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“You are invited to see the Earth turn” - Discovering Foucault’s Pendulum

Written

Francois

on Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Foucault's Pendulum at Carleton.

Post by Mokum

The other night I strolled over to the Herzberg Laboratories at Carleton University to spend a few minutes with the Foucault Pendulum. I was looking for a metaphor. If you haven’t seen the Foucault Pendulum at Carleton, it really is that: a five-storey replica of the famous pendulum first conceived of by the 19th century French physicist Léon Foucault. In designing his pendulum, Foucault set out to demonstrate in an easy-to-see experiment that the Earth rotates; in this he succeeded.

How does it work? Like many groundbreaking discoveries, Foucault’s proof was quite simple. All he did was suspend a large pendulum from the ceiling to show that the plane of its motion, with respect to the Earth, rotated slowly clockwise. What does this clockwise motion mean? The simplest – and correct – answer is that it means that the Earth turns.

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Art Theft at Blink Gallery! Have you seen these shoes?

Written

Francois

on Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Red Shoes

Editor’s Note: Barbara has recovered the stolen shoes and offered this email explanation earlier this weekend:

“I got my shoes back!!
This morning when I was on my bike, just entering the park off of sussex drive there was abunch of homeless people on a park bench, one of whom was a young woman with my ruby slippers!!!”

We are not in Kansas anymore.

A couple of days ago, Apt613 contributor, Diane Bond, wrote a post about No Man’s Land: Dirt & Aprons, an exhibition by Barbara Cuerden that is taking place at Blink Gallery. The exhibition was a success, so much so that someone decided to leave with part of an installation. Please help Barbara find the stolen red shoes!

From Barbara’s own account:

The shoes were stolen around 9 pm Thursday night while the last guests were leaving.

Nothing else was stolen, and my camera and bag were within reach and easy to see if you were in the mood for getting away with something that might be worth stealing.

Someone ducked into the garage and nabbed the shoes, right under our noses. Martin detected the theft as he had had one eye on the grass while talking to visitors. They were gone in the wink (or BLINK) of an eye. [Hopefully the thief was called Dorothy].

We went outside and questioned a group of lingerers who were having a good time at a park bench overlooking the canal. They seemed the type who might be in for a bit of larceny. But none of them were wearing red sparkly Wizard of Oz shoes. Does anyone else remember the Stump Girl Art Theft Heist outside the British High Commission Embassy? She was wearing red shoes too!! This is the second BLINK art theft!

So, if anyone sees them, they are red. sparkly and have rhinestones all over them that cost me a lot of money and time to glue on.” If you hear anything about the shoes, or better yet, find them, please email Barbara at bcuerden@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone who came out!

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The “Sex Degrees of Ottawa”: Reflections on Ottawa from a hometown girl

Written

apartment613

on Saturday, April 10, 2010

Photo courtesy of photocapy on Flickr

This post is by Veronica Michelle, blogger at The View from Veronica’s Closet, well-known Ottawa writer, and occasional Apt613 columnist. It’s the second post in a short series on Ottawa, why she left and why there’s no place like home. Click here for the first post.

In 2001, Ottawa amalgamated with its peripheral cities (Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, etc.) bringing the total population of the city to approximately 774,000, excluding Gatineau. I’ve often heard it mused that, in Ottawa, everyone is connected to one another by no more than one degree of separation. I’ve joked that, within the several intertwining niches of the vast arts and nightlife scene, everyone is sexually connected by no more than one or two degrees.

I like to call this theory the “Sex Degrees of Ottawa.” It was one of the reasons I left. Now, I wouldn’t call myself promiscuous, but more often than I like to admit, I am that one degree (sexually or - usually - otherwise) between any two given people in the city. I never meant to be a common link between so many people. It just kind of happened.

It’s no secret that my decision to up and go wasn’t made hastily. I knew for several months that I was going to be leaving. I made sure those who needed to know knew - except, perhaps, the people I was dating. It was an awkward and touchy subject, and even though I wasn’t seeing anyone seriously, it was still something that needed to be discussed. There are some things that are indisputably imperative to disclose when you enter a romantic relationship: Do you have kids? Have you been married? Are you an amputee? Are you a Scientologist? Do you have plans to move away in the near future? All potential dealbreakers.

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Dirty Laundry: Ask outs, make outs and Nadine’s no.1 back door rule!

Written

apartment613

on Friday, March 26, 2010

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Ruano

A professional sexual health educator with an alarming lack of tact, Nadine Thornhill is used to airing out other people’s unmentionables. Her sex column, Dirty Laundry, runs the last Friday of each month on Apt613. To ask your questions, or to say hello to Nadine, contact her at dirtylaundry613@gmail.com.

For the full smorgasboard of Nadine’s musings check out her blog, Adorkable Thespian.

_________________________

Dear Dirty Laundress,

Are all lubes created equal? Or should one consider different lubes for different lubing needs and purposes?

Slippery When Wet

Before I answer your specific question, SWW, a quick word about lube. Lube (or “personal liquid” as it’s called in television ads) is fucking fantastic! I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing, sometimes sex gets vigorous and nothing kills the mood like chafing. That’s why I believe whether your playing solo or with friends, lube is a great tool to have in your sexual arsenal.

There are a plethora of lubes out there, as varied and diverse as the people who play with them. In terms of ingredients, lube can be divided into three broad categories: water-based, silicone-based and oil-based.

Water-based lube is the most commonly available lube on the market. It’s latex-safe, which means you can use it with barriers like condoms and dental dams. It’s also compatible with virtually any sex toy or sexual product. On the other hand, some water-based lubes can dry out or get sticky, particularly brands with a high sugar and/or glycerine content. Sugar and glycerin also feed yeast, so if you have a vagina prone to infections, check the ingredients and opt for a sugar-free variety; Slippery Stuff and Sliquid are two of my favourites.

Silicone based lube is the Energizer bunny of lubricants - it keeps going and going and going. Ideal for play that involves extended or intense friction, silicone-based lube is latex-safe and slick, slick, slick. It’s also great for use in showers since it won’t rinse off like a water-based lube. Just watch your step if you spill some in the tub! It takes the vagina a while to flush out silicone. Because lingering moisture can lead to excess yeast, look for vag-friendly silicone lubes, such as Pjur Woman, which are lighter and easier for the body to get rid of. Also liquid silicone will bond chemically to silicone toys, leaving them with a permanently tacky surface.

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SEX! Now that we got your attention…

Written

apartment613

on Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Photo courtesy of Jessica Ruano on Flickr.

Friday will be a special day for Apt613… the incomparable Nadine Thornhill is joining our team of writers and will contribute a monthly sex/relationship advice column - Dirty Laundry. All those questions you had about that third nipple or how to properly introduce your pie throwing fetish to your partner, Nadine’s there to answer them!

A professional sexual health educator with an alarming lack of tact, Nadine is used to speaking openly about the wonders of masturbation - even within earshot of your conservative relatives. When she’s not making you blush, she’ll be playing one of her many other roles, including mother, lover, actor, award-winning playwright, wannabe triathlete, poet and lifelong klutz. For the full smorgasboard of Nadine’s musings check out her blog, Adorkable Thespian.

Dirty Laundry will run the last Friday of each month starting this week. To ask your questions, or to say hello to Nadine, contact her at dirtylaundry613@gmail.com.

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“Just admit it. You’re from Kanata.” Reflections on Ottawa from a hometown girl

Written

apartment613

on Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Photo courtesy of S.L.M at flickr

Post by Veronica Michelle - blogger at The View from Veronica’s Closet, well-known Ottawa writer and occasional Apt613 columnist. This is the first post in a short series on Ottawa, why she left and why there’s no place like home.

Ottawa never felt like home to me until I left.

I was born in Halifax. My family relocated to Ottawa well before I was old enough to have any memories of my home town, but I grew up knowing where I was from. I’ve never considered myself an Ottawa native, despite having a number of friends who would mock me when I claimed to be Nova Scotian, saying “Just admit it. You’re from Kanata.”

When I knew I needed to get out of Ottawa, there was no question of where to go. I, like many others who feel the need to leave Ottawa behind, left for the bright lights and cheap booze of our sister city: Montreal.

The allure of Montreal offered me something new, something bigger; a land of opportunity outside of a city that I already felt I had conquered and was bored with.

It took almost a year for me to set all of my affairs in order to leave. Being an active member in many of Ottawa’s intertwining communities meant that I had to set up arrangements to continue working in the Ottawa scene from Montreal. Some of the seats I held were easy to vacate, others required thoughtful replacement and some remained reserved, with me on call from Montreal. (There’s a reason I’m the mayor of Station Centrale D’Autobus de Montreal on Foursquare.)

I was going back almost every 2 weeks for one reason or another: To support a friend in their art show or concert, to help organize an event, to perform, or just to see the people I love. I was giving ammunition to the voices telling me to come back. It was becoming clear to others that Ottawa is where I belong, long before my stubborn self could accept it.

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Sexapalooza this weekend at Lansdowne

Written

Katie

on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Courtesy of margolove on flickr

Want to take your nookie up a level? Curious about the latest in titillating technologies? Need a wholesale supplier of Astroglide? You’re in luck! Sexapalooza, a three day consumer trade show dedicated to all things blue and bawdy, is coming to Lansdowne from Friday, January 15 to Sunday, January 17. For $20 at the door ($15 online) you can spend the day perusing goods like… well, use your imagination.

However, shopping is not the only thing on offer. Featuring on the main stage will be Ottawa’s own Rockalily Burlesque, Kitty Boutique’s Bondage Bed demo and Wear’s and Wear-Latex Fashion Show, at least two pole dancing shows and more. The sensual sideshows include a sex museum, the “Alley of Fantasy” with games and contests, as well as the Dungeon with “all sorts of naughty and nice activities.”

For you eternal students, a number of seminars will also be running, such as Birds and Bees G-Spot Orgasms, You want to Put What Where? in both French and English and Everything You Want to Know About Glass (I thought it was something to put my milk in, but apparently I have much to learn…). More artistic types can also attend the sessions on erotic photography and writing.

Read on for the licentious logistics!

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Zaphod’s: A Christmas Story

Written

Katie

on Friday, December 18, 2009

Courtesy of stoicviking on flickr

We generally frown upon posting press releases onto the site, but in the spirit of the season we’re making an exception. Zaphod’s, an Ottawa institution for indie bands and crazy dance parties (not to mention that infamous 11:00pm deadline for performers), is open for business on Christmas Day. Owner Eugene’s explanation for this reads a bit like A Christmas Carol as written by Charles Bukowski, so we’re reproducing it here instead of excerpts from the Gift of the Magi.

We always open on Christmas Day. Here’s why…

When I lived in Toronto many years ago (in the ’70’s) and was
attending York University, I didn’t have anywhere to spend Christmas Day, so I aimlessly walked down Yonge Street. At first I felt alone, because it seemed like everyone else had somewhere to go, some family to be with. But as I walked and walked I realized that there were many other people who were like me. I found myself saying ‘Merry Christmas’ over and over and having such interesting conversations with people who, like me, also had no Christmas plans and I began to ENJOY that walk and the way it made me FEEL.

Years later, when Zaphod’s was on Rideau Street, I was living in an apartment on Daly Street, furnished with just a sofa, coffee table and a bed. A pretty sad existence, but one that my customers did not realize. Once again with nothing to do on Christmas Day I decided, since it was my club, I could open up Zaphod’s and just have some quiet drinks and listen to some tunes by myself. LOUD.

But a strange thing happened. There was a knock on the front door. A regular customer dropped by. I let him in. Then another came. And another. And it wasn’t just people who were alone that came. Friends who had already eaten Christmas dinner came to offer best wishes. Friends brought out-of-town friends, and relatives. And people started calling more friends. I didn’t feel so alone anymore. And soon, we had a party happening.

So that’s why I keep Zaphod’s open on Christmas Day.

Come if you have nowhere to go. But mostly come because now you HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO!

Merry Christmas,

Eugene

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Because I am a girl

Written

Francois

on Friday, October 2, 2009

Photo courtesy of Anette Os.

In my time working in Uganda and Ethiopia I noticed that when women and girls do well, generally the whole family does well. It might be a given for us for our sons and daughters to go to school, have an opportunity to learn, be safe and enjoy being kids for a while. But it’s certainly not the case everywhere. Plan Canada, an NGO that does social justice work for children across the world is working on a great campaign, Because I am a girl, to claim a brighter, safer future for girls. For them and many others, investing in girls is key to eradicating the cycle of poverty.

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Exposing the ANXIETY behind Salon Evening at Cube

Written

saxby

on Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Courtesy of Jenny P. from the Apartment613 Flickr Pool

This coming Sunday October 4th, the team at Apartment613 will be on hand at the Cube Gallery in the west end for the first Salon Evening at Cube. We’re happy to be the official media sponsor and will be on hand recording a podcast of the show and live-blogging our reactions and responses throughout the evening. There is limited space at the gallery, so reserve your spot by calling 613-728-1750.

The theme of the event is Anxiety - so we’ve asked some of the group of local Ottawans behind the salon what makes them anxious. If things are getting a bit heavy in your life… we recommend spending Sunday night in a Gallery with some great Ottawa performers.

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