In Concert: Marianas Trench - Massey Hall, Toronto

It’s been far too long since my last Foto Friday, so here’s a bit of a special edition.

Last week I went to Massey Hall in Toronto to see a  Marianas Trench concert.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve wanted to see them for a while, but missed their shows here in London last year.  I saw them perform at the Olympics, and snagged a ticket to their Massey Hall show went I got back.  I can safely say, I hope I don’t miss any future shows here in London.

(However, I will consider bringing earplugs…16 yr old girls scream in decibels which should only be created by dog whistles).

It was entirely refreshing to pay a reasonable amount for a ticket, (and I scored a 5th row seat) at an incredible venue to see an amazing performance.  No outrageous stage set, no costume changes; just music.

Great music.

I was  stoked about my seat near the stage and what I hoped was a great opportunity to take some really good concert pictures.  My photography class doesn’t start until April; I brushed up by re-reading my camera manual and making my setting adjustments to each mode ahead of time, so I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of fiddling at the concert. 

I’m thrilled! with how these shots turned out, so without further ado…

Lead singer: Josh Ramsay

 

One of the few colour shots I took; I was really feeling the black and white.

 

 

Bassist/Vocals Mike Ayley

  

 

Drummer/Vocals: Ian Casselman (he was hard to photograph; from my seat at least one cymbal was always in the way)

 

 

Guitarist/Vocals: Matt Webb

 

(I have a hard time choosing, but this one might be my favourite photo; I love the light and the shadows.)

 

 

 

 

It was hard to capture all of them in the same frame, because of the size of the stage, but I did manage to get one that I really like

 

I’ve seen 30+ different bands in concert; these guys are in my top 5, hands down.

If you haven’t checked out their latest album Masterpiece Theatre, go now.

Right now.

I mean it.

You can see the entire set of my Marianas Trench @ Massey Hall set on Flickr.

Happy Friday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Marianas Trench,Josh Ramsay,Matt Webb,Mike Ayley,Ian Casselman,Massey Hall,Toronto,Canadian Music Week,concert,photography,music,live music

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An Early Twilight Christmas

This will be my last post before the holidays, I’ve got a meeting tomorrow in Northern Ontario and then I’m heading home to my parents’ house.  That means a solid 8 hours of driving, but the weather forecast is looking good.

I just had to share this early Christmas gift with all my Twilight-y friends; my friend Darda and I went out last night and she presented me with some homemade gingerbread cookies and a mysterious package wrapped in tissue paper.

I unwrapped the tissue paper, and had I not been buckled into my car seat, would’ve fallen out laughing.

New Moon Chocolates!  This is a big deal, since we Canucks don’t have the novelty items that seem to be really big in the U.S.  We have the t-shirts and the gift packs, but we don’t get the movie-themed food that my neighbors to the South do.  Darda was in the States last weekend for a basketball tournament and saw these and brought them north of the border for me.

Here’s what’s even funnier, and what she doesn’t know yet, since I only opened the package now. 

Darda is die hard Team Jacob; and I, as you all know, Team Edward.

Darda felt that Team Jacob is winning since there are two Jacob chocolates and only one Edward chocolate in the window.

When I opened the bag, I found:

One Bella chocolate…

 

 

 

 

 

 

two Jacob chocolates…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

three Edward chocolates! Team Edward wins again!!

Now pardon me for thinking this is hysterical, but I’m running on about 2 hrs sleep and I had popcorn for dinner because there’s nothing left in my fridge and I’m going out of town tomorrow.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Christmas with your friends and family and I’ll be popping in every now and then (I’ve got a holiday project to share that me and my sister will be completing…lets hope we don’t mess up Mom and Dad’s new kitchen).

Merry Christmas!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Twilight,New Moon,Edward,Bella,Jacob,Chocolate,A Paper Buffet

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Back from L.A.!

Hello hello! I’m back from sunny (and smoky) California; actually, like my post on Friday mentioned, I got back early Friday morning.  I’ve been busy doing the things that follow a vacation return- unpacking, groceries, laundry and adjusting back to the EST zone.

I had a great time in Los Angeles, saw one of my friends from University, saw the taping of the TV Sitcom “Gary Unmarried” with Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall- we saw the 3rd episode of the new season, so it won’t be on for a few weeks.  I’ll let you know when it’s on; it’s a really interesting process, but it took 4 hours to tape!

We rented a car and drove to Santa Monica and Venice Beach.  What a sight! Muscle Beach was hilarious!  We toured the Warner Bros. Studio, and I think that was my favourite part.  I’ll be sharing pictures and telling you why I loved it so much over the next little while.

And we did see celebrities! I don’t have any pictures though; it’s actually harder than I thought.  You’re looking at a person going “do I know you? should I know you? are you really ‘so-and-so’?” It’s a lot of second-guessing yourself. Plus at ‘regular’ clothes, hats and sunglasses to the process.

Here’s who we did see:

• Nick Lachey- he was getting into his car in front of our restaurant where we were eating lunch
• Jane Fonda- driving her Porche on Rodeo Drive
• Jenny McCarthy- we pulled up beside her at a red light
• Doug Savant-he plays Tom Scavo on Desperate Housewives, we saw him at the Dodger’s game with his two kids
• David Lascher- he played Vinnie on Blossom, as well was being on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. We saw him shopping at The Grove

I also think I saw Christina Aguilera at the Dodgers game, but it could’ve been someone that just really resembled her.

I was looking at my pictures (I will be sharing and bringing back Foto Friday) and all my ticket stubs, parking passes and other souvenirs and realized that I should, gasp, make a scrapbook.  I haven’t scrapped in a while, and I even donated a perfectly good scrapbook album back in the spring when I renovated my office.

I’ve been envying all the modern scrapbooks and layouts I’ve seen since I started blogging about my cards and I’m just amazed, so I figured I’d try it out myself.  I bought a new album and paper yesterday, and my prints are being developed as we speak. 

I’m excited to get back to the stamping table, and have a few ideas floating around in my head, as well as my new scrapbook adventure.

AND! this week is the release of Stamp Insanity stamps over at Stamp Happens! and you sure don’t want to miss that!

There’s a lot going on this week, so get ready!

Today I’m going to Toronto to enjoy another concert- The Killers at the Molson Amphitheatre.  It’s also the Air Show today at the Canadian National Exhibition (a very big annual fair) so there will be lots to see.  Tomorrow I’ll be spending my holiday Monday at the stamping table; just the way I like it!

Here’s a picture of the Hollywood Sign, as seen from Hollywood Blvd.

Happy Sunday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Hollywood,California,Los Angeles,Stamp Insanity,Stamp Happens,A Paper Buffet

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Locks of Love haircut donation day!

Rewind approximately 3 years ago.  *ring* goes the phone at 7am on a Saturday morning…my first thought is, “who the hell…”; then “Oh no! what’s wrong??”.  Nothing was wrong; one of my best friends Alison was calling to tell me her long-time boyfriend FINALLY proposed and they were officially engaged!

Fast-forward a few weeks when Alison called again to ask me to be a bridesmaid.  Not long after that I decided I would leave my hair long so as to have multiple options for the wedding.  It wasn’t long after that I decided that I would cut it after the wedding and donate my hair to Locks of Love; an organization that takes human hair and creates wigs for children who suffer from permanent or temporary medical hair loss.

After reading the requirements of the donation process, and realizing I needed at least 10” of hair to donate, I made the commitment to do it.  When people commented how long my hair was getting, I told them why I was doing it.  It brought awareness to the issue, as well as reminded me on the days when I was fighting to style my hair WHY I was doing this.

Alison and Jamie married last summer, and my hair wasn’t yet long enough, so I kept going.

And so, each time I visited my hairdresser, she asked if I was still on board, and mixed my colour with no bleach. Processed hair is acceptable, but the hair cannot be bleached, so no highlights are allowed.  Apparently the hair will break down during the process if it’s bleached. 

So I stayed in the dark browns and red colours, and realized it complimented my skin tone and my eyes much more than my traditional strawberry blonde ever did.

I had fun with my long hair, I played with different up do’s, barrettes, clips, headbands.  

And then…it was ponytail, after ponytail.  My hair started to get caught in my watch.  In the seatbelt.  Under my purse strap.  I was over it.  A desperate plea to my visiting sister to measure my hair to determine if the timing was right, confirmed it.  I had 10” of hair in a ponytail, and still left me with hair left over.

I made the appointment, filled out my hair donation form and walked into the salon saying “today is the day!”

Here’s the before pictures:

This is the longest I’ve ever had my hair, well, I think in my whole life!

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the after:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel free. 

Liberated.

Lighter.

Happy.

I accomplished a goal I set for myself 3 years ago.

 

 

I made a donation to a wonderful cause to help wonderful children in not-so-wonderful situations.

And I couldn’t resist a Posh Spice/Victoria Beckham pose:

Do something good today :)

Happy Tuesday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Locks of Love,hair donation

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Snapshot Saturday: The Counting Crows

Hello weekend!

I’m looking forward to spending the day with some friends to celebrate my birthday (yes, again, that’s the fun of a weekday birthday…two celebrations!)

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I spent my actual birthday doing one of my favourite things- going to a concert.  I saw The Counting Crows perform at Rogers Bayfest in Sarnia, Ontario (about 1.5 hrs North West of London). The Trews opened for them, and they seemed to be a crowd favourite.

We still had a few issues with people trying to jam up and squeeze in front of you, which annoys me to no end.  I also don’t understand the people who consume so much alcohol at an outdoor concert and become very rude and confrontational. I’m all for enjoying a beverage, but not to the point where you can’t remember the concert.   Why can’t we all just get along?

Anyways, enough of the rant, on to the pictures!

The guitarist from The Trews.  This guy was born to be a rock star, he was jumping all over, playing the guitar behind his head and getting the crowd in a frenzy!

 

 

 

 

 

Lead singer and guitarist of The Trews

 

 

 

 

 

Adam, Lead singer of the Counting Crows.  We were sooooo close!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this one is my favourite picture

Adam playing the piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather is turning around and the sun is trying to peek through the clouds;  I’ve got some gardening to do and some cards to finish for another custom order before my guests arrive.

Did you get to check out all the lovely and talented Character Cafe DT projects this week?  (see previous post for links)

Happy Saturday!

oh and ps- 1) I forgot to mention how funny it was that after my post for last Friday’s TCC post, that no one else likes Groovy Guava paper either! it made me laugh so much!

and 2) thank you all for the lovely comments on my post about my bridal shower invites and my slide show. 

and 3) Thanks for the birthday wishes :)

Happy Saturday!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Rogers Bayfest,The Counting Crows,The Trews,concerts,A Paper Buffet,The Character Cafe Design Team

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O Canada!

Happy Canada Day!!!

Today Canada turns 142 years old!  How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful, safe country. 

Here’s a few tidbits about Canada you may not know:

Canadians:

• Eat better than the French
• Are more wealthy than the Americans
• Have more lovers than the Italians
• and Live longer than the Swedes (source: Maclean’s magazine, July 06/09 edition)

Canada ranks #1 in vacation spots and often we, as Canadians forget that and travel overseas or down south.  Let’s rediscover Canada!

Here are a few pictures to share…although I’ve never been to the East Coast, so that’s one place I’ll have to visit first!

Vancouver, British Columbia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kittsilano Beach, Vancouver, British Columbia

 

 

 

 

 

Driving along the Malahat, north of Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

 

 

 

Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Louise, Banff  National Park, Alberta

 

 

 

 

 

Banff from the Gondola,

Banff National Park, Alberta

 

 

 

 

Lake Penache, Northern Ontario, where we rent a cabin every year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colours changing driving home to Northern Ontario.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset in the Toronto Harbour

 

 

 

 

And of course, me and my dog Bailey, sitting on the dock at my Aunt’s summer home on Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world!

Happy Canada Day! (and Happy Birthday to my sister…yup she gets fireworks on her birthday every year!)

Don’t forget to check out The Character Cafe for a digital freebie to help us celebrate Canada Day.  It also marks the first Work it Wednesday for The Character Cafe!

Ciao for now,

Technorati Tags: Canada,Canada Day,Vancouver,Victoria,British Columbia,Banff,Lake Louise,Alberta,Lake Penache,Ontario,Toronto,Manitoulin Island,The Character Cafe,digital stamps

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Snapshot Saturday: The Sound Of Music

**If you’re looking for The Character Cafe Blog hop, please scroll down to the next post**

For the summer my “Foto Friday” feature will move to Snapshot Saturday (or maybe the occasional Snapshot Sunday) as Fridays will now be Feature Fridays for The Character Cafe where all members of the Design Team will be sharing a new project each week using the awesome Character Cafe images.

As you read this, I will be traveling on a train to Toronto to meet my sister, cousin and mom to see The Sound Of Music at The Princess of Wales Theatre.  I thought in honour of this trip, I will share some pictures of Austria from our European family trip last September when we took The Sound of Music tour.

The majority of the film took place in and around Salzburg, Austria.  The painted bull marks the start of the tour, where we hopped on our tour bus.

This palace was used as the exterior of the Von Trapp house, but is about a 30 minute drive outside of Salzburg.

The tree-lined road Maria walks up and sings the song “Confidence”.  It doesn’t lead to the house, but to another palace.

THE gazeebo!  it’s not in it’s movie location, but was moved here, near the tree lined roads to keep tourists away from the palace.  It was at one point open to the public, to walk in and out of…but they had to close it after an 82 yr old woman was recreating Liesel’s scene of jumping from one bench to another.  Can you see the big gap in between the bench on the left and the one in the front? Yes, the 82 yr old Liesel-wanna-be fell while trying to make that leap and hurt herself.  So they closed the gazeebo. 

This is the church in the town of Mondsee where the real Maria and Captain Von Trapp were married.

The Austrian Countryside:

The gardens where Maria and the children ran through in the movie, with the Salzburg Palace in the background.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of the Sound of Music locations.

And now, you know it was all coming…

Feel free to sing along:

And yes, you sing along on the bus tour as well ;)

Happy Saturday!

Aufwiedersehen!

 

Technorati Tags: The Sound of Music,Salzburg,Austria,The Character Cafe Design Team,A Paper Buffet,Snapshot Saturday

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