This is Why I Have Been Ignoring You!

One of the major projects I have been working on over the last nine months is finally here.  The conference is this coming Monday, March 3rd.  If you are interested in attending they're still tickets left which you can reserve here.  Or if you would like to support the arts, culture and heritage with a donation you can do so here.

Here, There, and Everywhere

Well I made it. Cathryn and I had plenty of time, or so we thought. But as we sat on the Cross Bronx at 8:00 in bummer to bummer traffic I thought my chances of making a 10:00 a.m. flight were looking slim. But something miraculous happened and I had time for a cappuccino in the Porter Lounge at EWR. Nothing quite like a coffee and the New York Times.

I know we are getting close when the Falls come into view

What an indulgent night in town with this man and our fantastic drinks.  At Cantine.  Spent the rest of the night in Yorkville attending the city wedding party of one of Toronto's most dynamic musicians, Ms. Clara Venice.  It was a night of glamour, love and mariachi.  All with good friends.

The rest of the weekend was spent abed in the arms of a man and his chocolate Lab.  But Monday was so beautiful and I was so happy to be in the "old 'hood"  I had to get out and met Lauren, Crystal, and Beef at Fire. The old stomping ground of yore.

                                                               By Wednesday I was back in the tri-state, at MoMa with Joey B, of S.O.T.A fame, and Paul.  These two are the most famous guy I know in New York City.  Joe got me a ticket to see his show at The Cell  - Hard Times, which, by the way, got a fantastic review in the Times.  And Paul is bringing Patty Smith to Toronto in February.

The next week, I was back at it dolled up and going to Gramercy. 

Sometimes timing is just right, and you get to see one of your Toronto favourites in New York, like I did when Ms. Sharron Matthew's world tour stopped at Flute Gramercy.  She looks so great in Gold.

Had a late night dinner with Paul on one of my last nights in town.  It is always nice being at The Club.  I only wish Blackie could be there with us.  Oh and that reminds me I better send my Uncle a check for my bar bill.  This is what being "here" is all about.  

I'd love to ...

Eighteen Eighty's film about SWToronto

Startup Weekend - Full from Eighteen Eighty on Vimeo.

Don't I look ethereal at the 13:58 mark?

La Perla Spa Review

Fall is a great time for reflection and preparation for the long winter to come. And that's why I was so excited when my friends at La Perla Salon and Spa insisted I come in for a facial. Its been a while since I've had the time and motivation, (read cash) to do any pampering. But as the air gets colder it is increasingly important to take the time to look after myself. My skin tends to show the effects of winter a lot, and can definitely contribute to symptoms of S.A.D.

Typically I have a decent complexion. I'm very fair, (pasty perhaps) but for the most part I take good care of my skin, and it looks pretty good. Bianca, my esthetician gave me a great evaluation and some pro tips for preserving my skin through the season ahead. Wear sun-block everyday, exfoliate, wash my face thoroughly with good quality cleansers, and moisturize regularly. But as the days grow shorter, even the most cared for skin can start to look dull. And, I find I'm more prone to breakouts, even though my skin feels tight and dry.

Bianca was especially emphatic that moisturising is the key. I always assumed that because I tend to breakout I needed a light moisturiser. But in fact, Bianca explained, my skin is prone to breakouts because it is dry, and the skin is reacting to dryness by producing more oils. A heavier moisturiser can actually alleviate breakouts.

She also recommended an at home routine to combat winter skin. Weekly at home steam treatments, Dermalogica Hydrating Masques, and Dynamic Skin Recovery Moisturiser with spf 30 for day, and Barrier Repair every night .

I am so grateful to the La Perla team, and Bianca in particular, for the great facial and awesome skin care advice. I appreciate that she had a glass of water ready at the end of the treatment, and gave gentle assistance as i sat up. It was a great way to kick start the fall.

Startup Weekend Video Trailer

Look for me at 1:00 minute mark!

Everyone's a Winner, Especially Me.

It took me a while to figure out what bothered me about this commercial. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. And then it dawned on me...

Mahban - Fierce Nails

Watermelon inspiration

dopeness

polish, polish, everywhere

the artist and her palate

Colonial how fierce is that!

paintin'

gettin' did

summer sky

want a bite?

Sawatdee Kaa Bangkok

Well India kicked us on our way out the door. Figurative speaking anyway. Literally they almost wouldn't let Justin in the airport because his name was not on the confirmation documented I had printed from Thai Air. Then the bitches at the check in desk gave us a whole lot of 'tude. "Is there a post box at the airport?" I asked.
"No,"
"Really, because several people assured me that there was?"
She asked around. "No"
Then the guy checking in next to us asked what we were looking for.
"A post box," I said.
"O yes there is one right over there." It was within sight from the check in desk.
"But you could miss it," he said sheepishly because the woman behind the desk was glaring daggers. You could not miss it. After that Justin asked if we could have seats with extra leg room since he is so talk. Maybe first class he added good naturedly.
"I have plenty of aisle seat." She said icily, with the most bullshit smirk on her face. As we walked away from the check in desk Justin and I looked at each other and I could tell we were thinking the same thing. Let's get the hell out of India

We've been in Bangkok for two days, and we are already in love. Bangkok is like a playground for adults. Our hotel has a pool on the roof. There are 7elevens everywhere. You can drink in the streets. And the food is incredible, and you don't have to worry about getting sick from it. Even the stuff on the streets is safe, which is good because it also delicious and super cheap. You can eat, drink or check your email 24 hours a day. We went out to DJ Station last night, a gay bar in the Patpong district. I was invited up on stage to shake my tits with a fat drag queen. These things are always happening to me.* On our way to the club we got offered tickets to the ping pong sex shows, which are famous here, about two dozen times. I am sure you can imagine what that entails, but if you are not very imaginative google it or youtube Priscilla Queen of the Desert. We also had the most delicious margaritas. And our tuk tuk driver did some stunts with us in the back on our way home. We've been to the mall twice. But only to one of the malls. I have counted at least four. We can't go to the others because of all the pesky protests.

O yea did I mention the political unrest. No? Oh I guess it slipped my mind. I am not sure how since it has been on the cover of the Tribune everyday since we arrived. Probably I forgot because the papers make it sound scarier than it really is. In fact from what I have seen the Thai protests are more like street fairs or music festivals. In fact there are live bands and pop groups performing, and there are stalls with food and souvenirs for sale. So how a Thai protest is different from a music festival I can't figure. The red shirts really know how to throw a good protest. Except for the whole shutting down the malls and storming the parliment. In fact there is a state of emergency in Bangkok right now, but so far the only impact it has had on us is divered traffic and a slight hike in tuk tuk prices because of detours.

Bangkok has really great public transportation. We've taken the Sky train everywhere, and the water ferries and even the public buses which are super easy and cheap to navigate. Tomorrow we are going to the floating market in the morning, and then we are going to spend the afternoon at the pool and go out for dinner and dancing. Life is rough...

* Happy ending massages galore

HTLGN - Canada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHyNhMcHrFk&feature=related

It is such a pain that HTLGN Canada has requested that youtube disable the embed but at least I got to see it. And now so can you. Don't worry you only need to watch the first 30 seconds.

Part of our Heritage

When I escaped to Canada.

If I grew up playing hockey I'd be rich

Sharif offered to take me to my first Leaf's game, you know since I took him to Battle of the Blades. Obviously a fair trade. Actually I think he took me because we both took the LSATs last weekend.

I know I am lucky that my first NHL game was a Leafs game. In the presence of Greatness.

Arriving at the ACC. I kept wanting to stop for snacks. I mean they have a Cinnabon in Union Station. That is like torture for me. But Sharif insisted that we get inside.

And good thing too. Because as we were coming into the Air Canada Centre I was checking out these two dudes in Maple Leaf Blue valour track suits. And I remember I was thinking "man I want one of those(the tracksuits people,)" and at that moment one of them locked eyes on me and bee-lined right towards us as we started down the hallway.
"Hey," he says, "do you want to shoot the puck from centre ice for 1,000 bucks during the first intermission."
"um, fuck yea!"

While I squealed like a girl Sharif got us to our seats for the start of the game.

1st period action.

Go Leaf's Go!

Lauren lent me her jersey. Don't we look cute? Beauchemin scored, so we were up 1-0 when we left our seats for my 15 minutes of fame.

We missed the White goal, but the Leafs were up 2-0 while we waited rink side before my shot

check it out!!!!!!!!!

Carlton and Me

Don't I look professional in my pro-line jersey? Those two dudes and I were the shooters. And that guy on my left actually ended up making both the 250$ and the 1,000$ shots! And he had already won a blue ray player. Lucky night. He bought some 50 50 tickets afterwards I think.

Thank god when this chick asked me where I was from I said San Francisco so that when I missed the net miserably I had an excuse. I was not her biggest fan though, because she warned me ON the JUMBOTRON not to "... fall down,"
"um don't be a bitch!."

Can you believe this shit! I was so excited

Sidney Crosby is that you?

Sharif did a great job capturing my moment in the sun. I only wish he had gotten a picture of my face on the Jumbotron.

that's me taking my shot. I can see why I didn't make it, since I was facing the corner instead of the net, but I did my best considering I have never held a hockey stick before. (Click on the images to enlarge... because I am worth it.)

so funny. Canadians are so nice too. At least two sweet older ladies gave me the good shot hug when we got back to our seats. Speaking of which...

"hey bud, workin' eh?"

property

Maple Leaf bathroom tiles. Could be an idea

ran into the best outfits of the night on a couple of youth.

they agreed to take a picture with me once they realised I was FAMOUS.

thanks sharif!

back to the action. It was a great game! Leafs looked good. Toskala kept is 2-1 and stopped eight for a scoreless 2nd period.

It got intense in the 3rd when Tavares, that bum, scored his second of the night. 2-2. But Blake scored with minutes left in the game and the Leafs held on to win 3-2.

Once victory was assured

Bums

despicable

true men!

After the game Beef and I went to the Irish Embassy. Still one of my favourites in TO

not sure we needed this last round.

we accidentally broke one of my prizes. But it is OK, cause we didn't actually know what it was.

"You devoured that..."
"Um don't be a bitch... again"

Thanks Beef... This is the BEST Christmas ever! And you aren't even Christian.