Breakfast at TIFF

Arthur: You know, it's at times like this, when I'm trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I'd listened to what my mother told me when I was young.
Ford: Why, what did she tell you?

Arthur: I don't know, I didn't listen.

On Saturday night my friend Lauren and I decided to take in some culture by going to the 31st annual Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. We hopped on a bus (conviently located just by my apartment) and went to Union Station with absolutely no idea what to expect....
So after chatting it up with Brad Pitt, having a drink with Liam Neeson, and turning down Hugh Jackman we decided that we probably should watch a film while we were in town.
If only... but we did run into Steve Vandehoef (an old acquaintence) on the bus, which was a total surprise, we got to enjoy the pleasant snores (and extremely funny position) of the man sleeping beside me on the bus, and we ended up walking past a store where John Mayer was present. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot.
Not really knowing anything about the festival, we both found it kindof hard to figure out what was going on and where. After wondering around for a bit, we finally found the rush line and started the two hour wait to watch whatever film came up. Not that it was really boring - the atmosphere of the festival is really catching. I love being surrounded by film lovers and (for the most part) 'cultured' people who analyze everything about a film, trying to sound intellect. Everyone talking about which films they want to see, which they have already, and, with great confidence, repeating what they have heard about whether the festival has been a disappointment or an achievement.
Not wanting to appear uncultured, Lauren and I bought our long awaited drinks from Timothy's Coffee, took out our printout map and the playlist we had gotten from the internet, and started taking pictures of ourselves going from being really excited to sleeping while waiting in line.
By the time we got to the front of the line the only show that was really left was this 1970's Canadian film called "Paperback Hero". It definately wasn't the best film I had ever seen - a obviously Canadian film (set in Saskatchewan) somewhat about the American influence in Canada. It would be impossible to describe. The volunteer from TIFF told us it was a Western with Hockey, and that actually turned about to be a fairly accurate description. It was also interesting to see the difference between then and now, and what was allowed then versus now. Apparently the film was quite a watershed in the 70's when it was released, and was a blockbuster hit for a while. And while I would never see it again (or recommend it), some parts were funny and, as the director himself said, a part of our Canadian history and what has brought us to where we are now.
One of the interesting things about the screening was the fact that both the director and the writer were there, along with one of the principle actors. Afterwords there was a Q&A, which brought up interesting points about the challenges and changes that had taken place since the 1970s.
After the film, Lauren and I ended up walking back to the Union Station chatting about Canadian Individualism, our faults, the challenges and frustrations of the Art/Indie Film community, and a definate excitement to go back (and spend more time) at the Festival next year.

In hindsight, if I had understood the festival a bit more, I probably would have worked things out a little differently, but this definately has prepared me for next year and it was just so much fun to be there anyway. Lauren and I ended up having a great time and realizing how great it is that we live so close to the amazing city of Toronto

Third Time's the Charm

In honour of my new move in life and partly for my sister who's apparently in LA (although I haven't really heard too much from her) I have decided to give up my bitterness against Blogger for deleting my blogs and to try blogging one last time.
So here I sit in my new apartment in Hamilton, listening to Great Big Sea and being thankful for the wireless connection someone else in this apartment complex has. It feels good to relax after such a hectic week of coming home from vacation, moving in, going to my Grandma's funeral, learning campus and starting classes. It certainly is a huge switch from the tiny schools I have gone to my whole life - not that I didn't know that going in, but it's definately something different to adjust to.
One thing I am discovering about Hamilton that I love is the multi-culturalism. I feel like I'm within a five minute walk of about 30-40 different countries, whether it's their food, their culture, or their people.
The location of this apartment really is amazing. I can walk to about 5 different cafes in a matter of minutes, there's a bus that goes directly to Mac just a short walk away, and everything else is either within walking distance or easy to get to by bus.
So all in all, though things are going to take some time to get used to, I am content.