You can try to take the rock out of the music, but you can’t take the rock out of the musician.
“May”, Dennis Clark’s first solo album, may be an unplugged departure from his previous band work, but at the core, it still contains the energy one would expect from the young musician, and this was no accident.
“I wanted (the album) to have balls and it does. I didn’t want to tone it down at all,” says the Gananoque, Ontario native, who relocated to Kingston at an early age.
The juxtaposition between rock and acoustic is even apparent in Clark’s apartment bedroom, where an electric Ibanez sits on a stand just underneath an acoustic guitar hanging from the wall. The absence of electric guitar found on May is replaced with bass, occasional keyboard and relentless harmonica riffs that not only drive the songs, but add needed depth. The heart of the record however, lies most definitely in Clark’s powerful vocals and candid lyrics, which he says are intentionally not as straightforward as one would imagine.
“Lyrically, I don’t hold back. Maybe I sugarcoat a little, and not say things directly. Honesty and sincerity are a big part of my lyrics. About how much I put out there, I do like to leave it up to people to interpret it in their own way. If I say everything directly, people would say ‘I can almost relate to that’,” says the 21 year-old.
The bright colours and blooming flower of the artwork, coupled with the title of the record, might suggest a light, happy vibe. The title however, is simply his favourite month, and the album deals with dark personal issues such as the yearning for change and the breakdown of relationships. Sprinkled with standout tracks like “Leather”, “The Blink of an Eye” and “Summer Scent”, it was interesting that when asked what song he would show the world if he had one opportunity, his answer came quickly.
“Outside My Shoes because it sums up the entire May title. That song and the song “May” itself are about the exact same thing: being sick of doing the same thing all the time, the routine of living here my whole life and not getting away,” he says.
Some musicians have said that the best music can be made in a state of unhappiness because that is when the emotion is so strong that it can be poured into the music unfiltered. Clark agrees, and says that May would have been much different had he been more satisfied with what was happening in his life at the time.
“The album would have been less down if I was happy about everything. At the same time, maybe if I was happy about everything, the songs might not be as personal. If you’re sick of everything and you’re down all the time, it’s probably time to make a change. I’m sick of this scene,” he divulges.
“Anything At All”, a song Clark says is the most personal on the record, is about a New Year’s party he attended a couple of years ago where the partying got out of hand. By the end of the night, the police were called in order to end a drastic verbal and physical dispute. Ashamed of the incident, Clark says he rarely plays the song live.
The opening track, “Leather”, came about after Clark saw a storm coming over a body of water at a friend’s cottage. A song originating from such simplicity might lend to basic lyrics, but the honesty of the words is a realistic look at the sadness and regret that can exist in the world. “Nobody is informed not everybody finds their door. Not everybody gets theirs.” These earnest, truthful words seem like something a 50-something with an abundance of life experience would write, as opposed to a 21 year-old with the world at his fingertips. Later in the song, Clark sings “Chemo came and killed the cancer.” A long-time friend and former band mate of Clark’s was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, but Clark says that the words were written long before the incident, and are nothing more than a metaphor for finding a solution to a problem.
The album closes with the same subject as it opened, the ending of relationships, with “Summer Scent” being a recount of the demise of his former band, Degenerate. If the words “I don’t want it back although it was so good” are any indication, he’s put the past behind him and is ready for the challenge of being a solo performer, but also doesn’t rule out adding band members in the future.
“With a band, we could go anywhere with it. Right now I’m just writing on an acoustic guitar and I play by myself live. I can’t really take that much further without other people,” he says.
The new release was recorded in his apartment and it marks the first time in Clark’s career that he has recorded entirely on his own. The experience, he says, was refreshing.
“It was way more relaxed. I recorded everything like a hundred times. In a band, it’s more rushed. You need time to get everyone together. This time, I worked at my own pace. The album definitely consumed me. If I was recording with a band in a studio, I’m pretty sure everyone would hate me,” he says with a laugh.
Having experienced both worlds, band and solo, Clark says one of the biggest differences lies in the live performance. Performing, he says, is better when there are band members to share it with. There are people to talk to, and it is more entertaining for the audience as they can see that he is having fun.
Whether it’s a live performance or recorded material, Clark’s goal is to get his music out to as many people as possible, through whatever means necessary. Although he says that he writes music for himself, it becomes apparent that affecting the listener is of equal importance to the young musician.
“If I sell all those copies that means 500 people have my CD. That’s a good portion of people, and that would feel amazing. One out of 500 people has to count for something,” he says.
“If a record executive hears it and doesn’t like it but other people do, I really don’t give a shit what the record dude has to say about it. If a kid on the street likes it, if it does anything for him and he’s in the exact same position as me, that’d feel really good. Maybe that leads to a following and that’s all I really want,” he continues.
“This music is for me, I want to put it out there. If people like it, that’s awesome. But if they don’t like it, it’s not going to stop me from writing another CD. Same with the record dude, if he doesn’t like it, then whatever. I’ll write 11 more songs.”
With May being such a personal record about struggles, one could listen to it and get a sense of Clark being a Layne Staley/Kurt Cobain-ish musician: tortured and tired of it. Spend a little time with him however, and you’ll find that having fun is right at the top of his to-do list. His DVD collection includes Beavis and Butt-Head, Saturday Night Live: Best of Mike Meyers, and seasons one through six of The Simpsons. His CD collection varies from Alexis on Fire to Radiohead to Serial Joe (to be fair, it is still undetermined if that is a joke or not). And a more thoughtful side of the musician comes out when Stephen Hawking’s book “A Brief History of Time” is noticed. Turned on to the book after seeing the movie “Donnie Darko”, Clark explains it to be about theories on the stars and gravity, and confidently suggests that time travel is not impossible.
Leaving the time travel study up to Hawking, Clark cannot definitively say what the future holds for him, but a change in geographic location would be a welcomed one (given the lyrical content on May, that’s not much of a shock).
“I’ve lived in downtown Kingston, I’ve experienced it for what it is. I’m looking forward to change. Halifax, B.C., whatever. But I might end up writing another CD about how things suck. I’ll just print 500 more copies of this,” he says facetiously.
As far as the future of the music is concerned, Clark is happy to have completed his latest disc, and is allowing himself pressure-free time to gather material for another album. In the meantime, he plans on recording a six-song EP with tunes written at the tail end of May, as well as B-sides, in order to keep people interested. He doesn’t intend on recording it independently again, and wants to add percussion and bass to give it a fuller sound. One thing he knows for certain is that he does not want to recreate a similar record.
“I don’t want it to be the same, but I don’t necessarily know what I’m going to do that’s different. I’m happier now. I don’t feel like I’m going to write the same songs. I’m happy that (this record) is out there finally. Now I can stop writing songs about wanting it to be out there,” he says.
While waiting for the next release, fans can catch Clark performing at various clubs in Kingston (for more information, contact Dennis_clark@hotmail.com). In a world where Lindsay Lohan and Ashley Simpson say their music and shows are “personal” (as I write this, I’m trying to convince myself they actually write their own music), Clark says that his live shows are as real as they come, and that offstage, he’s the same regular guy. He says it, of course, with his sarcasm intact.
“It’s just me. I try to have a sense of humour. It’s the same guy with more of a cocky attitude. After I play, I’m better than you because I just played. I just go up there in my regular clothes, whatever I was wearing that day. I don’t go up there and fake anything, I’m just up and I’m myself. Sometimes I’m a little shy, and sometimes I’m a little drunk.”
-30-
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Humber Firefighter Jeff VanDerBeek
Sometime in the near future, Jeff VanDerBeek could be putting out a fire to save lives, and the training he received at Humber College will enable him to do just that.
VanDerBeek was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, but moved to Kitchener when he was three years old. Before reaching a decision to enroll in the Humber Fire Pre-Service Education and Training program, VanDerBeek says it was a process of far-fetched elimination.
“When I was nearing the end of high school, I was unsure, as were many of my classmates, about what they were going to do. I was trying to think about what the funnest jobs would be and off the top of my head I thought ‘NHL hockey player’, ‘poker player’. Once I got back down to reality and I actually started talking to different people, there were two main influences that lead me to firefighting,” he says.
When VanDerBeek was 12, he was playing ice hockey and got cross-checked in the throat, causing some swelling. His head coach was a firefighter and a paramedic, and he says that his coach was the only one to look objectively at the situation and do something productive. The coach calmed VanDerBeek and this, he says, was admirable.
Another hockey instructor of his used to tell stories about his firefighting profession, stories that VanDerBeek found very entertaining and exciting. But aside from these men, it was his ethics that lead him in the firefighting direction.
“What’s right and moral in regards to your day to day activity, there’s so much grey area. I didn’t want there to be any grey area in my job. I wanted it to be clear cut that what I was doing was a productive thing in society,” he says. “To believe in one thing whole heartedly is a little abstract but there’s nothing abstract about a person helping another person when they need it.”
Regardless of the reasons he chose firefighting, VanDerBeek says he is finding success and happiness in his program. In the first semester, he learned specific aspects such as ventilation and pump operations. Real fire trucks were used to teach the students regulating water pressure and setting up hoses in various manners. VanDerBeek says with the training they are doing now, there is more of a solid education on actually putting out fires.
They are trained at sites called Burn Towers, mock buildings used by fire departments for training new recruits. Humber students are trained in all positions of a fire crew: the crew going in to the building, the entry control team who look after the people going in, and another crew which is dedicated to rehab. VanDerBeek says the rehab crew is as crucial to a firefighting team’s success as any.
“When the crew comes out of a building, (the rehab team) takes vitals, blood pressure, and gives the guys water. In the real world, you can’t just keep sending people in to a long-running fire, eventually they’re going to go down. Those people go to rehab to get vitals down to an acceptable level so they can go back in and continue fighting the fire,” he says.
Humber’s firefighting program is three semesters long, and as excited as VanDerBeek is about obtaining employment at a fire hall, he has other plans for the immediate future. He hopes to go out west to work on the oil rigs before enrolling at Conestoga College for Paramedics.
“It’s all about taking care of patients, packaging, and wound care. That was one of my favourite parts of the firefighting program. Eventually I want to get in to full-time firefighting, that’s my primary goal,” he states. “But the paramedic will help me get there along the way, and I think it’d be a cool part time job. Good money there too. They’ve got benefits that’ll take care of my teeth at least.”
As for now, VanDerBeek plans on wrapping up Humber’s program, including a six-week placement in his third semester, which he hopes he can complete at a fire hall in the Kitchener area. With all he has to look forward to though, he still thinks about the little things.
“Right now, I’m excited about taking a nap,” he says with a smile.
-30-
VanDerBeek was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, but moved to Kitchener when he was three years old. Before reaching a decision to enroll in the Humber Fire Pre-Service Education and Training program, VanDerBeek says it was a process of far-fetched elimination.
“When I was nearing the end of high school, I was unsure, as were many of my classmates, about what they were going to do. I was trying to think about what the funnest jobs would be and off the top of my head I thought ‘NHL hockey player’, ‘poker player’. Once I got back down to reality and I actually started talking to different people, there were two main influences that lead me to firefighting,” he says.
When VanDerBeek was 12, he was playing ice hockey and got cross-checked in the throat, causing some swelling. His head coach was a firefighter and a paramedic, and he says that his coach was the only one to look objectively at the situation and do something productive. The coach calmed VanDerBeek and this, he says, was admirable.
Another hockey instructor of his used to tell stories about his firefighting profession, stories that VanDerBeek found very entertaining and exciting. But aside from these men, it was his ethics that lead him in the firefighting direction.
“What’s right and moral in regards to your day to day activity, there’s so much grey area. I didn’t want there to be any grey area in my job. I wanted it to be clear cut that what I was doing was a productive thing in society,” he says. “To believe in one thing whole heartedly is a little abstract but there’s nothing abstract about a person helping another person when they need it.”
Regardless of the reasons he chose firefighting, VanDerBeek says he is finding success and happiness in his program. In the first semester, he learned specific aspects such as ventilation and pump operations. Real fire trucks were used to teach the students regulating water pressure and setting up hoses in various manners. VanDerBeek says with the training they are doing now, there is more of a solid education on actually putting out fires.
They are trained at sites called Burn Towers, mock buildings used by fire departments for training new recruits. Humber students are trained in all positions of a fire crew: the crew going in to the building, the entry control team who look after the people going in, and another crew which is dedicated to rehab. VanDerBeek says the rehab crew is as crucial to a firefighting team’s success as any.
“When the crew comes out of a building, (the rehab team) takes vitals, blood pressure, and gives the guys water. In the real world, you can’t just keep sending people in to a long-running fire, eventually they’re going to go down. Those people go to rehab to get vitals down to an acceptable level so they can go back in and continue fighting the fire,” he says.
Humber’s firefighting program is three semesters long, and as excited as VanDerBeek is about obtaining employment at a fire hall, he has other plans for the immediate future. He hopes to go out west to work on the oil rigs before enrolling at Conestoga College for Paramedics.
“It’s all about taking care of patients, packaging, and wound care. That was one of my favourite parts of the firefighting program. Eventually I want to get in to full-time firefighting, that’s my primary goal,” he states. “But the paramedic will help me get there along the way, and I think it’d be a cool part time job. Good money there too. They’ve got benefits that’ll take care of my teeth at least.”
As for now, VanDerBeek plans on wrapping up Humber’s program, including a six-week placement in his third semester, which he hopes he can complete at a fire hall in the Kitchener area. With all he has to look forward to though, he still thinks about the little things.
“Right now, I’m excited about taking a nap,” he says with a smile.
-30-
Monday, April 9, 2007
As the Shackles Hit The Ground
A short story by Greg Coyle
By the time the director yelled “Cut”, Adrianna had already dreamed of her shower at least three times. The man’s vile sweat soaked her, and the stench of hollow lust filled the room, nauseating her. The three letter word was what she had been waiting for. She hurried to her Dolce & Gabbana dress shirt and Parasuco jeans, barely responding when the male actor had informed her that her brown roots were visible and that she could use another dye job on her bright blonde hair. It was a rather normal occurrence to be given tips on how to improve her physical appearance.
“I didn’t want to overshadow your comb over,” she snapped back, staring him in the eyes.
“Same time tomorrow sweetheart,” the director interrupted.
“Yup,” she responded sternly.
“Oh and next time, try to smile more,” he suggested.
The cold wind hit her violently as she stepped outside. It only took a second before she reached into her purse, pulled out a cigarette and got into her Lexus. A cigarette was the only thing that wiped away the glazed expression she wore during filming. It was a habit she started shortly after her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and she hadn’t been able to quit since. As she drove past the local Adult Film store in downtown Montreal, she kept her eyes stubbornly fixated on the road, never once wondering if any of her films were sold there.
Her routine was always the same after work. She stepped over the newspaper strewn across the floor of her apartment, immediately brushed her teeth, and removed her clothes slowly, looking around to make sure no one was watching. Consciously ignoring the mirror, she stepped into the shower. She loved the way the water felt dripping down her soft skin after a day of work, but it was never enough. She always spent the last few minutes of her showers furiously rubbing soap on every inch of her body in an attempt to rejuvenate. She was rarely satisfied with her attempts.
While walking from the bathroom to the kitchen, she was entranced by the photograph that adorned her wall. She walked over and studied it like a scientist looking at D.N.A. It was a simple image of a mother, a daughter, and a son on vacation. Her mother, who had passed away six years before, smiled proudly. Adrianna never forgot the promise she had made five weeks before the cancer won. Yes, mom, we’ll both be fine. She shook her head and shifted her attention to her former self. She hardly recognized the young brown haired girl, still a second year McGill student at the time, locking her arms tightly around the chest of Bryan, her younger brother. Bryan looked so young, she thought, compared to the mature-looking 22 year old he is now. She usually spent about 10 minutes a day looking at the picture. Whenever the anger took over the sadness, she knew it was time to walk away and carry on with her day.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard the jingling of keys which informed her that Bryan was home.
“How many times do I have to tell you to keep the newspaper on the table, not the floor?” she asked before he had even taken two steps inside their home.
He ignored her, grabbed a coke and turned on the 42” Plasma television as he dropped onto the leather couch.
“I’m talking to you,” she snarled. “I bet you didn’t even look at the classifieds, either.”
She stood with her arms folded waiting for an answer, then gave up. She sighed and walked over to the sink to clean the dishes that Bryan had left from earlier that day. Over the sound of the tap and her scrubbing, she barely heard him mutter “Nobody good is hiring. I don’t wanna work at McDonald’s or something.” She stopped immediately, raised her head slowly, and slammed on the tap to shut the water off.
“You don’t always work because you love it. You work because you need the money! I’m so sick of you complaining about not wanting to do shitty work,” she said.
“Easy for you to say, you work at a bank. How hard can that be?” he replied.
She had learned not to flinch when he mentioned her fictitious job.
“Yeah, it’s real fun Bryan. I can’t wait to get up every morning. It’s like all this stuff, the car, the furniture, the t.v. are all just gravy.” Bryan shut off the television instantly, and his eyes widened.
“You think I like this? Having to ask you for help all the time? Not having twenty bucks in my pocket to take my girlfriend out, having to borrow money off you to get a bag of chips? I never asked for you to take care of me!” he yelled at her. The silence was uncomfortable, and Adrianna was going to hold back, but couldn’t.
“No Bryan. YOU didn’t,” Adrianna said in a lowered voice as her eyes stayed focused on his. She poured herself a rum and coke quickly and went straight to her room, leaving the dishes undone.
Staring out the window in her cramped room, she was unable to concentrate on anything. As she brought the glass to her lips, she noticed that her hands were trembling uncontrollably and that the rest of her body was shivering. She looked at the cigarette pack on her table. Disappointed that it was inevitable, she pulled out a cigarette, licked her lips and lit the smoke as she turned her attention to the moon. The night sky was comforting to her, as though it held a serenity that the day never could. She noticed two figures walking on the sidewalk, and she squinted her eyes to examine them. A man and a woman were holding hands. The woman had a coat draped over her back while the man was obviously cold, walking with just a T-shirt on. She couldn’t help but let her mind wander, imagining their lives. Perhaps they were young lovers on one of their first dates, she thought. Maybe they both go to the same college and met through a class. Perhaps they were all each other had. When they exited Adrianna’s field of view, she turned her head and accidentally caught her reflection in the mirror on her desk. She immediately turned away, closed her eyes and downed the rest of her drink.
Adrianna walked back into the living room where Bryan was still watching television. He ignored her presence and continued staring at the box. She walked up from behind him, put her hands on his shoulders, and kissed the top of his head before going to bed.
As she was trying to fall asleep that night, she lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. She thought about the way the male actor’s hands would be handling her breasts the next day. She thought about the way he would peel her skirt up and aggressively massage her thighs. She thought about his tongue caressing hers. She finally closed her eyes, and rolled over on her right side, facing the wall. She pulled the covers tightly to her chin, and fell asleep.
The next day was unseasonably warm. Adrianna awoke at 7:00 a.m. and showered. Although she normally woke up at around 9:00 a.m. she was not tired at all. Before leaving the apartment that morning, she took a long glance around inspecting it to make sure it was left in a pristine state for the day. When she was satisfied, she turned the light off and tapped the wall beneath the switch a couple of times before heading down the stairs to her Lexus. The car seemed to be driving smoother than normally. When the clock hit 9:30 a.m. she smiled and imagined the director pacing over and over, checking his watch every five seconds because she was late. He hated when the actors were late, but she was not worried. As she was accelerating on to the 401, she grabbed her pack of cigarettes and without hesitation, threw it out the driver’s side window. After the seven remaining cigarettes spilled onto the highway, the next three cars crushed all of them, but she never looked back to see it.
“I didn’t want to overshadow your comb over,” she snapped back, staring him in the eyes.
“Same time tomorrow sweetheart,” the director interrupted.
“Yup,” she responded sternly.
“Oh and next time, try to smile more,” he suggested.
The cold wind hit her violently as she stepped outside. It only took a second before she reached into her purse, pulled out a cigarette and got into her Lexus. A cigarette was the only thing that wiped away the glazed expression she wore during filming. It was a habit she started shortly after her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and she hadn’t been able to quit since. As she drove past the local Adult Film store in downtown Montreal, she kept her eyes stubbornly fixated on the road, never once wondering if any of her films were sold there.
Her routine was always the same after work. She stepped over the newspaper strewn across the floor of her apartment, immediately brushed her teeth, and removed her clothes slowly, looking around to make sure no one was watching. Consciously ignoring the mirror, she stepped into the shower. She loved the way the water felt dripping down her soft skin after a day of work, but it was never enough. She always spent the last few minutes of her showers furiously rubbing soap on every inch of her body in an attempt to rejuvenate. She was rarely satisfied with her attempts.
While walking from the bathroom to the kitchen, she was entranced by the photograph that adorned her wall. She walked over and studied it like a scientist looking at D.N.A. It was a simple image of a mother, a daughter, and a son on vacation. Her mother, who had passed away six years before, smiled proudly. Adrianna never forgot the promise she had made five weeks before the cancer won. Yes, mom, we’ll both be fine. She shook her head and shifted her attention to her former self. She hardly recognized the young brown haired girl, still a second year McGill student at the time, locking her arms tightly around the chest of Bryan, her younger brother. Bryan looked so young, she thought, compared to the mature-looking 22 year old he is now. She usually spent about 10 minutes a day looking at the picture. Whenever the anger took over the sadness, she knew it was time to walk away and carry on with her day.
Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard the jingling of keys which informed her that Bryan was home.
“How many times do I have to tell you to keep the newspaper on the table, not the floor?” she asked before he had even taken two steps inside their home.
He ignored her, grabbed a coke and turned on the 42” Plasma television as he dropped onto the leather couch.
“I’m talking to you,” she snarled. “I bet you didn’t even look at the classifieds, either.”
She stood with her arms folded waiting for an answer, then gave up. She sighed and walked over to the sink to clean the dishes that Bryan had left from earlier that day. Over the sound of the tap and her scrubbing, she barely heard him mutter “Nobody good is hiring. I don’t wanna work at McDonald’s or something.” She stopped immediately, raised her head slowly, and slammed on the tap to shut the water off.
“You don’t always work because you love it. You work because you need the money! I’m so sick of you complaining about not wanting to do shitty work,” she said.
“Easy for you to say, you work at a bank. How hard can that be?” he replied.
She had learned not to flinch when he mentioned her fictitious job.
“Yeah, it’s real fun Bryan. I can’t wait to get up every morning. It’s like all this stuff, the car, the furniture, the t.v. are all just gravy.” Bryan shut off the television instantly, and his eyes widened.
“You think I like this? Having to ask you for help all the time? Not having twenty bucks in my pocket to take my girlfriend out, having to borrow money off you to get a bag of chips? I never asked for you to take care of me!” he yelled at her. The silence was uncomfortable, and Adrianna was going to hold back, but couldn’t.
“No Bryan. YOU didn’t,” Adrianna said in a lowered voice as her eyes stayed focused on his. She poured herself a rum and coke quickly and went straight to her room, leaving the dishes undone.
Staring out the window in her cramped room, she was unable to concentrate on anything. As she brought the glass to her lips, she noticed that her hands were trembling uncontrollably and that the rest of her body was shivering. She looked at the cigarette pack on her table. Disappointed that it was inevitable, she pulled out a cigarette, licked her lips and lit the smoke as she turned her attention to the moon. The night sky was comforting to her, as though it held a serenity that the day never could. She noticed two figures walking on the sidewalk, and she squinted her eyes to examine them. A man and a woman were holding hands. The woman had a coat draped over her back while the man was obviously cold, walking with just a T-shirt on. She couldn’t help but let her mind wander, imagining their lives. Perhaps they were young lovers on one of their first dates, she thought. Maybe they both go to the same college and met through a class. Perhaps they were all each other had. When they exited Adrianna’s field of view, she turned her head and accidentally caught her reflection in the mirror on her desk. She immediately turned away, closed her eyes and downed the rest of her drink.
Adrianna walked back into the living room where Bryan was still watching television. He ignored her presence and continued staring at the box. She walked up from behind him, put her hands on his shoulders, and kissed the top of his head before going to bed.
As she was trying to fall asleep that night, she lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. She thought about the way the male actor’s hands would be handling her breasts the next day. She thought about the way he would peel her skirt up and aggressively massage her thighs. She thought about his tongue caressing hers. She finally closed her eyes, and rolled over on her right side, facing the wall. She pulled the covers tightly to her chin, and fell asleep.
The next day was unseasonably warm. Adrianna awoke at 7:00 a.m. and showered. Although she normally woke up at around 9:00 a.m. she was not tired at all. Before leaving the apartment that morning, she took a long glance around inspecting it to make sure it was left in a pristine state for the day. When she was satisfied, she turned the light off and tapped the wall beneath the switch a couple of times before heading down the stairs to her Lexus. The car seemed to be driving smoother than normally. When the clock hit 9:30 a.m. she smiled and imagined the director pacing over and over, checking his watch every five seconds because she was late. He hated when the actors were late, but she was not worried. As she was accelerating on to the 401, she grabbed her pack of cigarettes and without hesitation, threw it out the driver’s side window. After the seven remaining cigarettes spilled onto the highway, the next three cars crushed all of them, but she never looked back to see it.
*****
When Bryan got home that night, he noticed the silence immediately. He ignored it, and went about his usual routine of a coke and television. At the first commercial break, he let his eyes drift. They instantly caught the white envelope on the top of the television. Curious, he got up and walked over to it. Bryan was written on the front, so he tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter.
Bryan,
Everything is yours. It should last you a while until you figure it all out. I’ve heard things were more laid back out West and I’ve always wondered what that meant. Guess I’ll find out soon. You have my cell number, so call it when you need to. Love, Adrianna.
He pulled out the 1500 dollars in the envelope, stared at it for several minutes, then walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. He nervously smiled and shook his head, then walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. He rummaged through the newspaper until he found the Classifieds section with all the highlighter marks she had made for him.
When Bryan got home that night, he noticed the silence immediately. He ignored it, and went about his usual routine of a coke and television. At the first commercial break, he let his eyes drift. They instantly caught the white envelope on the top of the television. Curious, he got up and walked over to it. Bryan was written on the front, so he tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter.
Bryan,
Everything is yours. It should last you a while until you figure it all out. I’ve heard things were more laid back out West and I’ve always wondered what that meant. Guess I’ll find out soon. You have my cell number, so call it when you need to. Love, Adrianna.
He pulled out the 1500 dollars in the envelope, stared at it for several minutes, then walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. He nervously smiled and shook his head, then walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. He rummaged through the newspaper until he found the Classifieds section with all the highlighter marks she had made for him.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Maple Leaf Gardens
The future of the Maple Leaf Gardens is still up in the air, but after a 76 year life, the cultural relevance of the venue is still undeniable.
In 2004, Friends of Maple Leaf Gardens, a group who’s primary goal is to maintain the social and cultural significance of the Gardens, lost their battle when the city of Toronto sold the rights to food retail chain Loblaw Companies. It is reported that the deal eventually fell through.
The group, often referred to as The Friends, was created in 2004 when rumblings of the Gardens being sold began to surface. The Friends have not made any significant moves since September of 2004 after it appeared that their efforts were becoming irrelevant.
Friends member Dan Diamond met with one of David Miller’s assistants, Cara O’Hagan, to suggest that maintaining an ice rink in the building while also allowing the Loblaws development to unfold was not impossible. The Friends website claims that Mayor Miller inquired about this possibility, but the company said that through studies, they learned it would not be economically realistic.
The construction of Maple Leaf Gardens was initiated by Conn Smythe and opened on November 12th, 1931 when the Leafs lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in front of over 13,000 people.
Maple Leaf Gardens was home to several other sports teams aside from the Maple Leafs, including the N.L.L.’s Toronto Rock and the O.H.L.’s Toronto Marlboros.
Sporting events were far from the only form of entertainment that the Gardens were host to. Over the years, Winston Churchill and Pierre Trudeau gave speeches there, and universally successful musical acts such as the Beatles and Elvis Prestley held concerts at the venue.
The final Maple Leaf game was played on February 13th, 1999 when ironically, the Leafs lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Aside from some musical acts using it to prepare for upcoming tours, the venue is generally unused.
-30-
Sources- http://www.friendsofmapleleafgardens.com/
www.tmlfever.com
www.wikipedia.org
In 2004, Friends of Maple Leaf Gardens, a group who’s primary goal is to maintain the social and cultural significance of the Gardens, lost their battle when the city of Toronto sold the rights to food retail chain Loblaw Companies. It is reported that the deal eventually fell through.
The group, often referred to as The Friends, was created in 2004 when rumblings of the Gardens being sold began to surface. The Friends have not made any significant moves since September of 2004 after it appeared that their efforts were becoming irrelevant.
Friends member Dan Diamond met with one of David Miller’s assistants, Cara O’Hagan, to suggest that maintaining an ice rink in the building while also allowing the Loblaws development to unfold was not impossible. The Friends website claims that Mayor Miller inquired about this possibility, but the company said that through studies, they learned it would not be economically realistic.
The construction of Maple Leaf Gardens was initiated by Conn Smythe and opened on November 12th, 1931 when the Leafs lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in front of over 13,000 people.
Maple Leaf Gardens was home to several other sports teams aside from the Maple Leafs, including the N.L.L.’s Toronto Rock and the O.H.L.’s Toronto Marlboros.
Sporting events were far from the only form of entertainment that the Gardens were host to. Over the years, Winston Churchill and Pierre Trudeau gave speeches there, and universally successful musical acts such as the Beatles and Elvis Prestley held concerts at the venue.
The final Maple Leaf game was played on February 13th, 1999 when ironically, the Leafs lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Aside from some musical acts using it to prepare for upcoming tours, the venue is generally unused.
-30-
Sources- http://www.friendsofmapleleafgardens.com/
www.tmlfever.com
www.wikipedia.org
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Humber Comedy Writing and Performance
With Humber’s Comedy Writing and Performance program rising in popularity and the skyrocketing fame of comedians like Dane Cook, people seem to think that being a comedian is the new “get rich quick” scheme. But making a living in comedy can be tough, and before you embark on the comedy road, there are a few things you should know.
“To be a comedian, you have to have more ‘pull’ than other people,” says Pete Egnatoff, 1st year Comedy Writing and Performance student at Humber. “You have to be the type of person to watch comedy tapes and go see shows.”
Egnatoff, 21, realized he wanted to be involved in comedy from a young age.
“I popped out of a box in a 1st grade play and the crowd laughed. That’s when I knew comedy was good for me,” he says.
A native of Kingston, Ontario, Egnatoff had performed on an improvisational team, and although it was a valuable learning tool, he was not sold on studying comedy until he attended Humber’s comedy workshop in the summer of 2005. Although no further involvement is necessary, the workshop acts as a preview of the two-year program and is a vital tool for people interested in enrolling in Comedy Writing and Performance.
“The one-week program was definitely important. You get to visit the school, meet administration, and get a feel for what the program is like,” says Egnatoff.
If you’ve attended the workshop or done some prior performing but are still unsure about enrolling full-time, think about your goals.
“People should ask themselves what they want out of it. I was asked what I want out of comedy, and I want to change the world for the better. It’s corny, but you have to hold on to that. If all you want is attention, it’s not the best place for you,” says Egnatoff sincerely. “Be connected to your material.”
Egnatoff also suggests getting feedback from people who have been in the program before making a final choice.
“I talked to people who liked it and didn’t like it. They weighed in, and I made the final decision that it was a good environment for me,” he says.
Egnatoff is passionate about the craft of comedy, and says that if you are thinking about studying Comedy Writing and Performance at Humber, you should be too.
“I get nervous before every show. I was supposed to have a show at Yuk Yuk’s last night and I was nervous about not being ready. Then when I got there, the show had been cancelled and I was upset because I really wanted to do it. I just love it,” says Egnatoff.
If you are infatuated with comedy, have thought long and hard about studying it and aren’t deterred by over $4000 of tuition costs, Humber’s comedy program could be for you.
“It’s a different atmosphere than other programs, it’s bizarre,” says Egnatoff. “On Monday I got to wear a clown nose and act like an idiot. It’s great.”
“To be a comedian, you have to have more ‘pull’ than other people,” says Pete Egnatoff, 1st year Comedy Writing and Performance student at Humber. “You have to be the type of person to watch comedy tapes and go see shows.”
Egnatoff, 21, realized he wanted to be involved in comedy from a young age.
“I popped out of a box in a 1st grade play and the crowd laughed. That’s when I knew comedy was good for me,” he says.
A native of Kingston, Ontario, Egnatoff had performed on an improvisational team, and although it was a valuable learning tool, he was not sold on studying comedy until he attended Humber’s comedy workshop in the summer of 2005. Although no further involvement is necessary, the workshop acts as a preview of the two-year program and is a vital tool for people interested in enrolling in Comedy Writing and Performance.
“The one-week program was definitely important. You get to visit the school, meet administration, and get a feel for what the program is like,” says Egnatoff.
If you’ve attended the workshop or done some prior performing but are still unsure about enrolling full-time, think about your goals.
“People should ask themselves what they want out of it. I was asked what I want out of comedy, and I want to change the world for the better. It’s corny, but you have to hold on to that. If all you want is attention, it’s not the best place for you,” says Egnatoff sincerely. “Be connected to your material.”
Egnatoff also suggests getting feedback from people who have been in the program before making a final choice.
“I talked to people who liked it and didn’t like it. They weighed in, and I made the final decision that it was a good environment for me,” he says.
Egnatoff is passionate about the craft of comedy, and says that if you are thinking about studying Comedy Writing and Performance at Humber, you should be too.
“I get nervous before every show. I was supposed to have a show at Yuk Yuk’s last night and I was nervous about not being ready. Then when I got there, the show had been cancelled and I was upset because I really wanted to do it. I just love it,” says Egnatoff.
If you are infatuated with comedy, have thought long and hard about studying it and aren’t deterred by over $4000 of tuition costs, Humber’s comedy program could be for you.
“It’s a different atmosphere than other programs, it’s bizarre,” says Egnatoff. “On Monday I got to wear a clown nose and act like an idiot. It’s great.”
Thursday, March 1, 2007
AIDS Awareness
A new campaign, ‘Spray to Change Attitudes’, has been initiated by MTV International and The Body Shop to raise HIV and AIDS awareness among youth, but is it enough to halt the growing number of affected citizens?
With the announcement of this launch, a study done in England was released, showing the shocking ignorance of youth as it pertains to HIV and AIDS infections. For instance, “70% of young women do not believe they are at risk of contracting HIV” (CCN Matthews). This is a shockingly false assumption. There are no groups that are immune to the disease, with over half of new HIV victims being between 18-25 years old.
According to an article on HIV/AIDS in Ontario published in 2006 by faculty at the University of Toronto, 14,927 men who are infected with the disease are still seeking sex with women. There has been an increase of 39% of infection from the year 2000 to 2004, and 3,367 were infected through heterosexual experiences (these stats can be found at aidsvigil.pbwiki.com).
HIV and AIDS are on the rise in not only Canada, but the world over. Although it is ludicrous to assume that the number of youth contracting the disease will decrease due to this new launch, Spray to Change Attitudes is attempting to raise money for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation by selling a new fragrance, Rougeberry Eau De Toilette in all Body Shop stores worldwide. The Staying Alive Foundation is a U.S. charity organization created in 2004 by MTV International to support people infected and fighting AIDS. Rougeberry will be sold across Canada for $18 CDN, and $8.70 of each bottle sold will go towards the Staying Alive Foundation.
Sources:
Ccnmatthews.com
Aidsvigil.pbwiki.com
With the announcement of this launch, a study done in England was released, showing the shocking ignorance of youth as it pertains to HIV and AIDS infections. For instance, “70% of young women do not believe they are at risk of contracting HIV” (CCN Matthews). This is a shockingly false assumption. There are no groups that are immune to the disease, with over half of new HIV victims being between 18-25 years old.
According to an article on HIV/AIDS in Ontario published in 2006 by faculty at the University of Toronto, 14,927 men who are infected with the disease are still seeking sex with women. There has been an increase of 39% of infection from the year 2000 to 2004, and 3,367 were infected through heterosexual experiences (these stats can be found at aidsvigil.pbwiki.com).
HIV and AIDS are on the rise in not only Canada, but the world over. Although it is ludicrous to assume that the number of youth contracting the disease will decrease due to this new launch, Spray to Change Attitudes is attempting to raise money for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation by selling a new fragrance, Rougeberry Eau De Toilette in all Body Shop stores worldwide. The Staying Alive Foundation is a U.S. charity organization created in 2004 by MTV International to support people infected and fighting AIDS. Rougeberry will be sold across Canada for $18 CDN, and $8.70 of each bottle sold will go towards the Staying Alive Foundation.
Sources:
Ccnmatthews.com
Aidsvigil.pbwiki.com
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Rage Against the Machine reuniting/Coachella Festival
Chris Cornell has left Audioslave, saying there were “irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences", but fans should be glad to know that the rest of the members will be reuniting with Zach de le Rocha for a one-time performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 29th, 2007 as Rage Against the Machine.
The festival will be held in Indio, California, which is located 26 miles east of Palm Springs and 125 miles east of Los Angeles. It draws many comparisons to Woodstock, and the first Coachella was held on October 9th and 10th, 1999, just three months after the devastating destruction of Woodstock ‘99.
A portion of proceeds from the event will go to an organization called the Indio Youth Task Force. It was created in October 1994 to connect the community with efforts to form a positive direction for youth in their area. A part of their mission statement includes the declaration “we pledge to work toward establishing a community of productive and responsible young people.” The Force holds events such as monthly youth dances, safety presentations and after-school activities for kids in five rental properties. It has also sponsored conflict resolution and motivational education “to further develop the mental well-being of our youth.” The motto of the I.Y.T.F. mimics everything else they stand for; “A commitment to the youth of our community.” To contact the Indio Youth Task Force, call 760-775-3717.
The festival will be held in Indio, California, which is located 26 miles east of Palm Springs and 125 miles east of Los Angeles. It draws many comparisons to Woodstock, and the first Coachella was held on October 9th and 10th, 1999, just three months after the devastating destruction of Woodstock ‘99.
A portion of proceeds from the event will go to an organization called the Indio Youth Task Force. It was created in October 1994 to connect the community with efforts to form a positive direction for youth in their area. A part of their mission statement includes the declaration “we pledge to work toward establishing a community of productive and responsible young people.” The Force holds events such as monthly youth dances, safety presentations and after-school activities for kids in five rental properties. It has also sponsored conflict resolution and motivational education “to further develop the mental well-being of our youth.” The motto of the I.Y.T.F. mimics everything else they stand for; “A commitment to the youth of our community.” To contact the Indio Youth Task Force, call 760-775-3717.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Intramural Sports at Humber College (Toronto)
Intramuralsports
Greg Coyle
January 15th, 2007
Jim Bard
Is going to Caps on a Thursday night the only way to meet people at Humber? Think again.
The intramural athletic opportunities available at Humber are a great way to make new friends and have fun while you’re doing it. Just ask Jennifer Maclam.
“A lot of people register just to get to know people,” says Maclam, Humber’s Campus Recreation Co-Ordinator.
Maclam, a native of Lindsay, graduated from Durham College’s Sports Administration program and has been working at Humber since August. She says that Humber’s intramural scene is a friendly atmosphere, where people can make many social connections in an “everyone knows everyone” type of environment, and that is exactly what she is striving for.
“If people aren’t meeting people, then what’s the point?” she asks.
It is not uncommon for students to join as individuals, meet people through teams that they are placed on, and stick with those same people for the duration of their time at Humber. The best news of all, there are no shortages of opportunities to do just that.
Available to students are leagues of floor hockey, indoor soccer, co-ed volleyball and new this semester, squash. There are also day tournaments of dodgeball, three-on-three basketball, badminton doubles, and five ping pong tables are set up once a week in Gym A.
The most popular intramural league is floor hockey, which has 19 teams this semester. The second, indoor soccer, has 16 teams. While participation in other sports is healthy, in order to encourage even more students to come out, more gym space is needed according to Maclam.
“In an ideal world, we’d have our own centre,” she says.
There are even instances where the gym is completely off limits for intramurals, such as during exam time.
With that said, it appears as though Humber’s athletics department is headed in a positive direction. Aside from all the intramural opportunities, Humber also has extramural ice hockey, men’s basketball, and a women’s ice hockey team, which Maclam herself participates in as a rookie forward this year.
Maclam, who in 2000 participated in the Ontario Winter Games for ringette, is proud of the athletic and social opportunities she helps bring to Humber students.
“It’s an alternative to the weight room. It’s something different, and there’s no fighting for machines,” she proclaims confidently.
Greg Coyle
January 15th, 2007
Jim Bard
Is going to Caps on a Thursday night the only way to meet people at Humber? Think again.
The intramural athletic opportunities available at Humber are a great way to make new friends and have fun while you’re doing it. Just ask Jennifer Maclam.
“A lot of people register just to get to know people,” says Maclam, Humber’s Campus Recreation Co-Ordinator.
Maclam, a native of Lindsay, graduated from Durham College’s Sports Administration program and has been working at Humber since August. She says that Humber’s intramural scene is a friendly atmosphere, where people can make many social connections in an “everyone knows everyone” type of environment, and that is exactly what she is striving for.
“If people aren’t meeting people, then what’s the point?” she asks.
It is not uncommon for students to join as individuals, meet people through teams that they are placed on, and stick with those same people for the duration of their time at Humber. The best news of all, there are no shortages of opportunities to do just that.
Available to students are leagues of floor hockey, indoor soccer, co-ed volleyball and new this semester, squash. There are also day tournaments of dodgeball, three-on-three basketball, badminton doubles, and five ping pong tables are set up once a week in Gym A.
The most popular intramural league is floor hockey, which has 19 teams this semester. The second, indoor soccer, has 16 teams. While participation in other sports is healthy, in order to encourage even more students to come out, more gym space is needed according to Maclam.
“In an ideal world, we’d have our own centre,” she says.
There are even instances where the gym is completely off limits for intramurals, such as during exam time.
With that said, it appears as though Humber’s athletics department is headed in a positive direction. Aside from all the intramural opportunities, Humber also has extramural ice hockey, men’s basketball, and a women’s ice hockey team, which Maclam herself participates in as a rookie forward this year.
Maclam, who in 2000 participated in the Ontario Winter Games for ringette, is proud of the athletic and social opportunities she helps bring to Humber students.
“It’s an alternative to the weight room. It’s something different, and there’s no fighting for machines,” she proclaims confidently.
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