I really like her style

Vanessa Hudgens, a full fledged fashionista?  I know many of you will disagree but I do believe that this little madam has a very unique style that's on one hand very casual and chic yet very cleverly put together. If I had to pick someone's wardrobe, it would be hers. I can't wait to see more of her and her work.

                                                    

Frühjahr/Sommer 2010: Versace

Never was a big fan of Versace but i do admit their new collection is fab.( But again no 'tanned' models allowed...i guess)

The Girls of the Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist

OH, my lovelies -- it is time for the Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist. On October 6th, the epic list of twelve Canadian writers was whittled down to the Final Five and the GAME IS ON.

In case you are new to all things Giller, this prestigious literary award possesses the power to launch a writer's career within these borders and well beyond. Since the Giller Prize teamed up with Scotiabank in 2005, the award is now worth $70,000 in cash -- $50,000 goes to the winner and $20,000 is split between the four finalists. Oh, and you can't forget the HEAP of exposure generated through a nomination and the guaranteed sales in Canada ALONE (right in time for the holiday season, no doubt). 

The Scotiabank Giller Prize is the largest cash prize for literature in the country, aside from the epic honour that is a Governor General's Award. Past winners include the absolute titans of Can. lit. including Margaret Atwood (*Hiss, boo*), Alice Munro, Michael Ondaatje, and Mordecai Richler. So, yes -- winning this is a BIG DEAL for a writer, to say the least.

This year, the media has been in an absolute frenzy over the selections. See, in 2008, the longlist was an out and out shock -- three female finalists were chosen compared to twelve male finalists. This time around, the media's been buzzing about "The Girls' List" that was the Giller Prize -- two male finalists faced off against ten women. In both cases, the shortlist came down to two members of one sex/gender vs. three members of the opposite sex/gender, so it seems to balance out in the end. Still, the media likes to make stories out of.... well, out of everything it can sometimes.

Anyway.

THE GIRLS OF THE SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE SHORTLIST:

Anne Michaels, The Winter Vault (McCelland & Stewart)

With Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood out of the shortlist, Anne Michaels is the favourite to win the 2009 Prize. Michaels' first novel was Fugitive Pieces, a title that dominated the Canadian bestseller list for two years. The same novel garnered her an impressive selection of awards and accolades including the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Trillium Book Award, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, and a Lannan Literary Award for Fiction. Taking the Scotiabank Giller Prize sounds quite possible for Michaels, no doubt.

Annabel Lyon, The Golden Mean (Random House Canada)

I am completely biased and love Annabel Lyon's writing. Lyon's first book/collection of short stories (Oxygen) was nominated for the Danuta Gleed Award and her second collection (The Best Thing For You) was nominated for the Ethel Wilson Prize for Fiction and the City of Vancouver Book Award. The Golden Mean is Lyon's first full-length novel and a win for her could secure a lucrative career and ample success for years to come. Plus, she's lovely and I love her.

Kim Echlin, The Disappeared (Hamish Hamilton Canada)

Kim Echlin is a writer through and through -- while The Disappeared is her third published novel, Echlin has also produced television for the CBC and written for independent documentary producers. In addition, she teaches at U of T's School for Continuing Studies. Out of the shortlisted authors, Echlin is still a relative unknown when it comes to the Canadian literary scene. She's not a household name as of yet, but her resume is a strong one. Who knows, this award could see her switching to writing fiction full-time should her book win the grand prize.

In addition, we have our representatives from the Canadian gentlemen in the form of Linden MacIntyre's The Bishop's Man and Colin McAdam's Fall (but, since this is a lady blog, I will stick to profiling the women of the Scotiabank Giller Prize -- though no doubt, I would argue you should check out ALL of these writers and support Canadian literature in all its facets).

I've got quite the stack of reading ahead of me -- congrats to all the writers who were nominated and may the most Canadian of books win.

Tunes for Tuesdays: Noisettes

Need a hit of music to challenge the mid-week blues? Looking for a track to turn the weekend on its head? Or are you simply jonesing for a new band to mix up the old playlist? 

Tunes for Tuesday holds the answer.

***

In this inaugural post, I turn to my latest obsession: Noisettes. And I do stress that this is a recent fixation. My Advocate tuned me in to their 2009 disc, Wild Young Hearts, as of last Tuesday and I am hooked with no sign of release.

Noisettes is an indie rock, post-punk, electric soul band that hails from London, England, and lo -- the kids are making waves across The Pond.

Infectious energy: Check.

Killer, catchy melodies and hook lines for days: Check.

Fronted by a strong, sassy, all-too-charming singer/bassist who just might win herself a ticket to my Harem's Qualification Camp?: Oh, double check that one, yes.

(Her name is Shingai Shoniwa, FYI).

At the moment, I've got the track "Cheap Kicks" on constant repeat. While this isn't one of their commercial releases, it kicks complete ass. I ought to let the song speak for itself:

.... I might as well turn over this new series of blog posts to Noisettes now because I will be showcasing their magnificence as much as possible.

No need to thank me now -- I'm sure you can think up a stunning way to praise me later for introducing Noisettes to you. For now, I suggest you book it to YouTube or the nearest iTunes to acquire their albums, GONOWSERIOUS.

Nuit Blanche

So, I've got yet another Toronto-centric event to scratch from my list: Nuit Blanche. All the kids in town have attended, save this one right here. Luckily, I made amends and launched an epic adventure through altered, urban spaces with The Crew in tow....

• Silly Moffatt could not find the Kipling subway station. *Shakes head at herself* Sent The Crew off ahead of me and drove around some more, mostly in a tizzy. Managed to arrive at Union about half an hour later than the rest.
• Explored a scent/auditory version of Alice in Wonderland.... staged in Port-o-Potties, if you can imagine it. One smelt like chocolate which was both delightful and disturbing....
• Powered a fountain with my legs! (And a stationary bike)
• Witnessed the Witches' Cradles.... wanted to be hoisted up in one, but the line was KILLER. I guess sensory deprivation is all the rage now.
• Tossed some spare change into a pool of vodka.
• Ate roasted corn and watched an excited crowd rush a massive slide at a street carnival in the financial district.
• Watched a game of Monopoly played with REAL cash. Supposed to have "Canadian celebrities" there.... the only one I recognised was the rapper, K-OS.
• Saw a massive, silver rabbit-shaped balloon in the Eaton's Centre.
• Rush of occurrences: Light graffiti on a building, seventeen caged wrestlers fighting with blindfolds on, giant NO sculpture, bright lights to buzz the eyes.
• Timmies' run: Scored an excellent table and partook in hot chocolate, tea, scones, and doughnuts for a stellar hour of reflection.
• Ship Sharp and The Aussie parted ways with us at 1:10 am -- My Advocate, Napoleon, and I headed to Younge-Dundas Square for cheap popcorn. Marveled over how un-Canadian the square looks. Serious, it looks too cool for Toronto.
• Headed to the Toronto Reference Library to witness this odd dance/martial arts dance course. More distorted lights followed....
• Walked through darkened streets to Napoleon's house. Passed through mist, connected over the desire to kick Canada from our heels and travel the world/Universe (a la Doctor Who, naturally).
• Headed to Liberty Village to witness the apocalypse -- or, rather, an unnamed disaster where us wanderers were the victims. It was 4-5 am, we were cold and tired, and there were free blankets and mugs with the word "MERCY" written across them. Managed to connect with perfect strangers while we huddled around garbage can fires and rearranged tin cans. 
• Passed through the narrow, passive-aggressive, apology lane.... very eerie having people in large, paper bags apologizing to you after you bumped into them.
• Napoleon drove My Advocate and I back to the Kipling Station where I then drove her back to her place.

AND -- BIG NEWS! I came out to My Advocate at 5 am on Sunday morning. It was entirely unplanned on my part -- I point to my sleep deprivation as the driving force behind my sudden sense of confidence. And, as I predicted, The Advocate was supportive, excited, and proud of me. (Hey, she was made My Advocate for a reason here, people). 

She invited me in and we gossiped over some fresh-brewed tea. I got to tell her about all these undergrad moments and experiences that I had never shared with her before which felt marvelous. I love that I'm at this point where I'm so excited to let people know this vital part of me -- and heck, it's getting easier each time I come out, so far. None too shabby, I should say!

Turns out My Advocate knows more queer ladies than I had anticipated -- though she still argues that no one is good enough for me (her words, not mine), she is all for helping a gay gal out. I had to admit how lame I am with the ladies, and she's now on a mission to get me mingling with the queer community. Lord, I won the lottery when it comes to friends and straight allies, I tell you. Suppose it comes with the art school territory.

Crawled into bed as the sun rose at 7 am and still managed to get myself up somewhere between 11 am - 12 pm. I'm disciplined, what can I say? Adjusting to regular hours has been a cinch, though I think I'm coming down with the wicked cold that's been claiming my family members one at a time. I was the last hold out. 

Ah well, it's a minor concession for another stellar weekend. I'm thinking I need to invest in some more late night, modern-art-induced conversations. Definitely inspires a night full of revelations...

Consider Me 'Whip'ped

Yes, the Internetz are ablaze with initial reactions to the highly-anticipated Whip It! film-- and here I am, adding my voice to the rabid choir of praise.

But serious, did I have any choice in the matter?

Feminism and pure fun mix for an energetic flick dedicated to the women of Austin's derby circuit (and heck, it's a dedication to the the strength of any and all women coming-of-age in this twenty-first century North American scene). I could hear snippets of conversation as I left the theatre and the general consensus was, "I NEED TO BUY ROLLER SKATES NOW, WHY ARE WE NOT AT THE STORE YET?!"

Methinks derby teams across the continent are about to experience an overflow of sassy, young things wanting to "become [their] own hero," if you'll let me pilfer/paraphrase from the movie.

Serious, though -- there were a number of elements I hadn't foreseen despite the fact I've been following the press on Whip It! quite closely for the past few months:

• Alia Shawkat as best friend, Pash: Serious. Why is this girl not getting more press for the film? She was fantastic, just a delight from the moment she appeared on the screen. She managed to strike this amazing balance between the spontaneous and the level-headed as she tried to encourage Bliss (played by Ellen Page) in her pursuit of all things derby. I'm a tad unnerved that Ms. Shawkat is the same age as my brother, though... I'm feeling older by the day, I tell you....

 Ellen Page and Alia Shawkit

• The core father-daughter relationship that runs throughout the film: Folks weren't lying when they said the parents (played by Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern) are scene stealers. And, perhaps it's the fact that I watched this movie with my Dad that this particular plot line is hitting closer to home. I mean, watching a father fight for his daughter's happiness gets me all choked up no matter what the context, really. And Daniel Stern carried himself well. 
• Eve and Ari Graynor.... together.... in a hot tub....ALONE...: Why can I not find pictures of this one on the Internet? It is a travesty to all the women reading this. And to me. ESPECIALLY to me, people.

Eve and Ari Graynor

• ZOE BELL DID NOT GET NEARLY ENOUGH SCREEN TIME -- though, she did a damn fine job with what she was given. I promise I'll get over this obsession. Just not now. And probably not for a few more years after that.

Are you a gay gal?

Do you like your women tough, DIY, and full of spunky feminist ideology?

Have you SEEN the stills from this film?

All I can say is: DO IT. Shell out that cash and watch Whip It! on the big screen.

Serious, why are you still reading this post, GONOWGOWATCHWHIPITNOW!

Dionne Brand: Toronto's Newest Poet Laureate

EXCITING NEWS for all those ladies out there who:

A) Love poetry, 

B) Love Canadian authors/scholars, or 

C) Love queer women who can wield the written word to their advantage.

Enter: Dionne Brand.

The woman is all of the above and so much more. As of this week, Ms. Brand assumed the prestigious title of Toronto's Poet Laureate and I am SO FREAKIN' EXCITED.

Her powerful and stunning verse/prose/scholarly endeavors have garnered her a ream of national awards and nominations and have secured a place for her among the international heavyweights of the literary world. I mean, to describe her creative efforts as "impressive" is a severe understatement:

• No Language is Neutral (Poetry): Short-listed for the Governor General's Award in 1990.
• Land To Light On (Poetry): Won the Governor General's Award and the Trillium Book Award in 1997.
• thirsty (Poetry): Winner of the Pat Lowther Award; Finalist for the Trillium Book Award and the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2003.
• Inventory (Poetry): Finalist for the Governor General's Award in 2006.
• What We All Long For (Fiction): Winner of the Toronto Book Award in 2006.
• Winner of the Harbourfront Festival Prize, an award honouring individuals who have made a substantial contribution to books and writing in 2006 (I'm sensing 2006 was a STELLAR year for Ms. Brand....)
• Contributed to 17 anthologies, written dozens of essays, made four documentaries for the National Film Board.

*Tries to catch her breath*..... Wow.... WOW...... I need to... get started on work..... and achieving... things.

I think what makes this appointment even sweeter is the fact that Ms. Brand is an out and proud queer woman. Lesbian perspectives, negotiations with gender and race, and feminist free thought act as central themes throughout her work, as does the individual's presence and place within the city (or, in numerous cases, within Toronto). 

As Poet Laureate, Dionne Brand will be Toronto's literary ambassador at various cultural events throughout the city and will advocate on behalf of poets, artists, and linguists across the GTA.

SO. INTENSE. AND. AWESOME.

So, a tip of the hat to Dionne Brand and a glass of champagne to celebrate yet another accolade to add to her collection.