Despite being a rainy day, I chanced being a crazy person who went for a nice, long walk through Les Sherman Park. Needless to say it was just me, the wet walking path, and the ducks. I returned home soaked through and through with wet wavy hair all over the place, but it was worth it. It reminded me of those things that I think of when it rains.
Like that time when I was just a kid that Grandpa and Grandma Gilmer had an auction at their log house out at Gooseberry Lake. How it rained all day and was so cool you could see your breath. I think we spent most of the day in the cabin drinking hot chocolate.
When I travelled to Europe in Grade 12, the experience was hampered by rain pretty much the whole time, whether we were in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland or France. I believe it was actually the last day we were there and flying out of Frankfurt that the sun finally made an appearance.
Rain reminds me of that time when I lived in Lethbridge and decided to drive out to BC to see my mom. As I was going through the Crowsnest Past, the rain was coming down so hard that my windshield wipers were having a hard time keeping up, and I was having a hard time being able to see my way through the twists and curves you encounter when you take that route. When it got to higher elevations, it started snowing (in June) and this poor guy coming towards me on his motorbike was having a tough time having to keep wiping the snow off his visor.
It makes me think of the year that my friends Barb and Patti and I decided to take in the Cathedral Arts Festival. It was pouring, so instead of chancing the rain, we made up our own little pub crawl through the afternoon. It was pretty much the last time that all three of us hung out together as everyone's lives went separate ways.
The rain takes me back to that July 1st Sandfly Festival in Medicine Hat when a then unknown Gord Bamford was on stage when the sky let loose and poured cats and dogs. With nowhere to really retreat, we just decided to make the most of it and danced like fools in the rain while he continued to play on. Within 20 minutes, the clouds parted again, the rain subsided and the sun returned for what turned out to be a beautiful rest of the day.
It takes me back to summers at the Craven Country Jamboree where a storm rolls in out of nowhere and suddenly it's coming straight down while everyone is trying to run for cover to the bathrooms or beer gardens. Mud becomes your best friend and the grandstand area becomes the Flip Flop Graveyard. Good luck trying to find a store that has rubber boots in stock still the week leading up to Craven.
The curse of rain follows me every time I go to Toronto. My first visit, it rained every day I was there. All I had for shoes was flip flops and let's just say my feet got a lot of exposure to the rain. My friend Krista brought me her husband's Maple Leafs umbrella. I had never used an umbrella before and ended up wrecking it when I was trying to close it. I felt pretty bad. A couple of months later I went back, this time in November. And again, it poured. I remember being with my friend Brianne in Kensington Market. We had been in this little coffee shop for a bit. When we came out, it was coming straight down so she ran across the street to this little Chinese place and got a cheap $5 umbrella. I think every time we've gotten together when I'm there, it's rained.
Overall, I don't mind the rain. Days on end of it back to back can get a little old real fast, but for the most part, a little time in the rain never hurt anyone did it? At least it's not snow :)
Tia
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Are you Ready to Strike While the Iron is Hot?
I don't often use my personal blog to give insight into the music industry, but I'm going to this time.
Last night on the season finale of Criminal Minds, the final scene of the show was a touching, poignant moment where the character of Emily Prentiss was basically saying goodbye to her team-mates after 6 years on the show. As the scenes are rolling there's an amazing voice singing the perfectly picked song that had words that made that farewell even more emotional.
Pretty much as soon as the show was done, myself and seemingly a lot of other people got onto a computer and starting searching for this song called "As it Seems". It turns out it's by an unknown singer named Lily Kershaw. Upon searching her name last night, very little came up for results aside from a MySpace page from how many years ago. Further to that, under the "music" tab of her MySpace page, she has no songs posted whatsoever, including this one.
My point is, here is an artist who clearly is missing an incredible opportunity. Today everyone wants to know everything about her, but there is nothing current out there "marketing" this singer/songwriter. All those years that she's spent crafting her art and to be given this song showcase on such a hit show, and she may not be able to strike while the iron is hot. In the music business, 15 min of fame is just that, and if she wants to capitalize on it, she's going to have to hurry to get an updated website, pics, etc.
I suspect Lily Kershaw's life today, is not the same as it was yesterday. The moral of the story moreso directed at my music friends still trying to catch their break is: you never know when someone will want to find you, or more about you. Ensure that you've got an updated website, that all content is current, that your latest songs are posted, your contact information is current and that it looks good. The other thing is, ensure there's a consistency in the look and sound between all social media you're utilizing. I've seen some artists maintain a MySpace page that they never update, it's different from their ReverbNation look, and what they're doing on Facebook doesn't seem to be in line with what they're doing everywhere else. You may not have the big record deal, but you have all these tools out there with technology these days to market yourself like a rock star. So just do it!
Tia
Last night on the season finale of Criminal Minds, the final scene of the show was a touching, poignant moment where the character of Emily Prentiss was basically saying goodbye to her team-mates after 6 years on the show. As the scenes are rolling there's an amazing voice singing the perfectly picked song that had words that made that farewell even more emotional.
Pretty much as soon as the show was done, myself and seemingly a lot of other people got onto a computer and starting searching for this song called "As it Seems". It turns out it's by an unknown singer named Lily Kershaw. Upon searching her name last night, very little came up for results aside from a MySpace page from how many years ago. Further to that, under the "music" tab of her MySpace page, she has no songs posted whatsoever, including this one.
My point is, here is an artist who clearly is missing an incredible opportunity. Today everyone wants to know everything about her, but there is nothing current out there "marketing" this singer/songwriter. All those years that she's spent crafting her art and to be given this song showcase on such a hit show, and she may not be able to strike while the iron is hot. In the music business, 15 min of fame is just that, and if she wants to capitalize on it, she's going to have to hurry to get an updated website, pics, etc.
I suspect Lily Kershaw's life today, is not the same as it was yesterday. The moral of the story moreso directed at my music friends still trying to catch their break is: you never know when someone will want to find you, or more about you. Ensure that you've got an updated website, that all content is current, that your latest songs are posted, your contact information is current and that it looks good. The other thing is, ensure there's a consistency in the look and sound between all social media you're utilizing. I've seen some artists maintain a MySpace page that they never update, it's different from their ReverbNation look, and what they're doing on Facebook doesn't seem to be in line with what they're doing everywhere else. You may not have the big record deal, but you have all these tools out there with technology these days to market yourself like a rock star. So just do it!
Tia
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Produce Department
The other day I was at the grocery store and started my adventure in the produce department to get some bananas. There was an older woman in her 60's or 70's getting a bunch of bananas which is what I was hoping to do as well. However, the selection was pretty lack lustre so I moved on banana-less. But I noticed she seemed to be fumbling with the plastic bags, although I thought she would be fine.
I moved over to the bakery section and eyed up some bread while still keeping an eye on her, and watching her still seem to be having some problems in getting the produce bag open. Again, I thought she'd surely be good to go pretty soon.
I mozied over to the deli section and looked back again to see if she had mastered her problem yet, but sadly she hadn't. Part of me thought it would make her feel uncomfortable if I went over to ask if she needed help, but by now 5 min had passed at least and she was still having issues.
I could have moved on, but decided to circle back and pretend I was eyeing up the bananas again. As I glanced over I could see her hands were that of someone who was hampered by arthritis, and she just couldn't get her fingers planted firmly enough to get that plastic bag open. Just as I turned to her to offer to help, she turned to me and said "I'm having troubles here" indicating she wanted help. I smiled, took the bag from her, rubbed the edges between my fingers and opened it up for her no problem and said "these darn bags are always so sticky and tricky," and handed it back to her. She quietly laughed this little laugh and thanked me.
Here was something that was so simple to me, yet so difficult to her. It was really a moment of revelation about perspective. All the things we take for granted about our abilities or potential that someone else physically can't do. I just hope someday when I'm 65 and struggling to get one of those stupid plastic produce bags open, that someone's kind enough to take the time and stop and help me too.
Tia
I moved over to the bakery section and eyed up some bread while still keeping an eye on her, and watching her still seem to be having some problems in getting the produce bag open. Again, I thought she'd surely be good to go pretty soon.
I mozied over to the deli section and looked back again to see if she had mastered her problem yet, but sadly she hadn't. Part of me thought it would make her feel uncomfortable if I went over to ask if she needed help, but by now 5 min had passed at least and she was still having issues.
I could have moved on, but decided to circle back and pretend I was eyeing up the bananas again. As I glanced over I could see her hands were that of someone who was hampered by arthritis, and she just couldn't get her fingers planted firmly enough to get that plastic bag open. Just as I turned to her to offer to help, she turned to me and said "I'm having troubles here" indicating she wanted help. I smiled, took the bag from her, rubbed the edges between my fingers and opened it up for her no problem and said "these darn bags are always so sticky and tricky," and handed it back to her. She quietly laughed this little laugh and thanked me.
Here was something that was so simple to me, yet so difficult to her. It was really a moment of revelation about perspective. All the things we take for granted about our abilities or potential that someone else physically can't do. I just hope someday when I'm 65 and struggling to get one of those stupid plastic produce bags open, that someone's kind enough to take the time and stop and help me too.
Tia
Monday, April 9, 2012
Routine Poutine
There is no poutine in this blog, just so you know. There just aren't many things that rhyme with routine that get your attention nearly as much as poutine does. Where was I going with this...(who has A.D.D?)
I'm into my second week of being back to work, and the "getting back into a routine" has been great on many fronts. The biggest difference is the ability to sleep once again. Although not going to bed as early as I should yet, I do actually fall asleep shortly after going to bed, instead of the insomnia that kept me awake until 1 or 2am stuff that plagued me the last 4 months. I'm also using a clock in my room again. You might find this funny, but since November I haven't had my alarm clock plugged in. Every time I couldn't sleep, I'd look up and see those bright green numbers, and it was this constant reminder of my brain not being able to shut down. So I unplugged the stupid thing. Not that it really helped, but I'd like to think it cut down on my power bills a bit? I don't know. Work with me here.
I think the routine has also been good for my eating and drinking habits. I'm pretty sure I gained at least 10 lbs since being off work. I suppose that'll happen when you're not able to sleep at night, sleeping till 10 or 11am everyday, and at home all the time to snack and cook. Now I eat my granola bar late morning at work, eat a nice little lunch, come home by 5pm to eat a normal supper, and eat my sleepy banana before bed. It feels like the fluffiness is wearing off my waistline a bit. And you might not believe this, but I've managed to limit myself to one diet coke a day. Anyone who knows me really well will find that quite impressive!
One of the biggest differences is just being stress-free. Up until last Monday, it took every ounce of energy to get out of bed in the morning, and my brain and soul were consumed by the task of job-hunting and the stress of finances. Now, although I have to put a lot of energy into the learning curve at my new job, I feel I can spread it out beyond that again. I've had an immense burst of creative flow the last couple of weeks, I look forward to going for my daily walk, and I feel like I have the capacity to focus on relationships again.
The one thing in my routine that hasn't changed is that I still get up and feed my cats everyday and job or no job, they were still spoiled babies. Despite the penny pinching, they never once had to resort to being fed Purina or Friskies. Now that's love!
Tia
I'm into my second week of being back to work, and the "getting back into a routine" has been great on many fronts. The biggest difference is the ability to sleep once again. Although not going to bed as early as I should yet, I do actually fall asleep shortly after going to bed, instead of the insomnia that kept me awake until 1 or 2am stuff that plagued me the last 4 months. I'm also using a clock in my room again. You might find this funny, but since November I haven't had my alarm clock plugged in. Every time I couldn't sleep, I'd look up and see those bright green numbers, and it was this constant reminder of my brain not being able to shut down. So I unplugged the stupid thing. Not that it really helped, but I'd like to think it cut down on my power bills a bit? I don't know. Work with me here.
I think the routine has also been good for my eating and drinking habits. I'm pretty sure I gained at least 10 lbs since being off work. I suppose that'll happen when you're not able to sleep at night, sleeping till 10 or 11am everyday, and at home all the time to snack and cook. Now I eat my granola bar late morning at work, eat a nice little lunch, come home by 5pm to eat a normal supper, and eat my sleepy banana before bed. It feels like the fluffiness is wearing off my waistline a bit. And you might not believe this, but I've managed to limit myself to one diet coke a day. Anyone who knows me really well will find that quite impressive!
One of the biggest differences is just being stress-free. Up until last Monday, it took every ounce of energy to get out of bed in the morning, and my brain and soul were consumed by the task of job-hunting and the stress of finances. Now, although I have to put a lot of energy into the learning curve at my new job, I feel I can spread it out beyond that again. I've had an immense burst of creative flow the last couple of weeks, I look forward to going for my daily walk, and I feel like I have the capacity to focus on relationships again.
The one thing in my routine that hasn't changed is that I still get up and feed my cats everyday and job or no job, they were still spoiled babies. Despite the penny pinching, they never once had to resort to being fed Purina or Friskies. Now that's love!
Tia
Friday, March 30, 2012
Travel Tips from a Hippie
I was talking to a friend this past weekend about packing for trips. We were polar opposites. I was telling her I can pack a backpack and be on my merry way. She however, travels like most of her family does. Packing way too many bags for the simplest of trips.
When I was 30 I started my travel adventures, vowing to take a trip someplace new every year that I'd never been to before. My travels have taken me to San Francisco, Jacksonville, Jekyll Island/Savannah, Corpus Christie, South Padre Island, New Orleans, Biloxi/Gulfport and Toronto. There have been a few skipped years due to money being tight, but overall, it's been a blast exploring these new places.
One of the most annoying things when travelling is the whole feat of having to lug your bags around, thus the reason I pack uber light. One small backpack or suitcase usually includes jeans and shirts that all match with each other so you can mix and match everything. If it's a summer trip, I might take one pair of jeans and opt for 3 or 4 pairs of very matchable shorts instead. The less I have to wear pants, the better! Of course you can't skimp on clean undies and socks. I always take a plastic bag along as well to keep dirty laundry separate. I'll also save all my change during the trip, and try to find a laundromat nearby to do a load in the event of a longer trip or just wanting fresh clothes to go home in. The change jar might also come in handy should you be needing to pay for any transportation like busses or subways.
Shoe-wise, I keep it pretty light too. Generally I'll have a pair of "travel" shoes to start things off. These are comfy, clean shoes that aren't too restricting for those days you might start swelling up a bit during flights, yet comfy enough that they're something you feel safe wearing all day for bursts of walking as well. If it's summer, I'm all about my travel shoes being a pair of flip flops, providing they're not a ratty old pair that smell like dog. Summer trips usually include 2 pairs of shoes - flip flops and a pair of runners for lots of walking days. But if you have any dressier events on your agenda, a pair of flexible ballet shoes that easily can be folded or stuffed into your suitcase work well as well. My rule of thumb for trips: don't buy new shoes for a trip! If you attempt to break in shoes on a trip, you're just setting yourself up for blister hell!
I don't seem to pack very light when it comes to personal hygiene products, but you can never be too safe in this area can you? I ensure the usual hairspray, toothpaste, brush, makeup bag, facial cleanser and toothbrush. One thing I always forget that I strongly encourage, take your own soap and hand lotion! The hotel soaps and products are a nice touch, but they tend to be full of perfumes and dyes and whatever else. I came home with a nice rash from Toronto recently from using the hotel stuff. It's easy enough to go to a store to buy products, but you may have a hard time finding a place that just sells single bars of soap anymore, and some places charge a fortune for smaller sample products, nor is the selection very good. In regards to the blister hell quoted above with the shoe section, taking along a few band-aids isn't a bad idea either. Gravol and Motrin are also on my must-pack list.
The rest is pretty standard and based on the individual. Obviously if you're travelling with kids, it's a lot tougher to pack light, but that doesn't mean you can't be efficient about it. Just keep it simple stupid as they say. And my last rule of thumb - never leave home without a good tube of chap-stick on you! It will be a life saver I promise. Happy travels!
Tia
When I was 30 I started my travel adventures, vowing to take a trip someplace new every year that I'd never been to before. My travels have taken me to San Francisco, Jacksonville, Jekyll Island/Savannah, Corpus Christie, South Padre Island, New Orleans, Biloxi/Gulfport and Toronto. There have been a few skipped years due to money being tight, but overall, it's been a blast exploring these new places.
One of the most annoying things when travelling is the whole feat of having to lug your bags around, thus the reason I pack uber light. One small backpack or suitcase usually includes jeans and shirts that all match with each other so you can mix and match everything. If it's a summer trip, I might take one pair of jeans and opt for 3 or 4 pairs of very matchable shorts instead. The less I have to wear pants, the better! Of course you can't skimp on clean undies and socks. I always take a plastic bag along as well to keep dirty laundry separate. I'll also save all my change during the trip, and try to find a laundromat nearby to do a load in the event of a longer trip or just wanting fresh clothes to go home in. The change jar might also come in handy should you be needing to pay for any transportation like busses or subways.
Shoe-wise, I keep it pretty light too. Generally I'll have a pair of "travel" shoes to start things off. These are comfy, clean shoes that aren't too restricting for those days you might start swelling up a bit during flights, yet comfy enough that they're something you feel safe wearing all day for bursts of walking as well. If it's summer, I'm all about my travel shoes being a pair of flip flops, providing they're not a ratty old pair that smell like dog. Summer trips usually include 2 pairs of shoes - flip flops and a pair of runners for lots of walking days. But if you have any dressier events on your agenda, a pair of flexible ballet shoes that easily can be folded or stuffed into your suitcase work well as well. My rule of thumb for trips: don't buy new shoes for a trip! If you attempt to break in shoes on a trip, you're just setting yourself up for blister hell!
I don't seem to pack very light when it comes to personal hygiene products, but you can never be too safe in this area can you? I ensure the usual hairspray, toothpaste, brush, makeup bag, facial cleanser and toothbrush. One thing I always forget that I strongly encourage, take your own soap and hand lotion! The hotel soaps and products are a nice touch, but they tend to be full of perfumes and dyes and whatever else. I came home with a nice rash from Toronto recently from using the hotel stuff. It's easy enough to go to a store to buy products, but you may have a hard time finding a place that just sells single bars of soap anymore, and some places charge a fortune for smaller sample products, nor is the selection very good. In regards to the blister hell quoted above with the shoe section, taking along a few band-aids isn't a bad idea either. Gravol and Motrin are also on my must-pack list.
The rest is pretty standard and based on the individual. Obviously if you're travelling with kids, it's a lot tougher to pack light, but that doesn't mean you can't be efficient about it. Just keep it simple stupid as they say. And my last rule of thumb - never leave home without a good tube of chap-stick on you! It will be a life saver I promise. Happy travels!
Tia
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Retiring from Radio
Well it appears my 4-month vacation is coming to an end. Today I accepted the position of Member Services & Communications with the Sask Trucking Association here in Regina. No relocating – yayyyyy!
I’m extremely excited to be moving into a Communications role as my eventual goal was to transition into a PR or Communications job as I turned the corner into my fourties. As I said to someone the other day, it’s time to stop being all cool on the radio and start being an adult planning for a solid financial future some day. After all, not having kids, I don’t have anyone to pay for my seniors home do I?
I am sad in many ways to officially be retiring from my radio career. I worked my butt off for 20 years to get to where I was and wasn’t finished with where I wanted to go before someone decided I was no longer required. It’s like the carpet got pulled out from underneath me and there are many things I don’t have closure on. I’m also sad that I’ll miss talking to and hearing from listeners who’ve been so kind to me all these years in Regina and Moose Jaw. You are incredibly loyal and I’ve been blessed to have many of you as friends, even if it is just on Facebook. Keep being the wonderful people you are! To my fellow radio colleagues from all these years, it’s been a pleasure to work along side you and I wish you continued success. If I could offer any advice, it would be to have your back up plan ready to launch at any given time and a decent rainy day fund banked away. The industry is about to get very interesting over the next year or so. To my music friends who I’ve worked with all these years, some who’ve become great personal friends, it’s been a blast working this thing we call the music business together. We all got into this crazy life because of music and we’ll always be music people no matter what.
I want to thank everyone for their support through this ride the last few months. Barb, Paul, Krista, Rob, Kim, Chari, my sister, Edward, Debra, and to everyone else for their on-going ears and advice. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my character this last little while. But I’ve also learned who my real friends were, and I’m lucky to have had such a strong support system surrounding me and propping me up.
So I have until April 2nd to continue to enjoy my time off. I think an official retirement party may be in order so we can all get schmammered together. This weekend I’m going to enjoy my rescheduled holiday to Toronto that got cancelled in November when my world came to a crashing halt. Upon my return it’ll be a little spring cleaning and then back to work I go!
Goodbye radio. Onwards and upwards ☺
Tia
I’m extremely excited to be moving into a Communications role as my eventual goal was to transition into a PR or Communications job as I turned the corner into my fourties. As I said to someone the other day, it’s time to stop being all cool on the radio and start being an adult planning for a solid financial future some day. After all, not having kids, I don’t have anyone to pay for my seniors home do I?
I am sad in many ways to officially be retiring from my radio career. I worked my butt off for 20 years to get to where I was and wasn’t finished with where I wanted to go before someone decided I was no longer required. It’s like the carpet got pulled out from underneath me and there are many things I don’t have closure on. I’m also sad that I’ll miss talking to and hearing from listeners who’ve been so kind to me all these years in Regina and Moose Jaw. You are incredibly loyal and I’ve been blessed to have many of you as friends, even if it is just on Facebook. Keep being the wonderful people you are! To my fellow radio colleagues from all these years, it’s been a pleasure to work along side you and I wish you continued success. If I could offer any advice, it would be to have your back up plan ready to launch at any given time and a decent rainy day fund banked away. The industry is about to get very interesting over the next year or so. To my music friends who I’ve worked with all these years, some who’ve become great personal friends, it’s been a blast working this thing we call the music business together. We all got into this crazy life because of music and we’ll always be music people no matter what.
I want to thank everyone for their support through this ride the last few months. Barb, Paul, Krista, Rob, Kim, Chari, my sister, Edward, Debra, and to everyone else for their on-going ears and advice. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my character this last little while. But I’ve also learned who my real friends were, and I’m lucky to have had such a strong support system surrounding me and propping me up.
So I have until April 2nd to continue to enjoy my time off. I think an official retirement party may be in order so we can all get schmammered together. This weekend I’m going to enjoy my rescheduled holiday to Toronto that got cancelled in November when my world came to a crashing halt. Upon my return it’ll be a little spring cleaning and then back to work I go!
Goodbye radio. Onwards and upwards ☺
Tia
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Do you Swear?
Yesterday I was picking up the kiddios at their school. Each day the parents/care-givers arrive and wait outside the classroom door until the teachers release the beasts.
As I'm leaning against the wall, a woman was just down the hall within earshot talking to one of the dads. I'm pretty sure every 4th word that came out of her mouth was "shit". I should point out that this was just outside of a class for 4 yr olds and in a Catholic school to boot!
I'm not a saint when it comes to swearing, but I was a little appalled. There's a time and a place and I'm not sure that was the best choice of words given the location. God probably didn't think so either!
So when is it not appropriate to use that kind of language? Well a Catholic school would be one place. In front of kids certainly is the wrong place. But at what age of kids do you worry less about loose lips and give into the fact they'll learn it eventually? I also avoid swearing around seniors as I find it disrespectful. Swearing around people you've just met is touchy until you get a sense of what they're like first. And despite both my parents being the type to swear up and down like sailors, I actually don't like to swear around them. It's odd I know.
Do you have any "swear rules"?
Tia
As I'm leaning against the wall, a woman was just down the hall within earshot talking to one of the dads. I'm pretty sure every 4th word that came out of her mouth was "shit". I should point out that this was just outside of a class for 4 yr olds and in a Catholic school to boot!
I'm not a saint when it comes to swearing, but I was a little appalled. There's a time and a place and I'm not sure that was the best choice of words given the location. God probably didn't think so either!
So when is it not appropriate to use that kind of language? Well a Catholic school would be one place. In front of kids certainly is the wrong place. But at what age of kids do you worry less about loose lips and give into the fact they'll learn it eventually? I also avoid swearing around seniors as I find it disrespectful. Swearing around people you've just met is touchy until you get a sense of what they're like first. And despite both my parents being the type to swear up and down like sailors, I actually don't like to swear around them. It's odd I know.
Do you have any "swear rules"?
Tia
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