Lacrosse Lament

I've spent the past week out at 6 Nations teaching journalism workshops to some students at the Cayuga language school, I.L. Thomas. What I learned from these students is that they are serious about their lacrosse! We had a lot of discussions about Crooked Arrows and it's upcoming release, but I thought I should at least check out this film, A Warrior's Heart, and see what it's all about.

In shock and denial over his Marine father's death in battle, star Lacrosse player Conor Sullivan, always a maverick and a hothead, starts acting out in self-destructive ways that have his mom, Claire, at her wit's end. But arduous training in a wilderness Lacrosse camp under the tutelage of his dad's old combat buddy, Sgt. Major Duke Wayne, opens Conor's eyes to the true meaning of maturity, sportsmanship and manhood ... (synopsis from IMDb)  

Clearly it's a prep school take on lacrosse, and not focused on the Native roots of the game. Overall it's like a high school rom-com with a lacrosse twist. It was actually a pretty slow pace and not very engaging. What I did like about it was that Adam Beach was in it (Sgt. Major Duke Wayne) and the main character, Conor, was sent away to 6 Nations for bad behaviour. While on 6 Nations, he learned how to really play lacrosse and there was a team of Native guys playing (that Michelle Shining Elk cast), but I couldn't figure out who any of them where or find anything about them online. Best lines of the movie: "Chicks with sticks are so hot." Conor and "You call me crazy Indian one more time and I'll tattoo it on your forehead." Sgt. Major Duke Wayne.

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Jerk It

Jamaican Jerk Mon.

Wicked video shot and edited by James Kinistino (Big Soul Productions).

Yesterday was a freezing cold day here in Toronto and as my tan starts to fade, I began to get reminiscent.  I got back just over one week ago from Montego Bay Jamaica. It's my second annual trip there with a great group of Native artists, and last year I wrote all about it for Indian Country.

I think that the music video that was created sums up the trip quite nicely. The group of 13 of us went and spent time at the villa, time at the beach(es), and some time dancing. Okay a lot of time dancing. I'm dancing at 2:04 but watch the whole video it is hilarious and beautifully shot (Thanks James). I am already counting the days down until next year where we can all do a rinse, repeat.

My role in the video.

Here is the list of the cast in order of appearance:

Chef:                                     Syreta (Nutmeg House Staff)
Dude with headphones:      Derek Miller
3 guys dancing:                   Carlington, Wilton, Nutmeg Staff Member
Gymnast:                             Jarret Leaman
Bikini dancer:                     Laura Milliken
Chip eating guy:                 Joey Stylez
Guitar man:                        Raven Kanatakta from Digging Roots (aka "Culture Man")
Driver:                                 Dave (Nutmeg House Staff)
Relaxed hot girl:                 Shoshona Kish from Digging Roots
2 housekeepers:                  Nutmeg House Staff
Guy smoking endo:            Stuart Pierre
Couple dancing:                 Glen Gould (aka "Glen Coco") and Zoe Leigh
"Jerk It" beach dancer:    Lisa Charleyboy (aka "Chuckie)

Guy with sunglasses:         James Kinistino

Zombie:                              Catherine Stefanizzi

P.S.   Bookish Nerd:                     Sarah Yankoo

Jare Bear and I in the water off the boat. We were hardcore tourists that day.

 

Negril Beach

 Riding that lion at Half Moon Luxury Resort.

 The best unison handstand Jare Bear and I could muster.

Lovely Big Soul team James & Laura.

The Jamaica Villa Crew right hurr.

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Tablet Tease

Back in December I received a Samsung Galaxy tablet to play with for a few weeks. I was sold when I was told "it's purse size." A sexy new little toy that I only have a short test trial with? Game on.

For the past year, I've had an iPad from work. I never use this thing but I keep carrying it on with me on trips to see if I'd finely find it's purpose in my life. I even brought with me to Italy sans laptop and I just about broke down while I was out there without my MBP. The iPad started to feel like a neglected PC laptop or like my work BB that usually gets left at home while I go out to play.

Samsung helped fill my void. I didn't longer need to carry around the1.3 lb. iPad (made heavier by my book case for it). The Samsung Tab 8.9 LTE only weighs 453 grams and is 8.6 mm thin, so it slipped easily into my hobo bag that I travel with every day.

So as I made my 1.5 hour commute to work I found it to be the perfect way to make it less painful. Reading, Tweeting, and writing with ease. This is also the tablet I'd throw in my purse when headed out to do errands so that if writing inspiration comes (as it often does) while I'm out and about I can pop in a Starbucks and get the job done.

It was a little weird at first to move of the Mac interface that I'm so used to (iPhone/MacBook user here), but the benefits of the convenience packaging far outweighed that initial discomfort.

So now that I'll be sans work iPad I will be investigating more heavily into acquiring my very own Samsung, although next time I hope our relationship will last longer than two weeks.

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3 AM Posts.

I've spent the last week almost offline. The first few days were totally forced as the internet was down at the villa I was staying at in Jamaica, but after I got used to living without it I was okay with not delving deep. While there were many moments where I felt the need to document and be online, I was happily (mildly) extricated from the situation.

All this time offline gave me some time to think and spend time reflecting and pondering life's direction. I have been stuck in a bit of a groundhog day and I felt the need to switch it up. And so I did just that. I have decided to leave my f/t job and move forward in a freelance direction. This has already made me feel full with joy. It is time to move out of the comfort zone and put my energy back fully into what fuels me. I have enjoyed my time at my past position learning, traveling, and doing my best to contribute to a greater good, but I have realized that my time has come to fly solo.

I tend to make decisions of great magnitude thinking very silently for a while and then one day just make the final gesture. The final gesture occurred while in Jamaica. It was a move supported by many close to me so it made the decision much easier and sans regret.

The direction that I am moving in now is very interesting as I have made myself a promise that I am only living life for myself and no one else. Which seems so entirely basic, but sometimes I feel that I make decisions to make other people happy and not completely fulfill myself or my own mandates. I keep trying to fit in molds that no longer fit me or never has. I am mold-free now.

So this means that I move forward in an entirely new way. I am excited for this venture as I truly believe that I am doing everything possible that I can to chase my dreams and never allow them to evade me. I will likely have many new adventures and likely an entire new existence to move forward into 2012 with.

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