ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 1

FALL 2008

On Cover: Kristen Gogol from Mode ModelsPhotography by Ashley Armstrong of Kinetic StudiosJewelry by Myrtle and Pearl designed by Genevieve SavardTop by Suka DesignsHair by Lauren Hughes from Mousy Brown’sMakeup by Nicola Gavins of Cherry Blossom

FALL 2008ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 1

08 Fleeting Nature A portrait of an artist as a young man

10 In Solidarity Vlad Gomez & Joe Johnson make a real fashion statement

13 Speak The Truth Bedouin Soundclash gets casual

16 When Change is 4Real Sol Guy and Josh Thome are spreading the vibe

20 Star Child A forlorn fashion star gets lost in the desert

30 Beauty Parlour Get gorgeous this fall season

34 No Pity in Emerald City SandyKarpetzfindsoutthehardway

36 Parlour’s Prized Possessions Staff favorites to add to your collection

38 The Promenade Who’s who and what’s what

www.parlourlife.cominfo@parlourlife.com

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief - Shelly Solarz ................................................shelly@parlourlife.com

Editor - Andrea Dorrans ................................................................................................................

Creative Director - Peter Nguyen ................................................................................................

Photograhers - Ashley Armstrong, Randy Gibson, Steven Hope, Kenny Lozowski ....................

Interns - Sandy Karpetz, Emma Bonsall ......................................................................................

Contributors - Nicola Gavins, Lauren Hughes, Leah Bailly, Terra Bell, Ali Shick, Jessica Young

www.parlourlife.cominfo@parlourlife.com

CREW IN THE AREAlocated at: 10544c 82 ave | www.foosh.ca | 780 491-6980

Shelly Solarz

Late this spring I received an invite to the television

show 4REAL’s launch party at the Starlite room in

Edmonton. I had never heard of 4REAL before, but that

very morning as I was running around the house trying

to find that dress I just had to wear I overheard Sol

Guy’s voice on MTV. He was introducing an episode

of 4REAL featuring K’naan in Kenya. Whatever I was

doing suddenly seemed unimportant, I sat down and

listened. In the episode K’naan said something that

really struck me, “Truth is the work, you can’t separate

that. Life is the expression ... If your expression is not

truthful then you are giving dead expression and what’s

that? That’s nothing, you’re just mumbling.”

So the Parlour team went to the 4REAL launch party,

and the experiences moved us and compelled us to

play our part. Inspired by 4REAL’s motto: REAL People,

REAL Places, REAL Stories, and REAL Change, our

Fall issue’s theme was born. From Vlad and Joe’s

company, Solidaritees, T-shirts that spread a message

of respecting and honouring our roots. To digging into

our Girl Friday Sandy’s massive tickle trunk closet and

producing a fashion shoot full of vintage, made, found,

and borrowed items. This issue is about being real,

following your heart, losing your ego, embracing your

quirks, and realizing there is power in your voice.

Parlour is finding its own voice and we are proud of it

…there’s no mumbling here.

While many young artists thrive in the kitschy neo-mixed-media scene, Olson is a renaissance man. His attempt to communicate is not a reflection of socialcommentary, politics, or trends. Olson does not hide behind glitter or blasphemous juxtapositions; he has no desire to shock, he simply shows. “I consider all of the places that I have painted as being ‘real,’” he admits. His recent exhibit at the Calgary Art Gallery, Redshift, featured Olson’s unique observation of the pine beetle infestation of Western Canadian forests. Olson spent nearlytwoyearsinthefield,researchingtheproject.Herecalls, “Wherever I found evidence of the pine beetle I always found, to some degree, man’s attempt to remedy the situation. Whether it was clear-cuts, prescribed burns,newroads,etc.Ibegantofindtheresponsetothe beetle epidemic to be the most interesting part of all. New logging roads in zigzag patterns, enormous burn piles of unusable trees forming temporary archi-tectures, there’s a certain madness to it all.” Indeed, Redshift is visually stunning. Huge canvases

Words by Andrea Dorrans | Photography by Randy Gibson

It’s an unmistakably glorious Sunday afternoon and Erik Olson, Calgary artist and entrepreneur, sits across from me at a makeshift table in IDEAL Art Space. A sea of crayons, sexually explicit colouring- book pages, empty beer bottles, and our respective hangovers linger between us.

display eerie landscapes of sanguine trees segmented by crude roadways and machinery. The paintings invite contemplation of ageless conundrums – man vs. nature, the cycle of life, the beauty of destruction. Olson is refreshingly objective, his fascination with his subjects contagious. As we discuss man’s reaction to his environment, an army of thick grey clouds march into the perfect blue sky and release a torrent of rain, then hail. Olson’s girlfriend and co-founder of IDEAL, Erica Brisson, has never seen hail before. And although Olson and I are native Albertans, we’re equally impressed – the storm is extravagant. We stand at IDEAL’s huge picture windows, gawking. A camera is set-up, as if in antici-pation of the storm, and as Olson begins taking photos, the sun breaks through the clouds and lights up the massive JESUS IS LORD mural on the church across the street. It’s the sort of phenomenon I imagine Olson is privy to daily. The hail ends instantly and we spend the remainder of the afternoon placing garbage cans and jars throughout the space to catch the dripping remnants of the storm, leaking through the many fractures and fissuresinIDEAL.Whenallpaintingsandinstallationsare safe, Olson and I take a seat back at the sexually explicit colouring-book table. Just as we are getting back into the life imitating art/art imitating life discus-sion, a chip in the concrete behind me cracks and a fresh wound sneaks halfway up the wall. “Oh man,” Olson shakes his head, “I’m thinking maybe it’s time to jump this ship.” IDEAL Art Space was originally a gas station in the 50’s, and before Erik and Erica renovated the derelict building it was IDEAL party rentals. Over the past year,

the space has been host to over a dozen exhibits, featuring young talent in an informal and creative envi-ronment. The venue, however, is temporary and the Art Spaceholdsitsfinalexhibitthisfall.EricaBrissontellsme, “The structure was slated for demolition and condo building from the moment the project was conceived. In a way, IDEAL was only possible because the site was condemned.” ForOlson,thefleetingnatureoftheprojectwastheappeal, “I pride myself on my ability to pack up and move easilyandworkinsituationsthatothersmightfindchal-lenging.”Olsontakeshisflexibilitytoextremes.FortheTurin Olympics, Erik Olson and Gordon Halloran used an abandoned 17th-century church high up in the Alps as a temporary studio and installation site. In Scotland, he converted the attic of a Philip Webb-designed stable into a studio. In Chicago earlier this year, Olson and Halloran teamed up once again to transform a working meat locker into a creation space. There’s something terribly bohemian and appealing about Olson’s reliance on nothing. Looking every bit the pensive artist in faded black denim and an oversized white collared shirt, he tells me, “I think what it comes down to is using what’s available to you. As an artist you have to constantly stay in a state of becoming, so inasimilarway,theplaceswhereIworkareofteninfluxand in between uses.” The afternoon light shifts and the white walls of the Art Space become muted grey. I say goodbye to Olson and feel a little sentimental because I know IDEAL is over. But as I drive away I realize what Olson has taught me. In theory there will always be an ideal.

www.erikolson.ca

09

V l a d G o m e z , c o - c r e a t o r o f Edmonton based Solidaritees, grew up listening to the music of Victor Jara (despite the junta’s attempt to burn Jara’s records and destroy his legacy). Gomez’s family came to Canada in 1974 with refugee status. Here, Vlad watched as his father, Milton Gomez, supported the solidar-ity movements of Chile, as well as worker’s rights in Canada and abroad. In 2006 Vlad and his business partner, graphic designer, Joe Johnson, launched Solidaritees, a line of t-shirts honouring fallen heroes—freedom fighters, political leaders, activists,poets, and folksingers. Their mission is simple, Gomez asserts, “We want to raise awareness of people who fought for certain things, who shouldn’t be forgotten, we want to work and act in solidarity with their principles.” Solidaritees are more than t-shirts; Solidaritees are vehicles for alternative education. Víctor Jara’s long angular profile graces a Solidaritee. Othersfeature Monseñor Romero, the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador who spoke out against the military junta and death squads of El Salvador. And the Apache spiritual leader, Goyaałé Geronimo,

who fearlessly resisted white colonial rule for over 25 years. And Ella Jo Baker, the human rights activist who taught Martin Luther King a thing or two. And even the deceptively naive face of Margaret Crang, Edmonton, and Canada’s, youngest alderwoman. Gomez, who has a Master’s degree in Education and facilitates youth programs between Canada and abroad, recalls a visit to Auschwitz in 1999, “there was a sign on one of the concentration camps, it read: those who try to forget history are doomed to repeat it.” “Certain histories aren’t valued in education,” Gomez shakes his head, “We’re taught to ignore, for whatever reason, we’re taught to ignore.” History should not be selective. Society is the amalgamation of our collective past, and if we want to learn fromthepast,wemustfirstrecognizeit. Gomez is determined. “Maybe the world only knows about Che Guevara, but there are a lot of people who have said no to oppression and fought against injustices.” It’s true. Before I met Vlad Gomez, I had never heard of Ella Jo Baker, Comandanta Ramone, Patrice

Lumumba, Amilcar Cabral, Maurice Bishop, or Victor Jara. I had never heard of them, and as Gomez tells me, that’s the point. “Each time someone puts on a shirt, they’re gonna get asked, who is this guy? The idea is for other people to educate themselves and each other” Gomez, who is exceptionally eloquent, loves the conversation. “People come up to me and say, “I don’t know who any of these people are” and I say, “hey, that’s okay, you’re here now so let’s talk about it.” A card featuring a graphic and quote on one side and a brief bio on the other accompanies each Solidari-tee. The idea is for people to browse the cards, read the stories and findone that stands out for them. In a time when most young people are sporting t-shirts display-ing logos of mass-marketed corpo-rations (Hollister), kitschy slogans (your girlfriend’s checkin me out), or meaningless hipster-graphics (robot riding a unicorn), Solidaritees make a statement. “We should pay proper respect to our history and our culture.” Gomez adds, “And t-shirts are a great avenue to expand on that.”

11

Words by Andrea Dorrans | Photographs by Kenny Lozowski

On September 11th, 1973, with the support of the CIA, General Augusto Pinochet led a bloody coup over-throwing Chile’s democratically elected government. The violence was catastrophic. Thousands of Chileans were tortured, exiled, and killed. Víctor Jara, poet, folksinger, teacher, theatre director, and activist, alongside several thousand others was dragged against his will to the Chile Stadium, a small indoor sports arena in downtown Santiago. In the days that followed, Jara, who preached love and peace, was tortured. Though his hands had been broken and he lay bloody on the floor, fellow prisoners say in a final act of retaliation Victor Jara sang a song in support of the Popular Unity party (democratically elected party led by Salvador Allende). Later, the junta riddled his body with bullets and tossed it into a street on the outskirts of Santiago.

Solidaritees are available online at Solidaritees.ca

8206 107st www.bambooballroom.com

Photo by Hanson Ng

Recently our bombshell, Jessica Young, caught up with Bedouin Soundclash, the university kids turned street/

reggae/soul/clash/punk band from Kingston, Ontario. Drummer, Pat Pengelly, Bassist, Eon Sinclair, and Guitarist,

JayMalinowskiarefarfromtypicalrockstars.Theboyswerecasualwithadisheveledconfidencethatcanonly

comefromoneplace–humility.Weweresostruckbytheirdown-to-earthattitudeandunfilteredcandorthatwe

even forgave them for that Zeller’s commercial.

Interview by Jessica Young | Photography by Steven Hope

JY - But isn’t the fact that it was unexpected what makes it so great?

JM - “That’s what I mean, like, two weeks from now I’m still thinking this could all be over.”

JY - Do you ever feel as though you’re middle men, passing along your influences to someone else?

JM - “Everyone is a middle man. Everyone’s a conduit to something – if they want to lie and say they did something totally unique – but, there’s no such thing.”

Eon - “There are only so many notes out there.”

JM - “And that’s the great thing about culture – it’s a commentary on what came before it. No one is going to listen to something extremely weird that doesn’t have a context. You’re constantly putting one more little block on the end of a really long linear history. So, I think for us to say that we’re original – no, of course we’re not. We’re maybe doing something our own way … it’s the same with every band I would say.”

JY - What would you like to take away from this experience? What would say about doing something like this to, say, your grandchildren?

JM - “There are so many things I could tell them not to do. There have been so many harsh lessons. I would never suggest they play in a band.”

JM - “This better not be on YouTube tomorrow.”

JM + Eon – “We never wantedto be in a band.”

15

Sol Guy and partner Josh Thome’s eighth story

office in the infamous East Hastings area of

Vancouver could be every hip-hop activist’s dream.

An attractive young receptionist greets visitors

in bare feet. Huge windows stream in sunshine

and street sounds. Indian and African-Canadian

hipsters poke in and out of digital editing studios.

This is Direct Current Media, a production company

whose master project, the TV series 4REAL, is

garnering huge international attention.

“We are the people we’ve been waiting for.”June Jordan, South African Poet, 1980

Words by Leah BaillyPhotography by Terra Bell

17

The concept is simple: by introduc-ing celebrities like Joaquin Phoenix, Cameron Diaz, and Mos Def to real grass-roots leaders in developing nations, 4REAL raises awareness and money for media, art, and health projects around the globe. The emphasis is not on how the celebrity reacts to poverty, but instead on how these ‘leaders’ affect real change in their communities. The vibe is fast and chirpy: Reality-TV cinematogra-phy, MTV editing, and World Vision content. Airing in Canada on CTV and internationally on National Geo-graphic Channels, 4REAL is about to be released in the United States – a massive deal for Direct Current. Sol Guy, the host of 4REAL, is unapologetically famous. His back-ground is hip-hop: management, production, and media for such icons as Lauryn Hill, Outkast, the Rascalz, The Roots, P. Diddy, and the Wu Tang Clan. But something changed. After a trip to Sierra Leone with War Child Canada, Sol Guy understood what was holding him back in the Enter-tainment industry.“Themosthorrificthings Isawfirsthand,whatyoudowhen you hold a six month old baby whose arm was chopped off for diamonds, and your bling-bling hip-hop in New York is at its height.” Sol Guy shakes his head. Tacked to the corkboard above his desk is a list of maybe-celebrities, rappers and starlets who are signing up for 4REAL episodes in Season Two. By exposing stars to developing nations, Sol Guy hopes that others see the grace behind the harrowing statistics. “Sierra Leone is full of the most beautiful, prideful, dignifiedpeople. They started me on this journey,” he shrugs, as if the solution were simple. “Why couldn’t entertain-ment and activism come together

and do something impactful?” 4REAL is more than television. 4REAL.com is a social network with daily news, blogs, events, and nearly 2000 members. Activists, artists, and organizations can publicize their own social actions on 4REAL.com, and support others. Producer Josh Thome explains how members are constant-ly inventing new media solutions for social ills. “In this era of globalization, all that creativity and coordination and intelligence. It needs to happen on a whole other level now.” Raised in the Kootenays of BC, Sol Guy and his childhood friend, envi-ronmentalist Josh Thome, conceived of 4REAL while attending a Youth Leader’s conference in India. Their crew is tight. Sol’s sister Shoshana Guy, a graduate of Columbia’s School of Journalism, is the show’s writer and director. A producer for NBC’s Tom Brokaw, Shoshana provides the necessary structure to shape reality TV. Jade Thome, Josh’s brother, is the web genius – the mind behind managing the online community. On the road, the 4REAL team rolls with a film crew of nine, including thecelebrity. Josh admits, shooting in the markets of Liberia or the backwoods of the Amazon can be a bit of a chase. “No hair, no make-up,” he insists. “They have to be ready for that.” The question remains, however, how does bringing a pop star to a ‘de-veloping nation’ affect change? “Re-covering Nations,” Sol Guy corrects me. “It’s a brilliant statement because you have a better sense of how, or why? Why is Sierra Leone the way it is? Why is Alabama the way it is?” Sol Guydefinesmostcharityoraidorga-nizations as imperialistic, something he must reconcile as a Canadian working in underprivileged or impover-ished communities. “In a post-colonial

structure, of course the colonial empire would go to help these places in a colonial way,” Sol adds. “We need to have a different conversation.” Instead of top-down ‘charity’, 4REAL focuses on local leaders planning and instigating their own projects. Hence the name Direct Current – a direct connection to change via the people on the ground. “We have this opportunity to bring this huge spotlight on people who are changing the world, who aren’t getting any of the attention or any of the resources, but they are still rocking it anyway,” Josh elabo-rates. “In the spirit of collaboration it’s really easy. It’s not just about the developing world, it’s downtown Vancouver, the world in general.” Indeed, 4REAL isn’t only concerned with projects abroad. Health advocate Liz Evans exposes the squalid living conditions in Canada’s worst neigh-bourhood, Vancouver’s East Hastings district, in an episode featuring Eva Mendez. By showcasing leaders that are self-driven, influential, andsincere, 4REAL has connected with some major players in grass-roots develop-ment. MV Bill, a big-time Brazilian rap artist cum d o c u m e n t a r y filmmaker, hasconstructed a community centre in the heart of the City of God. Child rights activist Kimmie Weeks is re-building schools in war-torn but youthful Liberia. Exposure, certainly, must be helping. 4REAL broadcasts in 166 countries in 35 languages, while forwarding fiftypercent of the show’s proceeds to the leader’s local initiatives. Meanwhile,

4REALfilmcrewsattempttocapturethe simple beauty and energy in some oftheworld’sroughestareas,toprofilehow a community can exude positivity, despite its circumstances. “Because it it’s not a sad thing, right?” Sol Guy insists, “It’s not like poor us, that’s not the energy we can bring to it. It’s not a guilt-based thing. We’re throwing the biggest party in the world and every-one’s invited.” The social network and 4REAL events are surging in popularity. Col-laboration with groups like ‘Ignite the Americas’ often result in bumping parties; raising money and con-necting members. 4REAL has also expanded to include an education-al program for Canadian schools, and a foundation for future leaders. “Community is the solution,” Josh is convinced. “Someone turned the concept of localization in this global-ized world, to come back the other way a bit. People connecting, that’s more critical than ever.” Skeptics do surface. Using celeb-rities, hip-hop, and MTV to transmit

messages of social change can appear shallow, particularly when the musicians and movie stars aren’t always con-tributing valuable insight. The odd “thank-you” from the Chili Peppers’

bassist, Flea, to the Haitian community nurse can seem trite considering their disparate circumstances. The episode featuring MIA in Liberia focused on the pop-star’s dress requirements for her meeting with Liberia’s (and Africa’s) first woman President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, instead of examining the history, war, and gender politics surrounding the heroic politician. A missed opportunity.

Perhaps the MTV demographic shapes 4REAL’s approach. With an intended audience ranging from 15 - 25 years old, the show introduces most viewers to countries like Peru and Liberia, rather than informing the educated. While other reality TV revolves around personality conflictsand staged drama, 4REAL focuses on positivityandinspiration.Theprofiledcelebrities, stars like Casey Affleckand Cameron Diaz, are deeply moved by the action community leaders are taking. Joaquin Phoenix was so touched, he joined the 4REAL team as Executive Producer. Rather than rely on the celebrity aspect, host Sol Guy attributes the success of 4REAL to the integrity of the leaders. “Me and Joaquin can’t show up in the Amazon and save the day. It might make good television, but it wouldn’t be the truth. (Chief) Tashka Yawanawa knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s been there for thousands of years. He deserves to be listened to, to drive the conversation. He deserves to be the hero.” Meanwhile, even on the hottest day of the year, cruising the back alleys in the sketchiest neighbourhood in town, Sol and Josh remain chill and focused. During our final meditation,Josh comes up with a list of traits community leaders all possess, traits that easily define the 4REAL posse.“People that fully commit to making positive change. They all have these qualities, one is incredible integrity. The other is a certain humility; they’ve really given it up to their community or to their inspiration. And there’s an element of creativity and aliveness.” SolGuyagrees,flashinghismegawattsmile. “It comes from love.”

Check out 4REAL atwww.mtv.ca and www.4real.com

19

Model Amanda Trimble from Mode ModelsPhotography by Ashley Armstrong of Kinetic Studios

Hair by Lauren Hughes from Mousy Brown’sMakeup by Nicola Gavins of Cherry Blossom

Styling by Sandy Karpetz, Alisha Schick, and Shelly SolarzShot on location in Drumheller

21

Golden shirt found in Sandy’s closetWhite Hugo Boss shirt from Henry

Boots found at Gravity PopePink tights stolen from Alisha’s bag

StarWars dress made by Sandy, Navy t-shirt found at Henry, Headband made by Nicola

Top, Jacket and keyboard clutch borrowed from Sandy’s closetDenim jeans found at Gravity Pope Tailored GoodsShoes found at Gravity Pope

Obey top found at Bamboo BallroomWhite leather vest stolen from Alisha’s closetSkirt from Suka designsBoots found at Gravity Pope

Shirt borrowed from Sandy’s closetDenim jeans found at Gravity Pope Tailored GoodsRing found at Groove StoneAmanda’s own shoes

Jacket, dress and sunglasses found in Sandy’s closetBelt found at HenryShoes found at Gravity Pope

Bus Lilly Gypsywindwww.welovelife.ca

Well summer is over. It’s time to pack away your bikinis and sandals and pull out your luxurious sweaters and favourite boots. And like fall’s sumptuous fashions, slow sunset and turning leaves inspire this season’s make-up. Skinismatteandflawlesswithahealthyflushfromwithin.Useamoisturizingfoundationand a cream blush to achieve a look that is radiant and hydrated, but never powdery. The secret to the perfect fall eye is a sculpted base. Round eyes out for a romantic dreamy look or carve outer corners for a vixenesque appearance. Whether you choose a subtle look using russet, taupe, and cream or an opulent visage of chocolate, chartreuse, and plum, enhance your eyes with shadow, light, and texture. This season’s lips are freshly plucked, think succulent raspberries and luscious grapes off the vine. Choose velvety matte textures, and use sparingly for a sheer stained look or layeredwithaglossforalacqueredfinish. Complement the ambience of this fall season with rich, saturated, velvety colours, and likeaglassofPinotandacracklingfire,youwillbedeliciouslyirresistible.

Nicola Gavins

Photography by Ashley Armstrong | Model Honey RejzekHair by Lauren Hughes from Mousy Brown’s | Makeup by Nicola Gavins

Okay ladies, it’s time to pull out the hot rollers, curling irons, and bobby pins. This fall is all about embracing your femininity. If your hair is long hair part it closer to the middle and start growing out those bangs. Use hot rollers to create the perfect smooth wave. And if you have the urge to lob off those long wavy locks, don’t, instead pin-up the back and create what we call a “faux bob”, or try a braid or headband to mix-up your style. And if your hair is already short, don’t fret, because this season sexy, cropped locks are all the rage. Opt for the softness of a razor cut, rather than a scissor cut, and keep the focus on long sweeping bangs. Enjoy falls feminine trends and remember, you need the right product to hold your hair in that perfect style. This season I recommend prep and styling lotion by bumble and bumble.

Have a great hair day,

Lauren Hughes / Editorial stylist

31

Sisleyhasanunmistakableaesthetic,onewhicheffortlesslyblendsrefinedstylingwithuptotheminutedesigndetailing.

Interpreting and often predicting new trends and polishing them up for the discerning fashion follower, it should come as

no surprise to Sisley’s loyal clientele that the brand started in the Fashion capital of the world, Paris. However, Sisley’s

original line in 1968 was simply denimwear. Thankfully today we are spoiled with fashion forward Sisley pieces for every

occasion. With women’s and men’s wear ranging from sporty and casual to elegant and formal, Sisley’s talented design

team never miss the mark.

Sisley has 850 stores worldwide, and only three of those are in Canada. And with locations in both Calgary and Edmonton,

Albertans have got it good. So visit Sisley, if not simply to do your fashion duty, then at least to gloat to your friends.

CheckouttheWestEdmontonMallbranchofSisleyonEuropaBoulevard,withitssleekandcontemporarydécor.From

the black bespoke Italian furniture to the breathtaking crystal chandelier, you’ll feel like you are in a top metropolitan

hotel lounge where every last detail has been carefully considered and no expense has been spared. Its unique blend

of opulence and minimalism offer the customer a visual delight that is second only to the array of beautiful, high-quality

clothing. Meticulously displayed designs are habitually updated, so keeping up with Sisley style means checking in often

and staying awhile.

www.sisley.com | europa boulevard west edmonton mall | 17 avenue 1005 17 avenue sw calgary 33

It’s 11 pm and Josh seriously thinks we’re going to leave

tonight. My suitcase is empty and my laundry isn’t done

– he’s dreaming.

A miraculous recovery, it 12 am and we’re cruising

down the Whitemud, Pellegrino in hand, the musical

styling’s of T. Rex on the stereo.

Josh and I have been travel companions for several

years. As sure as taxes and death, our trips result in

hilarious situations and inevitable meltdowns courtesy

of yours truly.

Our current adventure has us looping the Pacific

Northwest. A quick jaunt to Vancouver to pick up a couple

of house punks by the names of Zach and Sara, then

down the coast to Seattle in search of sweet records,

good eats, cheap clothes, and most importantly, Miller

High Life – “The Champagne of Beers”.

Josh seems to think that I’ll be okay with sleeping in

the car in Jasper. He’s wrong.

We slept in the car. It was bad. Three hours isn’t sleep,

it’s a NAP.

Well, we managed to get to Seattle in one piece.

Tonight we went to a pop festival – Candy Fest ’08. Total

garbage. The Greatest Hit’s, a poor excuse for glam

revival, were the worst dressed band of all time. The lead

singer wore a hideous Hawaiian shirt made in the digital

age as it had a pixilated effect to it, and a pair of dirt-

tinged white jeans that were at least two sizes too small,

Marc Bolan was rolling in his grave.

Thebestpartofthenightwasstuffingourfaceswith

Bimbo’s burritos chased with potent margaritas at the

Cha Cha lounge. And the evening wouldn’t have been

complete without the resident Suicide Girl (and Courtney

Love look-a-like, how ironic) telling us how the drugs

don’t own her; she owns them (right).

The margaritas went straight to my head, so I’ll be

resting it at the Moore Hotel tonight.

Our “wake up call” was a car alarm at 5am. So it goes.

Today we’re going on a tour of the Seattle underground

and we’re all jazzed.

What a gong show.

From Sandy Karpetz

The underground tour was full of musty debris and

out-of-work comedians posing as tour guides. If you like

spending the afternoon in a derelict mine shaft, this is

the tour for you! If, on the other hand, you enjoy a good

time… STEAR CLEAR. It ended with a grand exit into a

dankalleypepperedwith torngarbagebagsfilledwith

what looked like human remains.

That was a low point in an otherwise stellar day in Seattle.

BrunchatCraveCafécuredanylingeringhangover

Post-brunch, pre-crap tour, we went shopping.

Nordstrom’s Rack for discount Betsey Johnson and

Ben Sherman (to the dismay of Zach who can’t handle

shopping at stores that sell shirts with sleeves and

collars.) Then to Singles Going Steady and Bop Street

foravinylfix.

A hotel party was well underway by 6 pm, fuelled by

High Life chilled in a trashcan icebox and jokes that

would take pages to explain. With a heavy head and

warm eyelids, we set off to Ballard to see King Kahn &

the Shrines at the Tractor.

The evening ended with a tipped Vespa, hailing cabs

with metal horns (the only way to stop a cab in Ballard)

and grilled cheese sandwiches, one garnished with a

spreadeaglerigormortisehorsefly.Saradidn’tfinishher

meal and we’ll never be back. The dream is dead.

Bleary-eyed and husky voiced we’re en route to

Vancouver in the midst of a Foghat-freak-out, water bottle

microphones and blinding the two dudes navigating, Josh

and Zach, with metal horns to the beat of the music.

Tonight we’ll see King Kahn again. Why? Ask Josh.

“Cuz they’re awesome”

Last night the show was okay minus the fact that the

set list and stage moves were identical to the night

before; the guitarist even had the audacity to jump off

the stage at the exact same note of a song. I fell asleep

in a booth.

Bon’s on Broadway for breakfast was the best $2.95

I ever spent. The walls are covered in posters of movies

that went straight to VHS and bands that didn’t make

it beyond their home towns - an excellent closer to a

whirlwind trip. Now a 12-hour drive that will end in the

heart of the prairies. Hope Josh is ready for a major

temper tantrum.

It’s 4 am.

Josh had better carry my bags in.

Josh had better carry me in. 35

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111......Dearest John, I would like a lock of your hair. Also, a lock of hair from George, Paul, and Ringo...2......Our new corporate stationary.3......I Hate Perfume...Finally, a perfume for haters. Found at Gravity Pope.4......Ifwe’renotintheoffice...we’reatTesoro.5...... Fell in love with Pyrrha, pendants cast from 19th century wax seals. Found at Groove Stone.6 .....After a hard day of work there’s no substitute. A bourbon manhattan at the Blue Plate Diner.7......Veggie Crisps. Get your own bag.8......The Shy Boy lamp is embarrassed even when the lights are off. Available at RIED’s Stationary.9......An Edmonton based art collective. 10 ....TheSub-Linguals.Youjusthavetoseetheseguys...findtheminCalgary. 11 ....Sofunny...Sodepressing...garfieldminusgarfield.com 12 ....America in all its splendor from Harvey Pekar. 13 ....This book will give you heavy boots.

Indie shopping at the mall! Located in Southgate Centre, this locally owned boutique prides itself on bringing the mall shopper an alternative to typical. Featuring a fabulous selection of unique clothing, jewellery, handbags, and accessories, Groove Stone offers leading fashions while supporting Canadian designers and the makers of quality merchandise Lines include: Matt & Nat, Rudsak, Industry Clothing, Gentle Fawn, CiCi, Pyrrha, Bauxo, and Mimi & Marge.

GROOVESTONESOUTHGATE CENTRE

Persistently bursting with mischief and flair;FridgetApparelneverfailstoproduceyour seasonal favorite. Whether its a seductiveskirtoranoverflatteringblouseBridget Smatlan’s designs appear to be dangerously suited for that saucy librarian. Find Fridget Apparel locally at Bamboo Ballroom (8206 104 St). Also check fridget.ca for news on sales at local markets!

Photo: nathanburge.comAvailable at: Bamboo Ballroom

FRIDGETBY BRIDGET SMATLANWWW.FRIDGET.CA This year suka design is inspired by her

secret persona the “ Prowling Cobra “ smart and sleek; she’s not willing to give upherdayjob.Ruthlessandfierceshe’snot ready to stop having a little fun while she’s at it.. With clothes that will take her through a life of versatility offering comfort with no sacrifice to style andedgy details influenced by some of themost memorable sub cultures and icons of our time.

Sleek style with a little sting..!Explore your inner cobra by checking out suka designs at Bamboo Ballroom On Whyte ave and Meese clothing.

SUKA DESIGNBY ALI SHICK

Be a part of our Promenade Showcaseyourlocalendeavorandletyouringenuityshine.Benefitfromexposureontheruedeelegance.email: info@parlourlife.com

39Located in Riverbend, this charming space entices you by carrying

many hand creafted items from all over the world. Elegant, unusual

home assecories along with award winning jewelry make this

locationidealforfindingtheperfectgift.

ELEGANTEXPRESSIONS628 RIVERBEND SQUARE

Independent designer Tressa Heckbert brings you SESSA Fall 2008, “Golden Cavalier”

SESSA is elegantly produced in Saint Albert, Alberta.

Available locally at Meese in Saint Albert, and on Whyte at Nokomis

SESSABY TRESSA HECKBERTWWW.MEESECLOTHING.COM

Fresh water pearls, metals charms, gold, silver, and copper chains

mixed together to create a unique blend of elegance and funk.

Amor jewelry is Edmonton’s own, designed to add a touch of class

and originality to all your wears from everyday street to formal

wedding attire. Keep your eyes peeled, this is for you.

AMOR JEWELRYBY AMORFOUND AT BAMBOO BALLROOM AND FOOSH

Be a part of our Promenade Showcaseyourlocalendeavorandletyouringenuityshine.Benefitfromexposureontheruedeelegance.email: info@parlourlife.com

www.playitbyearproductions.com

Coat from Donovan’s | Men’s fashion by Derks | Hair by Lines & Legends Hair Design Gallery | Photography by Ashley Armstrong from Kinetic Studios

Village Landing 140st St Albert Edmonton 10515 109st

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