Musings of a Small Seal

The 2007 Marketing awards were last night- and our team won the top prize “Beat in Show” for “Evolution”. If you haven’t seen this video yet- check it out at www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca. It’s amazing!! Since I managed the project I went up on stage with the whole team to accept the award- which was kind of cool. And my picture might make it into marketing magazine- which would be very cool. I’ll see next week.

To celebrate – our team went to the Gladstone to do some karaokee! (Well just Hayley- she rocked out). We found this completely random karaokee van to take us there- a van with a screen, mikes and a disco ball. Funny how easy it is to sing after a couple of glasses of wine!!

We then went on to the Drake for the after party, and then home by 2:30am. Not too bad considering I had to get up this morning at 6:30am for a Hellmann’s photoshoot. It’s not all glamorous! It’s been a long day…

I heard the craziest thing the other day. My cousin Ross has moved to Alabama and fallen in love. He is getting married (he’s 24). No- that’s not the crazy part… His fiancee went to the doctor the other day for a pre-natal exam. (still not the crazy part). and the doctor had a series of questions he needed to ask her as part of her family history. One of these questions was… (drumroll and get ready for the crazy)… “Is the Father kin?”

I was finally in the city this weekend- although part of it was spent in Hamilton. I went to Hamilton Friday night to see my cousin Samantha play basketball (they WON both games!! woohoo!!!). It was great to see my uncle Ross and Sam again- I haven’t seen them since Christmas. I can’t believe how tall Sam is… I just wish I’d remembered to take my camera.

Then Saturday night I went to Kirsti’s belated 30th birthday and finally saw Jen and her’s apartment. I love it. I’m so sad i’m going to be moving away from it. The party was a 70s theme- which I forgot, but Jen lent me her pucci scarf for the soiree. I rocked it.

Then on Sunday, Robyn and I left the “city” and went to High Park. Seriously- Toronto is so huge, and i get caught up in my little quadrant… don’t head north of Bloor, East of Parliament or West of Bathurst- and I’m missing out on an entire CITY! We went for a walk in High Park, then to Bloor West Village to walk around. We couldn’t even SEE the city from where we were- imagine! It was great. wicked cold out- if it weren’t so cold I would have insisted we go check out the animals- Robyn doesn’t believe me when I tell her that there is a whole zoo in the park. At least I think there is…

Wow. I have been having a pretty stressful time at work lately and I think I may have been complaining too loudly and too often! Way out in Calgary, my second Dad Cliff heard me- and sent me a surprise. (well it was supposed to arrive Monday- but DHL is not known for their superior domestic shipping.)

What was this surprise? It arrived in a little blue box. From Birks. YAY!!! My ears are now adorned with beautiful diamond earrings. I was going to take a picture and post it- but that seemed a bit OTT.
Thanks Cliff- I love them! : )

I completely forgot that I contribute money to a different RSP fund- $50/month. It’s not much- but it all adds up and it means that I added up my RSP contributions incorrectly. Turns out I don’t owe money to “the man”, but actually get a refund. Not much but it’s better than owing. Yay for RSPs!!!!

Every year I hear all of these stories about people who get back huge sums of money in their tax return. “I get $2800″. “I only got $3400 this year.” (sob sob) “My girlfriend is getting back $8500.” Well this year I OWE $275. WTF?! How is it that I NEVER get great tax returns, and end up OWING money?! Seriously?! What’s the trick?! I give to RSPs (a decent amount, though I know I could give more), I claim my rent (which is huge and exhorbinant)… I have a professional doing my taxes (my uncle)… I just don’t get it. Why does the government hate me? big sad sigh.

I’m adding a picture of Theo (my Goddaughter) and Kaleb, her brother, from Christmas. They have nothing to do with taxes but they sure are cute!!!

words of wisdom: I must remember to take deep breaths. I think have to start running again too because my stress levels are getting out of control. Run and breath. Two keys to happiness. Or to at the very least, not pulling out all of your hair.

oh and I have to share a fun little answering machine message I heard today. It was a colleague of mine’s daughter who is on the cusp of being a teenager, but still young enough to be fun and sweet. (read not “too cool” for everything). The message was just a song about cheese. Just cheese. and asking one to leave their message. It made me smile. : )

One of the best things about visiting home is that I get to reconnect with old friends. (Although this time I didn’t get a chance to see everyone- the hazards of running in and out in two days!). I’ve very glad to have spent even a little bit of time with the friends I did see. Everyone is doing so great- with nearly finishing school (yay yay yay!), changing jobs (so happy about that one), raising their families- and going on blind dates (which I totally relate to!). sigh- I miss my friends.

Also very fun are the babies- who I got to see on Saturday night. (Sorry again Char for being late). The first picture is Brendan and Meghan- who are destined to be together. Brendan is older (by 5 weeks) but already you can see Meghan is pretty much running the show in their relationship. She’s got to keep a tight rein on that boy. I can’t wait til they start talking… what will they be like then?!

Last night I went to “Tommy Burger” for dinner with my parents. My brother Stefan is the GM there (that’s him working behind the bar). They just opened the joint 4 weeks ago- to critical aclaim and wonder. John Gilchrist- noted food critic (is he just in Calgary or Canada?) said “it’s about time”. They were on a segment on the Breakfast Television show – Stefan was telling everyone about their Ceasar drink. You were great Stefan! Fun fact: The Caesar was created in Calgary. It’s known as “Canada’s cocktail”. If Calgary is known for anything… ginger beef and clamato & vodka.

As expected the burgers were delish. Tommy Burger is located on Macleod Tr S- right next to Shanks. If you have a chance – go go go !! And I recommend : sharing the milkshake- it’s huge, and getting the California burger- with sprouts and guac.

Also in my adventures in Calgary yesterday: I got my hair done (I still don’t have a hairstylist in Toronto) and its way too dark underneath (a look that is “played out”, as my youthful colleague would say) and a pedicure. While the dark hair is not so great (though I still rock it!!), the pedi was fab- it took two hours but I didn’t even notice the time go by. And now I have a new friend on facebook!