Vision Quest

Bring me the sunset in a cup

the Eagle said to the boy.

You sit here upon this precipice

So close to my nest

Sent here by elders, you vision quest.

On the third day 

Your belly aches

No water, no food.

Filled only by the cool night air

I soar above you.

Greak darkness blankets your bare flesh.

And than the dream 

cleansed with cedar smudge

Shy you enter the spirit lodge. 

Bear and Silver Wolf  unravel from the

smoke.

Racing skyward

And braid around my wings.

Flowing white hair from grandfather’s head

Fall toward the flame.

The sunset you can have

 the wise one says

In return, one white feather to place upon

the boy’s head

Our people are hungry and through your

 eyes

we must hunt.

Carry the vision seeker with talon feet

Snatch jeweled fish below.

When the sun rises on the fourth day

Our people will gather,

Give thanks to you

Perched on the rim on the setting sun.

    The higher the thread count, the more luxurious the feel of the fabric. To most people that means softness. Linens with higher thread counts are usually more expensive, but the right sheets can make the difference between feeling restless and extremely relaxed when it comes to tucking in at night. We spend one-third of our life between the sheets, so it’s no wonder some of us have an emotional attachment to our linens. Many women will clean out there closet before they will part with old sheets in the linen cupboard. Sheets can last for 10 to 20 years, depending on the use and care.

    For most people, bedding is a sensuous purchase. Adding to or replacing bed linen, however,can feel like an overwhelming task in the never ending aisles of linen departments. Bed linens come in a staggering variety of fibres,weaves and colors. Selecting linens comes down to personal choice.

    Do you like your sheets a bit on the crisp side, or really soft? If you prefer a wrinkle-free look, select cotton/ poly blends of Percale. The term percale is used to indicate that sheets have a thread count of 180 or higher. Most retailers will carry a standard Percale line using 180 thread count 50 per cent cotton/ 50 per cent polyester blend. It is a nice balance of strength, and softness, and an economical way to satisfy your budget.

    If softness is your priority, 100 per cent cotton will most likely be your choice. All cotton linens are available in 200,300,400,600,800 and even 1000 thread counts.

    Egyptian cotton is the most durable because its fibers are longer, stronger and finer. Egyptian is also the softest of all cottons. At one time, Egyptian cotton lines were sold only in upscale stores,but now you can find them anywhere from Wal-Mart to Holt Renfrew. Pima Cotton, previously called American Egyptian, is also exceptionally soft and has  strong durable fibers. Both Egyptian and Pima cotton connote luxury.

     The next time the white sale flyer glares you in the face, grab hold and march into the linen department with newfound confidence.

Moving into a new home or apartment is an exciting time, and you many want to settle in and cocoon as soon as possible. This can be a challenge when every window is exposed and privacy is your number one concern. Instant privacy can be achieved with fabric temporary shades. These are made from white,non-woven polyester and fit any size window. They are easy to install,just trim to fit, peel and stick.
Have you ever visited a cathedral at the perfect time of day when the sun is shining its bright rays through magnificent stained glass windows? The beauty of this celestial art form is breathtaking. A similar effect can be achieved by using decorative window film. This thin, translucent film self adheres to smooth glass and can be illuminated by daylight or room light. The vibrant colors and elaborate stained glass designs will enhance any size window. Window covering film is easy to remove and leaves no residue. This style of window art allows you the flexibility to experience different moods and sensations for a relatively small investment.

If dressing windows with bamboo reminds you predominately of the decorating theme on Gilligan’s Island, let’s groove out of the 1960′s and into the future of decorating with exotic bamboo shades. When you explore this contemporary craft, you will find intricate weaves using natural elements such as reed, jute, grass and bamboo. Oriental shades of green tea, sesame and black pearl will add warmth and sophistication to your interior. Bamboo shades allow you to bring nature indoors, and also provide insulation against summer’s heat and winter’s cold. These interwoven lines of pattern and texture beautifully compliment wood furnishings.

Ready-made or custom draperies introduce softness to the right angles of windows and the hard lines of a room’s architecture. There are now bountiful fabric choices in ready-made drapery. Sumpuous silks, buttery suedes, and theatre velvet will continue to be popular chopices, but they will stage themselves in visually delicious colors such as eggplant,latte,merlot and papaya.

“Faux pinch pleats are a more formal addition to modern grommet and casual tab panels,”says Kerry Clifford, owner of Wanderlust in Uxbridge, Ontario. “Suppliers are now adding lining and more elegant fabrics like silk, taffeta and chenille to their product lines. Striped silk and sheer panels embroidered with organic motifs of vines and flowers will grace our windows this season.” Highly versatile ready-made panels are an easy way to brighten any room with color and style.

If you are looking for more tailored applications in drapery, try something custom made. The diversity of fabric available and choice of drapery style is equally boundless. According to Sue Bennett, owner of Bennett Design Associates, an interior design firm in Uxbridge, Ontario, “Two of my current favorite window treatments are roman blinds and simple drapery panels. Roman blinds can be sleek and contemporary or luscious and swaggy, while drapery panels are lined,but not full and are mounted on beautifully distinct rods.” Holdbacks, finials and special rods that fit almost every configuration are the finishing touches for your custom or ready made window treatments. A fabric should reflect the color palette and motifs that inspire the rest of the furnishing.

“Classic drapery fabrics haven’t changed over the years, but the way in which we utilize these materials has. We are now presenting them in fascinating combinations. We can use three or four fabrics in one application, often striping and bordering panels. Introducing draperies into interiors creates a more hushed, warm atmosphere because of the fabric’s ability to capture sound,” advises Bennett.

Custom window treatments are a considerable investment, and i would not change them seasonally. There is more flexibility with ready-made draperies. Your crystal sheer voile panels could be replaced with warm velvet for the colder months. Window treatments provide a sense of well being and visual appeal to your interiors.

It was New Years Eve.  Kya stared hopelessly into the open closest of functional long sleeve shirts and trousers.  She was to meet her best friend Jenn at a popular downtown bar. The tan smocks she wore every day in the warehouse were devoid of style and made her skin look pale. Sometimes she would where a silk blouse underneath to combat the mundane and treat her skin to the dry cool sensation.

She pulled the two silk blouses out of the closet and laid them on the bed. Kya loved fashion but could not afford to keep up with the seasonal trends. However, if the fashion police stormed her door she would not be in violation, but instead applauded for her gravitation towards black.  Her satin bra partially revealed a tattoo, the footprint looked remarkably human. She was convinced after a sweat lodge retreat, she saw her spirit animal rise from the cinders. Kya grabbed the darkest shade of smokey silk off the bed and matched it with a silk pant she had worn to every company Christmas luncheon. The heal caps had fallen off her green faux snake skin shoes leaving the white plastic exposed. She thought no one would notice and found it hard to rationalize the longevity of quality compared to her paycheck.

    Earlier that afternoon, Kya forked over thirty dollar to the sales clerk at the makeup counter. Layered in gothic glamour, the associate suggested the C-2 foundation for her complexion. “It would give the most natural  coverage.”she said.   Even though the clerk’s own canvas was a cadaverous shade, Kya had faith in her apparent expertise.

Her vibration started to shift as obscure instigating emotions scratched their way to the surface. She applied the foundation and changed her lips from matte flesh to Diva red. The tail end of her ritual ended with a woody aromatic waft filling her nostrils. Before she foraged in her purse for house keys, she slipped on her full length raccoon coat. She would never admit to her co-workers of owning such a beast because it was a regrettable decision. The purchase was purely a statement of screw you asshole after her divorce. Her salvia suddenly tasted bitter when she remembered clipping coupons and bar bills for so called business clients. The weight of her coat reminded her of the emotional darkness of a failed marriage.

She locked the door and walked toward the subway. The chill she felt on her hands and cheeks help cool the escalating inferno inside her pelts. A cheap clicking bounced off the pavement in her wake.  The north and southbound platforms were busy with people, each patiently waiting their turn to transport into evening activities.

Jen’s manicured hand waved from the crowed Yorkville bar. She had widdled her way to within an arm’s reach of the bartender with a flirty twenty dollar bill. Kya waved back and shouted over the mapping of conversations “Vodka and O.J.”  Rehearsed innuendoes were now taking stage.

“God, this place is jammed.” said Kya

“I guess every where will be this busy.” replied Jen

“I don’t know about you, but I’m up for just about anything tonight.” said Kya

Jen laughed nervously. She noticed Kya’s intense eye make-up. Trendy or slutty: either way it was un-becoming. They made small talk with a couple beside them.  Kya wondered if the beautiful brunette Christine, and her hunky brother, Cole, were each others’ consolation prize. The chitchat progressed to planning the remainder of the evening.

“A friend of mine is having a party in the Beaches, if you want to join us?” Christine asked.  

“Yeah that’s sounds great.” Kya replied.

“We’re cabing it. Can we all jump in together? ”asked Jen

Cole asked the driver to make one stop along Queen Street at the Rat’s Saloon. Devoid of light, the seedy terrain pulsed and rocked with nocturnal primates.

“I’m not sure about this.” said Jenn passing a beer to Kya.

“Not exactly what I expected.” she replied.

 Cole had latched onto a male playmate. Soon it became apparent the house party had been crossed off the expedition. They were on there own. Kya tapped Jenn’s beer bottle.

 “Happy New Year.” she said.

“Yeah, another one gone.” replied Jenn.

 On route they had missed the year turning new.  Kya wished she could take her coat off somewhere. Studded leather would have been more appropriate she thought. She really just wanted to blend into the shadows and drift into the intoxicating music. Her head was beginning to spin from the alcohol. Jenn was becoming impatient and wanted to leave, because another cab would be at least an hour she reluctantly ordered their last beer.  Kya checked her watch, 2:30 am.

“The cab should be any time.” she said “I’m just going to find the washroom.”

Ungraciously, she maneuvered past the pool tables and luring dance floor. Both stales were full and two women were primping in front of the mirrors.

“So what do you think of this place?” Christine’s dominate whisper pierced  Kya’s ear.  She had slipped in close behind her and caressed Kya’s pelted arm. The predator pressed herself closer and Kya was unable to defend herself. She liked the sexually charged fear of crossing over. A stale door opened and two women were still groping each other as they left. Christine released her. Kya’s heart was pounding louder than the deafening decibels outside the door. Detached from her reality, she stood with glazed eyes in front of the mirror. Wet, abandon paper towels draped the counter-top and filled the sink. The rings of smudged mascara masked her hesitation. She applied a new layer of Diva and opened the door.

-30-

Fishing words from the universal rivers of truth.

 Cast into a net.

Uncomfortable, but still alive in this new air of consciousness.

Flopping to form structure,

Gutted, raw fleshy words.

Ideas simmer into being.

Fermented endings and beginnings.

Stories massaged for the feast.

Tonight we dance to beating drums.

Embracing our elders who have shown us the pen.

New legends appear through smoke and flame.

Animal totems are with us again.

It’s beneficial to invest in your portfolio. Not stocks and bonds, but commodities of your talent. A portfolio should provide evidence of your creative knowledge and versatility. It should include original fashion illustrations and photos of garments you have produced in Men’s, Women’s and Children’s wear. Both your academic performance and portfolio can be used as part of the admissions selection process for University or College.

Canadian Fashion School’s such asGeorge Brown College, offers a two year diploma program.
Seneca College, offers a three year diploma program with field placement opportunities and Ryerson
University offers a four year degree program. Ryerson’s international reputation for excellence is unprecedented in the industry. In third year, design students may apply to study one semester in Hong Kong, England, Holland, and New Zealand. Most first year curriculums include pattern making, grading, construction and fashion illustration. Depending on your course of study, programs also offer textile design, history of costume, tailored apparel, couture design, computer aided design (CAD) and pattern drafting. Graduates find a variety of careers as designers, design assistants, patternmakers, graders, production managers, CAD Gerber operators, stylists and fashion journalist.

Barbara Starr is Designer and Owner of Terra Cotta Clothing Design. Between Los Angeles and
Toronto, Starr has been working as a designer for twenty years. Her love of  designing costumes for ballet and modern dance eventually lead her to women’s sportswear.“ I liked the creative challenge of running my own business, designing and manufacturing my own product,” says Starr. “To be a good and effective designer, it is a must to be able to understand and execute the technical aspects of clothing construction. Strong pattern making and construction skills are essential. For a young designer a willingness to learn is a must. Many young designers want to leap to the top without the experience necessary to succeed.”  

Significant concentrations of apparel manufactures reside in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and
British Columbia. Employers in the apparel industry are always looking for budding fashion designers with fresh creative ideas. Whether you want to establish yourself as an entrepreneur or enter a key position in the Fashion Industry, you are heading into an exciting career. Watch out New York, Paris and
Milan here come Ontario Fashion Designers!

            A career in Radiation Therapy will expose you to both therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. There are two types of radiation treatment- external beam and brachytherapy. With external beam, radiation is directed at the tumor from a radiation source outside of the body such as a linear accelerator. These treatments are usually done on an outpatient basis. Brachytherapy requires a radiation implant directly in the tumor.  Part of a therapist professional duty is to provide emotional support and counseling, explain procedures, answer questions, position patients and equipment.  Often a special relation between the patient, family members and therapist develop over the course of the treatments.

        What type of person is best suited for this profession? Angela Cashell is the Clinical Educator, Radiation Therapy at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Instructor, Department of Radiation Oncology at theUniversity of Toronto. “Of course they have to like people! A course of radiation can last up to seven weeks and during that time you have the opportunity to get to know the patients and help them through part of their cancer journey. They will need to be compassionate, be caring, have patience and be a team player as they will never work alone, but always as part of a large multidisciplinary team. There is also a very technical side to the profession, so being comfortable with the sciences and physics in particular would be an asset. I think the ongoing rapport you can develop with your patients is the major benefit of the profession.” says Cashell.

The Michener Institute for Applied Health Science is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and provides state- of- the- art technology and equipment for students to use. It is proud to partner with both The University of Toronto and Laurentian University.  The Michener/University of Toronto offer a three year degree program. Because it requires second year entry, you must have at least one year of University credits in Biology, Mathematics and Physics. The Michener/Laurentian University offer a direct – entry four- year B.Sc. program. The curriculums will expose students to treatment planning, simulation, dose distribution, construction of immobilization devices, treatment delivery and clinical behavioral sciences. 

     Clinical partners likePrincess Margaret Hospital, Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre participate in clinical placement for Michener students. Mandatory clinical time give students hands on practice with simulators and advanced computer systems. The opportunity to network with potential employers and experience different work environments can expand their professional career.    

       If you’re considering a career in radiation therapy, you might be wondering if working with radiation is safe. The sun, the earth and all living things emit radiation. It is an ever-present and natural part of our environment.  In fact about 82 percent of our total exposure comes from natural sources – radon gas from decaying soils, the human body, rocks and outer space. The remaining 18 percent account for man-made sources from medical/dental X-rays and consumer products. Because man- made radiation can be controlled and precisely measured, radiation has improved our quality of life.  “All hospitals and clinics are required to have strict Radiation Safety practices and Policies in place to ensure staff and patient safety. This is monitored at the national government level. Radiation Therapists are continually monitored to determine if they are receiving any radiation dose from their work environment.” Cashell says. “Also equipment has to undergo rigorous testing when it is installed. In general, daily testing is done on safety items, as well as radiation beam alignment and accuracy, in both the treatment planning and delivery areas.”

      Michener graduates can find career opportunities across North America. Government and other agencies employ professionals to regulate their radiation safety practices. Cancer centers need frontline therapists to care for patients. You may want to consider performing research studies, advancing into management or administration. What about becoming a clinical educator for the next generation of therapists? Commercial companies also need specialized technicians who can sell and service radiation oncology equipment. No matter what you choose, when you enroll in medical radiation science you will become a key member of a cancer treatment team. Cashell points out “Having both a technical and soft side to the profession appeals to many individuals. The pay and work hours are pretty good too!”