Ladybugs Bite!!!

Woke up bright and early today...sounds of kids and frantic parents making sure to be ready for the chapel. thats right my neww upstairs neighbours/lanlords are getting married as we speak. They're a cute couple, and the kids are great!

Really loving Parksville sands on the endless beaches, tides out as far as the eye can see. The many running paths I've discovered. Mmmmm.

Also Loving working at Bugsy's Bar and Grill.

Today 3 things so far have happed that were quite significant. I Saw a guy doing wood burning art with a glass ball and a piece of plywood, using the suns collected rays to burn. Oh artsy Parksville! secondly, I saw a woman who had a large dog that was half machine...haha no but seriously the dog had this contraption around his waist that allowed him to motor around with just the strength of his front legs. Impressive! lastly, I was walking to the grocery store wearing a tank and a laydug landed on me...knowing that this is a sign of luck I proudly continue on my walk thinking, "i wonder if it'll stay while I'm in the grocery store..?" imagining the glory of hving everyone ask about my pet ladybug THE LITTLE BITCH BIT ME!!! it crawled to my clavical while i was daydreaming and bit me really hard. Moral of the story...ladybugs are bitches!! how Lucky!!

Now I'm home rearanging furniture trying to make the most of the space I now have and remmebered I promised Anika that I would start Blogging again...

off to work soon!

Haven't Blogged in Forever!!!

So, things have recently changed.....

I've left the big city! 7 years was just about enuf. I dont want to say that it wore me out...I think I wore 'IT' out!

First of all, I made way too many friends, and kept myself way too busy....so busy that I never had any 'ME' time.
And just to keep up with most of my friends I was finding ways to energize when I was tired and de-energize when i was too wired to sleep. Self medicating made me a mess and I am glad I've made this change.

I have been here only a week and I feel amazing!!

Seeing family, getting to know my family actually...apreciating them for who they really are rather than this illusion I held onto from when I was a child. Seeing my cousin who is now 4 and I cant wait to see grown up! She looks exactly like all of us when we were kids.

I think I'm finally starting to grow up! at 30, how depressing! haha I'm ok with it though, I'm a young 30 ;o)

As I type Grandma is in the kitchen reading the paper as dinner cooks.
I just got home from working with my aunt building a deck nearby. its only my second day working with her and I can fully appreciate the work she does.

Since being on the island again I had some time with Dustin (best friend of 20 years) long overdue! And visitied my mom in the hospital, for something they can't seem to figure out! Going back to see her again tomorrow, and then going to vancouver for a cpl days for Dr appts and to see a few friends.

Looking forward to blogging more now that I definitely have the time. To whoever is reading out there!! XOXOXOX

Heres a cute vid of my cousin Cedar

Continued.....

So back at Joes we have a disagreement and he decides I should leave (kinda outta nowhere) we try to talk it out but we both decide its better.

I say ok I'll be out tomorrow.

All of a sudden I'm in "fuck it all" mode. I have $400 and an empty belly.
So I head downtown Santa cruz to grab a late dinner around 9pm. After eating some crap fast food I don't wanna go back till Joes asleep (you know akwardness and all) so I go for a drink at a place called Motive. Sitting at the bar by myself drinking a beer to drown my sorrows I introduce myself to 'Ivan' sitting next to me young guy from the area I ask hime wheres good to dance and meet people. he tells me Rosiesomthing or other and describes that its 2 blocks this was and 2 blocks that way. I thank him and head out on a mission to dance and mingle. feeling a new found independance I follow the directions he gave me. They end at a parkade and I realize i've been the butt of some guys joke. walking back to Motive to give him a piece of my mind I see these 2 girl half lit. I decide to ask them where this Rosies place is...they escort me there arm in arm. Their names are Lindsay and Ayla two locals out on the town. I explain my story and they laugh about it and so do I.
Finall we arrive and I realize its RIGHT across the street from Motive!!!! BASTARD IVAN!!
So we go in I buy them a drink and tell them my sob story. They of course feel the same urge i do to drink it off. We leave rosies to go to the Redroom a local hotspot.
A very cool loungy club atmosphere with no dancefloor but very good vibe the drinks come on after the other. Soon enuf the girls find their friends and introduce me we're the biggest group in the place and possibly the hottest!

we talk and dance and chat and mingle and I notice this tall gorgeous dark haired boy in the group so I force an introduction...his name is Tom. Ok so I know anyone reading this that knows me can guess what hapens next but for the other I'm gonna describe it in GREAT detail cuz I never wanna forget it.

After eye games I run to the bar to grab a drink and I look back and he's watching me...as he should...lol...still in the back of my mind somewhere where it can't get in the way is the reality of my situation...telling me i need to get back to joes. I of course ignore it and take the chance on getting to know this boy better.
Thruout the night we flirt and drink and then the bar closes the girls are all pushing us to kiss so we do.

WOW!! believe it or not!

Ok so here I am....

In Santa Cruz California its 5:40PM on Sunday the 23 of August. I'm sitting in the Saturn Cafe on Pacific and Laurel street. All the lights look like the planet saturn and the place is a tack californian mess.

I have been here since noon.

The last 3 days have been both amazing and complicated and simple and horrifying.
I'm discovering that I still have a firm grasp of each of these emotions. Whether or not I am stable enuf to evoke themappropriately is still to be decided.

I flew into SFO at 1:40pm on the 20th where Joe (my future homestay friend)met me and drove me back to his Place in Sunny Santa Cruz. The drive down the Number 1 was beautiful and highly suggested.

Once in SC I unpacked and we went to Lolita's a beautiful pubstyle restaurant on the long Pier in SC beach overlooking the Boardwalk where "Lost Boys" was filmed. Dinner (taco's beans and rice) and a beer costs $6. wow!

back to the house to sleep we're up at 5am to surf.

Waking up at 4:44 (go figure)Joe tosses me a wetsuit I suit up and we head, boards in hand, to the beach to catch the swells at low-tide.

2hrs of surfing and I still havent stood up...gay! but the water was amazing and the swells were nice...looking forward to the afternoon to go again at second low tide.

Afternoon swells are even better some as high as 5' I mostly just got thrown around but what a wild ride!!
After washing upJoe takes me to another great Place for dinner called Kianti's great pizza and great staff! I chatted up one of the girls and a server.

more to come....!

yo yo yo

whats it been 2 years???

ok so I'm planning a trip down the west coast to Cali.....i'll be posting more soon...


dunn...dunn....dunn

Snow Snow Snow...no more goddman Snow...p-p-p-please

WTF!!??

I am so sick and tired of the snow....I'm just gonna blow off some steam in this entry cuz...umm, ya whynot?
So I moved out here to ontario to gain experience in event management. I own a business out west with a partner doing Special Events. The olympics are coming up and we had just started our biz last January so we need BIG exp FAST.
I figure "Stratford Festival" that sounds fun...and its internationally known...I should get there...working with that # of ppl and for the long 6 or 7 months that it runs...thats perfect.

So off I took with my backpack, ipod, camera, hairstraightener, and $1000 to backpack cross Canada. first week kicked ass...lotsa cool peeps and parties. Then it started to get cold, cold like i've never felt before on week 3.5 I flew out of Winnipeg to London and moved to Stratford to get my ass in gear.

I Got a f/t and p/t job in my second week there, and was helping with Kinsmen events, volunteering at the Allman Arena on fridays and not much else....then big BOOM and I hate my roomates and have to leave Stratford....so I moved to London (snow storm starts about here) and I stayed with a good friend (Christa) for a month...looking for work like crazy...nothing....met mike when I first moved to londonand start dating.

{-Insert lotsa drama-}

Got a place together 2 weeks ago.
So I've been in Kitchener for almost 2 weeks (living) and I have learned this about Ontario:

The snow NEVER EVER lets up....I'm gonna do a comparison:

BC = lots of rain ON = Lots of snow

BC = Gusts of wind ON = Non stop STRONG winds

BC = coldest temp -12 ON = coldest temp -30ish (so far)

BC = winter starts and ends in Feb ON = winter starts in Nov and ends in April/May

BC = lotsa religion but "loves the gays" ON = lotsa religion...

BC = friends and family and the random ass ON = Some new friends and lots of asses

BC = Ex boyfriends ON = Michael porter

Seems BC has a bit of a favour on the scale, excluding Mike of course, who on his own blows BC out of the water....Screw Ont!

...or at least the snow.

I miss BC

Oh ya and wtf is up with me not being able to find work?

ok i'm over it!

P.S. -What happens when u cook greens on a low heat?
-Opposite uh up?
-Now read this: [b][i]"Now"[/i][/b]

-Add it up!

Its Funny

Its funny how
I survive here now
when 2 months ago
I didn’t even know
him
its funny that
one person can become
so important
to make me
come undone at every glance
a chance
perhaps I’ll do what I can
to keep him around
he makes me feel found
not that I was lost
just down
a road or street
with uneven cobblestone
under my feet
reminding me to balace
be present
don’t let it
throw me off
he has
but i like it
I hold on him
to stay upright
i hold on him
all through the night
I’m in love
thats for sure

A good nights sleep

Ok so I'm moving to Kitchener tomorrow, Michael and I got a basement suite.

We actually can't move into our place till thursday, and because of the unfortunate attitudes of Mikes current roomates, tomorrow we're hangin with Joel and Po at the UW res building and crashing there. on the floor. so we can be together. even tho Mike has paid his rent for february where he lives. it amazes me that anyone see's this as anything other than bullying.

But I told Mike I'd stop getting worked up about it so heres to trying...

I'm really excited to live with Mike, he's clean, organized, a big eater like me, healthy, into working out, running (when the weather warms up), rollerblading, loves (and does)hair, loves clothes (which collectively we have unending amounts), which will fill our new...are you ready for it...

...WALK IN CLOSET!!

I've never lived with a bf before but I am looking forward to going to bed and waking up each night with him beside me. Making him meals and vice versa, Movies, Will & Grace (2 seasons to go), Simple life marathons, i can try to get into the OC and QAF, do his laundry but he won't do mine cuz he knows better, haha, I'll be there when he graduates from Voila, we'll be together on my birthday (woot!) so many positive things to look forward to.
But most of all...BREAKFAST!!...(anyone who knows me at all will get that)

Mike I just want you to know that although it is soon, I am really looking forward to us living together. I am crazy about you and we're going to have a great time.

People will always be there to throw sticks in the spokes of our wheel, and we'll both I'm sure learn a lot about each other, which I look forward to the most.
But above all the stress of our current situations...we're moving along fine, don't listen to anyone who says different.

Who cares anyways?
Did you notice that the snow is melting?
How much of a relief is that?
I am not worried.

goodnight


P.S.
I talked to Anika today...was wonderful...so heres to us!




P.P.S. I also talked to Maria, and she sent me the cutest pic eva...


2 of my favourite girls

Love and miss you all I hope you are all doing well!

Phil

Synchronicities

So Mike took me out for dinner lastnight to Kelseys...and as fate would have it we were seated under this giant picture on the wall...



fuck I love my life!

Just one of those days...

So I'm at Michael's apartment while he is at work/school, as I so often find myself, listening to an old fave Ani D song. When I realize how much I absolutely love this poem...take a read...learn something.


Coming Up

our father who art in a penthouse
sits in his 37th floor suite
and swivels to gaze down
at the city he made me in
he allows me to stand and
sollicit graffiti until
he needs the land I stand on
I in my darkened threshold
am pawing through my pockets
the receipts, the bus schedules
the matchbook phone numbers
the urgent napkin poems
all of which laundering has rendered
pulpy and strange
loose change and a key
ask me
go ahead, ask me if I care
I got the answer here
I wrote it down somewhere
I just gotta find it
I just gotta find it

somebody and their spraypaint got too close
somebody came on too heavy
now look at me made ugly
by the drooling letters
I was better off alone
ain't that the way it is
they don't know the first thing
but you don't know that
until they take the first swing
my fingers are red and swollen from the cold
I'm getting bold in my old age
so go ahead, try the door
it doesn't matter anymore
I know the weakhearted are strongwilled
and we are being kept alive
until we're killed
he's up there the ice
is clinking in his glass
I don't ask
I just empty my pockets and wait
it's not fate
it's just circumstance
I don't fool myself with romance
I just live
phone number to phone number
dusting them against my thighs
in the warmth of my pockets
which whisper history incessantly
asking me
where were you

I lower my eyes
wishing I could cry more
and care less,
yes it's true,
I was trying to love someone again,
I was caught caring,
bearing weight

but I love this city, this state
this country is too large
and whoever's in charge up there
had better take the elevator down
and put more than change in our cup
or else we
are coming
up

Then I remenisced on our roadtrip to Redmond, WA to see her....*sigh
(click on the links to see the vids and on the pics to enlarge)

Live at that concert, 'Half-Assed'

Also Live Ani's Dictionary Def's

So then I went and found all Ani's Evolutionary photo's:

Anika, Jay, Jacob, Julie, Stev, Bob, Mellissa, Cat, Janie, Luella, Sheri, Jenn in Calg, been missin you guys...hope you're all doing great!
see you in July!

Weekends.....

Mike and Laura, Tam and I

News News Extra Extra!!

Ok, so things have been a little crazy the last few weeks...I don't know where to start....how about I'll list them with level of importance and relevances...

1)I have a new boyfriend....Michael is his name, he's taking hair and make-up at Voila Institute. He's 22 and he lives in Kitchener, but is from London and was born and raised in Dorchester. heres a pic...



Quite the lil gem!

2) I quit my jobs in Stratford (Tim Hortons and Blockbuster) to move to London where I am trying to weasel my way into the events scene here, maybe generate a lil work for Our lil business...Oh and Julie is putting on events in Vancouver with her sister using our business so thats exciting...now i'm going to have to get my ass in gear.




3) I am living with Christa until I get a job and can get a place of my own.


4)We're planning a roadtrip to NYC again March 2,3,and 4th to go back and see RJ and them. (click on the pic to trip the fuck out!)

5) In May Christa/Johanna/Al and I are trippin to Vegas for a 4 day weekend anyone else who wants to come on any of these trips...let me know...the more the merrier!

6) July is Anikas, Janies, and Luella's weddings....so I'll be back in BC (soooooooo looking forward to that!)

7) Eric is an idiot!

Hope you are all having a good winter I miss and love y'all
Muah! Philly!

and as usual heres some randon pics...

New Years!

On the road again....


So.....Christa and I rented a car and Drove 12 hrs to NYC.
I think I maybe half expected that I'd have a place to stay without actually making sure....cuz thats how I usually travel...'Depending on the kindness of strangers' and all.
And as usual everything fell into place. I called Joe and Cassidy who I met at a comedy night at a place called Therapy in NYC the first time I went in April. And at first was just gonna ask them which hotels to check out, but they called a buddy of theirs and got us a place to stay for 2 nights.

ok so picture this...

You walk in a door on W42nd st and 8th ave in between a little grocery store and an Army surplus store I think, with the lights of time square lighting up the city behind you. It's past midnight the day before new years eve...
you climb two flights of narrow stairs and walk to the end of the hall where RJ:
Invites you in saying "Welcome to the ritz" Inside is a king size bunk bed (where we slept) then you walk thru to another room where there is another king size bunk bed.
Then we meet his friends, Katie, Matt and Neil:


We stayed up late talkin getting to know all about each other over a few drinks, a few of them were actors/dancers on and off broadway, so it made for some interesting conversation.

Then new years eve RJ is hosting a new years eve party and invites us to join. Lots of great people from all over show up and thats as much as I remember, but at least i woke up where I was s'pose to.

Stars of the party include:
Paul, who Alexandra would in her own words "Bang for sure"



Sorry matt is Neil and I made a boo boo and I'm too lazy to go and change it....aight?

I'm gonna just post random pics cuz this has taken me about an hr and a half to put together and I'm hungry....enjoy, I miss you guys back home and I'll see you in July!

It's Been a Good Hair Day!

So I finally decided to do my hair today...I found a picture in a magazine...


and decided I wanted to try...check out the process and the before and after
(click on the pic to enlarge it)



Allllllllllllllllll-riiiiiiiiiight!