Saturday, June 23, 2007
if we took a holiday...
I'm off to the cottage and will be offline for the next 8 days. Wonder what I'll be doing without internet access? This might answer the question.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
stir it up
Obvious advertising for a product but pretty freakin' entertaining. Check out this YouTube channel.
My personal favourites are the iPod, the tiki torch and the magnets.
My personal favourites are the iPod, the tiki torch and the magnets.
crocodile rocking
When the Crocs phenomenon first hit, I was one of those people scratching their heads, thinking, "my god those things are ugly." I swore I would never buy a pair. So last year, at our annual Girl's Weekend, Melanie was sporting a pair. When I voiced my dismay at the hideousness of this trendy footwear, Melanie threw her shoes my way and told me to try them on. From that moment, I was hooked. Holy crap, these things are comfortable! I still think they're butt ugly and completely inappropriate for daily wear but if I could, I would wear them 24/7. And as much as I hate trendy things, I own 3 pair. That's right folks, I have drunk the Croc kool-aid! I have a silver pair for outdoors, a red Mickey Mouse pair for indoors and a new pair of Primas in pearl. I should add that I am also coveting the Mary Janes in army green and plan to add those to my collection soon. Sad but true, blogfriends. I am not a slave to fashion, but a slave to comfort.
Friday, June 8, 2007
the taste of delicious
It's been quite a while since I've done one of my incredibly amateur wine reviews. For the last little while I've been sticking to the wines I know. A few days ago, I was killing time at Yorkdale Mall waiting for my husband to pick me up after work and I decided to visit the tiny LCBO store. The selection is very limited due to the size of the store, but they always have some interesting bottles. Case in point:
Nothing I've ever heard of, but I was lured by either the $1 off the regular price or the Bonus Air Miles. Can't remember which, not that it matters at this point. It turns out that the Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 2004 Shiraz was quite a fine little wine. Not nearly as bold as the typical Australian Shiraz, but very tasty with lots of ripe berry and woody flavours and strong tannis. I would definitely buy this one again. At the LCBO, $13.70 until June 24. $15.20 after that. Totally worth it!
Nothing I've ever heard of, but I was lured by either the $1 off the regular price or the Bonus Air Miles. Can't remember which, not that it matters at this point. It turns out that the Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 2004 Shiraz was quite a fine little wine. Not nearly as bold as the typical Australian Shiraz, but very tasty with lots of ripe berry and woody flavours and strong tannis. I would definitely buy this one again. At the LCBO, $13.70 until June 24. $15.20 after that. Totally worth it!
super duper!
After a stressful day at work this totally perked me up. Mel Brooks is a comic genius and Young Frankenstein is one of my favourites. Can't wait to see in on stage!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
the times they are a-changin'
One step closer to a DRM free world.
"Apple's iTunes begins selling unlocked songs"
Have I mentioned that I love Apple?
"Apple's iTunes begins selling unlocked songs"
Have I mentioned that I love Apple?
...in the sky with diamonds...
I work next door to the Royal Ontario Museum. We are really very lucky to have such a fantastic museum. If ever in Toronto, it's a must visit destination.
The museum is a gorgeous stone building dating from the early 1910's that was expanded in the 1920's and 30's. In the past few years, the ROM has been undergoing a major expansion with the addition of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. I have watched this thing being constructed from day one and since that day, I have been torn as to how I feel about it. That's why this article from the CBC caught my eye. I am all for modern architecture but I also believe in the preservation of history. I understand why the ROM needed to expand. I just don't get why they choose such a contradictory and intrusive design to accompany the stately original building. I have spent the last few years walking by this construction site several times a day and waffling about how I feel about the new addition. With the building almost complete I can honestly say, I don't like it. Honestly, I find it offensive. Call me a traditionalist, I don't care. I still love the ROM, but I don't have to like the crystal.
The museum is a gorgeous stone building dating from the early 1910's that was expanded in the 1920's and 30's. In the past few years, the ROM has been undergoing a major expansion with the addition of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. I have watched this thing being constructed from day one and since that day, I have been torn as to how I feel about it. That's why this article from the CBC caught my eye. I am all for modern architecture but I also believe in the preservation of history. I understand why the ROM needed to expand. I just don't get why they choose such a contradictory and intrusive design to accompany the stately original building. I have spent the last few years walking by this construction site several times a day and waffling about how I feel about the new addition. With the building almost complete I can honestly say, I don't like it. Honestly, I find it offensive. Call me a traditionalist, I don't care. I still love the ROM, but I don't have to like the crystal.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
whatever you do, don't do that
But wait. There's more.
Yet another Canadian songstress thought it wise to cover this classic rock anthem.
I must admit, that this one isn't nearly as horrible as the Celine Dion version, mostly because the backing band, Alison Krauss and Union Station, are fantastic musicians. But as much as I love cover songs (and believe me, I'm a cover song junkie) there are some tunes that should be left alone. So people, please, for the love of God, stop covering this song!
Yet another Canadian songstress thought it wise to cover this classic rock anthem.
I must admit, that this one isn't nearly as horrible as the Celine Dion version, mostly because the backing band, Alison Krauss and Union Station, are fantastic musicians. But as much as I love cover songs (and believe me, I'm a cover song junkie) there are some tunes that should be left alone. So people, please, for the love of God, stop covering this song!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
what am I doing here?, part 2
Since I was on a roll, I also got up the nerve to ask Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy to indulge me. They kindly obliged.
And yes, the band did perform. My memories a bit blurry at the moment, but I know they started with "What Am I Doing Here"and ended with "Hasn't Hit Me Yet". Two of my favourites!!!. I think I remember "5 Days in May" and "Head Over Heels", but at this point, I'm so high on the night that I honestly can't remember. Whatever they did freakin' rocked!
I'm not sure that I will actually sleep tonight. I'm such a geek!
And yes, the band did perform. My memories a bit blurry at the moment, but I know they started with "What Am I Doing Here"and ended with "Hasn't Hit Me Yet". Two of my favourites!!!. I think I remember "5 Days in May" and "Head Over Heels", but at this point, I'm so high on the night that I honestly can't remember. Whatever they did freakin' rocked!
I'm not sure that I will actually sleep tonight. I'm such a geek!
what am I doing here?, part 1
OMG!!!
It's just after midnight and Steve and I just got home from a fundraising gala for the Royal Conservatory of Music. I must admit that attending this event was a bit tough, given the fact that I work for Toronto's competeing music school, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. But my Canadian music geekness won out when I found out that one of my favourite bands, Blue Rodeo would be recieving an Honourary Fellowship to the RCM at this event.
So we arrived at the posh Windsor Arms Hotel. From the moment we walked up to the front doors it was clear that this was a big freakin' deal. Glass water falls lined the red carpet entrance and a violinist in a strapless white dress adorened with faux monarch butterflies greeted the guests. (Ironcially, the violinist was a graduate of U of T, who is currently finishing up her studies at the Conservatory's Glenn Gould Professional School.) The inside was decorated with white candles and orchids. Very classy. After mingling and enjoying some fabulous hors d'ouvers, we entered the main room for the dinner and presentation. The room was absolutely elegant. Dimly lit, huge candelabras, more orchids, just gorgeous. As people started filtering in, I recognized some important and famous Canadians (in addition to the guests of honour, Blue Rodeo): former Ontario premier Bob Rae, the man who made City TV Moses Znaimer, Canadian music legend Murray McLauchlan, and one of my personal heroes, Denise Donlon. She joined MuchMusic in 1985 as a host and producer, moved to Director of Music Programming in 1992 and was Vice President and General Manager from 1997 - 2000. She WAS MuchMusic. Since her departure, it's become crap. After leaving MuchMusic, she was President of Sony Music Canada until 2004. Currently she sits on the Board of Directors for one of Canada's biggest media companies, CHUM Limited. For a long time, I wanted to be Denise Donlon. To me she was the ultimate Canadian woman. Just being in the same room with her was overwhelming. After a couple of glasses of wine, I found the courage to ask for a picture with her and her awesome husband, Murray McLauchlan. She said yes, because she and I were the only people in the room that knew all the words to Blue Rodeo's songs. She was sitting at the next table and obviously saw me enjoying the performance and singing along. (I do get a little enthusiastic at concerts that I enjoy, much to the embarrasment of my friends.)
It's just after midnight and Steve and I just got home from a fundraising gala for the Royal Conservatory of Music. I must admit that attending this event was a bit tough, given the fact that I work for Toronto's competeing music school, the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. But my Canadian music geekness won out when I found out that one of my favourite bands, Blue Rodeo would be recieving an Honourary Fellowship to the RCM at this event.
So we arrived at the posh Windsor Arms Hotel. From the moment we walked up to the front doors it was clear that this was a big freakin' deal. Glass water falls lined the red carpet entrance and a violinist in a strapless white dress adorened with faux monarch butterflies greeted the guests. (Ironcially, the violinist was a graduate of U of T, who is currently finishing up her studies at the Conservatory's Glenn Gould Professional School.) The inside was decorated with white candles and orchids. Very classy. After mingling and enjoying some fabulous hors d'ouvers, we entered the main room for the dinner and presentation. The room was absolutely elegant. Dimly lit, huge candelabras, more orchids, just gorgeous. As people started filtering in, I recognized some important and famous Canadians (in addition to the guests of honour, Blue Rodeo): former Ontario premier Bob Rae, the man who made City TV Moses Znaimer, Canadian music legend Murray McLauchlan, and one of my personal heroes, Denise Donlon. She joined MuchMusic in 1985 as a host and producer, moved to Director of Music Programming in 1992 and was Vice President and General Manager from 1997 - 2000. She WAS MuchMusic. Since her departure, it's become crap. After leaving MuchMusic, she was President of Sony Music Canada until 2004. Currently she sits on the Board of Directors for one of Canada's biggest media companies, CHUM Limited. For a long time, I wanted to be Denise Donlon. To me she was the ultimate Canadian woman. Just being in the same room with her was overwhelming. After a couple of glasses of wine, I found the courage to ask for a picture with her and her awesome husband, Murray McLauchlan. She said yes, because she and I were the only people in the room that knew all the words to Blue Rodeo's songs. She was sitting at the next table and obviously saw me enjoying the performance and singing along. (I do get a little enthusiastic at concerts that I enjoy, much to the embarrasment of my friends.)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
let 'em fly
Today I accompanied my friends Christine and Stewart and their beautiful 2 (almost 3) year old daughter Mackenzie to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls.
WOW!
The first few minutes were completely overwhelming. You are immediately hit by humid air and the smell of thick vegetation and what must be thousands of butterflies flying around you. Every time I turned, they seemed to be flying straight toward me. Once I got my bearings, I was able to slowly walk through and admire these beautiful, delicate creatures. I was very happy to be taking my new camera for a test drive. (I love you 12 times optical zoom!) Here are a couple of samples. More are available for your viewing pleasure on my Flickr stream.
WOW!
The first few minutes were completely overwhelming. You are immediately hit by humid air and the smell of thick vegetation and what must be thousands of butterflies flying around you. Every time I turned, they seemed to be flying straight toward me. Once I got my bearings, I was able to slowly walk through and admire these beautiful, delicate creatures. I was very happy to be taking my new camera for a test drive. (I love you 12 times optical zoom!) Here are a couple of samples. More are available for your viewing pleasure on my Flickr stream.
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