The Weakerthans versus Sarah Polley

I have a problem. I'm in my first year here at the University of Toronto and I'm struggling.

Not with the workload - I mean it's tough but it's nothing I can't handle without some Snow Patrol and late-night trips to the Tim's down the road. I do have a problem though, and it's something I believe all U of T students have to wrestle too.

There are simply too many things to do.

Let me rephrase that: there are too many things I could do.

Take this Friday, for example. Fridays are the best because I get to spend three hours of my life living in deep analysis of literature. No really, for me that's fun. The problem is this: this week, The Weakerthans' John K. Samson is visiting our class.

I know. Bummer, right?

You see, also this Friday during the exact same timeslot, Sarah Polley (pictured below in photo by Christopher Dew) is giving a talk at U of T.

Now, I'm the type of crazy-timid, never-dream-of-skipping-a-class kind of girl, especially when it comes to my Lit. class. But the one thing that rivals my love of literature is my absolute devotion to film. And Sarah Polley, someone I very much admire, will be at my school.

And I could, potentially, go.

Alas, would that I were a hobbit on a journey to Mordor with no choice (as often seems to be the case for the members of the fellowship).  I would love to be able to know exactly what my destiny is for Friday but unfortunately for me I have to choose between two undoubtedly awesome and compelling discussions with two very interesting people.

Thanks, U of T.

Just let me know when there's a Middle-earth that needs saving. 

Canadian Actor/Director/Screenwriter Sarah Polley, this year's Barker Fairley Distinguished Visitor at University College, delivers a free talk March 22, 2013 from 2 pm to 4 pm courtesy of The Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies in conjunction with the UC Writing Centre, the UC Literary and Athletic Society, and the Jackman Humanities Institute. The chat will take place at the Robert Gill Theatre (214 College Street, St. George entrance, 3rd floor). No registration required.

John K. Samson,  the singer and lyricist for The Weakerthans and author of the book Lyrics and Poems, 1997-2012 (ARP, 2012), speaks with students in Professor Nick Mount's Literature for Our Times class March 22 from 3 pm to 4 pm in the Bader Theatre, Victoria University, U of T.  Samson's poetry and prose have appeared in Matrix Magazine, Geist, The Believer, and Post-Prairie: An Anthology of New Poetry. The talk is open to the public but seating is limited. (See details about the talk.)

Nicola Lanthier-Rogers is a first-year student at Trinity College.