Like most people my age, I have a severe dependency on technical gadgets. Here are the things I use:

First up is my laptop, which Rachaely named Pierre, because up until a few days ago it was just called Owner, and apparently that was unacceptable! It is an Acer Aspire 5580-6974, and although I only got it in August of last year, it is completely worn down, a sign that I should probably get a life. The “A” key is almost completely swiped, since I have to touch it every time I write my name, email address, URL and… well, the plethora of a’s that appear in the English language. I can’t say it wasn’t a good investment. I use it for blogging, chatting with my friends whom are all scattered around the country, organizing photos, reading news, editing videos, recording vocals and instruments and mixing, and so much more. And it still runs very smoothly! I also have a nifty external hard drive and tablet that can probably be shoved in this same computer-centric category!

I am absolutely inseparable from my iPod. It’s a black 80GB Classic. It doesn’t carry even 1/3rd of my music collection as of yet, because I seem to be lazy on the uploading front, but it still has a good 1100 songs to provide me with entertainment while I’m on the bus, on breaks at work, doing dishes and other chores, and while I’m lying in bed thinking big thoughts before sleeping. I’m even listening to it right now! The song is “Mexico,” by Kain. It’s a Quebecois (French) song, that reminds me of someone special. <345

My cell phone ranks slightly lower than my other tech gadgets, mainly because I dislike speaking on the phone! But, I do enjoy texting, and updating Twitter from wherever I am! It is a LG Chocolate 8500 phone and it gets the job done.

Finally, my camera, which is a Nikon Coolpix S550. It’s 10 Megapixels and absolutely fantastic. It takes great photos, it’s little, it’s cute, and with its black colour it matches the majority of my other gadgets! Also, Ashton Kutcher does commercials for it, and I love him.

What are your favourite/ prized gadgets? What’s on your wishlist?

I am a big fan of independent film. I am a big fan of oddity and perversion. I love films that are kinky. It may seem a bit odd for me to admit to this on my blog, which is undoubtedly public, and easily found by family members, but NEWS FLASH: I am 20 years old!

Currently, Canadian film makers are able to apply for a few different grants and tax credits to encourage Canadian media, art and expression. However, soon, this may change thanks to an amendment regarding Bill C-10 (the Income Tax Act), which has recently been introduced by the Conservative MPs. The change, which is currently being reviewed in the Senate, would see that tax credits be denied for projects deemed “offencive,” by the Conservatives. One of these films, (I’m about to use a bad word) is the Toronto Film Festival screened (here it comes…), Young People Fucking. (Okay, I said it. Relax.) I’m sure you can imagine what said film is about, and why it may be facing Conservative scrutiny.

But is threatening film makers in this way not censorship? And is censorship not against our constitutional rights?

That is what quite a few people and panels are trying to get to the bottom of. I haven’t had a chance to see this film yet, though I would like to, but I have researched it a bit, and formed a few opinions. Just because a film has an expletive in the title that provokes graphic imagery, does not mean that it is pornographic. Sex is a dominant theme, but used to portray human relationships and interactions. During a screening for MPs in Ottawa, all of which were opposition members (Liberals, NDPs, etc.) many praised the film as a “social reality check,” and a “serious explanation of relationships,” while being “funny and fun.”

These are the most important films to see, in my opinion. And it would be a shame to miss out on such a major insight because of something as silly as censorship. Censorship is common in many countries, but it shouldn’t be here. It also is dreadfully unfair to Canada’s budding and blooming film makers, most of whom probably aren’t elderly Conservative Parliament members, and therefore hold different values, and voices that don’t deserve to be silenced this early in the game! We need to fight for our art, our expression, our relationships. Sex is a big part of our society, and what are films but a fingerprint of our world?

What do you think of the censorship of such films? Do you think the measures of the Bill C-10 amendment are just and necessary? Is sex really that taboo of a subject in our lives?

This entry comes from a comment the lovely Lil left on last week’s post regarding my new layout.

The doodle at the bottom is so cute! Say how do you come up with these colour schemes? I’m rather taken by them. Do you have a colour lovers account? I urge you to make one

It’s actually very simple.

I go to my closet.

Essentially, everything in my closet are colours, textures and fabrics that I enjoy. And what is my website but my online “clothing,” ? So, when I’m stuck for colour ideas, I find a favourite outfit and pull the colours from that. Whenever someone asks me advice on a colour, I find an article of clothing similar to their base colour, and move from my closet, to my dresser, to my jewellery box, etc., until I find a suitable accent to suggest. If someone has absolutely no idea of what colours they want to use, I suggest their closet. It really just makes sense.

For example, my current layout was inspired by my plaid capris that my good friend Joelle bought from the thrift store in La Pocatiere, Quebec. One slightly chilly night, she let me borrow them (for I am an avid skirt-wearer, and in the summer I am virtually unaware of the location of jeans). We were in billeting, so we had no access to our house, and I ended up wearing them for most of the two weeks! Finally, Joelle told me I could keep them. They’re terribly comfortable, and I love love LOVE plaid. SO MUCH. So, last week, when I was looking for some colours for a new layout for this thing, I happened to be wearing these capris. So, I took a shot of my leg and the rest is history!