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?

Okay, okay, after this, I promise to be such a Hallowe’en nut! … Except for maybe on Wednesday, which is actually Hallowe’en. So, here we have pictures from Justine’s BIG HALLOWE’EN BASH!!!! Warning: the following pictures contain some drunkenness. But I’m pretty sure by this point we are all legal. I don’t know. I didn’t check any IDs. Ha ha. Overall it was a pretty great party, with some pretty interesting people there! For example, I was Hermione (durr, if you read my last post). Orry made an appearance as Jared Padalecki. Sherlock Holmes made it. There was a witch, a dark angel, a mummy, some devils, and people who obviously forgot that it was a costume party. (Or were too lame to dress up. Losers :P)  To the left is Justine and I, at, oh 9.30pm. I would like to point out that the party started at 9, and that it was at her house, which is probably why she already looks shittered. It’s okay though, because she’s a fun drunk. And also, it’s easier to molest her when she’s drunk, and she has huge boobs. So, we were all pretty excited. To the right you will see me, (half of) Jared Padelecki/Orry, and Lissa as a witch. We are all slightly drunk, but not quite because it is only 10. Also, my hair is pretty long, eh? I wonder if I should cut it a bit…. Hmmmm…

I sat down to a big bowl of Ramen today, and it got me thinking. I did not like Ramen before Katimavik. In fact, I was not a fan of spicy food in general! The rest of my family adored spiciness, but not I. Then, I went to Katimavik, where everyone was pretty much a beginner in the kitchen.

When you are first learning to cook, sometimes spices are the least of your worries. The main goal is to create something that 1) won’t kill anybody and 2) is not burned. Good flavour is just an added bonus! Besides, there is only so much flavour you can put into tofu and rice noodles, anyway. And that’s where the hot sauce came in. While I never quite got into the world of Tabasco, I did fall for hot sauce’s less-hot cousin, barbecue sauce. By the end of the nine months, there was not much that I did not put barbecue sauce on! It tasted good on everything! I especially enjoy the spicy version from Kraft!

Before Katimavik I avoided feta cheese like the plague. I mean, GOAT’S CHEESE? Ew. Imagine my surprise when I encountered it in a Greek salad, and discovered how amazing it was! Cheese had a great influence on me in Quebec. I had always enjoyed it, and often remarked it as my favourite food. However, my experiences pretty much landed in the world of cheddar. In Quebec, I was introduced to cheese curds, which were lovely and salted and squeaky, and I began to explore more cheese options. I’m not sorry, and I’ve never looked back. Cheese is amazing.

I’d never even touched a sweet potato since I was five years old. I had disliked it back then, so I assumed I still did. Sometime in Katimavik, I encountered them again, and discovered that I liked them. Then I discovered that I loved them when mashed with butter and cinnamon! Now sweet potato and cinnamon is one of my favourite foods!

Katimavik gave me different food experiences and choices. Which is great. I encourage everyone to get out there and try something new today!

Random Fact of the Day: Today is Blog Action day. Unfortunately, my stomach got the best of me, and I’ve blogged about something else. Still, please check out the Blog Action Day website, for a list of blogs that ARE participating!