Columns

[blue rare]—Of Fabled Roses

Red: The colour of anemones, poppies, chrysanthemums, and lover’s roses.  The colour of fresh blood, of hot coals, of rage, of desire, of innocent hearts and concubines’ lips.  The colour of roman candles, roadside flares, and fake rubies scattered across slick black tarmac.  The colour that appears in the morning to warn sailors of approaching… Read more »

Music Review—ILL

Artist: Royal Deceit Album: ILL Danish metalcore four-piece Royal Deceit will be releasing their sophomore album ILL on August 11th, 2023.  The album will be available for streaming anywhere you get your music. The band was formed in 2014, the members “hailing from the darkest corners of Jutland, Denmark.” They describe themselves as “a bastard… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—War in Literature

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Five Ways to Prevent Burnout

Burnout can affect anyone, including athletes, those with ADHD or autism, employees, and students.  Avoiding burnout during academic studies is crucial.  So, take breaks, prioritize self-care, and seek support when necessary.  Burnout is no fun. I can testify.  I’ve recently overtrained with exercise while working, studying, cleaning, and committing to projects.  I’ve been getting some… Read more »

Music Review—The Projectors

Artist: The Projectors Album: The Projectors Victoria, B.C.  indie/garage rock group, The Projectors, have released their debut self-titled LP, with an accompanying video for the single “Golden Age”.  The music video is available on YouTube and the album is available for streaming anywhere you get your music. The band consists of lead singer/songwriter Dylan Rysstad,… Read more »

[blue rare]—The Perfect Saturday (a Promise)

Have you ever felt that there is no venture in life more important than the quest to assemble the perfect Saturday?  (I say “assemble, because that is the only way, isn’t it?  Putting it together, piece-by-carefully-chosen-piece, like a miniature, silver-plated model of the Eiffel Tower, or a beautifully crafted, hand-painted German jigsaw puzzle.) Have you… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Power, Control, and Corruption

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Fly on the Wall—Katherine Hepburn and Pinnochio

Don’t we as distance students sound a bit like Pinocchio, with our study-minded conscience as Jiminy Cricket and our benefactors as ol’ Gepeto?  The pine-based puppet, like our digital avatar selves, promised, “I will study, I will work, I will do all that you tell me, for indeed I have become weary of being a… Read more »

[blue rare]—The Carnivals of Summer

Of all the senseless cockwomble statements you tend to hear, the one that irritates me like capsicum on the gonads is “whatever doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger”.  No, it doesn’t.  Trauma, most of the time, is survivable, but it certainly doesn’t enhance your resilience.  What really does make us stronger are those things that… Read more »