Ryan's Soapboxhttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/en-CA2012-02-23T22:45:23ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Book Review: "Crooked Little Vein" by Warren Ellishttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/12/15/book-review-crooked-little-vein-by-warren-ellis.htmlRyan Draga2011-12-15T15:20:54ZFor those of you who don't know, Warren Ellis is a VERY accomplished and prolific comic book writer. Having written graphic novels such as FreakAngels, Transmetropolitan and RED (yes, the one that got turned into the Bruce Willis movie).

 

]]>Drop The Hatehttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/12/6/drop-the-hate.htmlRyan Draga2011-12-06T18:05:46ZSo a few days ago, I was surfing Facebook and someone posted a YouTube video of a very distraught 14-year-old kid who was being severely bullied for being gay.

Stories like this make my blood instantly boil with righteous indignation, because I WAS that kid. I'm not gay of course, I was bullied for being fat, and for being a nerd. Some kids get bullied for being skinny, some for being poor, some for being white, black, Latino, Indian, or merely just for fucking well breathing the "wrong" way.

And it has to STOP.

]]>Yorkville as seen from the 35th floor of the Hudson's Bay Tower in Toronto (my office)http://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/10/25/yorkville-as-seen-from-the-35th-floor-of-the-hudsons-bay-tow.htmlRyan Draga2011-10-25T12:08:04Z

]]>Movember: Day 1http://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/10/25/movember-day-1.htmlRyan Draga2011-10-25T12:06:48Z

]]>An Athiest's Goodbyehttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/9/11/an-athiests-goodbye.htmlRyan Draga2011-09-11T14:20:00ZToday is the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks that brought down the World Trade Centre. At 11am, a memorial will be held. And as we all say "never forget", as we all mourn the loss of all those lost to us between then and now, between the initial attacks, and the resultant wars, I will be mourning in a different way. As I have also, this past Friday, lost someone close to me.

She was my best friend's mother, and was one of the strongest people I know. In the end, her cancer won out, but she gave it the fight of her life.

As such, I wrote a farewell poem for her.

]]>RIP Jackhttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/8/27/rip-jack.htmlRyan Draga2011-08-27T14:04:00ZAs most of my fellow Torontonians know already, Jack Layton's funeral is being held today and there has been a massive show of support and condolences, people crowding Nathan Phillips Square with flowers and messages to leave at the memorial site. For all Jack did in his career, and the massive impact he made in the last election year, let us never forget what he stood for and what we should all stand for. Below is, in full, his final message to the citizenry of a country he loved enough to be both its faithful servant and most staunch, embattled defender. I encourage you all to read this letter, and know that this is the final message of one of the greatest Canadians to ever live. Whether you agreed with his politics or not, his goals, his core values, were ones that ALL Canadians can empathize with. Sadly, we will never see the words "The Right Honourable Jack Layton, Prime Minister of Canada". But maybe, just maybe, if we spread this letter around, if we keep it viral, keep it fresh in the minds of every Canadian, Jack's message will live on, and we will eventually see the political change that so many of us seek.

 

Rest In Peace, Jack.

]]>...Of Solitude, Unemployment and Creativityhttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/7/10/of-solitude-unemployment-and-creativity.htmlRyan Draga2011-07-10T16:20:00ZI have been unemployed now for about two months, having recently completed a three-month contract. In recent weeks I have found myself undertaking a number of personal creative projects. At first I thought I was just subconsiously trying to stave off the boredom, listlessness, frustration and general malaise that comes with being unemployed for more than a couple of weeks at a time. In a less cynical light, you could say I have just had a lot of free time on my hands and have been trying to keep busy.

 

Then I read an article on Lifehacker which suggests that solitude boosts creativity. Suddenly it all made sense.

 

]]>Canadian Potatoes in Buffalohttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/3/13/canadian-potatoes-in-buffalo.htmlRyan Draga2011-03-13T17:58:00ZAnd So I Flow A River Forth To Thee...Teeming With Souls Shall It Ever Be...http://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/3/12/and-so-i-flow-a-river-forth-to-theeteeming-with-souls-shall.htmlRyan Draga2011-03-12T20:06:00Z

]]>Going Full Circlehttp://www.tuxotaku.com/soapbox/2011/2/15/going-full-circle.htmlRyan Draga2011-02-15T09:09:00Z

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