"I realized the power writing has, and it has also helped me deal with my rage ... It gave me a lifelong commitment not to be afraid to speak out about injustice." -- Dominick Dunne … [Read more...]
4 Ingredients
August 26, 2009 by 5 Comments
The only thing that Julie from the movie Julie and Julia and I share is a name. I have never lived in New York City (although I certainly would if opportunity afforded it), I am not a newly wed (we're clocking 13 years over in this corner), and perhaps most critically, I do not enjoy cooking. I just don't understand how people love to cook. It's sort of how I just can't understand how people love to go running. It's not that I wouldn't want to … [Read more...]
I blame Dora
August 22, 2009 by 4 Comments
Although I like to blame Dora the Explorer for my daughter's pinata fascination, the truth is that it's become a bit of a cherished tradition around here. It all started on her fourth birthday (yes, that time when all children exposed to a shouting girl in a jungle become madly infatuated and start learning Spanish at amazing speed). We were in Australia at the time and the only thing that Stella requested for her birthday celebration was a … [Read more...]
A movie about blogging
August 14, 2009 by 4 Comments
I'll be the first to admit, I haven't been out to the movies much in, say, oh ... the last seven years. Yes, coincidentally, since I've become a parent. So, I might be wrong here, but the movie Julie & Julia was the first movie that I know of with blogging as a central focus. Even though I couldn't care less about Julia Child, and cooking in general for that matter, I was excited to see this movie. And that had everything to do with the … [Read more...]
Wasted Beauty
August 11, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Like a dog with a bone, I've been racing through Eric Bogosian's three novels and raving about them on this blog. The first one I came across was his most recent, Perforated Heart, while the second one I read was Mall. Sandwiched in between these two, he wrote Wasted Beauty (2005). All three novels focus on American culture, and I think it's safe to say it's a fairly scathing perspective. Or as Hillary Frey says, "this is the stuff of ugly … [Read more...]
Design freebies @ The Small Object
August 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
![stickerB2[1]](http://d3826520.u488.hspheredns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/stickerb21.jpg)
So there is this girl named Sarah and she makes these great little small objects. No, I don't know her. But you know how the internet is like that -- I just stumbled upon her -- and what a treasure of talent she is! Her company is called The Small Object. She creates absolutely delightful things ... like custom cake toppers for wedding cakes made from wooden clothes pegs... ... and rubber stamps featuring her own unique illustrations (my … [Read more...]
SYTYCD
August 5, 2009 by 5 Comments
If the initials SYTYCD mean nothing to you, then move along. I won't be offended (just this once). As for the rest of you fellow So You Think You Can Dance Addicts ... well, our season is now coming to an end. Here's what I'll miss: Brandon's dancing. That boy is an absolute machine. I mean, really! He has not missed one step the entire show -- completely flawless technically and performance-level too. Just a pleasure to watch. Mia Michaels … [Read more...]
MALL
August 4, 2009 by 2 Comments
As you might have guessed, I gave up on Edward. He and his little Twilight entourage did nothing for me. I felt bad just dumping him, especially when he was supposed to be so sexy and all. But, hey, c'est la vie. Us middle-aged women don't have a whole lot of time to waste. So, I've moved on to Eric. As in Eric Bogosian. If you clicked on that link, well, there's no denying that he's no pretty boy like Edward. But his mind is deep. And dark. … [Read more...]
Writerly happenings
August 4, 2009 by 1 Comment
Writers are always on the hunt for ways to improve their craft, and I'm no different. I'm always sniffing around for new ideas, new initiatives, new ways to learn. At BOLO the other night, I overheard a number of bloggers mention that they were writers as a day-time gig (alot of fellow corporate communicators) as well as some stay-at-home-moms who said that they aspire to be writers. So, I thought that I'd share some interesting writerly … [Read more...]
My own personal BOLO
July 25, 2009 by 10 Comments
As I drove home from Blog Out Loud Ottawa, I had the summer wind whipping through the car and the music on high. And something strange happened; I started to cry. But it wasn't a bad cry. It was a good cry, if you know what I mean. I think it was a release of sorts. Because, truth be told, I've had a tough time adapting to life back in Ottawa after a year away in Australia. It's something I don't dare to say out loud, for fear of offending my … [Read more...]
Out of the mouths of babes.
July 24, 2009 by 7 Comments
Me: So ... did you hear Mommy on the radio yesterday? 6-year-old Daughter: Well, yes I did. But I didn't recognize your voice. Me: Yes, people can sound different on the radio. I think it's because of the microphones. 6-year-old Daughter: Oh, I see. It really didn't sound like you at all. Because I heard the voice of a really calm lady. … [Read more...]
All In A Day
July 23, 2009 by 2 Comments
Okay, now it's my turn to panic! All In A Day called (you know, CBC's afternoon radio show) and asked if I would come in to be interviewed on the show to talk about Blog Out Loud Ottawa. I love All In A Day, so I swooned and said 'yes' immediately. Here's how the show is described on their site: All In A Day is Ottawa’s number one afternoon drive program, not surprising considering that CBC Radio One 91.5 is Ottawa’s number one radio station. … [Read more...]
Let's Panic!
July 22, 2009 by 2 Comments
Oh my! I can barely write I am laughing so hard at this new website launched by mommy-blogger Alice Bradley of Finslippy fame, and her co-hort in tongue-in-cheek-crime Eden Kennedy. Although I'd seen Bradley before from Momversations, I hadn't come across Kennedy as of yet. You can immediately get a feel for Kennedy's humour style though by visiting her blog yogabeans, where her son's action figures demonstrate ashtanga yoga. These two women … [Read more...]
Sweet Spot
July 19, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Looking for a sweet spot to just hang out and have a coffee? Or perhaps you'd like a coffee but your partner for the afternoon would rather a cold beer? Well, hello Raw Sugar cafe! In the way that Ottawa is always such a funny, small-world-sort-of-place, I told my neighbour Kim that I'd be reading at BOLO (Blog Out Loud Ottawa), being hosted at the new(ish) Raw Sugar. She then pointed me to an article written by her sister, Shannon Beahen, on … [Read more...]
I'm going to blog out loud
July 17, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Despite being a complete neophyte, Lynn has warmly welcomed me to BOLO 2009 (Blog Out Loud Ottawa). It's an event where a group of Ottawa bloggers and readers get together and, over coffee (my favourite thing!), read/listen to favourite posts. Click on the icon to the right to get all the deets! I've been lurking around in the blogosphere for a while now, so I'm really looking forward to meeting all these awesome Ottawa bloggers in person. If … [Read more...]
I'm trying, I really am.
July 8, 2009 by 8 Comments
![41Wf7lVBgCL._SL210_[1]](http://d3826520.u488.hspheredns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/41wf7lvbgcl-_sl210_1-99x150.jpg)
Generally, I give a book about 25 pages, maybe 50, to hook me. After that point, I just close it up and move to the next book in my pile. I don't look back. I have piles everywhere -- in the dining room, on my bedside table, in my office. I just can't live without a good book on the go. Emphasis being on good. So when you hear of a book that is impossible to put down, that is racing off the shelves and impossible to get at the library, well, you … [Read more...]
Moms have Power
July 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment
More breaking news to add to the "do not host a party where you intentionally hope your children catch an illness of pandemic proportions" that I reported on last night. This time ... okay, are you ready? Here it is: moms have power. Gee, moms rule the nest? Who knew. Okay, in all seriousness, I do think the article is note-worthy even though I already know that I am all-powerful. Here's why: it suggests that online marketers are not tapped … [Read more...]
Swine-flu parties not a good idea
July 2, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Breaking news from the CanWest News Service: Experts warn that hosting a swine-flu party for your children is NOT a good idea. Geez, NOW they tell me. I spent all last night preparing the kids' goodie bags for this weekend. I guess I can save them for the next pandemic party circuit. In case you choose to ignore the experts, the Pig Party Deluxe Pack shown here is available from Birthday Express! … [Read more...]
Clever Billboard Ads for your Coffee Break
July 2, 2009 by 1 Comment
![revolution_strategy_logo[1]](http://d3826520.u488.hspheredns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/revolution_strategy_logo1-150x45.png){kind=logo}
As you know, I love to chat-up Canadian businesses. This morning I came across an awfully cool ad agency via LinkedIn: Revolution Strategy. And no, they're not located in Toronto! Nope, not even in Vancouver. They're out East, in New Brunswick to be precise. How great is that? In fact, they're so cool that I'd even move back East (I was born there, did you know?) from my lovely little spot here in Manotick. [*hint*hint*wink*wink* Ms. … [Read more...]
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