Check..1-2

So. We meet again... blog.

Its been raining all day. I don't know if this is the case with other people, but I just get really depressed when its rainy and gloomy outside. I was trying to figure out if I get like this when it snows.. but that's different. The weather gradually gets cold and harsh, and its expected - and so whether it affects my mood or not, it doesn't really happen fast enough for it to be noticeable. We've been spoiled with all the great weather this summer, and I've gotten too used to hanging my mood solely on that.. and so that is how I'm going to explain how shitty weather makes me feel.

Writing is just like any other activity that requires some combination of ability and practice. The more you write, the better you get, and the easier it is to sort your thoughts and get it down on paper (or screen). I haven't written anything so personal in a really long time, and so that first paragraph was terribly painful to write.. but I think I've gotten over my writers block now.

So much has changed since I last kept up with this blog (like March, 2011). I'm well into my PhD and I'm getting some important results, and I co-founded another company (a high tech one!!!) and somehow everything is just going so well so far. I feel so blessed, and I actively try to be thankful all the time. But.. it hasn't actually all been so rosy. No one really knows this (woah), but I had to deal with some personal issues and even almost got kicked out of my PhD program as late as a few months ago. I don't think its appropriate to, nor am I sure I even want to discuss them on here (lol), but I do feel like I need some sort of emotional and/or intellectual outlet that has nothing to do with rabbit brains or gyms. So that will be the temporary purpose of this, and I'll write a post whenever I can find time/feel the need to write something.

Dj Divsa - Knockout Radio 17: Welcome to the Jungle

Just listened to Dj Divsa's first Knockout Radio of 2011, entitled ‘Welcome to the Jungle’. Another long long episode hitting on alot of different genres, from Ray Charles to Suavemente, to Drake’s latest poppin bottles! In my opinions: one of the best ones yet! 

For those of you that don't know, DJ Divsa is starting to gain national and international recognition as an incredibly talented and well versed DJ. Nominated for awards such as Mixtape of the Year and Toronto DJ of the Year, among others, his unique and captivating style has earned him regular appearances in some of the finest nightclubs in North America.

Knockout Radio, DJ Divsa's online radio show, became an instant success since its launch in the summer of 2009. With over 80,000 monthly downloads, each Knockout Radio episode excites listeners with the newest singles and creative mixes. More information can be found on his website (www.djdivsa.com).

Album: Knockout Radio 17 - Welcome to the Jungle
Release Date: March.1.2011

Download Link:
Non-Stop Party Version:
http://www.mediafire.com/?9iikuk9jmu6u6f6

Tracklisting
1.  Craig David - Fill me in (Divsa Remix)
2.  Martin Solveig, Dragonette - Hello
3.  Omarion - Ice Box (Divsa Remix)
4.  Tosch, Christina - Somewhere over the Rainbow
5.  Sean Kingston - Party All Night
6.  Modjo - Lady (Divsa Remix)
7.  Ginuwine - Pony (Remix)
8.  No Doubt - Don’t Speak (Remix)
9.  Rihanna - S&M (Remix)
10.  Inna - Hot (Remix)
11.  Shake (Remix)
12.  Elvis Crespo - Suavemente (Remix)
13.  Sandro Silva - Told Ya (Remix)
14.  Ding Dong - Badman Forward, Badman Pull up (Remix)
15.  Santogold - Shovit (Remix)
16.  Adrian Lux - I Can’t Sleep
17.  Sunloverz, Rosette - Fire (Remix)
18.  Edward Maya - Desert Rain
19.  Chris Brown - Yeah (Divsa Remix)
20.  Becca - Lambada
21.  Jennifer Lopez - On the Floor
22.  MHM - Tarantella (Remix)
23.  Snoop Dogg, The Dream, Snap - Rhythm is a Gangsta (Remix)
24.  Ray Charles - Gold Digga (Remix)
25.  Katy Perry - Fireworks
26.  J. Cole - Who Dat
27.  Sean Paul - Infiltrate (Divsa Remix)
28.  Fabolous, Ryan Leslie - You be Killin’ Em
29.  Nas - Made you Look (Divsa Remix)
30.  Nicki Minaj, Kanye West - Monster
31.  Akon, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg - Kush
32.  Keri Hilson, Nelly - Lose Control
33.  Ne-Yo - One in a Million
34.  Deliah (Remix)
35.  Kanye West, Rihanna - All of the Lights
36.  Waka Flocka Flame - No Hands
37.  Trey Songs, Nicki Minaj - Bottoms up (Remix)
38.  Rick Ross - BMF
39.  Collie Budz - Come Around (Divsa Remix)
40.  T.I., Drake - Poppin Bottles
41.  Kanye West, Lloyd Banks - Start it up
42.  Lil Wayne - 6 Foot, 7 Foot

TED x UWO

So I finally got around to submitting my application for TEDxUWO last night.. and finished it minutes before the deadline. Typical.

For those of you who don`t know, TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, is a non-profit critically acclaimed, award-winning platform featuring inspiring talks from the worlds leading thinkers and doers. It is a forum that allows progressive members of the global community to share and spread idea`s. Over the last 4 years alone, it has amassed over 400 million views worldwide. Impressive, if you ask me.

I have been an avid follower of TED ever since I heard about it a few years ago. It contains informative, innovative, and interesting lectures ranging from topics related to just about anything you would want to know about.

As you can imagine, I was quite excited to hear that an independently organized TEDxUWO event was coming to The University of Western Ontario on March 12th, 2011. Everyone interested in attending the event had to fill out a rigorous application form, such that the most suitable candidates could be selected to engage and participate in the discussions with the speakers, and fellow audience members. More information can be found on twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/tedxuwo), and facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TEDxUWO).

Some of the speakers confirmed for the TEDxUWO event include:

Ray Zahab - Ultra-marathon runner who went from pack-a-day smoker to a world record holder endurance athlete. He is the founder of the non-profit organization Impossible2possible, and the author of the book ``Running for my life``.

Denis Shackel - After being stranded alone following a tragic climbing accident, with temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius, he broke the night down into five-thousand five-second intervals, and relied on vision, intuition, and faith to keep himself alive throughout the night.

Dr. Adrian Owen - Formerly from Cambridge University, Dr. Owen is one of the worlds foremost neuroscientists, and is now a scientist at the Centre for Brain and Mind at UWO. His research is focused on understanding the mysteries of the human brain for social and clinical benefit.

Ian Keteku - The 2010 World Poetry Slam Champion has shared the stage with many of the worlds best hip-hip artists. His words spread his message of peace, action, and critical thought.

I have also attached a few of my MANY favorite TED lectures - so you can get a sense of the caliber of talks seen on TED:


Harvard Psychology, Dr. Dan Gilbert speaks about common beliefs and misconceptions about happiness

Neil Pasricha uses the power of blogging to spread a little optimism

Post Picks - February 22nd, 2011

National Post picks: Vancouver > Toronto, Sci-Fi movies snubs, Melo to NY, A family of over 150, and business as usual in the Middle East

http://ow.ly/41iN3

Zed's Dead x Omar Linx x DreamNLive x The New Yorker, London

The crowds energy driven by Zed's Dead dubstep, made Monsterland 008 a huge success.
Be sure to check out the Omar Linx & Zed's Dead performance of Out for Blood, below.

Raise Your Weapon - Deadmau5

DJ Divsa x Tila Tequila x DreamNLive.

Check out DJ Divsas website, here.