**ANNOUNCEMENT: www.canadianspecialevents.com Articles Published!!!!**

Accompanied by "A Beautiful Morning" by The Rascals as it was a beautiful morning seeing this news!!!! 


Hey All!!!

I just wanted to forward on some exciting news! For anyone interested in reading the articles I've been writing for the events I've been going to, they've finally been published on www.canadianspecialevents.com under ON SITE (it's an icon on the right hand side of the front page)!

My articles are scattered throughout so you'll have to scroll through them to find them!!! (you will see my name as an author so it's easy to find). The Toronto Taste article can be connected to on the front page of the website (yeehaw)! The link for the section is also listed below :)

http://canadianspecialevents.com/category/cse_on_site/

I have some other events to go to throughout the next few months so I'm guessing some of them will be published in this new section of the website. Stay tuned!


Just wanted to also say...THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the supportive comments under my blog entries and support in general! It's definitely been helping me along this journey and I couldn't ask for better people in my life :)

Stay cool today! It's a hot one! Sheesh!!

Love ME! XOXO

Have You Ever Been on T.V.??

Accompanied by the better singer of the song - Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home To Me. 

SO...in 2009 I auditioned for the T.V. show Look-A-Like  during their 6th season. I have been told SO MANY times that I resemble Jodie Foster since I was in Grade 9 (where someone actually ran up to me thinking I was her in an excited state...she was from my high school!!) so I went on the show saying that I look like her. It was certainly a nerve wrecking experience as the three main people on the show were also the judges! As you stepped into the room, the familiar Look-A-Like backdrop was set up and I was directed to the little white markers on the floor.The audition is taped (obviously) and everyone in the room (which was probably close to 10) is quiet and staring at you. The judges start to ask you questions about yourself and who you think you resemble. I had put on my audition sheet that I loved music, so they made me sing a damn song!!!!! I froze in my spot and panicked! I am NOT a singer so this was really humiliating!!!! I answered hesitantly and said in a meek voice..."yes". Gah!! Now I can't turn back. I'm not really good at remembering words to songs so I sang the one song I knew most of the words of - "Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke. I sing it in my car almost daily and out loud to myself because I love it. You will see what ensued when you click on the link below :) I am in the first clip. After that they made me repeat the way I said Jodie Foster as I was a bit hyper during this audition and may have done a Mary Catherine Gallagher impression while saying Jodie's name.

CLICK ON THIS LINK:

Look-A-Like Debut! Audition

I have had this clip for over a year but was too embarrassed to post it! I didn't even know the audition was put on T.V. until a sub-contractor I know told me a year ago that he saw me! Then someone in my building asked if I was on it this year, and then today a friend of mine saw it...SO here it is. I'm biting the bullet and deciding to show all of you haha. Enjoy! 

Have You Ever Done The Hokey Pokey of Life?

Accompanied by "The Hokey Pokey".

Everyone knows these famed lyrics (insert lyrics here as I'm not putting them in my blog! haha http://bussongs.com/songs/hokey_pokey.php). We sang them as children most likely in a big circle in kindergarten (or perhaps in a bar as well as adults?), but have you ever really thought about what they mean? Well after a week of ups and downs I started to think about the lyrics and coined my week the Hokey Pokey of Life  week. Most of my life I've waited for the ball to drop any time something good came along, as it generally did. Whether it was boyfriends, plans, jobs, potential exciting happenings of life, things just seemed to end suddenly and it was hard to take. For the last month I've been feeling really great about where my life has been heading. I found love in writing, been to some great events and just generally have been feeling happier and more confident these days! I have felt like I'm moving forward rather than laying stagnant in one position and I feel a zest for life again. However with that said, this past week has been rather difficult, as many obstacles were thrown at me.

First Obstacle: My dog was put down which was really hard to deal with. I did not think I would feel like I did but being in the room with him was the toughest thing I've had to do in a long time.

Second Obstacle: A bit of rejection. Well being rejected four times in a row more specifically. I'm cool.
My mind's interpretation - I'M GOING TO BE ALONE FOREVER!!!

Third Obstacle: My Much Music interview fell through due to scheduling conflicts. Boo.
My mind's interpretation - I feel like I've failed the magazine.

Now I know these obstacles are not big in some people's eyes (except for my dog), but when they are bunched together, the whole combined experience just deflates you. I wonder "why can't life just keep moving forward, instead of forwards, backwards, forwards, backwards?? BAH!" Since childhood I've gone through some pretty volatile times with my family, and was sexually assaulted and sexually harassed in my late teens/early twenties. The last years or so have also been pretty stressful. I have never felt that feeling of stability because something was ALWAYS occurring that set me back a hundred steps. I felt like giving up A LOT! but kept on going with plenty of support behind me which I'm truly grateful for. I seemed to always pick the harder road and I'm learning to change that. It was hard seeing certain people sail through life with ease, achieving all their goals, and getting everything they wanted. I couldn't help but think "why does all this shit have to happen to me??" To put things in perspective (when I started to go down that path of thinking), I thought about all the people that had it much worse than I did and from there I just kept trying to improve my life.When things started going well this month and then these obstacles were presented to me, I thought to myself..."I'm doing the damn Hokey Pokey!!!" When I put one foot in (forward), I end up having to put one foot out (backwards) - or more like my foot was being forced out! I became frustrated and rather down on myself. I started to think "maybe this writing thing isn't for me. I can't make it in life doing this. I don't know what to say!" I was falling back into a destructive thought pattern that I wanted to escape from. Fear was setting in. My mom gave me some advice and said to me that I need to stop taking things so personally. So I thought about it and YES. That is correct. I am not giving up on this dream and will face many obstacles along the way that I have to just let roll off my back. Sometimes it's just difficult to not take things personally.
    When I was reading other interpretations of the song I saw one that suggested it being a song about committing yourself to life. I thought this interpretation also reflected my own life! As my life has gone on, I've had a hard time committing to one idea for many aspects of my life. Whether it was taking a risk in something I love, making plans, finding a new job, or dating, I put one toe in and kept one toe out, afraid to put my whole foot or self in, in fear that I will fail or I will be rejected (or that I will make the wrong decision that will keep me stuck in a situation I don't want to be in - which I've mentioned before). In doing that I haven't allowed myself to really see what COULD happen. When I went to Arizona I was told to make an intention of what I wanted to happen in my life for the next year and stick with it (as I've always scattered myself in many different directions). Scattering yourself all over the place doesn't really allow you to master anything and leaves you up in the air most of the time. SO that's why the writing came in and that's the mindset I came into Ontario with on April 12th, 2011. I decided from that day on to really keep my mind set on my intention, and I can really say that since doing that things have started to unfold. I've met people in the industries I'm interested in, have started my blog, have joined the internship, have been to many cool events, have met lots of cool people and have been able to socialize with people of like minds! Through enduring the trials and tribulations of my life I have learned to fight and to survive and to get through hard obstacles. This new journey isn't going to be without it's own roadblocks and I just need to keep that in mind and roll with it once they come. I suppose last week was just an off week and that's OK to have as well :) So from this day forward I'm going to continue toooooo:


Put my whole self in,
Put my whole self out;
Put my whole self in,
And shake it all about.
I'm sure I'll be doing the Hokey-Pokey,
and turning myself around.
but that's what life is all about :)

Sorry for the delay in writing!!!! I hope this one didn't make anyone too depressed! Have an amazing long weekend everyone!!!! I'm loving this weather! If anyone is going to Ottawa and sees Will and Kate...blow a kiss to Will from me!!! :)

Love you all! xoxo

Have You Ever Been To The MMVA's??

Accompanied by MMVA's Video 2011.

I've decided to make my Have You Ever Blog about the MMVA's tonight because...well...it was cool!!

SO...the MMVA's!!! A pretty exciting time for me as I actually was able to secure a media pass for the event (representing canadianspecialevents.com). I never would have thought that this would happen so I was pretty stoked when I received a confirmation from the media relations lady. Going into the night I really didn't know what to expect. I found out my two areas of access were the press areas...which to me meant nothing. All I could picture was a bunch of people squished together clammering for attention. Eek. This thankfully wasn't the case.

On the morn of June 19th I woke up rather groggy, and had to go to work at 9:45 at Marish's. It was Father's Day so the cafe was jam packed! Yippee. I was trying to remain focused on my tasks at work which I think went pretty well until 2:30 rolled around. I was getting kind of nervous for the evening's events and just wanted to get out of work to start getting ready. I had only decided the night before what I was going to wear, and my shoe shopping escapade on the Friday before my big day was a huge FAIL!!! This was not surprising as buying shoes for me is like trying to kiss your own ass. Impossible (except maybe for those Cirque du Soleil people). This meant that I had to wear the most uncomfortable shoes I own...AGAIN. Eff. More blisters ANNNNDDD lack of mobility. Sweet. I got off work at 3 and to avoid driving people away due my pungent bacon smell I jumped in the shower as soon I got home. On the email I received, it said that registration for media was between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m and that we had to come early to get a good spot (or something along those lines). Well...what the hell does that mean? What does a SPOT mean??? So needless to say I started rushing to get ready and did it in pretty good time I must say. I chose a turquoise dress that I bought from New York (which I've worn before and felt comfortable in). I let my hair air dry to get some sort of wave and it actually worked! Excellent...now I didn't have to make any more effort with my damn hair!!!! I made a final run through of all the things I needed to bring to the big event before I left my apartment.

1) Camera. Check.
2) Recorder. Check.
3) Notepad. Check.
4) A pen this time. Check.
5) Make-up to beautify myself. Check.
6) Phone. Check.
7) My actual purse on my arm. Check.
8) My brain. Half check.

All ready. By 4 p.m. I was on my way to Kipling subway station to take the train in. Traffic would have been horrendous getting into the city, and since I had a "spot" to secure, I didn't want to waste time. Riding on the subway in a dress that gets a little short when you sit down wasn't the most comfortable thing to do. I had to keep adjusting myself in order to nix the free peep show for the couple in front of me. The ride to Osgood station on Queen Street took about 30 minutes from Kipling which wasn't too bad. Osgood was probably two blocks from where I needed to pick up the media pass so that was great as well. I met a girl named Danielle on the train who was going my way, so her and I chatted for quite a while and she directed me where to go when I got off the subway. She ended up being a writer for an advertising company, as well as a Pilate's instructor so that was pretty cool! Another writer just like me! As we made our way to ground level from the station, the scene we saw ahead of us was all kinds of crazy. Fans were lined up along Queen, John and Richmond and they were packed in like sardines. It was impossible to get through them all (we tried) and even more impossible to go the short way to my location, so we went the long way around to get to Richmond. Yay. Just what my feet wanted in those amazing shoes. At least the weather was perfect. Sunny and warm just the way I like it. Around 15 minutes later I arrive at the media tent to register, which was black with a chandelier hanging from the centre. I handed the girl my driver's license hoping to god that my name was for sure on the list, and was handed a Press pass and bracelet when my name cleared! Woohoo!!! I made it! I actually made it! This wasn't just a big joke! I waited a few minutes for an escort to bring me to the press area. I had to pretend I did this all the time, while bottling the excitement inside. However...let's be honest. I get excited over perogies, so who cares if my excitement showed a bit! We walk up to the press room and she shows me the ropes. Bathroom here. Food there. Media information area here. Photographer area there. Interview area here (which consisted of about 6 rows of chairs for reporters and press). Ok. Great. Sweet. You lost me at food area here lady. I was starving and excited that there was free food!! Yeehaw. A big score for me!
    I saunter into the photography area at one point and ended up seeing someone I knew!!!!!!! The talented Sonia Recchia was hanging out, manning her photographers "spot", and I got super excited. I was feeling like a fish out of water, so it was nice to know someone. I was watching everyone walk around like they've been in this position a million times...and more specifically seeing that a lot of people were wearing sandals...that were flat! God damn it!!!! Note for next time. Sonia and I chatted for a bit and snapped a few pictures against the Much Music backdrop where the artists would be taking their photos. There were bright lights everywhere to provide perfect lighting for the photos being taken. As I was turning off my camera, Sonia was telling me that turning my camera on and off or viewing the photos wastes the batteries. I turn it back on and...DEAD!!!!! I couldn't believe it. It was only 5:30 and my camera was freaking dead! The event hadn't even begun yet! It was still 3.5 hours away! WHYYYYY???? I had just charged my battery on the Thursday and didn't even use it for that long, so I was definitely confused at the turn of events. I, at that point had to make sure that my phone wasn't going to die as I could take pictures off of that. Sonia and I wandered into the food area and since she already had eaten, she held my stuff as I stacked my plate with pesto pasta, bread, cheese, salad, salad, and some more salad. Yummy. I grabbed a water from the bar (lame) and we headed back to continue chatting.
    
After eating I went to see if I could take a picture of the red carpet before things started happening up in our area. This was a harder task to do then I thought. Because I already signed in, I needed to be escorted by a staff member to do anything outside of our press areas. At this point no one was available or helpful in having this happen for me. I eventually ended up getting told to go through a curtained area to travel down some elevator and then walk outside. A tiny adventure ensued after receiving these directions. I did go through the curtained area as told, wandered past the ETalk set and another bar area and got rather lost past that point. There were three other kids trying to figure out how to get backstage and I thought...JACKPOT!!! I need to pretend I'm alot younger then I am and get in with these people! The one kids uncle was the director of programming and they had on these sparkly platinum wristbands. My dull white wristband did not measure up to theirs that's for sure. We all started to try and find a way backstage, however, security guards stopped my dream while they continued their search. Damn you security. I ended up finding a staircase that led me downstairs, and before I reached the doors to the outside I decided to ask the front desk if I'd be able to get back in. Unfortunately I wasn't even supposed to be there at all, so they told me I had to walk up the loser set of stairs, as the stairs I initially went down were for the stars. Pshhh. Whatever. I will become a star gosh darnit and I will come back and walk those stairs to show you!!!!!
    I arrived back in the press room to find that it was kind of hopping. The food area was dimly lit, with the food set out along long higher tables. There was a small bar near the door. Other people hung around the interview area to keep their spots while the photographers (probably close to 20 of them) all crammed on the three steps available in the centre of the room, to ensure they keep their perfect spots as well. Karl Wolf and the Neverending White Lights singer were just hanging out, as our bar area was the only open bar at that time of the evening. I ended up making friends with people from different radio stations (from Ottawa, Toronto and Sudbury) and we hung out most of the night (shout out to Natalie, Jenny and G-Rant!!!). I wandered back behind the curtained area again and talked with the security guard named Rick, who ended up opening up about his cool ass girlfriend. While he was sharing his stories about her I look ahead and who do I see??? Justin freakin BIEBER!!! He was walking towards us (with his entourage of course) and was super short compared to...well...anyone, but had total swagger.  I fumbled to get my phone in the right position to take a picture and even said..."Justtttin..." to get his attention. His bodyguard ended up whipping the curtain at me to avoid taking a picture, however I took it damnit!!! Even though it was super blurry! HAH! Take that!!! I said bye to Rick pretty fast after that and started to follow the Biebs. Not my proudest moment but if they were taking pictures by the photo wall I wanted to be there! This however was not the case. They were going to the green room, and I just looked like a giant pedophile stalker. I walk back to the food area with my imaginary tail between my legs and rejoin my new friends. We all were chatting for a bit when I see a band walk in (who I recognized from when I was walking down the "stars" set of stairs). I thought one of the members was pretty cute, and tried to figure out who they were. The desserts had just been set-up which included chocolate covered strawberries, meringue covered with chocolate, and peanut butter chocolate cups! They were beckoning me to come over, and beckoning some of these band members as well, as they too started surrounding these lovely desserts. I saunter over beside one of them and start talking about the strawberries. What an ice-breaker eh? We ended up cheersing our strawberries and then eating them. Totally amazing that they did it with me! I actually got to talk to the cute one I wanted to talk to and found out they were the band The New Cities. I had never heard of them and perhaps told them that, but in a nice way. I talked about his tattoos (which was of a storm on his arm) and their friends, Simple Plan's, outfits for the night (they dressed up as Wham! for the red carpet! haha) and some other stuff too that I couldn't remember. I called one of his band members short to his face as we were comparing our heights, and the height of Bruno Mars. He said he's taller than Bruno. I will believe him as Bruno Mars does look rather short. The cute guy ducked out to go to the "bathroom" which was probably code word for "this girl is crazy...I need to get out of here."
   I believe around 9 or so the stars starting filing into the press room to give their interviews. I had a spot in the second row that I was making some people hold while I socialized. I don't know if this was proper protocol, but they were nice to actually do it! This was the exciting part of the evening. Neverending White Lights, Shawn Desmond, Danny Fernandez, Fefe Dobson, Far East Movement, Dev (I touched her earring and chatted with her a bit), some Degrassi kid, Nina Dobrev, Cody Simpson, Kat Graham, David Guetta, Simple Plan, Down With Webster, Johnny Galecki from Big Bang Theory, Classified (and I'm sure some other people) all filtered through the room to take questions from the press. It certainly was a lot of sitting but it was such a cool experience to observe what goes on during these types of events as members of the press. The most exciting part was waiting for the last performer to come through which was none other than LADY GAGA! Surprisingly she was very humble and nice despite her over the top clothes and antics. The interview was almost going to get cut short at two minutes long but she wasn't having any of that! She looked just as surprised as we did when the host said that they were wanting to wrap things up. She just arrived!! SO Gaga continued answering questions and I got it all on tape! What a great end to that part of the evening!!! Although I didn't get to see any of the performances, seeing the people after was just as great.
     After saying my goodbyes to the people I met, Sonia and I walked to her car to drop some of her stuff off and head over to Snoop Dog's after-party! She was asked to shoot the party which was super cool. My feet were full of blisters at this time of the night, and pretty much in pain, but I fought through the pain as we walked over to the club LIVE. There was a huge line-up when we arrived and we couldn't figure out where the VIP entrance was. Eventually Sonia found the person she needed to talk to and we walked in. When we first arrived her friend Gorav was there and his summary of the club at that point was that it smelled like an giant armpit. How appealing. It was PACKED with people waiting for Snoop and his guests to arrive. We walked past the speakers and the bass was so loud that my heart literally jumped into my throat. I thought I was going to have a heart attack for sure. The smell of weed wafted through the air as we maneuvered through the crowd trying to find the VIP section. We ended up back at the front lobby again and she had to leave me for five minutes as she tried to find her location. It was 12:50 a.m. and I had no idea when the subway closed down. Everyone kept telling me 1 a.m. (which was WRONG!!!) so I had 10 minutes to walk over to Osgood again in my horrid shoes to catch the train. I was debating on whether I would just cab it to Kipling so I could stay at the party or just go home. I opted for the latter as it would be a million dollars to take a cab home. SO my night ended and as I was driving home Sonia had mentioned that she got into VIP finally!!!! which would have been something I would have been able to do as well. She got her shots of Snoop and the other celebrities and went home herself. DANGIT!! Ah well. It was still a night to remember. I made some new friends, observed press room action, and got to see some celebrities! I can't wait until next year! Hopefully by then I will have a better swing on things and come prepared with some questions!!

I finally feel like things are coming together! Can't wait for what's next!!! I have added some pictures of the night!

The Group!

Beiber

Gaga

Stage

Cassettes on Wall

Interview Area

Photographers (Sonia is the one with the flower!)

DAY 11 - I Am Grateful For...THE MOONSHINE CAFE!

Apart from having to work tonight, this night was grand! A couple of girls from work and I went to The Moonshine Cafe in Oakville to see my brother play some of his songs as it was open mic night. It was just what I needed! I love watching live music and the people that go to this place (which is really a hole in the wall, but has SO MUCH character) are amazing! It's a bar where people can go to appreciate music and other people's talents...and I have to say...there are some incredible musicians that go there. People can get comfy sitting on some old couches and chairs while having a beer or a cocktail. The walls are saturated with pictures of people who played there, as well as art work from painters I'm assuming from the area (or that were given as gifts). Although it is now 1:30 a.m. and I have to be up in 6 hours, it was worth it! So THANK YOU MOONSHINE!!! I will be back again!!

DAY 10 - I Am Grateful For...MY BED!

It is midnight and I just finished work and am trying to complete one of my magazine articles! I've been so grateful for having a comfy bed to sleep in the last few nights, which is rare as I don't have the best time getting to sleep (and don't generally like bed time!). The nights have been cool and have provided perfect sleeping weather, so THANK YOU BED! and thank you nature :) I love that the moon is shining bright as well. My favourite!

DAY 9 - I Am Grateful For...EXPERIENCING TORONTO TASTE 2011!

Accompanied by Second Harvest's 2010 ad video for Toronto Taste. 

Tonight was amazing...especially for a foodie like me!!! I was covering the 21st annual Toronto Taste (for Second Harvest), held at the Royal Ontario Museum, and it was fabulous. My whole experience was only supposed to include a one hour tour with other media personnel, but it became a little more than that. I had arrived almost an hour early and checked in at registration and was told to just sit and wait until 6:30 arrived. Let's be honest here...sitting and waiting is hardly my forte, so I got up and sort of wandered towards the VIP entrance to take pictures. The black wristband that I was given was being exposed as I was taking pictures and the security guard that was standing beside me said "OH you can go in with that". I was like huh? "OK" and I sauntered in like I was supposed to go in. It was perfect because I was able to take some pictures of the event before I had to ask for interviews, and taste some of the food (although I only tasted one thing). The first thing I saw when I walked in was Bob Blumer, who is the host for The Food Network's "Glutton for Punishment" and "Surreal Gourment" (and I only know this because I looked him up on the internet haha). I don't have The Food Network or cable for that matter so I had to come prepared as he was the host for the evening. I took a few pictures of him (as he was posing with the car that was being given away) and started to walk around. The event was already super busy with people who had paid $250 to get in! Tents were set up everywhere and food was cooking like it was going out of style. The aromas that were wafting around the party were incredible. There was a band playing in the centre and wine being poured within every other tent. After a while I had to go back to the media check in tent and go on my official tour with one of the PR people. We were each given a person to follow us around, which was a surprise to me because I thought we were all going in one big group! That ruined my plan of just listening to everyone else give interviews and me just write down the answers!! BALLS! I had to think of questions on the spot as we were being taken to The Photo Booth to conduct our interviews. I looked like a bit of an amateur at that point. Firstly I had no idea who any of the big names were at this event and secondly I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing! SO...we ended up finding Bob Blumer again and I plunged in taking the chance to give him an interview. It actually went really smooth, minus the part where he had to correct my talking! "You mean APART of the event?" (rather than part of the event). Duh. My tongue got tied and it came out wrong. The rest of the interview was fine and we even got to take pictures in The Photo Booth together! After that interview my PR person and I walked around the event some more. I took some pictures until my freakin camera decided to die because I forgot to charge the damn thing. Perfect. Now I have to use my phones camera which makes me look even more amateurous (not a word but I don't care)!!!!! BAH! Whatever. I'm asking them for pro photos anyways. We ended up stealing a few treats as we were both starving (some smelt from Chef Mark McEwan, and peanut brittle from Dufflet) and who wouldn't when there were 60 of the top chefs in Toronto there!?
    After touring the inside portion of the event we went back outside and that's where I got to interview Michael Smith of "Chef At Home" (also from The Food Network). He's a chef based out of PEI and he was SO NICE!!! The interview with him also went very smoothly and he fed us some of his pickerel which was yummy. I couldn't have asked for a better night really. I was lucky my PR person was so lax, and we ended up going way over the hour I was supposed to be allotted! Being there for the cause as well was really nice. Second Harvest is given donated food that's going to be thrown out from restaurants, grocery stores, etc. and they deliver it to 250 social service companies around the Toronto area. It's such a great idea. I am fortunate to have been a part of it this year. So THANK YOU TORONTO TASTE!!! It was a blast :)

Bob Blumer and I inside The Photo Booth! haha

Michael Smith

Chef Roger Mooking!