Lost and Found Benefiet Commemorates Loss of Friend

Melissa Ligertwood organized “Lost and Found- A Benefit for Addictions Awareness” at Charlie’s Tap House and Grill Saturday night. “No one talks about mental health issues or addiction,” Melissa said in regards to the reason behind the benefit. She wants to create awareness of the consequences of misusing drugs and alcohol and how addiction affects lives. She also used the benefit as a memorial service in honour of her friend who passed away in February and did not have a funeral. For many that attended, the benefit would bring closure to the passing of this individual.

Any profits raised are to be donated to the Edgewood Treatment Center and Foundation in Vancouver, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, and the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice in Kamloops. Her first time organizing such an event, Melissa was unsure whether the benefit would pull crowds or earn a profit. Her goal was to pay tribute to her friend, gain awareness about addiction, cover costs, and potentially raise some money for her cause via any profits.

Six bands played and advocated on behalf of Melissa’s cause. Careful With That Axe, Blister, A Case in Point, Kilmore Place, Say It In Colour, and Throttlecaster all donated their time. It was a noteworthy cause when musicians are arguably more exposed to the drug and alcohol scene than any. Josh Bolen and Erko Nomm of Throttlecaster proudly spoke of their drug-free lifestyles, while Clay Andrist of Case and Point said he isn’t easily influenced by others. “Kids in high school have more pressures than we do,” Clay explained, “We are capable of making our own choices.”

Dave Marlin shared opinions on the topic before the concert started. Had he not been already in charge of sound with the venue, he would have donated his time. Dave shares with many the impacts of addiction in his world. “Drugs manipulate,” Dave said. “Addicts have the ability to candy-coat their situation”. With experience Dave has found that when dealing with addicts, boundaries are most important.

Dave also feels that we may be curing symptoms of addiction but not the solution. Corrupt syndicates weaved into society are the cause for these substances getting out. “They melt our economy and crush our families,” said Dave. He also fears that the mentality of society is that if you make your bed you have to lie in it. Hopefully by contributing to Melissa’s benefit, we proved him wrong.

If you would like to make any donations on behalf of someone affected by addiction, you may contact Melissa at mligertwood@hotmail.com.

Animal Nation Making a Name in Canadian Music Scene

If you attended the Vancouver 2010 Olympics or the Pemberton Music Festival in 2008, you may be familiar with the Canadian band Animal Nation. Their music can’t be placed into any one category. A mix of hip-hop, indie rock, and electronica, the two members, Garnet Clare and Mike Armitage, said in a phone interview that they have been labeled everything from “hip-hop for kids who don’t like hip-hop” to “indie-nerd-hop”. If you mix the style of a couple snowboarders with the sound of the band Atmosphere, and the influence of today’s modern electric sound, you would have Animal Nation.

Living in Whistler BC, they are working to make it big with their music in Canada – something not easily attained. They both have jobs in Whistler to supplement their passion which is a similar situation to many students. Not only do they work hard, their music contains Canadian references that imply their Canadian pride. Notably, their music video for “Party Animals” found on their MySpace page shows Mike wearing a Vancouver Canucks baseball cap. He agrees that it will benefit the Canucks to relieve Roberto Luongo of his responsibilities as captain this season. Their Canuck pride is relatable, and it is inspirational to see talents so near to us pursuing their dreams.

Animal Nation recently released a new EP entitled “Basti Made Me Do It!” which was produced by German producer Sebastian Hochstein. The influence he had on their music was “more electric and less organic” Mike said. The decision to name the EP after Sebastian came from the motivation that he gave the guys during the project. It was Sebastian’s first time in Canada, yet he wasn’t interested in the outdoor opportunities that British Columbia has to offer. The boys claim that he literally made them do it when they got sidetracked, but Sebastian insists his dedication to the project came off as pushiness. The pushiness paid off. With the collaboration of Animal Nation and Sebastian Hochstein, this mix of genres merits a genre all in its own.

Animal Nation is going on tour within Canada beginning September 30 in Ottawa and ending November 11 back in Whistler. During the interview, they were on their way to a cabin in Montreal to add original content to their new live show. They often use animal mascots to get the crowd going, so anything is possible. Unfortunately Kamloops didn’t make the cut, so for potential fans, you can get their music online. Their mySpace page has a link to purchase the new EP through iTunes at a very student friendly price of by donation.

Sebastian plans on working with Animal Nation again. In the mean time, he is releasing an album with Illect Records next spring, an album with JustMe from the Scribbling Idiots, and an album with Shawn Lov. He is so busy working on his music that we were forced to speak at 1:30 a.m. Germany time.

As for our Canadian boys, expect to see them on the road together and also independently working on their side solo projects. Watch for their mascots, and find some of their tunes, you’re sure to hear from them in the future.

Visit them at: http://www.myspace.com/animalnation

Students with Money- Not an Oxymoron

A student finishes scratching the prof's last words into their notebook before swinging their bag over their shoulder and losing themself in the posibilities of the WEEKEND.

Walking to the bus stop they run into some friends who are going out, and the idea of a Saturday morning hangover could not stop them from what they were about to partake in that night. Would it be another night of Old English.....?

NOT TONIGHT...

What you didn't know was that while that student walked to the bus stop, their pocket was jingling with coins.. they were NOT the typical broke-ass student living off Kraft Dinner and O.E.'s.

THE SECRET?

Scholarships, bursaries, grants. Make it happen. Laziness is no excuse. Get organised and apply. It could mean the difference between drinking O.E.'s and Alexander Keiths this year.

I started here..

http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/

Get to work.

The Wonderful World of Crock-Pots

As the weather has been less reliable than a twenty-five cent condom, it is summer, and I am cold.

As such, I decided to make stew in a crock-pot today. Being the only kitchenly-challenged double x chromosome for miles, I resorted to the Internet for a recipe where I stumbled upon a new world... the world of crock-pot cooking.

If you don't have a crock-pot, go buy one now.

Apparently you can make more than stew in these crafty cooking devices. You can pretty much cook anything your little heart desires. As we speak, I have a Spanish style jambalaya on the go, and I'm stoked.

The nice thing about these slow-cooking machines is that you can prepare the meal in the morning when you're all jacked up on your cup of coffee, go to work, and have dinner ready when you get home exhausted from a gruelling day.

Surprisingly, the photo of the stuffed pepper was made in a crock-pot. Try the link http://www.crock-pot.ca/recipecategorygroup/main-dishes.aspx for some new ideas!

The Quiet Wheel Gets the Grease

Today it has become rediculously clear to me how much society reinforces bad behaviour. Nice people get the short stick/ I am making extra efforts to help out people who a) don't bitch and b) let shit happen to them.

Rude people shouldn't get what they want just for being rude.

The Waterslides- No, not just for Children

Find the children you know for an excuse to head to the Vernon waterslides- you'll look and feel less creepy.

Apart from the cute little tots totting around, the main event is the "River Riot". You tube down this river rafting simulated run. The trick is getting a large group to go at the same time; it's mayhem. If you have a strong willing person in your group, get them to whip your tube around causing you to spin, flip, and have some good clean (haha) fun.

The waterslides- do it before we're walking uphill in snow both ways to work.

Flying Through Fears

When you think of the ultimate thrill, what comes to mind? Chances are it will have something to do with facing one of your greatest fears.

Classic example - fear of heights. I literally get queasy on balconies. This may be an average human fear, as we are clearly not designed to withstand heights, but I feel (being self-centred) my fear may actually be deeper than that.

Nonetheless, being the thrill-seeking twenty-something that I am today, I decided to go skydiving.

Vernon, B.C. offers a great skydiving program that allows you to jump tandem with a professional who has at least a few thousand jumps under their belt. They offer tandem all summer long unlike the closer Kamloops partner. Another bonus is being able to take in the amazing views of the okanagan - Kalamalka Lake, Okanagan Lake, Sun Peaks, Big White, etc.

I chose to jump tandem for several reasons.
1. I don't have to be in control of saving my own life (like that would pan over well….)
2. You jump from 10,000 feet instead of the mandatory 3000 foot jumps for solo beginners
3. You get to freefall for 30 seconds (as a solo beginner your instructor throws your parachute out of the airplane and you float down immediately)

Skydiving wasn't like I thought it would be. I expected the elevator effect of falling, but that wasn't the case. You just float. It was more refreshing than anything. The fear came from the nerves and the knowledge that you're falling toward the eart at 200 kms per hour- ok it's scary haha.

The natural high lasted all day. The adrenaline really gets pumping.

I would recommend skydiving to everyone, even the biggest of whimps. If I can do it, you can do it! I will post the video as soon as I learn how to.

Sweet: Paper Towels

Sour: How Will You be Remembered?

I have been thinking a lot lately about death and the significance of our time on earth. I have been thinking about what’s important/what’s not, what I want to spend my time doing, etc. Mostly since I have come back from travelling, I have really put my ducks in a line and found a sense of direction.

Recently I watched a biography on Johnny Cash. This wasn’t the flashy blockbuster hit with Joaquin Phoenix-it was merely some late night program a channel-surfer would surly flip past. The relevance of this program was that it was a tribute to his life and aspects of his life I had never seen.

Toward the end, Johnny Cash’s devotion to religion was revealed, and it made me curious why I had never seen this side of him. In all of the coverage I had witnessed of his life, I had never heard this about him, and to be honest, it changed a lot of how I feel about him now. People have picked over his life and displayed what they have thought to be the most interesting. There are so many ideas, deeds, successes, lessons lost with death. What makes me sad about this is that we have no control of what people remember of us.

The program constantly displayed Johnny Cash’s name with the dates of his life tied with it. “The Man in Black”, “Mr. Cash”, “Johnny Cash 1932-2003”-his last title.
The dates you lived forever become attached to you as if it were your legacy. Those dates do not justify a life.

When I die, I don’t want to be remembered from the time I began to the time I supposedly ended. I hope to be remembered as an idea that is and can never be completely the same again.

Jess

Tim Hortons: The Buzz

Coffee, their way:
Tim Hortons has built their coffee legacy around the concept of the "double-double": creme and sugar. Try it with just milk-crap. Try it black-crap. I myself prefer to drink my coffee with milk, but take my Tim Hortons coffee with creme and sugar. If you notice yourself ordering the ever so catchy "double-double", you are not alone.

A word to the wise:
When the young, doesn't-ask-if-you-need-napkins drive-through tottie at Tim Hortons advises you to choose an onion bagel because they're out of everything bagels, just say no.
... no it is not "close to the same thing"
... and no it does not bode well for the people around you when mixed with the fan favourite herb and garlic creme cheese
... and that is the millionth time I've gotten creme cheese on my work pants and not had napkins!!

On a brighter note:
Tim Hortons has recently splurged on coffee cup sleeves. David Suzuki would be proud- they are made from recycled goods. Adios to the double-cup.

Jess

Cliff Jumping: A Thrill to be Alive

I have been meaning to start blogging again for some time. Luckily, opportunity found me when I decided to jump off a hundred and ten foot cliff on Sunday morning at Shuswap Lake (insert image of my mom scowling at me).

I have a few days off now to recover.

I jumped off the largest cliff at Shuswap Lake at the wrong angle. I hit the back of my legs like concrete into the cold lake. Currently I am stuck in my house with a black and blue bottom, a bruised tailbone, whiplash, a bucketful of medications, and the knowledge that it could have been a lot worse.

If you’ve ever wanted to BASE jump, you are not alone- the thrill, the escape, the pride. The injury?

It was my first and my last cliff jump. I would not recommend doing it. The pain I am in now wasn’t worth the four seconds of free-fall. Once I hit the water, my arms had to hold up my body, and I wasn’t able to respond to my screaming friends who were about to jump in after me. Winded by the fall and wading in freezing water, these are only some of the dangers that come with cliff jumping.

Others dangers/risks include:
1. Not knowing how deep the water is
2. Hitting the side of the cliff
3. Not knowing if the water has rocks in it
4. Slipping/tripping on your run and not jumping in at the proper angle
5. Unexpected undertows
6. Debris in the water

Unfortunately these never changed anyone’s mind! Sure didn’t change my mind. My goal is not to preach but to warn- it is extremely dangerous. I am lucky to be walking even alive.

If you must try it, please consider these important tips based from my experience.
1. Check to see if you are slightly mad, then please change your mind and not jump.
2. After you don’t listen to my warnings, start with small jumps.
3. Watch someone who has done it first.
4. Walk through the steps where you will launch yourself to make sure you won’t trip, and that you have enough room to jump past the cliff.
5. Know your cliff. How deep is the water below? Are there any rocks sticking out? How far out do you need to jump to clear the cliff?
6. Commit. If you’re going to go, go and put everything into it.
7. Point your toes, close your eyes, and tuck your arms into your sides. Head straight.
8. Hit the water straight on, with your feet breaking through the water like the tip of an arrow.
9. Swim like hell back to the surface.
10. Let your friends know you’re safe.

Now before you print off this list and try it, remember that IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. There are many uncontrolled factors.

Jump safely my friends. (preferably don’t jump.)
Jess

Hello World

Dear World,

Thank-you.

Thank-you for providing me with this beautiful habitat to live in, species to companion with, and endless amounts of randomness and opportunities to just sit back and enjoy myself. Life is entertaining. Everything from global politics to that disgusting fly that just landed on my leg and peuked on it - you never know what’s going to happen, and I love it!

After travelling through Europe for half a year and writing about everything I came across, I realized how much I enjoy writing. When thinking of a specific topic I could consistently write about, I drew a blank- I am passionate about so many things.

The purpose of my new blog will be to create some sort of thoughts, opinions, discussion, or whatever you can take from it. The idea is to draw from my everyday encounters for a weekly post. You may not agree with my findings, but that makes it so much better! I am here to stir the pot. Please feel free to comment.

Also, the goldfish at the top of my page can be fed by clicking on the fishbowl. Haha, I love technology.

Jess