Alexis Cohen is dead

Alexis Cohen, an American Idol contestant from seasons 7 and 8, has died. She was known for her expletive-filled rants after being rejected by the judges in both seasons, her videos becoming YouTube sensations. She was declared dead yesterday after being hit by a car in New Jersey. Here’s her video from season 7…

Karma is a bitch.

Bank of Canada claims the recession is over

Interesting announcement from the Bank of Canada yesterday: apparently the recession is over. At least in Canada. Technically.

In their latest Monetary Policy Report, released yesterday, the BoC predicts that the Canadian economy will grow by a rate of 1.3% in the current quarter. CBC reports that “Growth will accelerate through late 2009 and by the first half of 2010, the Canadian economy will be booming along with four per cent growth”, according to the bank.

So what does this mean for the average Canadian? I don’t think we’ll see the effects of a recovery until well into 2010. Unemployment rates will continue to rise into next year, and as long as the United States is in a recession, Canada’s recovery will be extremely limited. But, I think that this announcement will help boost consumer confidence and hopefully increase consumer spending, which will obviously help boost the economy. But, to me, the recession still ain’t over yet.

Dash Snow

I found out today that controversial photographer and artist, Dash Snow, died in New York on Monday. Apparently, he overdosed on heroin during a relapse (he had gone to rehab in March and seemingly kicked his addiction).

Dash’s work had always appealed to me — I’d actually say that he is in the top 10 on my “favourite artists” list. I was fascinated by his work, his life. To me, he was a dream interview. I spent the better part of the last year trying to schedule an interview with him, but he was notoriously difficult to get a hold of and nothing came together. We had scheduled a time back in November but he cancelled and we weren’t able to line up another time.

Dash’s fame will only grow from here. I can’t help but draw comparisions to Basquiat. Check out http://www.tinyvices.com/dash_snow.html to see some of his work.