Imagine having the opportunity to play a set in this unworldly venue. Imagine being able to experience the music and energy inside Théâtre Antique d'Orange! Adding this to my bucket list.
Here are some things I've listened / watched / learned this week:
Revisited Elaine Petrone | The Miracle Ball Method (game changer)
Dr. Rhonda Patrick | Hyperthermic Conditioning for Hypertrophy, Endurance, and Neurogenesis (further reading on this here)
Art of Charm Podcast | The 5 Signals of Body Language (Episode 707)
Reply All Podcast | #104 The Case of the Phantom Caller
How I Built This With Guy Raz | Lululemon Athletica: Chip Wilson
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Think of your body as a process - as a verb, not a noun. Learn how to move in the direction of good health, resurrect your soul, influence markers of aging at the cellular level and change your perception of your physical body.
Through the lens of graphic design, Design Canada follows the transformation of a nation from a colonial outpost to a vibrant and multicultural society.
Cast (Designers): Burton Kramer, Rolf Harder, Fritz Gottschalk, Hans Kleefeld, Stuart Ash, Heather Cooper, and more
With Commentary by: Massimo Vignelli, Douglas Coupland, George Stroumboulopoulos, Hannah Sung, and more
www.designcanada.com
I made a thing.
—
A note to self: Love yourself louder than your demons.
—
Inspired by the fundamental truth that only you can save yourself; so love yourself first but also analyze and be critical of how you think, act, and behave. Self love without self awareness is pointless. Be accountable. Happiness comes from within. Be selfish so you can be selfless. This poster's a celebration of self. Cheers.
//
P.s. Hand modelling is tougher than it seems. Let's take a moment to appreciate this woman's job.
This is so so so so so good. I hope to catch them live someday. Rhye is magical.
Camping @ T'sek Hot Springs, British Columbia. April 21, 2018.
Design: Kae Tran. Illustration source: DeviantArt.
My cousin asked me to design birthday party invitations for her soon-to-be 6 year old son - Zelda themed! Nothing makes me happier than getting to channel my creativity energy towards my loved ones. Happy birthday lil Sugar Rai, Auntie loves you.
Photography by Charles Vary. November 2017. Styled by yours truly.
Today is #rarediseaseday which leads me to say with excitement, I am fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy Canada! Educate yourself, spread awareness, donate, join, sponsor, and or volunteer; this will help many people like myself and others experiencing helluva lot more decline in health and quality of life than I do. To do any of the above, visit https://muscle.akaraisin.com/walk2018/KLT. The impact you can make will heavily reap results and I promise the profound feeling you get from helping others beyond yourself is pure bliss. Thank you. Much love & gratitude.
xx
Kai-Ling
P.s. if I were to start a #podcast, would anyone be interested in tuning in? I would talk candidly about everything from mindfulness to self healing to adversity in daily life to mobility aid users in youth and much more. Let’s start a discussion! Cheers.
One of my favourite live sets. Hearing it makes me feel like I'm somewhere tropical. So groovy. So sexy.
Inside Palm Sunday, Toronto. January 17, 2018.
Everyone needs to check out COLORS. It's one of my favourite YouTube channel regarding musical performances. The simplicity and execution of each video is stunning. It beautifully highlights the artist and the talent they bring onstage and it's one of those things that get me so excited with joy + filled with envy simultaneously. I wish I had developed the series because it's so damn brilliant. Enjoy.
Alright Xinobi, you got me. I feel hypnotized. This really speaks to me.
It is about what you feel, what you do
How you choose to present yourself when the situation requires you
It is about what you're looking for, what you search for
It is not about fulfilment but is about what is missing
How do you improve, how do you progress
Are you searching?
It is about the mind
How it grows progressively, what do you feed it, how do you cultivate the mind
It is about the galaxies and the stars but not so much about the moon as much as it is about you It is about choices much is it about decisions but it is about having the bravery and the strength to make those things come to if you're wishing
What is it you're searching for?
It is about a pause, a break, a interruption in the transmission, a stop in the space-time continuum, a choice that you will always make, a moment in being when you realize that you are what you are searching for
So I will ask, what is it you are searching for?
It is about infinite tomorrows but is also about yesterdays and how the past repeats itself so how will you choose to repeat yourself in their lives
It is about now It is about then
What is it you are searching for?
What is it you are searching for?
Is it the now? Is it the no? Is it the yes? Is it that subsequent "I love you" that you need?
What is it you are searching for?
What is it you are searching for?
Wow. I managed to score last minute tickets to see Arcade Fire in Toronto and I have never felt my cells dance more than tonight. I was caught by surprise as I anticipated a more mellow performance - gladly I was wrong.
These guys are truly magical. Every moment felt whole. Thoughtful layers slowly revealed itself for us to consume and appreciate. Lights and sounds danced beautifully together and suddenly I found myself having better thoughts about the venue space. I was happy to be in caught in a large atmosphere. I felt little but in the best way. The band did an amazing job with interacting with the audience and kept us engaged throughout. I could see they really love what they do. They walked through the crowd, sang on the seats and danced with their fans.
Arcade Fire @ ACC, Toronto. November 4, 2017.
I marvelled at how well they were able to produce different results from the same stage set up. Each song performance felt unique and special. It really felt like we were just at one grand ol' party and everyone was invited. The band radiated intensely, and like a strong industrial magnet, I got pulled in and remained stuck. I left feeling extremely impressed, happily inspired and concluded that this is what life is about. Such a fun night, wish you were there!
KL
Aside from napping, my idea of procrastination is by furthering my knowledge of things (i.e. neuroscience, psychology, diet/nutrition, spirituality) through YouTube / podcasts / books. It had dawned on me that the best / worst problem I have is being an avid hoarder of all things (in the literal and psychological sense). However, I get a lot of joy by sharing what I know with others! So here are some things that have kept me entertained this week:
Reply All Podcast: Long Distance
Cracked Podcast: 3 Scientific Reasons People Think They See Ghosts
Why Oh Why Radio: Stop Dating Older Guys
The Rich Roll Podcast: Guru Singh: A Master Spiritual Teacher on The Power of Cultivating Awareness
Found stencilled on Carlaw Ave, Toronto. September 12, 2017.
The brief is simple: imagine peace. Show us what peace looks like, what it could be, or what it needs to exist. Anything goes as long as your idea fits on a 24″ x 36″ poster.
My poster submission for the Bed-In for Peace contest.
I've redefined the wifi symbol, making it symbolic of an outward reach, creating stillness in a seemingly dark world. The water fading out from dark ripples to this serene brightness is representative of enlightenment. I play on this idea of the inner self and how it can affect the environment we live in. We don't react but we respond thoughtfully. When we achieve stillness within, we can then collectively create a stronger connection.
I was inspired by acknowledging that peace and freedom begins from who we are as an individual. We can't control external forces but we can choose to be a being of unconditional love. Love reverberating throughout time and space. Unity with those around us is likely possible when we are the change we want to see.
May we continue to heal ourselves so that our world may exist without harm amongst people.
- KL
Update:
Although my submission didn't make it into top 40, I'm super proud and excited that my collaboration with fellow pal, Jake made it! (See right).
GOT S07E06
Tyrion: This will be a difficult negotiation. We’re sitting down with people who want to see us both headless. My sister’s likely to say something provocative.
Daenerys: And?
Tyrion: And you, have been known to lose your temper from time to time…as all great leaders do.
Daenerys: When have I lost my temper?
Tyrion: Burning the Tarly’s for instance.
Daenerys: That was not impulsive. That was necessary.
Tyrion: Perhaps.
Daenerys: Perhaps.
Tyrion: Perhaps the father needed to die and not the son. Perhaps they both needed time to contemplate the mistakes in the solitude of a cold cell. We had no time to discuss the possibilities before you ended their possibilities.
Daenerys: One can be forgiven for thinking you’re taking your family’s side in this debate.
Tyrion: I am taking their side. You need to take your enemy’s side if you’re going to see things the way they do and you need to see things the way they do if you’re going to anticipate their actions, respond effectively and beat them. Which I want you to do very much because I believe in you and the world you want to build. But the world you want to build doesn’t get built all at once. Probably not in a single lifetime.
Sure I can share plenty of other scenes from the awesome Game of Thrones show but Tyrion said something that resonated with me. A universal statement which holds much more gravity beyond storytelling - a very real truth. Not just for strategizing but for the act of simply putting yourself in somebody else's shoes. If we did more of that, maybe we'd all have more compassion and better communication / understanding amongst each other. That's if you're not doing it for the intent of manipulating your way to ruling all 7 kingdoms. Happy watching!
A reflection of a giant mural by Petra Collins for Contact Photography Festival. Spadina Ave. & Adelaide St. W. Toronto. June 2017.
In recent years, I've developed a newfound respect and appreciation for the craft of writing rap lyrics. Only when I was dragged into writing some myself with a friend, did I realize that it's a really fun but challenging practice. I now believe people should casually spit some rhymes in their everyday life. This is a great exercise for the brain! Luckily, there's this great game on Kickstarter called Vers that can guide anyone into the rap world seamlessly.
This leads me to write about Brian Imanuel a.k.a. Rich Chigga. He's only 17 and his excitable energy is refreshing to consume. The passion and drive within him is a reminder that anything successful begins with having fun. No pressure, no expectations, no self-criticism.
In the video (right), he talks about paying homage to trap music and the act of mimicking violent rap lyrics simply because he enjoys it. He has fun with it and magic happens! It's truly inspiring to watch/learn about his process. Enjoy!
Original music video: