Worst Blogger Ever – Along with a Summer Recap

I really should have called this blog "Lazy with Nothing Interesting to Say". I have been so terrible with keeping up with my blog as of late I am disappointed in myself. Really I should be blogging more then ever since it is summer and it has all been busy busy. Though maybe that is why I haven't. It's true that when you are out busy living it you rarely write about it.

Maybe that is just me.

This weekend we are staying in. I don't mean in the way that we are not leaving the house but in the way that we are not making plans to go out. Don't get me wrong, I love going out. I like nothing better then a jam packed weekend with friends and events and of course photo ops. I have found though that the older I get the more it takes it's toll. I am tired and miss just hanging out with nowhere to be.

But don't get me wrong - I may be tired out and looking forward to a weekend of no plans but this summer has provided a multitude of fun and adventures.

Here are just some of the highlights -

An impromptu trip to Perth - sad circumstances but fun to catch up with friends

A 21st Birthday - The lovely Miss Sara Q welcomed 21 with lots of drinks and giggles

Seth turned 2!! (and he has a bit too much to drink :) )

Many concerts - Sneaky Sound System, Coldplay, Russell Peters and on one night Kings of Leon and Emma and Rob's engagement party

Nights of drinking and debauchery with friends.

And a goodbye - Emma and Rob left to go to Singapore :(

As it all comes to a close I have a sneaking suspicion that just because summer is ending the fun wont be.

PINK

Jill of All Trades, Master of None

I have been in a bit of a whirlwind of a daze recently. I feel as if I blinked and all of a sudden in was mid-August. I have not felt very creative as of late which could be the reason for my lack of blog posts. It also could be the high standards I place upon myself which in turn when I don't meet said standard I feel the overwhelming urge to give up.

Lately I feel don't feel particularly great at anything. I know I am good at quite a few things but not amazing at even just one. I was speaking with a colleague at work the other day and she was showing me this woman who had done youtube videos about how to apply makeup and now Sephora has given her her own makeup line. You could do something like this she said.

This is something I think about daily. I would love to be one of those people who fall into fortune (or at the very least ongoing paychecks) by just doing something they love and are good at. You just have to find your "thing" my colleague said to me. Oh is that all!

In the new world of blogging and twittering and youtube, how does one make themselves stand out from the crowd. I love to write and do photography but I can name hundreds of others who are already doing it and talents far surpass mine.

So what is a Jill of all trades, master at none to do to find that "thing" to stand out?

Jennifer's Body - A Disappointment?

I just finished watching the Jennifer's Body (otherwise known as Diablo Cody's next project after Juno) trailer. I am a huge Diablo Cody fan, more for her writing of her memoir Candy Girl then Juno so I was pretty excited for a new project from her.

I am worried. The trailer for this movie makes it look like Jawbreaker for the next generation and let's be honest, Megan Fox is no Rose McGowan. So is this a case of bad trailer? bad acting? or god forbid just a bad script. I guess only time will tell but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Also one can't help but notice a striking similarity between the movie poster for Jennifer's Body and the one for True Blood. Really guys? This is the best you could come up with?

Check it out for yourself and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=10988

Daddy's Girl

Last Sunday was Father's Day. I spent the afternoon with my Dad and then went out for a yummy meal with him, my Mom and Lindsay at Raga.

I am happy to say that this actually wasn't that out of the ordinary for us. I am lucky as I am really close with my Dad and tend to see him at least 2-3 times a week. And isn't that how it should be?

Thank you Dad for being great, funny, a fabulous hairdresser, making me laugh and most of all for being the best Dad a daughter could have! I love you Daddy! :)

Fighting is never the answer.....unless...

Friday night Sneaky Sound System was playing at Celebrities. They are one of my favourite bands and I was so excited all day for the show. We headed downtown at around 7pm and had a great dinner at Moxie's on Davie. Doors opened at 9pm and we were lined up there on the dot. I figured that with doors at 9pm Sneaky would probably come on around 10 or 11. I was wrong, oh so wrong....

By 12:30 there was still no sign of them. Sarah and Don had given up and gone home and after that many hours of the same techno song playing over and over Lindsay, Mom and I were near breaking point as well. Celebrities was over crowded and due to the time of night everyone was drunk and drugged out by this point.

1am rolled around and finally Sneaky Sound System entered the room. I say entered the room and not took the stage because that pitiful platform they had them on could not be considered a stage. The sound was pretty bad but we were ridiculously close so all was good. Until it wasn't...

Mom and I were standing there enjoying the show when all of a sudden we were doused in liquid. I look across onto the dance floor and saw these idiots pouring water everywhere out of their water bottles. I yelled at them to stop it and they came at us. Saying that they were going to f*ck us up and trying to get over the bar we were behind. I said to just relax but they were set off. As they started to get closer to Mom and I that is when Lindsay stepped in and told them to fuck off. When they kept coming forward Lindsay threw a punch at them but I held him back thinking at this point we could still simmer it all down.

They turned their attentions to Lindsay and started to make cutting gestures across their necks and saying how they were going to kill him. Lindsay was of course trying to get to them as well and Mom and I were just trying to diffuse the situation. Mom and I kept saying to them that they didn't want to do this and just relax. That is when they made their way up the stairs and over to where we were standing. Mom and I were standing between Lindsay and them trying to keep it calm and that is when they started going at us. We of course had to step away and then it was on. Lindsay threw a punch at the first guy and connected. I turned to Mom in time to see her pick up a bottle. I took it from her and told her to go and get security.

The rest I only remember in bits and pieces as it was all a bit of a fast moving blur. I remember seeing Lindsay fighting with the two guys as it pushed back towards the bar. His fists were everywhere and he was kicking new guys away. I turned around for a minute and by the time I looked back Lindsay had his back to the bar with two guys on the floor, two guys in a head locks (one in each arm) and one guy still going at him. At some point in all of this Lindsay got hit in the head with a bottle. I started approaching guys around the club asking them for help, hoping they would pull the guys off Lindsay but I was ignored. When I turned back to the fight I saw a new guy pulling at Lindsay. I went at him thinking he was helping the other guys but he explained that he was trying to help Lindsay. It turned out that by this point they were close to getting Lindsay to the ground and this guy was trying to help Lindsay get up.

This is when security finally showed up. They escorted all of us out of the club, Lindsay going peacefully and the other guys kicking and screaming. As we walked out of the club I caught a glimpse of one of the guys Lindsay had been fighting. His face reminded me of the son in that Cher movie the mask. He had lumps all over it and it was purple, blue and red. We explained what had happened to the bouncer and he said that he was fine for us to go back in should we want to. As hard as it was to leave the concert, Lindsay's shirt was ripped off, he and Mom were both covered in blood and the guys, which were now around 10 people, were still yelling how they want to kill us. We felt it was best to go home.

We were lucky. The whole night could have gone a lot worse. Lindsay's head was sore from where he got knocked with the bottle and Mom's neck, shoulder and arms are sore from when one of the guys punched and attacked her. But we are alive.....

....and I even manage to get all the blood out of our clothes.

Playing with Processing

Lindsay got me Photoshop Elements for my birthday. I generally am not a huge fan of post processing but with my 365 project I am finding that I need the options. I am getting used to it but am no where near pro. I do however love some of the things I am able to do. Especially making my photos look retro.

I feel an addiction coming on.

Not Quite Spiderman

So because of Lindsay's fight last weekend he has been too sore to train this week. Which is great for me! Not only do I get to spend extra time with my Marmaduke but the weather has been fabulous and we have been going out on photowalks every night (accompanied by the fabulous Margolicious).

It has been a lot of fun having other people with me while doing my 365 not only for their ideas and help but also to share the often hilarious situations that I get into while doing them.

It was also helpful when I needed saving last night. The top picture was taken at the school just down from my house. I had this great idea that I would take my shot hanging upside down. Once I climbed up however I completely panicked and Lindsay had to help me down. He convinced me to get back on and helped me rethink the shot. I think without him being there I totally would have given up! I love how it turned out in the end though. :)

LOVE

Going for Gold

Saturday was Lindsay's tournament. Is was good be back in the martial arts world again. It was a fun, though long, day and both Lindsay and Randy both went home with the gold.

I had a lot of trouble shooting in the gym, more then I expected. Next time I will have to rent a flash or something. Still managed to get a few good shots and Mom managed to get Lindsay's fights on video.

I am so proud of Lindsay!!

Links to Lindsay's fight videos:

Fight #1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-CZZji-hrY&feature=channel

Fight #2 Gold Medal Match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7LWfPgud9Q&feature=channel

Happy Birthday Me!

Saturday night we went out and celebrated my birthday with dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory and drink at The Lamplighter and Metropole. It was a great night with lots of laughs. Luckily I wasn't too hung over the next day :)

Today is my 26th birthday. I have to say that so far it feels no different then 25. Though I do feel that 26 sounds far too grown up for how I feel (and act). This birthday has made me realise though how many amazing and caring friends I have here. I am one of those people who will often feel that life is greener on the other side. This becomes a larger issue with having the option of two beautiful places that I could live. This birthday made me see that sometimes things can be just as green where you are.

So thank you to everyone that has made this birthday a special one!

I Forgot

So I totally messed up and missed a day of 365. Friday night Lindsay and I went out to dinner and then ended up back at Sarah's. We didn't get home until after one and I just completely forgot that I hadn't taken my picture (while technically I would have already missed the day anyway). I didn't realise until I woke up the next day. I was devastated. I wanted to do this project perfectly and now I feel like there is a tarnish.

I took a photo to make up the day that morning but I know it isn't the same. I was all depressed and Lindsay was trying to make me feel better and was like we will fix it. I came back with 'it isn't like I can just hop into my DeLorean and go back to yesterday Lindsay'.

Lindsay went out shopping with Margo that day and just happened to come upon a DeLorean!!! I have to say even though I can't take it and go back to fix my mistake, the photo he took of it did cheer me up immensely! Thanks baby!

Dusty Neglect & The Close of April

So I have been neglecting all things online as of late. My facebook, my flickr and of course my blog. I have been checking in and having a quick glance at what is new but not really doing any work myself. I would love to say this is because I have been so busy with real world events but honestly....I have been sick and just couldn't find the energy. Of course then I think well so much has happened where should I start and then just do nothing at all. A vicious cycle I would say. So getting back on the wagon...

April came to a close and so therefore another month of 365 has been completed. I was actually quite impressed with April in the end. Especially good considering it was a month where I considered quitting more then once. Guess that just goes to show that you have to keep going even when it all feels like crap.

Truth, Lies and Reality

I am someone who likes to know all the facts. I don't like secrets, well that isn't quite correct. I don't like half information. Don't tell me something and then not give me all the information. It makes me obsessive and ridiculous. But I am getting off topic...

Truth is a funny thing. Everyone says that they want the truth. We all know lies are bad and breed other lies and then all of a sudden you are caught in a web of deception and there is no way out. So we pursue the truth and then when we have it, what then?

I spend all this time convinced if I know the truth it will make it all better. I will have all the facts and be able to sit down logically and move forward. Then I get the truth and it hurts more then the not knowing. Nothing is clearer...I don't want to go back to before the truth but I don't like it here either.

Truth hurts. It is important and probably for the best but it hurts. Lies hurt. If you keep up the lie they hurt the liar, if you eventually tell the truth it hurts the person you lied to. So that takes us to reality. Whether you live in the truth or the lie it becomes your reality. You can't escape it.

Reality bites.

Jesus, a new flat and a pretentious deer.

Last Thursday Emma and Rob had a party at their flat to celebrate Emma moving in, to catch up and oh and something to do with Jesus. It is the most beautiful flat I have seen in a long time and I may have to leave Lindsay and kill Emma so I can have Rob and his flat all to myself. :)

It was all a very lovely evening filled with laughter, dancing and of course serious discussions about world politics until the evil Polish vodka. Now of course it says on the bottle that it is just regular old vodka and that the long stem of grass is purely for decorative purposes. I personally feel that this "grass" may actually be the hair of Satan. Needless to say after a few too many cocktails and two to three shots of Satan's vodka I was legless. Literally. One minute I was getting up from the couch and making my way across the living room and the next I was on the floor. No tripping or slipping just up then down. The lovely Kalen picked me up off the floor and got me to Sarah.

I spent the next couple of hours admiring the craftsmanship of Rob and Emma's Bemis toilet. I have to say to the people of Bemis, love your work, however though the push in toilet flush may seem very stylish and sleek but it can be a bit of a pain to a drunken woman trying to hold on to the shred of dignity she has remaining. Of course Sarah was wonderful and went above and beyond best friend duties that night. She is the Lilly Allen to my Lindsay Lohan. Sarah did not however get along quite as well with the porcelain deer on Emma's bathroom sink. She announced that the deer was judging her and then promptly removed it's head. I cannot comment on the deer and it's alleged judging as I was too busy trying to stay alive.

Moments before I fell down for no reason

After slamming down water and triskets while taking advice from Sarah on the best ways to "remove" everything from my stomach and Emma pounding my back and offering crispers (among other things) Sarah managed to crawl me to the spare bedroom. I slept it off a bit and then managed to walk back out into the now just as messy as I had been party. All around an excellent evening...watch for future tabloid articles announcing my admittance to a Malibu rehab facility.

Piece of my Heart

A lot of people can say it but not many can feel it along with you. When your heart is bleeding and you can't take it anymore a little bit of Janis Joplin can make you feel like you aren't alone.

So pour yourself some Southern Comfort, turn up the volume and let your heart bleed with Janis.

Piece of My Heart

(Come on…)

Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man, well yeah,

An' didn't I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can ?

Honey, you know I did!

And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough,

But I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough.

I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it,

Take another little piece of my heart now, baby, (break a..)

Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah. (have a..)

Hey! Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, yeah.

You know you got it if it makes you feel good,

Oh yes indeed.

You're out on the streets looking good, and baby,

Deep down in your heart I guess you know that it ain't right,

Never never never never never never never hear me when I cry at night.

Baby, I cry all the time!

And each time I tell myself that I, well I can't stand the pain,

But when you hold me in your arms, I'll sing it once again.

I'll say come on, come on, come on, come on, yeah take it!

Take another little piece of my heart now, baby. (break a..)

Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, (come on…)

Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, yeah.

Well, You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it,

Take another little piece of my heart now, baby. (break a…)

Break another little bit of my heart, darling, yeah. (have a)

Have another little piece of my heart now, baby,

You know you got it (waaaaahhh)

Take a…Take another little piece of my heart now, baby. (break a…)

Break another little bit of my heart, and darling, yeah yeah (have a)

Have another little piece of my heart now, baby,

You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

Sunday Shooting and Sunshine

So last Sunday it was an absolutely gorgeous day and Sarah and I finally went out shooting again. Between all of our commitments lately we hardly ever seem to get out and shoot together which is a far cry from our minimum of once a week outings last spring/summer.

I had being eyeing this decaying old warehouse just off Main and Terminal every time I drove by so we hit that first. I seem to be going through a "urban decay" phase where all I want to shoot is decrepit buildings, peeling paint, broken windows and fire ravaged houses.

Of course in true Sarah and Jessie (aka Lucy and Ethel) fashion the area turned out to be a bit dodgier then I originally had anticipated. We kept the car close a) so we could make a quick getaway and b) so Lindsay would not kill us which helped our safety factor a little bit. We still ended up getting many looks and yells but the shots were worth it. I think next time we will have to go with a few other people as there was this even better area we wanted to hit but was a little bit too rough.

Also, when I say shooting I mean with cameras. For some reason everyone assumes we are out with hand guns. Really guys? We are out in rough areas with hand guns doing what? Playing Charlie's Angels? Do we really seem like those girls...wait don't answer that....

365 Month Three

I have completed my third month of 365. 90 photos done, 275 to go (and yes for all that know me I did have to use a calculator for that). I was on a bit of an emotional roller coaster this month and it definitely shows in the shots. It is becoming harder and harder by the day to find something new to do. I am also tiring of the sight of myself. I have never been one to shy away from cameras (ever) and honestly I love having my photo taken. I thought that this challenge would make me love myself more and help me see things I didn't before. That is what a lot of people seem to get out of it. I find though recently I am just judging myself more. That I am beginning to hate my smile and just feel like I couldn't take a great photo if I tried. Of course this could be all part of the process and next month I will be raving about how fabulous it all was.

I want to try and put more into my shots. I am looking forward to the warm weather coming and with it being lighter later so I have the option to go outside more.

As hard as it has been I really do love a lot of the shots I took this month. I would struggle to find a favourite, or even a top three. So maybe it isn't all that bad and I am just tired and cranky. Who knows?! :)

For those who have been following my 365, thanks, stick with me I am sure it can only get more interesting from here.

Because It's Ladies Night

I generally am not one for "girls" or "guys" nights. I always feel that it shouldn't matter what sex you are if you want to go out and have fun lets go. I did however break my own rules (big shock there :)) and organised a Ladies Night on Saturday night. Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to be more of a guy's girl and I haven't really had a set of close girlfriends since high school. This does not however mean that I don't know amazing women. So the thought crossed my mind, why don't I ever get all my amazing female friends in the same place? Well I wish I had done it sooner.

We went out for dinner and drinks at Chill Winston in Gastown. We had an absolute blast and some of us may have had a bit too much to drink (namely me!) leading to silliness, crazy photos and a couple of D & Ms in the co-ed bathroom. One with some guy named Justin who according to Sarah had the best jacket ever (she told him every couple of minutes). Even though I ended the night making friends with the bathroom floor (luckily this waited until I got home) it was the most fun I have had in a long time.

It made me realise how lucky I was to have such amazing, strong and fabulous women around me!! Thanks to all of you that came out. There will for sure be a sequel to this night!

These should be taken away before we go out!!

Leading Ladies?

I was reminded this afternoon while watching the trailer for Merry Gentlemen of some of the roles in movies which I loved as a young girl/teen. Merry Gentlemen stars Kelly MacDonald who I first saw in back in 1996 in Trainspotting. I was 13 at the time and my Dad took me to see the movie. The scene where Renton first meets Diane hooked me. I thought she was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Watching it now, I don't disagree.

The epitome of how I wanted to be - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf3ByUMFMlc

So I was thinking who else did I want to be like back then. Who inspired me to be what I am. I am not sure that I idolised the "right" type of women. Maybe this was because of the type or genre of movies that were released during that period. It was a time of teen movies and the Spice Girls. Baby tees and platforms. Looking at it now most of them were overtly sexual, some of them crazy, some of them bitchy, all of them independent. Despite it being the time of Girl Power I wouldn't call any of these women a good feminist role model but they were hot, sexy, witty and uber cool.

Among the list - Angelina Jolie, Hackers; Julia Stiles, 10 Things I Hate About You; Rose McGowan, Jawbreaker; Drew Barrymore, Bad Girls

So the question comes up - if these are the women that inspired me while I was a teenager, which in turn led me to make decisions which lead me to who I have become as an adult, am I the bitchy, crazy, quick talking, sarcastic, overtly sexual, independent but still somewhat lovable girl that I longed to be then?

I will leave that up to you to decide.