Outlooks - April 2012 by Nicolas Tallarico

APRIL 2012

GOSSIP ON THE JOB AT YOUR PERIL!

FASHION:

CASUAL FRIDAY, BREAKING THE CODE SPRING CLEANING FOR BODY AND MIND

DANIEL RADCLIFFE STRAIGHT TALK ON LIFE AFTER “HARRY”

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PUBLISHER PATRICIA SALIB EDITOR IN CHIEF JIM BROSSEAU CREATIVE MARKETING DIRECTOR NELSON TOMÉ TRAVEL EDITOR RANDALL SHIRLEY FASHION DIRECTOR ADAM WEBSTER DESIGNER NICOLÁS TALLARICO EDITOR AT LARGE BRETT TAYLOR ADVERTISING & OTHER INQUIRIES (416) 792–2400 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES EDITOR@OUTLOOKS.CA OUTLOOKS IS PUBLISHED 10 TIMES PER YEAR BY THE MINT MEDIA GROUP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 542 PARLIAMENT ST. TORONTO, ON, M4X 1P6 THE MINT MEDIA GROUP PRESIDENT PATRICIA SALIB DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS REGGIE LANUZA DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING & MARKETING NELSON TOMÉ

CONTRIBUTORS JODY BOYNTON, DEREK DOTTO, DR. MALCOLM HEDGCOCK, BRAD MCPHEE, KRISHNA RAU, FABIÁN W. WAINTAL, JENNY WATSON, DAVID WRIGHT ON THE COVER DANIEL RADCLIFFE

OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN OUTLOOKS MAGAZINE ARE THOSE OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE MAGAZINE. ALL CONTENTS ARE COPYRIGHT AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT. THE APPEARANCE OF AN AD IN OUTLOOKS MAGAZINE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE MAGAZINE ENDORSES THE ADVERTISER. THE APPEARANCE OF A MODEL OR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBJECTS DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THEIR SEXUALITY. BEFORE YOU MAKE TRAVEL PLANS, DOUBLE-CHECK DATES, TIMES, AND PRICES. THINGS DO CHANGE. WHILE EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE ACCURACY, OUTLOOKS AND ITS CONTRIBUTORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ERRORS IN CONTENT.

4 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

CONTENTS

APRIL 2012

ISSUE 199

DEPARTMENTS

TRAVEL

06 | EDITOR’S NOTE

15 | TRAVEL TALK Finding inner peace a world away

07 | I SPY The surprise candidate in the mayor’s race 08 | WELLNESS Spring cleaning for your body and mind 10 | MONEY$TYLE Building your portfolio one step at a time 11 | CIVILITY Keeping things cool (and clean) at the office 12 | HOT STUFF Holding just about everything in style 14 | THE DOCTOR IS IN Is the controversial PSA test for you? 17 | FOOD & DRINK Vancouver delights, Toronto nights

26 | ON GUARD Seven tips for making your travels safer 28 | GETTING HOOKED ON A SLICE OF NOVA SCOTIA Easy does it in Annapolis Royal

FEATURES 22 | DANIEL RADCLIFFE’S STRAIGHT TALK A wizard of a friend to the LGBT community

ART & CULTURE 44 | HONOURING A TRAILBLAZER A friend remembers Steve Walker

FASHION 16 | THE BREAKDOWN Looking hot while working up a sweat 20 | THE HISTORY OF… T-SHIRTS They just won’t get off your back 36 | CASUAL FRIDAY Making it work for you 07 I SPY

34 | SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY Confessions of a man who can’t smell a thing

46 | SNAPSHOT Dancing the night away

22 DANIEL RADCLIFFE

The Trevor Project

FOOD P. 18 VANCOUVER DELIGHTS

OUTLOOKS

EDITORS_NOTE

BY A NOSE

an you imagine walking into a leather bar and not being able to smell the boots, belts, vests and accoutrements? Isn’t that the whole point of a leather bar—well, one of them, at least. Like so much in life, we take our sense of smell for granted. Yet there are a few among us, actually maybe as few as 20,000 in Canada, who lack what Toronto writer David Wright calls the sense that “gets the least attention” of them all. Wright should know: In his thoughtful essay on anosmia (yes, it has a name), he explains the condition and what it’s like to live with it (page 34). In reading Wright’s essay, I was reminded of an interview I’d conducted years ago with the brilliant jazz pianist George Shearing. Blind from birth, Shearing, of course, went on to international greatness in a career that spanned more than half a century. When I asked him whether he’d choose to have his sight were he able to gain it, I was startled by

his response. Shearing said that because of the “upheaval” he imagined he’d experience in seeing the world around him, he would decline that offer. It’s easy to make all kinds of assumptions about one another. As members of the gay community struggled to achieve their rightful place in society at large, some could be understandably wary of all straight people in positions of power. Fortunately, we’ve moved a long way from that narrow thinking. Today, thanks in part to social media, “enemies” can run but rarely hide. So public figures who would dis or otherwise stand in the way of equality, are often called out. To paraphrase, a rising tide of progress has a way of lifting all boats. Just as the feminist movement arguably made life easier for men as well as women, gay liberation helped clear the way for men to be men—whatever the latter happened to be. One man who would have been a rare find a generation ago is our cover subject, actor

Daniel Radcliffe (page 22). In selecting him, we celebrate the growing number of heterosexual males, celebrity and not, who go beyond the mere tolerance of another era and openly advocate for the rights of all LGTBs. These guys, by their sturdy selfconfidence, have moved beyond worrying about how their beliefs might affect their careers. They’re too concerned about doing the right thing. With stars of Radcliffe’s character in our midst, no one could miss the whiff of change.

Jim Brosseau Editor In Chief

We’d be delighted to hear from you. Share your thoughts on the magazine and stories you’d like to see covered in its pages. Email us at editor@ outlooks.ca. Many thanks.

Talk Back FEBRUARY 2012

Regarding your February issue, insightful feature on Lady Gaga…and artful fashion spreads. Kudos to all involved. PHIL, TORONTO

COOL SWEATERS FOR COLD NIGHTS 8 HIP AND STYLISH LOOKS

HEART-STOPPING HAWAII

YOUR PLACE IN THE SUN

LADY GAGA

AN INTIMATE CHAT ON FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY, MEN AND MARRIAGE

01.FEB.Outlooks.Cover.indd 1

6 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

ARE YOU “QUEER” ENOUGH? NEW:

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Have been picking up copies of your magazine here in the Vancouver area: nice look and feel to it, clean and professional looking. Want to compliment you on “Mastering the Rules That Separate the Men From the Gentlemen” in the Civility column [February 2012]. Great piece. I am frankly tired, as a gay man, of picking up yet another publication geared toward the GLBT/queer community without substantive articles. There are plenty of us across this great land who would like a bit more substance. That said, I am a believer in and supporter of new media

ventures and wish you and your magazine all the best. SCOTT LARSEN, NEW WESTMINSTER, BC I was traveling in Canada and saw a copy of your magazine. I wasn’t aware of Outlooks. The article on gay marriage made some great points [March 2012]. The thing I liked most was that the couples who were quoted weren’t judging other gay couples who choose not to marry. It’s a very personal decision. Also liked your travel articles. JASON BROWN, NEW YORK, NY A big, big embrace from Spain. DIEGO LOPEZ, GAGE FAN CLUB BLAINES-GERONA, SPAIN

I_SPY

OUTFRONT Fred Connors THE MAN WHO WOULD BE MAYOR In his role as the self-esteem expert on the Slice series X-Weighted, Fred Connors helps people feel good about themselves. Now he’s taking on his biggest challenge: boosting the confidence of an entire city. The 45-year-old entrepreneur is running for mayor of Halifax. “People here have totally bought into this idea that we do not deserve anything that is best in class, and, to me, that isn’t acceptable,” says Connors. “We have tremendous resources. We have innovative talent. We are a really resilient population.” Connors has plenty of experience going against the grain. Eight years ago, he opened FRED, a concept salon combining beauty with food and art. The location: Halifax’s north end, an area Connors described as a hub for drug trafficking and the sex trade. “We occupied a very significant corner on the busiest intersection in the neighbourhood,” he says. Connors made a commitment to the community, getting involved with organizations to help turn around the area. It’s a model he’s hoping will work for the entire Halifax Regional Municipality. “The fabric of the north end started to change very dramatically,” says Connors. “People became more engaged with each other. It became the most desirable place in the city to do business.” If it’s left up to Connors, sexuality won’t have a place in this campaign. “When I put my name forward, I didn’t think for a second ‘gayness’ was going to be an issue,” he says emphatically. Declaring that there’s nothing he personally thinks of as “straight-acting” about himself, Connors maintains “it is possible to live as part of a same-sex couple and reflect the type of values that are consistent with all kinds of people…so that your sexuality becomes a moot point.” If voters similarly ignore sexuality come fall, then Connors could be considered a winner even if he loses.

Nick Pearce

— DEREK DOTTO

OUTLOOKS

WELLNESS

SPRING CLEANING A FRESH START JUST MIGHT BE EASIER THAN YOU THINK BY JODY BOYNTON

pring cleaning isn’t just for your garage. It can be for your whole life. Spring often makes us look for new challenges, places to live, jobs, partners. We simply feel the need for change. But before you leap into that something new, it’s important to look at cleaning up the messes we’ve made in the past year. That can help you move on and up and, in the process, simplify and improve your entire existence. Start by taking some time to see just where you’d like to make changes. Even with a great diet or perfect workout routine, few of us have it all together. There is likely some chore we’ve neglected to look after that weighs us down every time we think about it. Get it done, and set yourself free! To start, think about fundamental areas that could use some refreshing: • Exercise, Health and Detoxing • Finances/Taxes • De-cluttering your environment • De-cluttering your mind • Re-evaluating activities and commitments START MOVING. If you’ve been sitting on

8 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

the sofa munching in front of the TV for most of the winter, your routine needs a serious update. Now you realize Jabba the Hutt didn’t have it all figured out, and you need to clean up the diet and return to the gym. Set a timeline for getting back into your healthy groove—the end of the month, perhaps? Don’t try to pick up where you left off, or you could risk injury. Restart your exercise routine sensibly. Do some cardio. (Speaking of the heart, get more greens in your diet and put the pizzadelivery guy’s phone number away for a while.) Consider hiring a trainer to get you back to your fighting weight this year. He or she might help organize a peri-

OUTFRONT

PUTTING THINGS DOWN ON PAPER CAN GET THEM OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND EVEN DIRECT YOU TO A SOLUTION.

odization schedule for your workouts. Finally, deal with any injury rehab you might have neglected. Should you have any inflammatory conditions, take a look at how to avoid potential allergens, or see a naturopath for some advice on diet and supplements. While we’re starting our health kick, summer BBQs and beer are just around the corner, but what about cutting excessive consumption of booze for the month. Perhaps your liver could use the rest. You’ll get out of the habit, and you just might notice you’ll start losing some weight, sleeping better and having more energy throughout the day. GETTING FINANCIALLY FIT. How are your finances? Did you contribute to your RRSP? Pay your taxes? Money is, of course, a huge source of stress for a lot of us. If you’re constantly feeling under financial pressure, make a budget or get help on a plan for your future. Calculate any new purchases by how many hours (after taxes) you have to work to cover them. We often get so caught up in dayto-day living that we forget to plan for our future. That Hugo jacket cost me at least a week. Winning the lottery or marrying rich is not a retirement plan—believe me, I’ve tried! (For more on your finances, see Money$ense, page 10.) WHAT’S IN YOUR WALL UNIT? I look at those shelter magazines, and I can’t imagine what some of the people on their pages do with all their stuff. Until I moved earlier this year, I had no idea how much I had accumulated myself. Do I really need four wine openers? Why would I have six different kinds of mismatched glassware? Those missing socks are never coming back,

so why am I still holding onto their mates? You may not get through your entire house, but taking some time for spring-cleaning a room or two is always liberating. At the very least, clean out your closets! Consignment shops, the Goodwill and other such places are always looking for items. If you haven’t worn something for a year, re-evaluate whether it’s worth keeping. Enlisting the assistance of a trusted friend can help you organize your outfits and maybe even take some things off your hands. Donate or pass on what you can, and rediscover your own space. CLEARING OUT YOUR HEAD. Is there some argument you keep tormenting yourself with? Some movie in your head about what you should have or could have done? A worry that surfaces over and over, robbing you of enjoying the moment you’re in? If it’s something that you can deal with, deal with it already! Get it off your plate and move on. Okay, admittedly, that can be a lot easier said than done. Keeping a journal can be helpful in sorting out your thoughts. I like old-school paper and pen (lucky for me nobody can read my handwriting). Putting things down on paper can get them out of your head and even direct you to a solution. Just pick a time— before bed, say, or in the morning—to write whatever comes up. It can be good or bad, gibberish, even a string of cuss words (which can be fun in itself). It doesn’t have to be a literary work, but studies have shown that, with practice, writing in a journal can be an important problem-solving tool. As always, consider seeking out counseling if you have weighty issues too difficult to resolve on your own.

MAKING MORE TIME. Look at your calendar to see what you find rewarding and what you find a chore. Work and fitness aside, where are you getting bogged down? Have you set aside any you time? Schedule your workouts as you do other appointments, and try setting realistic expectations of time for work and the rest of your life. This way you won’t always be dropping the gym at the last minute. Ask yourself what times during the week seem to be working for you and which against you. These days we all have busy lives, and with time management no longer a luxury, it’s gotten a lot tougher to “fly by the seat of our pants.” If we fill every minute with commitments, we end up being a slave to the calendar rather than the commander of it. Maybe you’ll realize that the reason you sit like a wax figure on the sofa come Saturday is because you’ve booked 16-hour days the rest of the week. You’re exhausted! In life, as in exercise, it’s often the pauses that are as important as the movements. Yes, there are only so many hours in a day and so many dollars in a paycheck. But if you can take some steps to un-clutter your world this spring, it will go a long way toward taking control of your life. You can start this new season with a clean slate. Let’s face it, procrastination is often our worst enemy. To quote the psychologist and philosopher William James, “Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.” Who needs more fatigue? Just making the decision to change your status quo could be the incentive you need to put you on a new track, one leading to a better quality of life! OUTLOOKS

MONEY$T YLE

HOW THE RICH GET RICHER BY BRAD MCPHEE

lthough I think prophecy is akin to fallacy, I choose to venture one simple prophecy of my own: The rich will get richer this year! The question is, will you? The underlying foundation of all markets is that there is something of value desired and there are resources available for it. In other words, if a company has a share to sell, it’s assumed there is an investor with money enough to buy it. The rich get richer because they create riches. They do so by saving money and investing it (unless, of course, they win it from a gaming commission or that other lottery, inheritance). History has shown there are two key investment principles: the best asset class that can hold and enhance long-term value is equity ownership; and the only way to maximize returns is to stay invested. In other words, the people who acquire wealth do so because they keep money invested. Moving in and out of a market is not a road to success. That doesn’t mean money shouldn’t move to different investment types or classes, but it does mean the rich save and invest repeatedly. In order to be financially successful, I believe there are four cornerstones we need to understand and follow.

1. CLEAR THINKING. We must have clarity around our goals. Why are we saving in the first place? Decide which pile of money is for what purpose (for example, home purchases, education, retirement or estate planning). Different goals require different strategies. It’s your money, and you’ll use it at various times for an array of things. Those spending decisions affect how and where you should invest. 10 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

2. KEEP THE FAITH. We must believe in ourselves and acquire enthusiasm about achieving our goals in order to stay motivated. Knowing the specifics of our goals is crucial, because it helps us visualize the outcome and not just concentrate on the numbers. If we lose our motivation, we lose interest (sometimes literally).

3. STAY COMMITTED. There will be rough patches; we all know life is full of ups and downs. Market volatility can be a reflection of our hopes and fears. We can fear, sure, but also persevere, just as you probably did on your first date—or maybe even your most recent one.

4. CONSISTENCY. Doing such things as making monthly contributions to your investments will contribute to building a successful portfolio. What good is a portfolio, after all, if it can’t be counted on that day in the future when you need it to be there for you. One long-term relationship cannot be escaped by any of us: It is the one we have with finance. If saving is the magic catalyst then it all starts with earning it (unless, of course, we were given the money, then it all starts with getting a lump sum, which has its own unique issues). In all cases there is “extra money” to invest, which is to risk it for the desired outcome of future earnings. Investing may not always be directly tied to finance. We can invest our time and energy to find a better job, get more education or learn from a master. But eventually we need to feed more money into the funnel at the

beginning of the pipeline. Yes, think of it like oil (easy for the Albertans among us). It is our reserves that need to grow in order to create a steady cash flow. But do not deceive yourself if you think you will save more simply by having a higher income. That prospect is not likely. Saving is a mindset, and the equation is simple: Spend less than you earn. If this is not your habit, consider it your homework. It is better to save 5 percent now than to say you’ll save 10 percent in the future. So while there may not be a magic formula for building wealth, there is definitely a methodology. Earn money, save some, invest wisely and remain calm. Then you’ll have money to spend later. And if you do well enough, you’ll even have some extra to give away. Then you’ll know you’re truly rich.

Brad McPhee is a Vancouver-based consultant with Investors Group and past chair of the Gay and Lesbian Association of BC. Views expressed in Money$tyle are solely McPhee’s. Outlooks, as well as Investors Group and its affiliates, are not responsible and cannot accept any liability. The column is intended as a source of information and not a solicitation to buy or sell investments nor to provide investment, financial, legal, accounting, tax or other professional advice. If you have a personal-finance question, email it to editor@outlooks.ca.

CIVILIT Y

OFFICE ETIQUETTE MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU BY JIM BROSSEAU

RIGHT ON TIME. It may surprise you to learn that there are adults holding down respectable jobs who can’t tell time. When you see a clock that says 10, they see one that says 9:50. Mr. or Ms. 9:50 tends to be pretty self-absorbed, and it’s hard to think of others when you’re too busy thinking of yourself. Even being a few minutes late—unless you’ve got a really solid excuse and it happens about once a year—can be an irritation to colleagues ready to start a meeting or a client waiting for you at a restaurant. Punctuality is one of the most visible marks of a considerate person. Make it a priority. And when the boss calls a meeting for 10 or a lunch for 12:30, he or she can always count on you to be on time. Chances are they’ll start counting on you for a whole lot more.

A GRIP ON GOSSIP. Okay, gossip is life itself. Only a total fool would suggest

you could stop gossiping. But like other indispensable parts of life—Merlot comes to mind—there is a place for ranking Bob or Heather on the trash-o-meter. The office probably isn’t it. Think about that person at work who never utters a nasty thing about anybody. A goody two shoes, perhaps, but a breath of fresh air, as well. Admit it, he’s got something you’d like: a sense of—all right, I’ll say it—decorum. It may be a stuffy word, but it also means you’ve got the right stuff for success. Perhaps that nerdy co-worker is a gossip champ with family, at a party or even when colleagues convene at a bar. But within the confines of the office, he puts a lid on the low-down. When he’s on the clock, the 411 is what you dial for the number of Air Canada. How do you know when it’s gossip? Here’s a hint: The rush you get from divulging a secret feels vaguely orgasmic. Better save that kind of secret for after-office hours.

KISS, DON’T TELL. On the subject of

you’ve asked a colleague for some information, and an hour, a day, a week passes without any response? Well, what if you’re that unresponsive colleague? If you quit tomorrow, would your co-workers say, “He always got back to me right away,” or something more like, “You know, he still owes me that Wollensky file.” You’re not alone in noticing who takes a request seriously and who pretends they never heard it in the first place. And when promotions are handed out, that unfailingly polite Pablo, who always returns emails and phone calls promptly, might just have the edge. After all, he’s demonstrated maturity and responsibility in treating the business of business with respect. Sitting on a colleague’s or, heaven forbid, boss’s request—large or small—is not only rude but not very bright. Too much time on your bottom is no way to the top. Do you have questions about navigating social situations? Share them with Civility at editor@outlooks.ca.

sharing, be wary of discussing dreams with co-workers (especially when one of those coworkers has a prominent role in them). Even the most innocent-seeming scenario can take on Freudian overtones. And who wants a slip of the tongue to mean a trip to H.R.? A young colleague once blithely told a group of us about dreaming the night before that she and her new boyfriend had scaled the CN Tower together. “What do you think that means?” she asked with childlike innocence, as the rest of us quickly turned back to our computer screens and phones. Chris Haston/NBC

ave you noticed how some people treat the office as if it were their own living room? They talk about personal things (TMI), dress for the beach, show little regard for other people’s time and talk so loudly you’d think they were cheering their hockey team. That’s not you, of course. You, on the other hand, know the difference between the apartment you share with your boyfriend and the space you share with co-workers, some of whom might actually be total strangers. Acquiring a sense of place about the workplace is part of being a professional. It’s not only good for your sense of self but good for your co-workers. And in an increasingly competitive world, politeness can make the difference between getting ahead and heading nowhere fast. Admittedly, as social media and quickened communications in general have fostered a sort of familiarity once confined to family and friends (the pre-Facebook kind), workplace etiquette has become a work in progress. But some things endure the winds of change for good reason.

A SIMPLE REPLY. Does it drive you just a little crazy when Antics in TV’s popular “The Office.” OUTLOOKS

HOT STUFF

HOLD IT RIGHT

THERE The bags, cases and other containers that go where we go can be eminently practical or impossibly chic. And sometimes, they can be both. For the things you lug (and in the case of your pet, love), here’s a sampling of smart possibilities (prices, where listed, may vary):

Travelling with a computer can be a drag, but, then, it’s getting impossible to travel without it—even on holiday. Kenneth Cole Reaction’s sleek, soft-sided, leather zippered computer bag, with its well-placed compartments, can ease this modern-day chore with style. (The Bay, www.thebay.com $145)

When the evening is chilly, wouldn’t you want something warm in which to hold your most precious cargo (not to mention your boyfriend). Whatever your fondness for Fido, your dog (or cat) can surround itself in comfort with a fleece pet blanket from L.L. Bean. It comes in enough colours to suit every taste, canine and feline. ($29.95, www.llbean.com)

It might seem unthinkable to those who only store information in something that begins with an “i,” but there are other ways to keep track of phone numbers and addresses. One is the understated calf-leather book by Smythson. Red rarely looks so distinguished. (www.smythson.com and Smythson dealers)

Like other accessories affecting a body’s contours, a wallet can be the source of much speculation. So when it makes an appearance, it should, at the very least, be presentable. When it’s a passcase wallet from Kenneth Cole Reaction, your only worry may be enough cash to cover dinner. ($40, The Bay, www.thebay.com) 12 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

OUTFRONT

Picnic, anyone? This chest will get you into the spirit. The Colton Woven Trunk is a giant step up from shopping bags. A lid that closes and latches helps keep your cheeses, fruits and other goodies fresh. (From $39, Pottery Barn, 1-877-812-7889, www.potterybarn.com)

Who says your iPhone case has to be boring? It will be anything but with a colourful case from PBteen. It’s an accessory that puts the “fun” in function. Made from sturdy, impact-resistant plastic, the case can be personalized with your own initial. ($24, Pottery Barn, www.pbteen.com)

Golfers have long associated quality with the name Titleist. If you golf or want to delight someone who does, this lightweight stand bag can be as good to get as it is to give. Enthusiasts of the game appreciate such features as the four-point, adjustable double-strap assembly, its matching zippered rain hood and the broad foot of its stand; everyone else will simply look on admiringly. ($185, www.titleist.com or your Titleist dealer)

Going out to lunch or around the world, you can keep those you hold dear (or at least their photos) in a stylish holder by Smythson. You’ll telegraph good taste when you display your favourite pictures in a calf-leather case by the venerable purveyor. (www.smythson.com and Smythson dealers)

If you’re on the road a lot, what a comfort to have the familiarity of your own toiletries wherever you hang your hat. This roomy Kenneth Cole Reaction travel kit features a side zipper for easy access to aspirin when the man in the next seat won’t stop talking. ($40, The Bay, www.thebay.com)

You’re in the Navy now. Well, at least you’ll have the look with this generously-sized naval tote from Perfecto Brand by Schott NYC, in collaboration with Stanley and Sons. Handmade from horsehide boot, melton wool and heavyweight cowhide leather, the bag features handsome oxidized copper rivets. ($350, Perfecto, www.perfectobrand.com)

OUTLOOKS

THE DOCTOR IS IN

IS THE PSA TEST RIGHT FOR YOU? BY DR. MALCOLM HEDGCOCK

14 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

cancer. This means that many men end up with a lot of anxiety and painful procedures to confirm the results of the PSA, only to find out that the test was incorrect. Equally disturbing but not as common, the PSA can occasionally look normal when, in fact,

be very slow-growing and never an issue. So, even though we can sometimes detect a cancer early, it’s hard to decide which ones to treat and which ones to leave alone. Treatment for prostate cancer has come a long way, but such complications as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction still occur. These side effects are difficult to accept when we think that most men with prostate cancer will not die from it. So, before your doctor orders a PSA test with your next bloodwork, discuss the following two questions with him or her:

Knowing what I know about the PSA test, would I be willing to have a biopsy to look for cancer cells if the PSA was high?

If cancer cells were found in a biopsy, would I want to have that cancer treated even though leaving it alone could likely do me no harm? If you answer “no” to either of those questions, then the PSA won’t help you and is probably not worth doing. If you do request a PSA test, remember to think about its limitations before getting too nervous about the results.

Borisz

n Canada, prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease, with more than 25,000 new diagnoses each year. About one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, but, if we looked closely enough, cancer cells would be found in two-thirds of men over 80. The good news is that most prostate cancers are slow-growing, and 100 percent of men will survive longer than five years after diagnosis if their cancer has not spread. The key is to detect the cancer early—before it has had a chance to extend into other tissues. The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that sits in front of the rectum, under the bladder. It’s designed to produce fluid that mixes with sperm from the testicles to form semen. Special cells within the prostate also produce a substance called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA can be measured in the blood and gives us an idea as to how many cells are in the prostate and how healthy those cells are. Measuring PSA in the blood and having a physician perform a rectal exam once a year are the two best ways to screen for early prostate cancer in men without symptoms. Like most tests that we use for cancer detection, the PSA test has several limitations. First, there are many reasons other than cancer why the PSA may be elevated. A prostate infection, age-related enlargement of the prostate, bicycle riding or even ejaculation can increase the PSA to levels that are suspicious. In fact, an elevated PSA is usually caused by something other than

there is cancer, giving us a false sense of security. The final limitation to the PSA test is that we don’t actually have an effective way of figuring out which prostate cancers will go on to become a problem and which will

Malcolm Hedgcock is a family doctor in Toronto with a special interest in conditions that are common in the LGBT community. The information contained in this column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and in no way should substitute for consultation with one’s own healthcare professional. Send questions or comments about your health concerns to The Doctor Is In at editor@outlooks.ca.

TRAVEL_TALK

A STAR’S DEATH, AT HOME AND A WORLD AWAY BY RANDALL SHIRLEY Travel Editor

hitney Houston’s death was sad. But I found the outpouring of shock and grief through social media channels, mainstream media and then the Grammy Awards—which practically became her instant memorial service—more than a little unsettling. What, you might ask, does this have to do with travel? Let me answer by telling you about Heather Greenwood Davis. She’s a Toronto-based friend and fellow travel journalist currently in India with her husband and their two sons, part of a year-long journey around the globe that’s taken them to spots in North America, South America, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa and now India. Her blog about their travels makes excellent reading at globetrottingmama.com. When Houston died, Heather was in Varanasi, that city on the Ganges. On her blog, Heather explains that if it hadn’t been for an email from a friend, followed by seeing the news on social media, she likely would never have known the singer had died. And, frankly, in many parts of India, even among those who knew of Whitney Houston, there probably wasn’t that much interest: They had more pressing matters on their minds, like the realities of their daily lives. While I don’t know how the citizens of Varanasi would respond if one of Bollywood’s stars

died a too-young death, I’m betting it wouldn’t make for the multi-day media circus that attends the death of an American pop star like Whitney, or Michael or Elvis. In 1994, I was privileged to stay in a very rural area of India with some of the poorest people I’ve ever met. They also happen to have been among the happiest people I’ve ever met. This was before the Internet, and they had no TV—in fact, no electricity. Each day the men tended crops and livestock, while the women made several round-trip journeys on foot to fetch potable water, carrying jugs on their heads. The women’s afternoons were occupied by searching for buffalo dung, which was used for fuel to cook the evening meal. At meal time, everyone laughed and talked and laughed and talked some more. Then they did it all again the next day. Now and then, they went into the city for a movie. In my overly connected, extremely busy, frequently stressed-out life, I have often thought about those people; how so much of the pace and stuff of our Canadian lives—including the media hum—can be unnecessary. I often think that they are, in many ways, much richer than I am. As for Heather, I’m glad to hear via her blog that Western pop culture and our obsession with it hasn’t obliterated other versions of reality, at least in one corner of the world. May it always be so, because as a traveller, I long to escape to such places.

NEED SOME BONUS MILES? If you’re a frequent Air Canada flyer and collect Aeroplan miles, you can take advantage of their Boundless Bonus Aeroplan Miles promotion, which runs until April 29, 2012. The promotion applies to select routes, mostly from Toronto Pearson and Montreal. Under the deal, the first-time round-trip or two one-way flight segments get you 500 bonus miles, then every additional round-trip or two one-way flight segments earns 1,500 miles. Select overseas routes and Executive Class earn more (aeroplan.com). ACTIVE SPRING FLINGS Spring fever may get you itching to get out and stretch your legs. Here are some tours that let you: • Spain Biking Tour, OutWest Global Adventures. Start in Pamplona, ride part of the famed Camino de Santiago, then pedal through the foothills of the Pyrenees. May 6-12. outwestadventures.com • Peru and the Inca Trail, Out Adventures. Visiting many of the country’s great sites from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, including some serious trekking. Eight days, departs Cuzco May 13 (summer/fall dates also avail). outadventures.ca • Gay small-ship sailing in the Caribbean, GaySail. Depart Martinique with a gay skipper and small group of travellers for a 15-night Caribbean getaway. Departs May 1, (other dates/ itineraries avail.). gaysail.com

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THE BREAKDOWN - GETTING PHYSICAL Gentleman, we’re in the home stretch to beach weather, and there’s no excuse to still be sporting that extra holiday 10. There’s also no argument for looking like hell while trying to shed your winter weight. You can update your workout regime this spring with vintage-inspired athletic wear. It will keep you looking tight while you tone up. Or mix and match these pieces with more structured casual wear, like a button-down shirt, blazer, denim or khakis, and you’re good to go for a day on the town. But don’t get us wrong: This is not an endorsement for wearing ill-fitting sweats in public. —DEREK DOTTO

1. Waxed cotton jacket with wooden buttons - by Oliver Spencer at the Bay $545 2. Heather grey zip front hoodie - by Wings + Horns at NomadShop. net $195

3 6

3. White cotton henley with cinched sleeves - by Levis Vintage Collection at NomadShop.net $125 4. Indigo sweat pants with waist tie - by Club Monaco $79.50 5. Digital watch with canvas and leather strap by Hugo Boss at the Bay $135 6. Quilt-stitched duffel bag with faux leather handles by Zara $49.90

7. Air Max Light Vintage running shoes by Nike at SVP Sports $69.99

David Hawe

16 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

FOOD_&_DRINK

Adam Webster

BLACK CHERRY LAVENDER SAKETINI Maybe it’s the house-made bitters? The premium spirits? Certainly, it’s the know-how of award-winning mixologist Nishan Chandra. Whatever gives the Black Cherry Lavender Saketini its refreshing kick, this much is also clear: It’s a cocktail complemented by the sleek and welcoming ambience of either location of Toronto’s Blowfish Restaurant and Sake Bar (333 Bay St., lobby of the Bay Adelaide Centre; 668 King Street West; blowfishrestaurant.com; @blowfishresto). Cheers!

INGREDIENTS: 1 and 1/2 oz Belvedere Vodka 1 oz Yuzu Sake 1/2 oz Herring Cherry Liqueur 2 oz Black Cherry Juice 4 oz Blood Orange Juice 2 Dashes of Lavender Bitter Put all ingredients into a martini shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a black cherry.

TIPS If your local LCBO does not have yuzu sake, you can use a dash of tutu juice and 1 oz of sake. This Japanese citrus juice is available at local Asian markets. Lavender bitters can be found at specialty food stores and markets.

OUTLOOKS

FOOD_&_DRINK

A DINNER TO DAZZLE VANCOUVER’S C RESTAURANT SERVES UP SEARED SCALLOPS, RABBIT TERRINE, CARROT PANNACOTTA, MUSTARD TUILE AND DIJON MUSTARD

eafood dishes at C Restaurant in Vancouver are served with a side of devotion. The critically acclaimed C has made a habit of getting to know the nearby waters that yield its daily catches. That, in combination with the restaurant’s

18 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

commitment to sourcing local ingredients and sustainable farming, has made the award-winning C a popular spot with discerning diners. (C Restaurant is located at 2-1600 Howe St., Vancouver, BC; 604-6811164; www.crestaurant.com.)

OUTFRONT

INGREDIENTS Qualicum Bay scallops 8 Pcs Fresh shucked from shell Olive oil 3 Tbsp Butter 8 Gr RABBIT TERRINE Rabbit 1 Pc Whole and split into four Kosher salt 3 Tbsp Sugar 1.5 Tbsp Coriander seeds 1 Tbsp Toasted and ground Yellow mustard seeds 1 Tbsp Toasted and ground Cinnamon 1 pc Toasted and ground 2 Rosemary Sprigs 2 Chopped Garlic 5 Cloves Chopped Oranges 2 Pcs Zest only Duck fat 3 Ltr Tarragon 4 Tbsp Chopped Grainy mustard 3 Tbsp Gelatin Leaves 3 Pcs Soaked Jelly or bunny juice 60 Ml Reserved from cooking process

MUSTARD TUILES SERVES Bread flour 32 Grams SIX Sugar 5 Tbsp Kosher salt 5 Tbsp Mustard seeds 1 Tbsp Mustard powder 1 Tbsp Coriander 5 Tbsp 2 Eggs Whites only Unsalted butter 57 gr Softened CARROT PANNACOTTA Carrot puree 25 Ltr Carrots cooked in cream until tender and pureed Gelatin leaves 3 Pcs Soaked Whipping cream 125 Ml Whipped to medium peaks GARNISH Pickled carrots Crisp tarragon

THE TERRINE

THE TUILE BATTER

Toast all spices and add to kosher salt and chopped garlic, rosemary and orange zest, sprinkle onto rabbit marinate in fridge for at least eight hours.

Lightly toast seeds, and powder together. Mix the flour, sugar, salt and toasted spices. In a separate bowl whisk the butter until light and fluffy. Beat the egg whites into dry ingredients until completely incorporated. Beat in the whipped butter. Transfer to a container and allow to set. Once set spread on a silpat sheet and bake at 300F until golden and crisp

Melt duck fat in saucepan medium heat until liquid. Place rabbit in casserole dish and cover with melted duck fat. Cook at 250 for four to five hours until tender. Pick meat and reserve. Allow fat to cool and remove jellied bunny juice that settles at bottom. Heat bunny juice and dissolve gelatin. Mix juice and gelatin with the picked bunny meat, herbs, mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Set in flat tray and place in fridge. Once set, portion into rectangles.

THE PANNACOTTA

Heat carrot puree in saucepan at medium heat. Dissolve gelatin in the puree. Allow to cool and fold in whipped cream. Season with orange zest and salt, pepper. Reserve and chill until needed.

LEE HUMPHRIES, CHEF DE CUISINE, C RESTAURANT A native of Cornwall, England, Humphries grew up working on his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm. At 16, he moved to London, where he worked in the kitchen of the Westbury Hotel. A few years later, Humphries arrived in Vancouver, spending the next decade refining his culinary skills in some of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top restaurants. His continued dedication to the best available, locally grown ingredients shows that you can take the boy out of the farm, but not the farm out of the boy.

THE SCALLOPS

Season scallops with salt and pepper. Place scallops in a hot fry pan and sear on both sides, about two minutes each or until golden.

TO ASSEMBLE

Place tempered rabbit terrine on the plate. Add a few dots of Dijon mustard beside the terrine. Place two quenelles of carrot puree on the terrine. Place the hot scallops between the quenelles. Garnish with the tuiles, pickled carrots and crisp tarragon.

OUTLOOKS

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The History of… T-SHIRTS — DEREK DOTTO

The exact origin of the T-shirt remains murky. What’s known is that at some point around the turn of the last century, the onepiece undergarment known as the “union suit” was cut in two. The top half took the name “Tshirt” for its simple construction. By the end of World War I, the T-shirt becomes an official part of the U.S. Navy’s uniform. The cotton T-shirt is already widely popular among stevedores and other labourers for its ease of movement and ability to dry quickly.

Early 1900s

1918

T-shirts are standard military issue undergarments for soldiers called to duty in World War II.

1920s

1939

1945

T-shirts don’t take a foothold in the fashion world just yet. Still, Coco Chanel’s use of jersey for her little black dress and other garments brings the fabric, previously only used for underwear, to the outer layer. Soldiers returning from the war effort don’t let go of their military fatigues right away. Many pieces, including the T-shirt, were incorporated into casual wear.

20 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

1950s

Hollywood hunks, including Marlon Brando in 1951’s A Streetcar Named Desire and James Dean in 1955’s Rebel Without A Cause, make the T-shirt look oh-so-sexy. Teenagers go crazy for the simple garment, further cementing its place in fashion.

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Self-expression turns into branding and commercialism. The iconic “I ♥ NY” and smiley face designs are emblazoned on Tshirts for the first time, becoming two of the most recognizable modern-day symbols. The v-neck has regained some of its modesty while the crew neck and henley share a healthy portion of the market. From lewd illustrations to animal print and geometric shapes, there’s little you won’t find on a T-shirt.

Deviating subcultures share one thing in common: The T-shirt is worn by everyone from punks to tropical-style preps, like Miami Vice’s Don Johnson.

1960s

1970s

Self-expression rules, and the T-shirt is the perfect platform for rebellious youth. Hippies embrace tie-dyed tops in their campaign for peace, while rocker kids advertise their musical tastes on the increasingly popular ringer tee.

1980s

Early 1990s

2000s

Today

The proliferation of grunge and hip-hop culture sees T-shirts take on mammoth proportions. The sloppier the better.

The deep V dominates, reaching ridiculous proportions and showing more chest than most of us ever wanted to see.

OUTLOOKS

DANIEL RADCLIFFE’S STRAIGHT TALK HE’S BARELY OUTGROWN HIS “HARRY POTTER” BABY FAT, BUT THE FORMER BOY WIZARD IS WISE BEYOND HIS YEARS BY FABIÁN W. WAINTAL/THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE

ashioning a post-Harry Potter identity can’t be easy. But, at just 22, actor Daniel Radcliffe, true to form, is giving it his all. After nearly a year on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, he was seen on the big screen in February’s The Woman in Black. In his next film, he’s set to play the controversial poet Allen Ginsberg. And, as the actor reveals, he has direct-orial ambitions. The “boy wizard” is well positioned to make magic in adulthood, as well. Radcliffe’s ascent in the entertainment industry comes just as a new breed of straight actor is emerging in Hollywood. Its tribesmen have a who-cares attitude about what others think about their sexuality. They don’t need a hot woman glued to their side to redirect the eyes of admiring males. This new template for what it is to be straight is a welcome change for all who wish to escape society’s pre-arranged roles. When it comes to secure straight males, Daniel Radcliffe is at the head of the class. Not only is he unfazed by those who would declare his sexuality for him—“If people want to say that, they can,” he nonchalantly told MTV—but the star has lent his muscle to such causes as The Trevor Project, which offers crisis support to the LGBT community. Among Radcliffe’s award-winning work for the organization is a public-service announcement just this year, urging those in need to seek help through the project’s hotline. As powerful as it might be when a high-profile actor comes out, it’s arguably just as powerful when straight actors let it be known that sexuality—anyone’s—is no big deal. Radcliffe goes a meaningful step further and, instead of patronizing gays as some straight stars do, affably lends his support to those whose sexu-

ality has somehow put them in harm’s way. Sometimes decency even trumps wizardry. After so much time on Broadway and in film, are you finished with London? Oh, no, no. Whenever I’m not working [in North America], I go to home to London. London is definitely still my home. With Nick Jonas replacing you on Broadway, I wonder what it would be like for your fans to find you in the middle of Fifth Avenue walking with Nick Jonas? I imagine it would be chaos. Did you ever regret having done Harry Potter? Was there ever a time when you thought, I wish I could walk through the streets unrecognized? No, there’s never been a moment where I’ve regretted doing Harry Potter, ever. I’m always grateful for the opportunity it’s given me. What do you like most about fame? I don’t know. I don’t really think of it as fame, but I suppose I get a lot of job opportunities that are wonderful, that I wouldn’t necessarily get had I not been in this very successful franchise. What made you become an actor so young? Was it really for fun or were you already dreaming about the magic stardom you enjoy today? No, never. As you say, it was just fun at the start. That was all I OUTLOOKS

was doing. It was always a great fun time, I would get to work with really nice people, and I was just having a laugh. I loved every day I ever spent on a film set, pretty much. I loved working there and doing something I knew I wanted to pursue and continue. After earning so much money with Harry Potter [the franchise has grossed more than $7 billion worldwide], people say, “Oh, Daniel Radcliffe could retire now.” Did you ever consider that? No. Not even for a second. I’ve been working every day of my life since the age of 10. I don’t know what it is not to work. I don’t like not working. I don’t like being on a holiday. Yeah, there was never a moment where I’ve considered not continuing to work after Potter. But do you realize that you’ve made much more than any other actor in Hollywood with one single character, even more than Harrison Ford with his Indiana Jones or Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator? No, I did not realize that, but thank you for telling me. I don’t know if it’s true, but if you said it, then I believe you. Do you know how much you have in the bank? What do you do to handle your money wisely? My mom is put in charge of my finances. She runs it. She organizes it. She invests it. She’s kind of in charge of all that side of my life. I don’t have a great financial acumen or understanding, so I turn that over to her. And the amount is not something I’m really going to talk about.

Scholastic

Did you ever feel that your own career was in jeopardy outside of Harry Potter’s world? No, not yet. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve been in a very successful franchise for 10 years; until now there’s not been a huge amount of professional uncertainty. Now, I don’t think, if I wasn’t taking it seriously or if I wasn’t willing to work as much as I’m going to, over the next year, people might be ready to dismiss me as somebody who was successful with the Harry Potter franchise and then got nothing out of it. I think I will hopefully prove all those people wrong, but I’m willing to work harder and longer than any of them are going to be around for.

24 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

Now that the Harry films are finished, how do you keep that Potter magic going? I don’t know. I have a very charmed life in many ways and I have a wonderful girlfriend [Roseanne Coker] who I love, and I feel lucky to have her in my life today…. My run of magic hasn’t stopped quite yet. Did you choose a movie like The Woman in Black to do something completely different from Harry Potter? Yeah, I think it was a good opportunity for me to show that I can do something different. That’s the start of a long process. People aren’t going to see one film and go, “Oh, he’s the most talented actor.” You need to build up a body of work, which is hopefully what I’ll be doing for the next three to four years and beyond that. So, yeah, part of the excitement of doing The Woman in Black was being able to do something different and fresh. Did you realize that you were born the very same year, 1989, as the original movie version of The Woman in Black was released? Yeah, I heard that. And interestingly, the guy that played my part in the original [Adrian Rawlins], played my father in Harry Potter. Did you see the original movie? No, I didn’t because I have a habit of impersonating. If I had seen the original film I’d probably accidentally let that influence my own performance. So I like to keep a distance from the other. Just like when I was preparing for the Broadway musical, I never let myself see too much of the original film or cast recordings because I didn’t want it to affect my own performance. In the movie, everyone in town is keeping a secret. What’s your secret? What is it that people still don’t know about you? Well, if I told you, then it wouldn’t be a secret. Maybe, then, any misconception people have about you? It’s hard to say. I don’t know what people think about me, because I don’t read any of the things online. My secret, I suppose, is that one day I want to direct. I haven’t told that to anyone before. But yeah, I don’t have that many interesting secrets, unfortunately.

Do you believe in ghosts or the sort of supernatural powers at play in The Woman in Black? I do not, no. I never had a supernatural experience. I never had anything happen to me to make me think that ghosts may be real.

Radcliffe Extra

Isn’t being a Hollywood celebrity supernatural in a way? I mean, I don’t live in Hollywood…. There is something odd about it. There is something strange about the fact that I walk into a room and people know who I am without me knowing who they are. That’s an odd sensation, an odd feeling. But there’s nothing supernatural about it. I wouldn’t go quite that far.

A PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

A GAME OF WORD ASSOCIATION

Pluto. A PLACE ON THE INTERNET

www.cricket-photo.com. A PLACE IN YOUR OWN HOME

Is it an advantage or too much pressure to be typecast forever as Harry Potter? In a way, it’s double-edged, because on one hand, it does put pressure on you. If you don’t show people you are serious about things, that you want to make a career for yourself, people will dismiss you. But, at the same time, Potter has given me every opportunity that I have subsequently had. I would have never gotten to do How to Succeed on Broadway. I would have never gotten to do a Woman in Black film. There are all these things that it’s allowed me to do, which are so exciting. Do you picture yourself married one day with kids? Absolutely, I’d love to. I mean, at some point, yeah. It’s not going to be for a few years, but definitely I want to do that and have a family.

My bed. FAVOURITE RING TONE

The automatic one it goes onto—I never changed it. A DESSERT:

Probably caramel ice cream. FIRST THING YOU DO IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU WAKE UP

Check the time. FILL THE BLANKS IN: I’M AFRAID OF...

How do you picture yourself 25 years from now? I don’t know. I hope to have directed something by then, that’s absolutely the goal. I hope to be interested in working solidly for the next 25 years. If they ever called you 25 years from now to do a movie about Harry Potter and his children, would you do it? [Laughs] I would have to read the script, like any other job I do. I’d see what the script was like and if it’s good, then maybe.

Cockroaches. I HATE IT WHEN...

I have a cold. I LOVE IT WHEN...

I’m with my girlfriend. PEOPLE THINK I’M...

Shorter in real life than they see on film. I’D LOVE PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT...

Tom Lehrer is one of the greatest songwriters ever. BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

There was somebody who told me, “No matter what the job is, if you’re offered it, you say ‘Yes.’” —F.W.W.

OUTLOOKS

ON GUARD!

SEVEN SUGGESTIONS FOR KEEPING YOUR TRAVEL SAFE BY RANDALL SHIRLEY

he capsizing of the Costa Concordia has weighed heavy on my mind for several weeks. Results from a telephone poll conducted since the event reveal that 42 percent of Americans would jump into frigid water and try to swim to safety if they were on a sinking ship (www.pollposition.com). I suppose that’s one kind of personalsafety plan. But this tragedy carries a sobering reminder. While it’s highly unlikely any of us will be the victim of a cruise-ship sinking in Italy or an earthquake in Japan, a tsunami in Thailand or robbery at gunpoint in Mexico—all events that have affected travellers in the recent past—some people will fall victim to bad things on the road. While there are a handful of obvious precautions, I believe gay travellers, frequent voyagers that many of us are, should also be the best educated and prepared if things go wrong. While my list of precautions is hardly exhaustive—and I’ll be the first to admit I don’t always practice every one of these (though some don’t apply to me)—I hope it will get all of us thinking about how we can be as safe as possible when we travel. Feel free to send us your tips (to editor@outlooks. ca) for possible inclusion in future issues.

Stop to think about where you’re going, and consider the kinds of things that can go wrong there. Political instability? Either pick a different destination or avoid potentially volatile centres. Volcanoes between the destination and home? Pack enough prescription medicine to last substantially beyond the intended length of your trip. Incredible poverty? Be prepared

26 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

for begging children. High crime? Leave the Omega watch and other bling at home. When going out of the country, take a peek at either, or both, the Canada Foreign Affairs (www.voyage.gc.ca) or U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) resources. Both outline possible risks for every country in the world. (And you may find interesting what the countries say about each other.)

Make sure someone at home has a detailed itinerary, backups of your documents and knows where your will is stored. Whether you’re zipping down for a weekend of Broadway shows in New York, heading to the slopes of Mount Tremblant or journeying to Uganda to figure out how a country can be so homophobic (not recommending that!), leave a paper trail to help loved ones locate and assist you should something ever go wrong. And on a similar topic…

Safer sex—not what you’re thinking. If you hook up or visit bathhouses and cruising areas in your travels, what’s your safety plan? Chances are the hot online date you’ve got scheduled in Berlin or Sydney or Vancouver will be fine, but if something untoward happened, who would know where to come looking for you? Frankly, I’d say this is a smart tip for those who hook up anywhere, including your hometown. At the very least, each time you go out, leave a brief note in your room with the date, time, and address you’re headed to, and even the screen name or profile of the person(s) you intend to meet.

Drugs and borders. I do not advocate doing drugs. But unless you’re in Amsterdam, most mind-altering substances are probably illegal where you live and where you’ll be travelling. If you, or any of your travelling companions, use drugs, don’t be stupid enough to carry them with you across international borders. If you’ve never seen the film Midnight Express, where a guy ends up in a Turkish prison for carrying drugs, rent it tonight.

may need to pay for some services. For those who don’t have insurance, the CAA is one place to start (www.caa.ca).

Consider packing a small emergency kit. It should include a small flashlight,

vive a crash than those in the front (www. popularmechanics.com). On a ship—including cruise ships and ferries—attend the muster drill, or really listen when the safety announcement is made. Visualize what they’re telling you about the

GAY TRAVELERS, FREQUENT VOYAGERS THAT MANY OF US ARE, SHOULD ALSO BE THE BEST EDUCATED AND PREPARED IF THINGS GO WRONG. some basic first-aid items (adhesive bandages, alcohol pads), a couple of healthy granola bars, a few water-purification tablets, a needle and unwaxed tooth floss (strong stuff!) and, if you’re checking luggage, take a basic Swiss-style multi-tool knife.

Buy Out of Province/Out of Country travel insurance. Not everyone is lucky enough to have this as part of their own or a partner’s workplace benefits. While you might think Out of Country is for dramatic health issues, like needing to be medically evacuated after an injury hiking in the Andes, a seemingly basic procedure in an American hospital could cost you thousands of dollars. Also, some people who rarely go abroad may not have thought about Out of Province insurance. But if you ever require medical attention in another province, you

Pay attention to safety briefings and destination safety. I’ve saved the obvious for last. And I mean it: really pay attention. Actually imagine yourself having to evacuate a plane, abandon a ferry or train, or escape a hotel. On a plane, count the number of seats between you and the nearest two exits. In a smoke-filled cabin you might not be able to see the floor lighting. And if you’re truly worried about a crash, fly coach and take a back seat. A 2007 study published in Popular Mechanics said that passengers in the back of a plane are 40 percent more likely to sur-

life vests—where are they? Could you find one and put it on? What would you do next? Consider evacuation routes from various parts of the ship, and have a backup. Use the safe for valuables. In a hotel room, consider your escape routes. Study the diagram on the back of the door, and look in the hallway to find the emergency exit. It’s a good idea to check the emergency exit at the ground level to ensure it hasn’t somehow been blocked and that you could actually open it. Also think about how high up the room is—you’re much more likely to survive a jump from the third floor than the 30th. Use the safe for valuables.

• Bonus item: always plan a rendezvous location with your partner or travelling companion, and choose a secondary location in case the original location cannot be reached.

OUTLOOKS

Nova Scotia Tourism

GETTING HOOKED ON A SLICE OF NOVA SCOTIA BY RANDALL SHIRLEY

28 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

The pleasantly relaxed atmosphere of Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia makes it a haven for those in search of an unhurried time among welcoming locals.

ova Scotia has a lot of hookers. Travelling there, we very quickly learn that one does not become a hooker overnight. During conversation with hooking Nova Scotians, we also learn that pretty much every pun about hookers, hooking and hookups has been made already. But Maritimers are known for their sense of humour, and seem willing to indulge mine, even when I’m not that funny. To them, at least. It’s rugs they’re hooking. And in the Maritimes, hooked rugs often become wonderful art. My partner and I have made our way to Canada’s east and a postcard-perfect hamlet called Annapolis Royal. The drive took us across a rolling, often bucolic but never boring Nova Scotian land- and seascape. This tiny town and the surrounding area, tucked between two tide-affected rivers as they near the Bay of Fundy, is about as far from big-city bustle as you can imagine. We are hardly the only gays to have made this drive. Annapolis Royal has become, on a small scale, an escape pod for gay Canadians looking for a retirement home or a place from which to telecom-

mute. In true Maritimes fashion, groups of local gays gather at one another’s homes for potlucks. It takes about four and a half hours to get here from Toronto (two on them on the plane and another two and a half by car).

“

low down!” My partner repeatedly tells me this as we navigate the country lanes around Annapolis Royal. Before long, I realize I am driving slower, and that everything about life here seems slower. People have time for long conversations. Restaurant meals aren’t rushed. And there’s no hurrying-up about hooking a rug. Founded in an area traditionally inhabited by the aboriginal Mi’kMaq people, the town proclaims itself the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. It’s been fought over by the French and British. The Acadians were displaced and land was granted to New England planters. Parts have been destroyed and rebuilt. It’s a place that has been reliant on both the land and the sea. Near the wharf and current downtown, the star-shaped site

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known as Fort Anne was Nova Scotia’s first capital, and later became Canada’s first national historic site (parkscanada.ca). Along the way, the prosperity afforded an important seaport—ships once made regular sailings from Annapolis Royal to Boston and beyond. It also meant that interesting buildings were built; amazingly, many of them have survived: 135 structures have some degree of heritage recognition. Leslie Langille is responsible for some of those buildings’ preservation. And if you’ve got an interest in learning about them, there are two places you’re likely to find this unassuming former board member of the Annapolis Heritage Society: in the antiques shop he generally keeps open on Saturdays (902-638-8806) or in the rug-hooking studio he co-owns with his partner, Blaine Allaby, and two of their friends, just 10 minutes down the road in Clementsport. Moose River Rug Hooking Studio is, perhaps, a perfect slice of Nova Scotia (mooseriverstudio. com). For starters, it occupies a restored school house that Langille, Allaby and their friends saved from likely collapse. During our visit, they were just finishing the renovations, and it has now become a place where people come to share a common hobby…or obsession! They offer lessons in hooking, alongside a space for hooking groups to gather, and occasionally special rug shows. My partner, Denni, is fascinated by hooking and wants to learn. It looks easy enough—pulling strips of coloured wool through burlap backing to create designs that range from simple geometric patterns to spectacular representations of animals and landscapes. Allaby is a willing teacher, but it doesn’t take long for Denni to realize that creating this special folk art requires much practice and patience. Moose River does sell finished rugs—including works by Langille

and Allaby—a piece of Nova Scotia you can take home. They range from a couple hundred dollars to the thousands. But after watching the hookers for a few minutes, you realize this is a made-in-Canada souvenir that’s worth every penny.

ut we were talking about Langille and historic houses. Ah, like happening upon a Nova Scotia back road, it’s easy to get sidetracked in Annapolis Royal. Langille has a thing for old buildings: He simply hates to see them fall apart or meet the wrecking ball. He’ll tell you it’s almost as bad when they’re remodeled and lose their historic character. That, at least, might one day be reversed, as was the case with the home he and Allaby share, which is thought to comprise two of the oldest structures in the Annapolis Royal region. They were most likely moved from the site of Fort Anne many years ago. While you won’t be staying at Allaby and Langille’s historic home, you can stay in places the latter previously owned, restored and then ran as B&Bs. He’s since gotten out of that business but not before selling his establishments to new, gay-friendly owners who share his dedication to maintaining the homes’ historic integrity. Each of the homes is worth considering for a stay; all are close to the town centre. Travellers who prize an over-the-top experience should book a room at the Queen Anne Inn, a circa 1865 property that positively oozes historic grandness (queenanneinn.ns.ca, 494 Upper Saint George St.). Whether you stay there or not, dinner at the Queen Anne is a must. If you’re tempted to put on a dinner jacket, go right ahead. Not far away, Hillsdale House (hillsdalehouseinn.ca, 519 Saint George St.), built circa 1859 in the Italianate style, is a bit less osten-

ALONG THE WAY, THE PROSPERITY AFFORDED AN IMPORTANT SEAPORT. SHIPS ONCE MADE REGULAR SAILINGS FROM ANNAPOLIS ROYAL TO BOSTON AND BEYOND.

30 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

Moose River Hooking Studio Randall Shirley Randall Shirley

Easy living (clockwise from left): the historic Queen Anne B&B in Annapolis Royal; one of the elegantly simple hooked rugs for which the area is famous; the homey wares of a local farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market.

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32 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

Nova Scotia Tourism

tatious. But don’t let that fool you. Over the years, it’s played host hold. And this town’s English graveyard holds plenty. Melanson dresses to such royal guests as Prince George of Wales, who became King in Victorian-era funeral attire, which adds to the authenticity as he George V. So, in the spirit of the monarchy, feel free to wear your tiara leads the tour from marker to marker—including the oldest gravestone to breakfast. in Canada—illuminating some of The most unusual of Langthe area’s history through stories ille’s three former homes is Baiof the bodies interred there. ley House (baileyhouse.ca, 150 During daylight hours, a mornA GAY TIME IN HALIFAX Saint George St.), with its enviing might be spent at the loMost visitors to Annapolis Royal will fly into Halifax. If you’ve able location on the waterfront cal farmer’s market, where we never been, plan on two to three days there. See the Citadel of “downtown” Annapolis Royal. ogled amazing fresh produce and (parks.ca), hit the Keith’s Brewery Tour (keiths.ca) and, if you It is the oldest (circa 1770) and snagged a beautiful cutting board, time a summer trip right, catch the Tattoo—a spectacle that a strong example of Georgian made from the craftsman’s own blends military drills with Broadway and the circus (nstattoo. architecture, which appears to tree. We find our way to the deca). Halifax has some fun gay nightlife—the Menz Bar comes my eye the simplest of the trio. lightful Catfish Moon gift shop, to mind (menzbar.ca). Chef Darren Lewis cooks up fine eats at Chives (chives.ca), and sleep soundly at boutique Halliburton Innkeeper Suzan Hebditch keeps where we browse quality Nova House Inn (thehalliburton.com). a cozy home filled with a comScotian arts and crafts (catfishbination of historic-styled furmoon.com, 170 Saint George St). nishings and some lovely conWe enjoy a laid-back lunch of curtemporary pieces. Perhaps best ried chicken sandwich on the patio of all, Bailey House has a small at Leo’s Café, a place that makes yard on the river, facing across really good old-fashioned fare to the church steeple in Gran(222 Saint George St.). We wander ville Ferry. The yard’s Adirondack along the historic wharf and later chairs in bright colours tempt us chill out with coffee at the Cozy to take a break and truly let the Internet Café (324 Saint George world come to a standstill. St.), where the gossip of local ladies provides free entertainment. ith more than 400 We pop in for outstanding baked years of history to goods at the German Bakery and take in, learning about end up having a friendly chat with Annapolis Royal’s past can spill, the baker (germanbakery.ca, 441 intriguingly so, into the nightSaint George St.). time hours with graveyard tours Our day trips around the reby candlelight (tourannapolisroygion prompt us to start planning al.com). While a cemetery tour a return to the area for exploring does evoke a certain spookiness, that’s hardly what history buff and the Bay of Fundy. As for the end of this visit, alas, we’re far from being master storyteller Alan Melanson’s tours are about. Rather, he helps hookers. Denni needs more time with that. But it’s safe to say we are guests understand the importance of cemeteries for the history they completely, well, hooked.

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SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY MOST PEOPLE CAN’T IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT SMELLS. FOR ANOSMICS LIKE ME, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FATHOM A WORLD WITH THEM. BY DAVID WRIGHT

y mother was stirring a pot of her homemade spaghetti sauce, in a memory from the distant past that’s still vivid as a Polaroid snapshot. We sat around the kitchen table waiting to dig in. Everyone commented on the aroma wafting from the stove and how it made them 34 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

hungry. Everyone but me. Until then, I had always played along, pretending I understood—not just their impressions of food cooking on a hot stove, but also the fragrance of perfumes, the scent of a freshly mowed lawn, the smell of tobacco or earthworms after a heavy rainfall. I don’t know why I chose

that particular moment to disclose my secret, but when I finally confessed to them that I couldn’t smell a thing, never had, they all thought I was joking. I was nine years old, which is relatively young for closet anosmics to announce themselves. It never occurred to me that anyone would question the big reveal or

that I’d often find myself defending what I knew to be true for the rest of my life. But in fairness, most people have never heard of anosmia, and fewer still have ever met anyone like me. According to the Office of Rare Disease Research at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S., congenital anosmia (pronounced aen’ozmie) affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. Figures aren’t available for Canada, but do the math and you’ll find that I’m one of roughly 20,000 fellow Canadians who were born this way. As with most sympathetic mothers, my mum didn’t take long to realize I was telling the truth. She also used my disability to her advantage on occasion, dispatching me to mop up if our dog had an accident on the carpet, for example. For his part, Dad always maintained that this “odour blindness” was all in my head. He was partly right, but, more precisely, it’s actually linked to what isn’t in my head: a functioning olfactory bulb in my brain. People who know me these days usually don’t need much convincing—honestly, why would anyone make this up?—but once their acceptance is assured, I brace myself for the next question: So you can’t taste either, right? No doubt, the senses of taste and smell are deeply intertwined—for most people, inseparable—and I’ve always suspected that certain flavours are beyond my tongue’s grasp. But I can tell a good wine from a bad one, a well-aged steak from a mediocre cut of beef. Even so, it’s a reasonable question. At a recent physical checkup, my GP opened my file and asked, “Still can’t smell?” I said there had been no change in that department but reminded him that I’ve always been able to taste. He pointed out that this couldn’t possibly be, demonstrating his theory by peeling an orange he had brought for lunch and eating a piece while plugging his nose. “See,” he said, “I can’t taste a thing”—which is like taking a deaf person to a rock concert and expecting him to hear the music, too. For anosmics, food has only lost its aroma, but basic tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter—remain largely untouched. They might even be more pronounced for some olfactory-challenged individuals than

for their nasally superior counterparts. The Anosmia Foundation of Canada website says that for a person with a normal sense of smell, these gustatory nuances are drowned out “because they are trivial in comparison to the differences in olfactory stimulation.” I’m not sure if there’s a connection here, but my tongue has a heightened sensitivity to the texture of foods, too. As a result, I once found baked beans and mushy peas—even ground beef—hard to swallow because they made me gag. Years of practice taught me to suppress this reflex, but I digress.

ment smoke detector for peace of mind more than most and test the batteries religiously. I’ve never experienced the aphrodisiac effects associated with the erotic scents of sex. “The loss of the sense of smell can have profound psychological and somatic consequences,” Jacob writes on his website, “a fact that is little recognised by the general public or medical profession.” A full-on case of congenital anosmia is very rare, for sure, but most people’s sense of smell diminishes over time— the acquired version isn’t uncommon in elderly patients and has even been linked

PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME THESE DAYS USUALLY DON’T NEED MUCH CONVINCING—HONESTLY, WHY WOULD ANYONE MAKE THIS UP?— BUT ONCE THEIR ACCEPTANCE IS ASSURED, I BRACE MYSELF FOR THE NEXT QUESTION: SO YOU CAN’T TASTE EITHER, RIGHT? I understand that the sense of smell isn’t just a luxury. University of Cardiff bioscientist and anosmia authority Tim Jacob notes that our distant ancestors needed it to sniff out healthy food sources, not to mention imminent danger, just to survive in the wild. But for us modern humans, especially those who live in developed countries with plentiful food supplies, our sense of smell plays a negligible role in self-preservation. Sure, I can live without it, but I’ll always wonder what cigarettes and earthworms and all those other things smell like. I’ve heard I’m usually better off not knowing, and maybe that’s true, but there are obvious disadvantages, too. For one, anosmics are more likely to ingest spoiled food and suffer the repercussions. More than a few times, I’ve filled a glass with sour milk and taken a swig when anyone else would have known better. I depend on my apart-

to Alzheimer’s. It can happen to anyone at any time, as well, the result of a nasal infection or brain injury. Unlike me, however, you’d still have indelible memories of fragrances, scents and odours collected over a lifetime. Of all our senses, smell gets the least attention and is probably the one most taken for granted. But as anosmia gains wider exposure, acceptance and credibility over time, I’m trusting that one day it might be less questioned, too. In the meantime, I can’t really lament the loss of something I’ve never experienced, and people who don’t know me would never guess there’s something missing. So I’ll continue to have fun wondering—not without a whiff of envy, I have to admit— what it must be like for everyone else when they talk about all those scents I can only imagine, from spaghetti sauce to sweaty pecs. OUTLOOKS

CASUAL FRIDAY THE UPSIDE OF DRESSING DOWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM WEBSTER STYLING BY CARLTON ELLIS HAIR BY SEAN MCGEE MAKEUP BY JHUN TAKAYAMA, NAWAL ERRAHMANI MODELS: PAUL FOR VELOCCI, BRADLEY & KYLE FOR SPOT 6 MANAGEMENT

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NEWS

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38 OUTLOOKS MONTH 2011

NEWS

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NEWS

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40 OUTLOOKS MONTH 2011

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42 OUTLOOKS MONTH 2011

NEWS

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Photos courtesy of Lyman-Eyer Gallery, Provincetown, Massachusetts, www.lymaneyerart.com

ART_&_CULTURE

A Friend Remembers Steve Walker, 1961-2012 BY BRETT TAYLOR

hen Steve Walker died at his home in Costa Rica on Jan. 4, Canada, and quite possibly the worldwide gay arts community, lost one of our time’s best artists. For me, it also meant the loss of a friend. I first met the Ottawa-born painter in 44 OUTLOOKS APRIL 2012

1995. Having travelled to Toronto on business, I purchased a little “gaytimer” notebook from a shop on Church Street. In it were small black-and-white images by local artists, including one by Steve titled “Holding On, Letting Go.” I immediately thought that this man was blessed with an amazing gift for capturing emotions common to everyone, but, in this case,

those experienced by gay men in their relationships. I returned to Toronto a few days later, met Steve, and we developed a plan to promote his work through limited-edition prints, posters, calendars, etc. The following two years were a bit of a haze as we attended Pride events and street fairs in all of North America’s major gay destina-

ART_&_CULTURE

tions. Word was getting out as to just how talented this young man was, and everywhere we went we were met with high praise and admiration. Steve took the situations we all encounter and depicted them in a silent language all his own. Most of his paintings were faceless, with the aspect taken from the side or back of the individuals. This technique allowed viewers to become one of the individuals themselves and to feel the hope, joy, sadness or loneliness the work projected. An unemployed actor, Steve was selftaught. I remember him telling me how he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to show friends his early works, because he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that they were

very good. However, working with only four colors, Steve refined his talent from the early days to the images we see today with such vivid skin tones and textures. He painted about his life as a gay man and felt that if a particular piece needed an explanation, he had somehow not been successful. His body of work is a documentation, an interpretation, a crystallization of singular moments rendered in line, color, light and shadow, using a hundred brushes and a million brushstrokes. It was his intent to make people stop, if only for a moment, think and actually feel something. His paintings contain as many questions as answers.

Steve Walker

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SNAPSHOT

A CLUB LIKE NO OTHER

Joan Marcus

urn, baby, burn, went the disco anthem. At the legendary Studio 54, a lot of people did get burned, starting with the owners (Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager landed behind bars for tax evasion). Drug use and unsafe sex in the former theatre’s nether regions were the undoing of others. But when the New York City nightclub opened in April 1977, 35 years ago this month, its dark sides couldn’t be seen amid the disco ball’s glittering. “Studio” or “54” as it was known to habitués—including Canada’s former first lady Margaret Trudeau, Andy Warhol and seemingly every other A-lister of the day—instantly became identified with a hard-partying subset of post-Stonewall gay culture. Today, the building on West 54th Street houses the Roundabout Theatre Company. But before closing as a nightclub in 1986, its glory days a distant memory, AIDS had claimed a number of patrons and staff. When Last Dance was played a final time, it was Studio 54’s adieu to an entire era.

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