Op-Ed: A peek at mortality

I’m not only glad I was able to see the final Tragically Hip concert. I was honoured. The newspaper I work for asked me to take pictures at the iconic concert for the world to see. Nearly 7,000 people showed up to Officers Square to see The Tragically Hip’s final concert.

Crowds cheered, swayed, and some shed tears. Watching in amazement as Canada’s poet laureate gave what some speculate to be his last performance. You see, Gord Downie, their lead singer, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour thats incurable.

While the crowd watched, he delivered a nearly three-hour set, sending emotion out through the microphone. Even stopping to shed tears during Grace, Too.

I am moved, not only by his strength, but his humour, his honesty, his pure raw emotion as he embraced his band mates and the Prime Minister.

Each and everyone of us faces adversity. And while some of us may feel alone sometimes, Gord reminds us, we are not.

There are simply two choices that Gord Downie had: to stop, stop singing, stop performing, stop sharing his talent with Canadians, accepting defeat for something very understandably defeating. Or, he could preserver, sing from the depth of his soul, pour his emotion, anger, hate, sadness, happiness into his music, powering what I would argue to be Canada’s biggest icon.

Downie choose to preserver, to move forward. He choose to stand in front of thousands, millions across the nation, and use the strength so many of us feel we don’t have, and give the performance of a life time.

I feel, as a sick person, I understood that need. I understood where, in the face of it all, there was a need to continue. A need to show the world who I am, one last time, to take what’s inside of me and belt it out into a microphone.

Tears do not mean weakness, and while the crowd feel silent as Downie wiped the tears from his face, we saw the pure power of what mortality means.

Mortality for many of isn’t on the forefront of our minds. We don’t think about it every day. But last night, as you look at Gord Downie, arms folded into himself, wiping away the tears, you saw the true meaning of mortality. That, in a split second, the world can change. Everything can disappear. And while that’s deeply depressing, we must remember, Downie took morality in his hands, unknown, and he said not today.

Not today; today, I sing.

And he did sing. My aunt was 49 when she lost her battle to cancer. Seemingly, the world is darker place without her in it. Gord, in a unexplainable way, made it a little brighter. He showed us, you can take life by the balls, and bring an entire nations to its feet.

The Tragically Hip, Canada’s band, was cradled in the arms of every Canadian last night, soothed into the greatest goodbye; until we meet again Gord.

Q&A with Kate Lately!

Kate Lately is a fashion blog produced by Katherine Lutes a St. Thomas grad. She graduated last year and has been blogging for quite some time. She talked about her blog and the things she loves, like fashion and writing.

By Nathalie Sturgeon

Q: What is your blog about?

A: My blog started out as purely fashion based, but has expanded into a fashion and lifestyle blog. It is my outlet to share with the world things I love, products I've enjoyed using, outfits I just can't wait to share and anything else that I feel inspired to write about. It's my little space on the Internet.

Q: How did you get into fashion?

A: Fashion has always been a part of my life. I grew up with two older sisters who loved fashion and watching them inspired me every day. Once I was old enough to use the Internet, I was constantly looking at celebrities on the best dressed list and watching shows such as "What Not to Wear" or "Project Runway". I don't remember not having fashion in my life and always knew I wanted it to be a part of my future.

Q: How did you get into blogging?

A: Along with fashion, I've always loved to write. There are always so many ideas and words running through my mind. When I entered university, I started to read other fashion blogs and began to research how they were created. While I had always thought about having my own blog, I never thought I could do it. My mom was (and always has been) my biggest fan. She was the one who encouraged me to start my own blog, even if she was my only reader! When it came time for me to decide to expand into YouTube...it was her once again encouraging me to take the leap.

Q: What kind of things inspire you to write?

A: I get inspiration from so many places. I'm constantly being inspired by people around me, whether in real life or via the internet. I love to see people using "trends" and mixing them with their own personal style. I'm also inspired by travelling and exploring the world around me. My family and friends are always inspiring me as well. Whether I snap a photo of my nephew running through a park or hear a beautiful piece of inspiration spoken by my best friend, it can inspire me to want to share it with the world. I truly believe inspiration should be a part of every day life.

Q: Who, if anyone has inspired your fashion sense, and why?

A: I'm not sure one person has inspired my fashion sense, but I believe my fashion is pieces of many people around me infused with my own personality. The ladies in my family have always been so fashionable and beautiful, I take a lot of my inspiration from them. We, as Christian women, find it an exciting challenge to be fashion forward, yet modest so that we do not conform to the sensual ideals of today's world. 

When it comes to celebrity inspiration, I have a few favourites that I often find myself taking ideas from. These ladies include Victoria Beckham, Blake Lively, Princess Kate and Perrie Edwards. My favourite brands also provide me inspiration, brands such as Kate Spade, Alice & Olivia and Topshop.

Q: You have a background in communications, how has that helped you write your blog?

A: My background in communications did not help in writing my blog, in fact it was the other way around. Writing my blog helped me to realize that communications would be a great path for me. Social media is the main connection between my blog and my degree. Learning more about etiquette on social media and how to network really helped to take my blog to the next step. I just so enjoy writing on my blog and knew that if I could spend my life doing something I loved this much, I would always be happy.

Q: What kind of things do you hope to write about in the future?

A: I hope my blog grows with me. I hope I continue to write about fashion and lifestyle, maybe even expanding into weddings, relationships and children when the time comes. I believe my blog is a reflection of who I am as a person and so it should grow as I grow. Although, I hope to never lose my passion for all things clothes, makeup and shoes!

Q: Tell me about a typical outfit you might wear/write about on your blog?

A: A typical outfit on my blog...that's a hard one. I tend to wobble back and forth between more dressy, sophisticated outfits or trendy, comfortable outfits. I think one of my most "typical" and favourite posts was a collab done with my friend, Maddie, on CassidyLou.com. We both styled jean jackets and I paired my jacket with a tulle dress from Forever 21 and my old prom shoes! I love re-using old clothing or accessories to give them new life. It was really cool to see how I'd gone from wearing those sandals with my prom dress, to wearing them with denim and tulle for an everyday outfit. I'm not sure I have a "typical" outfit, but every outfit I post is based on what I love to wear, what I think is beautiful and I can assure you I dress for no one other than myself. I also try to show other people that you don't have to be a model or a stick figure to look beautiful. I'm a curvy girl and I can still be fashion forward. It's an important message and one I'm proud to share.

Q: If you could give anyone advice about fashion, what would it be?

A: Advice on fashion...well there's a lot I've heard over the years. While I think it's important to stay true to yourself, I believe that is more of a piece of life advice than fashion advice. My favourite piece of advice is to try something new. When I started my blog, I was very safe with my fashion choices. Since then, I have stepped outside the box and tried trends I never thought I'd be able to pull off. Of course, some failed, but some are now my favourite outfits! Of course, when trying new trends, never spend a lot of money on the brand names. Save your expensive purchases for timeless pieces that will last you years. Hit up thrift stores or department stores to experiment with new trends. Once you figure out what you love, then you can go back and purchase better quality items. It's about balance, budgeting and a lot of fun!

It's not like it is in the movies

So, here’s the thing. We all want that perfect relationship. We all want skipping in a meadow, into a field of unbelievable bliss. But it’s never like that.

No one stands outside your window with beat box playing romantic music.

No one stands in the rain outside your house.  

It’s not like it is in the movies.

I may sound like a bit of a relationship Grinch. But isn’t it better to face reality?

Yeah… that’s what I thought.

Relationships are work. Work you really love. Or love to hate.

There is a show that I watch religiously. It’s probably familiar to you. It’s called Grey’s Anatomy.
Meredith and Derek’s relationship (the main couple) is perfect. Perfect in the sense they have had the ups and downs, they have loved each other, and hated each other and despite all that they love each other, through a plane crash, her trying to drown herself, and eventually, spoiler alert, Derek dies, and leaves Meredith.

But her words, “pick me, choose me, love me” resonate with me.

She built him a house of candles.

It’s the kind of relationship that gives us over the top ideas about what our relationship should be.

I think we want to live in that fantasy world; we want to be a part of something that makes us feel special and alive, but that’s so far from reality, we can only see it happen from the outside of a screen. .

You fight, and things get complicated, and messy. Like you had a kid that coloured your wall with non-erasable marker.  

Some arguments and disagreements bare the weight of 10 tons.

Some arguments are forgivable.

Some are not forgivable.  

We all hope deep down that our relationships will be perfect, that we’ll plan the perfect wedding on our Pinterest website, and we’ll get exactly every detail right.

But sometimes our relationship changes and we aren’t prepared. And we do not feel that it’s fair or even right. Your feelings might be different than your partner’s. Someone told me recently, what’s meant to be will be.

Not everything works out. Not everything is perfect. And even if you think that you have ruined everything, you probably haven’t. You just have to realize that people aren’t perfect and it’s not like it is in the movies.

Andthese days, friends with benefits attitudes rule relationships. Like meaningless sex and one-night stands are the key to all our commitment problems.

A drunken night where two bodies grind against each other in the hopes of attaining some sort of bliss.

Tinder rules the world of millennials, common TV shows now include them for simple humour. Yet we are filled with romantic ideas that are out of this world.

Yes, but that’s better than creepy Pinterest girl right?

Perhaps I’ve spent too much time thinking about it, wanting it; wanting the perfect relationship that only exist in movies.

The little girl inside me who pictured I’d meet the right guy and it would all just fall into place is gone now.

I’ve grown up. I’ve learned.

Relationships are hard work. The kind of work you love. And of course, sometimes hate.

But, let’s get real. You’re not Leonardo DiCaprio and I’m not Kate Winslet. It’s not going to happen that way. And its not like that was a happy ending

And as for how my story ends, we’ll I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

The Basement Files

Credit to St. Thomas Journalism and Pat Richard

Hosts: Cody Peters and Nathalie Sturgeon

Radio Work - Warning: Trigger

WARNING: before you move forward with this should you have any nervousness about rape, or the topic please refrain from listening to the documentary. 

I've done some radio work this year. Deep, intense topics. But some I think are worthy of your ear.


Rape culture and how we move on:
https://soundcloud.com/nathalie-sturgeon/sturgeon-rapedoc


Commentary on my life as a diabetic:
https://soundcloud.com/nathalie-sturgeon/commentary-diabetes-sturgeon

Theatre St. Thomas gears up for the future

by Nathalie Sturgeon

The lights go down, the music builds and the crowd leans forward. The first face with a pale white face, and bright red cheeks appear. Nothing can be heard but the sound of the voice as they begin their dialogue. It is a flagship extracurricular club that has 45 years of experience under its belt. The club has under gone some major changes in the past two years but they aren’t slowing down.

Trudeau and the FLQ was the most recent Theatre St. Thomas performance. It had 68 parts played by 16 actors, and included more than 600 cues.  All five viewings of show were sold out.. But what is the future for this after-school club?

Robin Whittaker, the Theatre St. Thomas artistic producer, said he has high hopes for the club going forward.  

“It’s definitely batting above it’s weight class, for sure, among Canadian university campus clubs,” he said.

Whittaker says they aim for variety, and variety is what they have produced. Since joining the club, Whittaker has directed Carnation Voyage, William Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew, - this year - Trudeau and the FLQ.

Theatre St. Thomas is more then just a club. Despite the changes the club retains that sentimental value that many students past and present hold dear.

This club wasn’t always a beacon of hope and prosperity though.

Ilkay Silk was the faculty advisor for Theatre St. Thomas for 36 years. Almost two years ago, her position was eliminated, and as a result the club’s future became unclear.

The club became unsure of what might happen with the removal of the permanent positions.

Silk had told the university she would retire that year, but the decision not to replace her was upsetting.

“I’m perplexed. Of course I’m upset. That goes without saying, Silk told The Aquinian in 2014. “But the emotions are very layered. One is perplexed. Deeply, deeply not understanding the decision. So deeply. I don’t get it.”

The change came about due to budget changes that happened at university.

Tuition hikes and cut backs were put into place in order to clear the deficit that the university faced.

A petition circulated among the students to have the position renewed but at the end of the 2013-14, year the position was still cut.

Despite the removal of Silk’s position the club aims to work together with the St. Thomas community in their future projects.

This year’s Theatre St. Thomas president echoed Whittaker’s sentiments. Sharisse Lebrun, a fourth-year St. Thomas University said the club works well with the drama department.

“It’s really important to have here at STU, and it compliments the drama concentration and allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom,” she said.

Both Whittaker and LeBrun said that TST also allows them to be creative in the ways they explore different topics.

LeBrun said even though she isn’t in the drama concentration, the club allows her to get that experience that she can’t get through her degree.

“It not only compliments the drama education at STU, but all the education at STU,” she said.

But the club isn’t just able to feature their community and current events that happen around the world. It also provides a sense of family.

A St. Thomas graduate who was a member of Theatre St. Thomas since her first year, Kelsey Colford knows exactly what this family means to each member of the club.

“In my first year I was terribly homesick and didn’t really feel like I had found my community at St. Thomas,” she said. I decided to audition for Oh! What a Lovely War. I didn’t get in.

Despite that the club felt like a home away from home for Colford.

“They give me a place to go where I forgot my homesickness. It gave me mentors and friends who encouraged me to better myself. It gave me a purpose even on the difficult days. Those people were relying on me to show up and be a part of something,” she said.

“They were more than a cast and crew, they became friends and a chosen family.”

I sent an email to Ilkay [Silk, the club’s former faculty advisor] asking if there was any way I could assist the production. She welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to my second family,” said Colford.

***

It seemed like the loss of position and Silk would hurt Theatre St. Thomas in a big way until a solution could be reached. But thanks to past, present and future contributors the club remains as strong as it ever was.  

Even though LeBrun said, she wasn’t involved in the club her first year because of another program, she said friends who we’re involved before the changes are happy with the trajectory of the club.

“TST is in good hands, she said. “You guys are doing not only high quality work with talented actors and crew, but it’s work that is challenging and further the students and engaging the community.”

***

Thriving and bringing people together looks like something Theatre St. Thomas members want to see happening in the future.

Whittaker said the club’s future is always changing, and they take no particular direction right away. He said it’s important to keep the club inclusive to everyone.

“We always involve first, second, third and fourth0years… TST is really open to everyone,” said Whittaker.

Kelsey Colford said she knows these changes were necessary but hope that club remains as it always has been.

“I hope the administration continues to support TST as it currently exists. That TST maintains the caliber of performance going forward and that if it remains open to all the university population,” she said.

Colford said she found her second home in Theatre St. Thomas and says the club will always have a special place in her heart.

The club’s growth is a constant drive for the people who hold TST dear to their hearts, including LeBrun.

“I’m graduating this year, and I’m not worried at all, I’m excited to see the work that comes out of TST,” she said.  

Going forward, Whittaker said he hopes to incorporate more plays that are Canadian and, are relevant not only locally, but globally along with student works.

Whittaker will soon be teaching a script writing class. He said he expects it to be included in Theatre St. Thomas’s future line.

“Definitely incorporating a venue for new writers, and Canadian plays when it makes sense to do them, definitely introducing our audience to new styles as well as new playwrights and new plays, these are the things we hope to do.”

A spotlight of change, success and hope shines through the Black Box at St. Thomas University for all to see.

I'm here

Blogging hasn't actually been my thing lately. For the past year or so I've gone off the blogging grid.

For a number of reasons. School, mainly. Work, too. I've since joined the fast food life and it's treating me, well... like a fast food job.

So many things have happened in the months I've been away from my blog. I will be updating journalism pieces I've written, as well as much more.

I've experience many new things, and I've had to over come some challenges. But, hey, that's life.

Meet Meredith, my newest addition:

She's quite the little monster. But I love her nonetheless, we're hoping to make more additions to our fur family in the future. She's energetic and she likes carpets. Licks herself often, and runs into doors. Deficits yet to be determined. 

I've actually travelled. Yes, shocking, I know. Not far, not as far as some but I've been to places I thought I would never go. 

This summer was a summer to rival all summers. I went to PEI and Nova Scotia. And they were both experiences that have given me a tremendous insight into the things I enjoy doing. 

I spent the weekend in my first hotel stay in P.E.I. and I spent several weekends in Nova Scotia. As my significant others parents live there.
I also went on hiking adventures. Something I have never done before. It's exciting. It's challenging, because I do not have the "shape" I require to do long hikes. Shame on me.
But I did a couple of different trails this summer and a national park where I'm from.

This was a hike in Moosehorn and Laverty Falls. A long hike. 8km, from start to finish. But we got some amazing views.

Photo credit for the second one goes to my significant other. He takes amazing pictures. The scenery is amazing.

I should note that there is someone new in my life and he is amazing! Couldn't have asked for a better person in my life. He makes me very happy, but he doesn't like social media so much. So I'm going to respect his wishes regarding that.

School is going well (there will be journalism posts to follow), but yes, it takes a lot of work to be a journalism student. A lot of time an effort goes into putting together journalism video. A lot of work goes into putting together radio and print.
I've got one more year to my degree and their are a lot of changes coming in the future.

I don't like change. At all. But, here's to the future and all it holds.