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.

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.

007 agent promotes equality between the sexes

007 agent actor Daniel Craig honours International Women's Week with a video, EQUALS, that captures DC decked out in a dress, pearls, heels, and a wig.

Actress Judi Dench, who plays M in the movies, reads statistics about inequality of education and pay, as well as sexual violence against women.

I think this is a powerful video, given Bond's reputation for being a ladies man since he is showing a deeper appreciation for the female gender and their challenges.

I really respect what he did here.

Redressing the issue of gendered violence

 Local artist teams with gender studies institute to raise awareness 

                                              Photo from: Kim Hunter at IWGS

Local Métis artist, Jamie Black will kick off International Women’s Week at the University of Winnipeg with the REDress Project on March 7. Partnering with the Institute of Women and Gender Studies (IWGS), Black will display an art installation to address the issue of missing or murdered women across Canada.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada has reported 520 missing or murdered women across the country, half of them since the year 2000. Black’s REDress Project will showcase donated red dresses in commemoration of these women to promote the public’s awareness of this issue.

“I chose red because it is such a powerful colour and evokes both sides of being an Aboriginal woman. Red is symbolic of blood, life, violence, and passion. It also represents women of the red nation,” explained Black.

Twelve sites will be constructed across campus at the university, both indoor and outdoor.

“We expect 12,000 people will see these exhibits, whether they do so on purpose or just when attending the university,” said Kim Hunter, project and event coordinator for IWGS.

Black’s inspiration for REDress came when she was traveling through South America in 2009. She attended a performance art conference and saw an emotional protest being held against 400 missing Columbian women, many of which due to political reasons.

“I don’t have a direct connection with any of the missing or murdered women in Canada. But I am a Métis woman and my family has always faced Aboriginal stereotypes,” said Black.

Promotion for this project started in the summer by collecting dresses, speaking at events, like Take Back the Night, and through social media. REDress’ exhibition goal is to collect 500 red dresses and has reached approximately 120. Black doesn’t expect to achieve her goal before March but hopes that she will be able to show her installation elsewhere.

“I hope to travel with the REDress Project and be able to receive dress donations from other cities. This isn’t just a Canadian problem and, ideally, I would love to travel outside of Canada with it.”

However the actual project’s objective is to create discussion and educate about the missing women by presenting the issue in a different light.

Though, according to Hunter, the success of the actual project will be hard to measure.

“We will try to determine the impact of the REDress Project by the community’s response and the number of people that become active in stopping violence against Aboriginal women,” explained Hunter.

Postcards will be available at each site advocating the end of violence against Aboriginal women.

There are six drop-off locations around the city for Winnipeggers to donate red dresses, new or gently used and of any size. Volunteers are required for promoting, setting up, and giving tours of the exhibits. Interested individuals are encouraged contact Kim Hunter at 204-786-9921 for more information.