What's Your Story? Noir by Night

Ummm...are you sure you're not a girl? Sorry, but Asians wearing blue contacts is cheezy.

"The smell is fierce. The worst fierce possible. The homeless issue is really bad. Someone can be lying on the ground and people just keep passing by them every day."

Well sweetie, just keep on wearing those ruby tinted shades and pretend they'll go away. Or, better yet, get out of makeup artistry, cosmetics and beauty, industries that are already glutted with to many wannabe's trying to make their mark, and do something instead that will actually have some impact on the world.

I think he's allowed to point out a negative situation without being compelled to throw his life away to solve it.

Good profile, It would have been cool if you had a shot of 'Noir' too.

nice. I like these.

Another question to ask: where were you before Toronto? I love knowing where people come from.

I love to hear gay men say "fierce"

Although the stench is pretty bad, it has to be the ancient sewage system.

He is doing something that has an impact on the world. As a make up artist, he makes people less ugly. Can you imagine being surrounded by nothing but uglies everywhere? I mean EVERYWHERE? Eww....

Also, people going by the name "BIG JOHN" all in caps is cheesy. Makes it look like you're compensating for a tiny dick, or something.

am i the only person living here who doesn't notice this "stench". legitimately, there are certain places and times where i'll notice a bad smell, but not usually. everyone always talks like it's constant stink all the time.

"Another question to ask: where were you before Toronto?"

... and, why didn't you stay there?

"I honestly think there's more opportunity here. I'm very passionate about makeup artistry, cosmetics and beauty which Toronto offers. That's why I'm here."

y'all are haters.

He really needs to shine his shoes and put on more makeup.

Leave the poor boy alone, he's not from around here.

why oh why do people wear scarves? In the summer? It is the #1 fashion crime of the moment.

I don't get the summer scarf thing either....I mean unless you work in a freezing air conditioned office. It's a little too much. What does it say? " I am hing a massive growth on my neck" or " I bought this at H&M and I couldn't wait for a september evening to show it off, nobody has to know that I am suffering under this shmata, in the 35 degree heat, after all I am making a statement that am above what is concieved as fashion seasons" He could have worn a much more fashionable ascot of more summery looking bandana around his neck.

Perhaps he ought to give away that scarf to one of the homeless. :P

Z, I don't regularly notice any smell either. Trying to think of bad smells in cities... Mexico City, OMG, it smells bad, especially in the main tourist downtown core.

I am not originally from Canada either. What I find really amusing is how Canadians pretend to be aloof and indifferent, but when they get the opportunity (i.e. when they are hidden behind anonymity) they bitch like crazy.

This post is a great example! I bet that most of those anonymous chickens who are now being sarcastic would pretend they are reading their cool book at a cafe, while at the same time they overhear the conversation at the nearby table.

Get a life losers!

I second the call for a Noir shot! (or at least a link to one)

"What I find really amusing is how Canadians pretend to be aloof and indifferent,"

what canadians are these? we're as nosy and judgemental as any other group of humans.

"The worst fierce possible."

WTF is that supposed to mean? I'm no English major but that sentence is messed up.

This guy needs to stop using a crayon to draw his eyebrows.

Whoa, people, take a chill pill.
If you critics out there happen to be selflessly compassionate martyrs, good for you, and we salute you. You chase your dream, let others chase theirs.

Why do people have to be so critical of each other? Leave him alone. He was stopped on the street, and most likely giving a few questions to answer, I don't believe he was asked for his entire political or social justice resume. Don't judge someone unless you're willing to be judged. As for what he is wearing? Who gives a fuck! It's clothes.... allow him to discover who he is, not everyone will conform into what you consider to be the 'ideal' person, yourself.

I totally agree wtih Typekey. Everyone's trying to be politically correct all the freaking time in Canada. Thats why the whole world think Canadians are nice. they're not nice, they're fake. and they are god dammed boring and uncultured.

@ Muse: So just because Canadians are polite that means they're fake? What sort of absurd conclusion is that? I thought politeness was simply a mark of an advanced and cultured society.

re: Muse

Uncultured?!?! Are you insane/oblivious?? Holy crap. Just because our culture isn't steeped in thousands of years of tradition or isn't "exotic" doesn't mean it's not there. Get a grip.

Canadians seem nice because we have the privilege of living in such an incredible country and are generally peaceful people. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

The chickens/posers that typekey is talking about exist everywhere, not just Canada. I find if hilariously hypocritical that both of you are using pseudonyms.

May I be the first here to point out the reason for general nastiness on the internet?

Please see John Gabriel's Greater Internet F*ckwad Theory http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/

I've been guilty of it myself from time to time - but hey, I still believe myself to be a generally nice guy in person.

Dear typekey ( I guess that's your REAL name )

"I bet that most of those anonymous chickens who are now being sarcastic would pretend they are reading their cool book at a cafe, while at the same time they overhear the conversation at the nearby table."

Interesting comment by someone who is clearly posting using an alias.

My new apartment is quite close to a chocolate factory and I love the smell. Our mutual friend here should move to a less stinky neighbourhood.

Dear Jay,

You missed the point, I'm afraid. Posting anonymous comments was not my problem.

Being politically correct and aloof in public and nosy and bitchy in private, is a cultural aspect of this country. My remark was that I find that pure hypocrisy.

For instance in Greece, where I spent my first 25 years, people are as nosy and bitchy as anywhere else on this planet. BUT they do it in public and in person, not behind a monitor...

Dear all,
Something else: in a city where many people speak only one language and consider a trip to Pickering exotic, judging a young person who arrived 3 weeks ago for his poor English is at least cheap...

Hey, don't forget to get a life!! :-)

@ typekey: That's right, In Toronto everyone pretends to be liberal about gays and gay marriage but in private they all roll their eyes and just take it on stride.

But that's a good thing because in Greece (which started the whole man-love thing) this guy would not be able to dress like that and roam around freely...

So, your logic is pretty much screwed up.

And this statement "in a city where many people speak only one language"... seriously?? Buy a clue.

We know he got here 3 weeks ago but we don't know where from. Maybe he came from an English speaking place... I don't know, Vancouver or somewhere? Just wondering.

@zack: have you ever been in Greece? or read a book or an article on the today's Greek society?

"Being politically correct and aloof in public and nosy and bitchy in private, is a cultural aspect of this country. My remark was that I find that pure hypocrisy."

I'm nosy and bitchy in public too - so I'm afraid I can't relate to what your saying.

And calling people losers and telling them to get lives while bashing them for posting anonymously while doing so yourself is pretty stupid.

If you're so different - post using your actual name - you fucking idiot.

@jay:

what is the difference if he uses or doesn't use his actual name here? He still remains anonymous. So you dont have a point here. Because you are anonymously bashing typekey while accusing him of anonymously bashing other people lol. (unless you typed your real first and last name here which you didn't)

Also just because you are bitchy in public (you might be lying since no one knows who you are, there are lots of Jays) you are in minority and his point still remains. you dont see alot of bitchy people on the streets in Canada so its safe to say that you are definitely in a very small minority.

guess who's the fucking idiot now? lol

Jesus - i'm not posting anonymously - Muse - just click on my name.

I'm fucking tired of people bashing Toronto and the people who live here - and doing so behind an alias. Fucking cowards.

@Jay: This is Muse here. just trying to make a point ;)

Take it easy Jay. Go for a walk and take some artsy photos man! :-)
The Fucking Idiot (

Dear Zack,
If you had been to Greece you would have seen thousands of gay guys with scarves. Take a trip to Europe! It will open your eyes.

Do we need to move to a subscribed member-based commenting system on blogTO? A moderated system?

woot

noooooooo!

anyway, back to Kevin, the scarf is a keffiyah and i think they're in fashion right now, inspired by the PLO/similar groups, I think.

"Whole man-love thing." Yeah, definitely time for some kind of registered system. Or a history lesson.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the keffiyah (thanks guy lafleur, and you're right. Maybe I do need a good shot noir), and Kevin is quite dashing too.

I'm sorry that I took umbrage earlier today to his comments about the smell. I had forgotten how malodorous Toronto can become during the warm, humid days. I humbly apologize, and hope Kevin forgives me, providing he even cares about anything that's been said here.

I also am kind of disappointed in seeing how far off track this article went with the comments and all. Like....wtf?

You can say whatever you want about me and those who have their own individual opinions what you will (and chances are some might be well deserved), but for the record I sign my own name to my comments and add a link too, just in case.

It's those people who don't, that I feel Jay was referring to as the anonymous naysayers who get their rocks off by trashing all that is right, just and pure here in Toronto.

Jerrold, if you feel that a subscription based member commenting system would be more appropriate, then go for it, but I noticed you didn't use your normal link either.
Besides, there have been plenty of hotter topics here on BlogTO with far more intense moments in the comments section.

honestly, I would rather hang out with him and learn about skin care than standing next to a smelly straight man, who has hair growing from his nose, neck, shoulders and lower back just above his butt crack. and walking around with his belly jiggling every step he takes...BTW, straight men in Japan love Hello Kitty..you have a problem with that too? we need more people like this to get our economy going...
as for surrounded by ugly people.. don't we are get that in the office?

Hipsters + Anonymous forums = one of three things:

1. Posts about Broken Social Scene/Feist/Olympic Island/or their blog.

2. The coolness factor of west queen west, where everyone from the same homogeneous socioeconomic group congregates to make "contemporary" art. I wonder why there aren't as many indie band in Regent Park. Just a thought, you know.

3. Viscous comments showing the scope of prickdom these middle/upper class/indie/musicians/jewelery designers/ filmakers/bloggers are capable of.

"I would rather hang out with him and learn about skin care than standing next to a smelly straight man, who has hair growing from his nose, neck, shoulders and lower back just above his butt crack. and walking around with his belly jiggling every step he takes"

And just what's wrong with that, Jack? No need to get personal with me - I didn't say anything mean about him :(

Dave, probably not you.. but Big John did..to all asians..

" Asians wearing blue contacts is cheezy. "

well, how about caucasians dye their hair black, and wear kimono...and that's not cheezy?

As someone who grew up in a small town (shout out to Napanee), I too remember moving to Toronto and being blown away by the vast homelessness / mental health patients on the street. It's a real tragedy and no doubt, made worse from the years of Mike Harris.

So, yeah, lay off the dude and his observations about Toronto. Jesus Christ.

Actually, Jennifer -the reason why there are people with mental health issues on the street is mostly the fault of the NDP (http://www.etext.org/Politics/International.Socialists/NDP.Cuts.Services). They had an attitude which was more along the lines of "Let the sick medicate themselves, they can do it" - meanwhile, they stop taking medication and wind up on the street.

When in power, the NDP governed in a relatively fiscally conservative way (uhmm... probably due to recession), and many people were disillusioned by that. Not that the following Harris helped things at all.

Dave: I don't think the NDP was (is) solely responsible for the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric patients. This movement has been going on for the past 40 years in Canada (http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/Publications/Archives/CJP/2004/april/sealy.asp)

" too remember moving to Toronto and being blown away by the vast homelessness / mental health patients on the street"
^^ .. Perhaps you should visit other countries / cities.

True, but to blame Harris for every ill in society today is getting tiresome... Every politician of every stripe is guilty in some way of srewing society up.

Subscribed membership did you say? Yes please!

I don't know what it is about this feature that brings out the absolute fucking worst in commentators.

I'd be his friend.

".. Perhaps you should visit other countries / cities."

^^Dear Gregg: nice try but actually, I now LIVE in EUROPE so yeah, I think I've done my fair share of visiting other countries and cities and still stand by my comment.

Right on Jennifer.

I find it so annoying when people defend Toronto like its their child, and will defend it at any cost.

you have to accept that Toronto, like any other city in the world, has a few problems. I moved to Toronto a few months ago and I was ALSO blown away by the vast homelessness / mental health patients on the street. and I consider myself well traveled.

i think i disagree with the banning of anonymous comments here...

all these comments made me laugh. its not the end of the world if someone posts something stupid here, right? we can ALL laugh :P