11.24.2003
11.23.2003
Accumulating Toronto Experiences
Before I left Victoria, I had a list of things that I wanted to do in Toronto. I'm a big fan of doing things. Hanging out is great, but when you live in a city like I do (he he he) it seems silly to sit still for too long, even if it is for a Maple Leafs game on tv. And so, upon arriving I set about to cross things of my list:
CN Tower: done
Toronto Symphony: done
Big City music scene: done
401: done
The list goes on...but even better, it keeps getting longer. And the opportunities for fun and culture keep falling asleep in my lap. Today I went to Air Canada Centre for the first time and watched the Raptors lose...from really really good seats. If we waved our hand in the air they broughts us wine and sushi, and Vince Carter would look up from the court to wave back. And the best part was that the tickets were free- our boss gave each of his employees $180 platinum tickets. And so, my story of fabulous Tdot experiences keeps going. Got any ideas?
CN Tower: done
Toronto Symphony: done
Big City music scene: done
401: done
The list goes on...but even better, it keeps getting longer. And the opportunities for fun and culture keep falling asleep in my lap. Today I went to Air Canada Centre for the first time and watched the Raptors lose...from really really good seats. If we waved our hand in the air they broughts us wine and sushi, and Vince Carter would look up from the court to wave back. And the best part was that the tickets were free- our boss gave each of his employees $180 platinum tickets. And so, my story of fabulous Tdot experiences keeps going. Got any ideas?
11.20.2003
Times New Roman
Struggling to get through the last hundred pages of The Market System by Charles Lindblom. And, as my mind begins to wander, I think about the month that lies ahead of me. Four assignments due next week. Work. A week “free”. Work. Four finals. Work. Victoria. In between those focal points is, of course, the occasional recreation activity: Raptors game this Sunday. Roger Sanchez. The Res talent show. Niagra Falls. Jacob Two-Two and the Hooded Fang. Bye-Bye Birdie. Holiday parties.
I can’t believe how I’ve ended up here- a month before my first term at U of T is finished- without time to think or breathe or live the life I was looking for out here. I have waves of it occasionally, but mostly this is a gotta-get-through-this time. When will I have time to learn and live? I find it hard to believe that university is a time to put your heart and brain on hold, but at this point it mostly feels like that. Or at the end, will I look back and feel satisfied with what I got out of this whirlwind? Perhaps that is what it is…I know that I love it, I just can’t find time to sit back and soak it in to appreciate it. Each time I’ve completed something, participated in something, felt something, there’s something else to complete, participate in and feel. But at the same time I want to do more.
Ah, the typical paradox. Life’s always simpler when I’ve had a look at it in times new roman.
I can’t believe how I’ve ended up here- a month before my first term at U of T is finished- without time to think or breathe or live the life I was looking for out here. I have waves of it occasionally, but mostly this is a gotta-get-through-this time. When will I have time to learn and live? I find it hard to believe that university is a time to put your heart and brain on hold, but at this point it mostly feels like that. Or at the end, will I look back and feel satisfied with what I got out of this whirlwind? Perhaps that is what it is…I know that I love it, I just can’t find time to sit back and soak it in to appreciate it. Each time I’ve completed something, participated in something, felt something, there’s something else to complete, participate in and feel. But at the same time I want to do more.
Ah, the typical paradox. Life’s always simpler when I’ve had a look at it in times new roman.
11.15.2003
Deli-madness
Gosh! My weekends are so full- work work work. I love the deli. That I can disappear from regular school (etc) life for two days without feeling unproductive. And then I reemerge with one day again before school starts again. So, I've just finished 21 hours in two days, and am ready for some party! Oh wait, no party this weekend. Chill plans.
Cryptic.
Love Kate
Cryptic.
Love Kate
11.11.2003
To Act...but on what?
How can I be a social activist if I don't know what to be active about?
This question has been a struggle for a while- one that I hoped would be answered to some degree with participation in an international development program like the one I'm in, but alas, it is still on my mind. If anything, I find myself more confused (perhaps a good thing as things have to get worse before getting better?). In this program, which is fundementally a critique of development history, there is very little action to develop new concepts of development. Perhaps one could say it is an underdeveloped development program? The subject matter leaves me feeling that there is nothing we, or I, can do to alleviate poverty, reduce the gap, create the good society...the discourse overwhelms me.
But for some reason, others in the program seem so confident in their activism. This week, there is a free trade fair, organized primarily by IDSers. Yes, the conditions of the workers are perhaps better. But, the money for the coffee is still exiting the country, put in the hands of western fair traders. And last week, they organized a walk to raise money for a well in Cambodia. I was shocked, as earlier that week, we'd learned about the implicit implications (often negative) of building such a well in such a community. Doesn't this program, if anything, make them stop and think for a second?
Actually, though, I admire their confidence in their actions. As I begin to think more seriously about how I will address development issues, I wish that I was more confident in identifying issues I could potentially tackle. It would be much easier if I believed passionatly one way or the other. However, as some people are wont to say, that's not necessarily so.
This question has been a struggle for a while- one that I hoped would be answered to some degree with participation in an international development program like the one I'm in, but alas, it is still on my mind. If anything, I find myself more confused (perhaps a good thing as things have to get worse before getting better?). In this program, which is fundementally a critique of development history, there is very little action to develop new concepts of development. Perhaps one could say it is an underdeveloped development program? The subject matter leaves me feeling that there is nothing we, or I, can do to alleviate poverty, reduce the gap, create the good society...the discourse overwhelms me.
But for some reason, others in the program seem so confident in their activism. This week, there is a free trade fair, organized primarily by IDSers. Yes, the conditions of the workers are perhaps better. But, the money for the coffee is still exiting the country, put in the hands of western fair traders. And last week, they organized a walk to raise money for a well in Cambodia. I was shocked, as earlier that week, we'd learned about the implicit implications (often negative) of building such a well in such a community. Doesn't this program, if anything, make them stop and think for a second?
Actually, though, I admire their confidence in their actions. As I begin to think more seriously about how I will address development issues, I wish that I was more confident in identifying issues I could potentially tackle. It would be much easier if I believed passionatly one way or the other. However, as some people are wont to say, that's not necessarily so.
11.10.2003
Amousia
"Why should creatures have the burden of existence forced on them without their consent?"
CS Lewis, from Surprised by Joy.
Ah. I loved the Narnia series. But had no idea that this man wrote like I think. Just read.
CS Lewis, from Surprised by Joy.
Ah. I loved the Narnia series. But had no idea that this man wrote like I think. Just read.
11.09.2003
Thank you Boris and Mr.401
Just for a complete change in musical events: I went to the TSO last night. For those of you who aren't quite as hip and bohemian and Torontonian as I am, that's the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Although we had seats that restricted our view of the orchestra to the strings section, we could still see the dynamic Swedish conductor. I sat there for the hour and a half, trying to understand the language he was talking and getting filled with random pleasureable thoughts. And then, being me I had to write them down, so now I have a program filled with spastic comments and inspired revelations.
The music iteslf was wonderful. During the first half, in his TSO Debut, Boris Berezovsky delivered me to Rachmaninoff ecstacy. In the second, Boris had vanished, but Sibelius fufilled my every need in orchestral music. And the nice thing about this event was I was home at 9:30 at night, rather than in the morning, as some music events encourage.
Another bonus to the TSO experience was the sheer number of chic people crowded into the chic space. Aside from a flirtation of red here and there, the whole colour scheme was decidedly black white. God I love this city.
Afterwards, I drove home on the 401. Perhaps you don't think this is a big deal but it is!!! We live about half an hour outside of Toronto proper, and as Phil'd had a bit to drink, I found myself behind the wheel and entering the 401, surrounded by Leafs Fans who wanted to make it to the Air Canada Centre in time to see the Leafs kick Edmonton's asses. Anyway. The 401. I've been driving a little lately, but nothing compares to the thrill of a twelve lane highway, in a very urban area. The best part is when you're hurtling toward skyscrapers and the CN tower at 135km/h. And yes, I did drive downtown in rush hour traffic. For some reason, I have such a prolonged sense of satisfaction from the whole thing.
The music iteslf was wonderful. During the first half, in his TSO Debut, Boris Berezovsky delivered me to Rachmaninoff ecstacy. In the second, Boris had vanished, but Sibelius fufilled my every need in orchestral music. And the nice thing about this event was I was home at 9:30 at night, rather than in the morning, as some music events encourage.
Another bonus to the TSO experience was the sheer number of chic people crowded into the chic space. Aside from a flirtation of red here and there, the whole colour scheme was decidedly black white. God I love this city.
Afterwards, I drove home on the 401. Perhaps you don't think this is a big deal but it is!!! We live about half an hour outside of Toronto proper, and as Phil'd had a bit to drink, I found myself behind the wheel and entering the 401, surrounded by Leafs Fans who wanted to make it to the Air Canada Centre in time to see the Leafs kick Edmonton's asses. Anyway. The 401. I've been driving a little lately, but nothing compares to the thrill of a twelve lane highway, in a very urban area. The best part is when you're hurtling toward skyscrapers and the CN tower at 135km/h. And yes, I did drive downtown in rush hour traffic. For some reason, I have such a prolonged sense of satisfaction from the whole thing.
11.01.2003
Fete
Party. It was halloween night, as I assume it was for many of you, and so I had to party. Earlier in the year, a friend Jenn had introduced me to the fabulous world of jungle music, and last night she did it again.
The first component was the costume. I have very strong opinons about halloween costumes. First, the concept must be witty and original. Secondly it must be well executed and aesthetically pleasing. Jenn and I were all and both. Wrapped in vines and littered with ferns and sparkles, I was a wood nymph straight out of A Midsummer Night's Dream (only sexier. I know that I did it in Vic a couple years ago, but that's the fabulous thing about new cities...you can recycle old ideas). Jenn was fully sexy in her old sheet mummy get up. So much midriff! I wish I could put photos here, but alas we are committed to disposables and have yet to develop the film.
We went to Theory again, the same party that we went to last time at the Kool Haus. Again, it featured UK DJ's, and again we were right up front. I am starting to get my jungle legs, as Jenn calls them. As I mentioned in the last post, since I've gotten I've been exposed to quite a variety of musical stylings. I think that jungle can definitly become part of my scene, especially with the continued quality of djs like Grooverider and Goldie.
All in all a fabulous night...not too many stories to tell as this was a dance-your-pants-off event.
Just on a side note, it's interesting that meeting people at parties has evolved for me from just saying hi and talking about whatever to a comparison of the big names and big parties we've been to. I remember that I used to think people like that, who wanted to talk about the value of the music while we were dancing to it instead of just dancing to it, were pretentious. Now I just tell everyone I meet that I went to see Tiesto.
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