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When the Procrastination Monster Strikes…

Just like any other university student out there, we are all bound to procrastinate. Sometimes, you just sit there are don’t feel like doing anything at all, other times, you’re just checking Facebook and Twitter every 5 minutes in hopes of something interesting. If you’re stuck on how to procrastinate, here are a few blogs and sites that are an endless source of entertainment. (I thank my fellow friend and blogger, Victoria, for introducing me to most of these sites.)

Continue reading “When the Procrastination Monster Strikes…”

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A Wonderfully Seductive Carmen

The Canadian Opera Company's Carmen

Waking up in the morning is always an ordeal for me. Seeing that I sleep at 3 or 4 in the morning, nothing is harder than dragging yourself out of bed at 8:30 to get to your 10AM class. To make the process of waking up easier, my iPod docking station is always there to wake me up with lovely tunes at the proper time. Admittedly, my favourite music to wake up to has to be the music from Carmen – even if it is overused figure skating music. (Also, yes, I have opera on my iPod, go ostracize me if you dare.)

Anyways, tonight, I had the wonderful fortune of getting one of the rare tickets to the Carmen dress rehearsal staged by the Canadian Opera Company. (My source of dress rehearsal opera tickets told me that they were completely sold out.) Tickets for the regular shows – on from January 27th to February 27th –  may also be sold out, but if you’re interested and perhaps lucky you can purchase tickets on the Canadian Opera Company website.

As for the show itself, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The orchestra and sets were very impressive (my favourite set being the one from Act II where the gypsies are in front of an inn) and the cast, although rather large was charismatic and fun to watch. Rinat Shaham – who played the title character – had the misfortune of stumbling upon this reviewer (who is, admittedly, an opera newbie) whose standard Carmen is the legendary Maria Callas, who has no equal; however, she held her own for most of the performance. The unfortunate corporal, Don José performed by Bryan Hymel was well cast and delivered a steady and touching performance. Songs by the two gypsy girls, played by Teiya Kasahara and Lauren Segal were also highly entertaining and formed some of the best parts of the opera.

My special mentions however, will go to Jessica Muirhead, who played the innocent Micaela with so much commitment and passion that she sent shivers up my spine when she was pleading with Don José to return to his mother. Another special mention will be sent to the youth or children’s chorus who displayed a kind of professionalism that was beyond their age.

All in all, it was a lovely evening of beautiful music, interesting choreography and a wonderful opera. I highly doubt that Carmen needs any more advertising as it is, but if you do get a chance, I encourage you to see it.

Picture by the Canadian Opera Company.

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Fandom Project

Fandom

Attention for all film lovers, fans, nerds, and aspiring movie stars: here is your chance!

Project Fandom is an independent film project based in Toronto that hopes to bring a new concept of film-making to the film industry: interactive film-making.

Using a membership-based website, they are providing interactive “behind the scenes” content, showing how a feature film is created, produced and distributed. By combining social network tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc, members can actually get involved in a film project by being part of it and having their voices heard by the production casts and crews! It is also a great learning opportunity on all aspects of film-making, such as screenwriting, acting, production, etc.

This is kind of like taking crowdsourcing to the next level, which encourages members’ creativity and contribution to the process, as well as promoting participation in an open casting call and other contests.

The membership is $19.95 USD, which lasts until the end of the production. This is a one-time fee: members get a chance to apply for a leading role, or be a production assistant, by uploading a video about themselves on to YouTube for online auditioning. That means no matter where you are (even if you are living in the North Pole), you get equal opportunity to be part of it. Also, members have the opportunity to edit the actual screen play and have their ideas and thoughts passed on to the production crew!

Don’t feel comfortable about being front of the camera? No problem! If you have talent in song-writing, poster-designing or editing, don’t miss this! There will also be contest for members to create the official theme song for the film, design the official poster or create your own trailer.

Members will also receive a limited edition graphic novel and DVD.

The movie itself is not “crowd funded” — it is being made regardless of the amount of members!

The location of this project will be taken place based on the majority of members located in the city. If the majority of members are from Toronto, then it will be taken place right here in our home city!

The actual draft of the script will be released to members in two weeks, and the production crews will start shooting in early spring, and the planing release date is set to be in December!

For more information, check out their Facebook page and Twitter.

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Breast Cancer Awareness or Preaching to the Perverts? (a.k.a the Degradation of Feminism)

smash-patriarchy

Today I got asked my bra colour by a perverted male who shall remain unknown. I told him to f*** off. It’s none of his business, and for all he cares, I may not even be wearing one. The pervert in question then told me that all the girls were doing it on facebook to raise awareness for breast cancer. I am all for raising awareness for such a wonderful cause but I am very dismayed at the means by which women are reduced to doing this. I find it incredibly ironic that something that was once an appalling symbol of male oppression is now being used to spread awareness about an illness that is mostly prevalent in women.

Historically, the use of bras would change in response to the male attitude towards the female bosom at the time. So basically the bra was (and arguably still is) yet another means by which women find themselves at the mercy of the male’s fancy. Even though modern day bras cater more to the comfort and needs of women, they have no medically proven benefit.

More importantly, I fail to understand how indicating your bra colour raises awareness for breast cancer. Ladies, by letting men know your bra colour on facebook, you are just piquing their perverted male ego. They could not care less about the cause or breast cancer itself. If anything, you are diverting attention away from the cause and just encouraging the opposite sex to visit lingerie and pornography stores. So fellow sisters, I ask that you think before you so openly surrender your bra colour to the enemy. By letting them know, you are desecrating the very basis of feminine empowerment that every woman is entitled to.

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Overheard on Twitter: January 5, 2010

twitterIf you missed the last Overheard on Twitter, you can check it out here.

  • @Lisa_Dunn: “U of T just called me to ask for money for students to be able to sleep over in Robarts library. Ew!”
  • @scarletqueen: “if U of T taught Buffyology (aka Buffy studies, i mean we have women studies, why not?) i would totally major in that shit. MAKE THIS HAPPEN”
  • @hughdashhyphen: “I am the urinal cake to U of T’s disintegrative parabola of piss.”
  • @otakupeter: “family.utoronto.ca is a REALLY BAD IDEA, I will PERSONALLY deliver letters explaining why to David Naylor’s house if you give them to me”
  • @carmisandiego: “i hate when people say “UFT” instead of “U of T”. please tell me what the F stands for. fools.”
  • @moepickles: “This reading “week” is only going to make me procrastinate more. #UofT“
  • Continue reading “Overheard on Twitter: January 5, 2010”
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So, what are your resolutions for this year?

Well folks, this is the time of year where almost everyone makes their New Year’s resolutions. Some people aim extremely high and some people prefer to keep things within their reach. As with every new year, most people expect to have a fresh start and embrace the year with open arms. Those are the people who make endless goals and have big expectations for the year. Then you have those who just seem to accept the upcoming year without any particular expectations or goals in mind.

It’s always that fresh beginning in which people make goals to stay fit and go to the gym or attempt to become focused in their academics or job. It’s usually one of those two goals that fail within the first couple of months of the new year. Try making goals that you know you would be motivated to make or things you wish you could change about yourself. And I know the obvious choice would be to hit to gym or hit the books, but try goals like eating healthier, or keeping up with readings despite the crazy overload of papers.  Remember that goals that are more specific and measurable have a higher chance of being achieved.

Whatever your goals or expectations are for 2010, I hope you reach your goals above and beyond of what you have planned!