Twisted Snowman

Today I startyed my day with Chocolate and this:

One Purple Paperclip

I've heard about what you can get with 1 red paperclip... I wonder what I can get for 1 purple paperclip?

(kind of reminds me of grape gum... Mmmmm)

Picture borrowed from: Flickr

Professor Quirrell Demands Silence (Amongst Others)

At the end of November Ian Hart made UK headlines with an outburst at the end of a performance. Claiming that an audience member was talking through out the production he leapt off stage in an out of control lesson in etiquette. This isn't the first time this has happened, Hugh Jackman in Character reprimanded an audience member for a ringing cell phone all while still in character. Live actors are taking some what of a stance in rebellion of modern technology ignorance and other social faux pas, it removes them from character and distracts them from their art. I don't really care how good of an actor you are, I imagine that while trying to portray a starving Russian immigrant in the 1800's and hearing a cell phone alarm go off- you too may be a bit distracted.

As a continuous audience member in many different cultural event in the city I would like to suggest some awareness's to those who attend them as well.

#1 Keep your cell phones closed- even if you have your ringer off everyone can see the light (this goes for movie theaters as well) as you sit there and text or just simply check the time. I personally have some patience for the single offender- there can be situations or emergencies that require you to take a peep at your phone or time however over all. Does it really matter? Why bother to go out if all you are going to do is IM or play on Facebook the whole time.

#2 Candy is great but their wrappers are not. I understand that mouths get dry and sometimes something a bit sweet is nice but there is something annoying about the person who chooses to unwrap their Kerrs Mint right during the aria in Turandot. My advise? Wait for the set change or for the audience to clap or for one of those obvious lulls. If you must crackle the crinkle- doing it slowly doesn't do anyone any favors. It still makes the same noise just for a lot longer. Doing it quick and do it right. Thank you.

#3 Talking and singing along is usually Okay at concerts however any where else it can be annoying. Especially if it carries on for longer then necessary "Psst... I fell asleep- what did I miss? I want to know EVERY detail..." full out conversations during anything that you do in the dark in wrong. Just my opinion... I learnt this when I saw The Nutcracker Suite many years ago and the woman behind me hummed THE WHOLE TIME. I was 17 at the time and I think it even bothered me then.

#4 Don't put your production program on the stage, put it under your seat. The stage isn't there to be your table- it's for the actors.

#5 During a performance please don't use the flash on your camera. Ever. Especially if you are the guy who is sitting in the back row of the third tier-You're pictures aren't going to be very good and the flash isn't going to make difference either way.

To me, these are just common sense practices to exercise whenever going out to see a show.

Calgary is funny though, I'm not sure what it is but over all I think as a mass we get things a little mixed up. When going to some plays, operas and ballets I've seen people wearing jeans or worse- sweatpants. With their feet resting up on the backs of other peoples chairs they chow down on their stinky "snuck-in" meatball subs. However take that same group to a concert and they are stiffer then a 2 x 4 on the coldest day in Edmonton. It's uncanny...

If you are moved by the show, production, concert- whatever... get up and show it. Cry if you want to cry, laugh if you want to laugh, clap if you want to clap and for god sake don't be scared to move your body. Doesn't mean you have to get up and dance like a rubber person in the aisles (it's Okay if you do though... sometimes it's just that good) but it's alright to move your head, tap your foot or just plain ol' move. No one cares, no one is really watching and the person on the stage is going to feed off of the fact that what they are doing is inspiring you.


It's true!

So keep your cell phones and unrelated conversations to yourself and have a good time. It's really just that simple! What do you think?

Christian the Lion (Just for Rolley)

I was reminded by my Blogger friend Rolley during a recent comment he had made on my Baby Rhino post about Christian the Lion.

Rolley, please see video below:


That is your fuzzy, warm video for the day!

If I Were A Rhino

Look at how CUTE I'd be!

Walking, playing, running with my Mum. SO good.

What The...

What the heck am I listening too? I like talk radio better then music radio. I never find they play anything worth while on the popular music stations. If there ever is anything worthwhile I'm sure I'll hear it on a commercial or in a movie or something. Plus, I listen to music ALL the time when I am at home and truth, it's not all that mainstream but it's what I like and I dig it. So, while at work as apposed to listening to my iPod I listen to the CBC ONE, my favorite show is "Q" with Jian Ghomeshi - I always learn something interesting. I also just learnt today that the awful, infamous Billy Bob Thorton interview was done by him- wowzers!


Earlier today though, Jian interviewed Hulk Hogan- that was a really good interview. I recommend listening to it if you can. Interesting for sure... I sometimes like it when people air their dirty laundry, especially if they have learnt something from getting so dirty. That's not what I'm listening to right now though, I'm listening to some archive show that is currently talking about something crazy that happened in the early 60's. People sure did talk funny back then. At least I think they did.

Changing the topic, I also learnt that the "new guy" at work who I thought was cute might actually be gay. I haven't really talked to him I just asked around to find out what happened to the last person in that office and coyly asked who the blond was. The response was "I think he might be gay!!!!" Oops. I think I might be gay too- Okay, not really. Whatever. I'm just a girl who's always curious about the new person. There's a new girl upstairs who I find somewhat interesting- she keeps herself locked in her office (no one keeps their office doors closed unless they aren't there- I'm pretty sure she is there). When I do see her around she is always full of smiles so I'm sure she's fine, I just haven't had a chance to say "Hi".


So that's it. It's Thursday and I have a bit of a headache. I'm looking forward to the weekend because I am heading over to my parents place to wrap all their Christmas presents which should be fun.

Dear Thumb

Dear Thumb,

Why are you itchy? Is it because I use too much Hand Sanitizer? I try to balance it out by putting on that really good hand cream you usually like- but seriously, you are SO itchy that I can't even get my work done. Please stop it soon, thank you very much.

Love From,


PS: In Googling "thumb" (you) I found some really gross pictures that made my skin crawl. That is worse then you being itchy.

Thumb pictured borrowed from Bill Donavan- found through Google Images

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

My name is Blanche and I live in Canada, I am- well, I'm not going to tell you how old I am because that is a bit of a "sensitive" issue with me right now. I have been a good lady this year, so good in fact that I should be an angle at the top of a tree! I bet you already know that though. For Christmas this year I have my eye set on only ONE thing, it is a signed Blue Harmony solid body Guitar from singer/songwriter Leslie Feist. All the proceeds go to a good cause as it is being auctioned off for charity so really, it's a win-win-win situation. The Charity is called "Peace For The Animals"... though I must admit that if I were to get this guitar the animals around me may not have much peace for the first few months but I will make it up to them with lots of love and attention. Even the ones that I am allergic too. Pinky Swear!

I am excited for Christmas this year, I have spent a lot of time finding the perfect gift for everyone in my family- it's actually been a lot of fun! We finally got some snow here so you shouldn't have any trouble riding your sled over all the roof tops. Just be sure that you bundle up, it's been really cold. Make sure that the Reindeer also wear their sweaters. Thank you Santa for taking the time to read my letter, I promise not to let so much time pass between correspondence next time.

All my love,


PS: Though I don't have a fireplace at my condo I will leave TV on the Fireplace Channel and place some goodies for the Reindeer and a finger of Scotch for you.

What Does The Year 2010 Look Like?

It's going to look like #15-5519 TCX or for us regular folks- Turquoise. Pantone- the worlds authority on color (who knew we needed that!) announced on December 8th and what 2010 needs is Turquoise.

"Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well being. "

with that being said are you wondering what the color was for 2009? Well that would be Mimosa! Mmmmm Mimosa- the color that tastes as good as it looks. If I would have know that sooner I would have been drinking Mimosa's a whole lot more. Just because the color authorities told me too...

Good Bye Mimosa- Hello Turquoise! I'm excited for you to pop up in my closet! Oooo and maybe in the ways of a Birks Blue Box!

Do-Do-Do-Do-Dooo Feeling Sappy!

Truth: I'm not working... I'm a wee bit exhausted today (how can I be a WEEE bit exhausted you ask? well, I just am. I'm salivating for bed. Mmm bed.) and already accidental destroyed my computer network at work. I had the program supervisor/ IT guy person puzzled for a good little while. He still doesn't know what I did ( I don't really know what I did) but he fixed it so that is all that matters.

So yes, back to the truth- I am not really working as hard as I should be and was hoping from one blog to another. I found one called as she thinketh and found myself in a storm of happy tears after reading the first post titled A BLING BLING on the RING FING. Oh my goodness, I couldn't image a better proposal capturing it all on camera. Awww...

So in my exhausted daze I am feeling somewhat sappy over a lovely strangers engagement- it was like watching a romantic comedy/ chick flick in 3 minutes (the time it took me to read the post) and knowing that it was actually real. MIND BLOWING! This stuff really does happen in real life? Sweet!

That's it- that's all I have to say... for now. *smiles*

Music Obsession Monday: Matt Andersen

Music Obsession Monday: Matt Andersen

When Matt Andersend first walked out on stage I sat back in my chair. He was a "secondary" show at a concert I was at, I wasn't expecting much and took the moment to fish through my purse for my chapstick however with the first strums on his guitar he let his voice rip through his throat and I stoped what I was doing and looked up.

This man was amazing.. his voice was like butter- smooth and rich. His skill on guiart were mad and it was obvious that blues played a major part in his musical influence. Sadly, much like Dala, I can't seem to find a recorded copy that truly displays Matts true, raw talent.

If you ever get a chance, see this guy live. I've never seen anything like him before and I've seen some talentd people play live festivals. Amazing, it's all I can say.



Matt Andersen - So Gone Now

Official Website
MySpace page

I've Been Waiting All Night For This

I was 15 years old when I first picked up a book called Stories from the Vinyl Cafe. It was a Sunday afternoon, I was waiting patiently for my mother to finish visiting with her friend. I was sitting on the couch in her living room as they talked about things in the back garden. At first I didn't notice it sitting on a pile of other books on the corner of the coffee table, there was a faint layer of dust on the cover which was only caught by the sun that was shining through the west facing window. It wasn't the title that attracted me, I remember thinking to myself "What the heck is a Vinyl Cafe?" and pictured sticky plastic table cloths and wondered who would ever write a book about that. I picked it up, first to see if anything interesting was laying underneath it, maybe Vogue or something else that would be easy for me to flip through while I waited. Finding nothing of interest I absentmindedly turned over Stories from the Vinyl Cafe to read the back, it looked like a collection of stories. Sighing I parted the book somewhere near the middle and found myself at the beginning of a story about a man named Dave and his Record Store.

That was my first moment with the writings of Stuart Mclean (who is a total Canadian Treasure) and most definitely not my last. What I didn't realise at the time was Stuart was a story teller, a man who loved the radio and a man who loved to tell his stories on the radio. There was nothing complicated about his words which made it so easy to feel welcomed in the family of Dave, Morley, Sam, Stephanie and Aurthur the dog. The world of Kenny Wong and his Scottish Meat pie shop, Polly Andersen and Nancy Turlington all seemed so comfortable and familiar. It is this world that I picture when I think of my future and the family I hope to have. Not perfect but comfortable.

Since that Sunday many years ago Stuart has written more stories, recorded hundreds of radio shows and published a few more books. He has also become a part of my Christmas tradition when he started his touring Christmas show 3 years ago. I can honestly say that it would take an infestation of killer winter hybrid spider bee's (not real at this time) to even make me consider missing it. Friday, with the hellish weather conditions Calgary was experiencing I still made sure I made it to the concert hall to see the show. I wasn't the only one either- the concert hall was full to the brim as hundreds of brave souls made it through the white out conditions, rebellious against the warnings to stay home out of the snow storm and off of the roads.

It was special night, through crowded the show seemed more intimate. Stuart was relaxed on stage as he drew us in with his stories and distinctive old school radio voice. Jill Barber and Matt Andersen (who I will tell you about later- this guy was phenomenal. I have never heard a voice like that live-ever. Just amazing...such a talent) serenaded us with seasonal and personal tunes. There was even Egg Nog and Rum to sip during the intermission...

However, my most specular moment was before the show even started. Stuart was mingling through the crowd talking to this person and shaking hands with that person. I've met him before, a few times to be honest. Standing in line at book signings only to make a total fool of myself once I actually get a chance to talk to him. I assumed this time wasn't going to be any different and so it was as I turned around I came face to face with him. He smiled and held out his hand "Thank you so much for coming out on a night like this", I'm not really sure what I said to him. He asked my name and I told him "Blanche" and of course, like most people do he asked me in french if I can speak french which I can't really. Not anymore. I asked him if I could have my picture taken with him and he pulled me in and said "I've been waiting all night for this".

It was in that embrace that, I don't know.... I kind of got it. All I remember is seeing his arms stretched out and it was as though I was a little kid crawling into bed. Warm and comfortable- everything that Stuarts stories are to the world he was in that moment to me.




PS: I've taken care of #8 by seeing Stuart Mclean and being introduced to the music of Matt Andersen.

Mother Natures Terrorist Attack

Calgary went all of November with out a lick of snow and perhaps not even going below +1°C- but today that all changed. Mother Nature is reeking havoc of Calgary- warm, blustery winds sweeping across the city all night only to be met with snow at 8am- lots and lots of snow! 20 CM expected in the next 24 hours- how exciting! I don't have a car so I don't have to worry about driving- maybe I shouldn't have worn my high heels to work though even if it will help my traction.

I can hear the wind rushing through the building downtown and when I look out the window all I see is white- damn if it isn't actually going to be a white Christmas after all! And Damn Laura who just had knee surgery is driving to Ikea RIGHT as we speak. She's not suppose to- I told her we could go tomorrow but she really, really wants her Norden Gateleg table that's on sale for only $99 for the next 3 days. We went yesterday however "to be fair" they only had a select amount to put out on the floor so when we got there at 4:30pm- they were sold out. Even after I made Laura out to be a total charity case and pleaded my very best. The guy said that the tables were in the sky (what ever that is suppose to mean).

Hip-hip-hooray for nasty weather and stubborn best friends- Have a happy Friday everyone!

Married Man

Dear Married Man,

You are married. The End. Thanks for being a total creep.
Bye now!

Love From,

Betty Draper Dress

I decided on a cute little strapless dress that I call my Betty Draper Dress for My Christmas party. I have to remember that Dancing and Strapless Dresses don't go together. A few years ago I was givin' her on the floor and my dress fell off for a nano second. My co-worker hasn't been the same since... he blushes a little more then usual. This year, it wasn't all that comfortable when I was wiggling my way across the floor... for fear of having the same wardrobe malfunction I left the dance floor a little sooner then I wanted.

By the time I was able to get myself a lone with the camera I was already on my way back to my room just shy of midnight. My hair had started to fall from wearing a paper crown, having candy canes stuck behind my ears, playing in a life size Ginger Bread House and dancing to Wild Cherry. Oh yes, and of course chasing Mr Draper around.

Secret Santa Package For Me

I had yesterday off from work, I took the day to look after my little ol' friend Laura who had knee surgery on Tuesday ( I think I may have mentioned this all before). Being run off my feet and not paying as much attention as I do usually I ended up accepting an invite to the office luncheon which was also a Secret Santa gift exchange. I love gift exchanges, it reminds me of when I was little and in December I'd pull someones name from a hat and ALL month I'd give them little surprises. Like a Secret Santa Stalker! I'd put little treats in their desk and book bag giggling with delight when they would find them- finally, on the last day of school I would give them something fantastic like a Life Savers Story Book (It looked like a book but when you opened it, inside would be filled with all these different types of Life Savers... now I even ask myself if you can buy Life Savers anymore). So much fun! I can make a $25 dollar limit go a long way! So, even though I wasn't able to make it to the office party gift exchange thing (we sure do a lot of celebrating around here) I made sure that my gift recipients gift was ready to be given! I really hope they like it, I spent a lot of time picking it all out for them.

Today when I walked into my office I had totally forgotten that someone may have pulled my name as well- BOY was I surprised when I found a giant box hidden under my desk wrapped in Silver Santa Foil wrapping. Excited! I haven't opened it yet, in a way I feel silly opening it all by myself in my office. I keep thinking that I should save it for Christmas now... I have no idea what it could be and I have no idea who it may be from (perhaps a woman because it's wrapped so well and the writing is rather lady like). I'd really like to take a picture of the fancy dancy present so you can see just how exciting it is but my freaking camera is broken on my phone (I curse thee LG Shine!!). I'll let you know what it is when I open it! EEEK!! tee hee heee...

For Sarah

What I want to say just isn't coming out right, I keep re-writing it over and over yet I'm stuck. I'm stuck on the idea of you being gone and I'm stuck on the idea of not know what to do about it. There isn't anything that can be done really... I mean in some way because you didn't let the cancer stop you that eventually it would just give up and go away. This ignorant, whimsical child in me thought that magic and love could make it better when medicine could no longer help. You did so much in the time that I knew you, going on two years you moved forward in your life fearless which is inspiring to me. You got married, had a child and just kept on living. Living strong till there wasn't any more living to be done. The only thing that ever stopped you were Chickpeas (which, really, I don't blame you)...

My memories of you are strong and unexplainable in words because often there were no words exchanged between you and I. Expressions of care and nurturing, a moment of honest tears and a time when you held my hands to signify that you were there with me. I would really like to be in Vancouver this week to visit with you in celebration of the life you had lived. I am there is spirit though as I'm sure you will be as well.

Warmest thoughts and much love, thank you for taking part in my life and teaching me the tender lesson of fearlessness.

Kick Off To Christmas

Friday night I eventually ended up at my company Christmas party which was being hosted in a town outside of Calgary called Banff. We called it out Christmas in the Rockies. It was nice change of pace, we normally have a total run away of a night at a high end restaurant leaving everyone to their own devices at the end of the night. This year we all had cozy rooms with divine views of Rundall Mountain to pass out in.

I left the city around 3pm just as our first real snow storm hit the city (we had been having unseasonably warm weather all of November with out a lick of snow to be seen. So un-Canadian). Once we got past the city limit the sky cleared and the sun laid softly along the ridges of the mountains. There was brilliant white snow caps topping the tops of every peak- it was rather pretty... I'm the queen of not only over packing but also taking picture through the windshield from a moving vehicle. Not too shabby for going 140km/hr

We got settled into the room which was thankfully larger then expected and had two queen size beds. I stripped down to get ready and in about an hour I was presentable. I attempted to round up some of the entourage but they were still getting ready (one girl was putting on false eye lashes and still in her jeans) so I wandered down to the hall on my own. The room was warm not with heat but with cheer, conversation came easy and so did the laughs. A lot of people were running late because a storm had hit the city and it was taking people at least 2 hours just to get to the edge of the city. After about an hour we all wandered into the dinning area at sat at large tables decorated with chocolates and Xmas Crackers

What a good looking group of people- and this is only 1/100th of my company-Alright, maybe more like 1/10th of it.. but still- saucy! We ate, we laughed, we drank, we did a few shots and then we danced. OK- I danced... always the first one of the floor to make a fool out of herself but that's OK. Someones got to be that person plus, I had a killer partner for dancing- Jillian! I don't know if there are any pictures of us floating around. I'm sure they will turn up in the next few days...

And The Day Must Go On

As I openly expressed Friday morning I wasn't overly excited about my weekend. Particularly I was exhausted and couldn't see myself surviving a company Christmas party. Part of the way through my day life picked up for me and I got a second wave of energy. Leaving work can do wonders for a persons moral! I rushed home and started packing for the party, I haven't given much through to what I wanted to wear so I found myself digging (literally) through my closet trying on all types of dresses that had yet to be worn. I decided to be kind on my mental state and pack the following:

3 dresses

7 pairs of shoes

15 different combinations of jewelery

2 purses

6 different bras and matching panties

2 pairs of jeans

3 jackets

5 pairs of socks

all my make-up (which isn't very much compared to everything else)

1 full set of hot rollers

1 large barrel curling iron

1 flat iron

150 bobby pins

2 different types of hair spray

5 other hair styling products

2 perfumes

and my iPod (plus a few other things that I usually take with me like tooth brush and etc)

I packed that all into 2 small bags- I was so impressed with myself. I am the queen of over packing and not showing it. While I was packing I had a pretty messed up experience, because i am the queen of over packing I tend to utilize every pocket one can find in their luggage. When riffling through one of the smaller front pockets on my duffel bag I pulled out a hand full of wet wipe and something big and black. It took me less then one second to realise that what I was holding in my hand was the same shape as a giant Beetle- i scream bloody murder. The last time I screamed that loud I was face to face with a moose. My voice must have echos through my building because even the neighbours who I have lived next to for 3 years and never met came over to make sure everything was OK.

I don't know who put that thing into my bag and when. I am actually wondering if I may have pulled a good one on myself... having put it in there for some reason the last time I was on holidays and forgotten about it. Though I gave myself a good scare it still made me laugh.

I was ready to head to Banff and leave the city behind for a night- then my phone rang as I was waiting for my ride. It was my mum and she had news. My Aunt who had been having a nightmare of a battle with cancer had finally passed. Her last week had been a morphine laced sleep, it almost seems inhumane to keep someone like that alive. As difficult as it was for her to wait for death I can image my family waiting by her bed day in and day out were in the same angst. A part of me was relived to know that everyone could now just rest...

As I hung up my phone the bell rang and it was time to go. I hadn't had a chance to even give a thought to the situation and I was suddenly overwhelmed. Should I go to the Christmas Party? Should I stay at home? Should I fly to New York should I stay? What should I do, how am I suppose to feel... what is the right thing to do? The sadness rested in my heart and bubbled up like anger... it took me about 5 minutes of unpleasantness and 20 minutes of silence to work my way through it. I went to the party and I had fun. I came home and made the connections I needed to make... everywhere there was a sadness mixed in with a sense of relief that the suffering was over. The service is tomorrow, I talked to everyone today and helped make arrangements. I would go however Laura needs me at home (she's having surgery tomorrow) and my mum still needs me (she had surgery a few weeks ago and is home bound).

So, really- everything some what happened as it should, as it does... somewhat of a mixed up Friday.

Dear Beck

Dear Beck,

As much as I like most of your music, your song "The Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton" is totally creeepy. Especially with that talking near the end.

I don't plan to really listen to it anymore... thank though for making it. The rest of the album is pretty good.

Love From,



PS: what is an Exoskeleton? Should I know this in case I ever find myself on a game show like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?