Supersize NFL

AS HELMETS COLLIDE AND THE FOOTBALL SNAPS, IT’S INCREDIBLE TO WATCH THESE 300-POUND MONSTERS LAY EACH OTHER OUT IN THE NFL.

Heavyweight linebackers today focus on being agile, but work incredibly hard to keep their weight where it needs to be. For many it’s a matter of precise dieting and weightlifting.

As for the top heavyweights of the NFL… they are true wonders of sports science. Defensive tackle Howard Green of the Green Bay Packers weighs in at a spectacular 365 pounds.That’s a whole lot of man to fit into a pair of spandex. Langston Walker, an offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders tips the scale at a whopping 360 pounds and still manages to be light on his feet.

So what do these guys eat? How is it possible that someone so big could play a sport that not only demands size and strength, but agility as well?

“Players eat according to season,” says Jennifer Gibson, a Canadian Sports Dietitian who works with professional athletes and Canadian Olympians. “Many guys will just fuel themselves with whatever high calorie food is available.However teams are now becoming more in tune with how a dietitian can help focus on healthier choices.”

Gibson noted that pre-season training in the NFL is exceptionally grueling and that many players are working on “bulking,” either during training or in the off-season.

During the season players still train, but focus more on the tactics of the game and maintaining their weight.

“These guys are trained athletes, not bodybuilders lifting for aesthetics,” says Gibson. “They are big and strong, but they are building and using functional muscle to aid in their sport.“ After all, a pint-size linebacker isn’t exactly going to have the same impact that a barreling 350lbs of blunt force trauma would.

So, to put just how big these guys are into perspective for you, we decided to compare the average linebacker’s dimensions to the biggest men and the tiniest guys in sport.

A LINEBACKER

Height: 6’2
Weight: 300 lbs
Waist: +40”
Diet: Six meals a day, aiming for 250 grams of protein and 500 grams of carbohydrates. Depending on how heavily each player sweats, they need to drink close to 10 litres of water a day.
Total Caloric Intake: +4,000

A JOCKEY

Height: 5’5
Weight: 120 lbs
Waist: 28”
Diet: Many Jockeys who fail to make the weight before a race can face fines, suspensions, or even disqualification. Jockeys are incredibly careful about their weight, and constantly watch what they eat. Some skip meals, focus on low carbohydrate diets, or even use appetite suppressants.
Total Caloric Intake: 2,000

A SUMO WRESTLER

Height: 6’0
Weight: 320 lbs
Waist: +44”
Diet: Two giant meals a day with close to 4,000 calories per meal. Meals include soups, vegetables, rice, and proteins like beef and chicken.
Total Caloric Intake: +8,000

Canada’s Next Top Comic

COMEDY – IT ISN’T ALL LAUGHS YOU KNOW. THE PROS, THE STANDUP COMICS – THEY WALK ONTO A STAGE AND LIGHT UP AN ENTIRE ROOM. They command their audience, and they make it look pretty damn easy. Maybe a little too easy.

Matt O’Brien

knows that being a comedian isn’t as easy as it looks.

But, O’Brien was one of the lucky ones. Then again, we all make our own luck don’t we?

You see, he got a bit of a boost to his career when he was recently named Canada’s Next Top Comic by XM Canada.

That’s a big step for a guy who spends his nine to five working – and then heading out to comedy clubs after his shift.

“I don’t remember the last time I went directly home from work,” O’Brien said.

“It’s tough.”

It sure is, and after having 22 different jobs in his life – O’Brien is certain that making people laugh is his one and only passion.

“When you’re a comedian people at work want you to be funny. They say, ‘you’re funny, be funny! Tell me something funny, funny-man!’”

“So I have to deal with that sort of stuff, at work.”

“But I tell them, I’m doing this job, I hate it but just let me do this stupid job so I can go be funny at night.”

“Just leave me alone,” he says laughing.

And O’Brien certainly hates his nine to five job, so much so he refused to tell us what it is.

He did mention though that if his career as a comic takes off – he would quit his job in the most spectacular fashion.

An “extravagant mess” is how he described it – involving fireworks, a top hat, a fully written speech, and several buckets of water.

When his day job is over, O’Brien spends as much time as possible at open mics and comedy clubs anywhere, attending two to three shows a night.

He does a pretty good job of making people laugh to – explaining the “right” way to throw a surprise party, or cracking jokes about funny little bits on life.

But this isn’t just fun and games, the late-night Toronto comedy scene has close to 500 different acts, making it incredibly hard for any comedian to make their mark.

And if you want to be a comedian, it’s all about getting your name out there. And with that – sleep will slowly become less and less important to you.

O’Brien has only been doing standup for a little over two years, and taking the title of Canada’s Next Top Comic is a pretty big deal for someone who still considers himself new to the art.

As a kid growing up in Thorndale, Ontario – he wasn’t the troublemaker at the back of the class, or the kid sticking worms up his noise – he just described himself as goofy.

“I kept to myself growing up.

When people think of a comedian, they think they’re outgoing and crazy all the time. But growing up, I was pretty quiet.”

He watched a lot of television as a kid, and adored shows like Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld. As for personal influences he cites actors such as Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, and Bill Cosby.

While attending Peterborough College, O’Brien decided to tackle broadcast journalism as a career – and figured stand-up was a way to boost that dream. He did his first set of comedy at Yuk Yuk’s and fell in love with the art from there.

“It was like a weird addiction,” he said.

“It’s not like anything else, it is just so simple.”

“You’re literally just lit up, amplified, and talking. People are listening, people that you would never talk to in everyday life, and these strangers are listening and laughing at you.”

“Making a complete stranger laugh, I think is the greatest feeling in the world.”

O’Brien smiled, a lot – while describing why he likes comedy. That’s a good thing for someone who takes on the responsibility of being Canada’s Next Top Comic.

He’s got some bragging rights with that title, but it took a lot of laughs to beat out the last eight finalists of the XM Canada competition.

As the winner, O’Brien is walking away with $2,000 cash, a professionally recorded CD of his act, and his own spot at the Global ComedyFest in Vancouver.

“It’s a great boost and I’m glad XM is such a huge supporter of Canadian comedy,” O’Brien said. “I’m also realizing that I’m totally willing to keep working at this.”

“I want to try and get to the next level, and this has definitely taken me to the next step. Having the title might get some people’s attention, and some higher class shows. I won’t have to sneak into poetry jams and do jokes there,” he says smiling.

The right doors for O’Brien seem to be opening – but the road to becoming a full-time comic is still incredibly long. For those interested in taking to the stage, O’Brien encourages anyone and everyone to take a stab at it.

“I think everyone in the world should at least try stand-up once.”

“Someone told me that your first 100 shows don’t count. So do 100 shows and after that if you want to do it, do it.”

“Even if you suck, it’s all about the time you put into it. You need patience. Go everywhere you can, don’t sit at home, go do it.”

Sitting at home is the last thing O’Brien wants to do – if there is ever a night where he can’t find a stage – he finds something else. Side projects, comedy groups, podcasts, you name it, he has his hands in it.

We can only hope that with the right luck, the right jokes, O’Brien can find his own place in the competitive world of comedy.

“It’s such a ridiculous dream to follow, but I’m going to try and do it anyways.”

Halloween Feature

It’s the one time of year when girls can dress any way they want, costume parties consume your weekends, and you end up scooping an eyeball into your glass of punch.

All Hallows Eve … Halloween.

The month of October leads up to the most colorful and terrifying holiday of the year.

There are a variety of ways to enjoy Halloween – whether it’s visiting one of the many haunted houses in Ontario, or by putting on your own haunted house in your backyard. If you’re thinking about taking on that challenge, we’ve got a couple tricks from the pros to ensure that your haunt isn’t the joke of the neighborhood.

You never know – with some pointers you just might give your neighbours the heebie-jeebies for weeks.

“Everything is all in the detail,” according to Danusia Rogacki, tech and event services area manager at Canada’s Wonderland. Rogacki is a big part of the creative force that drives Halloween Haunt, the once a year event that takes over Canada’s Wonderland. “If you want to create something where people come away and think ‘wow that was really cool,’ then you want to make sure that it is as detailed as possible. You don’t need a very big space to do that, and if you want to make it detailed and realistic, the smaller the space the better.”

If you’ve ever been to Canada’s Wonderland throughout October you know that they create something incredible. It really is a different park, and their haunted mazes are not only terrifying, but also stunning and beautiful.

Rogacki uses a lot of the typical tricks that anyone can pull off at home. The standard jump in your face and scream is what they call a “Startle Scare.” The more in-depth scare is called a “Character Scare.” This is when an actor approaches you and doesn’t leave. He breathes down your neck, stares into your eyes, and just waits.

Unsettling isn’t it?

Rogacki’s creative team takes inspiration for their mazes like Red Beard’s Rage, Club Blood, and Blood on the Bayou from a variety of horror films. They plan all year for this event.

“If you want to put something on in your garage it is totally doable,” she said. “The sky is the limit, and you can learn how to do what we do fairly easily. When you break everything down it’s all just simple tasks. Start by learning some basic carpentry and painting techniques. Our scenic techniques are just different layers of painting, layers of different styles, and our carpentry is very simple. We treat everything here as a theatrical show.”

Her advice to anyone looking to put on their own haunt is to pick up some books on prop making. This will teach you some carpentry skills, and give you a couple tricks on painting and detailing.

As for another approach to creating something truly incredible, Vee Popat of Nightmares Fear Factory in Niagara Falls has a different approach.

“Well, we prey on your own fears,” Popat said. “It’s the fear of the unknown that goes down in here. Every haunted house is different, but to me it isn’t vampires, ghouls, goblins and witches that do the trick. That stuff is scary, but at the same time it’s kind of typical for Halloween.”

Nightmares Fear Factory is a nonstop, 365 days-a-year haunted house in Niagara Falls. They are in the business of scaring all year long, and their maze changes weekly.

Popat declined to give away any of their own trade secrets to creating one of the most terrifying haunts in Ontario.

“We scare people every day. We aren’t into blood and gore, and this is not your typical scare. You are going to see, you are going to hear, smell and feel at our haunt. In a good haunted house you don’t want to get a little startled, you want to get freaked out,” Popat said.

Nightmares Fear Factory has been keeping track of those that have chickened out over the years. Over 100,000 people have given in and yelled “nightmares,” during their stay, the word that gets you pulled out of the maze.

Popat’s advice is simple – go after people’s fears – and use their own imagination to create something terrifying. Complete and utter darkness helps with that sort of thing.

“If you’re doing a haunt in your own place make it original and unique. The biggest thing I would say is prey on what they don’t know. Have a lot of unexpected stuff happen and make sure they expect the unexpected.”

Lorne Andrews, director of Charity Haunt Productions has another opinion on what makes a good haunt.

“Make it real,” Andrews says.

The Power House of Terror is held at the Power House Recreation Centre – originally built in 1936 by the patients of the Mimico Lunatic Asylum. This place, along with all the buildings surrounding it – is the most reported haunted structure in all of Toronto.

“The setting that we’re in gives so much more to the haunt,” Andrews says. “It gives that edge before people even walk through the door. We build on that, and make sure people are aware of it, and educate them before they even go inside.

“This is more of a mature haunt. It’s pretty intense. We have a unique position in that the building that we’re in, it’s actually haunted.”

Andrews put on his first haunt in his own neighborhood with just a couple of tents. It quickly grew to the point where the entire street needed to be shut down to accommodate the local haunt. After that – the city of Toronto was so impressed, he was asked to organize a professional haunt at the Power House.

“We try to make everything as real as possible. I like to maintain an actor-based haunt. The actor training we do is extensive as we do a series of seminars with qualified actors that teach scare techniques. Actors learn how to react and be interactive with guests,” he says.

“The greatest haunts are the ones with the great actors; those are the ones that give almost a psychological impact. You remember the characters and you remember the experience because it seems so real. If you really want to be out there, do some research on how other people do these things. You should always be able to learn from someone else about this.”

According to Andrews: “Everyone has a creative and unique way of doing things, but put your own spin on it and be creative. You have the old characters like witches, but there are places for that. There has to be motivation and passion for this. For myself, I want to create a unique entertainment experience.”

The pros have given their advice, and with that you should be on your way to creating the ultimate home haunt. It won’t be the creepy music you play, or the fake brains you leave all over your front door. It is the passion, detail, creativity, and effort that will make this year’s Halloween unforgettable.

VISIT IF YOU DARE!

If you feel like visiting some real haunted structures, and we mean real haunted houses, here are a couple places you can visit in Ontario. But be careful, these places are known for sending their visitors packing early – if you know what we mean.

FORT GEORGE OF NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

So, back in the day this fort was used as a headquarters for the British army during the War of 1812. Today, Fort George is known for its many ghost sightings and suspected haunting. Some locals have said that they can hear screams at night from the wounded soldiers. Some say they can even see the doctors peering out the windows late at night.

ALGONQUIN PARK

Tom Thomson – Group of Seven painter died while canoeing through Algonquin Park. His death – which was a suspected drowning is still disputed and considered a murder. Tangled in vines and fishing wire, Thomson died in the park he loved so much. Many people still see Thomson canoeing through the waters late at night.

THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL OF WHITBY

A hospital that was first built back in the 1900’s, this structure is still standing but next to new homes. A series of underground tunnels connected this hospital, but many locals have reported the sounds of old tortured souls crying at night. Some visitors have seen ghosts wandering the halls late at night. The building is now closed to the public, but some still dare trespass and hopefully meet with the “staff” of this hospital.

THE OLDE ANGEL INN OF NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

This pub and Inn fully endorses the fact that they have a resident ghost living with them. Captain Swayze – another British Solider of the War of 1812 makes this place his home. He is often seen wandering around late at night, and is considered friendly as long as a British flag is hung over the front door. If you think you can handle a night with Captain Swayze – expect him as he tends to be seen quite frequently.

Who The Hell Is Rick Sealock?

Who The Hell Is Rick Sealock?

Rick Sealock teaches fourth-year illustration here at Sheridan. He’s known for challenging his students’ work, his wicked sense of humour, and colourful selection of Hawaiian shirts.

A monkey, that’s all you need.

Well that is according to Rick Sealock, a fourth-year animation professor here at Sheridan. Just one monkey will do it. “If a student can draw the monkey I love, I think they’re going to be a great illustrator,” Sealock said leaning forward in the blue and grey couch. We’re sitting in the staff lounge of the Sheridan cafeteria, talking about all things related to illustration.

Sealock graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in ’86, and has been a freelance illustrator ever since. He’s been teaching and challenging students since 2005. He’s gained a reputation for being a great personality in the classroom, and sporting an impressive lineup of Hawaiian t-shirts on a day-to-day basis.

According to him, it’s not all fun and games. He’s incredibly friendly, but mentions that he’s sometimes referred to as mean by his students. “Teaching students is refreshing, we get old and stale,” he said. “In school it’s a constant challenge for the students. We challenge their work, and challenge their perceptions and ideas. You don’t get enough of that in the real world. School is refreshing, I get recharged every time I come here. “

Sealock works at home, and admits he likes that he can work with clients across North America, without stepping out of his house. Out of college he sold himself to his clients, branded his work, and went to meetings dressed as a cowboy. “My work was standing out as being exotic. I used that to my advantage. When I first started out I used cow skin textures, cowboys, chickens animals, anything Western,” Sealock said.

“Everyone thought I actually lived in Mexico. I made myself look like as if I was in the American Wild West, and everyone gave me jobs.” Sealock made a name for himself as an illustrator, and focused on producing work that was unique to his style. “I tried to create a stylistic approach that really branded my visual, so you knew you’re getting a Rick Sealock. Anyone around the world would know they were looking at a Rick Sealock.”

“Now because I’ve been doing it for so long, I kind of pick and choose who I want to work with and what kind of images I want to do. I’m a little all over the place, because I’m allowed to be. They trust me, they know they’re going to get good work,” he said.

In his classroom Sealock teaches his students how to communicate visually. Students develop their own technical abilities to draw images that people care to look at. It’s about visual problem solving, taking dialogue and turning it into an illustration.

Mike Everett, a fourth-year illustration student at Sheridan, has known Sealock for two years. He describes Sealock’s classroom as a bit of a work camp. “He piles on the work that’s for sure. He expects a lot, but the class is a positive environment,” Everett said. “He teaches discipline, and makes you do what comes naturally. He’s never really satisfied, but it’s all for the students good.”

“You should be able to look at illustration and ask, ‘Why did they do that?’ ” Sealock said. “You need to make people look at your images and want to come back. Then wait for you to make a new image. It is in some ways a new language that you create, but it comes secondary after you do it for years. Some students can intuitively do it, but some need to sketch, refine, and understand how composition creates dialogue. It just doesn’t happen. You build the whole thing, and when you’re done it looks like this world exists.”

Sealock still freelances today for American and Canadian clients. He admits that throughout his career he’s drawn some terrible things, stuff that he claims still stinks to this day. But it’s these mistakes that better him as an illustrator. For young illustrators he suggests that they take each failure as a learning experience. “Sometimes you do everything right and it just falls apart. Have fun with it. It’s not about you, it’s about your images, just take it.” Sealock explained that in order for an illustration student to be successful, it’s not just about technical ability. It’s about individual character and drive that will make one illustrator stand out over another.

“There’s a lot of crap out there,” Sealock said. “It’s a lot easier to get your images out there, promote yourself, and meet new people. There are a hundred times more people out there trying to do the same thing. It’s a lot more complex now with the variety of people and styles.”

“It can be very confusing for students starting out. If you’re going to do it no matter what, pick your direction and stick to it. Students have to produce work that shows a broader range of their skill level. Not just copying, but conceptual development with their personal development and character,” he said.

“It’s a great life but you could be a writer, doctor, nurse, or even dental hygienist if you want to do something for money. A lot of people can draw and create illustrations. A lot of them are boring to look at. I don’t care how well you made it sound, if it’s boring to look at it’s still a piece of boring art,” Sealock said.

“For illustration there’s already a set viewpoint out there. You take your own view on that, but there’s an existing idea and narrative you have to solve. It’s more of a challenge,” he said. “Instead of dealing with yourself, you have to deal with other people’s personalities and deadlines.”

His words of wisdom come down to two things for anyone interested in illustration: thick skin, and inspiration. “Thick skin means you keep going. Find out why you want to draw pictures. Light the fire, set the torches. Be inspired for some reason, because you inspire others as you go along. Really enjoy drawing,” Sealock said.

“It’s not rocket science. They teach that three doors down.”

Get In Touch, Anyway You Can

I’m always willing to talk journalism, drink coffee with strangers and high five people who are as excited about life as I am. Drop me a line, for anything.

-Email: Michaelburton905@gmail.com

-Facebook

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-@TheMikeBurton

Our Home And Native Land: Fashion Feature

“You know Chuck Bass? Yeah, you’re Chuck Bass. Be Chuck Bass,” Nina Ballares said to the young male model. She’s a second-year Visual Merchandising student at Sheridan, and she’s leading this fashion shoot alongside Travis photographer Luis Mora.

“I love this program,” she said. “People assume that it’s mainly retail, but there are so many aspects of visual merchandising that people don’t realize. I thrive on this stress. When you really love what you do, you really care.”

This shoot has everything to do with Canada. It’s intended to be playful, rustic, and focus on “Our Home and Native Land.” Ballares, with the help of fellow students and teachers, have stylized this exclusive Travis photo shoot. This is just a small taste of what these students have to offer. You can see what they’re really capable of at their year-end show on April 20.

“We take a really different approach compared to the other colleges that offer visual merchandising,” said Colin Harris, one of the teachers within the Visual Merchandising program.

“The industry has changed so much and our students need so many skills to be hired in different areas. We’ve really brought together a faculty that has experience in all those areas. We give a really well-rounded look at what the industry has to offer.”

Harris mentioned that this shoot in particular is exactly what students can expect when they are let loose in the industry. He teaches students about special event planning, stylizing, set design, and fashion techniques. “We run our program in second year like they are in the industry,” he said. “We put out the call to students who wanted to get a real hands on experience with this shoot. There is a lot of thought behind this.”

With the creative direction from Harris, students had to put together every aspect of this shoot. That included hiring a photographer, finding the studio, choosing models, creating a shot list, and of course picking the perfect clothes.

“This is exactly what’s going to be happening in the industry,” Harris said. “We wanted to make the magazine look great, and make our program look fantastic. It’s awesome that we were able to give Travis something incredible.”

Nina Ballares encourages anyone who might be considering visual merchandising as a career to take the leap and apply. They won’t be disappointed with where this program will take them. “There’s styling, home staging, residential, commercial, fashion, there’s even food styling. If you have an interest in fashion, I think it’s a really well-rounded program. There are so many opportunities, and that’s why I believe that this program is so great,” Ballares said.

“People need to know that’s this is what were all about. We’re just not window and retail, we don’t just put clothes on a mannequin. There’s a lot more work to it than that. To see what the visual merchandising program is up to, you need check out the year-end show on April 20 at the Edward Day Gallery in Toronto. It’s a free event, and a great opportunity to see exactly where Sheridan College can take you.

Q&EH :: Interns & The Girls Next Door

There are not a lot of bonuses to being an intern in the publishing industry — unless, of course, you get one of the coveted spots here at Chill. Recently, we let our two interns have their way with some of the hottest Girls Next Door. You may have caught their show on E!, and watched the crazy lifestyle that some of these ladies lead.

Meet the Shannon Twins. They live next door. To me? No. To Burton? No. Try Hugh Hefner. You got it — They’re bunnies, Playboy bunnies. Burton and I had a chance to sit down and chat with the lovely twins. Here’s what we talked about:

Chill: Tell the Chill audience a little bit about your new comedy-drama, “Somewhere,” which is expected to release later this year.

Shannon: “Well, we have a new movie coming out that was directed by Sofia Coppola and stars Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning. I can’t say too much more, but I think you can expect to see it release around September. I play Bambi in the movie, Dorff’s girlfriend, and Karissa plays Cindy, who is, obviously, Bambi’s twin sister.”

Chill: What can we expect from the movie? Would you expect fans of “The Girls Next Door” to carry their fandom over to “Somewhere?” Does it reach out to a similar audience?

Shannon: “Well, Stephen Dorff plays a Hollywood actor in the film. However, he has a daughter that surprises him and comes back into his life, and he all of the sudden wants to take care of her. He has his whole career made in acting, and he has to find time to be with his daughter. So, it is different, but, I do think it is meant for a similar audience.”

Chill:  Are you girls still taking part in “The Girls Next Door” now that you’re moving on to do other things, like “Somewhere?”

Shannon: “There is actually a new show coming out called Bunnies Next Door and it’s about the girls at the Playmate House, rather than the actual house next door. Karissa and I are going to be all over it.”

Chill: How did being on the cover of Playboy magazine affect your life and what kind of impact did it have on you?

Shannon: “I think that Playboy is very classy. It makes women look very beautiful, and it’s definitely not trashy. Everybody that I spoke to loved it and was so happy for us. Everybody supported us, including our family.

Chill: Explain the process of getting involved with Playboy.

Shannon: “There are many ways — sometimes people get scouted, sometimes people apply, and sometimes people simply send their photographs to the mansion. We sent our photos in the second we turned 18 and got a call a few weeks later.”

Chill: What is Hugh Hefner like when he’s not in the spotlight? Is he different when the cameras are off?

Shannon: “He’s just the way you see him on “The Girls Next Door.” He’s very, very nice. I think the best way to put it is by saying that he’s a kid at heart. He likes to have a good time and do what the girls want to do. He’s all about having a good time.”

Chill: What is life like at the Playboy Mansion, in your own words?

Shannon: “Oh. My. God.”

Chill:  No, really. What’s it like?

Shannon: “I love this place. Whatever people think of it, that’s what it is — plus more. You never wear a bikini, your clothes are off before you even get into the damned house, and it’s full of girls. There are never any guys inside, besides security. Oh my God. I love it.”

Chill: Is that what you were expecting?

Shannon: “Not at all. It was a total shock. I was 18, didn’t really know who Hef was, I had never even really looked through a Playboy Magazine, and I definitely didn’t know what a Playmate was.”

Chill: What is a Playmate?

Shannon: It’s much more personal than simply being involved with Playboy — It’s like being in a big, happy family.”

Chill:  This all sounds like fun. What is the best way for us, and any other guy reading this, to sneak in to the Mansion?

Shannon: [laughs]. “We always get people sneaking in. They jump the fence and join the party.”

Chill: How do you like to Chill?

Shannon: “I love partying, working out and hanging out with my girls. I also really love travelling. I have been travelling almost every weekend, making appearances in Hawaii, Mexico and Canada.

Chill: Do you ever get sick of being a twin?

Shannon: “I hate when guys want to get with a twin — to them, it doesn’t matter which one of them they get, they just want one of them. But, we’re two different people and it’s kind of hard to have your own identity.”

Chill: What’s next?

Shannon: “I want to do more acting. Ever since we filmed “Somewhere,” acting has become my passion. I still want to stay involved with modeling, that’s for sure, but I think acting is slowly taking over.”

Chill: What advice can you give to aspiring models, actresses and actors?

Shannon: “Just be as natural as possible. A lot of people, especially girls, try to be something they’re not. People need to embrace their own beauty. There’s no need for fake boobs, no need for fake hair, don’t wear a lot of makeup — just be as natural as possible. People will accept you more for your natural beauty than they will for something fake.”

Chill’s Summer Anthems

SUMMER – THREE GLORIOUS MONTHS FULL OF SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND EXCITEMENT.

Think back on your childhood and I bet almost every rock anthem in your head has some memorable connection to the season of sun. The industry has changed a lot since then – and so have the marketing schemes, radio play lists and even how we listen to music. So, what’s going to be the big ear-worm for the summer of 2010?

HERE ARE CHILL’S PICKS FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER ANTHEMS:

Weezer: “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” Are your feet tapping yet? They should be – because this is one of those songs that you’ll be putting on repeat. When you head down to the cottage, venture on that summer road trip you’ve been planning – this is the song that will get the entire car singing. Start chasing the girls – because you ain’t got all night.

Jack Johnson: “You and Your Heart” Lay back and drift off into that warm fuzzy feeling that is Jack Johnson. The surfer and musician has done it again – and this single from To The Sea can put a smile on the face of anyone. Enjoy – and let this song pull you into the world of Jack Johnson – and the way summer should be, amazing.

The Dudes: “The Girl Police” I am obsessed with The Dudes and their sing-a-long style of easy rock. This is a great Canadian band right here – and their album Blood Guts Bruises and Cuts is the summer album you’ve been looking for. You can chill out to these guys on the patio or at a party – and I assure you everyone will be happy.

Catchy stuff – and the lyrics are all about stealing girlfriends, so watch out!

Travis McCoy: “Billionaire” Lets switch gears for a second. This is hip-hop that is sure to get any party going – and this song just screams summer. It’s a light, fun, and memorable tune that you and your friends can smile and sing-a-long to. McCoy is the front man of the rock band Gym Class Heroes – so if you dig his solo work, check out his full band too.

Anthems SUMMER – THREE GLORIOUS MONTHS FULL OF SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND EXCITEMENT.

Think back on your childhood and I bet almost every rock anthem in your head has some memorable connection to the season of sun. The industry has changed a lot since then – and so have the marketing schemes, radio play lists and even how we listen to music. So, what’s going to be the big ear-worm for the summer of 2010?

HERE ARE CHILL’S PICKS FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER ANTHEMS: 2010 IF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD’S ROCKIN’, DON’T COME A KNOCKIN’ by Michael Burton City and Colour featuring Gord Downie: “Sleeping Sickness” This song is incredible – a compilation between two high-regarded Canadian musicians – Dallas Green of City and Colour, and Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip. It’s a slow, passionate, and incredibly powerful song that has cemented itself in Canadian music history. This song sends shivers down my spine, and no summer music playlist would be complete without it.

Get up, do it, and start clapping your hands to the beat of this summer hit.

Them Crooked Vultures: “Mind Eraser (No Chaser)” Check this song out from the supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, it will definitely heat things up. This incredible three-piece band is mixture of hard, heavy hitting rock – and head bobbing rhythms that is a little on the aggressive side. It really sounds like Queens of The Stone Age – with a little more “umph,” if you know what I mean. This is a really great tune that will keep summer pushing – right to the very end.

Arkells: “John Lennon” The Arkells – hailing from Hamilton Ontario have developed into one of the biggest Canadian rock acts of this year. Originally discovered in a college battle of the bands – their single John Lennon is an incredible rock balled that has great moments of jazz influence.

Very, very chill – and it’s the perfect tune to throw on while hitting the road, or just sitting in your backyard.

Dirty Heads (ft. Rome from Sublime): “Lay Me Down” A blend of hip-hop and classic reggae rips through this sonic surf beat with fun rhythms and a relaxed vibe of feelgood lyrics. “Lay Me Down,” The Dirty Heads’ first smash single with Sublime’s frontman Rome, is reminiscent of the laid back SoCal lifestyle that is felt and adopted by fans of reggae, ska and hip hop. It’s about good times, summer, fun, and sun-soaked party energy. We think The Dirty Heads are reviving the Sublime-style reggae rock that makes for perfect summer beats. Rolling Stone agrees – they were honoured as “Best Reggae Rockers” in the “Best New Bands of 2010” line-up.

Train “Hey Soul Sister” Maybe it’s the uplifting mandolin riff or the reggae beat and catchy lyrics. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but we think this is one of the most chill songs of the summer. Once you get over the creepy part where he talks about his untrimmed chest, “Hey Soul Sister” is the type of summer beat that can get stuck in your head for days. Actually, it’s already stuck in ours.

Michael Franti (ft. Lady Saw): “Shake It” We have two words to describe this song: party starter. It’s an undeniably happy groove that literally forces you out of your muskoka chair and onto the dance floor. Cottaging, boating, pool parties – it doesn’t really matter – this one has to be on your party mix. Little known Michael Franti has a slew of these party-starting dance hits. Look him up. Thank us later.

Chill’s Guy’d To The Summer Musical Festival

TD CANADA TRUST TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL: TORONTO JUNE 25-JULY 4 Within its 20-year existence, the Toronto Jazz Festival has featured more than 20,000 artists – 85 per cent of them being homegrown here in Canada. This year promises 350 jazz and blues performers – with many of these concerts being completely free.

Even if jazz isn’t your thing – this is a great way to spend a night on the town for close to nothing. And hey, you never know – you just might fi nd the next big band to chill out to.

CISCO OTTAWA BLUESFEST: OTTAWA JULY 7-18 The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is an annual summertime outdoors music festival held in the beautiful city of Ottawa. But please, don’t let the name fool you – it may say blues, but this festival has everything.

Iron Maiden, Great Big Sea, Matthew Good, The Flaming Lips, and even Weezer are on the bill. This massive festival runs for 11 days – so I hope you’ve got friends in Ottawa, or a comfortable tent to camp out in.

Start thinking of excuses to skip work, lots of them – you can’t miss this.

WARPED TOUR: TORONTO, MONTREAL & EDMONTON JUNE 25-AUGUST 15 What’s really impressive about Warped Tour is its production. This summer music festival travels across Canada and the U.S.A. To move all those bands, along with six different stages, the convoy is an entire fl eet of trucks speeding down the highway. You have to see it to believe it.

But this is where you will catch more than 60 bands playing in one single day. Metal, punk, ska, rock and pop – it is all here. At Warped Tour you can see fi ve of your favorite bands in one day, and get hooked on some new ones while you’re at it.

This festival is open to all ages, starts at noon and runs all the way into the night. Bring your sunscreen.

S. C.E.N.E MUSIC FEST: ST. CATHERINES JUNE 27 There’s something special about the S.C.E.N.E Music Fest. Is it the girls? The summer air? Maybe the incredible music?

For one day – downtown St. Catharines is over-run with over 160 local, and international bands. Now into its 15th year, the event started out with only 20 bands and has grown into a huge all-day music extravaganza.

This is where you need to be to catch the best Canadian music available today. This event features everything – funk, rock, country, reggae, hip-hop and punk bands, many of them Canadian. This is Canadian music at its fi nest. It mixes summer, live music, and partying in one day and literally takes over a city.

FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS: HAMILTON AUGUST 6-8 First, you need to know that this is a free music festival. Free – that’s right, so come on over. This year the Festival of Friends is expected to draw over 300, 000 people to the city of Hamilton. Gord Downie is set to headline, with more artists added to the bill every day.

What more can you ask for? Fun – for free. Come and chill out with thousands of music lovers of all different ages.

WAKESTOCK: COLLINGWOOD AUGUST 6-8 Wakestock has gotten a bad rap for how rowdy things can get sometimes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give this Collingwood music fest another chance. Things are changing with this event featuring skate and wakeboarding competitions that are sure to provide some serious summer fun.

Headlining this year is Alexisonfi re alongside a slew of great hip-hop and rock bands.

BAYFEST: SARNIA JULY 8-10, 16-18 Sarnia is the host of Bayfest 2010 with artists like Rush, The Black Eyed Peas, and Alan Jackson. This concert series is held outdoors, so you’re going to need blankets, water, and maybe a nice lawn chair to keep you comfy.

This will be the perfect way to chill and take in some big-name bands from across North America.

Just For Laughs

INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL BACK IN TORONTO

READY TO LAUGH? GOOD, BECAUSE THE JUST FOR LAUGHS COMEDY FESTIVAL IS ON ITS WAY TO TORONTO FROM JULY 6-11, WITH OVER 100 COMEDIANS ACROSS 14 VENUES.

This knee slapper of an event features comics like Wayne Brady, on the series Everybody Loves Raymond. He will be there.

You’ve heard of Just For Laughs – unless you are living under a rock, and I mean a literal rock. It’s a household name, and the biggest thing in comedy. The festival itself was founded in 1983 – and is hosted in four major cities: Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, and Paris. The Montreal festival being the most famous, is considered to be one of the biggest comedy festivals.

The event has entertained the likes of over 350,000 people in the city of Toronto – and doesn’t just include stand-up comedy. If you’re cheeky enough, and I know I am – go see “Stephen Harper, The Musical.” With a title like that – it has to be good. Or you can catch a show by Toronto’s own Second City; maybe take your special lady to a show all about relationships. Or if you like sketch comedy, that’s going down on July 8 and features Canadian Comedy Award-winners The Imponderables.

There really is something for everyone – it’s kind of a big deal. This festival has seen the likes of Sarah Silverman, John Cleese, and even helped Russell Peters turn himself into a household name. So, you never know, you could be watching the next great comedian break out into international fame.

Alternative shows, more local grassroots programming and hilarity.

Until July 11.

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