CNE – Canadian National Exhibition 2010 Starts: August 20, 2010
Ends: September 6, 2010

The CNE, the fifth largest fair in North America, will be opening its gates August 20 through September 6, 2010 in Toronto. The CNE’s Early Bird Ticket Special is available now until midnight on August 19th at TheEx.com; at Mac’s Convenience Stores throughout the Greater Toronto Area from July 1st to August 19th; and at GO Lakeshore Stations and Union Station from July 30th to August 19th. For full schedule of events visit TheEx.com

http://www.theex.com/

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/worldroutes2010/index.cfm

Humans have evolved a plethora of ways to advertise their reproductive value.  The right combination of these features in the right person combined give you that funny feeling in your stomach.

How do we use the science to get ahead? In purely biological terms: men are looking for reproductively fit women to produce healthy offspring carrying their genes. Women want men with good genes to pass on to their babies and a caring mate who will protect and feed the family. Keen-eyed researchers are breaking down the science behind all of the cues humans rely on to assess these qualities.

Sexual chemistry is ruled by factors we have little control over or awareness about. It cannot be faked either. Benjamin Lester, a US Science Journalist, outlines these critical cues and how you can take advantage of them when looking for a mate:

1) flaunt your fragrance (responsibly)
our noses are subtly attuned to the smells of potential mates, and our natural body odours carry powerful messages of attraction. So don’t be afraid of your natural scent. All the same, don’t throw out the deodorant and run off to the gym to intensify it either: weak odours are more attractive than strong ones, and many odour molecules only have a very brief lifespan before they oxidise and become decidedly unattractive.

Although women are many times more sensitive, both sexes are attuned to the aromas of love. Recent research also remarkably indicates men and women confronted by well-formed, symmetrical people will react more favourably to their scent. However, we can also learn a lot about a potential partner’s immune system from their odour. Our smell can subconsciously tell us a lot about an important immune system control area on our genome called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).

Opposites attract in this case; studies show people prefer the smell of a potential mate whose MHC is different from their own. This makes good evolutionary sense says Bill von Hippel, an evolutionary psychologist at Queensland University. This is because children born to couples who have dissimilar immune systems have genetically diverse MHC regions, and are therefore more resistant to a greater number of diseases.

This also means that there is no single ‘irresistible’ male scent, because a major part of what a woman finds attractive in a man’s body odour depends on what kind of genes she herself has.

2) maximise your fitness
both women and men are genetically hardwired to look for physically attractive partners. Why? Physical cues are an instant and relatively accurate method of assessing the quality of a potential partner’s genes, health and reproductive status. Some aspects of attraction are universal, so if you’ve got the goods, flaunt them, and if you don’t, work on disguising the fact.

It’s a well-known phenomenon that, for humans, symmetry equals beauty, especially when it comes to faces. So gents, keep those sideburns trimmed with a setsquare and spirit level if necessary.

Women also prefer men with broad shoulders tapering to slim hips, says
David Buss, evolutionary psychologist and author of The Evolution of Desire. Evidently the triangular physique is a strong indicator of strength and athleticism – key attributes for feeding and protecting a family in the hunter-gatherer societies in which we evolved.

Men are on the prowl for good reproductive potential. This means that for the ladies, the appearance of youth and a clear complexion are good indicators of fertility, and so are healthy curves. A modest waist-to-hip ratio – specifically, a waist about 70 per cent the width of a woman’s hips – is a predictor of youth and good health.

3) tune in to natural rhythms
In agreement with conventional wisdom, researchers have found that men are pretty much attracted to the same things all the time. However, the lads need to understand that what turns a woman on can vary significantly; depending at what stage she is in her menstrual cycle.

When viewed through the lens of evolution, this makes perfect sense, says Rob Brooks, an expert in the evolution of sexual reproduction from the University of New South Wales. Women ovulate only once a month, so their bodies are tuned to be most receptive to the signs of potential mates – sexy faces, shapely bodies and alluring odours – at the time when they’re most likely to fall pregnant.

At this time, women tend to take more care with their appearance, become more attracted to stereotypically masculine features (large features, square jaws etc) and prefer dissimilar male MHC scents.

Fellas, it’s worth noting that a woman’s desire to cheat on her partner can also increase while she’s ovulating. In the evolutionary sense, a woman wants to find the best possible genes for her offspring, says Brooks. However, when there’s no chance of conception, a woman has nothing to gain by ’shopping for good genes’; especially if in doing so she risks the loss of a caring – if not so sexy – partner.

This only applies to women who aren’t currently on the contraceptive pill, which disrupts these natural cycles. Also, a tip for women: be careful, as the pill reverses your preference for MHC odours, making you attracted to immune systems similar to yours.

4) Socially lubricate
Science backs up the common perception that alcohol does tend to make things happen that otherwise might not. And this applies for both sexes. ‘Alcohol disrupts frontal lobe functioning, which is the seat of inhibitions. So we don’t have anything putting the brakes on our limbic system, which is the older brain wired for fun and mayhem,’ says von Hippel.

But be wary of flirting when drunk, as your judgement could be slightly off kilter. ‘You wouldn’t necessarily choose to do the same things when firing on all cylinders,’ cautions von Hippel.

Brooks agrees: ‘The ‘beer goggles’ effect, in which people in a pub or bar seem to get more attractive as time wears on, is well documented.’

Due to their close proximity to data-hungry professors, university students are possibly the most intensely studied humans in terms of mating habits. Studies on this particular group have found definitively that alcohol increases the chances of engaging in casual sex, and of having sex outside a long-term relationship. So although becoming inebriated is a scientifically proven method of improving your chances of coupling, it comes with its own considerable pitfalls.

5) Bring on the laughs
Cracking a carefully timed and well-mannered joke is a great way to show off your intelligence and social skills. Both sexes are attracted to humour in potential partners, but in opposite ways. Research shows that women tend to appreciate men with a high-quality sense of humour, while men are more concerned with finding a partner who laughs at their jokes.

One theory advances the idea that humour gives clues to the quality of an individual’s genes by hinting at the number of genetic mutations a person is carrying. The theory proposes that people with fewer mutations have better genes and produce higher-quality humour.

Rob Brooks has a different perspective, especially in regard to long-term relationships. ‘Sex and mating can be a dangerous game. If you make the wrong choice you could wake up with a terrible bore at best or a psychopath at worst. Humour is a gentle form of reassurance, especially when it is not cruel or unkind.’

And according to Buss’s findings, ‘Humour provides a wealth of information about a man – it signals that he is intelligent, good at perspective-taking, and has the social skills and verve to pull it off’.

Whatever the reason, studies clearly show that women prefer a humorous potential mate when faced with two men of equal physical attractiveness.

6) Get some escorts
are you a guy with some good female friends? Bring them along when you’re trying to woo a girl. Research indicates women tend to be attracted to men who other women find attractive. It’s the same principle at work that sees men ignored by females when they’re single, but swamped with attention from the opposite sex as soon as they have a girlfriend. ‘Basically, it signals that a man has been ‘pre-screened’ by…other women,’ explains Buss.

Again, there are sound evolutionary reasons for this copycat behaviour. Men might just be hardwired for signs of fertility, says von Hippel, but because women are looking not only for a guy with good genes, but also one who can provide for a family, ‘women have to be attracted to internal qualities when choosing a long-term mate.’

Finding out about a guy’s inner qualities, though, can take a great deal of time and effort. Taking her cues from what other women find attractive can ease her task considerably.

Take note – the copycat gene is especially effective when the ‘pre-screeners’ are attractive themselves; it says, ‘Well, she’s hot, and she’s with him, so he must have something going for him.’

7) Pack that bling
Science makes the case that, as suggested by popular music videos, driving a flash car or having a big house really can pull in the chicks, thanks to eons of natural selection.

In our distant Stone Age past, experts believe children were more likely to survive with a father around – especially one who could defend their family from attack and bring home plenty of meat to fatten his brood. A physically fit, socially dominant man was often more successful at this – and so women who partnered with these individuals succeeded in having more offspring than those women who chose lower-status mates. Those babies then inherited their mother’s preferences, and ingrained ideas of what makes the perfect man have survived through to today.

The difference is that now, being a good provider doesn’t mean turning up to a date with a freshly killed deer slung over your shoulder. It means having status, and the money and symbols that accompany it. This is also one reason why women sometimes prefer older men: they often have higher status.

So how should you take advantage of this quirk of evolution? If you have money – or are just a born ‘alpha’ – strut your stuff. And if not? Well, there’s no harm in bringing along a couple of mates to build you up and laugh at your jokes when you’re picking up.

8 ) Talk with your body
Guys, you can say a lot to a girl from across the room without even talking to – or looking at – her. Research indicates women look for traits in men that indicate that they can provide well for them. This includes high social status, intelligence and conspicuous wealth. And there are a number of ways of demonstrating these attributes without saying a word.

For example, dominant men do more touching than submissive ones. This doesn’t mean they necessarily dole out warm embraces to their mates, but it is manifested in lots of playful punches or shoves. So head to the pub with friends you can sock – especially if you can convince them not to slug you back.

Physical presence is also significant. Dominant men tend to take up more space than others. To communicate your status, try putting your feet up on a chair, stretching out your arms, or conferring with your buds to give you a bit of room.

Finally, be open and welcoming. Closed body positions, such as crossing your arms or legs, are an indicator of low social status.

9) Get dolled up
It might seem superficial, but it’s effective. Being well groomed and looking presentable can radically alter how people respond to you, especially if you’re a woman.

Studies that examine the effects of cosmetics use on social perceptions of women routinely find that observers of both sexes find the same woman looks healthier and more confident when seen wearing make-up than without. Eye make-up and foundation seem to be the most effective in improving observers’ attractiveness ratings. The scientific reasons for the effectiveness of cosmetics are unconfirmed, but the likelihood is that they allow women to even out skin tone; cover up blemishes and sculpt more symmetrical faces.

Another possibility – though untested – is that cosmetics serve as ’signal amplifiers’, says Brooks. That means the cosmetics mimic the physiological changes, such as blushing and widened pupils, that occur when a woman sees an attractive man. In making the guy feel attractive, a woman also increases her own attractiveness in his perception.

As far as general appearance, dressing to seduce is easy, but ‘men are also attracted to women as long-term partners if they appear chaste,’ says von Hippel. This is because chaste women are less likely to go ’sneaking off with other men.

7 Steps to Turn Your Life Around:

1. Let yourself be you. So many of us walk around pretending to be someone we’re not in order to fit in or please others. That’s an extraordinaraily stressful way to live.
2. Learn to love yourself. Take good care of yourself as a primary priority. Others must come second or eventually you will be useless to them.
3. Learn to listen to you body. Pay attention to changes in your body that through illness or symptoms might be asking you to make changes in your life and schedule.
4. Don’t get sucked into drama and negativity in relationships. Focus on doing what you need to do and don’t try to change others.
5. Get a life! Giver yourself permission to play more, no matter what anyone else thinks.
6. Make room for the divine. Find a way to get quiet on your own on a regular basis in order to unplug from the craziness of everyday life.
7. Make “someday” today. Do something today, however small to keep a promise to yourself or fulfill a dream.

If this power revolves around giving blow jobs for handshakes, then you can keep it.

This is not anything like the women’s movement of decades past. Those ideals have been bought over by sex, sex and more sex. Why would a girl want to aspire to be anything of substance when  success is based on how hot she looks and how good she in bed?

Women have done this to themselves and are actually giving men more power as they yelp like little puppies at the charade of Barbie doll wannabes that package themselves so to get their way in the world.

Television shows like Jersey Shore, for example are the epitome of this collapse. These people make it their goal to: party, abuse alcohol, endorse materialism, go to jail, engage in fighting and take no responsibility for any of it as a daily way of life. Clearly, these people are lost. As an adult, I can watch a show like that and take it at face value, roll my eyes and change the channel. As a teenage girl watching this, the aforementioned components indicate that this is what a girl should be doing to be accepted, liked and successful.

What’s worse is how women treat one another. I wouldn’t tolerate my friends greeting me with a “hey slut!” and like it. These derogatory ways of communication further indicate the level of how women view themselves and encourage men to treat them exactly that way. Therefore, ladies, do not be surprised if men treat you like crap.

You don’t need to accomplish much of anything to be someone nowadays. You don’t need to think or have any opinions for that matter either. You don’t need to have any substance whatsoever. Just concede the necessary armour: fake tan, fake nails, fake tits, fake hair, a mask of makeup and you’re ready to seize the day. Take down any slut that stands in your way and open your legs wide to accommodate the people that matter so that you can move on up in the world. Let’s be the role models for the young women of tomorrow.

Nothing like some in your-face confidence to get things done. Wrong. This is not confidence. Not even close. Real confidence comes from a quiet place within. It comes when you know yourself for both your strengths as well as your weaknesses. This is when have attained an equilibrium of thyself, having total control over your choices and not someone else. This is where the only acceptance that matters in the world is your own.

Tip# 1: Keep It All Business at the Office

What’s integral to your job and what’s not? You certainly want cordial relationships with all your colleagues. However, being cordial means inquiring of a colleague how their sick mom is doing, for example.  Keep conversations that aren’t strictly related to business short and sweet. A person rarely talks to you for any length of time unless you hold up your end of the conversation.

Tip# 2: Avoid Meetings with Members of the Opposite Sex Outside of the Workplace

If you have to work together through lunch or dinner, order food into the office rather than go out. Restaurants are far more intimate than your office, and you are much more likely to discuss issues outside of business when you’re on the outside. When you do finish a project, avoid the celebratory coffee, drinks, or dinner. If you do have to meet outside the office, make the meeting in a public place that isn’t conducive to intimacy. Avoid long car rides, as the close physical proximity and inability to leave one another begs for idle chatter and potential intimacy.
Tip #3: Meet in Groups

When meeting with members of the opposite sex, try to avoid meeting alone. The addition of even one extra person greatly minimizes any potential for intimacy. Even if it means asking a co-worker to tag along for no other reason but to make sure the meeting stays focused on business, it’s worthwhile. Group meetings also send the message to others that we’re here for a particular goal and then we’re through.

Tip # 4: Find Polite Ways of Ending Personal Conversations

Learn to bow out gracefully from conversations that you feel are too intimate for comfort. If you feel someone is sharing personal information that is likely to draw you into a more intimate relationship, end the conversation politely. Refer the person to others who could be more of help and made sure you won’t become the shoulder to lean on.

Tip #5: Avoid Consistency in the Relationship

To tell a colleague about the great time you had on your vacation or to listen to them go on about theirs for a while is fine, as long as it ends there and as long as such conversations unrelated to business are inconsistent. What you want to avoid are regular, ongoing personal conversations in which you’re developing themes, favourite topics, or a continuing dialogue. Relationships need time and consistency to build.

Tip #6: Don’t Share Your Personal Feelings

When you do find yourself engaged in conversation with a member of the opposite sex, share little of your personal experience or feelings. This curtails the other person’s ability to relate to you. This doesn’t mean you can’t be polite or helpful just keep the details to a minimum.
Tip #7: Be Unflinchingly Honest with Yourself

Sometimes people convince themselves that it can even help their marriage to express some sexual energy through “innocent” flirtatious conversations: “Hey, I’m not going to do anything, so where’s the harm?” However, ask yourself how uncomfortable you’d be if your partner found a similar method of “improving” your marriage. Be aware of whether you are ever feeling the slightest twinge of intimacy or attraction, whether sexually or emotionally. Consider honestly why you’re looking forward to the next time you meet up again with that person. Be truthful if you have a little bounce in your step as you walk away from a conversation with him or her, or you suddenly have a little more energy after it. Think your flirtation is so innocent? Test yourself: Would you tell your partner

Tip #8: Avoid Touching Members of the Opposite Sex

This may sound extreme, but with even one kiss comes a certain intimacy. Most often, a simple handshake will do. In the psychoanalytic community, there are clear guidelines that prohibit physical contact. This is not only because of the fear that a sympathetic hug might lead somewhere sexually but because a simple hug immediately changes the relationship and can confuse the perception of both parties.

Tip # 9: Don’t Drink Around the Opposite Sex

When we drink alcohol, we lose our inhibitions and clarity. I’m not talking just about the kind of dead drunk that’ll get you into bed when you don’t want to, or aren’t thinking. Even a single glass of wine or shot of scotch is enough to relax you and lead to a more personal conversation that may be damaging to your relationship at a later time.

Tip # 10: Show Your Commitment to Your Spouse Daily

Do something thoughtful for your spouse every single day. This could be a lovely note, a phone call, or a more elaborate effort to plan a getaway. Doing something for your spouse reminds you throughout the day how special this person is to you. Focus on the kind things your spouse has done for you, and remember that relationships take effort and time to grow.

What is happiness? We will ask ourselves this question at least once during our lives. Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer since happiness really is a state of mind and not at all a tangible thing. We may surround ourselves with tangible things to attain it but usually find ourselves disappointed when these “things” really do not contribute much at all. What makes one person happy can be the polar opposite of what makes another happy. Even for ourselves, what made us happy a few years back may not suffice anymore either. Our standard of happiness evolves, as much as we do.

If happiness is a state of mind, do we trick ourselves to feel it? Do we really even know what IT is? We have all had moments where we were completely enraptured by the experience we were having. This state of elation assured us that all was well with the world. We felt more connected to the people around us. We felt “alive”. These pure fragments of time disperse as quickly as they come and before we know it, we are back among the walking dead, going about our day and doing what makes others happy instead of ourselves.

This is where two worlds collide. On one hand, you have the world you wish to create for yourself. You have dreams, ambitions, no insecurities, and no restrictions. You have freedom to be yourself. On the other hand, you have “reality”. This is the world you spend most of your waking life in. Here, you please others before yourself, you lie, you follow rules, you put aside your dreams, and you even sabotage your full potential.

Over time, many of us just let go of our ideal, little world, abandoning it to survive in the real world. Some of us chose not to but we keep it to ourselves. We cannot bear to part with the essence of who we really are. We feel lonely, we feel isolated and we cannot understand why we have to separate the two. Over time we accept the fact, that this simply must be so. We even get used to the idea. We play our part and do what we must to at least appear to be like everyone else. We know what truly matters to us but we keep it a secret. And so our minds run parallel in our separate worlds and we lose touch with one another, we hide. We do this for so long but what if our world crosses into someone else’s?

In our contact with others we are always observing, we are always searching but we never really let our fortress down and we are never quite prepared for guests. When they do show up, we stand guard to protect this precious little world. Once in awhile you will have a visitor, who isn’t quite welcome at first but  they spark something in us with each day, that they manage to break down a wall and before you know it, you have actually put out a “welcome” mat for them. They understand your world, they appreciate it, and they revel at it. Soon they don’t feel much like a guest anymore, rather a neighbour. They feel like “home”.

We wish we could stay in this world forever. We never want to leave. But we always hear the others calling out our names in the distance and we know we must go back. We put on our armour and go to face that other world. We wish we would return “home” when the day is gone but the other home is where we must go.

Existing on two different planes of thought, we find great internal conflict. When we share our innermost thoughts with others, we feel vulnerable and exposed. But when we find someone who understands us for who we really are, we feel safe and at peace. This where happiness lies. Can we ever combine one world with another? Some people can while others can spend a lifetime trying to. One world guarantees survival and security. The other, adventure and possibility. Which one do you choose?

Research by Paola Buonadonna and Vibeke Venema, compiled by Megan Lane.

More women in the developed world are choosing not to have children. So why do friends, family, colleagues and even strangers think it’s OK to question their decision? We’ve come a long way, baby. Until a few decades ago, it was widely assumed that a woman would marry and, soon after, the stork would arrive with a special delivery.

Today, there are many more choices – or more openness. To have a baby out of wedlock. To have a baby without a father. To have a baby and return to work. To have a baby and give up work. To have fertility treatment, and then a baby (or not). But what about not becoming a mother at all? Studies in the UK, Europe and the United States show this is now the choice of significant numbers of women.

Once this was considered insane or unnatural. Even today, it is viewed with suspicion – women with no desire to procreate say they sometimes face awkward questions and disapproval with such statements like “’You’re a woman, you were born with a womb, God gave you a womb so we could procreate’”.

Sociologist Dr Catherine Hakim, of the London School of Economics, has studied voluntary childlessness in the UK and Europe for many years. She says this is a new social phenomenon, with women now open and positive about such a lifestyle choice. “An early study in Canada years ago found roughly half of all the women who were childless in their 40s actually chose to be that way from a very early age. But very many of them didn’t say so because of the social pressure they would get if they mentioned a preference for staying childless.”

“The contraceptive revolution has completely changed perspectives. Whereas before having children just inevitably happened to all people who got married or had sex, now it’s something you have to make a choice about.” And the disapproval some experience? “It’s a question of generations and age. There was a stigma in the past.” But suspicion of childless women hasn’t entirely disappeared.

People speculate and say, ‘you don’t know what you’re missing; you won’t know until you’ve had a child that that’s what you wanted to do’. That’s a hypothetical question – if you’ve got no motivation to have a child in the first place, why would you do it? I wouldn’t chose to become a nurse on the chance I might love the career once I get there.”

Many people assume if you a single and child-free that you haven’t met the right man yet. But if you are in a relationship, they ask ‘when are you taking the next step?’ A woman’s fertility status is still very much considered public property. There are still assumptions about women’s role in society, about families and about family size.

Masala! Mehndi! Masti!

Starts: July 23, 2010 06:00 PM
Ends: July 25, 2010 07:00 PM

Cost: Free

This year M!M!M! announces an exciting line-up including: Actor Boman Irani, who most recently won the film fare and star screen awards for his role in the super-hit Bollywood movie 3 Idiots; Diva Suzanne D’Mello, who has also collaborated with virtuoso composer AR Rahman; Indian classical musicians Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, Salman Ahmed of South Asia’s biggest sufi-rock band, Junoon;the premiere of M!M!M!’s first Senior Desi Idol and many more producing M!M!M!’s biggest year yet!

http://www.masalamehndimasti.com/2010/

Scotiabank Caribana Festival – Feel De Vibe

Starts: July 15, 2010 07:00 AM
Ends: August 15, 2010 03:00 AM

Cost: Free

The 43rd Annual 2010 Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an exciting cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 43nd year, Caribana has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America.
THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS EACH MONTH.
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT CARIBANA FESTIVAL at www.caribanafestival.com

http://www.caribanafestival.com/pagedisplay.aspx?i=232

Beaches International Jazz Festival

Starts: July 16, 2010 06:00 PM
Ends: July 25, 2010 06:00 PM

Cost: Free

Toronto’s highly anticipated summer event, the Beaches International Jazz Festival, celebrates its 22nd year with a 10-day musical bash from July 16-25, 2010. Building on the tremendous success of the past couple of years, Beaches Jazz will once again kick off the Festival with the Woodbine Park Concerts. The concerts will be filled with the musical talents of both established and emerging artists performing on the TD Canada Trust Music Main Stage, the New Generation Stage and the Youth Stage.

http://www.beachesjazz.com/

Summerlicious

Starts: July 9, 2010
Ends: July 25, 2010

Now in its eighth year, Summerlicious celebrates Toronto’s restaurant industry and is the perfect opportunity for foodies to sample the best of the city’s eclectic cuisine.

Take advantage of the incredible value and exclusive prix fixe menus offered at 150 of Toronto’s top dining establishments!

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/summerlicious/2010/index.htm
Second Annual Shinsedai Cinema Festival – New Generation Japanese Film Festival

Starts: July 22, 2010
Ends: July 25, 2010

Cost: $10 – $19

The JCCC and Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow present the 2nd Annual Shinsedai Cinema Festival, a four-day celebration of Japanese Indie Films that offer a glimpse into Japanese life, culture and commentary.

New this year is the screening room series where specific films offering a more in-depth look into Japanese life and culture run continuously throughout the Festival in a separate, smaller, more intimate screening room that will be free for attendees

http://shinsedai-fest.com/tag/shinsedai-2010/

Acupuncture Physical Medicine with Noel Wright aligning posture, health and well being
Starts: July 24, 2010 10:00 AM
Ends: July 25, 2010 05:00 PM

Acupuncture Physical Medicine (APM) is a unique style of acupuncture that blends Classical TCM Acupuncture theory and treatment, musculoskeletal approaches and Japanese protocols for treating acute and chronic healthcare disorders. Students will learn basic Japanese Hara (abdominal) Diagnosis based on the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, as well as palpation anatomy to help identify muscular holding patterns.

http://www.instituteoftraditionalmedicine.com/

BrazilFest Toronto

Starts: July 25, 2010 11:00 AM
Ends: July 25, 2010 10:00 PM

Cost: Free

7th Annual BRAZILFEST TORONTO 2010 | Canada

Canada’s Largest Brazilian Cultural Event – Earlscourt Park Toronto.

The rhythms of Brazil will be expressed and celebrated with A huge variety of styles of music and dance from all parts of the country, with something to offer for all tastes, rhythms and melodies that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Brazil.

http://www.brazilfest.ca/

Youth Day 2010

Starts: July 25, 2010 11:30 AM
Ends: July 25, 2010 10:00 PM

Cost: Free

Come out to celebrate over 400 artists showcasing their music, dance, art and photography. This 4th annual non-stop FREE family festival starts at 11:30am and runs past 9pm. We’re also setting a world record to the TWIST on its 50th with BOBBY CURTOLA at 8pm so bring your dancing shoes! Special guests include CTV host KEN SHAW, Juno Nominee KIM DAVIS, award winning DIRECTOR LIL X, MTV host NICOLE HOLNESS, and more surprises! Till then and join our FB/Twitter.

http://www.youthdaytoronto.com/

Music Mondays Summer Concert Series – Week 9
Presented by
Music Mondays

Starts: July 26, 2010 12:15 PM
Ends: July 26, 2010 01:00 PM

Cost: Free

Music Mondays in its 19th season would like to welcome John Gardham on organ and Becca Whitla to our stage. We are conveniently located on the WEST side of the Eaton’s Centre in The Church of the Holy Trinity in Trinity Square. The concert is from 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm and is a great way to spend a lunch break or introduce the kids to live music. The concert is FREE but donations of $5 or more to support our artists are greatly appreciated. Please visit our website for details.

http://www.musicmondays.ca/

Stress Management

Starts: July 26, 2010 09:30 AM
Ends: July 26, 2010 11:30 AM

Cost: Free

Are you under stress? Would you like to know how to cope with it and stay healthy?

Come and join our workshop designed to provide you with tips and advice in times of stress.

http://www.careerfoundation.com/

Art Battle 7

Starts: July 27, 2010 07:30 PM
Ends: July 27, 2010 11:30 PM

Cost: $1 – $9

Live, competitive painting right before your eyes…

3 rounds of competition: 2 rounds with painters drawn from the crowd and 1 round with featured headliners. Join us for great music, a lively auction, audience voting and your chance to be called to the canvas…or walk home with a masterpiece!

5$ painters / 10$ patrons

http://www.artbattleto.com/

Flaunt on de Water Boat Cruise
Starts: July 27, 2010 06:00 PM
Ends: July 27, 2010 10:00 PM

Cost: $40 – $49

Socasize is a Caribbean dance-inspired fitness class that gets participants into shape by moving and grooving to Calypso and Soca tunes from a live DJ.

Recently featured in the Toronto Star for its successful boot camp, the Flaunt On De Water boat cruise is an event for everyone to flaunt their Caribana-ready bodies and to simply dance the night away to some hot beats by Flow 93.5 FM’s premier Soca DJ, Dr. Jay and Kardinal Official’s own DJ premier Soca DJ, Dr. Jay and Kardinal Official’s own DJ. It is a celebration of fitness and of Caribana!

Docking is at 6pm.

Tickets: $40

Human Rights Documentary Film Festival

Starts: July 23, 2010
Ends: July 25, 2010

Cost: Free

The 2nd Annual Human Rights Documentary Film Festival showcases Canadian films that highlight human rights issues and promote dialogue. Co-presented with the University of Toronto chapter of Journalists for Human Rights.

http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/mediatheque/?lg=eng

What one owns, does, where one travels, who one dates, loves and hates, are just a few points of interest that are commonly shared. These thoughts, opinions and expressions coat a computer screen like graffiti, an endless abyss of virtual bliss, or so it would appear. Based on a system of competition, the subconscious driving force behind these websites is the entitlement of bragging rights. One’s existence is fuelled by all that they do and acquire. In a dangerous spell of curiosity, the pull to monitor thy neighbour is irresistible. No longer does one even have to be labelled as a “brown nose” since anything and everything can be watched from the privacy of the home. Privacy? Hardly.

Humans have become their own greatest threat, a virus invading personal freedom and security to feel greater or at par with the rest of the world. Depicting their innocent children, flaunting their assets, and maintaining their status, all for what and for whom, is this elaborate, egotistical façade really for?

Modesty has vanished. Everyone wants to be some one but the result of this is losing some one, and that some “one”, is you.  A person, who is truly happy, knows it from the inside, out and does not need to parade their accomplishments in search of praise and admiration. Happiness is the modesty of the mind; that is why it cannot be either imitated or acquired.

Why Privacy Matters – Further Reading:

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/07/21/bc-facebook-twitter-online-thieves.html

In contrast, there are people out there that feel they are with someone who “completes” them in every possible way. I would beg to differ because I do not believe in the concept of a “soul mate”. Out of all of the billion people on this planet, it is difficult to believe that there is just one person that could make you happy out there. Sure, there will be significant others that truly fulfill a vast array of needs in the spectrum but no ONE person can meet your every need. In the early stages of a relationship, the process of discovery is so exciting and stimulating, that we tend to only see our partner in a positive light or through “rose coloured” glasses. Over time, we come to see that “other” side where suddenly, what we once thought was cute perhaps now as annoying. This is where a relationship becomes work. Compromise must into play. While others decide to call it quits and look for love again.

So how do we know when we have found the one we want to “settle down” with? I have asked my married friends this question and while the answers may vary, and only slightly, there is one prevalent consensus: this person is their best friend. They reflect in each other both their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I am going to make a bold statement here and say that your significant other should not be your best friend. To me, this spells disaster in the long run. I know some couples who make their relationship priority one, twenty four hours a day, seven days week. While this type of loyalty is respectable, I don’t think it is the way to sustain a healthy relationship!

While a boyfriend/girlfriend or even husband/wife is one of the closest people we share our innermost thoughts, feelings and experiences with, if we slap them with the additional label of “best friend”, we may find ourselves disappointed and frustrated. We want to believe that our significant other is “our everything” and our “soul mate” but one person cannot ever meet your every need.

I think that in any relationship it is important to keep a buffer zone or some breathing space, so to speak. Sharing life with someone is a guaranteed support system but realize that they are human too. They have bad days, they can’t always read your mind, they don’t always see your side of things (at least not right away), and they will annoy you at times and vice versa. No relationship is perfect. It’s good to maintain some autonomy and find other ways of dealing with your problems rather than just dumping them onto your partner. Stay in touch with your friends. Don’t give up your own personal interests or things that you enjoyed doing before “Mr or Ms. Right” came into your life.

Essentially, a relationship should not be seen as be all solution to life’s happiness, or a crutch. If you cannot be happy with yourself alone, you will rarely be happy with someone else or even know how to keep them happy. A relationship is an experience to grow in life with someone else but don’t make it your sole purpose to find a soul mate.