A 'jest' cause- review

Truth be told, I don't really find that many "funny" things all that funny, so when my mom invited me to a stand-up comedy event to benefit the Scarborough Women's Centre, I wasn't all that excited to go. But, I'm a good daughter and knew that it was important to my mother that I went. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. I think I may have even laughed out loud.... a few times.

After a little bit of a slow start, Elaine Dandy, who organized the event, got on stage. I really wasn't expecting much of this banker by day, but her trails and tribulations of online dating were humourous. And then the evening just got funnier. Martha O'Neil (nominated for best newcomer at the Canadian Comedy Awards) took the stage. She's totally deserving of the CCA nod with her ability to turn regular everyday occurances into small tales of hilarity. And then came time for the headliner, Carnie Gaetz. Her comedy was dry. Just the way I like it. I would recommend catching one of her sets if you can. It had everything you want in a set, real-life scenarios, curse words and racism.... at last, some one who wasn't afraid to cross the line, turn around and laugh at it.

But through all of the laughter, it was still important to take note of all the wonderful things the Scarborough Women's Centre is trying to "provide information, education and support services to assist women in the transition away from abuse". I've attached the link if you'd like more information.

Williams' got nothing on Dvorak

Ok...this is a really nerdy entry, but I just had to, especially since I just happened to be talking about "Jaws" two days ago.

Those who know me well know that I'm a sucker for classical music. I was just listening to Antonin Dvorak and came across one of his pieces "Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" - 4th movement."

The first thing that came to mind was - "Hey, that sounds EXACTLY like the opening of the Jaws theme song."

Sad that I would think that Dvorak's piece "sounds like" a movie theme song created eons later, when it should be the other way around. John Williams - can't deny that he's a musical genius - but I also can't deny that he blatantly ripped off from Dvorak. I looked it up afterwards, and was pleased to find that other classical music nerds agree.

Have a listen, and enjoy the original :)

Good eats with Great Cooks

Yesterday, the creative department at my work took a cooking class together at Great Cooks (8th floor of the Simpsons Tower). We divided up into groups, and each group was responsible for one of the courses. My team created a black bean puree hor d'oeurve, and it was really easy to make. But I still managed to knick myself with the knife, and one of eyes was overflowing with tears when the shallots were being chopped. Nonetheless, I'm definitely going to try it at home some time. And the end result - sooooo good!

It was a really fun experience with lotsa laughs and (personal bonus) lotsa free booze. Once we were all done, we sat down for dinner and enjoyed our creations.

Here are some pics to make your mouth water!

If you want the recipes for any of these dishes, just contact PMB!

Holy Balls...

...It's friggin HOT OUT today!

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/682173

Today's remedy for the heat - Visiting the ROM and sitting in the main gallery.

2K Wine

Every year I try to make it down to Caribana. I had an excellent time this year and this is my fave shot from the parade:

Dude, you are so busted...ha!

Wicked cool art in "public" spaces

How did you get to work today? I took the subway, got off at Bay station and walked out through the Cumberland entrance. But today was not like any other day.

By the time lunch hour came around there was a red carpet and attractive women in black dresses behind the velvet rope. I little much for an entrance to the subway if you ask me. So naturally, I enquired and I'm glad that I did.

One of the beauties took us down into Lower Bay station. (There's Bay station which is currently used and then there's Lower Bay which is mainly used for film shoots) Today it was being used as the space for an art installation by Justin Broadbent, which will later serve as the backdrop to a "private party". That part is lame, but the fact that we got to scope it out before hand is awesome!

Broadbent used subway cars and transformed them into different themed compartments. One was now a forest, another a hip lounge with chandeliers, another was filled with flowers and love letters.


I love the idea of putting art in public spaces. Let's face it. Not everyone will go to a gallery, but most will hop on the train. If only the subway could be that much fun every day......

I'm no good at small talk

I've discovered this site salled Omegle - which connects you and a stranger in a private chat room. Both parties are not given any background info before the chat, and the idea is to have an interesting conversation with a complete stranger.

I was intrigued, and thought I would give it a try.

I failed miserably.

On my first attempt, I thought I would start off with an intellectual topic...




Maybe the weather?



How about just a greeting?



On my last attempt, I thought I'd bring myself down to a lower level.





I'll stick to talking to people I actually know.

I miss my cat

La Baraque = La Shit Hole

My fiance and I planned a mini getaway to Montreal last weekend. Although born and raised in the suburbs of Montreal, I had never actually spent the night in the city up until this trip. I was really excited to get a feel of the city life day and night, and found what I thought to be a quaint B&B on St. Catherines for this first-time experience.

"Quaint" doesn't even begin to explain what this place was actually like.

Have a look at their site. The rooms look really nice, right? (if you're into the old, antique feel, which I am). Plus it was located in the core of the city, and the price couldn't be beat ($65 a night for the room with breakfast in the morning).

But as we all know, photographs are always subjective, and can always be taken in such a way to make things look better than they actually appear...You just have to look at the pics I've uploaded to see what I mean. It's like we had stepped into a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Grrrrrreat.

Our room looked similar to the pics on the site - "La Grande Loge" (which by the way is nowhere near being "Grande"). The floor looked like it would cave in at any minute, and we could only lock the door from the outside. As my fiance pointed out "Great, now we're going to be raped in our sleep."

So, what did we do? We left our things there to find another place (Thank you University Residents) and snuck back to the Shit Hole to grab our things and go. Of course, not before my fiance had a chance to use the toilet and flood it LOL.

Fitting, we thought.

My new addiction

A First.

So....i'm settling down after a pretty chilled out long weekend - i'm ok about it being low-key and laid-back....its my kind of groove. BUT - earlier today i was in a scenario...i was out for a little dayride, realizing 20min in - i'm running out of gas!!! I mean really outta gas....i've never pumped my own gas before...EVER....hahaha UNTIL NOW. Yup...look at me, a real lady now who pumps her own gas!!!! I felt like a real friggin champ!!! Say what you will....make your simple jokes, but i pumped my own gas today m*ther*ucker!!!!

Ladies if you've never pumped your own gas before....DO IT!!! I feel very accomplished about it, thank you very much!

Yeah - so thats it.

Dig it.