Laura Stricker

Last month, as part of the program I was in at George Brown College, I, along with some of my classmates, organized a fundraiser for the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

Carnaval Noir was a carnival-themed evening held at Fly Nightclub in downtown Toronto on July 29.

The event featured a burlesque show, amazing aerialist performances courtesy of LaRouge Entertainment, a face painter and a magic show. As well, there were a variety of carnival games that could be played to win amazing prizes.

Pictures from the evening:

We served cupcakes and cookies, as well as popcorn donated by Kernels. Lyndsey Adam photo.

We also had a cotton candy machine. Yum! Lyndsey Adam photo.

Glamour Puss Burlesque. Martin Kolanos photo.

Magician. Martin Kolanos photo.

Joe Pantalone, who is running for mayor of Toronto, made an appearance. Martin Kolanos photo.

One of our carnival games - the prize wheel! Lyndsey Adam photo.

Our incredible aerialist, Jamie from LaRouge Entertainment. Laura Stricker photo.

Jamie again. Laura Stricker photo.

Now that I live in the country (a.k.a. Durham Region) I rarely take the TTC, except to get to work. About two weeks ago, May 10, I was sitting at my usual bus stop, waiting for the #25. Except it wasn’t coming. Approximately 10 buses went in the other direction, but not one came the way I needed to go!

After waiting for almost 30 minutes, someone in a TTC car pulls up and informs us that, hey, the 25 no longer operates north of Steeles and we need to cross the street to catch the bus. THANKS FOR THAT!!

Exhibit A:
They don’t actually bother to post a sign or anything saying “hey, the bus no longer comes this way, cross the street!” Much better to inconvenience people trying to get to work. FYI, the person who informed us of the change then taped a note onto the bus shelter - a note that was missing the next morning.

Quite annoyed at this point, I cross the street. Keep in mind that while I was waiting on what is now the wrong side, buses were going by about every three minutes. I had to wait at least 15 for another one to show up. This brings me to

Exhibit B:

After driving for approximately two minutes, driver stops the bus on some side street, gets out and spends 5 or so minutes enjoying his morning cigarette. His back was facing the bus the entire time, but that’s definitely what he was doing! My apologies for the crappy picture quality, I think I’m one of the few people who does not yet own a Blackberry or iPhone.

I considered filing a complaint with the TTC directly, but I’ve done that in the past and, shockingly, never heard back. This is much more effective

I’ve been very lucky to get to do some travelling. Not nearly as much as I would like, but I’m still young and there’s plenty of time for that!

I was watching Word Travels, this amazing show about travel writers that you should all watch. I think they were in Venezuela and spent a night sleeping outdoors in a hammock. I then started to reminisce about my night sleeping outdoors, surrounded by nothing but sand and sky.

It was in August 2007, undoubtedly the hottest time of year in Israel. In August temperatures range anywhere from 42 - 50 Celsisus (108 - 122 Fahrenheit). It’s unforgiving - this weather smacks you in the face and then says “yeah, take that!” Like being in a sauna during the sun-filled days, there is no way to escape the heat. Not even the slightest breeze blows through the streets. It is like walking into a brick wall of unrelenting heat that leaves you sweaty and disgusting within five minutes of stepping outside.

On this particular humid day, we were driven to the Mamshit Camel Ranch about 45 minutes from the Dead Sea. The first part of our overnight adventure involved a camel ride through the desert.

After our camel ride, they served us delicious tea and coffee that was made through a special process. I can’t remember exactly what it was, but I think it may have involved steeping the tea in a kettle-like object and then burying it in the sand for awhile. Whatever they did with it, the tea was amazing! We then had a delicious meal - potatoes, rice and vegetables (plus chicken for the non-vegetarians). Food really does taste better when it’s eaten outdoors.

My favourite part of the experience was sitting around the bonfire. Someone had brought their guitar with, and at my request played Under the Bridge by the Chili Peppers, which we all sang along to. It was a pretty amazing moment sitting there under the stars. No streetlights, computers or cellphones - just endless nature. It was so refreshing to not have those daily distractions present.

In the early hours of the morning we called it a night. I lay on my thin mattress a few minutes before falling to sleep, staring through the open sides of the large tent and marvelling at the beauty and serenity of the desert.

That same morning we were woken at the crack of dawn to head over to Masada and watch the sunrise, signalling the end of that particular outdoor adventure.

This one that was published today in 24 Hours (one of the freebie papers):

The gist of it:
Alcohol prices at bars and restaurants might stay the same after the HST is implemented in a few months.

HOWEVER, alcohol prices at the LCBO might increase. Or they could possibly decrease. Or maybe just stay the same. It’s a crapshoot, really.

On January 26, I read an article in the Toronto Star about a California school board banning the dictionary. The ban came after a parent complained that her child found the term “oral sex” in said dictionary.
I’ll let Peter Scheer, executive director of the California First Amendment Coalition, take it from here:
“If a public school were to remove every book because it contains one word deemed objectionable to some parent, then there would be no books at all in our public libraries.
“I think common sense seems to be lacking in this school,” he said to The Press Enterprise.
The next day they decided to repeal the ban. Parents can choose to have their kids use a different dictionary. Because obviously that will fix everything.

We are ignoring the fact that I don’t actually celebrate Christmas.

10. Gingerbread and snowman soap, courtesy of Demo Soap.
Adorable, inexpensive AND they help keep that pesky H1N1 away.

9. Dexter seasons one to three. Because I’m sick of rewatching it online/waiting to borrow it. And I wouldn’t say no to some Six Feet Under either.

8. The 8GB Nano, in purple or turquoise.

7. The new Blackberry Bold 9700. Perfect for avoiding awkward silences and emanating an aura of importance.

6. Pontiac Vibe, 2010. Now that the DriveTest strike is over and I can FINALLY get my G2.

5. This amazing blue bustier dress from H&M, or the equally beautiful purple one from Le Chateau. For New Year’s.

4. Tiffany’s carved heart pendant in turquoise. Beautiful, simple, classy and my favourite colour.

3. A donation to Free the Children. I worked for them when I was in high school, and they are an organization that does truly amazing and inspiring things.

2. Canon Powershot SD980IS. My existing digital camera is pretty much on its last legs.

And, last (first?) but DEFINITELY not least, all I want for Christmas is…

1. The Elixir Box of hot chocolates from Soma Chocolatemaker in the Distillery.

Happy Holidays!

Vote here!

For anyone who is reading this, I would be super appreciative if you’d vote for me in The Globe and Mail’s Journalism Dream contest. Grand prize is a trip to Vancouver in 2010 to cover the Olympics. I studied journalism in undergrad and this would be such an amazing opportunity for me.

Voting ends November 22 and you can vote for me once a day. You do have to register in order to be able to vote, but with every vote you get entered in a draw to win either a laptop or digital camera.
Thanks!

Not that I actually take the TTC much (if ever, anymore) since moving, but I thought I’d use today as an excuse to post a picture I took months ago and then forgot about.

Take note, among other things, of the cigarette butts.

If this is them caring about the station’s appearance, I’d rather not think about what “not caring” looks like.

And if it doesn’t I’ll buy you pie! (Not really).

Great song, catchy, super happy lyrics, cute video…what more could a person ask for?
To see a better quality version, check out www.jasoncastromusic.com