There are many writers who pen novels that withstand the changing styles, the ebb and flow of cultural interests, and linger in the human consciousness long after the author takes his last breath. Then, there are writers who pen stylistic masterpieces, but generate controversy in their personal lives and in their writing. My favourite writer, with utmost certainty, belongs to the latter group. His work inspired me to become a writer myself, as the prose, dedication to the story and the sheer magnitude of the project characterize his final novel – arguably the most famous true crime book of all time. “In Cold Blood” takes a gruesome, horrific crime and spins a masterfully crafted tale of murder, delving into the minds of both the perpetrators and neighbours of the victims. Truman Capote spent years researching his novel and living in a town he describes in a way that makes simplicity sound captivating. He writes that “the village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.’”
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In Toronto’s prestigious Yorkville, my best friend and I walk down streets peppered with buildings bearing expensive nametags – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. – musing about the things we long for but cannot afford. Finally, though, we reach our destination – a hole in the wall, pop-up art gallery that honours one of the most iconic American artists, Andy Warhol.
The exhibit, Warhol Revisited, is more like a one-room exhibition of the author’s most famous work, decorated in the art deco style of silver plastic couches and black and white lines that one would often associate with the artist. The room itself is painted mostly white, about the size of a traditional boutique, lined not with clothes but with bright canvases depicting anything from soup cans to cows to faces of Marilyn Monroe. Admittedly, it serves less as an educational tool and more as an homage, reminding the masses why he became so quickly adored, highlighting his most famous pieces that come accompanied by postcard-sized description of the work. To be honest, the part that captivated me the most was entirely unexpected. I stood for a good five minutes staring at the wall across from the 3 bookshelves that serve as a gift shop, marvelling at my fortuitous discovery. Staring back at me was a man I idolized, and the reason I became a writer. The highly controversial author/socialite Truman Capote was immortalized by Warhol in 1979, in exchange for Capote writing a weekly column for Warhol’s decade-old magazine, Interview. I happened to be carrying one of Capote’s books in my bag, and pulled it out to pose with the man who inspired me and his work. My fascination and excitement drew the attention of the staff, who seemed to be genuinely interested in what they were being paid to work for (a quality increasingly rare in employees of our time). My best friend and I paid $5 each to view the exhibit (solely because we are students, regular patrons pay $10), and spent about 20 minutes in the room. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a day-trip, but more as an interesting add-on to a day spent at the Royal Ontario Museum, the modern, 4 storied architectural masterpiece just up the road. The exhibit runs until the last day of 2015, and the exact address is 77 Bloor Street West. In exchange a half hour of time and the price of a lunch meal, your vision, even just for a while, turns technicolour. Check out some pictures above. My adventure began early; around 8:30 in the morning. We took the 4 hour trip north to the tip of the Georgian Bay, finding ourselves in Tobermory, Ontario. But, spending the day surrounded by large, lush, trees, crystal blue water and staggering cliffs, you feel worlds away from suburbia, and from any semblance of Toronto.
Tobermory is the picturesque epitome of a small community, where the houses are few and far between, and there are definitely more trees than people. But, hiking around the trails, everyone stops to say hello, and they're populated enough to make you feel safe. The shortest hike is about 25 minutes and leads you to a grotto - a rocky beach with, potentially, the bluest water in Ontario. Though the temperature of the water itself is cool, people have no problem jumping in, even off of very high cliffs. There are waterfalls, lighthouses, and sights galore, and the town itself is populated with exactly the cute little shops you'd imagine: bookstores, candy stores and restaurants that all offer the famous local whitefish (which is very delicious, and served with vegetables and rice so you won't need more food). The getaway spot also offers camping, snorkelling to see shipwrecks, and boat cruises to nearby Flowerpot and Manitoulin Islands. If you have a weekend and nice weather, Tobermory is just the place to spend it, revelling in nature's true beauty. It's that time of year again, when nearly everyone in downtown Toronto keeps their head on a constant swivel when walking the bustling streets of the city's core, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone famous (Johnny Depp received tons of attention while exploring the hipster-heavy Kensington Market). TIFF is here, and along with the celebrities, the city celebrates in the best possible way - bars stay open till 4am, and anybody who has even the slightest knowledge of trends is out in search of a good time.
Last night, the Drake150 hosted a TIFF "opening party" of sorts, featuring a live band, a DJ and the typical trendy Drake atmosphere. Looking around, I saw an eclectic mix of personality types - from hipsters to trendy-fashion types to post-work business-men still in suits to a few older guys drinking beers in plaid shirts with their buddies. But, the beauty of TIFF was ever-present: everyone was co-mingling, dancing, laughing, and generally having a good time. People who, ordinarily, probably would not converse with one-another seemed deep into conversation, likely spurred by the whispers of celebrity names blowing like wind through the crowd. The party ended at 4am, and the crowd remained relatively stable until then. The place was packed, and it took quite a while for my party to receive the over-priced drinks we ordered (I paid $14 for an Amaretto sour and I may still be in shock). We sat on the patio, just outside of the action, where the atmosphere and noise level was more conducive to conversation without yelling. The bar had constant waves of people flowing to and from the bar, interacting with each other in huddles like buoys, claiming their territory among the constant motion. This, obviously, made it a bit difficult to order, but the atmosphere allowed for it - no one seemed to notice how long the whole process took. Needless to say, everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves last night, and is looking forward to another season (week) of TIFF. The parties run late, the city comes alive, and celebrity-spotting runs more rampant than it does for tourists in Beverly Hills. That is, of course, if you don't let the experience be over-shadowed by the 20 minute wait for a $14 drink. Though there may be thousands of children running around, the Toronto Zoo offers up a rather entertaining day for adults sans little ones. Granted, it is slightly expensive ($12 parking fee PLUS a $28 entry fee), it is the perfect place to be reminded of the simplicity and beauty of the world. Spending the day surrounded by animals who pass the time lounging, blissfully unaware of their own beauty and intrigue, is a wonderful way to take solace and happiness from the world around you. You see lions, you see zebras, rhinos, hippos, and all of the animals you thought could only amaze you as a child, and you see it up-close and personal and in a beautiful, intricately designed surrounding. The day reminds you what life is really all about, and to sit back, breathe in and enjoy the delightful scent of animal poo. Check out some pictures below:
Just a one hour drive from my home in the western part of the GTA, driving into Elora, Ontario felt like driving into a fantasy world, far from what I was used to. I looked around feeling like I had entered J.R.R Tolkien's Shire if it had seen booming industry in the 40s. The quaint, homey nature of the town felt inviting to visitors, and the cute shops that populate quiet streets offered little trinkets that could only be found in a small town.
The Gorge itself is an expansive testament to the beauty of nature. You can hike, swim, cliff jump, tube, picnic, camp and explore while feeling the calm of the river and the serenity of the trees. It's a $6 fee to spend the day, and the hours of hiking bring you breathtakingly close to waterfalls, jagged rocks, and even a flowing river. Though the town, admittedly, only requires a day trip, its a trip absolutely worth taking. My best friend and I went to Elora for the first night of Riverfest, as our favourite musical act, Sam Roberts Band, was headlining. We spent the day adventuring among the trees, and the night listening to the band play our favourite songs in a clearing perfectly outfitted for such an intimate yet busy and lively event. Check out some pictures below. I remember sitting in my ninth grade English class, collectively pouring over To Kill A Mockingbird with 20 of my classmates. Atticus Finch, the closest thing even fiction had to perfection, captivated us with his brilliance and ahead-of-the-times thinking, and Boo Radley’s redemption as a character became a literary technique we could all learn from.
Years later, as I was introduced to the literary excellence of Truman Capote and learned of his childhood friendship with Harper Lee (To Kill A Mockingbird’s Dill is based on a childhood Capote) my father and I debated, over several dinners and family functions, how much of the novel’s success can actually be attributed to Lee. “It has the classic Capote arc, and ends in the same way much of Capote’s work does— with redemption of a sympathetic character,” he argues. As a student of Capote’s genius, I vehemently deny his claims. Though she may have been inspired by his words and his writing style, that is a far cry from ripping of his ideas or, as some have suggested, having Capote ghost write the novel and taking the credit. I am also inspired by Capote’s writing — though one can hardly give him credit for my words. Even, in a hypothetical world, if she asked him for advice, or a quick read-over (again, who wouldn’t? You have a successful writer at your disposal), I hesitate to throw faith in any Capote influence in the novel. The time has come again to reopen the debate, as Harper Lee has announced that, more than 50 years after the release of her famous novel, a sequel is in the works. Lee, who is now 88, will release Go Set a Watchman on July 14. The sequel will centre around Scout Finch as an adult. Capote died in 1984, and Harper Lee has been notoriously private from the public image, despite her massive success. Though reports have surfaced saying that Lee forgot this manuscript entirely (she is reportedly ill) and was delighted at the discovery, I will venture, here, to say that I strongly doubt that she has been sitting on this sequel since before 1984, since an age when an already troubled Capote could’ve helped her again. The literary world (which even consists of celebrities who seem to be well-read) has had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the news of a To Kill a Mockingbird sequel. The book has nestled among the iconic American novels for half a century, and the characters remain beloved by the American populace. Though I, too, am excited to read a follow-up novel to a tale I really enjoyed - I am curious to see how much of Capote’s influence will be present in this novel. I feel that Go Set a Watchman could be the one that finally settles the debate in Capote’s involvement in the novel — a controversy that has always been an undertone in the book’s success. Lee, though, will no longer be known as the woman who only wrote one successful novel. And I, for one, will be sure to pick up a copy. This month, I am on the committee for a project called Youth Month, encouraging all youth to nourish, cherish and promote their creativity. I was asked the question of what authenticity means to me, and below is a blog post I wrote concerning my thoughts. It can also be found at monoxidestyle.com The dictionary makes authenticity sound so unordinary. The phrase “of undisputed origin or authorship; genuine” entirely undermines the human capacity for creativity, for brilliance, and for personality. It also undermines the rarity of authenticity in the daily snapshots of individual life.
Where I grew up, all of the houses in any subdivision are nearly identical. All of the lawns are manicured, the bricks are all one of three colours, and all of the garage doors are some variation of a brown tone. All of the kids my age attempt to create the same physical appearance, show face at the same places, and be seen doing the same things. For as long as I can remember, I hated that. I strived to be different. To me, the dictionary does not grasp the true concept of authenticity. I am the girl reading Ernest Hemingway novels while everyone else is reading the Hunger Games, or whatever trilogy is causing mass hysteria (if they’re reading at all). Even more weird, I’m that kid fan-girling in the corner over brilliant prose while others fawn over Harry Styles. While all of the other kids were buying tickets to Digital Dreams and blasting EDM from their ridiculously expensive speakers, I was buying tickets to see my favourite band: Queen. I’m the girl with the “weird” sense of style, who stands out for her obnoxiously printed pants. Or whatever I want. Authenticity is more than being different, though. Authenticity, to me, is being different, and being proud of it. There is no greater feeling than finding something you love, immersing yourself in it, and sharing that passion with the world. Authenticity is a pride that overtakes not just your heart, but your soul, when someone compliments something that poured from every fibre of your existence, to be displayed fearlessly to the rest of the world. It is also understanding that not everyone will appreciate your authenticity - its rarity often catches people off-guard. Authenticity is being aware of criticism, but accepting it, casting it away like a gum wrapper, rendering it unable to affect your psyche, or the core of your existence. In order to be authentic, one must be PROUD of their eccentricities, whatever they may be. I love to write. And I love fashion. Many people I know will never understand my fascination with Alexander McQueen, with Truman Capote, with Freddie Mercury, and with the people mass society has rendered different, weird, or messed up. But, their weirdness, their difference from everyone else, and their messed up lives are exactly what makes them endearing. No one can ever call them unauthentic. I learned this valuable lesson from my cousin, a 6 year old wise beyond his years. At dinner, he and I were discussing being ‘weird.’ “I like being weird,” he said to me, his big brown eyes looking up at me and glimmering with innocence. “Who wants to be normal anyway? Being normal is being just like everyone else. And that’s no fun.” |
AuthorBy: Erica Archives
September 2015
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