white America. It’s interesting that people can write off an entire genre, claiming it to be “too vulgar” when that’s exactly what conservatives said about rock and roll when black people invented the now celebrated genre.

Arizona’s Republican lawmaker, Wendy Rogers has been spreading racially fuelled conspiracy theories claiming that the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime performance “exposes children to ‘evil, wicked, Satanic’ things.”

Dr. Dre is arguably the most successful and influential hip-hop artist/producer/businessman to date. He’s the sonic architect of West Coast rap, which seems to be the theme of this year’s LA-hosted, Super Bowl Halftime show.

The other California natives, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar are just as acclaimed. Snoop has had a long and successful rap career and starred alongside Dre in the critically acclaimed Straight Outta Compton. Lamar has been regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation, with his unique rap style, creative vision and grit.

Mary J. Blige is a notable trailblazer as a woman in the male-dominated genre. Referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.”

Eminem is one of the best-selling artists of all time with estimated worldwide sales of over 220 million records. He is a forever iconic figure in the hip-hop industry.

Collectively, the five rap heavyweights have taken home 44 Grammy Awards.

There’s no reason to stigmatize hip-hop and rap, this is history repeating itself within the music industry. I’ll go as far as to say that, I think these 5 performers are some of the most talented artists to ever perform at the halftime show. You have to be extremely talented to make it out of Compton or a shack in Detroit.

The adversity, strength and talent of these performers should be celebrated not shunned.

Things to do solo on Valentine’s Day

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It’s a privilege to celebrate Valentine’s day. It’s just not a very inclusive holiday, whether you’re single, doing long-distance or going through a rough patch, Valentine’s day can feel isolating even though it’s meant to celebrate the opposite.

Just because you don’t have a dinner for two at Miku reserved, that doesn’t mean you should stay home this Monday.

Here are some things you can do in Vancouver on your own, this Valentine’s day.

Be mysterious at a cafe

Nothing makes me feel better than doing my make-up and getting dressed in a cute outfit to go sit in a cafe. Bring a book or your laptop to get some work done and treat yourself to an overpriced latte. Romanticize your life as a beautiful mystery to other cafe-goers. You are the main character, you are the muse.

@blacksuburbanboy

Tell me Im not the only one who does the last one! #cafe #college #maincharacter

♬ Are You Bored Yet? (feat. Clairo) – Wallows

Bonus points if you wear a chunky sweater.

Go buy yourself flowers

You don’t need to be in a relationship to enjoy flowers, okay? There are tons of amazing florists across Vancouver with beautiful bouquets to liven up your space. I’d recommend taking an aqua bus to Granville Island and checking out V & J Plant shop in the market. You can make a whole day out of it, check out the produce, the bakeries, grab a bite to eat, maybe even splurge on some handmade jewelry!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZwsG5eF5sU/

Even when it’s not Valentine’s it’s a great practice of self-love to buy yourself flowers. It costs under 10 dollars at Whole Foods, to give yourself a boost of seratonin.

Go to a movie

I love going to the movies alone! I always worry about whether my friend enjoying the film and it just takes away from the experience. I also don’t mind having a bag of popcorn to myself.

Some movies currently playing in theatres:

  • Spider-Man: No Way Home
  • Jackass Forever
  • Death on the Nile
  • Marry Me (side note, maybe avoid this one if you’re feeling emotional about being single)
  • Licorice Pizza
  • Blacklight
  • The Matrix Resurrections

It’s okay to ride solo this Monday, a date should not define your self-worth (double entendre) Don’t stay home to avoid the PDA this Valentine’s day. Go out and show yourself some love because as cliché as it is, you can’t love anyone until you love yourself.

2022 Olympic Doping Scandal

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Last night, 15-year-old Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned drug at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. On Monday, the ROC won gold at the figure skating team event. Valieva and her teammates were scheduled to be presented with their Olympic gold medals in a ceremony that has since been postponed for legal consultations.

Russian media reported the positive test Wednesday night, naming the drug as Trimetazidine, which is typically used to treat a heart condition called angina.

If the ROC is removed from the Olympic podium, team Canada is next in line for a medal, finishing in 4th place at the figure skating event.

The positive test may disqualify Valieva from the individual competition that starts Tuesday.

Olympic officials warn that legal issues often drag on, and in the case that an athlete or team were disqualified, an appeal would likely follow to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, dragging on the process even more.

Russia has a long history of ‘doping’ athletes. In 2019, The World Anti-Doping Agency came to a unanimous decision, banning Russia from the Olympics and all Global sporting events for 4 years.

If you’ve wondered why Russian athletes are competing under the ROC (Russian Olympic Committee) name, it’s because Russia was found guilty in a long-term state-sponsored doping scheme within sports. Under the ban, the Russian flag, name and anthem are not permitted at the Olympics.

The recent drug scandal is not a good look for the ROC, that are making efforts to distance itself from historic doping controversies.

Time will only tell what comes of the 15-year-old figure skater’s positive test. How will the IOC (International Olympic Committee) respond? Some argue that this scandal is pushing anti-Russian rhetoric while others believe the doping could be bigger than one figure skater.

Song of the Day with Neena Savage

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This is Song of the Day with Neena Savage where I, Neena Savage, share my song of the day.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people completely write off an entire musical genre. Isn’t that such a limiting way to live?

Open your eyes and ears to all the amazing music out there, and let me help you find your new favourite song.

Today’s song is No Mercy by The Stranglers

This week has been a rough one, covid isolation, midterms, Kid Carson’s pro-convoy rant, and what is a better anthem for my crappy mood? No Mercy was released in 1984, written by Hugh Cornwell, Dave Greenfield, Jet Black and Jean-Jacques Burnel and performed by the Stranglers.

I found myself belting out The Stranglers classic while driving home from an unsuccessful covid test. Screaming “life shows no mercyyyy” at the top of my lungs, alone in my car, was a cathartic experience that everyone should try before spending hundreds of dollars on therapy.

The guitar and percussion are fairly simple and repetitive, layered with some fun 80’s new wave keyboard and sax. It’s uncomplicated yet rich in sound.

Every day you’re working like a slave
Sweating buckets hoping that you get it right
Will it be as tough tomorrow, have to wait and see
Life shows no mercy

Is it weird I find this song strangely motivational? Just suck it up, you know?

I’m all for a sad sap song to cry to, but sometimes I just need Hugh Conwell to tell me to pick up my bootstraps and roll with the punches.

This track was released as a single and was later added to the band’s 1984 album, Aural Sculpture. Even though No Mercy made number 37 on the UK Singles Charts, the song’s commercial success doesn’t measure up to other Stranglers songs like Always The Sun, Strange Little Girl and Golden Brown.

This is why I think No Mercy is one of the most underrated songs, that deserves your attention. Turn on this track on your next morning commute and lean into your depressing 9-5 routine because life shows no mercy.

2022 Olympics: Canada beats out US rivals in women’s hockey

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The Canadian women’s hockey team remains undefeated in the 2022 winter Olympics. Canada came out on top, in a game last night against their rivals, in a 4-2 victory against the United States.

This means Canada has finished the preliminary round at 4-0, sitting at the top spot in Group A.

One of the stars of last night’s game was Canadian forward, Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored the first-ever penalty shot in Olympic women’s history.

What would team Canada have done without Goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens? Outshot 53-27, by the US team, the Quebecois goalie held off the defending champions, saving 51 shots.

Ontario’s Brianne Jenner and Jamie Lee Rattray’s tallied up the rest of the goals for the night, Jenner with two, and one for Rattray.

Canada, the United States, Czechia, ROC, Finland, Sweden, Japan, and Switzerland have all secured spots in the quarterfinals of women’s hockey at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

On Friday morning, Canada will face off against Sweden, the third seed Pool B, in the quarterfinals.

There are high hopes for team Canada heading into the quarterfinals. Canada leads in goal differential (+28), with forward Natalie Spooner recording 11 points (two goals, nine assists).

The leading goal and point-scorer at the 2021 world championships, forward Mélodie Daoust, is still out with an injury missing her third game in a row since the team’s opener against Switzerland.

Daoust was smashed into the boards by defender Sarah Forster in the second period of the Switzerland game.

The Quebecois forward is taking her injury day-by-day but is expected to return to the rink “at some point” during the Beijing 2022 Olympic tournament.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZee4tqpnoL/

Canada and the US have faced off for the gold medal for the past three Olympics in a row. With a win 4-0 win streak, I have a good feeling Canada can beat out the Americans, who won the most recent tournament in a shootout in Pyeongchang.

Oscar Nominations 2022

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Emmy award-winners Leslie Jordan and Tracee Ellis Ross announced the nominations for the 94th Academy Awards this morning.

While looking over the nominees I’ve come to realize I’m severely out of touch.

Here are the films nominated for Best Picture:

  • BELFAST
    Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, Producers
  • CODA
    Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger, Producers
  • DON’T LOOK UP
    Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers
  • DRIVE MY CAR
    Teruhisa Yamamoto, Producer
  • DUNE
    Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve and Cale Boyter, Producers
  • KING RICHARD
    Tim White, Trevor White and Will Smith, Producers
  • LICORICE PIZZA
    Sara Murphy, Adam Somner and Paul Thomas Anderson, Producers
  • NIGHTMARE ALLEY
    Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale and Bradley Cooper, Producers
  • THE POWER OF THE DOG
    Jane Campion, Tanya Seghatchian, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Roger Frappier, Producers
  • WEST SIDE STORY
    Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers

Out of the above-listed films, I’ve seen two. Two films out of eight, that’s a record low for me.

Last month I saw Drive My Car at the Rio Theatre. Here was my review on Lettrboxd:

Drive My Car 2021 ★★★
Watched Jan 03, 2022

visuals were sooooo gorg 60s slay but also why was this movie like 4 hours I had to extend my parking TWICE

At the time I had no clue this film would be nominated for an Oscar. If I had known the traction this film was going to receive, I would’ve written a more mature and thoughtful review. The way she goes.

Give me one more shot guys!

Here’s my attempt at a genuine review of the Academy Award-nominated, Drive My Car.

I love the way the film was shot. Drive My Car was so visually pleasing that at some points I noticed myself forgetting to read the subtitles, so drawn in by the colours, frames and shapes. Reminiscent of the 1960s, with muted pops of colour. Such unhurried beauty.

 

As for the story, it was a tear-jerker. The perfect platonic love story between Misaki and Yūsuke. I loved the view of life Director, Ryusuke Hamaguchi portrayed. It’s one of those movies you keep thinking about, weeks after viewing you’re still processing the beauty and concepts presented to you.

 

Yes, the movie was 2h 59m, and yes I did have to discreetly extend my parking twice in the movie theatre. But was it worth it? Hell yes.

 

After more thoughtful deliberation, I’m upping my review ★★★★

The only other nominated film I watched this year was Don’t Look Up. With such a star-studded cast, I think everyone has seen this film at this point.

My Lettrboxd review:

Don’t Look Up
★★★ 26 Dec 2021

i liked it idk prolly shod rewatch so i was going through a crisis while i watching. extra points for cudi💯💯💓💓💓👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍😇😇

Wow, Neena this sentence makes absolutely no sense! Awesome grammar! You go, girl!

To clarify what I was trying to say here I go again:

I initially watched this film while trapped in the US due to a Covid testing error, so I wasn’t in the best headspace. No, I haven’t rewatched it since, I don’t really feel like I have to based on how much people talk about it. Maybe I’ll wait a year, because if I here anymore ‘takes’ on Don’t Look Up, I might do something drastic.

I still liked the film. I know a lot of people are crapping on it for being ‘cringe’ or cliché, but it entertained me. I generally hate pandemic-themed entertainment, but this film slid by.

 

They did that thing where they partially rely on a star studded cast to carry the film, which mostly which worked, but there were definetly parts that were clunky and dragged out.

 

I’m a huge Kid Cudi fan so I loved his cameo, as I mentioned. But Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill were by far the best parts.

I maintain my ★★★ review.

Normally I’d analyze and try to give my take on the entire nom. list but I’m just not qualified this year. What do you think of the list? Should I binge all the nominated films before Sunday, March 27th? That gives me just over a month… I could manage that.

A Very Vancouver Valentines

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Valentine’s day is coming up and if you’re looking for a way to spend the day of red hearts, chocolates and roses, here are some cute romantic date night ideas, across Metro Vancouver.

Take your love to new heights!

This year, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will be open through February, with a Valentine’s Day twist. Love Lights will run from Feb. 4 to 28 and offers a romantic stroll through the treetops. The Chandelier in the rainforest, Cliffwalk’s Arc de Lumina and Park will all feature Valentine’s themed lighting experiences.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZhneNlvJ9a/

Additionally, from February 10 – 14, the Park will be hosting an array of special Valentine’s activities with extended hours. Along with the Valentines themed park, there will be live music, and fun interactive games. Treat your date to dinner at The Cliff House Restaurant, and enjoy their special feature menu for Valentines.

When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s amore

Pizza Farina and its sister restaurant Farina a Legna, will be serving up heart shaped pizzas! How cute is that?

The pizza spot will also be offering guests $5 off their orders when combined with a bottle of the featured Lambrusco. This is literally the perfect date! Come on guys!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZs6BlPrRZD/

Unfortunately, they will only be serving the iconic pizzas on February 14th, so get them while you can this Valentines.

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition (Sorry I can’t think of any clever word play)

Remember when everyone was going to the Van Gogh exhibit at the Vancouver Convention Centre? Where’s the love for the goat Michelangelo?

Until February 20th, you can visit Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibit at the convention centre in downtown Vancouver. Compared to Van Gogh, these prices are a steal, from 12.6 CAD.

Maybe go grab a drink and dinner in Gastown before and bam awesome An art exhibit is the perfect romantic date!

Book your tickets now, just in case they sell out!

Song of the Day with Neena Savage

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This is Song of the Day with Neena Savage where I, Neena Savage, share my song of the day.

A little background on me; I like all types of music (even country sometimes!) I’m willing to give anything a try. One of my favourite things to do is surf through Spotify, exploring every nook and cranny of the streaming service for new music to add to one of my 117 Spotify playlists.

I take the time out of my day to dig through Spotify, so you don’t have to.

Today’s song is L.E.S. Artistes by Santigold.

Released in March of 2008, “L.E.S. Artistes” is the second single by American artist Santigold.

L.E.S. Artistes was a massive hit, Rolling Stone placed it at #2 on Singles of the Year, Pitchfork Media ranked it #4 at The 100 Best Tracks of 2008, and the song sits in the book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die.

Also notably featured on the soundtrack for the video game NHL 08 and Band Hero, as well as episodes of 90210, The Hills and even in the Zac Efron classic 17 again.

The title stands for New York’s trendy Lower East Side. “It’s not a French thing,” Santi explained in an interview where she went onto explain that the song

“is playing on the fact that everyone tries to make things fancy and it’s really pretentious” and “about being accosted by the New York scene and the scenesters and hipsters, who are really not artists and are just pretending to be. They’re all about just being seen.”

What she’s talking (or singing) about is still strikingly relevant, 14 years later in 2022. There’s been a huge upsurge of young “influencers” moving to NYC, and living a glamourized lifestyle of internet fame, NYU fashion and espresso martinis. Basically, LA is no longer considered trendy for the young artist.

@katebartlett

life is good can’t complain ♥️ #fashionstudent #fashionschool #nyc #newyork #dayinmylife #dayinthelife #fashioninstituteoftechnology

♬ Call me – 90sFlav

This phenomanon is prompting conversations surrounding privilege, gentrification and the “influencer pipeline”

Not only did Santigold’s L.E.S. Artistes lyrics age well, so did the sound. The heavy percussion and overall loud tone and vocals make it the perfect song to blast in your car and belt out alone or with a trusted friend who won’t bully you for trying to match Santigold’s range.

I’ve had this song on repeat since I rediscovered it, and I think you should too.

That was my song of the day for Song of the Day with Neena Savage.

Keep reading and listening for more.

 

Canada at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics – Day 3

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It’s day 3 of the 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing, and we are waking up to some good news. Canada secured four Olympic medals this Monday morning;

Max Parrot the first Canadian medalist of 2022, dominated the men’s snowboard slopestyle, bringing in gold. Followed by his teammate Mark McMorris winning bronze.

Alexandria Loutitt, Abigail Strate, Matthew Soukup and Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, are the first Canadian Olympians to bring in a medal in the sport of ski jumping. The four Olympians produced an 844.6 score, locking in a bronze medal.

In the women’s 500-metre speed-skating event, Kim Boutin won Bronze for Canada. This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise as Boutin holds the world record for the fastest time logged, and today’s Bronze was the 27-year-olds fourth Olympic medal of her career.

The Canadian Women’s hockey team remains undefeated in the preliminary round, beating out Russia in a 6-1 game. The game was initially delayed which sparked confusion amongst viewers. The Canadian women’s team delayed the game because the opposing Russian team hadn’t received their Covid test results.

Bringing Canada’s tally to six at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

What to look forward to

If you find the Olympic winter games online schedule as confusing as I do, here’s a simplified streaming schedule for team Canada today, day 3, streaming on CBC.

Times in (PST)

5:15 p.m. Beijing 2022: Figure Skating – Men’s Short Program
6:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: Freestyle Skiing – Women’s Freeski Big Air Final
6:40 p.m. Beijing 2022: Snowboarding – Parallel Giant Slalom Qualifications
7:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: Alpine Skiing – Men’s Super G Final
8:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: Hockey – Canada vs USA – Women’s Preliminary
8:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: (Inuktitut) Hockey – Canada vs USA – Women’s Preliminary
8:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: (Eastern Cree) Hockey – Canada vs USA – Women’s Preliminary
10:00 p.m. Beijing 2022: Curling – Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal
10:30 p.m. Beijing 2022: Snowboarding – Parallel Giant Slalom Final