steel magnolia

Words to live by - Just Dance.

2007-04-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

I used to buy my faith in worship,
But then my chance to get to heaven slipped.
I used to worry about the future
But then I throw my caution into the wind.
I had no reason to be care free
No no no, until I took a trip to the other side of town
Yeah yeah yeah, you know I heard that boogie rhythm
Hey- I had no choice but to get down down down down.

Dance, nothing left for me to do but dance,
Off these bad times Im going through just dance
Got canned heat in my heals tonight baby

I feel the thunder see the lightning
I know this angers heaven sent.
So Ive got to hang out all my hang-ups
Because of the boogie I feel so hell bent
Its just an instant gut reaction, that I got
I know I never ever felt like this before,
I dont know what to doBut then thats nothing new,
Stuck between hell and high water
Need a cure to make it through.

Emilie's Email - Last Production Night

2007-03-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Mike Brown:

This is what you should do next year.Take big peice s ofrb ristol board. Tape them to the windows of the WLUSP office. Give ppl markers to write cool quoates on the paper when they walk by dunk. Take the bristol baord down q

My ass is falling out of my pants.

What at great idea!!!

2007-03-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

There it is, laid out in front of me -
a long, thick and very obvious line.
And I know that if I cross it, there's no turning back...I know.
I know that beyond this line is just another. And another.
Be strong, I tell myself. This line is a boundary.
But I have never known any boundaries before.
I dip my finger in and taste it.
I think to myself: I have too many feelings. I don't need them all.
There is no barbed wire here.
There are no men with guns. No electric gates.
Just one small line -
A line that is impermeable to fear and pain,
A line that separates feeling from not giving a shit.
I could leap over it and land on my feet.
But what if I can't get back in?
My lips and tongue are already numb.
I want to throw my whole body in.
But I hold my breath
and remember the last time I was this stupid,
I recall that pain, like me, knows no boundaries.
I hold my breath...and I blow the line away.
I will find other fences to climb.

I'll pry if I want to

2007-03-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share my thoughts on "talking about things."

In this strange and noisy planet, we're all actually very silent.

I have noticed that a lot of people are reluctant to leave their comfort zones when it comes to talking about the things that are important. Too often important issues in our lives are swept under carpets, overshadowed by superficial topics that are much more palatable.

Prying is so terribly underated. Today we live in a world where we're taught to be polite and worry about ourselves instead of others. Mind your own business. Don't push. Don't pry. Don't ask questions.

I really think it is the things we don't say that isolate each and every one of us in this place, when we could all be so much better connected.

So I would encourage everyone to ignore whatever silly custom or fear that is inhibiting you from following your instinct to care. Ask somebody "how are you," and don't let the conversation end when they say "oh, I'm fine."

Pumped

2007-02-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

I have felt incredibly positive lately. In fact, I am downright pumped. There are so many exciting things lined up, how could I not be?

Most notably, I will be soaking up the sun in Florida just over a week from now and the timing couldn't be better. The weather has been absolutely disgraceful. Mother nature should be ashamed of herself.

My sister finally set her wedding date for July 11th, 2007 in Scotland and booked a dinner room at some amazing hotel that has gardens with peakcocks in it. Coincidently, 7/11 is also when Pat and I celebrate our anniversary...looks like we'll be in Europe for the big 5!

Friday cannot come fast enough. I get to party with Krista AND Lianner (when does THAT happen?) all night long to the sensational sounds of MSTRKRFT!

And finally, today Karebear and I got tickets to see The Roots @ the Koolhaus...who else is going??

Other things that have put a smile on my face is the great feeling of being HEALTHY. Who would have ever thoought that not smoking or eating fast food could possibly make a difference? Ok, maybe it was a bit obvious, but not for me. That was the only lifestyle I had known for the greater part of my life. But now, after a month of eating only extremely healthy and low-calorie foods not only do I feel great...I feel like I look great too. All my jeans fit again (yay) and I feel good in a bikini.

The timing couldn't be better. :P

Gunther - tutti frutti summer love

2007-01-22T18:49:00.000-08:00


Title: tutti frutti summer love Artist: Gunther Sphie If you like this movie, visit my site then ^^ http://www.sphie.com/

Oh, Lianne

2007-01-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

I have to be a big loser and blog about Lianne's msn name.

Lianne is my roomate and an absolutely fabulous human being. She is always up for a party and drinks like a man.

Last night was no exception. Her MSN name is a testament to her utter drunkeness last night and really, it made me laugh so hard I needed to have it on record here so when we are old and wild nights of excessive drinking are but a distant memory, I can remember just how trashed this girl was.

Maybe she went online to say goodnight to her boyfriend when we got back from the bar. Could be she went online to look at porn. Who knows. Regardless, this is what her MSN name says this morning:

Lee - if it got more drunkl than that...i really cant see.
She doesn't get enough party, she doesn't get enough

I love how it makes no sense at all and really accurately reflects her state of mind and her inability to finish thoughts last night. At the risk of sounding motherly, Lianne, I'm proud of you. You didn't even throw up.

Pinchy's 2007 Top-Five Style List

2007-01-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

1. Hobo Chic
Remember Boho-chic? All you need to do is switch the B and the H and you've got yourself the ultimate fashionista on the go. Today's busy woman doesn't have time to live anywhere, let alone shower or worry about changing her clothes on a daily basis. Second-hand stores like the Salvation Army and Value Village are not only perfect for this look, they're 100% wallet-friendly. This is the year of the Pig, so take advantage ladies!

2. Year of the Pig
Did we mention it's the year of the Pig? Ok, you get it. Find your local animal shelter and get rid of that annoying yappy little dog. Canines are OUT. Pigs are in. George Clooney, named the sexiest man of the year, is inseperable from his pig "Max" and the trend is spreading through LA like annorexia. Take your pig to the mall, the salon and even to the hippest party spots. Everyone will dig your pig.

3. Cottage Cheese Please?
One of 07's biggest shocker trends is going to be cellulite. Having babies was the hottest celeb trend of '06, leaving our idols with fat, saggy asses and no time for surgery. So stop dishing out on "firming" creams and invest in some booty shorts. Let loose, and don't forget to pick up an extra Big Mac!

4. Since we've no place to go, let it grow, let it grow, let it grow
This year in tinseltown hair is flare. Not just on your head but everywhere. Let those unruly eyebrows rebel. Underarms, legs, bikini lines, upper lips and even sideburns (for those girls blessed by nature) are all hot, hot, hot this winter. It's not about feminism or saving the trees. It's the ultimate "I'm too busy making films, records and stealing African babies to shave" look.

5. Be this, be that, just be...smelly
No need to go to fancy department stores for the most sought-after scent of 2007. Look no further than your own body. That's right - Body Odour, aka BO, is IN. And how could it not be? Between never shaving or showering, eating greasy food, wearing used clothing and caring for beloved pet pigs, the mavens who are following all the trends smell like absolute hell. And Europe's top designers are loving it! Tommy, Ralph and Calvin are all working on capturing the BO scent but the best way to be on top of this hot trend is to DIY.

A note from the super on Christmas eve

2006-12-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

"If this car is here in the morning it will be towed!"

Merry Christmas everyone.

Six-word Memoir

2006-12-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Smithmag is having a six-word memoir contest. Pat and I read about it on the Freakonomics blog.

As the site points out, this "could be the title of your autobiography, or maybe your epitaph."

Hemingway summed himself up with these six words:
"For sale: baby shoes, never used."
I guess that means he was born an old man?

I thought about mine for a while. On the one hand, I thought it wouldn't make sense to write a memoir at age 22, assuming I've got a ways to go. After all , nothing has "happened." No, that's bullshit. Really, I could write a memoir, if I thought it was anyone's business. It would be about as big as an encyclopedia and full of drama and adventure and romance.

The real challenge here is brevity. You have to know yourself well to be that succinct about your life. It really forces you to evaluate who you are and what you want your life to mean. Maybe next year I'll actually give NaNoWriMo a half-decent shot...but for now getting 6 words out about myself is tough enough.

If I had to sum up my life so far I would say that I am someone who has fun and isn't afraid to break the rules. I am someone who does what I want and follows my gut. Lastly, I am someone who leaves her mark and when I've been somewhere, you'll know I was there.

Bearing that in mind here's what I came up with. My memoir, in six words:

"I stepped barefoot in wet cement."

That'll do, for now but I'm not crazy about it...I guess life is a work in prorgress.

Life is a work in progress.

What would yours be?

Thoughts

2006-12-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

People often think, erroneously, that they need more time.
What would more time do for you? What have you done with the time that passed?

What exams are like...

2006-12-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

You don't have time to cook so you eat mostly fast food and condiments
Your first thought when you wake up in the morning is "shiiiiit"
You sweat taurine
Showers are rewards for a hard-day's work
Cleaning and dishes are much welcomed study breaks
You have a hunch back from leaning over your books
You write exams in your dreams
You post pointless blogs like this one - anything for a break
You contemplate dropping the course, dropping out or dropping dead!

Good luck everyone...keep on truckin'!

Thoughts

2006-12-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

The same place can't be the right place for everyone. And the wrong place won't feel right, no matter how long you stay there or what colour you paint it. It's still the same, wrong place.

Moon Boots!

2006-12-08T15:57:00.000-08:00

Remember
Moon Boots?

They're coming back!...in a variety of forms. Tecnica, who makes ski boots as well as apres ski-wear, is still selling the classic moon boots as well as updated designs. They also have other styles, like shearling and "metro."

Like it or not, these are probably the next uggs.

Would you wear them?

FOUR THINGS you may have not known about me...

2006-12-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

Compliments of April Robinson (and I added a music category, just cuz)

1) Four Jobs I have had in my life

Santa's helper
Waitress at a Bar
Blockbuster bitch
Salesperson at a bag store (hence my addiction)

2) Four Movies I watch over and over

Jerry Maguire
Rocky movies
Love Actually
Fight Club

3) Four Songs I listen to over and over

Sinnerman - Nina Simone
Get by - Talib Kweli
For the Widows in Paradise... - Sufjan Stevens
The Sea - Morcheeba

4) Four Places I have lived in

Toronto (North York)
Ottawa (Napean)
Richmond Hill
Waterpoo

5) Four Vacations I've been on

Paris
New York
Florida
Going to Scotland soon!!!

6) Four Favourite Foods

Steak and veg
Bacon breakfasts
Mr. Noodles
Mediterannean food

7) Four Websites I visit daily

Gmail/Hotmail
"People" gossip news
CBC news
People's blogs

8) Four Places I would rather be RIGHT NOW

At my cousin's in Staten Island playing with the baby
On a beach in Florida with Patty
Looking at the window displays in Manhattan
In TO with Karen, Irina and Julia

Alpacaheart

2006-12-04T11:48:00.001-08:00

"They can take our fur...but they will never take our FREEDOM!!"

McHardy McWedding

2006-12-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Scotland!!

With her Masters ordeal behind her, my sister has finally taken off the labcoat and emersed herself in some wedding planning. As maid of honour, I've been a little apprehensive about having to wear a cookie-cutter bridesmaid dress for the second time (sorry Marina, but there was a reason I changed after the ceremony).

So I'm thrilled to hear that the big fat wedding was cancelled and instead our families are going to Scotland next fall for a small, modest ceremony.

Looks like I'm wearing plaid!

Pat and I are so excited. No one in my family has ever been there. I myself have always wanted to see the UK, especially London, but now that I've been looking at pictures of Castles all morning I am soooo hyped! I want to watch Trainspotting and Four Weddings & a Funeral RIGHT NOW.

If anyone who reads this has been to Scotland and has any suggestions of where to get married or where to visit while we're there, please comment or email me!

Yipppeeeee!

A few extra

2006-11-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

Leave it to good friends and family to always tell it like it is.

Apparently, I've put on "a few extra" lately. Not 20 pounds, just a few. Not enough to send me running to the gym or to give up my beloved cheeseburger and high-sodium diet. But enough that some of my clothes no longer fit.

But I am NOT complaining. Even though in this society we're supposed to freak out at the sight of a little pudge here or there, upon reflecting on this a bit I realized my increased shapeliness is indicative of 3 fabulous things:

1) I'm not a teenager anymore - my teen years were fun but I'm ready to move on and be a woman. Besides, I like my potentially (hopefully, fingers crossed) child-bearing hips. At least, they are child-holding hips.

2) I QUIT SMOKING!! - I don't ever like to talk about my addictions unless I'm talking about them in the past tense. I was definitely sucking down (at least) two packs a week this summer and even more after Paris. But no matter how many times Pat would plead with me to stop, I knew that I had to be ready before I could do it.

I didn't tell anyone my smoking was out of control or that it was making me sick. I just quit cold turkey, quietly and in my own way and last Thursday Pat and I celebrated 21 days of no smoking. It's just not a part of my life any more and I don't want it to ever be again.

The fact that I was able to quit was a sign that things are going well and I'm fairly content. Ok, so in terms of school and being organized and on top of things...I'm a bit of a train wreck. But despite appearances, I'm totally ok with that and I'm just enjoying the ride.

3) I'm healthy - Being insanely overweight is clearly no bill of good health but neither is being very thin. So ladies, rather than freak out at the sight of a bit of flesh here and there, celebrate. You're healthy. I don't know how long I can say that for. None of us really do.

Health is something we all take for granted. Being healthy is your ability to function and do things you like. It's living your life. Maybe we would all be as thin as we wanted if we were withering away in hospital beds, but where I come from, looking well-rounded is a beautiful thing.

So...

The next time Pat tells me I look beautiful, I'm going to forget about the tummy rolls and just believe him. Because I can breathe in the morning and really, I haven't felt this good in ages.

Good News

2006-11-21T12:46:00.000-08:00

Turn on the television and all you see and hear is bad news.

Kidnappings, bombs, shootings, scandal, global warming...it's all so depressing.

While being selective of our news sources, it is important to stay on top of what is going on around us. Too many people have their heads up their asses.

Having said that, not all news is bad. Yet judging from most mainstream sources it certainly seems that way sometimes. I have often bitched about all the negative news in the media and even joked about starting a television network that only showed good news, "one day." It turns out I'm not the only one who feels this way.

The Good News Network (International) is a website that strictly shares GOOD news. Recent headlines include articles about breakthroughs in stem cell research and "Indians using Google Earth to save the Amazon."

The imbalance between positive news and negative news in the media is pretty blatant, in my opinion. What does that say about us? That bad news is more marketable or interesting? I think hope and inspiration are interesting too. If you agree, check out this site or just search "good news." There are many Good News sites out there to make sure your media diet is balanced.

After a few minutes on a site like this, you just might want to give this World that you've been trashing an apologetic pat on the back.

Make a wish

2006-11-16T01:32:00.000-08:00

It is 4 am somewhere between Wednesday and Thursday. I could be drunk from lack of sleep but I feel a clarity I've never experienced before. This sort of epiphany is unfamiliar territory to an athiest like me.

I'm studying philosophy, formally, for the first time in my life and I realize now why this assignment has taken so long.

I feel like I have just assembled a puzzle. I think I have figured out everything I have ever wanted to know - or rather, I have just created it. Every last piece fits. Perfectly. Right down to the mushrooms.

Thank you Nietzsche, Mark Whalberg, Atreyu and Professor Walsh-Bowers.

I totally get it now.

ps. The name was "Moonchild."

"Nearly half of Canadians find security laws intrusive: study"

2006-11-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

I think the findings of this study are a shame.

I'm not saying that North Americans should blindly trust the government. But I think we need to take moveis like "Conspiracy Theory" and "Enemy of the State" a bit less seriously.

I find planes going into large buildings in NYC intrusive. I find Air Canada flights being bombed by terrorists intrusive.

Since when do we hold our privacy in higher regard than our safety? I'm really not concerned about the wearabouts of "my information." I wouldn't be concerned if my every movement was filmed in the street if it meant that anything between an assault on an individual to a terrorist attack could be deterred or, at the very least, punished.

The only reason you should be worried about your privacy is if you have something to hide. If someone is buying bomb materials I think authorities definitely have the right to know about it. They have better things to do than worry about someone's recent Stag Shop purchases or street-corner weed transactions. The only ones who should be concerned are dangerous criminals like Hell's Angels and terrorists. Why should the rest of us protect them?

1984 was a good book. I enjoyed it. I'm sure everyone enjoyed it. Just realize "Big Brother" isn't out there watching your every move...you're simply not important enough.

Health kick...in the ASS

2006-11-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

I have not had a great week. If at all possible, the coming week looks worse. I haven't had nearly enough time to do anything and there have been constant obstacles at every turn. I made a list of "things-to-do" for LAST Monday. Almost half of those things are on tomorrow's "to-do" list!
I'm so behind...no wonder I feel like an ASS.

To make matters worse, I had the delusional notion that a nice work-out would make me feel better.

HA!

Contrary to popular belief, I have been to the gym before. In fact, I even owned (and used) a membership. I used to box for God's sake. And I wasn't bad!

I've been sore before, but nothing could prepare me for THIS. I could barely move this morning and I have to walk like I have a fucking pipe up my ass. I am never doing anything "healthy" again. This old body just can't handle it.

As part of my recent health kick, my meals lately have consisted mostly of halloween candy. Right now I'm partial to SpongeBob SquarePants yogurt-covered raisins.

Pat and I did enjoy a nice dinner at his work Christmas party, although it was strange to be talking about Christmas this early, and on Rememberance Day.

Speaking of Christmas...my dad sent me a funny rendition of 'Hava Nagilah' on YouTube.

Like many girls of my background, I've heard versions of the Jewish folksong countless times, at Weddings, Bar Mitzvah's and even birthday parties.

I have never seen anything like this.

Ladies and Gentleman, Hava Nagilah, Thai style. Click here to watch.

Writing for couture in the city

2006-10-31T12:56:00.000-08:00

If you don't already visit le-fashionista blogs you're crazy.

Today I got an email from Angelique Sims, the ultimate fashionista who created and edits the sites, including my personal obsession Couture In the City. She came across my rant about The Departed and asked if she could post it on LePaparazzi and of course I said go for it. I also asked if she needed any help with her sites and she said she loved my writing style (which I've always known is much more Vogue than Time) and that they could use contributing writers.

So now I actually have an excuse to whittle away hours on catalogues looking at dresses and handbags. I get to be a fashion/gossip maven! So read bitches.

Heat vs. Departed

2006-10-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

I'm so tired of people saying they don't want to see Scorsese's latest work of brilliance The Departed. This is arguably his best film since Goodfellas and features some of the greatest actors of our time.

The Departed reminded me a lot of Heat, another amazing movie. I think the latter was a bit long and drawn out, true to director Michael Mann's style, but well done nonetheless.

Both movies juxtapose two men who sit on opposite sides of the law. Where The Departed takes this to a whole other level is that these men sit on opposite sides of the law while embedded in each others' environments. The parrallels are obvious but without being gimmicky or cheesy.

First off - Jack Nicholson. It was refreshing to see that somebody other than DeNiro, Pacino, Pesci or Depp could NAIL the gangster role. It was also nice to see the Boston Irish in the spotlight for once and not the usual Itialian New Yorkers.

Although not one of the leading men, Mark Whalberg made the movie for me as an unlikely anti-hero and asshole extraordinaire who provides much-needed comic relief when things get too intense.

Matt Damon does a really good job playing one of those characters that you're not sure if you hate or sympathize with. You're rooting for Leo all the way, but you secretly hope it works out with both of them on top.

Lastly, my beloved Leo...oh how you never fail to disappoint me. Leo is so much more than a childhood crush to me. I honestly believe he is incredible and gets robbed of Oscars year after year. He's come a long way from playing Romeo, and for all he's done, I think we can forgive the epic disaster that was Titanic. In The Departed, Leo shows he can rock the Boston accent but he also embodied a man on the edge. Through Leo we felt the entire film and the intensity and stress of the whole situation.

This movie is what Donnie Brasco tried to do, put couldn't pull off nearly as well - showing a man lost between crime and the law. Here, Scorses proves that you don't need the shock-value, blood and gore to stand amongst the great films that tackle the organized underworld. He uses just enough violence to give us insight into poor Leo's high anxiety scenario. Instead well-written dialogue and superb acting is used to weave in and out of Matt and Leo's stories.

Both Heat and The Departed feature a heavyweight cast and end with a showdown between our ying and yang. If you liked Heat at all, go see this film already! You won't be disappointed - it's entertaining at the very least.

Sorry papa, no picture

2006-10-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

I went to Paris and it was amazing. I haven't wanted to talk or write about it yet because Pat forgot the camera in our hotel room. We called the hotel immediately when we got back and they said they found it. They said they would mail it. We have been harassing them for months now. Finally I got a package TODAY. I was so happy I jumped up and down yelling "yaaaaaaaaae" like an asshole. It was somebody else's camera. Someone else's memories.

My heart is officially broken. I called the woman at the hotel and this was the only camera she had...she said she found it in the lobby. Nobody else has reported a missing camera and the chambermaid bitch never returned any found items from the bedroom. I hope the chambermaid bitch bought herself crack cocaine with the money she made off Pat's cell phone and the broken camera. I hope she overdoses on it and dies. We have no pictures from our amazing trip and the pictures were amazing. I want to go back asap and retake them all with my new fucking camera. I am keeping this fuckup camera...that at least makes me feel somewhat better. I could send it back but it would never get to its owner anyways, not in a million years. The chambermaid bitch would just sell it for more crack. Fuck them.

I would trade this camera and another one and a thousand dollars to get those pictures back. We took incredible pictures of some of the most beautiful places and things in the world that my seriously flawed memory could never do justice.