I'm a Free Bitch, Baby!

Olympics Olympics Olympics!

Here's a savvy website that is keeping an eye out for free events going on around town for the Olympics! I also picked up a guide yesterday for the Cultural Olympiad and it too is jam packed full of attractions, some of which are completely free.

YVR: Best Before

This is where conception doesn't quite meet up with execution. Last night I attended another show from the PuSh Performing Arts festival. Best Before is an interactive event that aims to provide every member of the audience with his/her own video game controller. Then on a big screen, the audience collectively and anonymously helps to create a new society.

Was this piece attempting to shed light on choices? Or was it a statement on interactive art? The challenges of building a society? Whatever the case, it was a bit of a mess. I think the idea was great, but with last night's very small audience (20 people, maybe?) it became a bit of a headache in terms of people not listening to direction and glitches in the software (which they hope to iron out before the official opening this week).

I found myself, like many others, busy playing with my avatar than I was paying attention to the people on stage. An interesting idea, but maybe needs a bit more development, in my humble opinion.

Best Before runs at The Cultch from Jan 29 - Feb 6.

Check out more shows playing as part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.

Ready for the Olympics?

With the 2010 Olympics just a few weeks away, I am starting to get excited. Though, I am not a sports fan, but I do recognize that this is a huge thing for our city, or for any city.

I didn't buy any sporting event tickets. I'm not interested in sports, so why spend the money? I am however interested in the Cultural Olympiad and the free events that will be taking place around town. Hopefully this will be one giant party!!

I mean, there's the masses of people that I'll have to deal with on the public transit system and on the sidewalks, but otherwise, this should be pretty fun, yes? There's speculation about which celebrities might be in town for it, from Cindy Crawford to President Obama! And of course, the performers who will be lining up to be in the Opening and Closing ceremonies. I have a friend who is a stage manager at the Opening Ceremonies, and another friend who is going to be dancing in the Closing Ceremonies. I don't know any details because everyone is tight-lipped and sworn to secrecy, but there are definitely some big name performers to be expected, I hear!

My work place is half a block away from the newly built convention centre, which will serve as the media headquarters. Maybe I'll run into the Today show crew or someone will pluck me out of the crowd to become a Bridget Jones-esque journalist!

Olympics 2010: Free Admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery

Thank you to Krista for pointing this out!

The Vancouver Art Gallery will have free admission during the 2010 Olympics Vancouver Winter Games!

And with it comes an exciting exhibit: Leonardo Da Vinci - The Mechanics of Man.

Olympics 2010: One Dream - Sarah McLachlan

So here's one of the offical theme songs from the 2010 Olympic Winter games in Vancouver. Written by Vancouverite singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan:

Jerk

Will Vancouver become a festival city? I sure hope so! I know right now it feels like it could, since there are so many things to do and see at the moment! It's great because this time of year is usually so dead and gloomy. Dine Out Vancouver usually takes place at this time, but it's gotten pushed to March, after the Olympics are over.



On Saturday night I went to the PuSh International Performing Arts festival and caught a showing of the one-man play Jerk, which is based on the true story of a serial killer from the 70s who had two teenage accomplices lure boys from the neighbourhood over for him to rape, torture, and kill. Suffice to say it was quite the intense evening. Even though the murders were re-enacted with puppets, it didn't make it more endurable. In fact, I think because of the use of puppets, the show felt like it could be all that much more graphic with it.

Great performance, albeit disturbing!

Check out the PuSh festival for more intriguing performances taking place around town!!

Eating: Bao Bei

Went to eat last week at the new Bao Bei restaurant, which has been open for a full week now. Located in Chinatown by the new Keefer Hotel, Bao Bei is the brainchild of Tannis Ling, an ex-bartender from Chambar restaurant.

The room was super cute with its antique Asian vibe it had going on, from black and white photos of Chinese immigrants to vintage Asian knick knacks and even refurbished streetlamps from Chinatown hanging from the ceilings.

Foodwise, we dined on mantou, Vietnamese subs, chinese dumplings, noodles, and I don't remember what else because I was too busy slamming back the amazing drinks they had going! From Pina Coladas with in-house made juices to a concoction that featured Maker's Mark, plum juice, and egg whites, I was definitely enjoying myself!!

(Thanks to Chris for always having his finger on the pulse of the city's best new eateries!)

Movies: Singles

Speaking of movies that stand the test of time, I spent a rainy Sunday afternoon indoors and watched Cameron Crowe's early 90s ode to Seattle and the single scene, Singles.



Is it ironic that I'm a single watching a movie about singles? This movie predates all that Sex and the City/Bridget Jones/He's Just Not That Into You stuff. I guess the trials and tribulations of dating go way back, don't they? Here they find a setting in Seattle's burgeoning grunge scene. Turns out, this is quite a lovely, well-written, romantic comedy that is well worth a watch if you're into those kinds of things! And I certainly am! With Kyra Sedgwick, a handsome Campbell Scott, Bridget Fonda, and Matt Dillon, Singles made me want to put on some plaid, grab a cup of coffee, and go listen to some old school REM.

Rent It!

Movies: Kramer Vs. Kramer

This is the story of a divorcing couple played by Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, who engage in a custody battle over their son, Billy. Hoffman's performance is fantastic in this, as is Streep's, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. I was expecting a more dramatic, dirty, and lengthy courtroom process, but it was pretty short. I felt like the movie focussed more on the father/son relationship that developed after the mother walks out. Considering it's from the early 80s, it manages to stand the test of time thus far.

Rent It

Movies: New York, I Love You

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for over a year now. And boy am I disappointed. Considering it's supposed to be about one of the most fast-paced cities in the world, this film was slow and tedious and well, boring. It's sad especially because Paris, Je T'aime was soooo exceptional. But this film lacks its predecessor's charm, wit, humour, romance, and poignancy. It just falls flat and becomes one giant mess.

Meah.

Skip It

Goldfrapp - Rocket

Thank you Lukasz for sending me this amazing new song from Goldfrapp!!! Can't wait for their new album, Headfirst!

Madonna - Across The Sky

With Madonna's Reinvention Tour finally seeing the light of day this past week as it leaks its way onto the Internet, here we find another Madonna leak - a song that for some bizarre reason didn't make it onto her Hard Candy album! It's actually quite good and should have made it, in my opinion!! I've been hating her as of late, but with unreleased material surfacing, it's nice to see she's still got game.

Madonna - Across The Sky.mp3



The Reinvention Tour that has leaked is not an official release, but it is professionally shot footage from her Lisbon concert. Finally we get some record of this amazing tour!!

Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour DVD is coming out this Spring, as well. Not my favourite tour at all, but maybe with some cool Confessions-like editing, it could be good.

Madonna will be on the Haiti telethon airing tonight.



(Again, thanks Lukasz for the link!!)

The Case of the Twink

I had my doubts when he first sent me a message online.

I mean, he was 23 years old. My eldest niece is older than he is.

And what would we possibly have in common to talk about anyway?

Oh right, I forget that most times I am basically a 14 year old girl anyway.

Anyhow, we continued the chatter for a few weeks and even added one another on Facebook.

Maybe it was the photo of me in a Snuggie that broke the camel's back, but he didn't seem quite as talkative anymore. When I asked if he wanted to meet for coffee, I didn't receive any response.

Okay, whatever. I deleted him from FB. If he's not into it, he's not into it. Can't say I was particularly into it either. It might've been fun, but it was more of a way to distract myself from The Guy anyway.

Speaking of the Guy, he came over the other night at 11:00pm and hung out for about half an hour, even though he was only going to come pick some stuff up.

The Guy > twinks any day of the week.

Olympics 2010 : Richmond O-Zone

Another exciting destination during the Olympics will be the Richmond O-Zone, which will be featuring their own line-up of free concerts, including a headlining performance from Our Lady Peace!!



As well, on February 9th is when the Olympic Torch arrives in Richmond!

Eating: Reflect at the Hilton Metrotown

Ivy took me for brunch last weekend at Reflect, the restaurant at the Metrotown Hilton Hotel out in Burnaby. I must say the food was good there, and well worth it! For $30, you get an all you can eat buffet that includes sausage, bacon, eggs benny, hash browns, dim sum, ribs, fish, salads, pastries, and an endless supply of mimosas!! There's also an omelette station that you can go to and instruct them on what kind of omelette you'd like them to make you. Oh and make sure you leave room for dessert cause there's loads of that being offered too!! It was an all you can eat brunch that rivaled one you would find down in Vegas!

Scenes from a Lunch

We just had a goodbye lunch for a coworker today. This is the insane place where I work. Here are just some choice tidbits:

"How many Mustangs do you have now? Did you get something when he bought the Mustang? Did he buy you a bike? What about for the last Mustang he bought?"
"As a matter of fact, I don't think I got anything for that last Mustang!! You're right!?"

"I’m getting a puppy in July!"
"oooh, then your puppy can play with my puppy, we can have a puppy do!!"

"My puppy the other day dug a hole under the fence and wound up in the neighbour's yard, but their yard is this small fenced in area! Ha ha ha, he came back probably thinking that it was better in my yard than it was out in the world! Ha ha ha!!"

"My yard has rats in it."

"We checked the security cameras to see if I was wearing my necklace that day I came in, because I thought I lost it at work. Then I went home and thought I should pull the bed covers back, and THERE IT WAS!"

"Pierre picks really good interns."

"A rat died in our walls. We could smell it but couldn't find it. At first we blamed each other. Then it went away."

"Joel was reaching up and felt this soft thing, he wasn't sure what it was. Turned out it was a decomposing rat!!!"

"Somebody left cookies on Pierre's desk and he didn't know who it was, so he put them on my desk and I ate them. We were gonna tell DJ in Security and then wondered if he'd eat them. Then we realized he would probably take them outside and blow them up."

"How about that Canucks game?"

"Your boss is in Calgary? What you need to know is which team he cheers for. If you live in Calgary, why wouldn't you cheer for Calgary?" *snicker snicker*

*in Italian accent* "Pepppppperooooooooonnnnniiii!!!"

"I was looking for our space heaters cause we were freezing!! I found them in front of the Mustangs in our garage!!! They were all on, keeping the cars warm!!"

"Hey what's the number for that club? Email it to me, cause my brother's got a Mustang too."

Sigh.

Forbidden Broadway

Last night I went to the final performance of the local production of Forbidden Broadway, an off-Broadway musical that pokes fun at its very own genre!



From a washed-up and over-30 little orphan Annie to a spoof of Wicked's Idina Menzel singing "Defying Subtlety," this was a well put together show geared towards Broadway nerds like myself and Emily. I think we were one of a few people who laughed at the Stephen Sondheim mockery about his tuneless shows and wordy lyrics. And we may have been the only ones there under 50 who actually knew who Ethel Mermon and Carol Channing are. My favourite part may have been the Les Miserables number, featuring Eponine's lament of barely being in Act One and then dying in Act Two, all the while just waiting around backstage singing an aptly written rendition of "On My Phone."

If you get a chance to see Forbidden Broadway, it is definitely a gas!

Thank you Fighting Chance Productions for not bringing the same overused and overdone musicals to Vancouver!! How many more sittings of Rent or Cats does our city really need? I'm definitely looking forward to April when Fighting Chance Productions brings us The Wedding Singer!!!

Saturday Night Blahs

I spent the whole day volunteering with The Guy today.

It was pretty good, I suppose.

But part of me is thinking I need to make an attempt at getting over him.

I know I say the same thing every few weeks, I apologize.

Anyway, I just spent a bit of time browsing some online ads. And just so you know, I have changed my own personal ad to something more relationship/dating-oriented rather than the one night stand thing I had going for awhile there.

Isn't it ironic though, that I get more responses for my "I WANT SEX!!!" ads than for my well put together, well written and responsible ad looking for friendly guys to get to know and date and see where it goes and BLAH fucking BLAH.

There's nobody out there for me.

Bugger.

Tretorn!!!

I have been coveting these Tretorn rain booties for a week or so now and I finally managed to nab a pair, and just in the nick of time too!! We are getting torrential rain all week long and the rain boots I already have are just not as cute as these!!!

I live in Vancouver and don't have a decent looking pair of rain boots? WTF! My $7.99 Walmart ones just aren't cutting it anymore!

Thanks to Chris and Calvin for introducing them to me and for the birthday gift card which helped go towards this purchase!!

Olympics 2010: LiveCity Vancouver!

So it's not all negativity when it comes to the Olympics. I'm actually looking forward to LiveCity Vancouver, which is a series of free concerts taking place outdoors in downtown Vancouver during the 2 weeks of the Olympics. Some of the performers include Jully Black, Wilco, Alexisonfire, and Sam Roberts Band, whom I'd love to go see!!

Olympics 2010: Northern House

Here's something I'm looking forward to checking out - maybe tomorrow during my lunch break! It's Canada's Northern House, one of many pavillions that will be opening up for the Olympics to showcase a province or country or city. This showcase focuses on Canada's north, including spotlights on its art and culture as well as its potential for industry and natural resources. Did you know that Canada's north is the third biggest producer of diamonds?

Northern House is now open and can be found in the office building located on the corner of Hastings and Seymour Street.

Olympics 2010: Road Closures

I'm trying to wrap my head around the road closures and parking restrictions that are being enforced during the upcoming Olympic games.



I work in the heart of downtown Vancouver. In fact, the big media centre where all of the world's media will be setting up base, is a mere half-block away from my work's building. Egads!!

We had a staff meeting today in which the whole 2 hour delay warning issued by our public transit system Translink was addressed. Yes, we are being told to expect a 2 hour wait to even get onto a Skytrain (our version of the subway). I'm probably better off taking a bus all the way downtown from home, but that's if the busses are even allowed into the downtown core!

Thankfully though, my manager made it clear that we are to wake up at whatever time we normally wake up, and head to work at whatever time we usually do, and leave it at that. Whenever we arrive at work is when we arrive. It's all up in the air, as no one knows for sure just how chaotic the city will or will not be.

It's annoying but it's kind of exciting too!

Eating: Bo Laksa King

Yesterday at lunch, I was dragged out to East Vancouver via public transit in order to check out a literal hole in the wall.

Bo Laksa King is the name of the "restaurant" that's actually housed within a grocery convenience store. Owned by a Burmese chef, his pan-Asian food is a true diamond in the rough found in this odd and unique location!

bo laksa king 1

I had the roti roll and Philip had the laksa, which he says was good. We both also had a very authentic Burmese "pulled tea" for our beverage. Chef Bo talked to us as we ate our lunch seated between the pop/snacks aisle and the canned vegetables. He said he wanted to expand, do even more pan-Asian food from Singaporean chicken rice to pad thai. On the weekends, he has a slew of specials that he likes to cook up too, so if you're around the Joyce skytrain station area, keep your eyes peeled for this hidden treasure!

bo laksa king 2

The Olympics and Transit

So the Olympics are one month away, and who knows how many people will be descending upon the city where I live. One article in the paper is saying that usually, Olympics don't generally draw too many international visitors and that most of the spectators are from the host city/country.

However, this article in the Vancouver Sun is telling us transit-users to expect up to TWO HOUR DELAYS. WTF!!! So now I have to leave my home at 5am in order to get to work by 9?!? Is that what they're saying to me?

Translink sucks ass on a normal day. They can't even handle it when it rains, let alone when it snows. When they opened up their new Canada Line and had the first day free for riders, the line ups were around the block. How the hell will they be able to accomodate Olympic-sized crowds?!!!

I work in the heart of downtown, where all the roads are blocked off and closed, and we have no other option but to take transit. Oy, this is gonna be a nightmare!

Other Olympic effects that I'm not impressed with : parking meter prices are being jacked up and the hours they are in effect have been changed from 8pm all the way to 10pm, so no more free parking (wherever there IS parking) at a meter until after 10pm now. Bloody hell!!

I Heart Photobomb!!

I'm totally gonna start photobombing from now on!!!!

Here are a few choice examples of what Photobombing is!







Loves!!

Check out the This Is Photobomb website on pointers on how to best go about your photobombing adventures!!

(Thanks Jill for the heads-up on this!)

Who Needs a Man When You Can Have Shoes?

As part of my retail therapy and quest to become a better gay, I was introduced to the Paul Smith line recently, not having heard about him ever before. He is just too high end for my radar. However, when I saw these shoes, I knew that they and I were meant to be!

These are by far the most expensive pair of shoes I have ever owned.

And check out the cute rabbit!!! Loves!

Afternoon Tea

Yesterday Philip took me out for a birthday afternoon tea service at the T Room Bakery and Kitchenware shop on West 10th Avenue in Point Grey.

It was quite the selection of food! We both had two of everything each, which is a surprise when it comes to high tea! Most of the places I've been to, I only get one of each item, but here, there was ample enough for four people! I couldn't even finish all the scones they supplied us with!

There's nothing better than relaxing over a cup of steaming tea, selecting finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts, and catching up with friends while the rain drizzles down outside.

Movies: It's Complicated

This was a fun little movie to help me while away a rainy Saturday. Meryl Streep is in top form as always, and the scene I related to was when she's in her shrink's office asking for advice. He gives her some vague reflection, to which she replies, "Can you just tell me WHAT TO DO?" How many times have I wanted to do that with my shrink?!

Anyway, the movie is light fare that will leave you smiling and fulfilled!

Meebo!!

My coworker introduced me to this website earlier this week. Meebo is a webpage that you can go to and log into a variety of messenger services, from MSN to Yahoo Messenger to AOL and even to Facebook chat!

This web-based messenger service doesn't require you to download anything, and you can go to any computer anywhere, go to this website, and be chatting with your friends online in no time!! How handy is that!?



You can log into just one of your messenger services, or if you have a bunch of them, you can set up a Meebo account (for free!) which allows you to log into all of your messenger services at once!

As well, it has a function that shows you who has you on their messenger list and who doesn't. I know I have a bunch of people on my MSN that I never talk to or I have blocked, and with Meebo, I can see if they even have me on their list at all! And if not, then I just go right ahead and delete them for good!

Books: Three Day Road

Wow, such a good book. Canadian author Joseph Boyden's first novel Three Day Road tells the story of World War I through the eyes of two First Nations characters. These two young men join the army to help fight the war, while an aging aunt waits at home for their return.

I read Boyden's second book first - the Giller award winning Through Black Spruce, which is equally as powerful and amazingly written.

I don't think I've been this excited about a book of fiction in a long while. I'm so impressed with his writing and storytelling abilities. Go read yourself some Joseph Boyden immediately!!

This is What Happens When Emily Surfs YouTube

Here we have a real life glee club doing Lady Gaga's Poker Face!



Then of course I have to go in search of real life glee club competitions...



Then of course there's this amazing Lady Gaga medley tribute:

YVR: Art in the City

As part of the public art exhibition known as The Vancouver Biennale, sculptures have been cropping up all over town.

Here we have Artificial Rock #143, which can be found outside the new skytrain station downtown on the corner of Granville Street and Georgia.



"History of Loss" is an eye-catching piece that's situated outside another new Skytrain station, over on King Edward and Cambie. This one is so far my favourite.



And the most recent one that's been causing quite the stir is located out in Richmond. "Miss Mao" features a giant-sized Lenin head made of chrome, with a Chinese acrobat on top, who bears the face of Chairman Mao planted on top of a female body.



If you're visiting Vancouver for the upcoming Olympics, try to check out these art pieces all over the city!

TV: The Bachelor

Did you watch it this week? Don't lie. Because this year's Bachelor is Jake from last season's Bachelorette, I knew I would be tuning in!



Oh Jake!!! There were enough shirtless shots of him to last me a lifetime, but luckily I have a full season in front of me of watching him take his shirt off!! He also seems totally sweet, too. I think they did well this round, those Bachelor producers. They've sure picked the quintessential all-American boy in this 31 year old pilot. (I can't believe I'm 2 years older than him, DAMN!)

Speaking of producers, there's a big scandal this year with one of the women having sexual relations with one of the show's producers!!! Can't wait for the DRAMA!!!

The Hermes Yacht

I wonder if this yacht would let Oprah on it?



In a fantasy dream world where I am rich beyond anyone's imagination, I would probably be spending my weekends adrift in the water on this, the Wally-Hermes Yacht, otherwise known as WHY.





Hermes teamed up with yacht makers Wally to produce this luxury liner that comes complete with its own private beach!



I know, right?

Transit Turn Ons

He was pretty cute. The bus was packed and he was standing right next to me, while I sat in my seat, my murse clutched tightly to my chest. I was basically at his crotch level. And those jeans he had on. They looked really great on him. Mmm.

Then, it happened. His foot. Touched mine. It sent a bolt of electricity up my leg and right into my heart.

He was a bit on the young side, but old enough to be legal. This bus was headed to the local college after all. Nice strong looking hands that held on tight to the metal bar in front of me to keep from falling over with every lurch of the bus.

I tried to press my foot closer to his from inside my shoe. Can't he feel my toes squiggling around trying to get his attention??

Then, with a DING!, it was over, as half the bus unloaded and got off at the college stop, including my morning boyfriend. Until tomororw, my love, until tomorrow...

The Return of the Divorced Friend

I divorced him years ago. He moved away, moved back, and then moved away again. It's been freeing to not have to deal with the drama and stress of having him as a friend, but at the same time there are those good memories that I miss on occasion.

So now he's back for a few weeks. And he wants to meet for coffee. And I said yes.

Am I a glutton for punishment? Yes, probably. Or maybe I'm just bored. I mean, to be honest with you, I DID accept him as a friend on Facebook and I DO lurk onto his page once in awhile to find out what he's been up to, what he looks like these days, and if I'm doing better than he is! Yes, out comes my ugly side yet again, and I'm not afraid to bare it for all of you to see.

Why does I keep tabs on someone I consider a "frenemy"? Is it because I want to know that I'm getting on just fine without him? Am the only psychopath who does this?

Eating: Hy's Steakhouse

It was a step back in time last night when I went to check out Hy's Steakhouse for the very first time. It's been around for ages, which is what gives it its old school charm. Not as sleek or stylish as Gotham, Hy's is more for those who long for a bit of nostalgia - or like me, those who just love really amazing cheesy bread!!



In some ways, it is better than Gotham in that your steak comes with a potato (double stuffed and double baked, might I add!), whereas at Gotham, every little side needs to be ordered.

There's a window into part of the kitchen where you can see them grilling up the steak in giant flames. They still come to your table to make salads and light up old fashioned desserts like the Banana Fosters that we couldn't help but order. My bone-in rib steak was a fatty delight, as were the assortment of accompaniements we enjoyed, from onion rings to creamed spinach to creamed corn. A deliciously heavy meal found in one of Vancouver's oldest gems of a restaurant!

33

Some people either love love love their birthdays or they just absolutely abhor it. Some are nonchalant and it's just another day to them, while others hide out and cry in the corner at the inevitable process we call aging.

I have a love/hate relationship with mine. I'm not one to throw a party, invite the whole world, and expect a cornucopia of presents. I think it's nice if someone remembers and texts me or phones me to wish me a happy birthday. And sure, there are some people who forget (I've done it!) and that's fine too. Unless, you're one of those people who makes a huge production out of your own birthday and expects the world to revolve around you. Now, if one of those people forgets to acknowledge my day of birth, I make a mental note and when their day arrives, I purse my lips, roll my eyes, and make very little attempt at helping them celebrate theirs. That's just the vindictive bitch in me, and I admit it.

I don't like huge attention paid to me on my birthday. At work today, my manager and coworkers chipped in and got me a cake and sang Happy Birthday to me around my cubicle. It was nice and thoughtful of them, and I wasn't AS embarassed or horrified as I normally would be. I'm not sure why I don't like this particular type of attention. I know that My Shrink Gary would say that it's because I never feel good enough, that I feel like this type of positive attention is not deserved, and it stems from me never feeling like I deserve good things.

In contradiction however, I do have fantasies of a fantastic huge birthday party with my close friends there to help celebrate. Perhaps it would even be a surprise party thrown by my amazing boyfriend that I have yet to meet.

The Guy probably won't call me today. He probably has no idea it's my birthday. I know he's not big on his own, so why would he remember mine? Yet there are times when he remembers the most obscure things about my life and it makes me feel like yes, he actually is listening and actually does pay attention...

Anyway, I'm 33 today, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead. Happy new year to everyone out there and let's make 2010 one to remember!

Tallest Building In The World

Have you seen it? The Burj Dubai, now renamed to be called the Burj Khalifa.



Since we're on the subject of buildings in Dubai, it'll be even bigger news when the Dynamic Tower gets built. Have you seen the images of this proposed building?



You can now put your name down if you're interested in purchasing an apartment in this rotating building!! How weird would that be?! Would you get motion sickness living in that?

Movies: Wet Hot American Summer

In the spirit of 80s camping movies like "Up The Creek" and "Meatballs", this ode to a long forgotten genre is packed full of stars, including a young Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon, David Hyde Pearce, and my boyfriend Christopher Meloni. Did this one go straight to DVD or something because I don't remember hearing anything about it?

Like summer camp, it's light and breezy and frivolous fun. My favourite part is when the group of camp counselors go into town for a morning. I wish they didn't focus on the kids as much, but I guess they had to be worked into the story to give the counselors something to do.

A fun watch for a rainy day afternoon!

Rent It!

A Brand New Pen!

Saw this on Oprah moments ago, it's the Livescribe, a pen that not only records what you write (and then you can upload to your computer) but also has a built in microphone so you can record sound too, i.e. for interviews or lectures!

What a Decade!

With 2010 upon us, it's the beginning of a brand new decade. Looking back, do you remember where you were when 1999 became the year 2000? I remember being with close friends (including Momma) and having a quiet intimate gathering, toasting with champagne the new millennium while watching the fireworks downtown from a rooftop in Gastown.

I'd have no idea what was in store for me. I was still trying to get over my first true crush - and it would be two more years before I was fully okay. I was doing social work at the time, but waiting for me around the corner was a year of schooling in Information Technology, which would lead me down a thorny path of being the IT Guy for three years. Ditching that in 2004, I would flounder my way through the middle of the decade, spending several months being unemployed, then working jobs as an editor, a data entry person at a payroll company, a Communications pion, and finally finding my way back to the world of IT but this time in the government.

I'd go through my first relationship, move away from home and spend two years living in an apartment I both loved and hated. It was big and spacious, decorated the way I wanted, but was overrun by rodents, bugs, and noisy neighbours. The relationship would come to an end, as would our residency in that apartment building.

Friends would move from the West Coast over to the East Coast. I'd go on my first trip to New York and Paris, followed by numerous re-visits to the Big Apple and my very first encounter with Asia, where I would meet relatives I'd only heard about and seen pictures of before.

In this past decade, I would live out several dreams. One of those happened early on, when I went to San Francisco for my first ever Madonna concert. It would soon become old hat as I would manage to see the next three tours of hers. This past year I would see Kylie Minogue live for the first time, get her autograph, and then bump into her on the street.

Perhaps one of the biggest dreams to come true is that of getting published, which only just happened in the last month of the decade. And still, I will have to wait two more years before anything comes to fruition, but at least I know the wheels are in motion.

Then of course, there's The Guy. It will be almost 2.5 years now that I've known him and he still sets my heart afire, still rustles up those butterflies deep down in my stomach, and manages to fluster me with a look, a touch, a text, or a phone call.

I'm not sure where the next 10 years will lead me. At the end of it all, I will be 43 years old. I can't even begin to imagine. All I can do is hope that this next decade will be just as eventful as the previous one.

How was the last decade for you?

TV: Big Love Season 4

In one week, it's the return of Big Love!!! I can't wait!!!

Movies: The Lovely Bones

It's not as terrible as some are saying it is. It's decent. The book is by far superior, but for those who haven't read it, then it's an entertaining watch. There are definitely some hokey parts. It's almost as if director Peter Jackson went into his attic and found all the leftover special effects that he didn't get to use in his Lord of the Rings trilogy and decided he might as well use them all for this.

Mark Wahlberg as the dad is a bit miscast, in my opinion. Susan Sarandon as the fabulous grandmother seems contrived and one-dimensional.

If you haven't read the book, then by all means feel free to go watch this. If you are a fan of the Alice Sebold novel, then be prepared to wince in some parts, though it's not as bad as it could've been.

See It

Pick Up the Phone, Pick Up the Phone

Video is a bit random, but I love the song.