this is raphael saddiq

he came close to me
from the stage
his voice was warm
as it graced my ears

enlightened by his
performance
i share it with you


Raphael Saddiq & Me from me on vimeo.

where in the world is carmen sandiego?

If not for the weather, it is definitely spring judging by the amount of going out I’ve been doing over the past week!

This morning I located the Elusive Carmen on Twitter and has a pretty cool site with agents and stuff. I like it. I am now following @vile, Carmen has tips on interesting things.
I feel like I have so much to share! On Monday night I had drinks with the lovely Aga followed by the Raphael Saddiq show at the Phoenix with Bonga and some friends.

I ran into Rahim otherwise knows as @funkstop.
Then I saw this cute girl.

It was a great show. As usual, I showed up fashionable & late when it was already in progress. Such is life!

arts & culture writer = me

I wrote an article a few months back about a fascinating artist named Michael Golland. Afterwards, I found out that it was going to be the feature cover story! I was quite excited given I’m yet to have ‘write a cover story’ checked off my list. An excerpt is below. You can read the whole article here. He wants people to be captivated, to find and immerse themselves in their flow of consciousness. Michael’s art is about finding the Zen within and connecting to its powerful energy. His paintings are unique and recognizable. Fluid lines dance across the canvas creating trajectory spaces filled with monochromatic colors. He aims to draw connections between the objects, the lines, the space, the spirit within and the essence of life itself. Michael was born in Yorkshire, England during the Second World War.” [get all the juice]

all the things i said i said i would do before the sun came out and wanted me to enjoy it

Today, I am reminded of a poem I wrote in Australia. It was 7am, I was walking with my feet in the ocean on Bondi Beach. It was my favorite time of day. Peace, bliss, energy, sunlight ; it was freedom. This untitled poem is my most favorite one I’ve written, I think. There are so many! I’m in the process of picking my favorites so I can have a new book out later this year. Enjoy!

As the waves crashed on the shore,
the wind washed them away.
And as I walked along the sand,
I felt I could not stray.
For I was walking towards the sun,
and it was a brand new day.
Casie Stewart 2004

yeah, a real green dress. that’s cool

We’ve been having quite lovely weather the last few days. The air feels like spring and resonates positivity through vibrant sunlight. I walked to and from work yesterday and thus far, am repeating again today. It makes my mind clear and body feel great. I can definitely feel the multiple hours of walking paying off already!
In spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I will be celebrating at Brazen Head Irish Pub in Liberty Village after work. They were setting up yesterday on my way to the office.

I snapped this guy while getting lunch.


you make music to my ears

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event bridging the League of Kickass Under 30 and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The League is ‘a social network for young leaders and influencers that are the future of their industry’ & in partnership with the League of Kickass Business People. The League (#LOKU30) had the privileged of having Music Director, Peter Oundjian and VP of Marketing & Business Development Mike Forrester speak to prior us to the performance . They both were great to listen to and spoke about the TSO, the value of the symphony in Toronto and the importance of the arts.

The performanceI saw is part of the New Creations Festival and featured acclaimed violinist and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist Hilary Hahn, Cellist Shauna Rolston and a beautiful work for the string orchestra by Tōru Takemitsu.

There was even an afterparty post show where I mingled with musicians over cocktails. It was a truly uplifting experience. I’m really looking forward to returning. If you didn’t know the symphony was this cool, you do now. I am excited to inform you that TSO on June 20 & 21st you can see The Music of ABBA! #OMG. I wondering if it would be frowned upon to dance in the aisles? All I need is a ticket because I doubt I could stay in my chair since they are playing everything from Dancing Queen to Take a Chace on Me. Totally awesome!

spring has sprung out!

I went for three walks today. Yes, three. Hello spring, beach body and bike riding!

Walk 1. Brekky with some friends at the Old York Bar & Grill. I was in good company and we laughed our heads off at continuous random hilarity.
Walk 2. Went for a beautiful stroll in the Toronto Music Garden. “The garden was built in Inspired by the pictorial element in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello with each dance movement within the suite corresponding to a different section in the garden.” [Learn more] I’m working on a video of my Toronto Symphony experience. Will publish later today! Took some cool photos by the water & in the garden.
Walk 3. My roommate and I walked down by South Beach & Marina 2. There is still ice on the water and it looked pretty neat. I did not know there was so many little places to walk around.

steamrolled by drunkards at steam whistle

Last night I strolled over to Steam Whistle to meet some friends. I arrived late, extremely late considering they opened at 5pm to start the party and most people were already totally wasted. It was a good time! I always have fun out, unless I lose something like my phone, ipod, camera, or dignity really.
I was pleasantly surprised to run into Tweeps Andrew Lane & Kurt Gooden. It’s rad to meet the Tweeps offline. Makes me feel nerdy and cute. I like it.
These drunky drunky dudes below did a lovely pose for moi. Ben in the middle said he blogs too which is also rad.
I was pretty happy to find a loonie as you can see. That’s like a hundred days good luck. Day #1 – right on. So far so good! Good things come to good people. Dear Kharma, Please make hundreds stick to my shoes next time.
Met the band Tiny Danza. They’re big a jazz hip hop fusion band and a big deal in Korea. They are also on Twitter.
This pic is for you Ben.

canadian family you say, ma?

I just had a long chat with Mum who just returned from New Zealand. I miss it. I want to go back there so bad. She told me a story about the very tip of the North Island called Cape Reinga. It is so very beautiful. She said that New Zelander’s (The Kiwi’s!) are very creative and they place much of attention & value on the arts and artsy things. That makes me feel awesome.

having a new camera makes my life better

Here is some more good stuff from my day. Felling the spring vibes makes so happy. Popping around the city, feeling pretty. Skip in my step walking with pep. Ipod & street sounds , the sun brightly shining, loving the weather and photo designing.