The First Podcast

A few weeks ago I was asked to be a guest on the Not So Mad Men podcast (hosted by two great guys at BridgeCom Media). I'll admit, I was worried/nervous/scared. Does anyone like hearing their own voice? I put my worries aside, went in to the office, sat down and we talked for nearly 45 minutes... go figure!

We covered a variety of topics, but the best bit was definitely our discussion on social media disasters.  Here's the final product:

 Have a listen and let me know what you think!

Tis the season... to send cards.

Every year I have grand plans to physically mail Christmas cards, yet I don't remember the last time I actually mailed anything. It sounds good though, doesn't it? It's almost December 1st and I have yet to purchase cards OR ask for people's updated addresses, so it's looking like it might be the digital version again this year.

I've also been deep into the Holiday Card creation for my 9-5. Brainstorm sessions, photoshoots, meetings...  Next week I'll be able to post the greatest holiday e-card of all time, but until then, here's a round up of a few cute cards I've come across in the research:

Buy it here

Buy it here

This is my favourite holiday card. Just everything about it makes me smile.

Where do I even buy stamps?

Vegas, baby!

I've wanted to visit Vegas since watching both Swingers and Vegas Vacation many many years ago. Finally, I had a few days off work and booked myself a ticket. 

We explored nearly every hotel on the strip, stopping for some very touristy photos. Including, but not limited to:

 

An outdoor ice rink in Vegas! 

While I'm sure the people sitting around me didn't love that I was singing all the songs softly, I completely enjoyed LOVE!

What's a tourist-y trip without throwing rocks in the local canyon?

A self-reminder: Downtown Vegas is NOT the Strip.

 The Hoover Dam was amazing. So much concrete. And memories of Vegas Vacation. Where can I get some damn bait?

Oh course I had to stop at the Vegas sign. There's always so many people around!

This isn't the right song, but it was still just as beautiful. And stunning at night, too. 

And there it is. From the top of Mandalay Bay. Las Vegas is crazy.

When am I going back?

On high rotation

I can't stop listening to Tanlines.

Is there a song you can't get out of your head? 

Eating food: The Toronto Underground Market edition

The last month and a half has been a whirlwind adventure. No complaints here, just a realization that I needed a solid weekend of sleep to kick the mediocre feeling I've had for a bit. Enter, this weekend.

This weekend has been one of my favourite weekends in a while. Nothing planned, nothing that I had to do (with the exception of work) just a weekend of doing whatever comes my way. Friday night consisted of watching The League (!) at the neighbours and then making my home around midnight. That was exactly the Friday night I was overly excited to have.

Saturday started late with a sushi lunch (and some work) at a new sushi place I came across on King St. W one night when I was walking home. It totally trumps my go-to; it will now be known as my new go-to (it's also cheaper, and the people are super friendly). The morning then took a turn and I ended up at Shanghai Cowgirl-- a great resto on Queen W-- with BG for breakfast (him) and a beverage (me). Lots of travel talks and a keen realization that I want to travel. Right now.  Las Vegas next month?

Then the night hit and I had been invited by KF to the Toronto Underground Market. A foodie's heaven (haven?) with 42 vendors serving every type of food you can imagine. Lobster, Elk, Chicken, street eats, meringues with passion fruit in the middle (drool)-- sold.

I've also had a big pull towards Australia lately. Maybe it's the winter season looming? Maybe it's that when we first walked in, this was the first stand? Meat pies!

I was too focused on shoveling food in to take photos (damn). But my top favourites were (in no order):

Rock Lobster lobster roll
Jack & Lil's Passionfruit Meringues
Hot Bunzz (all 3 flavours: beef, elk, curried duck)

With that, we have: 1. A terrible blurry photo 2. me waiting ever so patiently for Lobster (by far the longest line we waited in) and 3. the "artsy" photo on the street car home.

Happy October 19th. 

That night in Toronto

I’ve wanted to see The Tragically Hip for years. I got this close to seeing them on Canada Day, but a series of events lead me to spend the day beachside at the family cottage. It just wasn’t meant to be.

Somehow I missed the mention in the Metro, all over Twitter and surely in The Globe and Mail: The Hip were playing intimate pop-up shows at Supermarket (the bar) in Kensignton Market. 3pm, 6pm, 7pm, 9pm for 3 days. I jumped at the opportunity to go to the 7pm show—just enough time to finish up work, eat and get to the venue. E and I rocked up to the door (well, the line at the door) around 6:40, thinking the show, like the previous day would be outside. It wasn’t. After about an hour wait, we made it to the front of the line. 150 initial wrist bands and we got 145 & 146. Lucky.

The 7pm show was cancelled. Postponed. Whatever you want to call it to allow the band to eat dinner. I guess no one initially factored that into their appearance schedule, but no one cared. The fans were die hard. I’m pretty sure they would have waited all night.

Around 9pm they took the stage. Gord appeared with a hat on; the man is always stylish. They played for about 35 minutes, a few new songs and a few old hits. The crowd went wild for Bobcaygeon and My music at work. I was singing along, too. Years and years of hearing these songs played on the radio and by every mediocre singer at bars across the world, I finally heard it live. And you know, it was pretty amazing. 

It doesn't get much more Canadian than this.

The greatest view from here

And we're already in mid-to-late August. AUGUST. Summer, where did you go? I've spent very little time at the cottage was this year. I've subbed it out for park hangs and days at the island. The Toronto life, I guess. 

I managed to make it to Lake Erie (likely quite foreign to all people in Toronto) for a weekend at the cottage with the Kentucky family. 

Lots of neighbours.

Cottage neighbours with a boat. It was mere months ago I was cruising on Lake Huron on a similar catamaran. Take me back, please.

The "Dad" hammock was a highlight. A novel, beach views and a built in pillow. I think I need one of these for my apartment.

Le sigh.

The evening ended with s'mores. S'MORES!

Please stay summer forever.