"The world's a roller coaster and I am not strapped in. Maybe I should hold with care, but my hands are busy in the air."

My personal philosophy courtesy of Mr. Brandon Boyd of Incubus. 

Let Me Introduce You To........

The Dumbest Bachelorette "in Bachelorette history"! So, I just barely controlled the urge to hurl my laptop across the room when Jillian once again fell for the ridiculous douchery that is Wes. Now, if it was dreamboat Kiptyn pulling this shit (though we all know it never could be) I might understand her idiocy, but it's not. Instead it's the dirty southern drawling, chinless, famewhoring "musician". Dude, maybe if you could write more than one subpar song success would have hit already? In what will now and forever be dubbed "the most ridiculous episode in Bachelorette history" Jillian was once again duped by this Texan tool. I hope to god, for her sake, that the producers are forcing Jill to keep him around. Otherwise, I'm afraid our once beloved Canadian girl just may deserve him. So Jill, hurry up and cut my almost perfect surfer boy Kiptyn loose so he can have his real shot at love with this slightly less gullible Canadian specimen.  

"It's Vogue Ok?"

OMFG! How is it possible that I have been completely oblivious to the fact that their is a real life version of The Devil Wears Prada currently in production entitled The September Issue? The documentary follows the notorious Anna Wintour during the production of the September 2007 issue of Vogue (the biggest issue in Vogue history) and gives an insider perspective on the most powerful woman in, not only publishing, but fashion in general. I know it's  not everyone's cup of tea, but I nearly lost my head when my pal gyoza (aka. Christina) sent word of the project. Then I checked out the trailer  and now I can't wipe the stupid grin off my face. If one day I can have a tenth of the success of Wintour I will die a happy lady, so I will be the first in line when (and if) TSI hits Canadian theaters, looking for a glimpse at her secrets. 

Vancity Vacay

Well, I'm not sure I would call three days of continuous partying a vacation, but it certainly was a trip! I forgot to take my camera out on the first night, but after arriving (first time ever enjoying a flight, executive class is like another world!) Kimbo picked me up at the airport and we headed to Yaletown to see her and D's summer rental and get a bite at the Cactus Club (bellinis and prawn ravioli trio=Heaven). Then it was time to meet up with pops for a fine feast at Gastown favourite Bonita. After dinner it was time to meet up with my beloved pal Carolynne and my VanMag lovelies Christina and Steph at The New Bohemian in Kitsilano (it's my cousin Paul's lounge and it's pretty awesome even without my bias).  We then proceeded to indulge thoroughly in the cocktail list and girly gossip. If you are ever at the NB you must try the Boho Chic, it is like liquid candy, I kid you not. So a fabulous start, but I knew Friday was going to be a busy one so off to bed I went.

Friday started bright and early with Kim picking me up at 9:30 to wisk us to a day of birthday preperations. While she was getting her eyelash extensions put in (yes we are those kind of girls) her future sister-in-law and I Daniella went and scavenged for a coffee and nourishment, or in Daniella's case tea and a scone (clearly English at the core that one). Did a little browse around the Yaletown Beauty Mark and picked up a Stila Lipglaze in grapefruit which I love and then we were off for mani pedi with the rest of Kim's gal pals. Kim is the kind of girl who has a lot of different 

groups of g-friends from all her different exploits in life. I always hear about them, but this was the first time meeting most of them, so it was really nice to put a face to all there names. She seems to be a magnet for good girlfriends in her life, so I can't imagine how big her bridal party is going to have to be when that day comes! Anyways, Kimbo was planning a heck of a birthday fete for that evening, but unfortunately the Mag Awards were also that evening, so I gave her herbirthday champs, got buffed and polished with the ladies, ate a little lunch and had to be on my way to Carolynne's salon, The Colour Box on W. Cordova, for more pre-award preparations.

Had an absolutely great time at the salon, we got a couple of pitchers of White Peach Sangria from The Greedy Pig next door that may have changed my life. I have never tasted such a amazing sangria, not even in Spain, so it inspired me to go out and buy my own Sangria jug when I got back to Calgary to experiment with. 

We were going for a Blake Lively boho-beachy 

look so Car did some great highlights and toning and sauced it all up with waves and a braid crown. The tone of the blonde ended up being perfect and the hair style lasted all weekend so that was GREAT. Don't want to put down my hairstylist here in Calgary, but I guess Car just knows what I like after so many years (we carried a bottle of bleach and a role of tinfoil across Europe to continually lighten my hair!) she just knows the drill instinctively now.

We were running quite a bit behind schedule after all the chatting and sangria, so I had to hop in a cab and make a mad dash for the Mag Awards. It is actually a really fun event even though I was clearly placed at the reject table this year! Got the chance to see my past editors at Western Living and to catch up with my fellow past WL intern Meaghen Ng.  Hadn't seen the Ngster in quite a while so it was great to get together and live it up a little (we both have a penchant for sparkling wine). Swerve had quite a bit of success at the awards and it was really nice to be there as the Boss Lady received her lifetime achievement award. She really has accomplished so much in her young life, but the honour should've been dubbed outstanding achievement rather than lifetime in her case, as I'm sure the best is still yet to come. 

Just took it easy on Saturday, sleeping and preparing energy reserves for the evening. Was really excited to have dinner at my favourite restaurant in the world Chambar with Kevin, Stephen and Carolynne. We had a really great meal and a really great time talking and laughing. We get a little carried away with our laughing so

 I wouldn't be surprised if we caused a bit of a scene with our antics surrounding a particular busboy whose rump could have cracked walnuts— I'm pretty sure he knew all four of us were scoping him out. 

Kevin was feeling a bit under the weather, so after we had a few crazy shots at Revel lounge he ducked out and Seb, Car and I headed to the Balarney Stone to meet up with Richy and the boys. I had foolishly worn my Michael Kors heels and we ended up standing in a bit of a line (I HATE standing in lines!) so by the time we got in there I was in a bit of a mood. I was just going to duck out with Carolynne, but thank the lord she donated her flip flops to my cause and Richy convinced me to suck it up and have fun. All in all it turned out to be a great time and it was so nice to hang with my boys again, apparently we had missed each other. By the time Rich and I left Mikey's place to go home the sun was rising and the birds were chirping....pretty common place for a night out with them actually.  

Spent Sunday hanging out with mom and visiting with Auntie Bev and Uncle Mark and then it was time to head back to C-Town and get back to work. I would love to say every weekend was so much fun, but it's simply not the case. I'm presently detoxing for another 6 days when Mikey and Rich will arrive for another crazy weekend (Stampede Baby!) It's hard to imagine, but next weekend could be even more ridiculous than the last...at the very least the photos will have a strong western theme. Can't wait to party with my boys again, it is going to be a very good summer if all our adventures go as planned.

The Music Man

Been working like a crazy woman since returning from Van in order to get Swerve's Stampede issue out without a hitch so, unfortunately, I haven't had the time or energy to put together a post about the trip (too much to cover on so few brain cells!). But, I have some cranky followers on my case so I thought I'd better let you know a bit about the great interview I had with the amazing Xavier Rudd yesterday. For those of you who aren't familiar with this aussi's body of work I highly recommend you check him out at xavierrudd.com for a truly unique experience.

I had the pleasure of seeing Xav play at the 2007 Blues and Roots Festival in Byron Bay Australia (where he recorded his newest album) and he blew me away (he's like a one man band with a didgeridoo!) and now after chatting with him about his favourite songs to listen to on tour (the man is DEEP) I am even more excited to see him perform here in Calgary on July 5. It's not a usual opening Stampede weekend activity, but I'm sure it will be an outstanding show and a lifelong memory, just as the first one was. 

Can't wait to sit down and write the piece tomorrow and for those of you in C-Town pick up the July 3rd issue of Swerve and see what the man had to say (and listens too) and get yourself some tickets to the show.

Packing Procrastination

I'm heading back to Vancouver tomorrow for a few reasons, but most notably to attend the Western Magazine Awards (my awesome boss lady is receiving the lifetime  achievement award even though she is much too young for it). Such a weekend requires some pretty intense wardrobe options, which requires some pretty thorough  packing....which I hate! I've put it off for two nights now hoping inspiration would hit. I've cleaned my apartment, gone to get chinese food, pondered why there are peas in my wonton soup and  now here I am blogging about packing instead of actually packing (the image above is from my last trip to San Fran, don't be fooled into thinking I have accomplished something here). Even worse than packing for me, though, is unpacking. Usually my suitcase just sits in my living room until I have eventually used everything in the bag, approximately a month or two later. Oh goody, something more to look forward to once I finally do pack!

Critical Critic

My pal (and colleague) Bruce says I am one tough cookie when it comes to musicians impressing me. Every day a few albums arrive at the office and every day I give each one three songs to impress me (that's why record labels line up all the singles at the start). More often than not I am the one who vetoes the album and sends it to the reject pile never to be heard from again (perhaps I do have a low crap tolerance after all?). After a couple particularly brutal rejects yesterday, I started to wonder when the last time I was really blown away by an album was? I miss that feeling. I'm looking for inspiration here people, so please share the last great album (or song) you loved with me. And I'm not just talking about a pretty good Kings of Leonesque  record, I'm talking about the shivers up your spine, tears in your eyes, awe inspiring kind of good. So enlighten me if you would be so kind.