#Toronto Game Convention

[tabletopbellhop]

Like watching?

Ep 270 Returning to Breakout Con, Gwen's first game convention, is up on YouTube

We talk about our time at Breakoutcon which was my daughters first con, the games we played there, and review two games we brought home: Maki Master (Kids Table Board Gaming) and Sinoda (BSGames)

[jorenilee]

me and my friends @y3ahb0y-n-d0llfac3 and @toetickler9002 are tabling at the toronto game expo this weekend and itll be out first major con so yayy!!!!! wrangled with canva to make a catalogue and heres why ive been chained to my computer for the past month. ive been coming home in a drunken stupor and my damn cursed wacom tablet gazes upon me with those wicked pitiful eyes and a rage takes hold of me.... im sorry little one. im sorry. anyways YAYYY <3 hope to see some of yall!!!

[eclipse-song]

if you're looking for something to do in Toronto this weekend how about checking out Toronto Game Expo!! I'll be tabling there at T-36

[alicenpai]

🌟 ART SUMMARY 2024 🥂

this was a year where i didnt draw a lot, despite that, i tried to make every drawing count. thank you all for the support in 2024, here's to 2025 ! 🫶

⭐ [read more starts here]

i continued my goals from last year with regards to perfectionism. the tldr is that i strongly feel my perfectionism kept me away from completing as many drawings as i could, and i had to make an effort to just finish drawings no matter how lukewarm I felt about them. especially since i could just edit them a bit afterwards, i've tried to get over the fear of reuploading. 2024 was a strange year, it came and went in the blink of an eye, even more than previous years! life has been stressful, so i've been trying to focus more on myself and taking time off drawing. ironic, although i think i succeeded in that above goal, i expected to get more drawings out of it, but ended up taking more time off drawing anyways. towards the end of the year, i started feeling more burnt out, and drawing became a slow and arduous process. i think part of the reason was because 2024 was my first year doing 5 events - 2 full weekend conventions (anime north and otakuthon), and 3 single day events (bamtori fall aapi market, toronto game expo, bamtori jinglebam market), when in the past 2 years i'd just opt to do 1-2 local cons. it was also my first time doing single day events, which were super chill! although you have to both set up and tear down on the same day, i felt more casual at those events, had more time to chat and look around. back to my point - despite being fun, doing so many events took its toll on me - especially during the colder months of the year, where i wasn't so used to going to events haha! usually i take fall as the time to rejuvenate and recover from summer events, but i couldn't really do that this year. i kept questioning myself, "does this drawing have appeal? will people buy this?" "is my art hireable?" and it's just not a healthy mindset to have. next year i'll try to draw more of what i enjoy and what's on my mind, instead of worrying too much if it's sellable! *feeling like the HAHA YES sickos meme* - 2025 art goals outlined below: - oc zine (aiming for a character guide with some test comics) - character interactions & poses! e.g. dancing, hugs - generally stuff that's more difficult to draw. my art is more illustrative, but sometimes i wished it was more engaging emotionally? like i want people to smile and cry with my characters... - illustrations that challenge me. when i say illusts that challenge me it's pretty abstract - do research and gather inspiration for every illust.. compositions that are difficult/complex and take a while to draft.. strong theme.. it's more for me to understand AHAHAHA. as the years go by you can see my art becoming more unified in theme and self indulgent... i want to keep going, i want to make art that is uniquely mine. less priority: - get used to sketching! truly miss how i used to fill up sketchbooks every year - sticker sheets (this is on the less priority list bc i will probably fulfill this goal regardless) - oc merch (happy with the stickers i made in the last 2 yrs, let's keep going!) - silly things! e.g. 4koma, silly doodles. comedy is an art, it IS a skill you can study and chip away at (e.g. comedians and comedy writers). make sure i take notes on really stand-out jokes i find funny & why

other various things to try and draw more of: - group pictures - animals - layouts and props. i find layouts and anything with hard surfaces difficult to draw, which is why i draw a lot of flowers and fabric LMAO. one thing i gotta do is start by either drawing characters holding props more (easy baby steps!) and/ or start drawing props around them and make my way towards harder things (e.g. practice drawing a character sitting, i'll start by drawing a simple chair, then a table, then objects on that table). this is also one of my weaknesses - draw the ground they're standing on if possible, e.g. characters standing on a grid - vehicles, if i can. i mostly draw stuff from fantasy series where cars don't exist LOL but i'll try...

[mxaether]

I didn't go to bed I happened to refresh my dash literally as you answered that.

I think if I saw Tom Wilson IRL and I had to reckon with how tall he actually is I'd pass out and they'd have to call a medic. If I saw Solie I would not survive that interaction.

And I say this as a Tall Man. I am so tall. I loom. But even I'm not 6' fucking 4 or whatever.

Also I promise you. I prommy. I managed somehow to be fully raised in Canada and in a hockey family and learn *nothing* by osmosis. Sports are my enemy. Except the NHL I guess. Which is my beloved little problem child. I'm sure when he's just hovering off to the edge doing fuck all he's doing *something* its just, you know, it's so easy to yell "PLEASE GO AFTER THE PUCK" at your screen. He's a forward isn't that his job 😭😭😭

I am still holding out deep deep hope that somehow the caps and leafs make the next round AND there's a game on a day that I can sneak away from work AND there are tickets that I can purchase I wanna press my face up against the glass.

It is a relief to my cortisol levels that I am busy tomorrow night I need a break I need a fucking break. Thursday looms large.

LMAO did it help to take a break from constant fight of flight of thirsty playoff hockey?!

so, last season the league had an exhibition game thing they do called all stars, teams send their best boys and then some boys were voted in by fans. it’s a whole event.

last season it was held in toronto, and they did a little convention. and a red carpet!

and i uh —

phew. he was very sweet to the people getting stuff signed right in front of me.

i clock in at like, 5’5, and i was reaching up to get a good angle.

hehehe enjoy, secret content.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'll be in TUCSON, AZ from November 8-10: I'm the GUEST OF HONOR at the TUSCON SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION.

#20yrsago Audio/transcript from BBC Creative Archive talk https://web.archive.org/web/20060306155902/http://digital-lifestyles.info/media/audio/2004.10.28-BBC-Creative-Archive-Q&A.mp3

#15yrsago Heavy illegal downloaders buy more music https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/illegal-downloaders-spend-the-most-on-music-says-poll-1812776.html

#15yrsago Scenting the Dark: outstanding debut short story collection from Mary Robinette Kowal, exploring our relationship to technology and each other https://memex.craphound.com/2009/11/01/scenting-the-dark-outstanding-debut-short-story-collection-from-mary-robinette-kowal-exploring-our-relationship-to-technology-and-each-other/

#10yrsago Surveillance and stalkers: how the Internet supercharges gendered violence https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahjeong/2014/10/28/surveillance-begins-at-home/

#10yrsago Secret recording of corporate lobbyist is a dirty-tricks playbook https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/us/politics/pr-executives-western-energy-alliance-speech-taped.html

#10yrsago NZ Trade Minister: we keep TPP a secret to prevent “public debate” https://www.techdirt.com/2014/10/31/new-zealands-trade-minister-admits-they-keep-tpp-documents-secret-to-avoid-public-debate/

#5yrsago Blizzard’s corporate president publicly apologizes for bungling players’ Hong Kong protests, never mentions Hong Kong https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/1/20944022/blizzard-blizzcon-hearthstone-china-hong-kong-response-j-allen-brack

#5yrsago My review of Sandworm: an essential guide to the new, reckless world of “cyberwarfare” https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2019-11-01/sandworm-andy-greenberg-cybersecurity

#5yrsago Report from a massive Chinese surveillance tech expo, where junk-science “emotion recognition” rules https://twitter.com/suelinwong/status/1190194625572569093

#5yrsago Toronto approves Google’s surveillance city, despite leaks revealing Orwellian plans https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/sidewalk-labs-waterfront-toronto-quayside-vote-1.5342294

#5yrsago Chicago teachers declare victory after 11-day strike https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/10/31/chicago-teachers-strike-union-tentative-agreement-makeup-days/4106271002/

#5yrsago Airbnb’s easily gamed reputation system and poor customer service allow scammers to thrive https://www.vice.com/en/article/nationwide-fake-host-scam-on-airbnb/

#5yrsago Suppressed internal emails reveal that the IRS actively helped tax-prep giants suppress Free File https://www.propublica.org/article/the-irs-tried-to-hide-emails-that-show-tax-industry-influence-over-free-file-program

#5yrsago Massive spike in young people registering to vote in the UK https://memex.craphound.com/2019/11/01/massive-spike-in-young-people-registering-to-vote-in-the-uk/

#1yrsago Social Security is class war, not intergenerational conflict https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/01/intergenerational-warfare/#five-pound-blocks-of-cheese

[micayaps]

INTRO POST 🩷💛🩷

hello!! i’m still learning how to use this platform but here goes a little intro post! :3

my name is mica! (me-ka) my little nickname for here :) i’m 21!! (she/her) 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈🩷

i have WAY TOO MANY interests. i’m going to make a list of most of them?? i’ll deepdive into them at a later point on here. actually you know what?? i’m gonna yap. put yall seatbelts on!!!

i love anime and manga!

cardcaptor sakura, aot, demon slayer, given, bananafish, kaijuno8, one piece, ohshc, maidsama, jjk, tokyo revengers, fruits basket and like 500 more lol!! i love studio ghibli too

BIG AVATAR (atla) FAN!!🩷

i’ve been an extremely casual cosplayer since i was like 12? really love to go to conventions, lots in toronto!!

i loveeee ‘regular’ shows and movies, love sitcoms - the office, modern family, parks and rec, etc. i love 2000’s romance movies, i love love all movies

I LOVE HORROR. i love love love horror movies, games, shows, anything. 🙇‍♀️✨

i love video games, i’m shit at them and i can’t actually play scary games myself lol. besides these ones i’ll mention but i am a huge fan of until dawn and the quarry!!!! like absolutely love those games.

^^^ speaking of which, i love anything zombie related. the last of us has been a recent huge interest but i love zombie shows and movies and games and anything loll

i love my youtubers lol, i love slushynoobz <3, garrett watts is my fave, brittany broski, used to love jake and johnnie but not really anymore. i love sam and colby, trisha paytas my queen. but i watch so many different sides of youtube, cooking, cleaning, gaming, travel, crafts, vloggers, people like yes theory, cosplayers, booktubers, i watch family vloggers and i’m not even scratching the surface. i was an extreme youtube kid and i have grown up on that app….

i love kpop! my favourite group is seventeen!! i’ve seen them twice, i love cix i’m seeing them a third time this june! i love ateez, purple kiss, enhypen, zb1 and also not kpop but i love katseye! i have so many albumds and lightsticks and i used to collect photocards and i have posters on posters in my room lol. ~~

umm i can’t really think of other things? i just love yapping and i have so many interests and nobody to share them with loll so stick around for more yaps from miss mica herself <3

[dayofaestheticorsubculture]

"Indie", short for "independent", is a term that originated as a descriptor of independently produced and distributed content, particularly in the arts and media. It has since evolved into a broad cultural category that applies to creative works—most commonly music, film, video games, and literature—that are produced outside the commercial mainstream, often with limited financial backing, but with a high degree of artistic freedom. Over time, "indie" has come to signify not only a mode of production but also a particular aesthetic, ethos, and cultural identity. This article explores the origins, development, and manifestations of the indie phenomenon across various domains, including its economic structures, cultural implications, and aesthetic principles.

The term "indie" derives from the English word "independent," used in the 20th century to describe businesses, artists, and cultural producers that operated autonomously from dominant commercial or institutional systems. The earliest uses of "indie" as a cultural label appeared in the 1970s and 1980s in the context of the music industry, where independent record labels began to support artists who were not signed to the major recording companies. Over time, the term was applied to other artistic fields as a descriptor for similar grassroots and self-managed forms of cultural production.

Indie music, perhaps the most prominent domain associated with the term, refers to music produced and distributed independently from major commercial record labels. Its roots trace back to the punk rock and post-punk movements of the 1970s in the United Kingdom and the United States. Pioneering labels such as Rough Trade Records (UK), Factory Records (UK), and Dischord Records (US) emerged to support artists who rejected the conventions of mainstream music, both in terms of sound and corporate control.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the indie scene diversified significantly. Sub-genres such as indie rock, lo-fi, college rock, and twee pop gained traction. Bands like R.E.M., Pixies, The Smiths, and Sonic Youth were central to this development. The 2000s saw a global expansion of the indie music ethos with the rise of digital distribution platforms and social media, which allowed independent artists to reach large audiences without traditional gatekeepers.

Indie music is often characterized by a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to recording, distribution, and performance. Lo-fi production, analog equipment, and intimate lyrical content are frequently cited hallmarks of the genre. Aesthetic values tend to prioritize authenticity, experimentation, and emotional honesty over commercial appeal or technical perfection.

Indie music has had a profound effect on the global music industry, fostering innovation and diversity while challenging traditional industry structures. Economically, it has given rise to a robust ecosystem of small labels, venues, festivals (such as SXSW and Pitchfork Music Festival), and online platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Culturally, it has influenced mainstream music, fashion, and youth subcultures, contributing to the development of broader movements such as hipsterism and alternative lifestyle branding.

The indie film movement began gaining prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly in opposition to the studio-dominated "Golden Age" of Hollywood. In the United States, filmmakers such as John Cassavetes in the 1950s and 1960s laid the groundwork for independent cinema by self-financing personal and experimental films. The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of a flourishing indie film scene supported by festivals such as Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and Cannes' Directors’ Fortnight.

Notable directors who emerged from this milieu include Quentin Tarantino, Richard Linklater, Steven Soderbergh, Jim Jarmusch, Kelly Reichardt, and Wes Anderson. These filmmakers often operate on smaller budgets and are known for their narrative risk-taking, unique visual styles, and a focus on character-driven stories.

Independent films are often financed by small production companies, crowd-sourced funding, grants, or private investors. Distribution methods vary widely, ranging from limited theatrical release and festival circuits to direct-to-streaming and video-on-demand. Companies such as A24, IFC Films, and Neon have become notable champions of indie cinema in the 21st century.

Indie films are distinguished by their emphasis on artistic vision and thematic complexity. They tend to eschew genre conventions, featuring unconventional storytelling techniques, ambiguous narratives, or socially conscious themes. Stylistically, they often use natural lighting, handheld cinematography, and non-professional actors to create a sense of realism and intimacy.

The term "indie game" refers to video games developed by individuals or small teams without the financial or infrastructural support of major game publishers. The rise of indie games is closely tied to the advent of digital distribution platforms such as Steam, Itch.io, GOG.com, and Xbox Live Arcade, which democratized access to audiences beginning in the mid-2000s.

Early influential indie games include Braid, Super Meat Boy, and Minecraft, all of which demonstrated that small teams could produce commercially successful and critically acclaimed titles. More recent examples like Celeste, Hades, Undertale, and Stardew Valley have continued to push the boundaries of game design and narrative within the indie framework.

Indie developers typically rely on personal savings, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon, or grants from arts organizations and tech companies. The development process is often more flexible and experimental than in the mainstream industry, allowing for unique game mechanics, niche themes, and bold artistic styles.

Indie games are often celebrated for their innovation, inclusivity, and emotional depth. They are more likely to explore marginalized voices, unconventional gameplay, or introspective themes. The indie scene has also played a significant role in the broader gamification of culture and the elevation of video games as a form of serious artistic expression.

Indie literature refers to works published outside of the major publishing houses. This includes books released by independent publishers, as well as self-published works facilitated by digital tools and platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and Lulu. The indie literature movement has democratized the publishing industry, allowing a broader range of voices and genres to flourish.

While indie literature spans all genres, it has been particularly influential in areas such as speculative fiction, romance, memoir, and experimental prose. It allows for stylistic and thematic risk-taking that might not be viable in commercial publishing. Notable examples of successful indie authors include Hugh Howey (Wool) and Andy Weir (The Martian), both of whom achieved mainstream recognition after initially self-publishing.

Though still sometimes marginalized by traditional literary critics, indie literature has gained increasing respect for its quality and cultural impact. Awards, critical reviews, and academic interest in self-published and small-press books have contributed to its growing legitimacy. Ebooks and print-on-demand technologies have further enabled the proliferation of indie literature.

At its core, indie culture is characterized by an ethos of autonomy, integrity, and anti-commercialism. It prioritizes creative control, authentic expression, and direct engagement with audiences. This ethos often intersects with broader social movements, including DIY culture, anti-corporate activism, and postmodern aesthetic sensibilities.

Despite its anti-mainstream origins, "indie" has itself become a commercial category. The popularity of indie aesthetics has led to their adoption by major corporations and brands, sometimes diluting the original subversive intent. Critics have noted that "indie" can sometimes serve as a marketing label rather than a true marker of independence.

Nonetheless, the tension between independence and commercial viability remains a central feature of the indie world, driving ongoing debates about authenticity, artistic integrity, and the future of creative work.

Indie is not only a mode of production but also a cultural identity embraced by communities and individuals. This identity is often expressed through fashion (e.g., thrifted or vintage clothing), taste cultures (e.g., preferences for niche or obscure media), and social values (e.g., environmental consciousness, inclusivity, and anti-consumerism). The indie identity is especially prominent among millennials and Gen Z cohorts and is often associated with urban, educated, and artistically inclined populations.

Indie culture represents one of the most significant cultural movements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It embodies a persistent quest for autonomy, creativity, and meaning in the face of corporate homogenization and mass production. Across music, film, games, and literature, the indie movement continues to challenge conventional boundaries, offer alternative narratives, and empower creators to shape the cultural landscape on their own terms. While not without contradictions, the indie phenomenon remains a vital and evolving force in global cultural life.

[companionofthetimelords]

Neil Newbon Convention List for the rest of 2024 as of May 16th 2024 (I will try and update it as more cons are announced.)

Apr 25th 2024 Calgary Expo Comics & Entertainment (2024) in Calgary Alberta Canada

May 3rd 2024 Fan Expo Philadelphia (2024) in Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA

Jun 7th 2024 Fan Expo Dallas (2024) in Dallas Texas USA

Jun 14th 2024 Fan Expo Boston (2024) in Boston Massachusetts USA Neil had to Cancel

Jul 4th 2024 Fan Expo Denver (2024) in Denver Colorado USA

Jul 12th 2024 Florida Supercon in Miami Florida USA

Aug 16th 2024 Fan Expo Chicago (2024) in Rosemont(Chicago) Illinois USA

Aug 22nd 2024 Fan Expo Canada (2024) in Toronto Ontario Canada

Aug 29th 2024 Dragon Con (2024) in Atlanta Georgia USA

Sep 26th 2024 FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention (2024) in Salt Lake City Utah USA

Oct 11th 2024 Retro Game Con in Syracuse New York USA

Oct 17th 2024 New York Comic Con (2024) in New York New York USA

[a-hard-spring]

an essay about living in my one-bedroom apartment

The first time I walked into my Montreal apartment this past summer, sweat beading down my spine from that last early-August heat wave, I was struck by how much it smelt like someone else. The previous tenant's things, still half-hazardly thrown in black garbage bags, sat by the front door. A paper coffee cup, lid marked with burgundy lipstick, formed a ring on the kitchen counter, forgotten like the rest of the space. A dark ringlet of hair clumped in the shower drain, and when I stared too long, looked like it was squirming. All the pieces of existence were left behind for me to discover and disrupt. As I went to switch on the bedroom light, my finger felt sticky. It wasn't until I hauled my last box up those winding stairs that I noticed every surface of the place was sticky, covered in a layer of thick grease, like cooking oil or beef tallow. It took six hours straight of hands-and-knees, toothbrush-detailing kind of cleaning to rid the stickiness. I swear I swept and mopped five times before the water was clear – or at least slightly less muddy. Luckily, I had my mum's extra hands, a Martha Wainwright album and a six-pack of Corona to pass the time. 

…

Moving felt different this time around. In my first year of University, I moved into residence – a beautifully large building which was newly renovated from a convent. I was nervous about moving out of home for the first time, but truthfully, half of my small high school was also moving into the same residence, along with most of my friend group from back home. So, although I was leaving the stability of my city and my childhood house, where I had always lived, I was entering a space perpetually in the comfort of familiarity. By second year, we all moved into our first apartments. A group of my friends and I all gathered together to help each other move, and by the end of the day and four 3rd level apartments later, we all giggled and gossiped about our summers over pizza and beer on the hardwood floors at one of our places. I never felt so independent and full of friendship. Two girls, whom I’d met through school the previous year, and I made quick harmony in our little three-bedroom. Stringing rainbow lights down the shared hallway and making baked pasta casserole every other week over a competitive game of Crazy 8’s Countdown, we quickly settled into roomie rhythm. 

Looking back, I feel my naivety. So lost in the romance of fresh freedom, my bones start to ache at the weight that this ease now holds. At the end of my second year, I experienced my first heartbreak. Followed by half my friends leaving school and moving across North America. This back-to-back loss, like the weighted blanket which wrapped around my body, rashly ripped off my form. I've never felt so exposed to the air; I remember my skin somehow got more sensitive, now easily bruised. Going outside was too stimulating to my senses, my ears ringing from the abrasive buzzing of the world. Utterly heightened, I spent my summer prepping for the harsh realization that in the new term, I would be going back to a city I had only ever associated with the people I loved. I had yet to truly be in the city because I had never been alone in it. 

…

A month before my move, I had found the apartment listed on a young girl's Facebook marketplace under the title Urgent !! Must go !! After weeks of strenuous online house hunting, this was the first one-bedroom apartment that was both a good distance from campus and a laundromat, and a rent that I could actually meet with my service job wage. The pictures on the listing were beautiful: a large arch window in the main room, an enclosed bedroom with an adjoining balcony, storage space and a functioning oven. Within ten hours of finding the listing, the apartment was mine. Working back home in Toronto over summer break, I knew it was risky signing a lease with only photos as a reference, but I couldn’t pass up such a cheap and seemingly perfect opportunity. Foolishly, I didn't really question that there wasn't a picture of the balcony on the listing, rather a picture of the door from inside the bedroom. For all I knew, it could've been a door leading to nowhere but a single story fall to the sidewalk. The surprise awaiting me was not deadly, yet still upsetting.

At first, I didn’t notice, too busy scrubbing every surface to pay attention to the outside world. But as the day stretched on, the cooing – that rhythmic, humming, almost vibrating sound – was unavoidable. The sound got louder, like it was coming from inside the walls. To my great horror, I decided to peek outside my balcony door, only to be greeted with what I remember to be at least 10 wide-eyed, anxious, fat pigeons, startled by my sudden movement. I shut the door as fast as I could as a couple flew up at me with fright. As I got a closer look, I saw that the balcony's surface had a thick-black covering of pigeon shit. Up on the railing, there was a garden basket now hosting a mama bird’s nest and four babies. She looked so proud, so caring, and so vulnerable to the busy street. The balcony was her home before it was mine, and she was safe up here, protected by the other pigeons surrounding her nest like bodyguards. I told myself that once she and her babies moved out, I would deal with the mess. 

That night, my mum and I slept on a sheetless mattress on the floor. A small rotating fan in the corner of the room squeaked with every pass. I remember it took me so long to get to sleep that night. I don't know if it was the heat or over-exhaustion from the day, but my mind was on fire. All I could hear was the pigeons cooing to each other, like some sort of conversation I was excluded from. It wasn't until I focused on my mum's soft snoring that I began to doze off.

…

On that drive up to Montreal, my mum told me she didn't think I would go back after she heard about the breakup. This comment hit me like a gut punch. The last time I was driving through Quebec, with tears in my eyes and terrified for the summer to come, all I could think about was survival. In the last three weeks of the previous semester, I found out that my partner of almost three years had fallen in love with someone else. My very little life had been flipped completely upside down, and therefore, I was completely upside down. I couldn’t imagine how in the world I would motivate myself to get out of bed to wash my face or eat a meal the next day, let alone start another school year. In all my false ambition, I never really considered not going back. I don’t think I even knew it was an option until my mum said the words – until the apartment was already mine. 

During the expanse of the summer, between the four pink walls of my childhood room, I watched myself change into something more bareable – less broken. I lived through the sunny months, sat in parks that reminded me of absent touch, like the vibration of laughter against my back or the press of lips against my inner wrist. I felt the grief in my walk and shivered in the humidity. I had to learn how to move around in a body that felt out of shape, full of missing parts instead of bones. I’d found a new love for sitting on my front porch. As the sun boiled the thick heat of the air, I’d admired each body walking by – each living, hobby-filled human on their daily path – to eat, to get home, to dance, to cry. Each person became my walking, momentary fate – their lives so removed from mine, yet their presence so close to my existence. In the evenings, I sat on the roof outside my bedroom window, overlooking the back alleyway, where there was no life for me to observe. I wore my ex's sweater every night. So used to another body next to mine, it was hard to know I was real without company – without contact. By the end of August, I had learnt to find friendship in the rustling tree leaves.

…

In mid-September, mama and her babies were gone. Once the nest had been empty for over a week, I got to work. I masked up and began to scrape and mop the soiled linoleum until there was no remaining bird-scum left. I zip-tied plastic spikes and a fake owl to the railings in hopes of scaring them away. With a soapy stained outfit and sore hands, it felt like my first big-kid task completed on my own, in my own space. This foreign feeling washed over me: an earnest consciousness of my aloneness – that in this apartment, there was nowhere to hide.

… 

When I was a kid, not much older than seven, my family was persistent in the idea of moving. One day, I came along to an open house down by the waterfront. The house was big compared to the split, three-bedroom I was used to in downtown. This house had tall windows and a stone pathway. It felt much too pretty to be like any of the other houses in my neighbourhood. My parents wandered off through the cookie-scented house, pretending to be interested buyers, as I chewed my cuticles with boredom. With the plaits in my hair falling loose and the hem of my dress frailing against the carpeted floor, I decided to venture through the lonely rooms by myself. In the basement of the big windowed house, I found a tiny door. It was concealed behind a brown leather chair, just out of sight from curiosity. The only rational thought playing through my head was, yes – that place is safe. So I crawled behind the chair and let myself inside. There I sat, inside the tiny room–unbeknownst to my wandering parents–safe in my newfound corner and over the moon with joy. When I was found, my mother giggled, and my fathers smiled at how absurd I looked, all four and a half feet of me jammed into the tiny space. When I was told we had to leave, I cried. This was the first time I remember my overwhelming need to hide. 

A decade went by, and I fell in love with someone who fulfilled that craving. They took up so much room that I never had to worry about a space ever feeling too big. No matter the crowd of people, no matter the sound of the environment, they commanded the space like a singular light beam or a barking dog. I never felt more at ease in those years of love. In those years of their dishes in the sink, their clothes at the foot of my bed, their musky scent sewn to the comforter, their music playing out the speaker, their toothbrush on my sink. Their constant presence meant it was never quiet, it was never empty, and I could always hide in that noise. So when their love left, a silence washed over everything like watercolour. On my own, I was forced to listen to all the things that had been drowned and dulled out. I had realized just how much I missed while keeping myself in the corner of every room. 

…

By November, the pigeons came back in full swing. Like a protest to my maintenance, they swarmed the balcony overnight. By morning, the linoleum was covered again, as if I hadn’t been face-to-face with their poop for hours, just months ago. At night, they began to wake me up, cooing and knocking and nibbling against the glass. Their movement sounded like a brawl – something about the combination of their throaty calls, scratching talleons and wings knocking across the window each time they greet each other. They would peck at the others' heads or push one another off the windows ledge to make room. It was vengeful and harmless all at once. At first, my new roommates enraged me. I felt bitter that they took over my space again, even in all my effort to rid them. 

But once the December cold blew in, and there was no chance I’d be using the balcony even if the pigeons left, I began to enjoy their disturbance. I found their nature fascinating. Like in a matter of a seconds, their fighting would stop, and they’d cuddle up close as if they weren’t just trying to take the other's eye out. I would imagine how they must crave each other's warmth in contact. How they need company just as we all do. I’d listen to their calling and imagine what they were saying, if anything at all. In all this observation, I realize that pigeons shit on everything not from a lack of care, but from an excess of comfort. It didn’t matter if it was their babies' nest, their bed, their home, their food – it was in their nature to soil their environment, to soil what's theirs. 

… 

In January, I noticed my mouth permanently tasted like school gymnasium, tangy and stale. I was tired of feeling loinesome for a love no longer mine. So, I went outside and walked cross-legged through untrotted snow. I let my skirt get wet. I cried from the unforgiving wind in my eyes while listening to Landslide, and it was okay that I thought of them. It was okay that in the morning, as I got dressed, I wondered what they were wearing. If it’d be something I'd recognize, something I would've kept for my own. It's okay that I thought about the texture of the fabric, how it would feel against their skin. If it would be itchy or stained or tearing. It's okay that I became jealous of an imaginary shirt because it was closer than I could be. 

In January, I felt inspired to command my space like the pigeons did. I threw out my ex's sweater, and I bought a new plant. I learnt to care for something else’s survival. I bought a rug for my room so it didn’t feel as cold. I painted the bathroom walls pink like my first home. I cleaned the floors with my perfume. I smoked a cigarette inside. I filled vases with flowers. I strung rainbow lights in the windows and thought of my friends miles away. I ate a pint of strawberries with cold hands till my lips were stained red. I made soup that warmed me from the inside out. I bought six pillows instead of four and filled the once-empty space with comfort. I made my own playlists and danced around to music that I loved. I put away the clothes at the end of the bed on my hangers. I opened the curtains wide. 

In January, it was okay to be sad.

In January, I made everything lovely and mine to break.

…

I often wonder about the last girl that lived here. She was about my age, I imagine, a student probably, since this area was full of us. I wonder why she left in such a rush and why there was still so much of her in every room. For those first settling weeks, all I could notice was the presence of her, the overwhelming awareness of where her skin touched. I wonder which cupboards she put her glasses in or which she made her pantry. I wonder if she also got annoyed by how long the water would take to heat up, and if she stood by the shower, waiting naked and shivering in the same way I do. I wonder if she put a carpet down in the bedroom. I wonder why she didn't paint over the blotchy, turquoise walls in the bathroom. Or why she didn't seem to care about the grease-covered kitchen or the pigeon shit. I wonder why she neglected the space. Maybe she was just like a pigeon in a way – instead of neglect, she was simply soiling the space out of comfort.

I like to think of her in this apartment alone as well. I wonder what noises she attached herself to in the quiet, like the upstairs neighbours stomping or the birds coo or the 5 am snow plow. I wonder if she fell in love whilst she was living here, if maybe she wasn't alone very often, if maybe she was never really here at all. Or maybe she was heartbroken too. Maybe the reason she left in a rush was to go find herself solo travelling through Europe.

The soft images I make of her dancing around this space remind me that I am never truly by myself, even when alone, because all that was here before me still exists in the space I breathe in. In every room, I am nothing more than another piece of furniture. We are all alone and loved. 

It's February, and as I write this, I look outside through my snow-sparkled window, I listen to the pigeons fighting, I smell my scent everywhere, and I notice how at ease I feel. It's been ten months since my breakup and five months since I’ve lived alone. I no longer need to scream just to fill the silence or shower for the third time in the day just to feel contact on my body. 

Maybe tomorrow won’t be this easy. Maybe tomorrow will be lonelier. Or maybe, just maybe, tomorrow will be better. 

mjp

[tabletopbellhop]

We record LIVE tonight!

Main Topic: Breakout Con 2025 and my daughter's first game con experience.

Reviews: Maki Master from Kids Table Board Gaming Sinoda from BSGames

https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop 8pm EDT

[dinoberrypress]

We’re home and resting from the whirlwind of a weekend we just had, and we wanted to take a minute to talk about the wonderful time that was Breakout Con!

This was not only our first time at a convention as guests and Nevyn’s first time running games at a con, but our first time travelling outside the US together! Toronto was awesome, a cool city filled with great food that we’re both still thinking about.

We got to meet a lot of amazing people, some long-time friends and others brand new. We also picked up a lot of awesome games & new things to read~

(Seriously, we got a lot lol)

Nevyn ran 2 games of You’re In Space and 1.5 games of Justicar~ It’s easy to forget how fun your own games are, but every player was an absolute standout and each game had its own incredible highs!

We talked to so many brilliant people, and had some really great conversations that I’ll be thinking about for quite a while! Huge thanks to Breakout Con for inviting us to attend, and to everyone we got to talk to. Can’t wait to keep chatting, and we hope to go again next year :)

[kellbellsparkles]

This past weekend, me and my best friend, viobliterator, were at Toronto Comic Con where she made her first ever appearance at an artist alley as an exhibitor. She cosplayed as her favorite character that she’s totally normal for, Osamu Dazai, while I was Nanami and gave her the “hair and stare” treatment.

We met some incredibly talented cosplayers who really knocked it out of the park (the cabbage man is my personal favorite).

Viobliterator predominantly loves doing art of Bungo Stray Dogs, but she also loves the classics like Sailor Moon and Attack on Titan as well as underrated and phenomenal series like Naoki Urasawa’s Monster (Pluto on Netflix was also done by him). Plus, video games like Dark Souls, Ace Combat 4, and more. check out her tumblr and also zoom in on her QR code where it’ll take you to her other socials and pet portrait business where she also paints lifelike portraits of any pet of your choosing. If anyone plans to take a trip to Toronto in the future for any convention, she did incredibly well raking in the dough and gathering in a following, you may have the chance to see her and her work for yourselves.

[compellingselling]

Cannes is the ultimate advertising ICYMI

I try to keep up with what's causing the industry to buzz, but every year projects surface at Cannes that I missed. Here are some of my favorites that I didn't know about until they popped up at the 2023 Cannes Creativity Festival.

Chipotle Doppelgänger

While there are a gazillion of combinations of Chipotle's various ingredient options, agency GALE figured out how to tell when two people somewhere in the country placed the exact same mobile order at around the same time and messaged each where their "Chipotle Doppelgänger" was. Search it on Google and you'll see how much organic attention these received. Case study above. Agency: GALE. Lion: Gold, Data-Driven Targeting

Muskrat Magazine "Missing Matoaka"

The cynic in me couldn't help seeing many purposed-driven Cannes entries and winners as desperate attempts at trophies rather than sincere concern for a problem. But I admire this one for being so innovative and clever in how they attempt to counter the inaccuracies in Disney's Pocahontas. (And, okay, I'll admit that it's a stretch that their "client" is a small publication.) Agency: BBDO, Toronto. Lion: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, Brand Experience & Activation; Gold, Radio & Audio

I see Coke

Pepsi arrived to Saudi Arabia before Coke, so they have more share and spend more on media. “In a region where Coke is the challenger and not the leader, there was still one place Coca-Cola owned: movies and TV shows. So, we turned 100 years of product placements on the big screen into an interactive, shoppable experience using voice [Alexa].” Easier said than done. I can’t imagine what it took to pull this off, but it’s a fun idea. They claim that brand awareness increased 234% as a result. Case study here. Agency: VMLY&R. Lion: Silver, Radio & Audio

Opt Ink

McCann’s client wanted to increase the number of Germans who consent to donate their organs. Their ingenious solution: “a free tattoo designed by renowned ink artist Gara” and offered at 250 studios across the country. They promoted it at tattoo conventions, through influencers, and got a ton of free PR. Turns out 25% of Germans already have a tattoo, so they had a built-in audience. Case study here. Agency: McCann Germany. Lions: Gold, Social & Influencer; Silver, Direct; Silver, PR; Bronze, Direct; Bronze, Media.

Clash From The Past

To celebrate Clash of the Clans' 10th anniversary, Wieden + Kennedy created a 20-minute documentary celebrating the make-believe FORTY-year history of the game. This is reminiscent of the "Make-Believe History of Black Star Beer" which was also done by Wieden and also won big in the award shows. But I think it's okay to steal from your own agency's history.

In addition to the 20-minute documentary – which has was produced really well, especially the old commercials – the game makers invited current fans of the game to play games from Clash's make-believe historic origins. Winner of the Grand Prix for Gaming AND Grand Prix for Entertainment. Case study here. Full documentary here.

Cashback for your jersey's back

Just before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Brazil national team made the jersey they would be competing in available for purchase by fans. The Nike jersey was the most expensive ever. Flash, "a benefits card" that gives cash back for certain purchases, announced on social that they would reimburse half the cost of the jersey if fans put "Flash" on the back of the jersey instead of a player's name. That's a very clever guerrilla tactic that answered a real problem for fans and got Flash a ton of attention. I won't say it was "free publicity," because they did have to pay out a lot to cover half the cost of the jerseys ordered before Nike's website blocked people from putting "Flash" on their jerseys. Case study here. Agency: FCB Brazil. Lion: Gold, Social & Influencer

Sorriso sponsors Sorriso

Sorriso is the name of a Colgate toothpaste and a big shot football player. “Sorriso” means “smile” in Portuguese. Sorriso (the toothpaste) were able to get their logo on the back of Sorriso's (the soccer star) jersey/kit AND wherever the player’s name appeared on stadium signs and TV screens. Then they did the same for a female player with that last name. I saw this one mentioned as a Cannes contender, but it looks like it didn't win any Lions. Case study here. Agency: VMLY&R.

McDrip

To recruit more young employees to work in their restaurants in Sweden, DDB got a streetwear designer to redesign McDonald's uniform. Even if it's still a hurdle to get teens to work at a fast food restaurant, I bet it increased the chances teens would apply to McDonald's ahead of other fast food joints. Case study here. Examples of TikTok here and here. Lion: Bronze, Social & Influencer.

Hilton Waitographer

To show the lengths they go to serve guests, Hilton in the Middle East brought in a professional photographer to train staff people – especially restaurant servers – how to take good phone photos. By TBWA/RAAD, Dubai. (It didn't win at Cannes, but it was in some coverage of Cannes hopefuls. I'm not going to include a link to the case study because it was silly and overlong.)

[btcinfonews]

Pi Network's Major Announcement at Consensus 2025

🚀💥 Pi Network's Major Announcement: Are You Ready? 💥🚀 Gather your popcorn, crypto comrades! 🍿 Because big news is about to drop at Consensus 2025 (Mark your calendars: May 14-16, Metro Toronto Convention Centre). Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, the wizard himself, is ready to pull back the curtain on what promises to be a game-changer for the Pi Network. Rumor has it we might see a Binance listing or some wild DeFi integration that could shake up not just Pi’s ecosystem, but the entire market! 🌍 ✨ So, what can we anticipate? Dr. Kokkalis and his bewitched team have been brewing this project since 2019, and let's just say the hype is real! From $400 million Pi purchases to murmurs of network decentralization (bye-bye, central node), the crypto community is abuzz with speculation, excitement, and a sprinkle of caution. We’re all waiting with bated breath! 👀

"This could mark a major turning point for Pi’s Open Network plans." — Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis

✨ The Future Awaits ✨

🔍 With changes paralleling Ethereum's evolution and similar market reactions, we're witnessing a thrilling new chapter for Pi Network. Whether you’re an investor or a curious cat 👓, it’s about time to buckle up and join the fun. Don’t just watch from the sidelines; dive in, speculate, and share your thoughts! 💬 🖱️ Curious about what this means for your crypto portfolio? 📈 Check out the details in our full article over at Bitcoin Info News! And after you’re done, why not comment below and share your own predictions? 🧐 #PiNetwork #Crypto #Consensus2025 #Binance #DeFi #Ethereum #InvestSmart #CryptoCommunity #BlockchainMagic

[dsfsdrgvsdfgdfg]

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