A Quick Intro to Mindfulness Meditation OR Why Breaking my Ankle was a Good Thing in the End

David Usher on Creativity OR Letting the Elephants Run

May 4, 2015

The myth of the artist involves different variations of the same story: we sit, deep in concentration, waiting for divine inspiration to arrive and, over the next few hours, the piece is complete: the book, the script, the song and, taken into a different context – the start-up, the career change, etc. We get up… Read More

On Montreal’s Weather OR A Serious Case of Cultural FOMO

April 20, 2014

The other day, I wandered home in the rain. When I walked into the apartment, I was so tired that I plopped down on the couch for a snooze. Half asleep, I could feel the sun come out and graze my face. Despite my high comfort level and an obvious need for sleep, I got… Read More

Just Give Out Free Bagels OR Why People Are Meaner After Christmas

December 26, 2013

So, we were eating breakfast in New York over the holidays and in walks a homeless woman – face red from the cold. She approaches the rustic take-out counter at this fairly trendy restaurant. I watch, waiting for the woman working there to throw the lady out. She doesn’t. It’s December 29th. The waitress patiently… Read More

Neglected Stories OR Where To Start Exploring Aboriginal Writing

October 30, 2013

In August of this year (2013), our advisory group (comprised of thirteen students) arrived at the Native Women’s shelter in Montreal, tanned from summer vacation, feeling good about ourselves for helping out some ‘people in need.’ We expected to paint the fence and return to school to discuss it. And then to eat lunch. We… Read More

I’M A POD-HEAD

May 11, 2013

The other night at dinner, I asked some people which podcasts they listen to. The conversation went something like this: “What are podcasts?” “You know, POD-casts.” “You mean, those things on the left of iTunes that no one ever clicks on?” I’m what ‘they’ call, a ‘pod-head.’ I can’t get a cup of coffee without… Read More