It's easy to start feeling glum this time of year with the excitement of the holyday season behind us and the New Year steadily progressing towards its conclusion.

Maybe you didn't quite stick to your resolutions, or the chaotic demands of the work week have gotten you down - let's face it, the dreary weather doesn't exactly help. Whatever the case may be, here are ten small things that you can do right now to instantly lift your spirits.

By following the instructions bellow, you can quickly improve your outlook until the milder summer months come frolicking by.

While each of these steps may seem ridiculously obvious, all together they are highly effective strategies for becoming more productive and content. To begin:

 It's August and 7am on St Catherine Street East. A group of people gather and begin to assemble scaffolding outside Foufounes Electriques, comprised of kids as young as 15 years old to people as old as 38, they've come together to prepare for Under Pressure, a day-long event celebrating graffiti, hip hop, and counter culture. During the day graffiti artists paint the walls of the local businesses around Foufounes Electriqueswhile DJs spin records, B-boys break dance in a competition, and skateboarders skate in the half pipe. Under Pressure brings in people from all over Canada, the States, and even Europe and South America. Why would people come from all over just for graffiti? Well there's more to the event than meets the eye.

            Under Pressure is North America's largest outdoor graffiti convention. Graffiti writers from all over North America and other continents come to paint the walls of Foufounes Electriques. While the painting goes on, there are several tents to check out, even a tent for children where they can colour pages, collect stickers and get their faces painted. If you want to support the event, there are tents selling t-shirts, hats, bandanas, and the last remaining Under Pressure magazines. At night after the painting is done and all the awards are handed out, inside Foufounes, there is a free hip hop show. Not too bad considering the talent that comes to perform at the concert, last year it was Masta Ace, a famous rapper from New York City. It was one of the best free shows ever put on in the history of Under Pressure.

            I wanted to understand the history and challenges of putting on a large scale graffiti convention, so I spoke with Flow, one of the original creators of Under Pressure. I started by discussing with Flow anarchists or people who believe graffiti is an outlet for anarchy. I wondered if Under Pressure attracted these types of people and if this was problematic for the event organizers. Flow's answer shocks me, "That's the whole reason we started the event in '96." He leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest, "The police were lumping graffiti in with violent crimes and muggings and raping, and they were equating everything into one section of crime so we started the event to try to change the public perspective of graffiti."

         The first Under Pressure was held in March of 1996 and was called Aerosol Funk. It was held inside a loft with 11 graffiti writers, and three DJs (A-Trak, Devious, and Blast), and Tactical Crew break dancing. After the production the event organizers decided against doing another indoor event due to the hazardous environment created by the paint fumes in a confined space. A few months later, they decided to organize an outdoor graffiti convention, and Under Pressure was born.

The first outdoor event was held at Mount Royal and Henri Julien, an area with a lot of foot traffic. For the first few years the event moved around from Foufounes Electriques to Guy and St Catherines and then back to Foufounes again, where it has remained for the last 12 years.  Flow tells me about the positive response by the public. "People were outside and stopping and looking and saying, Oh there's people doing this graffiti and they're not all scum bags and no one's getting killed here. It's not such a bad thing." How can art be violent?

           The artists chosen to write at Under Pressure respond to an announcement that Flow puts on the convention website. All artists send three pictures of pieces they have painted, including their name and the city they're from. Afterward, Flow goes through them personally and chooses the artists himself. I ask him if it's hard to choose, and he tells me the problem is more about getting the registered applicants to show up the day of the event. Due to no-shows, wall space is given to artists who are at the event and willing to paint, but may not be as talented as the registered person. Flow tells me that blank spaces means the wall would get hit for sure. This is only the beginning of problems for the organizers.

       Before Under Pressure starts the event coordinators begin a poster campaign which asks graffiti artists--and people in general--not to paint in the area. Posters are placed on the lamp posts around St Catherines and on the walls of Foufounes, nevertheless some years it seems the poster campaign is done in vain. Flow folds his arms across his chest again and tells me about one year Under Pressure lost wall space from a business off of St Catherine because someone was doing acid tags on the windows of one building, in the back and on the side of the building. Now event organizers try to push the message two weeks before the event out of respect for the businesses.

          I talk with Flow about building the relationship between Under Pressure and the businesses around Foufounes. "It became much easier to stay at Foufounes because we already had the wall space procurred and already established a connection with the business owners. Initially it was harder to ask for permission to paint the whole thing. At first we had to approach all the business owners and ask for permission to use their wall space and explain the whole event a little bit obviously, and try to make sure that it was portrayed positively." Not an easy feat given the nature of the event and the reputation Under Pressure had to overcome.

         Recently the biggest problem facing Under Pressure has been the use of their images by Chevrolet without permission. Two years ago Chevrolet came down and took pictures of their cars in front of the murals painted at Under Pressure. Some event organizers were upset and filed suit for damages. I ask Flow where he stands on the issue, he sighs heavily and begins to tell me that he's not sure what to think. He believes that Chevy should have hired some graffiti artists to paint them a backdrop, but at the same time it's not as though they parked in an art gallery and took pictures in front of some paintings. On the other hand the artists who painted at the event registered to paint those walls and are not being recognized in the Chevy ads. He says, "I'm kinda on this fence 'cause it's in the public sphere." He finally shrugs his shoulders in resignation.

          I ask Flow if this is a common theme with Under Pressure where businesses try to affiliate themselves with the event. He begins to tell me about past years where Red Bull and Sprite have driven their company cars up to the event and tried to hand out free samples. On the face of it this may not sound problematic, but Under Pressure gets part of their funding for the event through sponsorship. Without these funds Under Pressure cannot afford to bring in big names for the after show, pay businesses for use of their property, or buy the supplies they need for the volunteers and event participants.

         Under Pressure has dealt with some forward thinking sponsors as well. Flow discusses the year Absolute Vodka sponsored the convention, "They were nice about giving away the branding and logo, they said 'just throw our stuff here,' and we even had an ad on the back of the magazine designed by our people so it was our branding, our styling, that was nice." Sponsors like this are far and few between though.

         One thing impressed upon me is how much money it takes to put on an event of this size. Besides getting the wall space, money is the biggest challenge for Under Pressure. Flow tells me that as the event grows so does the need for money. Even though the event looks like it has plenty of money, Under Pressure could always use a little bit more. I ask him what the most expensive costs are and without hesitation he immediately answers, "Scaffolding, and some of the building owners take money too, so we can use their wall. The parking lot takes money so we can use the parking lot, because they aren't making money that Sunday." To me it feels as though there's a lineup of people with their hand out waiting to get paid by event organizers.

          Curious about the respect Under Pressure gets from Montrealers I ask Flow about graffiti appreciation in Montreal and for Under Pressure. Flow tells me honestly that he feels event goers have become too accustomed to it and don't appreciate what they have in the graffiti convention. He says "It's a good event, but I think that if it [Under Pressure] went away for a while, in a couple of years people would be like, remember Under Pressure, that was cool, we could go down there and...you know." Flow gestures with his hands.

         I ask Flow if he's afraid that getting the wall space again would be hard if the event coordinators did decide to put Under Pressure on hiatus for a few years. He shakes his head no and says they've developed such a relationship with the businesses that they would get the space back without any problems. He says "They [the businesses] understand now that the area is such that it would happen anyway." The area around Foufounes lies just east of the city's gentrification projects on St Catherine. This part of the city gets hit pretty hard with graffiti, but with the area being gentrified who knows what will happen to the space around Foufounes.

         At one time Under Pressure was not the only well-known graffiti convention in Canada. Toronto also held a graffiti convention, I remember in the past driving to Toronto the weekend after Under Pressure for their event. I talk with Flow about those conventions and he shakes his head and begins to tell me some upsetting news. "No. There was the 416 event and then they stopped and did Style in Progress, but that stopped too. The mayor [Rob Ford] doesn't like it. The mayor of Toronto, he's a big idiot, he doesn't like graffiti, he doesn't like bikes. He thinks we're all queers. So, the administration of Toronto has helped curtail graffiti acceptance in Toronto, even though Toronto has a bigger graffiti scene. Montreal is well known for our graffiti scene, the nice stuff and the bad. I guess you can say we take the good and the bad."

         Why should you support an event like Under Pressure if you don't like or do graffiti? For one thing understanding graffiti is essential to appreciating it as an art form. Just being able to spray paint from a can does not make someone a graffiti artist, it takes skill. Understanding graffiti means that it is understood that graffiti is not about violence or vandalism. That doesn't mean that vandals don't do graffiti, sure they do, but true graffiti artists would never paint swear words on buildings just because they can. Again, it goes back to the skill of the painter and what is painted, not vulgarity just for the sake of painting it. Graffiti at its roots represents freedom, freedom of expression. Without freedom of expression where would we be? We would be repressed by images that have been preapproved for our viewing. I know there's bad graffiti, but Montreal has a wealth of beautiful graffiti, just walk around and you'll recognize it. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Modern Beauty Academies

Most people do not take beauty seriously when it comes to careers. When thinking of beauty school many people will still conjure an image of Grease's "Beauty School Drop Out" song in their minds. This image needs to be reinvented because today's beauty schools provide the training for women and men alike to create a successful and respectable career. With vocational training becoming a popular choice for students here in Quebec, many people are looking at beauty academies in a new light. When looking into beauty academies (or any vocational training school for that matter) it is well worth considering a public school because public vocational training is completely free for residents of Quebec.

 The Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy

One of the best public beauty academies in Montreal is the Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy. The Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy is located in the West Island of Montreal in Beaconsfield and their programs provide training for all aspects of the beauty field. The Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy was built in 1994 and was the first school of its kind located on the West Island of Montreal. The school is part of the Lester B. Pearson School Board and is named after Gordon Robertson who was a friend of the school board and a strong supporter of vocational training programs. The programs offered include:

-Become an Aesthetics Professional

-Become a Hair Care Professional

-Become a Professional Electrologist

-Become a Body Care Professional

-Become an Entrepreneur in the Beauty Industry

On the Gordon Robertson website they provide 5 questions to ask yourself if you are thinking of joining their beauty academy:

1)      Do you want a career in the beauty industry?

2)      Do you want a career that is in high demand?

3)      Are you a hands-on person?

4)      Do you want to own your own business?

5)      Do you want a fresh start in less than a year?

If you answered yes to most, or all of these questions, then The Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy is probably a good place for you to be.  All of the courses are offered solely on a part-time basis except for the aesthetics and hair care courses which can be taken full-time or part-time full time for 12 or 24 months respectively. Gordon Robertson is an English school, so all of the courses are offered in English only.

Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy

240 Beaurepaire Drive

Beaconsfield, QC

H9W 6G4

514-426-5096

http://grc.lbpsb.qc.ca/ 

 Interview with a Gordon Robertson Graduate

(Photo of Amanda and I at the Interview: Amanda is on the right)

Amanda Carrier is a graduate of the aesthetics course at Gordon Robertson, and she offered to share some of her experience with me. We decide to meet for drinks so that I can ask her questions about the program that she completed.

Amanda is a 23 year old with a lot of drive and determination. She completed her aesthetics course a couple of years ago and is now halfway through the highly competitive professional photography program at Dawson College. She loves fashion and hopes to become a fashion photographer one day. She is brimming with creativity and it is no wonder that she loves to make things beautiful. She is a small girl with bright red hair, and very fair, porcelain-like skin. Her love of fashion and makeup can be seen right away through her stylish and fashion forward appearance. She carries herself very confidently. We order martinis and sit down at a table to proceed with the interview.

Stephanie: So, what course did you take at Gordon Robertson?

Amanda: I took the Aesthetics course.

S: What did the course cover exactly?

A: It covered makeup, waxing, facial treatments, body treatments, and a little bit of business and customer service skills.

S: How long was the course? When did it start and finish?

A: The course started at the end of August and went until mid-June. Just like high school or elementary school.

S: How did you find the teachers? Helpful?

A: The teachers were really nice and very passionate about what they taught. I was very impressed by them.

S: What kind of form did the course take? Was it mostly hands-on?

A: When we first started it was mostly theory, for about a month. Then at the end of the course we had to learn a little bit about business which was also mostly theory, but everything else in between was completely hands-on practice.

S: Who did you practice on?

A: For a month we practiced our skills on each other. Then we were allowed to bring people in to practice on, like friends and family members. Then we started getting real clients.

S: Yeah, I read about that on the website, apparently people can make appointments and receive spa quality treatments from the students for reduced prices? Is that right? Are those the clients that you're talking about?

A: Yes. It was mostly older women who came in. They were always really nice and patient with us. Every week one person would be manager. Basically you greeted the clients and assigned them to a student. We always had to tell the teacher what our facial treatment plan/makeup plan was before we started. The teacher would double check and ok our plan. We did facials, back facials (a facial for your back), makeup, waxing, manicures, and pedicures.

S: What did you spend the most time learning?

A: We spent the most time on facials. There was a lot to learn about skin types, skin condition, skin diseases, so on.

S: Did you have to complete a stage to graduate?

A: Yes we had to do a stage at the end of May. We had to work at a spa, for free, to see what the job was like.

S: What would you say the best and worst parts of the course were?

A: The best parts were the teachers, and learning about makeup. I love makeup so that was my favourite. We got so many makeup items that we were allowed to keep. Big palettes of all different colors, makeup brushes, almost everything that we would need for our kits. The worst part for me had to be the girls in my class. They were so lazy and never wanted to do anything, especially with the clients that came in. They would ask dumb questions in class, like why does the skin have three layers? There is no answer! It just does! I was taking the course very seriously. It is a career program! It seemed like the other girls weren't though. That's the only negative thing I can say though. Everything about the school itself was great.

S: Thanks for all the information! I'm sure it will help someone out to read about your experience!

A: You're welcome!

Montreal is a great place to pursue vocational training programs. There are many vocational schools on the island where students can learn a variety of skilled trades. Successful and stimulating careers can be pursued through vocational training programs. Students can study cosmetology, hairdressing, plumbing, computer servicing, restaurant and hotel management, culinary work and more. Vocational training programs are a good choice for anyone who is ready to work hands-on.

Here in Quebec, vocational training programs are designed in collaboration with employers and are suited to regional economic activities. They also reflect the needs of the current labor market. This means that graduates usually have no trouble finding a job in their field, and most programs will even set students up with internships that can turn into full-time jobs after graduation. In fact in Quebec 75% of vocational school graduates find full-time work within a year, as there is currently a huge demand for skilled workers. Another amazing thing about pursuing vocational training in Quebec is that through public schools it is completely free for Quebec residents! This helps to encourage more people to study skilled trades.

There are many great vocational training schools that offer their courses in French, and there are also many private vocational training schools in Montreal, but this review will examine the top five English-language, public vocational training schools in Montreal. Let's get started!

5) Pearson Electrotechnology Centre (PEC):

5000 René-Huguet

Lachine, Quebec

H8T 1M7

514-798-1818

http://pec.lbpsb.qc.ca

This school belongs to the Lester B. Pearson School Board, and it is the only English public school of its kind in all of Quebec. It has been open since 2007 and the programs offered include: Electricity, Installation and Repair of Telecommunications Equipment and Computing Support Courses. Sometime in the near future the school will also be offering a Heating and Plumbing program.

Classes for all three programs are offered either during the day from 8:00 to 3:00, or in the evenings from 3:30-10:30. The school features state of the art equipment and all training involves hands-on experience with the highest safety standards. The school partners closely with many businesses including Videotron, Belden, Commission de la construction du Quebec and more. Students are offered many training opportunities through the school's various connections.

4) West Island Career Centre (W.I.C.C):

13700 Pierrefonds Blvd.

Pierrefonds, QC

H9A 1A7

514-620-0707

http://wicc.lbpsb.qc.ca

The West Island Career Centre belongs to the Lester B. Pearson School Board and offers training for a wide variety of skilled trades. They cover the fields of healthcare, automobile mechanics, interior decorating and visual display, residential and commercial drafting, and accounting and administration. The specific programs include: Accounting, Administrative Professional, Assistance in Healthcare Facilities, Automobile Mechanics, General building Maintenance, Health, Assistance and Nursing Care, Home Care Assistance, Hygiene and Sanitation in Health Care Settings, Interior Decorating and Visual Display, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Secretary, Residential and Commercial Drafting, and Starting a Business.

This school offers a "Student for a Day" program which pairs up potential students with current students. They are able to spend the day at the school, attending real classes before they decide if it is the right school and/or program for them.

3) PACC Vocational Centre (Pearson Adult and Career Centre):

8310 George Street

LaSalle, QC

H8P 1E5

514-363-6213

http://paccvoc.lbpsb.qc.ca/

The PACC Vocational Centre belongs to the Lester B. Pearson School Board. The school offers vocational programs in the fields of food services and tourism, administration, and health. The programs include: Retail Butchery, Food & Beverage Services, Professional Cooking, Pastry Making, Accounting Studies, Administrative Professional , Pharmacy Technical Assistance, Home Care Assistance, Health, Assistance and Nursing Care, Dental Assistance, Assistance in HealthCare Facilities. There is a great variety of programs available to students.

An interesting note is that PACC offers their students an amazing resource free of charge, the online use of the language learning software, Rosetta Stone!

2) Shadd Business Centre:

1000 Old Orchard

Montreal, QC

H4A 3A4

(514) 484-0485

shadd@emsb.qc.ca

The Shadd Business Centre is part of the English Montreal School Board. The school has been around for over 15 years and their reputation is highly respected. The Shadd Business Centre boasts an impressive job placement rate for qualified graduates. The programs that they offer include: Accounting, Assistance in Healthcare, Pharmacy Technical Assistance, Secretarial Studies, and Starting a Business.

All programs are full-time, but students have the option to sign up for daytime or evening classes. The Shadd Business Centre is very aware that many students are going to be balancing full-time jobs with school, and their flexible scheduling options reflect that.

1) Rosemount Technology Centre (RTC):

3737 Beaubien Ave

Montreal, QC

H1X 1H2

514-376-4724

http://www.rosemount-technology.qc.ca/

The Rosemount Technology Centre is one of the largest English-language technical career training centres in all of Quebec. It belongs to the English Montreal School Board. The school offers amazing programs that are hands-on, and all of the featured trades are very in demand in Quebec. Programs include: Automated Systems in Electromechanics, Cabinet Making, Computer Graphics Techniques, Furniture Finishing, Industrial Drafting (CAD), Industrial Machine Operator, Machining Techniques, Numerical-Control Machine Tool Operation (CNC), and Printing and Digital Layout.

The school employs a work-study assignment within all of their programs which allows students to use their newly learned skills in real working environments. This often leads to job opportunities in the future.