City
What's Your Story? Noir by Night
What's Your Story? features the different characters that roam the streets of Toronto. Every Monday and Thursday, a new person shares their story, likes and dislikes about the city, a little secret and more.
Name: Kevin
Age: 21
What neighbourhood are you from? Sherbourne and Dundas
What do you 'do'? Student
How long have you been in Toronto? 3 weeks
What's your story?
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.
Favorite thing(s) about Toronto:
Gay people have been so oppressed and here in Toronto, I can be myself and more resilient. I feel I can be better. Diversity is amazing here. I know Toronto has a bad rap but everyone is really great.
Least favorite thing(s) about Toronto:
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.
You have 24 hours to spend with someone who's never been to Toronto before - what do you do?
Bloor Street.
One thing that your friends/family don't know about you:
I'm Kevin by day and Noir by night. I'm a drag performer named, Noir.
Discussion
57 Comments
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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.
Good profile, It would have been cool if you had a shot of 'Noir' too.
Another question to ask: where were you before Toronto? I love knowing where people come from.
Although the stench is pretty bad, it has to be the ancient sewage system.
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.
... and, why didn't you stay there?
y'all are haters.
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!
what canadians are these? we're as nosy and judgemental as any other group of humans.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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!! :-)
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.
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.
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
I'm fucking tired of people bashing Toronto and the people who live here - and doing so behind an alias. Fucking cowards.
The Fucking Idiot (<--not anonymous any more)
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.
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.
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.
as for surrounded by ugly people.. don't we are get that in the office?
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.
And just what's wrong with that, <b>Jack</b>? No need to get personal with me - I didn't say anything mean about him :(
" Asians wearing blue contacts is cheezy. "
well, how about caucasians dye their hair black, and wear kimono...and that's not cheezy?
So, yeah, lay off the dude and his observations about Toronto. Jesus Christ.
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.
^^ .. Perhaps you should visit other countries / cities.
I don't know what it is about this feature that brings out the absolute fucking worst in commentators.
^^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.
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.
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