Usually Before and After shots are an improvement…

Chris Brown’s appearance on Good Morning America Tuesday morning sure took me by surprise. And not because he was promoting a new album, F.A.M.E, but because I guess I haven’t seen a picture of him since 2009.
And my has times a’ changed him.

<Here is a picture of Chris Brown in 2008 endorsing Wrigley's gum, who pulled him from their campaign after his assault on then girlfriend, Rhianna.
(Before)

Brown as of March 22 on the set of Good Morning America                                                               >>
(After)

Notice any differences? He definitely gained weight right? Um NO. He actually gained like 30 pounds in TATTOOS and decided to bleach his hair like he’s Sisqo in the Thong Song.

More importantly is what happened during and after his interview with Robin Roberts on GMA. Roberts (apparently foolishly) asked Brown about his incident with Rhianna during their conversation, which apparently set the guy off. After making it through the rest of his interview and performance (though “appearing agitated”), he turned into The Incredible Hulk wreaking havoc on the GMA dressing room.

How does C Brown NOT expect to have to answer questions about the whole Rhianna fiasco for the rest of his life? Magazines STILL print stories about the Jennifer Aniston/Brad Pitt/Angeline Jolie love triangle.

And when we’re not reading about the Brangelina/Aniston triangle or the Rhianna/Chris Brown fiasco, we will likely read about The Incredible ChrisBrown Hulk or whatever other .

I guess it doesn’t matter how “old news” you are, you can still come back from your one-hit wonder or after you beat your girl friend, like Bobby Brown. Err nevermind.

Anyways, speaking of comebacks, I hope to see a comeback album from Aqua next.

Travel assignment

In groups, we all travelled around the province/country/internationally.

My group went to Kenora overnight and this is the ad I made when I returned.

Full size? Click travel_ad

And this is the article I wrote:

 

Let’s face it. Travelling in Canada can be a bit of a drag during the winter. Most Canadians try to squeeze as much of their vacation time as possible into the three-month summer season every year; but why not try a weekend winter getaway? Pack up your bags and family and make the two-and-a-half hour trip east on the Trans-Canada Highway to Kenora, Ontario.

 

 

 

Originally named Rat Portage, Kenora is home to approximately 15,200 people year-round. Kenora attracts most of its tourists during the summer months for fishing, camping, and swimming because of its proximity to Lake of the Woods.

 

 

 

According to former Manitoban Geordie McEwen, the city charms its visitors with its laid back, friendly atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

 

 

 

“If you ever spend time up here, you’ll fall in love with it. Kenora is a pretty special place and not just in the warm months,” said McEwen, who summered in Kenora as a child and became a resident 10 years ago. He said visitors often don’t know the winter attractions that Kenora offers.

 

 

 

During the first weekend of March, join the city as it hosts its annual Kenora Winter Carnival. Check out a full events guide on its website: www.kenorawintercarnival.ca/events.

 

 

 

After arriving and stretching your legs, head down Main Street to The Plaza, whose expertise in Greek food found its way into Annie Hardy’s Where to Eat in Canada for the past 10 years. Pre-plan your meal by looking online at http://www.plazarestaurant.ca.

 

 

 

Bundle up and watch the fireworks at the Harbourfront. The show starts at 7 p.m., so warm up with a complimentary cup of coffee in hand and hot chocolate for the kids.

 

 

 

Follow up the fireworks with a visit to the Lakewood School located on Veterans Drive for the kids to see Al Simmons perform live at 7:45 p.m. A family bundle of tickets can be purchased for $25.

 

 

 

“The carnival is great for keeping the kids entertained,” said Nick Penter, father of three children under the age of seven. “There is everything from public swims and skating to wagon rides along the Harbourfront.”

 

 

 

The carnival was held annually since the late 1930s until the 1990s when it faded from a volunteer burnout. However, 2011 was the first year Tourism Kenora obtained funding from the city to attempt to make the festival what it was.

 

 

 

“Our carnival’s theme this year is Blast From the Past,” said Lindsay Mulash, special events coordinator intern for City of Kenora. ”A lot of people remember the carnival in the past and we are trying to bring it back to its glory days.”

 

 

 

I wouldn’t recommend the Kenora Super 8 Motel when deciding where to stay with your family. Weekend prices may be relatively inexpensive at approximately $118.24 each night, including a full continental breakfast. But this hotel offers smoking rooms to its patrons across the hall from non-smoking rooms and there is no on-site swimming pool.

 

 

 

 

You’re bleeding me dry here…

Photo Credit: Global News, Winnipeg

Global News reported last night on a story happening in downtown Winnipeg where the Winnipeg Parking Authority and local business owners are asking for increased parking costs to almost double the amount drivers are paying. 

The Winnipeg Parking Authority recommends weekday rates increase from $1 to $2 per hour and evening rates (which are currently free) be $1 per hour until 8:30 p.m. Another part of the plan is to start meters an hour earlier, from 9 to 8 a.m. and those who violate parking laws pay $60 instead of the current $40.

According to Stefano Grande, executive director of downtown Business Improvement Zone, the reason for this petition is to develop a higher turnover rate for visitors to the downtown and Exchange District area.

Or greed? Is the Winnipeg Parking Authority just becoming a little more money hungry? Because that’s all it looks like to me. 

Apparently this hike in parking prices has worked in the past in St. Boniface, however,  where are people in the Exchange supposed to park? As a student that attends Red River College’s Exchange District Campus from outside of Winnipeg, I have to drive every day. I try to park in the lot across from the school as often as possible, but its not that big of a lot. So at times I’m stuck on the street and have to rush outside to move my car every 2 hours between classes. 

At this time, the parking lot by the school costs $9 per day to park in and parking on the street is $1 per hour for approximately $8 per day. I suspect that the parking authority would end up raising the cost of parking in a lot should this be approved by the City of Winnipeg.

As a student, I have to find the cash to fund driving to school and parking in the Exchange District as it is. I think that an increase in this will just end up bleeding students in a similar position dry, especially since more programs (RRC’s Culinary Arts)  are expected to join the Exchange District next year. How are students supposed to pay for school, parking, AND provide local store owners with the regular business we do on a weekly basis? The Exchange District gets a lot of its business from other people who work or go to school in the area. If anything, this will hinder the amount of people they get through the door since it may push people from parking in that area during the day and into stores in a different area with better parking rules.

Students who live in the city that tend to drive to school will likely throw in the keys (towel) and take the overpopulated buses. 

I’m looking forward to what the city takes into consideration when discussing this issue (of greed). 

To view the report from Global News, please click here.