A lesson in appreciating life
On Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT and opened fire on innocent teachers and children. Like everyone else, I watched with horror as details about the shooting began surfacing. I felt like I was going to throw up just trying to imagine what these families’ lives would … Read more
HBO’s Girls: The Voice of My Generation
“I’m like Tinkerbell, Finn. I need applause to live.” That’s from an early episode of Glee wherein scene-stealer Rachel Berry explains her love affair with fame. While I’m nowhere near deserving of the attention that Lea Michele’s character receives – mostly because I’m not that talented of a singer – I can partially relate. Pay Attention … Read more
First Look: Foster the People’s “Houdini”
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you know I’ve been a longtime fan of Foster the People. I’ve dedicated a couple posts to them over the last year or so and will likely continue writing about them in the future. They’re a quirky band with an interesting style, one I hadn’t seen in … Read more
First Look: Adaline’s “The Noise”
It’s time to admit it. Success in the music industry isn’t always based on talent — a large part also depends on image. Hell, sometimes even image alone can make you, talented or not. Adaline, however, has plenty of both. The artist, born Shawna Beesley, has more than enough talent to go around. Her live performances … Read more
The Pursuit of Happiness
As the year wraps up, my first thought is always to compile a year-end list of favourite songs, favourite movies, favourite news stories. Then I start brainstorming New Year’s resolutions that are not entirely half-assed but not so challenging that they’re not feasible. But if there were ever a year to be retrospective and introspective … Read more
Come back, baby.
If you’re a musician or a fan of music at all, you know one of the worst things ever is having your gear stolen. Not only is music gear expensive to replace but a lot of musicians develop a special bond with their gear, finetuning it to no end to get that perfect sound. My … Read more
Review: The Penelopiad
During my early years at UBC, I fought with a lot of pressure coming from different places on the merits of an arts degree in the real world. It speaks to the larger issue of how art, literature, creative writing, theatre, music and so on can contribute to society. While some folks are more inclined to write … Read more
First Listen: Modern Romantics
The first time I heard Shawna Beesley – known to most as Adaline — play “That’s What You Do Best” was at a piano recital at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver, B.C. The stage was covered in candles and in the center, a baby grand piano and a girl who just loved those black and white keys. … Read more
The Single Girl’s Guide to Humour
You know how you can pick out the single girls from the married girls at a 20-something’s gathering? Married girls walk in the door and head straight for the bookshelf or mantle and try to find the wedding photo albums. Single girls — that’s me — are hovering around the table filled with food, stockpiling their … Read more
Review: Next to Normal
There’s a stigma around mental health that’s been poked and prodded in recent weeks here in Vancouver. Former Canucks player Rick Rypien was one of three NHL players to die this off-season in the midst of mental health struggles. The VPD recently released its second report detailing how police officers become defacto health workers when … Read more
