Tuesday, July 27, 2010

She loves Feedback

My good friend and colleague Simone just LOVES to get countless hours of edits sent back to her.  It makes her day.

Not actually - but the ridiculousness of this feedback just HAD to be shared.  We either had to laugh or cry....so we're laughing.

Notice the sheer joy on her face....


I'm going to miss this. actually. 

A Drinking Problem

Here's the thing...
I like it. A lot.  It makes me feel good and helps with my digestion.  It's a good chaser for shots of wheat grass (yes, I've started taking shots of wheat grass in the morning), and it is brilliantly packages/marketed.  So don't judge me....just join me.

this is my stash at work. 

chill, I only have one a day.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Vanity is Relative


the newest addition:
beautiful ain't she? and mine all mine....

thank you craigslist!

He's a Jerk....but I love this.

Here is a hilarious email trail taken from David Thorne's website:


PARTY in 3C




From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 11.04am
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: R.S.V.P.

Dear Matthew,
Thankyou for the party invite. At first glance I thought it may be a child’s party what with it being vibrant and 
having balloons but I realise you probably did your best with what little tools were available. 
I wouldn’t miss it for the world. What time would you like me there?
Regards, David.
From: Matthew Smythe
Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 3.48pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: R.S.V.P.

Hi David
Sorry the note was just to let you know that we might be a bit loud that night. The house warming is really just for 
friends and family but you can drop past for a beer if you like.
Cheers Matthew
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 5.41pm
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

Thanks Matthew,
Including me in your list of friends and family means a lot. You and I don’t tend to have long discussions when we meet
 in the hallway and I plan to put a stop to that. Next time we bump into each other I intend to have a very long conversation
 with you and I am sure you are looking forward to that as much as I am. I have told my friend Ross that you are having a 
party and he is as excited as I am. Do you want us to bring anything or will everything be provided?
Regards, David.
From: Matthew Smythe
Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 10.01am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.
Hi David
As I said, my housewarming is just for friends and family. There is not a lot of room so cant really have to many people come. 
Sorry about that mate.
Cheers Matthew
From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 2.36pm
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

Dear Matthew,
I can appreciate that, our apartments are not very large are they? I myself like to go for a jog every night to keep fit but fear
 leaving the house so I have to jog on the spot taking very small steps with my arms straight down. I understand the problems of space
 restrictions all too well. If you would like to store some of your furniture at my place during the party you are quite welcome to - if we 
move your cane furniture into my spare room for the night and scatter cushions on the ground, that would provide a lot more seating
 and create a cozy atmosphere at the same time. I have a mirror ball that you can borrow.
I have told Ross not to invite anyone else due to the space constraints so it will just be us two and my other friend Simon. 
When I told Simon that Ross and I were going to a party he became quite angry that I had not invited him as well so I really didn’t have 
any choice as he can become quite violent. Sometimes I am afraid to even be in the same room as him. So just myself, Ross and Simon.
Simon’s girlfriend has a work function on that night but might come along after that if she can get a lift with friends.
Regards, David.
From: Matthew Smythe
Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 4.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

 Nobody can come to the houswarming party it is just for friends and family. I dont even know these people. 
How do you know I have cane furniture? Are you the guy in apartment 1?
From: David Thorne
Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 6.12pm
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

Hi Matthew,
I understand it is an exclusive party and I appreciate you trusting my judgement on who to bring. I just assumed you have cane furniture,
doesn’t everybody? Cane is possibly one of the most renewable natural resources we have after plastic, it is not only strong but
 lightweight and attractive. Every item in my apartment is made of cane, including my television. It looks like the one from Gilligan’s Island but
 is in colour of course. Do you remember that episode where a robot came to the island? That was the best one in my opinion. I always
 preferred Mary Anne to Ginger, same with Flintstones - I found Betty much more attractive than Wilma but then I am not really keen on 
redheads at all. They have freckles all over their body did you know? It’s the ones on their back and shoulders that creep me out the most.
Anyway, Ross rang me today all excited about the party and asked me what the theme is, I told him that I don’t think there is a theme and 
we discussed it and feel that it should be an eighties themed party. I have a white suit and projector and am coming as Nik Kershaw. 
I have made a looping tape of ‘wouldn’t it be good’ to play as I am sure you will agree that this song rocks and has stood the test of time 
well.
I am in the process of redesigning your invites appropriately and will get a few hundred of them printed off later today. I will have to ask 
you for the money for this as print cartridges for my Epson are pretty expensive. They stopped making this model a month after I bought it and 
I have to get the cartridges sent from China. Around $120 should cover it. You can just pop the money in my letter box if I don’t see you 
before tonight.
Regards, David.
From: Matthew Smythe
Date: Wednesday 10 Dec 2008 11.06pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

What are you talking about? There is no theme for the party it is just a few friends and family. noone else can come IT IS ONLY FOR
MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY do you understand? Do not print anything out because I am not paying for something I dont need and didnt
ask you to do! look I am sorry but i am heaps busy and that night is not convenient. Are you in Apatrment1?
From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 11 Dec 2008 9.15am
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

Hello Matthew,
I agree that it is not very convenient and must admit that when I first received your invitation I was perplexed that it was on a Sunday night 
but who am I to judge? No, I am in apartment 3B. Our bedroom walls are touching so when we are sleeping our heads are only a few feet 
apart. If I put my ear to the wall I can hear you. I also agree with you that having a particular theme for your party may not be the best choice,
it makes more sense to leave it open as a generic fancy dress party, that way everyone can come dressed in whatever they want.
Once, I went to a party in a bear outfit which worked out well as it was freezing and I was the only one warm. As it won’t be cold the night
of your party, I have decided to come as a ninja. I think it would be really good if you dressed as a ninja as well and we could perform a 
martial arts display for the other guests. I have real swords and will bring them. If you need help with your costume let me know, I have
made mine by wrapping a black t-shirt around my face with a hooded jacket and cut finger holes in black socks for the gloves. I do not have
any black pants so will spray paint my legs on the night.
It is a little hard to breathe in the costume so I will need you to keep the window open during the party to provide good air circulation. 
Actually, I just had a thought, how awesome would it be if I arrived ‘through’ the window like a real ninja. We should definitely do that. 
I just measured the distance between our balconies and I should be able to jump it. I once leaped across a creek that was over five metres
wide and almost made it.
Also, you mentioned in your invitation that if there was anything I needed, to let you know. My car is going in for a service next week and
I was wondering, seeing as we are good friends now, if it would be ok to borrow yours on that day? I hate catching the bus as they are full
of poor people who don’t own cars.
Regards, David.




From: Matthew Smythe
Date: Thursday 11 Dec 2008 3.02pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P.

WTF? No you cant borrow my car and there is no 3B. I reckon you are that guy from Apartment 1. You are not coming to my house warming and you are not bringing any of your friends. What is wrong with you??? The only people invited are friends and family I told you that. It is just drinks there is no fancy dress and only people i know are coming! I dont want to be rude but come on man.
From: David Thorne
Date: Sunday 14 Dec 2008 2.04am
To: Matthew Smythe
Subject: Party

Hello Matthew,
I have been away since Thursday so have not been able to check my email from home. Flying back late today in time for the party and just wanted to say that we are really looking forward to it. Will probably get there around eleven or twelve, just when it starts to liven up. Simon’s girlfriend Cathy’s work function was cancelled so she can make it afterall which is good news. She will probably have a few friends with her so they will take the minivan. Also, I have arranged a PiƱata.
Regards, David.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Meet Joyce

Here she is! My beautiful new-to-me car.  We needed a second vehicle and after a lot of Craigslist-ing and advice from my Brother, we found Joyce. I love her, bright seafoam green exterior and all.  She is named after her beloved owner who had her from birth (14 years people) and teared up as we drove away with her last Friday.
Dave refers to her as "Candy the Escort" (for reasons I'm sure you can put together all on your own)....we have compromised to call her Joyce by day, and Candy by night.  Because all good escorts have a night name.



My Joyce has a spoiler on the back - so she's much sportier than this guy.

I promise pictures of the real Joyce soon :)

Simply the Best



We used to visit this place every time we'd go to Nova Scotia.  I could really go for a chicken burger right about now....

I'll settle for 25



Things I would like to do before I'm....well, let's say 30 (it only seems far away, I know).

1. Bike down the California coast
2. Host a Radio Show
3.  Enter a Baking Contest
4.  Build Wine Crate shelves
5. Visit all the Major League Baseball Stadiums (3 down)
6. Write a short-story book
7. Sail in Mexico
8. Photograph a wedding
9. Brew my own beer (and not drink it)
10. Park-hop in Disneyland with Jalen
11. Visit Garnish, Newfoundland  - where my GramBea was born
12. Record a Christmas CD with my family
13. Send my husband to watch spring training in AZ.
14. Travel somewhere by horseback
15.  Stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Oregon
16. Learn to Swing Dance
17. See Elton John live
18. Return to the ChickenBurger in Bedford, NS 
19. Crochet my own Monkey
20. Swim at Big Beach, Wailea (again)
21. Host Christmas Dinner
22. Perfect the Spanish Language
23. Return to Cuba and tour the entire country
24. Have kids and embarrass them daily
25. Sit on my Aunt Suzie’s porch in Nova Scotia and eat fresh cooked Lobster with my family