Author Archives: Vanessa Hidalgo

Indigenous women you should know

Posted on by
Reply

There is still a loss in the education of the history of indigenous people in Canada, so it never hurts to learn and remember who they were. Here’s of quick short list of the many women who greatly impacted in Canada.

Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013)

She was born on the southern coast of Baffin Island and was one of the first Inuit women from Cape Dorset so have memorable artistic abilities. Ashevak used a variety of art forms from graphite, felt tip pens, coloured pencils, watercolour and acrylic. She would also on occasion, used soapstone carvings and stonecutters prints. The perfect love story with her husband also being an artist, on occasion they would work on art together.  She is famous name due to the fact her work has been put out on Canadian stamps and coin and her most famous prints, Enchanted Owl and Rabbit eating Seaweed, have become recognized pieces of art. And by 2001, the was inducted in Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Mary Two-Axe Earley (1911-1996)

Born on a Kahnaawake reserve in Quebec, Earley was Mohawk woman. She moved to New York City at 18 and met Edward Earley, an Irish-American who eventually became her husband. Because she married a non-indigenous man, she later lost her First Nations status and could no longer be welcomed back to the reserve. Of course, she would not stand for this and began to advocate for the rights of indigenous women and for changes to be made to the Indians act. By 1968 she established the Equal rights for Indian woman association. This was nowhere near easy for her to achieve, she received lots of push back mostly from men in the community due to the fact they felt as though their culture would erode. Though the hardships she faced with the death of husband by 1985, the parliament passed Bill C-31. This bill amended the Indian act and removed discriminatory measures.

Angela Sidney (1902-1991)

A Tagish woman that spent most of her life, preserving the stories of her people. Ever since from a young age, she enjoyed hearing the old stories that were told by her parents and other relatives, to ensure that Tagish dances, stories and language did not die. Sidney would assist linguists and anthropologists with research to keep the culture alive. In 1986, she became the first woman from the Yukon to receive Order of Canada for the important work that she did.

Mikak (1740-1795)

Born all the way from Labrador, she played an important role in the creation of friendly relations between European traders and Inuit people. It is believed to be, she was the first Inuk that had travelled to Europe and back to North America, this is significant because most who went to Europe died from small pox before returning. Mikak is also one of the earliest mentioned Inuits in historical documents. Taken as a prisoner but an English Naval officer, Francis Lucas and was later brought to London. Meeting with many she impressed them, and won over several people and thus learned some English.

Nora Bernard (1935-2007)

A Mi’kmap activist who fought heavily for the compensation of residential school survivors. When she was a child, Bernard spent five years at the Shubenacadie Indian Residential school. Those five suffering years she spent drove her to bring lawsuit against the government for the mistreatment and trauma she experienced. While in school, Bernard defended her siblings and many other siblings when she saw them being mistreated. And by 1995, Bernard founded an organization that represented survivors of Shubenacadie, their class action lawsuit would soon be known by the world. Unfortunately she did not get to see all her hardwood when she was killed in 2007 by her grandson.

Jean Cuthand Goodwill (1928-1997)

A Cree woman from the Little Pine First Nation. Goodwill was the first indigenous person in Saskatchewan, and one of the first in Canada to become a registered nurse.  When she was a child she contracted tuberculosis and because of that she spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals and being around them. This all influenced her in the direction to choose being a nurse as her career. In the earlier days of career, she worked in the rural Saskatchewan and also Bermuda, focusing on helping people in need. Goodwill’s biggest interest was in the political and community issues after when she returned to Canada. Goodwill was one of those who helped found the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and served as its presidents from 1983 – 1990. She was the first Indigenous women to serve as a special advisor to the minister of National Health and Welfare in the federal government. She also worked with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Among being a nurse, she also taught at the University of Regina and was a Canadian Public Health association board member and served a term as President of the Canadian Society Circumpolar Health.

 

 

Are you down with the trend?

Posted on by
Reply

Leave the bleached washed ripped-skinny jeans at home, we are not down with those.

It has been said that fashion trend always circles back every ten years, and in the past 3 years there’s a lot that has been making a comeback. It is funny seeing kids and teens going thru this modern version of what is an “emo” phase and hearing the throwbacks and ripped black shirts, oh memories.

What the croc?

I remember when I was in elementary school and crocs were the blasphemy any kid could wear, they were an embarrassment. You would not want to be caught in the street wearing those rubber shoes, only in the security of your home would you wear such monstrosities. Crocs were seen as a grandmother’s shoe or a shoe a nurse in a hospital would wear, but now. Crocs are everything from drag to designer fabulous. While it did start to popularize a little back then when you could customize your shoe with little charm like things, it is nowhere to where it is now. Crocs have made it to being down the runway with luxury designer GUCCI, and even doing exclusive collaborations with the biggest names in music. I think I might just buy myself a pair, oh wait they’re fifty dollars, never mind.

Tracksuits

No not the tracksuits you see Italian men wearing, I mean the iconic any colour you want Juicy couture tracksuits. If you wanted to be anything like your favourite pop girl back then, you were begging your mom to buy you one. The most iconic person to ever grace the earth wearing these was none other than, Paris Hilton. Tracksuits were huge and it was the cutest way to look like a down to earth celeb, in front of the paparazzi. Especially with the hype of 2000 rap videos, there was not a single video where you would not see a girl in pink tracksuit and skimpy little shirt. And as someone who had a Juicy Couture tracksuit, I approve this trend.

Emo but make it angsty?

Sometimes they are referred as e-girls and e-boys, because I don’t think it will make sense I were to explain. TikTok has 100% triggered this wave of kids who hate the world, which me too I guess but wow. Moments like these I realize aging is a real thing that happens. While the true emo kids never wore what the fashion trends are now, it is interesting to see how this has adapted to more modern times. The music industry has also made note of this rise of punching walls rebellion, with two pop/punk artists who have been criticized as being industry made. The music is so corny to hear, I just know past pop/punk artists are rolling in their grave. It kind of make the culture lame now because it’s the normal and trend, and emo kids were the outcasts and did not fit into the norm. All ends well in true teen spirit, I approve this trend because of the nostalgia.

Christina Aguilera Hair

If you were like any other unsupervised child in the 2000s, you remember the riveting music video for the song, Dirty by none other than Xtina. While the video is famous for many different things, her hair was one of the most timeless looks to come from it. The streaky hair trend plagued this time, every girl had it and for the dudes, they had the JT frosted tips. Now, that hair style has popularized even more, and gone hybrid even. Different versions, and takes of only doing the front pieces died, or only black roots, fair to say the hairstylists are busy. I will say, it is not a style anyone can pull off, but you can, you just have to have that aspect of nobody can touch me I am god, and you’re good to go. I personally, like the style and I think it is a great look, so this trend can stay for a while, I love the skunk hair.

Lookin’ like you’re going on a villain mission

If you don’t know what techware is, it is mostly black clothing you would wear on perhaps a zombie apocalypse, or pandemic. While techware has always been popular in its own quiet way, it has gotten most attention in the spotlight. Again, because of tiktok it has become more popularized (I sound like a robot repeating this over and over) and with masks, people look like they are on a secret mission. Techware is utility, so jackets will have lots of random hooks and belt like pieces but in the name of fashion. In the more popular light, you see this with designers like OFFWHITE who have used the utility aesthetic to their advantage. Mostly popular with men and especially artists who are trying to create a ominous feel in their music videos, this style is the way to go.

 

 

 

 

Important Canadian Women

Posted on by
Reply

Were you able to recognize any of the names?

Doris Anderson 1921-1997

Anderson was a Magazine editor and women’s movement champion, a double threat if you will. She was a long-time editor of the Chatelaine magazine and a newspaper columnist. Continuously in the 1960s, Anderson worked hard for the creation of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. By doing so, this greatly influenced the way the advances in women’s equality occurred. Anderson was responsible in the way that women started receiving equal rights that were now included in the Charter of rights and Freedoms. She authored a number of books, this included three novels and an autobiography, Rebel Daughter, and sat as the president of the National Action committee on the Status of Women. When 1974 came she became and officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2002. Anderson also received a Persons Case Awards and several honorary degrees.

Kenojuak Ashevak 1927-2013

Ashevak was an inspiring talented artist, she meant to be great the moment she was born. Born in an igloo on the south coast of Baffin Island, born in the cold had her strong from the start.  Her career as an artist began in 1958 when a government administrator recognized her talent. And so quickly began her career and she became a role model to many Inuit women, who have also almost become as recognized as she was. While lots of her work is memorable there is one piece that sticks out as being one of her most well-known works, Enchanted Owl. This was created for the Cape Dorset’s 1960 print collections and it was used on a postage stamp in 1970 to mark the centennial of the Northwest Territories. And thus began her rise to becoming an artistic icon. Ashevak lived most of her life in Cape Dorset, where she had lots of extended family of children and grandchildren. She has been described as being gracious, composed and thoughtful, and so it no shock why she came a big mentor for the second and third-generation Inuit artists.

Emily Carr 1871-1945

You have most definitely heard this name before I mean, there is literally am art school in Vancouver named after her. She was a West Coast who has been described as “Canada’s Van Gogh” you’ve got to be really good to get that rep in the world.  She was born in Victoria and began with a few advantages to her art career. Living the artist lifestyle, she studied art in San Francisco, London and Paris while still struggling to fund her education. She started to embrace this modernist lifestyle and went back home in 1911 and applies her skills to her favourite subjects, West Coast rainforests and the villages and artifacts of indigenous peoples. But like many other great artists came bumps in their works, Canadian critics and buyers were not actually ready for her work, so she abandoned painting for fifteen long years. It was not until the National Gallery mounted an exhibition of West Coast art in 1927 that she received the attention she deserved. And by time she passed away came international renown she enjoyed that6 outlasted that of her contemporaries.

Mary Shadd Cary 1823-1893

One of the first black women to be a newspaper editor in North America, so you should remember this name. Cary was hardworking and a tireless advocate for universal education, black emancipation and women’s rights. Originally from Delaware, she moved to Windsor in Canada (which is now Ontario) to teach in 1851. Upon arriving, she soon founded the Provincial Freeman, which was dedicated to abolitionism, temperance and women’s political rights. During the American Civil War, she went back to the United States as a recruiter of African American soldiers for the Union Army. Upon the end of the was, she moved to Washington, D.C, to teach and study law and at age sixty, she became the second black woman in the United States to earn a law degree. And by 1994, Cary was designated a Person of National Historic significance in Canada.

Angelina Napolitano 1882-1932

There is a lot to thank to the women in the past who took lives of their abusers, in order so the women today can get justice, and Angelina Napolitano is one of them. Napolitano brought national awareness to domestic abuse, but little is known of her tragic life. She was an Italian immigrant who in 1911, killed her abusive husband with an axe as he slept. Although suffering from the abuse, she was convicted of murder, and was sentenced to hang. Since the abuse could not be sued as a defence, the case started a insane debate and came a flood of petitions asking that her life, be spared. This brought the “battered woman” defence into the spotlight and highlighted inequities in the law. And on July 14 of 1911, the federal Cabinet commuted her sentence to life imprisonment instead. By 1932 she was granted parole and is speculated died around 1932. Such a tragic life story to hear now in the present, iut is incredible to see how history has managed to change throughout the decades.;

Viola Desmond 1914-1965

All the way from Nova Scotia, there she challenged the segregation practices.  Way before the modern civil rights movement in the United States, Demond took the stand for racial equality, in Halifax at a rural movie theatre, in 1946. This caused a stir because she refused to move to a section of the theater unofficially set aside, for black people. Because of this Demond was dragged out by police and jailed. Even with all the clear racial issues at present, police denied the fact her race had anything to do with her arrest. Her case ignited the black population of Nova Scotia to fight for change, and in 1945, segregation officialy ended in Nova Scotia.

 

How to celebrate your graduation, not from the stage

Posted on by
Reply

Imagine after all your years of struggles and sunken eyes from late night studies, here comes a pandemic to waste away your twenties. For those who are graduating this coming summer congrats, online schooling has definitely tested the drive of many students. To those who have spent four years of their lives staring out the cement walls of BCIT, and don’t get to walk across the stage (that’s if you wanted to) it is a very dull reality. Many of us have lost these key experiences of our lives due to the hard moments of reality, but nonetheless even with restrictions, there are ways you can celebrate your time.

Zoom Party

Skype really missed out on making the bank that zoom made from the pandemic, you would think it would have been skyped to step up to the plate. Zoom classes were the hell but also the heaven as you could roll out of bed barely clothed and hope your instructor didn’t for you to have the camera on. But when the whole class did have all cameras on and you instructor made the best of the class, it was kind of nice and refreshing to have to pay attention once again. If you do have the amount of extrovert-ness and drive to sit in a call with many students, or maybe only your faves, it may be a fun moment to the end of it. You can have a fun zoom, and all get blackout drunk or do a celebratory Netflix party, still with drinks. You can really make anything boring a lot better if you just get drunk.

Surround yourself with your beloved circle

While doctor henry has said many things there is one sure circumstance, we may all oblige to, our small inner circle. Whether this is your family circle, roommates or close friends you hold dear to, it can make it all the better. Yes, it is true you can’t ideally live it up in the club on a Friday night, peace at mind with no thoughts, but you can try to make the most to what you have. While still keeping in mind that small circle, you can visit any of Vancouver’s wonderous parks or if you are willing to make the trip, drive two hours out just to some random park, it is the journey that matters most you see. I think something that many of us forget at times is, how fast time passes when you’re with those you love the most or enjoy being around. Yeah, eating McDonalds in a parking lot at 3 am hot boxing the car may not be the most luxurious way to celebrate getting that degree, but you will get a lot of memorable moments from it, and jokes you will be sure to remember when you’re 78. This pandemic and wanting to still socialize is all about getting creative, what is the most boring but safe thing you can still enjoy? Once you find that, it will all be okay, for now.

Get down with Da Vinci

Does the name Leonardo Da Vince ring a bell? Yeah, I bet it probably does but why are you reading this name at this moment, well. Just like Vancouver has its Van Gogh exhibit comes another headliner right after. While you may have to do a little road trip all the way to Tsawwassan Mills Mall, it has been the latest rave right now. The exhibit will be done with Projections to create a virtual reality experience of inside Da Vinci’s studio. Additionally, there will be replicas of the unique inventions and machines he created based on original drawings. So if you missed out on the great Van Gogh, why not settle for a little Da Vinci in your life. Art exhibitions have been the little medium in which you can do something with restrictions. Entries for Da Vinci are an hour inside and goes in rounds of 30 minutes. This is probably one of the fanciest ways I have as a suggestion to celebrate graduation.

What about a fun indie rock band?

One of the great things that usually comes with warmer weather, are the outdoor concerts and festivals. Now all you’re going to get are fun little live shows at the screen in your home, but you can enjoy those as well. Brought to you by the city of Surrey, is a family-favourite, party for the planet livestream. The livestream is set to go live April 22nd from 5pm-7pm on Facebook and Youtube. The stream will be headlined by the JUNO-Nominated indie rock band, The Zolas who are joined with on the virtual stage with musical and Indigenous performances by Andrea Menard, Stars of the North Drum Group, IAMTHELIVING and Teon Gibbs, Glass Forest, Wild Moccasin Dancers and Bobs & Lolo and more.

 

And that is all i’ve got for you now, without sounding so repetitive. While not walking across the stage for many is a loss, just walk down a really fun Vancouver street, it will not be the same, but you got your, km, in for the day hey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albums that you should know

Posted on by
Reply

I just feel like if you have not listened to these, you’re going to want to.

Trilogy

Everyone knows him now, and he sung about it years ago. While it is very hard for me to choose a single Weeknd album to devote my life to, I can’t help but turn to Trilogy. This album was made with so much pain and from real experiences that tell, through the music. The album which features the iconic song, House of Balloons that changed RnB music, will always be, without a doubt, top 5 albums in my library, to me. With 3 different tapes you are sure to find one song, you love.

The Slim Shady LP

This was probably the first guy you listened to when you wanted to get into rap music, a white rapper, ironically. While Eminem today has faced loads of criticism and is no longer as loved as he was in the 2000s, he still arguably remains, as an iconic person in the music industry. I mean the guy read the dictionary every night before bed so he could think of words that rhymed with cottage, you can not ignore him. The Slim Shady LP, still remains as one of those pieces that everyone knows, lyrics from the tape are still referenced, to this day. When Eminem came out who was really rapping about such violence and grotesque rated-R imagery like him? Nobody. So, on top of his distinct rap style, you couldn’t help but enjoy hearing him rap about being in a wife beater, while also being a, yeah.

YEEZUS

A highly debated album in the rap industry, where different sides can’t agree on whether it’s his greatest or worst work of all. Taking lots of inspiration from the brand new rap at the time, Kanye brought one of the most experimental and futuristic sounds to 2013.  In my opinion. One of his greatest eras musically and visually. Heavily inspired by minimalist designs and the Louvre, he performed some of the most iconic performances from, this album. This album incorporated so many different genres, it was said to be one of his most progressive pieces. Although, to contrast to Kanye West today, it would be nice to go back to the simple times, when he was just a really good rapper.

Watch the Throne

To me, I feel like what is Jay-Z without a Kanye West feature, yes he is talented, but them as a duo, was unstoppable. Some of my most favourite hype songs comes from this album, and you feel that the moment you start listening to it. Going 5 times platinum, you could not get enough of the album. When you go to any event where rap music is distinctly played, you will always hear the third track from Watch the Throne, without a doubt. The album brought sickening melodies and intros like Otis and No Church in The Wild. 2011 was a crazy year and wow I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I heard my favourite songs.

If you’re reading this it’s too late

One of Canada’s biggest, Drake has made name for himself and for the country he reps. Even if his music isn’t your particular taste, you can’t deny the recognition and publicity he has given the city of Toronto, especially the Raptors. Released way back in 2015, this album had the biggest hype and anticipation that year. Definitely taking inspiration from the new trap sound and Kanye West’s YEEZUS, the more electronic sound of rap music was on the rise. When I think of music to listen to in order to get hyped up, I can’t help but turn this one, the production is just fantastic.

Poison Ivy

If you were avid on Tumblr is the last decade you remember the name Yung Lean. He’s one of those guys who really helped shape the whole underground rapper and soundcloud music era. While the genre in which he took direction in was rap/hiphop, it was far from that. The fondness of having more electronic and weird sounds in music started to be, the salt to a track, it was what you needed to hear. Lean isn’t as popular now as he was around 2015 but one of his recent works, Poison Ivy, is a whole different sound that before. The mixtape is a more alternative piece featuring songs with unique names, it is a must listen.

Concept Vague

I can’t get enough of this album and any of his other work, and I want to gatekeep the music so bad, because it is that good. This is a great one as he’s a laid back dude straight outta, Ottawa. Isn’t it great to have other Canadian musicians that are not all from Toronto.  What I primarily like about Lovell is his voice, he already has a deep voice but, he does edit it more to make it sound even deeper, in which adds this darkness to his tracks. By being originally a producer himself, he takes lots of different approaches to sounds and weird samples you would not think of using on a, underground type sound.  His music is also great if you’re a car person, he makes really good Tokyo drift-esque music.

Top things Vancouver is known for

Posted on by
Reply

Some are good, some are bad

Yes, I am starting to run out of ideas of what to write on so, here’s your typical Buzzfeed list.

Are we seriously fighting over cold hard rock in a net right now?

Yes, I am sorry, but I had to, this was so embarrassing for us, but the 2011 hockey riot will now always, be used in contrast to real riots behind social issues. I still remember how much we talked about it in school for the next month. Teachers were acting as if every kid in their class may have been guilty, scaring us on how they are putting up pictures and the police will find us, dude I am eleven, I was sleeping. There was a lot of pent-up Canadian rage and we got so close to tasting what other cities and their Stanley Cups tasted and then, gone. The candy was taken from the baby, but in this case, fully grown adults and they lost it. The riot caused about $5 Million in damages downtown and thankfully, no one was hurt to the extent of losing their life, although people lost their minds. The Boston Bruins beat us 4-0 in Game 7, the Canucks couldn’t get a single goal in. It took about 15,000 volunteers to clean up the damages and about 887 charges were issued against 301 people, insane. But don’t worry Vancouver, Montreal also rioted after a Stanley Cup game in 1993, but it only cost them $3.9 Million, in today’s dollars.

One of the most liveable cities, not according to the housing market

Back in 2019 Vancouver was actually voted as one of the most livable cities coming in at, number six. This isn’t too shocking because, money and rent aside, it is a liveable city. Unlike big cities that feel like they are always moving and just cramped, as small as Vancouver is, everything is pretty well spaced out, but close enough you can enjoy it all. The balance between city and nature life is just enough that you don’t get too, overwhelmed. What’s great about Vancouver compared to its cooler brother Toronto, are the mountains and bodies of water that surround us. Yes, Toronto does have a harbour, but Vancouver has a harbour, with beautiful mountains. Also, I think were known for having good weed here so, there is that too.

What’s Vancouver without mentioning the weather

Us Vancouverites are notorious for never being satisfied with Vancouver’s weather, while other cities, are covered in snow at negative 20. The great thing about this city is the weather, as much as we like to shit talk it. While we do get the four seasons our rain always lasts until the end of time, but our snow, is usually light. People who are not from Canada always imagine us decked out in our latest snow gear but that is not the case for us, in Vancouver. One of the reasons I like it here because of how boring our weather really is. While others do start getting sick of the rain personally, I love it. The rain is especially nice when you’re sleeping, and you can hear the droplets fight for landing on your roof, it makes the perfect white noise.

Everyone here works in film

Because Vancouver is so, no offence, basic, it is extremely popular in the film industry because they can make it look like anything, they want. A handful of movies and tv series have been filmed and are being filmed here, right now. Vancouver is known to be used in about 65 movies and 55 shows annually. This makes Vancouver the third largest location for film and tv production. While on the topic we’ve got some of the best Canadian film actors out of Vancouver like, Seth Rogen and Ryan Reynolds, and Toronto doesn’t have that.

Our lucrative appearances

Our very wannabe LA lifestyle in areas like Kitsilano and West Van, are the butt to some jokes. Out of all the provinces it seems we have created a city full of hipsters and gals walking down the street with their yoga mat and power green smoothie. While we may come off as nature freaks to some, we were also voted the third worst dressed city, in the world. If you find this surprising, you clearly have not seen the same Lululemon pants and puff jacket I’ve seen every day. With such a laid-back city, you can’t deny the people here won’t also dress like that.

Is all we have the Canucks?

When you take a look to cooler brother Toronto, they’ve got so many events, performances and The Raptors! Now ,when you look at Vancouver, we have The Canucks, I guess the Whitecaps and Seth Rogen, not much. I feel like when I look at other cities, Vancouver lacks creativity, probably because were all stressed about the housing market. While yes, Vancouver does have some cultural events or festivals, I can’t help but feel as though there is a lack of colour, in the city, and it does not seem I am the first to think of this, have you?

Best things to do on rainy days in Vancouver

Posted on by
Reply

From one bored 21 year old, to you

Watching TikTok of course

Nothing ever beats ordering take out and watching TikTok’s in the comfort of your bed on your day off. I know some turn away from the app as it is run by teenagers and children as well as adults attempting, to be funny.  While some do swear against it, once you get the right algorithm, it is addicting. I think the greatest thing and what has also made the app so popular, is that it gives any one that, viral moment. It’s not like other social medias where you tend to put up your best appearance, you tend to see a more realistic view on others. Because you can’t help but feel comforted by these people who see, to be just like you, you will stay scrolling for hours.

How about crying? 

Again to get corny, this pandemic has brought out versions of ourselves we may have never met, if it did not happen. To make the rainy days any more typical than they are, cry and let the tears fall in the rain. Don’t have to take this one too literal, but there is always a different feel when you watch a sad movie or listen to that sad album, and all you see are the lights reflecting off of the droplets on your bedrooms window, you can’t beat that. So, while you don’t literally need to cry an ocean, play that sad album and stare out the window, as if you’re the lead in a coming of age film.

Leave your house 

Don’t let a little rain stop you from adventuring everything Vancouver has to offer. All around Vancouver are the most beautiful cherry blossoms your eyes could ever see. You can take the most breathtaking pictures of single droplets kissing the blossoms, why miss out on that? If nature doesn’t suit your persona, you can also try the art around town . You can stay dry and visit the art gallery and appreciate all the art work it has to offer or stand outside in the rain; and wait for the beautiful light displays on the gallery. If you hate art and pretty flowers, head down to Blodel’s Conservatory. You can walk around the sphere for 45 minutes and take countless pictures of the exquisite birds and flowers. The conservatory is also inside so, you won’t get wet but you’ll have to bare with the slight humid environment.

Food, Coffee and Drinks, it fixes everything right?

When all else fails, food never does right? Nothing tastes better than hot comfort food, when you’re cold from the weather. So why not check out a new restaurant you haven’t tried from before, take a chance it’s raining anyways. For those who want to feel more adventurous, try finding the most rustic and rundown looking coffee shop, I just know they’ll have the greatest cup of coffee you ever tasted.

Bad movies and Classics, perhaps?

Nothing really tops when you watch a movie and it gives you second hand embarrassment, top film art right there folks. You can enjoy a nice movie marathon and watch your favourite classics, sit back and think back when life was simple. If you really want to enjoy the full potential of doing nothing, watching bad movies really is the cherry on top. The new thing of watching movies just because they’re horrible, has really got film directors pushing them out like babies. Bad movies might just be what society needs, you already know it’s going to be bad, you have no highs nor hopes, kind of like adulthood. Just watch any sci-fi movie that had an extremely low budget, I am sure, you will laugh.

Hate Cherry Blossoms? How about Tulips 

Spring is a very busy season for photographer and Instagram bloggers in Vancouver, so many flowers! Just opened on Sunday 11th the Chilliwack Tulips Fest is back once again. Most known as the Tulips of the Valle, it’s been happening since 2006, yeah that’s a lot of years. Unfortunately for the moment organizers are encouraging only residents of the Fraser Valley to visit in attempt to stay safe. The event will be held for up to 4 weeks and tickets can be bought online, so keep watch for that.

Books can be fun too

Why not make yourself feel like the main character in a tragic life story and visit a bookstore in hope of finding your one true love. Nothing says rainy day like spending your day at a cafe, sipping on coffee and reading stories that let your imagination run wild. Vancouver had many cute books stores waiting for you! Taking a look at your local thrift store is always a great pass time and you will always find at-least one, decent horror book.  So act mysterious and pretend to read in a cafe.

Rest In Peace, Cobain

Posted on by
Reply

You would’ve been 52

You probably saw your social media flooded with anniversary posts, or posts reminiscing on grunge music’s greatest band Nirvana, because Kurt Cobain passed on April 5th, 27 years ago.

Kurt Cobain in my opinion is one of the greatest musicians ever and you can’t deny it due, to how much influence he’s had on new generation music and the grunge sub-culture.

Cobain was born at our neighbors’ border, Seattle Washington. If you’re an Aquarius congrats! So was Kurt! As he was born into this world on February 20th, 1994. He was a son of a waitress and automotive mechanic father, besides growing up in a two-couple household, it was the least in ordinary.

At nine years old his parents decided to divorce each other, and Kurt would go on to live with his brand-new stepmother and father. In an Interview from 1993, Kurt reveals how this divorce affected him immensely and his mother noted it too saying he became, defiant and withdrawn. In the interview itself he said:

“I remember feeling ashamed, for some reason. I was ashamed of my parents. I couldn’t face some of my friends at school anymore, because I desperately wanted to have the classic, you know, typical family. Mother, father. I wanted that security, so I resented my parents for quite a few years because of that.”

All kids with childhood trauma say hey one time! If you note in his music, I can’t help but feel immense pain but also relief while listening, not to assume, but the pain showed through in some of the songs, and I found relief in it.

Although Kurt’s father promised not to remarry, he indeed broke that promise he made to Kurt and re-married shorty after. Kurt did not seem too bothered by the decision as his new mother gave him all the maternal attention he craved for. This family classic only lasted so long until his stepmom gave birth to a child, in January 1979.

Kurt had now lost all love he once had and insisted that this family was in fact, not his real family. He began misbehaving and grew lots of resentment against his stepmother. At the same time Kurt’s mother, Wendy, began dating and was dating a man who abusive. He often witnessed the domestic violence inflicted on his mom. Although her son watched it all, Wendy still stayed in the relationship, even refusing to press charges when she once ended up in hospital, due to the violence.

Because of it all, he began behaving insolent towards adults and soon came his teenage rebellion and fuck parents’ phase, but can you blame him? On top of all that, he began bullying a classmate in school and his father had enough and took him straight to therapy. The therapist suggested that Kurt would benefit from a single-family environment, although they attempted to bring the parents back together, that was not going to work. And on June 28, 1979, his mother Wendy granted full custody of him to his Father.

The rebellion continued and it was too much for Kurt’s father to bare, so he would send him off to family and friends. While living with a born-again Christian family-friend, Jesse Reed, he became a devout Christian, for a moment, and later denounced his Christianity.

Beside his troubles he faced with his environment and himself, he was a talented kid and didn’t pay mind to criticisms he’d face. The Cobain family did have a musical background so it is no shock Kurt would take from this. His maternal uncle played in a band called the Beachcombers; his aunt, played guitar and performed in bands; and his great uncle had a career of an Irish tenor and making an appearance  in the 1930 film King of Jazz. The talent he had was evident from an early age, he would draw his favourite characters from films and cartoons. His Grandmother, Iris Cobain, as a professional artist encouraged him greatly.

It’s fair to say if he were alive today, he would despise music journalists and society and what has become of it all, as sad as it is. Kurt was everything punk rock and grunge culture was as a movement. He was very vocal on his support of pro-choice, sexism, racism and homophobia, and all of this somehow ended in death threats being sent to him due to his views.

Which what idiot is listening to Nirvana and doesn’t get those vibes from the music already?

He often complained about music journalists and how they would break their pens attempting to decipher lyrics and meanings.

“Why in the hell do journalists insist on coming up with a second-rate Fruedian evaluation of my lyrics, when 90 percent of the time they’ve transcribed them incorrectly?

He always said music came first and would come up with melodies in which he would then follow with, lyrics. He insisted the lyrics were unimportant and would procrastinate on writing them, often changing the content and order of lyrics during performances.

So, you could see why music journalists were losing minds with Kurt’s lyricism.

His influence on the industry and rock music is evident, his whole persona, angst and views are what makes him and his music that much better. It is so crazy to see how much his music and influence has carried to today, his quotes on social issues, race and music, are still accurate.

As someone who went through my angsty Nirvana phase in ninth grade, I think it is so essential to have at least, ATLEAST, one Nirvana song in your music library. And even that’s the bare minimum.

The whole grunge, punk and alternative rock music is owed a lot to Nirvana and Kurt Cobain.

So, Rest in Paradise Kurt Cobain and rest well

Ranking Vancouver’s notable places

Posted on by
Reply

I feel as though growing up in Vancouver in all 21 years of  my life and gone thru the angsty moments, I know of those cool places around van and.n fun spirit I will be rating the places I have been to.

You’re probably safe from Covid If you ate here

No hate first off, loved the place also love the guy because the owner is a super chill dude with tattoos BUT, only the brave ate here. Bon’s off Broadway is probably one of East Van’s most notable places, especially as a restaurant. Listen, I am not hating on a quick $3 breakfast but, why was my ketchup watery? If you have ever been inside, you have seen the walls that are covered in tagging and graffiti and it’s kind of cool, looks a bit dirty, but still super cool and also just make the place feel cozier. In all it’s a nice place, the only thing terrifying about it, are the washrooms. I feel like if you took one of those black-lights in them, it would be just horrendous. I still can’t quite remember how bad the washrooms were because I probably repressed the memory. Overall, you gotta love the feel that this place gives East Van, so I am going to give it a 7/10, due to my ketchup tasting like water.

How much could I drink to forget it here?

Vancouver is not famous for its clubs, matter of fact I think the only one people ever mention is No.5 Orange, because of the strippers and I think one of Vancouver’s sports teams frequented the place quite often I hear. When you turn 19 in Vancouver it is a bit melodramatic, unless you have the funds to make it worth even more. From most of the people in my bubble and what i’ve seen, when you turn 19, you get blackout drunk at Fortune, so you can forget how bad it really is there. Fortune is like if you gave a prom dance liquor and bag hygiene, just mediocre djing and dancing. Of course, fortunately for my 19th I never actually made it inside the building, but I did attend again, this time sober, so I remember everything quite well, sadly. First off if you have a TFSA account and are not under the age of 25 you might wanna go to Celebrities on Davie st instead, it is a bit cleaner. Fortune isn’t horrible alright, but, when you have only 1 floor and that many people on said floor, ya it kind of makes you want to fall through the floor, to freedom. While I am shitting on it, it isn’t the worst, the drinks are pretty okay and the music on a good day, is not the worst thing ever, if the Dj is sober and coherent. So based off of its rep and experience going to give it a 4/10, because Celebrities is a lot better.

You might hear some yelling or ya might hear some singing

Ah yes Commercial drive, otherwise known as, The Drive, it is the city’s core to mayhem and love. Just like when you’re opening a present from someone close to you, you never know what the hell you’re going to get. I think in all of Vancouver it is one of my favourite communities because just like New York, it never sleeps. The drive has lots of great restaurants to eat at as well as small local grocery stores you can support, and on top of all of that, it is probably the area with the most talkative people. I feel like if you’re ever feeling sad or lonely I’m sure you can find a stranger who would chat you up and maybe clear your mind, even for just the moment. Commercial drive is also such a welcoming community and inclusive to anybody who needs it. So, because of its warm hospitality to strangers minding their business on a simple Tuesday, I am going to give it 9/10 only because if you’re walking along the driver after dark, it is a little unsettling at times.

Whose park was this? Stanley’s?

Out of all the beautiful things Vancouver has to offer, Stanley park is without a doubt on that list. Not to flex but, does Toronto have a park in the heart of downtown surrounded by water? No? exactly. Infamously known for its seawall you can skate, bike or walk to your heart’s desire, as long as you got the stamina for it. The park is home to the Vancouver aquarium and recognised for its holiday themed train activities for Christmas and Halloween. My favourite thing about the park, is the beautiful night drives you can take along the sea wall. Driving down looking at the night sky and seeing the lights reflect off of the water, is such a pretty sight to me. So because of how much I love the drive, 10/10 no doubt.

So, which is your favourite Vancouver destination, was it on the list? It is always funny to hear people talk about local areas because, everyone almost has an experience in which now defined the area in a way for them, forever. And if you haven’t gone to any, make sure you check out Bon’s at least, you will never forget it.

The 20th century’s most memorable celebrity moments

Posted on by
Reply

Even if you’re not a mainstream music fan, there were many celebrity moments around MTV, MUCHMUSIC and in the media that you can’t just forget about. Some were dramatic maybe even controversial, while others were weird and questionable.

Yep, she sure came in like a wrecking ball

Miley oh Miley, she is always one to stay in the tabloids and eyes of the media. I do believe growing up as a Disney star did affect her in many ways, her move from Disney kid to raunchy girl stirred lots of controversy at the time. Now, her performance with Robin Thicke at the VMA’s in 2013 was the biggest scandal of the year. Coming fresh off her Disney career, seeing Hannah Montana and then seeing this performance, was in the least bit dramatic, traumatizing. Before this performance the song was already being talked about for days because of its music video. Miley took the stage in nothing, but a latex flesh covered two piece and blurred all the lines Robin Thicke had. Shortly after this performance, the criticism online soared sky high. Because she was fresh off her Disney stardom people could not grasp the concept of the sexual exploitation, they were seeing.

Our favourite mama monster

In pop music in the past decade Lady Gaga was the moment and didn’t give a fuck about any controversy or rumours, that stirred about her. When you think back on the red carpet debuts, Lady Gaga was always at the top of the list critics were talking about. In her career she had so many big moments at all the award shows especially, MTV. One of the most talked about moments in pop culture back in 2010, was when she showed up to the MTV awards show, in nothing, but a full outfit out of meat. You can see why this made all vegans and vegetarians filled with rage, as she paraded around in what you keep in your freezer. When I think back on moments like these, I can’t imagine how it would go now. This is also what made her so likeable as an artist because she was never doing, what everybody else was doing. Her music videos always went above and beyond, and she never had a problem angering the conservative Christians. When she released the music video for Judas, she oh so cleverly released it on easter weekend, you got to love it.

And now presenting, Beyoncé, duh

When it came to pop moments, she had many, from her self-titled album, drunk in love performance with jay z and who can forget when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift accepting her award because he said, Beyoncé deserved it. With all those moments that happened who can forget when the world stopped during her Love on Top performance at the VMAs in 2011. From Destiny’s Child to one of the biggest singers, her pregnancy announcement stunned everybody. To not only put on a performance like that while pregnant, of course the world would be in awe. This was the biggest news for the next 9 months and everyone waited in anticipation to see Blue Ivy, for the very first time.

Anything Rihanna ever did anywhere

From innocent girl from Barbados to everyone’s girl to dream, even Drake’s, the talent is unmatched. Back in 2016 her album ANTI was the biggest album of the year and summer, if you weren’t hearing Needed you on the radio at least 40 times a day, you weren’t living. In true Vanguard award fashion, a 15-minute video is prepared to honour the artist before presenting the award, but of course why do what everyone else does. Instead, RiRi did a 15-minute performance of her 4 of her biggest songs and everyone and their mothers went crazy.

3 pop girls, who could get mad at that?

The biggest most loved icons by everyone and mostly the gay community they went berzerk over this. This VMA performance does go back before I could understand words, but it was enough of promiscuity for 2003. The performance starts off with Britney walking down the steps and Christina comes around from the corner, singing the lyrics to Like a Virgin by Madonna. What drew the most attention to this VMA moment, was the kiss Madonna shares with both Britney and Christina. What makes the whole thing even better is the camera pan to Justin Timberlake after she kisses Britney, and all the blood left his face.

Rest Easy, Michael Jackson

The death of such a famous sensation left holes in many hearts and was felt everywhere in the music industry when he died. In 2009 Janet Jackson gave one of the most heartfelt tributes to the loss of her brother. With the Jackson family watching in the audience, a tribute to the king of pop could not just be any performance. Janet performed their duet song Scream, while Janet also fought back holding tears backstage, she hit every move to the beat while a video of Michael, danced behind her.

Did you catch Bieber Fever

The biggest pop boy from the 2010s we saw him rise and fall. A star child who rose up the ranks faster than ever was always going to subjected to the wrath of the media and troubles behind the scenes. When Justin was breaking out of that child star image, the paparazzi could not get enough of it. I mean we saw the guy peeing in buckets, flipping off the paps, using a flashlight in the club to find attractive girls, everyone was starting to hate him. Back in 2011, he gave what one could call a heartfelt performance because he was desperate, for people to stop hating him. His performance which brought him to tears had everybody talking and eventually, he won a couple hearts back.