Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan in “Star Trek Into Darkness”.

The film was well done! Although there was somewhat of a weak plot line, I was fairly entertained from beginning to end. The story revolves around the Enterprise’s first encounter with the notorious villain Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch), and is pelted with action, adventure and intrigue as the ship and its fleet encounter many different obstacles along the way. Chris Pine reprises his role as Captain Kirk, along with Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), and all of the other actors from the previous film. For those who have seen the original Star Trek episode which features Khan (1967), the story may be fairly predictable for you – but I find this predictability is overshadowed by the action and visual dazzle of the film. Trekkies may also realize that this Khan “prequel” deviates quite a bit from the original Khan story. But personally, I don’t mind this much seeing as this film is an all-new adaptation in the franchise.

The acting was… well… typical for a sci-fi/action movie, in that lines are choppy and encounters between characters are, overall, unrealistic but acceptable. Cumberbatch however, did an incredible job at bringing yet another outstanding villain to Hollywood. (What is up with all the great villains these days?!) Khan can, without a doubt, be placed in the ranks of great villains such as the Joker (The Dark Knight), “The Jew Hunter” (Inglourious Basterds) and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter series). Cumberbatch easily portrayed a grief-stricken man who is haunted by the torments of his past, and is therefore seeking revenge. His tears were convincing and his murdering rage was completely terrifying.

The U.S.S Enterprise

One great thing about living in this decade is that the cinematography and computer graphics that have been applied to high-budget films are almost unbelievable. Star Trek is no exception – the movie was visually stunning. The camera-swoops, drops and turns added to much of the excitement as the audience was constantly being pummeled with asteroids, starships, and high-end explosions. The look of the film is sure to amaze viewers and capture their undivided attention throughout most of the film!

Spock and Kirk talk with their prisoner Khan (Cumberbatch).

Finally, I wanted to add a word on the score of the film. Michael Giacchino returns to create the movie soundtrack, but much to my disappointment, I didn’t hear anything that was much different from the previous film. Part of the excitement of a film series is the soundtrack, as it helps set the mood of a scene. To have different music for each film is also what adds to the individuality of the film itself. Film scores are something I look forward, and pay attention to upon seeing a movie and Giacchino, it seems, failed to create anything that really stood-out and made this movie unique. Don’t get me wrong, Giacchino’s music for the Star Trek reboot is appropriate, as well as excellent, but by now I think you get what I mean…

To conclude this post, I will say that if you’re a “Trekkie” or even mildly interested in the Star Trek franchise, you will not be let down with this film. Although much of it feels the same as the first, with choppy acting, an undeveloped score and a rather weak plot, the interest mainly lies with the riveting action sequences, incredible CGI, and Cumberbatch’s phenomenal portrayal of Khan. These positives are so well done that you’ll want to finish watching the movie before you fall asleep! For this, I will give the film a solid 75%. What did you guys think of the movie? Make sure to leave some comments below!

Director J.J. Abrams poses with his cast from Star Trek Into Darkness.

Images courtesy of Bad Robot Productions/Paramount Pictures.

As a then-ballerina of eight years, I naturally find myself gravitating towards the TV whenever a new season of So You Think You Can Dance airs as the program allows me to experience shards of the art form vicariously through the television screen. As a recent graduate having both observed and experienced the early stages of the multifaceted job search, I have drawn some connections between the auditioning process and job-hunting process. I’ve discovered that the two surprisingly have a lot of elements in common!

If you’re currently looking for a job (and happen to also be a fan of the show), think of it this way: So You Think You Can Dance auditions are sort of like your resume/cover letter/interview, while the panel of judges act as recruiters/interviewers/potential employers. The keys to a good audition/application/interview?

 1. Come prepared. Fully prepared.

Familiarity with your solo routine isn’t the only thing you need to have when gracing the SYTYCD stage for the first time. You need to be both physically, and mentally, ready – right down to the details. You’ll notice one of the first questions judges ask candidates is: “Tell me about yourself.” Sounds simple, yet it happens to be one of the most dreaded interview questions of all time. When stepping up to the mic to introduce themselves, some dancers bust out their bragging rights from their illustrious professional lives, while others share more personal anecdotes. There’s a time and a place for both, and it’s important to strike a balance when letting your prospective employer take a glimpse into the kind of person and self-proclaimed professional that you are (or aspiring to become).

What matches well with your best dance moves? Your best outfit, of course! Depending on their preferred style of dance, contestants don their favourite costumes and dance slippers. In a similar vein, according to an infographic from Classes and Careers, “65 % of bosses said clothes could be the deciding factor between two similar candidates“. Be sure to dress to impress, but don’t over (or under-)do it!

My thoughts exactly… (Image courtesy of FOX)

2. Know what you are getting yourself into.

Being part of a show of this gravity involves you making important adjustments to various aspects of your regular regimen. Whether it be leaving your hometown, leaving behind loved ones, encountering cultural changes, or pushing yourself as far south as your comfort zone is, the same rings true when taking on a new job or embarking on a new career. Brace yourself to have to make some minor, or major, lifestyle changes.

3. Be ready to make some sacrifices.

Nothing worth having comes easy. In the playbacks, we are sometimes given the chance to peer into the personal lives and told stories of how the dancer hopefuls have come a long way to be in the position they are in now. Some dancers even go great lengths to audition – let alone compete. Riffing off of the above tip, it is crucial to be mindful of exactly what you will need to give up should you advance to the next ‘level’ of the career development process. There is no success without sacrifice.

4. Don’t psych yourself out.

The cameramen often pan to several worried, nervous, anxious faces just moments before dancer hopefuls take to the stage to deliver their audition piece. Pressure gets to the best of us. It’s up to us to let it faze and consume us, or to brush it off our shoulders and keep moving forward. Just as the judges on the show are able to sense nerves through noticeable mistakes from a presumably well-rehearsed routine, recruiters are just as able to sense a lack of confidence. One of my favourite quotes by an unknown author is “attitude determines altitude”. Take a few deep breaths, keep your cool, stay in the zone, think happy thoughts, and don’t let self-doubt overpower you.

5. Make yourself stand out.

Just as every dancer about to take to the stage is well aware of the millions of other dancers who are in their exact same position, you must also remember that you aren’t the only person vying for the position you’ve had your eyes on. You are among tens, of hundreds, of millions of people who are equally, if not more qualified than you and better suited for the job. It’s up to you to let your unique qualities shine through to make yourself stand out among the crowd.

6. Exercise your transferable skills and be ready to adapt.

Much like a versatile, seasoned dancer who has a background in many different styles is able to let their vast technical experience shine through their movement, so too should you be able to apply your transferable skills to your forthcoming positions. It’s all about enduring knowledge and finding ways to keep applying yourself.

In her audition this year, Jennifer Jones showed us how her strong foundation in ballet had gone on to help her excel in jazz:

7. Actions speak louder than words.

No matter how well-articulated and well-presented your resume, cover letter, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile may be, these only serve as a preview greatly distanced from what you are truly capable of. If you “talk the talk”, be sure you can indeed “walk the walk” and are able to back yourself up while substantiating your mad skills.

Perhaps a slight departure from the point being made, but noteworthy nevertheless, one of my favourite auditions from this season, was Shane Garcia’s routine. His performance, which I found to be very inspiring, demonstrated the far-ranging effect that actions can have over words…

8. Showcase your best assets.

Just as every dancer on the show should seize the ephemeral opportunity to ‘wow’ the judges by giving it their all in a short period of time, you too should strategically showcase your best assets. This could be in the form of a portfolio featuring samples of your best work, or even through your online presence as it is. Some dancers focus too much on all the flashy tricks they are able to execute, while others play it too safe and miss the opportunity to leave their best impression. Don’t hold back. Be strategic in what you decide to showcase to allow yourself to shine as bright as you deserve to.

9. Superstar? Awesome! Superstar attitude? Not so awesome.

Humility becomes a bit of a tricky thing when one of your greatest objectives is to leave your heart on the stage and exert all the talent and energy that you contain. That said, the life of a dancer still requires you to have an ego-less nature and be humbled with every opportunity you have to share your talents with others, as well as share the stage with others.

Who can forget audition-veteran Anthony Bryant. I thought he did a swell job dance-wise and actually agreed with Mary Murphy’s comments about how he has grown and matured as a dancer. What I haven’t been huge a fan of is his level of maturity off the stage, with the way he has taken (or not been able to take) criticism in the past. You best leave your attitude at the door – and keep it there!

10. The show must go on!

Moments leading up to their auditions, some unfortunate dancers experience untimely catastrophes such as a last-minute injury during rehearsal. You must leave all the negative thoughts and vibes at the door – or in this case, the stage wings. For instance, if you’ve been having a miserable day leading up to your interview, the last thing you’d want is for that negativity to be unleashed when you sit down with the interviewer. Don’t risk being reflected in an inaccurate way in front of your future employer.

11. Received some feedback? Take it in stride.

Some judges provide some (blatantly honest) constructive criticism to dancers, especially if they feel that the dancers have the potential to be extra great at what they do. Getting a trusted friend or colleague, mentor, or other advisory figure to give you in-depth feedback on your application approach or materials can yield helpful insight. A fresh pair of eyes for screening your resume, or sitting through a mock interview, for example, could be really fruitful.

12. Be grateful for the opportunity.

If and when you get called for the first, second, final interview, always remember that as you may have considered this as a risk you took on them (i.e., the respective company you have applied to), they are taking a risk on you in having you come in, too. Make it worth their time, and yours. Expressing your gratitude and extending a simple “thank you” after your prospective employer has given you their time is a mighty good idea.

13. Be able to accept rejection.

There have been tons of dancers over the years who have had their hearts and dreams crushed by not getting through to the next round. When the time comes to have to accept the fact that you may not be the perfect fit for your prospective employers and their needs (or, alternatively, that they may not be the perfect fit for you and your needs), do so gracefully. Take a step back to evaluate what may have gone wrong, but don’t let that bog you down.

Every season, we’re bound to see some familiar faces turn up year after year in an attempt to prove to the judges that they are back, they have matured, and have improved heaps since the last time they tried auditioning. Try, try, and try again! And after trying for the nth time, consider reflecting on your overall strategy and approach while keeping your goals in mind. Hash out in your mind what things you should have done, could have done, and would do differently the next time around.

14. Connect with your audience.

A recurring piece of advice that judges often share with many dancers – even those who are successful to press on and keep advancing to subsequent rounds – is to make a meaningful connection with their audience. A technically strong, clean performance is just not fully enthralling or honest without a genuine connection being made between the dancer and audience. Making a personal connection either through your letter of intent, or face-to-face at an interview, is important if you want to be remembered. Go the extra mile to let an extension of yourself linger with whomever you are trying to impress.

Turn your future employers into your biggest fans. Let them remember you by making a genuine connection. Don’t forget to be human. (Image via Suite101.com)

15. Sometimes, technique alone doesn’t cut it.

We see it all the time – technically strong dancers, for some reason, don’t make it through to the next round. You rewind and rewatch the routine and make the following remarks: “They killed the ending!” “They nailed the difficult trick!” “They held that pose!” You sit there, scratching your head, wondering why in the world they did not advance? The reason, more often than not, is that their hard skills just weren’t enough. When an employer screens you and reviews your credentials (depending on the position), your hard, technical skills aren’t the only things they pay attention to. We’re seeing a shift in the growing importance of soft skills in the workplace. Do not underestimate your personal attributes as your endearing personality or winning attitude may be the deciding factor between you and the next equally adept candidate!

16. Remember you aren’t in this process alone.

A multitude of contestants often have friends or family cheering them on far before they hit the stage for their audition. Just as their support system appears to comprise people who are behind them and their efforts 110%, you should also aim to surround yourself with people who will continue to challenge, encourage, and uplift you.

Whether you’re a dancer or not, So You Think You Can Dance has lessons beneficial for any audience member. Mindset, technique, passion, backbone, personality, attitude… to me, these are the elements that make up a successful audition which can, and should, be applied to your next job searching endeavour.

Well, the judges (recruiters/interviewers) are ready for you. Are you ready for them? Are there any other show-to-life parallels you’ve drawn that you’d like to add to this list?

Featured Image courtesy of So You Think You Can Dance’s Official Facebook Page.

After six years at Simon Fraser University, I have quite the rich collection to draw from. Throughout the good and the bad, and the sweet and the challenging, there was always a profound lesson behind everything I encountered along the way to the final stop of this journey.

Before I depart from this post-secondary community and venture off into the real (and daunting) world out there (*gulp*), here are some words of wisdom that I’d like to pass on…

Say Hello.

When it comes to meeting new people, introductions are the hardest part. For someone like myself, who identifies as quite the socially awkward penguin, I totally understand how difficult it can be to muster up the courage to make the first move (and hope that the first impression you give is a good one!) But chances are, others are feeling just as nervous, self-cautious, and intimidated around unfamiliar company as you are. Once I realized this, I started to worry less about being “out of my league” and make more of an effort to be the one to begin the conversation. Now, I’m comfortable with approaching new people, and the dreaded small talk doesn’t intimidate me nearly as much anymore! All it takes is a simple “Hi!” to melt the ice away. You might even find a great friend that way!

Think Differently.

If you want your work to shine, you need to stand out from the crowd. Semester upon semester, professors are used to reading similar, safe topics from students, and while tried and tested to be truly good papers, they are always looking out for something great. Yes, we are at school to learn from these fine educators, but at the same time, they’re here because they want to learn from YOU too. Impress them by teaching them something brand new! While the rest of the class is writing their Pride & Prejudice essays on Elizabeth Bennet’s feminist qualities, venture to do a character study on her younger sister, Lydia! Approaching any type of project, academic and otherwise, with a fresh perspective will take more time, but if you are willing to invest yourself, the outcome could be very worthwhile!

Get Involved.

Hands down the most rewarding experiences you will have at university will be through your participation outside of the lecture room – with student organizations, co-op, volunteering, international exchanges, and the list goes on. I know you’ve all heard this spiel several times before, but it bears repeating. NOW is the best time to start exploring your future, while you are in a secure place to experiment with all of the opportunities available to you. It was during the final two years of my undergraduate experience when I pushed myself to try Co-op, and then volunteering and clubs, and even mentorship and leadership (which I never would have attempted before!) after that.

Through this time of professional and personal growth, I have built up my drive, versatility, and confidence, and gained a clearer understanding of who I am and where I would ultimately like to be. Plus, I have gotten to know some of the most cheerful, kind, talented, and passionate people I have ever met, all of whom inspire me in their own special ways. When you embrace new opportunities with open minds and arms, you increase your chances of encountering whatever it is that you so desire – be it your dream job, a fascinating person, or something else equally awesome. It’s called happenstance!

Respond ASAP.

When you receive an invitation or a progress-update request from someone, give an answer as soon as you possibly can! Even if your answer is not yet an affirmative ‘yes’ or ‘no’, or ‘done’ or ‘not done’, just be upfront about your current status. Only you have access to what you’re thinking, so imagine how difficult it must be for the person on the other line who is waiting in the dark. Oftentimes, in the case of RSVP-ing for events or signing up for opportunities, people do not want to appear overeager to commit until they are absolutely positively sure about their commitment. However, it is important to remember that it takes time to schedule things, so giving an immediate response helps to make the planning smoother, which is very much appreciated. As well, establishing a system of regular and effective communication between team members can prevent many issues regarding group work. Take the initiative to be considerate and respond right away. Don’t make people wait! Time is precious!

Embrace YOU.

Sometimes, society will tell us that the personal qualities we possess deem us unfit for what we wish to pursue in our lives. For the longest time, I believed that, as an introvert, I was plagued with many limitations as to what I could hope to accomplish. For instance, I could never find myself in a position of leadership, as leaders are typically perceived as being a part of an exclusive club of super-outgoing and incredibly charismatic people. It wasn’t until I took an innovative leadership program, which introduced broader definitions of the concept, that I realized that I can lead people through my writing, or even through my every day interactions with others (for more on this idea, see Drew Dudley‘s TEDxTalk on “Leading Through Lollipops“). I never would have discovered this untapped potential if I didn’t try to challenge the norms. Identity your strengths and what you have to offer, and find a way to utilize your gifts for the greater good. Don’t be discouraged from pursuing your passion. If there are obstacles, push through them and set your own unique path. Be authentic. Be true. Be YOU.

Take Notes.

Time flies when you’re cramming studying, working hard, and having fun! During these fast-paced years, it’s easy to lose track of time. While you are busy building these memories, have you been remembering to capture these special moments as you go? It’s important to keep track of what you’ve seen, felt, learned, and accomplished throughout your experiences. That way, later on, you can always look back on what you did and see how much you’ve changed, developed, and grown during the years to be who you are.

It is as simple as jotting down a few notes in your Moleskine every day, writing weekly journal or blog entries, scrapbooking (if you wish to include images), or vlogging (if multimedia is more your thing). Whatever your method, try to record stuff like important events, interesting insights, funny stories, and other items you want to remember. Make self-reflection a part of your regular routine. Tell your unique story, because it’s worth commemorating!

And a few other little lessons worth including:

• Pay the kindness forward. Never underestimate the power of a smile, a compliment, and a ‘thank you’. It’s the small gestures that can turn someone’s whole day around for the better.
• Keep in touch with the people in your classes, teams, etc. who you had shared interests and a good connection with. You could potentially find a close friend or a collaboration partner!
• LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are your friends. Get in-the-know about new job and volunteer opportunities, events, contests, and other important information by staying connected on social media.
• Asking for help is not a sign of incompetency. Rather, seeking assistance from someone shows that you value their insight and help to build a system of trust and mutual respect. It also demonstrates your curiosity and interest.
• Tired of missing out on great opportunities because you forgot to ‘check it out later’ like you said you would? Make productive use of that smartphone and set a reminder for yourself so you’ll never strike out again!
• It’s okay to say ‘no’ once in a while, especially if your heart, mind, and body isn’t into it.
• Allow yourself time for rest and relaxation. Nobody wants to burn out!
• Facing rejection and making mistakes are two extremely undesirable results, but they are not synonymous with weakness. Yes, being turned down stings and being wrong bruises, but all will heal and you will get over it. Face it. Own it. Learn, grow, and move on. You will be okay.

It sure feels bittersweet to be convocating. For once in my life, I don’t know exactly where I’ll be three months from now. I’m leaving my future up in the air and seeing where the wind will take me. It’s scary, but I know it will be okay. Above all, university has taught me that when you believe in yourself, you have the ability to get through anything.

As I wrap up my parting gift to you, I leave you all with a quotation from one of my inspirations, Elizabeth Taylor:

“Follow your passion, follow your heart, and the things you need will come.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2013! Live long and prosper!

(photo credit: dewfall via photopin cc)

While the announcement broke the two hearts of Whovians around the universe, media outlets were quick to place bets on who could potentially be the next face of Doctor Who. I decided to compile my own list of 11 actors and actresses who I believe could do wonders in the role, but most likely won’t be flying the TARDIS.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews photo by Eva Rinaldi

There are too many parallels between Doctor Who and Mary Poppins for me to ignore Julie Andrews. She can carry on the comedic and witty banter, while also being proper and quintessentially British. I think an encounter between William Hartnell as the First Doctor and Julie Andrews as the Twelfth would make for excellent television; if only that were possible.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch (Photo by Sam Hughes [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Benedict Cumberbatch is definitely favoured to play the Doctor, if it were up to the Internet. We know he’s got the acting chops, but his increasing popularity and firm establishment in the lead role of BBC’s Sherlock (which happens to be the other baby of Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat), probably means he won’t take on another huge TV role like the Doctor. Now, if the Master were to make a return…

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman (Photo by Lwp Kommunikacio)

Morgan Freeman could bring back the Doctor with a bit of that “grandfather” quality from the Hartnell-era, while still progressing the character forward. As proven in past roles, Morgan Freeman can show that great level of knowledge and wisdom of the Doctor.

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor (By Nico Genin [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Ewan McGregor has that charm that lends itself well to the Doctor. He can handle the action of the series while being smiley and good-natured. Not to mention the man’s got great hair. But alas, Ewan doesn’t watch the show nor does he seem to have any interest.

Ian McKellen

By Southbanksteve [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Ian McKellen is an extremely talented actor with stage, film, and TV experience. He can play the cheerful side of the Doctor, then flip a switch and show his seriousness and intensity. However, in this genre, it could be difficult for fans to see him as anyone other than Gandalf or Magneto.

Colin Morgan

Colin Morgan (photo credit: ChibiChiii via photopin cc)

Colin Morgan is a young 27-year old, and I don’t think it would be so bad to have a young Doctor again. He’s already shown his acting ability in BBC’s Merlin, but he’s also a talented stage actor. However, Merlin fans could be considering him partially because we’re still not over that series finale. Colin Morgan has also already appeared in Doctor Who during the David Tennant-era, so probably not this time young warlock!

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman (Photo by Sam Hughes [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

Imagining Gary Oldman running around the TARDIS console makes for a fantastic image. Gary has a huge range of roles he’s played in the past, so it’s hard to predict just in what way he would take the role, but what’s certain is that he would definitely take his own spin on it.

Lee Pace

Lee Pace on ABC’s Pushing Daisies

His days on the fairytale-esque TV show Pushing Daisies, show that Lee Pace has got that quirky and whimsical element that would be a huge asset as the Doctor. I believe he would easily be able to perform emotional scenes, comedic scenes, and everything in between. Lee Pace as the Doctor actually isn’t such a far-fetched idea. He isn’t yet a widely well-known actor, and would be my ideal choice. Whether or not he would be considered though, depends on the casting directors’ openness to casting an American.

Maggie Smith

Maggie Smith’s performances have repeatedly shown that she is great at making her acting choices. She does many small subtle things to evoke huge emotions. She would be great as a very composed twelfth Doctor, who occasionally lets that inner child slip out.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson (Photo by Georges Biard [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

In the past, Emma Watson has been a fan-favourite to be cast as a companion of the Doctor, but I’m keen to the idea that she would do well as the Doctor. She could expertly handle the quick-witted dialogue of the Doctor, and she has got a variety of different acting skills at her disposal.

Catherine Tate

Warning, this video contains spoilers!

Okay, okay, this one is completely impossible. Seeing as Catherine Tate is already known as the legendary Donna Noble in the Doctor Who universe. The idea of the DoctorDonna was an amazingly enticing idea that they introduced and took away again, in the same episode!

Conclusion

These actors and actresses largely have one thing working against them in their consideration to play the Doctor, and that is their level of fame, and how familiar the audience is with their past roles (Lee Pace is the exception in this list). Neil Gaiman, author and writer of two episodes of Doctor Who said,

I want to see The Doctor. I want to be taken by surprise. I want to squint at a photo of the person online and go “but how can that be The Doctor?”. Then I want to be amazingly, delightedly, completely proven wrong, and, six episodes in, I want to wonder how I could have been so blind. Because this is the Doctor. Of course it is.

If you don’t watch Doctor Who (yet), you definitely should. It’s a great show to pick up during your downtime from college or university, and will be hard not to get pulled into the mania and excitement when the 50th anniversary is right around the corner.

So who is your dream Doctor? Or would you rather not speculate, and wait until the official announcement? Let us know in the comments below!

When Carrie first came to Vancouver for her Play On Tour in 2010, I was enchanted by her tremendous talents as a live performer. She transcends the country music genre with a mix of a bit of pop and a dash of rock, all while still maintaining her roots as the classy and charismatic princess of Country.  After that experience, I was instantly elevated from the status of a casual listener to a being a full-blown enthusiast of her music!

Back again in B.C. for the Blown Away Tour, Carrie now exudes more energy, range, and artistic vision in a show that is as electrifying and emotionally-charged as her latest album, Blown Away. Her 100 minute set consists of a whirlwind of her career-spanning hits from her records, Play On, Carnival Ride, and Some Hearts. The slick five act concert production (complete with wardrobe changes, elaborate staging, and lots of weather-related imagery and effects) showcased her powerhouse vocals, shining stage presence, and sweet and sassy performance style.

Opening with a scene from the music video for “Blown Away“, which plays like a dark twist on The Wizard of Oz, Carrie (in a stunning white, feathery gown) emerged from behind a door to the intro of “Good Girl“. She certainly started things off with a bang, cementing two showstoppers early on with the strikingly dark and dramatic “Two Black Cadillacs” and a stirring rendition of her latest single, “See You Again” (during which Carrie got a little choked up, no doubt thinking about the meaning of the song and the memories of this tour that was about to end). This first act effectively set the tone for the evening, as she blazed through uptempo numbers (“Undo It“) and slowed it down with sentimental mid-tempo songs and heartfelt ballads (“Wasted“). These anthems of a woman scorned (and seeking revenge) and of offering words of warning to other women, along with the more sweet and tender message songs, are a few of Carrie’s signature themes.

After a quick change into a turquoise and purple-blue dress that resembled a blossoming bouquet of flowers, Carrie kicked off Act 2 with the saucy “Last Name“, dove into a pair of double ballads with “Temporary Home” and “Jesus, Take The Wheel“, and stomped around to the catchy “Cowboy Casanova“. The third act was a transition into an easy, breezy, summertime vibe (the calm before the storm, if you will) with Carrie and the band taking a mini vacation on a floating porch – a stage contraption that soared above the audience in a creative way to get Carrie to see her fans from all areas of the full stadium! Clad in a t-shirt, denim shorts, and cowboy boots, Carrie sang a few of her more light and fun songs, including “All-American Girl” (with the appropriate lyric changes to reflect the All-Canadian Girl’s love for hockey!) and the jammin’ “One Way Ticket“, and showered the audience with confetti and beach balls to keep the party flowing. For Act 4, Carrie, in electric blue pants and a metallic chained top, channeled her inner country-rocker with the fierce “Flat On The Floor“, and the smashing “Before He Cheats“. There were also pranks aplenty, as the band and crew pulled a few jokes (such as flying cupid arrows during “Cupid’s Got A Shotgun” and a crew member attempting a duet of “Leave Love Alone” with Carrie when it sounded more like very bad Carrie-oke) to celebrate the last night of the tour.

The encore was a mesmerizing and memorable grand spectacle of a grand finale, with Carrie delivering a heart-wrenching vocal of “I Know You Won’t” and culminating in a thunderous rendition of “Blown Away” amidst wind machines and a confetti tornado. It’s safe to say that fans were swept away by a force of nature!

Throughout the night, Carrie expressed her endless thanks to her fans for all of their support during this Blown Away era. After collecting $1 of every ticket sale along the tour to an organization close to her heart, she announced that a total of one million dollars will be donated to the Red Cross. In the wake of the devastating tornado that struck her home state of Oklahoma and the wave of disasters affecting people around the world in the past year, the Red Cross relief fund is a fitting and worthy cause to support.

It’s these inspirational gestures of giving back to the community that make Carrie Underwood the golden girl that she is. Graceful, grateful, and generous, Carrie is a true keeper!

Favourite moments: ”See You Again”, “Two Black Cadillacs”, Act 3′s summertime party, “I Know You Won’t”, “Blown Away”

Setlist:

Good Girl
Undo It
Wasted
See You Again
Two Black Cadillacs
Last Name
Temporary Home
Jesus, Take The Wheel
Cowboy Casanova
Get Out Of This Town
Nobody Ever Told You
All-American Girl
One Way Ticket
Leave Love Alone
Flat On The Floor
Remind Me (with Brad Paisley, via video)
Cupid’s Got A Shotgun
Before He Cheats

Encore:
I Know You Won’t
Blown Away

Video by Brian Celic on YouTube.

All photos by yours truly! You can view all of my pictures from the show on Flickr.

Share your Class of 2013 graduation photos with Carrie, using the hashtag #CUAgain on Instagram (for more details, see cuagain2013.com)

The group eventually went on an extended hiatus back in 2002, which resulted in an unofficial break-up. The break allowed for everyone’s favorite member, Justin Timberlake to launch his solo career. In November of the same year, Justin launched his first solo album Justified, which featured several iconic songs such as “Like I Love You” and “Cry me a River”. The album eventually went platinum, marking the beginning of Justin’s independent rise to worldwide fame.

Fast-forward more than a decade, throw in Future Sex/Love Sounds, a total of 6 Grammy awards and 4 Emmy awards, and we get the current Mr. Timberlake.  After yet another hiatus, Justin comes back at us with his third studio album The 20/20 Experience. Unlike his previous 2 albums, 20/20 isn’t as striking, but has kept the familiar love-centered lyrics that we’ve come to expect from the former N Sync member.

The first thing you’ll notice about the album are the interesting choice of song titles such as “Strawberry Bubblegum”, “Spaceship Coupe”, and “Blue Ocean Floor,” which could make you a little uneasy on whether you should give it a listen or save yourself the time and move onto something that doesn’t sound like an advertisement for Hubba-Bubba. Fortunately, it’s these strange-titled songs that will make you fall back in love with J.T.

First up on the album, “Pusher Love Girl” is a smooth, easy-sounding song. Justin’s voice reaches that signature high pitch throughout the song while claiming that he’s  “So high I’m on the ceiling baby”. It is a nice little song that any Timberlake fan will love.

Justin continues with the next track “Suit and Tie,” which was released earlier as a single. The song demonstrates why people get excited over his releases; the song is catchy, has a nice mid-tempo R&B feel, and is something you’d blast inside your car with the windows down. The track features Jay-Z who completes the third verse of the song, adding a nice dynamic to the track instead of a continuous cycle of Justin’s need for his suit and tie. “Suit and Tie” is the highlight of the album, lets hope this continues into the second part of the album which is still in the works!

Another notable track is “Tunnel Vision,” which has an intriguing intro. It starts off with the repetitive phrase “I know you like it,” in a strange child-like voice but cuts into a fast-paced tempo. The lyrics are once again directed towards a woman of interest, as most of Justin’s tracks are. The bridge is where this song really picks up and becomes lively.

Coming up right after is “Spaceship Coupe,” a song that will have you humming along. However, it does become overly repetitive, which causes the song to deteriorate in terms of likability. Roughly halfway in, there seems to be a strange appearance of a scream of pleasure, which makes listening to the track slightly awkward. “Spaceship Coupe” definitely had potential but ended up flat lining.

On the opposite end of “Spaceship coupe” is “Let the Groove In” which is a quick paced song that makes you want to get up and let loose a little. The beat and overall feel of the song is something you’d normally find in Latin American music. “Let the Groove In” differentiates itself from the other tracks because it eases up from that seductive in-the-club/gentleman theme and injects you with a jazzed up groove.

“Mirrors” is another song to checkout. It’s probably the the most powerful and meaningful song on the album.

On the deluxe edition you’ll find 2 bonus tracks: “Dress On” and “Body Count”. Both are lovable tracks that in my opinion shouldn’t be exclusive to the deluxe edition. “Dress On” moves at a slower pace than “Body Count” and is incredibly mellow. “Body Count” gives off more excitement, but both tracks lack creativity. Within the songs you’ll find lines filled with sex, women, and slightly cheesy lyrics like “I’m gettin’ my way like a kid in a candy store” or “You the prettiest but I’m the only thing that’s missing”. So is it worth getting the Deluxe edition? My answer would be to only purchase it if you’ve been a long time fan.

The 20/20 Experience meets expectations. It delivers a series of songs that revolve around women, love, and seduction. J.T.’s work isn’t largest known for its deep meanings or beautiful sung lyrics. When you think Timberlake, you think catchy beat and smooth moves and that’s exactly what Justin has given us.  Even after that hiatus, he manages to maintain that classic Justin sound and feel. Go and pick up this album and give it a solid listen, you won’t be disappointed.

Track Listing:

1. Pusher Love Girl
2. Suit & Tie
3. Don’t Hold the Wall
4. Strawberry Bubblegum
5. Tunnel Vision
6. Spaceship Coupe
7. That Girl
8. Let the Groove Get In
9. Mirrors
10. Blue Ocean Floor

Deluxe Edition:

1. Dress On
2. Body Count

The venue looked like a festival popped up in the middle of this Surrey park. Merch tables were placed inside and outside the venue. Various food trucks lined the edges, along with a beer garden. Handpicked from England, the lively Mystery Jets was the first opening band, followed by the slowed-down and soulful Michael Kiwanuka.

“Vancouver holds a very special place in our hearts.” – Marcus Mumford sweet-talking the crowd.

Panorama of the stage with Marcus Mumford on the screen.

Right on time, Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Ted Dwayne, and Winston Marshall took the stage at 8:00 PM, kicking off with the title track of their latest album release, “Babel”.

Mumford & Sons has this ability to create a huge and full sound, despite missing a major component of most bands, a drummer. The band’s sound delivers so much energy with every note they hit on their instruments. It’s reflected in their faces, their movements, and in the crowd.

The Vancouver sticker on Winston Marshall’s guitar.

Besides their singles, one of my personal standouts included the uplifting “Winter Winds”, with its lovely lyrics:

“And my head told me heart, ‘Let love grow’. And my heart told my head, ‘This time no, this time no.’” – From “Winter Winds”

Another of my favourites was the beautiful 4-part harmony filled song “Timshel”. I also thoroughly enjoyed when Marcus moved to the drums and they played “Lover of the Light”. I had seen many versions online and was excitedly looking forward to hearing it in person!

“Winter Winds” by Mumford & Sons (Video by Sarah Owens)

I was left in awe by the talent on stage. Each member of the band is a multi-instrumentalist, and they use their skills fully in concert. Another fact about this band is that they all sing, which I always find extremely impressive and rare.

These men are extremely humble and thankful for their fans getting them where they are. There was an injured fan in the crowd, and they didn’t continue on with the set until they got the thumbs up that the fan was getting the help from the paramedics on hand. Another great moment is when you see the smiles stretch across their faces after looking out into the crowd.

Check out this rad time-lapse of the event by James Cowan!

Other fun things that happened:

• Ben seemed to have injured his right thumb, but still played the piano just as skillfully as a person with full use of their fingers.
• Ted has the best “groove-face” I have ever seen. Not to mention I love a bass player who can play the upright.
• A woman named was proposed to after an airplane flew by with a banner that read “Natalie Helm look behind you”. She said yes!
• Being in Canada, they decided to end the concert by inviting their opening acts back on stage and playing “The Weight (Take a Load Off Annie)” by The Band, even though they had never practiced it together! They featured trumpet, fiddle, piano, guitar, and lap steel guitar solos, and had the whole crowd happily singing along!

Mumford & Sons, Mystery Jets, and Michael Kiwanuka cover “The Weight” by The Band. (Video by Sarah Owens)

Conclusion

The concert experience was a very full and complete production. Besides the band, the lighting design was beautiful. Real effort was put into the camera work for the three screens above the stage, it was high quality tour DVD-worthy video. The production value of the concert hugely surpassed my expectations!

Example of the lighting design on stage.

Overall, this was the best concert I’ve ever been to. That live quality you get in their recorded albums is the same sound you’ll get at a concert but with the added unique magic of live music. And with the authenticity of Mumford & Sons, it’s even more special.

I can only hope the concert turned some attending bandwagon fans into real fans! Maybe local social media has been over-saturated with posts about Mumford & Sons, but the attention is well deserved! If you like the band at all, don’t miss them next time! Don’t risk missing out on a band you might actually enjoy for the sake of going against what’s “trendy”. When musicians have their heart and soul poured into their work, it makes the experience unforgettable.

“Where you invest your love, you invest your life.” – From ‘Awake My Soul’

Favourite Moments: “Winter Winds”, “Timshel”, “Lover of the Light”, and “The Weight (Take a Load Off Annie)”

Surrey set list on Instagram via @kellirp

Set List:
Babel
Little Lion Man
Whispers
White Blank Page
Winter Winds
I Gave You All
Timshel
Below My Feet
I Will Wait
Lover of the Light
Thistle & Weeds
Ghosts That We Knew
Holland Road
Roll Away
Awake My Soul
Dust Bowl Dance

Encore:
Lover’s Eyes
The Cave
The Weight (The Band cover)

What are your thoughts on Mumford & Sons? Did you see them in Holland Park, or will you be checking out one of their other concerts? Speak your mind in the comments below!

(All photos taken by Dulce Rosales)

In this article, we will be looking at the infamous success of the proclaimed GOPRO series and diving deeper into its applications. Developed by Nick Woodman, the main goal of the GOPRO was to obtain some of the highest quality video and pictures while still being able to be durable and take a beating once in awhile, as its main application is focused towards action sports such as snowboarding, motocross, and surfing (thanks to its available waterproof casing). Despite this fact, the GOPRO can be (and has been) used to film numerous other interesting scenes such as time-lapse video and day-to-day filming.

If you currently have a GOPRO (or are seriously thinking of buying one), here are a couple key tips to get the most out of your GOPRO, unlocking unlimited potential.

TIP # 1: Lens Durability and Effectiveness

Like any novice filmer, you will soon understand how important it is to have a clean lens when filming. Make sure you lens is free of debris, scratches and any other remains, which may influence your shot. I highly recommend applying a hydrophobic silicone polymer such as RAINX, this will prevent water droplets (which may distort the image quality of the final video) from building up on your cameras lens.

TIP # 2: Know Your Settings

I know it may be a little tiresome at first to go over the different options available on the GOPRO, but trust me, once you get over that hill and understand the various different outputs for each filming situation, you’ll be glad you did!

Here are some of the basic know-to’s for Resolution Settings:

• 1080p – Full quality. If in doubt, use this setting. Slow motion can still be created with Twixtor (if you can afford it. I can’t). Also allows you to manually crop the FOV to 720p during editing for more standard looking footage.

• 720p 60fps – Use this setting for basic slow motion or high action sports. Can be slowed by 50% in a 30fps workspace.

• 720p 30fps – Use this setting if you’re short on memory, otherwise use 1080p.

• 960p 48fps/30fps – This setting is 4:3 by default, but it allows you to crop it into widescreen proportions in a 720p workspace. This is particular handy if you aren’t using the LCD BacPac, so if you misaligned your shot you can adjust the vertical position of the clip in your editing app. Otherwise use 1080p or 720p/60fps.

• 480p 120fps/60fps – Too small. Use Twixtor to create those slow motion effects in HD.

TIP # 3: Audio

Sadly, the audio on the GOPRO camera is quite disappointing, especially when inside its protective casing. If sound is a major aspect when filming there are various ways around this. External mics are the most probable answer and can be purchased in various styles. The one downside when incorporating a mic onto your GOPRO is the need of a skeleton housing (certain type of protective casing) in order to obtain access to ports for the mic itself.

TIP # 4: Always Search For New Ideas

The best thing about the GOPRO is its unlimited possibility to explore its different uses. Whether it’s taking advantage of the slow motion feature, or looking up various cool tricks on the Internet other GOPRO users have uploaded, the potential is out there!

Here is one video, which incorporates an egg timer (a relatively inexpensive item) attached to a GOPRO to make a moving time-lapse video.

Conclusion

Hopefully the GOPRO will continue to live on in the future as long as various other competitors like Contour Cameras, cell phones, and the anticipated Google glass don’t drive it to the ground. With the number of new filming techniques discovered everyday, the GOPRO still has a lot of unlocked potential waiting to be explored. Personally I don’t see the GOPRO going anywhere anytime soon, mainly based on the fact that the life of GOPRO is, and always will be, based in the hands of users who are willing to go outside and push their limits while getting it on tape.

What do you think of the GOPRO’s competitors?

It’s home to Canada’s 4th highest waterfall (Helmcken Falls), and contains gigantic layered-rock canyons, abundant wilderness, and spectacular mountains. It is also known as a world-class destination for canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, hiking, and camping. As I work at the Wells Gray Information Centre, I’m an expert of the park area and will highlight some of these awesome attractions with personal experience.

Hiking

As far as hiking goes, I would say your experience doesn’t get much better than in the Trophy Mountains and the Alpine Meadows. The hikes here offer a bit of a challenge and the view of the gigantic snow-capped mountains from the flower meadows is pretty much incredible. Guided and interpretive hikes are also offered among these mountains, as well as overnight trips and hut-to-hut hiking.

A view of the Trophy Mountains.

Waterfalls

Your visit to Wells Gray Park would not be complete without a visit to some of the waterfalls, which blow my mind every time I travel up to see them.

Helmcken Falls (see photo above) is a world-famous waterfall, and also the 4th highest in all of Canada, with a height of 140 meters! The viewing platform is located quite a ways from the waterfall so that tourists can take in not only the Falls, but also the scenery that surrounds it. Helmcken is encompassed by a gigantic rock canyon that is so huge, it extends past the viewing platform and out of sight. The wall is layered with different shades of rocks from successive time periods, and I get a strong sense of history upon viewing this. Far below you can see the river embedded in the canyon. I am in awe every time I experience this overwhelming view, and it blows my mind when I realize that I’ve lived so close to this spectacle for my entire life! Its pretty amazing what the natural processes of the Earth can create.

A final waterfall worth checking out on your visit to Wells Gray is Moul Falls. The hike is about 35 minutes long, with a steep stretch at end, which will take you to the base of the waterfall. This is definitely one of my favorite Falls, seeing as you can actually walk in behind the waterfall and may choose to explore the large black cave on the other end. A definite must-see!

A photo from my recent trip to Moul Falls.

Whitewater Rafting

Before I end this post, I must mention the whitewater rafting we have in the area. Last summer, I went on a full-day rafting trip where we journeyed down the Clearwater River. It was one of the best outdoor-adventure experiences I’ve had in my life. The guides are professional, outgoing, knowledgeable, and are experienced in maneuvering the raft to keep everyone safe. The trip down the river was a one-of-a-kind adrenaline rush as we teared over the Sabertooth rapids (class 4 and 5) and got soaked.

Later on in the trip, there is a section of the river that is smooth and bubbly, and we were allowed to climb out of the raft, put our feet up and float down the river, hitting a few small rapids along the way. It was an awesome trip – one that I hope to do again this summer! In doing a trip like this, I realize that this is world-class whitewater rafting in my backyard. You won’t find a trip like this anywhere else! It’s one of the attractions that truly make me proud to have grown up near Wells Gray.

Crashing into the Sabertooth rapids – my rafting trip last summer!

So this summer, if you enjoy the outdoors and are looking for a nice place in BC to get-away for a few days, come to Wells Gray! There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re sporty or not. Some of the views you experience will amaze, overwhelm, and inspire you. Hikes, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife and rafting will give you a week that you won’t forget any time soon, that’s for sure!

The Wells Gray Information Centre

Let me explain myself. Not so long ago I decided to get a gym membership. When I told my friends about my intentions, they were quite skeptical and clearly did not share my enthusiasm about gyms. They tried to talk me off it, offering to go running in the morning or biking together; but I was tenacious. Since I was a kid, I had memberships in various fitness centers, and the idea of shiny machines, friendly instructors, loud music and group trainings was somewhat romantic and nostalgic to me.

I decided to prove my friends wrong, however, and try my luck at the gym by my house. As I went in, a handsome guy at the front desk greeted me with a big smile on his face. I thought to myself, “This can’t be that bad, really”. As soon as they found out I was looking for a membership, they gave me a huge questionnaire to fill in and asked me to wait for a sales manager. As I sat on a chair listening to music pumping from the speakers and answering multiple questions about my lifestyle, fitness goals, and health, I looked around and everything was just as I recalled it: people hurrying to group trainings, treadmills making their usual rattling noises and a lot of advertisements of healthy lifestyle on the walls.

What I did not know about getting a membership was that you need to go through an unnecessarily long and unpleasant “tour around the facility”, during which you will be a victim of salespeople who will try to sell you literally all the services they have. The more, the better. Sales people will make sure to encourage you to sign up for all classes not included in the membership. Like those Zumba classes, “they are not a part of your $100 a month payment but make sure you sign up for them, they are really good for you.”

My sales manager, appeared shortly and offered me to walk around, “while getting to know more about me”. Our conversation started with him going through my answers in the questionnaire and asking:

Manager: You said you were in your best shape when you were 17. What has changed since then?

Me: Well, you know, until I was 17 I played in the national team and practiced 3-4 hours every day. I don’t do that anymore, that’s probably what changed.

After that we had a little chitchat and a laugh about how professional athletes struggle with weight issues and put on weight after they quit playing sports. I smiled to myself: “this is going really well”. Until I heard his next question:

“So have you ever been to the gym before?”

I will never be able to explain how I managed to calmly smile and reply to him: “Of course” while in my head I was screaming: “DID YOU EVEN HEAR MY ANSWER TO YOUR PREVIOUS QUESTION?!” His next questions were getting more and more ridiculous, like “have you ever worked out?” and “have you ever had a personal trainer before?” I just smiled, nodded, and thought about the good-looking guy who works at the front desk.

When I inquired about prices, it got even better. For some reason, he decided to discuss with me my body weight and (how dare he!) the percentage of fat in my body. The funniest part is, that he is a graphic designer graduate (and a sales person, huh?) and probably knows significantly less about working out than I do. I could not remain calm anymore, and exploded, “Why are we having a conversation about my weight? I just want an effin’ membership. That’s all.”

After that he did not ask me any more silly questions, he gave me a lot of free memberships that I could give out to my friends. But do not get tricked by those either. My friends still don’t talk to me after their “tours” and steer clear of that place. They also keep getting phone calls about when they will come and get a membership, or if they want another trial membership.

Now it makes sense to me, why Vancouverites prefer running or biking outside even in the most unappealing weather. I am not generalizing of course; let’s hope that there are perfect places to work out. One thing I know for sure, though, I will never forget that guy, and how terrible he made me feel about myself. I don’t know whether it is a part of their selling strategy, but clearly it is not working. If I were the administration, I would definitely do something about those pushy and ignorant sales people that scare away so many customers with their attitudes and inappropriate questions. Maybe they should give that good-looking receptionist the job. I bet he would be better at it.

What You Want in a Gym:

• reasonable pricing which would include a number of group classes you are interested in.
• positive and healthy environment
• good deals and discounts
• high quality machines and friendly instructors (boy, some of them are scary)

What You Don’t Want in a Gym:

• pushy sales people
• being asked too many personal questions
• too long of a process to get a gym membership

What do you think? Have you recently gone looking for a gym membership? Share your experiences below!