Saturday 25 September 2010

Do one to others...

I think I’m having a charitable epiphany…. I’m not in the least trying to toot my own horn but I have definitely caught the charity bug and I don’t hate it. Nor did I ever plan to do it. All of a sudden it just seems so easy. And I swear I’m not just doing it for the karma points either!

It started with my wanting to participate in 2011’s Shave For a Cure fundraiser. I have always wondered what it would feel like and what I would look like if I shaved my head. So I’m doing it. And if I’m going to do it at all I may as well be doing it for a good cause. I have to admit that initially the notion of doing it for charity was a way to prevent me from backing out. Now I want to raise $10,000! I do still (and often) worry about the affect that cutting off all my hair will have on my self esteem (not to mention the boy situation) but then I think about how much worse the kids with Leukaemia and the millions of other people with varying types of cancer feel when they’re loosing their hair. Because for them loosing their hair is the least of their worries. So I figure that if I can gain some minute semblance of empathy for cancer battlers and survivors and all it takes to appreciate their struggle is to cut off a bit of hair, then so be it!

Next weekend (October 3rd) I am participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for a Cure fun run.  It never occurred to me that this isn’t my country because perhaps one day it might be and I might need some time rich, eager exchange student to help me out.  I’m looking forward to the exercise though and have spent a lot of time recently praying for a clear day! The rain here is about as fun as soggy toast.

What I have been trying to get to in this mammoth post is the Zombie Walk: The Runway. It’s a charity fashion event designed to raise money for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and it’s being organized by a couple of Ryerson students – who, by the way I am totally in awe of! It’s extraordinary to see the amount of work that goes into the organization of an event such as this! I am soooo keen to get my hands as dirty as possible in all the pre-show bits and pieces!!! I have no doubt that this show is going to be a real rip-snorter and I am only too honoured to be a part of it as both a contributor to a worthy charity and as a fashion student.


I am now genuinely thinking - as a result of my serious like of organization in general as well as this event and my Fashion Promotion class – that perhaps fashion show production might be something that I could do after uni…. (insert thinking face here…) 

www.zombiewalktherunway.ca

Decrease in anonymity...

I have always been under the misguided assumption that Australia is the epitome of a small world. But, derrr the world is a small world!! Luckily enough however, the encounters that have lead me to this not-so-mind-blowing realization aren't the sort that make me want to turn the other way and run - unlike the way Brisbane's unavoidable and inescapable familiarity used to make me feel. Here, it makes me feel comfortable and at home. It feel a bit like I am legitimately a part of this city. And thank god!!! My friendly acquaintance with Toronto couldn't have come at a better time particularly as it follows a rather unpleasant bout of homesickness.


















Wednesday 22 September 2010

Churono







Must thank Han for the phonetically inspired spelling of Toronto... 

Must be time for bed...

I have no doubt that someone somewhere has figure this out long before me but the aftermath of a big night can go one of two ways when you're away from home... For the most part it's simple a hangover. Today however, the follow up from the night before has induced some serious home sickness... I miss you Melbourne. And Jon. And Molly. And Teddy (also affectionately known as his majesty). Luckily though last night was a big step in the right, friend-making direction and just quietly, to the other ladies who were in attendance... You guys are INSANE!






Sunday 12 September 2010

Lost, found, serenaded and slapped in the face...

I have just a little bit of love for MoMA and a lot of photos to prove it! Despite the fact that the air conditioning was so extreme I almost passed out when stepping back out into the heat, I genuinely enjoyed the space that managed to feel both clean and cavernous without being hard and sterile. I'll thank the insane artwork and their creators for that! 


Liam Gillick: 'The State Itself Becomes a Super Whatnot' 2008


Ellen Gallagher: 'Deluxe' 2004-05

Melvin Edwards: from the series 'Lynch Fragment' 1986

Simon Hantai: Untitled 1973

David Hammons: Untitled 1969

Wangechi Mutu: 'One Hundred Lavish Months of Bushwick' 2004

Tanya Berkeley: 'Ariel' 2006

Annette Messager: 'My Vows' 1988-91
We were lucky enough to catch a bit of a french guy cooling down a rather large crowd with his tune-age. Obviously I couldn't understand a word of it but I really enjoyed his music. Parked it in the courtyard of MoMA for at least 40mins silently watching this guy.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Hello Friend

Despite my initial reservations about orientation, Friday's exchange student initiation at Ryerson was almost enjoyable. As is to be expected of any first day we did the obligatory "everyone walk around the room and find someone with a flag sticker from your country on them and introduce yourself" dance - I have always understood this type of forced socialization as an effective meet-and-greet tactic at such events but also always hated it none the less. 
We were fed and watered free of charge (very smile worthy considering the current state of my funds - or lack there of) and toured around the boundless campus. I have to admit, our tour guides are what made the whole experience bearable. I found it genuinely refreshing to speak to people who were little more than strangers so openly and comfortably about our mutual exchange experiences and without any of that bullshit, fake pretense that I endure everywhere else in the world - namely retail... I love shopping but seriously, retail pretty much requires you to be an irritating moron with a faux smile painfully plastered on - I refer to myself in my retail days as much as any other shop assistant.
With the end of the orientation came an invite to a local pub where we would again be showered with free food and drinks. My drinking habits must be getting the better of me because I was genuinely disappointed when informed that the drink cards only provided us with one non-alcoholic beverage... I should probably keep an eye on that.
Ultimately the day served its purpose and in the least yawn inducing, painful way possible. I'm beginning to get really excited about the next four months at Ryerson. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I don't let my expectations - which are always wrong and way too high - get in the way of making the absolute most of this opportunity.

Saturday 4 September 2010

Answer My Question

Image - Here Comes the Sun

Rabbit, I'd take you over Tony Abbott any day!