When I Need To Unplug
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
The past few months have been hard as a community. Our timelines have been bombarded with racially motivated acts that make the online world a difficult place to be at times.
If you’re anything like me, I find the internet an excellent place to get inspired by positive information, but on the other hand, it can be emotionally draining too.
So what do you do when it’s time to take a step back from what’s going on in the world? You find ways to unplug, clear your thoughts and take care of yourself.
Many of us don’t know how to take care of ourselves because we’re too busy taking care of others. Personally, I struggle with keeping still and worrying about what I have to do next, so I try my best to log off and log out from my online world — even for one full day.
Not sure how to escape the online madness? I use these simple “unconventional ways to unplug, log off and log out”— even for just a little while:
PHONES OFF NOW! I know this seems obvious to all of us, but you’d be surprised how many people are unable to willingly turn off their phones and leave it off. What works for me? I don’t recharge my phone when my phone battery is low. I do my best to wait until the next day to charge my phone, and I make sure to give myself some “me time” since I’m not constantly charging my phone.
YOU BETTER DANCE, GIRL! Music is a huge part of my life. Different styles of music are important to my overall energy for different reasons. I’m not saying to go pay for a dance class, I mean get off of that phone, put some music on and dance! Whenever I need to relax, release and think, I’m often twirling in my living room all by myself. If dancing isn’t your thing, then listen to calm music while you rest your mind and your heart.
CREATE SOMETHING. I’m a crafty person, I like crafts and I dabble in a little painting now and then. Sitting and using your hands to do anything that will force you to be patient, is a beautiful way to detach yourself from distractions. Grab one of your child’s (if you have any) colouring books and try staying within the lines. You will find this quite relaxing.
WRITE! At this very moment, I’m writing as I’m sitting on a Greyhound bus from a mini vacation in Montreal. I’m in the most relaxed state right now. Journaling is a big part of releasing good and bad emotions. Get a notebook or a piece of paper and write down the first words that comes to mind and then wait a second and expand on it. Don’t stop your flow. For the perfectionist out there: don’t check for spelling errors and mistakes etc. Just write whatever comes to mind and then expand on it. Consider what you really want to get out of your system.
How do you log off, log out and unplug?
Read MoreCafe Medina
Posted by Karen | Leave a Comment
For all of my Vancouver food lovers, Café Medina now calls 780 Richards Street, home. The newly renovated location has a number of upgrades such as high ceilings and large, street-facing windows that allow for plenty of natural light (a subtle nod to Medina’s connotation of “radiant or enlightened city”). An expanded dining room will seat 65 guests, plus a 10-seat cocktail bar and an eight-seat coffee bar — anchored by a top-of-the-line La Marzocco FB/80 espresso machine — that will also serve connoisseur-savvy coffees to go.
If you visit, let us know how good the food really is!
Facebook: /medinacafe | Twitter: @CafeMedina | Instagram: @medinacafe | #TheNEWMedina
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Inside Out Project
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The 5th Annual Manifesto Festival were proud organizers of art project “Inside Out”, Toronto series. The Inside-Out art project, is a large-scale global movement that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world.
Our friends Steve Carty & Jalani Morgan (of Hermann & Audrey) were two of the twenty-four photographers to participate in the event. The group task; translate the theme of “Intergenerational” by using public art installations to transform industrial space into urban galleries. The Toronto project executed up to 400 portraits, which made it one of the largest collaborative efforts, to date.
Source: Hermann & Audrey
Do U Original An Art Experience
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I know I’m not the Art Contributor but I had to give my two cents about my evening at the DUO: Do U Original Art Exhibition. Similar, to Russell Simmons writing a random piece for Global Grind, tweeting it and the hits (I’m sure) tripling on that day alone. I’ll be doing the same for the Art Contribution, all the while hoping that my hits do the same..lol.
Do U Original. Is not always an easy statement to live by but at last evening’s presentation of the DUO: Do U Original Art Exhibition Artists; Jason O’Brien & Kwame Delfish did just that, they did them. I’ve become fond of DUO’s (previously members of JMK) work over the last few years. Largely because it was my truest introduction to the world of visual Art in Toronto. To watch their growth as artist collectively and as individuals, was a pleasure.
Jason O’Brien’s exhibit The Audacity of Purple showcased “A journey of intimate meditations inspired by the colour Purple.” While Kwame’s Follow up Stream exhibit clearly demonstrates his passion for Art, beginning in his early adolescent years.
Jason’s past collections has commonly captured the essence of a woman and the strength behind her afro centric hair. However, with the Audacity of Purple Collection it was refreshing to view several interpretations of Art, where the central inspiration is derived simple from one eye-catching colour, purple. Symbolically, Purple is associated with Royalty, Power, Nobility and Creativity. For Jason to capture some of the colours symbolism in his collection, added another level to his ongoing creative work. Favourite pieces: Caught Up In the Rapture and The Golden Palms.
Some may say I would be bias as I write this, considering Kwame “The Del” Delfish is an extended part of the IAWH Family but “who cares, I was impressed”. This collection was in my belief his best yet. It’s a clear example of an artist taking Art “to that next level”. An artist either confident or crazy enough to mix an Obama piece, with Captain America caricatures, Teddy Bears, Chalk Boards and vintage elementary school desks, clearly this is a passion for Art, not just a talent. Not that his past works weren’t representations of his creativity but Follow up Stream clearly incorporated elements of “The Del’s” personality, big ole kid with a love of everything child-like. Favourite pieces: Captain America, L.O.L. and Peace. Love.Sacrifice.
DUO: Do U Original Art Exhibition A Must See!
Twist Gallery
1100 Queen Street West
Sept 1st – Sept 29th
11pm – 6pm
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The Heart Truth Fashion
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Last evening, I had the pleasure of viewing the fourth annual Heart Truth Fashion Show, for the first time. The invite only event took place at the prestigious Carlu venue, in downtown Toronto. The Heart Truth Fashion show is the annual signature event of the Heart Truth campaign created by the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The Heart Truth Campaign focuses on educating and bringing awareness to women’s heart disease & stroke.Bobbe Wood, CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation opened up the show in a red dress, which is the official symbol of the Heart Truth campaign. The symbolic red dress is a representation of woman’s courage, passion and their power for change. In her opening statements Bobbe Wood stated that “heart disease and stroke is the leading cause of death for Canadian women, more than all cancers combined.”
The evening brought together some of Canada’s top female celebrities and for the first time, invited the swagger of some male celebrities to walk the runway (in support of the cause). Celebrity models wore an original red dress designed by Canadian fashion designers. Celebrities in attendance included: Tre’ Armstrong (Choreographer), Bal Arneson (Food Network Host), Isabelle Brasseur (Olympic Medalist), Deborah Cox (R & B Singer), Wendy Crewson (Actor), Elisha Cuthbert (Actor), Arlene Dickinson (Dragon’s Den Co-Star), Mylene Dinh-Robic (Actor), Megan Follows (Actor), Chan Hon Goh (Ballerina), Dr Christiane Laberge, Andrea Martin (Comedian), Debra Mcgrath (Actor), Gabrielle Miller (Actor), Rick Campanelli (ET Canada, Co Host), Colin Mochrie (Actor) and many more.
With celebrities in all areas of media, it was only natural that each celebrity brought their individual personalities to the stage…check out some of my favourite’s walks down the runway….
For more information about the Heart Stroke foundation, Celebrity Bio’s and the Heart Truth Campaign visit www.thehearttruth.ca or the join their facebook group www.facebook.com/thehearttruth.
