travel inspiration.

I came across the Burger King's new Whopper Virgins campaign (the above clip) via FarFar Academy blog this morning. It really made me envious of the researchers. It really made me want to travel even more than I already want. Whether this campaign was effective or not in terms of advertising, I could care less. It's a great idea, but at the same time, I don't think I'm crazy about the thought of introducing fast foods to small communities like that. It could really wreck the eco-systems of the natives.

Anyway, it really makes me think... It's really hard to believe that some areas are so remote they have no idea of what life is like outside of their culture. International pop culture? Forget it. Michael Jack-who? Kanye-what? The thought of someone not knowing how to pick up or eat a burger is all so strange to me. All so foreign. But then again, I'm seeing things through the eyes of a typical North American. Limited vision, limited knowledge, history and culture of anything outside of this continent.

The idea of experiencing something different, something foreign and new, really puts questions in my head though. This world is so diverse; why do we trap ourselves in such a life of routine and comfort? Why do we cringe at the thought of change? Whether they be cultural, environmental or biological changes, shouldn't we live to experience these differences? Why do we live to work? Shouldn't we work to live? Life's so short. Why waste it? Take that leap of faith. Whether we land or fall, isn't the experience worth it?

I've been feeling a little trapped in Toronto as of late. I thought taking a trip to Los Angeles back in September would really liberate that feeling. As much fun as I had there, it didn't help much. I think I need a break from the city to kind of reset my mind. I've been losing focus and inspiration. I need to bring some life back into my work. Not to mention my heart... Until I get the time to travel, I suppose documentaries and photos will have to hold me.

daw jai pei yaht.

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Joyeux Jour de Merci-Donner! Went to Montréal pour le weekend. It was so good to see the gathering of the three generations of the family. Spending the weekend in suburbia was a nice change of pace from living in the city (even though a few hours was spent shopping downtown).

While driving up to Montréal and back, we got to see the colourful scenery of the changing leaves. It was so beautiful. Between Kingston and Belleville, there's a stretch where the trees just run alongside the highway; it resembles a wall of colourful cloud. I wish I took so photos. I've only got myself to blame though, since it was a 9 hour drive afterall. I'll be going northbound this Saturday to go shoot some photos. Hopefully, they won't be dead and brown by then...

On the way back to Toronto, I was listening to Radio-Canada (French station) to keep myself awake and my brain active by translating. And I heard a song que j'ai vraiment aimé. It was an interview about un nouveau artiste. Je pense qu'il est un Québecois. I have yet to do some research on him, but I did find that song on YouTube. J'échoue par Alexandre Désilets. C'est un pretty chill song. Enjoyez-le. Hon hon.


J'échoue par Alexandre Désilets >

fire in the sky.

As I was biking home from oyster dinner at Rodney's, there was a dark purple cloud looming overhead. A storm's a brewin'. But what really caught my eye was the fiery orange clouds glowing from the horizon. I couldn't help but bike faster to get to the Bathurst bridge (South of Front) to get some shots in. Luckily I had the camera with me and got there before the sun set completely. It felt as if the gods were angry. Yet it was so beautiful...

And with that said, that song by Ne-Yo, When You're Mad just popped into my head. I'm really excited to make my August CD. Got some pretty good ol' school songs I want to burn on it. But I just want to wait til the end of the month in case I hear something new or someone intros me to something better. But to name a few: Smashing Pumpkins' 1979 and Disarm, Counting Crows' Round Here and Mr. Jones, John Mayer's Heart of Life, Common's So Far To Go.

There's a couple of unmentioned songs that I know you'll find incriminating. And I'll admit, I'm ashamed to even have it on my considered list right now, but this is my list, not your list. And my list is full of fun and variety. I'll only mention one as a preview of how bad it gets, haha. Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It by Will Smith. That's right. I said it. The Fresh Prince himself. If you think the song is bad, you gotta check out the video. And don't be judgin' me, cause I know you've danced to this song at one point or another!!

Those oysters didn't fill me up one bit. Nor did that smoked salmon. Time to scrounge for food...


Facing West on the Bathurst Bridge North of Fort York Boulevard


Facing West on the Bathurst Bridge North of Fort York Boulevard


Facing West on the Bathurst Bridge North of Fort York Boulevard


Facing North at Queens Quay and Bathurst.


Facing North at Queens Quay and Bathurst.