More like Children of the Corn

Today's feature on "The Current" about children of the recession is the latest in the media trend of creating parallels between the Great Depression and the current global recession. As guest host, Nancy Wilson tried to get economics expert, Yvette Kantrow, to compare the generation that grew up during the Depression of the 1930s ("The Silent Generation") with the current crop of youths, it became evident that the story was a non-starter. Kantrow stuck by the belief that many other world events might have just as much of an impact on the current generation as the economic crisis, if not more.

Rather than refer to the war in Afghanistan or the advent of China as a world economic power as influences on young people of today, I would refer instead to Britney Spears's public breakdown and Octo-Mom. It has been speculated that the Western public was largely complacent about the genocide in Rwanda because it had the misfortune of taking place at the same time as the O.J. Simpson trial. Similarly, I would posit that the current generation of youth are nicely anesthetized by widespread tabloid media and consumerism to the economic woes that scarred the Silent Generation into a lifetime of thriftiness and practicality. It is ridiculous to even compare the two generations, despite similarly disasterous economic situations.

Maybe if the children of the Dust Bowl era had had access to a Hilary Duff credit card that allowed them to buy affordable, throwaway fashion while surfing the internet to download songs and movies for free off torrent sites, then they wouldn't have had to suffer their way to a strong work ethic and fatalistic leanings. If today's generation has learned anything about the economic crisis, it is that recessions provide good sales.

Latest obsession: My Hoi Bo bag

The 2009 One of a Kind Spring Show proved to be very good to me. For one thing, I was well fed - gratis! My association with a more reputable online publication than this blog gave me access to the Media Breakfast, held about an hour before opening.

Matthew B. Foote, Executive Chef at Elora Mill Inn, prepared the following menu for the press:

Heirloom Carrot and Orange Juice
Apple Cider with Star Anise
Wild Pacific Smoked Salmon
Westphalian Ham
Fine Canadian Cheeses
Wild Flower Honey Comb
Assorted Artisan Bread
Grilled Back Bacon with Maple Gastrique
Pain Perdue Filled with 20 Hour Apples
"AF 4109 UG Research" Snake Egg Tarts with Thunder Oak Gouda
Crisp Heirloom Potato Confit
Centre Wellington County Maple Syrup

My friend and I took the snake eggs all in stride but the dish turned out to be an April Fool's joke on the part of the chef. Regular chicken eggs left us a little disappointed in theory but not in taste.

With full stomachs, we went strong for three hours, fulfilling my responsibility to the publication that helped get us fed, and getting some shopping in at the same time.

Eve Gravel failed to offer the right sizes for the pieces that I was interested in (a problem that was driving Eve crazy). However, I consoled myself with my single purchase from the OOAK: my Portrait bag by Hoi Bo (seen above). Handcrafted in Toronto, it is easily one of the chicest and most grown up bags that I have ever purchased. Not only does the bag look attractive but it smells delicious, too; the bag's fabric was hand waxed with pure beeswax. The result is a durable finish, made to match the solid hardware and soft leather handles, which reportedly require 45 minutes of work alone to attach to the bag.

With this bag, I overcame my phobia of shoulder bags. Time will tell if my back problems overcome my vanity.

See this great highlight of the OOAK Spring Show for further enticement.

"The Point": inane, dull, pointless

Among the many casualties of the recently announced funding cuts at the CBC is CBC Radio's "The Point", a debate program hosted by Aamer Haleem, broadcasted on weekday afternoons.

One of the strengths of radio is the quick turnaround time and within hours of learning of their program's projected demise, "The Point" panelists du jour, Heather Mallick and Fazil Mihlar, were discussing the show's fate, under the pretense of discussing "public broadcasting in a recessionary era".

In the awkward conversation that followed, Mallick played the role of a jilted lover. One could imagine Mallick on a post-breakup bender as she spoke of burning bridges now that she would no longer be employed by the CBC. It was a overstated claim since the last debacle Mallick involved the CBC in resulted in an apology by CBC on her behalf (see 2008 Controversy) but no apparent severing of ties.

Later, while on the inane topic of whether Canada is boring, Mallick asked why Canadians find people who try to be provocative (read: interesting), such as herself, annoying. The answer was so ripe with possibilities and yet, one answer covers both the panelist and the show: an outrageous statement without substance is not provocative; it is annoying. Unfortunately, Haleem let a good opportunity go to waste, which is exactly why "The Point" is such milquetoast programming, in spite of labelling itself "provocative".

I do not object to CBC cutting drivel like "The Point" and its defunct predecessor "Freestyle", both featuring light weight banter with hipster musical accompaniment. Even under the shadow of an axe, Haleem and his cohorts continue to chatter about tangential topics that they know nothing about in the most flippant manner possible. With all the ignorance of shock radio but without the bite, "The Point" is pointless.

I'll miss Dave Devall

Having reported the weather for the last 48 years on CTV, Dave Devall has become the consummate weatherman for many Torontonians. I was just reminiscing about how I've grown up watching Dave when it was announced at the beginning of February that he would be retiring. The 60 day tribute is almost at an end and soon, Tom Brown will step in as the weather anchor.

Since I am familiar with Tom Brown, I can already see that it won't be the same. Dave has always had a gentleman's bearing, probably a product of his coming of age in the 1950s, in spite of the requisite weatherman wackiness. Tom Brown is wacky but with a hint of mania; watching him will be like watching Jim Carrey. I don't like Jim Carrey.

People can become emotionally attached to their weatherman. In a blog entry that probably makes Michael Kuss cry into his pillow, Flocons railed against the replacement of Harold Hosein. The heated debate about Michael Kuss continues even after nearly two years since the changeover. CTV is probably trying to circumvent this public outrage with their '60 Days of Dave' celebration.

If Tom Brown also fails to do it for you, Joe would probably suggest his favourite meterologist, who he refers to as 'The Cheerful Brit', Claire Martin. There is never a crack or strain in Claire's chipper disposition when she gives the national weather forecast on CBC. My only complaint would be that Torontonians do not see enough of her, since she is based in British Columbia.

The only CTV (formerly CFTO) talking head left from my childhood is Jim Junkin. As the crime reporter, Junkin has probably conveyed a less lovable image to the public than Dave, but his stalwart demeanor and 1950s styling are remnants of a dying breed on television.

The One of a Kind Spring Show is coming!

The second most anticipated shopping event on my calendar is almost here! The One of a Kind Spring Show runs April 1-5, 2009 at the Direct Energy Centre.

As usual, I'll be checking out Eve Gravel for her latest Spring/Summer collection. I am eyeing the Coocoo's Nest dress (seen on the left), but everything must be seen and worn to be believed.

Otherwise, I'm not sure what will prompt me to spend money. The Spring Show is smaller than the Christmas one and there is less of an altruistic angle to the consumerism due to the absence of gift giving in the Easter tradition. Plus, I am constantly reminded by Joe of my promise to save Iceland's economy with my wallet in late April.

The OOAK also has some stiff competition for the buying power of lazy but technologically savy craft buyer with Etsy: Your place to buy and sell all things homemade. I discovered this website while peering over the shoulder of a fellow student during a computer workshop. As everyone else practiced changing font colours, the craft enthusiast browsed cute craft items. It certainly looked more relaxing than fighting baby strollers in the aisles of the OOAK. However, come Saturday, May 16, Etsy will enter the real world with the Etsy Handmade Market, to be held at hipster hangout, the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W.)

OOAK organizers will probably attribute any drop in numbers to the economic downturn , but, as usual, the Internet and Iceland are partially to blame.

Better art this weekend

The Toronto Art Expo will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend (March 20-22) claiming to offer Contemporary Fine Art but really emphasizing affordability and kitsch. Check out some real contemporary art in the GTA this weekend:

Presently Absent
Johanna Householder, Darren O'Donnell, Swintak and jenna d. maclellan
Toronto Free Gallery
March 19 - April 18, 2009
Two of my favourite artists from Nuit Blanche 2007, O'Donnell and Swintak, are featured in this exhibition so it shows promise of being clever and entertaining.

"Presently Absent explores two interpretations of the states of presence and absence, the physical presence/absence of a person and the idea of presence/absence in terms of consciousness or awareness concerning the world around them. Johanna Householder delivers a message from a kidnapped rebel princess via Skype. Darren O'Donnell allows viewers to be present in the place of Omar Kadhr's absence. Swintak alludes to the fulitilty of artistic technique by transforming the contents of a dining room from something useful, to something else. jenna d. maclellan’s work gives Canadian immigrant women a voice in the needed discussion about their efforts to participate and integrate into the patchwork of Canada. Without fear, each confronts our perceptions about what is required to be present."

Interfaces and Operating Systems
Michelle Gay
Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens
March 7 - June 5, 2009
Oakville is a Stepford community to be sure but the Oakville Galleries belie their conservative settings; the exhibited works are unapologetically contemporary and tend to be interactive. That the work is featured at Gairloch Gardens, a beautiful park property with an unobstructed view of Lake Ontario, makes the trip to Oakville worthwhile. Michelle Gay's work, a computer based reflection on time and technology, will challenge desk jockeys everywhere.

She Will Always Be Younger Than Us
The Textile Museum of Canada
November 19, 2008 to July 7, 2009
The underated Textile Museum of Canada has featured some provocative exhibits in recent years, such as A Terrible Beauty and Battleground: War Rugs from Afghanistan. She Will Always Be Younger Than Us featuring work influenced by feminist artist, Judy Chicago, is sure to follow this trend. Feminism is mixed with textiles and one result is a Nike logo blanket by Cat Mazza, which brings a smile to my face.

Two kinds of pain

Before the weather took a turn for the milder, I got in a final session of snowboarding at Earl Bales Park. In the 5C weather, the man made snow had the consistency of a Slushee. Joe and I reached speeds that we never wanted and, hence, the inevitable falls were all the more painful.

After one particularly violent skid across the bottom of the hill that bestowed a minor case of whiplash, it occurred to me that I now have an inkling of what MMA fighters go through. Fighters can become exhausted even after little exertion because getting beaten is, apparently, exhausting. Never having been in a physical fight, it took the heavy hand of mother nature on my backside, my shins, my shoulder, and my neck to make me a believer.

Speaking of painful and exhausting, the last episode of "Battlestar Galactica" is slated to air this Friday. As much as I love "Battlestar Galactica", I feel some relief at a foreseeable end to the stress and crying fits I experience every time I watch the show - a testament to the ruthless brilliance of the cast and crew. In the absence of "Battlestar Galactica", when mediocrity and escapism start getting tired, I'll have to get my fix of harrowing reality elsewhere. Those who would suggest the nightly news underestimate the dulling effect that crying wolf about the recession can have.