Hi everyone,
I just came across a new site which, much like Digg, is a user-controlled news source. But, unlike Digg, it's all about Vancouver: Vancouver news, oddities, reviews and--are you listening, Ray?--photos of our lovely city. You can vote, comment, or submit your own articles or blog posts and share what you think other Vancouverites should know about. You can find it here,
Have fun!
I just posted this on Girl in Vancouver, but it's worth repeating.
While my guy clicks through viral videos which I for the most part am able to tune out, now and then there'll be a clip that catches my ear. Today, for example, I heard a snippet of a product introduction for... MP3 player tasers. That's right. What would you need one of those for? Well, as the product introducer mildly suggests, "It's just one more reason to carry a taser with you. You know, while you're jogging and things." Who does he mean by "you"? Teenagers who walk around with their music players like it's a natural appendage? RCMP officers who need the Judgment Night soundtrack playing while they're undercover? (That's a very good and sentimental soundtrack and I don't mean to taint it by implying RCMP listen to it. It's just very hardcore, as I'm sure most officers like to imagine themselves).
I can only imagine people who are already influenced by music videos and video games strapping one of these on and walking with a fake limp and jumpy with the anticipation to use it, say, in a nightclub lineup.
What say you? Would you carry one, or know of anyone who would? How do you see this in regards to trends and influences?
Hey everyone,
I'm indulging in a little shameless self-promotion here, so please bear with me.
I've started another blog, less structured than the others but a little more down to earth, fun and human. It's basically a personal blog about living in Vancouver, to which I'll be adding interviews with local artists, reviews of music, books and events, and generally being out and about in our unique and eclectic city.
http://agirlinvancouver.blogspot.com
Feel free to have a poke around, comment, or contact me with artists you'd like to see interviewed, local events or organizations you'd like to know more about, etc.
I'm also a freelance writer always on the lookout for new and interesting projects, so please don't hesitate to contact me with project ideas or writing opportunities you may have to offer.
Thanks for obliging me, and be well!
Amanda.
Lately I've been rethinking my job situation: I need part-time hours so that I can have time for freelancing, and I need to be able to walk to work. I'd been struggling over these two points with myself because I'd started to think that maybe I was being too picky. I live on Broadway and Granville, so really I could catch a bus going anywhere from right outside my door. But I just have SUCH a struggle with justifying that money and time spent on taking transit.
Now, with the fare hikes, it would cost my Starbucks teas for the WEEK to take a bus to and from work for 2 days. Not to mention it will now cost $15 (which could have been flowers or some other gift) to visit my grandmother in Richmond Hospital twice a week, and $10 (again, flowers or something else) to go to my parents' house in Tsawwassen on Sunday.
The 1% decrease in GST is not exactly going to be saving someone like me much money, either. Maybe if I were, say, buying a car or some other large item it would help me out, but really, that extra 1% savings is not going to clinch the deal for me when buying a pair of winter gloves. The money is going to slither out of my wallet in other ways, instead.
Here's a fantastic message I just received, please read and send in your email of support by December 21 for Canadian Literature to be included in our school curriculum.
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR A CHANGE TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Reply requested by December 21, 2007
Over the past few years several national research studies have documented the lack of attention paid to Canadian literature in Canadian schools. Currently our classrooms are dominated by some British but predominately American novels.
A report for The Writers’ Trust of Canada that was commissioned by the Canada Council made a series of recommendations about what could be done to improve the situation.
Through ArtStarts for Schools, a project is being developed and a group of stakeholders has been identified and has met to address these recommendations.
Part of the work has included a survey to BC teachers of English Language Arts. In that survey completed at the end of October 2007, 97.8% of responding teachers indicated that they think it is important to teach Canadian literature in secondary schools. 88.9% indicated that they think more Canadian literature needs to be taught.
The best way to cross a whole chunk of hard-to-buy-for people, ie: your family, off your list is to get them one big gift to share. And if you have a sibling you can split the cost, wipe your hands smugly and sit back until that fateful morning. Here are my top 5 affordable gifts for your family to share.
1) A digital picture frame. These things emerged last Christmas, but waiting to purchase one this year was smarter for 2 reasons: 1, they've gotten cheaper, and 2, they've gotten better. This is true for all electronics, so running out and buying the first model of anything is usually best left for those who like to throw money away. This year, they start at $80 (*cough* Staples *cough*).
2) A DVD burner. Starting at $30, this really is the gift that keeps on giving. If someone in your family is a video pirate junkie, or even if they're just getting into watching shows online, a burner will enable them to collect entire television series, movies, or anything they're too embarrassed to be seen taking up to the cash register at their local video rental joint.
Even if the snow is washed away in a few days, it's not gone for good, and you can also use these ideas during our rainy season. Have fun!
1) Make a long-distance phone call. I never make these anymore, what with the convenience of email, Facebook, instant messaging and the like, but the sound of a loved one's voice--and their surprise at hearing yours--is worth the extra few bucks.
2) Request books through VPL's website. You can use up to 50 free requests a year, and it saves you the trip downtown if you have a branch closer to you.
3) Make a belly-warming winter soup. Soups are so easy and lend themselves willingly to the creative chef, so it's a great dinner to make when you just can't make it to the store.
4) Get an early start on your New Year's resolutions. I've always been adverse to these but since I started up my own business this year, I'm making them in three month increments. Just thinking about the year to come will get you feeling refreshed and excited.
one cool word magazine has done it again. The little arts magazine that could spun a fantastic idea and wove it into cold hard cash as well as exposure for local visual artists.
Last night's event was a charity art show of local talents set against a backdrop of live acoustic music. As I made my way along the walls of original artwork, each stuck with a single push pin and brandishing a tiny piece of Scotch tape with a price ranging from $4 to $25 written on it, sold signs were appearing faster than I could gain on them. I would point to a lovely photograph or unusual sketch and murmur to my guy, "Ooh, I like that one," move away and low and behold, a sold sign would appear. I actually didn't even spot anyone putting them up, they just materialized and as they did, people would quickly look around to see if their second and third choices had been snagged. If their luck was anything like mine, they would be sorely disappointed.
One of the writer's blogs I frequent suggested a topic for bloggers today: say something nice. I think I can do that. In keeping with the theme of this blog, I'll recount the reasons why being an artist in Vancouver is a fabulous thing to be:
* Vancouver is open-minded. Despite the policies and beliefs of our current Prime Minister, Vancouver in particular has a reputation for being culturally tolerant and an advocate of free speech and the right to protest. I see those protesters vocalizing against the captive animals in the Vancouver Aquarium, the rumps planted firmly on the grass in front of City Hall, the picketers soldiering through the sleet and chill, and I am grateful for their--for our--freedom to do so. What does this have to do with being an artist? If you think you're an artist and don't realize the importance of free speech, well, you've got another think coming.
* We have art galleries abound. Even if your work isn't in one of them, the fact that you can't walk five blocks in any direction in the core of the city without hitting a place that features local artists on its walls is very heartening indeed, and that you can mozy on in and have a gander anytime you like.
Last night I experienced my second round of Theatre at UBC's 520's. For those who don't have friends or family involved in the university's theatre program, the 520's are a chance for MFA director candidates to strut their stuff in one act.
Including both times I've been, there seems to be one sophisticated and starkly dramatic piece paired with a fluffy, visually confusing one.
