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Notes from March 2025

A digital scan of the covers of the journals I used during March, 2025. The first is the DDC x Field Notes “Leap of Faith” edition pocket notebook, featuring neon orange paper with neon green foil lettering. The second is the Field Notes “Birds and Trees” edition pocket notebook, featuring white paper with light-grey lettering, and an illustration of a Blue Jay.

Elbows Up

There is no enemy like a friend betrayed.

After Zelenskyy’s disastrous visit to the White House, Trump announced even more tarrifs against Canada. In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ripped up a $100 million Starlink contract. Toronto City Council City unanimously banned American companies banned from procurement contracts. “Americano” drinks being renamed “Canadianos” in Québec cafés. Americans holding up our flag at town halls in protest. I guess this is the new normal?

Mark Carney was announced as the new leader of the Liberal party, and by extension, our new Prime Minister. Outgoing PM Justin Trudeau had a really touching final speech, in which he reminded us all of the following:

“This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Canada is not a given. None of these things happen by accident. None of them will continue without effort.”

A snap federal election was called for April 28. Apparently, you can’t just write “Fuck Trump” on the ballot.

End of an Era

Centennial College announced they will be closing the East York campus in 2026.

Known officially as the Story Arts Centre, or more famously as Degrassi High, I just called it home.

A blurry photo from an iPhone 4, taken in the Fall of 2011, outside the Story Arts Centre campus of Centennial College around sunset, located in East York.

You had to be there.

I attended post-secondary school there from 2010-2013 in the Broadcasting + Film program. And while the diploma I earned there is more or less fish paper, the real degree I earned was the friends I made upon the way. The funny thing about the good old days is that you don’t realize how good they were until they’re gone. I have so many wonderful memories from my time there. I really can’t imagine what my life would be without it.

I hope to organize a little reunion dinner for my fellow alumni somewhere nearby this summer. It would be so nice to see some familiar faces again, and walk the halls one last time while we still can.

When the Reds Go Marching In

I got out to the Toronto FC home opener earlier this month. It was not the best weather, but coming out of our winter, it felt something like paradise.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it; the team is absolute garbage this year and I fully expect us to compete for the illustrious Wooden Spoon once again. But the match-day experience is simply incomparable to any other sports team in Toronto.

Taking the Lakeshore East GO Train to Exhibtion, marching with thousands of your fellow supporters through Liberty Village, walking up those steps to get that first glimpse of the East Stand, settling into South End with a porchetta sandwich and a sour beer, and singing until you lose your voice? The score becomes secondary at that point.

A giant metal statue of a Hawk on display as the latest addition to the South End stand at BMO Field, home of Toronto Football Club. The statue is an homage to Bitchy the Hawk, a TFC original, and the club's unofficial mascot.

I took a photo of the statue to commemorate Bitchy the Hawk.

I met a guy named Kevin who runs the Raccoon City Supporter’s Group, an unofficial SG with a basic creed I think everyone can get behind:

  1. Supporting Toronto Football.
  2. Eating garbage.

Sign me up, immediately.

Highlights

Movies

Official poster for Mickey 17

Mickey 17 2025

Watched on March 11, 2025

Not quite what I had expected going in? It was low key funny though, just like Parasite was. Satirical comedies just generally don’t do it for me because I’m kinda dumb. I’ll have to revisit this once it hits streaming. Mark Ruffalo MVP. I wholly appreciate Toni Collette’s affinity for sauce.

I watched 10 movies this month:

TV

Official poster for Severance, Season 2

Severance, Season 2 2025

Finished on March 21, 2025

After 3 years, the best show in Television has returned! And although the second season didn’t reach the same highs as the first, it’s still appointment viewing. The pacing really suffered towards the end of the season, but the finale (almost) made up for it. This must be how Lost fans felt, because where can we possibly go from here?

Favourite Episode: S02E07, “Chikhai Bardo”

I've been watching 11 shows this month:

Music

Cover of “We Cool?” by Jeff Rosenstock

“We Cool?” by Jeff Rosenstock 2015

Released on March 3, 2015

Favourite Song: “You, In Weird Cities”

I've listened to these 12 albums the most this month:

Books

Cover of “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke

“Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke 2020

Finished on March 12, 2025

Perhaps the best modern fiction book I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I only want to go back and lose myself in the labyrinth.

“Even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not.”

I've been reading 11 books this month:

YouTube

Play

Welcome back, Joe Canada. 🇨🇦

I enjoyed these other videos, and you might too:

Purchases

A scanned image of a one-of-a-kind pocket notebook leather folio, in orange with black thread.

I love it when a plan comes together.

I worked together with Jason at J.A.B. Leatherworks 🇨🇦 to create a custom, one-of-a-kind pocket notebook folio. Inspired by Field Notes, the front cover features a highly original and totally not ripped off MIKIE NOTES brand, while the back cover features a quote from my favourite film, with my signature at the bottom. I had an idea for it while brushing my teeth, then I had it in my hands a few weeks later. That’s such a rewarding feeling.

A list of the other impulsive purchases I made this month that I don’t totally regret: